The Outdoor Scene

Being able to combine my love of hunting with my passion for arts and crafts is one of the most satisfying and enjoyable things I do. And I’m always up for new ideas on how to decorate with nature in mind, which is why I called my friend, Jim Casada.

Jim, a former college history professor who has written thousands of magazine and newspaper articles as well as numerous books on hunting and fishing, takes a special interest in using everything but the gobble and the grunt to create beautiful handmade items.

Check out Jim’s 23 suggestions for making wildlife related handicrafts.

Trimming with turkeys:

• There’s a world of potential for making things from the parts of a wild turkey, Jim said. For example, a gobbler’s leg with spur intact can make an excellent knife handle. If the spur fits between your middle and ring finger, this sturdy joint will act as a perfect stop to help you keep your grip.
• Use the wing bones from your turkey to bring another one to the gun by making a suction type caller. Learn how to make a wingbone yelper at NWTF’s website: http://www.nwtf.org/tips_adventures/tips.php?id=287
• You can make unique jewelry with wild turkey spurs including earrings, pendants, necklaces, tie tacks and more.
• The crafty uses for wild turkey feathers is almost endless, Jim enthused. Being that he spent his boyhood fly fishing in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, it’s no surprise that using feathers to tie flies was on his list. He recommends using primary wing feathers to tie flies that resemble grasshopper patterns.
• Those hunters and shooters who use archery tackle can fletch their arrows using wing feathers.
• Capture the iridescence of breast feathers by making a pair of earrings. Check your local craft store for beads, ear wires and other metal findings.
• Tail feathers can be fashioned into a wreath or bookmark, while breast feathers covering a Styrofoam ball make a lovely Christmas tree ornament.
• While it’s easy to pound out an email and hit send, there’s something endearing about a hand written note where the sender included a colorful breast feather as part of the correspondence.
• Hanging a wild turkey cape on the wall of your office, work room or cabin is as pretty as a picture. It’s really not that hard to do. Get step-by-step instructions at the NWTF’s website: http://www.nwtf.org/tips_adventures/tips.php?id=10192
• If you’re lucky and have two turkey fans, you can arrange them to create a circular centerpiece for your table, which then acts as a perfect foil for a cornucopia or other decorative items. Depending on the season, spruce it up with colorful shotgun shell hulls, gourds, and more.
• Feathers and spurs can be used to make dreamcatchers. You can attach feathers to the circle with rawhide from your deer. Spurs also can be glued to it. Or adorn a giant dreamcatcher with your turkey beards.

Decorating with deer:

• Before the West was won, Native Americans tanned deer hides and made them into clothes, bedding and more. Today, the leather can be used in the same way, which would be a neat touch for those who attend muzzleloading rendezvous, Dutch oven gatherings and other events celebrating our country’s history.
• Deer hooves positioned on a wooden plaque make an excellent rack for cradling your favorite firearm.
• Don’t blush, but a whitetail’s scrotum is the right size and malleable enough to make a superb possibles bag for carrying black powder accessories or other supplies.
• Deer tail fur is perfect for tying flies and tipping jigs for crappie and bass fishing.
• The uses for antlers are endless, only limited by your imagination. The tips can make lovely pieces of jewelry, including bolo ties, pins, pendants and key chain holders, just to name a few. You don’t even have to be a hunter. Finding sheds is a hobby all unto its own.
• Handy with a drill and a hacksaw? Sections of antlers make interesting napkin holders. And belt buckles.
• Dine on venison with utensil handles created from deer antlers. Or pop the cork on a bottle of wine with an antler corkscrew.
• Antlers also make beautiful and functional handles for fixed blade and folding knives.
• Once you get the hang of it, you can drape almost anything from deer antlers. You can make racks for coats, hats, even rolls of toilet paper.
• Open doors with deer antlers. They make neat old-timey door latches as well as pulls for cabinets, drawers and ceiling fans.
• You can add decorative touches by creating antler centerpieces for your table as well as unique picture frames and wine bottle and candle holders.
• As a turkey hunter, I love this suggestion. With a bit of leather lace and a piece of the main beam, you also can fashion a turkey tote so it’s a snap to transport a boss gobbler out of the woods. Drill two holes in the antler a couple inches apart, thread the leather thong through the holes and tie the loose ends together.

These projects are not only personally rewarding, the concept of using your animal to its fullest extent is an important factor in the acceptance of hunting by the general public.

Back in the day though, using the entire animal wasn’t just nice, it was necessary, Jim said.

“I enjoy working with my hands and part of that stems from growing up in a family that didn’t have a lot of money. Our family motto was ‘make do with what you’ve got.’ I was also influenced by literature about people who relied on their ability to use their hands,” Jim said.

Jim was moved by one book in particular, “People of the Deer” by Farley Mowat. It provides a window into a remote Inuit tribe in Canada’s north and how at one time their survival depended on using the caribou they killed for the meat as well as tools, clothes and other necessities. Another favorite of Jim’s is, “Heart of the Hunter” by Laurens Van der Post, which is a tribute to the Kalahari Bushmen and their ability to survive in the desert by cunning and craftsmanship.

Learn more about Jim and the books he loves and sign up for his free monthly newsletter at: http://www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com/

Knowing I provided the venison steak or turkey breast for the family table always makes me feel proud and brings the hunting experience full circle. And because I fancy myself the artsy craftsy type, I’m also interested in using other parts of the animal for decorative and utilitarian purposes. That notion recently put me on the telephone with someone who is an expert on that topic, Jim Casada.

Jim, a former college history professor who has written thousands of magazine and newspaper articles as well as numerous books on hunting and fishing, takes a special interest in using everything but the gobble and the grunt to create beautiful handmade items.

“I enjoy working with my hands and part of that stems from growing up in a family that didn’t have a lot of money. Our family motto was ‘make do with what you’ve got.’ I was also influenced by literature about people who relied on their ability to use their hands,” Jim said.

Jim was moved by one book in particular, “People of the Deer” by Farley Mowat. It provides a window into a remote Inuit tribe in Canada’s north and how at one time their survival depended on using the caribou they killed for the meat as well as tools, clothes and other necessities. Another favorite of Jim’s is, “Heart of the Hunter” by Laurens Van der Post, which is a tribute to the Kalahari Bushmen and their ability to survive in the desert by cunning and craftsmanship.

While my survival doesn’t depend on taking a whitetail or a wild turkey, hunting is an important part of my life, and I like to celebrate that with what I cook as well as how I decorate my nest. And using an animal to the fullest extent is an important factor in the acceptance of hunting by the general public. Luckily, I was picking the perfect brain because Jim rattled off the following list of suggestions in short order. I discovered several ideas I’d like to try and I bet you will, too.

Jim Casada’s list of wildlife related handicrafts

• Before the West was won, Native Americans tanned deer hides and made them into clothes, bedding and more. Today, the leather can be used in the same way, which would be a neat touch for those who attend muzzleloading rendezvous, Dutch oven gatherings and other events celebrating our country’s history.
• Deer hooves positioned on a wooden plaque make an excellent rack for cradling your favorite firearm.
• Don’t blush, but a whitetail’s scrotum is the right size and malleable enough to make a superb possibles bag for carrying black powder accessories or other supplies.
• Deer tail fur is perfect for tying flies and tipping jigs for crappie and bass fishing.
• The uses for antlers are endless, only limited by your imagination. The tips can make lovely pieces of jewelry, including bolo ties, pins, pendants and key chain holders, just to name a few. You don’t even have to be a hunter. Finding sheds is a hobby all unto its own.
• Handy with a drill and a hacksaw? Sections of antlers make interesting napkin holders. And belt buckles.
• Dine on venison with utensil handles created from deer antlers. Or pop the cork on a bottle of wine with an antler corkscrew.
• Antlers also make beautiful and functional handles for fixed blade and folding knives.
• Once you get the hang of it, you can drape almost anything from deer antlers. You can make racks for coats, hats, even rolls of toilet paper.
• Open doors with deer antlers. They make neat old-timey door latches as well as pulls for drawers, cabinets and ceiling fans.
• You can add decorative touches by creating antler centerpieces for your table as well as unique picture frames and wine bottle and candle holders.
• As a turkey hunter, I love this suggestion. With a bit of leather lace and a piece of the main beam, you also can fashion a turkey tote so it’s a snap to transport a boss gobbler out of the woods. Drill two holes in the antler a couple inches apart, thread the leather thong through the holes and tie the loose ends together.

With all these new ideas, I propose the next party I attend where gifts are exchanged should feature animal arts and crafts. Imagine what fun it would be to open a present that features the craftsmanship of Mother Nature and the creativity of a friend or family member. Pure heaven! Of course, my 2009 deer season will need to be more productive than 2008.

Next time, we’ll examine Jim’s suggestions for making the most out of wild turkey feet, feathers, spurs and more.

Until then, learn more about Jim and the books he loves and sign up for his free monthly newsletter at: http://www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com/

If you’ve been invited to speak to a local club (or even larger venue), write an article for your group’s newsletter or you’re a blogger, you have an ideal platform to talk about hunters, anglers and target shooters. We can’t wait for the mainstream media to cover how many people participate in these activities, their economic power and contributions to conservation. So, it’s important we take matters in our own hands. The hard part for many, though, is finding basic information about hunter numbers or how much anglers spend. Fortunately, this information is available, and I’m going to provide links that unlock the mystery of where these facts and figures are located.

Every five years the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service releases the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. It is considered to be the definitive source of information concerning participation and expenditures associated with hunting, fishing and other forms of wildlife-related recreation nationwide. You can find numbers of women hunters, how many days saltwater anglers spend on the water and how much wildlife watchers spend in pursuit of their hobbies. It’s a great tool and you can find the 2006 survey here:
http://library.fws.gov/pubs/nat_survey2006_final.pdf

Another valuable resource is found at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Web site. A publication highlighting the economic impact of sportsmen sheds light on how many jobs hunters and anglers support, days they go afield and dollars they spend on everything from gear to travel. While our current economic woes have likely affected these numbers, I am not aware of any information that spells out that impact. So, this information at least provides a baseline snapshot. You also can pull up state reports that bring the information closer to home.
http://www.sportsmenslink.org/reports_and_data/Sportsmens-Economic-Impact.html

Target shooters often cringe at how the mainstream media reports the facts and figures related to their sport. If only reporters would use the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s “The Writer’s Guide to Firearms and Ammunition.” While that may not happen, you can benefit greatly from this guide’s detailed information on the economic impact of the shooting sports, safety facts, regulations, a glossary of firearms terms and more.
http://www.nssf.org/media/WritersGuide/

Ever wonder how many people go camping or how many women hike or mountain bike? You can easily find that information in the sports participation reports at the National Sporting Goods Association Web site. You can even see participation trends from one year to the next or over a 10-year period.
http://www.nsga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3346

These are just a few of the basic resources you can tap into to arm yourself for your next speaking engagement, writing assignment or even a meaty chat with friends. Just remember, you as an individual can make a big difference in getting the good word out about hunters, anglers and target shooters.

Catch up with me on Facebook at facebook.com/tammy.sapp2 and Twitter @TammyDianeSapp.

I’ve been hearing how camping is experiencing an upswing again, which got me wondering how it all started. Thanks to Google and a research paper on the American Camp Association’s web site, I learned organized camping got its start in the late 1800s because people were worried about the effect technology was having on their kids and the environment. When the 1920s roared in, people fretted over spectatoritis. That disease, maybe the pre-curser to nature deficit disorder, was thought to be the result of people so oriented towards being spectators; they ceased being active participants in their own lives. Camping was again a suggested cure as it was in the 1970s when anxiety about the environment and children’s sedentary lifestyles sparked a resurgence.

Here we are today, in the part of the cycle where we’re again worried about our nation’s children, the economy and the environment. As a result, we’re going camping in droves. While there’s nothing new about the need to camp, there are a lot more options now for when, how and where you’ll do it. Mary Burnham, co-author of “Car Camping for Everyone,” breaks it down so your future trips are exactly what you want them to be.

Mary, who has co-authored six books and hundreds of magazine articles on hiking, paddling and camping with her husband Bill, reminds us there are millions of camping options on public and private land. You just have to know what you want. Following is her check list to help you plan your first or next trip.

Where and when to go camping
- Think about what destination you’d like to camp at: lakes, beaches, forests or mountains.
- Consider how far you’re willing to travel. Do you want to treat your peepers to a completely new vista? Or are you searching for rest and relaxation within an hour’s drive of home?
- Who is going on the trip? What interests do they have? Some parks offer planned activities for families while at others you’re on your own to entertain yourself.
- Decide what amenities you need to have. Do you want a secluded site with a picnic table and fire ring? Or do you need a hot shower, cooking grill and water and electrical hookups?
- How much do you want to spend? While camping is a low cost vacation, fees vary depending on whether you’re at a public land campground with few amenities or a private campground with a marina, self-service laundry and recreation room.
-Factor in who you’re going with. Is this a family trip or a large group camp out? That will determine what site or sites you may need.
- Once you’ve selected what scenery you’d like to enjoy over your morning cup of coffee, you can narrow down your final destination to public parks, public lands or private campgrounds.
- National and state parks offer great campgrounds, often with many amenities.
- Public lands such as national forests, wildlife refuges and Bureau of Land Management property offer campgrounds that may have fewer amenities but may be cheaper and less crowded.
- Search for public land campgrounds at:
www.nps.gov
www.fs.fed.us
www.blm.gov
www.fws.gov/refuges
- Check out your state park agency Web site as well.
- Check out private campgrounds at www.gocampingAmerica.com or www.koa.com
- Read online reviews of prospective campgrounds to see what others thought of their experiences.
- If you want to avoid crowds, pay attention to dates and locations so you don’t end up camping near an event such Bike Week or a NASCAR race. Also, consider going mid-week, when everyone else is at work.
- Finally, wherever and whenever you decide to go, make sure you reserve your site and avoid the disappointment of pulling into a campground that has its no vacancy sign out.
*You can reserve national lands sites up to six months in advance at: <http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/reservations/nrrs.shtml>  
*You can reserve many state park campgrounds up to 11 months in advance at <http://www.reserveamerica.com> 

If you want more great camping advice, I recommend checking out Mary’s book. What I love about it is the layout makes it easy to find and absorb the information. It packs a lot of tips in lists and short bullet points under pertinent photos. The chapters are logically organized and specific so you don’t have to read the whole book. Just find the information you want and dig in.

The Burnhams specialize in hiking in Virginia. To find a great hike, go to http://www.burnhamvirginia.com/hike.html

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