Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2021 i American Outdoor Guide

The first issue of American Outdoor Guide is now “in the books”—and, more importantly, in your hands. It’s been pretty hectic for the last couple of months, making a change that seemed essentially simple but that had a lot of moving parts, especially when we included the updates to our website and social media pages as well. (We think we’ve got everything squared away, but please let me know if we missed anything.) A new beginning is the perfect time to make more adjustments than just our title change. I explained last month in this space why we changed our middle name, so to speak. This month, I’d like to call out some of the visual changes you’ll see as you thumb through the pages of Volume 1, Issue 1…

Coalcracker Bushcraft is not a one-man show. Along with Dan Wowak, instructors Kian Pederson, Mike Gasper and Sara-Jo Fegley offer a variety of courses throughout the year. This year’s schedule includes Basic & Advanced Survival, Basic & Advanced Bushcraft, Navigation, Modern Bushcraft and a Bushman class. Listed on the website are course descriptions, field and classroom work, required kit, level of physicality and course prerequisites. “Every day, we work on making better products and enhancing our teaching to serve the people who matter most—our customers and fellow outdoor adventurers!” —Coalcracker Bushcraft…

This recipe comes from Robin Bois, the wife of my friend, Captain David Bois, who operates the Stripers-R-Us charter in East Dennis, Massachusetts. Ingredients • 1 box lasagna noodles • 1 lb. uncooked shrimp cut into bite-sized pieces • 1 lb. uncooked scallops (you can substitute scallops with a white-fleshed fish, such as striped bass. If you use fish, cut it into bite-sized pieces prior to cooking) • ¾ lb. crab meat cut into bite-sized pieces (you can substitute the crab with lobster meat) • 6 tbsp. butter • 6 tbsp. flour • 3½ cups milk (you can also use low-fat or skim milk) • ½ cup sherry • 1 can (10¾ ounces) cream of shrimp soup • 1 large onion, diced • 6 cloves garlic, minced • 1 pkg.…

This tip is going to be worth whatever you paid to read this article. When we talk about interpersonal communication and resolving conflicts, especially with spouses, there are two words that are guaranteed to help—and they aren’t “Calm down.” Repeat after me: “I understand.” With those two words, you’re acknowledging their point of view, even if you don’t agree with it. You’re also saying you empathize with them and are indicating that you value what they have to say about the subject at hand. In a disagreement, the other party is often much more willing to compromise and work together on a solution if they feel their perspective is being heard.…

While the cord-wrapped handle of the Adamas 375 has been a hallmark feature of the design, it’s not without its detractors. Having a length of paracord at your disposal can be invaluable in a survival situation. That said, while it makes a decent handle, it’s not ideal. Paracord can be damaged; it will retain fluids; and it doesn’t provide ideal ergonomics. There are no factory options to deal with these complaints. However, a talented member of the private sector has stepped up to fill the void. Enter entrepreneur Tony Palita. While researching information for this article, I stumbled upon a YouTube video reviewing bolt-on, aftermarket handles for the Adamas 375. They looked perfect … but we all know that items on YouTube can be deceiving. As a result, I reached…

In sporting events, one typically prefers “gold,” but Mossberg also introduced an International Silver Reserve over/under that might make folks take notice of second place. The Silver Reserve is quite similar to the Gold but comes with select black walnut stocks and forends. The receivers are engraved with the Mossberg logo. It has extractors, instead of the Gold’s ejectors, matte-blue barrels and a five-choke set. One area in which the Silver pulls to the front is with gauge. The Silver Reserve comes in 28-gauge, along with the 12, 20 and .410 of the Gold. Mossberg also offers both synthetic stock and youth versions in the Silver, all of which are available for under $700.…

It’s hard to believe summer is almost over already. That’s not to say that there aren’t still plenty of days and nights left to get out into the field before the leaves fall and the snow flies. But, time’s a-wasting, as they say, so make sure you get to it. Before you head out the door, though, make sure you have at the least the basics for survival, just in case you zig when you should have zagged and you end up spending an unexpected night out in the field. 1 Silva Guide 2.0 Compass If you’re going into the field, a compass should be considered standard equipment. Silva has built a reputation for producing some of the best models on the planet. This mirror sighting model allows you…

Dan Wowak was a cast member on History Channel’s third season of Alone. The struggle for food seems to be the one thing he names as his constant battle during his time in Patagonia. He never encountered small game, preventing him from utilizing one of his bushcraft strengths—trapping. So, he paced himself to conserve energy and set lines for fish. He caught only nine fish during almost eight weeks in the wild. Some of them were tangled around a log and undergrowth in the lake, forcing him into the frigid water to retrieve them or starve. Wowak devoured these fish completely, even eating fish-head soup to get as many of the nutrients and calories as possible. He lasted 51 days and lost approximately 54 pounds. His extreme weight loss is…

Sometimes, the most cost-effective way to fill the freezer is to hire a charter boat. Here’s some advice for finding an appropriate charter to match your goals: • Find one that specializes in your type of fishing. • Ask for references—and check them, as well as online reviews. • Ask questions: Does the charter provide gear, or do you need to provide your own? What’s the cancellation and refund policy? What should you bring? Are children welcome? Is fish-cleaning part of the package? How long is the entire trip? • Tip the captain and the crew for good service. • Don’t rely on fancy ads. Do your homework. • Don’t go out with any outfit that “guarantees catching.” There’s no such thing. • Don’t go out with an outfit that…

While face-to-face classes aren’t feasible for everyone because of location, budget or other constraints, if you have the opportunity to attend a class or two taught by one of these instructors, don’t hesitate—even for a moment. Craig Caudill From his school in Kentucky, Caudill’s been teaching military personnel, law enforcement, search-and-rescue and just plain, regular folks for years. He’s modest about his skills, which are stellar, and he’s good people. NatureReliance.org Kevin Estela After years of teaching wilderness survival skills in the eastern United States, Estela recently accepted a position as director of training for Fieldcraft Survival in Utah. His interests range from bushcraft to firearms and more. FieldcraftSurvival.com Tim MacWelch MacWelch is one of today’s most popular survival writers—and for a very good reason: He knows his stuff and…

It seems as if TOPS Knives has been around forever, but it’s been just 23 years. When TOPS was founded in 1998, its mission was to offer overbuilt, hard-use tools for professionals—those in the military, special police units and outdoor rescue teams. The input for the company’s designs came from those folks. Along the way, these rugged blades caught on with many outdoor adventurers who were looking at these knives more with an eye toward survival and bushcraft. Today, TOPS Knives, located in Idaho, has a wide following among those who appreciate rugged, fixed-blade knives.…

Specifications • Gauge: 12 (tested), 20, .410 • Chamber: 3 inches • Ejection type: Ejectors • Barrel length: 30 inches; 20 gauge: 28 inches; .410: 26 inches • Overall length: 47 inches • Sights: Bead • Chokes: 5; cylinder to full • Length of pull: 14 inches, fixed • Barrel: Polished blue steel • Stock: Grade-A black walnut, gloss finish • Receiver: Engraved polished, silver or black • Weight: 7.5 pounds MSRP: As tested: $983; $1,221 for the Super Sport model…

“[CRAIG CAUDILL] GOES INTO GREAT DETAIL ABOUT HOW TO FIND FOOD AND WATER AND MEET ALL YOUR BASIC NEEDS IF YOU FIND YOURSELF OUT IN THE FIELD LONGER THAN EXPECTED.” (EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of articles that lets you see what our experts consider most important in their preparation gear. Components change with the times, no two loadouts will be the same, and all are proven products and practices that keep their owners at a high state of preparedness.) I’ll admit that this article sort of threw me for a loop at first. American Outdoor Guide Editor Mike McCourt is one of my most favorite people in the survival/prepper community. (relax—this isn’t brown-nosing; I already have the job). I’d do just about anything for him…

There’s a lot more to dowsing, and fortunately, there are some really good resources out there for further study: • The American Society of Dowsers is a good source of information and a way to find other dowsers. (Dowsers.org) • An excellent, thorough book on dowsing is The Complete Book of Dowsing and Divining (published in 1980) by Peter Underwood. (Amazon.com) • Periodic dowsing classes are taught at the author’s School of Self-Reliance in Eagle Rock, California. (SchoolofSelf-reliance.com)…