Open Air Living

Refuse To Be A Victim Seminar

2008-12-03T21:01:02Z

Hello all,

I hope this message finds you all in good health, despite the condition of our government, the economy over the last two years, and the job market over the last 15. Keeping yourself and your family healthy and safe is the most important. the rest will work itself out.

The colors of the fall leaves are gone. Snow is falling. The 9-day Gun Deer Season is over with a lower deer harvest than in the last 6 years. Lakes have begun to freeze. The shopping season has oficially begun, and unfortunately crime has followed.

Last week Friday, a woman was struck from behind and had her purse stolen at the Target store in Delafield. While this type of crime is rare in the Lake Country it does happen. Do you know what to do if you are caught in this situation? Does your family?

There is an informational seminar on December 13th at Heritage Shooting Inc. in Oconomowoc that coincidentially covers this very thing.

With the big government, anti-gun policies of the two main presidential candidates we had to choose from last month, people have been getting ready for a "government knows best" (or so they think) scenario.

It is better to be prepared and not have a need, than to need and not be prepared.

See you 'round the campfire

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SEMINAR INFORMATION

Oconomowoc - Saturday, December 13, 2008
Location:	Heritage Shooting, Inc O'Neill Rd Oconomowoc, WI 53066
	262.352.4664
Cost:	$20
Runs:	1 day(s)
Starts:	9:00 AM
Lead Instructor:	Diane Gasser
	dgasser@heritageshooting.org
Team Instructor:	Diane Gasser
Course:	Co-Ed

National Hunting & Fishing Day - September 27th

2008-09-21T15:12:00Z

This Saturday - 9/27 -is the 36th annual observance of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Hunting and fishing are an integral part of America's history and culture. Once necessary to survive, hunting and fishing are now two very popular forms of recreation. Today, roughly 18 million hunters and 50 million fishermen enjoy the outdoors and generate roughly $70 billion in revenue each year.

Thanks to hunters dollars generated through licensing fees, habitat stamp fees and direct involvement, America's wildlife and overall conservation programs have never been more vibrant, healthy and strong.
Our wildlife management system is envied around the world by other conservationists.

The dollars hunters provide for state wildlife coffers provide for roughly 75% of all funds for state wildlife agencies. Considering that hunters constitute roughly twelve percent of the population, it is abundantly clear that hunters carry the vast majority of the financial burden to ensure America's wildlife thrive.

In addition to game animals, hunters' dollars also provide for habitat and research for non-game species. Wildlife photographers, artists, bike riders, bird watchers, campers, etc., all ride on the financial coat-tails of the American outdoorsmen.

There are more duck, turkey, elk, pronghorn antelope and whitetail deer than at any time in our nation's history. This phenomenal success story that dominant media has ignored is because of hunters.

American families spend millions of accident free hours in the great outdoors hunting. Hunting is one of the safest recreational activities in America, not to mention that wild game meat is very healthy.

Whitetail deer are everywhere. In fact, there are too many of them.
While many state wildlife departments have begun to address this by providing hunters more tags to kill does, we must do more. Hunting seasons should be expanded and other common sense hunting opportunities must be immediately implemented.

Hunters must demand that state wildlife agencies rescind out-dated laws and regulations that are counterproductive to recruiting new hunters and limit the enjoyment of current hunters. I shake my head in disgust at some of the ignorant regulations foisted upon hunters by static or out of touch bureaucrats who subscribe to "that's the way it's always been" management style.

Hunters deserve better than status quo bureaucrats. We deserve to be treated with respect, common sense, and dignity. Permitting erroneous, outdated, scientifically unsupported laws and regulations to remain in effect is spitting in the face of conservation.

Clearly the health and welfare of wildlife and habitat, must always take precedence in any biodiversity and conservation management decision. All hunters support this. However, if the health and welfare of game or their habitat will not result in a negative consequence, state wildlife management agencies should always make decisions based upon expanding opportunities for hunters and fishermen.

America's outdoorsmen and private landowners have created the world's most successful wildlife management system. For that, they should be recognized and applauded today just as they were 36 years ago when President Nixon created this most auspicious date - National Hunting and Fishing Day. (read about it's history at www.nhfday.org) TY W.P.

See you 'round the campfire

Why are lakes closed when Blue-green Algae blooms?

2008-07-19T15:12:00Z

Hello Outdoor Enthusiasts,

Over the last 15 years or so, Pewaukee Lake has periodically been closed to swimming due to "blooms" of blue-green algae. I believe other lakes have been affected as well, but not with the same frequency.

The high water from all the rain we've endured since the beginning of June has enticed another bloom.

The Pewaukee beach finally reappeared from under the flood and was then closed due to Algae. This year's Pewaukee Triathalon was even altered because of this stuff. So what is it?

I recently got this Blue-green Algae link from the DNR.

This link contains all kinds of information and answers about this "slime" that keeps closing our lakes.

It even has some steps to take to help prevent future outbreaks.

I don't know if we will ever be rid of Blue-Green, but knowledge can help all of us reduce the number of blooms and allow us to cope with this unwelcome part of summer in the Lake Country.

See you 'round the campfire

If you think you are experiencing symptoms related to exposure to blue-green algae (e.g., stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing), contact your doctor or the Poison Information Hotline (800-222-1222) right away.

For more information on potential health effects of blue-green algae, contact Dr. Mark Werner, Department of Health and Family Services, (608) 266-7480.

For more information on the ecology of blue-green algae or environmental factors that influence their growth, contact Jim Vennie, Department of Natural Resources, (608) 266-2212 .

Mosquito / Spanish for little fly

2008-07-11T17:40:00Z

The beginning of June ’08 brought much rain and flooding to the Lake country area.

Shortly after the rain ceased an incredible number of mosquito based articles arose. Some said there was a possibility of a reduced amount of the little varmints due to the flooding and moving water washing the eggs away. This maybe so, but as we have experienced, plenty have remained and have hatched in the many remaining areas of high water.

I didn’t want to write a "mosquito article"; however, since there is NO outdoor activity right now, day or night that is not affected by this, I didn’t have much of a choice. So what I will attempt here is to draw upon all of these articles as well as information from other printed material to provide you with my own compilation of "skeeter beater" advice.

NOTE: SOME OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION MAY OR MAY NOT WORK FOR ALL PEOPLE. These are only some suggestions I have found. Use them at your own discretion.

Mosquito eggs take 10 to 14 days to hatch and the result usually lasts from 3 to 4 weeks. In addition adults can travel 15 to 20 miles from where they breed.

In good breeding habitat, up to 100 mosquitoes can emerge per square foot of water per day.

An adult mosquito may live from 10 days to a month or more.

Mosquitoes are drawn to what they are going to feast on by carbon dioxide, warm humid air, (from breathing or sweating) and lactic acid. (A by-product of metabolism released through the skin.)

The female mosquito is only interested in biting when she is ready to lay her eggs, because she needs the blood to gain the protein to help her eggs thrive.

The male mosquito feeds only on plant juices.

When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and possibly a hat when outdoors. Use lighter colors and tighter weave fabric. Possibly even invest in bug repellent clothing. ( example - BUZZOFF.com )

Consider staying indoors at dusk, dawn, and early evening.

Install or repair window and door screens so mosquitoes cannot get indoors.

At least once a week, empty or change water in, flowerpots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, wading pools, fountains, wheelbarrows, old tires, buckets, old lined ponds if improperly maintained, barrels, bottles and cans. Don’t forget to unclog gutters!

If you cannot empty or change the water, use non-toxic "mosquito dunks" to prevent breeding. (Find them at farm supply or hardware stores)

Check by faucets and air conditioners for puddles. Drain if possible, otherwise fill them in with dirt or stones.

Encourage natural mosquito predators like swallows and bats. (See my bat house link at right)

Mosquitoes relax in cool, damp and sheltered areas. Keep grass mowed - shrubs and vines trimmed.

The most effective repellents contain DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide) Children between the ages of 2 months and 1 year should use a product with less than 7.5% DEET. Children over 1 year can use a product with up to 15% DEET. Child under 2 months? Keep the DEET away.

The percentage of DEET in a product will tell you, in general, how long the repellent will last. 7% approx. 30 minutes. 30% approx. 5 to 6 hours

Some natural repellents that may work: eucalyptus leaves or oil, soybean oil, peppermint, citronella, cloves, garlic, cedar, onion.

Supposed food repellents: Vitamin B complex, yeast, garlic.

Other backup methods: fans, mosquito coils, citronella candles or plants, a device by Thermacell.

Stopping the itch: echinacea, honey, vinegar, fennel, moistened aspirin, parsley, calamine lotion, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, diluted ammonia, aloe vera, wet bar soap, (I’ve used the last one for years)

Of course, winter is an excellent mosquito repellent as well. Until then-

See you ‘round the campfire

Sources:

Backwoods Home Magazine – In spite of DEET and Permethrin the mosquito still reigns supreme – March/April 1991

Backwoods Home Magazine - Tips on dealing with mosquitoes – July/August 1991

Lake Country Reporter – Rain makes way for bumper crop of mosquitoes - 6/19/08

The Freeman Lake Country – Eliminate standing water to keep mosquito numbers at bay – 6/21/08

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Less bitten, twice sly – 7/5/08

Lake Country Reporter - Take steps to reduce mosquito populations - 7/6/08

Good Old Days Looking Back magazine – Skeeter Beaters - July 2008

Preparation makes for a relaxing camping trip!

2008-06-24T15:31:00Z

Hello Outdoor Enthusiasts,

The rains have stopped, time for camping!

It doesn't matter if you camp in a campground or backpack into a remote wilderness area. If you are like most people, you get to the campsite and realize you forgot to pack something. Depending on how far from civilization you are, and how long you will be there, it could make the trip difficult.

I found the following two equipment lists that should cover most peoples camping needs.

The first is from LoveTheOutdoors,com

The second, is from the Boy Scouts of America. (After all their motto is Be Prepared)

Use these to compile your own list.

As I am gearing up, I print out my custom list and just cross out items I decide aren't needed for a particular trip, or check them off as they are packed.

A checklist before leaving will give you extra recreational time when you get to the campsite.

See you 'round the campfire

So I was chasing carp down Wisconsin Ave. this morning, and this cop comes up to me

2008-06-10T17:07:00Z

You were doing what with WHAT?

No, no, no, CARP. Let me explain.

For those who don’t know, a carp is an invasive species brought to North America from Europe in the 1800’s where it was used for food. Here it’s considered a "rough" fish with no limits, no seasons, and minimal restrictions on removing them from Wisconsin waters. (See the fishing regulations for details)

When I was growing up, this time of year was not only the beginning of summer vacation. When the lilacs bloomed it meant the carp were in to spawn. So what, you say? Carp are a blast on a rod and reel! I always described catching them like taking a small running outboard motor, tying your line to it and throwing it off the pier. Carp have large tails and fins for swimming in current and really don’t like coming up to the surface.

All one needs to try this is a medium to medium heavy rod, reel, and line set up, and a can of whole kernel corn.

I preferred braided line, but monofilament worked too. We would tie a snap swivel on then use pre-tied eagle claw snelled hooks. (10 or so to a pack) The snap swivel is the only weight. (Carp are just as sensitive to any resistance as walleye) Throw a handful of corn where you will be fishing. Put 3 or 4 kernels on your hook, making sure the tip is covered. Drop your hook in the middle of the corn you threw in. Leave a bit of slack in the line. (Again, they will drop it if they feel tension) Set the rod down, and wait. When you see the line starting to tighten, reel in the slack, set the hook, and hang on. Oh yeah, you’ll probably need a landing net too as inland carp frequently grow over 10 pounds.

One summer morning two friends and I caught 54 carp with the largest being 15 pounds and about 26 inches. There were times all three of us had fish on standing shoulder to shoulder on a 40 inch wide pier. Talk about excitement! NO VIDEO GAME CAN COMPARE!

Fast forward to today. Within the last week Pewaukee lake has risen about 30 inches. I know this, because I was in the water last Wednesday putting in the pier. Every day the lake is rising to a new high water mark. (My parents bought their lake house in 1966 and the water has never been this high during that time.)

The Lake Country Reporter and FOX news have been in downtown Pewaukee showing the water flowing over the beach and over the road. Hey guys, the water is still rising!

My Dad and I drove down to the village today to see this once in a lifetime sight. I thought I’d take a few pictures maybe wade down the street to check it out.

When we got there, three Pewaukee public works employees with pitchforks were spearing carp and putting them in a front-end loader on West Wisconsin Ave. (The road past the lakefront that now has water over 10 inches deep in spots) I took some pictures then walked through the water toward the beach. It was only then that I realized there were hundreds of carp swimming on the street. So, I started chasing the carp toward the workers, then the four of us turned around and started herding them back toward the beach.

Yeah, yeah, little boy has to play with the fishies in the big puddle. I don’t care. It was a lot of FUN!

After about 20 minutes I noticed a police officer had pulled up to the road blocks and was talking to the people standing and watching. I thought there might be a problem with the vehicles or the pedestrians that had stopped to watch, so I left the workers and went to see if there was a problem.

As I got closer the cop came up to me and said he had never seen anything like this.

So he was taking some pictures.

See you ‘round the campfire

Road Trip!

2008-05-28T18:02:00Z

Hello all,

It's good to be back in The lake country! The spring air, warm days, cool nights, lots of water. I have spent many of my years travelling across North America. We live in an incredible area. Sometimes it just takes time away to appreciate it. Look at the world we live in every day. Don't ever take it for granted.

If you have read my last post, you know I have been in Oklahoma for job training for the past weeks. When they say it's windy there. they aren't kidding. Even while enjoying the warm termperatures, the wind tires you out The people there are great too. I foresee more training trips in my future. Just not for a few months.

As an option, I chose to drive instead of fly. Thirteen to fourteen hours highway time to get there, but I saw it as an oportunity for so much more. A road trip.

I define a road trip as packing up some of your stuff, and heading out onto the highway. From the end of WWII until the mid-eighties Americans loved the road trip. Whether in song; Route 66, King of the Road, On the Road Again, in movies; National Lampoon's Vacation, Any of the Bob Hope/Bing Crosby series, or advertising; Burma Shave, Wall Drug. It was something many of us did. A common bond in a world of differences.

A road trip has a lot of options: You can take a lot of your stuff with you, (motorhome) or not. (motorcycle) You can have a destination in mind, (concert) or not. (Route 66) You can have family along, (Disneyworld) or not. (job related) You can spend a lot of money, (hotels and restaurants) or not. (camping and rations) It is entirely up to you. You set the time frame. You set the travel schedule. You are the only limit. The sun, the wind, the small towns, the scenery, all of these added to the memories and experience of your trip.

Not too many take this route anymore. The world has sped up to interstates and airports. The destination has become the answer. Forget the journey.

Unfortunately with the increase in the cost of gas and the decrease in patience and free time, I believe the road trip is nearly extinct. That is until my next training session.

See you 'round the campfire

Thunderstorms can be Awesome!

2008-05-08T01:47:31Z

Hello Outdoor enthusiasts,

If you have watched the weather on the news over the last few days, you know there have been some big storms moving through the center part of the country. On Thursday May 1st there was an outbreak of thunderstorms and tornadoes that started in central Oklahoma and moved to the northeast toward Wisconsin. There had been as many as 12 twisters associated with these thunderstorms on Thursday alone.

So what, you say, tornadoes happen in Oklahoma every year. They happen in Wisconsin too. Well, the truth is, I saw these storms as they developed and was speechless. You see, I am writing this from a 6th floor hotel room in Norman, OK directly south of Oklahoma City. I am here for work related training and will be here for two more weeks. I knew Oklahoma had big storms, but I didn’t think they started until later in the spring. I was wrong.

I had finished my training for the day and had returned to my room to watch television for a bit before going to dinner. It had been extremely windy for the last few days. (30 mph and up) In addition, the temperature Thursday was in the mid to upper eighties. There had not been many clouds so except for getting blown over you could call it a beautiful day.

As I was returning to my seat after fetching the TV remote, I happened to see a huge wall cloud with the tell-tale anvil shaped top blocking out a large portion of the sky.

A super cell thunderstorm was less than 10 miles to my northwest. The afternoon sun was in the southwest lighting the storm from the side as I looked straight north out of my room window. A most picturesque sight I assure you, but because of its immense size and close distance, I immediately switched to the news.

I had always thought Wisconsin news people did a good job covering storms and tornadoes. That is, until last Thursday.

When I turned on the Oklahoma City news, they already had live news helicopter footage, a news person in a vehicle under the developing storm as well as the meteorologist in the studio.

To be fair, the number of severe storms the Sooner forecasters cover is much greater than what we see in S.E. Wisconsin. As it is said, practice, practice, practice...

The storm was moving NNE so luckily I was safe from my vantage point. There were no funnel clouds, hail or wind shear yet either. I kept the TV news on in the background and read the hotel tornado safety procedures before turning my chair toward the window.

“This storm is developing and will most likely produce tornadoes within the next half hour,” said the news person. (What county was I in again?)

“There are clouds being pulled from the west, south, and east feeding this storm. It almost looks as if it is alive,” said the helicopter reporter.

I don’t know about the east or west but he was right about the clouds from the south.

Being fixated on the giant (and dramatically lit) thunderstorm moving to my north I noticed low level clouds seemingly no more than a thousand feet off of the ground, being pulled into the bottom of the storm at an incredible speed. The clouds in the top of the storm so high, movement could not be seen. The mid-level clouds were where the “life” was. I became aware of the clouds along the whole side of the storm “rolling” horizontally as the vertical lift bringing in the low clouds made room for the newcomers.

“There are reports of golf ball to tennis ball size hail,” continued the television.

“Tornado!” said the reporter on the ground. “There is definitely debris in the air.”

As the evening went on it was reported this first rotating cloud had not reached all the way to the ground, but the spinning winds had and caused damage. Television reports continued as large hail and more funnel clouds developed as the storm moved northeast toward Tulsa. I had watched the storm move away for almost an hour. The fast low level clouds had disappeared and the sky started clearing as nightfall came to the plains.

I DO NOT CONDONE TORNADO WATCHING OR CHASING! These storms are dangerous! TAKE COVER when a warning is given. Tornadoes can and do change directions once on the ground. Many times there are numerous funnel clouds as well. (As I said this storm had 12 throughout the evening)

There was NEVER an active watch or warning for the county I was in and the first funnel cloud was over 25 miles from my location.

Safety is way more important than seeing a tornado.
Thunderstorms; however, can be awesome!

See you ‘round the campfire

What's so special about a campfire?

2008-04-25T15:02:00Z

Hello all,

As you have probably noticed, I end all of my ramblings with a "tagline" see you 'round the campfire.

Campfires once were a critical part of time spent outdoors. They were safety and solace in an unlit world.

I believe they still are a necessary connection to a simpler time.

Whether a reason to get a group of people together, an avenue for getting lost in your own thoughts, or just a means of allowing your mind to go blank as you become hypnotized by the flames or hot coals. More people NEED to spend time around a campfire.

Enjoy the following article writen by Tom Keith, posted on-line by Gary Bottger.

Some things change, but for our own mental well-being, some need to stay the same.

See you 'round the campfire

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Nebraska Outdoor Notebook

by Tom Keith

What’s So Special About A Campfire?
One of the things I’ve always enjoyed most about camping is the campfire. It doesn’t matter what season, what time of day, or what the weather is, the first thing I do when I set up camp is build a fire.

The campfire has a certain magic of its own that is important when you are camping. It is the gathering place where all of the people you are camping with come to eat, drink coffee, make plans for the day. Later that evening, they meet there again to rehash everything that happened during the day and plan again for the next.

It’s the place where the kids feel safe, especially at night when the rest of the unfamiliar outdoor world with all of it’s strange noises is cloaked in darkness.

It’s a place where you can warm your hands and feet, where wet clothing and boots can be dried, and where smoke from the fire will help protect the campers from biting and stinging bugs.

Campfire smoke smells wonderful and like Hoppe’s No. 9 gun oil, has a distinctive odor that makes you think of being outdoors wherever or whenever you get a whiff of it. In my opinion, if someone made a woman’s perfume that smelled like a campfire, it would take over the market.

To the real campfire smoke, add the delicate aromas of coffee boiling, bacon, potatoes, onions and fish frying, or steaks grilling above glowing coals and you have a camping trip worth remembering.

It seems to me that anything cooked over a campfire tastes better than it would cooked on a kitchen stove. My dogs think so too, they always get to sample the roasted hot dogs, barbecued chicken, and grilled burgers we enjoy in the evenings when we’re camping.

And, every camper should take it upon themselves to insist that every one of their children and grandchildren spend at least a few evenings each year sitting around the campfire hearing and telling ghost stories and roasting marshmallows.

One of the secrets of building a great campfire is to choose good wood to feed it.

The best firewood gives off good heat, is easy to burn, easy to split, gives off little smoke and few sparks. Among the best woods are:

Apple burns slowly and steadily when dry, with little flame but good heat. Smells good.

Ash is excellent, a very good burning wood, produces both flame and heat.

Birch produces good heat and smells good but burns rather quickly.

Cedar is good when dry. It pops and snaps, burns easily and produces a medium heat. It smells good.

Cherry burns slowly with medium heat and smells good.

Hard maple burns well and produces high heat.

Soft maple burns well, produces medium heat.

Walnut burns well, produces medium heat and smells good.

Hickory produces high heat and is easy to burn.

Red and white oak produce high heat and little smoke.

Douglas fir produces high heat but also heavy smoke.

Spruce is abundant but produces only low heat and medium smoke.

Seasoned wood with a moisture content of 15-20 percent burns best. Unseasoned wood provides less heat because some of the energy stored in it is needed to vaporize the water and drive if off. If you must use green wood, the smaller you split it, the better it will burn.

Camping with the family can be one of the least expensive and most enjoyable activities available to you. Look for more information about camping in Nebraska at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Web site at www.OutdoorNebraska.org.

John Weiss: A hunter celebrates our planet

2008-04-25T14:55:00Z

John Weiss: A hunter celebrates our planet

It's Earth Week, a time for people to pick up trash, students to write essays, industries to tout their "green cred" and for the country to think about celebrating the earth.

I did my part -- I went turkey hunting.

Hunting is one of many ways to celebrate the earth. Others are fishing, camping, birding, hiking, looking at spring flowers. This just happens to be my week to hunt, so I do what's in season and what feels right.

As hunters, I suspect we don't think enough about the earth, or at least don't talk about that feeling of celebration. Yet it's one of the most challenging, fascinating, maddening ways I know to take the first step in saving the earth. You save what you love, and you can't love what you can't understand.

If I hunt well -- or get lucky -- I will end up with a turkey in the freezer. But I'm guaranteed to renew my fascination with woods, water, flowers, fish and wildlife that started more than 50 years ago.

Let me tell you about Monday's hunt, and why it was a celebration.

The hunt started about an hour before sunrise in some lovely blufflands near Kellogg. As I walked in, a loud buzzing of nature's frog chorus came from a small wetland. The frogs have come out of hibernation, and it's a thrill to again hear the buzzing.

After setting up two decoys in a field, I sat against a tree, pulled on my camouflage mask and waited. Surely on such a perfect day, the toms would be gobbling wildly to attract hens as part of their breeding ritual.

Yup, any minute, the woods would be alive with the sound of gobbling. Any minute, it's going to start. I couldn't wait to again hear that gorgeous chorus.

Nothing. I was surprised, but that's normal. Unpredictability is part of what makes nature so wonderful.

As I waited, I heard a battle of woodpeckers hammering, grouse drumming and a pair of wood ducks whooshing through the sky, sounding like small jets. Robins, nuthatches and other birds flitted around. At times, I've had songbirds land on my hat or gun barrel.

It's a celebration of birds, of the earth.

Across the valley, a pair of jakes got into a brawl, yelping, whining, making a raucous racket. I've never heard that before.

Wow!

The first true gobble echoed just before 9 a.m. and I hurried over, or as fast as I can rush toting 20 pounds of equipment up a steep bluffside.

That was all I would hear. But on the forest floor was a small, stunning patch of purple -- hepatica, my first opened wildflower of the season. Hunting is not only my best time for birding, but also seeing wildflowers.

Wow!

The rest of the day was boring. For reasons that still puzzle me, toms weren't responding to calling. But that's part of hunting. You never know when something will happen; you just to be ready for when it does. Sometimes you wonder at nature, sometimes you wonder about nature.

Three spectacular large birds soared overhead, dancing with the wind. They were turkey vultures, a species without the glamour of bald eagles, but they are magnificent. As a hunter, you see the famous and unknown, and celebrate all.

When the day got too long, and hot, I left, tired and puzzled. I was in a rotten mood.

On the way down, however, on a rocky hillside was a flash of white. About 30 bloodroot were blooming.

Wow!

The hunting was poor, but the hunt was great.

It was a day to celebrate.

John Weiss is the Rochester Post-Bulletin's outdoors writer.

Please forgive me

2008-04-25T14:53:26Z

Hello all,

I had a few topics I was thinking about this week and in the process of searching for information, I found the following two articles. (that I am posting as the following two blogs)

Please forgive my lack of originallity, but these were too good not to share.

Enjoy our spring weather and as always:

See you 'round the campfire

Light Pollution

2008-04-12T15:56:00Z

Hello Outdoor Enthusiasts!

Last week I posted an argument for saving money and saving resources by shutting off all of the extra lights. (Yes, there is a tie-in to the outdoors.)

I also mentioned Ancient Greece. Although they were the best known, Ancient Egypt and Babylon are linked to this topic as well.

I’ll give you a hint… outdoor navigation.

Did you guess the stars and constellations?

Although many civilizations recognized pictures in the stars, it was an Ancient Greek astronomer named Ptolemy who documented 48 constellations in a book called the Almagest, (written circa 150 A.D.) This is considered the birth of the modern constellations.

Within this book were Perseus, Andromeda, Pegasus, Cassiopeia, Hercules, and Orion as well as the 12 signs of the zodiac. They were also all given Latin names, as Latin was the language of learning.

These star charts and maps were used for hundreds of years as navigation aids, even without any real type of standard between cultures.

In 1919 a group of astronomers formed the International Astronomical Union or IAU. One of the first items they tackled was the celestial disarray. The IAU made a list of 88 'official' constellations in 1922 and approved the boundary of each six years later. (Link)

Not only are the stars and constellations visible on a clear night, but meteors, the Aurora Borealis, the phases of the moon and even man made satellites can be seen with the naked eye.

Here is where I would recommend a book or star chart; however with all of the lights from street lamps, buildings etc. there is little of the night sky you can actually see. City lights can be seen from more than 20 miles away as a glow on the horizon.

Do city kids know there are thousands of stars?

Many companies and people claim to be earth friendly and "green" but that’s only by day. The incredible amount of "light pollution" around us continues to grow with no end in sight.

One day I hope to find myself in a place remote enough and dark enough to see the night sky as it had been less than 150 years ago, before this massive waste of resources.

Everyone needs goals

See you ‘round the campfire

Lights are costing us

2008-04-04T15:58:00Z

Hello all,

Last week I posted some ideas to get you thinking about ways to enjoy the outdoors without spending a lot of money. This week I’ll tell you a guaranteed way of saving money and even add a bit of conserving resources to it.

Now I’m asking that you don’t confuse me with environmentalists. It just so happens that conservationists and environmentalists have some common interests. However that is a topic for another day.

In recent years there has been much talk about changing the motor vehicle to reduce our energy dependency. In addition to hydrogen-fueled cars, (what the Hindenburg used) many people are lobbying for electric vehicles. In addition to the extra energy needed to produce and dispose of these vehicles and their batteries. Where do you think the electric is going to come from? What do you think is going to happen to your utility bill when all of these vehicles put extra strain on the power grid? Saving gas to spend double or more for electricity doesn’t sound like an answer to me.

We put in energy star appliances and compact fluorescent bulbs, yet the power rates still go up. Adding electric cars. Do we really believe that’s going to save the consumer money? Maybe there’s more we can do.

After giving this some thought, I realized the amount of electricity it takes to run our lives.

Come to think of it, we seem to waste huge amounts of power on light. Most appliances draw electricity even with everything off, but the lights are on. Clocks lit on TV’s, radios, microwaves, stoves, coffeepots, VCRs and DVD players. Outside we have spotlights on houses and landscaping. Newer subdivisions have to have a yard light on all night. Schools and businesses have lights on all night inside and out. Even parking lots are lit up like sports stadiums. Don’t even get me started about places like Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

Homeowners changing bulbs sure doesn’t offset this.

My question is, Why? Just shut them off.

People survived thousands of years without all of these lights.

We have to pay for our home electricity, and then pay taxes and higher costs at stores, schools and businesses so they can pay their utility bills. Tell them to shut them off.

Think keeping them on all of the time is cheaper. This was debunked on the Discovery Channel show "Mythbusters" episode 69. Unless you're coming back within 24 seconds, every type of light uses less power when shut off and turned back on.

You keep them on for security... Buy motion lights. They only turn on when needed.

It's a pain to mess with all of the cords... I put my TV, VCR and DVD player on a power strip. One switch shuts them off.

All this light is costing us, and in more than one way.

Next week: Shutting off lights and Ancient Greece

See you ‘round the campfire

Thinking Warm?

2008-03-27T17:28:00Z

Spring and summer just can’t get here soon enough for you? High gas prices threatening to cancel some road trips?

Here are some ideas to start planning for our upcoming seasons and spending them closer to home.

Go through your freezer:

Take inventory of brats, Italians, hamburgers, etc. Use these up over the next few weeks. Using these up now will free up freezer space and make room for fresh packages as sales of grilling foods become more frequent. Be the first in 2008 to invite your friends over for a cookout!

Put up a bat house:

Bats eat thousands of flying insects a week. Give them a new home this year. (More information here)

Plan fishing trips:

Spring walleye and white bass runs are hard to plan, but family trips and reservations can be done and don’t have to be expensive.

Prepare fishing equipment:

Replace the line on your reels. Sun and use, weaken line and knots. Sharpen your hooks. Store bought hooks may be sharp, but almost always can be made more so. Hook sharpeners are inexpensive too. Why risk losing a fish of your dreams for a few dollars and a few minutes of your time.

Visit a bookstore:

An odd suggestion you say? You don’t have to hunt or fish to get outdoors. Field guides of animals, trees, plants, etc. are available and can add a fun factor to a camping trip, an afternoon in a park, or walk around the block. Kids love this and you may be able to find the books at used bookstores or flea markets.

Plan Camping Trips:

Book campgrounds now. They will fill up fast as the temperature warms. There are many campgrounds within an hour or two drive. Save on gas and road trip worries.

Prepare Camping Equipment:

Did you find a rip in the tent last year? Now you have time to fix or replace it. Need new fire starting materials or camp cookware? Coming up with a list of desires or needs and keeping it handy will allow you to watch for sales.

Birdhouses and maintenance:

This is the time of year to clean old nesting materials out of any past houses you have put up. Migratory birds will be here soon looking for nesting areas. If you don’t have any, build or buy some and put them up now. While at the bookstore, look for identification and feeding guides as well as birdhouse plans. Deciding what type of birds to try to attract to your yard can involve even the littlest of family members.

The outdoor lifestyle and equipment can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes it just takes a little planning.

See you ‘round the campfire.

Turkey Hunter Tips

2008-03-19T07:22:13Z

With the Wisconsin Youth Turkey hunt coming up April 12th and 13th, and the spring Turkey hunt beginning with Period A on April 16th I decided to reprint a packing checklist and eating recommendations from the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Most hunters will not have all of the items on the checklist, but it will help keep you from forgetting equipment you wanted to take with you. The six eating tips will help you stay alert during the day in the woods.

Good Luck and remember to enjoy all time afield.

See you 'round the campfire

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Equipment:

Shotgun
Turkey loads
Turkey choke tube

Patterning targets
Camo blind — where legal

Seat, cushioned stool

Shotgun sling

Turkey decoys

Camera

Lo Boy Lite Chair

Monopod gun rest

ThermaCELL

Compass

Maps

Knife

Ratchet cutters

Insect repellent

Flashlight

Trail ribbon

Binoculars

Camo tape

Cooler

Water bottle

First aid kit

Clothes:

Camo gloves

Camo facenet

Camo paint

Camo make-up

Camo shirt

Camo pants

Camo jacket

Camo turkey vest or pack

Camo cap

Camo socks

Camo undershirts

Waterproof/snakeproof boots

Rain suit

Calls:

Box call

Diaphragm calls

Slate or glass pot & peg call

Glass call

Gobble call

Tube call

Push-pin call

Turpin/wingbone call

Crow/locator call

Owl hooter call

Other locator calls

Call Accessories:

Box call chalk

Sandpaper

Call lanyard

Box call holster

Archery gear:

Bow (camouflaged)

Broadheads

3-D Camo clothes

3-D targets

To Do:

Get license/turkey tags

Pattern shotgun

Scout territory

Get landowner permission

Pick landowner gift

Practice calling

Watch instructional videos, read books

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Eat a nutritious breakfast. Try a bowl of cereal or oatmeal with a serving of bread and maybe a serving of fruit or juice to jump-start your day.
Take healthy snacks to fuel you through mid-morning. Turkey hunters often leave their homes or hunt camps well before daylight and can burn off their breakfast shortly after sunrise. Stowing a few apples, granola bars or a package of trail mix can give you the fuel you need to finish the morning's hunt. Also, eating healthy snacks will allow you to eat moderately when you break for lunch. By eating small meals, your body will stave-off the sluggishness that can haunt hunters who need to move quickly.
Eat a healthy lunch. If you plan on hunting in the evening, you'll need food to get you from mid-afternoon to dinner. You may be in the woods well after dark if you plan on roosting a bird for the following morning.
Afternoon snacks. Take snacks with you for the afternoon and early evening portion of your hunt. It will help you eat 5-6 small healthy meals a day and avoid overindulging during dinner.
Be mindful of dinner. Late night meals can sit heavily on a hunter's stomach and lead to restlessness. Hunters don't burn calories consumed from nighttime meals, so cut back on portions size and remember to eat a moderate and balanced dinner.
Drink...... water. Dehydration can cause weakness, fatigue, muscle soreness and dizziness. Be mindful of your water intake during the day. Hunters sweat a lot and aren't always focused on drinking enough water. Dehydration can be a serious condition and potentially life-threatening.

Reflections of a Dying Winter

2008-03-19T07:22:00Z

This time of year is mentally draining for many.

The long cold winter is largely over, but spring and the green grass is still a few weeks off. Hunting seasons are closed. Game fishing is closed. Although panfishing is open, ice conditions deteriorate every day the temperature rises above 32 degrees.

There are not even many scenic pictures taken at this time of year. Maybe a drop of water hanging off a piece of ice.

I love the seasons, but I have to admit this time of year is too long for me also. Nature seems tired and ugly now. Brown grass matted flat by the melting snow piles. Shrubs bent from their recently lifted weight. Rocks, sand and sticks from plowing and winter wind storms, previously out of sight, that will need to be picked up or washed away by spring rains.

When I was younger melting snow meant running water and something fun to do. Running water could be made to flow faster by removing debris and making a natrual race course for marker colored pieces of wood toothpicks or popcicle sticks. Just for peer group bragging rights of course. I would also spend time walking along the road looking for "treasure" uncovered by the thaw. I never found anything great but like I said in an earlier blog, I was outside. It was all good.

Over the next few weeks, some will be walking the muddy woods, looking for shed whitetail deer antlers. Signs of the bucks that have survived the hunters and the winter.

Turkey hunters will be preparing for the spring hunting season.

Still others will begin planning this seasons landscaping, flower beds or wildflower gardens by visiting lawn and garden shows or just paging through the nursery catalogs delivered by the USPS.

Maybe I'll take a walk around the block. With a few marker colored wooden toothpicks.

See you 'round the campfire

Spring is welcomed by the Sport show

2008-03-13T15:21:00Z

Some say the first sign of spring is the first Robin, but for many years the true first sign of spring has been the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sport Show." (No they do not employ me)

Wisconsin is blessed with an incredible outdoor lifestyle and other shows have also popped up like the "South Eastern Wisconsin Hunting and Fishing show" or the "Milwaukee Fishing & Boating Expo", but the The MJS show at 68 years is definitely the Grand Daddy in this area.

Now I do have to be honest. I have not gone frequently in recent years. In fact, I have only gone twice since the show moved to State Fair Park.

The show for me had lost its "feel"; it’s balance. I can’t really explain it.

This year the show has been shortened from 10 days to 5. Yesterday I spent the day at the show to see if this new schedule would resurrect the outdoor fire for me that previous shows had not.

I am happy to report the Sport show is alive and well.

Many of the familiar booths are still there. The Chevy main stage with timber show and retrievers. The DNR wall of shame and live animals. The rock wall. The honey roasted nuts and of course the trout pond.

This year seemed to have more for children than I remember. Daniel Boone pellet gun range, archery, casting area, paintball range, video shooting range, and animal track identification. Much to my delight the vendor mix has definitely improved since my last visit as well. Gun Safes, travel companies from Ontario to Kentucky, taxidermists, pool tables, leather goods, boats, piers, hunting supplies and more fishing tackle. (something I thought was greatly lacking at the last show I went to.)

Another kids highlight. The "Into the Outdoors" kids passport to adventure. Visit their booth in the hallway in the Northwest corner of the show to get a "passport." Around the show are 9 places to get their passport stamped for participating in various activities. Kind of like an outdoor scavenger hunt. When the kids have at least 7 of the 9 stamps they are eligible for a drawing to win prizes. I don’t know if this is the first year this has been done, but the idea is brilliant!

The weather is warming. Winter here in Wisconsin is loosening it’s grip, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sport show has returned.

Is this a great state or what?

See you ‘round the campfire

Crimes Against Our Natural Resouces

2008-03-05T17:12:00Z

This installment of "Open Air Living" was one I was going to post last week, but decided to wait until calmer heads prevailed. (namely mine) Time for action.

About a week and a half ago a story came out about a problem being faced by Wisconsin Conservation Wardens. It seems over the last few years "Thrill Killers" have been killing wild animals illegally with firearms, arrows, running them down with vehicles, or clubbing them with baseball bats and home-made weapons. These people (mostly males in their late teens and early twenties) when asked "why" don’t come up with a reason or just state… "They’re bored" [Thrill Killers Alarm Wardens]

My personal opinion on this topic is coming up. Let’s stay with bored for a moment.

I think one of my mother’s favorite sayings to my brother and I while we were growing up was: "If you’re bored I’ll find you something to do." It only took once or twice and we learned to find something to do or at least not complain about it near Mom.

We played catch, rode bikes, played tag or kick the can. If it rained, we read, played board games, worked puzzle books. Exploring a small patch of woods near my house was a favorite of mine. Wondering if I was the first person to crawl under an evergreen or climb an oak tree. Finding an old shotgun shell was a real treat. How old was the shell? Who was hunting? What were they hunting for?

A while back I read an article that stated the decline of the outdoor lifestyle can largely be blamed on video games and the ability to watch movies at home. Now you are probably saying the same thing I did, but let’s just consider the possibility.

Home video games and VCR’s both became popular in the early 80’s (approximately 25 years ago) allowing people to be entertained within the comfort of their own home. The novelty of these two inventions remains hugely popular today.

In other words instead of having to get up and go outside to dinner and a movie, you can sit on your couch and eat while watching a movie. Instead of playing baseball, football, basketball, skateboarding, riding bikes, fishing, or hunting, you can sit on your couch and "play" these instead of actually going outside and doing. (Weren’t the thrill killers in their late teens and early 20’s?) Hmm, That article may have had a point.

DVD’s in cars, people walking around with a music player or wireless phone stuck to their heads, 100 plus channels of television, or texting. Earphones and caller ID keep us from having to deal with people or situations. The amount of information available has seemingly shortened all of our attention spans and hindered people’s interpersonal abilities. Have we all become so impatient that we feel bored when we try to relax?

Which brings me back to our "Thrill Killers." Fines are handed out; hunting and fishing privileges are revoked, maybe even a little jail time served. I suggest one more is added. Mandatory Community Service.

From what I have read, the fines are not that large. Hunting and fishing privileges lost? They are breaking the law now so I don’t see this as a deterrent. Jail time is also short term.

Community Service should be added to a number of other outdoor crimes as well:

Damaging state parks and forests. Poaching. Bag limit violations. Littering. Spreading invasive species. Hunting or fishing without a license. The list could go on.

I believe that adding community service (120 hours minimum) would force the criminals to have to give back to the people of Wisconsin to offset the resources they have taken away. This will also give these people time to realize that they have committed a crime against the people of the state.

So the idea is out there. Now what? In addition to reporting these crimes when you see them, 1-800-tip-WDNR, it’s time to contact your state Government to let them know you think the punishment isn’t severe enough. A simple letter or phone call to your State Senator, your Congress Person, and Gov. Doyle. (Click on preceding individuals for contact information) stating the problem and your opinion is all it takes.

We as a populace have let this type of thing go on long enough. Time to tell our lawmakers that a slap on the wrist for crimes against our Natural Resources is no longer acceptable.

See you 'round the campfire

My First Life Lesson

2008-02-25T12:37:00Z

Welcome fellow outdoor enthusiasts,

Growing up on a lake is a luxury during these times. Not as much so when my parents bought a condemned summer cottage on a lake that had septic sytems emptying into it.

When they decided to move from Pierce St. in Milwaukee to Pewaukee, many city folk said, "You're moving where?" (The Interstate wasn't the travel corridor it is today) However; minds were made up, and the papers were signed. Over time, with a lot of work, the cottage turned into a home.

I am eternally grateful to my parents for their hard work, because my childhood was able to revolve around the lake and lake activities. In addition to learning to swim and fish at a really young age, I learned some important lessons too.

My first lesson may have come from my first pet. A female mallard duckling I named after a childrens book about three little ducks. "Splish, Splash, & Splush" (Why did I name one duck three names? Who knows?..)

A neighbors dog attacked a mother mallard that had nested in our yard, leaving three eggs unattended. My Dad got an incubator from a different neighbor who was a school teacher and tried to hatch the eggs. Out of the three, S, S, & S was the only to survive. My Mom told me stories and said this was definitely MY duck. When I went outside it followed me everywhere. Playing with a ball or cars. Even into the sandbox. When I came inside it would sit by the door and QUACK loudly. It didn't matter if someone else went outside, my duck QUACKED until I came back out. I have little memory of "S,S, & S", but I do remember the day it left. We came around the side of the house, where we had a kiddie pool set up for it. My Dad told me it probably heard other ducks on the lake and went with them. I was surprisingly OK with this, considering I was only about 3.

My first big life lesson: People (and ducks) come into your life for a reason. Don't be sad when they leave, be happy for the time you spent together.

See you 'round the campfire.

"All hunters should be nature lovers" - Theodore Roosevelt

2008-02-17T14:46:00Z

With President's Day tomorrow, I chose to post some information about a very influential President to us outdoors types, Theodore Roosevelt.

I'm not entirely out of line as this paragraph from www.Patriotism.org states:

Apparently, while the holiday in February is still officially known as Washington's Birthday (at least according to the Office of Personnel Management), it has become popularly (and, perhaps in some cases at the state level, legally) known as "President's Day." This has made the third Monday in February a day for honoring both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all the other men who have served as president.

So lets continue.

Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest man to ever become President when he took office at the age of 42. He had only been Vice-President six months when President William McKinley was assassinated. (1)

In his youth, he shot wild game all around the world. In later years, as he became aware of dwindling animal populations and disappearing habitat, he launched the conservation movement. In contrast to earlier presidents, who did not oppose the policy of killing off the buffalo in order to cripple Indians, Roosevelt helped establish the first society to preserve the buffalo; and, working with Gifford Pinchot, he created the Forest Service to manage federal forest lands.

In 1908, Roosevelt called a National Conservation Congress, attended by most of the governors and some five hundred other political leaders. One consequence of this meeting was that forty-one states soon formed their own natural resource management agencies.

During Roosevelt's administration (1901-1909), federal land reserves increased from 45 million acres to 195 million acres, eighteen national monuments were created (including Niagra Falls and the Grand Canyon), five new national parks were established, and fifty-one wildlife refuges were added.

Millions of acres and countless millions of wild animals exist today because of Theodore Roosevelt's forsight and love of nature, which can be clearly traced to his lifelong passion for hunting. (2)

I would like to close with a quote from CNN's Paul Begala

"The most powerful environmentalists I know are hunters, because they see firsthand--it is not an abstraction for them. They actually spend time in the outdoors. They want to take their children to hunt and fish in the same place that their father took them." (3)

Teddy Roosevelt couldn't have said it better

See you 'round the campfire

(1) World Book Encyclopedia

(2) From "In Defense of Hunting" by James A. Swan

(3) From a 8/5/05 transcript "On The Media: Gun Shy" www.wnyc.org