Dress for Outdoor Success ~by Dave Olsen

My friend asked me, “How do you live up in South Dakota when it is so cold? Do you guys really go outside?” Then a terrifying thought hit him as he said,”I think I would die spending a day out in sub zero weather.”

Well folks, we do live in an extreme place. Oh granted there are many places much harsher to spend time in than South Dakota, we get a wide range of weather from 100F plus in the summer to -40F below zero. Due to these extreme climate changes South Dakota is a great place to test outdoor gear.

The answer to my friend was simple. We dress, prepare, and plan appropriately for the weather. The most important of these is dressing appropriately for the activity at hand. It is possible you can put on too many clothes on a sub-zero day. If you do, it causes you to sweat inside your layers; you don\’t want this to happen because your clothes will become wet from the sweat. Then the cloth will freeze from the cold temps in turn causing your body temperature to drop.

To avoid that scenario you need to ask yourself the following questions.

#1 Plan: What am I doing to be doing outside today?

#2 Prepare: If my plans call for different activity levels – What do I need to take with me?

#3 Dress: Dress for the weather and for the day.

Today I spent most of the day outside with South Dakota temps around zero or less. I am going to mention some items I use. Please keep in mind I have no sponsors for this article; I just want to share what works for me.

Next to my skin I wear silk long underwear. I find silk to be my favorite for a light weight insulating layer, it moves well under any type of secondary layer, dries quickly, and wicks moisture away from your skin. Next layer of clothing I wear is fleece sweat pants and a sweat shirt. Yes I know, I am not going to win any fashion shows wearing sweats all day, and some days I wear jeans but no matter the winter weather I always wear layers. My outer layer today is Carhart Arctic bib overall bottoms and a Carhart arctic coat. For my feet I wear Wetland Muck boots with cotton socks, (I find the wetland boots work very well to minus ten or so) a bomber rabbit fur lined hat, Kinco insulated gloves and a silk wild rag around my neck. Of course eye protection from the bright sun glaring off of the snow. I spent over six hours in zero degree temps today and was not cold at all wearing the above items. For years our family has worked, hunted, and played outdoors year round. We have bought cheap gear, and some extremely expensive gear.  I will tell you GEAR makes all the difference in the world.

Thinsulate and other new fibers are awesome stuff. Know how many grams plus the temperature rating in the gear you are buying. Take time to read some reviews, You will spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less warming up or worse, suffering from exposure.

The Muck boots I wore today weigh about 5 lbs. I use them for hunting in the fall, all winter, and throughout the spring. The Wetland Muck Boot is an extreme boot for extreme field conditions. They are rugged, durable, comfy and very warm. These boots keep my feet warm and dry even in the most unpredictable temperatures of South Dakota. You can find them via http://www.hanksclothing.com/muck_boots_wetland_premium_field_boot_buy. html

Arctic Carhart clothing holds up to the rigors of ranch work as well as hunting. Mine are still in service after ten years of hard use. I have put in a few zippers and patched a spot or two where the fence has bitten me, but the quality is unbeatable. I give two thumbs up to the folks at Carhart, this stuff works. I have many of their products and love them all. I prefer Black; it soaks in the suns warmth giving that little extra on the days when you really need it. It also makes it easy to be spotted in the snow. Shop for these products via   http://www.hanksclothing.com/carhartt_arctic_wear.html

Silk wild rags can be purchased in many places, don\’t think you\’re going to stay warm by being cheap, 100% silk is the only way to go in this item. Here is a vendor I have not used, but I like the fact they guarantee the items they sell http://cowboywildrags.com/index.html

Silk wild rags are one of the coolest looking things you can wear to keep you warm.

Gloves, I should have mentioned two rules earlier, if your feet or fingers get cold, YOU ARE COLD! Buy the right gear for the activity you are taking part in. Here are a few of my favorite places to shop for gloves; yes I know I am a bit of a glove junkie. http://www.kinco.com/prods/L03.php http://geierglove.com/ http://www.sullivanglove.com/scripts/default.asp

Silk underwear is my choice, but some folks enjoy others; try them to find what works best for you and your body. Compare all kinds all prices and shop from a source you trust. Buy American made when possible. http://www.wintersilks.com/ three weights of silk http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/guide-gear-china-silk-clothing- .aspx?a=40252 china silk http://www.underarmour.com/ Under Armor http://thesocksite.com/100-cotton-midweight-waffle-knit-thermal- underwear-p-559.html Cotton

Heat escapes out of the top of your head so choosing a warm topper is a must. I prefer a rabbit fur lined bomber hat. I have several depending on the outing. The fur lining is soft and light weight, making this very comfortable as well as toasty warm. http://www.madbomber.com/store/

Over the years growing up watching my father, I learned to value good gear and how to take care of it so it can take care of you. Don\’t be afraid to pay for quality; research, shop, and purchase wisely. Quality never goes out of style and chances are it will not wear out or fail when you need it most. If we can help you with any gear purchase please feel free to give a call. We are consumers just like you. The above mentioned sites are for reference and research only; we are not affiliated with them. Here at the ranch we don\’t make any clothing or get paid to mention brands, we work hard and play hard putting our gear to the test every time we go out the door. When we find something we like, we not only use it, but try hard to share what we learn with others along the way so they might spend more time comfortably enjoying the great outdoors too.

Dave is a Team Huntress Outdoor Ambassador, South Dakota Hunt Safe Instructor, outfitter, certified concealed carry, competition hunter and President of Pheasant Phun Inc. As an avid outdoorsman he enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities.

See the original article at TeamHuntress.com

Tags: activity, article, clothes, dress, family, feet, plans, skin, spring, summer

We have a winner for the Eureka Sleeping Bag:

Congratulations Nicole Hatch you were #21!

Nicole Hatch  I Follow- Coleeol42784
We go to Biddeford Maine. Homestead by the River is the name of the campground we have our trailer at! Well dads trailer we just use it during the summer! We normally go the first week in August for the whole week, it\’s a great time! We have fires, go to the flea market other stores and of coarse the beach! Old Orchard Beach is about 10 mins away. We have other family members that camp their too! The camp ground is right on the Saco River! The kids take the Canoe\’s and tubes and float along! It\’s like a horse shoe around the campground. My Favorite part about camping is cooking over the open fire! I have come up with a new kind of smore, Once you try one of these you\’ll never go back to a rugular one again!! Instead of a hershey bar……………… Use a Reese\’s Peanut Butter Cup!! MMMMMMMMMM……. So Good!!

Oh goodness – Reese\’s Peanut Butter Cups on a s\’mores!!! I\’m inviting myself to your camp.  And now you have an extra sleeping bag in case I show up.

Thank you all for entering … Have a great day!

See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net

Tags: campground, eureka, eureka-sleeping, family, gear/apparel, general outdoors, nicole-hatch, peanut-butter, product promotions, river

It\’s that time of year again, the 26th Annual Hammond Outdoor Sports Show.
Bring your family for a day of fun!
Dates:

Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday,…

See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net

Tags: 26th, annual, annual-hammond, bring, city of hammond, deer hunting, family, general outdoors, outdoor, outdoor sport shows, recreation, saturday, show-bring

by Deneki Outdoors

Pretty cool, actually. Photo: Cameron Miller

True, not many anglers head to Alaska specifically to target pink salmon. That\’s OK though – we still think they\’re pretty awesome fish. Here\’s why.

1. Every other year there are billions of them. OK, not billions, but on even-numbered years on the Kanektok, our pink numbers are very, very large.
2. They eat poppers. Find ‘em where they\’re fresh, and they\’re more than happy to eat surface flies, and surface flies for salmon are cool.
3. They\’re a ton of fun on a 6 weight. It may not be a big-game experience, but fishing a lighter-weight rod can be a nice break when you\’ve spent most of your week pulling on the big boys.
4. They make a great shore lunch. Pinks don\’t keep well in your freezer over the winter, but on the bank of the river, just minutes from swimming, they\’re awfully delicious.
5. They\’re great for kids. We love hosting family groups, and pinks are ‘friends of the family\’! Easy to hook and fun to fight, but not too heavy or powerful…perfect.
6. Their metamorphosis is pretty amazing. All salmon change physically when they enter fresh water, but a pink\’s Jekyll and Hyde transition from silver and slender to pink, toothy and humpbacked is just a neat natural thing to witness.

See the original article at GotHunts.com

Tags: cameron-miller, deneki-outdoors, facebook, family, fishing, international, kanektok, linkedin, river, winter

Passions Found…

The sun slips silently lower in to the lush South Dakota Grasslands, casting a soft golden hue across the landscape, as we slow to take the turn onto the familiar gravel road that will lead us back to Pheasant Phun… The excitement builds as I look forward to once again seeing old friends and the prospect of meeting new. As the gravel crunches beneath the tires and the dust rises behind the truck I fondly think back to my last trip here for Team Huntress. Two Months ago I came along to Team Huntress with the intention of teaching. I was there to help with archery instruction and to see if I could get some photos of the event. I planned on staying back and observing… and stepping in to help out were needed. I am not the type of woman who ever thought she would do something like this. Throughout my life, I have always had more male friends than female. I was the girl in high school who hung out with the boys cuz they did all the cool stuff. I was never interested in cheerleading, or shopping. There were always better things to do, and all of them included being outdoors.

Moments after arriving at this beautiful place it was clear that there are no strangers here.. Jane Keller and her family welcomed us in with open arms and quickly made us feel comfortable and at home. A safe haven if you will. I spent an amazing weekend getting to know some beautiful and inspiring women – hosts, instructors, as well as guest. For me as a wife and mother who enjoys the outdoors, there was nothing so cool, as for me, to watch some of these girls grow and blossom before our eyes as they found a common passion., and realized their natural talents. To see how quickly they were drawn to and found enjoyment in new things that they never thought possible.

I fondly recall the huge grin that unfolded upon one woman\’s face as she put aside her uncertainties and shot a pistol for the first time. For reasons of her own, she had an inherent fear of handguns… With gentle instruction and thorough teaching of how to safely handle a handgun, she found herself standing at the shooting range and actually enjoying each hole that the pistol in her hand was punching in the paper plate before her.

Another guest discovered a natural talent when it came to shooting and we all shared her excitement each time she shot the bow, pistol, and shotgun and hit the intended target. Some moving and some stationary! We all felt the pride as her mother watched on. How special for mother and her grown daughter to be able to share that moment of learning and discovery together. There is no ego at Team Huntress only companionship and gentle encouragement that only ladies know how to give. Team Huntress is not about hunting, Team Huntress is about educating yourself, taking the opportunity to explore, and maybe even discovering something new to enjoy, and giving yourself permission to just relax and have fun.

We pull into the yard and are once again greeted by old friends that have grown beyond friendship to hold a special place in my heart. I am nervous about the courses I have so eagerly agreed to instruct, but that nervousness is quickly replaced with excitement about connecting with the new girls and the new adventures that will be shared. I have spoken with many women about the Team Huntress events, and once in a while I hear someone say “Team Huntress is not for me. I would like to meet the people there, but I don\’t think I would fit in… I am not a hunter… I don\’t like guns… or spiders and dirt, I might cut myself with arrow… And… and…and” My answer to them is “Stop making excuses! No matter your outdoor skill level… Team Huntress IS for you.

This is not a camping trip… Or a survival course… You will be fed gourmet food and sleep on amazingly comfortable beds in an amazingly beautiful lodge…with indoor plumbing and a hot shower. You will have the opportunity to learn outdoor skills alongside other like-minded women; all while being pampered with massages, and foot rubs and facials. It is ok to give yourself permission to relax and have fun, and maybe even try something new. You might even surprise yourself.. You might actually have fun..lol”

Though I can tell you a story about every one of the girls that I have had the honor of meeting at Team Huntress.. I would like to recall a story about one particular woman that came along to Team Huntress, I think, just to humor her friend. She had no real desire to shoot a bow, let alone a gun. As the day progressed with food and pampering and gifts and skills the instructors made sure not to pressure her into anything she did not feel comfortable with, but after a few moments of watching the other women, and seeing how much they were enjoying archery, she found herself with a longbow in hand and that familiar spark in her eye when she popped a balloon…Success!

Later that evening while we relaxed around the lodge, enjoying conversations and sharing stories from our day… She confessed how easy and fun it actually was to shoot a bow, and that she was now afraid to tell her husband, because that would mean that for all these years “he had been right after all“. She said that she would like to get a recurve when she got back home just do some target shooting in the backyard.

A few months have passed since the last Team Huntress event and as I sit here at home writing this article … I smiled to myself as I read the message That I just received from her friend that drug her along to Team Huntress. This particular lady, who had no desire to shot, or go out hunting with her husband, had just returned from an evening in the woods.. recurve in hand…and her husband was there to share with her and video the whole thing!

Women from all over the U.S. come together for the Team Huntress Outdoor Adventure Clinic… each for their own reasons.

Some searching for something personal, some not really searching but thinking they have come along to support a friend or a relative, and some think they are there just to teach. However, one thing is for certain. After an enjoyable and unforgettable weekend, bonds will be made, and lifetime friendships forged. But most importantly, we will all have learned, in more ways than you could have ever imagined.

Team Huntress is more than just a women\’s outdoor clinic.

~Stacey Huston Team Huntress Outdoor Ambassador

Huston is an outdoors woman to the core. She would much rather spend time in the high country than in the local shopping mall, and feels more at home in heavy timber than in a salon. She is an accomplished photographer and is the staff photographer for Journey With Red Hawk T.V. series. Stacey is also a licensed falconer and raptor rehabilitation volunteer, helping injures raptors to once again soar on open skies. She resides with her husband of 18 years and their two boys in the mountains of western Wyoming.

www.staceyhuston.com http://afocusinthewild.blogspot.com

See the original article at TeamHuntress.com

Tags: adventure, boys, cool, family, family-welcomed, hunting, life, people, public relations, recurve bow

Yes, that\’s me.  The crazy hunter\’s wife.  The wife that does and says crazy things sometimes.  And sometimes I try not to but I can\’t help myself…

Whenever Mark and I are at Cabelas he always sees someone he knows and forgets to introduce me so this past weekend I said, “Hi I\’m Mark\’s mistress, Candy.”  And I started smacking my gum.  Maybe he\’ll remember next time.

The gum I\’ve been smacking is that bazooka gum that I bought at Halloween that holds a ton of sugar for about 20 seconds.  Then I throw it out and get a another piece.  It really is good for smacking.  And if I hear you smacking you\’re gum, I\’ll ask if you\’re gum\’s good. Even if I don\’t know you and see you in the store smacking that damn gum.

I unfollowed a guy yesterday on Twitter because he said something about spooning.   I\’m sorry but if my husband ever said anything about spooning, I\’d pack up my dresses for him cause he doesn\’t live here anymore.

I\’ve never shoved my hand up a turkey.  I\’d have a giblet attack. And if my husband didn\’t live here anymore, I\’d have to order chicken.

I\’ve never hit a critter with my car except once I thought I hit a bird. Out of guilt, I drove 10 miles back to see if I did.  Never found the poor little thing.  Hope a cat didn\’t get it.

My sister-in-law once told me I have eyes like a doe.  WT?  I look nothing like a doe.

Because that\’s a buck.

I\’ve been entering The Pioneer Woman\’s contest for 2 years now.  I found her blog a few months after I started my blog.  Well I finally won a contest.  It wasn\’t a mixer or a pair a cowboy boots or a gift card … I won one of her book tour t-shirts.  And they are adorable … And fitted …  Around the waist …  Where my cupcakes land.

I\’ve been using not so nice words lately.  I\’m sorry.  There\’s something in the air.  I think it\’s because there\’s a full moon coming.  I think I just need to fly off on my broom and call it a day.

Have a wonderful day all … I\’m off to throw out my gum, do a few situps and refrain from using bad words.

Hahahah, okay.

P.S. – Tomorrow is my real life – could be a Lifetime movie – Peeping Tom story.

See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net

Tags: dresses, family, friends & me, general outdoors, halloween, humor, pioneer-woman, said-something, the hunters wife, throw-it-out

Thanksgiving Family Rules…

1. Shoes off please. So be sure to wear socks without holes.
2. No reaching around me to just have a “pinch” of something. It\’s rude and I didn\’t see you wash your hands. Nor does it end up being a pinch. It normally ends up being a whole serving.
3. If your Mom didn\’t come because she\’s mad at me again, I hope you brought her taco salad. If not, someone will take you home to get it. Be sure to tell your Mom you will be forced to take the first bite.
4. Don\’t blame me if the mashed potatoes are a bit lumpy. “Mad sister” in charge of mashing potatoes didn\’t show. Blame her.
5. To my other sister – It\’s not alright to sing, “Taco, burrito, what you got hanging out your speedo” in front of kids.
6. Can we go one holiday without crying? Thanks. You know who you are.
7. Please bring a sweater. If you tell me it\’s cold I will tell you this – while you slept in today in your nice warm bed and all you had to do was bring chips and pop, I was here breaking a sweat cooking your 10 course meal.
8. My dog is not a cat. Please don\’t throw him across the room thinking he\’s a cat.
9. Yes my hair is a bit darker since the last time you saw me. The winter weather makes it that way.
10. If you kick, bite or pull my dogs hair, I will do the same to you. And if my dog, who never bites, bites, it\’s your fault.
11. There is no running around the house. If your kid slips and falls on the hard wood floor, I\’m sorry. Your kids shouldn\’t be running around the house.
12. Isn\’t it polite to bring the host a gift? I\’ve been cooking for you people for almost 20 years.
13. Jer (my sister) if you slip and fall on the hard wood floor, I\’m sorry but we\’ll laugh. Oh and if by accident you somehow fall down the basement stairs again, for the love of depends, bring some clean underwear.
14. And Mark, it\’s not alright to say you are going to the bathroom and sneak off to bed. Not only can we hear you snoring but that trick is getting old.
15. Please make sure your kids do not drink out of my cup. That\’s all that needs to be said.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving all!!!

See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net

Tags: across-the-room, basement-stairs, bring-the-host, dogs, family, family-rules, house, kids, love, sister, take-the-first