Jim’s Hunting and Camping

Hi Everyone;

In todays world we are all trying to get into physical shape so we are healthy and can do more physical activities with our children and grandchildren.  Hiking and bicycling are two great ways to do just that.  Sometimes we tend to stay out to late and it gets dusk or even dark before we get home, so an easy way to see where you are going is to wear a headlamp.  A headlamp requires no hands to hold onto it so bike riding is made easy.  There all kinds and sizes of headlamps to fit any budget, but the most important thing is they help keep you or the kids visible at dusk or dark so that you don’t get involved in an accident, being safe is the most important thing.  Happy hiking or biking and have a great day.

Thanks for stopping by.   Jim

Hi Everyone;

There is that great old saying “Gone Fishing”, and it does say a lot about what a person does or doesn’t do with their family.  Fishing is a tried and true way of bonding with your family and just plain having some fun.  All the while you are also providing some food for the family.  My wife is always talking about when she was growing up her mom, dad, her and her sister would go to the upper peninsula of Michigan and stay at a friends resort.  They had a lake right in front of their cabin,  would get up early in the morning and catch pan fish, clean and fry them for breakfast.  Now that is a great way to start your day.  Personally, filleting fish at 8:00 in the morning is not my cup of tea but it is for a whole lot of folks.  I don’t mind eating the fish.   So grab your poles, get up and go fishing, then fillet the fish and cook to your taste.

Have a great day and be safe.   Jim

Hi Everyone;

Camping is a fun and relaxing outdoor recreational activity. It gives you a chance to relax and enjoy beautiful sunsets, experience the fresh and vibrant smell of Mother earth and enjoy the company of beautiful birds and animals! In short, a camping trip relieves you of the stress and tension of your daily life. If, you are planning to go for a camping trip with your family and friends, then I would suggest you to visit the RV parks and campsites near the Glacier National Park!

Well, Glacier National Park is located in Montana, U.S and contains two mountain ranges, pristine eco-system, amazing waterfalls, dense forests and beautiful lakes. You will find loads of breathtaking and mind-blowing views in the Glacier National Park and surely enjoy your camping vacation over here. These are some of the campgrounds and RV parks near the Glacier National Park:

1. Glacier Meadow RV Park and campground
The Glacier Meadow RV Park is a gorgeous and amazing campground near the park and presents 25 pull thru sites and 16 wooded sites for your RV. All the sited have full electricity and water hookups along with a dump station, shower house, portable pumper and laundry facilities. You may enjoy activities like hiking, fishing, photography and wildlife viewing in this fabulous RV Park!

2. Bowman Lake Campground
The Bowman Lake campground is located to the north of the Glacier National Park and offers loads of amenities to the campers. Both the tent and RV campers will enjoy the serene and cozy campsites of this park. You may enjoy activities like hiking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking in this wonderful campground and have fun with your family/friends in the picnic area.

3. Fish Creek Campground
The Fish Creek campground is the second largest campground of the park and is located on the west side of the Glacier National Park! Both the RV and tent campers will enjoy the shady and private campsites of this park. You will get the opportunity to see the evening programs in the Glacier at the Fish Creek Amphitheater. Don’t forget to take advantage of the evening and morning drives along the Camas Road where you will get a good chance of seeing wildlife.

4. Campground at Many Glacier
This camp park is one of the most fabulous and amazing RV and tent parks of the Glacier National Park. There are loads of shaded and comfortable sites for both the RV and tent campers. You can enjoy boat tours, horse rides, dinning opportunities, interpretive programs, shuttle service, and Red Bus tours in this campground. You may also opt for a day hike in the park and enjoy seeing the mesmerizing or gorgeous views of the park!

This article by Chloe Hill Smith of ezine articles.  Thanks for stopping by,   Jim

Hi Everyone;

Among the items most campers should pack is a lantern. This is one camping tool that shouldn’t be overlooked. There are many styles of lanterns available but one of the most popular is the battery powered lantern. There’s a wide range of these lanterns to choose from. These are also available in the classic style with convenient handle. The great thing about battery camping lanterns is safety. There’s no flame and no hazardous fluids to worry about. The batteries for these are mostly alkaline or lithium. The brightest have long lasting bulbs that operate on “AA” sized batteries. Some of these battery powered camping lanterns are also available with fluorescent bulbs for the brightest light.

Although these lanterns are great for camping, they can also be used in the event of a disaster or for hiking, fishing and hunting trips. It’s a good idea to keep one around the house for those times when the power goes out during storms. Most of these battery powered camping lanterns pack away easily and require minimal room for storage. Be sure to keep a good supplies of batteries available.

Thanks for stopping by.  Jim        

Parts of this article from ezine articles.

Hi Everyone;

Here we are backpacking into the back woods to have an enjoyable week-end, we get to our destination and get camp set up.  So you want to call home and let everyone know you are ok and your cell phone battery in dead.  Now what do you do.   Well if you have a flexible solar panel and a solar charger you just set them up and in no time you will be able to have the battery charged and can make that call.   Something to remember is an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and being able to contact the real world when backpacking in so important in case of emergency or you just want to be able to listen to the radio.   Whatever you do always be safe.

Thanks for stoping by.   Jim

Hi Everyone;

Hi Everyone;

Here we are enjoying our summer but goose season is just around the corner.  Have good quality decoys are good but have an outstanding  goose call is better.  Actually one goes hand and hand with the other.  The better you call geese the more successful hunt you will have.  If you are a beginner to an experienced goose hunter, a great call will bring in geese.  Plus if you are looking for a place to hunt it is a good idea to talk to some of the local farmers about hunting on their land, especially if they have a pond on their farm where geese will land.  Good luck and be safe.

Thanks for stopping by:  Jim

Hi Everyone;

With summer here and the great weather to go backpacking or hiking you need to remember to have lots of water with you.  So how do you do this without being weighted down so much that you can’t walk.  Well water micro filters will do the job, they are light and easy to use.  If you don’t keep yourself hydrated you will  not have the stamina you need to keep going, plus your joints will start to ache as well, so stay hydrated.  Please remember to take a camera also because you just never know when that perfect picture will come along.  When you go into the back country you can find some of the most beautiful views, and some pictures of animals that you just can’t get anywhere else.  Just remember to be safe.

Thanks for stopping by:   Jim

Hi Everyone; 

Here is a list of items that have been most useful for a day hike

1. Hiking Boots
Do yourself a favor and get some good hiking boots. After a few miles on the trail, a bad pair of boots will kill your knees, back and feet. I can’t stress enough how bad hiking boots can ruin a trip very quickly. Also some hiking poles will be of  help.

2. Water
Behind hiking boots, water is the most important item to bring on the trail. You will be perspiring as you walk even if you don’t know it. A large water bottle should be ok for shorter hikes although I suggest investing in a hydration system of some type. Personally, I use a Camelbak backpack because it gives me extra room to store my camera gear and other hiking items. Water belts are also good so you don’t have to carry the water bottles for the entire trip.

3. Trail Map & Compass
It’s always good to have a trail map when departing on a hike. Even if you know the trail, it is easy to become disoriented. If you are going in a group, one trail map will suffice so long as the group sticks together. A compass or a GPS can come in handy to orient yourself on the map.

4. Sunscreen and Insect Repellent
The forest tends to be a buggy place, especially during the summer. Before going out on a hike do yourself a favor by applying some sunscreen and spraying some insect repellent. Be sure your sunscreen is water resistant and of a decent SPF.

5. Camera
Some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever witnessed has been on the trail. Having a camera with you to capture the sights is good if you want to remember where you have gone and to share your experience with other people. It might even be a good idea to create a journal with a few pictures, dates, and thoughts on where you have been.

6. A Snack
Hiking is a strenuous activity causing your body to exert a lot of energy. It is always good to keep your body fueled with a mid-hike power bar or a bag of trail mix. Without food, your body will not perform as well as you want it to. After a few hours of hiking without a snack, you will most likely start to feel tired and sick. My personal favorite is the trail mix bars; they keep my sugar levels up and my hunger pains down.

Thanks for stopping by, and be safe.   Jim:  Parts of this article from ezine written by Chase Scott

Hi Everyone;

There are several ways to hunt, if you know someone that lives in a rural area they usually know a farmer that doesn’t care if you hunt on his land as long as you don’t damage any property.  If you don’t have a hundred decoys that’s ok, it is ok to just have 8 to 12 decoys.  Use a few decoys in a field that is next to one with lots of decoys, this will get the attention of the birds and they will land in your field as well.  It might be one of the most important items to have is a very good goose call.  Goose calls can make the calls that are the most important sound to get birds to land in your field.  As with any kind of hunting it takes some work on your part to have a successful hunt.

Remember to be safe, thanks for stopping by.  Jim