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Man oneone knees shooting an arrow from a Survival Slingshot

Camping & Survival

Slingshots for Survival

When I venture into the backcountry, I almost always carry a folded slingshot. I do this for several reasons. First, it is a source of entertainment around an evening campfire or after game has been harvested (in the summertime or non-hunting situations, perhaps just for fun.) I also carry it because it does not weigh much, and I now realize it gives me a more effective tool for use in a survival situation then simply throwing rocks.

Picture shows a row of SWAT team holding riot shields standing in front of a fire

Camping & Survival

The First 5 Things To Do After a Crisis

In the majority of crisis situations, no matter what the crisis is, you want to do the exact opposite of the mob of people. In other words, instead of running to the bank or the ATM machine, you want to check in with your family and make sure they’re safe. Check out these and other tips for surviving a crisis.

Lee Pistol reloading kit in red plastic kit

Ammunition

Survival Reloading: Lee Loader Review for Basic Survival Conditions

The Lee Loader is actually the lowest cost reloading option to start reloading on any tailgate, stump, rock, or worktable. At a paltry $30, everyone should have one in each caliber firearm they own. The Lee Loader does give you some great options in a package no other loader can match. Most importantly, with just the addition of a bullet mold and a Leatherman, the Lee Loader gives me the ability to scavenge nearly any pistol round to create ammunition for my gun, and that is what I call being prepared.

tethers on adjustment and battery caps on Lucid M7 sight

Gear, Parts and Accessories

Range Report: Lucid M7 Red Dot Sight

Red dot sights are not only increasingly popular, they have made strides in affordability, reliability, and accuracy. The cheap red dot sights are useful for plinking and getting the feel for a red dot optic. The mid level—over $200, but far less than $1,000—is useful for 3-gun competition and home defense. The Lucid M7 fits solidly in this category.

Winchester Varmint X logo

Ammunition

Winchester Varmint X — Shotshells with Shot-Lok Technology

There is skill in reaching out and busting a song dog at distance, but there is heart-pounding, adrenaline fun in getting up close and personal with good ‘ol Wile E Coyote. When you are going nose to nose with a coyote, you’ll want a shotgun and few loads offer better performance than Winchester’s Varmint X.

before and after food plot

General

6 Tips for Drought Proofing Food Plots

The mercury is rising across the nation which means this is the time of year that parts of the whitetails’ range are, or could soon be, under a drought. Don’t spoil your season before it starts! Following these six steps for drought proofing food plots could mean the difference between having some food for deer or a complete withered failure.

Three Coleman stoves

Camping & Survival

Review: Coleman Sportster Powerhouse Dual Fuel Stoves

The Coleman 502 Sportster made thousands of gallons of coffee and hundreds of meals effortlessly powered by all manner of fuels. That stove still remains in use by me today 30-ish years later serving as the heat source for casting bullets. What impressed me most about those stoves back then was the durability.

Joe Balog holding a duck and wearing camouflage clothing

General

Affordable Storage Items for Waterfowling

Duck hunting is all about working through the lulls and taking advantage of periods when birds are active. Hunters must work quickly and efficiently. Organization that starts in the shop must carry over into the field. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep your gear organized and you focused on the birds.