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Duct Bands A FAST FIX FOR A SHOT CANOE SEAT '-_lBVr.Huantivfcr(e,ts
The Starting Lineup GET WARM WTru TI{ESE TINDERS >ay E wttod
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The first 10 secondsare the most critical for starting a fire,so make I Y sure vou know how to find the best natural tinders no matter where you hunt or fish. Heres a pair of great fire startersprovided by Mother Nature from each corner of the country.
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I. [t] Seat Stnp Removethe old webbing. Nylon webbing is securedwith remova b l es c r e w sC . a n ei s c o m m o n l yh e l di n a groove cut into the frame and pinned w i t h a w o o d s t r i p ,m u c h l i k e a d o o r screen.Pry the strip out to remove c a n e .C l e a nt h e s e a tf r a m e w i t h w a r m water and a mild detergent,and let dry. l2fForeto-Alt Bonds Run a band of duct tape four layersthick acrosseach end of the seat frame (A, B), leavinga g a p o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y ' Zi n c h b e t w e e n
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Lookfor bulbous blotchesof blackish wood on livebirch trees.The insideof the fungusis reddishbrownandeasily catchesa spark.
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The interiorof a cattailspikecanbe fluffedinto a sparkcatchinginferno. Havemoretinder nearbybecause this burnsout quickly.
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Theresinousstumps of Southernpine treeslastaboutforever.Knockoff a few chunksof so-called fatwood and shave sliversastinder.
Poundstripsof sagebrush barkwith a stone.Thenshred it betweenyour palmsandfashionan easy-to-light tinder basket.
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t h e b a n d o f t a p e a n d t h e e d g eo f t h e frame. Takecare to avoid wrinkles. l3f Weaue Work Wrap a four-layert h i c k b a n do f d u c t t a p e a r o u n dt h e bottom of the seat frame (C), leaving a'/,-inch gap between the tape and t h e f r a m e e d g e .N e x t ,a l t e r n a t ew i t h v e r t i c a l( D , F ) a n d h o r i z o n t a l( E , G )
Theoilsin the bark of birchesarea timetestedfire starter. Stripribbonsof bark from downedtrees; it worksaswellas barkfrom liveones.
Workthis barkover witha rockto smash the fibers.Pullthe strandsapartwith your fingers,and rollit backandforth yourhands. between
Not a moistmossat all,but an epiphytic "air plant,"Spanish mossrsa great tinder.But be careful: Itt notoriousfor harboringchiggers.
H o l d a k n i f ea t 9 o degreesto file off punk dust from rot-
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ten dry wood. Move
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the lit tinder to larger punkwood that'll
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burn with a coal. I
b a n d su n t i l t h e s e a t f r a m e i s f i l l e d .
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Breast Fast: Remove the Best Meat off Your Gamebirds in Seconds Forgeta knife andeasywayto dressyourgrouse, woodcock, or quail? I loof truefoR A QUICK withouteven anduseyourhandsandyourfeet,andyoucanbreastthemin lessthanro seconds gettingyourhandsbloody. lfyoudressyour Justremember: birdsinthefield,moststatesrequire purposes. leavingonefeathered wingattached for identificatlon Now,let'sgetstarted. thegamebird onthegroundon itsback.Thebird'sheadshouldfaceawayfrom GroundtlUorkPlace you.Steponthewings, gettingyourfeet closeto thebody-rightwherethewingmeetstherib cage.Then,grab thelegsandlift straightup. fnslde(Out)Job:A slowandsteadypullturnsthebirdinsideoutandremoves allskin,feathers, head,andentrails-leaving onlythebreastandthewings.Twistthewingscounterclockwise to
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-TOM KEER
remove.Thenwashthe breastmeat,and fire up the grill.
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Illustration
by GHBIS PnlLPOf
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