Posts by Don Branson
Can I use my Sawyer filter when the city issues a boil order? Or could there contaminants such as viruses present that require boiling? How about other filters such as carbon filters? I'm confiden...
As indicated in Have there been any studies done on how fluorescent pink compares to fluorescent orange?, fluorescent pink is becoming accepted as a new safety color for hunting. Given that we have...
Based on Rickeyship's feedback, I'm changing my answer. Environmental Context The answer depends on your environment, so try to find out what makes sense in the context of where you'll be. My ori...
I thought that Les Stroud was about to make a taut line hitch. But at the end he did a couple of things a little different. What is this knot? Does it hold better than a taut line hitch?
In season 3, episode 5 of Survivorman, Les Stroud mentions the value of throwing cow dung, or any variety of others, on a fire to drive away insects. And he has "no idea why." Why does this work?
In season 3 episode 2 of Survivorman, Les Stroud explains that red snow will make you sick. He also says that he doesn't know why it makes you sick. What's in it that makes you sick?
I picked up a couple fingerboards from the pro shop, and hung them on the rafters in our basement. However, I have no idea what the ropes are for, unless someone might tie the boards to a tree. Wha...
I've used muzzleloaders for years without a problem, but heard that the nipples can fail catastrophically, causing injury to the face. Is there a way to tell when it's time to replace them?
When a rifle has a scope where the relief is too short for comfortable shooting, are there any options other than replacing the scope? The scope has a adjustable relief, but even with that I have t...
That's the rule on the Ozark Trail and the Appalachian Trail, to the best of my recollection. However - many times the ground is just rock surrounded by bits of dirt. Do the best you can and use yo...
From my comment - Some people keep a jar in the tent to pee in. I prefer not to. :) When the kids were young and we all went camping, my wife did this so she and the kids wouldn't have to leave th...
I haven't used a wigwam, but I expect you'd have the same issues as with any shelter. You have to expect there to be some smoke, but you want the amount of smoke to be as low as possible. Perhaps t...
When hunting with a rifle, it's the energy of the bullet that matters. With an arrow, it's all about blood loss. The 'power' matters, but only insofar as it is a factor in creating blood loss. I...
You've hit most of the important factors. Also, you might see if you can borrow one for your first trip to see what you like/don't like about the bag. When you buy, you need to decide what kind o...
I don't get condensation under my tarp, not in general, even after several hours in a heavy downpour. I don't pitch it over vegetation, in general. I did have condensation one time when I had it ...
If a lightning storm is coming, and you had a tent and a hammock/tarp with you, which would you choose, based only on relative safety from lightning?
There's a delightful thrill to the call of a band of coyotes when you're alone in the dark woods. Do they present a danger? That is, have healthy coyotes (that is, not rabid) been known to attack o...
I don't know what's recommended. I carry a Sawyer Extractor for snakebites. I've used it on a spider bite and various insect bites. It works by using a vacuum to extract the venom or whatever has e...
A crossbow I purchased (a Stryker 380) came with a drawing apparatus made of cord and a couple plastic parts. I haven't been using it since drawing with fingers works just fine. But now I'm wonderi...
If I had done a little more homework, I would have found a manual online for this closely related bow. It describes drawing the bow either way. http://www.strykerxbow.com/downloads/OMDesertStryker...
Since you didn't limit the star(s) used, I'll give an example using the Sun. During the day, put a stick in the ground such that it casts a shadow. Mark the end of the shadow with another stick. Wa...
What kind of mittens is Les Stroud wearing? Is there a name for them? I'm interested to find out about them and what it costs for a pair.
No, don't worry. At least in the US, and presumably a number of other countries, there are organizations that set the safety standards pretty high. As a result, IMHO, we've become much more suspici...
In season 3 episode 1 of Survivorman, Les Stroud uses a guitar and a can of some consistently shaped chips made from potatoes of an unknown brand <cough>Pringles</cough> to make a trap ...
I avoid water-resistant shoes for hiking since they trap moisture (your sweat) in as well as out. Kinda depends on hiking style, too - if you're ultralighting then you'd probably want trail-runnin...
