airedale

I have found that an old metal file will get some real good sparks off the ferro rods I have, like them better than any of my knives, they are cheap and come in all sizes. I had an old one laying around, put it in a vice and snapped it into a convenient size for carrying. Al

I am not someone who backpacks into wild country for extended periods camping out with a tent and sleeping in a sleeping bag. My jaunts be they hunting, hiking or scouting day or night are planned for extended hours at most not days so I do not carry a lot of so called survival gear. I do have most of the items mentioned in this thread and it was fun learning how to use them but for the activities I have done mostly I stick with the basic items I previously mentioned along with something I forgot to mention, a high quality lightweight light source. The long burning compact and light weight LED lights available today are great, both flashlights and headlamps. What I do carry depends on what activity I am involved in and what I consider to be essential and try to keep the weight down. I have come to rely of various multiple pocket outdoor vests of different styles to carry these items, some are light weight material for warm weather others are heavier and made to keep me warm. All are very comfortable and make carrying many small field items including hand guns with some styles easy and secure. For me the two most important things I have actually used with frequency is a lighter to get a fire going and a good compass. The good old reliable Zippo windproof outdoor lighter is something I have been sold on for a long time especially learning in my younger days I could light a cigar going down the road on a motorcycle with no problem. As with any equipment they have to be properly maintained and as long as they are they are infallible. Spent a lot of time in the woods Coon hunting and made many little fires when taking a break with zero problem using a Zippo with just natural tinder. By the way on July 4th I have family over for a big cookout, I have one of those firepits and the kids do the marshmallow smores thing. When making the fire I decided for the heck of it to try Stormy's suggestion of using some flammable fluid. Got the Zippo lighter and the little Zippo field fuel on the go kit out which I have for just keeping the lighter maintained, gathered up some twigs and pine needles and put a few drips of fluid on the pile and touched it off, Easy Peasy ignition and fire was going and being used in a few minutes. Yes the reality is I could have started the fire without the fluid by just using the dry tinder, first time I have ever used fluid and it worked well, would be handy in less than ideal wet conditions in getting a fire started. Bottom line is flammable fluid can be carried safely and easily to start a campfire if one wants to do it. Al

If I buy one now it is going to be in another caliber, Henry sent me a questionnaire a little while back and I suggested to them to chamber that single shot in Rimfires, I will buy one in a second if they chamber in the 17 Winchester Super Mag. Al

I think just about anything is safer than this disaster, totally nuts!

Seen some pretty crazy stuff but this downhill bike race on ice takes the prize! https://www.facebook.com/UNILADAdventure/videos/401709573790752/

A close call

Congratulations, I was looking to purchase one of those Henry single shots in 45-70 for a couple of years but could never find one anywhere and ended up buying a 45-70 barrel for my Thompson Center Encore. I like the top lever design of the Henry single shot a lot and from what I have read they are nice shooters. I have looked them over in other calibers at gun shows and can see these are very well made rifles of very good quality. The 45-70 has been surely proven on Buffalo! Al

This past spring's rainy-wet-cold weather could not have been much worse for young Turkey poults, will probably prove to be a poor hatch-survival rate. Have a Hen wandering around my place most of the Spring, stopped seeing her about a month ago and suspected she was sitting on a nest of eggs. She turned up the other day wandering around scratching for food with no poults in tow so she most likely nested unsuccessfully. Al

Back when I did a lot of big woods Coon hunting much of the time I guess I could say I was lost because following my dogs in the dark sometimes for miles there would be many times I would not know exactly where the heck I was. Finding your way through the woods after dark is quite a bit different than traveling through them in the daylight. Really did not care because what I did know from topo maps was the lay of the land what direction and approximate distances all the waters, roads and trails were pertaining to that block of woods along with my confidence in being able to use a compass. I would take an initial compass reading where I entered the woods and from that point on it was all about hunting but I would take readings on my compass at regular intervals. When it was time to head back to my vehicle between a lot of educated guessing and my compass I would always make it back out with not too much problem. Al

This light weight container would be the ticket for the fellow that wants to safely carry fuel to start a fire, a little tinder, some lighter fluid and your Zippo lighter no problem. Al

I would guess someone that wants to safely carry along some liquid fuel for whatever their reason, those containers are made in several sizes and there are some that are pretty small and easily carried. The folks that pack and use those small foldable alcohol stoves would find them to be useful I think, A person can carry the gear want they want as far as I am concerned, the point I was making is there are safe ways to carry liquid fuel if one desires to do so.

Apparently you are not aware that there are small packable liquid fuel containers constructed out of metal that are made to be carried on one's person safely. Many use them to carry fuel for those small back pack camp stoves. I have a couple that I use for my for my ATV, no worry about them breaking and me catching on fire.

Piss off Jive Turkey!

biggest geographical obstacle when you're lost trying to get somewhere is flowing water or a wall like cliff. no brainer that Manuel has him covered. Hell all he needs to do is just sit tight. Manuel will likely be back with tax free wages and supplies. before you know it he'll be setting up shop where he's at in comfort. solid choice for survival kit IMO. Not funny, instead of crapping up a good thread why don't you contribute a post that is helpful instead of throwing up insulting cheap shots!

I had the Foxfire set and as you said they are full of skill learning that is valuable to outdoor folks and just plain entertaining. Another pretty good read I picked up a short time ago is "I Knew That" from the pages of "Fur Fish and Game" magazine. Fur Fish and Game I think is the best outdoorsman magazine in print at this time.

I don't carry one afield but have several survival books in my library, they are interesting and lots of valuable stuff can be learned, they are well worth reading if one spends time in the outdoors. Al

I am a big believer in being prepared and would definitely carry a kit similar to what you have assembled if I were to be in a remote area especially for an extended period. Even if I just go out for a few hours I always carry a good compass, knife, para cord and a lighter. I like the old fashioned Zippo outdoor lighter because they always work. Al

If you do not like what he posts quit reading them and by the way quit calling members names, and you wonder why your partner with your old name was canned on the facebook site! Al

"The More Things One Can Learn The More Money They Can Earn" One of my Dad's favorite one liners. My Dad took me out of my last two years of High School and enrolled me in the now defunct Boys Trade School that was located in Utica, it was something of a pre runner the Boces schools we have today. I studied the Machinist trade and applied subjects such as math, blueprint reading and drafting as they related to that trade along with regular high school subjects and graduated with a NY Vocational diploma and also got a NY GED diploma. I can say with certainty that the lessons I learned there at that Trade School was the most important thing I have ever done. Served me well throughout my life and I still use the things I learned way back then even today as a retired geezer on a regular basis, especially when working on firearms. Reading, Writing and Arithmetic along with a solid trade you will have it made if you have any ambition! Al

A poll will show Big Game hunting is more popular than hunting for Small Game and the reasons being pretty much shown from the replies in this thread. For me personally the matter is not even close as I much prefer Small Game hunting over Big Game for a multitude of reasons. As the old saying goes "Variety Is The Spice Of Life" and that pretty much sums up why I like Small Game hunting so much. I especially like hunting with dogs, I have bred and trained various hunting breeds for most of my adult life. Kind of like being a sports coach, I provide training methods and opportunity to succeed. A proud feeling of accomplishment when the hard work pays off and that Beagle pup brings around that first Hare or Cottontail to the gun or your young Coonhound trees it's first Coon alone, an Airedale pup flushing a Grouse or Pheasant and making a retrieve. Then there is the Firearms, a favorite hobby of mine, I have acquired a few in my lifetime and I especially like hunting with them, would not be pulling the trigger too often if I hunted just Deer. Rimfires are a favorite and Squirrels are their game for the most part providing plenty of trigger pulls along with a few Rabbits, Coon and Chucks for good measure. Shotguns especially side by side doubles, Crows, Pheasant, Woodcock and Grouse with some waterfowl. Precision and long range rifles for the Varmints and calling, Crows, Chucks Fox and Coyote. Add it all up and it equals "ACTION" and for me personally it beats the Hell out of sitting in a stand waiting for a Buck to come by. Al

17 cal which is .177, 17 Hornet is the smallest I think, the 204 Ruger is .204 Al

The parent case is the 222 Remington Magnum necked down, it is very similar to the 223 case which has a shorter neck. Al

What he said!

That poor Deer must have been living in agony, no question Ticks have become more and more widespread in recent times. When I was a kid I never saw them in my area but over the last 20 years they have started turning up both on me and my hunting dogs. Had to treat several dogs for Lyme. Can't be too careful these days when it comes to moving about in known Tick areas. Deet is the best repellant, Sawyers for your clothes Gamehide has a sale going on for different sets of their "Elimitick" clothing, I just sent off for a set as it is highly rated. What I like is it will repel Ticks for the life of the clothing, we shall see. https://gamehide.com/product-category/elimitick-hunting-clothing/ Al

Same as Pygmy, a 222 Remington, 4 pt Buck, 70 yds, neck shot, fell where it stood. My first Deer. Al