Category Archives: Classes/Education

Classes and any sort of education, whether they are formal or informal, that scream for a few words to be written about them.

Arrow-leaved Balsamroot

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by Woodsbum

In my pursuit of learning more and more about wild edibles, I am continuing on with my occasional plant listing. This post is about the arrow-leaved balsamroot.

Arrow leaved balsamroot

The arrow-leaved balsamroot is one of the few plants that all parts are edible. The roots, young stems and leaf stalks are best. Although the roots can be bitter, they tend to sweeten up with slow cooked for long periods of time. The roots can also be dried then reconstituted afterwards with an overnight soaking. Seeds can be dried, roasted and made into meal.

Arrow leaved balsamroot

This plant grows on dry, stoney slopes in the foothills. Be careful, though. It looks a lot like arnica which can cause internal blistering and severe stomach issues.

Arnica

Arrow Leaved Balsamroot flower

As you can see the flowers are VERY similar. Make sure you do your research and can accurately identify the two.

These plants can both be found here in the Pacific Northwest and since the arrow leaved balsamroot is completely edible, can be made into a meal as well as having great storage capabilities, it is a good plant to know.

Good luck and have fun!!!

George W. Sears – Nessmuk Online Learning

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by Woodsbum

George W. Sears is better known through his pen name of Nessmuk. Many of his teachings in woods skills have become the cornerstone for today’s bushcrafting movement. It is truly amazing to see how he was able to build an entire camp out of the most basic and simple hand tools.

What I have done is linked to his book here. Even though it is a bit of a read, especially when he starts discussing his favorite equipment, but the camp techniques are those that really should be evaluated and scrutinized. He talks about fire lays, his preferred tent, how to fish, cooking over open flame, and just basics that every outdoors person should know. You don’t have to do it his way, but knowing what many consider “foundations” of camping is a great way to make your preferred method that much better. Many people, for instance, do not use reflectors for their camp fire to radiate the heat back toward your shelter. This is ok to do in many situations, but it helps SO much when you are in colder climates or camping with only a tarp.

Take a look and see what does or does not apply to your particular style camping. I will bet that many of his techniques will have its roots in what he did 100 years go. Just remember to take what you can use and then process the rest as a foundation for further learning.

Happy camping!!!!!

Field Dressing and Processing Deer

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by Woodsbum

I get a lot of questions from new hunters about field dressing and processing game animals. When I come across excellent videos such as this that provide a step by step set of instructions, I try and share as much as possible. It only helps those learning to hunt and increases the self sufficiency of those that already hunt but don’t process their own game.

Enjoy and take notes!!!!

Sig Sauer Academy Handgun Orientation – Handgun 101

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by Gunguy

In my efforts to impart my hobbies on my better half I signed my girlfriend and I up for the Sig Sauer Academy Handgun Orientation (Handgun 101) class a couple of weeks ago. My significant other has never had any formal training before and I was worried that the formal education would be difficult to digest. Luckily instructors Ken Allen and Taki Okuno at the Sig Sauer Academy in New Hampshire made the class a joy to attend.

The class was about 14 people, half men and half women. We started off the class with an introduction and an overview of the class. Everyone had a instruction booklet, a Sig Sauer sticker and a Sig Sauer hat waiting for them in the class room. Ken and Taki went over the following in the class room before we broke for lunch.

Responsible Firearms Ownership and Applications of the Handgun
Firearms Safety for the home, workplace, and vehicle
Safety Concerns and Practices While Training and While Carrying a Firearm
Safe Use and Handling of Firearms
Locking Devices and Techniques for Firearms to Prevent Unauthorized Access
Potential Dangers (penetration, ricochet, misidentification, accidental discharges, etc.)
Ready Positions
Components and Operation of Modern Pistols and Revolvers
Types, Components, and Purposes of Modern Ammunition
Applicable Laws relating to the possession, transportation, and storage of firearms
General Guidelines on interstate travel with firearms

After lunch we had a quick overview of the mornings instruction and then we went to the indoor range. Ken and Taki started by having us raise our hands and while they sized them up they picked the appropriate sized pistols for us to fire. We were separated into two groups and we were given very specific instruction on how to pick the pistol off the table in front of us, load the magazine and prepare to fire. We started off by firing one round, then two and then four depending on the drill. After finishing the first magazine we made sure everyone had their hands off the guns, the guns on the table and the range was clear. Ken walked down the line explaining to each student what they were doing wrong and how to fix the problem.

The great part about Ken and Taki was that they not only did they tell us how to improve our shooting but they also praised everyone on how well they did.

Everyone was pretty excited and amped up after the live firing portion of the class. We went to the classroom and did an after action report in the class room and everyone got a certificate of completion. Ken and Taki took questions from the class and I asked them to recommend an ammo loader and the company that manufactured Taki’s magazine pouch. Taki recommended the LULA Magazine Loader that he tested and recommends whole heartedly.

The magazine and flashlight pouches that Taki wore on his belt were molded plastic and very low profile. The company that makes the magazine pouches was Comp Tac.

After the live fire brain dump we went to the back and went over how to disassemble our guns and perform maintenance. Ken and Taki took the time to explain the importance of cleaning our handguns and what lubricants to use to keep the guns running flawlessly. Ken and Taki recommend TW25B grease and Ballistol Sportsmans Oil. Both of these products are used exclusively by Sig Sauer on all of their weapons.

I recommend this class for all of those people who have not had formal training before. Even if you have been using guns half your life like I have you can still pick up some excellent tips that will improve your abilities. I’ve added some pics of the class below.

Sig Sauer P250

His Target

Her Target

LULA Magazine Loader

Comp Tac Magazine Pouches and Holsters

Ballistol Sportsmans Oil

TW25B Grease

A Good Video about Friction Fire

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by Woodsbum

It is really hard to find a good video about friction fire. Most don’t really go too much into wood selection other than giving you a list of “wood combinations” that work together. This video shows you the finger nail test and explains how to check to see if the wood is actually dry enough to use.

Another couple of points about this video:

He uses the spindle to create a good socket in the hearth (fire board). Good technique that most “experts” online do not do.
He also checks the dust after he creates a socket. The color and consistency of the dust will help you figure out how well your spindle and hearth will work.
It isn’t too obvious in the video, but using the initial dust from creating your socket will help you get an ember quicker. I assume that he did that considering he piled all the remaining dust on top of his ember to keep it going.

Here is the video:

How to read the dust:

Light brown and lighter dusty dust means that you are going too slow or there is not enough friction. Try going faster and pressing down a bit more. It could also mean that your wood choice was too soft.
Light brown and fuzzy type dust means you are just shaving off pieces of the wood and not actually getting any heat. Go faster. The dust will get darker and be kind of fuzzy in appearance as you get closer to the right combo of technique and wood.
Dark brown almost black and fuzzy dust is what you are after. This is the perfect combo so look for embers burning in the dust.
Dark brown/black that are almost like little rolls of wood means that you are possibly going too fast and not pushing down hard enough. The wood dust is more like shavings that are not keeping enough heat to burn.
Dark brown/black that is almost a crusty or already burned looking means that you are going too fast or pressing down too hard. It could also mean that your wood choice was of a type wood that was too hard.

This is perfect dust:

Perfect dust from friction fire

There are many different charts out there on what type of wood works best. The big thing is for you to test out several combinations and get used to testing the wood’s density with your fingernail. It has to be able to dent it without a massive amount of pressure, but it should not break or crack under that pressure.

Keep trying different wood types from your area to get that perfect combination for you. Technique plays an important factor as well. I can get the softer woods like pine and cottonwood going, but fail with maple and cedar. It really comes down to what works for you.

Good luck and have some fun!!!!