Welcome to Outdoor Savages! We are a small group of friends that enjoys nothing more than to spend our free time in the outdoors. Here are the first hand accounts of our adventures. Enjoy!

Monday, November 14, 2011

2nd Time Around

Here they are before loading it into the truck.
   Personally, I can't thank the State of Connecticut enough for the youth hunter days.  When i was 12 they did not exist, but i happy to say the State has them now.  Last week Savage Ed's daughter Loly was able to bag her first deer 8 days after turning 12.  It took me about 5 seasons to shoot my first deer, so she is off to an incredible start.  Rudy A, Savage Ed, and myself wanted her to enjoy everything about the outdoors.  Over the summer we have several conversations about how to keep her warm and comfortable in the woods, and it was only a big bonus if she got a deer.  Rudy A, was thinking way ahead when he set up a blind for here in mid October.  Unfortunately the blind did not make it to the first youth day.  14 inches of wet snow crushed it; however, there was a blind only 40 yards away that my brother and I built 8 years ago.  Loly was outfitted with some nice clothing, gloves, hat, orange vest, and a .243.
     Connecticut held a second youth day last Saturday.  I really wanted to go with them but work put a stop to  me having a good time, which is often the case.  Around 4:10pm i got a call from my mom.  She said Loly shot another deer!  A quick call to Savage Ed confirmed the fact.  He said "I can't talk now i am dragging my daughter's deer out"!  From the pics it looks to be a mature doe.  I guess the party is at their house!
   I can remember when i shot my first deer.  It was snowing and about 3 in the afternoon.  The snow lifted and the spike horn appeared like a ghost 30 yards from me.  I shot it and to my displeasure the deer ran off.  I could see blood and hair all over the snow so i had to track  Then the snow started to fall again and i had no blood trail to follow.  When i did find the deer, with the help of the land owner's lab, it had 2 inches of snow on it.  I even recovered the 165gr. slug.  I can only imagine that Loly had those same feeling of happiness.  She was able to spend another day in the woods with her dad and shoot another deer.  Next she wants to try duck hunting and ice fishing!
   As for me i am getting the boat squared away for water fowl.  I have been doing a lot of scouting and it is not looking so good.  Only a few resident mallards are flying around.  I have not seen any buffle heads or mergs.  The only positive note is the Old Squaw, which are around.  I am pumped to get out Saturday with my brother and gun down some sea ducks.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Snow Peak Starter Stove Kit

   A while back I found my self driving by REI in Norwalk CT.  I have never been in the store, even though, it has been open for over a year.  I slowed down and pulled in the parking lot off Rt. 1.  I was looking for a stove that was light weight, easy to set up, and fast.  The need has arisen from my new love of hiking and camping, although i will use it hunting and ice fishing.  I looked at several different stoves.  Some were made by MSR, Soto, Optimus, and Snow Peak.  These stoves ran on several types of fuel including: Gasoline, kerosene, Propane, diesel(home heating fuel), alchool, and white gas.  One stove caught my eye, The Snow Peak Giga Power Stove.  Well, what really grabbed my eye was the kit.  The Kit Snow Peak offered came with: Snow Peak Giga Power Stove, 700ml titanium pot, titanium spork, and carry bag.  I thought this was what i wanted all in one shot.  I priced the items separately and found i would save like 7 bucks to buy the kit.  So I did.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

EMS Men's Microburst Lite Jacket

     Several weeks ago i was shopping the Eastern Mountain Sports sale web page.  I was looking for a wind breaker type jacket for the upcoming fall adventures.  I knew i wanted a good quality light weight nylon shell to protect me on breezy days or cool mornings.    The Jacket had to offer some protection from dampness or light rain.  Finally, the jacket had to be light weight and packable.  Well, I came across the EMS Men's Microburst Lite Jacket.  EMS had it listed on sale for 31 dollars so i decided to give it a shot.  It arrived at my house in one day.  All i had to do was wait for some cool weather.   
         Here in Southern New England we do not get the harsh weather Northern New England receives; however, the weather can change rapidly.  Fall weather in the Northeast is unpredictable to say the least.  Just this last week my town got hit with a snow storm.  How did the Microburst jacket stand up to the craziest weather?  Awesome! I have worn the jacket several times in the last few weeks, and i could not be more pleased.  I want to set a few limits before i go deep into my review.  First, the jacket is just a thin Nylon shell(wind breaker), so if you are going to summit Everest you may want to re think your choice of coat.  Second, I would not say it is water proof, but it does shed water.  Third, layering is important. 
     Microburst is perfect for that early morning september boat ride out to the porgy grounds.  Pushing the throttle on my 40 horse to 4200 rpm planes the boat out and brings me up to 23mph(per GPS).  When the air Temp is 50 it can get chilly.  The jacket was Great at cutting that chill.  My wife and I also went for a hike at the Mianus River park one morning after it rained.   The water dripping off the trees beaded right off the jacket and i was dry.  Just before Halloween Connecticut got whacked with a freak snow storm.  I wore the Microburst to really test its limits.   Walking around the block in blizzard conditions i was pleasantly surprised.  The jacket has a hood and that is a huge bonus!  The snow slid off the jacket and i was kept reasonably dry.  Once the fabric gets saturated some of the moisture seeps in.  I think a coating of scotchgard will help.  The hood offers good added protection.
Packed down next to a Blackberry, Ruger LCP, and Credit Card
   Packablity is very important to me.  All to many times I have found myself on the river, boat, trail, or field taking layers off and looking for a place to safely store them.  The Microburst lite is just that.  It weighs in at 5 ounces and packs down easily into its own small pouch.  Here is a picture of the jacket next to other common everyday carry items.  you can defiantly find a  place to stow it in a back pack, purse,or pocket.
   I would have to say i recommend the Microburst lite to people looking for a light jacket.  The jacket offers no insulation quality, but layering underneath will be very effective.  Water tends to bead right off, and when the nylon does get wet it dries in about 5 minutes.  Construction is pretty good.  The stitching and zippers are good for a jacket so light.  If you need a light jacket to pack in on a cool morning or wear on the boat, give the Micro Burst lite a go! 

Saturday, November 5, 2011

BIG NEWS!!!!!

   Today was Connecticut's youth hunter day.  Every year the state sets aside a few days for junior hunters before the turkey, waterfowl, and deer seasons open.  During these day Junior hunters are allowed to go out with an adult and hunt!  I like the idea that the kids get first cracks at it.  Well Today Rudy A. and Savage ED took Lolly out.  And she got a deer!