Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2021 i American Outdoor Guide

There’s nothing quite like the “symphony” of smells you get when you cook in the outdoors. I’m not talking about grilling burgers and chicken in the backyard. I mean that combination of wood smoke and any sort of meat that’s humbly, yet diligently, sizzling away on a portable grill or even a setup such as the one Reuben Bolieu created on this month’s cover (please see page 60 of this issue for the accompanying article). There’s so much self-satisfaction that culminates in that long-awaited first bite off the skewer. It doesn’t matter what you cooked, how it was seasoned or if it’s a little over- or undercooked; it’s a moment when the day’s events and efforts are rewarded with a tasty morsel. At that point, you can fully appreciate everything…

It’s August 9, 2018. Matthew Matheny, aged 40, borrows a friend's car on his way to Mount St. Helens. The eerie volcano, located in the state of Washington, had erupted in a massive way between March 20 and May 18, 1980, causing a great deal of carnage, not to mention a huge stir in the media. Thinking it must be an easy hike, Matheny wears a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops. His destination is the Blue Lake Trail, as he tells his friend. Yet Matheny will only be found six days later … somewhere else. What went wrong with Matheny’s intentions? To start, his lack of knowledge of the area. He later explained to the media that he wasn't familiar with Mount St. Helens. He didn't have a detailed map with…

During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Forces issued an “airmen’s folding machete” to be part of a pilot’s bailout kit. It was intended to be used as an escape tool, hunting implement, weapon, brush-cutter and for improvising whatever else was needed, such as splints and stretchers. I haven’t had a chance to handle one of these airmen’s folding machetes, but I do know they were made by the Case, Camillus and Cattaraugus knife companies. Legendary Arms, Inc. (LegendaryArms.com) of Conyers, Georgia, currently offers a replica of this historic tool with a 10-inch blade and linerlock. A canvas belt sheath—an updated design not unlike the original—is included for the $94.95 MSRP. Nevertheless, a big advantage with the Gerber Doubledown design over the ar II machete is that the handles…

For instance, squirrels bury all sorts of seeds and nuts and then forget where they planted them. Birds and the wind disperse seeds as well. In the spring, I like to see what comes up and then take care of the new plants. If something sprouts where I don’t want it, such as around the foundation of my house, I just move it to another location. Local nurseries are great places to shop for specific plants that do well in your area. It’s much quicker to do it this way than it is to hope and wait. Plus, you get more control over the outcome. You can also ask questions and get the plants that attract specific wildlife or target certain needs you’re looking to fill.…

Dr. Simone Bertossi is a psychologist and psychotherapist with more than 20 years of clinical experience working in various healthcare/mental health settings, including organizational mental health consultancy. He collaborates with the Italian Red Cross as an emergency psychologist and trainer. Dr. Bertossi is a survival expert who has experience with extreme expeditions in different environments around the world—from the boreal forests to the Himalayas, the African savanna and jungle. Kyt Lyn Walker has studied and taught the art of tracking for many years. She’s a passionate student and instructor of the discipline and is the man-tracking instructor for Hull's Tracking School (in the United States) and the Centro de Formaccion Carcayu (in Spain). She’s taught members of numerous military and public safety organizations, as well as many civilians. She’s also…

• The Balanced Diet for You and the Planet; Dr. James Adams • Build the Perfect Survival Kit; John McCann • Democracy is Self-Government; Harold Percival • How to Survive Anywhere: A Guide for Urban, Suburban, Rural, and Wilderness Environments; Christopher Nyerges • Language in Thought and Action; S.I. Hayakawa • Survival Skills of Native California; Paul Campbell • True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements; Eric Hoffer • Urban Survival Guide: How City Dwellers Can Live Well, and Frugally, Even in Dire Times; Christopher Nyerges…

The quick rig cook setup is a simple way to boil water or stew up a squirrel while you’re on the go. It requires very little work; yet, it allows a small "cook party" to hang pots or roast over a small fire. Using two live trees that are about 4 to 6 feet apart, prop up a long, thin, horizontal support pole (“waugan stick”) against them using two “Y”-forked branches. Crotch height will be enough for this stick, because the quick rig is designed for a small, low flame. Dead sticks can be used for the “Y” joints and will hold the waugan stick up by friction, pinning the stick against the trees. The weight of one or two pots of stew or water will be the maximum for…

We have no control over license and permit fees, the cost of ammunition or the cost of fuel. With that said, we can still cut costs. • Only purchase the permits you actually intend to really use. If you only plan on hunting pheasant once, don’t bother buying a permit. Concentrate on the upland game that your basic license covers. The same goes for any of the other permits you might think you need. • Travel costs could be some of your largest hunting expenses. Lodging can be cut by hunting with a buddy or two who can share the costs. If you travel together in one vehicle, you can save money by splitting the costs of fuel. Plus, hunting with a buddy makes the experience more enjoyable and potentially…

The key to staying comfortable when working or playing outdoors is to dress in layers. Doing so allows you to remove or add clothing as you warm up or cool down. Base Layer: The goal here is to wick away sweat from your skin. Cotton is a poor choice, despite how many of us wear cotton undies on a daily basis. Better options would be merino wool, silk, nylon or polyester. All of these will help greatly with moving moisture off your skin. Middle Layer: This is the insulating layer. It should trap and hold body heat. As a general rule, the puffier it is, the better it will be as insulation. However, even a thin garment such as the Zone hoodie can serve as a decent layer,…

National Wildlife Federation The National Wildlife Federation has a great deal of information on how to set up a wildlife-friendly yard.(NWF.org) U.S. Forest Service The U.S. Forest Service is a great source of information regarding native plants found in your area and their benefits to wildlife. (USDA.gov) Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation The Xerces Society is a wonderful source of information for how to attract pollinators. It offers fact sheets available for all areas of the United States. These fact sheets list all sorts of plants, how to plant them, when they flower and what kind of pollinators they'll attract. (Xerces.org)…

1. PATHFINDER Multi Fire Tool Shaped like an arrowhead, this tool can be used to create fire as a bearing block for bow drills, a striker for a ferro rod and as a striker for use with flint. It’s made from 1095 high-carbon steel to produce good sparks when struck with natural flint. The divot drilled into one face allows for a secure spindle handhold for bow drill fires. I’ve had mine for several years, and it’s become one of my favorite tools for creating fire. It includes a tin container for charring and storing tinder, as well as a piece of natural flint. MSRP: $29.95 SelfRelianceOutfitters.com 4. Zippo Typhoon Match Kit Waterproof matches belong in every fire kit as a last-ditch effort to get a…

The Golok 125 is a sizable tool that’s built to tackle rough work in the wilderness. My Parang goloks feature hammered 5160 high-carbon steel blades with stick tangs that are fitted with large, comfortably contoured beechwood handles. Reinforcing the tang and handle is a brass pin and industrial-strength epoxy, along with a polished copper collar. My Parang knives are crafted to ensure longevity and safe function when used properly. Each includes a heavy-duty nylon sheath. My Parang blades are sourced from Bidor (in Perak, Malaysia), world-renowned for its differentially hand-hardened 5160 steel. Eco-friendly wood for the handle is imported from Croatia. These cutting tools are the real deal and are made by hand.…

There’s more to hunting than the taking of game for putting food on your table. Sometimes, it’s just about getting out there. I call it “taking your gun for a walk,” and I’ve done this more than once. It gives you time to think about what’s really important in your life while you pursue your prey. With that said, there’s no need to purchase a hunting license and all that other stuff if you just need to take in the peace of the outdoors. I often leave my firearm at home and just walk in the woods. Many times, I take my wife, daughter and granddaughters for walks and show them the plants and animals that surround us. I’ve seen more deer, turkey and other game animals this way than…