The Good Life – November-December 2022

2 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com

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merry christmas! 

CONTENTS 

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2022 

VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 3 

dad life 

06 

08 

14 

Unsolicited Holiday Advice 

from a Hockey Dad 

Plainsmen Black Powder Club 

Bringing History to Life near Fargo 

So Long, Sandbags! 

The FM Diversion Will Make 

Sandbagging a Thing of the Past 

4 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com 

cover / local hero 

18 

having a beer with 

28 

32 

Selfless Service 

When Duty Calls, These Men 

Answer to Raise Awareness 

for Veteran Suicide 

"Big Game James" McCarty 

Flag Family Media Sports Director 

Tracks in the Snow 

Hunting the Cottontail Rabbit

The 

GOODLIFE 

MEN’S MAGAZINE 

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www.urbantoadmedia.com 

OWNER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

Dawn Siewert 

dawn@urbantoadmedia.com 

OWNER / PHOTOGRAPHER 

Darren Losee 

darren@urbantoadmedia.com 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Paul Hankel 

Ben Hanson 

Jeffrey Miller 

Emma Vatnsdal 

Amy Wieser Willson 

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Darren Losee 

darren@urbantoadmedia.com 

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The Good Life Men’s Magazine is distributed six times 

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Magazine accepts no liability for reader dissatisfaction 

arising from content in this publication. The opinions 

expressed, or advice given, are the views of individual 

writers or advertisers and do not necessarily represent 

the views or policies of The Good Life Men’s Magazine. 


DAD LIFE 

WRITTEN BY: PAUL HANKEL 

unsolicited holiday advice from a 

HOCKEY DAD 

We set a family record the other weekend, in terms of how 

many sports games my kiddo can have take place in one 

weekend. Seven. The answer is seven. 

This got me thinking about how quickly the holiday season 

flies by for us dads. Amongst the Q4 work deadlines, band 

and choir concerts, sporting events, and shopping and 

travel, there’s often very little time to simply enjoy the 

season. 

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP 

It’s easy to get sucked into the Instagram alpha male brand 

on social media. Influencers would have you believe that 

we dads are supposed to be macho, head of household, 

alphas who provide. While this is sometimes true, the 

added stress of the holidays can definitely put a dent in 

that armor. 

As a consultant, I travel a lot for work. October, November, 

and December are typically a blur for me and consist of 

managing political campaigns, managing events, holiday 

marketing campaigns, and everything in between. 

I’m not one bit ashamed to say that I, at 37 years old, 

routinely drive up to my sister’s house and raid her pantry 

and fridge, in search of non-boxed dinners to feed myself 

and my kiddo. I disguise it as, “spending time with family,” 

but in reality, I just hate grocery shopping and rarely have 

time to do it. Yes, I’m fully aware that you can now order 

groceries online and pick them up. However, I just can’t 

get myself to trust someone else to pick out fresh fruit for 

me. 

My point is – use your resources. Grandparents, relatives, 

and friends are there for you. Reach out! 

DON’T COMPARE YOUR FAMILY HOLIDAY 

EXPERIENCES TO OTHER PEOPLE’S 

You know EXACTLY what I’m talking about: you’re 

scrolling social media late at night and come across a 

perfectly edited picture of a family in matching pajamas. 

They’re either sitting in front of a stone fireplace with 

bedazzled stocking or walking hand in hand down a 

well-lit neighborhood street, with perfectly symmetrical 

snowflakes falling softly in the background. Their children- 

Aiden, Brayden, and Kenlee are sporting matching winter 

jackets! It’s perfect! 

What you don’t see reflected in those photos is the hourlong 

fight and process that it took to make that photo 

happen. 


One of the kids is sick and coughing, another one forgot 

one of their shoes (which is somehow the dad’s fault?), 

and the dad was fifteen minutes late getting home to help 

get the kids ready. That’s the reality. Prove me wrong. 

The not-so-subtle point is – no one’s holiday is, “perfect”. 

The things that are shared on social media are the 

highlights and glimpses, not the norm. 

EMBRACE THE ABNORMAL HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES 

In an effort to cut down on screentime, I’ve been making 

my kiddo help make dinner more often. There’s nothing 

grosser than when he wipes his nose with the back of 

his hand (that he probably didn’t even wash after hockey 

practice anyway), and then goes right back to mixing the 

dough with the same hand. However, I think the positives 

outweigh my abhorrence of germs so I just roll with it. 

Plus, germs die at 350 degrees, right? 

One of the things we’ve really gotten into is looking up 

weird recipes online and then trying them out. Our 

favorite so far has been a “corn on the cob hack,” that we 

found on TikTok. Instead of boiling a pot of water and 

then boiling the corn, you simply cut off the pointy end 

of the ear of corn, microwave it for four minutes with the 

husk on, and it’s done. The ear of corn will literally slide 

right out of the husk. I was floored. It’s now a seasonal 

tradition at our house. 

I also love the conversations that stem from our oneon-one 

cooking sessions. Just the other night, we were 

discussing the fact that, when Santa enters a house 

during the middle of the night to leave presents, it’s NOT 

breaking and entering. But, if anyone else enters a house 

in the middle of the night, it most certainly is. Teachable 

moments, you guys. 

Traditions are what you make of them. Advent calendars 

are great, especially the newer style ones that have mini 

bottles of wine instead of chocolates in them. However, 

new traditions are fun too. Find one and make it your own! 

As I have vigorously stated in several of my previous 

columns, I am far from an expert on the whole parenting 

thing. In fact, I still can’t believe I get paid to share my 

musings on this whole parenting thing. However, I 

hope the above suggestions can serve as light-hearted 

reminders to slow down, relax, and make this holiday 

season meaningful. 

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to do a quick late-night 

trip to Walmart because my kid is making gingerbread 

houses at school tomorrow and I don’t keep gumdrops in 

stock in my pantry. I also need to get sprinkles, which have 

been banned from our house since the notorious backseat 

spillage incident of December 2019. 

Happiest of holidays, dads! • 


WRITTEN BY: EMMA VATNSDAL 

PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA 

Buckskin clothes, fur caps, black powder and tipis — all 

very common sights for the Fargo-based Plainsmen Black 

Powder Club. 

Pretty old-school for 2022, don’t you think? 

But that’s just the way their members like it. 

“It’s a love for the old-style muzzleloading guns,” said club 

president Mark Roster. “It started out as basically a shooting 

competition. Different guys from throughout the area.” 

The Plainsmen Black Powder Club formed in 1972, 

with six men, in preparation for the 1976 bi-centennial. 

Roster joined the fun in 1981 and was elected president 

in 1982. 

Since then, the club has grown exponentially. 

“We grew quite rapidly due to the fact that many of us in 

the organization were pushing for muzzleloading deer 

season; they didn’t have that at the time,” said Roster. 

“(The bill) had failed several times at the legislature 


“We camp in tipis and wall tents, marquees and wedge tents 

from the revolutionary war.” 

when they tried to get it through. Then in 1987, we 

finally got it (passed).” 

The club saw a decline in membership in the 1990s 

when the legislature permitted inline muzzleloaders — a 

style that looks more like modern guns. But these sharpshooters 

had a trick or two up their buckskin sleeves. 

in time-out. It’s a wonderful place for kids to grow and 

experience living history.” 

Days are spent with shooting both percussion and 

flintlock rifles, participating in tomahawk and knife, fire 

starting, stick bow archery and many other competitions. 

“We started doing more of the pre-1840 events,” he said. 

“We’d camp out and try to live like our forefathers. We 

start fires with flint and steel and cook over open fires, 

we camp in tipis and wall tents, marquees and wedge 

tents from the revolutionary war.” 

Numerous times each year, members of the Plainsmen 

Black Powder Club, along with their families, don their 

best “mountain man” buckskin garb or their colonialstyle 

clothing for a weekend in the woods. 

“It’s very kid-oriented,” Roster said. “We’ve got kids' 

games that go on and everyone is an aunt or an uncle, 

much like the American Indian culture. Everybody has a 

chance to parent if kids start misbehaving, we put them 


Oftentimes, there’s trading and selling of goods and 

necessities that fit into this era. 

“It’s big people play, is what it really is,” Roster said with a 

chuckle. 

And play they do. The club welcomes anyone and everyone 

who shares their love for “doing it the old way.” 

“We find that everybody that does get involved with (the 

club) has a tendency to find out they really like it,” said 

Roster. “And if they get involved at the beginning level, over 

the time they spend with us, they may get into it a bit more. 

They may not go full tilt into the reenacting part of it, but 

often they will come out next time or maybe a year down 

the road with an old-style shirt and maybe a pair of pants. 

We really try to mentor people.” 

It’s a living history for young and old. 

“Our oldest member is 79 years old and he was out camping 

at our event,” said Mark Roster, President of the club. 

“There’s a lot of times if you go to some of these events, 

you’ll find people in their 80s, and maybe in their early 90s. 

They love the camaraderie of the organization.” 


From the first pour of black powder, 

to the final embers burning in the 

campfires late into the night, these 

club members are here for it all. While 

many have their own reasons for 

joining, for Roster, it comes down to 

one main thing. 

“Being able to enjoy everything that 

God has put out there for us. There’s 

an old saying, and I kind of live by it: I’m 

not very wealthy, but I’ve got enough.” 

Roster said. “And what that means 

is, I've got enough to be happy. When 

you can share that with people (in 

this way), that’s what makes a person 

happy. That’s the Good Life.” 

If you have an interest in joining the 

Plainsmen Black Powder Club, Roster 

said they’re always welcoming new 

members. 

“Right now we have 35 family 

memberships,” he said. “Annual 

memberships are $30, and you get a 

lot with it.” 

Your $30 includes a monthly newsletter, 

club pricing on blackpowder and 

percussion caps, access to the club’s 

range near Georgetown, Minn., weekly 

summer shooting, schedules of area 

rendezvous and several events hosted 

by the Plainsmen. • 



SERVICE ANIMALS 

IN PLACES OF BUSINESS 

Please note: different laws 

apply to housing, air travel or 

employment situations, and 

may vary per state. 

IS THAT A REAL 

SERVICE DOG?* 

It is unlawful to claim 

a pet, comfort animal, 

companion animal, 

emotional support 

animal, therapy animal, 

or protection dog as a 

service dog under 

ND Century Code. 

(NDCC 25-13-02.2) 

A service animal is any dog that 

is individually trained to do work 

or perform tasks for the benefit 

of an individual with a disability. 

A service animal must be allowed 

to accompany a person with a 

disability in all areas of the facility 

where members of the public, 

program participants, customers 

or clients are allowed. 

You may ask the following 

questions under the ADA: 

1. 2. 

Is the dog a service animal required 

because of a disability? 

Simply having a diagnosis is not the same 

as having a disability. A person must have a 

disability, as defined by the Americans with 

Disabilities Act. 

Disability is defined by the ADA as a physical 

or mental impairment that substantially limits 

one or more major life activities, a person who 

has a history or record of such an impairment, 

or a person who is perceived by others as 

having such an impairment. The ADA does not 

specifically name all of the impairments that 

are covered. 

SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING 

A person can have a service dog in training in 

public if they notify the onsite manager that a 

service animal in training is being brought to their 

facility, the trainer wears photo identification 

issued by a nationally recognized program, and 

the trainer is liable for any damage done by the 

service animal in training. (NDCC 25-133-02.1) 

What work or task has the dog been 

trained to perform? 

The answer to this question needs to be 

medical in nature. Service Dogs are medical 

devices. Think of a service dog like a prosthetic 

limb or a nerve stimulator (for seizures). You 

cannot just walk into a store and buy these 

medical devices, you must justify medical 

need with a medical professional to qualify for 

them. 

Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort 

or emotional support do not qualify as service 

animals under the ADA. 

Note: Persons are not allowed to request any 

documentation for the dog, require that the 

dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the 

nature of the person’s disability. 

*MISREPRESENTATION 

If the animal is being misrepresented as a service dog you can ask the 

patron to remove their dog from the premises and call law enforcement 

to file a report for the legal infraction under the listed century code. 

urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 13 

LEARN MORE WWW.SERVICEDOGSFORAMERICA.ORG | 701- 685- 2242

SO LONG, 

SANDBAGS! 

The FM Area Diversion will make sandbagging 

a thing of the past 

WRITTEN BY: AMY WIESER WILLSON 

How do you recognize someone from Fargo- 

Moorhead while on a beach vacation? 

They’re the ones putting all the sand in bags. 

The good news is that sandbagging – and that 

joke – will fade to a memory in another handful 

of years. 

After the community came together in 2009 to 

fill 7.3 million sandbags — more than enough to 

stretch from LA to New York if laid end to end 

— it’s pretty safe to say that nobody will miss the 

grueling, stressful work of protecting their homes 

and their neighbors’ property. 

Upon completion of the FM Area Diversion 

comprehensive project in 2027, Fargo-Moorhead 

will have permanent, reliable protection for up to 

a 100-year flood and have fightable protection for 

up to a 500-year flood. For perspective, the 2009 

record crest would be considered a 50-year flood. 

So, what does it take to achieve an infrastructure 

project of this magnitude and significance? 

In short, a lot of permits, people, engineering 

designs and funding. More than 50 organizations, 

200 permits and 14 pieces of legislation came 

together to get the project going. The most visible 

construction to date has been happening this 

summer. 

Here are answers to some questions you may have 

about this historic engineering feat. 

Who is building it? 

You have likely heard a lot of organizational 

names tossed around regarding the project. 

That’s because there’s a lot of teamwork in getting 

it designed and built. Here’s a quick look at some 

key players and their roles. 

Metro Flood Diversion Authority: As a North 

Dakota political subdivision with members from 

both sides of the river, the MFDA works closely 

with Fargo, Moorhead, Cass County and Clay 

County to oversee the project’s development, 

construction and operations and maintenance. 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: The Corps is 

the federal agency in charge of overseeing and 

implementing the federal portions of the project. 

Their contractors are building the control 

structures, southern embankment and related 

infrastructure. 

Red River Valley Alliance: The public-private 

partnership, or P3, developer for the 

project is comprised of three international 

corporations known for their work on 

projects of this scale and scope. 

14 / THE GOOD LIFE

ASN Constructors: As RRVA’s 

design and construction arm, ASN is 

tasked with building the stormwater 

diversion channel, aqueducts and 

related infrastructure. 

How many will be working on the 

project? 

ASN Constructors anticipates 

having as many as 800 people 

working at the peak of construction 

and will gradually ramp up to that 

level. This includes subcontractors 

as well as participants in their 

apprenticeship program, which will 

help workers gain new skills and 

certifications that can be used on 

other projects once the diversion is 

complete. The Corps of Engineers 

also has contractors working on the 

project. 

Are you hiring? 

Those interested in apprenticeships, 

jobs or bidding on the project can 

find more information at www. 

FMDiversion.gov. 

Is this project unique to our 

area? 

While flood mitigation projects 

have been implemented elsewhere, 

including downstream of the 

Red River in Winnipeg, there 

are features of the design and its 

implementation that set the FM 

Area Diversion apart from others. 

How will it work? This map shows the major features of the FM Area Diversion comprehensive 

project. When floodwaters near 37 feet, in-town flood protection measures (in violet) will reach 

capacity and the diversion will begin operations. At this time, the Red River and Wild Rice 

River structures will close, causing water to back up into the tan area behind the southern 

embankment. Then, the Diversion Inlet Structure near Horace will open, routing the water into 

the 30-mile-long diversion channel. As the water travels north, it will pass through heated 

aqueducts to ensure fish passage is not interrupted. The water rejoins the Red River north of 

Argusville. Once operations have ended, the MFDA will begin removing any debris that may have 

collected in the upstream mitigation area. For a more detailed video explanation of how the 

project will work, go to https://bit.ly/FMDiversionOperations. 


Wild Rice River Structure 

The first radial-arm gate is installed by a U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers contractor at the Wild Rice River 

Structure, the smallest of the three structures that 

will control flows through the stormwater diversion 

channel of the FM Area Diversion project. This single 

gate weighs about 140,000 pounds, roughly as much 

as 10 elephants, and stands just over 40 feet tall. 

The project is being implemented as a public-private 

partnership, or P3. This is the first time this concept 

has been used for a flood management project in 

North America and the first P3 with the U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers. By using a P3, the private partner 

takes on the financial risk as they do not get paid until 

milestones have been completed. This arrangement 

also will allow the construction to be completed much 

faster than with traditional construction methods, 

delivering flood protection in fewer years. 

How is it being paid for? 

Thanks to Fargo and Cass County voters realizing 

the need for permanent flood protection, sales taxes 

were passed with overwhelming support to fund the 

project. The federal government, North Dakota and 

Minnesota have also contributed funding, and the 

Metro Flood Diversion Authority successfully sought 

low-interest loans to cover the rest, a large portion with 

the help of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

By securing loans at just 2% interest, taxpayers will 

save about $470 million when compared to typical 

interest rates. 

Will I still need flood insurance? 

Most of the property owners in this area will be able 

to drop their flood insurance, but patience will be 

needed. Once the project is built, FEMA will need 

to review and certify the floodplain maps before 

insurance will no longer be necessary. 

Where can I find more information? 

Follow the Metro Flood Diversion Authority on 

LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or Twitter, or get 

monthly updates in your inbox by subscribing to The 

Diversion Current at www.FMDiversion.gov/news. • 

Diversion Channel 

The Red River Valley Alliance, the public-private 

partnership developer for the stormwater 

diversion channel, broke ground this summer on 

that portion of the project. They purchased about 

$50 million in equipment locally and have started 

moving dirt near Argusville, North Dakota, on the 

downstream end of the channel. 


FM Area Diversion 

by the Numbers 

Chad Peterson 

Joel Paulsen 

45 million cubic yards of material will be 

moved for the stormwater diversion channel – 

enough to fill the Fargodome 58 times 

40 miles of bearing piles will support the three 

control structures; that distance is what a 

West Acres Mall walker would cover in 49 laps 

1,812 acres of mitigation projects for aquatic 

habitats, floodplain forests, and wetlands – 

enough to cover NDSU’s campus seven times 

“This project is already making history, and the 

world is watching. As the first public-private 

partnership flood management project in North 

America, as well as the first P3 civil works 

project ever for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

others are watching with interest and seeking to 

learn from us. It’s incredible to see the positive 

impacts of this project extend far beyond our 

region through the lessons others can take from 

it and implement in their own areas.” 

– Chad Peterson, Cass County Commissioner and 

Metro Flood Diversion Authority Board Chairman 

96,700 cubic yards of concrete will be used 

to build the three control structures; that’s 

enough concrete to fill North Dakota’s Capitol 

building as well as a couple of Goodyear blimps 

35 miles of in-town levees and floodwalls, 

enough to run up and down Red Shirt Table, 

the highest peak in the Badlands, 28 times 

690.5 tons, the combined weight of the 8 

radial-arm gates used on the three control 

structures, would surpass the weight of 11 of 

Jamestown’s “World’s Largest Buffalo” statues 

Diversion Inlet Structure 

The second largest of the three control structures, 

the Diversion Inlet Structure will feature three radial 

arm gates that together weigh nearly as much as the 

Statue of Liberty. 

“All of us working on this project are pushing forward with a single goal in mind: to protect the homes 

and livelihoods of our many friends and neighbors. We’ve seen the destruction the Red River brought 

year after year, and we are looking forward to the day we can rest assured that our community is safe 

from flooding.” – Joel Paulsen, PE, CFM, Metro Flood Diversion Authority Executive Director 


ON THE COVER | SELFLESS SERVICE 

WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON 

SELFLESS SERVICE 

When Duty Calls, These Men Answer 

to Raise Awareness for Veteran Suicide 

Somewhere in rural Minnesota, while everyone but the 

local farmer remains quietly snuggled into bed, an RV 

rumbles down the road. Inside is a hodgepodge of energy 

bars, socks hung to dry and carefully curated med kits 

packed full of blister care necessities. Behind the wheel is 

a chiropractor from Montana, serving as medical director 

and blister fixer for a crew of men who chose to sacrifice 

themselves — once again — for a cause greater than self. 

Each has their own story to tell, but that’s not why they 

signed up for the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation’s annual 

Border2Border Ruck March. They showed up with their 

50-pound packs and hiking boots to shine the spotlight on 

others … the heroes of the Armed Forces that have been 

lost to suicide. 

“For the 2022 Ruck,” explained John Dalziel, an original 

organizer of the yearly ruck march, “I wanted to show that 

a group of 50-year-old former Marines and FBI agents 

can complete even the most grueling tasks — in this case, 

a 315-mile Ruck from St. Paul to Ulen to the Veterans 

bridge connecting Fargo and Moorhead. I wanted to 

march with individuals who have spent their entire life 

“serving and protecting” this great country … guys who 


truly understood and lived the “why” of serving as a US 

Marine or law enforcement agent … guys who at several 

times in their lives wrote blank checks to “The United 

States of America,” for an amount up to and including 

their life.” 

Selfless service has been a theme for these men 

throughout their lives, and there seems to be no 

amount of quit in any one of them. Through backaches, 

dehydration and brutal exhaustion, these former 

Marines and law enforcement professionals never lost 

sight of the mission. For them, it’s personal. Each knows 

intimately the demons that take hold of many returning 

from combat, and they march on to raise awareness that 

help is always close by. They march on for Brady. These 

are their stories. 



John Dalziel 

John Dalziel graduated from Princeton High School in 1981, and about a month 

later he was on a plane to San Diego for Marine Corps boot camp and basic training. 

He spent four years in the Marine Corps as a Special Intelligence Communications 

Operator assigned to 2nd Radio Battalion at Camp LeJeune, N.C, where he first 

met Lenny. 

After leaving the Marine Corps. with an Honorable 

Discharge, John graduated from Winona State University 

and was hired as a Special Agent with the South Dakota 

Division of Criminal Investigation. For six years he was 

stationed in Yankton, S.D., and worked drugs, outlaw 

motorcycle gangs and sexual crimes of violence. In 1995 

he was hired as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau 

of Investigations FBI, where he’d spend the next two 

decades in roles that took him from Chicago to Fargo, 

Washington D.C. to Iraq, Lebanon to Afghanistan. 

He deployed to Iraq with Craig Harris and to Afghanistan 

with both Craig and “Captain Jack,” all members of the 

Ruck team. John is the mastermind behind the yearly 

Ruck, as he came up with the operational concept for 

Brady’s Border2Border Ruck March in the early part of 

2018. It was his way to bring attention to the Brady Oberg 

Legacy Foundation and a greater awareness of veteran 

PTSD and veteran suicide. 

What does this sort of event/tradition 

really do as far as helping a cause like 

this? 

The awareness we raised for veteran PTSD and veteran 

suicide was immense. In the first leg, we had seven people 

jump in to start the Ruck. All those people talked to their 

friends about the Ruck, bringing more awareness to our 

cause. People would stop their car and ask what we were 

doing — they would give an example of one of their loved 

ones who served and were dealing with the effects of 

war. Personally, I have four instances that stand out … 

On the first evening, we stopped at the Armed Forces 

Memorial in St. Michael, where we had five or six on-duty 

deputy sheriffs and policemen, who were all US Marine 

Corps vets, join us for a picture. Then on the second 

afternoon, as I was rucking through Albany in the rain, 

I had two Korean War vets from the Albany American 

Legion Post 482 stop, chat with me and grab a photo 

with us and their Post colors. That was very motivating. 

When entering Alexandria on Thursday morning, a 

police cruiser met Captain Jack and I on the bike path and 

followed us with his lights on all the way to Broadway. 

Once we hit Broadway, another cruiser blocked traffic 

and led us the eight blocks to their veterans memorial 

… we were a two-person parade. And finally, the six rock 

stars from CrossFit 701 who did our 15-mile leg from the 

Ulen cemetery to five miles south of Felton. They kept 

Captain Jack and I from rucking into traffic or falling in 

the ditch! 

Will you do it again if the opportunity 

presents itself? 

Yes, I will be planning and participating in the 6th annual 

Brady’s Border2Border Ruck March in May of 2023. 


Lenny Desmarais 

Lenny Desmarais grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts just north of 

Boston. He served in the US Marine Corps. from 1981 to 1985, 

where he met John while both were stationed at Camp LeJeune 

in North Carolina. After serving his time with the Marines, 

Lenny worked at the General Electric Riverworks Plant back 

in Lynn while studying for the police exam. Though it took him 

two attempts, he was still a Marine at heart … and Marines don’t 

quit. 

Lenny donned the uniform of the Lynn Massachusetts Police 

Department in 1988 and retired in 2022 after 34 years of 

dedicated service that saw him rise through the ranks from 

patrol officer to sergeant, lieutenant to captain, deputy chief and 

interim chief. 

What inspired you to join in the cause and 

strap on a rucksack? 

I signed on to the cause of bringing attention to veteran suicide, 

but also inspired by the challenge of the Ruck. I believe mental 

health is such a key piece to anyone's quality of life. Giving help 

to those who need it improves not only their quality of life, but 

also that of their family and friends. 

What does this sort of event/tradition really 

do as far as helping a cause like this? 

By being a part of these events, you are helping address veteran 

suicide. Any attention or funding that comes in due to the event 

may be the link needed to keep someone from taking their own 

life. I think you may actually be helping many veterans, but even 

if you only help one it is still all worth it. I believe it helps many. 

Have you been a part of any other fundraisers 

such as this? 

In 2020 I ran the Marine Corps Marathon to raise funds for the 

New England Home and Center for Veterans. I was originally 

going to D.C. with several co-workers, who were also USMC 

vets, but the pandemic forced the marathon to be virtual. I still 

did it at home so I could raise the funds. 



Roger Dalziel 

Born and raised in the small Minnesota town of Princeton, 

Roger joined the Marine Corps on his eighteenth Birthday 

and found himself in MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot, 

San Diego) four short days later. For the next 20 years, 

he was a Marine, ten years enlisted and ten years as an 

officer, after which he didn’t stray too far from the ranks. 

Roger spent the next five years working as a contractor 

for the Marine Corps, and for the past fifteen years he’s 

been working in the Pentagon, providing communication 

support for the Secretary of Defense. He’s a busy guy, in 

other words, but he knew he’d be lacing up his rucking 

boots as soon as his schedule allowed. 

How did you first hear about the Brady 

Oberg Ruck? 

I’ve been aware of the Brady Oberg Ruck since the 

beginning. John [Roger’s older brother] has been trying to 

get me involved in the Ruck for the past five years, but 

because of my travel schedule, the opportunity was not 

available until this year. 

What inspired you to join in the cause 

and strap on a rucksack? 

It is a great event and it raises awareness of veteran 

suicides. I have been working for the Department of 

Defense for forty years, and nothing is more awe-inspiring 

than the men and women of our Armed Forces. 

What was the biggest challenge along 

the way? 

I was on Team 3, with Lenny and my son, Alex. We were 

the “Team of Rookies” — none of us had ever participated 

in the Brady Oberg Ruck, so it made our experience 

challenging and unique. Trying to keep up the pace along 

with the weather, terrain and time on our feet was hard, 

but we kept each other moving and motivated 



this? 

The timing of the Ruck (close to Memorial Day) and the 

media coverage really helped to create awareness of the 

cause. And when people are aware, they usually donate 

(time or money). It was an incredible event and one that 

required physical and mental endurance — 96 hours 

straight through rain and wind, night and day, hot and 

cold. 


Craig Harris 

Craig Harris was born and 

raised in Dallas, Texas, 

attending college at the 

University of Texas at Austin. 

Growing up, he recalls 

always having an interest in 

the military and the Marine 

Corps., specifically, as well 

as an interest in the FBI. 

It was in his blood — his grandfather served in the FBI 

during World War II, chasing down German spies. 

After college he joined the Marines, serving four years 

on active duty, including a six-month deployment to the 

Middle East during the Persian Gulf War. Like his fellow 

marchers, his service wasn’t finished after leaving the 

Corps. Craig joined the FBI and served for 24 years 

primarily working criminal and counterterrorism 

investigations. He officially retired from the FBI in 2020 

and has been living the life of a nomad, traveling around 

the country and the world, ever since. 

How did you first hear about the Brady 

Oberg Ruck? 

I first heard about the Brady’s Border2Border Ruck 

March through John, who is a close friend and former FBI 

colleague of mine. I first met John during a deployment to 

Iraq in 2007, and he invited me to participate in the Ruck 

in 2021 and 2022. 

What inspired you to join in the cause 

and strap on a rucksack? 

I was inspired by the importance of its mission. The 

United States and its citizens have a solemn duty to care 

for the veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend 

the freedom of our country, and it is critically important 

to do everything that we can to raise awareness about 

veteran mental health challenges and suicides. 



this? 

I think this event does an excellent job of raising awareness 

about veterans’ mental health through its high public 

visibility. I was very impressed with the media coverage 

and the overwhelmingly positive and encouraging public 

reception received along the route, both of which help 

further raise awareness. If this event can encourage 

even one veteran who is suffering from mental health 

challenges to seek help, then we have accomplished our 

goal. 



Alexander Dalziel 

Alex Dalziel, the youngest of the crew, served in the Marine 

Corps for eight years — five in the infantry and three as an 

embassy guard in Munich, Germany; Guangzhou, China; and 

Bamako, Mali. He’s working on his degree in health sciences 

at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, after which he 

plans to sign up for the FBI … a familiar story by now. 



During my eight years in the military, I served alongside a lot 

of great men that lost their battle to their demons. In March 

of 2018, one of my good friends that was a team leader with 

me in 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines lost his battle. That put me 

in a dark place, until I saw an organization that did a lot of 

good to raise awareness for veteran suicide. Since then I have 

tried to help and support any organizations whose mission is 

to raise awareness for veterans’ mental health and suicide 

to help erase the negative stigma associated with veterans 

struggling with their mental health. 

What did you guys do in between shifts? 

In between each shift we would eat, sleep, have doc tape us 

up, and build camaraderie. We would talk about the funny or 

cool things that we saw during our leg, such as deer, skunks, 

cars swerving towards you or how the police led them 

through the town or would pass every thirty minutes. The 

time in the RV really helped to build your spirits back up and 

remind you of how important this cause is. 



this? 

Even if doing an event like this raises awareness and gets one 

person to speak out, it is worth it. There are so many people 

in the military, law enforcement, fire department, etc. that 

view speaking out as a weakness. Organizations and events 

like this help erase that stigma and help them realize that 

help is out there! We owe so much to our heroes that hold 

the line and protect us every day. I love being able to get out 

and help organizations like this and show support in any way 

that I can. 



Although it took weeks for my feet to heal, and after each leg 

it took hours to figure out how to walk without pain, I believe I 

would do something like this again. Just the camaraderie and 

sense of belonging that I had being along such great men and 

warriors like John, Roger, Lenny, Craig, Brandon, Doc Jones, 

Darren, and “Captain Jack” was a truly once-in-a-lifetime 

humbling experience. Everyone's feet hurt, bodies were 

sore and sleep deprived, but yet no one really complained. 

I loved and hated every minute of it, but wouldn't trade that 

experience for anything. 


Aaron “Doc” Jones 

If there was an outlier in the group, Aaron Jones would be the 

one, but his role is as important to the group’s success as any. 

Jones has been a chiropractor for 20 years, working with athletes 

of all types. He had a practice in Fargo for about 15 years, before 

making the move west to Montana. Despite the distance, he 

remains dedicated to the Ruck and makes the yearly pilgrimage 

back to support the team. 

How did you first hear about the Brady Oberg 

Ruck? 

The first time I recall hearing about the Ruck, I was a member at 

CrossFit Fargo and I remember hearing about this crazy group 

of guys rucking across North Dakota. At the time, I didn't know 

as much about rucking, the cause or who was involved. Obviously, 

that changed as I got more involved. 



The first year I was a part of the Ruck, John actually reached out 

to me and invited me to join them as the support vehicle driver. 

I had recently moved to Montana and was going through some 

challenges in my personal life, and he invited me to come out 

and spend a few days with him and the other guys I knew from 

CrossFit Fargo. 

I was a little unsure at first, but I respect the hell out of John and it 

was an opportunity to spend time with friends… so I figured why 

not? I had no idea what a great experience it would be. I never 

served in the military, but I have a deep appreciation and respect 

for those who have and that was a part of the initial inspiration 

behind me wanting to be a part of the Ruck. In the three years 

I've participated in the Ruck, I got to know more about Brady and 

also got to know his family, which inspired me to want to do more 

for this cause. 



For this cause and the group of men involved in it, 

I'd do it again in a heartbeat. 

How did you get ready for the march? 

My primary role in the Ruck was driving the RV, helping the 

guys with aches and pains so they could be as ready as possible 

for their next leg and generally trying to do what I can to make 

things run as smoothly as possible so the guys logging the big 

miles could focus on their recovery. As far as my prep, other than 

making sure I had the equipment I needed, my prep was pretty 

simple. I did do a few Rucks before I came out for it, because I 

was planning to hop in for a few miles here and there when I got 

the chance. 



I think it does three things. First, it raises funds to directly help 

the cause. Second, it brings awareness to the cause through 

media coverage and through the many people who stopped to ask 

what we were doing and why. And third, it's a way to honor Brady 

and the many other veterans who lost their personal battle after 

arriving back on US soil. 



Brandon Schlenner 

Brandon Schlenner, like “Doc Jones,” was among the minority in 

the group who has never worn a uniform. He was born and raised 

in a small southern Minnesota town and attended Minnesota 

State University Moorhead, where he earned his education 

degree. He taught for 12 years at Fargo’s Discovery Middle 

School, served as high school principal, activities director and 

transportation director at Lidgerwood Public Schools, and now 

teaches health and physical education at Moorhead’s Alternative 

Learning Center. 



Getting to know John has allowed me to learn more about people 

that serve, why they do it, and some of the struggles they face 

when they come back home. I've never been through the things 

that these men and women have gone through, and it inspires me 

to want to do as much as I can for them. If that means strapping 

on a 50-pound pack and rucking for over 100 miles to bring 

awareness to what veterans go through, I will gladly do it. These 

men and women have given their lives to keep America free, and 

I can never repay that … but I can try and make sure that we are 

doing our best to serve them when they get home and to make 

sure others are aware of what happens when our veterans suffer 

from PTSD. 

What was the biggest challenge along the 

way? 

The biggest challenge for me was pushing through pain and trying 

to keep my mind positive. If it wasn't for Craig on a couple of those 

rucks (especially in the middle of the night ones) I would have 

been close to just giving up. Having someone there to continually 

push you was a huge part of this. Also, trying to find the right 

mindset knowing that I am not doing this for me … I'm doing it for 

the people that cannot, for the ones that are afraid to speak up. 



I know that when we were rucking this past year, we had quite 

a few people talk and ask us questions about the cause. It was 

great, because it spread the word outside of just our FM metro 

area. We were greeted very well throughout our trip, and I feel 

that it helped. I believe any event that helps bring awareness to 

our veterans is a great use of my time. 

Have you been a part of any other fundraisers 

such as this? 

We have done a golf outing for the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation, 

which is great but I don't think it spreads the word like this does. 

The other one that we recently did was Workout 4 Warriors at 

CrossFit Fargo. This fundraiser allowed us to push our limits in a 

different way than the ruck. Both of these events were benefiting 

the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation, so it was great to do and to 

see how we can reach out to others in our community through 

these organized events. 


Darren Losee 

Darren Losee is co-owner of Urban Toad Media, publishers of 

The Good Life. He’s been a valuable supporter of the annual 

Ruck March, documenting the journey with his camera. Though 

he wished to keep his name out of this story, the rest of the crew 

insisted his role be recognized. 

What inspired you to support this year’s ruck? 

This event holds a powerful message and I wanted to do my 

part to support this mission. To photograph and capture the raw 

emotion, the pain, the tears, the joy and the camaraderie that 

these heroes showed every day was incredible. It was an honor to 

tag along and very humbling to see this event unfold. 

What was the biggest challenge along the 

way? 

The ruck teams did the hard work … while they were rucking 

nonstop, enduring the physical and emotional battles, lack of 

sleep, and banged-up bodies, I was sleeping in hotels in cozy 

beds, drinking warm coffee, editing photos and updating social 

media, supporting in any way that I could. Warm showers and 

zero blisters for this photographer. 

What’s your message to those reading? How 

can they support the cause? 

Words can't express the intensity of this event and the importance 

of the message. I encourage everyone to get out and participate 

and support in any way possible. Show your support by cheering 

on the team as they pass through your neighborhood. Join in and 

ruck or walk for a mile or several miles. Together we can make 

a difference. This is something you need to witness firsthand. 

And keep up with the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation online at 

bradyoberglegacyfoundation.org. 

Everyone Has a Brady 

Most are surprised to learn that the overwhelming majority of 

participants in the annual Brady Oberg Border2Border Ruck March 

have no direct ties to its namesake, Brady Oberg. But according to 

Tracy Oberg Dunham, Brady’s sister and foundation board member, 

that’s exactly the reason why these men sign up to ruck. They march 

in honor of their own Brady, and their own loved ones who’ve lost 

their lives to suicide. They march to keep the next Brady alive. 

“The ruck means a lot for the foundation because it not only brings 

in donations that allow us to add adventures, but the awareness it 

brings to combat PTSD is significant,” Dunham explained. “All of 

the ruckers that have done this event for the long haul, never actually 

met Brady. They each are doing it because they have a connection to 

their own Brady … someone that has taken their own life because of 

the war from within, someone that meant a lot to them.” • 


HAVING A BEER WITH | JAMES MCCARTY 

WRITTEN BY: BEN HANSON 

PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA 

A big, booming voice, a big ego and big energy … three 

things most sports broadcasters share in common. James 

McCarty (aka “Big Game James”) checks two of those 

boxes, apparently having missed out on ego training 

camp. But what he lacks in ego he more than makes up 

for in heart. And perfectly coiffed hair, to which radio will 

never do justice. 

I met the Flag Family Media Sports Director during the 

noon hour at Drekker’s Brewhalla, presumably to talk 

sports over a couple of cold beers. As McCarty strolled 

in through the oversized doors, that heart of his was the 

first thing I noticed. It hung, clearly and confidently, from 

his neck — a cross. It was a curveball I admit I did not see 

coming. 

McCarty, a native of Braham, Minn., a tiny blip of a town 

about an hour north of the twin cities, shattered my illconceived 

“sports guy” stereotypes within seconds. His 

gentle demeanor, warm smile and natural nonchalance 

set me at ease for what would be a long and friendly 

conversation that spanned sports, faith and family … and 

true to his on-air professionalism, zero dead air along the 

way. 

Tell me a bit about your background … 

I grew up in Braham, a nice small town where everybody 

knows everybody. I played football, baseball, can’t skate 

worth a damn but I love hockey! I always thought the E60 

docu-series on ESPN was so cool, so I figured if I can’t be 

a pro player, I wanted to go be the next Sportscenter guy. 

In high school, my best friend’s brother came up here 

to play football at MSUM, so I would come up to visit 

periodically. It became a second home and gave me a 

chance to see the journalism program, which is one of 

the best in the country. I fell in love with it, came up here 

and rolled with it. So I’ve been here in Fargo-Moorhead 

for about six years now. 

What’s your favorite sports memory? 

People are going to hate me, but in January of 2020 I 

had the chance to go and cover my first NDSU Bison 

game … in Frisco … for the Championship game! I found 

myself down on the sidelines shooting video alongside 

an ESPN guy when James Hendricks had that incredible 

interception. I wasn't more than 10 yards away when 

he caught that ball. Watching everybody jump over the 

railing and storm the field, I think I saw my life flash 

before my eyes. I thought I was going to be mauled by a 

herd of bison! 

Favorite sport? 

Baseball. I love everything about baseball, and I hate how 

they’re trying to change it with pitch clocks and those 

sorts of things. They’re trying to get people to watch the 

game who aren’t watching now, but they’re not going to 

watch even if the game was 15 minutes shorter. 



HAVING A BEER WITH | JAMES MCCARTY 

Every time 

I go hunting 

or fishing, 

when the sun 

comes up over 

the horizon … 

man, there is a 

God out there. 

If you could spend a day with anyone 

from the world of sports, who would it 

be? 

Stuart Scott. Everything that guy was about, I love. No 

matter what he did at any point in his broadcasting career, 

he was himself, one hundred percent Stuart Scott. You 

weren’t going to change how he looked or what he said. It 

was about family, his two daughters and then sportscasting. 

He would make things seem so entertaining. 

Is it true pitchers are the most athletic 

players in baseball? 

I think they get paid the best … for having to complete only 

30 starts a year. I have no idea where that idea came from, 

honestly. Probably a guy like Nolan Ryan who said it and 

nobody was going to challenge him, haha. I don’t think fat 

first basemen get enough credit, and shortstop is crazy, 

too. 

Which sport do you think deserves more 

airtime? 

I would have to say hockey. I think hockey is about as 

disrespected as it gets. The NBA and NFL are all over the 

place. Hockey … we’ll get “Hockey Night in America” and 

maybe some coverage on ESPN+. In hockey, you gotta 

beat out guys from around the world to earn your spot, 

so the athleticism is unmatched. The speed of the game 

is so intense. 

What’s the real value of sports … 

specifically local sports? 

The way the community rallies around it. You used to get 

that in the pros or in college, but with so much hostility 

in the world it can get a little too political. At a local 

level, though, you really see how different community 

members and businesses rally behind the local youth and 

community in general. And when you get a chance to talk 

to those kids, ninety-nine percent of them don't have an 

ego yet. They’re so happy to talk to me and tell me the 

story of the game. Their world is so much more simplified 

… we have so many things going on, but they just want to 

go play with their buddies. When Moorhead, for example, 

gets to state in hockey, the whole town seems to shut 

down to send them off. 

Favorite concession stand treat? 

Honestly, pretzel and cheese. If you can get a soft pretzel 

with just the right amount of salt … just need a little light 

dusting … and warm nacho cheese. You can’t go wrong. 

What’s top on your sports bucket list? 

Well the closest I’ve come to a hole-in-one is about 30 

yards, so I can probably scratch that off the list. Going 

to the Masters would be cool just to watch those guys 

perform at their highest level at such a historic venue. 

The hockey olympic games would be cool — it’s not 

like basketball where it’s just the US against basically 


everyone else. You get to see stupid 

good talent from across the world. 

Be honest … are you radio 

guys ALWAYS wearing pants 

when you’re on the air? 

If my boss is reading this, yes. If he’s 

not, then there’s a time when things 

get a little interesting! When it's warm 

outside and you’ve been working 20 

hours, you might see a little more 

belly than you paid for. We do have 

webcams up now, and I said you’re 

setting us up for some interesting 

experiences. I’ll go in when the other 

guys are looking super serious and 

do the truffle shuffle or try to do the 

worm. If you’re not having fun, you’re 

not doing your job. 

What’s your stance on 

eSports? 

I think it's pretty dang cool. That’s 

something where if it was big 15 

years ago, I would be professional 

— take that mom, I did something 

with my life! People might ridicule 

it, but if you’re talented at something, 

why can’t you go and make a living 

out of it? I’ve seen some of those 

tournaments they have and they get 

about as intense as they would if it 

was on the real hardwood. The world 

is changing and technology is taking 

over. 

I see your cross, so I gotta 

ask … What does faith mean 

to you? 

I definitely need to get better at my 

faith. I do dumb stuff every day and 

the fact that I’ll be forgiven one day 

is awesome. Every time I go hunting 

or fishing, when the sun comes up 

over the horizon … man, there is a 

God out there. He created all of this, 

and he made sure to have every detail 

perfectly in place for me to be there. 

It blows my mind. 

What does the good life 

mean to you? 

The good life means being able to 

go to work in the morning and not 

feel like you’re working and having 

enough time at the end of the day 

to spend with family. Get in a little 

fishing and duck hunting in God's 

country, that's what it means to me. • 


Tracks in the Snow 

Hunting the Cottontail Rabbit 

WRITTEN BY: JEFFREY MILLER 

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY: JEFFREY MILLER 

The winters can seem to last a very long time around 

here. Sure, a person can ice fish or cross-country ski. 

Some less-hardy individuals hole up and watch football 

and basketball on the TV until spring. I look forward to 

the bitter cold winter days, as they are perfect for pursuing 

one of America’s most popular small game animals, the 

cottontail rabbit. 

The Game 

Cottontail rabbits, much like whitetail deer, are 

supremely adaptable animals. A single 

spirea bush in a sea of asphalt may provide 

a home for an urban rabbit, while 

farmsteads, tree rows, and brushy 

ditches provide habitat for rural 

bunnies. 

Rabbit meat is relished by nearly 

every predator, from hawks and owls 

to coyotes and foxes. Over 90% of 

rabbits never live to see their first 

birthday, and those that do develop 

keen survival skills. The most 

important factor that ensures rabbit 

Cottontail rabbits, much like 

whitetail deer, are supremely 

adaptable animals. 

populations into the future is a remarkable birth rate. 

In the first year of life, a female rabbit can raise as many 

as six litters, averaging five rabbits per litter. Without 

predation, rabbits would take over the world! 

Rabbits are most active during dawn and dusk, rarely 

straying from heavy cover to feed. Open, mature forests 

are devoid of bunnies, as they prefer dense, short brush. 

Lilacs, dogwood, even the invasive European buckthorn 

provide food and cover for cottontails. Avian predators 

find it difficult to swoop through the thick brush, and 

terrestrial predators can’t help but make noise as they 

stalk through it. 

Guns 

Before setting afield, the proper firearm must be selected. 

Rabbits are thin skinned, and light furred, and it doesn’t 

take much of a bullet to humanely harvest one. 


A hunter who thinks a flushing pheasant is a difficult 

target will be in for an awakening when a rabbit bounds 

through thick cover! 

When hunting in the prime hours, a quiet, stalking 

hunter is most apt to carry a rimfire rifle. 22 Long Rifle 

as this is an excellent choice. I prefer using my Marlin 

22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire which has a variable 

power telescopic rifle scope which allows for precision 

shots through dense cover. Regardless of the caliber, 

solid bullets are the best choice for a fulfilled end. 

Hollow point cartridges expand upon impact and can 

destroy the tender white meat. Instead, a solid bullet 

drills straight through, preserving the meat which is 

then edible if someone chooses. 

During most of the daylight, rabbits sit in “forms,” 

shallow depressions in the snow, to soak up the meager 

sunshine. An 8-pound red fox cannot sneak through the 

thick cover without alerting a rabbit, a bumbling hunter 

certainly can’t! When hunting during this period of the 

day, or when hunting near farmsteads where a bullet may 

be hazardous, I prefer a shotgun. Sub-gauge shotguns 

shine for rabbits, and I’ve used 16-gauge, 20-gauge, and 

a 410 when busting brush. Low base shells, shooting 

number 6 shot, are the perfect medicine for bounding 

rabbits. A hunter who enjoys flushing pheasant and 

embraces the challenge, would love the excitement 

when a rabbit bounds through thick cover! 

Hunting 

Before setting foot afield with a gun, the hunter must 

first go scouting. For reasons known only to rabbits, 

some of the best cover for most rabbits can be devoid of 

bunnies. Snow is a wonderful canvas to determine the 

population of animals in the habitat. Rabbit tracks are 

a bit odd looking, with the back feet being laid down, 

while the front of the much smaller. A hunter should 

look closely at browsed brush to check if there are 

branches that have been clipped clean off; if so, it’s the 

work of a rabbit. With teeth on both top and bottom of 


AUTHOR AND RABBIT. 

their mouth, rabbits can easily cut branches. Deer, with 

teeth only on the bottom, will tear the branch off. 

Stalking rabbits is best done on a bitter cold day. A 

rabbit’s coat may look and feel thick and warm, but it’s 

actually quite thin. When the mercury drops below zero, 

the critters will sit on south-facing slopes using the sun 

to warm them up. I use my binoculars and glass on 

every thick patch of cover from around 100 yards or so. 

Once a rabbit, hunched up in a furry form, is spotted, I’ll 

cut the distance to close to 50 yards. Slipping into the 

frigid snow, I’ll brace my gun and attempt to collect the 

rabbit. The thick cover has a way of deflecting bullets, 

and for every rabbit in the bag another escapes to live 

another day. 

A small group of hunters can drive rabbits on warmer 

days. Posters need to remain motionless as the drivers’ 

flush rabbits towards them. This is a shotgun game, 

and safety is of utmost importance. Hunters should 

wear high-visibility orange clothing and only 

take safe shots. 

The Table 

Rabbit is top of the table, as far as I’m concerned. Young 

rabbits are tender and delicate, while older rabbits 

tend to be tougher. An Instant Pot works wonders on 

tough rabbits. Once cooked, I remove the meat from the 

bones and use it mixed in pasta sauce. A warm plate of 

rabbit fettucine, followed by a glass of red wine, on a 

cold winter’s day is an epicurean’s delight! 

Younger rabbits can be treated like chicken, breaded, or 

fried. My family loves fried rabbit with garden potatoes, 

and the meal costs little in terms of dollars on the 

grocery budget. Of course, the cost is in different forms 

like procuring the meat! 

Hunting rabbits can be a hobby for the entire family. 

Introducing youngsters to safe firearm practices right 

from the start, allows them to learn about ecology and 

animal habitats, bringing home delicious, healthy, wild 

game. Rabbit hunting is a great way to spend a cold 

North Dakota winter day! • 


Hunting rabbits can 

be a hobby for the 

entire family. 

AUTHOR'S SON AND DAUGHTER 

WITH RABBIT. 

A warm plate of 

rabbit fettucine, 

followed by a glass 

of red wine, on a 

cold winter’s day 

is an epicurean’s 

delight!

The Good Life – November-December 2022

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