MARCH-APRIL 2021 LAURA ZERRA Naked But Not Afraid PG. 54 What We Love About… CRAIG MORGAN PG. 21 Bustin’ Big Toms with MICHAEL WADDELL PG. 48 Bladesmith DOUG MARCAIDA is Forged in Fire PG. 27 LLEEGGEENNDDAARRYY LEGENDARY RRIIDDEESS SSHHOOTTGGUUNN TTOO NNOO OONNEE..RIDES SHOTGUN TO NO ONE DALE EARNHARDT JR.DALE EARNHARDT JR.DALE EARNHARDT JR. Bass Fishing Must Haves PG. 8 THE 2021THE 2021 LUNKER LISTLUNKER LIST THE 2021 LUNKER LISTALABAMA’S WHITE-SAND BEACHES GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH 2021 OFFICIAL VACATION GUIDE Are you ready to take in all the goodness found on the Gulf Coast? Find your vacation inspiration and start planning your getaway to Alabama’s beaches by ordering our 2021 Vacation Guide. This 88-page magazine provides everything you need to know about vacationing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach from what to see, do and eat to where to stay. Visit GulfShores.com or call 877-341-2400 to order your copy today. Immerse yourself in the beauty found along Alabama’s beaches. With 32 miles of sugar-white sand coastline and pristine turquoise waters, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are havens for families from all across the country, especially during the spring. From 28+ miles of paved biking trails and scenic waterways for kayaking and paddleboarding, to zipline courses, nature cruises and fishing excursions, there’s much to be explored and discovered on and off the beach when vacationing with your family along Alabama’s coast. All of those active adventures can make you quite hungry. Lucky for you, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to a plethora of locally-owned establishments that have been serving flavorful culinary delights for decades. Whether you’re looking for fried shrimp in a plastic basket or flip-flop fine dining, we have something to satisfy every palate. The variety of accommodations is as alluring as the scenery and includes high-rise condos, nationally- branded hotels, bright and colorful beach houses, as well as campgrounds, cabins and RV parks. Waves lapping. Sand between your toes. Warm coastal breezes. Steam rising off a plate of fresh shrimp. When you’re ready, come experience the sights, sounds and scents of the Alabama Gulf Coast. We’ve missed you. 2020-6344 Hook & Barrel, March.indd 12020-6344 Hook & Barrel, March.indd 11/20/21 11:53 AM1/20/21 11:53 AMALABAMA’S WHITE-SAND BEACHES GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH 2021 OFFICIAL VACATION GUIDE Are you ready to take in all the goodness found on the Gulf Coast? Find your vacation inspiration and start planning your getaway to Alabama’s beaches by ordering our 2021 Vacation Guide. This 88-page magazine provides everything you need to know about vacationing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach from what to see, do and eat to where to stay. Visit GulfShores.com or call 877-341-2400 to order your copy today. Immerse yourself in the beauty found along Alabama’s beaches. With 32 miles of sugar-white sand coastline and pristine turquoise waters, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are havens for families from all across the country, especially during the spring. From 28+ miles of paved biking trails and scenic waterways for kayaking and paddleboarding, to zipline courses, nature cruises and fishing excursions, there’s much to be explored and discovered on and off the beach when vacationing with your family along Alabama’s coast. All of those active adventures can make you quite hungry. Lucky for you, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to a plethora of locally-owned establishments that have been serving flavorful culinary delights for decades. Whether you’re looking for fried shrimp in a plastic basket or flip-flop fine dining, we have something to satisfy every palate. The variety of accommodations is as alluring as the scenery and includes high-rise condos, nationally- branded hotels, bright and colorful beach houses, as well as campgrounds, cabins and RV parks. Waves lapping. Sand between your toes. Warm coastal breezes. Steam rising off a plate of fresh shrimp. When you’re ready, come experience the sights, sounds and scents of the Alabama Gulf Coast. We’ve missed you. 2020-6344 Hook & Barrel, March.indd 12020-6344 Hook & Barrel, March.indd 12/8/21 10:16 AM2/8/21 10:16 AMHOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 03 42 LEGEND NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his father, his career, his affinity for big bucks, and why not driving is NOT an option. by barry wise smith 48 THE GIG IS UP, TOM. When fowl play is suspected, bust them with Michael Waddell. by jeff johnston 54 CLOTHING OPTIONAL Welcome to Naked and Afraid regular Laura Zerra’s life— a self-described “type of crazy” nomadic existence guided by a philosophy that returns humans to their primal, authentic roots. by patti verbanas TABLE OF CONTENTS MARCH-APRIL 2021VOLUME FOUR, ISSUE TWO WISDOM The great outdoors. GET AWAY Experience luxury camping at Camp Long Creek at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri. CUTTING EDGE Doug Marcaida’s passion fuels Forged in Fire. 06 34 GEAR The Lunker List: Gear you should buy this spring. WILD LIFE Dan Basore and his fishing lures. JAMMING OUT Life comes full circle for Craig Morgan. HAPPY HOUR The legend behind Enchanted Rock Vodka. 08 38 21 17 27 EDITOR’S NOTE 04 13 61 64 GOOD GRUB Toronto’s Michael Hunter is the real thing. TROPHY ROOM Dania Vizzi sets her sights on becoming a world-class skeet shooter. LAST LAUGH The No Turkey Poster Boy. 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 hank you for your kind words, Tom. When we bow hunt for big old Thunderchickens, we use the exact same setup as we do for deer and all big game. Do not underestimate the militant tenacity of Old Longbeard Tom! You must place your razor-sharp broadhead in the exact right spot to cleanly kill those big birds. Their vitals are actually situated where you would believe their guts are, slightly low and back. There is much talk about the advantages of having the broadhead not completely penetrate these big birds theoretically to hamper their ability to fly off. I say hogwash! With proper shot placement, two holes are always better than one to bleed out our arrow-hit game, so approach your wild turkey bowhunting the same way you would all big game, and believe you me, wild turkeys indeed qualify as big game! Aim small, miss small, and good luck on the mighty American wild turkey—Thunderchickens! Good luck and Godspeed, Uncle Ted T My entire family loves your Spirit of the Wild show on the Outdoor Channel. We all watch it together religiously! You and Shemane are the best! I know you mostly bow hunt for deer, but I was wondering if you do anything different when going after Thunderchickens in the springtime with the bow and arrow. Do you use the same bow? Same broadhead? What’s the Nuge trick? Good hunting and thanks for all the years of blazing rock-n-roll! TOM G., IN 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. Dale Earnhardt Jr. poses on his property in Cleveland, North Carolina. Photo by Chris Stanford 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.HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 03 42 LEGEND NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his father, his career, his affinity for big bucks, and why not driving is NOT an option. by barry wise smith 48 THE GIG IS UP, TOM. When fowl play is suspected, bust them with Michael Waddell. by jeff johnston 54 CLOTHING OPTIONAL Welcome to Naked and Afraid regular Laura Zerra’s life— a self-described “type of crazy” nomadic existence guided by a philosophy that returns humans to their primal, authentic roots. by patti verbanas TABLE OF CONTENTS MARCH-APRIL 2021VOLUME FOUR, ISSUE TWO WISDOM The great outdoors. GET AWAY Experience luxury camping at Camp Long Creek at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri. CUTTING EDGE Doug Marcaida’s passion fuels Forged in Fire. 06 34 GEAR The Lunker List: Gear you should buy this spring. WILD LIFE Dan Basore and his fishing lures. JAMMING OUT Life comes full circle for Craig Morgan. HAPPY HOUR The legend behind Enchanted Rock Vodka. 08 38 21 17 27 EDITOR’S NOTE 04 13 61 64 GOOD GRUB Toronto’s Michael Hunter is the real thing. TROPHY ROOM Dania Vizzi sets her sights on becoming a world-class skeet shooter. LAST LAUGH The No Turkey Poster Boy. 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 hank you for your kind words, Tom. When we bow hunt for big old Thunderchickens, we use the exact same setup as we do for deer and all big game. Do not underestimate the militant tenacity of Old Longbeard Tom! You must place your razor-sharp broadhead in the exact right spot to cleanly kill those big birds. Their vitals are actually situated where you would believe their guts are, slightly low and back. There is much talk about the advantages of having the broadhead not completely penetrate these big birds theoretically to hamper their ability to fly off. I say hogwash! With proper shot placement, two holes are always better than one to bleed out our arrow-hit game, so approach your wild turkey bowhunting the same way you would all big game, and believe you me, wild turkeys indeed qualify as big game! Aim small, miss small, and good luck on the mighty American wild turkey—Thunderchickens! Good luck and Godspeed, Uncle Ted T My entire family loves your Spirit of the Wild show on the Outdoor Channel. We all watch it together religiously! You and Shemane are the best! I know you mostly bow hunt for deer, but I was wondering if you do anything different when going after Thunderchickens in the springtime with the bow and arrow. Do you use the same bow? Same broadhead? What’s the Nuge trick? Good hunting and thanks for all the years of blazing rock-n-roll! TOM G., IN 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. Dale Earnhardt Jr. poses on his property in Cleveland, North Carolina. Photo by Chris Stanford 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.04 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM hile spring turkey season is upon us, the memory of my last deer season still haunts me. It ended with a clear as 20/20 miss (pun intended). The season was as messed up as the year was. I couldn’t find a deer to save my life in a forest chock full of ‘em, but if it was a turkey I was after, I would have tagged out 10 times over. Pretty sure they were roosting in my deer stand. Watch, now there won’t be a bird for miles… The shot rang out, the deer jumped, and I promptly hung my head in shame. How could I miss at 50 yards? I got out of the blind, tore off after the sound of clamoring leaves in trees to see if I could get off another shot. After all, maybe there was another stray branch I could hit in the process (That’s my story, and I am sticking to it). Walking back to the stand, I reached into my pocket for my phone to check the time. Panic ensued. I patted myself down frantically like a TSA agent who had three too many coffees. It was gone. My phone had flown out somehow and was lost amongst the leaves in an area with no cell reception to even have a friend call it. Not only had I missed the deer, but I lost my new iPhone. After an hour of combing the forest floor, I did recover it, but now looking back on things and how 2021 got off to its start, maybe it was a sign—DITCH THE SCREEN. It seems like to me that so many of our problems in this country stem from the media: the division, the hate, the addiction to social media, and the epic amount of time lost to scrolling like zombies when we should be paying atten- tion to the things that matter, like our kids and the people we love. I am the first to point out that I am not without fault. I have a bad addiction to the screen too. I can look at my phone on the table and like a crackhead that needs a hit, I almost drool at the thought of tapping the screen in hopes of a notification—and for what—a Facebook message about some political crap that is going to send my blood pressure through the roof? I would urge anyone out there who suffers from the same sort of symptoms this spring to watch the Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma. During the hour-and- a-half documentary, tech experts sound the alarm on the dangerous human impact of social networking. It was eye opening, and after watching it, my screen time has been cut drastically. It’s not easy but so rewarding when you finally break the habit. Further, maybe I am being biased since I am a print guy, but I like to read a book, magazine, or newspaper. There is just something about the nostalgia and feel of a page, the smell of fresh paper, and the flexing of your imagination to bring the words to life rather than watching it on YouTube. So, this spring, I challenge you to DITCH THE SCREEN. Do it for a week, then try it for two weeks, and so on. You’ll find your humanity again. Your stress levels will fall. And you will find gratefulness for what you have rather than the resentment and anger Facebook serves you and/or the jealousy and envy from looking at others’ “Instagram Life” (which is only what they want you to see illustrated through a literal filter). Not to mention, it’s spring! You should be out in the woods chasing turkeys, hiking and camping, or on a bass boat reeling those lunkers in! Signing Off, John J. Radzwilla editor-in-chief EDITOR’S NOTE AD This Spring, #DitchTheScreen WRIAC IS ALWAYS ACCEPTING QUALITY CONSIGNMENT, ONE GUN OR AN ENTIRE COLLECTION! Call: 800-238-8022 or Email: guns@rockislandauction.com WWW.ROCKISLANDAUCTION.COM Undisputed World Leader for Quality Collectable and Antique Firearms ® 7819 42nd Street West, Rock Island, IL 61201 ∙ PHONE: 309-797-1500 or 800-238-8022 ∙ FAX: 309-797-1655 ∙ EMAIL: info@rockislandauction.com ∙ Fully Licensed Class III Auctioneer CATALOG ONLINE SOON! REAL ART REAL HISTORY REAL IRON∙∙ MAY 14TH, 15TH & 16 TH MAY 14TH, 15TH & 16 TH Premier AuctionPremier Auction Fine, Historic, & Investment Grade FirearmsFine, Historic, & Investment Grade Firearms Rock Island Auction Company® Exceptional, Highly Desirable, Texas Shipped, Wilbur Glahn Factory Engraved Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Checkered Grip Straps, Relief Carved Eagle Grip and Factory Letter Extraordinary Cuno Helfricht Factory Engraved Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Relief Carved Steer Head and Monogram Pearl Grips and Factory Letter Phenomenal, Exceptionally Rare and Documented Factory Deluxe Engraved, Nickel and Gold Plated Colt Black Powder Etched Panel Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Pearl Grips and Factory Letter Spectacular Wilbur Glahn Factory Engraved Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Relief Carved Eagle Grip and Factory Letter John Ulrich Signed Factory Exhibition Relief Panel Scene Engraved, Gold Plated and Inlaid Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle Masterpiece Inscribed to President of Honduras Marco A. Soto with Factory Letter The #1 Firearms Auction House in the World! FOR YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CATALOG CALL 800-238-8022 (REFERENCE THIS AD)06 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM A TIME TO LOOK UP OLD FRIENDS After March comes April. It’s a month God created so you can go look up some old friends—that big smallmouth in your secret spot or that huge largemouth that hangs out by the dock. It’s a time to enjoy a white bass run, catch a delicious walleye, battle a monster pike or muskie, tangle with a catfish, and dip a minnow for a crappie. You can also tie on a fly and cast to a rainbow. Maybe even dip a bait into saltwater. If you’re a fisherman, how can you not enjoy glorious April? HUNTING FOR THE DELICIOUS MOREL Start your hunt for morel mushrooms near trees that are favored by morels like Ash, dead or dying Elm, Red Oak and White Oaks, and old apple orchards. One of my favorite morel hunting places is old logging areas or places with lots of downed, rotting trees. Another good place to look is in areas of disturbed ground. Mushrooms are produced sometimes in response to environmental stress, so morels are often found around burn sites. Morels thrive on the nutrients that burned trees release back into the soil. Areas disturbed now or in the past by water like old flood plains, near rivers, and near washes are also good places to search. Morel mushrooms spread through the dispersal of spores, and the more spores you allow them to drop, the better the chances of more mushrooms in the future so use a mesh bag to carry your morels. Don’t pick every last mushroom you see either. Leave a few so they can continue to drop spores, and you can enjoy hunting for the delicious morel for years to come. TAKE A POLITICIAN FISHING DAY It has been proven through research that fishing has the power to change lives for the better. For that reason, there will be a special day set aside on April 15th this year called “Take a Politician Fishing Day.” The goals are that after they have been taught to enjoy fishing they can also learn to get along with each other, understand they work for us the taxpayer, and be more mindful of how they spend our tax dollars. If you sign up to help, would you please explain to them that there are a lot of us fishermen, we are watching them, and we all vote. If you want to volun- teer, go to somethingsmellsfishy.org. THE WARM DAYS OF MARCH When you are outside during the warm days of March, look for the colors of spring in tiny wild flowers bursting through decayed leaves. I look forward to the first trilling sounds of the spring peeper frog, the purplish blooms of the redbud trees followed by the beautiful flowering dogwood, and the emergence of morel mushrooms on the forest floor. Some might even be right next to a shed deer antler. In the distance you might hear a turkey gobble. They know mating time is almost here. In the watery world, fish are getting ready to head to their spawning areas. Favorite hiking trails are waiting. It’s time to air out the tent. Birds are singing their spring songs. You smile because you know, as they do, that the beautiful spring days are coming, and the sooner the better. AD SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT “I’ve gone fishing thousands of times in my life, and I have never once felt unlucky or poorly paid for those hours on the water.” WILLIAM TAPPLY by larry whiteley The great outdoors. WISDOM TURKEY TIP You may think you know how to judge the range when hunting turkeys, but get a range finder anyway so you’re not guessing and you know for sure when a turkey is in clean shooting distance.Next >