Prepper Interview on a New Podcast

I recently was asked to participate in a prepper interview for a new pod caster that is a well known Nashville journalist (but who wants to be anonymous in this new venue).

We talked about Prepping, Reality TV, Nuclear Plants, and the current state of Corrections…

They edited about 5 hours of tape to a good 20 minute tape.

One thing we did wad build a huge smoke bomb, but it was hard to show on an audio recording.

We had a good time, and the two guys were great hosts and it was a blast.  I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed talking to the guys.

 

 

U.S. Marine Guidebook

Book Review: U.S. Marine Guidebook
Buy at Amazon

Everything there is to know about the essentials of life as a Marine is found in U.S. Marine Guidebook. From fitness to first aid to firing positions, this book covers all subjects in which every troop, regardless of rank, must maintain proficiency. Learn the Military’s Code of Conduct, understand the Dos and Don’ts of surviving as a POW, and grasp the foundation of military law. Find out about Marine customs, uniforms, and drills. Follow the Marine Corps fitness routines to get into the best shape of your life. Read the detailed section on first aid and learn how to perform CPR, make braces for broken limbs, dress and bandage wounds, improvise slings, and transport injured victims. Find out about the symptoms and treatment of chemical agents and learn how to safely travel through a contaminated area. Also included in the U.S. Marine Guidebook are marksmanship requirements; navigation tactics; and nuclear, biological, and chemical defense.

The U.S. Marine Guidebook details procedure during combat, including code of conduct in war and when to use deadly force. Because these subjects are first taught and tested during recruit training, they are the distinctive qualities of a Marine and his training. Anyone who is interested in what makes a Marine the strong, brave, and skilled individual he or she must be will find this book fascinating. 200 B&W

This guide is an updated version of the one issued to me when I was at Paris Island in the 90’s, but it is still a great tool to get up to speed on defensive and offensive maneuvers, as well as all things military.

5 Essential Items for New Fishermen

5 Essential Items for New Fishermen
Buy at Amazon

If you’re thinking of taking up fishing as a pastime, then you’re about to take your first step into an activity which requires a great deal of skill, finesse and accuracy. Fishing is also a hobby which can bring you a lot of joy if you’ve got the time and patience to learn. As you set out, the various techniques and pieces of equipment out there may cause you some confusion.

Below is our “idiot’s” guide to 5 Essential Items for New Fishermen that you will need to invest in if you’re thinking of taking the plunge (forgive the pun) and devoting your idle hours to the pursuit of fishing.

Rod and Reel set

This is where you need to start. A good rod and reel are essential to helping you build your confidence as you start. Your rod and reel will be your trustiest friend, and you will need to be comfortable with whatever you pick. A rod and reel combo set is the best option for beginners, as it allows you to grasp the basics of fishing and begin to get a handle on your technique.

The other great advantage of rod and reel sets is that they are relatively inexpensive, meaning that if you decide fishing isn’t for you, you’re not going mad with your money.

What to look for in your first reel

  • The ideal reel needs to be about thirty centimetres longer than your height.
  • The rod needs to responsive; it’s essential you can feel the fish bite and are able to pull them out of the water.
  • Spincasting reels are the best option for absolute beginners, as the line can be cast automatically, mounted on top of the fishing rod.
  • Baitcasting reels are manually controlled, and offer greater distance, but they are perhaps more suitable for someone whose technique is more advanced.
  • It needs to have the necessary weight and lifting power that you are able to practice catching different types of fish.

Choosing the right setup is important. If interested, Gear Lobo has a good review of the Ugly Stik GX2

Fishing line

The experts say that a monofilament is your best bet for a beginner. Durability is key for fishing line; they are classified in terms of their breaking strength, which is the weight they will support. Obviously, the breaking strength of the line needs to be matched with the size and weight of the fish you are trying to catch, so you need to bear this in mind when purchasing; if you’re planning on going for bigger fishing then you will need a rod with a greater breaking strength.

Fishing hooks

Again, as you grow more accustomed to fishing, you will want to practice with different types of hook. It’s important to understand the size classifications of different types of hook; the higher the number, the smaller the hook. Any size classification beginning with a 1 or 2 is best for a beginner, as it’s likely you’ll be starting on smaller fish, and you will want to learn precision catching.

*I learned that smaller hooks catch more fish, I also learned a neat trick to keep your hooks organized.

Baits and lures

Lures and baits are both integral to learning your fish-catching technique. Lures are like decoys which, you guessed it, enable you to “lure” your fish to the bait. Fishing spoons are a popular form of lure, as they mimic the shape and behaviour of prey. Meanwhile worms and insects make the most effective form of fishing bait. You will need to match the size of the bait to the size of the fish.

The types of fishing bait you use will most likely depend on what kind of water you are fishing in, and the kind of fish you are looking to catch. Weather and water conditions can of course, have an effect on the feeding patterns of the fish, which in turn will affect the kind of bait you use.

Floats and sinkers

Floats are used to keep bait close to the surface, allowing you to lure in fish feeding close to the surface. Sinkers provide casting weight, weighing down your bait and line so that you are successfully fishing at the level where fish are likely to be feeding.

This list of supplies is not exhaustive, but these are arguably the essential pieces of equipment for getting you comfortable with the strategies and techniques of fishing. The most important thing you need as you start out is a willingness to have fun, and the patience that comes with being a novice.

Basstastic offers fishing equipment, clothing and accessories for both beginner and professional anglers and fishermen.

 

 

 

 

 

Everything You Need to Know About Cabin Tent Camping

Everything You Need to Know About Cabin Tent Camping
Buy at Amazon

Spending time outdoors is very therapeutic. The fresh air and the sight of natural vegetation will help you relax and forget some of your troubles. Life can get quite difficult and if you don’t find a good activity to blow off some steam, you may lose it all or even run mad.

Camping is one of those activities that any physician would recommend for relaxing and unwinding and in this article we will tell you of the best way to camp which is by cabin tent camping. We all love cabins and how laid back they are and having a tent that has been built like a cabin will make sure that you enjoy your stay out in the woods.

Cabin tents are quite advantageous over other types of tents and we will discuss why that is the case in this article. We will also help you to understand the factors that you have to consider when picking a cabin tent for your outdoor adventures so as to make your stay outdoors enjoyable.

The basics of cabin tent camping

Here is what to expect if you get a cabin tent for your camping needs.

Vertical surfaces

The basic of cabin tent camping is a tent that looks like a cabin. The surfaces are almost vertical unlike other tents that have curved surfaces and this means that you have a lot of space within the tent to maneuver. If you are the type that hates closed spaces, then a cabin tent is what you should get for your next camping trip as they usually come with a lot of space in the interior.

With all the extra space, you can easily fit all the luxuries that you need to make your stay outdoor comfortable. You can fit in some furniture like a table and several chairs that you will use as you hang out with your camping mates. The weather outdoors can get quite unbearable but the living space within your cabin tent will make sure that you have a warm and cozy place to chill as you wait for the storm to pass.

Multiple rooms

Cabin tents are also quite spacious and this makes them ideal for family or group camping adventures. Most cabin tents are divided into a large room at the center that serves as the living room and multiple rooms on the side that can be used for sleeping. You can get a cabin tent with multiple rooms on the side if you are camping with a large entourage or pick one with a few of them if you are not that many.

A separate room for each camper makes for added comfort and this will go a long way to make your camping enjoyable. Camping was seen as a strenuous activity that involved a lot of hard work but that is not the case anymore. People expect to be comfortable when they are out there camping and if this is what you want, then a cabin tent is the way to go.

 Easy set up

This is another thing that you will appreciate when you make a cabin tent your preferred outdoor shelter. Such tents are built with color-coded poles that easily fit into each other for a seamless set up. You will only need about 10 minutes to set up a cabin tent and this will ensure that you have a lot of time left to do other things.

You don’t want to spend a lot of time setting up your tent especially when you have kids around as they can get quite restless. There are also cabin tents that are available in a pop-up nature. This means that they pop right up when setting it them up and no time, your shelter will be ready for accommodation.

Strong and durable build

When you are out there against the cold, rain, and storms, you need a tent that is very strong and this is what you get when you buy a cabin tent for your outdoor shelter needs. The material used to make cabin tents is usually very strong and this will protect you and the other campers from the rain, hail, and strong wind.

Thanks to advancement in technology, the material used to make cabin tents is strong without being bulky and this will ensure that you don’t carry around a lot of weight if you plan on moving from place to place with your cabin tent.

Impressive build

Cabin tents are the most comfortable of outdoor camping structures and their impressive build is to thank for this. The temperatures in a tent can get quite high but this is not something that you will have to deal with when you camp with a cabin tent. This is because most cabin tents have ventilating meshes that allow for the proper circulation of air within the tent.

Cabin tents also have large windows that you can open to let in more air if it gets too hot out there. The large windows also provide you with a large field of view that will make sure you don’t miss out on the amazing sights out in nature.

The disadvantages of cabin tents

Cabin tents are amazing outdoor structures but they still have some disadvantages. They are quite heavy when compared to other tents such as dome tents and this means that you will have to put some effort if you are to move around with it.

The raised vertical surfaces can also act as an obstruction to the wind and this can get quite dangerous especially when it gets too stormy out there. The tents that are not pop up in nature are somehow difficult to set up and this means that you will spend some time doing so.

Conclusion

A cabin tent is one of the best shelters that you can get for your outdoor adventures. It is large enough and this makes it quite comfortable. Read this article on cabin tent camping to understand the other advantages of such tents.

11 Secret Questions Food Storage Companies Don’t Want You To Ask

11 Secret Questions Food Storage Companies Don’t Want You To Ask
11 Secret Questions Food Storage Companies Don’t Want You To Ask

Regardless of what your preparedness plan looks like, it undoubtedly includes some form of food storage. Whether you’re planning for a week-long power outage or the worst case scenario, food and water will be at the top of your list of items to store.

When it comes time to buying storage food, do you know what you’re getting? Will the food on your shelf see you through to the end of the disaster? The time to make sure you have the right storage food is before you buy it, not when the horde is pounding on your door. But, what questions should you be asking? How do you know what to look for?

On the surface, it seems as though all food storage companies are alike. They sell the same kind of foods, so they must all be the same, right? That’s a mistake many people make; they assume food companies are looking out for them and have their best interests in mind. Like most things, you need to do your own research to ensure you’re getting the highest quality product and package for your money.

If you have been to any of the food storage company websites, you know it’s not easy to figure out how they differ. However, there are very clear differences between each company. From how they package their food to the ingredients they use, it’s important to know what the differences are and which will be best for you and your family. All family units are different, and what works for one, might not be the best choice for the other.

Here are 11 important questions to ask food storage companies. The answers to which can’t always be found on their website. All companies should be able to answer these, which will make the differences more apparent. If they cannot answer them, be wary, some companies will substitute lower-quality foods while charging you a premium price.

Read more at Legacy Food Storage:

 Blog: 11 Secret Questions Food Storage Companies Don’t Want You To Ask