Backpacking and Hammock Camping on Vulture Island, wild camping tips and vulture information

Join the adventure. You are invited to backpack and hammock camp on Vulture Island at Stubblefield Lake in the Sam Houston National Forest, Texas. This video provides tips and suggestions for wild camping along with information about the critical role that vultures play to eliminate disease from the environment. The video shows the two vulture species that live in Texas: the American Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) and the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura).
If you are interested in learning more about the soda can alcohol stove shown in the video, check-out the many descriptions posted on the Internet. See for example: • Video . For information on starting a fire with a ferrocerium "flint" rod and knife see: • How to Start Fire with... . For information about vultures, see The Turkey Vulture Society: vulturesociety.... and Vultures Rock: vulturesrock.com/.
A BLESSING FOR THE VULTURES by Ken Kramm, December 2011
Before I leave these woods, let me say a blessing for the vultures.
Thank you for allowing me to camp near your roost. This is a special place where few humans are allowed.
You are important creatures, from which human beings can learn a great deal.
You don't kill, but rather eat what is already dead. Recycling life that has been lost is an honorable role and is critical to Mother Earth.
You eliminate virtually all disease from the environment. Your poop is so clean that it can be used for hand sanitizer. And it doesn't smell. Too bad the human species doesn't share this attribute.
You can glide through the air on thermals at 20,000 feet, with hardly a wing flap. You are a model for the fixed-wing aircraft that human beings use.
You have excellent eyesight can see food from miles away. In addition, the Turkey Vulture species has the unique attribute of being able to smell food from great distances. We human beings can express only wonder and awe over these abilities.
You are playful and social, and fun to watch. You communicate by hissing and grunting, and flapping your wings.
You know what you are doing, and you know who is in charge.
When I return in the future, please recognize that I will do you no harm. I promise to watch, listen and learn from your wisdom.
*********
Videography by Ken Kramm, Sam Houston Forest, December 2011, Canon Vixia HFS20, Canon PowerShot SX10IS, Final Cut Pro X. All photographs were taken by Ken Kramm with the exception Wickipedia pictures of the Wright Brothers airplane (public domain), gliding American Black Vulture (1024px-Coragyps_atratus_-Myakka_River_State_Park,_Florida,_USA_-flying-8.jpg ) and gliding Turkey Vulture (Cathartes_aura_-Florida- USA =- flying-8-4c.jpg) which are Creative Commons photographs.

[@atticus4u]

I LOVE your videos. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences and knowledge about nature. While watching your videos, I feel calmer and learn something fascinating. Can't thank you enough.

[@swaintx]

Nice video. Good suggestions about sleeping in the hammock. Your a brave man to camp on a piece of land with no humans present. This is definitely wild primitive camping!!!!

[@ragnardanneskjold7675]

For some reason the part where you said "it's hunting season and you don't want to accidentally get shot" made me lol. Thanks for these videos Ken!

[@toecutter1978]

Beautiful place, backpacked through there once. Leave no trace :-)

[@beanz991]

Another great video, subbed and working my way through them all, thanks.

[@vickyoftexas]

Another great video, Ken. We all learn a great deal from your examples. You are braver than me! I don't think I would have slept a wink with the hogs present. They scare me to death. You look good in your orange, but I am waiting to camp after hunting season is over. Thanks again for sharing with us. Have a great holiday! V.

[@LarryVickery]

Excellent. Quite enjoyed the vulture (we say buzzard down heah) primer. Amazing creatures. I am not one for camping amidst creepy crawlys, so I will content myself to enjoy your experience vicariously.

[@Doomsdaygirl8186]

Great video it was enjoyable.

[@dehamilt1]

I liked it. Kind if like mr Rogers of the forest.

[@drpreppersc]

Your manner and voice is very soothing... this probably aids in your traversing in wild places. Thanks for the vid.

[@mp4542]

Nice video.

[@Ironboots123]

Good job on the video, Ken.

[@garretthatfield6246]

Excellent video Ken. Thanks for sharing the information on the vultures.

[@KennethKramm]

Garrett Hatfield You're welcome Garrett

[@jamesgreer2693]

Great video made me give hammock camping a go

[@KennethKramm]

Go for it. Enjoy and be careful, James!

[@c0nn54rgff4]

your vids are the best! I watch them every day even iff its the same video over and over and over and over again!

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for watching@ Your feedback is much appreciated!

[@KennethKramm]

You're welcome. Being with nature helps me relax,,,

[@zekehooper]

I used to live in Todd mission on Finky rd. when I was a kid. Pretty cool seeing the area, some times I miss it. Great vid.

[@KennethKramm]

@fog360 Thanks. I wanted to camp in this spot for several years, but couldn't find anyone to go with me.... so I decided to camp alone! It was fantastic.

[@WiltshireMan]

Wonderful Ken. Thanks for posting this. I will look upon vultures in a more positive light from now on. I guess the same can be said about many other species too. Best wishes Sandy

[@KennethKramm]

You're welcome. Have a great weekend hiking! Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Paul, thanks. Your feedback means a lot to me. Take care my friend, Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Tom. I agree with you concerning Tx heat and humidity. The cameo tarp is from Walmart. Stay tuned for more videos .... Ken

[@RaulSoaresG1452]

Ken, I really enjoy your camping videos, they are so interesting and fun to watch. For poeple like me, who can´t go out very often, watch your videos is a great way to have a notion of the great entertaining adventure that is camping. Thank you very much. Happy new year!

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks. I'm smiling. My wife has said the same thing....

[@esadventuretales.]

lovely video, thank you

[@KennethKramm]

You're welcome, Elisa. Thanks for watching.

[@lmmsl]

You seem to be a real nature lover and I always see such beautiful hikes and adventures through your videos.. This is also another lovely video by you.. I wish you a very happy and wonderful holiday to all of you ...

[@KennethKramm]

Glad you liked my video! Vultures are under-appreciated in the modern, "civilized" world. Thanks for watching, my friend. Ken

[@grampaliam6082]

As usual I love the video. Thanks for sha ring yoga vulture poop is actually clean enough to use as hand sanitiser

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for visiting and subbing! Ken

[@KennethKramm]

You're welcome. You feedback means a great deal to me and is much appreciated! Have a good weekend, my friend.

[@KennethKramm]

You're welcome. Your feedback means a great deal to me. Let me know if there are topics that you would like to see in future videos. My best (most popular) videos are on topics that viewers have requested. Have a good week, my friend. May the forest be with you.

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciated the offer, but like to collect my own owl pellets. Have a wonderful week, Ken

[@floydstinkyboy]

that was excellent ken, a fine adventure movie.

[@williamwalton3225]

I enjoyed your stay on Vulture Island....:)

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks, William. It was a fun weekend! Thanks of for watching and taking time to comment. ATB .... ken

[@KennethKramm]

@vickyoftexas You are welcome. Glad you liked the video. I thought about doing this for a couple of years. I finally worked up the courage (or stupidity) to camp next to a vulture roost. May nature be with you, especially over the holidays!

[@KennethKramm]

@RaulSoaresG1452 Thanks Raul. I can't wait to go on my next camping trip. Stay tuned. Have a wonderful new year! Ken

[@sammorgan7516]

Great video you got me interested in jacklores

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks!

[@KennethKramm]

@guns4funca Glad you made it over the log!. I slipped "for real" when I walked the log while holding the camera. I needed to edit my language to be suitable for KZbin. If you look at one of my video from over a year ago, "Stubblefield Lake in an Inflatable boat", you can see how the water usually looks. Thanks for watching, Ken

[@RaulSoaresG1452]

09:30 =D Vultures are really amazing, not only their faeces are clean from bacteria and virus, because of their strong stomach acids, but also their feathers (they always clean themselves after a meal). I never undestanded why people don´t like them. Great birds.

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for your feedback! I means a great deal to me. I'm continually learning how to produce videos. So the older videos aren't as good as this one. Last year I posted a video on the Amazonas Moskito Hammock, when I first tested it. See my video titled: Hammock Camping at Krause Springs Among Waterfalls and Ponds. The narrative (below the video) provides the URL for the hammock vendor. I purchased it from Academy Sports & Outdoors. May the forest be with you. Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for your feedback and also the sub. If there are nature-related topics you would like to see in the future, let me know. Ken

[@rainbowhiker]

thanks. i enjoyed this too.

[@TheHBHikerBoyScout]

Great video!!! Thank you!!!

[@KennethKramm]

You're welcome. Thanks for commenting. Have a wonderful Earth Day, my friend. Ken

[@floydstinkyboy]

@floydstinkyboy especially nice night sounds !

[@KennethKramm]

Interesting thought. Made me smile! Too bad rabbit droppings carry disease, unlike vulture poop. Cheers, ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks bro. Ken

[@KennethKramm]

@craftbrosify Excellent idea. Tks, Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Hi Random, Yes, vultures eat eat carcasses of domestic and wild pigs/hogs. I will pm you with a video I did last year that shows in detail exactly what they ate!

[@mawacal]

Looks alot like southeast louisiana where i grew up.

[@KennethKramm]

@swaintx Thanks for your feedback. Yes, it was scary at night. If you listen carefully, you will hear the feral hogs at night when the coyotes were howling.

[@KennethKramm]

@g0vqw Sandy, thanks for your feedback. May nature be yours, Ken

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for your feedback. Vultures in India are endangered, causing many problems. Ken

[@KennethKramm]

vultures are certainly tasty to other vultures. tks for watching and commenting. ken

[@KennethKramm]

@mawacal Yep, it's this is the western edge of the pineywoods.

[@KennethKramm]

You're right, it would have been better to have used an orange tarp. The hammock was in a "no shoot" zone of the forest....but not everyone follows the rules.

[@KennethKramm]

@floydstinkyboy Glad you enjoyed the video. It was a fun adventure, but scary at night. Listen carefully, and you will hear hisses from the vultures, howling coyotes and grunting feral hogs. Ken

[@b57ecv]

Yeh i know what you mean, i got to be careful when i get the remington out.

[@KennethKramm]

@angiesfocus The vultures appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

[@angiesfocus]

Thanks Vultures! And thanks for your poop, when in need.

[@KennethKramm]

Yep... mostly dead, vulture tree was away from me. Woun't have done this on a windy day! Thanks for watching and commenting. Stay safe, bro.

[@KennethKramm]

@bigmuscleify OK. Now we can do push-ups on the ground below the vulture roost. Thanks for commenting. The next time I'm hiking in an area with rocks, perhaps we can do some exercises together. Ken

[@parachute84]

Great video Ken. I camped many years there in Eastern Texas at Sam Rayburn Lake and the surrounding area as a kid in Boy Scouts. I really miss living back in Tx, but I don't miss the heat there. I live in Central Oregon now. Absolutely beautiful here! Could you please tell me were you purchased your tarp from? I like the fact that its camo and blends well within the natural forest areas. Take care and keep up the great videos.

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

Great video. Love the vultures don't like the wiley pig. It was good to hear something good about vultures. What type of hammock system do you use? Keep up the good work.

[@KennethKramm]

@mp4542 Thanks for your feedback. Ken

[@TheHiddenWoodsmen]

Good thing u had your blaze on. I keep hearing gun shots in the back ground.

[@KennethKramm]

Hi Malcolm. Although I was in a "no hunting zone," wearing blaze was the wise thing to do…. Thanks for watching and taking time to comment. ATB, Ken

[@craftbrosify]

You should consider getting a packraft and you could get over to the island all the time

[@TheMelvinWei]

Great adventure video! Are those feral hogs at 8:20 or is that a sound effect you added in later?

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Opal. I use a Moskito Hammock with homemade tarp rainfliy. Check out my newest video that demonsates a hammock I made with a bed sheet. Have a good week. ....ken

[@KennethKramm]

@zutubefan Thanks for your feedback. Ken

[@tskfrcdgr]

i, too, find rabbit pellets interesting. would you, perchance, be interested in purchasing some quality owl pellets...

[@KennethKramm]

Those were feral hogs. I was scared! The are mean and don't hesitate attacking people. Feral hogs are very common in bottom lands of east Texas.

[@b57ecv]

I don't think the camo tents a good idea mate, you got any thing in the dayglow orange instead, you know what hunters are like?

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks Dewayen. Some people call me "Mr Rogers of Bushcraft." Check out my Channel Trailer, if you haven't sent it. I like to have fun when camping and making vids. Take care, Ken

[@monicajones8450]

great video, did those hogs get real close to you? They scare me. I am having a hard time with the vulture poop. Do you know what they eat? I cannot believe their poo is sanitary.

[@KennethKramm]

+Monica Jones I've been chased by hogs ....and they ARE scary!

[@KennethKramm]

+Monica Jones I've made about 6 videos on vultures and give workshops on them as a Texas Master Naturalist. .... interesting, but misunderstood birds...

[@zekehooper]

tried finding the Island you where on using Google maps but the only one I saw was close to the "lone star hiking trail", was that the one?

[@KennethKramm]

The island I camped it is near Stubblefield Lake campground. There are multiple small islands in area .... usually accessible only by boat/canoe. I named one of these "Vulture Island" because of the large vulture population. The find this location attractive because of the fishing nearby.

[@zekehooper]

cool, makes since.

[@kyletango]

Clean your hands with vulture poop and brush your teeth with rabbitt droppings? LOL

[@kurtbaier6122]

You had me till the vulture poop and blessing. Your pot stand seemed a bit precarious but interesting.

[@KennethKramm]

Oh yes Kurt. Take care, Ken

[@Ironboots123]

I asked my wife if she wants to try some Vulture poop for hand sanitizer......nope.

[@c0nn54rgff4]

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@KennethKramm]

You're welcome!

[@bigmuscleify]

I DARE.