burning your trash? seriously?

[flyinsquirel]

The op must be from California.

Hey now. It's not like we have exclusive rights on enviros. Hell, he could be from Frisco in the Mountains (Denver) for all we know.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[realunlucky]

This thread has gotten me thinking about doing one small thing to lessen my impact this year not sure what it'll be but I'm far from perfect and it's true every little bit helps.

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[Gr8bawana]

If you pack out your trash instead of burning it and do not recycle 100% of it you are just adding to a landfill somewhere.
To the OP I ask, do you have a 100% cold camp with no campfire or cooking stove? Because if you have a fire of any kind you are polluting the environment. Do you walk to your hunting destination? Because if you drive you are polluting the environment and you must stop it.

 

[KurtR]

Pretty much every farm or ranch in Sodak burns their garbage. The salvage yard down the road burns tires about once a month and even at that our air quality here is pretty decent

 

[elkstabber]

I love a fire. WAY more than most people. I've studied fire and made it my career. Honestly, I can just watch a fire for hours.

But when I'm bowhunting elk or deer I'm camping from my backpack and covering ground. When I'm not covering ground I'm waiting for the right opportunity to move in because I'm close but the conditions aren't right yet.

There is no time for a fire. The only fires I've had were made to cook some grouse I'd shot because I was sick of or sick from eating Mountain House. I've always packed out all of my trash. It's easy to do. It's a lot easier to bring it out than it was to bring it in.

 

[backcountry_hunter]

I love a fire. WAY more than most people. I've studied fire and made it my career. Honestly, I can just watch a fire for hours.

But when I'm bowhunting elk or deer I'm camping from my backpack and covering ground. When I'm not covering ground I'm waiting for the right opportunity to move in because I'm close but the conditions aren't right yet.

There is no time for a fire. The only fires I've had were made to cook some grouse I'd shot because I was sick of or sick from eating Mountain House. I've always packed out all of my trash. It's easy to do. It's a lot easier to bring it out than it was to bring it in.

that's not really the point.... for the record I'm in the same boat, seldom have I had a fire and when I don't trash gets packed out. Like I said originally if it's due to finding partially burnt garbage all over a wilderness the concern is warranted. I think we all can agree that exposed trash left in the backcountry is annoying. But when that trash is consumed with direct heat and turned into emissions the question comes in what is irresponsible?

I think most following this thread were perturbed by the OP for making such a ridiculous argument about the emissions of burning a ziploc. If you've studied fire than you know there should be far more environmental concern with emissions from a 10ac wildfire, or a 5 acre.... heck even a 1 acre IA fire emits millions more into the atmosphere than torching a ziploc. Until someone lives completely toxin free it's juvenile and a bit pretentious to call others to the carpet for burning a plastic bag when they themselves drive, use water, wear clothes, make refuse of their own, etc... Afterall it's easy to stand on the podium and make your voice heard but the same people wouldn't call out the USFS for running a chainsaw to clear a tree off their favorite trail in a NF.... 2-stroke is great for the enviroment right? You can't have it both ways.... common sense is becoming a rarity, make smart decisions, do what logical thinking people would do and enjoy. Thats all....

 

[Beendare]

FT Guides post nailed it for me.....if you don't burn it.....it has to go somewhere!

Burning and burying in the mtns IS recycling!

 

[twall13]

I have some mixed feelings on this thread. When I'm backpack hunting I don't generally have a fire cause I want to be mobile so I end up packing my trash out anyway. It's always a lot lighter going out than coming in. I organize my food for each day in a gallon ziplock bag so it's easy to stuff the trash in there when I'm done. Even if I had a fire I'd likely only burn paper products. I don't have a problem with others burning whatever as long as they aren't leaving remains from it behind. I'd much rather they burn it than leave it littered about. Without any research or knowledge on the subject I feel like the environmental impacts are minor from burning a plastic bag. Sure, I wouldn't want to inhale the smoke from it or cook a backstrap on a fire burning plastic but that's just common sense. Overall I don't think the act of burning a bag is a huge impact.

Having said all of that, everyone keeps pointing to all the other terrible pollutants that are much worse and I don't see the relevance. Just because other pollutants are worse doesn't mean we shouldn't do our small part where we can. There are people committing crimes every day but that doesn't give me an excuse to commit one, even if it's not as bad as what others are doing. The logic behind pointing out worse pollutants is simply flawed to me.

Regardless of how you feel about burning a plastic bag, make some kind of an effort to do something small to help preserve the wild places we love to spend time in. Whether that's not burning the plastic bag, joining Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, packing out trash or whatever else you come up with. Just do something positive and stop whining about who's a tree hugger or a hippie or whatever label you want to throw out.

 

[MTtrout]

Well said twall13, couldn't agree more

 

[wyodan]

I also agree with you twall13!

 

[KJH]

The point isn't that I'm better than anyone dude. The point is it's a shitty big to do and if it's one less shitty thing. I'm not saying I'm better than anyone. I met some guys that were touring the US from Germany and for instance they turn the shower on, turn it off, soap up, rinse off, and that's that. It's environmentally friendly. Apparently that's what almost Germans do. So should they stop trying to save the amount of waste water because they flew on a plane to get here and drive a truck across the country?

I've lived in Germany, and damn... I knwo what they do and how they shower and how they use less water in their toilets. We're not them, although I like them. We're actually real life red-blooded effing awesome Americans... serious. That makes us what we are. Better. As an American, and proud of it, I know we've accomplished more than any other country in history including kicking their ass all over Europe and Africa. If I want to leave the shower on, I'm going to do it. If they want to turn the water off, then fine. I'm happy for them. But I'm going to use what God gave me and I'm going to enjoy it. Burning trash and taking long showers.

I'm the first to say I'm better because I'm an American. Who gives a damn if that offends someone. They all want to be us anyway.

 

[Jimbob]

I've lived in Germany, and damn... I knwo what they do and how they shower and how they use less water in their toilets. We're not them, although I like them. We're actually real life red-blooded effing awesome Americans... serious. That makes us what we are. Better. As an American, and proud of it, I know we've accomplished more than any other country in history including kicking their ass all over Europe and Africa. If I want to leave the shower on, I'm going to do it. If they want to turn the water off, then fine. I'm happy for them. But I'm going to use what God gave me and I'm going to enjoy it. Burning trash and taking long showers.

I'm the first to say I'm better because I'm an American. Who gives a damn if that offends someone. They all want to be us anyway.

This post scares me ha ha. Seriously man your attitude is what gives america a bad name. I have a ton of respect for USA and for the huge contributions you have made to the world but this way of thinking is part of what's ruining your country. Trust me not everyone wants to be you.

By the way God gave it to you as a gift and asked you to be the caretakers of it not just the consumers. So be smart and do the right thing instead of just indulging yourself all the time.

I know not all americans share KJH's thoughts and I am not stereotyping every american here.

 

[rayporter]

on occasion they seem to need reminded that i dont speak german. and i am d*** glad i dont.

 

[KJH]

This post scares me ha ha. Seriously man your attitude is what gives america a bad name. I have a ton of respect for USA and for the huge contributions you have made to the world but this way of thinking is part of what's ruining your country. Trust me not everyone wants to be you.

By the way God gave it to you as a gift and asked you to be the caretakers of it not just the consumers. So be smart and do the right thing instead of just indulging yourself all the time.

I know not all americans share KJH's thoughts and I am not stereotyping every american here.

I can't speak for every American either.

Actually agenda driven environuts are one of the things that are "ruining our country". Political correctness is "ruining our country". Trying to pander to minority interests is "ruining our country". Losing common sense is "ruining our country". Participation ribbons for kids are "ruining our country". Reparations for things that were done centuries ago is "ruining our country". Ignoring the constitution is "ruining our country". Stifling capitalism is "ruining our country". Thinking socialism is a good idea for us is "ruining our country". There are many other things "ruining our country".

Apologizing for being American isn't one of them. Apologizing for enjoying what God has allowed us to have also isn't one of them. Worrying about burning a few ziplocks and granola bar wrappers in my campfire miles from nowhere (in America) and still leaving no trace is absurd and leans towards "ruining our country". If that makes me a douchey American so be it. At least I'm a proud one.

BTW- I like hunting in Canada. I've done it twice in 2016 and didn't leave a mess (did burn my trash and picked up some litter too along the way). I respected your place just like I do mine, but I did take a really long shower after coming out of the field. I respect your point of view, and appreciate your comments. I'm not as big of A-hole as my post came off, but I was trying to make a point that worrying about ziplocks in your campfire is a ridiculous comment. Actual oxygen was used in thinking of something so unimportant. We'll never get that back... oh yeah, we will.

 

[Gr8bawana]

I've lived in Germany, and damn... I knwo what they do and how they shower and how they use less water in their toilets. We're not them, although I like them. We're actually real life red-blooded effing awesome Americans... serious. That makes us what we are. Better. As an American, and proud of it, I know we've accomplished more than any other country in history including kicking their ass all over Europe and Africa. If I want to leave the shower on, I'm going to do it. If they want to turn the water off, then fine. I'm happy for them. But I'm going to use what God gave me and I'm going to enjoy it. Burning trash and taking long showers.

I'm the first to say I'm better because I'm an American. Who gives a damn if that offends someone. They all want to be us anyway.

That's kind of funny to me because I worked in a store that had a lot of European tourists all year long. They must be so proud of their horrible body odor because you could smell them long after they were long gone. Sometimes it made my eyes water.

 

[DWarcher]

Being a responsible, growing person is all about questioning the way we've done things in the past and making adjustments along the journey. Why hold on to the beliefs you held or the behaviors you exhibited back when you were in your 20s or 30s? Makes no sense to me. You're either growing or your dying; there is no staying the same.

For the record, I'm a former garbage burner who now packs his and others garbage out. I honestly got tired of seeing the partially burned Mountain House, aluminum foil, etc. that was in the majority of fire rings I encountered in the backcountry. It really isn't that big of a deal to pack out.

This is a really good topic, it's just unfortunate most of these good topics end up in pissing contests.

 

[MontanaMarine]

Drove up to Mt Saint Helens a few years after it blew. Now there's an obnoxious unauthorized fire ring. Tons and tons of toxicity belched into the air. And that's just one of about 1500 active volcanoes.

Then there's wildfires in the tens of thousands of acres.

Got to keep things in perspective. A little burned trash.......not that big a deal.

 

[Violent Hippie]

I too use a combo method as others have mentioned employing a mix of burning trash and pack out.Plastic or paper no problem. For me it depends on the exact region I'm in / time of year (i.e. on ski's in the snow or in the desert), and length of stay. I chuckled multiple times reading some of the posts in this thread. Good stuff. Leaving nothing behind in the mountains except an occasional gut pile is standard. Leaving garbage behind (such as the classical burned foil , bottle, or can ) bugs me and reminds me of the classic nice creek you know of with F'N auto parts dumped in it.

 

[kicker338]

I can't speak for every American either.

Actually agenda driven environuts are one of the things that are "ruining our country". Political correctness is "ruining our country". Trying to pander to minority interests is "ruining our country". Losing common sense is "ruining our country". Participation ribbons for kids are "ruining our country". Reparations for things that were done centuries ago is "ruining our country". Ignoring the constitution is "ruining our country". Stifling capitalism is "ruining our country". Thinking socialism is a good idea for us is "ruining our country". There are many other things "ruining our country".

Apologizing for being American isn't one of them. Apologizing for enjoying what God has allowed us to have also isn't one of them. Worrying about burning a few ziplocks and granola bar wrappers in my campfire miles from nowhere (in America) and still leaving no trace is absurd and leans towards "ruining our country". If that makes me a douchey American so be it. At least I'm a proud one.

BTW- I like hunting in Canada. I've done it twice in 2016 and didn't leave a mess (did burn my trash and picked up some litter too along the way). I respected your place just like I do mine, but I did take a really long shower after coming out of the field. I respect your point of view, and appreciate your comments. I'm not as big of A-hole as my post came off, but I was trying to make a point that worrying about ziplocks in your campfire is a ridiculous comment. Actual oxygen was used in thinking of something so unimportant. We'll never get that back... oh yeah, we will.

You sound like the guy we americans just voted in for president, oh ya I voted for him too.

 

[5MilesBack]

I can't speak for every American either.

Actually agenda driven environuts are one of the things that are "ruining our country". Political correctness is "ruining our country". Trying to pander to minority interests is "ruining our country". Losing common sense is "ruining our country". Participation ribbons for kids are "ruining our country". Reparations for things that were done centuries ago is "ruining our country". Ignoring the constitution is "ruining our country". Stifling capitalism is "ruining our country". Thinking socialism is a good idea for us is "ruining our country". There are many other things "ruining our country".

Apologizing for being American isn't one of them. Apologizing for enjoying what God has allowed us to have also isn't one of them. Worrying about burning a few ziplocks and granola bar wrappers in my campfire miles from nowhere (in America) and still leaving no trace is absurd and leans towards "ruining our country". If that makes me a douchey American so be it. At least I'm a proud one.

BTW- I like hunting in Canada. I've done it twice in 2016 and didn't leave a mess (did burn my trash and picked up some litter too along the way). I respected your place just like I do mine, but I did take a really long shower after coming out of the field. I respect your point of view, and appreciate your comments. I'm not as big of A-hole as my post came off, but I was trying to make a point that worrying about ziplocks in your campfire is a ridiculous comment. Actual oxygen was used in thinking of something so unimportant. We'll never get that back... oh yeah, we will.

You may not speak for every American, but every red-blooded, patriotic, man's man American has those same sentiments. I haven't fallen for the "liked" obsession these days.......but I "almost" clicked it on your post.