About HCS

We're committed to sharing our knowledge with you so that you can spend more time
Hiking, Camping and Shooting ..........
.......instead of wasting your valuable time just getting prepared for your adventures.

Why Would Our Opinions Matter to You?

Since there are lots of sites out there sharing their wisdom about Hiking, Camping and Shooting why should you care about our opinions?

Like most of you we are just an average family that likes the outdoors. We have lots of ongoing activities and don’t “live and breathe” the outdoor life - so we can’t spend all of our time and money testing and comparing the latest gear.
- We want to spend our time "Adventuring" not shopping for gear.
But, over the years we have learned a lot of lessons and accumulated a great set of gear (and information sources) that works for us; and we wanted to share the general outdoor and specific gear knowledge that we have acquired.
For what it's worth, I have been an outdoor adventurer my entire life. My detailed Hiking, Camping and Shooting biography includes:
- Spent hundreds of days hiking and nights camping in locations around the world in all kinds of climates and weather
  - Eagle Scout at age 14
    - National Eagle Scout Association - https://nesa.org/
  - Philmont Ranger at Boy Scouts of America National Scout Ranch
    - Philmont Scout Ranch - https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/
    - Philmont Staff Association - https://www.philstaff.org/
  - Moved 35 times and lived in 16 different States and 1 other country
  - Traveled to all 50 of the United States and 59 other countries
- Grew up as an Army Brat and started shooting at age 9
  - Given first .22 caliber rifle by father at age 10
  - Given first 410 shotgun by grandfather at age 13
  - Achieved Sharpshooter with seven bars at age 15 in Junior NRA .22 caliber 50 foot shooting program
    - National Rifle Association (NRA) - https://explore.nra.org/interests/youth-interests/
  - Have completed hundreds of hours of training with handguns, carbines, rifles and shotguns to include training in the areas of:
    - Concealed Carry
    - Armed Defense in the Home
    - Responding to the Active Shooter
    - Judgemental Tactics
    - Functional Pistol Application
    - Functional Carbine Application
    - Progressive Carbine
    - Fighting Shotgun
    - Defensive and Tactical Shooting
    - Tactical AR usage
    - Tactical AK usage
    - 3-Gun Utilization: Tactical Shotgun & Carbine & Pistol
    - United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) Competition
  - With training organizations that include:
    - Center Mass Weapons Training - Scott Germain
      - https://centermassweaponstraining.com/goal
    - F.A.S.T - Firearms and Survival Training - Mac MacQuarrie
      - https://arinaldi23.wixsite.com/firearmsandsurvival
    - Gun Owner's Action League (GOAL) - Jon Green
      - https://goal.org/Training
    - Interactive Gunfighting - Greg Cruz
      - https://interactivegunfighting.com/
    - Ken Allen Training - Ken Allen
      - https://kenallentraining.us/
    - Mass Firearms School (MFS)
      - http://www.massfirearmsschool.com/
    - Runenation - Ian Strimbeck
      - https://www.runenationllc.com/
    - United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA)
      - https://www.hsasports.com/uspsa-activity/
  - Currently an active member of two local gun clubs and 4 State/National organizations:
    - Gun Owner's Action League (GOAL): https://www.goal.org/
    - Gun Owners of America (GOA): https://www.gunowners.org/
    - National Rifle Association (NRA): https://home.nra.org/
    - United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA): https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/
- Air Force Veteran
  - Completed Air Force Survival, Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) Training at age 19
  - Received Free Fall Parachute Wings at age 20
  - Graduated from the United States Air Force Academy
  - Served on active duty as an Air Force Officer for 12 years
- Scuba certified at age 11 while living in Hawaii
  - National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) - https://www.naui.org/
  - Diving experience in Hawaiian Islands, Caribbean and Great Barrier Reef
- These days I most commonly Hike, Camp and Shoot with my wife and 19-year old daughter

What’s the Normal Process for Buying Hiking, Camping and Shooting Gear?

Step 1 – Figure out what type of generic gear you need for your situation
- For example: tent, sleeping bag, first aid kit, ammo, etc.,
Step 2 - Look for specific gear in the general categories
- For example: sleeping bags from various manufacturers
Step 3 – Compare the specific gear options based on your needs
- For example: 3-season sleeping bags vs. 4-season bags; down bags vs. fiber bags; mummy bags vs. square bags; $25 bags vs. $400 bags; 1 pound bags vs. 6 pound bags
Step 4 – Select the specific gear that you want to purchase
Step 5 – Find a location that sells the gear
Step 6 – Purchase the gear
Step 7 – Take the gear on an adventure

Details of How We Do What We Do

What's our overall approach to gear selection here at Hiking, Camping and Shooting (HCS)?

Determine which general categories of gear you “must have” for the activity you are planning
Determine the evaluation criteria important to you by examining your situation
- Number of people participating
- Ages of people participating
- Geographic location and terrain
- Distance that you are planning to travel
- Likely weather conditions
- Level of experience of the participants
- Likelihood of needing to use each piece of gear
- Your budget
- Ease with which item can be initially purchased or replaced
Locate information of the options for the specific gear
Research and Evaluate the specific gear against your criteria
Select the specific gear that you like
Purchase the specific “must have” gear that you have selected
Determine which additional types of items you “might need” for contingency situations
Repeat the steps above to evaluate and buy the specific gear that you “might need"
Determine which additional types of items you “want” for other reasons
Repeat the steps above to evaluate and buy the specific gear that you “want”
Prioritization is key
- Both in purchasing the gear (due to costs) and packing the gear (due to weight and volume constraints)

How were the general Hiking, Camping and Shooting needs determined?

Based on our years of experience Hiking, Camping and Shooting
Augmented by detailed reviews of other information sources
- Internet Sites
- Books
- Magazines
- Discussions with other knowledgeable people

Why did we select the specific Hiking, Camping and Shooting gear that we did?

Our situation and needs
Our assessment of the priority order of evaluation criteria relevant to us
Our budget

Legal Disclaimer

Any activity involving hiking, camping, disaster preparedness and especially shooting firearms is potentially dangerous and could result in property damage, serious injury, disabling injury or death. All activities should be conducted in a responsible manner. The information presented on this website regarding hiking, camping, disaster preparedness, First Aid and shooting (to include firearms, firearms handling, tactics, training, legal issues and marksmanship techniques) gear, techniques and activities reflect the opinion of the authors based on their experience and training.

This information, including gear reviews, activities, adventure locations, training techniques, First Aid techniques and recommendations, are valid under specific circumstances that cannot be exactly duplicated by the reader. The authors disclaim any responsibility for the misuse of or misinterpretation of information contained in this website. In addition the authors disclaim any and all responsibility for any liability incurred by any individual as a result of using the information on this website.

Similarly, unless specifically noted, none of the authors of this website are licensed attorneys. Any information contained in this website on legal issues SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE. The opinions expressed are informed opinions based on the authors’ experience with and understanding of the appropriate statutes. It is NOT GUARANTEED to be CORRECT, COMPLETE or UP-TO-DATE. You should NOT act or rely on any information on this website or in an email from an author of this website without seeking the advice of an attorney that YOU have retained.

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

THE AUTHORS OF THIS WEBSITE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU ARE INJURED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF ACTIONS TAKEN AFTER READING THIS WEBSITE.
DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR TRAINING.
NONE OF THE INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE IS LEGAL ADVICE OF ANY SORT.
IF YOU NEED AUTHORITATIVE LEGAL ADVICE, HIRE A QUALIFIED ATTORNEY.