One part of the Total Outdoorsman Challenge that I love is that the hosts actually hunt, fish, and are passionate about the outdoor sports. Sure Kelly Gotch and Eddie Nickens are both pretty faces (I do have to admit that I find one significantly more attractive than the other, but that just my bent), but they both are the real deal. Both have very high skill levels, and both love to try outdoor activities that are a little out of the norm.

Kelly’s Facebook Fan Page was covered up this spring with not only turkey hunts, but some serious mushroom hunting. Eddie’s personal page has been filled with tent camping all over the Western U.S. Point being, they are not only good talking about this stuff, they actually do it.

As Field & Stream’s “resident Total Outdoorsman," Eddie has edited a book, The Total Outdoorsman Manual, that is just handy for those of us who really try to improve our outdoors skills. Fishing, hunting, survival—this book has it all, and written in a way that makes it easy to learn.

Several of the tips Eddie covers in the Manual will appear in the 2011 TOC Finals. Knife throwing will appear on the Endurance course, and the way Eddie teaches how to do it, well, even I have been able to stick a few throws. Number 173, “Back a Trailer Without Looking Like an Idiot” is another handy read for this year’s finalists.

So, if you know someone whose skill set is needing improvement, or a seasoned outdoor veteran who just likes new things, set them up with The Total Outdoorsman Manual. It's a great gift idea and may even earn you some properly aged venison in return.

Comments (1)

from davidtsmith@bel... wrote 39 weeks 1 day ago

I can tell you as a three time finalist that Eddie's book is one of the best investments you can make to become more knowledgeable about outdoor skills. The TOTAL OUTDOORSMAN MANUAL has the details, the photogrophy, the forwards, and all are all first class. And each page teaches you something. I recommend getting one for yourself and one for each of the guys you may find yourself backcountry with.

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from davidtsmith@bel... wrote 39 weeks 1 day ago

I can tell you as a three time finalist that Eddie's book is one of the best investments you can make to become more knowledgeable about outdoor skills. The TOTAL OUTDOORSMAN MANUAL has the details, the photogrophy, the forwards, and all are all first class. And each page teaches you something. I recommend getting one for yourself and one for each of the guys you may find yourself backcountry with.

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All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.