I created an award-winning book by myself with no formal training. Such a project is not for the faint of heart. — NOTE: My book is a non-fiction work about herpetology and conservation (a niche market, to be sure). This article is not intended to promote my book. This story is meant to clarify some of the processes that went into this project for the benefit of other aspiring self-published authors. I…

Regardless of your political views on the right to keep and bear arms, firearm safety and proficiency is indisputably a valuable survival skillset. — Let me be clear right off the bat. This article isn’t meant to make you like guns. I’m not here to change your views about the right to keep and bear arms. You’re going to make your own decisions about that issue. What I am here to do is impress…

Most people don’t give much thought to preparedness until they experience a disaster for themselves. For example, I daresay quite a few of us are more keenly aware now of how much toilet paper we have on hand than we were before COVID-19. In the past (hopefully less so now)…

Some tips and tricks you should know about fires before heading into the wild. — Being able to build a fire in the wilderness is absolutely integral to outdoor survival, yet it remains a skill that many people sadly lack. Sure, just about anyone can get a blaze going with some store-bought tinder and enough lighter fluid, but the goal is to get rid of…

You don’t need a whole-house generator to stay cool and connected. — Let’s talk about power. No, not whether you can lift me over your head with one arm- electrical power. First off, let’s admit that people have been doing without electrical power for the vast majority of recorded history. Can you simply go old school in the woods or during an…

Practical Tips and Tricks to Help the Average Person Survive Extraordinary Situations — If you have been alive during 2020, you have probably felt the need for disaster preparedness. I am not talking about kooky conspiracy theories. There are plenty of enough very real disasters and emergencies in the world without anyone having to dig around in the shadows to find them. This publication aims to introduce you to everyday tips and tricks that you can put to use…

What Facebook needs is a vaccine for viral misinformation. — Being a wildlife educator has its ups and downs. When you help someone get past their “only good snake is a dead snake” thinking and they start letting wildlife go in peace, that is a win worth celebrating. However, some days it feels like the wins are drowned out by…

A look at the available data and how we present this information — As always, when talking about snakebites, let’s start with the number one thing you should take away from the discussion. If you see a snake that you cannot positively identify as harmless, simply leave it alone. The next best advice is to practice situational awareness when outdoors. In other words…