COLLECTING BONES: We sit down with the crew from Bone Collector.

7913 - bc crew with fans — The Bone Collector crew with some fans

Nothing but a bunch of good ol’ boys having fun in the outdoors with their friends.

That was the message that seemed to be repeated during a recent visit to Minnesota Archery in Litchfield on Tuesday. The Brotherhood Bus Tour was rolling to a stop out in front of their shop, with Michael Waddell, Nick Mundt and Travis ‘T-Bone” Turner stepping out. For 5 hours the crew would sign posters, hats, bows, antlers and anything else that might come through the line. They’d smile for pictures, listen to hunting stories and even sing happy birthday to a couple lucky kids in attendance.

Then, one by one, they sat down and let me pepper them with questions, holding them up from departing for their next destination. Some questions they’ve been asked a million times, others stumped them, but each one answered with a smile on his face, like a 12-year-old getting his first pump shotgun.

7913 - interviewing Michael Waddell — Michael Waddell being interviewed by Bret “T-Bone” Amundson from MNSJ Radio.

I’ve met a few “celebrities” before and you never really know how it’s going to go. Some are prima donnas who feel like it’s our privilege to be standing next to them, some have their manager or “henchmen” be the bad guy when they want to leave, and some of them are just cool, down-to-earth guys who will hang out until you let them leave.

7913 - mn archery line for bone collector — The line was steady for the entire 4+ hours.

The Bone Collector crew genuinely seemed like the latter. These guys clearly have done interviews before so they were comfortable with the whole situation. I’ve also found that a lot of the big names in the outdoor industry are just like us-regular guys who love the outdoors.

7913 - mn archery mnsj sticker autograph — That’s a cool thing to get autographed. Of course, we’re biased.

Over the course of the next few weeks, I’ll play back each of the interviews, starting with Nick Mundt on this week’s show. He’s the one that doesn’t have the southern accent. He’s from South Dakota and you’ll find, like the others, that he’s just happy to be here. He’ll talk about his hunting trip to North Dakota last fall, what his favorite Bone Collector show is and what species he’d hunt if he only had one to hunt the rest of his life.

7913 - mn archery store — Check out Minnesota Archery next time you’re in the Litchfield area.

Watch the show if you get the Outdoor Channel, they have about 7 new episodes left on this season. Otherwise, follow them online at www.Bonecollector.com

7913 - Michael Waddell holding mnsj — Michael Waddell signs the backdrop while getting ready to read an awesome magazine.

They really were impressed with the turnout at Minnesota Archery, and enjoyed the shop too. Their goal was to try and make it to the smaller shops as well as the big box stores as they grew up in small, locally owned stores like MA. I like it too, as I was able to get my bow tuned and have new line put on my fishing bow while I was there.