Scott Linden Outdoors

Not until you’re seven, Manny er, 21 in dog years.

I know, they aren’t hunting skills, per-se. But they are part-and-parcel with a great day afield. These skills might be the difference between a ho-hum hunting trip and an epic one. Sure, there are other ways, some might even be better. But if you’re looking for help, you might start here.

Cook a game bird: Generally speaking, fast and hot, just to rare is a good plan. Birds will continue cooking once removed from heat, and an overcooked bird is dry and tough. An overcooked duck or goose becomes “fishy,” or tastes like liver. Whole birds seldom turn out right because the legs and thighs will be done cooking before the breasts. Unless you love that magazine-cover presentation, break a bird into pieces and cook separately. If you like to cook low and slow, add plenty of liquid. Impress non-hunters and hunters alike by serving birds with a little apricot jam or cherry compote on top.

Open beer bottle without an opener, and pour it the right way: Grasp the beer bottle’s neck with your non-dominant hand like a baseball bat, so only the cap shows above your grip. With your other hand, insert a spoon, cigarette lighter base or other rigid tool (even the cap edge of another beer bottle) under the cap edge, using the base of your topmost (index) finger as a fulcrum. Carefully lever the cap off.

To pour, use a clean glass – ideally, chilled. Angle your glass at about 45 degrees, and pour from the bottle (you are buying good beer, right?) to hit the glass about an inch from the top. If there is little or no “head” (foam) once you’ve poured a half-glass, turn the glass to upright and pour directly into the center of the beer. With practice, you’ll achieve the ideal: an inch or so of head. Now go out and practice!

Stay warm in a sleeping bag: Wear dry sleeping apparel – the clothes you wore all day are full of your perspiration and will wick all the heat from your body. Eat or drink something warm before bed (I prefer hot buttered rum). Wear warm socks and a stocking cap. Buy a sleeping bag that has enough room in the foot area – toes compressing insulation are a sure route to misery.

Use a sleeping pad to insulate you from the cold ground or air circulating below your cot. Put a waterproof ground sheet (vapor barrier) under you or your tent to prevent bone-chilling moisture from seeping into your sleeping bag. If it gets extremely cold, wrap yourself in another vapor barrier (leave room for your head to ensure you can breathe!).