Hunting and Outdoors

Women Afield — Set Up for Success

By Lisa Metheny   June 10, 2013

The old saying “we’ve come a long way baby” rings loud and clear for many women who actively participate in shooting, hunting, fishing and other traditionally male-dominated activities. In the last decade, we have seen more and more of these types of activities dusting off the welcome mat for women. We also have seen more manufacturers that once only catered to men now engineering and designing more female-friendly gear. Why? Because companies have learned women are like men in many ways and are eager to spend money on their hobbies and favorite pastimes.

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Ammunition

The Birth of the .44 Mag. Cartridge

By CTD Blogger   June 4, 2013

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Ever heard of the Smith & Wesson NT-430? Maybe not by that name, but the easiest description would probably be to use a famous movie quote, “Go ahead, make my day.” Yep, the NT-430—later dubbed the Model 29—was famous long before Inspector Callahan wielded it in back in ’71. However, “Dirty Harry” ensured it would always have a place in firearm history, but he wasn’t the only champion of the Model 29 and the .44 Mag.

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Camping & Survival

Ammo Can 72-Hour Bug Out Kit

By Suzanne Wiley   June 2, 2013

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Can you pack a 72-hour bug out survival kit in such a small area? You sure can. Working with a small space means you eliminate heavy and unnecessary items. When you gotta get outta Dodge quickly food, water and shelter are your main priorities. These three essentials, plus a few extras all fit in a .50 caliber ammo can. Why an ammo can? Ammo cans take up little space, can be stored virtually anywhere and are stackable. I have seen ammo cans used as center consoles in vehicles and as alternative to saddlebags on motorcycles. An ammo can, be it metal or plastic can withstand temperature extremes and have water-resistant O-ring and gasket seals. So storing them in basements, attics, crawl spaces, and even buried underground means the gear inside stays dry. Metal military surplus ammo cans are durable, while new plastic ammo cans are untraceable to metal detectors—in case you want to cache your gear.

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Camping & Survival

Shrimp of the Land: A Quick Guide to Eating Cicadas

By CTD Scott   May 30, 2013

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All cicadas are nutritious and tasty. With the emergence of Brood II magicicadas, there will millions of tasty critters ready to be harvest and cooked. Here are some tips for people who have never eaten cicada before. Being able to live off the land is a valuable skill no matter what your situation. When you’re out all day working the fields or stalking dinner through the woods, a couple of fresh cicadas will give you the protein boost that you need to keep on keeping on. And if dinner doesn’t come easy, those cicadas might be your best bet for a decent meal, so you should start trying recipes today in preparation for the future.

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Camping & Survival

Camp Like Champ!

By Suzanne Wiley   May 29, 2013

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Even though I’m a very independent woman, I’m not afraid to admit there are things that I just don’t do when single. Camping was one of them until my best friend in college and I decided we needed to float the Guadalupe River. This trip required an overnight stay in a campground. In a tent. Without electricity. She grew up participating in Camp Fire and had all the skills needed for us to not only have a fun, but also a successful and safe camping trip. Since then, I have not let anything stop me from spending a few nights out on the lake camping with the girls. With a few basic skills and equipment, you can too!

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Archery

Crossbows — Crank it up!

By CTD Blogger   May 28, 2013

If you already own a crossbow, but do not have a cocking device or crank system, you may have to do a little Internet research. While all crossbows have some type of draw-assist system, not all have a crank that makes it uber-easy. A little homework will ensure a better introduction and shooting experience.

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Camping & Survival

Avoid Getting Lost

By Lisa Metheny   May 25, 2013

It is important to point out a compass is only as good as the person using it. Translation, if you do not know how to accurately use a compass you could be wandering around for a very long time. You need to ask yourself a few questions before buying a basic compass. Is it made with anti-fog materials? Is it easy to read with the naked eye? Does it offer a sight window? Does it float? Does it have a lanyard?

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Camping & Survival

Prepping Skills 101: Bartering and Trading

By Suzanne Wiley   May 22, 2013

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Throughout history, people have returned to the barter system when money has become scarce or lost its value. During the Great Depression and a long recession during the 1980s, Americans returned to a system in which people traded goods and services without the exchange of currency. Many Americans are losing faith in the American dollar and believe economic collapse is inevitable. Only time will tell if that will happen, but David A. Stockman, former Republican Congressman and President Ronald Reagan’s budget director has said, “The future is bleak.” If our paper money becomes meaningless do you know how and what to barter?

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