Outdoor Survival Info

Archive for November, 2008

In this episode of the OSI Podcast, I talk about the importance of the “survival mindset.” I also go on to give you tips for maintaining the proper mindset during a crisis. This is practical information that should benefit everyone.

Download the episode here: OSI Episode 1

 

 OSI #1: The Survival Mindset [17:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (303)

I went duck hunting this morning — opening day here in Arkansas. Apparently, not enough ducks have made it down from the North yet…because I only saw one flock anywhere near shooting range. Well, they were out of shooting range by just a bit, and they flat out refused to be called in.

I might have been the only one out there who was “unlucky.” Apparenlty, if I had a boat, I would have been shooting a lot. I heard a bunch of shots in the distance, over toward the main lake in the Wildlife Management Area I was on — Henry Gray Hurricane Lake outside of Bald Knob, AR. Someone was getting some ducks. There just weren’t any in my area.

When I got back, I checked the Mallard Satellite Tracking Program, and it looks like there are still a lot of ducks in the North. Hopefully they’ll hurry down.

On a related note, I got some waders so that I don’t get hypothermia and die. No boat, but I can walk in the water. I didn’t get the neoprene-style waders, mainly because I needed two pairs (one for me and one for my oldest kid), and my wife would have chewed me out for spending $200 on waders. So I spent $80 and got two pairs of Hodgman’s heavy-duty rubber chest waders. These are the kind that have the steel-shank boots on them. Picked up mine at Wal-Mart. Here’s what they look like: Rubber Chest Waders.

If you get these, or something like them, make sure that you wear enough warm stuff. These waders are not insulated at all. I had on thermal underwear, bdu pants, a pair of running socks, and then my thermal boot socks. My legs were OK, but my toes got cold. Of course, I was standing in ice water. Maybe tomorrow I’ll try putting one of those pocket warmers in the toe of each boot. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Keep an eye out for those ducks! And I need to get a boat…

Since it’s deer season, I was skimming over the venison section of my copy of Basic Butchering of Livestock & Game, by By John Mettler, Jr., DVM. If you are interested in sustainable living, hunting, or ranch life, you need to read this book.

It covers killing, skinning, quartering, and butchering of several popular livestock and game animals. It does this with detailed instructions and illustrations. Here are some of the meats you can learn to butcher from this book:

• Beef
• Veal
• Pork
• Lamb
• Poultry
• Venison

There’s even a section for less popular (in America) meats such as goat, and over 30 recipes at the end of the book. Basically, this book walks you through taking the animal from the field to the table. This book is a must-have reference for anyone looking to take care of their own meat.

Pick up a copy at Amazon.com:

Don’t get enough outdoor and survival content from the blog alone? Your wait and your searching will soon be at an end!

OK, enough with the melodrama. I’m going to be putting together an outdoor and survival themed podcast. If you are a newsletter subscriber, you already know this. If not…now you know. Keep an eye on site (or just subscribe to the newsletter — on the left) to find out when the first episode is launched.

If you want to learn how to create a bug out bag that meets your needs, I’ve got a resource for you.

It’s The Bug Out Bag Book, and it’s packed full of bug out bag how-to. This book is all about building a bug out bag, from the bag all the way to optional accessories.

Not only will you get gear selection tips, but you’ll also get the “why” for everything that goes into your bag. You’ll know what to pack and why you packed it.

You’ll even get some “additional considerations” about how to customize the bag to your individual needs. Since people have different needs, it’s great to have a guide that discusses meeting those needs with your bug out bag.

Don’t wait around for some natural disaster to hit too close to home. Build a bug out bag now. Get the book, get your gear, and be prepared for whatever might come your way.

It’s always going to be worth the time and effort to prepare. You wear a seatbelt, don’t you? You keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire, right? Build a bug out bag and be ready in the event that disaster hits home.

Check it out here: The Bug Out Bag Book.

I went to the range yesterday and got my rifle basically where it needs to be. I’ve got a 100 yard indoor rifle range here, which is nice. I had bore sighted the rifle using a laser bore sighter, but I still had to work a bit to get the rounds to land where they needed.

After a while I got it working really good. Now let’s see if I can find some deer!