Follow Us!
Archive for the ‘Head Gear’ Category
Ice Fishing!
WOW!
Up-until last year, my fishing experience had been limited to the warm, fair weather periods of the year. However, here in the North country, anglers know and anticipate a whole-other world of fishing once the temperature drops below freezing. Ice fishing is a fantastic Winter sport and an excellent family activity.
Like all other sports, the initial investment can be expensive, so I would suggest trying it first to determine level of interest before buying the auger, hooch and etc. There are outfitters you can hire who will provide everything needed to drill the holes, bait and hook the line, and even a structure to get in out of the weather.
That way, the only thing you would need initially would be cold weather clothing, boots, gloves, and head-gear. Before venturing, make sure you understand all safety precautions. Determining that the ice is not thick enough to hold a vehicle or even your body weight, once you’re in the middle of a lake, will be extremely unforgiving. Be safe and have fun!
Winter Vacation!
"Warm at Heart"!
Summer and Fall are the periods when most folk get the urge and subsequent opportunity for a vacation. If you missed the chance to go this year – don’t fret, take a Winter Vacation. If you are an excitement freak, it could be just the thing you’re looking for; especially if you enjoy snowmobiling, snowboarding, or skiing.
However, a winter vacation does not mean that you have to go rough it in the snow. You could go on a cruise or to some other sunny, warm, and relaxing location to soak -up the rays while others back home freeze their “b_ _ _s” off. The point being – take the chance! It may require a different skill set or special gear/equipment; but, if you don’t try, you’ll never know. It could be the result of a life changing experience – DO HAVE FUN!
Bird Hunting!
Beautiful!
Last evening, I stepped out on the deck and noticed a light/white circle around the moon. In the past, this has always signified that you had about 30 days before seeing the big flocks of both ducks and geese heading north to Canada.
It is time to get out the packing lists, take inventory, and in the interest of upcoming bird seasons shoot a few rounds of skeet. I’m not really satisfied with my repertoire of bird calls. Duck is better than goose but need to practice on both of my “come-back” calls. I did go out and buy a couple of calls last year but didn’t really have an opportunity to practice.
Think this year, I’ll stay with the bird calls I’ve got but definitely try and get-in some additional calling practice. Other than buying a couple boxes of shotgun shells and a few decoys, think I’ll be ready – Wish me luck!
Be Safe – Not Sorry!
Time to Pack!
I have mentioned the importance of being properly dressed when going out hunting. These guidelines/suggestions centered around keeping warm/comfortable and item dependability. There is a third component that is just as important, if not more, and that is “safety”.
The selling of camouflage clothing and equipment is a multi-billion dollar industry. They are so sophisticated that you can become invisible. This extreme has no place in game hunting today. Granted, you want to be concealed as-much-as possible from the game you hunt but not to the point where you can’t be seen by other hunters. There is not much consolation in being totally invisible and winding-up a statistic with a bullet between the eyes – BE SMART!
The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) strongly recommends that each hunter wears some bright orange hunting apparel for safety purposes. Each state has their own legal requirements for the minimum amount of orange a hunter must wear (www.ihea.com). Be warm, comfortable but stay safe during your next hunt.
Frost Bite!
Be Prepared!
As defined by the encyclopedia, Frost Bite is a medical condition where damage is done to the skin and other tissues due to extreme cold. Other factors influencing this condition would include inadequate clothing, wind chill, and poor body blood circulation.
- At or below freezing, the blood constricts/slows-down circulation. Continued exposure, will result in the eventual freezing and death of skin tissue.
- Wind Chill is the felt air-temperature on exposed skin due to wind (i.e.: Outside temperature is 0 degrees (F); the wind is blowing at 10 mph; temperature on the skin would be -16 degrees (F).The harder it blows the colder it gets!
- Poor blood circulation can be further exacerbated by tight clothing/footgear, cramped positions, fatigue, certain medications, alcohol, or a blood circulation disease.
Frost Bite is the #1 winter, cold weather injury. It covers a full spectrum from treatable discomfort to death. This condition does not discriminate and will affect those who do not take it seriously. But, it is preventable by wearing the proper cold weather clothing, footgear, and headgear. Be Safe!
Cold Weather Apparel!
Be Prepared!
Being able to enjoy the great outdoors should be a year-round activity.However, based on the climate and cold weather conditions, the activity planning and preparation will be some-what different than any other time during the year.
Nothing will ruin an outdoor activity quicker than not being able to keep dry and warm. If camping-out, consider packing your clothing in Ziploc bags and carrying them in a plastic, possibly Tupperware type container.
When exposed to the elements during cold weather/winter time, your clothing should be worn in layers. A layer can be added or removed based on physical activity and retention of body heat. Caution should be exercised not to over-heat; subsequently causing a sweat.. A suggested Cold Weather Clothing packing list would include:
- Both gloves and mittens (gloves for work/mittens for warmth);
- Cold weather coat: It should be water proof, have a hood, and be large enough to accommodate loose layered clothing;
- Knit cap and ski mask;
- Long underwear (gore-tex, wool, polypropylene);
- Loose clothing for layering (gore-tex, wool, or polypropylene, never jeans or cotton);
- Rubber overboots;
- Thin wicking socks, to be layered with heavy wool socks.
Ice Fishing!
Fishing at Its Best!
I would not consider myself an avid fisherman but have thrown a line or two. All of my fishing would be considered “fair weather” type, mostly in the lakes and streams of Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Last week, I was invited to go Ice Fishing on a lake in the land of 10,000 lakes, in Northwest Minnesota. The 5-day trip is scheduled for the last week in January 2011. We will stay at a lodge and be transported about a mile to/from the fishing site via individual ATV’s. Even though the fishing site is somewhat austere; it is enclosed and does have limited eating, sleeping, and even bathroom facilities.
I was further told that fishing equipment will be provided but proper cold weather clothing, head gear,and footgear should be brought. This time of year weather is below 0 degrees and sometimes as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. I have never caught a Walleye – wish me luck!
Nut’n Comes Easy!
Preparation Insures Perfection!
You can smell it in the air; Fall is here, and with it comes numerous hunting opportunities. It’s time to check your hunting gear: have the ATV’s serviced, clean the guns/rifles, and conduct an ammo inventory. You should make a trip to the range for sight confirmation. So many hunters negate or forget this, and then wonder why they missed that trophy shot!
Shooting is a learned skill and requires Practice, Practice Practice! Hunting gear maintenance and hunt preparation is your insurance policy to have a safe, enjoyable, and productive hunt, “Nothing Comes Easy”!
Head Gear!
More Than a Fashion Statement!
Being retired military, I’ve been a “hat person” most of my life. However, for hunting – like the military, head gear does serve a practical purpose; in that, it covers the top of the head keeping body heat in. It can also be part of a system that provides cold weather protection for the ears and facial area; but, this must not restrict the hearing. The outside fabric may be of a camouflage pattern but should coincide with the Hunt’s or activity’s safety considerations.
Whether your hunting gear(hat) is a simple baseball cap or an elaborate apparatus providing protective covering for the head, neck and/or facial area, it should be practical and only furnish that protection needed or desired.
Most Commented