I just checked out the extended weather forecast for N. CAL. Appears the drought will continue and give us more hot and dry weather. BLM, California Department of Forestry, and the Forest Service are placing 'Fire Restrictions in place. I guess the Northern California National Forest are placing the same restrictions in place at the same time. I am glad to see that I will still be allowed to use a gas stove and lamp in a remote campsite. That makes me happy. I rather not be surrounded by others. I'll need to pickup a campfire permit.( Check Forest Service Websites for your area.)
Recent events regarding fire have my attention. A guy that started a wildfire near Redding, CA. with a mower is being charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor. A large number of homes burned down and he is facing six years in State prison. Over on the Nevada side a guy target practicing started a fire South of Reno. The fire burned a bunch of homes. I do not know what criminal charges he may face but I bit he is being sued by a bunch of homeowners.
My main hunting partners and I do not normally build a fire unless it is raining or we have had snow. The risk is two high and I do not want to worry about the darn thing. It is easier to cook on a gas stove.
The wife and I did our first of the month shopping today. I now have four boxes full of dry goods, and can goods for deer camp. The fresh fruit , and vegetables will get picked-up just before I leave. By the time my partners showup we have enough for a small army. Normally 75 percent of it goes back home.
My old high school buddy and hunting partner has been out on the weekend and evenings. Reports it is hot and dry. He also says that
yellow jackets are very bad. I picked up two more traps for them. The lack of cold winters must be allowing them to carry over. I do not recall they being a problem in that area before.
I need to get all my camping boxes and gear ready to load. I'll be trying out a new tent this year. I bought it two or three years ago but keep using the other. I still have a small wall tent that my wife's family used coming down the Alaskan Highway in the early 50's. Good products hold up.
When I get down in my garage and start sorting out camping and hunting equipment I sure have more choices then I had in the 60's. I never worried about which rifle I would carry or about the room on my old WWII canteen belt. There was a pouch with a few extra rounds of ammo, a canteen, and a canteen pouch with a sandwich, apple, candy bar, and some matches in it. Maybe a boy scout compass. In one pocket there was some TP, string and my deer tags. Now days I carry a bag full of electronic equipment, and enough food for an old man. Funny when I was young I carried little, now that I am older with bad knees I carry a bunch of toys and food.
I have an old wooden box which I carry in the pickup. It was built by my dad, and it went on all our hunting trips. It has deer bags, skinning knifes, meat saw, an axe, small gas stove and a couple of GI cooking kits, along with it are a few cans of food. Fond memories go with that box. A hot meal to kick off a afternoon or late evening hunt. A cup of hot chocolate or coffee. Along side that was the fire shovel or got stuck shovel. An axe, and rake. More then once we have stopped and put out an abandon fire. Hunters have enough problems without escaped fires.
Anyway the equipment and the getting ready brings back a lot of memories.
I wish you all a happy hunt. :-)