Soda, Popcorn and a Premier Movie

Ok, this is slightly different from what you will normally see on my blog but this is date night with my wife Heidi and I have to say that she is so into the Twilight series it is well the only way to describe it is like telling someone I'm passionate about whitetail deer hunting. I think you get the point.

Now this is the third in a series of four original books that they turned into a movies series which I am sure you have heard of. Tonight is the debut for this part in the saga so off to the neighbor's house with Tyler for a few hours and then we are headed for the movies.

I am glad she let me have the den all to myself otherwise I think we would be fighting for space between deer and hunting stuff + guns against her twilight/vampire/werewolf items. I would probably lose but don't tell her I said that.

Busy start to a Short Week

Well it's Monday again and I am off and running in 6 different directions or at least it seems that way. But hey, that is life and I do have a sense of adventure.

First thing I did this morning was run to the post office and ship a item that I sold on EBAY, another thing I started to dabble in. More fun than anything else. Then it's home to do a little computer work before I go out to cut grass before I leave for my real job.

While I was heading for the post office I called and made a reservation at the gun range again for this weekend. I am hoping the Powerbelt bullets I am expecting come in before then but if not I will go to plan B and that is different gun and different bullets.

Over the weekend I took a couple of pictures from what is the only nicest looking thing in our yard right now and that is my wife Heidi's rose bush. It has been there since we bought the house almost 12 years ago.

According to my title it is a short week and I mean that because I work Monday and Tuesday, I am taking Wednesday off to take Heidi out to the movies. I will work Thursday and Friday is a Furlough day thanks the Connecticut's Governor. Saturday and Sunday are typical days off and Monday we have off because of the 4th. of July. So I am looking forward to a long weekend even though one of those days I do not get paid for.

I plan to fit some home BBQing in there as well as a trip or two to the local trout pool. maybe some to put on the grill I hope.

That is enough babbling for a Monday morning so it's off to cut grass and I'll catch you later or at least tomarrow.

Muzzleloading Permit has been Accepted

This fall I will be muzzleloader hunting for whitetails in the northeast kingdom of Vermont thanks to the kindness of Mountain man and Mountain woman otherwise known from their blog "Red Pine Mountain". Friday I was going through my emails and not related to Red Pine Mountain I saw a google alert that said 2010 lottery deer antlerless muzzleloader permit application are now being accepted. Naturally I clicked the link and applied online, in only a couple minutes my application was accepted.

*2010 VERMONT ANTLERLESS DEER MUZZLELOADER HUNTING PERMIT APPLICATION*

 

Granted I still have to get my license But I can do that anytime and of course at the convience of modern technology right at home from my recliner by doing it online.

Buy your license online:

I spent a lot of time growing up in Vermont on the Canadian border in North Troy where my grandparents had lived. Although I never hunted back then I do remember going trout fishing quite a bit.

Some of my  fondest memories are from the great state of Vermont with it's beautiful countryside and country atmosphere. I truly am looking forward to this fall, early December to be exact.

I am very fortunate that I was given permission to hunt and I know I have mentioned it before but I just wanted to thank them again for the opportunity to visit and hunt in a state that I would truly like to live in.

For now I just sit back and hope that I get picked. My 1st. choice area is in H2 WMU which is where their farm is. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

And the Winners Are!

Here we are again at the end of another Give-away and I am just happy I was able to do it. The past almost two years has been very memorable and I would not change it for anything. Using a site to pick the numbers was called Random.org which as you would guess randomly picks the numbers. So without further prolonging here are our two winners.

In no particular order,

#3 The Brodericks

#6 Wandering Owl 

http://whitetailwoods.blogspot.com/2010/06/breaking-100000-visitor-mark-creates.html

"Congratulations"

Please email me your full name and mailing address so I can ship your prizes out to you.

.

First Glimpses of a Busy Day

Speaking of soothing sounds I am sitting here with a fresh hot cup of coffee and watching the first glimpses of light come over the tree tops and listening to the birds come alive and start to sing. I really do love this time of day when the night goes to sleep and the day awakens and the sun is night quite up yet.

I am thinking of all the projects I need to work on today and quite frankly I would rather sit here and listen to the birds but we all know that isn't going to happen. So, I will enjoy this time browsing the net, checking emails and reading the post of my favorite blogs.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and I will be back on again later.

The Soothing sounds of Darkess

Just close your eye's and listen to the sounds of darkness. To me this is relaxation at it's finest next to the sounds of cricket's.

Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Peepers are generally found in wet areas near groups of trees. As their name implies, they show up in early spring, and they. . .peep! They are about the same size as the chorus frog but seem to be less shy, so it's not uncommon to spot one. They are easy to identify by a cross-shaped mark (hence the name "crucifer") on the back of the head. Where there is one Spring Peeper, there are hundreds, and their combined calls can be very, very loud if you get close to them. 

Desktop out and Laptop in

Well I am back working on the laptop. I had enough of fighting with the desktop. I had it fixed awhile ago but it was never the same and it gradually got worse. So this morning I said enough is enough, I ripped it out and hooked the lap top back up.

With any luck I should be ok now. I just have to set up a few things that I had on the desktop that I don't have on here. Not being able to work on my blog is like telling me I can't go deer hunting.

Brown Trout- Did you Know?

Did you Know?

BROWN TROUT

The largest brown trout weighed over 40 pounds and was caught in Arkansas on May 9, 1992.

Brown trout were one of the first types of fish to be farmed and bred - dating back to at least 15th century Europe.  Brown trout are originally from Europe, and were brought to America during the 19th century.

A typical female produces about 2,000 eggs per kilogram (900 eggs per pound) of body weight at spawning.

Brown trout can live to ages of 20 years.

Freshwater brown trout range in colour from largely silver with relatively few spots and a white belly, to the more well known brassy brown cast fading to creamy white on the fish's belly, with medium-sized spots surrounded by lighter haloes. The more silver forms can be mistaken for rainbow trout.

Young brown trout feed on insects and other invertebrates such as shrimp, corixa, caddis, stonefly, mayfly, etc.

Larger brown trout will also feed on small terrestrial animals that fall into the water such as baby birds falling from overhanging nests, or even swimming mice/voles. Brown trout sometimes do not actively feed until the late afternoon or early evening but when the weather is cool they will feed during the day as well.

Dealing with the Heat and Humidity

You know years ago when I used to work building concrete foundations the heat was always a factor but more so now. Yes, I know I'm getting older and there are issues but it just seems like when the thermometer goes up I go down.

It just seems like it gets harder and harder for me to deal with it. I cut down on my coffee consumption and drink more juice, water and gaterade just trying to keep hydrated.

I even use the a/c more in my car and at home which I always hated to do.

I guess I'm just getting old and don't want to admit it. I know I like the cold weather better, especially in the fall when it's deer hunting season.

Time to turn up the fan a notch and go back to dreaming.

The Wolf is Back

Last week I went to the range with a new gun, new scope, new powder and immediately had problems with loads going off. It was all new except for the primers which at the time I was using Triple 7 primers. I had used them repeadedly in the past so I was a little bewildered at what was wrong.

I immediately asked the guys at Frontier Muzzleloading Forum for help with the problem and received the same answer from just about all who responded and that was the primers. I need a hotter primer for the new powder I was using. So here are my results after going back yesterday.

Shooting a 2010 CVA Wolf I was using,

• Blackhorn 209 powder = 100grains
• Powerbelts 295 grain Aerotips
• Konus Pro 3-10x40
• Fiocchi 616 primers

This was my first 9 shots which were taken at 30 yards starting at the bottom of he target and moving up and over to the right.

This next target was moved out to 65 yards.

I was impressed because after 12 rounds I was able to load a Powerbelt just like it was the first round and the QRBP worked like it was suppose to. The Blackhorn 209 burned clean and accurately and with a help from Carlos at Ed's Gun Shop I went with the Fiocchi 616 primers and every shot of Blackhorn went off like it was suppose to.

By this point I had finished what I had left for Powerbelts but I had brought some Hornady 240 grain XTP/HP and I had enough time to shoot two more rounds.

A Fathers Day message!

Hope you all have a Fabulous Father's Day.

Fiocchi Ammunition , A Hotter Spark for those Tough Powders?

Last Sunday I had a problem when I went to the gun range. The problem was and I didn't know it at the time was the primers I was using with the new powder I was trying just did not have sufficient spark to ignite the powder. I realized this because when I had got home I went to Frontier Muzzleloading forum which I have been visiting for quite some time. I had posted the problem and asked for help. I don't even think the keys on the keypad had cooled off and I was getting responses and they all basically said the same thing.

Well I was told 3 or 4 different primers that I could switch to which should correct the problem. Here is one of those that were suggested to me.

Carlos from Ed's Gun Shop had heard my problem and was nice enough to make sure I had some before this coming Sunday before I go back.

Carlos has been shooting extensively with muzzleloaders for awhile and has had printed articles which tells you that he know what he is talking about.

If there is a question on any part of all this I would contact him and I am sure he will do the best he can to answer your questions. I know I will be giving these a try this weekend so be sure to come back to see the results. Thanks Carlos!

Ed's Gun Shop
5560 US 1 HWY
Vass, NC 28394
(910) 692-7936
(910) 692-4867 fax
sales@edsgunshop.com

Hours:
M - F - 9am - 6pm
Sat - 9am - 5pm
Sun - Closed

An important item with many uses that'll fit in a Pocket

I recently purchased this item from ebay and most of the reason for doing so was because I had one identical to this that was my granfathers and I used it a lot. I'm sad to say I misplaced it once never to be seen again until I saw it on ebay.

Marble's Outdoors Hunting Pin-On Compass

Price Range:$13.97 — $26.00 Average Price:$19.31 —— An institution for 100 years, Marbles brass bodied compasses have been carried by Teddy Roosevelt on hunting expeditions, Admirals Byrd and Perry on trips to the North and South Poles, and American GI's in every conflict since WWII. Precision machined waterproof brass casing, ultra smooth agate jewel bearing movement and shatter resistant crystal. Traditional pin-on design.

It is always good to know what direction your going in as well as figuring out wind direction from weather reports before you even reach your stand. I think it is the most basic and easy to read compass around which is probably why it get's issued to the military. 

Breaking the 100,000 visitor mark creates Appreciation Give-away

You know earlier this year I was hoping to break this total number of visits by my 2nd. year blog anniversary which comes up in August and what do I see when I turn on the computer this morning but 100,073. I am so pumped and excited, that is a huge number to me and I hit it before my goal.

When I started to blog short of 2 years ago I never thought it would do as well as I feel it's doing now and I have to say I owe it all to my readers. Without all of you I would not be where I am right now and I'm happy as happy can be.

To show my appreciate I want to have another give-away, actually two give-aways. I had received these goodies from Michelle at the Sportsman Channel and was waiting for a good time to do this and right now I think is a good time.

What two lucky winners will get is a very nice hat (one size fits all), A colorful decal for the car or truck, a nice stainless travel mug to help you be on the go, a handy eye glass cleaning cloth that can clip to your key ring and a soft cotton shirt (XL).

All you have to do is leave a comment saying sign me up, that's it.

Give - away will end Friday the 25th. at midnight and winners will be picked via Random.org and posted on Saturday morning.


Thanks again to all of you and thanks to Michelle Scheueremann at the Sportsman Channel for the goodies.

Coming Soon, My review of the CVA Accura V2

This is my first real look at CVA's 2010 Accura V2 and I have to say without taking it out of the box I am excited about upcoming trips to the rifle range.

This picture I took above just does not do it justice so maybe this smaller one below will give a better look.

• 416 Stainless Steel 27” Fluted BERGARA BARREL™ w/Bullet Guiding Muzzle™ with 1:28” Twist Rifling
• QRBP - Quick Release Breech Plug
• DuraSight® All Metal Fiber Optic Sights
• Ambidextrous Solid Composite Stock in Standard or Thumbhole
• CrushZone® Recoil Pad
• Quake® Claw® Sling
• Aluminum Extendable Loading Rod Cocking Spur
• Drilled and Tapped for Scope Mounts
• 42” Overall Length
• 7.3 lbs. Total Weight 
• 14.5” Length of Pull
• Lifetime Warranty

The ACCURA is very simple to operate because the breeching lever is built right into the trigger guard, making the ACCURA one of the easiest opening break-actions on the market, and the entire gun can be disassembled by removing just one screw. The ergonomically designed stock is fully ambidextrous and is available in both standard and thumbhole designs. Plus, every ACCURA is equipped with all-metal DuraSight® fiber optic sights and a Quake® CLAW® Contour Sling.

Some of the specifications are the same for all their new muzzleloaders but in all reality there is enough of a difference between them from the CVA Wolf, Apex, Accura V2, Electra, Optima, Scout, Buckhorn, Elkhorn Pro to make them in my opinion all a wanted item. For example my wife and I have identical cars except for the color but they are so different it is funny if you think about it.

Give a CVA Muzzleloader a try and you won't regret it!

Flag Day (United States)

Please show your support for our flag and our country by flying it with pride.

God Bless our Flag and God Bless the United States of America

In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777^.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.
Flag Day is not an official federal holiday though on June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania  became the first (and only) US state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday, beginning in the town of Rennerdale, Title 36 of the United States Code, Subtitle I, Part A, CHAPTER 1, § 110^[2] is the official statute on Flag Day; however, it is at the President's discretion to proclaim officially the observance.

Observance of Flag Day

The week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week." During National Flag Week, the president will issue a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week. The flag should also be displayed on all Government buildings. Some organizations hold parades and events in celebration of America's national flag and everything it represents.
The National Flag Day Foundation holds an annual observance for Flag Day on the second Sunday in June. The program includes a ceremonial raising of the flag, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the National Anthem (The Star-spangled Banner), a parade and more.

American Flag Etiquette.
Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code. Some general guidelines from the Flag Code answer many of the most common questions:

• The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
• The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
• The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
• The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
• The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
• When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Read a more comprehensive set of flagetiquette rules for display of the American Flag. Our goal is to do our small part to inspire pride in this great country of ours. If you have suggestions or comments for us, we'd appreciate your dropping us a note by clicking here.
If you'd like to spread the word and help others find USA Flag Site, you can link to us from your web site. 

Rules for display of the American Flag.

Range time didn't happen the way I planned

Well, you might have to wait just a little longer on the review of the CVA Wolf with a Konus Pro 3-10 x 40 scope. I did not expect to run into complications so rather than waste bullets I opted to pack up and head home.

Basically what was happening was powder discharge hangups, meaning I would load the powder and bullet and then place a primer which when the trigger was squeezed it should go off but what was happening was the gun was loaded and the primer in. Squeeze the trigger and the primer goes off but nothing else. I wait a minute and load another primer and squeeze the trigger at which point the primer goes off there is a short delay and then the powder charge goes off.

It did that for 8 shots and with nothing else to use I opted to pack up and go home to figure out what happened. I quickly posted what happened on this forum I go to alot called "Frontier Muzzleloading". I trust a lot of these guys and the forum admin is another tester like myself but clearly does more shooting that I can do. So, consiquently he replied back almost immediately and said the primers I was using were not stroong enough for the particular powder I had.

What I have learned is that Triple Seven primers work well with Triple Seven Powder and IMR White Hots but they don't work with Blackhorn 209. Unless anyone else comes up with a different answer than I am gonna be getting some different primers to use with this new powder.

CVA's new Wolf with the QRBP finally makes it to the Range

The weather might have been a crappy and wet outside but, inside I have been busy today. Just the other day I received an awesome scope from Dudley Mcquire at BPI. He sent me a Konus Pro 3-10 x 40 with a 30-30 reticle to help with testing.

The first thing I did was determine how the scope mount was going to sit on the barrel. The gun which is a new 2010 CVA Wolf with the QRBP system came with a Z2 Alloy DEAD-ON One-Piece Base/Ring System.

Finally placing the scope and crewing down the top ring mounts.

Tomarrow morning I am going to the range with a brand new 2010 muzzleloader the "CVA Wolf" and a brand new scope the "Konus Pro 3-10 x 40" and I will also be using a powder that I have never tried before "Blackhorn 209".

What is different again is this time I am using pre-calculated charges that I measure and weighed out and then put into tubes which I got from Lane Winter and I marked them A,B or C which is A=90 grains, B=100 grains and C=110 grains. will see what grains works the best. I will be using up the last of what I have for Powerbelt 295 grain Aerotips.

Do you have a Fathers Day Gift in mind?

Fathers day is coming soon and I just thought of what it might be like to hear who would like to get what for that special guy. I'm sure we all either has an item or two we would like to get or an item or two that we would like to give.

I received this in an email so maybe it is a thought for somebody. You all have 1 week from tomarrow so there is still time.

For me I'm not picky, I'd be happy just to spend the day at home with my family or maybe go fishing or for a walk around the lake or a BBQ with a cold Coors lite or a new book to read when I go to bed at night or some trout spinner baits or muzzleloader stuff or minutes for my pay as you go cell phone or another deer hunting dvd for my video library or maybe a crisp 20.00 bill to replace the cob webbs in my wallet :) or more bullet for my shotgun, 30-30, .22, muzzleloaders, or more t-shirts with deer on them, or more blue jeans, or a big fat juicy steak with baked potato and sour cream, or a camo gun case that will hold a scoped rifle, or maybe just spending time at home with my family.

Mobile/web version view online here.

June 10, 2010 Discount of 20% for a gift for dad. Or forward to your kid so you get something good this year. Use promo code FATHER1 to receive 20% off your entire order. Sanded Spruce Torn Cap. This light weight cap will be a perfect fit for dad. $ 12.00 Order Now Remington branded green captain chair. Great for camping, games, backyard fun, and fishing. Get Yours For Just $ 25.00 Order Now Remington Olive T-Shirt Now Only $15.00 Order Now

A Surprise for Tyler

I believe I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that when Tyler and I went fishing his pole had broke. What do you want for a Spider man Fishing Pole anyway but, it did serve it's purpose. Well I went to Dick's Sporting Goods this morning and got him a new set up.

The 202 Spincast Combo by Zebco® features a 2.7 to 1 gear ratio and is a two piece medium action rod. It also comes equipped with 10 lb. line so you are ready to hit the lake right away.

Features:

• 202 spincast reel
• 5'6" 2pc medium action rod
• 2.7:1 gear ratio
• Prespooled with 10 lb. line
• Tackle strip included 

I thought this would make a nice surprise for him. What good is a fishing pole and tackle with out a tackle box so in the picture (it is not the best picture) is a star wars tackle box for him as well.

I will be at work when he get's home from school so I won't get to see his reaction but I'm pretty sure he will be asking me when I call at suppertime when we can go fishing next.

Photo of the Day!

Here is another OLD barn to admire. I saw this one on the Red Pine Mountain blog which is one that I have been following for quite some time.

This caption just says so much,
 
"The stories it could tell, the years it has seen. Lives from a generation past rippling into the present."

Brook Trout Restoration and Connecticut's Trout Unlimited

I have really had trout fishing on my mind the last couple of days but my work schedule is working with my thoughts. As I was browsing the net quickly this morning I found this information which really was news to me.All this information comes from a site called Connecticut Trout Unlimited which is a chapter of Trout Unlimited.

I enjoyed reading this information so much that I just had to bookmark the site so I can look into it a little more when I have time.

Brook Trout Restoration

Brook Trout populations have been eliminated or greatly reduced throughout more than 75% of their historical habitat in Connecticut.

Eastern Brook Trout: Status and Threats - Connecticut & Rhode Island, a brochure recently produced by Trout Unlimited for the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, tells a somber story of brook trout decline across their range, but the data also offers hope for restoration and recovery in many areas. Intact stream populations of brook trout (where wild brook trout occupy 90-100% of their historical habitat) exist in only 5% of subwatersheds.

Wild stream populations of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis - "little salmon of the cold springs") have vanished or are greatly reduced in nearly half of subwatersheds. Over 20% of the subwatersheds across the Eastern range are documented to be extirpated, meaning that brook trout have vanished from all streams and rivers within those areas. “Brook trout are the canary in the coal mine when it comes to water quality,” states Gary Berti, Trout Unlimited’s Eastern Brook Trout Campaign Coordinator. “The presence of brook trout in a watershed indicates that water quality is excellent. Declining brook trout populations can provide an early warning that the health of an entire stream, lake or river is at risk.”

The brochure, an extract from the report Eastern Brook Trout: Status and Threats, is the first comprehensive assessment of the status of brook trout in the Eastern United States. These beautiful fish historically thrived in rivers and streams stretching from Maine to South Carolina, but land use pressures have relegated the remaining isolated populations to the headwaters of high elevation streams. 

Brook trout remain distributed across much of Connecticut and Rhode Island, although in relatively depleted numbers. While brook trout have been eliminated from 15% of their historical habitat in the two states, they are greatly reduced in an additional 69% of habitat that formerly supported brook trout. The few remaining patches of strong populations are located in Western Connecticut in the West Aspetuck River.

“While these results are sobering, we will continue to pursue opportunities for conservation of high-quality habitat as well as restoration of impaired streams,” states Bill Hyatt, CT DEP Director of Inland Fisheries. “Our challenge is to identify the remaining trout populations and to work with partners and local officials to protect and enhance habitat and in stream flows in these watersheds.”

“Brookies are quick to respond to habitat improvements,” explains Steve Butcher, the brook trout coordinator for Trout Unlimited’s Connecticut Council. “We have already seen the results of our work with state and federal partners on the Naugatuck and Farm Rivers. By scaling up these programs throughout the state and region, we will see wild brook trout returning to our streams. And that’s great news for all of us who love to fish locally with our families and friends.”