It’s 11/1/11. I managed to escape most of that monster October nor’easter one step ahead of the massive snow, and get to someplace warm. Hope all y’all made out OK.
Hunting season is upon us. Time to enjoy the great outdoors, and maybe take some of it home with you for dinner. There’s a primal satisfaction in feasting on turkey or venison you bagged yourself in the woods.
If hunting is not your cup of tea, or something you just don’t have time for, see about shooting a match. The latter is true for me, but I was able to squeeze in a GSSF shoot over the past weekend and plan to shoot an IDPA event the next. Nothing pushes you to keep your skills sharp so much as shooting in friendly competition.
Stay warm…stay safe…and stay sharp!
Halloween was surprisingly quiet over here. My guess is more people are skipping the door-to-door stuff.
As for hunting, one big problem I’m having and I imagine others are as well, how the heck do you get started?
It’d be great to go with dad or a family member or friend. Unfortunately this young’un was borne to a family of sheep. And the only hunting they can manage is using their iPhone to find a Starbucks.
With something like this, I wouldn’t want to wing it. So where’s a good place for a greenhorn to start?
Nothing to comment on here just thought you might want to check out the product I discovered. Maybe you’ve already seen it.
http://www.survivalstraps.com/
Where do you find matches that are friendly? Around hear it’s more of a cutthroat game. Ha! Ha!
20 years ago I gave up competiton because of rampant egos and seeing top shooters get a break, where mediocre shooters got short changed. Of course for a top shooter a point here and there means a bigger difference than to the mediocre shooter, but still.—-
Have fun at the hunting shack, Mas. Will be looking forward to some hunting tales here.
Tim, chat with your shooter friends from gun clubs, matches, and such. You’ll be surprised how many of them hunt, and I’m sure you’ll find some who are willing to show you the ropes!
1nov11 finally here. Time to send in your Wi CCW application. Calls for a celebration indeed.
Thanks Mas. Got back from hunting camp last week, highlight was having all three of my sons out there with me! Flipped a lot of flapjacks.
Short days meant for lots of stories in the evening.
Mas, this is a little off topic, but I remember meeting you in Madison, WI 6 years ago at the PPA hearing. We finally done it. Wisconsin now has a good carry law. Thank you for being there!
Tim From CO- start with your state dept of fish and game. They’ve probably got info on what areas in CO are available to public for hunting and definitely the laws you must obey. Got any hunter friends at the gun club? I know many won’t accept beginners outside the family, but they’d be a good source of info as well concerning locale and techniques.
But mainly, just go do it. What’s the worst that could happen?
OK: you could get lost- so prepare for that with a compass and map and always check headings before wandering off the road. Bring a thermos and lunch, a few candy bars.
Well, you could get shot. But that happens whether you are alone or in a group- but is very unlikely at worst.
So far as gear is concerned, keep it minimal and you’ll have fewer problems. When we were kids, we hunted with nothing more than a gun, knife, drag rope and handful of bullets. Now we ‘need’ ATVs and blinds and tree stands and… KISS and you’ll be happiest. (Who wants to drag a forty pound pack and a carcass at the same time?)
For gutting an animal, there are a ton of books, blogs, video and tips n how to do it. Simplest method is to remember, “All things begin under the stomach muscles.” Go slow, don’t cut the organs and pull them out.
Remember to tell someone where you’re hunting. Best of luck in your endeavor.
11/11/11 post?
Thanks for the suggestions Mas and JSW!
Unfortunately, my circle of gun friends is fairly limited (but I’m proud to say most of them got into shooting from me). I do know one person who might hunt and would be willing to take me along.
This date has some weight attached to it, World War One, The Great War as great-Grandfathers knew it, ended at 11am on the 11th November.
I believe in the US today is known as Veterans Day, in the UK it’s known as Armistice Day, and while full ceremonies will be held on Sunday (Remembrance Sunday) at 11am today we observed two minutes silence for our dead in two world wars and other conflicts.
“For your tomorrow we gave our today.”