When you enjoy the great outdoors you can hunt or fish, hike, camp or rock climb. But enjoying the outdoors also requires you to pay attention to your environment. If you don't pay attention—it's easy to get hurt or to end up somewhere that you don't want to be. Whenever you have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, such as taking in some bird watching or maybe canoeing down a rushing river, remember to tread lightly, pack out your trash and have fun.

Hunting

Hunting safety is paramount when you use weapons to hunt game. Hunting game requires a hunting license and training with the weapon. In all cases, check with your local fish and game department or navigate to your state's website and find out where you can get your hunting license. Some hunting seasons allow the use of bows and arrows only and then have a period to hunt with a gun. To protect the species in a certain area sometimes lotteries are conducted to choose the people who receive a hunting license. To find out more about hunting, check out any one of the many resources:

• Hunting Safety – The importance of being safe while hunting.
• Hunting and the Environment – How hunting can have positive effects on the environment.
• Feral Hogs (PDF) – All about hunting hogs in Texas.
• Hunting White Tailed Deer – Regulations for hunting deer in Michigan.
• Firearm Safety – Practice gun safety when hunting to avoid accidents.
• Hunting Bows – Hunting with Bows and Arrows.
• Stalk Hunting – Learning to walk silently when hunting.

Fishing

Humankind has been fishing ever since they found out that fish were good to eat. Early fishermen used spears and nets when fishing. Fishing, like hunting, usually requires a permit and the right equipment. Check with your state's health department, as some fish have a high mercury content in them and are not safe to eat. To find out more about fishing and equipment click on the interesting link:

• Fishing Tips – Techniques and tips for fishing.
• Sport Fishing – The impact of triploid trout in Washington.
• Fishing – Fishing is one of the world's oldest ways to make a living.
• Fishing Gear (PDF) – The basic fishing equipment for kids.
• Rods and Reels (PDF) – Learning to choose the right fishing rod.
• Hooks, Reels and More – A visual guide to fishing equipment.
• Great Lakes – Fishes of the Great Lakes.

Hiking

Most every community has local hiking trails nearby. When you hike, it's important to have the right hiking shoes to protect your feet. Always make sure someone knows where you're going when hiking and when they can expect you back. Letting someone know your hiking plans can be a lifesaver if you have an accident and can't get back timely. Many colleges and universities across the U.S. have hiking clubs for students and faculty. To find out more about hiking, follow any one of the links below:

• Hiking in New England – Northern New England offers many hiking trails.
• Mt. Monadnock – Hiking trails on Mt. Monadnock in Massachusetts.
• Virginia Hiking – Places to hike in Virginia with campgrounds.
• Bears – A guide to hiking in the vicinity of black bears.
• Day Hiking (PDF) – How to be prepared and safe when day hiking.
• Hiking – Information about hiking in Northwest Pennsylvania.
• Hiking Gear – Choosing the right hiking shoes and gear.

Camping

Getting a good night sleep when you're camping determines whether you enjoy your camping trip or not. This means you need a piece of foam or an air mattress to sleep on to help cushion you as you sleep. Choose a campground that has easy ingress and egress because you have to haul your camping equipment in and out. Some campgrounds don't allow fires in the summer so confirm where you can and can't camp and the local rules you must obey when camping. For links to information about camping, review any of the following:

• Camping Safety – How to be safe when camping.
• Thunderstorms – Learn safety during thunderstorms and lighting while camping.
• Camping Checklist – How to develop a checklist for camping.
• Winter Camping (PDF) – What you need for winter camping.
• Cooking Tips While Camping – Basic cooking supplies needed when camping.
• Camp Fire – Practice campfire safety while camping.
• Food Safety (PDF) – The Importance of food safety when camping.
• Camping Checklist – A complete list of camping gear needed.

Rock Climbing

Before you start out on a rock climbing journey, you need to have the right safety equipment and know how to use it. Many schools offer beginner's or basic rock climbing safety courses. Whether free climbing or climbing with a safety harness and other equipment, always climb with another person. Having the right shoes can keep you safe when rock climbing. Check out any one of these resources for more information on rock climbing:

• Rock Climbing Techniques – The importance of developing safe practices when rock climbing.
• Basic Rock Climbing (PDF) – A written course in the approach to rock climbing.
• Hiking Gear (PDF) – Outfitting yourself properly with a safety harness.
• Equipment (PDF) – An equipment list for rock climbing.
• Climbing Gear (PDF) – Climbing gear and corresponding strengths.
• Indoor Rock Climbing – An up and coming sport, indoor rock climbing provides added safety.
• Rock Climbing Knots – A guide to understanding and creating the right climbing knots.
• First Aid Kit – A list of items for your first aid kit.

Canoeing

People canoe on lakes, the ocean or rivers. Club groups go out on weekend treks, hauling their canoe on their shoulders to upstream spots when white water canoeing. Learning to paddle a canoe may look easier than it is at first and knowing how to right yourself when the canoe tips over is important when canoeing on fast-moving rivers. Gain experience with a canoe before attempting to start on a white water canoeing trip. Keep safety first and foremost—when canoeing or enjoying the great outdoors. To read more about canoeing, click on any one of the links below:

• Canoeing – Getting started in canoeing.
• Yukon Canoeing – National Outdoor Leadership School teaches canoeing in the Yukon.
• Whitewater – What is whitewater canoeing and kayaking?
• Water Snakes – Learn to recognize and avoid water snakes while canoeing.
• Canoeing Safety (PDF) – A guide to safety while canoeing.
• Hawaiian Canoe Building – How Hawaiian canoes were built.
• Birchbark Canoes (PDF) – How birchbark canoes were made by the early Indians.

Birdwatching

Birding, as it is typically called, takes patience and quiet. But if you have these in abundance, you can enjoy the different birds of a region, no matter where you are. Several birding books are available to help you identify the birds in your area. Birding requires a good pair of shoes and binoculars. Hard-core ornithologists keep logs of the birding activities and the birds they have seen. Read more on birding from any one of the many sites listed:

• Round Robin – Cornell University's blog on ornithology.
• Birdwatching Basics – University of Florida offers bird watching resources.
• Birdwatching in Central Park – A guide to birdwatching in New York's Central Park.
• California County – A clickable map of California that provides a guide to birdwatching.
• Birdwatching Guide (PDF) – A Porter County birding guide.
• South Dakota – Birdwatching in South Dakota.
• Birding Basics – Understanding the basics to birdwatching.
• Avian Science Center – Basics to birdwatching from the University of Montana.