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I went on a 6.3-mile hike to stalk Columbian Black-Tailed Deer (the local deer species) in order to observe them. I found and observed several groups. But the most exciting part of the hike was finding fresh Bobcat tracks in thick mud. At first, I thought they might be Mountain Lion. But as...

@Stew , I have only used it a few times. My summer was cancelled by COVID and wildfires. In my limited experience, it worked well, especially on green wood. I have had to clean up the peg-end with my knife sometimes. But that may be due to my unfamiliarity with the tool. My friend has used...

TeeDee, I use a settlers wrench I purchased from here. He makes limited batches and they sell out quickly. https://www.shawnwiththewild.com/product-page/settlers-wrench-with-sheath-1 The link I supplied is to the "perfect" ones. He also has a separate page on his site where he sells seconds...

I also paint my firesteels with clear nail polish. It seems to work well. When you use the firesteel, you need to re-paint the areas you scraped away when you return home from your trip. - Woodsorrel

I think the hidden question is: If you own an expensive knife, would you use it in the field or keep it in a drawer to admire? I have purchased several expensive custom knives. After each purchase, I spend the next week hyperventilating over what I paid. But the reason I buy an expensive...

@Short_edc, don't feel too bad about not remembering where the first aid kit was while under stress. An emergency situation does effect our thinking. Which is why many professionals train using "life like" scenarios. The idea is to replicate the emotions of the situation, and to make it...

@gra_farmer, did you hand-sew it or use a machine? Was it difficult to sew the nylon webbing? - Woodsorrel

It's great that you do that, punkrockcaveman! We have a similar problem in the US with dog poop. People go through the trouble of bagging their dog's poop (as required in many wild spaces) but then leave the bags sitting by the side of the trail! The result is funny trail signs like this...

I carry a bottle bag that I made. I use it to remove trash from the trail. Many of the trackers I studied with make an offering of ceremonial tobacco or kinnikinnick to show their gratitude to nature. I decided to show my gratitude by removing "plastic offerings" others have left in the...

No. I have made smudge sticks with them. It was not known to be consumed by the indigenous peoples of my area of California.

In the US, the tracking community has discouraged the old practice of smelling scat. Raccoons and other mammal scat can carry parasites that can be transmitted to people by inhaling them. I mention raccoons specifically because their scat carry a parasite that can be fatal to humans. - Woodsorrel

I encourage people to hammock camp. Polar Bears enjoy a good burrito as much as the next guy. :) I spent time in Churchill this past winter observing polar bears. It was an amazing trip I will never forget. - Woodsorrel

@Man of Tanith, here's a link to the mocs I purchased. You can choose from several styles. I chose a "boot-like" moccasin. I have no experience using them outside yet because of the Coronavirus, and because I haven't recovered from the fall I described in my previous post. Men's Earthing...

I approve. :) - Woodsorrel

I use moccasins. I made my own "two piece" moccasins out of inexpensive suede. These are "mountain man" style and does not require much sewing. They are silent. I wear them over heavy hiking socks to cushion my feet, which are not toughened from walking barefoot. I also use them as camp...

Yes, I keep a journal. It has proven extremely valuable. I record things I observe, questions to research when I get home from the trail, notes from classes, the location of wild edible plants, etc... When I am disciplined, I use the Grinnell System. Since I am bad at art, I paste in...

I have greatly enjoyed using my F1 in VG-10. I just strop it to keep it sharp. But if I needed to sharpen it, I would use wet/dry sandpaper, a sharpie, and a mouse pad. Here is a review of the F1 in VG-10. https://www.natureoutside.com/fallkniven-f1-knife-review/ - Woodsorrel

I brought my original F1 with me on a recent trip to the arctic. I appreciated the hidden tang in the cold weather. Like gra_farmer mentioned, the original design speaks to me in a way the later versions do not. But it's a matter of personal taste. I'm sure you will enjoy either one. -...

My 2019 goals were: 1. Do a camping trip in the Tahoe National Forest to track American Black Bear 2. Visit Yosemite National Park to hike to Sentinel Dome and to Ostrander Lake 3. Spend a week in the arctic to observe polar bear and arctic fox 4. Do at least one ultraviolet hike 5. Learn...

Broch, deer have the same ability to see UV. Because I love to observe wildlife, I also wash my outdoor clothes in a detergent without scent or chemical brighteners. If you have a UV flashlight, you can use it to examine the clothing you wash in regular detergent. You will see the residue...