WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND YOURSELF STRANDED OUTDOORS

Every survival situation is different. There are many different scenarios  that you could find yourself in. From a day hike that went wrong to a snowmobile break down on a trail, or even the worst  case scenario a medical emergency while out in the woods.

Here's just a few tips to keep in mind:

• Stay calm- If you start panicking your body will go into a survival mode, in which adrenaline will kick in and that could lead to hasty decision making.
• Orientate yourself- Try to get a sense of where your at. Take a moment to sit down and listen to your surroundings for vehicles, running water, barn animals, and even human voices. Look for terrain features like hill tops, ridges, valleys, saddles, depressions, draws, spurs, and cliffs. If you have a map and and a compass available orientate yourself to the map and determine a magnetic azimuth to the nearest road, river, terrain feature, or man made object like a cell tower or fire tower.
• Stay put- If your on a road with a vehicle, known trail, logging road, or a well used river. If your not on or near one of these places your going to have to move to an area where you will be more likely to be found. For instance wide open areas, hill top, or a tower.
• Signal- If you want to be found its all about giving away your position and movement. If your moving to another location on your way mark your movement by breaking tree twigs and limbs, if there's snow on the ground every 5-10 meters draw an arrow towards the direction your traveling to let rescuers know where you're moving to. Keep using verbal communication, yell for help.Once you get to a good area where you feel like your most likely to be noticed start building a signal fire.
• Start preparing to spend the night- It might take a day or so to be rescued so your going to have to switch into a survival mode. First you should have a fire started, by making a fire it will mark your area for rescuers to find you, it will keep you warm, and for psychological means it will keep you calm and make you feel safe.Next your going to have to make yourself some kind of shelter to protect yourself from the outside elements. This could be naturally made by a rock formation, down trees, or small cave. You might find yourself having to build a shelter, there are different types you can build depending on the resources you have available. You could build a lean-to, tepee, hootch, or a snow shelter. Be sure that your shelter is water resistant and has insulation on the roof and floor. Make sure that you don't over exert yourself your going to have to conserve as much energy as possible.
• Reconnaissance- Once you have a fire and shelter established you're going to have to do a recon of your area looking for water and possible food sources. While out looking for resources to use make sure you're making as many visible markings as possible for rescue'res to find.
• Be prepared to signal rescue'res- Keep some green foliage near your fire so you can make thick smoke for rescue'res to see, also have something shiny or colorful ready to use.
• Make a plan- If it's been at least two days and there's no sign of rescue'res your going to have to start making another plan to move to another location.

I hope these basic tips could help you, if you find yourself in a situation where you get disorientated and need to be rescued. Just remember anything can happen out in the outdoors so be prepared.

In the next upcoming blogs look for:

• Packing for a hiking or exploring trip
• Land Navigation
• How to build a fire
• How to build a shelter
• Ways to filter water
• How to make snares and traps

BE SAFE MY FRIENDS!

Healthy Kids Outdoor Act

Healthy Kids Outdoors Act Supports Strategies to Connect Kids with Nature  Congressman Ron Kind (WI) and Senator Mark Udall (CO) Introduce Legislation to Bolster Outdoor Recreation, Address Childhood Obesity and Strengthen the Economy  WASHINGTON, DC (November 3, 2011) — Congressman Ron Kind (WI) and Senator Mark Udall (CO) introduced the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act today to support state, local and federal strategies to connect youth and families with the natural world, improve children’s health and support future economic growth and conservation efforts. This legislation will help get Americans active outdoors through natural play; outdoor recreation such as camping, hiking, hunting and fishing; public health initiatives; outdoor learning environments; service learning and other initiatives. “Children today are spending less time outdoors than any other generation in history,” said Rep. Kind. “To tackle alarming childhood obesity rates and encourage healthy lifestyles, we must encourage our kids to get active, especially outdoors. I am committed to providing access and opportunities for our families to get active in nature and will continue to treasure every chance I get to take advantage of Wisconsin's abundant natural resources with my two young boys.” “I introduced the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act, along with my House colleague Rep. Ron Kind, to help Americans, especially kids, connect with healthy, active, outdoor activities,” said Sen. Udall, the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's National Parks Subcommittee and co-chairman of the bipartisan Senate Outdoor Recreation Caucus. “Connecting with the outdoors is an excellent way to promote good physical and mental health and bolster America’s conservation legacy. It also supports our vibrant outdoor economy, which is especially important in Colorado and to our rural mountain communities.” Today’s children are spending less time in nature than their parents or grandparents. At the same time, one in three American kids is overweight or obese; more than half of all children in the United States are deficient in Vitamin D; instances of attention deficit disorders are on the rise; and stress, anxiety and depression rates among youth are increasing. The Healthy Kids Outdoors Act would provide incentives to states to develop cross-cutting, five-year strategies to get children and families active in the great outdoors. It would also direct the president to involve federal agencies and national partners to create a similar plan at the national level and support research further documenting the health, conservation and other benefits of active time spent outdoors in the natural world. “The nature of childhood has changed, and there isn’t much nature in it,” said Larry Schweiger, National Wildlife Federation’s president and CEO. “National Wildlife Federation commends Congressman Ron Kind and Senator Mark Udall for introducing legislation that will strengthen the economy by getting Americans moving through recreation and active outdoor play.” The Healthy Kids Outdoors Act has the support of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK), a national strategic partnership of non-profit organizations and corporations from the conservation, health and outdoor recreation sectors with a common interest in expanding opportunities for children, youth and families to connect with nature. “Providing access to the outdoors is at the heart of our business. We believe in the virtuous cycle--the simple concept based on the idea that if you get people outdoors, they will love that experience. The more they come back, the more they grow to care about protecting our natural playgrounds and living healthy active lives,” said Todd Spaletto, president of The North Face. "We’re excited about our partnership with OAK and support policy solutions like the Health Kids Outdoors Act as it means more opportunities to get people outdoors.” “At a time when more than one in three children in the US are overweight, we applaud Congressman Ron Kind and Senator Mark Udall for successfully introducing the Healthy Kids Outdoors Act,” said Dave Alberga, CEO at Active Network. “We look forward to continuing our support in getting kids active and participating in outdoor activities.” "Through our Mission Outdoors programs, we have witnessed shy children grow into leaders from the confidence they gain after hiking up a mountain. We have seen military kids get a much needed break from the daily stress they face when one of their parents deploys by spending a week outdoors at summer camp," said Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club. "But, fewer kids are spending time outdoors and many don't have the opportunity to get outdoors. Rep. Kind and Sen. Udall's bill could help reverse this trend, improve our kids' health and open up a new world for them." Americans are paying a steep price for less time spent outdoors. Obesity not only decreases the quality of life for many Americans – it is straining our nation’s economy through steep increases in healthcare costs. In addition, local and state economies have suffered as the drop in outdoor recreation has translated into less revenue for outdoor retailers, local tourist destinations or “gateway communities,” and state fish and wildlife agencies. The conditions are right for making lasting changes in the ways youth and families relate to nature. The Healthy Kids Outdoors Act will support the goals of the President’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative and the First Lady’s effort to address childhood obesity through Let’s Move! ### About the Outdoors Alliance for Kids: OAK is a national strategic partnership of organizations from diverse sectors with the common interest in expanding the number and quality of opportunities for children, youth and families to connect with the outdoors. The alliance was launched by Sierra Club, YMCA of the USA, REI, National Wildlife Federation, Izaak Walton League of America, Outdoor Foundation, Children & Nature Network and the National Recreation and Park Association in June 2010. Since then, OAK’s steering committee has grown to include the National Association of State Park Directors, The North Face and Active Network. OAK’s membership continues to expand and now includes 35 nonprofit organizations and corporations. Learn more at www.OutdoorsAllianceForKids.org. Communications Contact:  Max Greenberg, National Wildlife Federation, greenbergm@nwf.org or 703-438-6018

Start Planning For Spring Vacations

      Start planning your spring vacations now! The sooner you start making reservations the chances of finding good package deals and discounts are greater. If you are a camping, hiking, or outdoor enthusiast start going threw your gear. If you need to replace or upgrade your equipment check out www.brownsoutdoorretail.com . You can find good deals during the off season.

Ice Fishing Safety Tips

Ten Great Ice Fishing Safety Tips

From www.about.com

Going Into this 2013 Ice Fishing season the New England temperatures have not been co-operating with the ice fishing enthusiast. Do to the temperature changes the ice has not had enough sustainable cold temperatures to freeze appropriately. Here is some good safety tips to follow.

Here are some safety tips every person venturing out onto frozen lakes should observe:

• Leave information about your plans with someone -- where you intend to fish and when you expect to return.
• Wear a personal floatation device and don't fish alone.
• Ice varies in thickness and condition. Always carry an ice spud or chisel to check ice as you proceed.
• Be extremely cautious crossing ice near river mouths, points of land, bridges, islands, and over reefs and springs. Current causes ice to be thinner over these areas.
• Avoid going onto the ice if it has melted away from the shore. This indicates melting is underway, and ice can shift position as wind direction changes.
• Waves from open water can quickly break up large areas of ice. If you can see open water in the lake and the wind picks up, get off!
• Carry a set of hand spikes to help you work your way out onto the surface of the ice if you go through. Holding one in each hand, you can alternately punch them into the ice and pull yourself up and out. You can make these at home, using large nails, or you can purchase them at stores that sell fishing supplies.
• Carry a safety line that can be thrown to someone who has gone through the ice.
• Leave your car or truck on shore. Every year several motor vehicles go through the ice on Vermont lakes, and people have drowned as a result.
• Heated fishing shanties must have good ventilation to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Open a window or the door part way to allow n fresh air.

More From Jim Shepherd

• Start Of 2008 Bass Tournament Season
• Profile Of Jim Shepherd And List Of His Articles

Be Safe My Friends !!

News Update

Three people injured in an avalanche in New Hampshire

 http://www.wcvb.com/news/local/boston-north/Several-hurt-in-avalanche-at-Tuckerman-Ravine/-/11984708/18179762/-/htq8fhz/-/index.html

CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS ICE FISHING DERBY'S

Here is the upcoming fishing derby schedule for central Massachusetts. You can purchase your tickets at Wickaboag Valley Bait & Tackle. www.wickaboagbait.com

DERBIES 2013:
Please get us information about your derby and we will post it on this site.

-Rutland Sportsmen's Club: 1/19/13 6 am to 5pm. 1/20/13 6am to 4pm. $20 entrance fee. Tickets at the shop.
-Wickaboag Sportsmens Club: 1/20/13 6am to 3pm.  Lake Wickaboag town beach.
-Lions Club Derby: 1/26/13 7am to 3:30 pm weigh in.  $20 entrance fee. Tickets at the shop.
-Spencer Fish and Game-Trout and Perch Derby: 2/2/13 7am to 2:30 pm.  $5 per hole.  Two hole max.
Food and refreshments will be served from 5am.  Ice out date is 2/9/12
-Lake Lashaway Fishing Derby: 2/16/13
-Boy Scout Derby: Lake Wickaboag, West Brookfield TBA.
-Camp Joslin Derby to Benefit Kids with Diabetes: Long Pond, Rutland, MA.  TBA

Winter Safety Tips

Winter Safety Tips

• Don't let children play outside in the snow for more than 3-4 hours at a time and monitor them.
• Don't over exert yourself from shoveling or other outdoor activities.
• Wear the appropriate clothing.
• Use layering when dressing for the cold (do not use clothing made of cotton).
• First layer of clothing should be a pair of thermal pants and shirt made of polypropylene or a synthetic fiber.
• Socks also should be of a synthetic fiber, polypropylene, or made of wool.
• Next layer of clothing pants and light jacket should be made of wool or fleece.
• The outer layer of protective clothing would be your jacket and snow pants. The jacket and snow pants should be insulated and water resistant.
• Hats should be made of wool or a synthetic fiber.
• Gloves should be insulated and water resistant.
• Boots also should be insulated and water proof.
• Keep a winter survival kit in your car made of the following

1) Flashlight w/batteries

2) Spare warm clothing

3) A warm blanket or sleeping bag

4) Lighter, matches, or flint

5) A three day supply of non-perishable food

6) First Aid Kit

7) Flares

8) Multi-purpose tool

• Be aware of the types and symptoms of cold weather injuries.

1) Frostbite

2) Hyperthermia

3) Trench Foot

4) Snow Blindness

One saying to keep in mind that is taught to us in the military 'cotton kills', and it will. Cotton will keep moisture close to your body in return when you stop doing physical activities you will start to get cold fast. By using wool, polypropylene, and synthetic fabric, the moisture will wick away from your body keeping you warmer.

KEEP SAFE MY FRIENDS!

Grand Opening

Welcome to the Grand Opening of Brown's Outdoor Retail!

Hi, my name is John Brown, I 'm the owner of Brown's Outdoor Retail. I have always had a passion about the outdoors ever since I was a young child when my father used to take me hunting and fishing with him. I ended up being in the Army for 12 years in the infantry, I was always in the outdoor elements where my passion was. Now I am finally fulfilling my dreams of having my own outdoor store.

I am committing myself to offering my customers the lowest prices possible so that every family has an opportunity to be able to enjoy the outdoors, like I did when I was growing up.

I'm looking forward to being your outdoor supplier for all your recreational and professional needs.

• Backpacks 
• Cookwares
• Tactical and Law Enforcement Gear

• Coolers
• Furniture & Tents
• Hydration Systems

• Instruments
• Light Sticks
• Sleeping Bags

• Sleeping Bags/Mattress/Pads
• Opticals
• Stoves

• Survival
• Tents
• Accessories