ADVENTURE BROADCASTING OUTDOOR ADVENTURES TO THE WORLD

Friends Harness Social Media To Tell Their Stories

By Alison Stucke

If you’re a fan of hunting and fishing, or if you’d like to learn more about participating in these sports locally, check out HCQ Outdoors on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. HCQ Outdoors is a group of five friends who enjoy hunting and fishing together, and they want to share their adventures and know-how on social media.

The group started several years ago when Austin Driscoll met Matt Schwab (who serves as president of the St. Louis Bay Chapter of Ducks Unlimited) at work. The two Duluth men started getting outdoors together to enjoy hunting and fishing. Then friends Scott Cole and Trent Haugen, both of Duluth, and Josh Weber of Superior joined in the activities. They realized they all had about 20 years of experience in these outdoor sports.

Eventually they asked themselves, “Why aren’t we filming this?” and HCQ Outdoors was born.

“We figured we might as well film our hunting and fishing trips and share education and location with others,” Driscoll said.

The group hunts, fishes and films mostly in the Duluth-Superior area. Once a year, they also cover an out-of-the-area hunting trip.

“During the waterfowl season, we chase the migration down to Missouri,” Driscoll said. Check out a video of the group’s snow goose hunt titled “South Dakota Day 1” at youtube.com/ watch?v=Gexi76Hle5I.

Other adventures of Driscoll and the group include steelhead and Kamloops fishing on a local river, when Driscoll hooked a 7-pound hen steelhead; turkey hunting when Cole got his first turkey; and smelting on the Lester River when Driscoll and a friend netted about six gallons.

“First turkey season under my belt, and I’m hooked for life,” Cole said. v

HUNTING CALL COMPANY SUPPORTS COMPANY’S EFFORTS

Austin Driscoll and Scott Cole recently participated in the 2018 ALS Fishing Tournament, raising money to help fight the muscular disease. Deadshot Custom Calls, a company that custom-makes duck calls and a supporter of HCQ Outdoors, donated to the tournament.

“Deadshot is a phenomenal company,” Driscoll said. “Both for their product and that they are just good guys! Deadshot Custom Call Company … have supported us as we grow with tips, advice, general ideas on how to expand what we do.”

Deadshot Custom Calls now offers the Man’s Best Friend Call. It’s made of acrylic infused with the ashes of a beloved pet — usually a hunting dog who spent many hours out in the field. Deadshot Custom Calls has invented a proprietary casting process that incorporates the ashes of a beloved hunting partner or family pet into a customized acrylic call. They are available in a variety of colors and shapes, and can be engraved with the dog’s name on the band of the call. Duck and goose calls are available, and calls for additional types of game are in the works.

“It’s a memory of a hunter,” Driscoll said. “It reminds you of your best bud out in the duck blind.”

“Once your call is complete, you can continue the hunt and bring your best friend back into the field,” says Deadshot Custom Calls’ website.

Visit deadshotcustomcalls.com to learn more.