Bugs can ruin the fun and excitement of a camping trip. No one wants to be irritated by itchy bug bites or spend their trip stuck inside a tent. Follow these tips to avoid pesky bugs and annoying bites and get the most out of your camping trip!

Bugs and insects tend to be attracted to darker clothing, so avoid wearing dark blue and black clothing when out in the woods. Additionally, be sure to keep your skin as covered as possible. Hiking is not the time to test out that new fragrance, since bugs tend to be attracted to strong scents, especially perfume. Try using odorless shampoos, soaps and deodorants when camping because even the slightest odors can attract unwanted pests.

Finding a decent place to set up camp can be crucial in keeping bugs away. Avoid camping near bodies of water and swamps. Insects, especially mosquitoes, flock to these types of areas. Once you’ve set up camp, gather some wood and get a campfire going. The smoke from the campfire will repel the bugs, while you can enjoy the fire.

There are an assortment of different sprays and repellants on the market that can help with the pests. Make sure to take extra caution when applying insect repellants and sprays because these products can contain harsh chemicals. Never spray repellant directly on your face. Spray your hands first and then apply the product.  Avoid open cuts and wounds when using a spray and wash treated skin afterwards.

There are also home remedies and natural ways to repel bugs. Citronella, lavender and eucalyptus are all essentials oils that when combined with rubbing alcohol, witch hazel or distilled water, can repel bugs in a natural way. Eating garlic or digesting garlic supplements will decrease your chance of getting bug bites as well. It’s important to note that these natural methods don’t always last as long as chemical sprays and repellents.

Remember, there is no 100% effective method to prevent getting bit by bugs. Take these precautionary measures and if bitten, always be on the lookout for an allergic reaction. Enjoy the great outdoors and the fun of camping!

Dealing with mud when hiking can be a sticky and messy process, and choosing the right footwear for muddy conditions can be just as problematic. When the rain leaves a hiking trail a muddy mess, you’ll want to be prepared with the right shoes on your feet.

The terrain and difficulty of the hike influences the footwear needed in these conditions. For a shorter hike on a flat trail, a pair of old tennis shoes can do the trick. If you are worried about ruining your shoes, there’s no real need to; just throw them into the washer and then let them air dry outside with newspaper tucked inside. This will take care of the majority of the stains on your shoes.  If you aren’t opposed to getting your feet muddy, trail sandals are available. These sandals offer firm lacing that grips to your foot in the slippery conditions.

For more serious hikers, investing in a sturdy pair of hiking boots is worth the expense. We suggest you wear thick socks underneath the boots to avoid blisters and chafing that happens when walking on the muddy surface. When backpacking, you can bring along a pair of trekking poles to help keep your balance. If you are just going for an afternoon hike, a pair of rain boots will keep your feet warm and dry. Make sure to wear thick soled socks with the rain boots as well to avoid discomfort.

Running in mud can be a completely different experience. Instead of wearing thick socks that will weigh you down, choose a light weight ankle sock. Try to avoid cotton socks because the cotton material holds more mud.

If running shoes alone do not have enough to grip to climb up those slimy mud hills, wear light running shoes with spikes for extra grip on the wet terrain.

Safety always comes first, so if the trail is extremely muddy, it might be best to wait until a nicer day. If you’re up for the challenge, wear the right footwear and your hike in the mud will be a walk in the park!

Wilderness Tactical

Keeping energy up and staying hydrated, are two of the most important factors in camping

Thinking about taking a winter camping trip?  Depending upon what part of the country you live in, you’ll need to be sure you pack right while traveling over snow and camping in much colder temperatures.

How you eat during your camping trip is just as important as how you pack for your trip. You should realistically plan on 2 gallons per day and you should not ever wait until you are thirsty to drink since that can increase the risk of hypothermia.  The colder it gets, your body requires more energy to stay warm.  Eating complex carbohydrates such as starches will keep your body fueled. A good combination of carbs and protein will keep your blood sugars stable during your trip.  Trail mixes are and granola bars are a great carbohydrate source and beef jerky, beans or cheese are quick protein sources. Snacking on something every couple hours will keep your blood sugars level throughout the day, while keeping your energy levels up. Be sure to drink hot fluids throughout the day, especially before bedtime.

From boots to gear, Wilderness Tactical offers great options with their backpack line such as the Wombat Safari the perfect manageable size for a daypack. Happy Camping!

About Wilderness Tactical Products:

Wilderness Tactical Products, L.L.C. was founded in 1981 to fill the needs of people who demanded durable, high-quality equipment. Their products have been tested from the icy mountain peaks of South America to the blistering Sonoran desert for nearly 30 years and they have proven themselves time and again. Wilderness Tactical Product’s branded products have consistently been favorites of serious outdoors people, mountain climbers, search and rescue, American Pistol Institute and Gunsite personnel, as well as armed military, intelligence, police, instruction and civilian professionals around the world. For additional information please call 1-800-775-5650 or visit http://www.TheWilderness.com

Instead of the usual family trip to the water park, we suggest you plan a family hunting trip! Hunting is a terrific way to strengthen family bonds. It encourages working as a team and will bring everyone closer together. Some hunting locations even offer youth hunting weekends that encourage families to bring their kids out on the trail.

The laws vary by state for youth hunting weekends, so make sure to look into your state’s laws regarding youth hunters. Most states require that all youth hunters under the age of 16 have a licensed adult over the age of 18 with them while hunting. Educate yourself with your state’s regulations and rules on hunting before hitting the trail so you can have a safe and fun time.

Kids can even learn value lessons while hunting with family. Hunting takes kids away from the television and video games and allows them to enjoy the great outdoors while having an enjoyable time. It teaches kids patience while they wait for their prey. It also teaches kids discipline while they learn to abide by certain rules to be successful.

Hunting isn’t just for men either. Even mothers and daughters can get out there and enjoy the thrill of the hunt. You can even make it more fun by teaming up and challenging boys versus girls. Try challenging other families or friends to join in on the fun.

Hunting together as family not only teaches lessons but creates lasting memories. After a day of hunting, you may even have a deer head to mount above your fireplace, the perfect trophy for your hard work and family bonding.

How would you be affected by the President’s new gun laws?

While the legislation hasn’t been put up for a vote yet, there has been a lot of buzz around the new gun laws proposed by President Barrack Obama. Following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the president received numerous letters from children and teachers requesting he tighten up gun laws. The new piece of legislation has caused uproar in the gun community, gun rallies have been held across the nation in protest of the projected laws claiming that it violates the Second Amendment right to bear arms. So, why the outrage? How will this legislation affect you if passed?

If passed, this new legislation will ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, expand background checks when purchasing a gun, and toughen gun-trafficking laws. While this is going to be a long battle in Congress and is highly unlikely to pass any time soon, the White House is definitely taking advantage of the outrage against guns due to the Sandy Hook shooting to challenge the success of the N.R.A.’s influence over gun laws. “I will put everything I’ve got into this,” President Obama said, “and so will Joe.” To help his proposal gain steam and the support of the American people, the White House has produced a Web page with video testimonials from victims of gun violence and a sign-up for supporters to help advocate the president’s plan.

However, the N.R.A. is not going down without a fight. While they agreed to work to secure schools, fix the mental health system and prosecute criminals, they disapproved of the presidents other proposals. “Attacking firearms and ignoring children is not a solution to the crisis we face as a nation,” the N.R.A. said in a statement. “Only honest, law-abiding gun owners will be affected, and our children will remain vulnerable to the inevitability of more tragedy.”

Another piece of legislation Obama proposed bans the possession or transfer of armor-piercing bullets and cracks down on those who pass background checks and purchase guns for criminals or others un-licensed to purchase guns.

Obviously the tragedy at Sandy Hook is nothing to be ignored, and something must be done to prevent this from happening again. But are these strict bans on military-style guns and high-capacity magazines the right way to do it? How do you feel about these gun laws? Do you agree or disagree?