Wildling Bushcraft

HOUSTON AUDUBON BEAK OF THE WEEK: Great-horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Family: Strigidae Standing about 2 feet tall with a wingspan of up to 5 feet, the Great Horned Owl is the largest owl in Texas. The two large feather tufts on top of the head give it the appearance of having horns, hence the name. Great horned owls are highly adaptable and use a broad range of habitats that includes deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, desert, tundra edges, and tropical rainforest, as well as cities, orchards, suburbs, and parks. The birds may nest in a variety of sites including older nests of hawks, in the fork of large tree limbs, and holes and natural cavities in trees. During their courtship phase, the deep bass, low key series of Hoo H’hoos can heard from a surprising distance as the birds call to each other or to announce their availability. It sounds like the owls are saying, “Who’s awake? Me too!”…

Second Generation of my primitive smokers. This one worked great and didn’t burn my precious jerky! I did 2.5 pounds this time.

Marinade Recipe:

2.5 pounds Flank Steak

5 Tablespoons Salt

3 Teaspoons Black Pepper

1 Teaspoon Garlic

1/3 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

It’s a misconception that the bow is a peasant’s weapon. While the English archers were primarily peasants, they trained specifically to be archers. Laws were enacted to begin archery training early, and for group practice to be mandatory every week after church. Some laws even banned popular sports when English kings felt they were distracting the youth from their bows.