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Q&A

General Q&A about the great outdoors and outdoor pursuits.

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Are there any tips for preventing a vehicle from being broken into while parked at a trailhead?

It is fairly common practice to drive to a trailhead, park your vehicle and then go backpacking for a while. It would be a real bummer to come back from a trip and find that your vehicle has been b...

13 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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How to identify latitude & longitude with a compass?

I am not exactly sure where I am in the world. It could be that I am in a boat on the ocean, been in a plane crash, or suffered some other calamity. In any case I either have a compass with me or...

2 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by James Jenkins‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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I have a compass but no watch, how can I tell when it will get dark?

I was reading all of the answers to Are there any situations while backpacking that would require a watch? and surprised at the number of answers that said you need a watch so you would know how lo...

1 answer  ·  posted 7y ago by James Jenkins‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Do raw eggs need to be rotated for freshness on a long voyage?

Last night I watched a film about a crew that sailed from New Zealand to Patagonia, with a stop in Antarctica, taking over two months to do so. One of the things that caught my attention is when ...

2 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Is it warmer to sleep with an empty bladder?

One of the recommendations for sleeping warm is to empty your bladder before bed, When your bladder is full, your body is expending energy keeping that liquid warm. If you empty it out, your bo...

6 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Can Propane lose its stink?

Propane is naturally odorless, the smell we associate with it is the result of adding ethyl mercaptan. Is it possible for the ethyl mercaptan to deteriorate, bind with something in the tank or s...

2 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by James Jenkins‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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How exactly do you cut down a tree with fire?

If I wanted to use fire to cut down a tree how would I accomplish this safely? Clearly if I build a big bonfire at the base of the tree it will burn down and possibly cause a forest fire.

2 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by Erik‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Identification of a jellyfish-like, shapeless sea-creature from India

Photographed off the Western coast of India, Goa, to be precise. Not even sure this is a creature since I've never seen anything like it. It appeared to move by shooting tiny jets of water from its...

1 answer  ·  posted 7y ago by Neodymia‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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What should one look for in a bivy sack?

After a rather unpleasant experience with my current bivy sack, I am looking to replace it. I know that I want one that will hold up in rain, but what else should I look for?

2 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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Do shotgun shells containing mixed shot sizes have any applications in hunting?

A friend of mine has a reloading shotgun machine in his basement and often makes specialty loads upon request. He is able to make shotgun shells that have mixed shot sizes of various weights. Are...

3 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by Ken Graham‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Why would archery season be either before or after rifle season?

Are there any reasons, other than tradition, to have archery season either before or after rifle season? I was chatting with a couple of Stack Exchangers when one of them remarked that in Pennsylv...

2 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by SQB‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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How to take care of an acrophobic person while hiking?

There is some trouble. One of my close friends has acrophobia (fear of heights). But he wants to go for a trek for what it offers than just the mesmerizing view from the top. How can I take care of...

5 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by WedaPashi‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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How can I capture some really small no-seeums to find out what is plaguing me?

In 2014 I moved to Alaska. After a few days there I started feeling something crawling and flying around my head and neck area. At first I thought I was imagining things because it would only happ...

2 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by Ray H‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Why do some people stand inside the river fishing?

Why do some people stand in the water to fish and not just stand on the bank of the river? They get wet this way.

4 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by Ronen Festinger‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Portable ladder for sailboat?

I have access to a 23ft Sonar sailboat that isn't mine. It's pretty difficult to get back into after going for a swim. Can anyone recommend a type of portable ladder I could bring with me when I u...

3 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by DavidC‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Do bees at the hummingbird feeders keep the birds away?

Although not greater in number, our hummingbirds this summer seem to be larger than in the past. I think it may be because my husband started making our own nectar, so it's fresher, and might taste...

1 answer  ·  posted 7y ago by Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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Camping stove with plane allowed fuel

Is there a camping stove that works with fuel you are allowed to take on a plane? Often I fly somewhere without possibility to buy any fuel for my stove after landing. In those cases I take an Esb...

4 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by Some wandering yeti‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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What should you do if your sleeping bag gets soaking wet at night?

I spent one really miserable night because I found out during the rainstorm that my bivy sack wasn't waterproof. Drying it out wasn't an option because of the rain and moving some where else also ...

5 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How would I make a bear-proof pannier?

I'm impressed with the idea of the Ursack, but would like to use the same material to construct a pannier. Does anyone have any good considerations about the weaknesses I might encounter in a desi...

1 answer  ·  posted 7y ago by Ryder Bergerud‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What to look for in a quality archery target?

I've fun creating archery targets. I experiment with different materials and building styles. However, I wonder what would be the characteristics to measure the quality of the tries. So, what to lo...

1 answer  ·  posted 7y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Releasable knot to attach blocking device in slackline setup

Main specification I need a knot to attach the self blocking non-releasable part of the pulley used to my slackline setup with a small piece of cord. Therefore the knot should be secure for high l...

1 answer  ·  posted 7y ago by imsodin‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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What are the downsides of baiting game while hunting?

Here in Germany (and I think I can even speak for the majority of the EU) it's indeed quite common to bait game. I've recognized that this technique generally encounters critic on US media (blogs, ...

4 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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What are the best methods to clean out a fire pits and dispose of the ash?

Are there any recommended methods for disposing of ash from fire pits while primitive camping? I have run into several fire pits in National and State forest camping areas where the fire pit or fir...

2 answers  ·  posted 7y ago by PV22‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Do I need to worry about inadvertently creating a distress signal while using a space tarp?

If I use a space tarp (basically a heavy-duty reusable space blanket) as a sunshade or as a ground tarp with the shiny side facing up, do I need to worry that someone might see it and think that I ...

1 answer  ·  posted 7y ago by Charlie Brumbaugh‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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Is it possible to identify the sex of a caribou without a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope?

Both male and female caribou have antlers. Last year we saw a large herd cross the road we were traveling on, but had no way of telling which ones were male and which ones were females. Unfortunate...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Ken Graham‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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Quality of duck vs goose down

While searching for a sleeping bag I was told that goose down is clearly superior to duck down in terms of quality. I guess that means e.g. the fill power (measured in cuin). What exactly are the d...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Wills‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Tiny crab/bug in Pacific NW; makes shell out of rocks/sticks. What is it?

We encountered these guys in a small inland (freshwater) creek in southern WA. There were hundreds, covering low flat rocks in the water; every one carrying a shell made out of either tiny rocks,...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by Jeremy Nikolai‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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What sort of accuracy should I expect at 100 yards from slugs fired from a smoothbore shotgun?

A lot of deer hunters put a rifled barrels on their shotgun and shoot sabot slugs. I know that without rifling a sabot slug has no stability. But there are two common types of slugs designed for ...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by feetwet‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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Good and easy way to create a paper tuning jig

I need to do paper tuning in a few days. Is there any recommendation on how to quickly setup a paper tuning jig? I'm in a shooting range, so I basically need the jig (frame holding the paper) only.

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Did I see a wolf's pawprint?

This weekend, I was hiking in the Spanish Sierra de Guadarrama. On a small trail north of Navacerrada (used by only a handful of people each day at the moment), at 1905m height, I encountered the p...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by helm‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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What should I do about large trash left by others on USFS land?

When you find large trash items left by others in less accessible places, what should be done? The exact scenario: We were hiking a ten mile trail on US Forestry Service land with river crossings ...

8 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Russell Steen‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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Is this sand dollar with barnacles attached to it at all rare?

While taking my usual stroll along Del Monte beach in Monterey yesterday, I found this sand dollar with a clump of barnacles attached: Is this rare at all? Any observations on why it would wash ...

3 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by B. Clay Shannon‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How to prevent breath steam diminishing light power when using a headlamp?

I run often at night in the mountain. For that I use a headlamp that works very well, allowing me to keep my path illuminated and my arms free. However, when it is cold my breath creates some stea...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by fedorqui‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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What is the process of winterizing a boat?

What is the process for boats becoming "winterized"? Do all boats need to become winterized and is this a one-time process?

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by Tom‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Tent inside of a tent - any improvement in warmth?

I know that a pocket of still air is an excellent insulator. Would placing a tent inside of another tent provide any substantive benefits to warmth? For a concrete example, consider placing a sma...

7 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by J Kimball‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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A skeleton with elfish ears - which animal was that?

As we wandered through a valley in a South-German forest, we stumbled across this skeleton: A few key-facts: Big eyes It had two sharp "ear like" bones coming out of its skull The pictured rem...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How can I tell if a plant is poisonous?

I know that there are exceptions to every rule. Like for example not all plants with leaves in groups of 3 are poisonous. Also there is mimicry in some plants to deter animals from eating it even ...

3 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Caters‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Does it feel colder than before if you warm yourselves up and go out in the cold again?

I was riding late in the night and weather was colder than what we normally have. (May not be cold for others, but it was cold for us, people used to with typical subcontinental weather. Temperatur...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by WedaPashi‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Blizzard Chaser: What to take on a 5-hour Blizzard Hike?

Thank you for taking the time to read through this ! I just noticed there is a chance of Blizzard (Winter Storm Jonas) in our region (NY/NJ) and I would like to take this unique opportunity and go...

4 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by BladeRunner‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Does a Bear Archery bow quiver influence my Grizzly?

I've a Bear Archery Grizzly recurve bow. Bows from this manufacturer are commonly equipped with two threads to attach a Bear Archery bow quiver. You can see them in this image: If I attach an o...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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What coat should I wear when camping that won't be damaged through melting by embers from a fire?

I've gone sub-freezing camping a few times and each time I've had an ember (without noticing) melt/burn through an outer layer. The first time was through a synthetic down type jacket (fairly thin...

5 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by tertius‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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What is the hand-pedal device called on an Open 60 sailboat?

Open 60 sailboats have a pedal-looking control in the middle of the cockpit. Does anyone know what it does and how it works? Image source: https://feelinknotty.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/dsc_07...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by Nelu‭  ·  last activity 7y ago by System‭

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Excercises to get in a mindful state

The practice of mindfulness involves being aware moment-to-moment, of one’s subjective conscious experience from a first-person perspective. I often have the problem that I can't bring mysel...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Should wax for G-1000 be continuously applied?

I got a Fjällräven Barents Trousers for Christmas! Hell yeah! It's made of the "G-1000" material. 65% polyester, 35% cotton. G-1000 Original is the original fabric in Fjällräven’s comfortabl...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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Staying safe from hunters while hiking in France

This question is specific to France, as different countries have different hunting cultures and regulations. There have been a number of highly publicized accidents in France this year (1, 2, 3). ...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by Shellabo‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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When is the best time of year to find the North Pole?

The Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is defined as the point in the Northern Hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface. source There were several attempts...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by James Jenkins‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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How can a barbed wire fence be crossed safely?

How can one cross a barbed wire fence safely? Assumptions: Height of the person: 5.8 (172cm) Distance between barb wires is roughly 9 inches (20-22 cm), Fence is 4 to 4.5 (120-140cm) feet tall, no...

7 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by WedaPashi‭  ·  last activity 6y ago by System‭

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How long should an arrow be?

A local archery dealer measured my draw length to 29". He told me that this is not the same as the length of my arrows. I wonder how long an arrow has to be?

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭

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Akita as my hunting buddy

I thought about trying unconventional breeds for hunting. I stumbled across the "Akita", which was initially cultured to hunt. However, it seems that it's pretty much a common house/pet dog nowaday...

1 answer  ·  posted 8y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 3y ago by Canina‭

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Does rain harm a bow

Does rain (or moisture in general) harm a modern (hunting) recurvebow (including the string)? Let's talk about a "Bear Archery Grizzly" for example. A glass laminated, wooden recurve. Crown...

2 answers  ·  posted 8y ago by OddDeer‭  ·  last activity 8y ago by System‭