An area of land that includes habitat like water, or sources of food and places where animals seek shelter will support specific animals or birds. Because that parcel of land would support a grouse, does not mean the same parcel would support a different population of birds.
Behind Every Great Flea Is A Lesser Flea Read More »
Wetlands are vital for waterfowl reproduction. Unfortunately, encroachment by industry and humans is harmful.
Let’s Build A Better Future For Waterfowl Read More »
If you drove to the forested backlands, could you actually survive a month, a week or even a single day? Yukon Survival.
Could You Survive In The Backlands? Read More »
Since the early Gold Rush days, hunting and fishing have played a major and valuable role in tourism in the Yukon.
The value of hunting & fishing to tourism in the Yukon Read More »
The Yukon bison herd is said to be 1,400+. Learn a little North American Bison, it’s introduction into the Yukon and a great Bison recipe.
The History of the North American Bison Read More »
Back in the 50s and 60s, before many of my readers were even born, as a conservation officer I had the pleasure of undertaking many
Knowing the Canadian beaver Read More »
My interest in ancient archaeology happened when I turned 62. True, it was a little late in life to go back to life studies, but I was digging in my garden back in north central Ontario when I came upon some old bone structure.
Looking back (way back) Read More »
Too many or too few of a species can be a disaster for any animal. Take deer for example. Too few can spell disaster when you consider possible recovery time and all conditions the population faces.
Carrying Capacity: one of the most misunderstood factors Read More »
I just can’t wait for Christmas to come around again and the kitchen abounds with the cooking smells of Christmas pudding.
Yukoners at large in the Badlands of South Dakota.
Escape to warmer weather and a unique landscape Read More »
One thing you know for sure about wild meat is that it hasn’t been loaded with chemicals and growth hormones to get it to market
The poppy was originally worn by Americans. Madame Guerin convinced Canadian veterans to adopt the poppy in Canada.
On Sept 1, 1914, the passenger pigeon went extinct. Considering the bird’s once-plentiful population, have we learned anything from this.
What we can learn from the passing of the passenger pigeon Read More »
I come from a time when tradition dictated that Friday was Pancake Friday. That meant we had pancakes for supper on Fridays. At the time,
History of bloodshed has led some to associate firearms in war with hunting. There are misconceptions and misunderstandings about firearms.
Anti-hunting lives on Read More »
Look at a section of forest that has been harvested. A group of conservation-minded people entered the cut and made a number of bush piles. The bush pile becomes a safety net for rabbits, squirrels and other such creatures, but let’s not stop there.
Factors in wildlife management Read More »
Chicken a la king Ingredients 4 ounce medium noodles 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup 16-oz can Carnation evaporated milk 1 tsp salt 1-1/2
Chicken a la king, fit for a king Read More »
Many people are doing more cooking and baking at home right now, and as well leaning more towards vegetables than meat. This week we will
Tasty Soups and Salads Read More »
Since writing a column on wetlands, a question has come up for me—is a beaver pond considered a wetland?
Are beaver ponds wetlands? Read More »
Progression. Now there’s a word that’s important to the future of all wildlife. Look at a section of forest that has been harvested. A group
Factors in wildlife management Read More »
There’s a big difference between cooking the meat of wild animals and cooking the meat of domestic animals. Domestic meats contain a wide variety of chemicals, including growth hormones, while wild meat has none.
Know the age of fowl meat when cooking Read More »
Birds of a feather flock together, including Murray and Lisa Martin’s Siberian husky, Avalanche. [box] Meet our dogs, they live for us, we live for
Dog Culture – Murray Martin Read More »
Foxes have a number of colour phases. Mainly, we see the red and white, but additional phases include all-black, and black and red. No matter what colour, these foxes all have two things in common.
All about the red fox Read More »
Murray Martin gives WUY permission to share this poem free of charge every holiday. We wish you a safe and Merry Christmas, and please drive responsibly at all times of the year.
On the Other Side of the Coin Read More »
In many communities across Canada, all dogs must be inoculated with the rabies vaccine. It is not only wise to stop the spread of this deadly diseases to other animals, but to the protection of all people.
Vaxxing for canines – protecting your dog from rabies Read More »
Murray Martin with his first ever moose, shot with a bow and arrow in 1963. It was recorded in the Pope and Young World Records.
Getting the best out of wild meat Read More »
There are many canoe paddles on the market today, made in many styles, of many materials. The key to buying one to fit you personally
The perfect canoe paddle Read More »
Murray shares a variety of salads and dressings to make at home… Let me take you back to the 1940s when Mom did not rely
Murray is seen here as a young conservation officer in Ontario In the autumn of one’s life, one often sits back in the easy chair
The life of a conservation officer Read More »
Like most, I used to just take the butterfly for granted. Like most, I never gave it a thought other than that it was nice
The unknown life of a butterfly Read More »
Living the life of a conservation officer is truly a blessing. I doubt very much if any other occupation can bring you so close to
Living the life of a porcupine Read More »
There is an old saying, “I can’t see for looking.” That could be very true when it comes to actually seeing a “walking stick.” The
Walking stick – what you see, but don’t see Read More »
Murray Martin enjoys scroll cutting as a hobby. He did these on his backyard fence to remember Yukon Wildlife. The cuttings include a segment made
Yukon See It Here – Murray Martin Read More »
Back in the early 1970s I wrote a monthly outdoors column for an Ontario outdoors magazine. One evening, after a day spent hunting moose, we pulled
The history of the canoe Read More »
Cranberry bread I love old-fashioned toasted raisin bread, but digging into some old recipes, I came across one for cranberry bread. Checking our cupboard, the
For the sweet tooth Read More »
Part 2 of 2 As mentioned in last week’s column, bats across the globe have an undeserved reputation. The little brown bat that inhabits this
The amazing creatures – Little Brown Bat Read More »
Part 1 of 2 Back in the 1930s and 40s, many weird stories hung from the tails of bats—they would get tangled in your hair,
This is one stew recipe that I picked up more than 30 years ago. It has yet to be outshone by any other wild game stew I’ve made.
A stew to go hunting for Read More »
Red squirrels are a fascinating part of the outdoor life. They also can be an intentional nuisance to your pet dog. We often watch Red,
Nuts to the red squirrels Read More »
How can I go out and shoot an animal? It might surprise you that many animals that go through meatpacking companies are actually shot with
Nature versus hunting Read More »
If I had to say which member of the bear family I mistrust the most, with little hesitation, I would say the black bear. This
Getting to know bears Read More »
Murray serves up a number of cost-saving recipes for your harvested fish, including multiple chowder recipes Fish are one of the most healthy foods you
Affordable harvested fish recipes Read More »
Some kids eat their meals just to get to the desserts. I can well remember when dear old Mom would tell me to eat my
They’re never “just desserts” Read More »
Once you cut a tree down, you can count the number of years it has stood by counting the annual rings around the stump. It
Telling a fish’s age Read More »
Fish management is an ever-changing science. With climate change at hand, it will present many unanswered questions about the future of fishing.
Sport fishing and the future Read More »
Although fish have ears, they do not have eardrums like humans and other wildlife A number of years ago, while writing outdoor columns for some
Fish actually have ears Read More »
These photos were taken on the road to Haines, Alaska. The view of the mountains is spectacular as you approach Kluane National Park. [box] We
Yukon See It Here: Murray Martin Read More »
Murray shares some “instant meals” for families from the 40s and 50s that don’t come from a box Chili con carne Now we are going
When home cooking wasn’t frozen in a box Read More »
In the 86 years since I was born, I’ve been admitted to nine different hospitals from Fredericton to Vancouver and from Whitehorse to Toronto. The
What do the letters “N-U-R-S-E” mean? Read More »
Here are some old and mostly forgotten meals that still linger on my taste buds and I, once again, long to dig into the good
First of all, let’s return to the 1930s and make our pancakes in a real heavy iron pan. The pan is ready for the mixture
A real Canadian pancake breakfast Read More »
I put wood in the stove, set the Hurlburt fire starter under it and struck a match. Within seconds there was a six-inch flame. After a minute, the wood ignited.
Get a quick and easy fire going Read More »
Now that we’ve caught the fish, what do we do? Throw away the fish chain, remove the fish to a waterbox to keep the fish alive and replace it with an ice box.
Avalanche sitting on his seven-foot snow pile, watching his pals, including ravens and 100 smaller birds that feed daily in Lisa and Murray’s backyard during
Dog Culture – Murray Martin Read More »
First and foremost … I have the greatest respect for all firefighters when they fight a fire—be it a house fire or a forest fire.
Are you prepared for a forest fire? Read More »
Each year, just as New Year’s rolls around, I place this on the front page of my new diary so when I open it and read each line, it will help me to make my way through the on coming days of another year.
A carpenter’s lesson in life Read More »
Murray’s old big stone house, back in St. Marys, Ontario, where cookies cooled on the window ledge every Saturday There is no dessert like a
There’s no cookin’ like home cookin’! Read More »
You are also cold and you need to find a way to make a fire and warm up. If you have followed the motto of the Boy Scouts, “Be Prepared,” then survival is on your side.
Surviving (and thriving) in the great outdoors Read More »
Hello Everybody, We invite you to share your photos of Yukon life. Email your high-resolution images with a description of what’s going on to [email protected].
Yukon See It Here: Murray Martin Read More »
When you bake using basic ingredients, you know where they come from. Jump back 1/2 century and try your hand at these home-baked cakes.
Cake recipes from the 1940s and ’50s Read More »
As promised, this week’s recipe is from my Grandmother’s Kitchen and is on great pancakes of the 1920s. Remember, these are not ingredients from a
Old-fashioned tasty pancakes Read More »
Bread recipes from the 1920s. Home-baked bread from Grandmother was a natural thing and you always knew what the ingredients were.
Old-fashioned breads, old-fashioned taste from the 1920s Read More »
INGREDIENTS Oranges Peaches Sugar METHOD Wash the oranges and then cut in half lengthwise. Place on a flat surface and cut into thin slices. Hold
Old-Fashioned Marmalades from Grandmother Davenport’s Recipes Read More »
Hello Everybody, We invite you to share your photos of Yukon life. Email your high-resolution images with a description of what’s going on to [email protected].
Yukon See It Here: Murray Martin Read More »
If you are from the 1930s and ‘40s, you may still long for those old-fashioned baked breads of all different tastes. You will also know
Old fashioned baked breads Read More »
Other than facing a mad wolverine, I would say that the black bear is the most mistrusted creature in all of North America.
The life and times of a bear (and being ‘bear aware’) Read More »
In Canada, the beaver is the largest member of the rodent family. The largest beaver I ever live-trapped was 63 pounds.
The life and times of a beaver (and steadfast overachiever) Read More »
Apparently insects hate the scent of marigolds.
Fending off bloodsuckers with sweet-smelling spray Read More »
Back in the early days of the 1940s and ’50s we made most desserts at home. Here are some of great hints for how to enhance your home baking:
Hints about cooking from the 1950s Read More »
A successful hunt means cooking moose. Murray shares some meat pie and quiche recipes to try with the moose meat from a successful harvest.
Cooking with moose meat Read More »
One thing about chicken … just about anywhere you travel, you can bet you will find a thousand different recipes to match just about any taste.
Chicken out on the wing Read More »
One of the best-tasting meats comes from game birds. Stripping the bird of all of its bones should be your first step … and the next step, after cooking, is to enjoy.
Birds ‘on the fly’ Read More »
The first thing you should do after taking a hunter safety course is to go to the nearest shooting range and ask for help in getting to know your rifle.
On land we have voracious bears that will eat almost anything. In the rivers and lakes, without a doubt, the most voracious fish in North America is the northern pike.
Let’s go fishin’! – 3 of 3 Read More »
I would say there are as many ways to cook rabbits as there are all other game recipes combined.
Watch out you wascally wabbits! Read More »
Stuffing for fish, birds or game should never be overpowering. When preparing stuffing, make it moist and fragrant.
Do you have a dial watch? You have a compass!
Lost and found in the woods … Read More »
Avalanche, a Siberian Husky, joins Murray Martin on many kayak journeys.
Dog Culture – Murray Martin Read More »
Rum and Apple Crisp Ingredients: 4 cups of wild apples ½ cup maple syrup 2 Tbsp lemon juice ¼ cup rum ¼ tsp salt 2
Desserts out on the edge Read More »
Now that you have your moose or deer meat in the freezer, it’s time to get serious about cooking it the outdoors way, inside.
Many ways to eat moose Read More »
Fascinating cloud formation captured by Lisa Martin
Yukon See It Here: Murray Martin Read More »
One of the best ways to assure the very best taste of your fish is to kill it immediately after landing it. Throw away the fish chain and any containers that just hold water. Just don’t use them.
Get the best out of the fish you caught Read More »
Travelling back into time to the 1950s you would see some great old cars, but we would like to bring the cherished food recipes from the ’50s forward to 2017. Here are some great old fashioned, tasty recipes. We hope you will try them and enjoy.
I received a question on just how long you should extend the freezing time of wild, big game meat. There are lengths of time that
Cooking and freezing wild meat Read More »
When one walks along the rim of the autumn of one’s life, they can’t help but to look back to the yesterdays – the “good
My fishing buddy, the chairman of the board Read More »
Birds and dogs flock together? As seen in our backyard, when I or my wife Lisa throw out some dog food for the birds, our
Dog Culture – Murray Martin Read More »
Newfoundland Oyster Soup Ingredients 1 cup milk 8 oysters 2 Tbsp soda cracker crumbs ¼ tsp. salt 1 Tbsp butter A touch of pepper Method
Fish soups to warm the stomach Read More »
As a youngster back in the 1950s, one of our responsibilities was to go out in the open fields and pick fresh mushrooms – and
Mushrooms From the Open Fields Read More »
Back in the 1930s and 40s mom baked her own goodies and desserts. They tasted far better than the modern off-the-shelf desserts.
Before I was married, and my wife Lisa and I moved to the Yukon, my home was built on the northern borders of the Township
Winter’s white on white Read More »
Evolution is an amazing thing and for the beaver, it has taken millions of years. Once almost 8 feet long some thousans of years ago,
Knowing the beaver Read More »
If you like homemade bread, then let me take you back to my mother’s kitchen, back to the 1950s.
Mmmmm! Sweet, Delicious, Bread Read More »
Picture this: an animal that lived in our waterways, here in Canada that was close to 8 feet long, big chisel teeth and could swim
Knowing the beaver Read More »
Having grown up in the 1930 and 40s, I was used to homemade food such as pancakes, bread and fresh-from-the-garden homemade soups. Nothing was prepared in
My dog, who I called The Barron, had an all brown head and a brown patch on his shoulders, but otherwise, was all white and, shall we say, not really accepted by the rich and mighty of the bird dog organizations.
Not Just a Dog, But a Best Friend Read More »
Flemish Beef Stew, Baked Pork Chops, Hot Pot Luck and more!
Warming Fall Recipes Read More »
What has bringing up children in outdoor experiences and enjoying the life of camping, fishing and hunting done for the children?
Bringing Up a Family the Old Fashioned Way Read More »
Looking for a few good hunting season recipes. The Best Venison Steak 2 large venison steaks 1-½ cups water ½ cup dry wine ½ pkg.
Hunting Season Recipes Read More »
Baked Fish and Vegetables 4 large mushrooms, sliced 1 cup peas 2 chopped white onions 1 cup string beans 2 tomatoes chopped 1 cup shredded
Good Ol’ Comfort Food Read More »
Last week I met a husband and wife in a local grocery store. The kind lady said she liked my columns on kayaking and the
It Is Not That I Hunt, But That I Go Hunting Read More »
I got my real initiation in cooking wild meats when I first joined the Orillia Fish and Game Conservation Club, in Ontario. We had about
Don’t Cook Big Game Meats as You Would Domestic Meats Read More »
When out on a day’s fishing and you don’t catch one of those big clunkers, don’t be dismayed. You can make a great chowder with
Times have changed since 1933. Monopoly was invented, Joan Collins; Joan Rivers; and Willie Nelson were born. So was this columns author.
How Times Have Changed Read More »
Peppered Tenderloin Ingredients: 2 pounds of beef tenderloin 4 Tbsp butter 2 Tbsp oil 1 tsp salt ½ tsp pepper A dash of sage A
Classic Meat Recipes Read More »
Thunder and lightning do not seem to be as common here in the Yukon as in southern Canada. However, lightning strikes are probably the most
Thunder and Lightning Read More »
Growing up in the 1930 and early 40s was tough times. First, there was the Great Depression, followed closely by the Second World War. For
The Life of Rabbits and Hares Read More »
Allow me to take you back in time to when the words of today had a great difference in meaning… Close your eyes… and go
Do You Remember When? Read More »
My mother was a master cook sent down from heaven, and as she looks down upon me, I think back to the 1930 and 40s.
Muffins are not only a treat, but a very healthy treat – especially when you bake them with fresh fruit. Here are some tasty muffin
Muffinize Your Snack Time Read More »
Pike Chowder Supreme This will take some time, but it is time well spent. Ingredients: 1 pound of freshly caught pike fillets, cut into stew-size
Wonder What to do with a Pike? Read More »
Let’s go back in time, say 60 some years ago. Potatoes in those days, in my mother’s kitchen, were an everyday vegetable and cooked in
For the Love of Potatoes Read More »
Here are some good bread recipes from the 1950s. Cranberry Bread 2 cups of sifted flour 1 cup sugar 1½ tsp baking powder 1 tsp
Allow me take you back to some 65 years to a recipe dated in my mother’s hand written book as 1951. That was a memorable
For the Love of Tomatoes Read More »
For those who don’t like the taste of fish, the reason is because of the lack of proper handling of the fish from the time
From the Catch to the Table Read More »
Allow me to take you back to 1950s when we cooked in a specific way. At a time when we still did not rely on
Old Time Meat Dishes Read More »
With the hunting season upon us, it’s time for some special big game recipes. First of all, there is just about no part of a
As a Conservation Officer in Ontario in the late 1950s through the 1960s, I patrolled the St. Lawrence River to the Quebec border. I came
Back in the early 1960s, I was involved in the capture and banding of waterfowl and consequently receiving the follow up data on just how
The Exciting Bird Migration Period Read More »
Apple Crisp Cake: 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar 1 ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt 2 eggs 1 ½ cups
It will not surprise many that this little planet called Earth is covered by seventy percent water. What may surprise many is that the water
The golfing season and duck hunting season have something in common. I am convinced that if a person took up both sports their problems would
Golfers and Duck Hunters Have Something in Common Read More »
Back in the early 1960s, I spent a couple of years banding waterfowl in one of the newly-created marshes of the hydro project in Lake
What You Might Not Know About Ducks Read More »
Grouse Stew with Baking Powder Biscuits If you had a good grouse harvest or are just looking for a different way to serve them, follow
Grouse Stew with Baking Powder Biscuits Read More »
Mini Biscuit Pizzas 1 lb ground beef ½ lb lasagna noodles two 6 oz. cans of tomato paste 1½ cups hot water
Pizza, Ribs and Lasagna Read More »
People driving down the highway may see a few bison, and never realize that this animal was at one time on the very edge of extinction.
Bison: From the Edge of Extinction Read More »
According to the Canadian Cancer Society Advisory Committee on Cancer Statistics, Canadian Statistics 2015, one out of every four Canadians will die of some form
Want the good news or the bad news? Read More »
