Wednesday, September 30, 2009

What is Endurance Outdoors?

Who and what is Endurance Outdoors? Our motto is "Train Hard! Hunt Hard!". With our passion for the outdoors and outdoor adventure we also bring you the best gear available for that adventure. The passion to be successful in the backcountry burns through our souls every day and the elements we experience require rugged and sturdy gear. In our online superstore we offer the best brands available today and are working to increase our catalog every day. Check back to the blog to find our newest gear.Post thoughts to comments.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

National Hunting & Fishing Day

NHF Day, formalized by Congress in 1972, has been called the most effective grassroots effort in history to educate the American public about hunting, fishing and conservation.
3 Reasons for Americans to Respect Hunters, Anglers

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- National Hunting and Fishing Day is set for Sept. 26, 2009.

Congress formalized the annual celebration 37 years ago but organizers say hunters and anglers deserve America's respect now more than ever.

"Recent-year surveys show nearly 8 in 10 Americans approve of hunting and more than 9 in 10 approve of fishing. That's strong support. But, when viewed in the context of a recession and other modern headlines, our sporting traditions look even better today," said Denise Wagner of Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo., the official home of NHF Day.

She added, "On NHF Day, I hope people will pause to reflect on hunter and angler contributions to society. And for those of us who've long understood and enjoyed these passions, share the pride by introducing someone new to hunting, fishing or shooting."

Here are three reasons for the American public to value hunting and fishing today:
Economic Impact
No bailouts needed here. Hunting and angling together are an economic force worth $76billion a year. In 2010, America's economic stimulus package will generate its highest level of federal spending at $236 billion—but hunters and anglers will spend almost a third of that amount all by themselves. A Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation report shows if hunters and anglers were a nation, their Gross Domestic Product would rank 57 out of 181 countries. About 1.6 million jobs depend on hunters and anglers. Gas stations, stores, restaurants, hotels and other businesses benefit, especially in rural America. And these recreations are comparatively recession proof. In the first half of 2009, hunting and fishing license sales actually gained 7.6 and 5.4 percent, respectively, over 2008, say the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.

Wildlife Management
Rabies, crop damages, nuisances. Hunting helps control these wildlife issues and many others—none more dramatic than highway accidents involving deer. White-tailed deer once were on the verge of extinction but rebounded behind historic conservation efforts. Today, deer numbers are skyrocketing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates 1.5 million deer collisions occur each year. Over 200 people are killed annually. According to a Western Transportation Institute calculation that includes costs of emergency response, injuries to driver and passengers, damages to vehicle and more, the 2009 average cost of hitting a deer is $6,600. Total public cost: $9.9 billion a year. Now consider that, nationwide, for every deer hit by a motorist, hunters take six. Imagine the human casualties and costs if hunting ended.

Conservation Funding
What if Congress announced a tax increase to cover $2 billion in annual expenses for conservation programs? Don't worry. Hunters and anglers are already paying that tab. For the privilege of consuming surplus, renewable game and fish resources, hunters and anglers purchase licenses. They also pay special excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, bows, arrows, rods and reels. Combined, these fees generate $100,000 every 30 minutes, more than $1.75 billion per year, for wildlife, fisheries and habitat programs. Hunters and anglers also contribute another $300 million a year to nonprofit organizations that extend conservation benefits even further. Results have brought many species—turkey, elk pronghorn, Canada goose, wood duck and others—and their habitats from vanishing to flourishing. These efforts enabled restoration of other species such as wolves. America's living landscape is a precious asset for all citizens who enjoy wildlife and wild places.

Country music star Luke Bryan is serving as honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day 2009.

NHF Day sponsors include Wonders of Wildlife, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, Sportsman Channel, Realtree, GunBroker.com, Hunting Heritage Trust, Cabela's, Boone and Crockett Club, Smith & Wesson, Field & Stream/Outdoor Life, Woolrich, Yamaha and Pope and Young Club.

For more information, visit www.nhfday.org.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Recipe: Super-Stuffed Tenderloin

Ingredients:

2 lb pork tenderloin

1 cup reduced-fat ricotta cheese

1/2 tsp dried basil

2 cups chopped fresh baby spinach leaves

1 jar (5 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and diced

Olive oil

Butterfly the loin by splitting it down the center, cutting it almost but not all the way through, and then opening the two halves so they lie flat (the shape should resemble a butterfly). Stir the cheese, basil, spinach and artichokes together and spread the mixture on the inside of the cut loin. Roll the loin closed and tie it with cord in at least five places. Preheat the oven to 400F. Place the pork in a roasting pan, brush it lightly with oil and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Roast for 25-35 minutes. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer until 160F. Makes 4 servings.

Per serving: 350 calories, 7g carbs, 10g fat, 1g fiber, 54g protein

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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Backcountry Training: Top Race Picks

We compiled a list of our Top 10 favorite races in preparing for your backcountry adventure. These races range from a 10K to ultramarathons. Whatever the distance, it's about moving out of your comfort zone and pushing yourself mentally and physically.

1. Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon

2. Bighorn Mountain Wild & Scenic Trail Run

3. Mount Washington Road Race

4. Mountain R.A.T.S.

5. Bolder Boulder

6. Teva Mountain Games Trail Run

7. Ni-Bathska-Ke Trail Run 12K

8. Canadian Death Race

9. The Jay Challenge

10. The North Face Endurance Challenge

Do you know of any other races or competitions that test mental and physical strength?

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

College Football vs Hunting Season

The fall is full of activities: school is back in session, hunting season is underway and college football is kicking off. For a family and all these activities it can be difficult to schedule time for everything. When the leaves start to turn how do you manage your schedule to allocate enough time for family, hunting and football?

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Monday, September 14, 2009

Opening Day of Hunting Season

Ah, the feeling of opening day. The preparation has finally paid off and the time has come to hit the field. You've spent so much time scouting, preparing, hanging stands, working food plots and tuning your gear and now everything come together. Today was the archery opener here in Nebraska and the weather has been absolutely great. Early season hunting is different because the weather is tough but the deer can be patterned.
How soon before the season do you hang deer stands or set up ground blinds? How many trail cameras do you use? Let us know any other tips that you use to push the odds in your favor once opening day hits.
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Friday, September 11, 2009

Backcountry Hunting Gear List

The final decisions have been made on our gear for the 2009 hunts. It looks like we should have several opportunities at quality animals and the gear needs to be in perfect order. When we are in the field, it is imperative that we use the best hunting and outdoor products on the market. We have spent countless hours in the field and on the trail testing and comparing products. If you have any questions about a certain product, we've probably researched it. Drop an email and let us know what you use at info@enduranceoutdoors.com.

Here's our equipment list for 2009:

Bow - Hoyt AlphaMax 32 (70#)

Sight - Spot-Hogg 7-pin Hunter Hogg-It with Hogg-Wrap

Stabilizer - Fuse Carbon Connexion Hunter 8"

Quiver - Fuse Satori 2-piece

Release - Scott Little Goose

Rest - Trophy Taker Full Containment Drop-Away

Arrows - Easton FMJ (27", 432 grains, 275 fps, 72 ft lbs of kinetic energy) with NAP QuikFletch

Broadheads - NAP Spitfire XP 100 grains

Sleeping Bag - Eureka Casper 30

Sleeping Pad - ThermaRest RidgeRest

Bivy - Cabela's Bivy Sack

Pack - Badlands 4500

Optics - Leupold Golden Ring 10x42

Rangefinder - Leupold RXII

Footwear - Cabela's Meindl

Clothing - RutWear Big Game Technologies EST

Camo: Realtree AP HD or Realtree Max-1

Cameras & video equipment - Olympus WP Digital Camera, Sony FX7 Video Camera

GPS - Garmin Vista

"Success is directly proportional to the level of training."

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Finding Out Who We Really Are - Mental Toughness

I found this quote the other day and immediately started thinking about the backcountry, "People begin running for any number of motives, but we stick to it for one basic reason-to find out who we really are."--George Sheehan, M.D.

For everyone at Endurance Outdoors our "motive" is to train and prepare for the backcountry and then the backcountry lets us know who we really are. DIY hunts are tough and the adventurers who embrace the elements need to be tougher if they plan on being successful.Let us know your "motive" and other ways you find out who you really are?

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Saturday, September 5, 2009

Training for your Backcountry Hunt

If you hunt like us, success during hunting season is directly related to the level of preparation. Preparing for DIY (do-it-yourself) public land hunts doesn't come from properly placed food plots or trail cameras. Instead it comes from intense training, like shooting archery 3D tournaments, running local road/trail races, and strength training. Hunting in the harsh conditions of the backcountry is rough mentally and physically. Year after year elk hunting success is around 10%. How can you be in the 10% who punches their tag? Follow these tips to push the odds in your favor.

Bowhunter's Strength Training: Strength is perhaps the most important factor to success in the backcountry. On the 10th day of a hunt, your body is worn down; you're hungry, thirsty, and tired. If you prepared properly, you can push through the pain and continue working hard to get in position on that bull elk of your dreams.

Strength training sessions should last 30-60 minutes and occur 4-5 times per week. Focus on total body movements like squats, dead-lifts, pull-ups, and push-ups. For example, a typical week would consist of lower body on Monday and Thursday and upper body on Tuesday and Friday. Everyone has 30 extra minutes that they can spare during the course of the day. It all comes down to commitment and how much you want to punch the tag. Hiking up and down the mountains at 10,000 feet is a total body adventure. Your strength workouts should simulate these conditions.

Backcountry Cardio Training: Getting out of your comfort zone during training will make those long epic hunting trips seem so much easier. The best way that we've found to escape from the comfort zone is to enter local road/trail races. These races can range from a 5K to a 50K. Whatever the distance, the key is pushing your personal limit and running as fast and as hard as you can. A minimum amount of training would include running for 45-60 minutes at least three times per week. I know plenty of bowhunters who routinely replace their lunch breaks with a run.Everyone lives close to a city that hosts a half-marathon or marathon. Entering these races keeps you motivated, brings out your competitive spirit, and ultimately prepares you for the backcountry. Our personal favorites are trail races with terrain that resembles the backcountry.

Details in the Equipment: Now that you have built a solid foundation of strength and cardiovascular endurance, your hunting equipment needs to be finely-tuned. Get to know your local pro-shop dealer and enter as many archery 3D tournaments as you can during the summer. Our favorite is running a local 5K or 10K in the morning and then heading to a 3D after the race. Shooting the 3D in a fatigued state is the pinnacle of training for DIY backcountry hunts. Making sure that your equipment is ready for the harsh mountain conditions will help you finish the long stalk on your P&Y bull. There's nothing worse than working hard to get into position and then your equipment fails. Don't overlook any details when it comes to your equipment.Like you, our lives revolve around hunting. We dream of big bucks and big bulls every day and we convert these dreams into motivation and use the energy in the weight room, on the trail, and at the archery range. Remember to push the limit, get out of your comfort zone, and prepare with no regrets. Follow these tips and you'll be closer at punching that elk tag this September. Train Hard! Hunt Hard!

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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Welcome to Endurance Outdoors

Our online superstore is up and running and the website is still undergoing updates. Feel free to browse and shop at http://www.enduranceoutdoors.com/. Drop us an email at info@enduranceoutdoors.com.

Is the site easy to use and follow? Did you find useful information on the site?
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