Now that spring is here and the pan fishing is picking up, why not ask a kid to join you. It will make their day and maybe yours as well. I get a kick out of how exited they get and the action is usually  good enough to keep them interested all day long.

I have had my grand daughters and nieces go along with me and they still talk about it and ask when we are going again. When you are pan fishing it is fairly easy for them to catch on to how to do it, and once they catch a fish they really get into it. I remember one day my youngest grand daughter and I, went blue gill fishing and ended up catching quite a few good size ones. We took them home and she helped me clean them and we had them for dinner that night. She still talks about how we went out and caught dinner that day.

So the next time you head out to do a little pan fishing, think about asking a kid to go, you may have a fishing buddy for life.

When it comes to Bow Hunting for Whitetails, I have used the same set up for many years.  My High Country, Predator Two bow, with Easton xx75 aluminum shafts and Thunder Head broad heads by New Archery Products. The Thunder Heads have never let me down, I’ve even shot multiple Deer with the same Broad Head.  Several of my Brothers and friends use Muzzy Broad Heads and swear by them. They say they really are bad to the bone.

The more I read about the mechanical Broad Heads, they sound like they might be worth giving a try. The more I read about the  Rage Broad Heads and the cutting area along with the size of entrance  and exit holes they leave, have Me thinking I will give them a try.  The thought of the head being like a practice tip until it hits the Deer sounds pretty good, with a bigger hole to help with the blood trail can’t be a bad thing. So as much as I hate change it’s time to give these mechanical Broad Heads a try. So read up on them and check out the videos, who knows you may even want to switch over.

Mechanical Broad Heads

As far as I’m concerned some of the most enjoyable fishing is crappie fishing in the spring. It can be as easy as finding some sort of wood in shallow water such as fallen trees, but it is  hard to beat a beaver hut.  Any wood that will attract heat will work just fine for drawing in the fish though.

I like to keep it simple when it comes to crappie fishing. All you need is a spinning rod and reel. Two actually with a light line such as 4 to 6 pound test will work just fine. Some split shot a few bobbers and some hooks number 2′s will work just fine. You will also need some bait, it is hard to beat some fat head minnows.  Start with the bobber about 4 feet  above the hook with split shot about 8 inches above the hook. Place the hook just under the dorsal fin of the minnow, this will keep the bait active and able swim about to help attract the crappie. If you don’t have any luck  just try different depths by adjusting the length from the bobber to the hook, it usually won’t take long to find crappie if they are there. So give it a try and I think you will find your self looking for those crappie days of spring. Not to mention some of the best tasting fish that there are.

I love Crappie Fishing Spring Days – Crappie Fishing

With spring just around the corner, now is the time to get that fishing gear out and check it over to get it ready to go. As we all know some of the hottest fishing of the year happens in the spring.

So now is the time to drag out the those fishing poles and tear down the reels and clean them up. Check the grease and oil your fishing reels. While you are at it check that fishing line and if it seems old and weak change it now, before you lose a monster fish because you forgot to change the line at the last minute.

Now is also a good time to check out those favorite old lures and touch up the hooks with a file to make sure they are good and sharp. This also a good time to restock the old tackle box with hooks, sinkers and all those other things such as bobbers. Might as well check out the waders and make sure they are in good shape as well.  Make sure any landing nets are in good shape and have not dry rotted over the winter.

If you are lucky enough to own a boat now is a good time to go over it . Check out all the safety  gear and any anchor lines.  This would also be a good time to go over the motor as well.  That way way when the fishing fever  hits you will be ready to roll.

The Coleman Camp Stove Can Help You to Make the Most of Your  Catch

The cougar is also known as a mountain lion, a puma, mountain cat, panther or catamount depending on the region, and which country it is found. The cougar is native to the Americas and is a mammal of the Felidae family.

The cougar is a large, solitary cat with the greatest range of any such wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere.  Its boundaries extend from the Yukon in Canada to the southern Andes of South America.

The cougar is found in every major American habitat type, and is an adaptable, generalist species. This animal is the second heaviest cat on the American continents, just after the jaguar. In the world it is the fourth heaviest along with the leopard. FYI – The first three heaviest cats are the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The cougar is considered most closely related to smaller felines.

This animal is a capable stalk-and-ambush predator, and pursues a wide variety of prey. Its primary food sources include elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. However, it is well known to take domestic cattle, horses, and sheep particularly in the northern part of its range, and also hunts species as small as insects and rodents.

Its preferred habitat includes dense underbrush and rocky areas for stalking, but this cat can also live in open areas. The cougar is extremely territorial, the size of its territory depending on the abundance of prey, as well as terrain and vegetation.

Generally a reclusive cat there has been a recent increase in human attacks, however, those attacks still remain rare.

While a large predator, this cat is not always the dominant species in its range, and competes for prey with other predators, including the American black bear, the grizzly bear, jaguars and gray wolfs.

Oddly, the mountain lion has become far more visible lately, with  one actually hit on the highways of Golden Valley Arizona in the last month, as well as another seen in the hills of  Pennsylvania, near Petroleum Center. As we move outward into the hills and valleys, we’re bound to come into closer contact. Stay alert.

Selecting the Right Binoculars for Hunting

Anyone who has ever hunted for spent time in the outdoors knows that a pair of binoculars can held you to find what you’re looking for outside. It can also help to increase your enjoyment of the outdoors.

Buying the correct vision tools for your outdoor experiences will make a huge difference in how much you enjoy it, as well as how long they last. Spending the money on a pair of binoculars that are inadequate is really a purchase that doesn’t make much sense.

Cost and Value

The best of the values for binoculars are in the mid-range. They will give you a cost effective value for either hunting or for hiking or bird watching. Most binoculars in the mid range price area are also water-resistant which is another feature that you simply need if you’re goin to be using your binoculars extensively outdoors.
The different kinds of binoculars that you might want to consider are

Phase correction, which are coated binoculars that help to fix the color and resolution of your binoculars. Formerly these were only available in the very high end binoculars but they are now readily available in a midrange pair
Proof Prism type binoculars may be what you want but you will quite likely sacrifice other features that you’d rather have if you’re watching your money.

Porro Prism

These will give you just the sharp images that you want but they will quite likely not be waterproofed. Todays binoculars in this price range can give you some remarkable values but watch what you’re buying and make sure that you get a heavy enough item to serve you well in the outdoors. Many binoculars in this price range are a bit more fragile than others that may cost a little more.

Compact Binoculars

In most cases they are great to have but if you have a choice of just one pair, then get a full sized pair of binoculars rather than getting a smaller pair that is less effective and less useful.The smaller fold up style binoculars aren’t really what you need for hunting or watching wildlife. They are also quite likely not as well built and won’t go the distance like a full sized pair will do for you.

Generally a good pair of binoculars can be found in the mid price range, about 150-200 dollars. They will keep you in business for quite a long time if you pay attention and care for them well as you do any other outdoor tool

Outdoor Optics – Value Purchase – Hunting – Hiking – Bird Watching

There is an undying spirit found within soul of the mountain climber.  To climb that which has not been climbed before and take in the hardships places the climber that much closer to nature.  For some it is a spiritual event and culminates in the cresting of a valiant obstacle.  For others it is the journey that draws them, year after year, to reach new heights and go just a little bit farther.

Climbers, like all outdoors-men, are made not born.  The skills required to safely climb mountains are best learned from a skilled mentor or climbing program.  It is not advised to simply learn a few new tricks and jump right into fray.  The information presented here should be viewed as informational only and not intended to take the place of a skilled mentor or school of mountaineering.  Nothing short of experience can make a new climber and EXPERIENCED climber.

That said, we are only going to cover some of the very basic principles associated with climbing and hopefully wet your whistle for the excitement that only high elevations and the rush of adrenalin can provide!

Physical Conditioning

It should go without saying that climbing mountains is physically demanding and that only those in good physical condition should ever attempt to make a climb.  What does good physical condition really mean?  Simply put the climber should have a regular exercise regimen that combines both strength and endurance conditioning at least 3 times a week.

Rotate your strength and endurance training so that you are not doing the same thing day after day.  Keep track of your progress as you go.  You’ll find that you are progressing well in some areas but need a little more work in others.  Concentrate on improving your physical condition in your weak areas.

When are you ready for a climb?  Honestly, that is a good question for you and your doctor to talk about.  Oh yes, did I mention that you should schedule a checkup prior to starting?  He will have the best advice for you on this subject.  For me I test my physical conditioning by using the Army Physical Fitness Test, also known as the APFT.  It combines strength and endurance and in the end assigns a number to the level of your physical condition.

The test is broken down into 3 individual areas: push-ups, sit-ups and a 2 mile run.  The push-ups and sit-ups are done with a two minute time limit and come with a few stipulations.  Only correctly performed repetitions can be counted and there are only a few approved rest positions.  The run is much less regulated.  Run for 2 miles as fast as you can.  Sure you can pace yourself but the idea is to get there as fast as you can.

(Click here for a copy of the APFT scorecard.)

The closer you can get to the magic number of 300 the better off you are going to be on the slopes.  But, let’s not rush things here.  Consider yourself in decent physical shape with a score in the 230’s, good physical condition in the 250’s and in great condition at 280+.

The Climbers Mind

The principle is easy:  Mind over matter.

Easy you say?  Let me put it another way.  Mind over matter can be summed up as will power.  How much will power do you have?  Do you have the commitment needed to get up early and face the cold mountain air?  How about to traverse a mountain glacier or steep side hill?  Or maybe you are so over confident that you believe nothing can keep you from the top.

We all must be honest with ourselves when it comes to the mental conditioning that must be part of any training program.  Climbing is hard work for sure, but it can also be mentally draining.  In fact, many veteran climbers believe that the mental aspect is the hardest to overcome.

But how does one prepare mentally for the demands of a climb?

Introspection.  Take a good hard look inside at what makes you tick.  Be honest with yourself.  Be realistic with your expectations.  Be confident in your abilities but do not underestimate mother nature.  More than a few climbers die yearly here in the Pacific Northwest in the pursuit of the top of the mountain.  Often it’s because they underestimated mother nature or over estimated their ability.

The mind of a climber must be confident and calm.  Clarity of thought is a must; Rational always, risky never.  The climber must trust his gear, no his limits and respect the environment in which he places himself into.  He must exercise good judgment.

Reindeer are known as Caribou in the wild and as Reindeer when domesticated. In other countries around the world, these animals are not referred to as Caribou at all, but as reindeer and “domesticated” reindeer.

Although caribou look like a deer and are members of the deer family they are different in many ways.   They resemble a large mule deer or small elk with long legs, large hooves. and antlers, and they have soft hollow hair.  Unlike deer, they are not shy and do not always run from intruders, unless in a common hunting area.

In Alaska, nearly all, 97 to 99 percent, of the females have antlers as well as the males. Both male and female caribou have a blunt nose with hair all the way down to their snout.

Caribou are always on the move.  They are a herd animal, capable of sleeping in water, and they like to eat moss and lounge in the shade.  They are an animal that can be tamed.

Their favorite diet of moss is one of the reasons they are always on the move, because lichen (moss) takes several years to grow back once eaten. They also detest flies biting them and laying eggs on their back, another reason they are always on the move.

A distinguishing characteristic of caribou are their large antlers that range about 3 feet tall.  These beautiful animals can weigh up to 500+ pounds.  Their color is grayish and brown, with white on their necks and back.

They can be found in Alaska, Canada, Russia and Greenland, as well as several other European counties. Because of their often snow covered homelands, Caribou eats food found under the snow and shovels it out of the way with tossing their head back and forth.

Caribou have to eat large quantities of food to increase their internal heat production. To conserve internal heat caribou have hollow hairs rooted in a thick layer of fat. Heat loss is prevented by their thin, long legs having two circulation systems. The circulation through the legs is up to 50 degrees colder than the circulation system for the rest of their body.

Laplanders tame the Caribou and herd them much like sheep.  Their hide is used for blankets, shelter and clothing, while their antlers and bones may be used for weapons and tools.  It is not uncommon to find Laplander children playing with the antlers.

Caribou – Reindeer – Alaska – Canada – Russia – Lapland Reindeer

WILDLIFE REFUGES BY STATE

Alaska
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Becharof National Wildlife Refuge
Innoko National Wildlife Refuge
Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge
Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge
Selawik National Wildlife Refuge
Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge
Togiak National Wildlife Refuge
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge
Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge

Alabama
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge
Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge
Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge
Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

Arkansas
Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge
Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Cache River National Wildlife Refuge
Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge
Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge
Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Overflow National Wildlife Refuge
Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge
White River National Wildlife Refuge

Arizona
Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge
Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge
San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge
California
Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Blue Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area
Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge
Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Farallon National Wildlife Refuge
Grasslands Wildlife Management Area
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Kern National Wildlife Refuge
Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Modoc National Wildlife Refuge
North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area
Pixley National Wildlife Refuge
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
San Diego National Wildlife Refuge
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge
San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge
Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area

Colorado
Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

Connecticut
Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

Delaware
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Florida
Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge
Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge
Island Bay National Wildlife Refuge
J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Key West National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
National Key Deer Refuge National Wildlife Refuge
Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pine Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge
St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Georgia
Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge
Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge
Wolf Island National Wildlife Refuge

Hawaii
Baker Island National Wildlife Refuge
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge
Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Howland Island National Wildlife Refuge
Huleia National Wildlife Refuge
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuge
Johnston Island National Wildlife Refuge
Kakahaia National Wildlife Refuge
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

Iowa
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge
Iowa Wetland Management District
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Idaho
Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Camas National Wildlife Refuge
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge
Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production Area
Illinois
Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge
Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge
Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge

Indiana
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Wildlife Management Area

Kansas
Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge
Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge
Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

Kentucky
Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge

Louisiana
Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge
Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge
Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
Breton National Wildlife Refuge
Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge
Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge
Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge
D’Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge
Delta National Wildlife Refuge
Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge
Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge
Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge
Louisiana Wetland Management District
Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge
Red River National Wildlife Refuge
Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuge
Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge
Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge

Massachusetts
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge
Massasoit National Wildlife Refuge
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge
Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge
Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge
Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge

Maryland
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Martin National Wildlife Refuge
Patuxent Research Refuge
Susquehanna River National Wildlife Refuge

Maine
Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge
Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area
Cross Island National Wildlife Refuge
Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge
Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
Pond Island National Wildlife Refuge
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge
Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Michigan
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge
Huron National Wildlife Refuge
Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Management Area
Michigan Wetland Management District
Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Seney National Wildlife Refuge
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge

Minnesota
Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge
Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
Big Stone Wetland Management District
Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District
Fergus Falls Wetland Management District
Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Litchfield Wetland Management District
Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Minnesota Valley Wetland Management District
Morris Wetland Management District
Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge
Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Rydell National Wildlife Refuge
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge
Windom Wetland Management District

Missouri
Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge
Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge
Great River National Wildlife Refuge
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife Refuge
Pilot Knob National Wildlife Refuge
Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Mississippi
Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge
Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge
Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Hillside National Wildlife Refuge
Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuge
Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
Morgan Brake National Wildlife Refuge
Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge
Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge
Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge

Montana
Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Benton Lake Wetland Management District
Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge
Halfbreed Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge
Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge
Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge
National Bison Range
Northwest Montana Wetland Management District
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge
War Horse National Wildlife Refuge

North Carolina
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge
Currituck National Wildlife Refuge
Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge
Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge

North Dakota
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge
Arrowwood Wetland Management District
Audubon National Wildlife Refuge
Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
Devils Lake Wetland Management District
Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge
J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District
Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Kulm Wetland Management District
Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge
Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge
Slade National Wildlife Refuge
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve
Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge
Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge
Valley City Wetland Management District

Nebraska
Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge
Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
John W. and Louise Seier National Wildlife Refuge
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge
Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

New Hampshire
Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge
John Hay National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
Wapack National Wildlife Refuge

New Jersey
Cape May National Wildlife Refuge
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge

New Mexico
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge
Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
San Andres National Wildlife Refuge
Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge

Nevada
Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Desert National Wildlife Range
Fallon National Wildlife Refuge
Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

New York
Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge
Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge
Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge
Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge
Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge

Ohio
Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
West Sister Island National Wildlife Refuge

Oklahoma
Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge
Little River National Wildlife Refuge
Optima National Wildlife Refuge
Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge
Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge
Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Oregon
Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge
Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge
Hart Mountain National Antelope Range
Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge
Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge

Pennsylvania
Erie National Wildlife Refuge
John Heinz at Tinicum National Wildlife Refuge

Rhode Island
Block Island National Wildlife Refuge
John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge

South Carolina
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge
Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
Santee National Wildlife Refuge
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
Tybee National Wildlife Refuge
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

South Dakota
Huron Wetland Management District
Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge
Madison Wetland Management District
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge
Waubay Wetland Management District

Tennessee
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge
Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge
Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge
Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge
Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge

Texas
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Grulla National Wildlife Refuge
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge
Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge
Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge

Utah
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge
Ouray National Wildlife Refuge

Virginia
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Eastern Shore Of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge
Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
James River National Wildlife Refuge
Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
Presquile National Wildlife Refuge
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge

Vermont
Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
Washington
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Copalis National Wildlife Refuge
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
Flattery Rocks National Wildlife Refuge
Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer
Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge
Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge
McNary National Wildlife Refuge
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Pierce National Wildlife Refuge
Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge
Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge
San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

Wisconsin
Fox River National Wildlife Refuge
Gravel Island National Wildlife Refuge
Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
Leopold Wetland Management District
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
St. Croix Wetland Management District
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge

West Virginia
Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Wyoming
Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge
Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge
National Elk Refuge
Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge
Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge

Starting a Fire

There are many ways to get a fire started.  The only real question is what you have with you.  In an ideal situation you have matches or a lighter.  Even the lighter from your car can be used to start a fire.  However, it is much more common for people to find themselves in a survival situation without a match or anything that is easy to start a fire with.  For this reason we are going to cover some of the more obscure ways to get a fire started.

CONVEX LENS

This is a lens from a pair of binoculars, eye glasses, camera or magnifying glass.  Angle the lens to concentrate the sun’s rays on the tinder.  Hold the lens over the same spot until the tinder begins to smolder.  Gently blow or fan the tinder into flame, and apply it to the fire.

METAL MATCH

This is a spark producing instrument found at most outdoor stores.  By striking the match a hot spark is produced.  Place tinder, such as a dry leaf, on the ground.  Strike the metal match against the tinder to produce a spark until the tinder starts to smolder.  Gently blow on the tinder until a flame is produced.

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BATTERY

By attaching wires to the end of a battery a spark can be produced.  The larger the battery the hotter the spark and thus it is easier to start a fire.  Using multiple batteries produces the best results unless access to a car battery is readily available.

GUNPOWDER

If you have access to gunpowder, such as that found in a cartridge, pry the bullet out of the end of the shell casing and use the gunpowder.  A single spark will ignite the powder, however this can be dangerous and should be done with great care to avoid burns.

FIRE PLOW

This method, along with the bow method, are difficult to use and require the stamina needed to keep going until the tinder is smoldering.  This is not easy, however it does work.  It is recommended that you practice this method in order to become familiar with its finer points prior to trying to use it in a survival situation.

Rub a hardwood shaft against a softwood base.  Cut a small groove in the softwood base and “plow” the hardwood shaft into it up and down the groove.  This action pushes out small particles of wood fibers.  Then, as you apply more pressure on each stroke, the friction ignited the wood particles.

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BOW AND DRILL

Again, this method is difficult to use but is effective.  Practice this method prior to using in a survival situation.  It requires persistence and physical exertion to produce a fire.  You will need:

Socket:  The socket is an easily grasped stone or piece of hardwood or bone with a slight depression in one side.  Use it to hold the drill in place and to apply downward pressure.

Drill:  The drill should be a straight, seasoned hardwood stick about and inch in diameter and 18 inches long.  The top end is round and the low end blunt to produce more friction.

Fire Board: Its size is up to you.  A seasoned softwood board about an inch thick and 5 inches wide works well.  Cut a depression about an inch from the edge on one side of the board.  On the underside, make a V shaped cut from the edge of the board to the depression.

Bow:  The bow is a green stick about 1 and a half inches in diameter and a string.  Tie the bowstring from one end of the bow to the other without any slack.

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To use the bow and drill, first prepare the fire lay.  The place a bundle of tinder under the V shaped cut in the fire board.  Place on foot on the fire board.  Loop the bowstring over the drill and place the drill in the precut depression on the fire board.  Place the socket, held in one hand, on the top of the drill to hold it in position.  Press down on the drill and saw the bow back and forth to twirl the drill.  Once you have established a smooth motion, apply more downward pressure and work the bow faster.  This action will grind hot black powder into the tinder causing a spark to catch.  Blow on the tinder until it ignites.

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