Cutting Firewood

Some tips on chopping firewood:

• Make sure the log is in a stable position; it's best to have it sitting straight up, and not sitting at an angle. The chopping block should have a flat surface.
• Always wear eye protection! You do NOT want to be struck in the eye by a piece of debris.
• Dry logs will split much more easily and will also burn better. If you are using a wood stove or a fireplace, make sure the wood has less than 20% water content. Burning unseasoned wood will cause creosote to build up in your chimney.
• Consider wearing protection for your shins. Keep your legs apart, and use a stance that keeps you out of the path of your axe if you miss or swing through the log. You don't want to chop your leg by mistake.
• If your axe gets stuck in the wood, don't try to pound it through. Just pull up on the handle.
• Aim carefully and try to hit the centre of the log. Always follow through with your swing.
  

Canoeing in BC

With its mild climate and its tens of thousands of lakes, British Columbia is a canoer's paradise. There are hundreds of routes contained within BC's regional and national parks which will take you through miles of wonderful scenery. Spend an afternoon paddling and then relax on a sandy beach, or hire a guide and go on a multi-day wilderness trek.

Bowron Lake Park, located near Quesnel, offers a world-renowned canoe circuit, encompassing a 116 kilometre chain of lakes, waterways, and connecting portages. It will take you approximately 6 to 10 days to complete the route, depending on your skill level, and prior wildnerness experience is recommended.

On the Sunshine Coast, paddling enthusiasts can traverse the Powell River Forest Canoe Route, another 4-5 day journey through lakes with several portages. This is considered more difficult than the Bowron circuit, but there are frequent canoe rests on all of the portages, and the nearby campsites have fire rings, picnic tables, and outhouses.

Canoe rentals are offered at most of BC's popular lakefront resorts, hotels, and campsites. Many of the routes also require backcountry camping, but those with less experience can hire guides and go on all-inclusive tours - no extra gear is required.

Fishing in BC

British Columbia has some of the best freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities in the world. There are more than 80 species of fish available in the province's lakes and streams, including several types of trout, salmon, sturgeon, smelt, catfish, and stickleback - just to name a few!

Before you begin freshwater fishing, you must purchase a valid angling licence. This can be done online, via the link below. A basic licence will allow you to use the following methods: angle, down-rig, ice fish, set line, spear fish, or trap crayfish. All other methods are considered illegal. There are also quotas and size limits on the fish you are allowed to catch; these differ depending on which region of BC you are in.

If asked, you must present your licence, gear, and catch to a conservation officer, RCMP constable, or a park warden. To enforce quotas and size limits, they must be able to count, measure, and identify your catch. To ensure that this is possible, you must leave the head, tail, and all fins on your fish until you've arrived home. You can remove the gills and internal organs beforehand to reduce spoilage. You are not allowed to can, bottle, or fillet your fish, nor can you freeze your fish together in an unrecognizable block before arriving home.

Freshwater Fishing E-licence:
http://www.fishing.gov.bc.ca/

Camping Etiquette

To make camping an enjoyable experience for everyone around you, please remember the following rules of etiquette:

• Respect your neighbours and their right to silence: voices and other noises will carry much farther than you think. Most campsites in BC have designated quiet hours - usually from 10pm to 7am.
• Walk around your neighbour's campsite, not through it.
• Find out the campground's rules for finding or buying firewood. Don't cut living trees.
• Keep the campground facilities clean when using them. Don't take longer than necessary when using the showers.
  
• Don't burn garbage in your campfire! The smell is unpleasant, and may attract bears.
• Lakes and shelters should not be used to clean fish or dishes. Don't dump waste water into lakes, streams, or on the ground.
• Do not feed or intimidate local animals. This is their home, not yours.
• Always leave the campground cleaner than when you found it! Pick up any empty cans, cigarette butts, and other waste products from your site. If there are no garbage cans in the area, take your garbage with you and throw it out when you get home.
  

Campfire Safety

Campfires are a traditional part of any camping trip; however, without proper supervision, they can easily cause dangerous forest fires. Use fallen wood as fuel instead of live timber. Some campgrounds in BC will also sell cut wood.

During the summer, the embers of a burned down campfire can still reignite. Always make sure that your campfire is fully extinguished, and never leave it unattended. Keep buckets of water nearby, as well as a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire. After putting out a campfire with water, be sure to stir the remains to see if there are still any hot embers - add more water and dirt if necessary.

Campfire bans in British Columbia are regional, and are imposed by the Ministry of Forests. During a regional campfire ban, campfires in the corresponding provincial park areas are also banned, with some exceptions. For certain provincial park campgrounds, campfires may still be allowed as long as they are kept in fire rings, the campground is kept under constant supervision by park staff or contractors, and the area is car accessible.

Provincial Park Closures and Campfire Bans:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/campfire_bans.html

Bear Safety

Bears are common in many of British Columbia's provincial parks. Under the Wildlife Act, it is illegal to feed bears, cougars, coyotes, or wolves. As the old saying goes, "a fed bear is a dead bear." Do not leave food out at night - seal and lock it inside of your vehicle.

When walking in the woods, some hikers like to attach tiny bells to their packs to warn bears of their presence. Despite their size, bears are actually quite timid and will avoid humans unless they feel threatened. Using gravel inside of an empty pop can is also effective.

Winter Driving

Be careful when driving your RV in the winter. Here are a few tips:

• Heat can get out easily through your windows and vents. Replace the drapes with thicker layers of insulation to keep yourself warm.
• If your drains and pipes have frozen, try using a hair dryer to heat them.
• Many of the park roads in BC can be difficult to traverse when covered in snow. Make sure you have appropriate tires.