I’ve been talking to Craig Steele from CEI Outdoors a lot lately; he is the man behind the Outdoorsman’s Resource Guide. Craig and I have followed each other off and on the past few years and I recently made a confession to Craig – I had drastically underestimated his product. It has come along way!

If you hunt, hike, fish, camp, prospect, bird watch or otherwise recreate anywhere in Arizona or Colorado, you need this guide in your truck, car or RV. First and foremost, it is a reference guide, by region. Hunting in Unit 23 and having vehicle problems? The ORG will have a list of the closest mechanics. Boating in Lake Powell and have a broken prop? Check the ORG. Bird watching in Patagonia and decide to stay all night at the last minute? ORG will provide a list of lodging in the specific area you are in.

The ORG guide comes in print and digital edition, and currently guides are available for Colorado and Arizona. But this guide is much more than a fancy “hunter’s yellow pages”. You’ll find in-depth informative articles on field judging game, from antelopes to mulies. You’ll find instructions and score sheets which show how to field score a variety of game. There will be pages dedicated to field notes, care of downed game and great shoot/don’t shoot scenarios for you to ponder. All of the content in this guide is well-written, entertaining and valuable. There will now always be one of these in my truck, along with my maps.

At around 10 bucks, I don’t know why you wouldn’t have one of these with you whether you’re scouting a new Unit, or visiting a family cabin you’ve been going to for years. It’s gonna come in handy sooner or later – mark my words…

These straps are super comfortable to wear. Even the big one on me didn’t seem bulky, and it never got in the way.

They are well put together and sturdy, with no loose ends sticking out. The buckle (a shackle) seems particularly rugged without being a monstrosity.

These come in key fobs as well. In regards to the bracelets, they have a ton of colors and styles to choose from. Your favorite sports teams, medic alerts, dog tags, you can even have your own photo embossed on a dog tag and incorporated into a lanyard or bracelet. You won’t believe the variety.

I didn’t have the heart to unravel one of the bracelets, just to look at it. Most of us know the strength and durability of paracord, so I don’t doubt its effectiveness. Frankly, I hope they will never receive a testimonial from me, but you can read a whole bunch of them here: Testimonials

Here is a sampling:

James’ Story of Survival:

‘Hi everybody-

I had 2 of your straps, and because I had 2… I’m still alive. I cannot give you details or too many specifics, but this is what I can tell you…

I was in Iraq and given the responsibility of providing cover for my unit on a raid. As a sniper, I chose a building that was already destroyed and hid within the rubble. I had taken out a couple insurgents before a lucky mortar shot exploded within range of my position. The blast was near enough to wound me. I was also somewhat exposed as my cover was shaken down.

While in Iraq, I wore one of your straps on each wrist (they were all black and the WIDE ones with the stainless steel clamp). I unraveled the first one, tying it on my leg above the worst wound to make a tourniquet. It stopped the bleeding. The second, I cut in half and was able to tie up some large pieces of debris to help create more cover. From this position I continued to provide covering fire for my troops as the mission was successful. We lost no one and the injuries were minimal. I was able to move on my own to rejoin my unit.

It’s safe to say I might not have made it out without your straps… either by the possibility of bleeding to death or further wounds due to exposure to the enemy. In any case… I love you guys! I’m out now and home safe…I’ll be strapped when they bury me…It’s in the will!!! Cheers my friends!’

And another:

I have owed you an email for some time, I actually used my survival strap for pulling someone out of a river that was drowning on a float trip. I think you should hear the whole story.

A buddy and I were canoeing down a fork of the White River in southern MO. It’s a popular float trip for college kids and families. It was just gonna be a guys weekend…low key. It was just after lunch and we were coming to a part in the river that was pretty fast moving, and there was a pretty big tree that had fallen into the center of the river. While the river wasn’t super deep at this point, it was fast moving and the current around the tree was challenging to get our canoe around. What made it even crazier is that this was right after a bend in the river, so you really didn’t see it until you were right on top of it. So my friend and I made it around the tree, but it wasn’t easy. I don’t know why, but something made us stop by the shore and take a break. Folks were getting around it OK, but there was a woman on an inner tube that didn’t seem to be moving out of the way and she got stuck under one of the bigger tree branches, submerged in the river and couldn’t get untangled… Honestly, I have no idea what happened next, other than I remember breaking the buckle on my Survival Strap, handing one end to by buddy and told him to hang on, jumped into the river and got her untangled from the branches that were holding her under the water. My buddy then helped pull me in with the paracord that came from the Survival Strap.

So there’s the whole story… I will ALWAYS wear one of your products whenever I am doing anything in the outdoors again…

God Bless,

Mike Harper

This is a great product. I’ll be wearing one in the field and have another on my pack. My wife has the fob on her van keys. This great company also supports the Wounded Warrior Project

To summarize, this is one cool and useful product! Please check them out.

Since I drew an antelope tag this year, it was time to get this girl tuned up! Horrible day at the range last weekend. Bolt binding, rounds tumbling, accuracy non-existent. We blamed it on a number of factors. This week we re-mounted the scope, cleaned and lubed it real well and my friend Greg took it out again this morning. The best group he could get at 100 yards was an inch and a half, and then suddenly they would be off the paper. Bolt still binding.

There is a one year warranty on this gun and I am past that, but it has never been shot. I will be calling Mossberg on Monday to see if they will take this back!

I will keep you posted.

Rutt Wipe Introduces Blaze Orange Toilet Paper

Rutt Wipe Blaze Orange Toilet Paper Protects Your Assets

Farmington, MN – Rutt Wipe, Inc., is pleased to introduce its original blaze orange toilet paper. A must have for every hunter, the blaze orange TP, which is specifically designed to protect your assets, is a hunter-safe alternative product that eliminates the appearance of flashing your household white TP in the woods – a potentially dangerous activity, as that bright white can easily be mistaken for the same anatomical area of a whitetail deer.

“White TP poses a serious danger to hunters, especially deer hunters,” stated Brian Primus, President of Rutt Wipe, Inc. “Using blaze orange TP is consistent with the rest of hunting attire; orange jackets, vests, gloves, hats, and even slings are worn to assure that when another hunter sees something move through the brush, they do not see flashes of brown or white. A novel idea….and practical too!”

Rutt Wipe is a blaze orange biodegradable, non-toxic tissue paper that offers many uses beyond outdoor hygiene. This hunter-safe TP can also be used for trail marking ribbons, tracking deer, and even draping scent wicks over branches.

Rutt Wipe is a simple, but smart product. Anyone who hunts will find a great use for it. As the wrapper points out, “Don’t get shot with yer pants down.” For more information www.ruttwipe.com.

About Rutt Wipe:
Rutt Wipe is a blaze orange biodegradable, non-toxic tissue paper that has no harm to the environment. Each 2-ply roll has 250 sheets and weighs 3 1/2 oz. To learn more about Rutt Wipe, email them at info@ruttwipe.com or visit http://www.ruttwipe.com. You may reach Rutt Wipe via phone at (651) 303-9292.

Stealth Cam launches Gear Giveaway Sweepstakes on Facebook

May 15,2012 …Grand Prairie, TX- Stealth Cam is giving away a monthly gear package valued at $500 or more each month through the remainder of 2012. Included in each prize package will be a new 2012 Stealth Cam plus other great gear to outfit you for your next hunt or outdoor adventure.

To enter – go to http://www.facebook.com/stealthcam

“Like” – Stealth Cam on Facebook

Enter the contest.

Winners will be drawn at random the first week of the month. Share the contest with your friends on Facebook and you will be given a bonus entry for each friend that likes Stealth Cam.

Founded in 2000, Stealth Cam, LLC offers a variety of digital scouting/surveillance and adventure cameras, along with a variety of accessories to enhance output of these products. For more information, contact: Stealth Cam, LLC, 3385 Roy Orr Blvd. Grand Prairie, TX 75050, Phone: 877-269-8490, www.stealthcam.com or email info@stealthcam.net

Remember what Sparky said he would be up to in April ? Well, here’s a sampling of his success:

So – what does Sparky from M2D Camo have in store for May?

I started the month doing some turkey guiding in WA for some clients out of Kansas.

I have too go to Seattle for a few days….dang business meetings….then off to Montana for more business meetings. Some parts of the Dream or more a nightmare.

After a week of meetings I have kids baseball, kids soccer, kids to movies, kids hanging out, and the best part of all, taking my two young boys turkey hunting. My oldest son who is 11 has already shot one of his two turkeys this season and we have one more to go. After I get him a bird I have to get a few other buddies young sons on birds. We should all be taking others kids out that don’t have time, so we can pass on our tradition of hunting as we are slowly losing kids to other things.

I will head to Idaho for a few days and get some bear baits set up so I can try to get back the end of May and most of June to do some bear hunting. Cant go to Idaho this time of year with out shooting 1000 or so whistle pigs (prairie dogs, and ground squirrels).

Back to Washington to finish up the turkey season and try to even harvest a bird myself in my home state, but not until my family and friends have their tags filled first.

Lots of hunting and Kids activities, and that about sums up May.

I am Livin the Dream!

Man – I am so envious every month when I talk to Sparky. I can’t do what he does but it sure is fun to catch up with him every now and then!

To learn more about Concept Archery and their bows check out their website

Hey – great cause, I already bought my tickets!Part of the proceeds can go towards the US Sportsmen’s Alliance ~DesertRat

Act Now on Dream Giveaway!

(Columbus) – The 2012 Outdoor Adventure Dream Giveaway sweepstakes is a nationwide drawing sponsored by the WorldCause Foundation. By making a tax-deductible donation and entering to win one of three incredible prize packages, entrants can financially help the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance protect their rights to hunt, fish and trap. This Giveaway ends May 31, 2012. Act now!

Grand Prize winner receives a truck, boat and an off-road vehicle!

The winner of the 2012 Outdoor Adventure Dream Giveaway grand-prize package will enjoy endless fun in the great outdoors. Some of the best outdoor vehicles on the market today are featured in this grand prize package, including: a 2011 Ram 2500 Outdoorsman Mega-Cab 4×4 diesel truck with a pop-up, roof-top camper; a 21-foot Ranger Reata boat with a 225-horsepower Evinrude outboard motor sitting atop a custom trailer; and a Can-Am Commander 1000XT side-by-side, 4×4 off-road vehicle. Also included in this prize package is a prepaid gas card and $30,000 cash to help pay the prize taxes!

2nd Prize winner enjoys a five-day elk hunt with firearm plus spending cash!

The second-place Dream Getaway prize package includes: a five-day elk hunt in northern Utah’s pristine Wasatch Mountains for the winner—and a guest observer. The winner and a guest will be joined by Bill Miller, former Executive Director of the North American Hunting Club and expert big-game hunter. Miller has hunted and/or shot competitively in more than 40 states and 8 Canadian Provinces, plus South America, Europe and Africa. The winner of this second place prize will also receive a Ruger® M77® Hawkeye® African .375-Ruger caliber rifle with a satin blued finish complete with a riflescope courtesy of Leupold. The winner will also receive id=”mce_marker”,000 cash! Accommodations for this Dream Getaway include: transportation to and from Utah, roundtrip airport transportation, top-shelf lodging, necessary licenses, and food.

3rd Prize winner enjoys a 4-day fishing trip in Costa Rica plus spending cash!

The winner of the third-place Dream Getaway prize package will be traveling with a friend to Crocodile Bay Resort for a four-day fishing adventure. The Crocodile Bay Resort, located on 44 acres of tropical gardens in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica, has 40 air-conditioned rooms overlooking the surrounding gardens, a swimming pool with a swim-up bar, an elevated hot tub, and a 5,000-square-foot luxury spa. The winner and a guest will board a 33-foot Strike Yacht Tower Boat and motor out into the Gulf where they will enjoy some of the best inshore and offshore fishing available anywhere. Those anglers will be joined by celebrity-guide Steve Pennaz, former head of the half million-member North American Fishing Club and host of the North American Fisherman on NBC Sports Network. Accommodations for this Getaway include: transportation to and from Costa Rica, roundtrip airport transportation, necessary licenses, and food. This prize also includes some top quality fishing gear plus some cash.

Entries to the drawing and official rules can be obtained by calling 855-459-6400 toll-free or by visiting www.outdoorgiveaway.com. By using the Promo Code UA1412, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance receives a portion of the proceeds of your donation.