Winter Camping

   

 



Winter camping is always fun, but a combination camping trip and scouting for turkeys is even better. It was the last week before spring and with a few sunny days for a change, it was a chance to get to the woods and enjoy a few days.

 

Prior to this trip, I was reading J. Wayne Fears books about building cabins and outdoor cooking and he mentioned using a reflector oven. Not having any first-hand experience with them, I went online and did some research. I had some aluminum flashing and put together a crude oven with pop rivits, threaded rods and some stove bolts. I made a trial run in the back yard at home prior to the trip. I cooked a pan of biscuits and the results were amazing.

 

During our camping trip, we cooked biscuits and blueberry muffins and they were great. I would recommend anyone that is interested in outdoor cooking look into a reflector oven. Finished ovens are available from several suppliers, but half the fun is building your own. Flashing is a little flimsy and had to be re-inforced, but works okay.

 

I plan to build another with more rigid  aluminum sheeting and hinge the pieces so that is may be folded and packed for easier transport.

 

About the turkeys, we staked out a few likely locations and we'll see how that works out in April. I'm sure the reflector oven will accompany us on any combination camping/turkey hunting ventures.

 

 

 

The Night the Mountain Fell

L. Woodrow Ross in Charleston, SC

Major geological events often have a drastic effect on mankind. Floods, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, forest fires and earthquakes often disrupt patterns of human activity. In addition, they often threaten human life and when a major event takes place, it captures national attention in the news media.

Such an event occurred on a Monday, August 17, 1959, at 11:37 p.m. Not far outside the boundaries at the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park in the Gallatin National Forest, a massive earthquake occurred. It was one of the largest ever recorded in North America and was recorded at 7.5 on the Richter Scale. The earthquake caused a landslide and millions of tons of rock, soil and debris crashed from a mountainside on the south side of the Madison River. The slide covered the river and inertia carried it several hundred feet up the mountain on the north side of the river.

The result of the slide was that 28 people died on that fateful night. Nineteen bodies were never recovered due to being buried under the million tons of debris. The slide blocked the river and in three weeks Earthquake Lake was created. It is 190 feet deep and 6 miles long. Today it is an attraction for anglers fishing for trout. A visitors center was created there as a memorial to the event that took those 28 lives.

This novel is a work of fiction centered around that event and how it affected those that were left  behind. It tells the story of a young couple from Charleston, SC, who were in the campground when the slide occurred. The prelude to the tragedy tells of their marriage and early successes. The actual night of the event records the terror and how they were ripped apart.

Over the next 2 1/2 years, the story records the convoluted series of events as they struggled with the aftermath and how it affected their lives. In the end, they never gave up and their love for each other overcame circumstances.

Join Daniel and Jessie (Jay) Gray in their journey as they pit their will against tragic circumstances. You will see that character and integrity will prevail as old friendships are tested and new ones are made. It is a journey with twists and unexpected turns that will keep you involved in the plot up until the last page.

© L. Woodrow Ross, January, 2013

Available on Amazon Kindle

Primitive Craft/Survival Skills Seminar

Primitive Craft/Survival Skills Seminar

 

 Join author, outdoorsman and naturalist L. Woodrow Ross for an unforgettable day of hands-on exposure to primitive survival skills and crafts that will prepare you to be a better woodsman. Learn how to flint knap, make primitive arrows, utilize deer sinew to haft projectile points, and start a fire with flint and steel and with a bow drill.

You will depart better prepared to adapt to the natural environment and utilize primitive skills to enjoy the wilderness rather than feel threatened by it. Learn to make cordage from natural fibers and sinew. Try your hand at using an atlatl and learn to make one easily for your own use. Use a rabbit stick and see how the primitive cultures took small game. Experience using a Cherokee blow gun for the first time.  In addition, other useful topics will be covered.

We are offering one day seminars at this time for an introductory price of $85.00. The session will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. A lunch of burger or hot dog, fries and drink, this will be available for $7.00. We will need to know in advance how many would like to purchase lunch so that preparations can be made. Snacks and drinks will be available, but you are welcome to bring your own. The class size is limited to 15 so that each person may experience a quality, hands-on experience.

Seminar date: March 23, 2013 (8:30 - 5:00 with 1 hour lunch break)

Seminar location: Saluda River Archery Club, 521 McNeely Road, Piedmont, SC 29673

Contact L. Woodrow Ross (864) 238-1944 or Russell Cooper (864) 230-8744 for registration information.

Seminars will be held rain or shine. Adequate shelter is available and a fire pit is adjacent to shelter. Fee must be pre-paid with registration. Cancellations must be one week prior to the seminar date for full refund. After this date, 75% will be refunded.

L. Woodrow Ross is a freelance writer/photographer and writes a weekly outdoor column for the Anderson Independent Mail newspaper and lifestyle features. In addition, he is a frequent contributor to the South Carolina Sportsman magazine.  He has been published in the Primitive Archer magazine and the South Carolina Wildlife magazine. Ross has several books related to outdoor skills on Amazon's Kindle. He is member of the South Carolina Outdoor Press Association and the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association. He is the author of two books and maintains a website and blog. He lives in Travelers Rest, SC, with his lovely wife Margaret.

 

Ross recently had four books released on Amazon Kindle. The topics include fly fishing, travel, photography, primitive skills, survival skills, hunting and many more outdoor topics.

www.lwoodrowross.com   www.FoothillsOutdoors.com      lross3871@charter.net  (864) 238-1944

Fly Fishing Tips for Success by L. Woodrow Ross

L. Ross with a nice cold weather rainbow. If you follow the tips in this book, you may find a fish like this on the end of your leader.

Hello to all:
It has been a great holiday season. We have been busy and sorry to see deer hunting come to a close in South Carolina. Fortunately, small game hunting and fly fishing are still on the agenda.
If you are a fan of fly fishing, there is a new book on Kindle that addresses the sport with tips on technique, fly fishing destinations, gear selection and some personal adventures. It includes some interesting photos of destinations, local and distant. These include some exotic destinations such as Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Alaska.
This is my first venture into e-books and while the formatting is not perfect, I think you will find the content entertaining and educational. It is a bargain at only $1.99 on Kindle.
I appreciate everyone's support at my primitive craft seminars (more to be scheduled soon), support of my weekly outdoor column at the Anderson Independent Mail newspaper, response to feature lifestyle articles at the same newspaper, response to article in South Carolina Sportsmen magazine and readers response to my new contributions to Primitive Archer magazine. We are expanding our outreach and will be posting additional books on Kindle. These will include one on Primitive Crafts and Survival Skills, more about fly fishing and one that covers a wide range of hunting and fishing experiences.
I have been fortunate to meet some wonderful people in the outdoor world. It seems that they are the "salt of the earth" and people that you can depend on. God has really blessed us by allowing us to enjoy these friendships and the wonderful works of nature that He created.
Best regards to all,
L. Woodrow Ross
www.lwoodrowross.com
www.FoothillsOutdoors.com

Remembering the Greats:

Profiles of Turkey Hunting's Old Masters

Author Jim Casada

Outdoor author Jim Casada has released his latest book that provides a close look at the lives and accomplishments of 27 of the legends of turkey hunting. In order to avoid slighting any living experts, he has concentrated on the deceased icons of this great sport. In the introduction, he said, "Only the greats who are deceased have been profiled."

Later in the introduction, he said that when he realized that he would be besieged by living turkey hunting personalities to be included in the profiles, he solved the problem by saying, "You have to die to qualify". That provided an instant solution to the problem.

Casada has done a masterful job of bringing together profiles of these men that tells about their personal connection to the sport, their expertise in calling, call-making and some of their idiosyncrasies. He pulls no punches and "tells it like it was". It is a reflection of his vocation as a retired professor of history that he records the details "warts and all".

Casada had the pleasure of personally knowing 12 of the men profiled and hunted with many of them. His mentor, Parker Whedon, is included in the profiles. I remember well the story that Casada told of an early hunt with Whedon. Upon concluding a hunt by killing a turkey that Whedon called to the gun, Casada picked up the bird to depart. Whedon stopped him and said, "Jim, if you like turkey hunting as much as I think you will, there will come a time when you can't remember every turkey you ever killed. Let's go back and pick up your spent shotshell. When you get home, write up a little story about the hunt and put that information, along with the beard inside the shell. That way you can always go back and relive a hunt." As of 2012, I believe that Casada has saved 283 shells with the details of the hunt and a beard tucked inside.

Casada's personal love of turkey hunting is evident in the words of this book and it is a book to be treasured by any turkey hunter.

In addition to the profile of Parker Whedon, other "greats" such as Tom Turpin, Henry Edwards Davis, Neil Cost, Dave Harbour, Earl Mickel, M. L. Lynch, Ben Rodgers Lee and Dick Kirby are a few of the men profiled.

The book is Remembering the Greats: Profiles of Turkey Hunting's Old Masters. It contains 317 pages of detailed information that you will find entertaining, instructional and historically correct. It is available for $39.95 + $5 shipping and handling. Signed and inscribed copies are available through www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com using Paypal or by personal check or money order by contacting the author directly at 1250 Yorkdale Drive, Rock Hill, SC 29730. A sample chapter is available on the website.

For a great addition to your library, or for a gift for the hunting friend, you couldn't make a better choice.

SCDNR Family Fishing Clinic

Classroom Time

L. Ross talking about SCDNR

 



 

Casting practice

 

 

Saturday, Oct. 13, was a good day. Attendees of a SCDNR Family Fishing Clinic at Pleasant Ridge Camp and Retreat Center seemed to enjoy the session. The day started cool, but warmed up nicely.

The educational part of the day went well and the participation was excellent. Unfortunately, the pond had only been stocked with trout the day before and they weren't cooperative. The recent cooler temperatures probably were a factor as well. One very young girl caught a red-eared sunfish (shellcracker) and was very excited.

Gene Cunningham assisted with the clinic and we had a great time presenting it. Out hope is that these individuals will use this session as a springboard to more outdoor activities.

Our thanks to Marty Daigle, Camp Manager, for allowing us to use the shelter and the pond facilities to present the clinic. If you haven't visited the facility, it is located in northern Greenville County just off highway # 11. It is a first rate facility and offers camping, retreat facilities, and great fun for family outings.

Details about Pleasant Ridge are available at greenvillerec.com or by calling (864) 660-1065.

Thanks to Pleasant Ridge employee, Billy Russell, for his help during the clinic.

If you are interested in learning more about SCDNR's free Family Fishing Clinics, High School fishing competitions, "Reel Kids" or other DNR programs, contact Lorianne Riggin, Aquatic Education Director, at RigginL@dnr.sc.gov for details. Another source is www.dnr.sc.gov/aquaticed.

Montana Scenes

Lone Bison

More Bison



Lower Yellowstone Falls

Sheep at dizzying heights

 Bull Elk with harem

Sheep management area

Montana Whitewater rafting on the Gallatin River

Famous Madison River inside Y. S. Park

   

 

 

Visting Montana is always a bit like coming home. We have been so many times that the sights are familiar and even though they are familiar, they are as beautiful as ever. 

Whether trout fishing on streams that are famous for their scenery as they are for the fishing, or whether just riding through the park and photographing animals and scenery. It is a joy to be there.

If you haven't been, add it to your "life list". You will not be sorry.

 

 

Here is a listing of upstate outdoor events

 

Upcoming outdoor events

Oct. 4-6 - 2012 National Archery in the Schools World Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Kissimmee, FL.

Oct. 6-7 - Asheville Gun and Knife Show at Western North Carolina Ag Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, NC 28732.

Oct. 11-13 - 2012 LBAA Classic Championship at Alabama's Lake Guntersville.

Oct. 13 - Family Fishing Clinic conducted by L. Ross at Pleasant Ridge County Park from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Details at www.dnr.sc.gov/.

Oct. 20 - NRA Upcountry Patriots Banquet at Elks Lodge, 7700 Pelham Road, Greenville, SC 29615.  Starts at 6:00 p.m. Ticket $30.

Oct. 27 - Kayak Bass Tournament at Lake Bowen from opening of  park to 3 p.m. Contact (828) 606-0260 or robertgalloway71@yahoo.om for details. 

Oct. 27 - CureSearch for Children's Cancer "Ultimate Hike". Registration information at www.ultimatehike.org/upstatesc.

Oct. 27-28 - Georgia Big Bass Classic, Oakley Big Bass Tour, Clarks Hill, GA. $500 hourly prizes. Entry fee of $150 and free Quantum rod to first 100 entrants. See www.oakleybigbass.com for more details.

Oct. 27-28 - Land of Sky Gun Show at Anderson Civic Center.

Oct. 27-29 - South Carolina Long Range Championship at Range # 4 at Fort Gordon, Augusta, Georgia. Entry fees are $30 Saturday, $30 Sunday or $50 for both days. Juniors are 1/2 price. To register contact Chuck McMenamy at (803) 708-4306, (803) 467-8272 or cmcmenamy@sc.rr.com.

Feb. 23 - Morningside Baptist Church, 1115 Pelham Road, Greenville, SC, 19th Annual Sportsmen's Banquet. Special guests award winning bluegrass band Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Starts at 5:00 p.m. Tickets $15 and first 700 sold includes the meal.

< Contact Ross at lross3871@charter.net or (864) 238-1944 with outdoor news or calendar events.