The Possibles Pouch (written in 1997)
Over several decades of wandering the backcountry I’ve developed a kit of “possibles”–items that can save my bacon, or just ensure comfort, wherever I roam. The term “possibles” comes from the intrepid Mountain Men of the Rocky Mountain West, who...
Arizona Outdoors Interview with Jim Solomon (September 2001)
Patrick:I’ve been backpacking and backpack hunting for about 45 years.I owned a wilderness survival school (Colorado School of Outdoor Living) from 1972 to 1980.I was a Certified Cross Country Ski Guide from 1974 to 1982.I founded Mountainsmith Inc. in 1979,...
The reader who has perused a bit among my other “essays” knows that I am pretty much a solitary hunter/rambler. I do it by myself. Perhaps some probing of the ramifications of this style of wandering would serve the reader-...
Staying Young in the Field (Written in 2000)
No, the subject is not the aging of meat- though that might be a good topic for a future essay. Rather, I’m talking about the aging of us hunters. When I was a young buck I could put up with...
The short answer to your question about which packs and tipis I use is that I use, or have used extensively, all of them. If you’re trying to narrow the field of options with a mind to make selections that...
Answers To Posimag (Written in 2000)
The following is in response to a pregnant paragraph from good pal and customer “Posimag”, as posted on our message board 6-1-00. My response grew so large it warrants putting it here on the Forum instead of on the message...
Rifle Cartridge Power - How Much is Enough? (Written in 2000)
I wonder when the laser-guided bazookas will show up?”—– anonymous The subject is hunting rifle “power”. We seem insatiable for more and more of it. Remington’s new 300 Ultramag sales are brisk. Lazzeroni cartridges are getting a lot of press. Weatherby...
Using Your Pack As A Shooting Aid (Written in 2000)
Your pack is the best shooting aid you have. And make no mistake about it-a solid rest is the absolute best contributor to accurate shooting. Given half a chance, I’ll always shoot off my pack, even at sub-100 yard distances....
Hand-loading For All-purpose Use of Big Game Rifles (Written in 2000)
HANDLOADING Discussion: the usual condition of starting well below the following Big Game and Dangerous Game loads should be observed; some of them are a mite hot. My approach is to make my rifles into tools that feed me and...