Enjoying The Outdoors…INDOORS! (on your computer)

There are lots of resources on the Internet these days promoting hunting, fishing and the outdoors in general…but today I would like to focus on a few that I personally find quite interesting.   Some of these sites I check on a daily basis…others…well, not quite so often.   Still, each of the sites I’m about to list has merit for you to spend a moment or two of your time and decide for yourself.

Because this is a weblog site I’m going to focus on similar sites within the blogosphere that cater to the outdoors as we enjoy it.   It seems even though blogging has been going on for several years it’s still an activity ripe for further development for the hunter, fisherman and outdoors enthusiast.

One of the “original kids on the block,” so to speak, is Dave Richey’s Blog.   Richey is a well-known outdoors writer with the Detroit News, but he seems to have a passion about journaling, and thus blogging.   Richey’s blog is certainly one that I have syndicated and read on a daily basis.   His insight, knowledge and humor about the outdoors is very inspirational to other writers.

Another well known outdoors writer in the upper Midwest (particularly in Wisconsin) is Dan Small.   Small has been the host and producer of a popular television program called Outdoor Wisconsin that has been broadcast for over 20 years.   He’s also the contributing editor of Wisconsin Outdoor News which is a bi-weekly print newspaper.   But for our purposes, Dan also keeps a great blog that’s contributed to on almost a daily basis.   Check it out.

Another nicely written outdoors blog that is succinctly written and topically informative is GazOutdoors written by the outdoors writers at the Billings (MT) Gazette.

Perhaps one of the most informative of all outdoor blogs is that of J.R. Absher’s The Outdoor Weblog.   Absher seems to have a knack for sifting through the timely news articles of the day as they relate to outdoors world as we enjoy it.  Even though I’m focusing on weblogs today, I would be remiss if I didn’t at least direct you to Absher’s companion web site known as The Outdoor Pressroom.   This daily compilation of outdoor news stories has certainly inspired a blog or two from this writer, as I suspect it has for other outdoors writers around the country.

Changing gears just a bit and because I am a strong 2nd Amendment rights advocate, thus I almost daily check out John Lott’s blog as he champions the battle for gun owners.

One of the best blogs for pure information that I check often has little to do with the outdoors…but because I like to eat good food I check it out.   This blog is so nicely developed that if for no other reason, it should serve as inspiration to the rest of us bloggers as to where we can take things.

I also check out two blogs that deal with small business marketing and blogging.   One is the Duct Tape Marketing Blog and the other is a site called Build A Better Blog.   Both contain good information not only for self-promoters, but to get the most out of your blogging experience.

Finally, I’m pleased to list several other blogs that I check with some regularity.   Most have some strong connection with the outdoors, but not all of them see contributions daily by their authors.   Still, as blogging further develops this list of web addresses will surely grow many fold.   Check these out:

Pennsylvania: Hunt. Fish. Shoot.
The Traveling Sportsman
Old Deer Hunter’s Blog
MidCurrent
MaineHunters.com Interactive News Blog
The Rational Hunter
Fishing Jones
Bass Pundit

Hey, I know I’ve probably have missed a lot of good outdoors blogs…but if you have a particular favorite you think I need to check out…please drop me a line or leave a comment.   Remember, when you can’t be outside…continue enjoying the outdoors…INDOORS! (on your computer)

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

Taking The Bite Out of Summer

When it comes to mosquitoes I’m sure that we all have horror stories we can relate.   For me what immediately comes to mind is a time when I was muskie fishing in northern Minnesota one early August evening.   It was as if somebody flipped the proverbial switch and the bite was on…except our concern this time wasn’t about muskies.

No, this time it was mosquitoes and they attacked with a ferocity that I had never experienced before.   Worse yet, we had not planned for this ambush so there was no repellent onboard the boat to thwart the attack.   Speed, that’s all we had going for us…and it was that speed that took us back to the boat landing where once again WE were the appetizer for an evening smorgasbord as we loaded the boat on the trailer.

Nothing can spoil an otherwise pleasant outdoor experience quicker than mosquitoes.   That’s why I will never be caught out in the middle of a lake again without a bottle of repellent – it is now standard equipment within my tackle box.   More importantly, with the ever-present threat of West Nile virus not taking extra precautions these days is simply being foolhardy.

Yesterday the government’s Center for Disease Control had mosquitoes on their mind, too.   For the first time the CDC is now recommending two other repellent sources beyond the old standby, DEET.   Most of the various brand name products we all use have some concentration level of this chemical.   Problem is, there is growing concern that some people are not using any repellent with DEET out of fear of applying that particular chemical on their bodies.

Indeed, studies have shown that it is not necessary to have a repellent containing 100% DEET to be effective.   Even lower concentration mixtures have been providing beneficial protection.   Now, however, people have more “recommended” choices in the form of two new approved substances.   With this new CDC backing, repellent manufacturers will likely find it easier to compete against applications that previously contained the only approved substance – DEET.

The two new recommended substances include another chemical called picaridin and a naturally occurring substance in the form of oil of lemon eucalyptus.   Expect to see repellent manufacturers taking advantage of this new CDC recommendation in the months to come as promotions for repellent products hit the media.

So what does this all mean to us, the sportsman?   Well, for one thing it will give us more options at the store this summer.   One person might find that DEET works better while another person will find oil of lemon eucalyptus more pleasing.   The strange thing about mosquitoes is they don’t seem to affect everyone in the same way.   I have friends who seem blessed with hardly ever receiving a bite while I seem to make up the difference for them.

Keep in mind these other two substances are also proven in that they have been sold and used in many parts of Europe and Australia for years.   By being more liberal with their recommendations, CDC experts believe that mosquito repellant will be more widely used now with virtually the same effectiveness.

The main key for sportsmen is to discover what works best for the individual.   I’m not sure if there is an odor with the new choices, but I know that for me the smell of DEET would quickly subside minutes after application.   Still, I’m curious enough to give these other substances a chance this summer.   For me it’s not an option to stay indoors during the “mosquito hours” of early morning and late afternoon/dusk.   These are prime hours for being a sportsman and it now appears I have two new weapons against the enemy who likes to spoil my enjoyment of the outdoors.

Additional Resource Links:

www.offprotects.com

www.cutterinsectrepellent.com

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission.

An Interesting Day In The Outdoors World

It’s not too often the news seems to be filled with weird stories about nature, but certainly the past few days have seen some interesting developments regarding animals reported both locally and around the world.   Take a look:

TIGERS ATTACK MINNEAPOLIS WOMAN

It seems about 35 miles away from where I live this morning a woman was attacked by four tigers when she was cleaning their pen.   The victim was flown by Mayo ONE to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester where she reportedly remains in serious condition.   Allegedly the property on which she was working has had numerous zoning violations in the past for raising exotic pets.   Authorities are now considering additional charges against the property owner in light of this new incident.

EXTINCT WOODPECKER REDISCOVERED IN ARKANSAS
Ibw
On a much brighter note, we are now learning that a species of woodpecker, the ivory-billed woodpecker last confirmed sighting in 1944, has now again been rediscovered in the Big Woods of eastern Arkansas.   The bird, once in great demand for its brilliant plumage, has been thought to be extinct for nearly 60 years.   In fact, the bird is one of a handful of bird species that was believed to have become extinct during the last Century.   But no more, sufficient confirmations through independent sightings, including one on video tape, serves as proof the bird very much still exists in the wild.   Bird enthusiasts around the world are rejoicing in this recent discovery.

GERMAN TOADS EXPLODING WITH NO EXPLANATION

On the European side of the globe we also learned today that German toads are literally exploding with no logical explanation.   The toads reportedly will swell up and eventually *POP* obviously killing them.   To date, more than a thousand toads in one pond have perished in this manner when their stomachs expand until they suddenly burst from the increased pressure.   Scientists have examined the toads and the water from the pond but as of yet offer no logical explanation.   

PLAY IT WHERE IT LAYS…MAYBE!!
Gator
And finally, one of my favorite wildlife stories actually occurred last week but wasn’t widely reported on until this week.   You know the cardinal rule of golf…play the ball where it lays.   Well, it seems three old duffers were playing golf down in South Carolina when one of them teed off and bounced the golf ball in such a fashion that it landed on the tail of a big old alligator.   I know what you’re thinking…but no, the golfer did NOT play the ball where it landed.   Instead, his better judgment dictated that a “ball drop” was probably a more prudent option to continue under the circumstances.

© 2005 Jim Braaten.  All Rights Reserved.   No Reproduction without Prior Permission