Jim J - I'm not 100% positive about my branches comment. Trunks (especially ones that have that natural split and splits go flying at the mere sight of a hatchet) are always nice.... Anything gray and barkless is, as always, a sure winner when if not spongy if dripping wet as far as sparks go.

As for beaver stick rules, personally, I've always had a bit of an ethical(?) problem taking anything from someone's house when they weren't around, even after they've volunteered and assured me I could "help myself to whenever I wanted" - which a beaver certainly couldn't and a sane human would never do.

When no one is looking, rules, suggestions and serendipity all go in the blender and come out one end or the other seemingly right or wrong. The beauty part is knowing the difference.

Anyone ever try simple wax paper as a fire starter? Easy to come by and I bet it would work pretty well, kinda like oatmeal packets only bigger and twice+ as good.