Living with wildlife has become something of a hit here,and I was sent these pictures. Seems a couple from Montana were out for a ride along with their dogs, and a Cougar decided that it wanted a doggy snack. The man dismounted and took out a rifle, his wife took out a camera. The mule went on offense... Just a note, this was in a very old email and I'm not sure who to credit this too.
Archive for the ‘Hunting Fishing and the Great Outdoors’ Category
Living with wildlife Montana style: Or, another reason to love Mules!
February 21, 2010The Addicition Series Continues : Beginning Turkey Hunting
February 15, 2010After last years smashing success about Turkey Hunting in Colorado several people have asked for some more tips and so on about Turkey Hunting in general. Most asked for advice for beginning Turkey Hunters. So that is where we will begin!
First let me tell you this. It is really quite easy to spend a fortune on Turkey Hunting gear and equipment but you don’t have to in order to enjoy the sport. No, you don’t absolutely have to have the latest and greatest equipment!
Since the big question from newer hunters always seems to center on what firearm to use I will cover that first. In most, if not all states during spring seasons you can only use a shotgun or bow legally to hunt we will cover shotguns. As Stick & String is a lot more involved. If anyone is really interested, I can cover that aspect at a later date.
I always advise people to use a twelve gauge shotgun, at least when first beginning. However,please note that a youngster that I taught to hunt started with a Remington Youth / Women’s twenty gauge, and still uses it, and with great success I might add. That was more than twenty years ago and the following advice is as true today as it was then. Use a gun that you are comfortable with that patterns well. My all time favorite shotgun for Turkey hunting was a Browning BPS ten gauge. But to be truthful in all probability you will only get one shot, so a repeater just isn’t all that needed to be an effective hunter. So, yes, a single shot that patterns well with appropriate shot should do the job.
Shot size is always a bit controversial but four through six should do the job. Remember, the birds will be on the ground,and you are aiming for the head and neck area to ensure a quick kill. The added bonus of smaller shot is that you will not be digging it out of the birds carcass or breaking teeth on it when you eat the bird. I prefer Remington Hevi Shot in size five, but again, use what load your shotgun patterns best with. Many people are surprised to findout that the shorter magnums are more effecting in their particular shotguns than the big heavy loads.
Which brings us to chokes, and patterns and I can’t say or explain it better than what you can read HERE.
Then we get to Cammo, and yes, you can spend a small fortune on camouflage. There are just too many good patterns available these days to really say that any one is hands down better than another because of the varied habitat that Turkeys inhabit. Want something tried and true, and want to try your hand at an old craft that is still used by Army and Marine Scout Snipers? Then make a Ghillie Suit! Here’s a video that should help as well.
Lastly, we get to calls, and yes, again you can go broke buying them. But really, all you need to get a Turkey, is a yelper type call, and guess what? With a little practice most people can do that just using their own mouth! However, the shear romance of a good box or slate call is hard to resist. As well as inexpensive latex diaphragm calls. Purchase a few videos or tapes, and practice. A lot of public library’s have them and you could just check them out while you learn. If you can, attend any seminars that are available from N.W.T.F. or your Fish and Game Department.
I will post more about tactics and so on later. You need to get busy and fill out license applications, as most states are coming due to apply already!
Range report: Marlin XL7 270 Winchester Stalkingbear Arms Semi Custom
February 8, 2010MARLIN XL 7
270 WINCHESTER
RANGE REPORT
It is not all that often that I write about personal things but on this I simply had too.
Some time ago three things all coincided that in nearly an instant transformed me into a person that I had never before been in my entire adult life. Gun poor! Those things were pretty much well beyond my control but that is not what this is about. Neil Stalkingbear, whom I call “Brother Bear” was not happy when I told him about all that had happened. Right after that he himself faced a life threatening illness, and recovered thank almighty God. I had posted at Hunters Central at Yahoo Groups about Marlin Rifles a few times, and, Bear being the man that he is asked one evening if I would like a Marlin Rifle. Since younger people sometimes read here let’s just say that my reply was in the affirmative.
Now, anyone that knows Neil at all knows that he just has to, shall we say tinker? It doesn’t matter, cars, trucks, stills, I mean guns…! So, basically, I received a Stalkingbear Arms©® worked over Marlin XL7 in Winchester 270 topped off with a Nikon Pro Staff Scope. Neil had did a traditional job on the barrel and action, hand lapping it to, a level that I had not seen on a rifle since I’d spent nearly a thousand dollars on my model 700 280! He also worked his magic on the trigger, and yes, I went to a couple of stores and tested the triggers, all of which were very good, on several XL7’s. Neil’s was far superior. It’s is light, crisp, and now I don’t even remember that thing called “creep.” No, it isn’t a smooth as a newborns bottom. It is smoother! I guess you just can’t have everything…
Like everyone, I have had to deal with the shortage of ammunition brought on by the “Gun Salesman of the Year” / “Ammunition Salesman of the year” and getting any fodder at all was just about impossible… (See Conservative Libertarian Outpost about that!) But, one day while up in Sheridan while shopping at Shipton’s Big R store, it happened! They got in a boatload of ammunition! Yes, they restricted my purchase, but, with my better half along we were able to purchase four boxes of Federal 270 Winchester ammunition, 130 grain Power Shok® to be exact. No, it’s not the best that they make, or what might be available, but it was there! Not to mention that it is outstanding ammunition for our local Deer and Pronghorns!
Now back to the rifle. Bear had told me that I would have to clean the heck out of it, and yes I did. It got a rather thorough scrubbing, and was re-lubricated using first Break Free, then, after letting that dry and set, a general wash or Rem Oil© I then rubbed up all that with a gun cloth and loaded it to check the functioning… SQUAK! Then I remembered that Bear said that it liked grease. After lubing that bolt up with Montana Gun Grease® it was quiet as a lamb with a Cougar nearby.
The shipping necessitated that the scope be sent separate from the rifle so I set about that chore and all that that entails. I should have left it alone… My BSA calumniator had me more than two feet off, but, we will get to that! The effects of global warming had me cooped up for weeks, or so the Climate gate people say. In any case once the snow drifts had subsided it was off to the range!
I set up at the one hundred yard shooting station. Took a rest, put three downrange, and..? I was not pleased, not at all. I sent three more, same results. I moved to the fifty yard range.
It took some serious twisting of knobs but I finally made paper. I then did the single shot sight in maneuver, and put three right on top of each other after that. Back to a hundred yards.
I sent three, and then tweaked the scopes knobs. It looked good through a fellow’s spotting scope after that. So, we all went down and put up new targets. Right about then some guy got a bit lippy, and said something along the lines of not bad for junk… he kept it up, and we got back to the firing line. I got a tad bit upset, after all, it is not good to diss another mans firearm. Mind ya’ now, he is a good shot, kept them all in the black, and fairly tight too. He was shooting a rather nice rifle, it looked to be a custom model 70 topped with Swarovski glass at that. He sent five down range, an X two sevens, and two nines, not bad, not bad at all. The he looked at me and asked if I was going to shoot, my piece of trash… Note: he had shot from the bench. I got hot, after all Bear had put in some serious time on that rifle.
I stood up, slung up, and put five downrange, three in the X, two nines… I looked at him and asked, let’s do five more. For the rifles! He gathered up his things, and left.
I’d sure love to own a rifle like his. Oh well… I can’t wait to see what I can squeeze out of this Marlin with some worked up loads!
The picture of the target is posted at Hunters Central at Yahoo Groups. It may be the best that I have ever shot in my life.
Credit goes to Neil Stalkingbear.Arms@yahoo.com
Charlie Meyers may be honored by Colorado DOW
February 7, 2010The so-called Dream Stream on the South Platte River could be renamed “Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area,” according to a recommendation announced by the Division of Wildlife this week.
The Colorado Wildlife Commission will take up the proposal at its monthly meeting Thursday in Denver. The area runs between Spinney Mountain and Elevenmile reservoirs.
Charlie Meyers was the outdoors writer at The Denver Post and worked at The Post for more than 40 years. Meyers died Jan. 5 after a two-year battle with lung cancer.
“You would not believe the number of people who inquired about if we were going to do something to honor Charlie,” said DOW director Tom Remington, who added that the proposal could be ready for final adoption by the end of March.
A date for a formal dedication will be announced if it clears the commission.
PUEBLO ‘EAGLE DAYS’ FEB 6-7
January 31, 2010PUEBLO, Colo. – The 2010 Pueblo “Eagle Days Festival” is slated for Feb. 6-7 at Lake Pueblo State Park and Wildlife Area. Activities include live bird demonstrations, bird watching classes, wildlife viewing stations, and performances by the United States Air Force Academy falcons and the Koshare Indian Dancers.
“Eagle Day is a great opportunity for the whole family to get out of the house and enjoy nature,” said John Koshak of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. “There will be outdoor activities and demonstrations, as well as indoor exhibits and seminars.”
Indoor events take place Saturday at the State Parks Headquarters Building. Wildlife viewing tours and viewing stations complete with spotting scopes will be set up on the north side of the reservoir.
There are more eagles around Lake Pueblo in the winter than any other time of the year. The eagles concentrate along the open waters of the Arkansas River Valley because snow and ice has covered the lakes and reservoirs to the north.
This year, due to the growing popularity of Eagle Days, a second day of outdoor activities has been added on Sun., Feb. 7, including a guided wildlife viewing tour on the Pueblo State Wildlife Area. Koshak said participants for Sunday’s tour should meet at the entrance to the north side of the Pueblo State Wildlife Area at 9 a.m. (The State Wildlife Area north entrance is located off Nichols Road in Pueblo West.) Koshak advises to dress appropriately for the weather; and to bring binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras.
At 11 a.m. on Sun., staff from the Greenway Nature Center and Raptor Center will host a “bird walk” along the Arkansas River followed by an “Open House” with live bird viewing from noon until 3 p.m.
Pueblo Eagle Days co-sponsors are the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society, Lake Pueblo State Park, Pueblo Zoo, Greenway Nature Center of Pueblo, the Pueblo Raptor Center, Black Hills Energy, the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, Coyote’s Coffee Den, and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
THE POPULARITY OF EAGLES
Eagles rank number one on the list of animals that Americans say they want to see in the wild, and Colorado in the winter offers prime viewing opportunities for both bald eagles and golden eagles.
The bald eagle – so named because of its white head – lives only in North America, and it is the second largest bird of prey of the continent. Only the California condor is larger.
Up to 1,200 bald eagles spend the winter in Colorado. They are attracted by relatively mild winters. Bald eagles tend to stay near open water where they can find fish, which is why they gather near large reservoirs along the Arkansas River drainage in the winter. The bald eagle prefers to nest in large trees near water with little human activity.
Most of the bald eagles leave Colorado in late February or March, heading north to nesting grounds in the northern U.S., Canada, and Alaska. A few bald eagles remain year-round.
Adult bald eagles have a wingspan of up to eight feet and may weigh as much as 12 pounds. They have large brown bodies, yellow beaks and white heads and tails. They fly with deep strokes and soar on flattened wings. Because immature bald eagles lack the distinctive white markings, they are frequently confused with golden eagles until they reach the age of maturity.
Golden eagles prefer rugged cliffs with adjacent open fields where they feed on a variety of birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Rabbits and prairie dogs make up a large portion of their diet.
Unlike bald eagles, it is more common to find a golden eagle nest in Colorado. There are between 600 and 900 active golden eagle nest sites. Colorado’s golden eagles tend to migrate to the northwest during the spring and return to the eastern plains in the winter. Some golden eagles remain in southern Colorado year-round.
For more information and a detailed schedule of events and times, please visit the Eagle Days Festival Web site at www.eagleday.org or call John Koshak in Colorado Springs at (719) 227-5221 or the Pueblo DOW office at (719) 561-5300.
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For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
LANDOWNERS IN SE COLORADO CAN EARN EXTRA INCOME FROM HUNTING LEASES
January 26, 2010The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is looking for landowners in SE Colorado to lease access for the 2010 hunting seasons. The DOW’s Big Game Access Program (BGAP) will continue for a fourth year. This fourth year will provide ongoing private lands access while allowing the DOW time to complete the analysis of the first three years of the pilot program (2007-2009).
The program analysis will be conducted for the first three years, including an annual evaluation to determine the ability to sustain the program and potential to expand. The evaluation will be based on landowner satisfaction, sportsmen satisfaction, game harvest by species, economic viability, and overall participation in and success of the program.
The pilot was focused on deer and pronghorn hunting in southeast Colorado on private lands in the following Game Management Units: 116, 117, 120, 121, 122, 125, 126, and 127. This fourth year will continue within the same GMU’s.
The DOW will pay landowners to allow big game hunting access on their property — similar to existing programs that allow access to hunt small game and upland birds.
Eligible cover types of land for this program will be upland grass or prairie habitat with a focus on pronghorn, and river bottom or riparian land with a focus on deer. Landowners whose properties meet the requirements of this program can receive payment for allowing hunters onto their land.
Landowners whose properties meet BGAP requirements will receive payment for allowing hunters onto their land. Payments to the landowner will range from 25-cents per acre up to a maximum of $3 per acre depending on the size of the property, type of the habitat and number of day’s access is allowed.
Landowners must apply by Feb. 25. There will be a ranking process and properties will be rated based on habitat quality, number of pronghorn and/or deer, and budget limitations. Only a limited number of properties can participate. The 2010 program will begin with the fall hunting seasons.
Previous properties in the program must re-enroll to participate again in 2010.
BGAP benefits both landowners and hunters. The benefit to landowners is that it provides additional income. Hunters benefit because it opens up more hunting opportunities.
Enrolled properties will be clearly marked with DOW “Walk-in Access” signs. All posting is done by the DOW. Landowners’ names, addresses or telephone numbers are kept confidential.
Access to hunt on the land enrolled in BGAP is by walk-in only. Hunters must have a valid license for the season they hunt in and buy a $40 BGAP permit to gain access to enrolled properties. BGAP permits may be purchased at any license agent or DOW office.
The access stamp will apply to Pronghorn and Deer hunting only. Any other hunting on the lands enrolled in this program (such as small game) will be at the discretion of the landowner with permission only.
Basic information on GMU’s, locations, and ranches enrolled will be posted on the Colorado Division of Wildlife website (http://wildlife.state.co.us/) prior to the big game license application deadline. Maps of enrolled properties will be available on the internet as soon as possible after enrollment is completed. Landowner applications may also be downloaded from the same site.
For more information, or to obtain an application to enroll your land, please contact the DOW office in Lamar at (719) 336-6600. Correspondence can be sent addressed to the Colorado Division of Wildlife c/o BGAP, 2500 South Main St., Lamar, CO. 81052.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
FEDS RESPOND TO FIREARMS FREEDOM ACT
January 21, 2010FEDS RESPOND TO FIREARMS FREEDOM ACT LAWSUIT MOTION TO DISMISS “EXPECTED”
MISSOULA – The United States has made its first response to a lawsuit filed in federal district court in Missoula to test the Montana Firearms Freedom Act (MFFA), passed by the 2009 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Schweitzer.
The MFFA declares that any firearms, ammunition or firearms accessories made and retained in Montana are not subject to federal regulation under the power given to Congress in the U.S. Constitution to regulate commerce “among the several states.” The MFFA is a states’ rights challenge on Tenth Amendment grounds, with firearms serving as the vehicle for the challenge.
This lawsuit to validate the MFFA was brought by the Montana Shooting Sports Association (MSSA) and Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). The suit names U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder as defendant, and is referred to as MSSA v. Holder.
The first response to the lawsuit by the United States is a Motion to Dismiss, submitted January 19th and considered to be a standard procedural maneuver in lawsuits against the U.S government . This motion seeks to avoid the legal merits by asserting that the Plaintiffs lack standing to sue, that a justiciable controversy does not exist, and that prevailing case law is against Plaintiffs.
MSSA President Gary Marbut, also a Plaintiff in the lawsuit explained, “The first import of this response is that the legal game is now on. There was some concern that the defendants would forfeit the game with no response in an effort to prevent this important issue from being adjudicated properly. We are now beyond that hurdle.” However, the Motion to Dismiss by Washington also seeks to sidestep proper adjudication.
SAF Founder Alan Gottlieb said, “We are disappointed but not surprised that the government would try to kill this suit on standing, rather than arguing about the merits of the case.”
The MFFA concept has gained traction across the Nation since its passage in Montana. Tennessee has enacted a clone of the MFFA, and other clones have been introduced in the state legislatures of 19 other states, including: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. . Ten or more additional states are expected to introduce yet more MFFA clones in the next few weeks. (See: http://www.FirearmsFreedomAct.com)
The U.S.’s Motion to Dismiss and Brief in Support are viewable at: http://FirearmsFreedomAct.com/montana-lawsuit-updates/
MSSA and SAF have assembled a litigation team for this effort consisting of three attorneys from Montana, one from New York, one from Florida and one from Arizona. Lead attorney for the Plaintiffs is Quentin Rhoades, partner the Missoula firm of Sullivan, Tabaracci and Rhoades. Other interested parties from both in and out of Montana are preparing to weigh in on this issue of national interest and national importance as amicus curiae (friends of the court).
Marbut commented, “The FFA concept has created a firestorm of interest nationwide. Lots of people and other states are watching carefully to see how Montana fares in this challenge to overbearing federal authority and to Washington’s attempt to control every detail of commerce in the Nation, especially including activity wholly confined within an individual state. That level of micro management certainly was not the intent of our founders when they gave Congress limited power in the Constitution to regulate commerce ‘among the states’.” (See: http://FirearmsFreedomAct.com/what-is-the-commerce-clause/)
MSSA is the primary political advocate for gun owners and hunters in Montana, having gotten 54 pro-gun and pro-hunting bills through the Montana Legislature in the past 25 years. SAF is a pro-gun foundation in Bellevue, Washington, established to press the rights of gun owners primarily in judicial fora. SAF has been a party to numerous lawsuits to assert the rights of gun owners across the Nation.
The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nations oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and an amicus brief and fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.
Pending legislation that affects your freedom and liberty
January 7, 2010The goons in swamp town are always up to something, and it most often means a loss of freedom and liberty for you and I.
Here is an updated list courtesy of N.A.G.R. See the sidebar for a link to the homepage.
Updated 11/06/2009
| NAGR Oppose or Support |
Bill Number | Sponsors | Subject (check bill for official full title) | Location (where is the bill, as of update) |
Status |
| Support | H.R. 17 |
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett [R-MD]
|
Citizens’ Self-Defense Act of 2009 | House | Referred to Committee |
| Strongly Oppose | H.R. 45 | Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) | Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009 | House | Introduced |
| Neutral | H.R. 197 | Rep. Cliff Sterns (R – FL) | National Conceal Carry Reciprocity | House | Referred to Committee |
| Strongly Oppose | H.R. 257 | Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) | National Lock-Up-Your-Safety Storage Law | House | Referred to Committee |
| Support | H.R. 442 | Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) | Amnesty for veterans to register N.F.A. machine guns | House | Introduced |
| Neutral | H.R. 495 | Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX) | Cracking down on Mexican Gun Running | House | Introduced |
| Strongly Oppose |
H.R. 623 | Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) | Increase sentencing guidelines for firearms convictions | House | Introduced |
| Strongly Support | H.R. 642 | Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) | Codify recreational shooting rights on Federal Land | House | Referred to Committee |
| Strongly Oppose | H.R. 675 | Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) | Grant Department of Defense authority to execute warrants, make arrests, and carry firearms. | House | Referred to Committee |
| Strongly Oppose | H.R. 808 | Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) | Establishing a Department of Peace | House | Introduced |
| Oppose | H.R. 834 | Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) | Exemption Law enforcement for criminal prosecution for using firearms to commit a crime | House | Referred to Committee |
| Support | H.R. 1074 | Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) | Reform FFL laws to make it easier to buy and sell firearms legally across state lines. | House | Referred to Committee |
| Oppose | H.R. 1105 | Rep. David Obey | Omnibus Funding Bill, including appropriations for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms | House | PASSED |
| Support | H.R. 1620 | Rep. John Boozman (R-AR) | Expands certain permit holders’ reciprocity | House | Referred to Committee |
| Support | H.R. 1684 | Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA) | Extends 2nd Amendment Rights to National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges | House | Referred to Committee |
| Strongly Support | H.R. 1923 | Rep. Phil Gingrey (R – GA) | Requires BATFE to video tape the examination and testing of firearms and ammunition. | House | Referred to Committee |
| Oppose | H.R. 2159 | Rep. Peter King (R – NY) | Allows the Attorney General to place domestic “terror” suspects on a “No Guns” List | House | Referred to Committee |
| Strongly Oppose | H.R. 2324 | Rep. Michael Castle (R – DE) | Close down Private Sales (Gun Show “Loophole) | House | Referred to Subcommittee |
| Strongly Oppose | H.R. 2401 | Rep. Carolyn McCarthy | Put the so-called “no fly list” names in the NICS database and prevents them from buying firearms | House | Referred to Committee |
| Support | H.R. 2547 | Rep. Jerry Moran (R – KS) | Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act | House | Referred to Sub-Committee |
| Neutral | H.R. 2780 | Rep. Thomas Rooney (R – FL) | Definition of restricted Federal buildings | House | Referred to Commitee |
| Oppose | H.R. 2847 | Rep. Allan Mollohan (D-WV) | Appropriations bill for Department of Justice and the BATFE. | House | Passed House |
| Oppose | H.R. 2924 | Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) | Establish commission to conduct anti-gun study on popular culture. | House | Referred to Committee |
| Strongly Support | H.R. 3021 | Rep. Ron Paul (R – TX) | To Repeal the “Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1995” and its amendments | House | Referred to Committee |
| Strongly Support | H.R. 3022 | Rep. Ron Paul (R – TX) | Repeal the Brady Bill and the 2005 Trigger Lock Law | House | Referred to Committee |
| Neutral | H.R.3781 | Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO) | To use certain restricted Federal funds to build Federally owned shooting ranges | House | Referred to Committee |
| Support | H.R. 3789 | Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) | To allow the checked-baggage transportation of firearms and ammunition on Amtrak Trains | House | Referred to Committee |
| Neutral | S. 160 | Sen. Joe Liberman (D-CT) | Grants extremely limited gun rights to D.C. citizens | Senate | Passed Senate |
| Neutral | S. 205 | Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) | Cracking down on Mexican Gun Running | Senate | Referred to Committee |
| Support | S. 371 | Sen. John Thune (R – SD) | Expansion of resident permit reciprocity. | Senate | Referred to Committee |
| Support | S. 556 | Sen David Vitter (R – LA) | Firearms Transfer Improvement Act | Senate | Referred to Committee |
| Support | S. 669 | Sen. Richard Burr (D-SC) | Protects veterans 2nd Amendment rights from pernicious mental adjudication | Senate | Referred to Committee |
| Strongly Oppose | S. 843 | Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) | Closing the so-called “gun show loop-hole” | Senate | Introduced |
| Neutral | S. 845 | Sen. John Thune (R – SD) | Expand Concealed Carry Reciprocity | Senate | Referred to Committee |
| Support | S. 941 | Sen. Mike Crapo (R – ID) | Reform and modernize the BATFE and their testing procedures | Senate | Referred to Committee |
| Oppose | S. 1132 | Sen. Patrick Leahy (D – VT) | Extends concealed weapons privileges to “law enforcement” officers of the Amtrak Police force. | Senate | Referred to Committee |
| Strongly Oppose | S. 1317 | Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) | Allows the Attorney General to place domestic “terror” suspects on a “No Guns” List | Senate | Referred to Committee |
| Support | S. 1638 | Sen. Roger Wicker (R – MS) | Allows citizens to transport firearms, locked and unloaded on Amtrak trains | Senate | Referred to Committee |
| Neutral | S. 1789 | Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) | To use certain restricted Federal funds to build Federally owned shooting ranges | Senate | Referred to Committee |
Deer tales: Continued
January 5, 2010Continuing from HERE:
Charlie took the boys to the road nearby and showed them how to pluck the birds without getting down all over the campsite while Jason saw to the trout as I fired up the Coleman stoves, and got the fire going in the ring. The fire ring is a bit of a story in and of itself.
When we discovered this tiny piece of land that pierced the private property into national Forrest the fire ring was there, but nearly buried. As Charlie and I dug it out we noticed that several of the large stones that made it up were carved into. Most simply had name cut into the stone, along with dates. A couple of them were really surprising though; One said Jim Thom (son, I think, it was pretty unreadable), it was dated 1836 and said “I killt a Silver bar here” sic. Meaning, a Silver-tip, or grizzly I surmise. Another said a name that I do not remember, but said “Good beaver area, but the Indians are pretty bad.” Dated 1842, others had names and dates all the way up to 1942. So much for “discovering!”
The stoves heated up, and I was stoking the fire to roast the grouse on when all of a sudden the boys let out a shriek, Charlie screamed for me to get the rifle and I instinctively looked in that direction. At the same time I heard a loud snort, and a large black bear came tearing through camp and cleared the stream in a single leap… To this day I’m not sure who was more afraid, the boys, or that 300 pound bear!
We got the crew fed and watered, did a last check on the gear,and turned in… I know the boys didn’t sleep a wink, not after the bear and the excitement of their first high country hunt. Four A.M. came early, and both boys were blurry eyed, but fired up and ready to head out. Breakfast was out of a can, corned beef hash, and Texas Toast Colorado camp style. meaning hobo bread cut thick, and more or less burnt on the stove!
Then we headed out. Jerry decided to head up the near side mountain alone. It is almost straight up, but, if you can make it to timberline the chances of getting a shot at a Colorado Classic Timber Buck are pretty good, and if things didn’t work out that way on the hike back down you would be on top of where a herd of does tended to congregate. (He had tags for both sexes.)
Charlie took Michael down the road to the trail that led toward the Great Muddy Slide (Do a web search) intending to get Michael onto a Bull Elk as the big fellas tend to use a saddle near there to cross between the parks in the area.
I tossed our tree branch bridge across the stream, and took Jason with me. I looked at him and told him to unload the rifle. he asked why,and I told him that after crossing our “bridge” that he would understand, I also told him that, with this being his first hunt that he would shoot the first legal animal that he had tags for… That there were plenty of future hunts when he could look for horns that he couldn’t eat. With an OTC Buck tag, and an Elk tag to match he had also drew a doe deer tag. I felt confident that he would at least have a decent chance at bringing home some freezer food.
I wiped down my rifle, and told Jason to go and get a change of clothes on, and we would try again. Yes, he fell into the stream… I told him that he scored a solid five for form and demeanor. That’s right, at one time or another each of us has taken that ride! ( My best score, as assigned by Charlie, was an eight. he refused to allow me any extra for cursing etc. After all, he has the Championship at nine…)
Jason’s second attempted crossing went much better, and we headed across the scrub meadow to the gate that gave access to the forest, the fog was settling now, and I knew that would be good for hunting. It seemed to confuse Deer, Elk,and Bears, and that gave us two legged predators an edge. Jason asked, is this why you call it the enchanted forest? Sure is I responded. ” Jason, this fog gets pretty thick at times. If we get separated for some reason, stay put, don’t go wandering around. It will burn off in an hour or two, and we will hook back up. He acknowledged what I had said, added that he had been told of sudden drop offs, and that we had better start whispering because the fog would carry our voices. I nodded to his wisdom, chambered a round quietly, and motioned for him to do the same, and follow me.
I call it the enchanted forest because in the dense fog anything, and everything can, will, and just might blow your mind as it happens. After about going a hundred feet, I shifted off the trail went to a blow down, and sat, getting acclimated to the surreal environment. Jason whispered to me about the scope covers,and I told him to keep them on for now, that the fog would probably mess with things. Just then the boys eyes got really wide as he looked past my shoulder. Thinking that the bear had decided to exact a little revenge for the earlier fright that had been put into him (or the peanut and honey sandwiches that were in our backpacks!) I slipped the Ruger 41 Mag from the holster at my hip,and slowly turned… Jason, sat there as quiet as a church mouse, and popped the covers from the scope.
I got turned, my eyes focused on the front sight and did a hasty search of the area that had been behind me… No, no bear was in sight. I glanced at my watch; legal hunting time was ten minutes past. I whispered; Jason, he’s really close, and hes facing us almost straight on, I want you to aim at his nose, right between his nostrils… I think I heard an “Uh huh” and the Remington shattered the strange quiet of the Enchanted forest… “Jason follow me!” I yelled we ran a scant ten feet and I told him to “rack a round, get up next to him, and put it right where his front leg joins his chest, point at the same spot on his other side, and pull the trigger!” ‘Okay, he said, then what? Do it again, then get back behind me and reload!” The boy did as I had said… for the first shot. He turned and asked, the fear in him very apparent; “Is he dead?”
I yelled ” I don’t know, now shoot him again like I told you to do!” He did, and got right behind me and loaded three more rounds into the rifle that has earned the nickname “Mister Death.”
The smell of Elk urine was more than apparent, as in death the huge Bull Elk died. I looked at Jason, and told him. “You just did something that few life long Elk hunters accomplish Jason, say a prayer.” Jason’s first big game animal was a Branch Antlered Rocky Mountain Elk Bull. A Basic six point, with a seventh nub point. After the required drying period, it scored 370 even. I told him that Charlie would be one of two things. Pissed, or really proud. Why is that Jason asked as he stared at the noble beast that would be used for food and many other things. ” Because, I think this is the Bull that Charlie fell out of a tree a few years ago trying to arrow it!”
As we went about the real work involved in a successful Elk hunt I noted that my time in Africa had payed off in spades. The very first bullet had hit dead center under the Bulls chin, and broken it’s spine at the second cervical vertebra. Still, I was glad that I had had the young one shoot twice more. “It’s the dead ones that kill you.” I don’t know how many times I have heard that. I don’t know how many times it should be repeated. But? It is a truth of truths, and must be passed on.
By about ten in the morning we were ready for the first phase of the haul back to camp. The Bull was quartered and tagged as the law required. I had showed Jason how to make a pack frame of his basic backpack. We heard two shots in rapid succession from the west. That would be Charlie and Michael.
“Why are the horns, hide, and other quarters strung up in the trees? And why double looped? He asked” Because you made a “friend” last night son,and, because it’s just good sense to keep your meat cool. We headed back to camp,and no, he didn’t get any style points for crossing…
We hung the meat after putting the pieces into bug bags, and prepared to head back up when we heard a shot. It was close, within two hundred yards. Then we heard Jerry’s voice; “Hail the Camp! Anyone there? I could use some help, I got a Doe!”
On our way Bro! I yelled. I looked at Jason and said. “He don’t know it, but he just became a Mule!”
We hiked the distance…. About fifty feet… Yelled to Jason to get his butt over here, dragged the doe away from the road. Gutted her, and as Jason arrived I told him? “Nice shooting! Now, let’s get her back to camp, and then the real work will start!” We did a quick and dirty field dress of the Doe. Got her back in Camp, and hung her on the Camp Tree. I told him then; “You ready to work now?” he looked at me like I was dumb stupid… Your Son did better than you, me,Charlie,or any of the guys at work have ever friend. Three more loads Bro. You up for it?”
“Lead the way Ranger.” Now,that, is the sort of response that I expect from a Marine. After all, I am a Marine Corps Brat!
I am ending this thing now, but, it didn’t really end there. There was a First Fish caught on a fly. A lesson in making wet wood burn. A bear cub that decided that our camp was home, and many other things.
Oh? Those shots that we heard off to the west? Charlie finaly got his elk, and Michael got his first Deer.
Cross posted to Hunters Central in Yahoo groups
2010: Second Amendment in the crosshairs
January 4, 2010Lots of issues will be on the table this coming year, and none will be more important than those that surround The Second Amendment. It is, after all is said and done that which protects the rest of the entire Bill of Rights.
The Epic Fail Administration and cohorts have shown what utter contempt they hold for the American people as well as the rule of law in their handling of the obamacare fiasco. Not to mention that while all that “debate” was unfolding the obamanites sold out America’s Sovereignty. Read about that HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and yes more HERE! Strong work Anthony!
The sheer arrogance of the current administration and Congress would be mind boggling, that is, if the strategy were not so transparent. I submit that they are well aware of what will happen come Judgment Day 2010. Their plan,as it were, is to do as much lasting damage to the United States as they possibly can in a short time, and to stack the Supreme Court and other Federal Courts to achieve what ever lasting effect they can shove down our throats.
Then we have this, from the dog that fetched the bone…
The Second Amendment faces a decisive year in 2010. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. has called for new semi automatic gun bans despite their decade long record of fraud and failure, and despite his own Justice Department’s failure to fully or even half heartedly prosecute federal firearm felonies. Mr. Holder and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have demonstrated their willingness to use cooked statistics to blame Mexico’s violent drug war on Americans and their Second Amendment rights. Anti gun leaders in Congress have introduced bills to ban guns, license gun owners, register guns, tax bullets, serialize ammunition, shut down gun shows and a hundred other schemes. They’re still there, proposing every nonsensical gun law they can imagine that only affect law abiding citizens, while criminals go about their evil business unfettered. Meanwhile at the United Nations, global citizen disarmament nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and freedom fearing dictatorships worldwide maneuver to impose their will on you through international treaties. But it is a new year. And, in a very crucial way, 2010 may be a year unlike any other in American history when the Second Amendment could, finally and truly, be recognized as a right for all Americans.
Read About It: The Washington Times
Conservative Libertarian Outpost 