Business, economic development - the unofficial Chamber of Commerce

Bird watching typically conjures up images of people pursuing a relaxing day of staring into the sky with binoculars. Ah, but then there is the competitive side of birding.

Flying Emus…err, Elbows

For many people, something is only worth undertaking if there is an element of competitiveness. With bird watching, no such element really exists unless you include adding to your life list as a competition. Even if you do, it is a rather vague, indirect form of competition. This is where bird watching competitions come in.

Also known as “bird days” or “big days”, bird watching competitions are typically one or two day events held in a specific geographic area. The idea behind the competition is to bring a bunch of birding enthusiasts together and see who tally the most species in a particular time period.

Since the honor code is tied into reporting your tally, the competitive aspect of such competitions isn’t overdone. This isn’t a situation like bass fishing where they roll you into a stadium afterwards to count your sightings in front of screaming crowds. Then again, perhaps an opportunity presents itself…

Can you imagine ESPN covering the event?

“Bob, it looks like Longbill Louie is in fine form today. Look at the way he balances those binoculars and what rotation!”

Probably not, but a man has to dream!

Back in reality, participating in a bird watching competition is a good idea for two reason. First, the organizers tend to pick spots with lots of species you may not have documented before. Second, it is a tremendous opportunity to meet other people who have caught the itch. This often can lead to future opportunities to bird watch with new friends in previously unknown areas.

If you must compete, there are official bird watching competitions. The World Series of Bird Watching is put on by the New Jersey Audubon Society. Teams of birders are formed and pitted against each other in early May of each year. With humorous names such as the “four loons”, “stokes stompers” and so on, it is a good time. The next competition is May 13, 2006, so you have plenty of time to get in top birding form.

Birding competitions are a bit serious for me, but to each his own. Having a Big Day, however, is a great way to get kids interested in watching.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com makers of diary and writing journals for bird watching. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles on bird watching and the great outdoors.

Some individuals enjoy bird watching but prefer to do their bird
watching in their back yard. Below is some advice on attracting
wild birds to your back yard.

Firstly it depends upon having wild birds in the general area
where your house is located and then you can attract then to
your backyard.

The method used to attract the birds will depend upon what is
the diet of the bird. If the bird is a nectar feeder e.g.
bananaquits or hummingbirds, then large flowering plants will
attract them. Hummingbird bills are perfectly adapted to the
various types of flowers that they feed on, so different types
of flowers will attract different hummingbirds. Some
hummingbirds have especially curved or elongated bills that
allow them to feed on special flowers, eg the White-tipped
Sicklebill hummingbird whose downward curving bill allows it to
draw nectar from heliconias. The HREF="http://www.birdsoftt.com/birds_info/ruby topaz
hummingbird.htm" rel="nofollow"> Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird has a short and
slightly decurved bill that is suited to feeding on the flowers
of the ixora shrub. The HREF="http://www.birdsoftt.com/birds_info/blue-tailed
emerald.htm" rel="nofollow"> Blue-tailed Emerald has a short bill that is
suited for feeding on the HREF="http://www.birdsoftt.com/scenes info/hibiscus.htm" rel="nofollow">
Hibiscus flower. The HREF="http://www.birdsoftt.com/birds_info/copper rumped
hummingbird.htm" rel="nofollow"> Copper-rumped Hummingbird has a straight
long bill that allows it to feed on medium sized tube shaped
flowers such as the allamanda. Hummingbirds have little or
no sense of smell, so colour is important to a hummingbird’s
search process for locating flowers containing nectar. While
they will visit any flower that has sufficient nectar they
prefer flowers that are red to orange in colour. It is believed
that this colour preference is due to the fact that red flowers
standout in a green background and so are more easily seen by
the hummingbird. It is also believed that because hummingbirds
compete with insects for nectar they choose flowers that are
less likely to be visited by insects. Most insects do not see
well at the red end of the colour spectrum and so may not visit
red flowers while hummingbirds see the full visible spectrum.

If space in your yard is very limited, preventing you from
having large flowering shrubs, an area to consider is the curb
area between your property line and the roadway. You can plant
small flowering shrubs such as the miniature HREF="http://www.birdsoftt.com/scenes info/ixora.htm" rel="nofollow">ixora,
which will then attract birds to your property.

For birds that are fruit eaters, the presence of ripe fruit will
attract and so having fruit trees will attract birds. The
majority of trees however only fruit once per year for a few
months, so the attraction is not year round. If your garden has
sufficient space then multiple fruit trees that bear at
different times in the year will ensure a continuous bird
presence. One tree that bears fruit for a very extended period
is guava and so can attract birds for most of the year. Trees
are also an attraction to birds because they provide nesting and
resting sites. If you have the palm trees that people usually
plant in from their houses that will generally attract Palm
Tanagers who will feed on the small nuts, use material from the
tree for building their nests and may also nest in the tree.

When a large number of flowering shrubs and/or fruit trees is
not an option, you can consider purchasing a bird feeder. The
type of feeder will also be dependent upon the type of birds in
the area and the type of birds that you want to attract. For
nectar feeders you use a sugar solution (the feeder usually has
directions). You must put the feeder in a location where the
birds will see it and you must change the solution regularly (2
-3 days). Red Feeders are good for attracting hummingbirds
because they have a preference for red flowers. If you use a
feeder it will take a few days for the birds to recognise that
it is present in your yard.

Other feed can attract other types of birds. Bare-Eyed Thrushes
and Kiskadees are somewhat omnivorous and so you can use rice
(not boiled). I have found that they will also be attracted by
dog food. Tropical Mockingbirds can also be attracted with rice.
In addition, ripe fruit such bananas, mangoes and cherry can be
used and will usually attract Blue-Gray Tanagers, Palm Tanagers
and Yellow Orioles.

As an alternative to purchasing a feeder you can construct a
feeder. For fruits you can build a simple HREF="http://www.birdsoftt.com/birds_info/blue gray
tanager.htm" rel="nofollow"> chicken wire basket or bamboo joint to hold
the fruit and attach it to the fence. Another low cost feeder
can be constructed using a plastic bowl with a narrow edge. To
construct this feeder you punch three holes, equidistant around
the bowl. Then attach wire strands through each hole with the
strands coming together at the top to form either a hook or a
loop for suspending the bowl. Three strands are required to
provide stability to the bowl particularly when birds alight on
the bowl to feed. It is necessary to punch several holes in the
base of the bowl to allow any rainwater or liquids to drain out
the bowl.

Attracting birds, apart from the visual delight also provides
the benefit of controlling the insect population, as many birds
are insect feeders.

Alaska fishing and lodging is an amazing experience. First, you
will enter the environment and be amazed at the beauty that it
has to offer. Then, as you breathe, you will find that
wonderful, crisp, fresh scent of the air surrounding you. When
you walk into your lodge, you will be nothing short of amazed at
the beauty, the natural qualities and the wonder that you have
encountered. Of course, none of this can hold anything to the
fly fishing you’ll be doing in these areas.

Alaska is known for its high quality fishing. From the largest
salmon in the world, the King Salmon, to the trout, the pike,
the herring, sturgeon and many more, you will be in fish heaven
to say the least. Here are some tips for when you are looking
for your Alaska fishing and lodging travel destinations.

· Check out the Lower Cook Inlet. Here, you will find a wide
range of salmon. You’ll also find trout located here.

· In Bristol Bay and Cooper River, you will find some of the
best salmon located.

· Southeast Alaska is where the salmon go to spawn. The winters
are warmer here which makes it the ideal location to fish.

· Looking for trout, pike, burbot, or char? Look towards the
arctic regions as well as the Western areas.

Where Will You Stay?

For many, the best kept secret about Alaska are the lodges. You
will find a wide range of them available all year round. You can
be smart and plan in advance through the web making reservations
at your favorite locations. This is wise during the spring and
the summer seasons when thousands of anxious anglers come to
hunt the King Salmon. But, you will also find a wide range of
other options too. For example, many like the remote locations
where they can set up camps and really experience what Alaska
has to offer. You’ll find a wide range of areas to camp as well.
Not to worry, if you don’t make your reservations in time, just
call up and find a location that has a room available to you as
there are often plenty left for late coming visitors.

Get On The Tour

One of the largest benefits of all of this tourist attracting
salmon is that you can often find some excellent guided tours.
Here you will be able to find the most amazing quality fish so
it makes sense that you take a tour of the local area to find
the very best hot spots to fish. Guides will take you to the
most perfect of locations so that you can enjoy the best fishing
trip of your life. Some will even teach you the art of fly
fishing.

Regardless of where you stay or what you do, you will find it
nothing short of amazing to journey to Alaska for some of the
most beautiful landscapes, the largest fish (did you know that
50 pound salmon are caught here?) as well as the friendliest
people you have ever met. Make your next trip an Alaska fishing
and lodging vacation.

Football equals Party, no other sport is so related to a party.
Superbowl weekend attracts no American like any other sport
event can. So its no wonder that many people don’t care if they
don’t even get inside the stadium, having a tailgate party would
be enough. A TV showing the action could spark the emotions in
people just like watching the game itself.

When you say tailgate party the first thing that comes to mind
is football and beer. But anyone could do that. To make a party
that everyone remembers is to make a party that’s a cut above
the rest. The first thing to consider is having a party that’s
extremely comfortable. That includes having a party that’s
insect free.

Insects can be a nuisance when your having fun, its not enough
that they’re irritating, they have to get into the food.

There’s no other party spoiler as devastating as the invasion of
insects. They get into the food and ruin everything else

This is a party buster that can ruin a heck of a good time.

There are certain measures that a good tailgate host can do to
make a party error and pest free.

One of the most reliable insect control innovations is having
the electronic insect zapper. They emit a sound and light that’s
attuned to the insects and diverts its attention to the device
and away from the party.

Usually, this is battery powered and emits a light that’s
virtually extremely attractive to insects. Once they get near,
they get zapped with a small electrical discharge that
eliminates the insects and pests.

There are also some innovative scientific insect control gadgets
that rely on sound waves that deflect the incoming wave of ants.
Ants can be the bane of any outdoor party. Just leave a dish
uncovered and you could find a swarm of ants covering it.

Fight fire with fire. Innovative small spurting canisters emit
controlled fire to eliminate pests and insects. Take out your
mini tank and extinguish the insects and pests that can
eventually ruin your party. Just do this before your guests
arrive.

But most importantly, keep your food properly enclosed. Closing
it eliminates the escape of scent, which attracts the insects
and pests. If they don’t know there’s a treat for them, they
wont bother you. Prevention is still the best control over pests
and insects.

The next time you plan a party or picnic, make use of odor-free,
no leakage food containers. Also keep that insect at a distance
and away from the food. Don’t let your parties ruined by a bunch
of insects.

The internet is still your best source for the newest insect
control innovation.

Many camping enthusiasts enjoy the comfort of canvas tents while they are out in the wilderness. The only thing that is certain about nature is that nothing is certain. Canvas tents are durable and can withstand rain and wind much better than standard tents. They are generally well constructed using quality materials and are simple to set up. This is especially beneficial to the most common purposes for canvas tents, which is shelter for hunting and fishing trips.

Canvas tents offer sturdy walls, floor and roofing. They are usually accompanied by metal bars to secure the tent on site. In this instance, you will definitely get what you pay for. Canvas tents offer heavy duty zippers and high walls and ceilings. They are designed for the most comfort in camping by offering wilderness buffs an opportunity to stand up, walk around, stretch out or even sit down in a chair and relax. The high ceilings provide additional comfort to campers while also providing extra headroom. This comes in very handy, especially for the taller individual.

When shopping for canvas tents, it’s a good idea to decide on a budget before you start browsing. If you know how much money you can spend, then you will be better prepared to make a decision and will be less likely to overspend. After all, you will need to save some money for the additional camping supplies that you will want to take along for the trip. It’s always a good idea to work out a reasonable budget anytime before you make a substantial investment. When shopping around, keep in mind that canvas tents are more expensive than other models and can be priced at several hundred dollars each. For a model with more features, they can cost as much as $1,000.00 or slightly more.

There are a few bonus features to look for in canvas tents, including the presence of a back door to allow more air to circulate during the warm summer months and a tent bag for convenient storage and transportation. If possible, purchase a white canvas tent because the white color reflects light inside much better than colored tents. Before making a final decision, you may want to consider the weight factor. Larger tents are much heavier and can be more difficult to set up but, if that’s what you need, then go for it. If a smaller lightweight tent will work for you, then consider that option as well.

Canvas tents are more expensive, but they are a true investment. A quality product, with proper care and maintenance, should last for up to 20 years or more. Now, that’s a lot of camping.

Vincent Abrugar is the webmaster of www.canvasinfo.com an information website about canvas tents

As an outdoor enthusiast you will at some point make a decision to learn how to navigate in the backcountry. Whether you use a map, compass, GPS receiver or all three, there are several things you should know about successful navigation. Your safety and the safety of your companions depend upon it.

Backcountry activities such as hiking, orienteering, hunting, climbing, geocaching, fishing, four-wheeling and camping are all loads of fun - until you get lost. That’s why you should know how to navigate. But navigation doesn’t start when you find yourself hopelessly lost. Navigation begins BEFORE your adventure begins so that you don’t place yourself in harm’s way. Let’s take a look at the top tips for successful off road navigation.

The first three tips pertain to getting ready to go:

* Prepare your body. I cannot overstate the necessity for proper preparation. If you are not in good physical condition when you begin your adventure, you are placing yourself in danger. No matter what your current physical conditioning is - improve it before you start. An exhausted body will negate any acquired navigational skills.

* Prepare your mind. If you are using tools, and you should be, such as a map, a compass or a GPS Unit make sure you know how to use them. In order of priority: Maps are most important to understand and use, proper use of a magnetic needle compass is next and finally a GPS unit. Do not rely solely on your GPS. GPS’s only work well when you’re moving and they don’t work at all with dead batteries. Take a class on using your compass with a map. It is not only interesting, it is also a required life skill for the outdoor enthusiast.

* Have a plan and tell someone about it. Whenever you go into the vast backcountry, be sure to tell someone back home where you plan on going, how you plan on getting there and when you’ll be back. If you break your leg, it would be nice if help could find you.

Now that you are a prepared navigator, you’re ready to go. Here are the remaining tips:

* Trust your compass. Many people get lost by trusting their “instincts” instead of their compass.
* Always orient your map to the landscape. The best way to do this is to orient North on the map with the North bearing on your compass. I also face north when making directional decisions off of a map. A miss-oriented map can easily lead to confusion.

* Be sure of your Declination. The difference between True North and magnetic north is called your declination. This is critical for accurate compass use. If you don’t understand declination, you weren’t paying attention in your map/compass class. If your map is fairly new, use the declination value on the map and adjust your compass as required. If your map is older than 5 years…you’re not very well prepared. Most modern GPS Units calculate the declination value for you. This value should match the value on your map.

* Always measure for yourself. You’ve prepared for your trip, now you should use what you learned. Bearing (direction of travel) and distance (number of steps or lapsed time) are the two most important measurements to you when traveling in the backcountry. Always measure for yourself, do not rely on anyone else for this. If your partner comes up with something different, sort it out. If you come up with the same thing as your partner, then move on in confidence.

* Never travel at night. Although a star lit sky can offer accurate navigational data, traveling at night is risky. Only experienced travelers should travel after dark. The major risk of traveling at night is injury. It is difficult to judge “footfall” distances and terrain in the dark.

* Keep a log book. If you are traveling from station to station (map feature to map feature) keep a written log of the bearing and distance decisions you’ve made. This will aid you in recovering from navigational errors and will also aid you in returning to a known location.

* If you think you’re lost S.T.O.P. Oftentimes admitting you are lost is the toughest thing to do. It is also the most important thing you can do. Once you’re lost, Sit, Think, Observe and Plan. S.T.O.P. will save you.

Some final thoughts:
* It’s OK to write on your map.

* You should know how many steps you take to travel 100 yards. Write this number down on your map and in your log book.

* When a new land feature presents itself to you, compare it to your map.

* Keep your compass hanging around your neck, not in your pack.

* Never use your compass on the hood of your car or truck. Compass accuracy is adversely effected by metal objects.

* Always travel with extra batteries for your GPS.

* Pay attention to natural and manmade features such as fence lines, power lines, railroad tracks, ridges, valleys and rivers.

Backcountry activities are fun…until you get lost. That’s why you should know how to navigate. Take a map reading class, read an orienteering book and practice. Like most life skills, navigating in the backcountry is easy to learn.

Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!

Chuck Fitzgerald, The Outdoor Guy, is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online outdoor gear store. To get maximum enjoyment out of your Outdoor Life, visit www.BackCountryToys.com where you’ll find great gear and the Fact & Tips e-newsletter, “FreshAir.” (800) 316-9055.

Grading The Condition of a Knife

The widely accepted guidelines are those established by the
National Knife Collectors Association and are described below:

Mint - A knife that is absolutely original as it came from the
manufacturer. Never used, carried, sharpened, nor heavily
cleaned. An unblemished knife. Near Mint - A new-condition knife
that may show very slight signs of carry or shop wear. Blades
are not worn and snap perfectly. Handles show no cracks. Most of
original finish is obvious. Excellent - A knife that shows no
more than 10 percent blade wear. Handles are sound with no
cracks. Blades snap well. Some discoloration of blades or
handles is acceptable. May have been heavily cleaned. Very Good
- A knife with up to 25 percent blade wear, slight cracks in
handles. No blades nor other parts replaced or repaired.
Stamping clearly visible to the naked eye. Fair - A knife with
up to 50 percent blade wear, cracks, or chips in handles. Blades
“lazy” (lacking snap) and may have been repaired. Stamping faint
but readable with magnifying glass. Poor - Blades very worn or
may have been replaced with ones of same type. Handles bad or
missing. Reading of stamping nearly impossible. A knife valued
for its parts.

Reposted from NKCA.org

Redistributed with permission by eknives.com. Get more information and a wide selection of
quality products. We offer below retail prices and free shipping
on all items!

Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It seems like fun and you’d like to try it, but you aren’t sure if it’s for you. Well, it’s a growing industry. Annual RV retail sales topped $14 billion in 2004. As baby boomers take to the road, the RVing pastime and lifestyle are becoming increasingly popular. If you have a hint of the RV itch, then here are 10 common reasons for taking an RV vacation:

1. Getting Back to Nature: If you are interested in the great outdoors, an RV is a great way to vacation. You can visit state or national parks, tour famous landmarks and simply enjoy some fresh air and natural settings. Take a hike or go fishing. Try white water rafting or canoeing. Play some golf, go swimming, ride your bike. Get some exercise or simply do nothing but enjoy your surroundings.

2. The Comforts of Home: In an RV, you can have the best of both worlds. Enjoy the great outdoors with more creature comforts than tent camping. Whether you own an RV or try a rental, most RVs are well equipped. You will likely have a kitchen with microwave, fridge and stove, a TV and VCR, beds, living and dining areas and bathroom with shower. Many RVs have slide out rooms that increase the living area at the touch of a button. You can sit outside under your awning, get out of the rain if the weather changes, and turn on the air conditioner if it gets too hot.

3. Family Matters: Family members of all ages tend to connect with each other when they are away from their normal routine enjoying a simpler lifestyle. Remember that family togetherness can be a double-edged sword. While the RV is comfortable, it is a small living area for a large family. If you are renting, bear this in mind in choosing the size of your rental RV. During the day, try to spend time outdoors or in different activities, so that each family member gets a bit of personal space and time for themselves. But the minor logistics can be managed. The general consensus among RVing families is that an RV vacation tends to bring the family closer together with more communication and the sharing of good times.

4. Cool for Kids: An RV vacation can be a great way to travel with children. They can go out to play or take part in campground activities. There are likely to be other kids to meet and new places to explore. Children of all ages will enjoy an old-fashioned campfire complete with stories, songs and stargazing. And most kids think it’s pretty cool to be in an RV “home on wheels”.

5. Campgrounds: There are many choices in campgrounds and RV parks. In peak season and tourist areas, you should make reservations. Look for the amenities that are important to you. Campgrounds may have swimming pools, lakes, boating, fishing ponds, miniature golf, playgrounds, hiking trails, game rooms, walking or bike paths, tennis courts and activities for kids and adults. You may find dances, barbeques, contests or other entertainment. RV Clubs are worth joining to get campground discounts and other services. Consider the size and setting of the campsites and check out overall campground ratings in campground directories. Also consider proximity to other attractions or landmarks that you want to visit.

6. Flexibility: In an RV, you have the flexibility to change locations if you get the whim. But take this with a grain of salt. For popular destinations, you may not be able to pick up and find another campground without a reservation. You also want to strike the right balance between seeing different areas, the amount of time spent driving and ensuring you have enough time to relax. Cautions aside, an RV can give you a lot of freedom and spontaneity. RV travel appeals to an inner pioneering spirit and allows you to create your own adventure as you go along your way. You can explore the country at your own pace or take off for last minute mini-vacations, tailgating events and weekend trips.

7. Affordability: The question of whether it is cheaper to take an RV vacation doesn’t have a “one size fits all” answer. The comparison really depends on the type of vacations you would take instead, as well as the way in which you plan to RV. For a one-time trip, you can compare the costs of renting a suitable RV to the costs of hotels, airfare or other means of travel. Or if you are considering regular RV vacations, you may want to purchase a motorhome or towable trailer. In this case, you would need to factor in operating costs, maintenance and the purchase price. In an RV, you can save money by cooking meals at home vs. dining out. You can minimize expenses if you take advantage of activities and amenities already included in the campground rate. Fuel expenses can be managed by reducing the distances traveled and staying longer at a given campground or park.

8. Driving the RV: Driving yourself gives you control over where you go and the pace of your travel. You don’t have the hassle of airline counters and keeping to schedules. You can stop and take a break when you choose. You don’t need a special license to drive an RV. Sure, it takes some getting used to — but the number of RVs on the road should tell you that it is doable. Practice on your own (or with one other person) before you load up your passengers. Take advantage of any classes available through your dealer or one of the many RV organizations.

9. How about a relaxing vacation for a change? How many times have you returned from a trip saying you need a vacation from the vacation? Now don’t kid yourself - if you are the type who likes to schedule all the details of a trip, that’s not going to change simply because you are traveling in an RV. But in choosing an RV vacation, you may shift your thinking and be more apt to use your time off as an opportunity to truly relax and unwind.

10. Test out the RV Lifestyle: The RV vacation may serve as a test drive to gauge your overall interest in the RV lifestyle. There are RVers who spend several weeks per year in RV travel. Other RVers take off for months. Snowbirds are RVers who make an annual trek to warmer climates for the winter season. And then there are fulltime RVers whose only home is their RV. Many of these people started out by vacationing in an RV as a way to try out the RV lifestyle.

Copyright 2005 Your RV Lifestyle, all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

Publication is permitted provided the resource information at the end of the article remains intact, and links are live. Please notify the author via the Contact Us form at http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com, providing a link to the location of the article, or a copy of the newsletter.

About The Author
Jill is a fulltime RVer and the editor of http://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com, where you can find more advice for choosing, affording and enjoying your RV lifestyle.

Cool Holiday Gift Guide Shopping Ideas for Outdoor Gear
Enthusiasts

Do you have outdoor gear enthusiasts on your holiday shopping
list, and you don’t know what outdoor gear would make them
happy. Don’t worry. If they love “outdoor gear” they are easy to
please. We’ve made it easy for you by picking a short list of
“must have” gifts for any budget.

Outdoor Gear Gifts under $25

DMT - 6″ DiaSharp Sharpening Stone Fine - The stone offers a
continuous surface and is excellent for honing small and pointed
tools fast for any outdoor gear enthusiast. The diamond cuts
quickly with flatness endured constant angle and precision edges
that will not hollow or groove over the life of the stone HREF="http://www.bargaintable.com/S2PD-DMT_6_DiaSharp_Sharpening_
Stone_Fine-221734-17772.html" rel="nofollow"> Find this outdoor gear here

16 DLU Safari Compass - Never lets your outdoor gear sportsman
get lost in the dark. The Safari Compass offers 2° graduations
with a declination scale. Measurement in both Inch and mm scales
and includes a lanyard. It also has luminous points so not to
get lost on those dark nights. HREF="http://www.bargaintable.com/S2PD-16_DLU_SAFARI_COMPASS-1109
00-355238.html" rel="nofollow">Find this outdoor gear here

Berlin Gloves - Deerskin Glove - This outdoor gear is pre
stitched with a glove liner of soft insulation, Gore-Tex glove
insert: waterproof, windproof, breathable, PTFE membrane heat
sealed for complete protection from water and wind. These gloves
provided unparalleled comfort and protection from the elements.
HREF="http://www.bargaintable.com/S2PD-Berlin_Gloves_Deerskin_Glo
ve_Camo_M-223329-212.html" rel="nofollow">Find this outdoor gear here
Outdoor Gear Gifts from $25 - $100

Cascade Gaiters - These are terrific gaiters for ski touring or
mountaineering. They are waterproof with breathable upper and
lower 1000D with full lining. Any outdoor gear enthusiast would
love the elastic at the heel which allows for a more contoured
fit and greater ability for adjustment. Find this outdoor gear
here

Big Basin Sleeping Bags - Keep them warm in the cold elements
with these extreme outdoor gear sleeping bags with a temperature
rating down to 0°F. The bag is large at 39″ x 92″ with extra
duty fill of 68oz.Coletherm™ stuffing and a cover/liner of 210T
nylon/poly-cotton. HREF="http://www.bargaintable.com/S2PD-CASCADE_GAITER_MED_ASSORTE
D-110726-518786.html' rel="nofollow">Find this outdoor gear here

Coleman Exponent Oryx 2 Remote Series Tent - This Oryx 2 classic
dome tent is perfect outdoor gear at a great price. It is a
roomy home for two. Double doors and adjustable vent create
optimal airflow and is a must for any outdoor gear enthusiast.
HREF="http://www.bargaintable.com/S2PD-Coleman_Exponent_Oryx_2_Re
mote_Series_Tent-101100-9820_615.html" rel="nofollow">Find this outdoor gear
here

Browning - Upland Hydro Game Pack - The game pack includes a
two-liter bladder with a bite me valve and polyester canvas
fabric. It has double front pockets with easy to tuck-in flaps
and a large rear game bag. It is perfect for any hunter in need
of outdoor gear for the hunting season. HREF="http://www.bargaintable.com/S2PD-Browning_Upland_Hydro_Game
_Pack_XL_XXL-214750-33254.html" rel="nofollow">Find this outdoor gear here

Outdoor Gear Gifts over $100

Garmin CF Que 1620 - This Garmin Global Positioning System
provides detailed mapping with auto-routing & voice guidance for
any outdoor gear enthusiast. It is an integrated GPS with
antenna & a CompactFlash® interface. The 12 parallel channel GPS
receiver continuously tracks up to 12 satellites to show
accurate location. It is compatible with most Pocket PC
platforms with a CF interface. It will plug into any standard
Type 1 CompactFlash® slot and it comes with Maps & a Que
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Camping and outdoors activities are a really great way to get in
touch with mother nature and to spend some “quality” time with
yourself and even your loved ones ; BUT ; getting lost is a
scenario you should always allow for in your mindset and basic
preparedness.This note is not meant to scare anybody, just to
inform and possibly make a difference.

Whether hunting,climbing,hiking,rescueing or just camping , in a
remote wilderness area , both your family members and friends
could get separated and ultimately lost; either individually or
in groups; so everybody needs to be prepared and be aware of the
do’s and don’t’s in the wilderness and general common sense
survival techniques.

Before you go off on your journey , tell somebody where you are
going , how many are going, and the length of time you will be
away so there is an outside person who can sound the alarm bells
if you don’t arrive back

Never think it will not happen to you ! Getting lost is a
milestone event that even the most experienced bushmen can
relate to and rememder the time ‘they’ got lost; these folks
know the roller coaster of emotions you will experience from
terror, to panic, to hopelessness , to desperation , ad
infinitum; I will always remember the time I got lost and the
chain of events that helped me get “out of there”.

Always carry the basics for your outdoors experience, if you use
a g.p.s.; these are a fantastic piece of technology;
maps,compass,matches/lighter,knife , and then add on from
there…tent,sleeping bag,water,first aid ; but the basic
compass and map and some matches/lighter should always be
carried.

Don’t panic, stay calm and show this to yourself and everybody
else around you as well ; just be ready to work it out when the
time comes.

A simple and handy idea especially with kids is to carry a
whistle, either in a safe pocket where it will not get lost or
fall out or on a lanyard around the neck although this is not my
preferred .

Although kids are always taught about ’stranger danger’, this is
a different position and that strangers could be rescuers [ some
children have been recorded as having hidden from ‘would be’
rescuers ]

Once a person realizes that they are lost; STOP AND WAIT !
Settle down and think things out, stay calm. Orientation methods
are local to every location; such as ; the sun comes up in the
west/east ; finding the north star and so on. My favourite is to
follow the streams/creeks downstream; since if you keep
following the streams downstream , you will usually find
‘civilisation’ and have drinking water along the way. If
nightfall approaches- get ready for a night alone [ except for
the creatures ] - both mentally and physically - you will hear
every little sound in the darkness and this could get freaky.You
may decide to find a campfire spot uphill from the creek away
from the mosquitoes and where rescuers could see you come
daylight; organize enough fire wood to keep it smoldering all
night; a good fire is a warm comfort at this time ; but don’t
forget the saying ‘the bigger the fire , the bigger the fool ‘.

Next morning; get the fire going steadily without starting a
bush fire and put on some green leaves to make enough smoke so
the rescuers can find you ; this is a long job but necessary.If
you hear any noises just shoot your gun , blow that whistle or
yell.

So don’t worry–it happens–just stop/wait and be calm.

This way you can enjoy the great outdoors knowing fullwell that
you can get yourself out of there!

These are just some of my thoughts on this matter and there
would be plenty other great bush survival techniques ‘out there’