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Published March 3, 2010
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What chambering, introduced in 1955, remained fairly unpopular until seen in the
1969 movie
“Dirty Harry”?
Two things occur this month, both equally maddening: Dayli9ght Savings Time and Turkey Season. This “gubment” time business I know was invented by the Communist Party in an attempt to share
their confusion with the United States.
I still say if I ever run for something again, part of my platform to the people
will be to leave the time alone.
It just ain’t no sense in it!
Turkey season will round out this year’s hunting. The season will open around here the latter part of March. Be sure, if you hunt, to buy yet another license, the $5.50 turkey stamp. We should have a good population of birds this year. I think the coons finally had the proverbial die-off. I know I didn’t see nearly the coons during deer season that I normally do. And if “El Nino” doesn’t foul up the turkey nesting season, we should see a slight increase in bird
population next year as habitat increases.
Get out and pattern your shotgun. Most of the shotshell companies have given away turkey targets. If you get lucky and get a bird within range, you sure don‘t want to err by not having the correct shell.
For the most part, hunting season finally ended. Ruff and I didn’t kill a rabbit or a goose. Pitiful! All the geese that were just supposed to invade us didn’t, or pulled some kinda military maneuver and conquered somewhere else. If the goose population is anywhere near what the wildlife scientists say, we
might have another chance to help control the population this fall.
There are two good firearm mechanics near us. Mike and Bruce at Mike’s Gun Shop (318-435-7176) in Winnsboro would probably be happy to clean these
weapons up for storage.
Now is also a perfect time to have any scopes or field glasses repaired. Remember, the early bird gets the worm.
Join the National Rifle Association. Don’t let $35 a year keep your voice unheard in Washington. This membership is open to men, women and children. Call-–800-672-3888—-for more information.
The .44 Magnum was just a big pistol cartridge in a big pistol Smith & Wesson Model 29 until Clint Eastwood made it a Magnum icon in the movie “Dirty Harry.” If you have never shot one, try factory “full house” ammo outa a 4 inch Model 29! For that matter, try a 6 or 8 inch barreled pistol. It’s more pistol than my little ol’ “hanes” can handle. Go ahead, make my day.
If you get a chance, take a kid hunting or fishing. For that matter, take anyone. One doesn’t have to kill to enjoy our outdoors. Some of the best friends and meals are made “at the camp.”
Published February 24, 2010
Leapin’ lizards, can you believe this winter weather? Seems like just a few days ago we were headed for warmer weather when actually
the first day of spring occurs in about 2
½ weeks. With more rain and snow in the forecast, our major rivers will bear watching as
they rise and, hopefully, fall.
It just ain’t no tellin’.
Fish and boats. Our current fishing license will expire June 30, 2010. If you have not bought a license, do so before putting a hook in the water. Remember that the water temperature is still cool. If you get wet, get dry as soon as possible. Check out your boats, motor and trailer before you leave home. One small item often overlooked is a flashlight. If your motor fails to start, you are a sitting duck in open water for a
collision with another boat after dark.
Remember, a fishing license, life jackets, fire extinguisher, and a current boat
registration will keep the game wardens happy about 99% of the time.
And if our climate does warm up and dry out, the agriculture community will be
wide open.
Be aware of this equipment moving on the highways as it moves from field to
field.
As some of this machinery becomes bigger and bigger, visibility for both
equipment operator and motorist becomes difficult at times.
Be patient and courteous.
Turkey season opens in March. Hunters, get out in the woods and start scouting. Look in the areas where you saw these birds while deer hunting. Once again, I urge all hunters to get out your shotgun and “pattern” the shells and shot you intend to shoot this year. Experiment with different choke tubes, if so equipped. Turkeys are hard enough to kill without just “blowing” shot at them. Get your calls out and start practicing your calling. Start checking out all your equipment and clothing. Never go turkey hunting without some kind of mosquito dope, and a piece of
plastic, such as a garbage bag.
You can sit on the bag if the ground is wet or put it over your head during a
rain.
I wrote last week about cleaning and storing some of our huntin’ equipment, and left out something, the optics we use. From our riflescopes to our binoculars, they, too, need some post-season care. Probably the single most important thing to do is simply clean the exterior
lenses.
By this I don’t mean taking your shirttail and wiping these lenses. I’m talkin’ about a cleaning that comes from a better than average optical cleaning kit. I personally use a Ziess Optical kit. With high dollar European glass, this might be a lifesaver for these high-end
pieces.
Just follow the instructions. And you can get by with slightly warm, lightly soaped water and the cleanest
softest piece of cloth in your house.
Try to cover the clean lenses through summer storage.
If you get a chance, take a kid fishing or hunting. For that matter, take anyone. One doesn’t have to kill to enjoy our outdoors. Some of the best friends and meals are made “at the camp.”
Published February 17, 2010
Lord, have mercy, have you ever seen such a spell of weather? Remember last summer we went 51 days, up here on “the Ridge,” without a rain according to our Recording Secretary at the Sicily Island
Agriculture
& Mechanical Coffee Shop! Then it rained. Then it tried to dry up. Then it rained some more. Then it snowed. I reckon the next thing we will experience will be a real ol’ Catahoula backwater. Things are settin’ up for such an occasion.
Deer season being over, don’t forget your guns. They need to be cleaned and stored properly. Do not spray WD-40 on a firearm and put it up. If you don’t figure you can tackle the job, get someone who can. Mike or Bruce at Mike’s gun Shop (318-435-7176) in Winnsboro could prepare ol’ Betsy for a summer nap. Many of the firearms that we hunt with today will last a lifetime and then some
with just a little care.
If you don’t do anything else, go buy a simple gun cleaning kit. Most of these inexpensive kits will have a cleaning rod, some sort of cloth
patches, a fine grade oil (i.e., 3-N-1 or sewing machine oil) and bore cleaning
fluid.
Be careful not to put petroleum-based oil on wood or synthetic stocks or scope
lenses.
I repeat, do not use WD-40 on a good gun except in an emergency.
Remember the tool that got you from the camp to the woods. Your ATV. It needs some attention also. If it’s like ours, it’s got dried gumbo all under it and probably water in the wheel bearings. Clean it up; check the fluid levels and color of the fluids. If your machine has grease fittings, use them. Fresh grease beats nothing. Put some Armor-All on the seat cover to add to its life. Take care of your machine.
Hopefully, warmer weather is just around the corner. With this hopeful event we will get our boats and motors out. Probably wouldn’t hurt anyhow, in the event of a backwater. If you are able to get to your boats, a spring checkout will greatly enhance
your outdoor water adventure.
Before we leave the house, let’s check the running gear on the trailer. If we don’t get there, all the rest is wasted. Carry an extra tire and wheel for the trailer. Flats happen; then the big question: Do I leave my boat (batteries, seats, PFD’s, fire extinguishers, etc.); wait for someone to come by; call the wife, on
Saturday, to go to Wal-Mart--it could go on.
Get an extra, jack and lug wrench.
Put your life jackets (PFD) in the vehicle. A good fishing trip can be ruined because one or more of these truly life saving
devices blew out of the boat going down the road.
Things can really turn sour when the Game Warden makes a routine stop. Keep life jackets handy when in the boat.
Put a fire extinguisher in the boat. Most fires that occur in a boat cannot be put out with water. Keep the fire extinguisher in sight.
Get some kind of flashlight to put in your boat. You never know when an outboard motor will fail to start. You can at least keep someone else from running over you at night.
Pay attention to the weather. If the weather changes, head to your vehicle. There will be another day.
Buy your license. There is no use “lookin’ over your shoulder” while having fun.
Last, “be courteous.” We have plenty of water here for everyone, and everyone’s sport.
For the latest in specific rules and current laws, contact the Wildlife and
Fisheries.
If you can, take a kid hunting or fishing. For that matter, take anyone. One doesn’t have to kill anything to enjoy our outdoors. Some of the best friends and meals are made “at the camp.”
Published February 10, 2010
During the ‘30’s era of bank robbers, outlaw John Dillinger was gunned down by FBI Agent Melvin
Purvis.
What do you reckon Purvis was armed with?
We still have a little hunting left in our parts. We still have rabbit and squirrel season that will end February 28th. Our extended goose season will close some time in early March. This extended goose season has specific rules and regulations for various areas
and states.
As always, contact the appropriate conservation Agent or Department in the area
you intend to hunt.
If you get invited to go squirrel hunting using a dog this time of year, make
an effort to go.
A shotgun or .22 rifle will work well for this exercise. I have enjoyed a scoped .22 on these hunts. While the dog has the squirrel “treed,” the squirrel will most often lay flat on the various parts of the tree. As movement on the ground occurs and changes, the squirrel will often move just
a little.
Often one will have a near perfectly still target. Hence: Fried squirrel, rice and gravy, and just maybe, one more hit of a good cathead
biscuit.
Equally exciting is a pack of beagles on the trail of a rabbit. Now this will require the use of your ol’ shotgun. Bear in mind that you don’t have to shoot 3 inch #2’s or buckshot to kill a rabbit. The same shells we opened dove season will probably suffice to take ol’ Ber Rabbit. Just go prepared: Rubber boots and thick britches. This time of year our part of the world is wet. Rabbits will more than likely be laid up in fencerows and briar patches. This will facilitate the boots and britches.
For those of you that have called it quits ‘til next fall, think about your equipment. To wit, ATV and firearms.
ATV’s and off road vehicles. The mud and water your machine hauled you and your “stuff” through might very well still be on and under this machine. Start off by thoroughly washing as much as you can possibly see and get to. Once the mud and/or debris are removed, ride the machine in such a fashion to
dry the bulk of it off.
Any grease alamites can now be given a light hit of fresh grease. Just like our farm equipment, if you hear or see grease coming out of the seals,
expect trouble later on.
Now if the battery is reasonably accessible, check the fluid (acid) level in it.
Do not fail to check the differentials. Cloudy fluids will indicate oil and water. Right then is the time to drain and refill. Think about it; oil and water will eventually separate with the water settling
to the bottom and this is where rust will occur to some high dollar parts and
labor bills.
Check the air filter. Now we can park our machine under the shed and with the gas “turned off”, let the carburetor run dry.
Firearms: This tool also might have taken some punishment. First thing to do is take the firearm apart as far as you mechanically, safely
can.
See any rust? Find your 3-N-1 oil and an old piece of clean cotton cloth. Please don’t just take a can of WD-40 and spray your gun. My experience with WD-40 shows lubrication failure. Start with smaller internal parts and lightly oil. Working your way to reassembly, make sure no part is reassembled without wiping
fingerprints and moisture off.
Moisture causes rust. With the firearm reassembled and holding it by the stock, wipe all exposed metal
surfaces with your oily cloth.
For firearms with scopes and especially high dollar scopes, go to your local
drugstore or optometrist (eye doctor) office and purchase commercial eyeglass
cleaner kits.
Ziess markets an excellent kit. Very gingerly, as with a mother’s love, clean the lenses, the ocular and objective lenses, of the scope. A little care of today’s firearms will ensure that the next hunter might one day show off “Paw Paw’s ol’ Model 70.”
Melvin Purvis was the FBI Agent in charge during the confrontation in Chicago on
July 24, 1934.
Purvis reportedly carried a Colt Detective in .38 Special. Dillinger allegedly was carrying a Colt Model 1903 hammerless semi-automatic
pistol chambered in .380.
Perhaps through mass confusion, it is also reported that Dillinger also was
carryin
’ a Colt Government Model chambered in .38 Super. There probably ain’t no way of knowing whether outlaw or law, how many firearms were carried on
their persons.
If you get a chance, take a kid fishing or hunting. For that matter, take anyone. One doesn’t have to kill to enjoy our outdoors. Some of the best meals and friends are made “at the camp.”