You're out in your favorite backwoods paradise. The birds are chirping and the sun is shinning. The hard work you are putting in has paid off and you have an amazing shelter built with a crackling fire burning. Your brother looks at you and says, "You are much more of a gifted bushcrafter. I aspire to be just like you some day." I'm sure he will remember this story differently. However, something unexpected is occurring today. There are no cataclysmic tornadoes, raging floods or subzero conditions to keep you busy. Life is good. Now what do you do? You have a perfect opportunity to sit back and enjoy nature. This is what it's about, after all. With the hard work you exerted, you thi

Twas a perfect day. My brother, Eric, and I ventured off into the woods to get some much needed exercise and “dirt time.” At least 8 miles from town, we busted through the thorn riddled path and pushed our way into a clearing. After a couple hours of trekking, we took a much deserved break in a colosseum of trees. The radiating sun basked us in a blanket of warmth, fighting off the mild breeze. After gorging on protein bars and guzzling down several ounces of water, we made our way to the river to fill up our canteens and practice wilderness skills. (Yes, we did purify the water!) While enthusiastically carving, we bickered back and forth about who was the better woodsman, obviously

Often, while hunting, I decide to check out a babbling brook or a cluster of trees in the distance. Most times, this quick detour is no big deal. However, what happens when your journey takes you through thick forest or tall grass lands? Getting turned around isn’t as hard as it seems. Whether going out on a day hike or hunting in the back country, we can all agree we should carry a compass with us. After all, an orientation device is part of your everyday carry gear. However, your excitement to brave the wild can make you forgetful. You might be somewhat familiar with an area and feel overconfident with your sense of direction. Maybe you misplace your compass or it breaks in your gea

Hoooonk! The long, solidary blast of the car horn snaps you back into reality. Eyes darting back and forth, you scan the room one final time, as your buddy shouts outside, "Hurry up!" With sweaty palms, still frozen in that final moment of indecisiveness, you grab your backpack and exhale all doubt. You have everything you need for your hiking trip. You thought! At some point, we have faced the daunting task of determining if we packed "everything" we need for our venture. Safely pre-planning for an activity is almost as much fun as the trip itself. Each year, my best friend and I section hike the Appalachian Trail. Although the event happens annually, the euphoria lives year long by m

You wake up in the morning to birds chirping and the rejuvenating glow of the sun feeling warm on your face. Winter has taken its toll on you mentally. You can’t wait to shed the confines of your stuffy house and make your way into the great outdoors. As you arrive to your favorite hiking spot and breathe in the sweet smelling, 72 degree air, you can feel the cabin fever and stress of the winter slowly leave your body. Your muscles begin to loosen up as your pace increases and you remember how great it feels to be outdoors. In what seems like a blink of an eye, you’ve hiked several miles and lost sight of civilization. As you approach a clearing, you decide this secluded oasis would be a