A Long wait ends with a very nice turkey with bow&arrow

I want to share a brief success story from a good friend Ed Blankinship who owns "Gobblers End Turkey Call". This Merriams Tom weighed 19 pound and had a 9" beard

I killed him the 3rd day of the season, the first two days were a bust with no birds talking. Around noon of day three two gobblers started vocalizing within calling distance. One was above me and the other slightly below.  The upper bird would not move but about 2 PM the lower bird started moving my direction. About 3 PM he was finally within shooting distance. One arrow at about 6 yards put him down nicely.

 

Not much of a story, just a lot of waiting, calling and waiting some more.

Stop buy Ed's website some time and see what he has. I really do think is makes great calls and I own already two of them a box call and a scratch call plus I am ordering a wing bone call within the week. 

 Stop by, You won't be disappointed!

http://www.gobblersend.com/ 

Preparing my Pack for Turkey Hunting

Finally Connecticut Spring Turkey season is here and so far I missed the opener because of that nasty four letter word "work". Day two, missed that as well because of stuff I needed to get done which is today. Friday would be day three which I am missing because of OT at work and finally this Saturday I can't because of a commitment I made to the animal shelter where we adopted our dog. I volunteered my handy man services.

Maybe next week?

What I can do though is get my pack ready so when I do make it out I will be able to just grab and go. I am trying something a little different this year.

Because I have such bad arthritis now because of Lyme Disease and actually need to have a hip replaced it is hard for me to get up and down or even sit for long periods so I bought a comfortable fold up chair which I think will help.

I have tried this when I found it at Cabela's and it really is quite comfortable so I am gonna test it out turkey hunting. I realize I will not be hunkered down to the base of some tree but if I am not comfortable I can't sit. I will have to make do and find some cover.

If your interested in this chair for yourself it comes from "Hunter Specialties" which carries a lot of items geared toward hunting and hunter's. I did buy a ground blind big enough for just one which I might use but I'm not sure how much I can carry out with me right now.

I took this time while I was working on stuff to grab a few thing for when I do go out. That way I can grab and go.

I have my palm corder which I caught some good footage on from last turkey season. Just haven't figured out how to get it from their to the computer but, I will.

Got my trusty Thermocell for the skeeters. It is worth every penny I spent on it. I also have my H.S. Strut Slate Witch friction call and my handmade box call from Ed at "Gobbler's End Turkey Calls". If you want a quality handmade turkey call than Ed is the guy to see. I have bought two calls from Ed so far and they both get the Tom's talking.

Of course I have my ammunition. Right now I am using Remington Nitro Express Turkey load which seems to leave a good pattern out of my shotgun. I have a headlamp from Princeton Tec that is awesome with it's four bulb LED light.

As you can see I have a Jake and Hen turkey decoys. I figure I need all the help so maybe I can find a dum Tom who will spot these and come in to investigate.

Now here I have top left my cushion when I sit on the ground which is at least 3" of foam for my hard butt, it's very comfy.

Next to that is my back pack which has a lot of space for stuff . Works very well. It has a double compartment in the front for all my small items like my calls. Makes it easy to get at.

Then in the foreground I have my new chair which I mention above. Can't wait to try that in the woods. I can use my ground blind or a beefy laurel bush to hide in.

Those black plastic stakes are for me decoys. So, that is pretty much the basics for me although I forgot to include my camp coveralls, camo hat, camo face shield, camo gloves, and so on.

I am really looking forward to getting out and enjoying some outdoor peace for a little bit.

A Ride I should have taken awhile ago, Better late than Never

Yesterday I had to run an errand for Heidi and on the way back home I pass a part of the Nipmuck State Forest. Now I have been living out here for years but have always spent all my attention on a different forest. This is the first year I received a shotgun deer permit for this state forest and add recently scouted the area I was going to hunt but this I had never been in.

At the west entrance I enter through the gate that is left open this time of year . As I drove through I wondered to myself why I hadn't gone through here before now.

I certainly looked like some goo deer hunting land. I have seen deer cross the road out of here before and have seen guys using it to hunt in the past but never checked it,

It really was a nice ride on dirt and stone going up over hills and down through small marshs and over rolling brooks.

I came across this sign  which went to the left. I remember seeing this road name on a map but couldn't place where it was and now I know.






I came across this sign which I have seen another one like it at the east entrance. When the Laurels are in bloom I here it really is quite beautiful and when that happens I will have to come through here again and take some pictures so you can see it.

While driving through I found this spot which looks like a great place to stop and have a picnic lunch. Good idea for during the summer. I don't know how old that tree is but I bet it has a few year worth of rings in that trunk.

Job Update, Slow but Sure

A slow start to the promotion but it is or will be getting there. It really is no surprise because during the original interview I was told I might have to stay where I am until they get permission to hire a replacement. With the hiring freeze throughout the state anything like this has to go through the top.

I do have the title and the pay though and of course the personal work phone that I carry 24/7 if I'm needed. I did just find out just this pas Friday that they have received the ok to hire one more person which is a good thing and they were looking for volunteers to be on a search company.

HUH, nobody raise their hand except me. It still has to be approved but it looks like I might have the opportunity to pick my replacement. Knowing how the state works it might not be said and done until the end of summer but, we'll see.

I know my supervisor is going on vacation in 3 weeks for almost a month so I am suppose to basically cover him while he is gone. So it looks like I'll be doing double duty for awhile.

Anyway that is the scoop on that. Gotta go grab Heidi's camera, have errand to runs and you never know what I might run into.

How many Coyotes do you Have?

Last I had heard the coyote population had been on the rise at least in Connecticut. I personally have seen one just last week while it was crossing the road on my way home from work. Now I see this article about coyotes in New Hampshire. According to the article the population could be worse than previously thought.

Do you know what the coyote population is like in your area? Has it affected your local deer herd?

Coyote effect on deer herds may be worse than believed

By: Dick Pinney

New Hampshire.com

A LOT OF PEOPLE — in fact, most of the people we know — take information from biologists and other scientists as “gospel.” In fact, we are among those who usually take the work of reputable scientists as truth that is hard to challenge.
Recently a note and copy of an article from our all-time favorite New Hampshire Fish and Game wildlife biologist, Ted Walski, opened our eyes to the possibility that the findings of some past coyote studies were not based on fact, but rather on some kind of weird allegiance to this animal.
In the past, the prevailing scientific view held that coyote populations cannot be controlled, nor can their effect on deer herds be mitigated by killing or trapping coyotes. I found myself among the many people who wished that this were not true, but ruefully accepted it as the truth.
The December 2009 issue of American Hunter magazine reported on three studies in the South, which used some basic tools such as trail cameras and DNA samples, that contradict this view of the relationship of coyote populations to the health of a deer herd. What follows is quoted verbatim from this article: “Three recent University of Georgia research projects examined properties in Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. All three studies found coyotes can be tough on fawns (whitetail deer), especially in the fawns’ first six weeks.
“In southwestern Georgia, researchers used trail cameras to survey fawn-to-doe ratios in two study areas 2.5 miles apart. They removed 23 coyotes and three bobcats from January to August in an 11,000-acre area, but removed no predators from a nearby 7,000-acre block.
“Shortly before hunting season, their camera census estimated 0.72 fawns per doe where predators were killed and 0.07 fawns per doe where no predators were killed. Two fawns were present for every three does in the predator removal area, and two fawns were present for every 28 does where no predators were killed.

Read the complete article:

Cleaning your fresh caught Trout

Today instead of a recipe I thought I would tell you and show you how to clean a fish (trout in particular) so it's ready for either freezer or the BBQ grill. Now there are different ways to do this and this video I found happens to be the way I do it.

Caution: Video is graphic so if you don't feel comfortable viewing than I have included a step by step process that you can follow.

1. First you need to cut the head off just before the Pectoral fin (this fin can be nipped off after or left on)
2. Hold fish with belly facing up, take your fillet knife and from the anal hole slice forward toward where the head was.
3. After pulling out the entrails what you want to do is with an old tooth brush clean the blood vein that runs along the spine. If that is not cleaned out it will effect the taste.
4. Once that is done rinse thoroughly and prepare to cook as you wish.

A Coffee break and a Squirrel making her Nest

Yesterday was Friday and I was at work, now there is a balcony off the floor I work on that is a great place to take a break. This balcony is like 2 stories up so if your sitting there you are say half way up a normal size tree. While having a cup of coffee and watching the students and campus life going back and forth I notice this gray squirrel.

Now the Eastern Gray Squirrel is really very relaxing to watch and sometimes quite hilarious to watch at times.

I saw this squirrel start chewing small branches off and makes a nest in the crook of a tree that was actually eye level to where I was sitting and maybe10 yards away. This squirrel ran back and forth constantly with chewed off branches to make a nest and by the time I had to get back to work she looked to be half done.



Here is some information that I didn't know about that is kinda interesting. Eastern gray squirrels build a type of nest, known as a drey, in the forks of trees. The drey consists mainly of dry leaves and twigs; Spanish moss is also useful where it's available. It may also build a nest in the attic or in the exterior walls of a house, often to the consternation of the homeowner. In addition, the squirrel may inhabit a permanent tree den.

Eastern gray squirrels breed twice a year, December to February and May to June, though this is slightly delayed in more northern latitudes. The first litter is born in February to March, the second in June to July. There are normally two to six young in each litter, but this number can be as high as 8. The gestation period is about 44 days. The young are weaned at 7 weeks and leave the nest after 10 weeks.

I have a feeling if I stay quite and don't get to close I just might be seeing baby squirrels soon. I hope to share those pictures. I have had some much wildlife sighting on campus that you would not believe me seeing as the university sits on the very edge of a small busy city.

I have seen deer walking the side walks that students use and I have seen a red fox stroll through like he has done it a thousand times and probably has. I've seen opossums under steps that lead into a building where class rooms are. I have even given half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to a skunk, now that was funny to watch him eat that. You never know what your going to see.

A give-away for the Beginner or Veteran Black Powder Shooter

Spread the Word

Ok here is the deal. You all know I became a product tester beginning of the year for a company called BPI "Blackpowder Product Inc." who just so happens to own CVA "Connecticut Valley Arms".

Well, thanks to the CEO of BPI Mr. Dudley McGarity I am able to offer a fabulous prize for another give-away on Whitetail Woods and the prize is one of the 2010 new releases of muzzleloaders from CVA.

Wolf 209 Magnum Break-Action 50 caliber

Wolf 

QR Breech Plug

Wolf 209 Magnum Break-Action

The newly redesigned WOLF™ has all the features that made the original WOLF the number one selling muzzleloader in the world – plus many new features.

Quick-Release Breech Plug

For ease of cleaning, the APEX Muzzleloader features the patent pending CVA QRBP (Quick-Release Breech Plug); the only such system that really works after the gun is fired.

The newly redesigned WOLF™ has all the features that made the original WOLF the number one selling muzzleloader in the world – plus many new features. Still lightweight and easy to maneuver, the new WOLF even comes in a COMPACT version that is just the right length for the youth or small-framed adult, or even for the shooter who just wants a quick-handling gun for brush hunting. The 100% ambidex- trous stocks are available in either black or Realtree® Hardwoods Green camo. The WOLF also features CVA’s new QRBP (Quick-Release Breech Plug) – the only truly tool-free removal breech plug on the market today. Even after 20 or more shots, the QRBP comes out with just a twist of the fingers – try that with any other "speed breech" system. Plus, the break-action breech opens easily with just a touch of the breeching button, which is located in the front of the trigger guard. The WOLF’s compact and quick-pointing barrel is made of blued steel and is set up with all-metal DuraSight® fiber optic sights. The new WOLF, it’s a lot of gun – but not a lot of money.

Wolf 209 Magnum Break-Action

• 24” Blued Barrel
• Bullet Guiding Muzzle
• 100% Ambidextrous Compact or Standard Stock
• QRBP - Quick Release Breech Plug
• Reversible Hammer Spur
• CrushZone® Recoil Pad
• 39” Overall Length in Standard, 38” Overall Length in Compact
• 6.25 lbs. Total Weight
• 14” Length of Pull in Standard, 13” Length of Pull in Compact
• Lifetime Warranty

I am also including a Powerbelt Bullets Bullet Starter pack.

The PowerBelt Bullet Starter is a must for shooters who are interested in maximizing accuracy with any hollow or polymer point bullet - including PowerBelt Bullets.

The PowerBelt Bullet Starter comes with two sets of three loading tips to fit almost all hollow point bullet designs and one set of 3 tips for polymer point bullets. One tip goes on the short rod of the starter, one on the long rod, and one on the ramrod.




Now down to the fun part and that is how the give-away will work. There are 5 simple rules to enter.

1. You must register to comment which is where you need to enter for the give-away.Just click on comment, leave your answers to questions 4 & 5 and follow the steps to post comment.
2. You must be at least 18 years of age to participate. (proof may be requested at anytime)
3. The winner must acknowledge via email within 48 hours from the time the winner is posted or a new winner will be picked.
4. In comments for this post you need to leave a link to any blog that you would recommend others to visit.
5. Last but not least you must also answer this one simple question,

Question: If you were able to do one thing to help our environment and/or it's wildlife what would that one thing be? 

Winner will be picked via the website Random.org

Deadline for entries is midnight May 31, 2010

Winner will be posted June 1, 2010 no later than 12 noon

So you want to make a Powder Horn

I have been following Albert's post's at the "Rasch Outdoor Chronicles" about how to make a powder horn.
As you know I am really into black powder shooting so this has been an interesting project to me so I wanted to mention to all who might not know about Albert's blog to stop by and check this project out.

Related Posts:

Making a Powder Horn Pt I: A Chronicles' Project
Making a Powder Horn Pt II: A Chronicles' Project
Making a Powder Horn: Almost There!
Making a Powder Horn Pt III: A Chronicles' Project
 

The New look and Direction.

I am sure you have noticed from a previous post that my outdoor writings have grown just a bit and I am not just centering my whole attention around deer and deer hunting even though it is still on the top of my todo list.

This past weekend before I came down with a real nasty virus I had even decided to change the header and catch Fraze to my blog. It took me quite awhile to decide on a picture and ultimately I decided on the one above for a few reasons. I have always like mountain ranges like you see in the background and I have a liking for old barns and with grassy fields and woodlands below the mountains I could just picture the deer and turkey with a trout stream running along through it all.

The catch fraze took me just as long if not longer to think of. I know I liked sharing my outdoor experiences with you all and I like to break up my posts a bit so hopefully you don't get bored and myself as well so that is why I came up with "Sharing the Outdoors, One Piece at a Time".

Basically I come to realize that there is so much to the outdoors that I truly enjoy writing about what I do, what I experience, what I might share with others can be very gratifying and by paying more attention to that and not some graph telling me my visitors are high or low or my pageviews are up or down I can actually enjoy all this more than I was, and I was enjoying it quite a bit. Now I think I will enjoy it twice as much as I was.

I hope some of this blabbering makes sense to you and if it don't feel free to leave your questions and/or comments.

The outdoors is full of trails, let's pick one and walk it and see where we end up!

Connecticut's 40th. Anniversary of Earth Day

Earth Day Message from DEP Commissioner Amey Marrella:

We invite you to join us in celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

In the four decades since the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, Connecticut has made great progress in cleaning up our air, water and lands, preserving open space and protecting wildlife. This 40th anniversary is a time to highlight our state's environmental progress, while recognizing the critical challenges that we still face.

To encourage the celebration, the Earth Day pages of DEP's website offers a comprehensive listing of Earth Day activities around the state. We will also post information on the special events being planned at the State Capitol for Earth Day. And we'll be adding other special features as Earth Day approaches.

This year's Earth Day on April 22 will be a special occasion - and we look forward to celebrating it with you.

Savory Sunday's - #60

Tin Foil Trout:

Ingredients

• 2 rainbow trout fillets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Rinse fish, and pat dry.
2. Rub fillets with olive oil, and season with garlic salt and black pepper. Place each fillet on a large sheet of aluminum foil. Top with jalapeno slices, and squeeze the juice from the ends of the lemons over the fish. Arrange lemon slices on top of fillets. Carefully seal all edges of the foil to form enclosed packets. Place packets on baking sheet.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of fish. Fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork. 

Prep Time:
10 Min

Cook Time:
20 Min

Ready In:
30 Min

Fly Fishing - Another way to extend your Trout Fishing

Hey All, my new toy was delivered via UPS yesterday afternoon. The fly rod & reel kit I bought from Ebay.

I thought this was a good deal to start with. Eagle Claw has been around for quite some time, since 1925 actually.

Product Features

• 8' 3 piece composite rod
• 5/6 fly reel preloaded with backing, fly line and leader
• Flies and Clipper included as well as Leader Links

Now I have to figure out how to use it, haha. really though I do need to do a little studying and practicing so that where the nice summer days come in to play.

Feel free to leave any and all tips in the comment are and with any luck by the end of summer I will be able to show you some trout cooking on the grill.

The Weather can be a great Wildlife Locator

As I was browsing some blogs that I try to follow on a daily basis I came up with a post and I think it is a topic that is not mentioned so often. The Weather, learn to watch the weather because that will determine a lot of what the wildlife are going to do. It doesn't matter whether you are deer hunting, predator hunting, turkey hunting or even fishing.

What I like to use is a website called "Intellicast". Click the link and at the top of the page just enter your zip code and everything you need to know for at least the next week is right there in front of you. I know the weather reports are always subject to change but I have found this site to be fairly accurate and one that I at least trust.

Ashford, Connecticut

Clear

63°F Feels Like: 63°

Wind Chill:

63°

Ceiling:

Unl

Heat Index:

63°

Visibility:

10mi

Dew Point:

23°

Wind:

10mph

Humidity:

22%

Direction:

360° (N)

Pressure:

30.24"

Gusts:

18mph

10 Day Forecast -  °F | °C

View the Detailed Extended Forecast »

thu	fri	sat	sun	mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat
apr 15 M Sunny 68° 38°	apr 16 Rain 48° 41°	apr 17 Rain 48° 36°	apr 18 Few Showers 55° 40°	apr 19 P Cloudy 59° 42°	apr 20 M Sunny 63° 43°	apr 21 P Cloudy 63° 44°	apr 22 P Cloudy 63° 45°	apr 23 M Cloudy 63° 45°	apr 24 Showers 65° 45°

Details for Thursday, April 15
Plenty of sunshine. High 68F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Evening: A few showers this evening, becoming a steady light rain overnight. Low 38F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Hunting, Fishing, Shooting & Family Activities - What's ahead in 2010

Lately I have been thinking (I know it's a dangerous thing to do) that it seems like I am touching more on other topics other than my main focus of whitetail deer and deer hunting. Maybe what I think is tunnel vision has been opening up a bit which is I think a good thing.

My goal for this blog was to talk about my #1 passion/obsession for whitetail deer and deer hunting. That has been and always will be my main focus but, I am really beginning to enjoy talking about the other parts of the outdoor world that I enjoy like trout fishing. I have been doing that off and on for years. I also enjoy my fairly new experience of spring turkey hunting which is a lot of fun and it's also a good way to scout for deer hahaha.

The other day I posted a bucket list and on that list was fly fishing. For awhile now I have wanted to try it and finally decided I wanted to learn and share my experiences with you all as I go along. I recently got the winning bid on ebay for a brand new fly rod & reel kit  so when that arrives I will fill you in on the details.

Plus, this year I became a product tester for BPI testing CVA muzzleloaders which is something I have wanted to do for really quite some time and this year I finally got the opportunity to do that. I plan to periodically tell you about tests I have done and maybe some of it might be useful to some of you. I know muzzleloader has been a part of what I do for the past 18 years.

Of course there are all sorts of family things to mention from time to time and it's very nice to hear that there are so many of you out there that really enjoy reading about it. This blog has really become a big part of me and what I do and that is partly from the support I get from all you other bloggers and just plain readers.

I know it is already April but there is still a lot left to the year so this all is what I will be mentioning about. Who knows what else might pop into my head to talk about but either way you can bet it will have something to do with the outdoors.

Let the fun begin

In just a couple days fishing season here in Connecticut will be officially underway and in just two weeks from today spring turkey season will be opening. This to me is kinda like the starter gun at the beginning of a race going off although it's not a race but the beginning of good times and good weather (hopefully) with get togethers and cookouts.

Time to dig out the BBQ grill and clean it out and dust it off. If your a propane grill type of person a word of warning before you get that tank filled check it's age. They are only good for 5 years, any older than that and they are not suppose to be filled and need to be replaced. If you are the charcoal grill kinda person like myself you might want to get your self a fresh bag. Oh ya, very important to know is that if you buy charcoal that comes soaked with lighter fluid and all it needs is a match to start I would not close the top. Speaking from experience if you close the top you are essentially creating a back draft in fireman's terms. You will smother the flame just enough where it just smolders and then when you lift the top and give it all that air, WHOOOF there goes all the hair on your arm and a nice first degree burn. I will never buy that stuff again.

+

=

Which could also lead to 

 Don't forget, the best part of the outdoors is spending time with family and friends!

My Quest to be a Fly Fisherman

As I work on another part of my goals "Learning to Fly Fish" I make a decision to follow a website that appears to me that it will be a tremendous help to me. "Fly Fisherman TV". I first discovered this show by visiting the "Sportsman Channel" website.

http://www.flyfisherman.tv/

I would like you to meet the two hosts of the Fly Fisherman show which aires on The Sportsman Channel. 

Fly Fisherman is the spot to learn and experience all things fly fishing. Our hosts, guide Jed Fiebelkorn and outfitter Nicole Darland, have tapped into the decades-long expertise of Fly Fisherman Magazine to develop a comprehensive instructional fly fishing series. We fish streams, ponds, lakes, and ocean to offer everything you need to become a skilled fly fishing angler. Fly Fisherman—Removing the Mystery, while Building the Passion for Fly Fishing.

Nicole Darland

Seattle-based outfitter Nicole Darland is the owner of Xclusive Xpeditions, an adventure travel and fly fishing business specializing in trips to Patagonia.

Jed Fiebelkorn

A former professional hockey player, Jed Fiebelkorn is now a full-time flyfishing guide on the waters in and around Missoula, MT.




I plan to as I go along try to share with you my attempts at learning how to fly fish. This could be a lengthy process hahaha but I am looking forward to the challenge. So, in the summer months to come keep an eye out for future posts.

Win a Trout Unlimited Fly-Fisherman Prize Package

04/09/2010
 

New Berlin, Wis. – (April 7, 2010) – Perfect for the beginner to the experienced fly-fisherman, this prize pack from Trout Unlimited and Sportsman Channel will help complete your fly-fishing adventures. Included is a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses (valued at $300), an Xscape Rod Case and Gear Bag and apparel from Sportsman Channel. We are excited to have Trout Unlimited’s On the Rise TV show debut on Sportsman Channel this month. Check out the show on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:30 a.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m., and Sundays at 2:30 a.m., all EST. Watch a sneak peek promo video on Sportsman’s Facebook page:here
On the Rise is hosted by Colorado fishing guide Frank Smethurst, who travels across the country reaping the rewards of Trout Unlimited’s (TU) hard work and shines a spotlight on the critical issues facing America’s trout and salmon. From casting streamers for salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska, to fishing for wild brook trout in Long Island, N.Y., Smethurst and his arsenal of fly rods leave no stone unturned in the quest for wild trout and the people who work to protect them.
One lucky winner will be chosen in a random drawing on April 15, 2010 – so click here and hurry to enter today!
About Sportsman Channel: Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel is the only television and digital media company fully devoted to the more than 82 million sportsmen in the United States, delivering entertaining and educational programming focused exclusively on hunting, shooting and fishing activities. Acquired by InterMedia Outdoors Holdings in 2006, Sportsman Channel reaches more than 25 million U.S. television households and is a part of the nation's largest multimedia company targeted exclusively to serving the information and entertainment needs of outdoors enthusiasts. Visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com, follow on Twitter, @SPORTSMANchnl (www.twitter.com/SPORTSMANchnl), or become a Fan on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sportsmanchannel.

Press Contacts:
Michelle Scheuermann, Sportsman Channel, 262-432-9100 ex 111, mscheuermann@thesportsmanchannel.com

My Bucket List, A Goal for the Future

You know I never really thought much about it but the other day Albert from "The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles" was helping me with a little writers block and had come up with an idea for a post.

What he had mentioned was creating a Bucket List. Now at first I had always associated a bucket list with things to do before you die. I thought well, things are not that great but I don't think that is going to happen just yet. Then I thought, you never really know what tomarrow will bring.

Not trying to sound morbid mind you but one of my favorite sayings is "Life is too short to worry about so don't waste anytime". I say that for a few reasons but never the less I should take my advise and those of friends. So what follows is a list, My Bucket List of outdoor activities that I hope (I want) to accomplish.

"Rick's Bucket List"

• Shoot a record book Whitetail Deer
• Catch a record book Trout
• Shoot my first Eastern Wild Turkey
• Go on a Kansas Whitetail Deer hunt
• Learn to fly fish
• Visit Yellowstone National Park
• Become a official scorer for the NBBC
• Have a successful deer hunt captured on film
• Tan a deer hide
• Get my pistol permit
• Go camping/fishing/hunting with Tyler 
• Have Heidi spend a day with me deer hunting (to see what I see)

I have put a lot of time into creating this list and I feel I have the most important items that I would like to accomplish. I encourage all to comment and tell me what you all think of my list.

Pardin me while I Vent a little.

I was going to post about my first muzzleloader test today with CVA's new Optima but, sad to say it did not happen. Beginning of the week I had made reservations for Connecticut's only public range and the directions I got were not to the range but to DEP's Eastern HQ's.

Of course I could not find anyone to ask where the range was. So the only thing left to do was to call my friend Nate to see if he was home and unfortunately he was out of town at a 3D shoot.

Pardin me if I vent a little,
I have an obligation as a tester to test and because I do not right now have a place to go to on a whim I am very limited to where I can shoot. I am just slightly frustrated because I have waited for so long to be able to do this and now that I am in a position to do it I am struggling to find somewhere to shoot. It is not like I want to live at the range but 1 hour 2 to 3 times a week I don't think is to much to ask.

I'm in no way giving up, it's not in my vocabulary but I will admit it's in one word FRUSTRATING.

Sometimes the Basics are all you need

With Connecticut's fishing season opener a week away I thought I would go through my tackle box to see what I had and if I needed anything.

Now I don't really have a whole lot basically because I don't fish for anything but trout. I have what you might call the basics, don't need much when you are sitting on the edge of a stream bank tossing night crawlers or spinners.

If you noticed the upper left corner of the picture where the rooster tail spinners are you'll see my Eagle Claw Good Luck Hook, no lie I bought it once as a gag and I have been catching fish more ever sense.

A New look for Connecticut Valley Arms Website

I just wanted to mention that CVA "Connecticut Valley Arms" has changed it's look a bit on their website. I think it looks great and makes navigating around the site a lot easier.

Here are just a few of the changes:

· Direct link to all key gun info pages from the tabs below the rotating gun screen

· Direct link tabs to the comparison features in the See Why CVA Is Better section

· Direct link to the QRBP Breech Plug video

· Direct link to the catalog download

· Direct link to Blackpowder 101 – soon to be the new Muzzleloading Basics version

· Direct link to the Electra Direct Buy promotion

· Instant play infomercial videos for all gun models

· Interactive gun feature diagrams from the “Comparison Menu”

Computer is Home and Feeling Better

Well I finally got my desktop back and I have to say I like it although, I lost all my bookmarks of sites that I frequent. That is really not a big deal compared to what was happening.

The virus's it had was unfortunately unavoidable and from what they told me it is spreading like crazy so just a friendly reminder.

Be careful what you click on or open in an email.

Do your occasional scans to remove anything that shouldn't be in there.

So now I have my desktop I also have that laptop that was given as a gift. I think Heidi wants it to browse while she kicking back relaxing at night so I need to look into a wireless card for it. Most of the time I think it is going to just end up sitting in the case.

Town Housing Rehab grants a New Septic System

Big todo's are happening at the Whitetail Woods homestead lately. It seems this is the year for things to happen I guess. Let's briefly go back to the beginning, almost 12 years ago we bought our first house which is where we are at now and which is where we plan to stay. When we were buying the house it was disclosed that they were uncertain of the lifespan of the septic system and so we were given the opportunity to back out. We did not and probably should have for awhile ago the system started to fail.

Of course you all know or at least heard about how expensive those can be and of course it was way out of our reach so what to do. A little while ago the neighbor diagonally across the street from us had the same problem and the next thing we new they were getting a new system put in. We had found out that they applied for a housing rehab grant from the town and basically the only stipulation for not having to pay was you could not sell or move for at least 7 years.

We or should I say Heidi contacted the town and asked about it and to make a long story short we were approved so a couple of days ago they came to scope out the property and dig a hole for testing.

This was taking from the top of our porch stairs. They had to go at least 6' down to find out where the top soil ended and virgin soil begin.

As you can see living around a lake does not give you a whole lot of yard but then again the more yard I have the more I have to do. HaHa
They figured out they were going to half to take 3' of top soil out to get to where they were going to put the new system in.


I guess I will have to re-terrace that side of the house. At least I believe they will regrade, seed and hay when they are done. I certainly am not going to complain. This will be one major concern that I can get out of my head which has been there for some time.

This is been a interesting year so far with a lot happening and knock on wood it has all been good so far.