All Stories

red ford bronco driving through deep water on a road spraying water out impressively on either side
Profiles

The Jackie Robinson of Car Design: McKinley Thompson Jr.

McKinley Thompson Jr., a Ford designer who helped pen the first-generation Bronco, was the first African American designer hired at Ford Motor Company after graduating from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California with a degree in transportation design in 1956. “McKinley was a man who followed his dreams and wound up making history. He not only broke through the color barrier in the world of automotive design, but he helped create some of the most iconic consumer products ever…designs that are not only timeless but have been studied by generations of designers.”

Read more

5 Min
hands of a person in chaps tying a large roll of canvas in a field
How-To's

How to Make a Canvas Bedroll

Bedrolls are the original bivy and have been used for centuries to keep their occupants warm and dry after a long day of travel. If you’re not concerned about a bit of weight, they are a perfect way to pack your bed, shelter, and some extra gear in one bundle. What you relinquish in poundage, you’ll make up for in durability and comfort.
If you can get your hands on some canvas, here is a simple design that can take a beating and still protect you from the elements. Feel free to waterproof to your liking by waxing the canvas, or with a little leather work you can customize the way you secure your roll internally and externally.

Read more
Allagash Cruiser Axe_1200x628
Signature Materials

Filson x Allagash Cruiser Axe: Hand Forged in Maine, USA

Brant & Cochran’s goal was to create an heirloom-quality axe that could also be put to unrelenting work. That starts with the steel—U.S.-made 1050 carbon steel. The “1050” refers to a steel made up of only two components: iron and .5% carbon. When tempered to 56 Rockwell hardness, the Allagash Cruiser bites deep and keeps an edge. A world-class axe also needs a world-class handle. The Amish-turned hickory handles hafted on the Allagash Cruiser are blemish-free, with superior grain orientation guaranteeing strength and durability.

Read more

3 Min
jerky meat drying on pine boughs
How-To's

DIY: Campfire Smoked Venison Jerky

When it comes to classic trail foods, jerky is always on the list. Whether purchased at a gas station on the way to the trailhead or made from a deer killed on a family hunting trip, jerky provides a great protein-rich, flavorful, shelf-stable snack for road trips, cold ridgeline glassing, or drinking beer around the campfire. In this article, i’ll run through how i make jerky, give an idea for a marinade, and show how to make a field-expedient jerky smoker to cure meat in the backcountry.

Read more

10 Min
Responsible Down_1200x628_2
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: 
Responsibly Sourced Down

Down, the soft under-plumage that lies beneath the tougher exterior feathers of birds, provides outstanding insulation that protects them from icy weather. Goose down, in particular, has long been regarded as the warmest, lightest and most-compressible insulation available to keep humans warm in those same frigid conditions. This article examines why Filson goose down works so well, where it comes from, and what we mean when we say we use only “responsible down.”

Read more

5 Min
History of Denim in North America_1200x628
Field Notes

A Brief Look at the Origin of Denim in North America

The history of denim in America dates back to the 1840s, when the durability of the warp-faced, twill textile was a proven choice for workwear clothing, with pants and overalls much in demand. The blue threads of woven cotton were dyed with indigo through a process known as “rope dying” or “chain dying,” while the weft threads were left white and visible only on the reverse side. Over time, other weights of denim were made available, along with different colors: tan, black, and gray. For laborers in the fields, coal mines, forests, and mills, denim was an inexpensive clothing option that was widely available and came in all sizes. During the California Gold Rush of 1848 to 1855, the prospector dressed in his denim work clothing, field jacket, and hip waders was a common sight.

Read more

3 Min
MAPLand Act_1200x628
Field Notes

The MAPLAND ACT: Digitally Mapping to Simplify Public Land Recreation

Digital mapping and GPS technologies have become an essential part of outdoor recreation. By pinpointing on a handheld device a user’s precise location, hikers, hunters, anglers, boaters, and others can see exactly where they stand relative to landmarks and property boundaries. However, the full potential of these technologies to enhance our enjoyment of public lands is hampered by incomplete and inconsistent mapping data from agencies such as the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Army Corps of Engineers. Thankfully, a bipartisan bill introduced in both chambers of Congress in March 2020, the Modernizing Access to our Public Land (MAPLand) Act, addresses this shortcoming.

Read more

3 Min
North Mountain Lookout_14
Field Notes

Something Worth Saving: Fire Lookout Restored by Logging Town Community

As you climb up the tower steps, layers of jagged peaks within Washington’s Cascade Range emerge in every direction. Below, wild river valleys carve through the sea of forests around the small town of Darrington. The million-dollar view from the historic North Mountain Lookout was once used by the Forest Service to spot fires, but the structure fell into disrepair once technology and other fire detection methods took its place. Now a small group of dedicated locals are on a mission to restore the abandoned piece of history sitting on top of North Mountain.

Read more

5 Min
Black Bear Currywurst_1200x628
Food & Recipes

Filson Food: Black Bear Currywurst Sausage Recipe

Most people may not know that bear meat is not only edible but also delicious. The meat is similar to beef in appearance and makes amazing stews and sausages. Although wild game meat is generally extremely lean, bear meat tends to consistently have slightly more intramuscular fat than any other game. For this reason, most of my Spring bear meat will find its way into sausages. Currywurst is a young traditional German sausage dish developed post–World War II after British soldiers brought ketchup and curry powder to Germany. This cultural mashup has caught on in a big way and is now served all over. Bear meat can carry a parasite that can be harmful when ingested; however, if it is cooked to a minimum temperature of over 160℉ it is perfectly safe. Be vigilant when handling and cooking bear meat to prevent any cross-contamination.

Read more

3 Min
jensocial-1
Field Notes

Jen Judge: Becoming an independent Outdoorswoman

For me, becoming an independent woman in the outdoors has been about mitigating fears. After all, the backcountry is full of potentially scary things. There are wild and unpredictable creatures, as well as creepy-crawlies. There are existential risks to worry over, including injury (of either myself or others), over-exhaustion, running out of food and water, being stuck out in the elements, or simply getting lost. And then there are fears caused by how society sees women, such as lack of competence or not measuring up.

Read more

10 Min
farmhuntsocial-1
Field Notes

One Common Goal: 
Farming & Hunting for conservation

Across the Great Plains region stretches a vast network of protected grasslands and wetlands, from the never-ending grain fields of Kansas and Nebraska to the dusty prairie pothole regions of the Dakotas and Montana. These crucial ecosystems teem with wildflowers and tall swaying grasses, while cattails and bulrushes rustle next to quiet ponds, and throughout it all untold numbers of insects and small animals thrive. Overhead, all manner of birds soar, often stopping here during their crucial summer and winter migration periods to rest and raise new families. But here is the really interesting part of this story: Almost all of this land is privately owned, and if it weren’t for hunters, farmers, and ranchers, none of it would probably be here.

Read more

5 Min
JHP_4767
Profiles

Rainshadow Organics

Every day, Sarahlee Lawrence and Ashanti Samuels, the owners of Rainshadow Organics, a 27-acre farm located just outside Bend, Oregon, bring their passion into their fields to raise a crop of over 250 varieties of vegetables and grains, along with a wide array of meat and poultry. To ensure the fertility of their land, they use sustainable organic farming methods, ones that were common before the advent of commercial farming. “We focus on creating healthy living soil that gets stronger every year, not weaker,” says Lawrence.

Read more

5 Min
grousemain
How-To's

Ruffed Grouse Hunting Basics

The ruffed grouse is affectionately called the king of game birds by those who enjoy hunting them on crisp autumn days. As their nickname hints, the ruffed grouse is challenging prey for new and seasoned hunters alike. They are swift fliers, wary, and learn by experience the fine art of avoiding predators of all kinds. But by using a few basic principles you can start off on good footing, and with any luck, bring home a few ruffs for the table.

Read more

5 Min
hands holding a long freshly milled board
Field Notes

The Lifecycle of Timber

The lifecycle of logging is both simple and complex. It’s a carefully balanced relationship between man and nature that allows for the production of everything from homes to solvents and even LCD screens, while simultaneously preserving the resource that makes it all possible. It’s important to understand the ways in which logging has evolved into a sustainable practice — a circle of planting, harvesting, respect, and renewal that ensures we don’t miss the forest for the trees.

Read more

3 Min
two men standing in the woods overlooking a large body of water
Profiles

The Brothers Nielsen

For as long as either David or Robert Nielsen can remember, trees have surrounded them. In their youth, they romped among the towering white oaks, western hemlocks, and grand firs that surrounded their home on San Juan island just below the Canadian border. When their family moved to Bellingham, Washington during grade school, they spent their time hiking and riding dirt bikes through the forests bordering their town. So, when they both decided to go into logging after high school, no one was surprised. Chances were, a little of the sap they played in had soaked into their souls.

Read more

5 Min
Spicy-Duck-Wontons_1200x628_V2
Food & Recipes

Filson Food: Spicy Duck Wontons

One of the common misconceptions about hunting is that every time a hunter goes out into the bush or the blind, they come home with food for the table. Although this is always our hope, the reality is that we often come home empty-handed or with barely enough to make a meal, as is sometimes the case when duck hunting. When a day of duck hunting only yields two ducks for dinner, a good solution is to use the meat to make wontons that can even stretch into more than one meal. Wontons can be frozen before cooking and make a great appetizer on short notice since they can be simply cooked straight from the freezer. Most of the ingredients in this recipe can be found at any large grocery store; if not, they will have a suitable substitute.

Read more

3 Min
venison chili, cheese, avocado, sour cream, onion and herbs in a cast iron skillet on a grill grate
Food & Recipes

Filson Food: Homemade Venison Chili

In my book, there is only one type of chili and it isn’t packed with beans and a scant amount of low-quality ground meat. A real chili should have chunks of high-quality meat in a rich flavorful sauce, no filler, plus some wicked toppings. Some people may say this isn’t “traditional,” but keep in mind that even traditional recipes are constantly evolving: the original chili of the 17th century is different than the chili of the 19th century. As far as I am concerned, this is 21st-century chili. Instant coffee, beer, and whole chilies and spices are key to building the deep, rich flavors of this chili. Thick, high-fat sour cream and freshly grated good quality aged cheddar make all the difference. And using venison in chili makes perfect sense, as it is much more flavorful than the more commonly used beef. Like any stewed dish, this chili will get better after sitting overnight and being served the following day.

Read more

3 Min