Dab (climbing)
Touching anything other than the climbing surface in any way, whether intentional or not; it is grounds for immediate termination of a ‘send’ attempt.
Dam
A wall built across a stream or river to hold back water.
Dark Timber (hunting) (also called “black timber”)
Thick stands of coniferous trees that make good bedding cover for deer and especially elk. In Colorado, dark timber is usually comprised of Englemann spruce and sub-alpine fir, and in most cases, it is considered virgin forest that has not been logged.
Dead Drift
A drift that imitates the natural action of an insect by floating directly downstream with the current.
Deathball (climbing)
Similar to a highball, but high enough that if one would fall, death is a possibility.
Deciduous Forest
Forests in which the trees lose their leaves each year.
Declination
The difference in degrees between magnetic north (the direction the magnetic needle on a compass points) and true or geographic north (the direction maps are printed towards).
Decompression Sickness
Results from surfacing too quickly from a deep underwater dive, but can also occur when descending from high altitudes. Sometimes referred to as “the bends,” symptoms include skin rashes, visual disturbances, balance disturbances, breathing difficulties, unconsciousness and death.
Dehydration
Excessive loss of water from the body. (more about dehydration)
Delta
A low, watery land formed at the mouth of a river. It is formed from the silt, sand and small rocks that flow downstream in the river and are deposited in the delta.
Desert
Dry, barren region usually sandy and without trees, little rainfall or practical use of land unless irrigated. (more about deserts)
Detritus
Boulders, rocks, gravel, sand, soil that has eroded from mountains over time.
Detritivores
Animals which feed on decaying matter.
Dewclaws (hunting)
The two horn-like “toes” located on the ankle slightly above above a cervid’s cloven hoof.
Ditty Bag
A drawstring bag used to carry items.
Divide
The highest ridge of land separating river basins.
Doppler Radar
A type of weather radar that determines whether atmospheric motion is toward or away from the radar. It determines the intensity of rainfall and uses the Doppler effect to measure the velocity of droplets in the atmosphere.
Dorsal Fin
Dorsal meaning top. This is the large fin on top of the fish’s back.
Dorsum
A ridge.
Double Reed (hunting)
A duck call with two vibrating reeds. Often the best call for beginners.
Double Rope (climbing)
A technique employing two smaller ropes when leading a climb.
Double-Wall Tent
A double wall tent uses a rainfly over the tent, whereas a single wall tent does not.
Down (camping)
The soft, fluffy underlayer of waterfowl plumage used as insulation in some sleeping bags and coats.
Down
The direction of a river’s flow; toward the mouth of the river.
Downhaul (boating)
A rope used to tighten the front (luff) of a sail.
Draw
A usually dry creek bed or gulch that temporarily fills with water after a heavy rain, or seasonally.
Draw Length (hunting)
Is the measurement of the length of the nock end of the arrow to the bows grip pivot point for an individual archer. This changes to fit the individuals particular size. (Arm length, anchor point, etc.)
Draw Stop (hunting)
A device on a compound bow that positively stops the draw at a set draw length.
Dressed Fish
A fish which has been cleaned by removing the entrails. Dressed fish also may be filleted and/or have their head, gills and scales removed.
Dressing (hunting)
Roughing the surface of a slate call to increase the friction, and therefore the noise, as the peg is pulled across the surface.
Dropper Line (fishing)
Multiple short lines attached along the length of a fishing line to allow multiple catches with one cast.
Duncan’s Loop
A monofilament knot used most often to tie a tippet to the eye of a hook. Also called a uni-knot.
Dune
A hill or a ridge made of sand. Dunes are shaped by the wind, and change all the time.
Dust Storm
An area where high surface winds have picked up loose dust, reducing visibility to less than one-half mile.
Dutch Oven
A cast-iron cooking pot (with lid) that you cook with outdoors over charcoals.
Dynamic Rope (climbing)
Rope that is slightly elastic and therefore reduces the impact of a fall. Compare with Static Rope.