Hot Outdoor Recreation How-Tos

How To: Make an All-Night Campfire with Just One Log

The next time you're out camping, whether it's outdoors in the wilderness or right outside in your own backyard, try this hack out for an effortless campfire all night long. While there is definitely some prep work involved, it's well worth it if you don't need a huge bonfire, and more so if you plan on cooking meals over the flames.

How To: Clean your skateboard griptape

In this tutorial, we learn how to clean your skateboard grip tape. To do this, you will need: window cleaner, an old toothbrush, and paper towels. After this, you will spray the area with the window cleaner and then scrub it with the toothbrush. Scrub it until it comes up clean and there is no dirt left on the surface. From here, you will need to use the paper towels to clean the residue off of your board. Make sure to dry it off completely so you don't waterlog your board. do this to all the...

How To: toeside sideslip in snowboarding

In this tutorial we learn how to toeside sideslip in snowboarding. Keep your head up and your eyes looking directly uphill. Bend your knees and maintain a straight upper body. Make sure to go slowly and take your time so you are more likely to get the feel of the hill. Apply pressure to your toe edge by driving your knees towards the snow. Also, maintain even weight on both feet with your arms to the side for more balance. Once you have these tips practiced and learned, you will become a bett...

How To: Make a cheap but realistic goose call

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a realistic goose call. The materials required for this project are: a plastic bottle cap, scissors, rubber band and a piece of paper. Begin by making a small hole in the bottle cap. Then wrap the paper around the other side of the bottle cap and secure it with the rubber band. Now just blow in the hole and make a humming sound to create a goose call. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy goose hunting, and would like to learn how to...

How To: Catch more crawfish

In this tutorial, we learn how to catch more crawfish. First, you will need to have a crawfish trap that is long and has a large door on it. Some different kinds of bait that you can use include: blue gill, shell crackers, red ears, perch, and any other fresh water fish. Take the bait and place them into a hook on the outside of the trap. You will want to hook them through the eye and place as many as you can on the hook. Now, you can place the trap into the water and close the trap up. Now, ...

How To: Bundle kindling

In this tutorial, we learn how to bundle kindling. First, gather up 25 pieces of kindling together and tie it together with a rope on two ends and in the middle. Before you do this, you will cut the tops off of the kindling so you are just left with the branches. The water will go through these and it will build the bank up, that is what these kindling bundles were created for. You can bundle kindling in larger groups or smaller groups, depending on what you need it for. These were once used ...

How To: Properly buff a snowboard

Buffing a snowboard usually occurs after it's been waxed and scraped properly. This is usually the final step for a snowboard and really helps with the overall cosmetic look of the board. Buffing it from tip to tail will lead to a nice smooth base for a nice looking finish. To do this, check out the tutorial above and enjoy!

How To: Tie off a suspension ring with a basic knot

This video tutorial is in the Outdoor Recreation category which will show you how to tie off a suspension ring with a basic knot. Weld less rings are used as connection points for a variety of purposes. However, riggers quite often make tying a ring unnecessarily complicated. All that is required is a basic knot and a few hitches. For this you will need to tie the running overhand knot. Take a rope, bend it in half and tie it to a suspension point. Now pass both ends of the rope through the r...

How To: Improve your roll tack technique when sailing

To some, sailing is more than just relaxing, it's a sport. When sailing at high speeds is races, you may find yourself in need of a way to get through a tack quickly. Being able to tack in sailing is good, but you need to perfect this into a roll tack. This allows you to turn more efficiently and with more speed. The ingredients of a good roll tack are a little hard to find. In this video, you'll learn the more straight forward things you can do to improve your roll tack.

How To: Wrap a wooden staff in rope

In this Outdoor Recreation video tutorial you will learn how to decoratively wrap a wooden staff in rope. First make the clove hitch at one end of the wooden staff, and tighten it firmly. Pass the rope around the staff and take the working end of the rope above the standing end, take another turn and pass it under itself. Push the knot to the end of the staff and tighten firmly. Next step is making a spiral hitch. Take the other end of the rope to the other end of the staff, put a half clove ...

How To: Rig a crankbait

In this Outdoor Recreation video tutorial you will learn how to rig a crankbait. It is so named because it floats on the water and does nothing until the crank is turned. The turning of the crank provides the action to the bait and attracts fish to it. To rig it, there is an attachment point on the diving lip of the crankbait; it can be a small hole for the line to be passed through or a split ring to attach the line. Tie the line to the lip with a clinch knot and you are in business. In case...

How To: Fish and adjust the popping cork rig

When fishing, many people use more than just a rod and fishing line. There are many different kind of tools and equipment that fishermen use to help catch a nice big fish. One thing that is used is a popping cork rig. Fishermen usually use this to help catch fresh and saltwater fish. It's easy to add to your rod and easy to adjust. So in this tutorial you'll find out how to do just that. So good luck and enjoy!

How To: Make a comfy DIY camping chair for less than 5 dollars

Not every camper is looking to totally "rough it" while they are in the woods. In this clip, learn how to make a comfy, folding camping seat out of cheap supplies for less than five bucks! This foam pad is far better than the ones you buy at those expensive camping stores and because you made it yourself, you know it will work. The best part? If you lose it or it gets ruined out there in the wilderness, it was so cheap and easy to make that you can just create another one!

How To: Go vertical on a surfboard

In this video, surf pro Joel Parkinson gives you his best tricks for getting vertical on your surfboard. Getting vertical basically entails moving your body completely to its side so you are standing on top of the wave. Joel offers some awesome tips and tricks for practicing your vertical turns.

How To: Tie a sliding Snell fisherman's knot

Know your knots! Learn to tie a sliding Snell fisherman's knot with this free video guide. When tying the sliding snell fishing knot, it's like tying the common snell, but you'll be adding an extra line. The knot is easy to tie provided, of course, you know how to go about making it. For an easy-to-follow, step-by-step overview of how to tie this useful fisherman's knot in a minute's time or less, watch this free video knot tyer's guide.

How To: Tie a bowline fishing knot

Know your knots! With this free video tutorial, you'll learn how to tie a bowline knot. The great thing about a bowline knot is that no matter how much tension is applied, it will always slip back out when you want it to. The knot is easy to tie provided, of course, you know how to go about making it. For an easy-to-follow, step-by-step overview of how to tie this useful fisherman's knot in a minute's time or less, watch this free video knot tyer's guide.

How To: Make homemade fish bait

In this video, learn how to make fish bait - the easy way! This bait works well for perch, bluegills and other smaller fish. The ingredients for this type of bait are cheap and you probably already have a lot of them in your pantry or refrigerator.

How To: Make homemade catfish bait to catch catfish

Catfish are great - they taste good and are friendly fish to catch. In this tutorial, learn how to save some money and make your very own catfish bait at home. This method of creating bait is very simple and can be made with ingredients you already have in your house. The ingredients for this bait might sound tasty to you, but don't try and eat it! The fish will find this concoction as yummy as a human would and you will be sure to catch plenty of catfish with this recipe!

How To: Fully take apart a BMX bike

BMX is one of the most coolest sports out there and features some of the most difficult and dangerous tricks out there. So, if the time ever comes where you need to take apart your BMX bike piece-by-piece, you'll know how to do it thanks to this two part tutorial. Enjoy!

How To: Whistle very loud with your fingers inside your mouth

Learn how to whistle very loud with your fingers inside your mouth in simple steps. 1. First fold the front part of your tongue backwards and insert any two fingers from both hands, then blow the air out. 2. You can use your two small fingers, index fingers, middle finger and; others to blow out the whistle. 3. The most difficult part is using your thumb and index finger together to blow a whistle. 4. You can also use any two fingers together and also your thumbs by practicing with them to pe...

How To: Bait a fishing hook

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to put bait on a fishing hook. Be careful when working with the hooks. Begin by taking off the hook from the rod and put the bait on the hook. Depending on the bait, users will need to use the whole or half of the bait. With the head of the worm, put the hook into the side of the head. Now thread the worm through the point of the hook, until it cover the shank of the shank of the hook. This video will benefit those viewers who are interested in fishin...

How To: Set up and fly fish with a double nymphing rig

Need some advice on fly fishing? Fly fishing is a distinct and ancient angling method of fishing, most notably as a method of catching trout or salmon. Fly fishing is also well employed today for a large variety of species other than trout and salmon, including pike, bass, panfish, grayling, carp, redfish, snook, tarpon, bonefish, and striped bass.

How To: Shoot a bow in 8 steps

The 8 steps of shooting a bow in archery. This tutorial in proper shooting covers stances, grip, nocking the arrow, grasp, raise, draw and more. This is a beginner archery lesson covering the mechanics of shooting.

How To: Tie an Icicle Hitch Variant knot

Learn how to tie a variation on an Icicle Hitch - This version can easily be tied in the middle portion of the fixed object with no need to pass a bight over the end. The Icicle Hitch is a knot with far greater holding power than a Rolling Hitch, used to secure a rope to a railing, pole, or another rope where the direction of pull is along the length of the fixed object. This knot greatly resists sliding and slipping. This knot can be used in sailing, boating, general use, camping and bondage.

How To: Tie a Draw Hitch or Thief Hitch

Learn how to tie a Draw or Thief Hitch - a means of securing a rope with two standing ends - one end is load bearing, and the other can be pulled to release the knot. I used this knot extensively for raising the mast on my first trailor-sailor - Tie this above the spreaders, stand the mast up, then pull on the release line to untie it without having to climb aloft. This knot can be used in sailing, boating, general use, camping and bondage.

How To: Big wall climb with a basic jumaring technique

This is part of the 'How To Big Wall Book' series on rock climbing. In this segment Chris McNamara demonstrates basic jumaring technique for rock climbing overhang or low angle terrain. This technique for over hanging terrain called jumaring is to reduce arm strain and ascending walls. He then shows you how to ascend a vertical or low angle terrain. This video is shot at El Capitan in California.

How To: Tie a uni fishing knot

Check out this fishing tutorial video that demonstrates how to tie a Uni fishing knot. Th Uni knot is the most common knot used to tie Line to terminal tackle knot. Just follow the simple steps as outlined in this instructional fishing video and learn how to tie a Uni fishing knot. Start reeling in the big fish!

How To: Tie a noose loop knot for trapping animals

This simple noose can be done quickly and is ideal for trapping small game. This video serves as a step by step detailed guide on how to tie it. Shown in two ways, a simple one and a more involved way that makes the rope and noose move more easily. Watch this video hunting tutorial and learn how to tie a looped knot noose for trapping animals and game.