Black Bears, Blackberries and the Time of Your Life
Chuck Fitzgerald C2005. All Rights Reserved.
I am an outdoor super-enthusiast and a technophile. I once
thought this was a rare combination but just recently I've
discovered there are lots of us around. I'm a little
disappointed in this new discovery because I really wanted to be
different but looking at the bright side, being a tech junkie has
helped me to truly appreciate everything the outdoors has to
offer. Let me try to explain.
While hunting elk in Arizona a few years ago, I found myself
alone in a high forest nearly ten miles from the pavement and
about two miles from camp. I had decided to spend late afternoon
and evening sitting beneath a forty foot pine tree and wait for
an elk to walk by. This plan seemed innocent enough but as the
day's light began to disappear shooting an elk might not be such
a good idea since I was by myself and I was an hour from camp.
This is ironic to say, because shooting an elk was the purpose of
my being in the woods to begin with. As it was dusk and getting
darker every moment, I was questioning my decision to stay where
I was. Perhaps I should start back?
As I was about to stand and begin my trek back to camp, I caught
movement off to my right. I froze half way towards standing. I
saw a black bear running through the trees about 30 yards away.
It stopped to eat a mere 25 yards from me but it didn't seem to
notice me. It was the first bear I had seen in the wild and it
was close. The ones in Yellowstone National Park that come up to
the cars on the road for a snack don't count in my book. Seeing
this bear in its own element was the best thing that happened to
me on my 10 day adventure. I'll never forget it or the fact that
I don't have any pictures of my first bear or that I got lost
going back to camp. I was not prepared properly.
That day when I returned to camp, I decided that if I am going to
put myself in situations to see true wild life in true wild
places, I not going to let my gear, or lack there of, jeopardize
my adventure. Therefore, immediately following this trip I
purchased a digital camera designed for the outdoor enthusiast.
One that is fast to get on target, easy to use and takes fabulous
photos. I upgraded my two-way radio to a 5 mile capability so I
could stay in touch with the campsite. I upgraded my portable
GPS unit too. I needed one with better trip planning tools.
I now keep a journal everyday in my RIM Blackberry PDA when I
return to camp, and spend time plotting waypoints in my GPS for
the next day's adventure. Technology has given me the tools and
the confidence to get the absolute most out of my outdoor life.
If you haven't invested in some of these great technologies, you
may be missing out on the time of your life. Use this
information and you'll Get It Right The First Time. Get
Outdoors!
Chuck Fitzgerald is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys,
an online specialty store with the "Best Gear Out There" and
dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts to "Get It Right The
First Time" with timely educational information. Please visit
http://www.BackCountryToys.com
to find great gear and to receive
the Fact & Tips e-newsletter, "FreshAir." (800) 316-9055.
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