There are times when there are scraps of outdoor information available, but there isn’t enough information to make a column. These can be called snippets, scraps, odds and ends or leftovers.

This dilemma has bothered me for some time. A solution always seemed to be an inch away, but a resolution has been found: Simply include a bunch of these scraps in one column. Read on.

Buck Knife Factory Tour

Buck Knives are well known around the world. Their factory is located in Post Falls, Idaho. Free factory tours are offered, free of charge, Monday through Thursday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Reservations are required by calling 800-326-2825, ext. 172. The 45-minute tour requires fully closed shoes, toe and heel. Check the Buck Knife website at: buckknives.com.

The word “that”

Garnet and I belong to a writers’ organization. The Northwest Outdoor Writers’ Association. NOWA is a regional organization covering Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, plus the Yukon and Northwest territories.

NOWA has members in most of our area, but there are more polar bears than members in both territories.

One of the benefits of these organizations is a monthly newsletter. Most months include a craft improvement section. One time there was a discussion of the word “that.”

The word is certainly used frequently in the written word and spoken word. The word is used too often and is possibility not needed at all.

Using that: “She said that she was cold.” Eliminating that: “She said she was cold.”

Using that: “That’s his wife over there.” Eliminating that: “His wife is over there.”

OK, so it seems odd including this explanation of a single word, as some readers don’t write columns or stories. However, those who write reports will find their writings stronger with the word eliminated. The word “that” has been banned from my writings, as a self-restricted limitation.

Walking/shooting sticks

A walking stick was only recently added to hunting and hiking equipment. Now there are five in the inventory. Three are made of wood, which Garnet won in raffles. Two are made of a plastic-type material. One of these is the Primos Trigger Stick.

The advantage of using a shooting stick became apparent a few years when my .30-06 brought down a cow elk at 390 yards. The Trigger Stick now serves as my walking stick and shooting stick when hunting.

The tripod has a trigger, which, when pulled, drops the legs to the desired height. This is an easy to use and stable platform for long shots.