When hunting season rolls around, think about heading up North for the challenges of Newfoundland.These days, it can be difficult to find those unspoiled places to hunt where everything comes down to an honest confrontation between you and your prey.

Newfoundland, Canada is, however, one of those rare hunting destinations where you truly have to rely on your skills as a hunter to come home with a trophy. With the black powder and rifle season beginning in mid-September, Newfoundland offers some of the best big game hunting opportunities in the world; bow hunters get to start two weeks earlier. Because Newfoundland has a temperamental and changeable climate during hunting season, it’s hard to tell exactly what kind of challenges the weather will throw at you. Make sure to pack for cold, wet weather as well as unseasonably warm temperatures. As for the wildlife, Newfoundland definitely puts the “big” in the term big game:

Black Bear

Bears typically are formidable prey, but the North American Black Bear, which has tipped the scale at close to 500 pounds, is an especially challenging target. Newfoundland offers both baited and non-baited Black Bear hunting.

Bull Moose

With large antlers and a weight of approximately 1,500 pounds, a mature Bull Moose is quite a trophy and can be brought down with a bow, muzzleloader or rifle.

Caribou

To stalk these 500 pound beauties, you also can use bows, muzzleloaders and rifles and hopefully come home with an impressive trophy.

On the average, a hunter in Newfoundland has approximately a 70-75% chance of bringing down their prey, with some regions offering a better shot than others. For something a little bit different, also try hunting the Willow Ptarmigan, a local bird that can be found in abundant quantities during the big game hunting season.

Among hunters in Newfoundland, the concept of “fair chase” hunting is fairly widespread; it is perhaps the most honest and honorable way to spot and stalk prey in the wilderness. Instead of using high tech gadgets to get off a shot from a long distance, fair chase means relying on your own skill to move in closer for the kill.

Hunting lodges are quite plentiful in Newfoundland, with all-inclusive packages that offer “fly-in” hunts, accommodations, meals, guides and preparation of meat and trophies. Depending on what kind of game you have your heart set on, packages range in price between $2,000 and $5,000. Lodgings tend to be clean, comfortable and contain everything you need for a great hunting getaway.

One of the best ways to reach Newfoundland is by plane and the recommended carrier is Air Canada. Since you will be traveling outside the United States, a current passport is needed to enter Canada. You can bring your weapons into the country as long as you declare them to the proper authorities at Canadian Customs.

With some of the biggest game available in North America combined with an unspoiled wilderness, Newfoundland could easily become your new favorite hunting spot.

Resources:
http://www.pineridge.nf.ca/general.htm
http://www.newfoundlandhunting.com/hunting_information.html http://www.biggamecanada.com/travel_info.html

Look out your window. What is the weather like today? Is it rainy, snowy or sunny? In today’s world it really doesn’t matter what the weather is like because the roads are paved, there are sidewalks and most of the destinations we need to get to are climate controlled. However, during the Middle Ages things weren’t so accommodating. In fact, a rainy day could turn the roads into a quagmire where you could easily lose your footwear, a tire or worse. Because the rustic condition of many roadways and walkways, people in the Middle Ages wore Pattens. Pattens were slip on clogs that protected the wearer from muddy paths and were the precursors to galoshes.

Pattens and the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages shoe fashion was somewhat unreasonable for the road conditions of the day. One of the most popular shoes on the market during this era was a thin soled pointy toed shoe that was impractical for walking outdoors. To protect these fashionable shoes Pattens were worn over them. Pattens elevated the wearer so that they could keep their feet out of the mud.

Pattens came in three basic designs. The first design used a flat wooden sole that elevated the person above the mud. This design often included a hinge to make flexing the foot easier to do while wearing this type of Patten. The second design used an iron or wooden wedge as the sole of the Patten. This wedge also elevated the wearer’s feet above the mud. The third Patten design utilized many leather laminates to create a flat soled platform.

The Patten was a very useful tool during the Middle Ages, and its popularity kept it in fashion well into the 15th and 16thcenturies. However, in later years Pattens made from willow, alder and poplar were replaced by leather Pattens.

17th Century Pattens

The design of the Patten evolved steadily over the years, and by the 17th century the flat soled and wedged shaped Pattens were replaced by circular hoop designs. These Pattens included a wooden platform that strapped on to a person’s foot, a metal plate that was nailed to the wooden platform, a metal circle that sat on the ground and two metal bars that connected the metal plate to the metal circle.

During the 17th century many advancements were made including thicker soled boots for men and better street construction. These advancements meant that men generally did not need to wear Pattens any more, however, lower class men still wore them. From the 17th century on, Pattens were marketed almost exclusively to women.

The Extinction of the Patten

Like any type of footwear, Pattens were eventually phased out of existence. Paved roadways made Pattens obsolete, as did advancements in men’s and women’s foot fashion. For example, in men’s footwear, Pattens were replaced by thicker soled boots during the early part of the 17th century. Women’s footwear evolved somewhat slower, however, by the end of the 17th century women had the option of wearing galoshes instead of Pattens.

Today there are dozens of footwear choices that will keep your feet dry and warm. There are work boots , galoshes, Uggs , moon boots, cowboy boots and hiking boots. It may be hard to believe now, but even these modern footwear designs will most likely be replaced in the future with new outdoor footwear options.

Washington, DC may seem like a place you’d never want your kids to visit, and with good reason. Kids are very impressionable and there are just way too many bad influences hanging around Washington street corners, especially Pennsylvania Avenue. There are plenty of destinations that kids will thrill to that won’t upset your future ideological expectations for kids by exposing them to whatever political party you decree to be responsible for all the problems facing America. If you pick right, your kids can actually come away from Washington, DC without even being aware that it is the center of gridlock in the American government.

The National Zoo

Not a local zoo. Not a county zoo. Not a state zoo. But the National Zoo of America. And with good reason because the National Zoo in Washington, DC is a kids’ fantasia of incredible animals that will take their breath away. The National Zoo is famous for its Giant Pandas, of course, but don’t think that those cuddly creatures are the only attraction that will delight you and your children. The National Zoo in Washington, DC is home to big cats, reptiles, ocean creatures, exotic birds, and pretty much any other type of animal that you kid is crazy about.

American Museum of Natural History

The American Museum of Natural History is more than just a collection of artifacts, mannequins and dinosaur bones. This traditional stopping place in Washington, DC has really gone high tech over the years, featuring the exciting planetary experience called SonicVision, an incredible new space show called Cosmic Collisions, and one of the most amazing IMAX film experiences in the country, featuring an ever-changing collection of must-see films. No kid will leave thismuseum complaining about how museums are boring.

Six Flags America

Bet you didn’t know there was a thrilling theme park just a half hour’s driving distance from the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Midway through your trip to teach your young ones all about American history and the importance of becoming politically aware, take a day off to have just good old fashioned vacation fun. All kids love Six Flags theme parks and just because Six Flags America is almost near enough to see the Capitol’s dome from its highest point doesn’t mean it isn’t the kind of place to make your kids forget all about the boring places you’ve been dragging them to. Six Flags America might well be better known as Six Flags Superheroes as many of the most thrilling thrill rides have names associated with DC Comics heroes. For instance, a trip on the Superman: Ride of Thrill rollercoaster is a guarantee to pump new life into the bodies of older kids and teens who have seen just one too many marble structures. In addition to the requisite thrill rides, Six Flags America also has tamer rides to get your smaller children back into shape for returning to the standard tourist fare in Washington, DC.