"Welcome to issue number 24! We’ve been at this for about six years now and, I have to day, I have such a great time putting these issues together. As I’ve said before, I have the best job in the world because I get to read all of this great content before anyone else. Speaking of which, here’s a quick snapshot of what you’ll find in this issue. We’ve had several requests to talk about homeschooling, so we‘ve put together a short guide on how to get started. With winter on the way, we’re also providing a handy piece on all the things you’ll want to get done around the homestead before the mercury plummets. Even when it is snowing, though, you can grow all sorts of food from kitchen scraps indoors. Hiking by yourself can be a lot of fun, but you need to be careful, so follow the tips in our Going Solo article. You’ll also learn how to restore cast iron cookware, build a bat house, and even make your own sore throat remedies. Plus, check out our review the new K2 from Vehement Knives. Welcome to the Backwoods!"
Backwoods Survival Guide® • PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR THE SIMPLE LIFE
Letter From the Editor
OUTDOORS • HEAD OUT THERE AND HAVE FUN EXPLORING ALL THAT MOTHER NATURE HAS TO OFFER.
GOING SOLO Precautions to take when venturing out alone • THERE’S NOTHING LIKE EXPLORING THE GREAT OUTDOORS, TAKING IN THE FRESH AIR, OBSERVING DIVERSE WILDLIFE AND VIEWING MILE AFTER MILE OF PRISTINE, BREATHTAKING SCENERY. IT S A GREAT WAY TO SPEND THE DAY, OR EVEN LONGER IF YOUR NORMALLY BUSY SCHEDULE ALLOWS IT.
VITAL EMERGENCY SIGNAL OPTIONS
LEAVES OF THREE… Learn to avoid these hazards • BOTH POISON IVY AND POISON OAK ARE WIDESPREAD VINING PLANTS THAT CONTAIN THE CHEMICAL URUSHIOL. WHEN THE BARE SKIN COMES INTO CONTACT WITH URUSHIOL, AN ITCHY, IRRITATING RASH CAN RESULT. THESE PLANTS ARE CLOSE RELATIVES, BOTH MEMBERS OF THE SUMAC OR CASHEW FAMILY.
SEARCH AND RESCUE Sign up and build your outdoor skills • A HIKER SETS OUT ALONE FOR A DAY HIKE ON A FAMILIAR TRAIL, TAKING ALONG THE BARE MINIMUM—A BOTTLE OF WATER, MAYBE A GRANOLA BAR. HE’S ONLY GOING TO BE OUT A COUPLE OF HOURS. THE WEATHER IS PLEASANT AND THERE’S NOTHING IN THE FORECAST TO WORRY ABOUT, SO HE WEARS SHORTS AND A T-SHIRT. HE’S GOT HIS CELLPHONE, SO IF ANYTHING HAPPENS, HE CAN ALWAYS CALL FOR HELP.
PERSONAL SURVIVAL KIT
CASTING WITHOUT BAIT Cleaning debris and finding treasure • ONE MAN’S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE: NO OTHER ENDEAVOR BETTER EMBRACES THAT ADAGE THAN MAGNET FISHING, THOUGH YOU MAY END UP FINDING SOMEBODY ELSE’S TREASURE TOO.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A FIREARM
LEADERSHIP RED FLAGS Seven warning signs to watch for • I'VE TAUGHT A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF GROUPS OVER THE YEARS IN WILDERNESS SURVIVAL. PART OF THE TRAINING I ENJOY PUTTING MY STUDENTS THROUGH IS SMALL GROUP CHALLENGES. FROM AN OUTSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE, THE TASKS SEEM COMPLEX—BUT THE INSIDER SCOOP IS SIMPLE. I'M MORE CONCERNED WITH STUDYING THE GROUP DYNAMICS THAN THE SUCCESS OF THE TEAM.
CHOOSING A SURVIVAL SCHOOL
HOMESTEADING • SELF-RELIANCE CAN BE A LOT OF WORK, BUT THE REWARDS MAKE IT WORTH ALL OF THE EFFORT.
GETTING READY FOR WINTER It’s never too early • IT IS EASY TO LET YOUR GUARD DOWN WHEN THE AIR IS WARM AND THE SUN IS SHINING, BUT YOU SHOULDN'T, BECAUSE THIS TIME IS SHORT-LIVED. IN THIS ARTICLE I WILL DESCRIBE WHAT I DO HERE ON THE BENNER HOMESTEAD TO MAKE SURE MY FAMILY AND I ARE READY. FOR US, PREPARING FOR WINTER IS A YEARLONG ENDEAVOR.
WEATHERPROOF YOUR WINDOWS
OLD-SCHOOL JERKY A classic snack for modern times • THESE DAYS, EVERYONE HAS SPECIFIC IDEAS ABOUT FOOD SAFETY. IF YOU'VE WORKED IN A RESTAURANT, YOU'RE AWARE OF THE LONG LIST OF RULES REGARDING THE SAFE HANDLING, STORAGE AND PREPARATION OF PERISHABLE FOODS.
JERKY THROUGH HISTORY AND AROUND THE...
