Backwoods Bound Bullet Vol. 2

BACKWOODS BOUND BULLET
Vol. 2, Iss. 3

Greetings from the team at BACKWOODS BOUND and welcome to March's issue of the "Backwoods Bound Bullet". We're all suffering from "spring fever" around here...fishin' and turkey huntin' is definitely on our minds. Hope you "feel the fever" as you read this issue! You may want to print this out so you can read it at your leisure. Folks tend to get a little restless this time of year...it may take a couple tries to actually finish reading it!

Highlights this issue include:

~ Our newest feature! "Crazy Captions"
~ Prize Info
~ Article: "Ready That Trailer!"
~ Fun Fact / Fishin' & Huntin' Tip / Products
~ Article: "NWTF Reports Increase In Bird Numbers"
~ "Kenny's Corner"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BACKWOODS BOUND CONTEST:
February's winner was George Roy of Eaglesham, Scotland. George suggested we post a "Funny Photo" and allow visitors to write the caption. He also sent us the great photo we're using this month! George won a FREE professional gunsmith's screwdriver set donated by our hunting affiliate, Cheaper Than Dirt. Congratulations George!

And so...a NEW FEATURE is born! We titled it "Crazy Captions"! (By the e-mails I've received so far, I can tell you are already enjoying this.) If anyone has any unique or unusual photos with a humorous twist, please send us a copy. (We'll count it as a contest entry.) The more unusual the photos, the more fun this will be. Check out this new feature at www.backwoodsbound.com/funphotos.html.

March's contest is already in full swing! The FREE prize this month is "A Table For Two" squirrel feeder. This unique, hand-crafted feeder will have your backyard friends scrambling for a seat! See this product at www.backwoodsbound.com/ squrfeedr01.html, then hurry and send in your hunting or fishing tip or photo, wild game recipe, fun photo, or suggestion! (This gift is Totally FREE! We even pay shipping and handling!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Article: READY THAT TRAILER!

Hello Backwoods Buddies! Spring is on the way and that means fishing! Last month we got the boat ready to hit the water. This month we go over that vital and often overlooked piece of equipment... the trailer.

The first thing I check is the coupler. This may be the most important piece on the trailer. Check all the components. Does it operate smoothly? If you have an extra hitch ball, insert it into the coupler and lock it. Try and pull the ball out of the locked coupler. If you can pull it out, either rebuild or replace the coupler. Check the welds or bolts that attach the coupler to the frame. Repair if necessary.

Check the lighting to make sure the turn signals and clearance lights all work. This may be difficult if the trailer's still in storage and you don't have access to the vehicle battery. Here's a handy way to check the electrical system. Get the female end that matches your plug, strip the loose wire ends bare, then use a 12-volt battery charger as a power source to power the lights. Now you can trace down and fix problems with the electrical system. Also, replace all cracked lens and blown bulbs. Carry extra bulbs with you.

Repack the wheel bearings. Remove the tires and hubs, pull off the old grease seals, then clean and repack the bearings. A water resistant marine grease is best to use. Get it at your local boat dealer. Install new seals. Never reuse the old seals. The $10 - $15 dollars spent on new seals is well worth it. Many boat trailers use "Bearing Buddies" on the axles. You still need to clean and repack the bearings. The grease you pump into those hubs has to go somewhere. The result, a blown grease seal and a seized bearing. It is no fun trying to find parts on a weekend afternoon and making repairs on the side of a busy highway.

Check the brake system if your trailer has one. Repair or replace any broken parts. Torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer's specifications.

Check your tires for excessive weather cracking and cupping. Measure the tread depth. A good rule of thumb is to replace the tires when the tread measures 5/32". Air the tires to the specs on the side of the tire. Don't forget to check the spare. You many never need it, but when you do you'll want it in top shape.

Check the winch and all your tie downs. Repair or replace as needed.

Lastly, look the trailer over front to back. check for cracked welds and loose bolts. Crawl under it on a mechanics creeper and check it over good. Make any necessary repairs.

Well that about does it. I tried to cover the major things on a boat trailer, but keep in mind, there are more. The important thing to remember is fixing small problems before they become major problems that can ruin a fishing trip.

May your minnows stay lively, your worms stay wiggley, and your livewell full!

James B.

*If you haven't restocked your tackle yet, why not try shopping from home? Click on the Dunhams Sports banner on our fishing pages to browse through their fishin' products. There's no easier way to shop than from home. New rod, reel, tackle box, or tackle...it's just a click away!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HUNTIN' TIP: Box calls are the easiest calls to master. Remember, simple yelps take the majority of toms! For more huntin' tips check out the site at www.backwoodsbound.com/tipshunting.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PRODUCT: Mini Double-Sided Box Turkey Call from Knight & Hale.

This compact size call produces high-pitched raspy calls on one side, lower-pitched hen and gobbler sounds on the other. Excellent for windy days and long-range calling. Purchase this call and be ready for turkey season! www.backwoodsbound.com/huntprduct1.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BACKWOODS BOUND VISITOR SURVEY:

Results of February's survey questions are in..................!
**69.2% of visitors surveyed prefer baitcasting!
**According to our visitors there is equal division between whether the waterfowl population was increased or decreased. No one thought it was unchanged. Guess we'll have to wait to find out the official results, huh folks?
**70% of visitors surveyed prefer to grill their trout. Since so many of you are sure about what you like, we've included a Grilled Stuffed Trout recipe in this newsletter! Now, if you're one of the 30% don't you go feeling left out. A little variety keeps life interesting. Besides, this recipe might just sway your preferences to grilled!

~~~There are 3 new questions waitin' for your vote on the fishin', huntin', and recipe pages. Stop by soon! Let us know how you think! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Article: NWTF REPORTS INCREASE IN BIRD NUMBERS!

In 1973 when the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters. Thanks to the work of state wildlife agencies and the NWTF¹s many volunteers and partners, today there are an estimated 5.4 million wild turkeys and approximately 2.6 million turkey hunters. Since 1985, more than $130 million NWTF and cooperator dollars have been spent on over 15,000 projects benefiting wild turkeys throughout North America.

The NWTF is a 319,000-member grassroots, nonprofit organization with members in 50 states, Canada and 11 foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport. For more information on the National Wild Turkey Federation, call (803) 637-3106, check out our website at www.nwtf.org or e-mail questions to nwtf@nwtf.net. ((For all our local buddies: Bill Phelps, President of the Monroe County, IL chapter, can be reached at bphelps@rdr.net for information about joining the local chapter.)) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PRODUCT: Survival Knife 8" Blade 14" OA Compass, Saw, Matches, etc.

This survival knife has an 8" black coated blade with a heavy saw tooth top. Total length is 14". This "Rambo" knife has a tube handle which contains a compass, saw, matches, fish hooks, fishing line, sharpening stone, and a leather sheath. Imported. MUST SEE! Great little package for camping. Purchase this from our affiliate Cheaper Than Dirt. See this great gift idea on our site at www.backwoods bound.com/huntprduct1.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FISHIN' TIP - Using a sharp extra-light wire hook with live bait will increase the action of your bait as well as provide for longer bait life and better hookset. See more fishin' tips at www.backwoodsbound. com/tipsfishing.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Don't forget to stop by and visit our affiliates. Shopping for that certain someone is easier on-line! No drivin' or footwork! Spend more time browsing different products. Save your time for the real important things like grilling trout, huntin' turkey, catchin' them moles out back. Oh, and don't forget spending time with the family.

Have you been studying your fishin' videos? Need some new ones? Check out Half.com. They have pages of fishin' videos at half (or less) the cost. This site is also great to use if you're looking to complete a book or movie collection you might have. I'm currently picking up books to finish a Time Life collection I started years ago, but cancelled early. I found 2 books at $1.59 each and 1 for $2.22. The books arrived looking "new". Try Half.com once. You'll be back!

Visit our shopping page at www.backwoodsbound.com/gifts.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FUN FACT: St Patrick's Day: What gives with the shamrock? Supposedly St Patrick used the shamrock to teach his followers. Each leaf represented a part of the Holy Trinity; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His followers adopted the custom of wearing the shamrock on his feast day. Although St Patrick's Day has become more of a secular holiday, the shamrock stuck and has become the most noted symbol for the day. See more fun facts at www.backwoodsbound.com /funfacts.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Need a birthday gift for your deer hunter? Pick up a BACKWOODS BOUND state-shaped antler plaque! These unique, hardwood plaques are hand-crafted into the shape of the state or Canadian province of your choosing! These plaques not only proudly display favorite antlers, but let everyone know in what state your hunter bagged their trophy! These are a must for anyone hunting several states and will make a wonderful addition to your hunter's trophy room! Replace those pressed wood plaques you purchased at the discount store. Your display antlers deserve to be mounted on this unique, hand-crafted, state plaque. You'll be the envy of your buddies!

Visit our home page to order yours now! www.backwoodsbound.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RECIPE OF THE MONTH:

Grilled Stuffed Trout

~ 1 4-5 pound fresh sea trout with head on, or 4 small trout (2/3 - 3/4 pound each.)
~ 1 lemon, sliced into 8 thin slices
~ 1 cup crumbled cornbread
~ 1 cup sliced mushrooms
~ 1 medium onion, chopped
~ 1/2 cup chopped celery
~ 4 1/2 oz ripe olives, chopped
~ 1/2 cup sour cream
~ 1/4 cup butter, melted
~ 2 Tbsp bacon drippings
~ 1/2 tsp fresh dill, finely chopped
~ salt and pepper to taste

*Wash and drain the fish. Sprinkle the inside and outside of the trout with the dill, salt, and pepper.

*In a medium skillet, heat the bacon fat. Add the mushrooms, onion, and celery. Saute until soft. Add the cornbread, olives, sour cream, and melted butter. If necessary, moisten with a little water to make the stuffing hold together.

*Stuff the cavity of the trout with the mixture and close securely.

*Arrange lemon slices on each side of the trout and place in oiled fish basket. Place basket on pre-heated grill and cook until done. (Approx 10 minutes per inch of thickness, including stuffing, or about 15 minutes per side.) Instead of grilling you can place the trout in a greased rectangular baking pan (you may need 2 depending on the length of the trout), garnish with lemons, and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes per inch of thickness, including stuffing.

*Enjoy!

---For more recipes and a variety of wild game cookbooks visit our recipe page at www.backwoodsbound.com/recipe.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PRODUCT: Hen And Jake Set.

Order now! Turkey season is fast approaching. This set can be planted in your favorite location to entice mature gobblers to defend their territory. Buy it today on our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/ huntprduct1.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ KENNY'S CORNER: An editorial view of the Backwoods Bound experience!

Spring is in the air! As I write this article, James, my business partner / co-owner of Backwoods Bound, and I are planning our annual crappie-fishing trip. This year, it's going to be at Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee. James and I have been on an annual crappie trip for at least the last ten years. In that period of time, we have seen and done some strange things.

There was the time at Reelfoot Lake when we decided to go to the local drinking establishment, and found it had an actual dirt floor. Then there was the time at Kentucky Lake, during the flood of '93. The water was extremely high. The local marina owners had rigged up a john boat with a hand rope to get you from the bank out to the marina's boat slips and back. We came in one evening, parked the boat in one of the slips and were waiting our turn to take the john boat to the bank. The three gentlemen in front of us, let's just say, maybe had too much to drink. They ended up tipping the boat, flooding it, and when they finally made it to the bank, tried to empty the boat by turning it end over end, instead of just laying it over on it's side. James, about thirty other patrons, and myself, got a pretty good laugh out of that one.

(I will not share any more stories with you at this time for fear of not being able to go fishing together again. After all, our wives will be reading and evaluating this article for Backwoods Bound. They are both beautiful, intelligent, loving, and understanding women, but I figure, why chance it?)

The reason I shared the previous stories with you and the real intent of this article is to talk about friendship. I know we all have people we call friends, but how many of us have a true friend? How many of us have a friend we can talk to about anything? How many of us have a friend that will cheer us up when we're down, or give us advice when something is troubling us? How many of us have a friend that we look forward to hunting, fishing, or camping with?

I would rather shoot a small deer and share that experience with a friend than shoot a monster buck alone. I would rather not catch any fish with a friend than catch a world record by myself, but that's just me.

Treasure your friendships and don't take them for granted. A true friend can make this old world go around a little easier for you. Here are some words of wisdom, "be the kind of friend that you would like to have."

Oh! By the way, after so many years of sharing so many good and bad experiences together I think he already knows this...but just in case, thanks James, for being my friend.

I'm Kenny, and I hope I have all of you in my corner. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ **We're working hard to develop this site into something for the whole family. We want to earn first ranking in the sites you frequent...your input is important! Do you have photos (fishin', huntin', or humorous) you'd like to share with the world, favorite web sites you'd like us to link with, tasty recipes you'd like to share, new topics for our site, etc? E-mail us anytime at editor@backwoodsbound.com The best photo, tip or recipe, most exciting suggestion, hobby, or craft idea each month wins a free gift! Remember, this month's prize is a hand-crafted squirrel feeder from BACKWOODS BOUND - "A Table For Two". Get your entry in now! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Your ideas, suggestions, tips, recipes, and photos are helping us expand and develop this site into Your Family Outdoor Web Site. We hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to your continued participation in the site! Visit us today! Select a squirrel or venison recipe to make for dinner, make up a new caption for our "Crazy Caption" photo, review the fishin' tips, shop at our affiliates to restock your boat and tackle box, stop by the Fish and Game Agency to order your fishing license on-line, post an announcement for that local fishin' tournament or share information on our bulletin board, check the weather, answer the current survey question in our hunting, fishing, & recipe sections, browse through our guides section to start planning your next fishin' trip, visit yourself or your Backwoods Bound Buddies in the photo gallery, and don't forget to pick up an Missouri antler plaque to finally mount those great antlers from that buck you picked up in Northern Missouri last year. Wow!!! As you can see, you've helped us come a long way from when we started this site! Thanks alot! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ **To all our Backwoods Bound Buddies: We sincerely appreciate all your support! We hope you'll continue to help by forwarding this newsletter to all the people in your address book. Give them the opportunity to participate in our site! In addition, if you know of someone that shares our interests, why not sign them up for our newsletter? They are always free to cancel. But, hopefully, they'll be glad you signed them up. We'll do our best to meet their interests!