Guest Post from Real Survivalist

 

I met Sourdough for a day of hiking near Hope, Alaska. We stay in touch, even though I've returned to Big Sky Country here in Montana.  Recently he sent me a great email. I enjoyed his message so much, I asked if I could share it with you.  A true survivalist, Sourdough is a skilled hunter,  builder and  famous back country guide who has taken a lot of large game. He knows wild plants and lives off the land. Thanks, Sourdough for your permission to share this information.

 

 

 

.......You DON'T need hunting gear to hunt. You DON'T need to travel to special places to hunt. REALLY all you have to do is HUNT. You DON'T need a firearm or any type of weapon. It is helpful if you can walk or crawl.

Many people confuse "KILLING STUFF" with Hunting.........That is just KILLING Stuff. KILLING Stuff is NOT hunting, really it is just killing stuff.

What is lost today is the pure BLISS of just walking out the door and studying what the other animals did last night, or three days ago. Hunting is learning to be 100% non-fearful or the least bit uncomfortable being alone in the wilderness. A six year old child can kill stuff with a scoped firearm & short LOP.

The true joy of hunting is studying the natural systems and how they are connected to each other. It is snowshoeing along a Hare track, and reading where the Owl harvested supper. Hunting is learning to track what you don't know you are tracking, all you know is that the leaves you are following at first light are turned "WRONG" side up.

Hunting is NOT having to kill an animal just because you can kill it. Hunting is withholding that desire to kill, in exchange for the reward of watching how the animal moves, what catches it's attention, how long can it freeze in mid-step, how does it blend it's natural color with it's environment.
And ten-thousand other things that cost the hunter nothing, other than the comfort of being safe and warm inside a residence. Hunting is free, one only needs the passion to learn about his natural environment.

Sadly most men are obsessed with trophies on the wall or trophies in their 401K, IRA, Bond Portfolio, etc.

To a hunter it is not the trophy, it is the pure bliss of being alone in the wilderness, without fear, but with an insatiable desire to understand the wilderness, it's majesty, it's absolute perfection, and his part with-in that perfection.

And if you can ever get there, there is a point in one's wilderness travels, where he is overwhelmed with the realization that he is surrounded by GOD. And you will weep in the majesty of the experience............(And it is ALL Free)

 

My friend, Sourdough, Guest Contributor for the  Female Survivalist.

Naked and Afraid Review

I watched this series all the way through for the first time. The challenge takes place in a Panama jungle.

At first the two couples meet, unaware there's another couple heading to the same target zone. The couples have no problem stripping and hugging each other. It doesn't take long before they're snapping at each other, fighting over the work load and life style.

Eventually the couples meet, shake hands and we have a foursome working towards the same goal of survival.
A co-worker watched it with me, both of us calling out suggestions when the four naked people seemed clueless. What I couldn't understand was how you could be walking through crystal clear stream in the swamp and be dying of dehydration. Finally they come to a waterfall and drink freely.

Manu suffered from a virus three days later and will suffer for the rest of her life. They lost many pounds, up to 16. The food situation proved to be the most surprising because vegetation was abundant. I figured some of that greenery would be edible and easy to access.

One thing we all can take away from this is its way harder than one can imagine. Each was allowed to bring one item. Both women brought machetes. One guy brought a flint. One guy brought plastic goggles.

I would definitely watch this series again. It helps a survivalist think about scenarios and possible outcomes.

Montanta Weather and All Hell Won't Wait

The weather has definitely improved here near Bozeman. Last week we suffered negative temperatures, as low as 23 below. Cars started reluctantly, we eased over ice, through long narrow roads, peering through frosty windshields.

The blue skies are still here in big sky country, but its warmed up to the single digits. Still, one can't drive too fast. Yesterday a blizzard closed the Interstate for awhile.

Snowshoe rabbits and deer grazing in the fields are common sights. People get off work and hunker down. Not enough snow here to cross country ski. I'm loving the blue skies after working in Girdwood, Alaska for 3 1/5 months. There are two more hours of daylight than when I left Alaska, and soon the days will be getting longer.

The second book in the River Survival Series is now available in print. I edited it so it has chapter breaks. The kindle and nook e-versions reflect a growing maturity in my writing style. Well, that's the goal at least.


CreateSpace eStore All Hell Won't Wait

 
Amazon.com For Kindle and Barnes and Nobles Nooks have a different cover, but the text is exactly the same, a fresh edit, complete with chapter breaks. The journey as an independent author has been painful at times.

Thank you for all your encouragement and support.

Montana Wildlife

I'm back in Montana and it's gorgeous. Full sunshine and cold temperatures make the air crisp and refreshing. On a drive to town, I caught a herd of antelope grazing. The mountains touch the clouds, producing awesome sunrises and sunsets.

 

Stay tuned for more adventures here. Its all about layering and staying hydrated. I'm working at 5,000 feet, back in God's country.