Blog
Our blogs are written by NRS instructors and guests to offer you the reader insight into engaging in the great outdoors. Topics range from homesteading to huntervationism (our word) and everything in between. Whether you want to know the best app, or the best pack, we will do all we can to offer you our decades of experience to inform you.
Podcast #13 - Nature Notes: Carl Linnaeus is my homeboy
There are...so....many....names....for....things in nature. How is a person to remember them all? The simple truth is that you cant.
Look up, down, left and right
Learning how to safely setup a shelter for camping, survival, or just a recreational hammock hang is easy to do...if you have a system to cover all the dangers. This blog piece does exactly that.
Podcast #12: 2017 National Parks Search and Rescue (SAR) statistics.
46,609 people required search and rescue services within the US National Parks between 2004-2014 with 1,578 deaths and 13,957 injuries/illnesses.
Podcast #11: Myth of the "Dark and Bloody Ground Pt 2
Part 2 discussing the myth of Kentucky as "A Dark and Bloody Ground". In part 2 Craig discusses the persistence of this myth and how you can learn about native and abo skills and tools in the Red River Gorge.
Symbiosis=Mojo, Say What?
Symbiosis - a mutually beneficial relationship between different organisms, people or groups.
Mojo - personal confidence and charisma as it relates to relationships.
I dont know
.......there is a tremendous amount of ego floating around. Instructors who have no business teaching others, students whose own skill sets are over-inflated simply because they have a large social media presence, or something as simple as "little man's disease", false bravado, or something similar.
Podcast #10: Myth of the "Dark and Bloody Ground Pt 1
The idea that Kentucky was a "Dark and Bloody Ground" is one that is grounded in storytelling and myth. Why does this still exist today? Join Craig in this look back into history.
Self-reliance through hunting! Part 1
In this part 1 of 3, I discuss some of the reasons to consider hunting as a way of providing food for you and/or your family. It includes my thoughts on:
- The hunter's paradox, why many hunters kill the things they love.
- Venison as a superior organic protein source
- Some of the great things I have seen from the deerstand.
10 Simple Knots and Hitches Sportsmen Need to Know
You are going to love these. Our favorite knots are easy to remember and crazy easy to tie
Stay Warm and Dry With These Improvised Tarp Shelters
If you're caught in the elements and don't have a tent, you'll want to know these expert shelter building tips.....
Podcast #8: How to sleep better in the cold
In this episode Tracy and Craig discuss thermoregulation. Big word for "how to stay warm". We talk mindset, skills, tactics and LOTS of gear. Another good one where you have two very experienced outdoorsman who sometimes do the same thing, and sometimes do things differently. All the time we do what we can to help you learn from our successes and mistakes.
Podcast #9: Historical Look at Thanksgiving, Fact vs. Fiction
In this podcast, I share some insight into the first Thanksgiving. Actually, it wasn't called that at all. I share a piece from the journal of one William Bradford (artistic representation here), who was present at the get-together. I then share some "fact vs fiction" factoids that you will enjoy.
Did you say Karst?
Yes, I said karst. For many years I heard this word “karst” when I was around geologists, engineers, surveyors, spelunkers, and such. To be quite honest, until more recently, I only had the smallest of insight into what a karst system is. When people think of Kentucky, there are many things that come to mind.
11 Rifles for Survival
If you join a discussion on the topic of dependable camp guns, you will get as many differing opinions as there are guns available. Everyone has their favorite, and for various reasons, some of which are obvious, others are not......
The Top 25 Life-Saving Survival Skills
From maintaining a positive mindset to knowing how to start a fire without matches, survival experts share their go-to advice for making the best of any bad situation in the wild
A New Day is Dawning
I am back. For the numerous people around town who have asked where my “outdoors column” has been, I have an answer. The short answer is I have been in the outdoors. No surprise there, right? Since I last chatted with you in the pages of The Winchester Sun there have been two important things happen to me as they relate to the great outdoors and the environment. The first, is that I started the certification process to become a Master Naturalist through the University of Kentucky. The second is that in our fine community some eager and active people and organizations have started an environmental education coalition. Yes, a new day is dawning, and I want to tell you a bit about these two situations.....
Scientific Proof You Need To Be Outside
This is a repository of links to articles that share proof that being outside is good for you mind, body and spirit. Join us for a class so we can help you be safe and enjoy, become enriched, and entertained by being outside.
Lost and Found: Trout fishing on a cliff
Have you ever climbed a cliff when you went trout fishing? These guys did. Join us on another Nature Reliance Media podcast episode of Lost and Found, where we break down an outdoor adventure gone awry.