Outdoors Knowledge: 10 Things You Should Know Before Venturing Outdoors

1. Upon arriving at your favorite fishing hole, you find that someone else already occupies the spot.  What should you do?

You should move upstream from the person and start fishing a good distance above them.  You may then gradually work your way downstream, which is the direction preferred by most anglers.

2. Is it okay to chase wildlife while on an ATV, mountain bike, snowmobile or other vehicle?

No.  Animals work hard to forage for enough food and water to survive each day.  Harassment of an animal can lead to the weakening or injury of the animal, and in some cases, death.  You should also prevent your dogs from chasing any wildlife you encounter.

3. When it is raining and muddy it is better to walk on a designated trail, or off-trail?

It is best to walk in the center of a designated trail.  This reduces the amount of erosion to the trail, and helps to prevent enlarging it.

4. Is it a good idea to move wildlife young when they look lost or misplaced?

No.  Wildlife young should be left undisturbed.  The young are often attempting to hide, or they have a mother nearby who will return as soon as any sign of danger passes.  However, if the animal appears injured or in harm’s way please call your local wildlife protection agency. 

ODFW Office Phone # Directory: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/odfw_directory.htm

5. What is the cause of 1 out of every 5 human-related wildfires?

The cause of 1 out of every 5 human-related wildfires is camping or warming fires that get away from their source.  Upon arriving at a campsite, always use existing fire rings if you plan to have a fire.  If no fire ring exists, build an earthen pit rather than a rock fire ring.  It is also good practice to never remove burning sticks from a fire, always inspect your campsite before leaving, and make sure your fire is cold to the touch when you leave.

Three other causes of human-related wildfires are:

1. Parking on dry grass.  Remember keep your vehicle on hardened surfaces, and do not drive into meadows or cross-country.  Also, carrying water, a blanket, and shovel while traveling forested areas is always a good practice in case a small blaze does occur.

2. Careless smokers.  Careless smokers are the cause of 1 out of every 10 wildfires.  Cigarettes and cigars that are still burning should never be discarded outdoors.

3. The use of off-road vehicles.  In areas where off-road vehicles are allowed, spark arrestors are required on internal combustion equipment.  Check local regulations to see what else maybe required.

* See the Forest Service web site for more tips on preventing forest fires: http://www.fs.fed.us/.

6. True or False: If you can find an existing campsite that has been used before, you should make camp there instead of creating a new site.

True.  This will prevent further human impacts upon the natural landscape.  Also, use the earthen fire pits or rings that have already been created, as this will further reduce the impact you make.

7. Which part of your body is the most important to keep warm when exposed to cold?

Your head.  Unlike other areas of the body, your head cannot reduce its heat loss by constricting its blood vessels.  It is essential to wear a hat or hood to cover your head to keep radiant heat loss to a minimum.  If your head is uncovered, your body will have to work harder to keep regenerating the heat loss from your head, and this will reduce its ability to heat other parts of the body.

8. True or False:  It is acceptable to bury waste paper products (toilet paper) while in the forest, along with bodily waste.

False.  Waste paper products should be packed out along with all of your other garbage.  This other garbage may include aluminum foil, cans, glass, cigarette butts and plastic products.  It is recommended that you dig at least a 6-inch-deep hole in which to bury human waste.  The hole should also be located a minimum of 200 ft. away from any water sources such as lakes or rivers.

9. What is the best method for removing an imbedded tick?

*Use tweezers to grasp the tick as closely to the head as possible, then retract the tick by tugging until it lets go.   Twisting is not recommended, as that action may leave parts of the tick in the skin.  Those imbedded parts can later lead to an infection.  Make sure the tweezers you use are clean, and wash the affected area afterwards with soap and water.  It is also recommended that you use an antiseptic to clean the wound and the tweezers after the removal of the tick.  

Other good practices regarding ticks include:

1. Use preventive measures while in tick areas: cover exposed skin, check for ticks when coming in from the outside, and use tick repellent.
2. Be sure to check your pets frequently for ticks, and use tick-control products that are approved by your vet.

*If the tick is severely imbedded you should have your physician remove it.  You should also contact your physician if you believe you may be at risk for contracting Lyme Disease.

For information on Lyme Disease, go to the CDC Lyme Disease web site: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/

10. True or False: Incandescent lights attract mosquitoes, while florescent lights neither attract or repel them.

True. The best defense against mosquitoes (and therefore possible infection with the *West Nile virus) is to limit your exposure to them.  You can also limit your exposure by:

1. Controlling your environment.

• Avoid cool damp places where mosquitoes breed.
• Do not leave standing water in birdbaths, rain barrels, rain gutters, old tires, children’s pools, etc.  Change the water in these items at least once a week.
• Keep lawns, gardens, and hedges well trimmed to reduce shady areas for mosquitoes to rest.
• Mosquitoes are found in areas with little or no breeze, so avoiding these areas whenever possible is advisable.
• Avoid being out during peak times when mosquitoes are active.  These peak times include twilight periods at dawn and dusk.

2.  Wearing appropriate clothing.

• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid wearing heavy scents, especially perfumes.
• Use mosquito repellent.  Apply a light, even coating of repellent to clothing and exposed skin.  Remember to reapply the repellent, especially during activities where sweat or water may remove it.

*You can find information on the West Nile Virus on our West Nile Virus Links page.

CONTENT AND ADVICE DISCLAIMER
The information found in this feature and its links to other web sites is being provided for informational purposes only.  It has been supplied by reliable sources and it is believed to be accurate.  ODFW cannot be held responsible for any information found to be inaccurate, or any adverse effects arising from the use or misuse of this information.  The information provided here is not intended to substitute for advice provided by your physician or other medical professional.