Paul Kirtley's blog..........
 

Spring is a time of great change, of significant transformation in the landscape. The pace starts off slow, with subtle signs here and there, available to the attentive nature watcher. Then, as the days grow longer, there is acceleration. Life seems to burst into the previously dormant world. It’s a wonderful time of the year to be exploring nature and the more you are out, the more you’ll witness. After the short days of winter, it’s a good time of year to dust of your bushcraft knowledge, sharpen your skills and sample the best that springtime has to offer!

Spring is a time when dormant shrubs and trees come back to life. Catkins and blossoms are one of the first signs of this resurgence of activity in the hedgerows and in the woods. Catkins are spikes of small flowers. Catkins are most closely associated with hazel, alder and willows. Blossoms are closely associated with fruit trees in particular. In the early spring we can expect to see the blossom of blackthorn, otherwise known as sloe, as well as the cherry plum, or myrobalan plum, both of which have very similar and very pretty and flowers which appear before the trees come into leaf. It’s quite a transformation when these species come into flower, from a very dark skeletal hedgerow or understorey in the woods, to an explosion of white or very light pink blossom and a spray of brightness and colour.

Get this down..it's the #1 basic skill you need, next to finding a water source.

Thanks so much for the tip Kittygrrl.....:hangloose:

But in spring what if there's not a lot of leaves laying about? Would perhaps bushcrafting with a good friend be beneficial as you'd have body heat if not much else to keep you's warm?

I enjoyed this video but you know that was A LOT of work, after that no doubt anyone would sleep like a log, no pun intended!

...
the work calms you...give's you something constructive to concentrate on, instead of freaking out and getting more lost..it doesn't have to be quite that labor intensive...this is why practicing a few different styles in the fall, really helps

A don't for bushcrafting for beginners....
 

.http://homesteading-guide.com/


Buying cammo/earthy colored supplies: Being decked out in army surplus and leather might look cool, but is also blends into the woods. As such, it is harder to find/easier to lose. Also, if you get into trouble it’s nice to have bright colors that make it easier to find you.

So don't worry if that bright orange makes your butt look a bit bigger, in an emergency it can save your ass and that's all that really counts!

Dear Folk; I just want to jump in here and say the Ticks are back! Start the Frontline flea treatments for your pets, wear a hat or bandana, long-sleeve shirts, underwear, socks, pants, and always put your pants in your socks in the bush.

More tips from allaboutbirds.org
 

Spring is a prime season for bird watching. Many birds are easier to identify in their brightly colored breeding plumage. Males sing with increasing frequency as they approach their breeding grounds. And bird flocks become quite concentrated during migration, with large numbers of each species passing through in the brief space of a few weeks. But that doesn’t mean bird watching is easy in spring. Most migrants don’t visit backyard bird feeders. Finding those jewels of migration, such as Blackburnian Warblers, Cape May Warblers, and Townsend’s Warblers, usually requires getting out and birding in the field. There are several ways to improve your chances of striking warbler gold this spring.

Watch the weather: Picking the right day, with the right weather conditions, can make all the difference in what you see. In the spring, warblers move on winds blowing from the south. South winds help push migrants toward their northern breeding grounds, which allows the birds to expend less energy. But for a bird watcher, sustained south winds may cause birds to fly right over without stopping in your neighborhood. Watch your local forecasts for storms that force migrating birds out of the air and down to patches of habitat. The largest concentrations of birds and fallouts generally occur when south winds are met by some change in the weather—rain, snow, or a quick shift in wind direction. Even a passing line of local thunderstorms can leave an astonishing array of avian gems in your local park. Check quickly, though, because the birds will often depart the next night.

Under underestimate the importance of a compass..
 

one of minehttps://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/5GAAA...LT/s-l1600.jpg

WOW very impressive Miss Kittygrrl...

From today's Seattle Times Sunday paper....
 

Hiking in the wilderness means accepting some amount of risk. But with these best practices from folks versed in search and rescue operations and trail advocacy, you can stay safe and enjoy the Pacific Northwest's wild places.

Tell someone where you’re going, Research the trail and check conditions before you go, Pack the essentials, Don’t be afraid to turn back, Educate yourself.

If worse comes to worst
Sometimes, no matter how much research you’ve done and how careful you are, things go wrong anyway. This is where the gear you packed and the preparation you made before hitting the trail just might save your life. But first things first:

Stay calm. Both Adams and Ramos emphasize the importance of staying calm in a crisis. This will allow you to assess the situation and intelligently deploy the gear you need and the skills you’ve developed to keep yourself safe.

Get to a safe place and stay there. If you are already in a safe place, stay there. If you’re lost, wandering is likely to take you further away from the known trail and make you harder to find. If you’re injured, trying to move around may lead to further injury. If you are not in a safe place, find the nearest safe location and stay there.

Remember your gear. Use your gear to stay warm, hydrated, fed and as visible as possible. If you opted for that locator beacon, activate it. If you brought that whistle, use it. The information you left with a friend or family member will make it easier for Search and Rescue to find you.

Tell someone where you’re going

Especially if you’re hiking alone, it is important to make sure someone knows exactly where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Snohomish County Search and Rescue, and Everett Mountain Rescue have a handy “Trip Plan” on their websites you can fill out and leave with a friend or family member.

More from the Seattle's Time article.......
 

Peeing outside?
KR “Recently I’ve taken up using a pee rag, which has been great … It’s basically a bandanna so that you don’t have to deal with toilet paper if you’re not a drip-dry gal.”

Boob sweat?
MV: “Stay away from the uniboob bras … Bra companies are leveling up and making really good bras for people with some boobage.” Recommendations: Use a natural deodorant or tea-tree oil if you get itching (it’s an antifungal)
Get fitted for a good sports bra. Good brands for larger breasts: Elomi, Glamorise, Superfit Hero, Moving Comfort.

Thigh burn/chafing?
ER: “[I’ve found] a pair of Under Armour Men’s Mesh Boxerjocks to be the best thing. They’re long cut and you can pull them down the thighs, so I have protection down to midthigh, because they’re made for cis-dudes and there’s an airflow in that situation that you don’t experience with women’s underwear.”

Need a better or new knife this year?
 

Then check out the Bremerton Gun & Knife Show


Sat, Apr 13, 9 AM –5 PM Sun, Apr 14, 9 AM 4 PM Kitsap County Fairgrounds & Events Center 1200 Fairgrounds Rd NW, Bremerton, WA

https://cdn.jamieoliver.com/recipe-d...1421150692.jpg



Cooking over an open fire, I can't wait to try it....

Camping Hygiene..........
 

So you’ve decided you want to live like our ancestors who used to chase down wild deer, swim deep to catch fish, and sleep in caves or in a tent built out of trees far out in the wilderness.

This type of lifestyle is definitely not for everybody!

We have heard a lot of horror stories where people think that they’re invincible and go out to live in the wilderness, only to come back and have to be taken to the hospital. Others didn’t even come back alive.

To put everything in perspective, though, it’s not that hard if you know how to take care of yourself properly. If you plan out the right survival strategy, things will work out to your advantage. One of the main problems that can hinder a person’s chances of surviving in the wilderness, besides finding food, is trying to stay clean.

Soap
Saponins can be found in a lot of plants and especially in our foods, such as beans. You can also find plants that contain high amounts of saponins in the wild, and they are really good for bathing and washing your hair. Saponins are toxic glycosides commonly found in plants, and when crushed with water inside a container, they form a lather which can be used as an effective cleanser. One of the most popular plants containing saponins is a wildflower called soapwort, which is commonly grown in Europe and can be found in hedgerows or moist areas such as streams.This is a very important chemical, and people have been using it for centuries before the modern soaps we use today, and many still find a lot of use in it. So when you’re in the forest and you’re wondering what to bathe with, try finding some plants that have saponins in them.

https://knowpreparesurvive.com/survi...hygiene-hacks/

Axe..........
 

Not a whole lot of dirty dishes to wash, I like that......:hangloose:

After browsing around Camping World, Bass, and Cabela's I find this to be absolutely true......

Had a creepy experience similar to this recently! Again I'd rather encounter a copperhead......

Between this and your cocked 357 I think you're just about covered then!

I know I wouldn't attempt to mess with ya...:giggle:

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0yfnZQFBT_E/hqdefault.jpg



Now this looks like a woman who is well prepared!

Camping Protection....
 

When you are camping in the wilderness, you should be prepared and take precautions. Most animals in the wilderness have learned that people are dangerous, so they usually keep their distance from you. Some of the things happen when you least expected it. For some reason, animals in the wild may attack you, and you should have a defense plan when things go so wrong.

In the worst case scenario, you may encounter rapists, thieves, jail escapees, murderers, or other creepy weirdos lurking around. With these things in mind, pepper spray and stun guns are the absolute best self-protection weapons for survival in the wilderness. The best thing with these self-defense items is that you are not going to kill yourself, a family or a friend if it goes off accidentally. Non-lethal weapons are also very lightweight and can be carried on your side, so it is easily accessible. They are both effective against animal and human attacks.

Bells & Whistles..........
 

Bells as you know and loud sounds can scare off animals. That why hiking with a bell can be a grand strategy. It tells all the nearby wildlife just where you are so that they can stay away. If you're going to carry a bell, be sure it's one that includes a magnet. You use the magnet like a little on/off switch to stop the ringing. Otherwise, it's sure to drive you and your companions bonkers!

A good whistle around your neck is the next best thing. Before you go buying a whistle and blowing continuously as you jaunt down the trail, you should know one thing. The sound of a whistle signals others that you're in danger. Don't use it unless you need to. Hikers have been known to go miles out of their way to check up on a whistle blow. If you use yours haphazardly, don't be surprised if some otherwise friendly hikers show up to give you an earful. If you decide to carry a whistle, it'll play dual roles. It can scare off predators or signal for help. And for less than $10, that's one piece of equipment you can't beat...:hangloose:

Tips for staying warm now that temps have dropped....
 

~~~
If you're the outdoorsy type who still enjoys camping/bushcrafting into early fall, remember.......

While sleeping (trying to sleep) put a warm hat on - your head loses a lot of heat.

So you might end up with hat hair, so what, at least you stayed warm and toasty!

You're out in the woods, nobody's expects to run across a fashion plate there.....

Another way to stay warm perhaps is.......
 

Cozy up with a camping mate...

If you are getting seriously cold, this is the most effective way to get warm, and it is no time to be shy or reluctant..:eyebat:

H....one of the reasons i love camping:hangloose:

Why do I somehow totally believe this............:giggle:

well...................at least in my dreams:cigar2:

And in the morning, assuming you haven't frozen to death, who wouldn't enjoy something warm for their tummy

..An egg cooked on a rock?..H, what have i done to you? :praying: What happened to Holiday Inn?:eatinghersheybar:

Oh, I'm just visiting how the other half lives.......I'll still be checked-in, down the road, at the nearest hotel that features room service........:giggle: