Ron Schara
Host of Minnesota Bound
FLYWAY
Where were you born and raised?
SCHARA
I was born and raised in northeastern Iowa in a town called Postville, about 23 miles west of the Mississippi river. The town is now famous and it has nothing to do with me! In 2008 Postville had the largest round up of illegal immigrants in U.S. history, the raid took place at a meat packing plant with almost 400 immigrants being arrested. It was and still remains the largest workplace raid in Iowa history.
FLYWAY
What brought you to Minnesota?
SCHARA
I graduated from Iowa State University and majored in wildlife biology and combined that with journalism. After I graduated I was offered a job with the South Dakota Game and Fish Department in Pierre as editor of their outdoor publication. Two years later I received a call from the Star Tribune and was offered a job as their outdoor writer, they wanted me to write on issues and go a little more in depth on outdoor issues.
FLYWAY
Do you remember your first column or story for the Star Tribune?
SCHARA
It was January of 1968. I wrote about Minnesota's DNR efforts to save young northern pike trapped in wetlands that might be dying due to the lack of oxygen. I look back on all the articles and columns I have written and notice that not much has changed, we still fall short in protecting and preserving our wetlands and drainage systems. We still don't do enough to protect our environment.
FLYWAY
As you look back and reflect on your days at the Star Tribune, do you have a story that stands out as your personal favorite?
SCHARA
There were many that I am proud of. The columns written about Raven as she was sick and dying and the sadness surrounding all of that are memorable to me.
FLYWAY
How long was Raven with Minnesota Bound?
SCHARA
I got Raven before I got into television, she was six months old at the time and she spent nine years with me on Minnesota Bound. Raven the second, which would be the original Raven's daughter is still alive but not doing so well these days. Now I have Raven the third by my side and she is the granddaughter of the original Raven.
FLYWAY
Speaking of Minnesota Bound, how long has it been now?
SCHARA
Minnesota Bound started in 1995, we are almost 16 years old now!
FLYWAY
How many days on average would you say you spend in the field for the show?
SCHARA
That is a good question. If you ask my wife she would probably tell you seven days a week! I would say probably 200 days a year are spent in the field but you have to remember that alot of it is local. I'm not that far from home most of the time.
FLYWAY
And your favorite Minnesota Bound story or segment is...
SCHARA
We ran a peice on a fishing partner of mine who ran his own boat, dropped his own anchor, baited his own hook, cast his own reel, reeled in the fish and took them off his hook and he did all of this with his feet! He lost both arms and to watch this man do what he did was simply astonishing, he is still gainfully employed to this day and leads a very productive life. He is an amazing man.
FLYWAY
The Live Loon Cam. I love it and I am addicted to it. Whose idea was that?
SCHARA
That was my idea and it has really become a popular thing, people are really enjoying it. We tried a live eagle nest cam but then a great horned owl showed up and we never saw that eagle again! We plan on doing the eagle nest cam again in the near www.mnbound.com/live-loon-cam
FLYWAY
Let's say you can go on a dream hunt with any 3 people, alive or deceased. Who are you taking, where are you going, and what will you be hunting for?
SCHARA
Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and my father. I would pick Thomas Jefferson because he was the president that supported and was heavily involved in the Lewis & Clark Expedition, this way he would get to see the land where he sent Lewis & Clark! I would pick Teddy Roosevelt because he was the first president that was a true conservationist, he did so much for this country in terms of conservation. My father I would pick for the obvious reasons. We would be on the Big Horn River in Montana and we would be fishing.
FLYWAY
What is your favorite bird to hunt?
SCHARA
I killed my first wild turkey in the spring of 1967 and I have not missed a season since!
FLYWAY
What about the wild turkey makes it your favorite?
SCHARA
I love the way you can converse with those birds. I can call turkeys but I never learned how to call ducks or geese. I didn't work hard enough at it and I learned early that if you can't call them properly it is probably best to keep your mouth shut.
FLYWAY
Your favorite animal or big game to hunt?
SCHARA
The elk. I love that you can bugle and talk to them. I have always loved the communication aspect of hunting. Having said that, how can you not appreciate the white tailed deer? I enjoy hunting those creatures too. Just recently I have been learning to grunt and rattle to them.
FLYWAY
Do I dare ask what your favorite fish to fish for is?
SCHARA
You can and I will give you the same standard answer I give to everybody each and every time. I get asked this question alot and the answer always remains the same... My favorite fish is the fish I've got at the end of my line, that is my favorite fish! (laughing)
FLYWAY
What is the biggest fish you ever had at the end of that line?
SCHARA
Here in the states I have caught two walleyes over ten pounds. I caught a 130lb. marlin somewhere between Florida and Mexico and I caught a 14lb largemouth bass in El Salto which is east of Mazatlan. Those are just a few that stand out.
FLYWAY
Your favorite lake in Minnesota is.....
SCHARA
I will give you two that I really enjoy. Lake Vermillion and Lake of the Woods. Both of these lakes are just awesome bodies of water and both generate monster walleyes, muskies, and much more. You could literally fish Lake of the Woods an entire lifetime and still not fish all the spots that lake has to offer.
FLYWAY
You have hunted so many animals in so many different places, give me one animal you haven't hunted yet but want to...
SCHARA
The first one that comes to mind is the kodiak brown bear. I have filmed them, just never hunted them. I'm just not sure I can envision myself hunting those big bears anymore. I will say the Alaska moose. I've hunted Ontario moose, never the Alaska moose. I think that has the potential to be a thrilling hunt.
FLYWAY
What is your favorite gun to hunt with?
SCHARA
This is a simple and easy choice for me. When I was living and working in South Dakota I needed a rifle to hunt antelope and deer with, I had the shotguns but didn't have the rifles and they were a must have out where I was if you wanted to hunt. A guy I was working with at the time pointed me in the direction of a Winchester Model 70 with a 270 caliber. I bought that rifle that day for $115 and I still have it today. This rifle is as durable and dependable as you will find. I chose the pre 1964 model because Winchester seemed to cheapen their models after that.
FLYWAY
Tell me about the first duck you ever shot...
SCHARA
I took my first shot at a duck, or ducks you might say, about a mile out of my hometown in Iowa at a place we used to call Palas Pond. We would fish there alot and I noticed that alot of ducks would be there once fall arrived. I made myself a beautiful stalk and got all set up and ready for action. When I raised up the ducks took off so fast and I proceeded to blaze away in futility, but it was enough to tweak my interest and continue trying! It was in Iowa that I shot my first duck, a blue winged teal. Ironically, as I was walking on the side of a slough that day to go retrieve my duck I noticed another one laying dead just up ahead of me. As I walked up to it I noticed that it was another blue winged teal but this one was a bit more intriguing. This blue winged teal was banded and it was banded in Iowa!
FLYWAY
Your first goose?
SCHARA
I took my first goose in western Iowa. It was an immature blue goose which at that time was quite uncommon. I had it mounted.
FLYWAY
Give me one area in the state of Minnesota that you enjoy hunting...
SCHARA
Ortonville and it's surrounding area is great for ducks and pheasant. I used to bow hunt out there for deer too.
FLYWAY
Ron Schara's greatest hunting memory would be?
SCHARA
I was hunting on the Saskatchewan/Manitoba boundary with some avid duck hunting buddies of mine. These guys lived and breathed duck hunting, it was all they knew and all they cared about. I remember sitting on points watching flocks of ducks by the thousands fly by. We let everything pass with the exception of the drake redheads and the drake mallards. It was a spectacle to watch and to be a part of that was special. Hunting with these guys was always entertaining and we shared many great hunts, but this one seems to stand out for me.
FLYWAY
What is your favorite movie?
SCHARA
I can tell you my least favorite movie now as I look back on it is "Bambi". There is something about the human voice in that movie crying "Bambi" that just bothers me. I really liked "Titanic" and "High Noon" was a favorite of mine growing up as a kid and still remains one of my all time favorites.
FLYWAY
What was the last movie you watched?
SCHARA
Avatar. I thought it was crap!
FLYWAY
So if I am making a movie based on the life of Ron Schara, who would you have me cast as the lead role of Ron Schara?
SCHARA
That is easy, Robert Redford would play me. Simply for the fact that I'm as good looking as he is!
FLYWAY
Favorite meal?
SCHARA
Walleye! I love duck and goose and I wish I were better at preparing and cooking them. I butcher them every time so I don't even try anymore. I leave it to the professionals who know what they are doing, I sure don't.
FLYWAY
Favorite sports team?
SCHARA
I am a Minnesota Vikings fan and I do follow them but I refuse to let my Sunday afternoons be dictated by if they are playing or not. I would much rather be hot on a grouse trail somewhere.
FLYWAY
What kind of music do you listen to?
SCHARA
I enjoy old country music. I have a music background so I really enjoy alot of different music, with the exception of rap! I don't like rap nor do I understand it. I like music that I can whistle or snap my fingers to, I just can't do that with rap music. No rap!!
FLYWAY
What are a few hobbies of yours?
SCHARA
Does hunting and fishing count?
FLYWAY
No!
SCHARA
I am pretty boring when you think about it. I like to play golf. I am mediocre at best but I really enjoy getting out there and playing. We just talked about music and I would consider that a hobby of mine. I really enjoy music. Alot of people don't know that I was a nightclub singer 40 years ago in a very well known downtown Minneapolis nightclub.
FLYWAY
Favorite vacation destination?
SCHARA
If we are talking about here in the states then it would be Key West, Florida. I love the lifestyle there and the fishing is all around fabulous. Outside of the states it would be Mexico, there are alot of great places to fish in Mexico!
FLYWAY
Do you have any favorite books?
SCHARA
Besides the ones I wrote? "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen E. Ambrose would be one of my favorites for sure. It chronicals the Lewis & Clark Expedition and it seems to be historically accurate.
FLYWAY
What was the last book you read?
SCHARA
"Blood Ties" by Ted Kerasote. It's somewhat of a self examination book. It's about a hunter from Wyoming that tries to measure his impact on the world by shooting something. It deals alot with our relationship to the animal world and it really is a fascinating read, it makes you think.
FLYWAY
What are some things you see or hear about other hunters doing that bother you?
SCHARA
Skybusting bothers me, but what bothers me even more than that is some duck hunters think it's all about shooting the ducks and that is it. They don't raise a finger to change drainage laws. They refuse to help protect, preserve, and protect the wetlands or make a simple call to their representatives to ensure that their voice is being heard regarding these issues. We all have a responsibility and an obligation to protect it and take good care of it. Duck hunting is so much more than shooting, so much more than just pulling the trigger. We need more involvement and more awareness because these issues affect us all if we want to continue to hunt and enjoy the outdoors.
FLYWAY
Will we see you at Game Fair this year?
SCHARA
Absolutely, you can count on that! This will be my 29th year!!
Minnesota Flyway would like to thank Ron Schara for taking the time to answer our interview questions. To learn more about Ron and Minnesota Bound visit www.mnbound.com
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