When Bears Attack
There are many dangerous creatures lurking in the woods, some of these creatures are big and others so small they can hardly be seen. So, what do you do should one come face to face with you? It depends on the animal and it is a good idea to know what to do before you meet them, rather than try and talk it over with a wild animal that has just been surprised by your presence in his or her woods.
Brown bear and Grizzly Bears can weigh between 400 and 900lbs. They are about 4’ tall on all fours and over 7’ tall when standing on their hind legs
Bears are one of the most common dangerous creatures in the woods, they are large, fast, and have sharp teeth and sharp claws. Some types of bears found in North America include the Black Bear, Grizzly Bear, Brown Bear and Polar Bear. Bears can be found almost anywhere in the wild and they all possess a strong protective instinct over their young. One of the most dangerous situations you can find yourself in is surprising a mother bear while she is looking after her cubs. There is very little she won’t do to protect them, and a human isn’t much of an obstacle. A bear that has become “cornered” is very dangerous as well and will attack without warning. Read the rest of this article »
Copyright © 2011 Mike Wilson
Dressing for Cold Weather
Fabrics such as cotton retain moisture and can cause the body to cool off faster because they stay damp and clammy. Start with a base layer such as Under Armour, polypropylene or other polyester based fabric.
Winter is quickly on its way but the cold temperatures don’t mean you have to stay inside. Dressing for the cold is easy and even fashionable. With the right articles of clothing you can stay warm outdoors on even the coldest days.
Layering your clothing is the best way to ensure you will be warm enough. Start by wearing a base (inner) layer against your skin such as Under Armour or another synthetic microfiber or polyester fabric. A t-shirt and long under wear pants inner layer will move perspiration into the next (middle) layer helping your skin to stay dry. Fabrics such as cotton retain moisture and get cold and clammy very quickly. Since the body cools itself by perspiring, wearing a damp shirt will only make you colder. Read the rest of this article »
Copyright © 2011 Mike Wilson
Getting Started in Archery
Carbon fiber arrows are very popular and work with a wide variety of bows
Archery is one of the world’s oldest sports. For nearly 35,000 years archery has been used for hunting, battle and recreation. Archery has come a long way from the ancient wooden long bows. Now they are made from plastics, fiberglass, carbon, and other space aged materials. Getting started in archery is easy, one you learn how to choose the right equipment.
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Copyright © 2011 Mike Wilson
An Introduction to GPS Units
Handheld GPS units are one of the best items to purchase if you plan on hiking or travelling in the woods
There are many useful gadgets that have been invented to help you in the outdoors. Everything from pocket thermometers to digital watches with compasses on them, have been invented to make the great outdoors even greater. By far the most useful of all the gadgets is the GPS unit. Read the rest of this article »
Copyright © 2011 Mike Wilson
Basics of Deer Hunting
Deer hunting is a favorite fall pastime
It is hard to beat sitting in a tree stand or ground blind on a crisp fall morning, waiting for the snap of a stick or a rustle in the fallen leaves that signifies the big one is here. Hundreds of thousands of people across North America look forward to deer hunting in the fall every year. Whether you are a newbie or experienced hunter here are some tips on how to make sure you go home with more than stories of the one that got away. Read the rest of this article »
Copyright © 2011 Mike Wilson
Deer Scents
Deer hunting has long been a source of food and recreation for mankind. Many modern techniques have evolved to make the hunt easier. There are several different products on the market to make your deer hunt more successful. These include grunt calls, doe bleats, decoys, and possibly the most effective product – scents.
Bucks are very sensitive to scent. The are able to pick up the scent of another deer from a great distance.
Deer are highly sensitive to scent. Without the ability to take their prospective mate out to a movie or nice restaurant they have to rely on three different kinds of signals to see if they are compatible with each other. Vocal calling to attract a mate to the area, leaving scent in a scrape to let them know they are there, and when necessary some out and out fighting to see who will win the does affections. Read the rest of this article »
Copyright © 2011 Mike Wilson
Poison Ivy
This mid-summer poison ivy has rare serrated edges on the leaves and usually grows in large patches
Walking along a trail or through the woods is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. There are so many different things to see-a nice blue sky overhead, birds singing, and flowers to pick. Unfortunately, one of Mother Nature’s common and poisonous plants is probably growing right along the side of the very trail you are walking on. The next time you are picking flowers while hiking along a woodland trail take a moment and look around.
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Copyright © 2011 Mike Wilson
Food for Camping
Cooking over an open fire is one of the best parts of camping
Cooking your meals over an open fire is one of the great experiences that come with camping. Most of us have done hot-dogs or marshmallows over a campfire but what else can be cooked this way?
The main difficulty associated with camp cooking is refrigeration. Most tasty common foods must be kept cold to prevent spoilage, and the ice in a cooler only lasts so long. Not mention how heavy a cooler full of ice can be to carry. When choosing foods to bring with you on a camping trip, try to pack as few foods as possible that require refrigeration or that can spoil easily. The best way to experience a campfire dinner is with fresh food whenever possible however pre-cooked foods are also a good choice to bring along. Read the rest of this article »
Copyright © 2011 Mike Wilson
