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ANNOUNCING!–Gary Oberg’s New Book “My Sidetracks as An Entrepreneur: True Stories and Life Lessons for Successful Business Leadership…In his bestselling book "SIDETRACKS: 40 True Stories of Hunting and Fishing on Paths Less Traveled," inventor, engineer, and businessman Gary Oberg shared his lifetime experiences of pushing the limits outdoors, which is where he learned about taking chances and risk mitigation. Oberg’s entertaining storytelling continues in "My Sidetracks as An Entrepreneur: True Stories and Life Lessons for Successful Business Leadership," a book about how he started and grew his successful company.


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“SIDETRACKS" NAMED #3 TOP NEW HUNTING eBOOK FOR 2020: –"I’m happy to announce that my book, "Sidetracks: 40 True Stories of Hunting and Fishing on Paths Less Traveled," was named #3 on the 2020 list of the top seven selections for BookAuthority's Best New Hunting eBooks. BookAuthority collects and ranks the best books in the world, and it is a great honor to get this kind of recognition.”-Gary Oberg, author 

"Vivid hunting and fishing tales for weekend warriors.”Kirkus Reviews 

IF YOU LOVE TO HUNT OR FISH…..or notthe 40 TRUE STORIES in the NEW BOOK “SIDETRACKS” Will Have You Laughing and Hanging on to The Edge of Your Seat. 

Outdoor adventures stories from locations throughout North America, including the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA wilderness); Namew Lake, Sturgeon Landing, Saskatchewan, Canada; Spirit Lake, Iowa; Ear Falls, Ontario, Canada; Cape Hatteras, the Outer Banks, North Carolina; Wenasaga Lake, Onatrio, Canada;  Rice Lake, Ontario, Canada; the Chute; Lake of the Woods, Minnesota/Canada 


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Greetings from Beautiful Minnesota

I’ve never seen a bull moose walk down Main Street at high noon during hunting season. The biggest moose, the finest deer, and the feistiest fish all have one thing in common: they keep off the beaten path. To find them, you have to take the side tracks.

Sidetracks are full of rewards and prizes but only for those who are willing to face risks and endure some discomfort. I’ve found this to be true not only for fishing and hunting, but for life in general. If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much room. 

THE BEST, MOST MEMORABLE PARTS OF MY LIFE HAVE COME AS A RESULT OF TAKING SIDETRACKS– I’ve tried to live this way and, for the most part, I can honestly say that for me, it’s been the right way to go. I’m not saying it’s all been sunsets and fish dinners—I’ve eaten more than my share of canned beans in the rain—but for all my failures, the best, most memorable parts of my life have come as a result of taking side tracks.

Some people think that R&R means rest and relaxation, but to me, R&R means risks and rewards. When you walk the side tracks, you’re always thinking about how to mitigate risk. With fishing and hunting, I’m always aware of gun safety, weather patterns, loose rock, and all manner of nature’s boobytraps. 

I’ve learned to be careful about what I eat and drink and try not to become some animal’s lunch. Sometimes half the challenge is just getting to the destination: planes, trains, trucks, boats, horses, and motorcycles all have their inherent challenges and dangers. 

And then there’s the human factor. Just as in city-life, when you’re in the wilderness, you must be mindful of other people. I wear blaze orange to not get shot, I try to follow the rules, I share and share alike, and generally try to keep the peace. 

RISKY SIDETRACKS HAVE BROUGHT BIG REWARDS–My rewards for taking all those risky sidetracks are immense and plenty. First, there isn’t one single day when I’ve been in the wilds and haven’t taken a moment just to appreciate God’s great creation. Everywhere I look, I see beauty. Every breath I take is fresh. Every sound is pure. Those moments, on their own, are perfectly valid reasons to march straight into the deepest forest. 

Sometimes I go home empty handed. The game out-plays me and the fish outsmart me. Fair enough. But usually, I get to fill my freezer with fish and game. 

Often, I get to spend time with other like-minded people and develop terrific friendships built on a foundation of laughter and shared interests. 

THINGS CAN GO RIGHT OR REALLY WRONG–I almost always go home with a solid sense of accomplishment, and sometimes, when things go really right (or really wrong) I even gain a little wisdom. I can’t ask for more than that.

NO REGRETS– My road has definitely been bumpy and less travelled, but now, after six decades of following side tracks, I have a lifetime of stories to share. 

I’m rich with experience, friendships, family, and I have a deep faith in God and all His creation. 

What I don’t have, are regrets.


Gary Oberg, BME, PE

Founder, Spectralytics, Inc.


© Garg Oberg 2020 – ROSE CITY PRESS –www.mysidetracks.com - website by Joan Holman Productions: www.holman.com