Ryan Lisson

Ryan Lisson is a biologist and regular content contributor to several outdoor manufacturers, hunting shows, publications, and blogs. He is an avid small game, turkey, and whitetail hunter from northern Minnesota and loves managing habitat almost as much as hunting. Ryan is also passionate about helping other adults experience the outdoors for their first time, which spurred him to launch Zero to Hunt, a website devoted to mentoring new hunters.

60 Articles Published | Follow:
Wood Duck Biology, Life History, and Identification

This visually stunning duck species is known for its forest dwellings and habitat Although drake…

a greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons)
Greater White-Fronted Goose – The Elusive Specklebelly

Life history, biology, identification, and habitat of the Greater White-Fronted Goose The greater white-fronted goose…

A group of mallards flying over water
Mallard Life History, Identification, Biology and More

The mallard is a duck species iconic in the world of waterfowl and common called…

A common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) – Waterfowl Species Profile

Discover the beautiful duck with whistling wings The common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) is a medium-sized…

A flock of snow geese flying in North Dakota
Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) – Waterfowl Species Profile

A closer look at the biology, history, and habitat of the snow goose. The snow…

Two people walk through a health forest
What Defines a Healthy Forest in North America?

Learn about the importance and definition of maintaining healthy forests in today’s world When most…

A male northern shoveler duck on a pond
Northern Shoveler Species Profile

Learn how to identify and hunt the duck with the unmistakable face You know how…

A greater Scaup diving duck opens his wings on open water.
Greater Scaup – A Closer Look at the Blue-billed Diving Duck

The greater scaup is a diving duck with coastal hunting opportunities The greater scaup (Aythya…

A chukar hunter in prime chukar habitat
How to Identify Chukar Habitat

Use habitat knowledge, some advance scouting with maps, and time in the field to improve…

Duck hunting decoys float on the water
Common Decoy Spreads for Puddle Ducks and Divers

Advice for new duck hunters on decoy spreads When you get any waterfowlers to talk…

A Plain Chachalaca roosted in a tree
Plain Chachalaca – An Obscure Game Bird of Southern Texas

The desert game bird you’ve probably never heard about Its name may sound like a…

A bird hunter in sharp-tailed grouse habitat
Finding Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat

Breaking down and exploring sharp-tailed grouse habitat for newbies The sharp-tailed grouse is one seriously…

A mourning dove in habitat
How to Identify Mourning Dove Habitat

Finding and hunting mourning dove habitat this fall While many people associate the mourning dove…

A health hen photo from 1929
The Unfortunate Story of the Heath Hen (Tympanuchus cupido cupido)

How this Eastern prairie chicken known as the Heath Hen became extinct despite our efforts…

A sharp-tailed grouse dances on lek in Wisconsin
Modernizing Sharp-Tailed Grouse Lek Survey Methods

Spying on sharp-tailed grouse with trail cameras in Wisconsin About a year ago, I attended…

Passenger pigeon vintage bird lithograph - James De Kay, Zoology of NY
The Extinction of the Passenger Pigeon

Learning about bird species extinction from the passenger pigeon Unless you’re pretty conservation-minded, you may…

A Merriam’s Wild Turkey strutting
Life History of the Merriam’s Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami)

Pursuing the beautiful mountain bird — the Merriam’s Wild Turkey Just as the Eastern wild turkey is known for…

A ruffed grouse sitting in a tree
Can We Stop the Decline of the Ruffed Grouse?

The future of ruffed grouse and the health of North American forests are at a…

Close up of an Eastern cottontail rabbit.
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit – History, Hunting, and Biology

Learn About Eastern Cottontail Rabbits and How to Hunt Them Whether you live in a…

A sage grouse flying to new cover
The Impact of Conifers in Sage Grouse Habitat

Combating the spread of conifer trees to save sage grouse Most people assume that more…

An Osceola wild turkey walking in a swamp.
Osceola Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo osceola) – A Wild Turkey Profile

What do you know about the swamp turkey from Florida? The Osceola wild turkey (Meleagris…