Important field research with OFAH’s Rob Pye

I probably should have had my nose to the grindstone yesterday at the office, what with deadlines looming for our upcoming Winter issue (which is really getting me psyched for the hardwater season). But when Rob Pye invited me out to his spread east of Peterborough, Ontario, to hunt small game, how could I refuse? And, as I like to say, will it matter 20 years from now?

Rob’s the manager of membership marketing and corporate messaging for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and we hadn’t headed afield together since May. That’s when Rob, his dad, Clarence, and I went for a successful turkey hunt up Orillia way. This time, we had Rob’s sizeable 30-acres of mixed hardwoods to scour for grouse, timberdoodles and bunnies, as well as a 5,000-acre chunk of adjacent county forest.

Rob’s English setters, Bert and Bella, put up a few birds for us, and I took a nice snowshoe that Rob had spooked my way, so we both had something for the pot—a real bonus considering it was a treat all on its own just to be walking the woods and working the dogs. (Bert and Bella are the lively brother-and-sister offspring of Rob’s first setter, Molly.)

We also had the chance to catch each other up on our respective work pursuits. For me, it was about the sale of the magazine and all the great plans in store for Outdoor Canada. As for OFAH, Rob’s pumped about all the current and upcoming programs planned for the organization’s members. He’s also excited about the impending arrival of a new baby brother for his two-year-old son, Charlie.

Thanks again, Rob, for a great day.