EAT LIKE A PIG Cooking with Pigman PG. 21 Behind the Scenes with TARAN BUTLER PG. 60 OOPPEENNSS UUPP AANNDD SSAAYYSS......AAHHHH,, TTHHEE GGRREEAATT OOUUTTDDOOOORRSS.. BRET MICHAELSBRET MICHAELS FULLY LOADED Gets Serious About Big Game Hunting PG. 52 SIG SAUERSIG SAUERSIG SAUER BRET MICHAELS OPENS UP AND SAYS...AHH, THE GREAT OUTDOORS. EAT LIKE A PIG Cooking with Pigman PG. 21 Behind the Scenes with TARAN BUTLER PG. 60 ANNIVERSARY ISSUE! | JULY-AUGUST 2021 GUN SHOW Freedom Rings with a Bit of Recoil PG. 11 GUN SHOW Freedom Rings with a Bit of Recoil PG. 11© 2021 Magpul Industries Corporation. MAGPUL, MAGPUL LOGO & DESIGN, and others are trademarks of Magpul Industries Corp. Magpul® Eyewear models provide premium clarity, contrast, and features, all with advanced ballistic impact protection built right in for those times when things don't go as planned. You also get stylish looks and the edge you need with an array of lens color, mirror, and polarization options. From the water, to the range, and everywhere else your life takes you, we've got you and your eyes covered. See all of our rugged models at Magpul.com. P I V O TA P E XR I F T www.magpul.comHOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 03 54 SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN Celebrity rock star Bret Michaels chases soul-stirring adventures. by jim hannaford 60 DO YOU FEEL LUCKY, PUNK? If you’re with Taran Butler, you better. by john j. radzwilla 66 WANTED! Dead or Alive, Free Range Aoudad Hunting in Lajitas, Texas. by john j. radzwilla TABLE OF CONTENTS JULY-AUGUST 2021VOLUME FOUR, ISSUE FOUR GIVING BACK Life Rocks Foundation. WISDOM The great outdoors. FULLY LOADED Sig Sauer Elite Series Hunting Ammo: Getting Serious about big game. HOW TO Trout, beer, buffalo: a Yellowstone odyssey. 06 08 52 THE GUN SHOW! Locked and loaded. WILD LIFE Zip line for big bucks — obsession leads to innovation. 11 43 37 EDITOR’S NOTE 04 21 26 29 73 76 HAPPY HOUR The workin’ man’s brews. GOOD GRUB Hog wild with Pigman and smoked Birria tacos. TREND Daisy May Hat Co. owner Gage Speas talks music, family, and the allure of a good hat. TROPHY ROOM Holly Stocks puts down roots in Nashville and spreads her creative wings. LAST LAUGH Smokeless and the Bandit. CAN YOU SPOT THE HOOK & BARREL CRITTER? Each issue, the Critter is hiding somewhere in the table of contents picture. Happy hunting! DEER UNCLE TED ith Independence Day upon us Paul, this is a very good question for your ol’ Uncle Ted, because the 4th of July should always represent the celebration of this unique American freedom that I believe is epitomized by our outdoor lifestyle. Yes indeed, I do fish, hunt, and trap and enjoy everything and anything in the great outdoors. The Nugents not only cherish our whitetail backstraps on the grill, but we love our panfish meals just as much and every imaginable sacred flesh harvest from God’s miraculous renewable pantry. I think the best way to identify these wonderful outdoor freedoms is exemplified by the hero warriors of the U.S. Military and their families who join us around these campfires articulating in no uncertain terms how the healing powers of nature and our hands-on conservation lifestyle are the tip of the freedom spear. Happy Independence Day every day across America, everyone! Celebrate it like you mean it! Godspeed, Ted & family W I see on Spirit of the Wild TV how you hunt with the bow and arrow relentlessly! With summertime here, what other outdoor activities do you like? Do you fish? Thank you for your “truth, logic, and common sense” in this crazy world. PAUL W., MICHIGAN To ask Ted Nugent your question, simply email him at UncleTed@hookandbarrel.com. Maybe you’ll see his response in a future issue! Ted Nugent is an award-winning musician and writer, with numerous best-selling books including Ted, White and Blue: The Nugent Manifesto, God, Guns and Rock ‘n Roll, and Kill It and Grill It. Also, his popular television show, Spirit of the Wild, has aired over 500 episodes. All material is strictly copyright protected and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the copyright holder. All prices and data are correct at the time of publication. The views and opinions expressed in Hook & Barrel are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the advertisers. Any images supplied are at the owner’s risk and are the property of the Hook & Barrel Magazine. All content is owned in full by Hook & Barrel Magazine. Proudly Printed in America Hook & Barrel is a proud partner in the PrintReleaf program. PrintReleaf guarantees every sheet of paper we consume in the production of our magazine will be reforested. New trees are planted on our behalf in PrintReleaf Certified Reforestation Projects across the globe. Courtesy of Michaels Entertainment Group / Mia Mazzanti ON THE COVER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John J. Radzwilla CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Natalie Radzwilla MANAGING EDITOR Lee M. Hurley CREATIVE DIRECTOR Claire Cormany COPY EDITOR Barry Wise Smith PRODUCTION MANAGER Jill Christiansen OFFICIAL FFL Black-Tie Guns EDITORIAL OFFICE 1012 W. Eldorado Parkway P.O. Box 183 Little Elm, Texas 75068 214.997.1118 hookandbarrel.com CONTACT THE EDITOR editor@hookandbarrel.com FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@hookandbarrel.com EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Materials to be considered for use in Hook & Barrel Magazine should be emailed to editor@hookandbarrel.com or mailed to editorial office. Not responsible for the loss of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or other materials. Returns only when accompanied by return postage. We do not recommend sending original photography or artwork. SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe or manage your subscription to Hook & Barrel Magazine, visit www.hookandbarrel.com. PH O T O B Y JO H N . J. R A DZ W IL LAHOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 03 54 SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN Celebrity rock star Bret Michaels chases soul-stirring adventures. by jim hannaford 60 DO YOU FEEL LUCKY, PUNK? If you’re with Taran Butler, you better. by john j. radzwilla 66 WANTED! Dead or Alive, Free Range Aoudad Hunting in Lajitas, Texas. by john j. radzwilla TABLE OF CONTENTS JULY-AUGUST 2021VOLUME FOUR, ISSUE FOUR GIVING BACK Life Rocks Foundation. WISDOM The great outdoors. FULLY LOADED Sig Sauer Elite Series Hunting Ammo: Getting Serious about big game. HOW TO Trout, beer, buffalo: a Yellowstone odyssey. 06 08 52 THE GUN SHOW! Locked and loaded. WILD LIFE Zip line for big bucks — obsession leads to innovation. 11 43 37 EDITOR’S NOTE 04 21 26 29 73 76 HAPPY HOUR The workin’ man’s brews. GOOD GRUB Hog wild with Pigman and smoked Birria tacos. TREND Daisy May Hat Co. owner Gage Speas talks music, family, and the allure of a good hat. TROPHY ROOM Holly Stocks puts down roots in Nashville and spreads her creative wings. LAST LAUGH Smokeless and the Bandit. CAN YOU SPOT THE HOOK & BARREL CRITTER? Each issue, the Critter is hiding somewhere in the table of contents picture. Happy hunting! DEER UNCLE TED ith Independence Day upon us Paul, this is a very good question for your ol’ Uncle Ted, because the 4th of July should always represent the celebration of this unique American freedom that I believe is epitomized by our outdoor lifestyle. Yes indeed, I do fish, hunt, and trap and enjoy everything and anything in the great outdoors. The Nugents not only cherish our whitetail backstraps on the grill, but we love our panfish meals just as much and every imaginable sacred flesh harvest from God’s miraculous renewable pantry. I think the best way to identify these wonderful outdoor freedoms is exemplified by the hero warriors of the U.S. Military and their families who join us around these campfires articulating in no uncertain terms how the healing powers of nature and our hands-on conservation lifestyle are the tip of the freedom spear. Happy Independence Day every day across America, everyone! Celebrate it like you mean it! Godspeed, Ted & family W I see on Spirit of the Wild TV how you hunt with the bow and arrow relentlessly! With summertime here, what other outdoor activities do you like? Do you fish? Thank you for your “truth, logic, and common sense” in this crazy world. PAUL W., MICHIGAN To ask Ted Nugent your question, simply email him at UncleTed@hookandbarrel.com. Maybe you’ll see his response in a future issue! Ted Nugent is an award-winning musician and writer, with numerous best-selling books including Ted, White and Blue: The Nugent Manifesto, God, Guns and Rock ‘n Roll, and Kill It and Grill It. Also, his popular television show, Spirit of the Wild, has aired over 500 episodes. All material is strictly copyright protected and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the copyright holder. All prices and data are correct at the time of publication. The views and opinions expressed in Hook & Barrel are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the advertisers. Any images supplied are at the owner’s risk and are the property of the Hook & Barrel Magazine. All content is owned in full by Hook & Barrel Magazine. Proudly Printed in America Hook & Barrel is a proud partner in the PrintReleaf program. PrintReleaf guarantees every sheet of paper we consume in the production of our magazine will be reforested. New trees are planted on our behalf in PrintReleaf Certified Reforestation Projects across the globe. Courtesy of Michaels Entertainment Group / Mia Mazzanti ON THE COVER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John J. Radzwilla CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Natalie Radzwilla MANAGING EDITOR Lee M. Hurley CREATIVE DIRECTOR Claire Cormany COPY EDITOR Barry Wise Smith PRODUCTION MANAGER Jill Christiansen OFFICIAL FFL Black-Tie Guns EDITORIAL OFFICE 1012 W. Eldorado Parkway P.O. Box 183 Little Elm, Texas 75068 214.997.1118 hookandbarrel.com CONTACT THE EDITOR editor@hookandbarrel.com FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@hookandbarrel.com EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Materials to be considered for use in Hook & Barrel Magazine should be emailed to editor@hookandbarrel.com or mailed to editorial office. Not responsible for the loss of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or other materials. Returns only when accompanied by return postage. We do not recommend sending original photography or artwork. SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe or manage your subscription to Hook & Barrel Magazine, visit www.hookandbarrel.com. PH O T O B Y JO H N . J. R A DZ W IL LA04 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM hat is patriotism? Is it flying the red, white, and blue? Is it voting a certain way? Is it chanting USA, USA, USA? No, I’ll tell you what patriotism is: it is seizing (vigorously) the opportunity men and women died for, to better yourself and your family in this great land (supporting our country). It is honoring those men’s and women’s lives by fully capitalizing on the freedom they fought for. It is a mindset that no one can stop you but yourself from achieving greatness in America. It’s choosing to get to work, rather than choosing to be a victim (detracting from America). In a day and time when actions speak louder than words, just updating your profile picture to one with a flag in it, does not make you a patriot. I think back to my grandfather’s generation, the Greatest Generation, and reflect on what made them so great. Not only did they fight for our country in WWII, but they also came home, got to work, and made this country great again. Can we get back to that, please? This issue of Hook & Barrel is our Anniversary issue and stands as a testament to hard work. I wouldn’t say that I am a religious man, but I certainly am a faith-filled one. I believe that God helps those who help themselves. That if I do the natural, He will do the super-natural. And I believe that there is a strong tie between God and America. There is a reason it says “In God We Trust” on our money and that our forefather’s made God number one on our Bill of Rights. God made all of us Americans—left, right, or center. We were put here to flourish. I will concede, for the sake of conversation, that some have a tougher journey than others, but the fact of the matter still remains: this is America, and you can be anything you want to be if you are willing to pay your price. So what is that price, and is it always fair? I can’t tell you your price. It may be more than mine; it may be less. I can tell you what my family and I paid to become America’s fastest growing outdoor lifestyle magazine in just four years, though. We have worked ridiculously hard, put in longer than normal hours, sacrificed personal time to explore opportunities, and spent many nights worried if we made the right decisions. We have cried, we have been angry, we have literally fallen asleep at our desks, yet we have stayed the course, and the American dream has come true for us—yet we never take that for granted and will never stop working to ensure that dream continues. It wasn’t always fair. There were people who stole from us, there were people who tried to keep us down, and there were people who wanted to see us fail because they were jealous. But we kept on keeping on and trusted in God. In this issue, there are some great stories of patriotism. Take our cover, Bret Michaels. Is he a patriot because he gives back to veterans? Not in my opinion. Anyone can throw money at a great cause. Why is he a patriot then? Because at a young age he had a dream of becoming a rock star. He packed up his things and left Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he grew up, and drove out to Los Angeles to pursue that dream. He literally lived in a drycleaner’s backroom, playing gigs to earn money for Insulin so that he could live another day to keep chasing that dream. He did his part to the fullest, and he became one of the biggest names in rock ‘n roll. That’s what makes him a patriot in my eyes. It’s not that American flag cowboy hat he occasionally wears but what he was willing to pay to be on that stage wearing it. He honored the freedom that he was given. I say all of this because it seems that today in American the idea of being “patriotic” has become political and polarizing. People say that you can tell how a neighbor voted by if they are flying an American flag at their home. Or if you are honoring the flag that you are some- how supporting a certain political agenda. Here’s the only agenda Old Glory has: Be free to be anything you want to be as long as you are willing to pay your price. I want to thank you all for reading Hook & Barrel. No price is too high to pay for that in my eyes. We couldn’t have done it without you, your feedback, and your encouragement along the way. That is our return on investment. The price my team and I pay each day, continues to pay off in dividends through your support. I leave you with this: freedom isn’t, nor will it ever be, free. So, honor those who died for it by realizing it is a work in progress, not everyone’s price is the same, but at the end of the day, we are all Americans, blessed to be living in the greatest nation on the planet, where dreams come true if you are willing to chase them, no matter the cost. That is patriotism. In God I Trust, W John J. Radzwilla editor-in-chief EDITOR’S NOTE AD Actions Speak Louder than Words. PA·TRI·OT noun, a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.06 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 07 could use my celebrity as a platform to showcase people doing good and serving others. Operation Desert Storm had just started, so we donated albums to the troops to help keep their morale up. Many of those troops started coming out to shows as they rotated home and started expressing their thanks to us. While I thought that was nice, I couldn’t help but think that I could be doing more for the troops; after all, those guys were out there laying their lives down for the freedoms that we all get to enjoy. Putting politics aside, I started carving out a part of our set where I thanked those serving—our incredible veterans, first responders, frontline workers, and teachers—from the stage. As a kid from a military family, it was always important to me, but now I had a way to showcase my thanks on a larger scale. I have been doing it ever since, and at every show, be it solo or with Poison, we bring up veterans and/or active-duty military members and first responders to enjoy the celebration. I have also had the incredible experience of performing for our troops overseas in Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, and Iraq, as well as visiting numerous bases stateside. As I continued to tour and met more and more people, I realized that the more vocal I was about my support and about my diabetes, others were encouraged to share their stories too. It also gave me more of an opportunity to see the need that existed not only for veterans’ services but for those dedicated to kids with Type 1, and thus my Life Rocks Foun- dation was born. I had been making donations to organizations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, American Diabetes Association, and veterans’ charities, but I wanted to make more of an impact directly with the people I was meeting. So as I met kids on the road who had been newly diagnosed, I started funding their trips to diabetes education summer camps. I started talking with veterans and making donations toward smaller organizations where I could meet the people who needed the services the most. Seeing the people who are directly benefiting from something is so rewarding. I have met so many amazing people and heard so many incredible stories of resilience and unbroken spirit. I have become lifelong friends with a lot of them. As an entertainer, I feel like it is my duty to help shed light on the art of giving back, strength, resilience, and connection by sharing a common thread. Even the smallest act of kindness can go a long way. I think you can see that theme throughout my music, from songs like “Every Rose Has a Thorn” to “Unbroken.” No matter how dark the day gets, there is someone who has been there as well. Sharing those common stories, listening to someone’s account of their trials may give them strength; sharing your story of overcoming adversity can give hope; it all is equally important as is giving a monetary donation. I truly thank my family, friends, the great outdoors, and good music for saving my life; it is in my flesh, blood, and soul to give back. s a lifelong Type 1 diabetic, my flesh, blood, and soul is dedicated to giving back. It is a constant in almost every- thing I do, whether it be my personal or professional life. My parents and family taught my sisters and me about giv- ing back. My diagnosis came at the age of six and would help define my personality and unbroken spirit. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given and grate- ful for a chance to remain in the fight. I like to treat people with respect; family, friends, fans, or strangers—I only wish the best for them. It is an incredible balance in my life, but I choose to stay positive as my parents fought diligently to show me that I could survive and thrive. As I said, for me, the idea of giving back and being of service to others started at a very young age. Not only were my parents very philanthropic, but my family was deeply rooted in the military and first responder communities. From my Grandfather, my Cousin Bob (two Purple Hearts), my Uncle Nick (KIA at the Battle of the Bulge), to my Uncle Don and Cousin Doug, my family has served in WWI, WWII, Vietnam, and as firefighters and first responders. Many other relatives, including my sister Michele (Air Force), have also served or are currently serving in the military. My father was in the Navy, served in Korea, and returned home to work at the Mechanicsburg (Pennsylvania) Naval Depot, and my mother worked in corrections for many years. They were both advocates for veterans and giving back. When I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, that mission to give back took even more prominence in our lives. At the time, there were very few resources for a kid like me. In those days, the learning curve was great, and the warnings from doctors, well, let’s just say they were a lot scarier then than they are today. Despite the description of the disease from the doctor, my parents decided to figure it out and help me make the best life possible despite the circumstances. They never let me have a pity party. Instead, they were very supportive and encouraged me to do all of the things that I wanted to do. I had always been a very active kid, so playing football and riding motocross and BMX bikes was not out of the norm for me. My mother noticed that, despite how well I was doing, I did not have any other kids my age who were Type 1 diabetic to whom I could relate. So she started the first diabetic youth camp in Harrisburg, where we were living at the time. Watching her pour everything into it was amazing and most certainly is part of me learning how rewarding giving back could be. I spent many summers at that camp and made a lot of incredible friends. When I first started headlining with Poison, I realized that I A AD At Hook & Barrel, we are firm believers in giving back to the greater good. Conservation and good will is a team effort and takes many forms: from habitat and species conservation to preserving hunting and fishing rights or growing the sports by introducing new folks to the joys of the outdoors. Some of our key focuses are children’s causes, habitat and wildlife initiatives, and veterans who protect our rights as Americans to live the lifestyle we all enjoy. Bret Michaels Learn more or donate at liferocksfoundation.org GIVING BACKBROWNING.COMBROWNING.COM 21-BFA-131_MaxusII_II_Print_Ad_8_375x10_875.indd 121-BFA-131_MaxusII_II_Print_Ad_8_375x10_875.indd 14/5/21 8:27 AM4/5/21 8:27 AMNext >