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In this clip from the 1998 movie The Parent Trap, we once again are reminded how fun it can be to take a stuck-up city person on a camping trip. (If you haven’t seen the movie yet, do yourself a favor and rent it. If nothing else, it proves that Lindsay Lohan used to be able to stuff other than get into trouble!)

Being able to find food and water are critical skills if you ever find yourself in a wilderness survival situation.

Though difficult, finding food is by no means impossible. You should try as much as possible to sustain yourself with natural foods before dipping into your emergency survival kit rations. Reserve that for when you are in a barren dessert with not a shrub or tree in sight.

When in a wilderness survival situation, it is possible to live for long periods of time even with little or no food except during periods of extra activity and during winter when more food is necessary to maintain a normal body temperature.

During times when you do not have ready access to water you should restrict your food intake to carbohydrates only as they require less water for digestion as compared to proteins.

Avoiding poisonous plants

While most grass seeds are edible and can be consumed if you find yourself in dire straits, you should be careful about ingesting any unknown plants in the wilderness. If you cannot recognize the various types of berries that grow in the wild, better to stay away from red and white berries of all kinds. Several varieties are poisonous and you do not want to find out whether they are edible or not the hard way. Other plants that you are better off staying away from include any plants that resemble melons, cucumber or beans as they are often poisonous.

Have fire? …Eat Frogs

If you have fire and a pot AND you are not squeamish, the list of food you can choose from is endless. Did you know you that frogs, birds, lizards and snakes are all edible? All you need to do is remove the skin, head and entrails, add them to the pot and you’ve got a wholesome, nutritious meal that even your mother would approve of…or would she?

Being able to find food and water are highly critical skills if you ever find yourself in a wilderness survival situation. While it is possible to live with little or no food for extended periods of time, finding water is a code red emergency.

An individual requires a minimum of two to three cups of water daily in order to maintain health. If you are stuck in the wild and water is scarce, it is most important that you immediately take all measures to conserve the available water in your body by not engaging in activities that promote water loss.

During spring months, when water is found in abundance, finding drinking water is not all that difficult. As a rule, running water from streams or springs situated in more isolated areas is safer for consumption than water from stagnant areas such as ponds and sloughs. Waters that are procured from stagnant sources are generally disease-carrying and have to be either boiled or treated with water purifying chemicals before they are potable. It is safest to treat all water before you drink, it but sometimes you may not be able to.

Carrying a water purification pump is highly recommended; if you have one you can purify any water no matter where it is sourced from and you then don’t need to be burdened with carrying heavy bottles of water along.

In winter, you should look for water that lays beneath the ice layer, or snow. You should heat the water if possible, to avoid lowering your body temperature.

If you are tired of all the “rules” you have to follow when going camping, this article is for you! Here 7 super easy ways you can break the rules and ruin a camping trip…have fun!

1: Don’t Secure Your Food Items - Bears And Other Wild Animals Are Too Scared Of You To Bother Your Food

People who tell you to store your food out of the reach of wild animals have just been reading too many westerns. As all normal people know, bears and other wild animals are very scared of people - no wild animal is going to venture into your camp to steal your food. So save yourself the trouble, and just pile your food on the ground outside your tent.

2: Pack Everything You Might Possibly Want - Packing Light Is For Wimps

Ever heard the advice to “pack light” when you’re going camping? Humph - that proverb is only for total wimps. Any real outdoorsman is tough enough to pack everything he needs or wants to his campsite. So go ahead and load up - you want plenty of beer and games so you can have fun, right?

3: Don’t Worry About Campfire Safety - That Stupid Smokey Bear Will Keep Your Fire From Getting Out Of Control

Have you ever wondered what Smokey Bear is smoking? “Only you can stop campfires”??? Please, get real! Campfires aren’t dangerous - you can just leave them and they will burn out without harming anything at all. Every camper knows THAT! So go ahead and fire up a nice big bonfire, sit back, and bring out the beer.

4: Don’t Spend Too Much Time Picking Your Camping Spot - Your Sleeping Bag Will Keep You From Feeling Any Rocks And Sticks

Once you get to your chosen campsite, just get your tent pitched quickly and start having fun. You don’t need to remove sticks or stones before you pitch your tent, either. Any decent sleeping bag will provide plenty of padding so you can’t feel what is under your tent.

5: Don’t Read The Rules Or Signs Where You Are Camping - All The Park Rangers Are Home Asleep At Night

If you really want to get the best possible camping spot, just go pick one! Don’t worry about or even read the laws or signs - they will just cramp your style. All the park rangers are home asleep anyways, so they’ll never see you. Besides, you could just tell them you didn’t see the sign.

6: Don’t Pack Drinking Water Or A Water Purifier - You Can Just Drink Right From The Creek

Pssst. In case you haven’t heard, the idea that creeks aren’t safe to drink from was a myth started by the communists back during the Cold War. It’s just not true - you don’t need to purify water - just drink right from the creek and you’ll be fine. Water purifiers are too expensive anyway.

7: Don’t Pack A Tent Fly Or Groundcloth - All Tents Are WaterPROOF

As anyone knows, tents are made of plastic, which is waterproof. Hence, do not buy a fly or groundcloth for your tent - those are just ways for the tent companies to make extra money off of you. You’ll stay perfectly dry and comfortable with your tent - no tent fly or groundcloth needed.

How Else Could You Have This Much Fun?

So, yeh…follow these rules and have fun. If you follow these rules correctly you are almost guaranteed to do one or more of the following:

1 - Have way more adventure than you planned on
2 - Drop by the local jail for awhile (or a long time, depending on how many acres your campfire-turned-forest fire burns)
3 - Win a Darwin Award
4 - End up on StupidVideos.com
5 - Have a great story to tell your kids about what NOT to do

Check out this hilarious, yet sad video on staying safe when you’re hunting…

Everyone knows that squirrels are amazing little creatures, but our undercover Squirrel Lifestyle Research Agents have discovered 5 facts about squirrels we bet you didn’t know!

Squirrel Fact #1: Squirrels Are Way Better Than Circus Performers

Think the highwire stunts at the circus are cool? Humph. Bet your clown can’t do this!

Squirrel Fact #2: Some Squirrels Are Expert Water Skiers And Swimmers!

I don’t know about you, but this squirrel is a better water skier than I am!

Squirrel Fact #3: Squirrels Have An Amazing Mechanism For Surviving Forest Fires

Our researchers were able to capture this astounding video footage of a squirrel actually putting out a forest fire!

Squirrel Fact #4: Squirrels Are Naturally Able To Inspire Religious Fervor In Many People

What happens when you turn a squirrel loose in the First Self-Righteous Church? You get a squirrel revival! Check out this funny video by Ray Stephens:

Squirrel Fact #5: Squirrels Are Highly Skilled Football (Soccer) Players

Checkout this undercover video footage of a squirrel football star:

So there you have it. We hope these funny squirrel videos amused and enlightened you! Which is your favorite video?

If you like to hunt, camp, fish, or other outdoors activities, you know what it means to survive in the cold and deal with the elements. Perhaps you’ve been in a “survival situation” and the only reason you made it out alive was because you were able to jump in your truck and head back to your luxurious life of comfort.

What if you were stuck in the wilderness, though? What if you got lost in the middle of nowhere? How long would you last? Could you survive in the wilderness?

Here are some basic survival supplies to keep on hand, plus some wilderness survival tips. Keep more in the back of your truck or whatever vehicle you normally use on outdoor trips.

#1: Keep a source of light on hand. A flashlight is one example, but candles are great too. But remember, such a resource needs replenishment. Flashlights need additional batteries (rechargeable ones won’t help if you have no power source!) and candles require a lighter or matches. Keep the extra batteries and lighters or matches in your kit. Your best bet is a solar powered flashlight as well, but matches/lighters can come in handy for other reasons (like starting a fire) so keep those on hand regardless.

#2: Keep extra blankets and clothing ready; you never know when it will get cold or when you might get wet. Store everything in a waterproof bag. There are space bags and waterproof bags that can keep your supplies from being degraded by the elements. This is essential.

#3: A first-aid kit is essential. Off-the-shelf kits are good, so buy one of those. However, they might not have enough supplies for a long period of time (and buying multiples from the store would become expensive). After buying one first-aid kit, note what it contains and buy large amounts of each supply from a discount or dollar store, and keep them in a small box. Label it First Aid in case you or anyone else needs it and forgets what’s inside. Even basic toiletries like tissue, soap, shampoo, etc. can be good to include.

#4: Non-perishable food and a way to open it (like canned goods and a can opener) will be crucial. Avoid boxed items or other products that might be tainted by insects or weather, in time. Don’t forget water. Rinse used plastic milk jugs thoroughly, and refill with tap water.

#5 Keep a universal army knife in your kit. You might want to include a larger knife and some heavy-grade scissors.

A universal global phone of some sort, GPS device (or at least a cell phone) is important as well. Being able to phone for help would be very important. Bring extra batteries!

Wilderness survival is nothing to laugh at - if you are ever stuck in the wilderness, you’ll be glad if you took the time to prepare yourself for the possibility beforehand. Incidentally, you can also attend a wilderness college / school and learn skills that will help you survive in the wild.

Did you know that black bears could actually be black, blue-black, cinnamon, brown, dark brown or even white in color? Read on for 7 more interesting facts about the black bear.

Fact 1 - Black bears use sounds to express a range of emotions. When they are relaxed they make a variety of grunting sounds and when frightened, they make a loud blowing noise.

Fact 2 - Black bears are excellent swimmers and can swim about 1-1/2 miles in fresh water.

Fact 3 - Contrary to popular misconception that black bears cannot run downhill, they are in fact very good runners and can run uphill and downhill as well as on flat ground equally fast. Lean bears are known to run at speeds exceeding 60 kilometers per hour, which is way faster than any Olympic sprinter.

Fact 4 - A black bear standing on its hind legs is not about to charge; it is merely attempting to see and smell whatever it is that has piqued its curiosity.

Fact 5 - Black bears are very intelligent animals. They have outstanding long-term memory and their navigation ability is considered superior to that in humans. They are all individuals and often share friendships, security and resources.

Fact 6 - Black bears are in fact gentle and tolerant animals that can be empathetic, playful, joyful, social and fearful. They exhibit very predictable behaviors and their reputation for being unpredictable, mean, malicious, killers is completely undeserved and ill-gotten. Mother bears are fiercely protective and extremely devoted, attentive, sensitive and affectionate with their young cubs.

Fact 7 - Black bears thrive best in large forests, which offer them a wide variety of foods to choose from. They enjoy a mix of fruits, acorns, assorted nuts, succulent greens, meats and insects. Wetlands and lowlands provide tender, succulent vegetation and woodland pools and streams are important for drinking and cooling off.

With the vast variety of knives on the market, it can be difficult to know which knife you need. Choosing a knife is not hard, though, if you know what you’re looking at.

Step One: What Will You Use The Knife For?

When preparing to buy a knife, the first question to ask yourself is: what you are going to use it for?

For example, is this going to be a blade you’ll use to cut open packages, to cut through string or rope, and other normal daily uses such as these?

Are you a knife collector? If so, you may be in the market for unique or specially made knives.

Are you going to use your knife for basic survival or in a situation involving the armed forces? A high grade knife might be in order, as it could save your life in certain situations such as these!

Will the knife you purchase be used for cutting your catch after fishing or hunting? Some knives are made specifically for this usage.

Is your application more related to basic outdoor activities such as camping, mountain climbing, hiking, etc? Your budget may be a factor, as the sharpness and long-term durability these types of knives may not be as critical as some other purposes. That may vary on how often you engage in such activity as well.

Step Two: Fixed Blade Or Folding Blade?

A primary feature that you should think about is whether you need a fixed-blade or whether a folding knife would suit your purpose.

A fixed-blade can be very reliable and can be used immediately. There is no folding mechanism to break or malfunction, but they are not as compact.

Folding knives have a blade that locks in place, are typically safer and easier to carry, and can offer better dependability. Some are simple enough to open with one hand using a blade-hole, thumb-stud or other similar feature.

Step Three: What Materials Should The Knife Be Manufactured Using?

First, look at the materials out of which the handle is manufactured. You want a good strong grip no matter what your application will be. Comfort could be a factor, so look for a knife that fits the size and shape of your hands and will not be a strain or cause cramping after any potentially long periods of use.

You might also consider if its handle is weather-proof or not. This could be an issue if your application will take place primarily outdoors.

Finally, you will want to be sure that the handle is appealing aesthetically. If this will be your primary knife, this becomes an even more crucial factor to consider as you’ll be looking at this knife a lot (and perhaps showing it off to friends or colleagues).

Secondly, the blade itself needs to be made of material capable of: preserving its edge after extended use, defending against corrosion, and being simple to re-sharpen. There are several blades at a range of price points which will offer such benefits at varying degrees.

Final Consideration: The Warranty

The last thing to consider is what type of warranty is offered. Depending on the dollar investment made, you may want to be sure the manufacturer will back up their product should it ever stop working at peak performance or in the manner in which is intended and/or promised.

Conclusion

Follow these tips, and you will be well on your way to choosing the knife that is what you need. If you need any help choosing a knife, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Are you looking for the perfect sleeping bag for your child’s sleepover or your next camping trip? If you’re like most people, you’d like a few tips on choosing the right sleeping bag. Here are a few helpful tips that you can use to ensure that you spend your money wisely while getting exactly what you need…

What temperature rating do you need?

Consider when and where you’ll be using your sleeping bag. Many individuals just blindly toss one in the cart without checking to see what temperatures it performs best in. This is important to do, especially if you are planning to use it on a camping trip. Depending on where you will be camping, you may require a sleeping bag that protects you or the intended user for very low temperatures. Visit Wikipedia for more on sleeping bag temperature ratings.

Check the sleeping bag material.

The material that the sleeping bag is made of should also be a concern if you plan to use this item on more than a few occasions because some materials tear easily or catch fire quickly. The most durable material you can find a sleeping bag made of is Dryloft. It is popular and also more expensive but it offers several great qualities that you just can’t find in other materials. Water resistance, weather resistance and good breathability are just a few of the amazing qualities of this material. Microfiber is also a good bet for durability and water resistance.

Check the all-important filling.

The filling that your bag contains is another important choice for those intending to use their sleeping bag outdoors. There are several options available, so we will break them down into groups; those that insulate well when wet and those that do not insulate well when wet.

Fillings That Insulate Well When Wet

• Lite-loft
• Primaloft
• Hollofil
• Polarguard
• Microloft

Fillings That Do Not Insulate Well When Wet

• Down

Of course, there is much more to consider when choosing the sleeping bag that’s right for you, but these little facts can help you out a bit if you take them into consideration when you go to purchase your next sleeping bag.