Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2019 i American Outdoor Guide

In the grand scheme of things, it really hasn’t been very long since the majority of people living in the area now known as the lower 48 derived their sustenance directly from the land they lived on or environs close by. There were fewer cities and they were much smaller and less densely populated, and towns were more of a meeting place than where many people made their homes. Most folks lived on farms or larger parcels of property, and the common method of acquiring their food was to harvest or grow it or trade for it. The rule of the day was to grow what you ate and eat what you grow, and the harvest was intended to produce enough so there would be adequate food to get them…

Designed by Matt, the Little Bugger was created to fill the niche of an all-purpose knife while being lightweight and compact enough to store nearly anywhere. Matt, while out in the wild, usually wears a minimal amount of clothing, so he needed a knife that could fit easily into his shorts and stay put while running, climbing or trekking through dense vegetation. This full-tang knife features a modified scandi grind, it stays razor sharp even after extended use, and is ready to tackle nearly any task in a variety of environments. . SPECIFICATIONS Overalllength575 inches Blade length: 2.38 inches Blade thickness: 0.09 inch Blade steel: 1095 hardened to RC 56-58 Blade finish: Tumbled Handles: Tan canvas Micarta Weight: 2.40 ounces Sheath: Coyote Tan Kydex MSRP: $120 TOPSKnives.com…

Predators are something you are going to have to live with. All predators are opportunists, so if you give them an opening they will take it. The top five predators you will most likely deal with are: 1) All members of the weasel family: This group includes weasels, skunks, fisher and mink. When putting up fencing, remember that if they can get their head through the mesh, the body will soon follow. 2) Raccoons: Raccoons are true opportunists, basically eating anything they can get their paws on, including your chickens. 3) Foxes: Leave the door open and a fox will get in. They may only take one bird at a time but if they aren’t stopped, they will be back for more. 4) Bobcats: Not as big a problem as…

We all know that many animals love honey; and, in the case of bears, the bees, themselves. However, there are other less-noticeable, yet equally deadly, threats to honeybee populations. According to Olivia Saunders, field specialist with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, “There are many diseases, insects and environmental pressures and threats.” Environmental. There are both natural and man-made environmental threats to honeybees. Extreme cold, extreme temperature swings, drought and even overly wet conditions affect honeybees. If they cannot collect pollen, they can’t make honey. If they can’t make honey, the colony (hive) could die. In addition, there are the chemicals people put into the environment — namely herbicides, pesticides and fungicides. According to Barbara Lawler, these are deadly combinations to bees. While some of these chemicals won’t kill…

Much can be said regarding the instinctive style of shooting used by traditional bowhunters being the best shooting style for hunting, but the use of some key accessories on modern bows can go a long way to making your shots more accurate, especially if you are just getting into using a bow for hunting. Arrow rests: The arrow rest is what the arrow rests on as you are shooting. It can be as simple as some hook-and-loop strips on the riser or a stick-on rest with a movable arm. More-sophisticated rests are fully adjustable and drop out of the way when you shoot. Sights: Sights are used if you do not want to, or cannot, shoot instinctively. Like an arrow rest, they screw onto the riser and have adjustments for…

There are many good books on plant identification. The only drawback is that there is no way that one book can cover everything, especially with all the invasive plants that are constantly being brought here. Most of the good books have pencil drawings of the plants they describe; the really good ones also have color photos. Friend, fellow American Survival Guide contributor and foraging expert Christopher Nyerges has written numerous books on identification of edible wild plants based on his decades of experience in the outdoors and as an instructor. Remember that books can provide guidance, but nothing can replace experience in the wild. There are many edible plants that look similar to poisonous varieties. Even with a book, it is sometimes hard to tell the difference between a dangerous…

Although there is a comprehensive depth to Dr. Adams’ scope of teaching, he usually emphasizes that he’s not healing anyone; he’s only making it possible for the body to heal itself. His family came to Virginia from England in 1635 and learned healing from the Native Americans to stay alive. BLACK SAGE SUN TEA FOOT SOAK FOR ALL BODY PAINS Soak about ¼ pound of black sage leaves and stems (Salvia mellifera) in 2 quarts of water and set it in the sun for several hours until the tea is dark reddish-brown. Strain the liquid. Pour the sun tea into a pan and soak feet for 15 to 20 minutes each day for seven days. Cover and refrigerate after each use. Wait one week to see what happens to your…

The atlatl is the hunting tool I feel the greatest connection with. There is something magical about the way it sails through the air with precision. I believe for the amount of time required to build and maintain it, it’s still one of the most effective tools, primitive or otherwise. It’s also been used as a hunting tool in the evolution of humanity perhaps longer than any other effective hunting tool, and has been used by every culture, color, or race of people on the planet. I made my first atlatl 23 years ago. It wasn’t that great, so I presumed it was a tool you had to grow up with to be proficient at, a thing for old history books. However, my curiosity led me to immediately make about…

The Quonset hut-style greenhouses at family-owned Nuccio’s Nurseries (Altadena, Calif.) are good examples of low-cost, do-it-yourself greenhouses. This farm, established in 1935, specializes in camellias and azaleas for home gardeners and landscapers. It also does grafting and seed-growing and has developed many unique varieties over the years. Tom Nuccio, one of the owners, explained that his father and uncle built the five greenhouses on their mountain property in the mid-1950s. Each greenhouse was begun with metal tubing that was bent into a large arch for the shape of the structure. There was one arch about every 4 or 5 feet. These arches were then secured by horizontal wooden strips that were fastened to the arches, giving the basic framework horizontal structural stability. Most of the Quonset hut greenhouses were first…

Clean, uncrowded birds are happy, healthy birds. Keeping up with the manure is a constant chore, but it needs to be done. To help keep things as clean as possible here are a few things you can do. 1) Don’t overcrowd your birds: The more birds in one area, the more manure that needs to be taken care of. 2) Clean often: Sure, it is a pain, but it will pay off in the long run. Excess manure not only stinks, but it also attracts vermin and disease. Remember, chicken manure is an excellent fertilizer for your garden. 3) Don’t overfeed: This is a common error that can lead to big problems. Excess food attracts rodents and rodents attract predators. Rodents also eat eggs and chicks and they carry disease.…

Bee Basics: An Introduction to Our Native Bees Moisset, Beatriz, Ph.D., and Stephen Buchmann, Ph.D., USDA Forest Service Bookstore.gpo.gov/products/ bee-basics-introduction-our native-bees-pamphlet Dennis Daggett New Hampshire beekeeper Capital Area Beekeepers Association CapitalAreaBeekeepers.org/ contact-us.html Barbara Lawler New Hampshire beekeeper Capital Area Beekeepers Association CapitalAreaBeekeepers.org/ contact-us.html Olivia Saunders Field Specialist, Food and Agriculture University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Extension.UNH.edu…

Just as you use different lures for different types of fish and different bullets for different kinds of game, there are different kinds of heads for your arrows, depending on what you are shooting at. Field or practice points: These are the most basic heads to put on your arrow—simple, pointed pieces of metal used for target practice or stump shooting. You can use them for small game, but a dedicated small-game head will serve you better. Small game heads: These are used to kill small game. They come in two common types. Blunts and spring leg designs, like JUDO heads, kill by shock and breaking the small bones in squirrels, birds and rabbits. Cutting designs also use shock but include small cutting blades to cut tissue and blood vessels.…

Bushcraft. For me, the word conjures images of Ray Mears setting up camp in the forests of England, on the lake shores of Canada or along the ›ords of Norway. I see visions of canoes laden with canvas packs and an elaborately built bush camp, with axes and knives shimmering in the light of a campfire. I can almost smell the wood smoke as I type these words... The word bushcraft has become heavily romanticized and is often associated with expensive gear and skills that can, to some, seem mystical and, to many, seem unattainable. However, bushcraft is not about expensive gear or exotic locations. Bushcraft is using and making tools to create the things needed to live comfortably in a natural environment. Knowledge is the most important thing to…

Whether you are just starting out or looking for replacement parts to get an existing greenhouse back into shape, there are plenty of suppliers that can sell you anything from sheeting and polycarbonate panels to a top-of-the-line commercial greenhouse suitable for a serious farming operation. Growers Solution sells greenhouse covers of various materials, as well as complete greenhouse kits. The prices and sizes vary, but this company has a variety likely to include an option for any level of interest and experience. GROWERS SOLUTION (866) 928-3390 GrowersSolution.com Peaceful Valley Farm Supply sells a few kits in various price ranges. For example, you can purchase a 6x10-foot greenhouse with framing and cover for $768, or you can get an 8x16-foot greenhouse with redwood framing for $4,218. This company also has a…

By far, the greatest byproduct of chickens is their manure, which makes an excellent garden fertilizer and a valuable barter item. Eggshells should be put in your compost pile to boost its level of calcium and then added to your garden. The bones of all fowl, including chickens, have been used for centuries to make fishing hooks and game calls. While I wouldn’t use chicken feathers for stuffing a pillow or arrow fletching, they will work in a survival situation.…

Early man started out with nothing more than the advantages provided by opposable thumbs. Life was tough and no aspect of survival was easy or efficient. Even the most basic parts of staying alive required extensive effort and no small amount of luck. Eventually, our ancestors’ thinking process began to kick in and they slowly started to create, use and improve tools. The most basic tools, such as hammerstones and sharp stone flakes, came first and were followed by others that made life a little easier and less of a constant struggle. While the mere existence of tools won’t increase the likelihood that one will survive an emergency, the skilled use of the tools in this collection can help you take care of more than just the rudimentary elements of…

Generally speaking, honeybees are not dangerous. They are typically low-key and nonaggressive. With that being said, they do sting and react to threats or perceived threats. If you are allergic to bee stings, you need to take precautions. The exception to this is Africanized bees, or “killer bees.” First introduced to Brazil in 1956, the African honeybee was crossed with the European honeybee in an effort to increase honey production. Some of the African bees escaped and produced a highly aggressive honeybee. Although the hybrid bees do produce more honey, they are also responsible for more than 1,000 human deaths. The first signs of this bee occurring in the United States happened in California in 1985. Now, they are found throughout the Southwest and as far east as Florida. The…

A couple of years ago, I did a review of the leading survival bows on the market. One of them was the Recon from Survival Archery Systems (SAS). It was a well-thought-out design, and it shot well. So, when American Survival Guide's Editor asked me if I would be interested in doing a review of a new takedown bow from the same company, I quickly agreed. That bow is the new Atmos Compact Modern Longbow. SOME BACKGROUND Doug Shadwell, the director and owner of Survival Archery Systems, has been an archer and bowhunter for years. Starting in late 2015, after the success of his Recon folding survival bow, he began getting requests from customers to add holes for sights, bowfishing mounts and different types of arrow rests. Others asked him…

Dr. Adams pointed out that there were six top herbs used by the Chumash in healing: mugwort, sagebrush, white sage, black sage, bay and yerba santa. These are described in detail in the book he co-wrote with Cecilia Garcia. Artemisia californica “Native Americans have traditionally used sagebrush liniments in pain therapy. The main pain-relieving targets are the various transient receptor potential channels in sensory neurons of the skin. Used with rubbing alcohol to make a liniment, this is a powerful pain reliever.” White Sage “A drink is made by putting a leaf in cold water to promote strengthening and cure colds and flus. The drink is used every day.” Yerba Santa “The Chumash use this plant for lung problems, including asthma, tuberculosis and pneumonia.” Artemisia douglasiana “Use this plant for…