man on airboat
Profiles

Law Enforcement on Airboats: Patrol, Pursuit, and Rescue

The widespread use of airboats is nothing new for the Florida Everglades. But their 20th century applications have grown beyond pleasure boaters seeking access to these remote areas, subsistence fishermen or hunters, and commercial tour operators. The airboat in the 21st century has become a widespread tool of law enforcement to combat illegal activity, ranging from drug smuggling, illegal dumping, animal cruelty, and illegal border crossings.

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3 Min
donna and her truck
Profiles

Python Bounty Hunter: Donna Kalil

The snakes that she’s hunting are the result of a good idea gone wrong. In the 1970s, the first Burmese pythons were imported from overseas as pets. They were a hit, and their numbers grew due to breeding programs and increased imports (importation has been banned since 2012). Released into the wild by their owners, they discovered an Eden in the Florida Everglades region, a place filled with food where they thrived. An apex predator, their only competition is large American crocodiles, alligators, and Florida panthers, and even those creatures can succumb to the pythons; nothing seems to stop them. The only other thing that can kill them in the wild is an extended hard freeze, which rarely happens this far south. They quickly took to the waterways and started to feed, and feed, and feed.

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5 Min
hatchet sitting next to crab shells on a cutting board, next to a cast iron skillet full of butter and herbs and crab meat
Food & Recipes

How to Kill, Cook, & Eat Dungeness Crab

One of the best seafood the West Coast has to offer is without a doubt Dungeness crab, and when it comes to seafood, fresh is always best. This recipe isn’t for the faint of heart and requires some legwork on the part of your dinner guests, but in this case, the juice is definitely worth the squeeze. There is nothing better than fresh Dungeness crab meat dripping with seasoned butter, and the experience of getting hands-on with your food with friends is a memorable one. This dish is best served with crusty grilled bread, ice-cold white wine, and good friends who aren’t shy about getting their hands dirty for their food.

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5 Min
Man holding 3 legged folding stool
How-To's

DIY 3 Legged Camp Stool

One of the best items to have on any outdoor excursion is a good seat. A seat can help keep you dry in wet weather, provide a spot to rest your legs for a bit, help keep you warm if it’s cold out, and, let’s be honest, it’s just more comfortable than sitting on hard rocks or snow. One of the simplest forms of a seat is a folding tripod. These are small because they fold when not in use, so they don’t take up much room in your pack or truck. It’s a great option for lunch breaks on the river during a day of fly fishing, a solid place to sit while glassing up wild game, or just a spot to take a load off around the campfire.

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3 Min
hands holding a fish with a hook in its mouth held over a fishing net
How-To's

How to Take Care of Your Catch

The ethos of the Leave No Trace philosophy has always struck a chord with fishers like me. From leaving our campsite looking as though no one was there, to gently releasing fish that are unharmed, we strive to harmonize with nature. Big strong trophy fish have the strength and ability to survive adverse stream conditions, water temperatures, roaring flood waters and other seasonal challenges. Smaller fish cannot survive these hardships so well. Consequently, our Leave No Harm handling techniques can contribute to nature’s balance and a healthy ecosystem.

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5 Min
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