Firestarter: Using Chocolate and a Can of Coke

April 26, 2005
Camping
No Comments

Back about twenty years ago when I was actively an instructor of Advanced Hunter Education for the Minnesota DNR, I soon learned how fascinated sportsmen were with fire. I’m not sure if it’s some natural urge that dates back to prehistoric man, but there’s no doubt about it men like to play with fire.

One of the exercises we used in class was pairing up students and to have them start a campfire as a team. They could use their own techniques for starting the fire…and we would supply several tools for ignition. The whole point of the exercise was to get the adult students to practice something they maybe hadn’t thought a whole lot about since their scouting days. Often, I was amazed at how some groups were quite adept at starting their fires while other groups seemed to struggle with utter frustration.

Most often sportsmen rely on matches or some device (such as a BIC lighter) to make the job much easier. There are even a whole host of metal matches (made from magnesium), windproof lighters, waterproof match containers, etc. to help get the job done.

But that’s not what this is all about. No, there’s a special feeling about starting a fire and doing so in an unconventional manner. It shows resourcefulness and a certain aptitude for the outdoors that makes you want to get stranded with a dude who has abilities like that.

One of my personal favorite fire starting methods involves using steel wool and flashlight batteries. I remember showing this in class one time and having a student tell me that learning that technique alone was worth the price of the class. It’s a neat trick, and it will impress your friends. Every Mag-Lite Flashlight I own has a screw-off back with a spring. (This is typically where you will find a spare bulb wrapped in some foam) Well, within the spring is ample room to wad up some 000 steel wool and store it for when you need a fire someday. In doing so, I know that EVERY flashlight I own has the capability to show me the way in the dark AND to start a fire in an emergency.

Until today I thought my flashlight fire starting technique was the coolest…but perhaps no more. I recently discovered a method for igniting a fire using an ordinary pop can and a small piece of pure chocolate. That’s right…tell me what sportsman doesn’t carry a can of pop and at least a chocolate bar or two in their fanny pack. I know I sure do.

I’m not going to get into the detailed instructions here…but you can link to this web site for further details. I have not tried the technique as of yet…but in theory it certainly seems plausible and would be a fun new way to impress your friends. Who knows, the next time you’re sitting around the campsite you may even win a few bets with this nifty technique as your astonished friends look on.

Undoubtedly, it was some well-rounded sportsman who thought up this fire starting method. I’m anxious to hear from others if you have an unconventional fire starting method that’s your favorite.

Sportsmen, Don’t Leave Home without It

October 11, 2004
Camping Fishing Gear Hunting Outdoor Techniques
1 Comment

To most sportsmen there are a few items of gear that are considered absolutely essential. For instance, consider how popular the pocket knife or multi-tool has become with a growing number of outdoor folk. Then again think about how nifty the little hand-held GPS units have become for navigating in the big outdoors. Still, I contend there is one piece of often over-looked equipment that should be found in every sportsman’s pack and vehicle.

Any ideas what that equipment might be? It costs less than $5, yet it can save a trip and possibly save a life. The uses are endless and only limited by a sportsman’s creativity. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes, including camouflage. Give up? I’m talking about Duck Tape. There are literally thousands of uses for Duck Tape thus making it one of the most versatile pieces of essential equipment that any sportsman can carry. But is it called Duck Tape or Duct Tape? Actually, the tape was first developed during World War II to keep moisture out of ammunition cases (like water off a “duck’s” back—hence the name DUCK TAPE).

Consider a few of these modern day uses…then consider how a roll might have saved you some headaches during a past outdoor adventure:

In The Truck
1. Emergency repair to radiator hoses
2. Patch seat covers
3. Electrical repairs
4. Securing gear together to prevent rattling during transport
5. Removing dog hair from seats

In the Boat
1. Repair minor leaks in hull
2. Emergency repair of cracked and leaky gas lines
3. Hiding a spare key with tape to a secret location in boat
4. Hold boat navigation lights in place
5. Securing broken windshields

Around the Camp
1. Repair torn tarps
2. Securing tie-down ropes so they don’t slip
3. Securing coolers to keep critters from their thievery
4. Creating insect proof between tent walls and floor
5. Splint a broken leg
6. Use as a big band-aid to control bleeding

Hunting
1. Temporary patching of torn clothing
2. Fixing broken decoys
3. Removing hair/feathers from game meat
4. Constructing and attaching blind material
5. Making fletching for an arrow
6. Waterproofing shot shell boxes
7. Field repair of a cracked gunstock
8. Covering muzzle to keep rain/dirt out of barrel
9. Emergency repair of hunting boots
10. Create non-slip grips on hunting knives

Fishing
1. Repair broken fishing rod
2. Waterproof a hat
3. Fix leaky minnow bucket
4. Make a cut-resistant filleting glove
5. Secure removable dividers in tackle box
6. Emergency repair a hole in landing net
7. Repair punctured or torn waders/hip boots

Out-of-the-ordinary Uses
1. Cut a small piece and leave on a wart for several days. It will starve it of oxygen and is considered more effective than freezing to remove.
2. Homeland security. The government is urging all families to keep enough Duck Tape on hand to be used for protection against chemical or biological terror attacks in the future.

As you can see Duck Tape is no ordinary piece of equipment for the sportsman. Keep several rolls on hand and above all, be creative and don’t forget to grab it the next time you have a dilemma on your hands that requires a “sticky situation.”

Three Recipes with a Unique Twist

Now that duck season is underway I want to share a very simple, yet unique way to prepare the wild fare you’ll bring home from the field. A second recipe will turn your deer camp into a bunch of coffee-loving connoisseurs. Finally, a third recipe will help turn gamey-tasting meat into a gourmet delight. All three recipes are proven winners and will leave your friends wondering how in the world you did it.

7-Up Duck
First off, 7-Up duck is not so much a recipe as it is a method of preparation. To begin, you will need several cans of 7-Up on hand (and we’re not talking the diet variety here). Once your game birds are perfectly cleaned and ready to marinate, you simply take enough 7-Up and pour this soda into a pan that contains your meat. Ideally you want the meat to be completely submerged into the marinade, but it’s perfectly acceptable to turn the meat periodically, as well.

The main goal of marinating fowl with 7-Up is to add a slight citrus flavoring as well as slightly sweetening the meat. Personally, I also add a little salt to the marinate as this helps to draw out some of the blood and other undesirable substances in areas where pellets may still be in the meat. Although I haven’t done it…there would be no reason not to further experiment by adding some seasoning to the marinate mixture. However, the first time you try 7-Up duck just use the soda as your marinade…chances are you won’t want to mess further with something that is so perfect and simple.

Leave the meat in the marinade overnight in the refrigerator. Then when you are ready to cook, discard all liquids and prepare the meat in your favorite manner. The key here is the meat needs to be in the marinade at least overnight. This recipe is provided courtesy of my good hunting buddy, Jeff Flood, of Mankato.

Scandinavian Egg Coffee
Okay, I know this sounds awful, but believe me…if you follow this recipe carefully you’ll be glad you took the risk. I first came across this recipe one fall when I was working as a park ranger. I approached a campsite where an older gentleman camper had a large (32 cup) coffee boiler hanging on a tripod over an open fire. It was one of those crisp fall days with the smell of leaves burning in the campfires. But the smells from this campsite were particularly enticing. The camper invited me in for a cup of coffee and how could I refuse.

WOW! One sip and I quickly declared it the best coffee I had ever tasted. I’m not a big coffee fan, but this brew was some special and out of the ordinary…and the anonymous camper was mighty proud of it, too. He gave me the recipe for his concoction with the caution that you must follow each instruction carefully or it will not turn out.

In a 32 cup coffee boiler (that would be a coffee pot with no innards) bring the water to a rolling boil in the pot. While the water is heating, take a separate container and mix one egg (the entire egg—shell and all), one cup of coffee grounds, and one-half cup of water. Essentially you will have a paste like mixture that looks much like potting soil.

Once the water is boiling in the pot…add this entire mixture of coffee and egg into the boiling water. Let it boil for an additional two minutes then remove the pot from the fire. Finally, take one cup of COLD water and throw into the coffee pot. The cold water will settle the coffee grounds to the bottom of the pot, if everything was done correctly. If there are still some grounds floating…then skim them off carefully before serving. The result is a coffee lacking some of the bitterness (removed by the egg) but with every bit the full flavor.

I guarantee hunters in your camp will be impressed by your newly discovered expertise in coffee brewing. HINT: Remember; when boiling the water you will be adding more volume to the pot so do not completely fill the pot initially with water. Also, if you choose to make a smaller batch simply cut the proportions in half, but ALWAYS use an entire egg.

Venison Roast with Coffee Seasoning
Okay, sticking with the coffee theme…I also suggest you try seasoning your next venison roast with coffee grounds. Simply do this: Prepare your venison roast for the oven or crock pot as you normally would do. Now when it comes time to season it, take and wrap the roast with bacon strips using toothpicks to hold each strip in place. Then, take a tablespoon of INSTANT coffee grounds and lightly sprinkle over the entire top of the venison roast. The result will be a roast that imparts a delicious flavor with no hints of gaminess. And no, just to answer your question…guests will NOT think the meat tastes like coffee…but they will want to know your new culinary secret. This recipe is provided courtesy of my cousin, Gary Urness.