Time To Get Ready For Camping And Fishing

I sit here today looking out my window at the falling snow, but I’m not discouraged.  I know that we are just a few weeks away from hauling out the boat, all the camping and fishing gear.  Living in Central Oregon, there are so many campgrounds and lakes to visit with great fishing and just a short distance from home.

Outdoor preparation is essential for any camping, hunting and fishing adventure.  Having the necessary equipment and gear can make a difference in your overall experience.  Checklists are a great way to help with your organization.  Your checklist will vary according to the type of camping activities you have planned, length of stay and time of year.  Without a checklist, you could forget something.  Nothing can ruin a trip quicker than leaving something behind.  I have not added any food to the checklist, you will need to do this yourselves.

The following is a brief camping checklist, if  your Hunting or Fishing or Backpacking, you will need to add essential items to the list:

SHELTER                                                          

__ Tent  __Ground cloth/tarp  __Extra stakes  __Shade tarp/poles/rope/stakes  __Axe/hammer/shovel/rake/nails  __Carpet mat for tent entrance  __Dust pan/broom/small brush  __Small table/folding chairs 

BEDDING ITEMS

__Sleeping bag  __Blankets  __Pillow  __Air mattress/sleeping pad/cot  __Air pump  __Mattress repair kit  __Storage chest/utility bags

CLOTHING ITEMS

__Boots/shoes/sandals/slippers  __Jeans/belt  __Cold weather pants  __Rain gear/gore-tex  __Shirts/long and short-sleeve  __T-shirts  __Sweatshirts  __Jacket/light and heavy  __Socks/light and heavy  __Underwear/long underwear  __Shorts/swim suit  __Sleeping clothes  __Hat/scarf /headband  __Gloves  __Laundry bag

COOKING GEAR

__Stove/propane/fuel  __Lighter/matches  __Fire starters/newspapers  __Firewood/charcoal  __Campfire grill  __Pots and pans __Frying pans/lids  __Ice chest  __Water jug/buckets __Thermos/large and small  __Cooking utensils/knifes,forks,spoons  __Measuring cups  __ Can opener __Plates/bowls/mugs/cups/paper is the best  __Coffey Pot __Aluminum foil __Paper towels  __Napkins  __Ziploc bags  __Plastic food containers  __Cutting board  __Outdoor table  __Tablecloth/with tie downs  __Potholders/mitten  __Clothes pins  __Trash bags  __Dish pans  __Dish soap/towels  __Scrub pads  __Cooking oil  __Pam  __Condiments/seasonings

PERSONAL ITEMS

__The number one item and should be the first thing you pack is Toilet paper __Medications/always take extra __Towels/washcloths  __Deodorant  __Razor/blades  __Comb/brush  __Tooth brush/tooth paste  __Soap/shampoo  __Camping shower  __Shower shoes  __Sunscreen  __Insect repellant  __Chapstick  __Pocket knife  __Wallett  __Money  __Fishing, hunting license  __Watch  __Sewing kit  __Cell phone/charger __Radio  __Two way radios  __GPS __Alarm clock  __Sunglasses  __First aid kit  __Hand wipes  __Mirror  __Nail clippers

MISCELLANEOUS GEAR

__Flashlight/extra batteries  __Binoculars  __Compass __Lanterns/mantles/fuel  __Misc. mechanical tools  __Maps/reservation information  __Camp chairs  __Umbrella  __Duct tape/bailing wire  __Rope/clothes line/twine  __Bungee cords  __Water bottles/canteen  __Candles  __Camera  __Fire extinguisher  __Generator/fuel  __Books/magazines/cards/games  __Backpacks/backpack boards  __Whistle  __Notepad/pencil/pen  __Heavy gloves  

Please e-mail us at vkventures@q.com with any items or gear that you would include in your outdoor adventure.  You can also go on-line to our web site for all your hunting, archery,camping, backpacking and optics needs. www.russellsportinggoddsstore.com

A Little Gun Control History

This has been around for a long time, but thought it was time to share again.

In 1929, the Soviet Union established Gun Control.  From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million Dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1911, Turkey established Gun Control.  From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Germany established Gun Control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and Others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.

China established Gun Control in 1935.  From 1948 to 1952, 20 million Political Dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Guatemala established Gun Control in 1964.  From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Uganda established Gun Control in 1970.  From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Cambodia established Gun Control in 1956.  From 1975 to1977, one million Educated People, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of Gun Control: 56 Million

 

It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by their own Government, a program costing Australia Taxpayers more than $500 million dollars.

The first year results are now in on Australia:  Australia-Wide, Homicides are up 3.2 percent, Assaults are up 8.6 percent, Armed Robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!

In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent.  Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not, and criminals still possess their guns!

While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12 month, since criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is unarmed.

There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the elderly.  Australian Politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased, after such monumental effort, and expense was expended in successfully ridding Australian Society of guns.  The Australian experience and the other historical facts above prove it.

You won’t see this datum on the US Evening News, or hear Politicians disseminating this information.

 

Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.

Take note my fellow Americans and Hunters, before it’s to late!  The next time someone talks in favor of Gun Control, please remind them of this history lesson.

 

With guns, we are ‘citizens’ . Without them, we are ’subjects’.  During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew most Americans were Armed!

If you value you freedom, please spread this anti-gun control message to all of your friends.

The purpose of fighting is to win.  There is no possible victory in defense.  The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either.  The final weapon is the brain.  All else is supplemental.

As John Steinbeck once said:

– Don’t pick a fight with an old man.  If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.

– If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.

– I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy.

– When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away.

– A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers.  The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911, the Ranger was carrying ad asked him ‘Why do you carry a 45?’  The Ranger responded, ‘Because they don’t make a 46′.

– An armed man will kill an unarmed man with monotonous regularity.

– The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his waring his sidearm.  ‘Sheriff, I see you have your pistol.  Are you expecting trouble?’  ‘No Ma’am.  If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my fifle’.

– Beware of the man who only has one gun.  He probably knows how to use it!!

But wait, there’s more!

I was once asked by a lady visiting if I had a gun in the house.  I said I did.  She said ‘Well I certainly hope it isn’t loaded!’  To which I said, “Of course it is loaded, can’t work without bullets!’  She then asked, ‘Are you that afraid of someone evil coming into your house?’  My reply was, ‘No, not at all.  I am not afraid of the house catching fire either, but I have fire extinguishers around, and they are all loaded too.’  To which I’ll add, having a gun in the house that isn’t loaded is like having a car in the garage without gas in the tank.

I’m a firm believer of the 2nd Amendment!  If you are too, please forward or send comments.

Find Great Hunting In Oregon

     Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s new Hunting Access Map helps you find great places to hunt.  Use the interactive, Google based map to find out where to hunt on public and private land.  With more than 50% of the state in public ownership and cooperative agreements with many private landowners, hunter in Oregon and out of state hunters have a wealth of opportunities.  You’ll learn where to hunt deer, elk, bear, cougar, birds and more.  You can personalize the map by adding directions, photos and comments.  This is must see map.

Go to http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/map

Pass It On

     The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is now offering a new program called Mentored Youth Hunter Program with the theme of Pass It On.  I sure wish this kind of program had been in effect when I was a Kid or even when my Kids where growing up.

     The Mentored Youth Hunt Program allows youth ages 9 through 13 to hunt without first passing a hunter educatio0n class.  It gives unlicensed youngsters the opportunity to receive mentored one-on-one field training on the ethics, safety, responsibility and enjoyment of hunting while being closely  supervised by a licensed adult.

     How it works:  Any hunter over the age of 21 with all appropriate licenses/tags/validations can serve as a mentor to any youth age 9 through 13 years old.  Non-residents can also participate as youth or supervising hunters.

     Other safety requirements: The program has several safety precautions built into it:

     — A supervising hunter can only hunt with one youth at a time.

     — Only one legal weapon between the supervisor and youth is allowed while hunting.

     — The supervising hunter must remain in immediate control of the youth, meaning the two must stay in close proximity at all times while the youth is in possession of a legal hunting weapon.

     – It is strongly recommended that the supervising hunter and mentored youth war blase orange during hunting or related activities.

     No additional license or fee is required.  However, supervising hunters are responsible for training the youth in firearm and hunter safety before engaging in hunting or related activities.  To participate, youth must annually complete a program registration form found on page 85 of the 2009 Oregon Big Game Regulations and mail it to ODFW,  Information and Education. 3406 Cherry Ave. NE, Salem, OR, 97302.

     For more information, including complete program rules, please visit: http:www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/mentoredyouthhuntingprogram/index.asp

    If you know of any youths ages 9 through 13, they don’t have to be family, it could be a next door neighbor or someone without Dad or Mom, be a Mentor and Pass It On.  I know a couple of Kids without parents that I’m going to take out this hunting season.  This is a great program and I’m not going to pass it up.

    Val

Oregon’s Mandatory Reporting

     The Mandatory Reporting of Harvest and Effort is a great way of tracking hunting seasons and tag numbers.  As I mentioned in my last Blog “Hunting Oregon, the declines in mule deer numbers”, I see this mandatory reporting as an effort to track wildlife in Oregon’s great outdoors and possibly bring back some great hunting opportunities.

     The following is from is from the 2009 Oregon Big Game Regulations:

The Mandatory Hunter Harvest Survey Program is up and running.  The system will provide the department with important information necessary to set optimum hunting seasons and tag numbers.  Following is an out line of Hunter Survey reporting expectations.

For all big game tags (except for Bighorn Sheep and Rocky Mtn. Goat) and turkey tags, your are required to complete a Hunter Survey.  It is recommended you report within 15 days of the end of the season or hunt.

Because this is a new Hunter Survey system there will be no penalties or incentives for the 2008 and 2009 hunting seasons as hunters become familiar with the new process.  The department will be developing a proposal regarding the consequences of not reporting for Commission consideration in June 2009.

Following are some of the basics of the new Hunter Survey reporting system:

     — There are two methods you can use to report.  You can provide harvest information by:  1) Reporting via the inter-net at www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/reporting/index.asp or 2) Calling a toll-free telephone number, 1-866-947-ODFW (6339)

     — Information from hunter who did not hunt or did not harvest an animal is as important as from those who did take an animal.

     — To determine how information from the new system compares to historic telephone surveys, you may still receive phone calls.  If you are called you still need to complete surveys using the new system.

     — When you begin the reporting process you are asked to enter you Hunter/Angler ID number, which is printed on department issued documents including licenses, tags and controlled hunt applications.

      — For inter-net reporting, you must also enter your last name and date of birth.  The system locates the customer’s file and identifies tags enquiring reporting.

     When reporting, you will need to answer questions about where you hunted, how many days you hunted, whether or not you were successful, and if you shot a buck deer or bull elk how many antler points it had on the side with the most points.

     Before reporting you should be prepared to:

     — Provide your Hunter/Angler ID number (located on ODFW licenses, tags and applications)

     — Answer some questions related to the Mentored Youth Hunter Program.

     — Enter the two digit Wildlife Management Unit number of the unit you hunted in most if the area included more than one unit.

     — Enter the number of days you hunted.

     Your information is critical.  Information from hunter who did not hunt or did not harvest an animal is as important as from those who did harvest an animal.

     I’m sure some folks may think this is a pain, but it is needed to keep track of our declining deer and elk populations.  I will be doing a blog next week on Oregon’s Mentored Youth Hunter Program, the theme is going to be Pass It On.

Val

Hunting Oregon

     I’ve been hunting, camping and backpacing in Oregon and other States sense the mid 1950’s.  This last year in Central Oregon, was the first year that I did not see many deer or elk.  I went to the local store and picked up the new 2009 Oregon Big Game Regulations and on the third page of the regs was a letter from Director, Roy Elicker.  I want to share this letter with my blog readers.

THE TRAIL BEFORE US (Director’s Message)

Last Spring, I had the pleasure to travel throughout the length and breadth of this great state on the department’s biennial budget tour.  We held public meeting in 13 locations over a three-week period to inform folks about our upcoming 2009-11 budget issues, and to take feedback on our proposed course of action.  I personally met and spoke with several hundred concerned hunter, regarding fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, law enforcement, natural resources, and current and future direction of the department.  

     For the hunting community around the state, however, there were two issues that came up night after night, regardless of location — DO SOMETHING NOW TO HELP OUR MULE DEER, AND INCREASE OUR MULE DEER HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES — I took these messages back to the department and the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Oregon was once famous for its mule deer hunting.  The numerous herds in the state were healthy and in good shape through the 1980’s.  However, for most western states like Oregon, growing human population and development, changes in predator and habitat management, and tightened federal and state land management budgets, have cost us our heritage of healthy mule deer populations.

For many of today’s hunter, who grew up hunting with their families throughout eastern Oregon, the decline in mule deer habitat and in deer numbers has been a sad experience.  In our discussions, many of you were concerned that you kids, and their kids, might not ever experience the joys of glassing numerous bucks on opening day, and throughout the season.

     The bottom line is that we heard you loud and clear on the mule deer issue.  Mule deer numbers have declined and we not only need to do something, we need to get started now.  With increasing populating and development on the eastside, particularly in central Oregon, some of our best mule deer habitat has been permanently lost,  There are actions, however, working together with landowners, local, state and federal land managers, and hunting and conservation groups that we can prioritize and get started to recover some of our high-quality mule deer habitat.

     We have already identified fire wildlife management unites where we will begin to focus our efforts starting in 2009 .  Over the next three years we will work with willing partners and landowners to identify and ground projects to start bringing these deer herds back to prominence.    The Mule Deer Foundation, the Oregon Hunter Association, and other groups, are excited about taking an active role in partnering with us to move this project forward.  Landowners from ranchers to farmers, and the major federal land managers, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, have all expressed interest and are ready to help.

     As you read this, detailed action plans are being developed at the local level by our field staff and willing partners for the following units: Heppner, Murderers Creek, Maury, Steens and Warner.  Covering a broad range of habitat types, these units will give us the ability to try some innovative projects in different areas over the next three years and then figure out what works.  Armed with this information we will then be able to look to expand our efforts by reviewing our other management units to find those where we can begin to make a difference.

     Making a difference will take time.  The declines in mule deer numbers have happened gradually and we recognize there is not one silver bullet that will magically turn thing around.  In spite of that, this department is committed to moving forward on the issue.  Restoring mule deer populations and hunting traditions are as important to us as we hope they are to you.

     So join us and our partners as we start up the trail to restoring mule deer populations.  And as always, thank you for supporting Oregon’s fish and wildlife resources.  Every hunting or fishing license you buy, and every box of ammunition and fishing rod you purchase helps pay for the management needed to enhance and protect Oregon fish and wildlife heritage, and the great fishing, hunting, and viewing opportunities found throughout this great and diverse state.

Roy Elicker (Director)

   I’m sure Oregon is not the only state with this problem.  It makes me proud to be Oregonian when I see someone like Roy Elicker trying to do something about the deer population and hunting.

Val

Hello world!

Hello World, this is my first attempt in blogging!  My plan for this blog is to talk about hunting,  archery, camping, backpacking , optics products and experiences in general.  I would also like folks to respond back with thier hunting, camping and backpacking experiences.  I know, I have had some great experiences and plan on sharing in later blogs.