Western Hunting Journal, Sneak Peak WHJ_Short | Page 20

SHORT BLASTS
5 Ways To Avoid
Blisters In The Field
1. BREAK IN YOUR BOOTS
It’s generally believed that
you should log at least 25
miles in a new pair of boots
prior to hunting. More is
better. And wear them in
hunting situations.
2. WEAR WOOL SOCKS
You’ve heard the saying that
cotton kills. Wear cotton
socks and it gives it double
meaning. Wool is the way
to go.
3. WEAR BLISTER
PREVENTION CREAM For
as little as $10 you can buy
a tube of blister prevention
cream that you apply prior
to putting on your socks.
The stuff is a God-send.
4. WEAR SILK SOCK LINERS
This applies to the old adage
of wearing two pair of socks.
A silk liner worn under your
wool socks will prevent
blisters better than most
remedies.
5. PRE-BANDAGE
HOTSPOTS If you have
known areas on your feet
that are prone to blisters,
use moleskin bandages,
or use 2nd Skin patches.
Remember to keep these
handy in your day pack
should you get a blister in
the field.
18
WESTERN HUNTING JOURNAL
Canister Stoves
Make no mistake, blisters
can and will kill your hunt.
The obvious remedy to this
age-old problem is to own a
good pair of hunting boots.
But beyond that, here are
five things you can do to
help avoid getting blisters
on your hunt.
5 things to look for when buying a pack stove for hunting.
F
rom multi-day backcountry meal
prep to a simple caffeine kick on an
afternoon hunt, a compact, canister
style stove should be at the top of every
outdoor adventure seekers ‘must-have’ list. Able
to boil water in just over a minute, hot food and
beverages can be had quickly and easily no mat-
ter the setting or activity. Here’s a down and dirty
look at what to look for in a canister stove that
fits in your hunting pack.
1. Fuel Type Packable stoves can operate on a
variety of fuel types from twigs and pine cones to
propane or liquid fuel. One of the most common
is isobutane which performs well in a wide range
of temperature, weather and altitude conditions.
Isobutane is readily available from most outdoor
and sporting goods retailers in a range of canis-
ter sizes, and is also very affordable.
2. Size Most canister style stoves are designed
to hold a fuel canister, the burner assembly, and
a few accessories within the cook pot for a tidy,
easy to pack unit. The cook pot capacity is mea-
sured in liters or cups. A 1L pot is great for a sin-
gle user, and provides enough volume for popu-
lar dehydrated meals without being too bulky for
smaller backpacks.
3. Fuel Consumption Fuel consumption can
vary widely among stoves, especially if used in
windy conditions with no wind screen. Higher
fuel burn rates are of little concern for day-use
activities, but can require the need to pack addi-
tional fuel on extended backcountry trips. Many
stoves will state an approximate number of boil
cycles which can be achieved with certain sized
fuel canisters.
4. Ignition Some stoves will feature a Piezo
style ignition system which performs well in
wind and inclement weather, and eliminates
fumbling with matches and lighters. Most stoves
can also be lit with auxiliary methods such as
matches, lighters or Ferro rod strikers.
5. Features Key features that make some stoves
stand out from the pack include wind screens, a
secure fitting lid with strainer and pour spout,
the ability to add a coffee press, and a pot sup-
port system which allows use with cookware
aside from the pot. Pots with volume markings
on the inside make for easy measuring of water
for dehydrated meals, as do lids with gradua-
tions which double as measuring cups or eating
bowls. Canister support stands add security and
stability, and insulated pot sleeves are also nice.