Camping in the great outdoors...no phones, TVs, traffic, 9-5 grind...a wonderful opportunity to slow down and enjoy nature. Unfortunately, layers of insect repellent, sunscreen, campfire smoke, and sweat leave one feeling anything but relaxed by the end of the day.

Sponging off with soap and a pan of water may be ok for a night or two, but there's nothing like taking a shower when you're camping. Although 'city folks' may cringe at the thought of a public shower house, I've seen some of the most steadfast souls buckle under a couple days of camping funk.

Beware of tinea pedis as you plan your trip to the shower house!

There are threats you cannot see, namely, plant-like microorganisms that flourish in the warm, humid environment. Whether the floor is discolored and feels slick and slimy to your feet or whether it looks as clean as your shower at home, there could be a great risk of contracting a nasty case of tinea pedis. Tinea pedis, or athlete's foot, is a common skin infection caused by a fungus.

The fungus is primarily contacted by walking barefoot on warm, damp surfaces where it lives, by drying with damp towels that are contaminated with it, or by sharing footwear with someone infected. The fungus depends on dead tissue for nutrition and growth and needs a warm, moist environment to thrive. The area under and between the toes is most preferred.

So how do you know if you contract it? The first sign is usually an itch that quickly turns to a burn if you scratch or rub it. On further inspection you may note cracked, blistered, or peeling areas between the toes. The skin may look unusually white or "cheesy" and have an unpleasant odor. Redness and scaling on the soles of the feet may also be present. The itch can be maddening at times.

First off, try not to scratch. If you happen to scratch your toes and inadvertently scratch other warm, moist areas like an armpit or your groin, you could really be in misery later. Secondly, realize this fungus is highly contagious. Don't share towels or footwear. Keep socks on when walking through the house to prevent spreading the microorganism.

Wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water at least every day. Take care to dry between your toes well. Keep your feet dry and your shoes off as much as possible, the fungus can't easily grow in dry, open air. There are many products available without a prescription, ask your Pharmacist to recommend a spray, powder or cream. If you don't see rapid improvement in about a week, call your doctor. You may need to take some medicine by mouth.

You can reduce or eliminate your chance of contracting a fungus during your next Backwoods Adventure. Don't go barefoot in the shower house, wear shower shoes or rubber sandals. Dry your feet well before putting on shoes and socks. Keep an extra pair of shoes along so you can alternate if one pair gets wet.

By taking simple precautions, you can avoid picking up a fungus while you take advantage of the opportunity to scrub off the layers of dirt that seem to build up so quickly when you're having fun in the outdoors. As you know, there's nothing like relaxing and shooting the bull around the campfire when you've had a good wash! Until next time...Maggie.

Migrating ducks returning to important nesting areas in the north-central U.S. and southern Canadian prairies this spring were greeted by extremely dry conditions, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's annual survey. Although water levels on the prairies declined dramatically this spring, the effects on duck populations have not yet been felt and the total population of breeding ducks remained near their long-term average. The total population of breeding ducks in parts of Canada and the northern United States fell to approximately 31.2 million birds in areas that have traditionally been surveyed. That number represents a decline of 14 percent from last year's population of 36.1 million birds, and is 6 percent below the long-term average since surveys began in 1955.

"While water levels have declined and duck breeding populations are down from the exceptional situation we saw between 1995 and 2000, it's encouraging that total duck populations are only slightly below their long-term average," said Tom Melius, assistant director for Migratory Birds and State Programs. "Most species in the midcontinent region also are near their long-term averages, but we continue to have concerns over the status of pintails and scaup, whose populations did not respond to the run of good habitat conditions."

The Waterfowl Breeding Ground Population and Habitat Survey, the largest and most comprehensive survey of its kind in the world, samples 1.3 million square miles across the north-central United States, south-central and northern Canada, and Alaska. The survey estimates the number of ducks in the continent's most important nesting grounds, commonly referred to as the traditional survey area.

Annual survey results help guide the Service in managing its waterfowl conservation programs under authority of the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Service works in partnership with state representatives from the four flyways - the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central and Pacific - that waterfowl and other birds use during their migrations, to establish regulatory frameworks on waterfowl hunting season lengths, dates and bag limits.

The breeding population estimate for mallards in the traditional survey area, at 7.5 million birds, was largely unchanged from last year and remained near the long-term average. Surveys of mallards conducted in the Great Lakes states (Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) indicated the population had increased from 780,000 in 2001 to 1 million this year. The combined estimates of mallards from the traditional survey area and from the Great Lakes states (8.5 million) are used for setting duck hunting regulations through the Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) process.

Blue-winged teal numbers, at 4.2 million, fell 27 percent from last year's estimate, but are near their long-term average. The breeding population estimate for green-winged teal of 2.3 million birds is comparable to last year, but is 28 percent above its long-term average.

Most other species experienced declines from last year's estimates, including gadwall (down 17 percent from last year but 37 percent above its long-term average) and northern shovelers (down 30 percent to 2.3 million, 10 percent above the long-term average). The pintail breeding population continues to decline, falling 46 percent from last year's survey to 1.8 million, a number 58 percent below the long-term average. Populations of scaup, American wigeon and canvasbacks were largely unchanged from last year, yet remain below their long-term averages.

The presence of water is critical to breeding success for waterfowl. Conditions in the traditional survey area were dry this year, due to below average winter and spring precipitation. Drought conditions hit much of western Montana and southern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. Aerial surveys found birds crowded on the remaining ponds. Survey results show that many prairie-nesting species, such as mallards, flew over the prairies and parklands to boreal forests farther north, where wetland conditions are more stable.

Dry conditions were reflected in a 41 percent decline in the number of ponds found during May surveys in southern Canada and the north-central United States. May pond numbers fell to 2.7 million, from 4.6 million ponds last year, 45 percent below the long-term average. The 1.439 million May ponds found in southern Canada this year was the lowest number since that survey began in 1961. The previous low was 1.443 million in 1981. May ponds in the U.S. portion of the survey were down 32 percent this year compared to 2001.

"Periodic drought, though it may lead to short-term declines in duck numbers, is a characteristic feature of the Prairie Pothole Region and is necessary for the long-term productivity of prairie wetlands. Conservation efforts to restore wetland basins and improve nesting cover are continuing to make significant progress, and will enhance the value of water once it returns to the prairies," added Melius.

The cold spring temperatures found in much of the traditional survey area had another negative effect on nesting waterfowl this year. Winter-like conditions in May halted migration for two weeks, while lingering snow and ice may have caused some nest loss in the prairies and parklands.

Since the breeding ground surveys were flown, several inches to a foot or more of rain and/or snow have fallen over portions of Montana, the western Dakotas and the southern prairie provinces of Canada. However, most biologists believe that the precipitation was too late to help nesting waterfowl this year.

Habitat conditions in the eastern areas of Canada and the United States, which are not part of the traditional survey area, were good to excellent in southern regions, but poor in the north due to delayed spring ice break-up. At 4.4 million birds, the total breeding duck population in the eastern survey area is 32 percent higher than last year's level and 41 percent higher than the 1996-2001 average. This survey includes the eastern provinces and northeastern states and is a part of the Service's effort to expand the surveys outside the traditional midcontinent area. Most species estimates were similar to last year.

The entire 2002 Trends in Waterfowl Breeding Populations report can be downloaded from the Service's Web site at: http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports/reports.html.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit them at http://www.fws.gov

August is approaching fast and upon its arrival, the hunting season in Illinois will begin with the opening of squirrel season. I enjoy squirrel hunting because it gives you a chance to get back in the woods and sharpen your hunting skills. Squirrel hunting is also a wonderful opportunity to introduce a young person to hunting in general. Still-hunting and stalking these nervous little critters will teach youngsters how to travel through the woods quietly and focus on animal movement. These skills will serve them well in the future when they start to pursue bigger game.

While day dreaming about the upcoming squirrel season I thought about the Illinois Hunter Education course that I took with my daughter Rebecca last year. I remembered the instructor talking about the five stages of a hunter. I playfully started thinking about friends and family that hunt, placing them in one of the five categories.

Since we're all students of human nature I thought I would list the five categories for you. See where you and people you know fit in the developmental stages of hunting. Remember that not all people pass through each of the stages or in the same order.

(1) Shooter Stage
This hunter thinks good hunting means a lot of shooting. Beginning hunters tell of the chances that they had to shoot; Missing game is not as important as pulling the trigger.

(2) Limiting Out Stage
Limiting out is this hunter's goal. The most important thing to them is the number of animals shot.

(3) Trophy Stage
These hunters will only shoot certain game. They look for special animals. Shooting is less important to them.

(4) Method Stage
Hunting has become very important in this stage. They still want to take game, but more importance is placed on the equipment used and method of taking game. Bow and arrow, black powder, and the best skills are indicators of this stage.

(5) Sportsman Stage
After years of hunting, being with friends in the outdoors is more important than taking game. They enjoy the total hunting experience.

So, what do you think? Do you recognize yourself in any of the five stages? Personally, I think I am in the method stage at this point in my life. I also think we should all strive to become part of the sportsman stage.

I'm Kenny, no matter what hunting stage you're in I hope I have all of you in my corner.

ANSWER TO BACKWOODS TRIVIA:  Jamestown, Virginia. Founded on May 14, 1607 by a small group led by Captain Christopher Newport. And for the bonus question, Jamestown was named in honor of King James the First of England.

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