THE RUSSIANS, AN UPDATE

In the December 1999 newsletter I reported a scam by Russian people using credit cards. The Russians have accomplices in Finland, which borders Russia. A Finnish person gives a credit card number to a friend in Russia and when the Finnish credit card holder gets the bill they advise their bank that the card was used illegally or was stolen, or some such excuse. Since it was not signed for at the seller's location the seller is out the merchandise as well as the money. That is what has happened to me as well other merchants in the United States.

I will no longer accept any credit card orders from anyone living in Russia or Finland. They must now send me money orders payable in U.S. currency.

When discussing the situation with credit card company employees, they advised me that this form of scam is rampant. Several readers of the newsletter have informed me of similar actions against them or some one they know.

HUNTING CLOTHING

When I came to Colorado in 1988 numerous hunters visited me. All of them were looking for better clothing: warmer, softer or noiseless, and so forth. At the time I did not hunt myself, so I had little knowledge of what a hunter should wear. I have been an active hunter for the past eight years and have learned both by experience and talking with other hunters what is necessary to make a hunting garment a hunting garment.

I am happy to say that hunters throughout the country have adopted many of my ideas. I am now pleased to announce that I have available what I think is the best camouflage print available: Shadow Grass. It is printed on a brushed polyester fabric, is very wind resistant, water repellent treated, and doesn't get stiff and noisy in cold conditions.

I am making the Fossil Ridge-style parka with zip-in liners available, as well as bibs that also have a liner. In addition, for duck hunters I am making the insulated float suit with the Shadow Grass, printed fabric.

WATERPROOF BREATHABLE

This is a subject I can't get away from. I get calls every week from people who think materials such as Goretex actually work as advertised. It is obvious that they haven't read what I've written about in the past. Wouldn't it be great if everybody going into the woods read my newsletters? In any event as I address these questioned I think of more examples demonstrating that Goretex and all the other materials with the same characteristics don't work as advertised.

I recall an experience I had in November 1995 while hunting near Gunnison, Colorado. It was in the Fossil Ridge Wilderness Area, at an elevation of 12,000 to 13,000 feet. Simply put-I got lost. I spent the better part of two days in a snowstorm. I walked a lot, I sweated a lot, and I was never cold. I was wearing the fishnet long underwear I produce. The moisture migrated through my clothing and eventually froze on the exterior of my parka. There was no moisture on the inside of the parka or in any layer of clothing that I was wearing. Had I been wearing an outer garment made with one of those materials, the moisture would have condensed on the inside of the garment. This was demonstrated in the early '80s by the military, when they first tested Goretex material garments in the field, with temperatures around 0 degrees, the same temperatures I was experiencing.

No matter if it is a jacket or down-filled sleeping bag with a shell material laminated to one of these films, the moisture never seems to pass through the fabric. I do advise people to try some exercises at the store while wearing one of these jackets. They can then see for themselves that the moisture condenses on the interior of the jacket.

Unfortunately I expect that I will have to continue to respond to new people unfortunately for sometime to come, saying, "no, there is no such material that keeps the rain out, and also lets the sweat out."

NEW PRODUCTS

The Photon Micro-Light II flashlight is tiny, but extremely powerful. It is 1 1/2 inches long, fits on a key chain, weights very little, less than an ounce. It has a Lithium battery that is guaranteed to last for 10 years of normal use and will burn for seven days continuously.

If you are a navigator you will appreciate the red lens. The light is so bright it can be seen from a mile away. The casing is unbreakable.

Like many other small flashlights, all you do is squeeze it to light it; this one has a switch that will keeps it burning, so it can be turned off and on, just like full size flash- lights.

Cost $20.00

INSULATED FLOTATION SUITS FOR CHILDREN

I have received many requests from the Alaskan market for an insulated flotation suit, since along the coastal area, from Yakutat to Ketchikan, daily travel is frequently over water. During the summer people use skiffs and during the winter they are on snow machines.

We have sold many of our adult-size suits and have had requests for suits in children's sizes. They are now available, with all of the same features in the adult suits.

The size range will accommodate children from ages five and older. I expect to have stock in late May or early June. I further expect the price of these garments to be about $200.00. Color choices will be yellow or orange.