Although I love the mobility of spot and stalk hunting and the elevated perspective of hunting from a treestand, sometimes it’s hard to beat a good ol’ ground blind.

Obviously one of the biggest benefits is the concealment of movement. Being shielded behind the walls of a blind allow you to make small movements that you may not otherwise be able to get away with under the prying eyes of wildlife. Ground blinds also provide a weather barrier helping you stay dry in wet conditions, act as somewhat of a wind break on blustery days, provide shade in the intense sun and more. They accommodate hunters of any age or physical ability. Ground blinds are great for kids that you don’t want climbing up 20 feet above the ground, for those that may not physically be able to spot and stalk or scale a tree and for those who just like to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground. They offer a level of comfort that may not be available in a tree stand. You can bring along the chair of your choice that is comfortable for long sits, a cooler for snacks, a space heater for cold days, a gun or bow rest, as well as other gear. Plus, if you are hunting on private property and trust the security of your blind you can leave all you gear behind instead of carrying it in and out every time you hunt. Furthermore, using a pop-up ground blind gives you great mobility, you aren’t tied to just one location. They allow you to move your blind to the most productive locations quickly and with ease. There is a lot to love about ground blinds. Let’s set one up!

The odds of being struck by a venomous snake are very small. In the U.S., there are 7,000-8,000 venomous snake bites a year. Considering there are close to 330 million people in the country, that’s a very small percentage of the population. Of those 7,000-8,000 bites, less than 5 deaths a year usually occur.

While the odds are slim, the threat does exist. There are about 20 different species of venomous snakes in the U.S. that can be broken down into four main categories: rattlesnakes, copperheads, coral snakes and cottonmouths. Of all the nasty offenders out there, the copperhead is the number one culprit for more venomous snake bites in the U.S. than any other species. However, the bites of eastern and western diamondback rattlesnakes as well as timber rattlesnakes account for a decent number of those cases, too.

When you’re out in the woods, or backcountry, you never know what’s going to go right, or severely wrong. Growing up, my family has always enjoyed being outside. During different seasons, we have different outdoor hobbies, such as hunting, fishing, camping and snowmobiling - we always have a reason for getting out. You can’t spend a serious amount of time in the woods, without having something go wrong. I’ve seen white out conditions riding back from hunting, on our side by side, in which we’ve gone into a ditch, leading to concussions and broken noses. I was there for my dad’s last snowmobile accident, in which he broke his ribs and a wrist. He then had a 2-hour ride out to the truck and another 2 hours to get to the hospital. You never know what could go wrong, accidents happen. You could develop hypothermia, or something more minor like a sprained ankle. Whether it be an ATV accident, or some dumb mistake that turns critical, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for any situation you might face and know how to treat it when it happens.

The once 10-man team is down to 9, and the journey keeps getting more difficult. The newness has worn off and the reality has fully set in. The Brigade team has been through a lot in a short amount of time.

If you haven’t been watching “The Brigade: Race to the Hudson”, let’s play a quick game of catch up. Ten strangers meet, come together and embark on an incredible journey across the York Factory Express. They have 28 days to travel 750 miles by foot and boat, without the help of GPS or fuel – it’s pure man power. If they make it to the end in the allotted time, they’ll share a $500,000 grand prize. They have worked together to paddle and portage hundreds of miles in a voyageur-style canoe and packrafts. They’ve hiked through grueling terrain with heavy packs. They have faced injuries and setbacks. And this week, they stare down a whitewater challenge.