Jim’s Hunting and Camping

Hi Everyone;

Bow season starts here in Michigan tomorrow and it  will be dark when you go to the woods, to save yourself a possible accident you need to have a flashlight or headlamp to light up where you are walking.  Headlamps allow you to be hands free to carry the rest of your equipment and lanterns allow for setting a large light down and light up a larger area, so you need to determine what will work best for you.  The main thing is it is bow season and you can get out in the woods and look for that huge buck or just set and enjoy nature.  What ever you do be safe and enjoy.

Thanks for stopping by and God Bless.   Jim

Hi Everyone;

It’s fall camping weather and if you are going to be out camping and that old sleeping bag has seen better days, then you need to look at what kind of weather and conditions you are going to be camping in.  Is it not going to be any colder than 20 degrees or are you a winter camper and need to have a sleeping bag that will keep you warm down to 40 below zero.  What ever you need you want something that will be durable for the long haul.  Something with a canvas outer shell or part canvas will give you durability and warmth but they are a little heavier than one that has  a polyester outer shell.  Check and see what you want and purchase what you need.  Most of all be careful in what ever you do.

Thanks for stopping by and God Bless.  Jim

Hi Everyone;

So you are in the back country experiencing some of the most beautiful views anywhere.  You have your camera, hiking poles, backpack and a water filter.  Having clean drinkable water is a must when you are hiking.  Keeping hydrated is so important in keeping your joints and muscles from hurting.  After all you are out there to experience nature and its beauty and peace.  Please be safe when you are out exploring and have a great time.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.  Jim

Hi Everyone from Northern Michigan;

When you are looking for some new equipment to go bow hunting with maybe you should consider a crossbow.  Yes they are a little heavier than a compound bow, but they are easier to pull and shoot.  And since you can cock the crossbow you are ready to shoot when the opportunity comes up.  Crossbows can now shoot at a velocity of 350 fps. so they get right out there in a hurry as well.  No matter what your decision is on the equipment just make sure you have a quality piece of equipment that will last for years of enjoyment, and always be safe.

Thanks for stopping by and God Bless.  Jim

Hi Everyone from Northern Michigan;

If you are planning a trip around Michigan to see the fall colors, according to the weather man on tv the colors are going to be at their best in the Upper Peninsular next week-end.  So you want to be sure to take along your binoculars or a spotting scope so you can get the full affect of the view.  The views are just spectacular when the colors are in full shade from bright red to dull yellow with some green mixed in.  When planning your trip allow plenty of time so you can take it all in.  Remember to always be safe.

Thanks for stopping by and God Bless.  Jim

Hi Everyone From Northern Michigan;

When you are out hiking or backpacking in the woods and you are not familiar with the area a good compass will lead you out of the woods or it will take you to a destination in the woods if you know where you want to go.  Being able to read the compass is important and if you are having trouble talk to a friend who knows how.  Being familiar with your equipment is a must, as your life possibly could depend on it some day.  With deer season opening up around the country it is better to have good equipment and being safe.

Thanks for stopping by and God Bless. Jim

Hi Everyone from Northern Michigan;

Camping tents are an important outdoor gear investment. This article will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about what kind is best for you.

First determine what type of camping you’ll be doing? Do you only go out in the summer or are you into 4-season camping? Make sure to prepare yourself for the worst possible type of weather you’ll encounter. Waking up to a foot of snow inside your summer camping tent because of a late fall blizzard isn’t much fun.

After determining what seasons you’ll need your tent for, estimate how many people you will usually camp with…

Sizing It Up

Camping tents are rated by the number of people they can accommodate. But these ratings are like getting twenty circus clowns into a Volkswagen Beetle…goofy. When they say it’s a 4-person tent, they mean 4 people and nothing else, no hiking gear, no room for boots, just 4 people that hopefully know each other pretty well. Seriously, if you’re looking for backpacking tents or hiking tents and weight is a big concern, then get cozy and use the rating system, but otherwise I’d think bigger.

Consider going 1-2 sizes bigger than what you need for a smaller camping tent. Better yet divide the “person rating” by 2 so you’ll have a decent amount of room if you have to stay inside due to nasty weather. If you thought cabin fever was bad wait until you’re stuck in a downpour with 5 other people in a small tent for a few days.

My 4 man tent with 2 vestibules is perfect for 2 people and plenty of gear. Dry equipment is a good thing. This is still true with kids because the smaller they are the more room they take up with “kid stuff”. Something else to keep in mind is that more room makes extended trips easier.

Consider the length and width of the camping tents you’re looking at. If you’re 6 feet tall you’ll want at least 7 feet to stretch out length-wise and 2-3 feet of width depending on how much you move in your sleep.

Another thing to consider is to make sure you have enough space for an inflatable air mattress. While it’s not mandatory I’ll have to say it makes camping much more comfortable than lying on a cold pad. When I wake up I feel 300% better than when I slept on a pad on the floor getting stiff and cold. No it’s not a king-size pillow-top, but hey this is camping.

This Article by Marc Wiltse of ezineArticles.    Thanks for stopping by and God Bless.  Jim

Hi Everyone from Northern Michigan;

There is no task too big or too small for an LED headlamp to tackle, from working underneath your car or underneath your house to exploring caves, camping, and even performing rescue work at night when you certainly want both hands to be as free as possible. These lights leave your hands free for other important tasks, and the fact that you are not carrying them makes them almost drop-proof.

LED headlamps are superior to most other kinds of headlamp because of the high quality bulbs that they utilize. These bulbs burn brighter than traditional incandescent bulbs, putting out a brighter, whiter light. They also use less power, which means that the LED bulb will go through fewer batteries and work better and longer to give you the light that you need for many, many hours at a time.

Another great feature of LEDs is that they last much longer than incandescent bulbs, so once you get your headlamp going and fresh batteries installed, you can count on hundreds of hours of use time from your bulb. This is far better than worrying about whether your incandescent bulb might survive the next trip since it is almost impossible to carry a spare when you are going to be out in the wild.

A good LED headlamp will have fully adjustable straps to help you get the comfortable fit that you need to feel confident in your light. Your headlamp should fit you well and be able to remain in place no matter what activities you are taking part in, and should be able to utilize the hinged adjuster to put the light in just the right place for you. You will never have to worry about sparing a hand to aim a bulky flashlight again!

You shouldn’t forget that the quality of light that comes from an LED headlamp is far superior as well. The light that comes out of a good headlamp will be bright white, and can be seen in some cases for up to 3,000 yards. Don’t worry too much about blinding your entire party, though. An LED head lamp should also come with a dimmer switch to get your light at just the right level for whatever location and activity you find yourself participating in.

LED headlamps are perfect for camping because they leave your hands free for campsite chores. They are great for working in small spaces, great for emergencies, and full of uses for you to discover if you put your mind to it.

Article by Ben Anton of ezineArticles.   Thanks for stopping by and God Bless.   Jim

Hi Everyone from Northern Michigan;

Are you going hiking, biking, or backpacking?  Maybe just out for some exercise?  Are you going in the backwoods hunting?  If you are going to be doing any of these activities and you need to be home or work at a certain time you need to have something to tell you what time it is, but what if you are going hunting at a new spot and you are not familiar with the woods.  Well then how about a compass?  What about the weather is it going to rainy or be sunny, and if you are going out West in the mountains how high up are you going?  All of these require a different tool or not.  How about a wrist watch that does it all.  This is the neatest thing that I have found in a long while, I know I dated myself with (neatest) but really this watch has a compass, barometer, thermometer, step counter, speed, distance, caloric expenditure, now if it would just cook supper we would all be happy.  If you are looking to save space this watch is a great gift for you or someone you care about.  Remember to be safe and be happy.

Thanks for stopping by and God Bless.  Jim

Hi Everyone from Northern Michigan;

Whether you are a casual camper or you’ve been camping for years, it always pays to bring complete camping gear and equipment. And to ensure safe and hassle-free camping, go for camping equipment made of high quality materials and a good value for your money.

Camping Tents

When choosing your camping gear and equipment, it is important to take into consideration the type of material it’s made. The kind of tent you need to bring to camp depends on certain things. If you don’t expect bad weather when you go camping, then you can go with a low to mid range camping tent. This type of tent is most appropriate for those who go camping once or twice a year. If you’re a seasoned camper and you expect rough weather ahead, you’re better off purchasing a high-end tent. This lightweight tent is suitable for backpacking and can withstand cold and wet weather conditions. As compared to low to mid range tents, high-end tents are costlier.

Camping Sleeping Bags

When you go camping, make sure that your camping gear and equipment aren’t unnecessarily bulky. In choosing your camping sleeping bag, make sure that it is light and compact. It should also fit your height and is roomy enough for you. To ensure good temperature, your sleeping bag should also have appropriate insulation. Make sure that it’s built with a material that reduces heat loss to keep you warmer. For ease of use, pick out one that allows smooth zipper operation around corners to avoid snags and can be rolled easily into an attached carrier.

Backpacks

As with other camping gear and equipment, your backpack should also be chosen with care. There are three types of backpacks to select from: internal frame, external frame and frameless. External and internal frame backpacks are best suited for multi-day trips and heavier loads. Frameless or technical backpacks are for light loads. Backpacks for heavier loads should be comfortable yet still able to hold up to 65 pounds or even more. Light load backpacks should be light but still able to hold enough gear. Generally, backpacks should be water-resistant and come full-featured, with shoulder straps, hip belts, side pockets for water bottles, a sleeve for hydration bladder, among others.

Thanks for stopping by and God Bless.  Jim

This article by Matt Peters ofr ezineArticles