Sweat filled my brow as I loaded the truck for the weekend festivities. While I looked forward to the annual lakeside reunion of old friends, the exercise turned cumbersome, as I intermittently remembered all I would need. In charge of outdoor cooking duties, the packing list was growing by the minute. Smoker, check; Grilling tools, check; Seasonings, check. The whole song …
Hunters, hikers, and other adventurers love their backpacks and gear bags. Whatever game they pursue, they boldly brandish their hunting pack. It’s like a bag of tricks. Items like skinning knives, flashlights, rope, water purifiers, and rangefinders come to mind, just to name a few. However, for many, it goes much deeper than that. Indeed, many tote items such as game …
There are so many places that heat and flame come in handy. I pondered this thought the other night as I visited with a few neighborhood friends. In between the lively banter and laughter were those moments of comfortable silence – you know, the ones when there is contentment in the air. The smallish table-style firepit was the perfect end …
I’ve yet to meet anyone that doesn’t like fire for one reason or another. The likes of glowing blazes on cold winter nights, the smell of barbecue pits, and lively discussion around campfires are the things dreams are made of. Humans have made fires for many thousands of years. What started as a survival-only endeavor has evolved into a lifestyle …
Easy is good. Hardly anyone disagrees with this. The simple adage goes for about anything, including barbecuing and fire starting. From the novice cook to the next Steve Rinella, any easy cooking session is a coop. It’s not about being complicated. That’s the beauty of smoking a pork shoulder. You tend to a few basics and then you can basically …
As a dyed-in-the-wool deer hunter, I regularly come across a lot of outdoor products, from the revolutionary to the downright silly. The gimmicky nature of some products never ceases to amaze me. Still, utility-filled products continue to hit the market. As far as hunting goes, revolutionary products have included everything from headlamps, trail cameras, tree saddles, and laser rangefinders, along …
There is something special about deer camp, no doubt. However, more and more I’ve taken on the role of solo hunter. It’s an effective approach for anyone that takes their hunting seriously and values having more control over their hunts. Solo hunting doesn’t mean you have to rely on the likes of gas station hotdogs, fast food, while clinging to …
Regardless of location, leaving the pavement for the woods is a great undertaking. The endeavor comes in many flavors, including backcountry big game hunts, primitive state park camping, and hunting camps. Whatever the case, overnight outdoor excursions come with the need for fire for cooking and, in some cases, warmth. My trips out and about the Texas landscape usually …
For the modern hunter, weight and reliability are the two most critical factors when selecting gear that gets stowed in their pack. Whether you hunt sheep, backcountry elk, or simply make day trips after the elusive West Texas Aoudad, having gear that is 100% rock solid is a must. And, whether you find yourself in a survival situation, needing heat, …
