Jim’s Hunting and Camping

Hi Everyone;

Safe, clean drinking water is a priority when heading off on any hiking or camping trip. Water is a common source of illness as it is an environment favored by by bacteria and parasites. To stay well, the hiker has the choice of carrying their water in or making water found along the way safe. As each liter of water weighs one kilogram, carrying a suitable amount is often not an option. This is where water microfiltration is very useful.

A water microfilter works like any other filter. It prevents the passage of certain materials while allowing the passing of others. The difference with microfilters is the size of the pores.  Bacteria, protozoa and parasites are small. Very small. To prevent all of these pathogens from getting through the holes in the device, the pores, need to be only slightly large than water molecules.

The type of microfilters used for hiking have pores between 0.3 and 0.2 microns. A micron is one millionth of a meter so these are small holes indeed. Most devices have multiple stages the water passes through before the process is complete.

Modern filters can be ceramic or made of glass fiber. Ceramic ones often have smaller pores and can filter very fine particles. Glass fiber, although having larger pores, has a very large surface area that has a high capacity to absorb sediment and pathogens.

The other common component  is activated carbon. This removes tastes and odors as well as chlorine and pesticides. It ensures the water you drink tastes as it should.

Parts of this article by Mitchell Barry.  Thanks for stopping by.  Jim

Hi Everyone.

We hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

When one hears about winter camping, the activity is often attributed to images of tough, morbid scenarios: a suicidal recluse in a frost-molded landscape; a masochistic, distorted leisurely stroll in subzero woodlands; or a noble display of arctic pain in a ravaging blizzard tempest. Contrary to initial impressions however, using winter tents actually offers an experience more unique and relaxing than its summer counterpart. And with the right camping gears, equipment and preparation, it will not be difficult to have the best time of your life.

The climate in the winter is also perfect for relaxation and cold and snow are far easier to deal with than heat and rain. Even if you camp in the nude, it will be not enough to keep the summer heat from making you toss and turn in unease all night. It will not take the sticky feeling away, either. In the winter however, you can easily dress for the occasion to ward off the chill and have a great time. A sudden downpour can also ruin your entire camp and can force you to pack up and leave if you are camping in the summer. If snowflakes are the only ones falling from the sky though, you can either savor the experience, or if you find that the weather is too capricious, you can just comfortably stay inside your winter tents as you would in your homes-no need to suddenly retreat back to the urban jungle.

The demands on your gear camping in the winter season can be higher than normal, but in such a wintery undertaking, if you take your choice of equipment needs some good consideration, you will not have a difficult time to relax and enjoy in a cold and trying environment. From a selection of winter tents, it will be wise to choose one that is bigger than you would often have as you will need more room for your slightly bulkier equipment, and since you will be spending most of your time inside. Moreover, in addition to the typical things that you will need such as clothing, food, water, eating and cooking utensils, backpack stoves and fuel and an electric heater if you have electricity, you will also need a warm sleeping bag, wool socks, a winter cap, mittens with lightweight liner gloves, a pair of snowshoes and a headlamp. Apparently since it is winter camping, you will need things that will help you stay as warm and as comfortable as possible, and of course a light source to help you pass 14 hours of darkness.

Parts of this article by D. Coleman of ezineArticles.  Thanks for stopping by.   Jim

Hi Everyone;

When you are out camping, backpacking spending a few days in the backwoods you want to keep in touch either by phone or e-mail a fold-able solar panelwill do the job.  It is more a safety issue than anything else.  If you have an emergency while out in the woods a cell phone is a must so you can call 911.  While you are out backpacking and you have to get a report done and turned in keeping your laptop charged may just keep you in good graces at work.  Most of all just have some fun in the woods.  Have a great day.

Thanks for stopping by.   Jim

Hi Everyone;

When you are out camping this time of year you want to be sure to have a warm sleeping bag.  Camping this time of year is great, you get to experience some cold weather at night and bright sunny days.  But be sure you are warm at night and not getting hypothermia.  If you lose to much body heat it can be very dangerous for your health.  You want to have a fun week-end or week not one in the hospital.  So if you are looking to purchase a new sleeping bag be sure to check it out for the low temperature that it is rated for and get one that is rated for colder weather than you actually need, that way you are sure to have good protection against the weather.  Better to be safe than sorry as they say.  Have a great day.

Thanks for stopping by.  Jim

Hi Everyone;

You’ve been birding for some time and developed an degree of expertise. You may have built a good life list. Now you want to expand that list and ensure quality sightings at the same time. Binoculars served you well at closer ranges, but what about the birds across the water or on the mud flats, or farther across the prairie, or high in the sky? You are ready for new gear: a spotting scope.

As it is with binoculars, so it is with scopes. One can spend any amount. Often, manufacturers try to accomplish being inexpensive and being lightweight at the same time. Sometimes, this leads to scopes which are not well proofed for water or fog and are not as rugged. Still, recent trends have brought down the price to more affordable levels. Consequently, spotting scopes are not only for the elite, but are becoming both essential and accessible equipment for the avid birder.

The first decision is the eye piece, also know as the ocular. Really, this is two decisions in one. First do you want it configured straight through sited (ST) or angular (AN)? Straight through may make it easier to find birds because it works just like your binoculars. Angular appeals to some because it may be less a strain on the back and neck. If you are the sole user of the scope, ST may be the way to go. If you tend to share with several people when birding, you may wish to consider AN. Secondly, you have a choice of a fixed or variable magnification. Many believe it best to stick with a fixed magnification of 20x or 30x–the larger the magnification the greater the light distortion. Variable magnifications typically are 15x-45x or 20x-60x. You should use the smaller magnification in the range to locate the bird and ramp up to gain more detail. As you ramp up, less light will be let in accompanied by a narrower field of view.

The next decision is the objective lens. These define the field of view and are best if at least 60 mm. Larger objective lenses gather more light as well as allowing a greater field of view. The material used for the lens is important, too. The more expensive scopes have a special type of glass in them call ED, which stands for extra-low dispersion. ED enhances light gathering and corrects for chromatic aberration.

Finally, don’t neglect the support for your scope. Rigid, mid-weight tripods are best. Tripods need to be sturdy and easily adjustable. Consider a tripod with flip locks for secure and quick adjustments.

The acquisition of a quality spotting scope will enhance your experience and enjoyment of the great outdoors.

This article by Roy Smallwood of ezineArticles.  Thanks for stoppping by.  Jim

Hi Everyone;

Thanksgiving is almost here and my wife and I are headed out today to my sisters in Tennessee.  We hope that all of you have a wonderful holiday.  If you are going backpacking, hunting, or fishing have a multi-tool is a very useful piece of equipment to have, especially when you don’t have much space to carry extras.  Having a great time when you are out in the woods is the most important thing, not being bogged down with to many things in the backpack.  So get out there and the next time you are looking to purchase something for the trip take a look at the multi-tool.  Have a great day, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks for stopping by.   Jim

Hi Everyone;

What would we do without Flashlights? Which Flashlight to pick? There’s so many to choose from LED Flashlights, Floating Lanterns, Head Lamps, Kids Flashlights, and key chain flashlights. There’s also Shake Flashlights, Miniature flashlights, Battery – free Flashlights, Tent Flashlights, Candlepower flashlights.

Ever been in the house and the electricity goes out and you can’t find the flashlight and then oh no the batteries are dead, then look for candles just to find out no candles.

Great just great a night shot. So the moral of this story is always keep your batteries charged and have plenty of batteries on hand. Isn’t it great to be modernized now. We have Mr Joshua Lionel Cowen and Mr Conrad Hubert to thank for these flashlights, for without them we wouldn’t have them. Can you image living now and have to have the torches going so we could see what we’re doing.

We take electricity and flashlights and etc for granted. It is so great to be modernized to be able to have all these is something short of a miracle. All this came about in 1898, when the very first flashlight was invented, and did you know “LET THERE BE LIGHT” was the quote on the cover of Eveready Catalog in 1899.

Long ago we used torches, then candles and kerosene lamps and now thanks to progress we use flashlights of all shapes and sizes. Head lamps of all shapes and sizes, not to forget all sorts of colors. What could be next? I shudder to think about it.

This article by Judi Garcia of ezineArticles.  Thanks for stopping by.  Jim

Hi Everyone;

Fall is a great time of year for doing some camping, hiking, or just traveling around and visiting some of the beautiful sites to be seen.  Some of the animals that roam our countryside are magnificent to look at.   Some of which we wish we could hang on our wall and most of us never get a chance to even hunt for these big beauties.   So if we can’t hunt them then how about a picture of them hanging on the wall.   If you ever get a chance to go to Yellowstone National Park do it, they have some of the best scenery and also some of the best Elk, Buffalo, and Bears that you can get a look at and once in a while even a Moose.  I highly recommend that if  you can get to Yellowstone.  Have a great day.

Thanks for stopping by.  Jim

Hi Everyone;

Hiking into the back country is something that is beautiful.  You get to see scenery that most people won’t ever see or even dream about.  You get the opportunity to see animals and birds in their environment.  When you are backpacking you are interested in seeing all of these things, and at the end of the day some good food is also on your mind.  Having a cook stove with you that is light enough to carry without making you tired and still be able to cook some great food.  After all you are  out in the woods to have fun and see the sites not be hungry and tired.  Here in Michigan we have plenty of hiking trails for you to explore so get out there and have fun.   Have a great day.

Thanks for stopping by.  Jim

Hi Everyone;

Deer season is here and gone for me as I got lucky on opening morning and shot my buck.  My son is still looking.  So now is a great time to think about family with Thanksgiving coming up next week, and speaking of family there is no better way to spend a week-end or a week that camping with the whole family.  Tent camping is great, inexpensive to get into  and the tents today will last for years if you purchase a quality tent.  If you tent camp you don’t need to have a big truck to haul everything you can do it with a station wagon or with a small utility trailer to pull behind your car and still get that great gas mileage and with the price of gas that is important.  Tent camping also will bring your family closer and give you memories that will last for years to come.  So what are you waiting for, go get a tent for Christmas and start having a blast with the kids.   Have a great day.

Thanks for stopping by.   Jim