Preference Points Really Work: WA & OR Draw Strategy Part 1
How Washington and Oregon hunt drawings actually work, what points do and don't do for you, and the application habits that quietly build tag-draw odds over a career.
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Guides, gear, and stories
Everything we've published — guides, gear reviews, recipes, and field notes from the outdoors.
Prevent and Treat Climbing Injuries: The Ultimate Guide
Covers the five most common climbing injuries — finger pulleys, shoulders, elbow tendonitis, knees, and ankles — with causes, symptoms, prevention strategies, and treatment from RICE first aid through rehab and return to the wall.
Primitive Camping vs. Campgrounds: Which is Right for You?
Compares primitive backcountry camping with developed campgrounds — pros, cons, costs, and gear lists for each — and helps you pick based on your skill level, need for solitude, and tolerance for going without amenities.
Protecting Our Public Lands: A Call to Action for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Breaks down the 2025 Senate reconciliation bill mandating the sale of 1.3-1.9 million acres of BLM and Forest Service land across 11 western states, fact-checks viral claims about it, and lists concrete ways to push back — from contacting senators to op-eds.
Reading Ski Trail Markers, Maps, and Signage: Navigate Ski Trails Confidently
How to read the color-coded trail difficulty system, boundary and hazard signs, lift boards, and resort maps so you can pick runs that match your skill level and stay oriented on the mountain all day.
Reading Snow for Animal Sign: A Winter Tracker's Field Guide
How to tell fresh tracks from old, read the four basic track patterns, and find winter wildlife sign — plus the safety and ethics rules every snow tracker should follow.
Rock Climbing Season Start: Warm Up Like It Matters, Crag Like a Neighbor
Transition gym winter to real rock: mobilize fingers and shoulders without maxing day one, stack layers for belay chill, manage wet rock and loose spring holds, share fixed hardware areas politely, and know when local access still means seasonal closures for wildlife.
Salmon Egg Curing at Home: Three Recipes Compared
Three proven salmon egg cures compared — borax-only, Pautzke-style sugar cure, and a fire-cure approach — with when each one wins and the handling rules that make good eggs great.
Scent Control That's Free: Wind, Laundry, and Discipline
What actually works for scent control without buying anything — wind discipline, laundry habits, storage routines, and honest limits of what you can achieve.
Scouting for Game Using Trail Cameras: A Hunter’s Guide
How to scout deer and elk with trail cameras: which specs matter (trigger speed, night vision, cellular), where to hang cameras along game trails, food, and water, and how to turn the photos into movement patterns that shape your hunt.
Scouting Public Land With Maps You Already Own
How to scout public land using free and already-owned map tools — county records, government mapping sites, and printed gazetteers — before spending a dime on hunting apps.
Select and Use Hiking and Trekking Poles
Why trekking poles are worth carrying — stability, up to 25% less knee impact, energy savings — plus how to choose between foldable, telescoping, and fixed poles, pick a grip material, size them correctly, and use them on climbs and descents.