How-To's | Page 3 of 4 | The Filson Journal

How to Rent a Forest Service Cabin

If you’re looking for a vacation rental that is slightly more adventurous than usual, it’s worth looking into renting one of the USFS fire lookout towers or backcountry cabins. Learn how.

3 Min

person in snowy yard lowering elk skull with antlers into steaming pot

How-To's

How to Make a European Mount

If you’re fortunate enough to harvest an antlered animal for the freezer this fall, a European mount is a tasteful way to display the antlers in your home or garage. Taxidermists often charge a couple hundred bucks for the service, but it’s a great DIY project. Everyone seems to have a different way to do

3 Min

building a tarp shelter among dead grasses and logs near river

How-To's

How to Build a Tarp Shelter

With a simple tarp and a few lengths of 550 cord, you can make a quick shelter to ride out a storm should the weather turn bad on your next trip into the woods. Alaskan sheep guide Casey Barton shows us how. Step 1: Select your site and gather a few sticks. You will want four

2 Min

person warming hands behind burning kindling

How-To's

3 tips for Backcountry Preparedness with Coalcracker Bushcraft

Outdoor recreation provides an opportunity for people to learn and explore. It allows people to spend time with family and friends, view wildlife, and experience nature. These experiences however, could potentially become life-threatening. Be prepared by utilizing the following steps to prevent any mishaps. Preplan. Preplanning is the key to a safe and memorable outing.

3 Min

hiking along the river with fishing gear

How-To's

What to Pack for a Backpack Fly Fishing Trip

Backpacking is a great way to re-familiarize yourself with the often-elusive feeling of spare time. With a little extra planning, you can turn a backpacking trip into a fly-fishing trip. We asked Sage Elite Pro and backcountry fishing expert Seth Blackamore about what he packs for a minimalist backcountry fishing kit.

2 Min

How-To's

How to Fillet a Fish

Whether you fish your local river, the lake the next state over, or the ocean on the other side of the world, knowing how to properly filet your catch is an important step in becoming a fisherman. We commissioned artist Heather Hardison to draw a basic tutorial outlining the few key steps to take your catch

1 Min

How-To's

How to Open an Oyster without a Shucking Knife

While a shucking knife is always recommended to open oysters, it’s not the only way. If a fresh bivalve opportunity presents itself while you’re without a shucking knife, you might try to break in using one of these alternative methods.

2 Min

How-To's

How to Rewax a Jacket

Our waxed cotton gear is built for years of rugged use. Follow these simple instructions to rewax your Filson garments and bags.

5 Min

man in woods looks through binoculars wearing backpack and red flannel

How-To's

Shed Hunting: Tips and Tactics

Last week we shared a beginner’s perspective on springtime shed hunting and what you might encounter when heading into the hills for your first time in search of antlers. This week, we hear from Sam Averett, a seasoned western hunter, who shares a few more detailed tips and tactics on the search for spring sheds.

will kutscher boots standing next to a fish on the ground

How-To's

How to Get on a Fishing Boat

Some are born into it, some stumble upon it, and some, like me, seek it out. The lure of Alaska’s “Red Gold,” the Sockeye salmon run of Bristol Bay, hit me when I was twenty. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I often heard how rewarding a summer spent fishing in Alaska can be, so

3 Min

blood covered hands hold knife butchering an animal and removing skin

Food & Recipes

Filson Food: Game Meat Start to Finish

While it’s not for everyone to harvest an animal, it certainly opens your eyes to what goes into a respectful hunt, the emotions and efforts that go into being an omnivore. The more knowledge you have, the more informed your personal food choices can be. And as always, the harder you work, the sweeter the reward.

group of bird dogs signal in field of yellow grasses

How-To's

Filson 101: Bird Dog Training with Ruggs Ranch

Gene Barnhart of Ruggs Ranch has been training world-class bird dogs for over forty-five years. Gene’s love of working dogs runs deep, and he’s handled them his entire life, hunting Beagles in his early years and then moving to Pointers. Now, you’ll find Gene at Ruggs, training and conditioning over forty hunting dogs. Ensure success

Wesley Larson sits on tire in brown jacket and waterproof boots

How-To's

Filson 101: Wesley Larson’s Guide to Safety in Bear Country

Wesley Larson is a Missoula, Montana native who has been working with Dr. Tom Smith of Brigham Young University for five years as a bear biologist. He has spent multiple field seasons studying denning polar bears on Alaska’s North Slope, as well as black bears within the Bryce Canyon National Park area. Here are his

men working with long oyster rakes on rocky beach at water's edge next to wooden boat bough

How-To's

How to Shuck an Oyster with Taylor Shellfish

The 4 easy steps to open an oyster from the 120-year old shelfish farm

How-To's

Prepping for the Upcoming Hunt: Dog Training and Performance Tips

For over two decades, George Hickox has shown all levels of owners how to train great bird dogs. As the hunting season nears, it’s incredibly important to reinforce good gun dog training procedures and attempt to break bad habits. Below, find some of George’s best tips and tricks on bird dog training. Training a

Travis Gillett picture of body of water from pine lined hilltop

How-To's

Filson Field Guide: Spend a Weekend in the Olympic National Forest

One of Filson’s favorite destinations from Seattle is the Olympic National Forest, and with it the promise of old-growth hemlock and fir, as well as awe-inspiring and unbounded views of this indescribable region. Our 4 tips for a weekend in the Olympics.

curving line of fishermen with single man boats and fishing nets in front of lighted island

How-To's

Tricks of the Trade: The 5 Best Travel Photography Tips with David Alan Harvey

David Alan Harvey‘s photographs spark the human psyche. His books Cuba and Divided Soul capture the blood and sweat of a cultural migration. He shot 45 photo essays for National Geographic magazine, from the world of hip-hop to French teenagers. His 2012 award-winning book (based on a true story) broke new ground in photo book

How-To's

The Blueprint for a Successful Bird Dog Training Program with George Hickox

For over two decades, George Hickox has shown all levels of owners how to train great bird dogs. Today, George details the blueprint of a successful bird dog training program. The blueprint for a successful training program must be implemented in a timely manner and fundamental canine training principles must be adhered to in

bird dog and hunter stand in a field of short yellow grasses

How-To's

Tricks of the Trade: 4 Helpful Hints for Dog Injuries in the Field

For over two decades, George Hickox has shown all levels of owners how to train great bird dogs. Today, he reminds hunters of 4 ways to prepare for injuries in the field. When spending time afield with your dog injuries can occur to your four legged buddy. Listed below are a few helpful hints

How-To's

Afield Without A Dog: Hints for Dog-Free Hunting

While most serious upland hunters wouldn’t think of leaving their dogs at home, sometimes opportunities to hunt good land (or between big trips) are lost. Plenty of other hunters may want to tackle upland birds but don’t have dogs, but that’s no reason to stay home. Words by David S. Lewis. Photos by Lee Kjos.

three hunters stand with their hunting dogs in a field

How-To's

Developing Gun Sense with George Hickox

For over two decades, George Hickox has shown all levels of owners how to train great bird dogs. Today, George describes the importance of establishing gun sense with your young hunting dogs. Photos courtesy of Martha Graffis. We have waited impatiently all year for the opening of the upland bird seasons. Before taking Pupster out

Snow capped mountains with descending line of pine trees in foreground

How-To's

The Do’s and Don’ts of Fishing in Bear Country

What to remember when fishing around big ursids and what to forget. Words and photos by David S. Lewis. This is too important a topic for me not to include the disclaimer at the top: I’m not a bear scientist. I’m not even a circus trainer. But on a recent trip to Alberta’s Rocky Mountains,

hunter with shotgun stands in field with two hunting dogs

How-To's

6 Reminders for a Happy Hunt with Andy Duffy

Andy Duffy has been shooting competitively for over 23 years. He’s a 12 time Sporting Clays National Champion and an avid bird hunter. Today, he details 6 ways to ensure a happy hunt early this fall. 1. Proper Footwear For anything you do in the outdoors, what you wear on your feet makes a

finished green canvas arrow quiver full of arrows and tools for making arrow quiver arranged on work table

How-To's

Tricks of the Trade: Make Your Own Archery Quiver with Matt Pierce of Wood&Faulk

Matt Pierce is a modern day jack of all trades. Born in Kansas, the tinkerer’s interests in carpentry and mechanics were honed through interactions with close friends and family. Eight years ago, Matt gathered the gumption to uproot, leave Kansas, and relocate to Portland, Oregon. Currently, he runs a blog entitled Wood&Faulk and carries a

gun rack with two shotguns in front of wall with vinyl siding

How-To's

3 Ways to Better Your Chances for a Bird this Fall with Andy Duffy

Andy Duffy has been shooting competitively for over 23 years. He’s a 12 time Sporting Clays National Champion and an avid bird hunter. Today, he details 3 ways to improve your chances of taking down a feathered friend this Fall. One of the issues for shotgun shooters who practice on clays is to realize that

dog leaps for pheasant as hunter takes aim

How-To's

Opening Day Preparation by George Hickox

For over two decades, George Hickox has shown all levels of owners how to train great bird dogs. Today, George outlines pre-season preparation for your hunting partner so that you both can be ready for opening day. The kaleidoscope of autumn’s palette will soon be soaked in by hunters awaiting the opening of this year’s

Hands hold Flybox full of fly fishing flies by Judith O'Keefe

How-To's

Fly Fishing Refresher: 4 Things to Remember On Your First Trip of the Year

Words by David S. Lewis. Executive Editor, (614) Magazine. Photo by Judith O’Keefe Mother’s Day marks the beginning of spring fly fishing for many. It takes a different breed (and a river out West) to brave the freezing waters of February, or the rapids of the snow melt in March and April. Truth be told, I could

bottle of honey next to cloth with honey on it

How-To's

Tricks of the Trade: Treat Burns in the Wild

Article courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Bushcraft team: Jason Schwartz is an axe-wielding, modern day mountain man. He’s also a Red Cross certified Wilderness First Aid Instructor, music aficionado, and known to some of the locals as the “Bear Grylls” of his area. Leah Klocko oversees the country music landscape of Pittsburgh as a radio personality when she’s not

How-To's

Feeding Your Working Dogs with George Hickox

For over two decades, George Hickox has shown all levels of owners how to train great bird dogs. More often than not, the secret to successful days in the field start with top tier nutrition and a consistent feeding program. Find out how to feed your working dogs the right way to ensure many happy

How-To's

Tricks of the Trade: The Original Multi-tool

Article courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Bushcraft team: Jason Schwartz is an axe-wielding, modern day mountain man. He’s also a Red Cross certified Wilderness First Aid Instructor, music aficionado, and known to some of the locals as the “Bear Grylls” of his area. Leah Klocko oversees the country music landscape of Pittsburgh as a radio personality when she’s not

How to Rent a Forest Service Cabin

How to Make a European Mount

How to Build a Tarp Shelter

3 tips for Backcountry Preparedness with Coalcracker Bushcraft

What to Pack for a Backpack Fly Fishing Trip

How to Fillet a Fish

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How to Open an Oyster without a Shucking Knife

How to Rewax a Jacket

Shed Hunting: Tips and Tactics

How to Get on a Fishing Boat

Filson Food: Game Meat Start to Finish

Filson 101: Bird Dog Training with Ruggs Ranch

Filson 101: Wesley Larson’s Guide to Safety in Bear Country

How to Shuck an Oyster with Taylor Shellfish

Prepping for the Upcoming Hunt: Dog Training and Performance Tips

Filson Field Guide: Spend a Weekend in the Olympic National Forest

Tricks of the Trade: The 5 Best Travel Photography Tips with David Alan Harvey

The Blueprint for a Successful Bird Dog Training Program with George Hickox

Tricks of the Trade: 4 Helpful Hints for Dog Injuries in the Field

Afield Without A Dog: Hints for Dog-Free Hunting

Developing Gun Sense with George Hickox

The Do’s and Don’ts of Fishing in Bear Country

6 Reminders for a Happy Hunt with Andy Duffy

Tricks of the Trade: Make Your Own Archery Quiver with Matt Pierce of Wood&Faulk

3 Ways to Better Your Chances for a Bird this Fall with Andy Duffy

Opening Day Preparation by George Hickox

Fly Fishing Refresher: 4 Things to Remember On Your First Trip of the Year

Tricks of the Trade: Treat Burns in the Wild

Feeding Your Working Dogs with George Hickox

Tricks of the Trade: The Original Multi-tool