Posts tagged beginner

Cigar Humidor 101 For The Cigar Beginner

Every day, we make ways to keep our lives in order. We follow steps and rules to make sure that everything works properly. Whether it be our cars that need regular oil changes, running the virus scans on our computers, or seasoning a cigar humidor; without the proper attention and time, these expensive investments will not last.

Cigar humidors are one of the most expensive investments a cigar enthusiast can spend on. Although lots enthusiasts have this expensive accessory, only a few of them truly know how to season them the right way. Most of them end up destroying these fine pieces of cigar accessories.

Cigar humidors are a good gift to cigar enthusiasts; especially those who are only beginning to appreciate cigars. However, receiving this gift can be a problem, as not all of them know how to use them and, what’s worse is that, it does not come with instructions on how to properly season it. Properly seasoning a cigar humidor is important to keep your cigars fresh. If you own a cigar humidor and dont know how to properly season a cigar humidor, you will end up with cigars you would rather throw in the garbage instead of smoking them.

Spanish cedar or mahogany is used to line the interior of cigar humidors as they are known to absorb moisture well and hold the humidity within it. They are also known to repel fungus. But before these woods are used, manufacturers must first dry them up; this makes them more sensitive to humidity. If you encounter these kinds of wood in your humidors, and you don’t know the proper way to use them you will end up with too much moisture in your cigar humidor and will end up destroying them. One of the key tricks in cigar humidor is using only distilled water. Distilled water is important because it will not cause buildup in the humidor; you will also need a brand new sponge.

Here are the basic steps to seasoning a cigar humidor

The first step is to soak a sponge with distilled water and wipe down the insides of the cigar humidor. It is important that all the surfaces in the interior are wiped well. The next step is to fill up the humidification device according to the specifications of the cigar humidor and soak the sponge for a second time. Place the sponge inside it and let it sit for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, take the sponge out of the humidor and wipe its interiors once again. The last step in seasoning your cigar humidor is to refill the humidification device. Once you have properly seasoned the cigar humidor the interiors will retain the humidity and will keep your cigars as fresh as the day you bought them.

Now you know how to keep the humidity in your cigar humidor, the next thing you should know is why you should control the humidity.

One of the biggest myths in humidity in the cigar humidors is that the lower the temperature will ensure a higher humidity level inside it and vice-versa. However, this is not true.

This myth claims that if you are maintaining 70% humidity at 70 degrees in your cigar humidor and the temperature falls by 5 degrees, then you should increase the humidity level by 5% to compensate the loss. The reality is that regardless of the temperature drop or increase, the humidity level should be definitely kept at 70%.

The reason why the humidity needs to be controlled is because a cigar needs just enough water to keep its tobacco fresh but not so much as to soak it with moisture. Whatever the change in temperature is, it is important that the level of humidity is kept at the same level. This is because the humidity the hygrometer is reading is not the level inside the cigar but the moisture level inside the cigar humidor. The reading on the hygrometer should be kept at 70%.

Knowing the proper way of seasoning a cigar humidor is the only way to preserve your precious cigars. Once you know the proper way, you can start enjoying your cigar smoking experience.

I have been involved in the cigar industry for over 20 years and I have written extensive guides on such products as the Boveda Pack, a quality humidification product, and the Cigar Caddy. Also, see some of my latest guides on how to choose a Cigar Holder

Tips on Turkey Hunting with Gun and Bow – What Most Beginner Turkey Hunters Should Know

Turkeys can be hunted with many different arms, including guns and bows. Turkeys are very wary and fast and therefore, hunting with knives or similar is just not possible. Whenever a hunter goes hunting for turkey, he has to make sure that he checks the local hunting laws and regulations in regards to arms. Generally these laws allow a shotgun with a gauge somewhere between gauge 10 to 20 and shot sizes between #4 and #6, as well as bows. Bow pulls must be similar to bows allowed for deer hunting. Some places even allow rifles and handguns as hunting gear during fall.

When turkey hunting with a shotgun, it is always important to aim for the neck or the head. Hitting the body or feathery part of the turkey might not kill to bird, but leave it wounded instead of dead. The turkey’s head and neck are very small targets compared to the deer and a good aim and a good choke are essential. There are many good scopes that might help bag that turkey, but one thing that is important before going on a turkey hunt is to pattern the gun in advance. Pattern means to do some target shooting on targets the size of a turkey head and neck. Using different ranges for the target to shoot at and different ammunition will help the hunter learn which ammunition gives him the best overall aim and accuracy. It will also show him exactly how he has to aim to get his shot into the center of the target when the gun pulls a little low or high instead of dead center. Patterning the gun is like pumping up tires for a long bike ride or making sure everything necessary for a trip is packed.

A good tip, especially for new hunters is to not to shoot a turkey when it is in mating or attack posture. A turkey that is all puffed up generally pulls the neck in and down into the feather dress and shields the target area the hunter is looking for. Therefore, do not pull the trigger ahead of time. Be patient and wait for the turkey to straighten and stick his head up high and then take the shot.

For bow hunters, it might be interesting to know that it is recommended to use razor-sharp broad head arrows as usually used for deer. The bow hunter does not aim for the head or neck, but rather for the bird’s vital internal organs.

Many hunters use such accessories as blinds. Whether it is a natural or a commercial portable blind, the function is the same, to conceal any unnecessary movement. This type of accessory is a great one for everybody that is not quite adept at completely sitting still for long amounts of time. Blinds are also a big item for bow hunters, since raising the bow, drawing the bow and aiming are movements that can easily be spotted by a bird. Bow hunting requires more movement in general than gun hunting and any cover and camouflage is important. Also, good equipment for bow and gun hunters are little stools or seat cushions. A stool raises the hunter off the cold and often wet ground and also provides for a more comfortable wait.

The last bits of accessories that might be used for bow and arrow, as well as for gun hunting are decoys. A decoy is an imitation turkey that not only gives the nearing turkey what it was looking for, but also helps distract the turkey from the hunter while the hunter is taking aim. But as always, before going on a hunt, checking the laws and regulations for the area is very important and should not be forgotten. These regulations can differ greatly from state to state.

Bill is a turkey hunter enthusiast, and if you would like more tips on turkey hunting with gun and bow, please visit http://www.howtohuntturkey.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/tips-on-turkey-hunting-with-gun-and-bow-what-most-beginner-turkey-hunters-should-know-1777732.html

Beginner Beekeeping – Six Considerations

Before you go you and spend money for beginner beekeeping, it is best to know if beekeeping is something you really want to do. Is it, or could it, be a passion? How do you know if you have a passion for beekeeping and whether you will be able to progress from beginner beekeeping to commercial beekeeping?

Firstly, ask yourself; Why beekeeping as against something else? Do you have a long standing interest in bees? Have you worked with bees before? Have you worked in a honey processing factory and wondered how the honey is made? Do you find yourself tuning in to news items about bees? What are your aspirations? Are you just interested in beginner beekeeping? Do you want a second income? A full time living? You need to ask these searching questions of yourself.

Secondly, do you have a place to do your beginner beekeeping? Do you live on a property suitable for bees? Are the bees going to bother your neighbours? Beekeeping in an apartment in the city is not impossible. You can keep bees on some apartment or office building roofs. You will need approval from your manager and perhaps your local Council! However, if you live in the USA you may have legal problems if your bees sting any residents!

The best places for beginner beekeeping are on farms, lifestyle blocks, and on urban properties with large gardens. Miniature or mini hives are suited to an urban location. But if you live the countryside, you are in the best location for beginner beekeeping.

Thirdly, how much is beginner beekeeping going to cost? It is important to consider costs. You will have the costs of buying protective clothing, a helmet and veil, and gloves. You will need to purchase the hive or hives, your swarm, beekeeping tools, a smoker, and smoker fuel. Beginner beekeeping equipment and a an operating hive could cost $300 – $1,000 or more. The best option is to purchase a living hive from a beekeeper and to purchase the beekeeping tools and clothing brand new.

Fourthly, how much honey do you want to produce per year? The number of hives you purchase depends on this. But also, the number of hives depends on your beginner beekeeping location.

Fifthly, can you afford the time to look after your bees? They will require feeding, the hives will require scraping and moving, and you will have to process your honey. If you just want comb honey you will only have to cut it into squares from the frame. If you want liquid honey you will have to extract it with your own honey extractor or take it to an established beekeeper for extraction if you have lots of frames. For beginner beekeeping you will probably not have your own honey extractor so the best choice will be eating the comb honey.

Sixthly, are you planning to sell your honey? In beginner beekeeping you will probably lsell little, if any, honey. You will probably eat it or give it to friends. If your beginner beekeeping is on a bigger scale you might sell it from the side of the road if you are in the countryside. If you are beekeeping in the city you might sell it to your neighbours (if they haven’t been stung!)

If you give adequate thought to these six items you will prepare yourself well for your start in beekeeping. You will avoid the major problems and know that you will sustain an interest in beekeeping long enough to gain its benefits, both emotional and financial.

Bill Rutherfurd writes on bee related subjects and is developing a large bee products marketing company. His lens on on this subject is at http://www.squidoo.com/beginnerbeekeeping

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/beginner-beekeeping-six-considerations-1753266.html

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