Dogs And Hunting

I have never really been much of a bird hunter, and though we have a couple of bird dogs, my husband is the only one that uses them for hunting. He hunts pheasants with pointers, my brothers hunt ducks and geese with their labradors.....my dogs...... chase chipmunks when we're camping, (which usually stresses me out because I like the chipmunks).

Recently, however, we were introduced to another type of hunting with dogs. Bears. Hunting bears with dogs has become a very controvercial issue with all of the animal rights folks these days. I wasn't for or against it when my husbands bear hunt began. I am a firm believer in 'don't knock it until you try it', so I keep an open mind.

Since we had hunted bears in other ways, several times before, we thought we would try using dogs this time.

Can I just say, these dogs are AMAZING animals! It was truly worth the entire trip just to watch them work. They were a mixture of differnt types of hounds. Some were Blue Tick, some Red Bone, some Walker, and some Black and Tan. Their sense of smell is second only to the animals they chase. They are made for tracking, and watching them work is an experience i'll not forget.

The dogs are secured in a big kennel (or dog box) in the back of a truck until the hunters reach 'bear country'. At that point, 2 or 3 'tracker' dogs are put on top of the kennel and leashed (so they don't fall off or begin the chase too soon.) The hunters then drive roads that are less traveled by people(because bears are shy and tend to stay away from busy areas). If a bear has crossed the road or is near enough to the road that the dogs can smell them, the dogs go off like an alarm. The hunters look for tracks and turn loose a pack of dogs who run into the forest barking and whaling for all they're worth.

Each dog is equiped with a tracking collar and when they catch up to whatever they're chasing, that animal, be it a bear or mountain lion, will typically climb a tree to get away from these pesky critters. The hunter then goes to the tree and takes his game animal if it is what he's after, sometimes with a camera, sometimes not. However easy this may sound.....it is far from a cake walk. While the dogs are chasing, the hunters are racing up and down mountains and trails and roads in hopes of seeing the animal for a shot, hoping it will tree soon, or hoping to get in front of it. Sometimes the dogs lose the scent and the critter outsmarts them. A bear, for instance will circle back around where it first saw the dogs and runs it's same track to confuse them. Bears are extremely inteligent animals. If the dogs do not lose the scent, they will stay with the animal for as long as they are able. If they do happen to lose the scent, they will go back to where they were first let out, or they will wander until they find a road and wait there for someone to pick them up. The tracking collars help retrieve the dogs.

Some of the dogs are more aggressive than others. Usually the ones that have been munched by a bear or lion know better than to get that close again, but they are still used to intimidate the animal and track it. Some of these little dogs will go until they can't anymore....and then they keep going because it's not in them to quit. They know their job. They will stay with the pack until it is done.

Hound dogs are my new favorite breed. Watching them work and seeing their excitement when they're on the chase is so much fun. When some are turned on a track and others must stay behind until it is their turn, they can hardly contain themselves, barking and whining as if to say 'pllllleeeeeeaaaasssseeee, let me go with them!' They have such sweet personalities, and yet can be extremely brave when it comes to knowing what they have to do. One little such dog was with us on my husbands bear hunt. She took a bite to her head from the bear. Teeth marks in the top and one through the bottom of her jowel, bleeding profusely, she stayed with the bear until her hunter pulled her away and she knew it was ok to back off. Some of these dogs fight to the death because they are protecting one another, but trust me when I tell you, the bear or lion has a definate advantage over these little guys that aren't much bigger than one of their paws, complete with razor claws.

I am still unsure about being for or against this type of hunting, as I have seen both sides. The adrenalin in bear hunting is second to none and the boys that do it are just as athletically amazing as the dogs they take so much pride in. It is, hands down, the most exciting hunt i've ever been on. Still....the sentimental side of me says I couldn't turn my pets out in hopes that they don't get eaten. There in lies the differences between the guys that run the dogs and myself, these dogs are not pets, they are tools, and effective ones at that. They try not to get attached to the dogs because they know what could happen when they turn them loose, but you can see the love they have for each one.

 Many bears and lions could not be harvested without the aid of dogs. Mountain lion populations would soar and deer and elk herds would decline significantly. They would move to the valleys and begin to eat people and their pets. It's a need to balance nature that gives this hunt justification. In some cases, wounded animals may never be recovered without the aid of dogs and the meat would spoil, thus making the hunt a wasted effort. There is no doubt that dogs do have a place in hunting, and they have had since the dawn of time. It's what they're bred for, and what they live for. 'Go get em' boys!!

Buck Fever

Some time in the middle of August the air begins to change just enough that you can smell Autumn in it. Though it's too hot to be hunting, I can feel that it's getting close and my every thought (well...almost) turns to being in the back-country. I begin to visualise sitting next to a quiet spring watching the chipmunks and hoping 'the big one' will walk by. (the big deer....not chipmunk....although i've seen some pretty hefty chipmunks around, lol)

Traditionally, buck fever is what happens when you get so excited about the deer standing in front of you, that you're shaking too bad to make the shot, or something goes wrong...like you forget to load the gun, or your arrow falls off the rest when you pull back your bow....and the deer bounces away while you stand there with your head hung low in shame. It's an adrenalin rush that's so extreme that you lose all site of everything you should be focusing on.

I can say that I've truly had this type of buck fever once, and to this day.....my husband will not let me live it down. I was hunting with a muzzleloader. I had a decent buck at about 50 yards, and shot. I hit him, but he didn't go immediately down, and my husband is in the background telling me to hurry and reload. So...I put a cap on the gun pulled the trigger again. The problem was, for those who are not muzzleloader hunters...I forgot to put the powder and bullet in the gun, so basically....I was shooting a cap gun at the deer. The cap went off and I stood there in sort of a duhhh moment, hurried and reloaded my gun complete with powder and bullet this time, and got one more into him so he didn't go far. In my defense...it was my first hunt with a muzzleloader....I think I prefer a rifle.

Buck fever these days is more of a state of mind for me. When Fall is in the air, hunting is all I can think about. I close my eyes and see big bucks standing on a ridgeline or in the trees. I go to sleep dreaming of bull elk bugling in the distance, and I can't wait to be out for a few days just enjoying the fresh air. With hunting season in full swing already, someone call a doctor....I've got it bad!

Summer Water Fun

It's no secret that one of my favorite past times is summer water sports. There are many to choose from, from float tubing on a quiet little reservoir, fly fishing a small creek, and river fishing for salmon, to some of the more active sports such as being flung behind a speed boat on an innertube in hopes that you survive, or cruising wildly on a waverunner.

My favorite, however, would have to be wakeboarding. Being in my 40s, three children later, I'm no spring chicken, consequently, a graceful wakeboarder....I also am not. (I have video proof of this, which I am not inclined to share) None the less, I keep going back for more because it makes my children laugh when I crash, and it's pretty good excercise when I manage to not. You know the old saying, 'The family that plays together, stays together'....and play we do!

So here's my intro on getting into wakeboarding. The boat is a bit of a necessity, obviously. A rental is an option. One that has a lot of power is a plus, not because you need to go fast, but because the more power it has at take-off, the quicker you come up out of the water and the less work it is as the skier. A 350 inboard/outboard usually does the job, and the prop that you put on the motor plays a part too. You can spend $100,000 on a fancy wakeboard boat with heaters and showers and fancy paint jobs, or you can buy an old 20ft,73' Fiber Form with trim tabs for a couple thousand and throw in a big fluffy towel. The difference is mostly the respect you get on the boat ramp, which....if you're there to have fun, doesn't matter. You can laugh your way all the way to the bank. I have skied behind both....and for those of us that are less than amateures, there is not a $98,000 difference in the wake the boat throws. But if you have the funds and the time to make it worth the money, spend away.                                    

                                   

You can spend several thousand dollars on a wakeboard, or you can start out reasonabley under $300. I have a nice board that seems to be easy for any rider that was under $200 for the boots and the board. I AM a bargain shopper and I love sales!!

Next you have the option of a wakeboard tower. Though not necessary, this gives you an additional edge when coming out of the water because the rope is anchored 4 or 5 feet higher than if it were just anchored to the boat itself. It also helps with putting a little more air under your board when jumping, which in turn gives you more room and time for trickages.

The rope would have to be the next option to make a difference. A longer rope tends to have more give, which is not necessarily a good thing for wakeboarding, where as a short rope gets you closer to the boat, closer to the bigger wake it throws, and more air as well. A comfortable handle is a must.

The last key ingredient would be the a driver that has the feel of pulling and knows how to handle the boat when pulling someone out of the water. Your driver could make the difference between popping right up, or swallowing several fish in the process. Water skiers tend to like more speed than wakeboarders. My son, for instance, has managed to do a 360 degree jump this summer, but insists that his father pull him at only 8 or 10 mph. Most wakeboarders prefer 15 - 20 mph. My personal feeling is.....it hurts a lot when you crash at 20 mph, so I like to go 12 mph....plus I'm old...and there's a longer recovery time for injuries. We try to please the skier, because we're all there to have fun, not get hurt, so the speed is a personal preference thing. We spend about 7 or 8 days a year wakeboarding because there are too many other fun things to fit in during the summer. We're not experts by any means, we know just enough to make it fun!

Sharing The Sport

Hunting is something that has been handed down in my family for probably more generations than even I realize. It's just what you do when it's hunting season. At certain times of year, our schedule revolves around it, vacation time is saved for it, and it's always been that way. It IS the priority when opening day rolls around.

Over the years I have hunted with my dad, my brothers, my uncles and aunts. I have made my children follow me through the back country....and my husband. But I rarely get the opportunity to take a new hunter out. Someone who's new to the game, new to the experience.

This past Spring my nephew and his mom (who will be the first to tell you that she is a city girl, and is fairly new to the whole outdoor experience)graduated from the hunter education program, and I thought it might be a good idea to start them out with turkeys. With tags in-hand, we headed off in search of our fair-feathered friends.

  

Our hunt was not an extreme one, but was full of calling and listening and watching in hopes that we might bag Tom. Though we never did. I still, however, would say it was successful. We learned a little more about hunting turkeys, we learned a little more about calling them. We watched them roost each night after the hunt, and even had a chance to take lots of pictures. (since we can't legally shoot them out of the tree with a gun, we shot them with the camera, not as good eating, but much easier to clean, lol) 

But spending time with family, seeing their enthusiasm and excitement, and knowing that now they understand what hunting is about and why we do it was just as much fun to me as if I had had my own tag.

Just being out and enjoying the outdoors is what it's all about. Next time, we'll have a little experience under our belt, and we'll fill our tag too. Watch out Tom....we're hooked on Turkeys.

What To Do, What To Do...

With summer in full swing, one might ponder on which activities to fit into this, all too short, season. From kayaking the rapids, to bicycling the back country, there is more to do out there than there is time to fit it all in.

Why not try something new. If you like water sports, there are many to choose from, but one that began back in 1948 called 'sailboarding' might be just what you need. Today, this popular sport is termed as 'wind surfing' and the riders....'board heads'. Though the first thought of a board head brings to mind a blonde, tan, teen on the beaches of So. Cal. holding a surfboard, I'm not above trying new things. And though I may not be as good at it as my 18 year old son, who seems always at home in the water, I'm not out to win any competition. I'm there to learn something new, and be able to say....'yes, I can do that!' (or at least I tried)

So if you are up for a new adventure this summer, check into your local sporting good shops and lakeside marinas. A new board complete with gear can be had for around $1000.00, which might be a little much to jump into before you know if it's the 'new' sport  for you. I would suggest renting the gear first, and see how it goes. The other benefit to renting is that most pro shop opporators are plum full of how to info. They will be more than happy to lend you a tip or two (because your surviving means they get there equipment back, and your not crashing insures that it is in one piece when they do). Most pro-shops also offer training for a few more bucks. I myself, am a figure it out kind of person, but I will admit that help is never turned down. The few extra bucks you spend on lessons could cut your learning curve time down tremendously, in essence, saving you time and travel to the lake money.

Happy sailing :)

No Lions, No Tigers, Just Bears!!

Over the last couple of weeks I have become completely infatuated with planning a bear hunt. In the great state of Utah, we must enter into a drawing for a bear tag, and our chances of drawing a tag are not as great as I would like them to be. Turns out, this year, my husband actually drew a tag in one of Utah's prime bear areas. (well....it's prime to us because we know there are bears there and where to find them) It's a Fall hunt, so we have plenty of time to plan, but also, plenty of time to wait.....not so patiently for opening day.
Armed with a new camera, I'm excited to start scouting, but with this years' over abundance of late snow storms....it may be Fall before they even wake up!!

One of the hardest parts of hunting, for me, is waiting for opening day, but one of the great things about hunting is the opportunity to spend time scouting. It's really amazing just how much you can learn about an animal just by searching for signs from them.

Years ago, before we began hunting bears, we hunted elk in this same area, but had no idea there were bears there. Just because I wanted to try something new, I put in for a bear tag in 2006 and was lucky enough to draw the tag, but a little concerned that I had absolutely no idea how to hunt bears or what even to look for. I had NEVER seen a bear in the wild, and I wasn't really sure I'd even ever seen signs.....that I was certain were made by a bear.

Over the next month I wandered around trying to figure out where I would go if I was a bear. After treking into the thickest, deepest parts of the timber covered, rugged terrain, we found probably more sign than I needed to ensure that there were bears aplenty in any direction of travel. We found cub prints, and big bear prints, little scrapes and big scrapes, broken branches, stumps and rotten logs that were torn apart, claw marks that were left as they climbed to the top of a 30 foot tree, and roots that were uprooted. I was amazed at how many signs we found in the same areas we'd always hunted....but never noticed they were there. Though I never filled my bear tag that year, it was undoubtedly the funnest hunt I've been on....and I've been on a LOT. I have a new found love and respect for black bears, not because they are mean or vicious, but because they are the exact opposite. They are shy, quiet, and reclusive most of the time. So here's an insite for those who may fear this beautiful creature or may not understand them.

Unlike a grizzly bear, the black bear is mostly vegetarian, (which means....he would prefer not to eat you, but will if necessary). Their main diet consists of mostly berries, grasses, nuts, and bugs(larvae). Their claws are not as long and straight as a grizzly's which resemble small double bladed knives perfect for ripping flesh, but are round, much shorter and curved, and made for digging and scrounging. They come in several colors other than black, such as blonde, brown, chocolate, cinnamon and silver. An older bear has no interest in ever seeing or being seen by humans, so if he can see or hear or smell you coming, you'll never know he was there, (except for the hair standing on the back of your neck). When there are reports of bear encounters, it's usually youngsters that have been booted from mama bear so she can raise her new baby bears. These bears are learning how to look for food....unfortunately....some of them learn to follow their noses to your 'pic-a-nic' basket. Sometimes bears will attack if they feel threatened or are surprised, but these instances are rare.

In Utah, there have been only two major bear attacks that have made the news in the past 30+ years (that I can remember anyway). One of them happened because someones child was feeding a bear oreo cookies through their camper window and when the cookies ran out, the bear took the next thing he could find....the child who had been giving them to him. (This is why they tell you 'Don't feed the bears!!') As the story goes, grandpa wacked the bear over the head with a big flashlight and the child escaped. If you follow a few simple rules when you're camping, you'll likely never have problems. You are actually 180,000 times more likely to be killed in a car than you are by a bear, (that is an actual statistic) and....more people die from bee stings every year than from bear attacks. The moral of the story.....walk to where you're going, armed with bug spray, and leave the oreos at home!

Let Spring Begin!!

With Spring comes a stronger passion for being outdoors. The first glimps of Spring sunshine is an instant magnet pulling me outside. It's one of my favorite four seasons. Spring, because everything is new and fresh and green...and lets not forget all the baby critters, Summer because I thrive on water sports and hiking, Fall BECAUSE IT's HUNTING SEASON...YAYYY!!!, and Winter, because it's snowsports....and a little hunting.

Spring, however, has it's hunting perks as well. Almost every hunting show on television at the moment seems to focus on turkeys. Pics are popping up across the country on the social networks of gals and their gobblers(and guys too). And though I do enjoy chatting with the Toms of the world (male turkeys, for those who may not know the field names), I am overly infatuated with bears these days, and they happen to be huntable in the spring as well (in some places).

With good reason, bears are known as the 'phantoms of the forrest'. It's rare that you actually see one in the wild, but if you have time to scope the slopes for fuzz balls....now's your chance. As the snowline begins to receid in the high country, bears begin to feed just below it on the dandylions and grasses, so it's a great time of year to spot them.

Spring bear hunts have been banned in some states, but who says you can't scout? The great thing about hunting is that you only need a permit if you plan on harvesting something. Take a camera instead! I ALWAYS have better luck finding critters when I'm not carrying a gun anyway.

Running across a bear is rare, but last year while hunting with my two girls, we managed to push a big black bear over the ridge to the clearing where my son was walking. The bear was running towards him but didn't see him there in the shadows of the pines with his camo(bears really have poor eye sight). He said he thought he was going to be ran over, but started whistling so the bear would see him, and then backed slowly off the trail. The bear stopped when he heard the whistle and turned away at 15 yards. Most bear attacks happen because the bear is caught by surprise, or felt threatened (or because someone smelled like the hotdog they were roasting for lunch), but black bears are not naturally aggressive. They prefer not to be around humans, (hence the reason you never see them....they're hiding) I was glad I had taught my son how to react to encounters with bears in the wild, but I can honestly say I'm not sure I wouldn't have panicked and done the wrong thing. It's good to know that at age 17, he's level headed enough to handle himself in such a situation. (although, he did mention needing to change his undershorts after that)

My experience with bears is minimal, but what little I do know, trust me when I say, You can't out run a bear. I watched one travel 4 large canyons, and roughly12 miles in less than 30 minutes. In the best shape of my life, I would never be able to do that. Amazing animals.

One last note, when scouting for bears in the Spring, remember that they have been asleep for several months and haven't eaten either, so they can be a little grumpy and more aggressive than other times of the year. It's a good idea to take all the usual precautions for wandering in bear country. (You know, try not to smell like the bacon you ate for breakfast. I read somewhere that their noses are 7 times more powerful than a bloodhound that has 220 million little smell receptors...we humans have a measly 5 million ) If you happen to stumble across one, make noise to let them know you're there, keep your distance, back away slowly, and try not to surprise them. It's also best not to make eye contact. If you're NOT looking FOR them, the best way to avoid seeing them at all is to make noise while you're hiking.

Happy hunting!

Camp Cook Made Easy

Spring fever is settling in and it seems everyone wants to be off camping. Venturing into the backwoods armed with bandaids and bugspray seems only right this time of year. Some of us outdoor diehards live for spending time together in the outdoors, sleeping on the ground in a tent, and lets not forget burning dinner over a campfire and then being forced to eat fruit snacks instead.

A little planning ahead can be a life saver for the chef. Let me just be up front and honest when I say that cooking is probably one of the worst of all of my girl-like qualities, (it's why generally my husband does the cooking at home)because unless I can put it in a crock pot and walk away, it takes too long. However, when we go camping, for some odd reason, everyone expects me to cook, so....I've learned a few tricks. Two of my favorite pans in the outdoors are tinfoil and a hot dog roaster.

Just because I have to cook, doesn't mean I must provide a 5 course meal, but if I want to get fancy, I have a plan for that too. You've all heard of dutch oven cooking, well, invest in one. For between $20 to $50 you can have your own outdoor crockpot and I have added a recipes page with pictures and a few dutch oven treats that are a snap. The great thing about the dutch oven is it can be used for any meal of the day, AND dessert.

When headed off camping, it's easy to pack too much, but the last thing you want to have to deal with is washing dishes, so it's nice if you can leave the pots and pans safely at home. It's also easy to pre-mix ingredience before you leave home and put them in zip tight bags that seal and then just reheat when you get ready. (keep in mind....you WILL need a pan to reheat it in.)

Cooking outdoors can be as simple or as extravegant as you wish to make it, but even extravegant doesn't have to leave you with a national clean-up effort. Try these tips:

        1-paper plates, and plastic utensils and cups
                  These can easily be tossed instead of washed.
     
        2-heavy duty tinfoil has more uses than you realize
                   It has the obvious uses, but also can be used as a pan itself, to line one of your own pans for      quick clean up, or as a liner for the grill over the firepit.
                 
        3-plastic seal tight bags are so much easier than bowls and you don't have to wash them.
                   Not only can you pre-mix things in them and use them as a bowl, but they have the obvious storage cababilities.

Here's a couple of things to keep in mind. While I'm expected to cook for everyone when we're camping, I also expect to have fun while I'M camping. I do not want all of my camping memories to be of me choked with campfire smoke, singed hair, and cleaning up dirty dishes. For these reasons I plan ahead, think simple, and in todays world, shop cheap. If you want a big meal, the dutch oven is great, and easier than you might think. If you're into simple, roast a hot dog on a stick with a bag of chips, or make sub sandwhiches before you go. Planning ahead makes outdoor cooking much less stressful.

Cabin Fever

Most of my free time is spent doing something....well....anything outdoors. In the warmer months I'm always puttering through the hills hiking, hunting, or fishing my favorite creek. In the cold and snowy months, I find myself looking like the child in the movie 'A Christmas Story' in hopes of not freezing to death, to find that same adrenalin rush that clean mountain air gives me. A snowboard and a pair of snow shoes are usually my fashion accessories from December through March. If you've never heard the sound of COMPLETE silence and serenity, rent a pair of snowshoes and head for that trail you usually hike in the summer.

Always being able to jump in my Jeep and wander aimlessly in the backwoods has become a habit. One that I now realize I have been taking for granted.

I have spent the last 3 weeks at a children's hospital with my daughter waiting to see IF she would get better, praying that she would be ok, watching her go from a tough little girl who follows me through bear country with no fear, to a small feeble person that couldn't breathe on her own. Her toughness though has earned her a reputation here, and I have watched her go through things no child should have to, handling each a bravely as she could.  She has overcome hellacious obstacles from pneumonia to staff infections..(note the s..she had more than one), even heart surgery, and is finally on the mend.

For those three weeks, nothing else has mattered but her comfort and health, but now that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and our minds are beginning to think about what we want to do when we are out of here, and we both have EXTREME CABIN FEVER....Though I could have left, I chose to stay by her side to lessen the fear of being in an environment completely unfamiliar to either of us. (not to mention the fact that the motherly instinct made me want to hover in case I was needed) With the exception of walking to the parking lot on occasion, I have been indoors for almost a month.......I HAVE 'NEVER' NOT BEEN ABLE TO GO OUTSIDE.....

My parents divorced when I was 6 and I moved from my small hick town in the middle of nowhere to the Bay Area of California. (can I just say I am living proof that you can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl) I lived there with my mom until I was 17, visiting my dad on holidays and during the summers. The time I spent with my dad always seemed to have something to do with the mountains. If we weren't taking my Grandma on a Sunday picnic, we were hiking or driving around spotting deer. When I finally decided that I had had more city than I could take, I moved back home with him and swore I would never take for granted the fact that I was surrounded by the beauty I did not have in the city. Finding anything resembling nature from where we lived in California, was at least a 3 hour drive.

It wasn't until now that I realized....I think I do take for granted that the mountains are a 15 minute drive from home, and I can usually go there whenever I feel like it, but being here has also made me think about how I blog. Though I will always encourage you to try and get out, I also realize everyone's lives are different and there may be reasons you cannot get out as much as you like, or maybe even at all. Whatever reason you may have, at least take the opportunity if it arises, and if you get to a point when life is too crazy and the opportunity never presents itself, go after it. You won't be sorry. Sometimes just a drive to the park full of trees and singing birds can be extremely relaxing, de-stressing, and great mental therapy. Don't take for granted the world around you and the beauty it holds.

The First Step Is Bravery

When I was younger and unmarried....I was a bit of a loner. Not because I was shy or uncomfortable with being around people(well maybe a little), but mostly because many of the things I did, were not things that the average 20 year old girl would do(Or even should do alone, but being my independent self...I did them anyway). In the back of my mind, I guess I just usually assumed that no one would have wanted to go with me....so I just went alone or with my dad instead of inviting friends. (saved myself the let down of them telling me no, and giving me weird looks of 'why would I want to do that')

My willingness to wander to the woods could have come from a number of reasons, perhaps because in a small town there's not much to do but fish and hunt, but I'm guessing it was because I was very comfortable in the outdoors having spent so much time out there while I was growing up. My reasons now are different than they used to be, but I manage to find a reason, none the less. Sometimes it's because I want to hang out with my kids that are growing up faster than I realize, and some times it's because I feel the need to hide from those same kids who seem to think I am made of money, and should be their maid, lol.

So....it turns out, that over the years.....I have learned that most of my friends would probably have gone with me if only I had asked. Many of the women I used to hang out with, love the outdoors just as much as I do. Being that most women have a mutual appreciation of sorts for the outdoors, I'm here to share my ambitions, and what I have learned along the way. Whether it be lying on the beaches of Florida, climbing to the top of the nearest mountain peak, or wakeboarding her favorite lake, being in the outdoors is not just classified as being in the woods. It's all about getting out and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, smelling the flowers, listening to the birds sing, or even dancing in the rain in your backyard.  (Unless you live in L.A. and then your focus would probably be on getting out of the smog before you can enjoy the air, lol) It doesn't have to be sunny, or warm....you just have to make adjustments in how you dress.

Be brave. You have to start somewhere. Figure out what it is that you have been dying to do. Maybe it's as simple as taking the family on a pic nic. Maybe it's a week long vacation to someplace scenic where you can hook up with a photographic outfitter. Start with doing a little homework on what your options are. Where and when can I go, what is within my budget, what type of atmosphere will I be in, and what will I need when I get there. Having been in situations where survival skills were needed or at least helpful, and being comfortable using those skills, makes all the difference.

Knowledge is your friend.....and so is the internet when it comes to this subject. The world is at your fingertips as far as information goes. Wanting to do something, and knowing how to go about it are two totally different things. Not knowing how is often what keeps us from being adventurous. So doing a little homework is important.....know what you're up against.

Trying new things can be intimidating, and making time for yourself is always a challenge. If you take a minute to do your homework, the knowlege you gain, without a doubt, will give you the courage you need to get going.

Don't let the fear of what might happen keep you from trying. Let being prepared for anything give you the confidence to succeed.

What's Holding You Back?

Is lack of knowing what to expect keeping you from exploring the great outdoors? Let's start with the basics. Make a mental plan of where you're going and what you might want to do when you get there. (You can write it down if you're like me. My mental notes tend to erase themselves when I'm not looking.)

Which brings me to the moral of todays ramblings.....Here's a few basic things you should know before you venture away from civilization.

No matter where you're traveling, you'll need some basics. Start with how you dress. Common sense is really useful when you're headed to the outdoors(you may want to leave your heals at home.....they tend to sink in soft dirt and mud). Also just as handy is all this new technology in outdoor clothing that has surfaced in the last few years. You can go basic, or extreme, but be careful....over packing for a situation is always a danger. Of course...if you aren't packing it on your back for 5 miles....then no harm done...pack away!!

Basically, check the weather, dress for it, and then be prepared for it to change. If you're going on a day trip, it doesn't take much to throw a hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants in your back pack...just in case it gets too cold for the shorts and tank top that you left the house in. An important note here is, be prepared to pack what you've packed....simply put...those sweats aren't going to do you much good if you left them in the car, and the temperature drops and you are 3 miles away.

Water is probably the next on your list of things to pack. On average, a person can go up to 3 weeks without food....although....I wouldn't recommend it, but you'll only last about 3 DAYS without water....and not even that long if you're already dehydrated. (Like when you're hiking through the mountains looking for water....you're using the water storage that your body has saved up....you're probably not going to last 3 days...)However, hopefully, you threw in a few extra bottles to get you by.

Fire is not always the difference between life or death, but it serves several purposes besides the obvious heat factor. Have you have noticed that WHENEVER there is a fire near by....we tend to turn around and back right up to it...IT CAN BE WARM OUTSIDE, and we still back up to a campfire. It's heat when you're cold, comfort when you're lonely, and can double as an oven if you have some tin foil stowed away in you're pack.

Next on MY list of needs is First Aid. Something simple is good to include. I doesn't have to be a big fancy first aid kit, but some bandages and anticeptic are a good start, and you can  taylor it to your needs. (If you'll be in rattle snake country, throw in a snake bite kit, if the weather is unpredictable throw in a light rain poncho...things like that) The most important thing in this department is that you have some first aid knowledge. You don't have to run out and take a crash course on becoming an EMT, but everyone should know how to treat shock, tie a splint for a broken bone, apply pressure to a bleeding wound, even a basic idea of how to do CPR. One of the biggest causes of death in the outdoors is hypothermia, so you should know the signs and how to prevent it.
 You may never have to do any of these things, but if you ever need them, you probably won't be sorry that you knew how to help someone.

In todays' world, electronics are a standard. Seriously....how many people do you see without a cell phone in hand. This is probably one of those common sense items, but being able to contact someone for help if you need it can mean the difference between life or death. One very important thing I want to mention here is DO NOT TOTALLY RELY ON YOUR CELL PHONE TO SAVE YOU. Though technology has evolved tremmendously over the years, it does have a few bugs. For one thing, there is almost always no cell service when you're surrounded by cliffs and ledges, and...the batteries tend to die quickly after spending a night camping in cooler temperatures.

So, along with your trusty cell phone, you should pack a 'back up' plan, which brings me to the last item on my list of must haves EVERY time I leave the house. Tell someone where you're going...and if you don't have someone to tell, leave a note on your counter. Basic info of where you went, why you went there, who you're with, and when you plan on returning could be the difference between spending a few hours, or a few days in a situation where you need help.

Hopefully, you'll never be in a situation that warrants needing any of the things I've metioned in order for you to stay alive, but sometimes, knowing that you're prepared for anything, is enough to make you conscious of all the possibilities, which in turn makes you a little more cautious, which in turn again, will keep you from putting yourself in a bad situation. For example, 'maybe I shouldn't go for that hike, it looks like rain and I left my rain coat home'. Many bad situations can be prevented with common sense. Stop and think about where you're going, what you need, and what could happen while your there....and then prepare for it. I don't really think there's such a thing as being 'too prepared'.

If you insist on packing too much into the backwoods....'just in case'....let me just give you some advice....get a mule. They work Great! Kind of like a big walking suitcase. Mine's name is Johnny! If I plan on packing in for more than 2 days....Johnny will likely be loaded with everything but the kitchen sink, because no one ever said that being in the outdoors had to be time spent being miserable because I didn't have room for my air mattress....

The Perfect Valentine

Mental vacations are often a life saver for me, but there comes a time when I JUST can't effectively pretend. Usually it's because I know there is something out there waiting for me. The crisp clean air of Winter, the serenity of the mountains completely silenced by a breath taking layer of snow, the howl of the coyote in the distance, and then.....the roar of my snowmobile, haha. Whatever it is.....something calls to me and says 'lets go'.....so I do, and last weekend....I DID.

Armed with my camera, spotting scope and binoculars, we headed for the roads less traveled (we meaning my husband and I. I realize not many women would pick camping in the snow over flowers and dinner....but I think we have made it clear that I am not like many, and for me, it was the perfect Valentine get-away). Whether I have an actual excuse or not, it's always fun to get off the beaten path and spend time seeing what's out and about in Winter. (and...it's always nice to spend time with my husband)

One of the cool things about Winter (no pun intended) is that it is the opportune time for wildlife viewing.....well....some wildlife. Granted, there are those that are sleeping underground and in logs(which has often rendered in the back of my mind as a bit unfair, that if you don't like the weather outside, you just crawl in a hole and sleep until it gets better....but then I come to my senses and remember that I love snow sports) There are, however, those critters who are not lucky enough to sleep right on through the cold and snowy months. Those who are forced to seek food and shelter on lower grounds have it a little tougher.

Here lies an opportunity to get up close and personal with all different kinds of wildlife. It can offer a chance to get out and view an animal that you otherwise may never see. The foothills our showered with elk and deer this time of year, doing what they can to find an easier source of food.

Grab your binoculars and go for a drive. I'm not suggesting that you try and wander out to pet them....they need their space. But, you can get fairly close without bothering them. The idea is to stay at a safe distance so that they're not stressed about you being there, and you're not being charged by a grumpy moose who doesn't share the same excitement about seeing you as you do about seeing him. Besides....harassing wildlife, in most states, is illegal, and I think chasing them up the hill to get a picture qualifies. But, if you're careful not to get too close, they will happily pose for you while you watch.

From Spring right on through late Fall, all animals are diligently trying to pack on weight so that when Winter rolls in, they have that extra bit of insulation most of us humans are trying to avoid. Without these extra fat rolls and resources, their chances of Winter survival will be slim, and getting through those fidged nights will be much harder.

Keep this in mind as you go out searching for critters. It's important for them to conserve their energy in an effort to survive the Winter conditions, and they don't want to exerpt any more than necessary. If you're out there chasing or tormenting them....they will obviously be needlessly using their resources. With that said, grab your gear and head for the hills.

Mid-Winter Dilema....What To Do, What To Do

Winter always seems as though it drags on just a LITTLE bit longer than we would like it to. Though it's all very necessary....(tis' the cycle of the seasons) it tends to bring with it gray skys and sometimes gloomy days. And....with an enourmous amount of gloom surrounding us when we look outside, it's sometimes hard to be....well....not gloomy. Hence my tip of the day. Cheer up! Gloom is simply a state of mind, so the good news is....it's not permanent.

Yes, winter limits the things one can do outside if you're looking at it from a summertime point of view. But.....try looking at if from a Winter standpoint. The number of winter activities probably far exceed what you might be thinking because you're focusing on the fact that you'd rather be laying on the beach, or gardening. Take a minute to look around the things Winter has to offer. Simple things like, taking pictures of the fresh fallen snow, or just playing in it can be BIG fun. The key to making it fun, is dressing for it. Put on your snow pants and coat and make a snow angel. If you're not a big fan of playing in the snow, you can always be in charge of making the hot cocoa for the after party. My daughter tells me that you can do anything in the Winter that you can do in the summer...you just have to where a coat! Even hitting an indoor swimming pool is an option. The point is, everything is relative in how you present it to yourself. In other words, if you're focusing on what you CAN'T do because it's not summer, then you may be looking past all of the possibilities of what you CAN do now that it's winter.

Winter is full of outdoor opportunities. TAKE THEM! Get out and hit the slopes, do some wildlife viewing, or even just go for a drive. Getting out doesn't mean you have to take up something new that you've never done before, or that you have to spend a lot of money. It can be anything that takes your mind off of the down side of Winter.
In short.....change the way you think, broaden your horizons, and look at it from an entirely different direction. You'll be amazed at how much better things sound.

Lesson '2' In Taking A Moment For Yourself

In my last post, I was pondering on why we don't see more women in the outdoors, although, I do actually see more than I used to. I have stumbled across another gal or two while hunting over the last couple of years. It seems that the girl movement to the outdoors may be catching on. We now have several lines of outdoor apparel designed for us, as well as guns and optics. Woman in the outdoors is becoming a bit bigger every day. (Look out boys...we're tagging along) Whether you like pink camo, or not, the feminine side is beginning to make a big impact in the outdoors. My dilemma is giving more women the confidence to get out there.

This brings me to the next item on my list of reasons for staying inside. Could it possibly be.....hmmm.... maybe a little intimidation, or fear of going at it alone. So...DON'T go alone....find a buddy. I'm not saying, get online and advertise for someone to take you into the backwoods.....lets be sensible here. But grab someone you know well, a significant other, best friend, or even the little old lady next door. Go for a drive or a short walk and you'll both be happier! Just get out and focus on something other than everyday life, bills, stress......stop and smell the flowers for goodness sake. Besides, that's the great thing about problems....rarely do they solve themselves....they'll be there when you get back and you might just have a whole new outlook on solving them that suddenly came to you while you were getting your head together. Fresh air, and a fresh look at the situation may solve your problem for you.

As for myself, I am all about finding reasons to spend more time outdoors. Maybe it's my selfishness that gets me out there more than my fair share, or maybe it's my stubbornness, that I am just extremely determined to get what I want. Whatever the reason, I can usually manage to squeeze a drive to the mountains in my busy week. (It does help that the mountains are only about a 15 minute drive from my house.) I can always tell when I need a 'mountain fix'. I get grumpy and irritable. The point I'm trying to make is FIND THE ONE THING THAT TRULY TAKES YOUR MIND OFF OF YOUR PROBLEMS, and do it, for yourself AND those around you. If only for a couple of minutes....it will help you get through.

After having my second child, I found that my life had changed drastically. I went from being able to spend every spare minute in the mountains hiking and watching wildlife, to being stuck in a house with two small kids that required all of my attention. With two small bundles that I felt I had to hover over, I now had no choice, no time for myself, and an extreme depression set in.....I believe they call it 'baby blues'. Yup....I had them. I found myself flipping out over some of the littlest things. I would practically bite someone's head off and then stop myself and think......'what the heck is wrong with me'. I consulted my OBGYN who told me that I had a classic case of the baby blues and was quick to prescribe an all too common fix of prozac. A bit hesitant, I filled the prescription,  but on the way home, I couldn't help but think that there must be another way to fix the problem. I had heard bad things about prozac side effects and was a little leery. I'm not saying the world could function without prozac, (we're talking about my head....remember) I'm just one of those people that doesn't like to take an aspirin for a headache, let a lone an antidepressant. After a long period of pondering why this might be happening to me, I decided that it was simply because I had felt like I had no life of my own anymore. Now.....all I had to do was figure out how to fix it.....

My son was three, and my baby girl was about 3ish months old. I decided it was time for them to get out more. I purchased a little baby backpack and off we went for a short hike near the house. Sometimes I dropped the baby off at grandmas for an hour, but a couple of times each week, I managed to push myself out the door for a moment away. I never used the prozac prescription, but a couple of hikes or short drives played a HUGE part in making me sane again. The moral of the story.....take a minute to focus on what YOU need as a person so you can give those around you what they need.

My kids are older now, but over the years I have taken up several new sports that ensure me more time in the outdoors. Things such as photography, wildlife viewing, fishing, and wakeboarding are just a few of my favorite ways to spend time, and it's time with my family. Not only have I made time for my mental health....but I usually drag one or more children with me. Sometimes it's a one on one trip, and sometimes we all pile in and head off to roast a hotdog just because we can!

We previouly discussed the reasons that keep us indoors, and decided that taking time out for ourselves is usually not at the top of the priority list. Well girlies...I'm here to tell ya', if you don't take a moment for yourself, NOBODY else will!

Lesson '1' In Taking A Moment For Yourself

I often wonder why you don't see more women in the outdoors. I'm not talking just hunting or fishing. I for instance, spend probably more time than I should, driving aimlessly through the mountains.....for various reasons (sometimes fishing, sometimes looking for wildlife, sometimes just because I needed to get away for a minute). I can honestly say that I really can't remember ever passing another woman that looked like she might be doing the same thing as me.....ever!!
I'm certain there are a number of reasons that keep us indoors, but I'm betting most women will agree that it is just plain hard to find the time. So... lets put down the first reason as being 'priorities'. We ALWAYS have things to do that seem more important at the time. (Yes, we do have responsibilities to tend to) Can't catch the morning sunrise because I have get the kids off to school, can't catch the sunset because I have to get dinner on the table, can't take an hour for myself because......well, you know the routine. I myself have missed many opportunities because I felt guilty taking time out for myself when there were so many things that needed to be done. Though I can't set your priorities in order for you, let me give you a little encouragement in the 'mental vacation' department. Sometimes a quick drive away from town is all it takes.....sometimes it's even less.

How often do you say, 'I really need a vacation?' Taking a vacation may not be as tough as you think. Yes, most vacations cost money and take time to plan. Well, this one doesn't require either. Try this....close your eyes and think for a moment of your favorite place, a place that makes you feel at ease, relaxed, laid back. Think of a place where no one and nothing can bother you. Tah dah! Ok, so I realize it wasn't as fun as a week in the Hawaii, but sometimes it only takes a moment to stop life at its craziest, get your head together, regroup, and get back to reality with a whole new outlook. Sometime, those little 'mental vacations' are a life saver. They can give you a new outlook on something that you couldn't figure out because you were so stressed over it. Sometimes, a 10 minute 'mental vacation' is all you need to go on about your day.

One of my favorite places is about a 3 hour drive from home. With the price of gas today, and a limited amount of DAYS to travel, I have a picture hanging in my office of that area. My job comes with a sizeable amount of stress on any given day. Let me give you a little insight into my brain. Stress takes too much time from a working mother of 3, so I have chosen to omit it from my daily happenings. Sometimes all it takes is a moment focused on that photo to relax me, and lessen my blood pressure. It is a reminder that stress is not worth the effort it takes, not worth the headache, and a reminder that there is more to life than whatever problem I may be facing at that moment. Staring at this photo, I often think of some of the accomplishments I have made while there, and it becomes an instant inspiration for overcoming hurdles. For instance, I once tracked on my GPS over 70 miles that I walked, yes WALKED, in a 3 week period while elk hunting there. 70 MILES.....ON FOOT.....if I can walk 70 miles through some pretty rugged terrain, I should be able to make it to the gym for 20 minutes on the treadmill.

This little 'photo vacation' idea came from my boss, who is from Wisconsin, and would often seem fairly depressed in the fall because she was not home to see the changing colors of the season. Though we live in a really scenic area, to her, nothing compared to the Fall colors in the Midwest. She would often point at a picture from her calendar and say "I'm going there...I'll be back later", and for a few moments she would stare at the photo. Oddly enough, she always came back from her 'mental vacation' with a smile.

Today, we have eliminated your excuse for a moment to yourself because you don't have enough time. Today, a moment, tomorrow an hour, and before you know it....maybe a WHOLE afternoon!!

Let me leave you with one last thought, if you can't take a few minutes out of your busy day to keep yourself sane, you're probably making everyone around you crazy.