A quick scouting trip

Fall brings a vast array of colors to the landscape, some much needed cooler weather, and deer season.  With that in mind I decided to scout out an area that recently had a new access point put in.  So I decided to grab the pack and a partner and head on out.  The area offered some good thick cover for setting up blinds.  Lots of acorns and pecans were starting to drop as well.  They were pretty spread out though so it might be hard to concentrate on one area.  Well scouting trips are pretty much woods loafing you're just looking for deer sign and trails and trying to figure out the best spot to setup for them.  Nothing too complicated.  So let's get to the pics.

partner for the day

Anything could appear out of this

surprisingly the creek wasn't dried up

took the ruck today, just some snacks and water is about all it had in it

blade

stopping for a breather...it was hotter than I thought it would be

way out

and lastly we had to leave with these "magic beans"  haha.  If you have little kids you might know the movie that's from.

Thanks for looking.

Solar Compass

Well I thought I would share this as I was rather pleased with the results and believe most of you will find this useful if you haven't already tried.  This was actually a monthly project at Blades and Bushcraft and it was fun to try.

Solar Compass, so the idea is to place a stick in the ground and mark the end of the shadow, wait a period of time(atleast 15 minutes or so) and then mark the end of the shadow again as it has moved.  Then you make a line between the two points(roughly making a east-west line) and the mark a line perpendicular to that(making a north-south line).

Sounds simple enough so I gave it a try just to see how well this would work.  First went to the local stomping grounds and found a stick

 
Next I carved a couple a stakes to use to mark the points

Then I put the stick in the ground and marked the end of the shadow with the stake(stake at top)

Well I got a bonus when I was waiting for time to pass and flock of turkeys passed by not too far away

So that helped kill about 15 minutes and now it was time to mark the end of the shadow again

I used a couple pieces of straw for my lines, first one connected the points, then laid the second one perpendicular on top of the first

I removed the stakes to get rid of the shadow and checked it with my compass

As you can tell this worked out pretty well.  In fact I was rather surprised at how accurate it was.  So obviously you need some sunlight for this but it is reliable and if it's all you have it should work.  So put this in your mental gear bag.  You never know if you'll need it some day.

Thanks for looking 

Wichita Mountains site seeing

Well I got out with the family to the Wichita Mountains.  Not a bushcraft trip but enjoyed some great views of the scenery.  This area is actually a wildlife refuge as well.  It's just north of Fort Sill.  The property boundaries actually meet.  It's a beautiful area and the roadway through the park makes for an excellent drive with the family when you don't want anything too strenuous or when you're toting a newborn a long.  Let's get to some of the views: (Click on them to enlarge)

This lake is one I will definitely need to check out in the canoe sometime

There are a lot of free ranging buffalo at this place and everyone, especially my daughter, got a big kick out of watching them

There were a few prairie dog towns a long the way as well

more buffalo

Isabel watching the prairie dogs

The visitor center was pretty nice.  It's setup like a miniature museum and gives you an idea of what you can see at the refuge. Here's Isabel enjoying some of what the center offers:

here's hatchet Jack with his buffalo souvenir that he is totally ecstatic about

 
more scenic views

This buffalo wasn't 5 ft. from the road

Another great canoe lake I'll have to check out

And we finished up the drive by eating at Meers

Burger was huge and awesome and the peach cobbler with homemade ice cream was outstanding.  I was meaning to take pictures of the food but was so hungry I forgot.  So you'll just have to take my word for it that it was great and you should stop but if you are ever down that way. 

Thanks for looking