Welcome to Camping Fishing Guns and Knives. Where you can find fishing articles, gun and knife reviews, camping articles and the occasional survival or hunting article.
Take Advantage of Your GPS When Hunting
February 2nd, 2010 by Pete
A GPS is a good way to prevent getting lost while you are hunting. You can use your global positioning system to find your way back to a previous area by marking locations. Hunt more efficiently by marking potential areas where deer may congregate. You can use topographical maps to find spots quicker. Build a database in your GPS receiver of scrapes, beds and feeds that you find. Develop a coding system that is easy to remember such as T=tracks, S=scrapes and R=rubs, etc. Record the information in a computer program or log upon returning home. By studying the data and noticing patterns you will have more successful hunts in the future.
During bad weather you can use your global positioning system to help you get to safety quickly. When you get separated from your group you can use GPS to help you navigate back to camp. GPS can also be used in emergency situations to communicate with rescue personnel. No more wandering around the woods lost and looking for your base camp.
In the middle of a hunt you may not realize where you are once you stop and if you find yourself in this situation a GPS unit will come in handy. A back-lit unit is less noticeable to your prey in the dark and it allows you to see where you are going. In the dark if you have made a kill you can mark the spot in order to find the fallen animal when you return to collect him.
This is just one modern technology that you can use to help you be a more successful hunter. This tool will not only help to keep you safe but can get you out of a predicament when necessary.
How to Drive a Buck Crazy
January 31st, 2010 by Pete
When you want to drive a buck crazy you have several choices. I like to find two scrapes from at least one mile apart of each other. Dig up some dirt and get at least six inches into the ground and put the soil into a plastic trash bag. I do this at both scrape sites. Then I deposit the soil obtained from one site into the second site patting the soil firmly into the ground. I repeat this at the second location. If you have scrape material from another deer the buck will think his scrape has been intruded upon. The dominant buck is more likely to return to the scrape.
Warning: This does not always work and when it does not it is usually because the buck smells trace human scent or he is just being cautious. Even if this fails you gain knowledge in the behavior of the deer in the area that you are hunting. By taking notes about your experiments you are able to build upon your knowledge and findings. Soon you might find that dominant buck you want to hunt.
Kershaw Tactical Blur folding knife – Review
January 20th, 2010 by CB
… and a small customer service tale.
One fateful day last year, I was meandering around Smoky Mountain Knife Works (a 55,000 square foot cutlery store in Sevierville, Tennessee; an impressive place which I do recommend visiting) and found in one of the display cases the Kershaw Tactical Blur. I requested to handle it and, after answering that I was indeed over 18 (do I really look that young? Oh right, I do.) it was in my hand. I had only ever owned or even handled one other Kershaw knife, the Chive, and with its small stature it was only ever a “nifty trinket” to me, so I never carried and used it. The difference between a small assisted opening knife like the Chive and a larger one like the Blur is considerable. I was really impressed by the knife, and though I didn’t have the cash on me at the time, I did end up ordering one off of the internet about a week later.
About the Knife
The Kershaw Tactical Blur (model 1670TBLKST) is a variant of the standard Blur, one of Kershaw’s “SpeedSafe” line of assisted opening folding knives. The Tactical version substitutes the “recurve” blade profile for a tanto profile, which has its pros and cons; the more angular appearance of the blade is less consistent to the styling of the handle, but it should prove to be quicker to sharpen thanks to its straight lines, and I found the aggressive styling more visually appealing. (Not that I’m an aggressive kind of person!) The Tactical model is only available with a combo edge: partially serrated at the base and partially plain edge.
The knife is pretty well constructed; its black anodized aluminum handle with partial stainless steel liners (for reinforcement and to facilitate the liner lock) add a bit of heft that contributes to a feeling of sturdiness. After about a year of use, the knife is still tight and I’ve yet to develop any noticeable blade play. The aluminum does seem to scratch pretty easily, especially on the pocket clip, which is the one part of any knife which will receive the most abuse, even such that brand new out of the box there were a number of scratches on the clip. Since this is only a cosmetic problem, and this isn’t exactly a collector’s knife, I wouldn’t call it a big deal.
The pocket clip is held securely with two Torx screws. I’m accustomed to three, so my first impression was that it would be weaker than others, but I’ve yet to have a problem with it. I would have liked a longer “lip” on it, since not only is the clip rather tight to begin with, but the grip inserts in the handle catch the pocket pretty hard and make it difficult to slip on. I’ve found it almost impossible in most cases to clip the knife with one hand; I need one hand to hold the pocket steady and the other to slip the knife on.
The rubbery “Trac-Tec” inlays in the handle give a solid grip, almost uncomfortably rough when it’s new out of the box, but it wears down over time to reach a comfortable balance between grip and comfort. Unfortunately, that feeling like you’re tearing up your pocket every time you clip it never really goes away. The edges of the handle itself are nice and smooth, never digging into the hand. The handle is pretty “meaty”, substantial enough to get a solid grip on, though it never really seems to sink into the hand like some of my Spyderco knives.
The blade’s thumb stud and assisted opening action can take some getting used to. Once you find the right way to hold it and press against the stud, it becomes effortless, but it’s a little tough before you get the hang of it.
I won’t bother commenting heavily on the blade steel or the sharpness of the knife, since I pretty much use my knife like a city boy and, as more of a collector than a user, I make a point of not abusing my knives.
The one major functional concern about the knife is the torsion bar used to assist the opening of the knife. Admittedly, I would sit absent-mindedly flipping the knife open and closed throughout the day, but after what I would guess was about six months (an estimation since I don’t actually remember now when I bought it), one afternoon I flicked open the Blur, thumbed off the liner lock, pushed the blade closed, and heard a quite noticeable “pop“. I stared inquisitively for a moment, pushed the thumb stud, and found myself slowly rotating the blade into the open position. My Kershaw assisted opening knife wasn’t assisting its opening! My immediate reaction was anger. “I’ll never buy another Kershaw again!” I said immediately about my broken knife.
A Positive Customer Service Tale?
Once I stopped and thought about it though, I realized this wasn’t really a big deal. It’s just a spring, and even though it probably shouldn’t have broken so soon, I would give Kershaw a chance before swearing them off forever. That afternoon, I sent them an email to find out what my options were, and got a reply an hour or two later. They told me that I could send the knife to them and they’d fix it for free (with complimentary sharpening), or they could just mail me a replacement for the broken part, also for free. I emailed them back that I only wanted the part, and about an hour later I received another email informing me that the part should be sent out the next day.
The postal service took their time, as they generally do, but about a week later I received a padded envelope marked from Kershaw, and found inside a packet of not only the replacement torsion bar, but a new pocket clip and a full set of handle screws – in case I lost any when I disassembled the knife to fix it. It may be a small gesture, but a meaningful one.
It took me longer to find the correct size Torx screwdrivers than it did to take the knife apart, replace the torsion bar (which had sheared in half), and reassemble it. Even after removing the blade and having to fiddle with the pivot screw to make sure it wasn’t too tight, the reassembled knife hasn’t been loose at all, and it is once again “assisted opening”!
Bottom Line – 4 out of 5
Despite its temporary down time and some cons, I like the Kershaw Tactical Blur a lot and it’s still my go-to knife every day. I can’t say that’s because it’s necessarily better than any of my other knives, but it does its job, and it’s, well, fun to play with. It also helps to have excellent customer service!
Bass Fishing With Bill Harmon
January 16th, 2010 by Pete
We caught up with the famous maker of Harmon Deer Scents, Bill Harmon. He was having a really good day on this fishing trip. If you know Bill then you know how crazy he is, crazy in a fun way and it’s always a blast when you spend a day hunting or fishing with Harmon.
If you are looking for any type of scent or attractant be sure to check out Harmon’s Deer Scent and Attractants .
See some more Bill Harmon fishing pictures.
Harmon Deer Scents are 100% natural and 100% pure. You can also pick up other hunting items like Cougar Claw tree stands, boot hangers, soaps and body wash, and a variety of calls. He also carries a full line of scent and attractant products, not just deer scent. Other scents are rabbit, coyote, fox, skunk, raccoon, bobcat, wolf, moose, elk and even cougar and mountain lion scent.
A Peek At North Georgia Trout Fishing
December 20th, 2009 by HW
Georgia has some great trout fishing close to Atlanta in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is superb trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River as it flows out of Lake Lanier and the Buford Dam through the suburbs and past the city of Atlanta. There are times there when cast after cast produces a strike from a trout a foot long or more. The river is fairly large at that point, and can be treacherous due to release of water from the dam. The Buford fish hatchery near Cumming, Georgia provides young trout to fill the Chattahoochee and many other rivers and streams. Most of the trout released into the waters are Rainbow, but there are some Brown Trout and even a few Brook (or Speckled) Trout.
Several large dams were built during the 1950’s and 60’s era in many areas of Southern Kentucky, Northern Georgia, Southwestern Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee to provide power for the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority). Some by-products of those dams are boating, camping, great fishing in both lakes and rivers, and other outdoor recreational opportunities. The Toccoa River that flows out of the Lake Blue Ridge Dam at the city of Blue Ridge, Georgia is a fine trout stream wide enough for novice fly fishermen to show their stuff. The State of Georgia regularly stocks it with edible size trout, and there are some larger holdover fish.
A good place for someone to go who likes to fish but cannot get around well is Amicalola Falls State Park, not far from the Gold Mine Town of Dahlonega, Georgia. It is a delightful place to visit, with the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. The state has constructed a nice fishing pool and a flat rock area around it in the small stream that flows from the falls through the park. It is readily accessible by motor vehicle. There is a swing and a bench for those who wish to sit and relax. The pool is stocked about every two weeks during the fishing season with 8-12 inch Rainbow Trout. Also close by is the town of Dawsonville, known for its famous NASCAR Legend Bill Elliot. A short distance further is the bustling city of Gainesville, Georgia with connections to Interstate Highways.
The Conasauga River is one of our great trout rivers that begins in the Cohutta National Forest Wilderness Area of Fannin County, Georgia. A map of the wilderness area is available from the U.S. Forest Service for a nominal fee. The river winds approximately 90 miles through northern Georgia and a small section of Tennessee. It makes its way past Dalton, Georgia where many of the most famous carpet mills in the world are located. The portion that winds through the Cohutta Wilderness Area is formed from the Jacks River and other tributaries that have excellent fishing for Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout.
Rainbow and Brown Trout generally range from 6-14 inches, but a bruiser Brown of over 20 inches in length may suddenly attack a lure and move the fisherman’s heart from his chest to his throat. Rainbow Trout are the ones most common, and are most readily identified by a rosy red stripe along the length of the side, along with dark spots. As spawning time nears, the stripe becomes brighter and brighter. Rainbows have a forked tail, while Brown and Brook Trout tails are straight at the end. Brown Trout side color resembles the name, sometimes fading to a yellowish hue on the sides with orange and blue spots. Brook Trout (sometimes referred to as Native or Speckled Trout) seldom reach more than 8 inches in length. What the Brook Trout lacks in size is more than compensated for by its beauty and eagerness to strike a lure or live bait. It has brilliant white borders around crimson fins and distinctive worm-like markings on its greenish-gray back. Bright blue and red spots adorn its sides. All three trout species have an “adipose” or fatty fin (without spines) on the top of the back ahead of the tail. Special regulations apply to many trout streams in Georgia, including the Conasauga River Watershed and its tributaries, so it is wise to check the regulations out before fishing the area. Some streams are designated as delayed harvest or have special size limits with catch-and-release requirements.
Even some lesser-known rivers in Georgia are stocked with trout, although not in great numbers. The Coosawattee River formed by the Cartecay and Ellijay Rivers at Ellijay, Georgia (home of the Georgia Apple Festival) is stocked regularly throughout the season. The trout fishing might not be as spectacular here, but there exists the possibility of tangling with a larger fish of the trout variety or one of the numerous other species that inhabit the river.
Whether it is fishing the best or the lesser trout streams and rivers in Georgia or in neighboring states it is hard to find a more relaxing and challenging sport. It doesn’t take long to realize that there is good reason why it is called “fishing” and not “catching.”
Safe Camping With Your Dog
December 5th, 2009 by LK
Combining your love for camping and your love for your dog can make the pastime of camping enjoyable year around, in many locations since many dogs love to be outside, as long as you make a little preparation and follow a few easy steps to keep them safe.
Regardless of their size or breed, k9’s can be sensitive to temperature. When camping with your dog it’s important to make sure you choose a campsite that caters to their needs . If it’s particularly hot outside , for instance, then choose a campsite with adequate shade. Conversely, a campsite with some exposure to sunshine should be selected if it’s chilly , so they can stay warm.
One of the pleasures of camping is sitting around an open fire. Unfortunately, this pleasure can pose significant danger to dogs if they unintentionally get too close. Especially when they are playing. Chasing a flaming dog can be a result of them swishing their long tails across the flames. That’s not fun.
When camping during hunting season, or in and around hunting areas, it is a smart idea to put on a brightly colored vest, and be sure to put one on your dog, also. You wouldn’t want a hunter to mistake your dog for being a deer.
When you are camping in public camping areas, it is important to pay attention to leash laws and keep you dog close by at all times. Even if you have the best dog in the world, other dogs and humans can cause trouble . Not only are fights between dogs scary, but your dog can become seriously hurt.
Although it is still important to keep a close eye on your dog, if you are in an open area camping, then a leash isn’t required . A dog, that thinks he’s just having fun, can be injured by deer, moose, bears, skunks, and other animals.
First aid kit. When you go camping with your dog, it is crucial to always have a first aid kit for your dog. A first aid kit will contain the following items:
* Coated aspirin
* Bandages
* Septic powder
* Small nail scissors
* Ear and eye ointment
* Tick tweezers
* Waterproof surgical tape
* Snake bite kit
* Benadryl
* Antibiotic ointment
Pack a stake and long leash so you can give your dog some independence around the campsite and don’t have to be concerned about them wandering off. Portable pens function well also, for smaller dogs.
Pack food and treats. To avoid having ants crawl around their dog food and food bowl, it is tempting to feed your dog the food you are consuming while camping; however, most of what we eat isn’t right for a dog’s digestion and some of it can be poison. For instance, dogs don’t need sugar, and although smores are delightful, the chocolate can be toxic to your dog. Only feed your dog his regular food and keep him on his regular schedule.
Pack water, lots of it. Water should be made available at all times to your dog. They can get overheated easily, and water helps them cool down. Puddles, rivers, or lakes, which are untreated bodies of water, can be toxic to your dog because of algae, not to mention parasites, so you don’t want your dog drinking from them.
Baggies for waste. It is not natural for dogs to be in that environment, so although it is tempting to let your dog go au natural and leave dog waste on the ground when camping, it is displeasing for other campers. Utilize suitable materials and tidy up after your dog. Make sure your dog doesn’t get into the waste of other animals, so keep a close eye on them. Dogs have a strong sense of smell and it sometimes gets them into difficulty. You certainly don’t want you dog eating animal waste or rolling in it.
Bedding. This is for comfort, but also for safety. Bedding will help your dog regulate its body temperature at night when it gets cool .
Life jacket. It is important, when going in or around water, to ensure you have a doggy life jacket. Many dogs love to swim but they can become tired quickly and they don’t have the ability to tell us. Make sure your dog is safe on the water by using a life jacket.
Flea & tick repellant. We all know that fleas and ticks carry many diseases and they’re prevalent outdoors. Keep your dog safe from these insect born sicknesses by utilizing powder, spray, or a collar.
Both of you can have a wonderful time when camping with your pet. While enjoying being out of doors, your dog will also have the opportunity to explore new areas, experiences and scents.By taking the time to plan in advance and pack accordingly, you and your dog will have a fun and safe camping experience.
{Stop Dog Aggression | Dog Food Aggression | Stop Puppy Chewing}
RV Camping Virgins
November 18th, 2009 by AV
First of all, let me say that I am a big fan of backpacking, tent camping, and being as close to nature in general. With that said, however, being outdoors with a properly showered and blow dried spouse who has access to all the conveniences of home allows for longer, and more enjoyable, trips. My wife and I decided to buy a travel trailer in the middle of the current economic crisis, which we thought was a bad idea initially, but it ended up being one of the best investments that we have ever made.
Since we didn’t have a pickup truck to tow a fifth wheel, we decided on a 32′ Sun Valley Road Runner travel trailer from a local dealer. Our first camping adventure took place directly after leaving the RV dealership. The Doll Mountain campground located on Carter’s Lake in Gilmer County, Georgia is one of the jewels in the Army Corps of Engineers’ recreation areas. Among its amenities include 34 campsites (roughly half of which are RV sites or dual purpose), 2 boat ramps, laundry facilities, picnic areas, and shower houses. The grounds are well kept by a full time staff and the campground is open from April-September.
When we first arrived I made several attempts to back in to the site and it took about 15 minutes, and the help of a friendly camper to get us backed straight into the site. Hooking up was simple after the mandatory orientation given by the dealer. Lighting the furnace for the hot water heater was a little more difficult but once the pilot was lit correctly the system fired right up. Within 45 minutes all the systems were running and our awning, chairs and tables were setup, ready for some serious relaxation. That’s when it hit me. Had we been tent camping we would have spent the rest of the trip gathering firewood, running back and forth to the bathroom to take showers and do laundry. Instead, we had a closet full of clothes, stove, microwave, oven, shower, and toilet. We spent the rest of our three day weekend wondering if we were ever going to go tent camping again.
Survival After Collapse
November 8th, 2009 by AV
Survival Skills
There was a time when human beings were naturally selected to live or die based on their survival skills. The weakest of a given group would perish and not allow their genes to be passed on to future generations. The strong survived to the benefit of all their progeny, who would not inherit the weaker traits. In this modern age, however, it seems as if we are living by the motto: “Survival of the Un-fittest!” The attributes that allowed our ancestors to overcome their environment and become warriors, conquerors, and kings are seldom found amongst a modern population.
We have become soft, sensitive, and politically correct. In our defense, however, we are not the first civilization in history to have faced this problem. The ancient Romans, after having invaded, stolen, and acquired the culture of ancient Greece, provide us with a precedence that should encourage us to change our behavior and re-learn those skills that provide strength not only to ourselves, but also to future generations.
The 5th century AD was a lousy time to be a Roman. The excesses of Roman society, reduction of the military, and the general apathy of the ruling class led to invasion by the Visigoths in 410 AD and the sack of Rome. It is not difficult to draw parallels between 5th century Rome and the United States in the 21st century. If you asked a Roman patrician of that period how to survive in the wild, you would undoubtedly get a puzzled look and maybe the question, “without slaves and servants?”
The purpose of this article is not only to emphasize why we, as a modern culture, need to learn basic survival skills, but also emphasize why we need to teach our children how to provide for, care for, and defend themselves. After all, it is extremely difficult to start a fire with an Xbox controller, which leads us to Rule #1.
Rule #1: Learn how to start and maintain a Fire
Being able to start a fire is perhaps the most basic of all survival skills. Humans, without warmth, will die. The heat from a fire will also kill bacteria in meat that can make you ill. It is important to learn the best type of fuel for your fire. The best firewood is seasoned hardwood between 2-3 years old. It has a grey color that lets you know it’s ready. Don’t cover your firewood with a tarp, which will prevent evaporation and hold in moisture. If you cut firewood every year you can save some for next year. In a pinch you can burn green wood but it stinks, produces a great deal of smoke, and it doesn’t make great coals. Having a disposable lighter is really handy, but you should learn how to start a fire by friction in case the apocalypse comes and you are fresh out of lighter fluid.
Rule #2: Learn how to manage your own food supply
In an ideal situation, acquiring food would be as simple as looting an abandoned Kroger. However, looting is NOT a survival skill. Gaining a basic understanding of agriculture, as well as learning the basics of hunting and cooking will serve your much better. Planting basic staple crops such as corn, potatoes, wheat, peppers, yams, and legumes will provide a number of people with a long term food supply. However, plants need time to grow and you could starve to death in the meantime, so you had better learn how to hunt, clean, and prepare game. This thought may be repulsive to a civilized urban vegetarian but realize that vegetarians only exist because farmers and grocery stores prevent them from being hungry. A hungry vegetarian will probably take down that boar before you do and will be gleefully gutting, cleaning, and cooking while you are puking your guts out. In order to prevent meals from becoming boring and tasteless, cooking skills are a must. Grow a few basic herbs in your garden to flavor your catch. Here are the basics: basil, dill, mint, chives, oregano, parsley, sage, thyme, rosemary, and tarragon. Along with table salt, your game, vegetables, and herbs can create an almost unlimited variety of flavor.
Rule #3: Learn how to make your own shelter
The simplest shelter is a lean-to which is built with heavier timbers leaning against a stationary member, with a cross timber providing the support. After the basic structure is in place you can apply interwoven branches with fresh green foliage to prevent rain from getting in. Shelter is perhaps one of the most intuitive survival skills because it protects from the elements and provides comfort. Creating shelters in a semi-circle with the main fire in the middle can provide a great deal of psychological comfort.
Rule #4: Learn how to apply first aid, and basic medicine
In any survival situation, someone is bound to get hurt. Learn the basics of emergency medicine and some foundational primary care. After all, most people die AFTER the emergency is over. This is the one situation where looting will come in handy. Having an adequate supply of antibiotics, pain medication, antiseptics, bandages, splits, and other necessary gear will save lives, period. I would advise learning CPR, but in a survival situation it would probably mean more food for you anyway. He should have been looking where he was going. Survival of the fittest, remember?
Rule #5: Learn how to defend your property and family.
This is probably the most neglected survival skill but the most important. Once you have done all the work to cut your firewood for 2 years, build your fire, plant your herbs and crops, feed your people, build your shelter, and aquire your medicine then you have the responsibility of defending what is yours. Building, or obtaining weapons and learning how to use them should be a priority. Another survival group that have not learned to provide for themselves will want what you have without doing the work. Crops belong to those who harvest. If you love your family, learn these survival skills. Become active and fit, teaching others what you know.
Hopefully you never need to use these skills but it’s always better to be prepared. Stay safe and be well.
MSR Whisperlite Internationale
May 3rd, 2009 by AV
MSR Whisperlite Internationale
The folks at Mountain Safety Research know the outdoors. Having used their MSR Whisperlite Internationale multi-fuel portable stove since 1994, I can tell you that this stove is one tough hombre. Not only is the design bulletproof, but this stove will cook with nearly any fuel available. MSR recommends using White Gas when possible, but I have personally cooked with 87-octane gasoline and ate like a king. Switch out the IG jet (preinstalled) with the included K jet and you can cook with diesel fuel or Kerosene. Weighing in at less than 16oz, this stove puts out some serious heat and will boil water faster than you can say, “Man, it’s cold!” I’m on my second Whisperlite and that’s only because my 1994 version was stolen. The fuel bottle has never leaked in my pack, nor has the stove ever failed to ignite. Sometimes it takes a little getting used to how much pressure you need in the bottle, but you can pick it up pretty quick based on the type of fuel that you are using. If I had a complaint about this stove, it would be the difficulty in getting a good simmer setting, but I solved this by removing the folding aluminum heat saver that surrounds the stove during operation and bleeding off some pressure from the bottle. When the flames start to die at this low heat setting I would give it 1 or 2 pumps on the fuel bottle and it’s back in business. However, 95% of the time I operate it wide open and that’s where it really shines. At less than $80 from internet discounters such as Amazon you can’t afford to miss out on this portable cooking monster.