Why I Started Reading Sports Afield
Couple months back, I was scrolling online looking for camping tips and kept seeing folks mention Sports Afield. Thought “whatever, probably just some old-school magazine.” But my buddy Dave left a copy in my truck after our fishing trip last Tuesday. Figured I’d flip through it while waiting at the mechanic.
When I cracked it open at page 17, there was this wild section on tracking deer through muddy terrain. Noticed I always messed up near creek beds during hunting season, so I scribbled notes right there in the waiting room. Grabbed my hiking boots first thing Saturday morning to test their method.
Putting Their Tips to Work
Took the damn magazine into the woods with me. Found this muddy patch by Cooper’s Creek and tried what they said:
- Poked the mud with my boot to check depth before stepping
- Checked low branches for fresh scuff marks every 50 feet
- Looked for broken ferns instead of just hoof prints
Walked slower than my grandma using a walker, but holy crap – spotted 3 deer trails I’d normally miss! Even found a shed antler stuck in some brambles near the water. Stomped back to my truck after 2 hours like I won the damn lottery.
The Real Surprise
What got me hooked wasn’t just hunting tricks. Was reading in bed later and saw their guide on making a fire in pouring rain. Called BS on that one. Next drizzle day, grabbed some birch bark and twigs from my yard.
Followed their stupidly simple steps:
- Shaved wet bark into feathery curls
- Made a teepee with pencil-thin sticks
- Used my shield jacket like a dumb human umbrella
Lit on the third match. Stood there soaked to my underwear laughing at the smoking pile like an idiot. Took a photo for my camping group chat – all the guys demanded I share the magazine.
Why I Keep Reading It
Now I grab every issue at the gas station. Not cause it’s fancy, but cause their crap actually works. No theories or influencer nonsense – just field-tested methods by folks who’ve messed up before. Last month’s issue saved my kayak trip when I used their knot trick to tie down gear during wind storms.
Still can’t fish worth a damn though. Maybe next month’s article…
