volume 1survivor log issue #6...hangers to chandeliers. this can particularly be the case when it...
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VOLUME 1 ISSUE #6
SURVIVOR LOGKNOW YOUR OPTIONS
AND BE PREPARED
Women’s Self-Defense
Weapons
CHASING GOBBLERS WITH STICK AND STRING
Bow Huntingfor Turkey
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ANIMALS FOR YOUR LAND
HomesteadingLivestock
TARGETING SUMMER SUSTENANCE
Warmwater Fishing for Food
DIY Focus• ANTLER-HANDLE KNIFE
• MAPLE FLOWER FRITTER RECIPE
• BREW YOUR OWN DANDELION WINETHE RECON 3 GEN IISLEEPING BAG
GearReview
CONTENTSVOLUME 1/ISSUE 6FEATURES/COVER STORIESSO MUCH TO READ! HERE’S WHERE YOU START...
BOW HUNTING FOR TURKEYChasing Thunder-Chickens With Bow & Arrow
08Make Your Own MasterpieceANTLER KNIFE HANDLE
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SURVIVOR LOGDirector
Charlie Deleon Guerrero
EditorDante Zuniga-West
DesignersPaul John Bongares
Metodi Kolev
Contributors
Kate Stover
Alex Steventon
Bronwynn Dean
Josh Lutje
Hunt Haldeman
Address1863 Pioneer Pkwy E Ste 222 • Springfield, OR 97477
Websitewww.PrimitiveSurvivors.com
MAPLE FLOWER FRITTERSMake The Most Of Your Maples
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Put These Pesky Flowers To Use!DIY QUICK DANDELION WINE
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Choosing The Right Animals For Your LandHOMESTEAD ANIMALS
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WOMEN’S SELF DEFENSEHow To Stay Safe And Prepared
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New Military-Style Sleeping BagFrom Elite Survival Systems
RECON 3 GEN II SLEEPING BAG
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Catching Summertime SustenanceWARMWATER FISH FOR FOOD
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Antler Knife HandleBy Kate Stover
Materials Needed:• Antler- preferably one that is at least 5-inches long and relatively straight • Electric saw
• Small container filled with creek water • Vice • Duct tape • Electric drill• Knife blade with a hidden or push tang • Epoxy
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Killing a deer is an exhilarating experience that results in a lot of work to ensure that all parts of
the animal can be put to use. In addition to processing the meat, the antlers and bones can be used in many ways, from coat hangers to chandeliers. This can particularly
be the case when it comes to dropping spikes or forked-horned deer. Sure, they may not have racks worthy of being wall-hangers, but there are plenty of other options when it comes to putting those antlers to use. Below is a guide to help you turn your antler into a knife handle.
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1. Remove the antlers from the skull. The most effective way to do this is to use an electric saw. Cover the ground with plastic for easier clean up. Have someone hold down the skull while you saw, or use a vice to stabilize it.
2. Soak the antler in creek water for a couple weeks to a month. Doing this will soften up the pithy material in the center of the antler. This process will cause the antler to develop a foul odor. Just keep it in a closed container to avoid being bothered by the smell.
3. When the center of the antler is saturated, you can begin inserting the blade. For best results, use a drill bit slightly larger than the tang on the blade. Place the antler in the vice and begin drilling a hole in the center. This process is not easy and will take time, so be patient and be careful. Be mindful of the angle of the antler so you do not drill through the side. Also, be careful when you are drilling, so as to not break the drill bit off inside the antler. 4. Once you have drilled as far as you can, take your blade and wrap it in duct tape. This will protect your hands from being sliced open as you insert the blade into the antler.
5. Begin pushing and twisting the tang into the antler. Most tangs are like a giant screw, so twisting it will help secure it into place.
6. When the tang is inserted as far into the antler as possible, add epoxy to fill in any extra space you created with the drill. Let it sit for 20 minutes to harden. You can use sand paper at this point to smooth out the epoxy if need be.
Note: Depending on the intended use of your knife, you can add flair. This particular knife has a bit of rabbit fur that has been affixed to where the blade’s hilt meets the antler itself. Not only does this serve to make the entire knife look better, it can also “cover up your work,” should your epoxy create a somewhat unsightful end result when bonding.
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BowHuntingfor TurkeyBy Josh Lutje
They say the definition of insanity is attempting the same thing over and over while expecting a different outcome.
Spring turkey season in the PNW won’t just bring one to the brink of insanity, it can induce full-blown lunacy, especially if you choose to chase the timber toms with bow and arrow. The Pacific Northwest is well known for its beautiful mountain tops and lush green valleys. The chance to commune with any of its wildlife gives cause to wake well before the alarm on opening morning, however that’s not where the hunt begins. As is true with most hunts, thoughtful preparation produces a higher chance of success. Unless you are fortunate enough to be on privileged terms with a private land owner who sees the birds on a daily basis, your turkey hunt will be on public land. This means high pressure, more predation and much more territory to cover.
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Gearing UpWhile simplicity should remain the name of the game, there are a few foundational pieces of gear you will need. Let’s start with clothing. With the smarter and higher pressured birds on public land, blending into your surroundings will play a rather large role in walking just to the left of insanity and putting meat on the table. Pick a break-up pattern that reflects your surroundings and wear good face paint or a facemask. Spring is warm and wet, as this is largely a sitting game, find comfortable rainproof gear. A good rule of thumb is to spend as much on your raingear as you do on your bow. A stool or ground pad may seem like a luxury until you are forty-five minutes into waiting out a hung tom and your legs have fallen asleep. Dry feet while hunting will only add to the experience so invest in some rubber boots or very high quality hiking boots.
The choice of broadhead far outweighs the choice of arrow or bow. Using a razor broadhead will almost certainly result in lost game as it will cut right through the bird without creating much knock-down impact. Even if you sever major arteries or hit vital organs the bird will run or fly
some distance before expiring. A judo tip is quite effective as its blunt tip and off-shooting wires will maximize the impact of the arrow, likely knocking the bird off its feet. There are also more specialized broadheads for turkey, but they tend to drastically limit your range. The choices in bows and arrow shafts vary and are best left to your local bow shop, just make sure the arrow you are shooting fits your draw length and the poundage of bow you are using. Find a combination you’re comfortable with and shoot it every weekend.
When it comes to calling in turkeys with a partner, a simple box call is the way to go. They are durable and easy to teach a new hunting partner to use so that you too can try your luck at the longbeards while they call. If going solo, a box call is not ideal as it does require some movement and one cannot call with it at full draw. In these cases, a mouth-positioned reed call will suffice. Almost no movement is required, with practice you can achieve a very realistic sound. Handsfree operation will allow you to be at full draw until your arms give out, insanity sets in, or you release an arrow that flies at “Baywatch” speed toward a trophy thunder-chicken.
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Decoys will help keep the birds focused on something other than you and your booted foot that has inevitably fallen asleep. The style of decoy will depend on the setup you’re using. If you do not plan on having the birds get very close to the decoy, an inflatable or flat cardboard bird will work well. If you are setting up at the edge of a field hoping the agitated gobbler will attack your decoy, then a highly detailed and realistic decoy is what you will need.
ScoutingScouting for spring turkey is not a difficult task and can easily be done in the half hour before light or just after dark. It’s especially fun to take a youngster along for a predawn scout as it usually produces exciting, vocal results. Typically, it is best done by a field, meadow or older clear-cut that has seed-producing grasses and berries. Elder berries are an especially good sign and will often sweeten the meat of an older bird. Hardwoods such as oak or maple are ideal roosting spots, though turkey will roost in conifers as well.
During the predawn scout, creep to the edge of a clearing in the turkey woods with a simple box call and give a few slow clucks followed with a couple sharp chirps. If there are roosted toms in the area they are almost guaranteed to boom a hearty gobble in response. If, after two good attempts, nothing answers back, move on. If you do wake one up, fall silent immediately, note the position of the answer and quietly back out of the area.
Don’t over call. At this hour of the morning the birds are high in the trees and feel safe, if they are there, they will call back.
The Setup Once the birds are found and you get close to the flock, wading through the hens or curious jakes to get a shot at the tom is your next challenge. If you use a blind, use a simple and portable setup, a pop-up curtain at the most. Often it will work best to use the brush around you, it will minimize scent, setup time and noise. Position yourself at the downwind side of the timber from the pre-scouted roost. If you choose to use decoys, set them up behind you and to your offhand side. If you set up the decoy in front of you there is a greater chance of the crafty old tom hanging up just out of range. Placing decoys on your offhand side offers you a much smoother and more natural pivot should the need arise. There are thousands of different decoy configurations that work, but a simple go-to is to place a jake and a hen together, then place a solo hen about 15-feet away.
Closing the DealNow that you have scouted and found the elusive birds, geared up, set up and called in your very own timber tom, it is time to close the deal. But that, is all up to you. Just don’t forget these last two vital pieces of wisdom when hunting any game: without a camera, it’s just a story… and don’t forget the toilet paper.
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You Will Need:• Foraged dandelion blossoms. Please make sure you gather from an unsprayed lawn or field and one that isn’t frequented by dogs.• Sugar• 1 pkg wine-making yeast (.25 oz) can be purchased at your local fermentation shop• Active dry yeast will also do the trick.• Lemon• Stockpot• Fermentation vessel. I use a repurposed gallon glass jug. If you have a plastic wine fermentor that works great, but I prefer the glass. Make sure your container is clean and sanitized with a drop of bleach.• A wine/beer-making airlock. This can be purchased online or at your local fermentation shop for around $2 and can be reused.• Mason jars for storage. Quart jars are best, but glass jars with stoppers are great too. Use whatever you have around the house, just make sure they are cleaned and sterilized with a drop of bleach.
DIY Dandelion Wine
By Bronwynn Dean
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This time of year, the dandelions are popping up everywhere. Instead of cursing them, or working to
eradicate them, why not put them to good use? Dandelions have many uses, the
greens are edible, the roots can be used as a tonic, and the blossoms make a delicious, summery adult beverage. This easy-to-make dandelion wine is adapted from an old homestead recipe.
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To Make:1. Gather dandelion blossoms, use one quart of blossoms per one gallon of water.
2. Rinse blossoms in colander.
3. Boil water in stockpot, add blossoms and boil for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and cool. Steep for 24 hrs with lid on.
4. Strain blossoms from liquid.
5. Activate yeast according to package directions. For this, I re-warmed a cup of the dandelion infusion, add 1 tbs of sugar and the yeast packet.
6. When it foams up, pour back into the stockpot.
7. Add 2 cups per 1 gallon of infusion of sugar. This is on the relatively un-sweet side, as dandelions are bitter you might choose to add another cup if you prefer a sweeter wine.
8. Add a sliced lemon.
9. Pour into your fermentor. Allow at least an inch or two from the top for fermentation to happen, or your wine could blow out the top
of your fermentor. This is still a possibility with active fermentation. Be sure to keep your wine somewhere that you can monitor so you don’t end up with a sticky mess.
10. Affix the fermentation lock with a bit of water or clear alcohol in the tubing to show the bubbling action.
11. Place the fermentor in a cool area for approximately 10-14 days, until the bubbles in the fermentation lock stop being active. This indicates all of the sugars have been transformed to alcohol and your wine is ready to drink.
12. Strain the wine through cheesecloth or a coffee filter to catch the sediment as you pour into quart jars to store. The sediment is from dead yeast and you really don’t want to drink that, it can cause gastrointestinal distress.
13. If you are patient enough, age your wine another week in the jars. But you should at least try a glass now and enjoy the sunny, nutty taste of the old-timers’ go-to beverage.
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Choosing a menagerie for your homestead can be fun, but also frustrating. It usually takes years
of trial and error to discover which animals and how many of each variety can be adequately supported on a piece of land. However, there are a few requirements for each species that should be considered when assessing the carrying capacity of
your property. For example; does each animal have enough space? Is there enough natural forage to avoid feed costs? Do they have constant access to fresh water? These are principles that can be applied universally. We will cover just a few specifics of some commonly kept beasts and fowl.
Homestead Animals
By A.M.B. Steventon
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CowsThe amount of land that is needed for a cow depends on many factors. The first question you must ask yourself is what breed of cattle will you choose? Smaller cows consume less and some breeds will eat more brush and browse like elk. Secondly, what is your soil like? Rich, irrigated soil produces more nutritionally dense food. Next, what is the climate like where you live? Colder weather requires more calories just to stay alive, not to mention grow. And lastly, how do you plan on raising them and for what purpose?
Will they be milk cows who are pampered and have their feed trucked in by bales? Or will they be meat cows who roam at will and are only ever seen on that special day in fall when it comes time to put them
in the freezer? Depending on these aforementioned factors, you may need as little as a few-hundred square feet or as much as 25 acres per head.
GoatsGoats require far less land than cows do. It’s not just because they are smaller. Goats graze on a wide variety of vegetation, even the cambium of trees you just planted. These animals will chew on anything within reach, whether it be the ignition wire on your dirt bike or apples out of a tree that you thought were only accessible through the use of a ladder. As a general rule, you should allot at least a quarter acre per goat. And again, how one raises goats depends on your intended purpose, will you use them for meat, milk, fur, leather, or as a pack animal?
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SheepIf the quality of your pasture is good, it can support about four sheep per acre with supplemental hay and feed in the winter. However, a pasture with poorer quality may only support two sheep per acre with additional feed. Sheep are a must-have on a homestead if there is room. From sheep one can get meat, milk, leather and wool. Yes, all other mammals of the farm can produce meat, milk, and leather. However, it’s the wool that will keep you warm through the winter.
Pigs Swine can be raised in small backyard pens to dispose of kitchen and garden waste or they can be left to wander and root to their heart content in pasture and woods. You do not need much space at all for them. Backyard pigs need only 200-square feet of living space. If you are raising them free-range, each pig will need about an acre. But be warned, if you intend on letting your pigs roam free, harvest time may turn into a hunting expedition.
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ChickensChoosing the right chicken for your property depends yet again on the reasons for keeping them. There are laying chickens, meat chickens and dual-purpose breeds. And they range in size from bantam to very large. On average, layers produce anywhere from 250 to 280 eggs a year per bird and one can expect 2 eggs per day for every 3 chickens. Raising meat birds is more of a short-term affair. Most meat breeds are ready for harvest at 36 weeks. Dual-purpose breeds are essentially large laying birds however they lack the restaurant style musculature of the meat breeds.
DucksIf kept in confinement, ducks need about 6-square feet per bird. But if only confined for the night and let out during the day they need about 3-square feet per bird. Ducks feed on a wide variety of greens, bugs and even meat if they get a chance.
I have seen Muscovy ducks fight over a dead mouse that one of the cats killed. The duck that won swallowed the mouse whole and ran off to the pond to wash it down.
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Guinea HensThis loud and strange looking clown of a bird that originates from west Africa has become a familiar sight on farms all over the world. These birds lay eggs (if you can find them) slightly smaller than chicken eggs. They have a fair amount of meat on their bones compared to laying chickens.
Their feathers have a very striking black and white dot pattern that can be used in tying fishing flies. They are the best backwoods proximity alarm system in the world, that no burglar or mountain lion could ever silently disarm. And best of all….one Guinea hen can clear a quarter acre of ticks in a day!
Turkeys & PeacocksThese two species are best left at large. They can be raised in confinement just as any animal but you will like them so much more if you don’t see them everyday. They both produce eggs, however not with any regularity that can be counted on. These birds are usually kept for meat. Turkeys and peacocks are very hardy birds. Once past the fledgling stage of their lives there is not much that kills these birds except hunters and cars.
Apart from all of the animals you will also need a pitch fork, a wheelbarrow, a manure fork, a shovel, a hoe, sheers if you choose sheep, a hatchet/tomahawk, a knife, and a .38 and/or .22 caliber pistol for harvest time. You will also need rope. All animals are great, not just for the food they provide but for their companionship, as well as the countless hours of just watching them be.
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Maple Flower FrittersBy A.M.B. Steventon
Materials:• 1 cup organic brown rice flour • 1 table spoon organic corn starch • 1 tea spoon baking powder
• 1 table spoon salt • 3 eggs • Enough lard or fry oil for 1” deep in fry pan or wok• 2 plates full of fresh maple flowers
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There comes a time every year when there is food in abundance all around us. SPRING! However, some “hills folk”
delicacies are short-lived in their availability. Maple flowers begin to come out in late March and early April, depending on location. Maple flowers
can be eaten raw, although the best way I have found to enjoy them is to lightly batter them and fry them in lard (rendered pork fat. Beef tallow is also acceptable). They can be accompanied with absolutely any condiment, from sugar and maple syrup, to ranch, mayonnaise or ketchup.
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Making maple fritters first requires rendering the lard in which the fritters will be fried. To render lard is like making bacon, just throw the fat in a hot, dry pan or wok and cook the fat until it shrinks and becomes crispy. Remove the crispy lardoons and eat as desired. Once enough fat has been rendered to give you about an inch and a half of liquid, you are ready to start frying maple fritters.
Whip the three eggs in a bowl and set it to the side. Then, combine all of your dry ingredients in a glass pie pan or a dish with a shallow edge. Now, you’re ready to start battering. First, dunk the maple flowers in the eggs and let most of the
egg drain off back into the bowl. Then, drop the egg-covered flower cluster into your rice and flour mixture, making sure to cover the whole thing with the flour. Now, simply drop the flower cluster into the hot oil and roll it over a few times while cooking to ensure that it is fried all the way around. It only takes about two to three minutes to cook each flower cluster thoroughly. When the flowers are done it is a good idea to place them on a cooling rack or paper towel where they can drip off any excess grease.
The ingredients I used cost me a total of $1.67 but would have cost more if I was not able to procure
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eggs from my chickens. The lard came from a pig I butchered in the winter. And the maple flowers (from big leaf maple, Acer Macrophyllum) bloom in excess here in the Pacific Northwest from the end of March and all through April. The best thing about hunting down food like this is that it doesn’t run away and the quality can be assessed before one harvests.
If trees with low-hanging branches are hard to find, you may want to consider picking a maple tree to cut down for firewood. Make sure the buds are not open when you cut it down or they will fly all over the place when the tree comes crashing down.
Once the tree is down, leave it all intact for about 2 to 3 weeks. The flowers will still bloom even though the tree is cut, and they are all easy to reach being that they are at ground level now. Once you have collected all the flowers you want, then you can buck the tree and cut rounds for firewood.
Maple flowers battered and fried are great as appetizers or as a side in place of french fries. Other flowers can be cooked in this way, such as pumpkin and squash, and can even be stuffed with other ingredients like cheese and/or peppers. Don’t be afraid to experiment with all sorts of condiments from sweet to savory.
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Recon 3Gen IISleepingBagBy Hunt Haldeman
When it comes to camping, one of the most important items in your pack is your sleeping bag. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive items to take into account when it comes to spending overnight time in the great outdoors. A high-end sleeping bag can easily cost more than $500, and in a world where “you get what you pay for,” cheapo sleeping bags can absolutely ruin your entire camping experience by failing to live up to the most basic of standards. There’s nothing worse than waking up from a rough night of sleep in the woods as a result of a faulty sleeping bag. Conversely, there’s an incredibly deep sense of satisfaction gained when you find yourself rising from a well-rested night in a cozy sleeping bag that kept you snug as a bug.
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It all comes down to research, comparison, and money. You want something that is durable, easy to stuff in a backpack and warm enough to keep your core body temperature where it needs to be for a night’s rest. There are plenty of sleeping bag models at the high end of the price spectrum, and even more on the lower end. Picking a quality sleeping bag that won’t break your budget isn’t easy, but no worries, we’ve got you covered. The Recon 3 Gen II sleeping bag, made by Elite Survival Systems, is not only a solid selection for its performance in the field, but also for its easy-on-the-wallet sensibility.
This military-style, two-season sleeping bag boasts an outer top shell made from 210t ripstop nylon with a Teflon finish. The outer bottom shell is constructed from nylon oxford with a waterproof finish. That last part can go a long way if you find yourself needing to sleep in the damp dark woods without proper ground cover. While this is not the kind of sleeping bag we’d suggest if you’re heading on a serious deep-woods expedition, the likes of which would have you living out of your backpack for weeks in sub-zero temperatures, it is an excellent all-purpose bag for the average outdoorsman. Differing from previous generations of Recon bags, the new Gen II includes upgraded features that make it a more effective sleep system. Things like a central storm flap, a PDA inner pocket, and waterproof outer shell make this a great deal, particularly for the money.
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This sleeping bag is currently on issue with RAAF, and US forces in Afghanistan. While it can serve in that capacity, it is just as effective for a hunter, hiker or novice backpacker looking to spend quality time in the woods overnight. The bag and the compression sack it comes with weigh in at approximately 2 pounds. This compression sack helps reduce its volume, which is a great help when it comes to backpacking. It is also ruggedly
fashioned, so you don’t need to worry about accidently tearing the thing up when you cinch it down for your pack out. We’re also big fans of the shaped hood design, allowing for maximum heat retention. Available in olive drab, black, or coyote tan, the Recon 3 Gen II can operate in a variety of environments with it’s temperature rating of 23-degree Fahrenheit.
Price : $180.00Weight : 2 poundsWarmth : -5 degree Celsius, 23-degree FahrenheitLength : Unpacked, 220cmWidth : 85 cm at shoulder, 55cm at feetPacked Dimensions : 21cm x 20cm
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Warmwater Fish for FoodBy Hunt Haldeman
While most folks tend to think of fishing for their food source in larger terms, such as salmon
or halibut, warmwater fish should by no means be overlooked. Not only are warmwater fish more abundant in most parts of the United States, they can often be caught more frequently and in larger numbers. Warmwater fish is a category of fish that spans several species, each of
which can be targeted differently. In order to successfully harvest these fish for food, you need to be aware of everything from spawning seasons, typical species-specific fish behavior, water temperature, time of year, and more. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Below is an overview of different warmwater fish and how to fish for them.
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BassBoth largemouth and smallmouth bass are considered to be the premier warmwater fish of the United States. This is mostly because of their well-earned reputation for being hard-fighting fish, making them highly sought-after targets for sport anglers chasing after the electric thrill of trying to hook and land such fish. Often the buck stops there, with plenty of anglers being perfectly happy to catch and release their largemouth or smallmouth bass back into the pond or river from whence it came. But bass are good eating, when properly prepared. They make excellent fish tacos when breaded and fried. Here are three solid things one must absolutely take into account when looking to fish for bass as a food source.
1. Use live bait. While there are a ton of bass jigs and lures out on the market today, nothing beats live bait when you’re trying to catch a stringer
full of bass. This is a practice often frowned upon by sport anglers, but when it comes to putting food on the table, success is counted in the kitchen. Worms work great, as will crawdad, or small frogs.
2. Watch the weather. On cloudy days, largemouth and smallmouth bass tend to be more active and willing to expose themselves to feed. When there is sun shining on the water, bass will hold tight to cover and wait for food to come to them.
3. Water temperature matters big-time. How warm or cold the water is greatly effects how active bass are, which in turn effects how much food you bring home. When the water temperature is between 55 and 65 degrees, largemouth bass will seek out shallow and protected areas. When it comes to smallies, water temp of 75 degrees is ideal, as the fish are most active then.
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WalleyeNamed for its eyes, capable of seeing in murky waters, the walleye is a fish that tastes great and can provide a good deal of food energy for those who fish in the name of meat-getting. The largest member of the warmwater fish family, and the toothiest as well, the average walleye can grow up to 18 inches and 3 pounds in size. Their spawning season occurs in April, in waters that reach 40-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Found throughout Canada and the northern United States, there is no reason that these fish should not be targeted as a legitimate food source. Here are three tips to put more walleye on your plate.
1. Hit the weeds. Contrary to popular belief, weed beds hold plenty of walleye. This is especially true in shallow, clear-water lakes. To put more walleye in your boat, find these conditions and run a rattling bait over the top of the weed bed. Try to stall the bait at the points of the weed beds that present holes. Diving minnows along
the outskirts of the weed beds is also another great technique to use if hitting the holes does not work.
2. Try a fly. While fly fishing is usually directly associated with other fish species, fly fishing for walleye can be incredibly productive in early spring or late winter. This is when walleyes are moving into rivers in order to spawn. During this time, they can be tricked into biting nymphs or yarn flies. Try drifting one of these along the bottom beneath the reeds or in deeper, quieter holes.
3. Spin to win. Small spinners can have bigtime success when it comes to catching walleye during the mayfly hatch. Try using a small spinner with a little bit of night crawler worm on a small hook. Use a slow retrieve and remember to keep the rig as tiny as possible. Mayfly larvae are no more than an inch in length, and this is what you are imitating.
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BluegillKing of the small warmwater fish, bluegill can fill a frying pan with delicious fillets. They also tend to school up in groups that make catching a lot of them pretty easy. This is exactly what you want when it comes to putting fish in the boat and food on the table. As colorful as they are prolific, these fish have a mating season that spans the length of late spring into early fall depending on where you live in the US. Female bluegill can spawn up to nine times a year, so don’t worry about over-fishing them…they’ll make more. Nesting bluegills will strike anything that invades their spawning site, making this the best time to target them as a food source. Here are three other things to keep in mind when going after these fish.
1. Use crickets. There is something about live crickets that really do it for blue gill. If you breed your own crickets, even better. But a trip to your local pet store should garner you a bag full of
good-sized crickets for close to nothing when it comes to your pocket book. If you can’t get crickets, use beetles or wax worms.
2. Catch ‘em, don’t feed ‘em. If you want to bring bluegill home for dinner, you have to catch them, not donate to their cause. Anyone who has ever fished for bluegill knows that they are terrible bait thieves. To ensure your catch, take care to use the tip of the hook when using live bait. If you are using worms, bait the worm on the hook in a pleated manner.
3. Size matters. This is critical when it comes to catching these fish and not just playing with them. You need to use jigs that are no larger than 1/32 ounce. When using live bait, use #8 hooks or even #12 hooks. Bluegill have particularly shaped and delicate mouths, this is what you are taking into account when keeping things on the small side.
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Women’sSelf DefenseBy Kate Stover
I magine being a woman getting off work after a long day, walking down the street filled with intention to
get home and relax. Suddenly, you hear footsteps behind you. You change your pace, but the person behind you follows suit. Your heart rate begins to increase and a sudden flash of all those movies, TV shows and real-life accounts on the news flood through your mind. You are now increasingly aware of the fact that it is dark and the streets around you feel like a ghost town. You hear the footsteps get closer and there is a feeling deep in your gut that something bad is about to happen. What do you do, and are you prepared? Harassment, assault, abductions and rape are concerns for everyone, but statistics show that women have a much higher chance of encountering these experiences than men. The truth is ugly, 1 in 3 women are assaulted by their partner, a person they
often trust and are most vulnerable with. 3 in 10 women are raped, most often by someone they know. Assault rates increase in bigger cities and the perpetrator is more often someone unfamiliar to the victim. Motivation for assault can vary. If you are a woman and have not been in such a situation, chances are someone close to you has or will be in their lifetime. Preparing for the worst and being ready to be able to defend yourself in any situation could save your life. Do you wear a seatbelt when you drive a car? Do you lock your door before you go to bed? Do you look both ways before you cross the street? You take basic safety precautions everyday. Why not include one more to increase your chances of survival in a very possible assault situation. There are many things you can do and things you can discretely carry to protect yourself.
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Pepper Spray/Mace In today’s markets, Mace is a brand name that sells several sprays including pepper spray. However, pepper spray and mace are actually two very different self-defense products. If given the option between pepper spray and actual Mace, choose pepper spray. Mace has proven to be ineffective against those incapacitated by alcohol or drugs as it is intended to debilitate by causing pain, which can be overcome by someone who is intoxicated. Pepper spray, however, is an inflammatory agent that immediately causes coughing, choking, temporary blindness and severe burning of the nose, eyes and throat… no matter how intoxicated the person is. A single, short blast of pepper spray
will incapacitate someone for 15 minutes to an hour, more than enough time to get yourself to safety.
Stun GunA stun gun is a small, battery-powered device that delivers an electrical pulse when the trigger is pulled. With this device, you will need to be close enough to your attacker to touch them with the gun. When you do so, you will deliver a shock so intense that the attacker will be momentarily paralyzed. You will have sent their muscles into over-drive and caused neurological effects that result in confusion and disorientation. The attacker will likely fall to the ground, giving you time to get away.
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Folding KnifeA pocket knife can serve many purposes for you including self-defense. Again, this type of self-defense item requires you to be very close to your attacker. There are many different kinds of pocket knives out there. Take time to find one that is appealing to you. A folding knife will only save you if you know how to use it under extreme duress. Fumbling to get it open floods you with panic and takes up valuable time. When you find a knife you like, practice with it. Get to know it. Then keep it close.
Brass Knuckles, Tactical Pen, KeychainHonestly, anything can be used to help you in a self-defense situation. Keeping small things in your purse that can double as a weapon could save your life, because let’s be real- finding what you need in your purse is rarely, if ever a successful venture on the first try. Tactical pens, key chains, or brass knuckles can help you when you’re being attacked. Even striking an assailant with your car keys in your hand gives you a better chance than not having anything at all.
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HandgunCurrent talks of gun control have people on edge about purchasing and carrying a gun everyday. The reality of the situation however, is that all of the items listed previously require you to be incredibly close to your attacker. In the event of an assault on just you, or even your family, pulling out a handgun will provide you with a level of intimidation that will most often give you time to get away or scare your attacker off. There are many types of handguns and ways to carry them effectively. There are also many regulations and restrictions that you must overcome to be able to legally carry a concealed handgun. Once you’ve done your research and met your local requirements, choose a gun that fits your hands and suits your needs. Practice using it often.
All of these items will serve you well if used properly and could potentially save your life. The sense of security that comes with having any of these items in your possession creates a confidence that will keep you calm when things start to get
worrisome. When you anticipate something is about to happen, the most important thing is to keep calm. Focus on thinking clearly. Pay attention to details about your attacker including their appearance, demeanor, and behaviors. Try to anticipate their next move and prepare yourself accordingly.
Beyond this, being proactive, alert and aware of your surroundings before an attack can prevent a situation from escalating to the point of needing to use force. Practice taking note of your surroundings at all times. Take a mental inventory of the people around you and continue to pay attention as you move. Don’t bury your face in your phone. Don’t blast music in your headphones. Don’t let small distractions keep you from recognizing trouble before it is too late. Confidence goes a long way and don’t forget to trust your gut. Female intuition can be your greatest super power.
Note: Many states and cities have restrictions on some of the items listed above. Please do your research about local laws before you decide on what you will carry everyday.
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