Meeting Wildlife While Camping

Camping can be one of the best adventures you'll find. Fresh air, stunning mountains, spectacular trees and more are all around most campsites. But humans aren't the only species to be found among them. And not all the other ones are friendly.

Bears may look very cuddly on TV, but there are species that are dangerous and most people can not tell the difference between one and the next. Grizzlies, for example, are generally regarded as potentially life-threatening. An adult grizzly will eat a human. Telling the difference between them and Black Bears can be difficult.

As the name suggests, Black Bears tend to be dark. But a grizzly can vary from blond to black. Size is a possible clue, but it's tough to tell the difference sometimes between a full grown Black Bear (around 300-400 lbs and 5ft tall when standing) and a teen grizzly.

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Full grown grizzlies are larger, around 500 lbs and 6ft tall when standing. Needless to say, when a bear is standing in front of you, you have other things to think about than identification.

There is one unmistakable sign - grizzlies have a hump on the back of the neck that Black Bears lack. But making it out especially when they are in motion toward you, can be hard. Black Bears have smaller, more triangular heads that can help identification.

Grizzlies have a more flattened face, with a depression between the eyes and their ears are rounded. Black Bears, by contrast have a snout and more pointed ears. If you're close enough to make out these details without binoculars, however, you are too close.

Wild cats often inhabit wilderness and camping areas, and they too can be dangerous, even lethal. Most will avoid contact with humans, but if hungry or pressed they can attack. A hungry cougar or puma will carry off a child if it hasn't had any other food source for a while.

Bobcats, though small, are surprisingly strong for their size and no one should test their skill against those razor sharp teeth and claws. Lynx are a similar species, having telltale hair tufts on their ears and blunt tails. Also small and shy (about the size of a large house cat and weighing 30 lbs), they can be fierce if they're protecting young.

Mountain lions still roam parts of the southwest in the US and don't always limit their hunting to sheep. If you bring the family dog along on a camping trip be especially cautious about letting it roam where it might encounter a wild cat. Many dogs won't back down and run away and they will always lose a fight with one.

Investigate which species are known to be in the area you intend to visit and take proper precautions when you're there. Keep food stored in odor tight containers before and after meals and keep trash stowed well away from the campsite.

Camping with the Seasons

One of the great things about camping is the opportunity to get out into the outdoors and enjoy the environment. One of the potential downsides in camping is getting out into the outdoors and enduring it.

Testing your hardiness is a fun part of camping, but being wet, cold and windblown is not. Planning ahead by getting a good weather report for your intended location is a good idea, but weather in wilderness areas can change rapidly. The change tends to be more extreme than in urban areas, as well. The temperature difference between daytime and nighttime is often greater in mountainous areas, where many campsites are located.

Bring along a clock of the type that has indoor/outdoor temperatures for in the tent and outside. Or, better still, get one of the more extensive weather stations. They report rainfall, air pressure (a good weather indicator), temperature, humidity and other factors that can affect your plans on the site. They're portable, powered by AA batteries and accurate.

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Summer camping is more common, but weather is still a factor. Daytime highs in many camping areas can reach the 90s or higher in July and August, then drop down to the 50s at night.

That daytime high is a concern for hikers, a common activity during camping. It creates a need for additional water and minerals (bring along a low-sugar sports drink). Be prepared to rest at least five minutes every hour. Dress in layers so you can take clothing off during the heat, but still be comfortable as the day cools off.

Don't go shirtless except in open areas, and sometimes not even then. Toxic plants, scrapes from bushes, trees and rocks can turn septic more readily outdoors. Excessive UV exposure is a greater problem in high altitude areas. Use sunscreen on exposed areas of skin and keep those areas to a minimum.

Winter camping is less common but a great delight for those who enjoy snow and colder temperatures. The chances for seeing wildlife can be greater since deer, moose and other creatures have to forage at lower altitudes to get adequate food. Bear sightings are less common, which is another advantage. It may sound cool to see a bear, and it can be. But they can be dangerous and grizzlies see people as food, not playmates.

Thermal socks and underwear, the type that wicks away sweat and still allows some air to pass slowly through the material, is a good item to take along. You'll be more comfortable and temperature control is important during colder weather. Frostbite is a real possibility and sometimes the damage it does to nerves and tissue is permanent.

Avoid walking on frozen lakes, ponds and streams during winter camping trips. The ice is often only a couple of inches thick (if that), and the crystalline structure of natural ice is riddled with asymmetries. That leads to cracking at random moments. Ice that was sturdy ten minutes earlier can fail to support you without warning. There's nothing quite so unpleasant, and potentially dangerous, as icy water against your skin.

Plan ahead for the season and the climate for your intended location and you'll find your trip that much more enjoyable.

Camping Etiquette – Being a Polite Camper

One of the prime attractions of camping is the opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet. Living in the big city is exciting and there is a never ending parade of things to do and see. But sometimes, it's great to get away from all the noise, the bustling and the crowds. At least, most people who go camping think so.

Unfortunately, there's a small minority that want to bring the city with them into the wilderness. Motorcycles, loud radios and just general rowdiness can sometimes spoil a peaceful campsite. For those who might be willing to listen, it's desirable to point out that the first rule of camping is: don't disturb your neighbor.

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The reason that's the first rule is because of the basic purpose of camping listed above: to get away from the noise and enjoy the quiet. For those who disagree or (more often) don't care, there are hopefully campsite officers. Anarchy has faded from campsites. If there are others who refuse to exhibit basic courtesy, you can call on a ranger (in a State or National Park) or a guard (in commercial campsites) to ask the spoilers to be quiet or leave.

But that needn't be your first move. A polite request to respect the rights of other campers is the first step. And, it's helpful to be willing to tolerate a certain amount of undesirable behavior for a short time. There's no need to inflame an unpleasant situation by being intolerant of minor disturbances. Sometimes sound carries better in campsites than you might expect.

Motorcycles, ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicle) and other fun but noisemaking vehicles should be ridden only in designated areas. People who enjoy them can flock together. They expect noise. People who want to hear only the chirping birds are entitled to equal enjoyment.

But there's no good reason to tolerate prolonged noise or threatening behavior. That's what the officers are there for, among other things.

The second rule of etiquette in camping is to leave little trace. The next person to come along will appreciate you putting out your fire completely. You should dump all trash in a receptacle or bring along plastic bags to take it with you to dump in the nearest one along the road. Leave no bottles, cans, food wrappers or other trash.

Take a wider view of what is trash and what isn't than you might in the city. Cigarette butts do not decay in the earth anywhere near as rapidly as you might think. Even small pieces of wood can take years to decay. If you have to eliminate in the woods, bury it under a pile of earth, especially if you've used toilet paper. That goes for any dog waste from pets you bring along, too.

Campsites are much more heavily populated today than they ever have been. If everyone pitches in and follows some simple, common sense rules of etiquette, they can be enjoyed by all for a long time to come.

Bugs Go Camping Too

Camping can be one of the best adventures you'll find. Fresh air, stunning mountains, spectacular trees and more are all around most campsites. But humans aren't the only species to be found among them. And not all the other ones are friendly.

Yellow jackets and other species of wasp are common wherever evergreen trees grow. Some make their nests in trees, but many will make a nest under an awning, typically in the late spring and early summer. Many will fly out of the nest in the early morning and back in again in the late afternoon. Often, they'll make a nest in the ground, visible by a hole about the size of a dime.

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They aren't particularly aggressive, but the colony can get aroused if anyone comes near the nest. When they do, several will fly out at once and the possibility of a sting is high. They're also attracted by the smell of cooking meat, sugar water (like the small amount on the lip of a soda can), and other human products. If you don't see them, the odds are higher you'll come in contact, leading to a sting.

A can of wasp spray is a handy thing to pack, but there are sometimes better ways to deal with the situation.

If the nest is new you'll find a female dancing around the edge as she builds it. Sometimes there will already be an egg sac or two inside. At this stage it looks like a series of honeycomb cells. If knocked down with a long stick the wasp will usually just fly away and try elsewhere.

After creating the cells, the wasp will wrap the structure in a series of onion-like layers, leaving a small hole. By this stage it's too far along to deal with safely unless you can spray the opening accurately. Knocking it down will just release a dozen angry wasps.

Mosquitoes are another common pest and though the sting isn't painful, it's annoying and can be harmful. The risk of fatal or serious injury from mosquitoes has been overblown by the media, but it's real and in certain areas, substantial.

Mosquitoes are attracted by the carbon dioxide we breathe out and other factors that are less well understood. Some researchers contend body heat counts, others even suggest the insects can sense heartbeat vibrations. But whatever the real causes, they are not generally under your control.

But there are several products that are effective in dealing with them. Citronella candles help in some cases, but if there's any wind at all they are usually much less effective. Deet-containing sprays are safe and effective, if applied correctly. Try to apply to clothing rather than skin, and in either case use the minimum. Use a lower dosage spray for younger children.

Similarly, ticks are common in wooded areas. Here again the danger of Lyme disease has been exaggerated, but the risk is far from zero. They tend to wind up on animals - dogs in particular - more than humans. Wear long sleeve shirts and pants that reach over your boots and avoid brushing your hair against bushes.

Depending on where you camp, certain spider species are to be avoided. The odds of getting bitten are low - spiders try to avoid human contact and generally only attack when cornered.

Black widows tend to hide in dark, cool places but basements aren't common camping excursions and they tend not to inhabit caves. They're notable for the hourglass-shaped red markings on the underside. Violin spiders are also somewhat shy, but will bite if your hand brushes near them. Stay away from areas where you see funnel webs, particularly in dark, secluded spots.

Check the most common toxic species for the area you intend to visit, dress appropriately and your odds of having your trip spoiled are low.

Basic Camping First Aid

Many camping areas are far from professional medical facilities. Even when rescuers and paramedics can fly in by helicopter (which they do only in extreme emergencies), it can take hours to locate the victim. In circumstances that could otherwise be minor incidents, but might turn major without treatment, campers are on their own. That means, a little first aid knowledge can go a long way.

The first lesson is simply to be prepared, both educationally and with the proper supplies. Learn what you need to do and take supplies with you to do it.

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Minor scrapes and cuts can become infected and often turn much worse in the wild than in the city. Lack of proper cleansing, lower hygiene and other factors can quickly complicate what would otherwise be a trivial problem.

To head that possibility off at the outset, be sure to take along clean water, bandages (both wrap around and stick on), and disinfectant. Carrying both a combination pain-killer/disinfectant spray as well as cream is a good idea. The first acts really fast and allows you to easily cover the entire area, the latter lasts longer.

Closing wounds cleanly, quickly and effectively is vital, with larger ones more dangerous than smaller, obviously. The skin is the body's first and best defense against germs and helping it along is essential. Unless you're treating a compound fracture (a bone break in which the bone protrudes through the skin), you should wrap the wound after cleaning and applying anti-bacterial spray and/or cream.

With compound fractures, unless you have the medical knowledge to safely move the bone back, it's best just to immobilize it and wrap the limb as well as possible. Then seek emergency medical assistance as quickly as possible. If you can't contact anyone (many cell phones don't work in the wild), go get help. If it represents low risk of making the situation worse, take the injured camper to them.

A splint can often be improvised from branches, but you need something to tie them together with. Hence, one more reason to have ample wrap around bandages, gauze typically. A good addendum is aspirin, for those whose stomachs can tolerate it. Take care about dosage, though.

One good way to treat potential medical problems is to avoid them in the first place. Learn the appearance of poison ivy, poison oak and other toxic plants - and avoid them at all costs. They're more than merely an annoyance. Exposure to them results in an itchy rash that even anti-itch cream does only so much to relieve. Continual scratching will lead to an open sore and probable infection.

Scissors, or better still a multi-purpose Swiss Army style knife, is a must. The latter often contains a knife for slicing, small scissors for cutting and tweezers for removing splinters - all of which can be tremendously helpful while camping.

Minor problems can quickly grow to spoil a trip. Having the right tools and supplies along and the knowledge of how to use them, can keep most things under control. That allows everyone to still enjoy the experience.

Leather Backpacks Are Not For Camping

As every loyal hunter knows, it is essential to have good hunting backpacks with you when you go on any hunting trip, especially long trips. The fastest way to ruin a potentially great hunting expedition is to wear poorly constructed hunting backpacks. And of course, its important to have a relatively attractive pack, even though most of the animals wont even notice.

Most of the hunting backpacks today are made by companies that are very aware of the major concerns for hunters when considering what kind of hunting backpacks to purchase. For example, most hunting backpacks now have padded shoulder straps to keep the straps from digging into your shoulders while you are hiking through those long wilderness trails. They also can have padded hip straps because the packs are designed to focus most of their weight on your hips. Without the additional padding, the weight of the pack could cause a lot of pain on your hips as you walk.

Another fantastic advantage to newer hunting backpacks is the adjustable suspension on the packs. The frame of most hunting backpacks is designed to be adjusted to fit your body properly. An exact fit of a pack will prevent back and shoulder pain during your hunting trip. The frame of some packs can be used to carry meat or hide back to your hunting camp with you. This makes it slightly easier for you to transport your kill.

As for the appearance of hunting backpacks, the most important aspect is not the pattern of the fabric. There are, of course, many different camouflage patterns available, but there is a more important part to be concerned about when considering which pack to buy. You want to be certain that there is a large, very clear neon orange colored strip on the pack that will ensure that you are visible to other hunters. This will keep you safe when you are maneuvering in the woods.

Some of the newest hunting backpacks on the market now offer special extra pockets for smaller pieces of gear. And unless youve been out in the wilderness and found yourself without an easy access pocket for your map or first aid kit, you may not realize how important these extra pockets are. Things like compasses and ammunition an, unfortunately, even your rain gear can vanish into the bottom of the large pockets in your pack, never to be found until you completely unpack once you reach your camp site. Small side pockets and easy to reach mesh pockets make this problem disappear.

Parents may be so used to carrying their childrens possessions that when the time comes to take Junior on his first camping trip, they may be tempted to just carry all of Juniors gear for him. This is a bad idea for many reasons. As an experienced camper, you know how important it is to learn what to pack, how much your gear weighs, and how to cut down on the amount of stuff you bring so you can get around as easily as possible. Children wont learn these things unless they have the experience of packing their own kids backpacks and being responsible for their own gear.

Kids backpacks need to fit properly. It is just as important to fit your kids backpacks as it is to fit your own. It may be even more important if your child is new to camping and has a tendency to be uncomfortable doing new things.

Many kids backpacks have optional torso adjustments so you can adjust the length of the backpack up or down the backpack frame to fit your childs height. Kids backpacks that load from the top are often the easiest for them to use because there are not too many large side pockets. Also, a top pocket makes it easy to put a sleeping bag or any other gear in the pack. You want to make sure that the waist belt on the kids backpack adjusts to fit the size of your child. Some kids backpacks have little pockets attached to the waistband. These pockets are located on the childs front and they can use the pockets for little items they may pick up on the trail. Or, these pockets can hold small toys.

You may want to choose kids backpacks with easy access pouches for water bottles. Some even come with liter sized bottles that have a tube to make drinking from the bottle easy the child does not even have to take the bottle out of the pack to drink.

Certain kids backpacks offer a handle on the top of the pack. This allows the parent to help the child put on the pack by making it easy to lift the pack from above. Zippered pockets on the top of the backpack allow the child to keep their toys or flashlights in a safe place. Zippered pockets on the bottom of the pack give your child a place to store his dirty laundry or muddy shoes so the clean clothing and gear doesnt get dirty. Also, look into finding kids backpacks with mesh pockets. This will help your child find his gear quickly.
If you are considering purchasing a backpack for the sole purpose of camping, hiking or hunting, most experts would recommend a nylon backpack, or any other waterproofed material. But what most would definitely stay away from is leather backpacks. While they are attractive, stylish, and very soft, leather backpacks are not exactly the kind of gear you want to keep your camping gear dry in a torrential downpour when you are walking around in the middle of nowhere with nothing but the wet clothes on your back. In that situation, you want to know for sure that whatever you have packed into your backpack is dry and safe. Leather backpacks are not the best bet for keeping things dry and safe when you are camping.

Most modern backpack manufacturers have really stopped making leather backpacks for use when camping, hunting, and hiking and other long term outdoors adventures. Apparently, these companies have resorted to using high grade synthetic materials that are easily waterproofed. This makes it much easier to produce, and creates a much more reliable product for the avid outdoorsman.

Most leather backpacks are now made as trendy and expensive alternatives to the standard school yard book bag as opposed to the heavy duty use camping pack. It is true that some manufacturers still used reinforced leather bottoms for their packs, but the days of completely leather backpacks seem to be over. While the reinforced leather bottom on a pack may be a good idea, making an entire pack out of the same reinforced leather would probably make a pack that was way too heavy to carry and way to expensive to produce and purchase.

Most of the leather backpacks that you can find in stores now are geared towards the student or workaholic on the go. These packs come with specialized pockets not for hydration equipment, maps and compasses, but for things like MP3 players, hand held organizers, and laptop computers. The shoulder straps are often not padded correctly with a durable material, but rather are made of a foam material that will break down before you reach the first mile of an off trail hike. As mentioned above, the main pockets and the body of leather backpacks nowadays are made of non-reinforced leather which means that they would probably rip open the first time you tossed it to the ground after a long trek.

The basic point is that even though leather backpacks are very pretty and very useful for urban events like going to the library or the coffee shop, or even walking around the mall, if you are dedicated hiker and camper, you will want to look into more durable packs that are designed for campers needs.