Saturday, February 21, 2009

The Range Reviews: YHM Black Diamond Specter XL Upper

© 2010 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles
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I had the opportunity this weekend to handle and work with the latest AR15 upper from Yankee Hill Machine Co: the Black Diamond Specter XL.

YHM Black Diamond Specter XL

I don't normally handle or even use the AR platform very frequently, but after the 2009 SHOT Show, I was determined to refamiliarize myself with the AR15 and its many derivatives. I spent some time with the fellows at YHM, discussing the production, advancements, and accessories for the AR platform.

Upon receiving the Black Diamond Specter XL, I was pleased to see a very smooth, black matte finish with no variations on the upper and the free floating four rail forearm. The machining is exceptional, clean and crisp with no burrs or hooks. Assembly was done by someone who cares, not a mark, scratch, or ding anywhere. The rifle upper had a definite lean, aggressive look to it with the rails, flattop, and jagged flash hider.

Some of the features include:

* Mil. Spec. Forged 7075-T6 Aluminum YHM Flat Top Upper Receiver
* "T" Marked Upper Receiver
* Forward Assist
* Mil. Spec. Bolt Carrier Assembly
* 16" Chrome-Moly Vanadium Steel Barrel, Heat Treated to RC 25-32
* Chambered in 5.56 N.A.T.O., Chrome-Lined with either a 1:9" or 1:7" Twist

*Total Weight: 4.8 Pounds

The nice thing about buying a complete upper is that most everything you need is included.

* YHM Phantom 5C2 Flash Hider / Compensator (YHM-28-5C2)
* YHM Rifle Length Diamond Handguard (YHM-9635-DX)
* YHM Forearm Endcap (YHM-9484-B)
* YHM Low Profile Gas Block (YHM-9383)
* YHM Forearm Mounted Flip Front Sight (QDS)
* YHM Flip Rear Sight (QDS)

You can put it on a lower, put a magazine in it, sight it in, and fire away to your hearts content.


Forearm End Cap

The Diamond Series forearm (YHM-9635-DX) is free floating. No amount of reasonable pressure on my part could get the forearm to touch the barrel. The top rail is extended so that there is no gap between the receiver and the forearm and the rails are marked for accessory locations. Anti-rotation screws are used to prevent loosening and insure a secure installation. The tube is made of 6061-T6 aluminum and is hardcoated to military specifications. The forearm end cap provides protection for the end of your YHM forearm. It does not interfere with the free floating of your barrel and helps keep out debris. I'll be doing a separate post just on the forearm itself in the future.

Phantom 5C2 Comp/Flash Suppressor


At the business end of the rifle sits the Phantom 5C2 Comp/Flash Suppressor. (YHM-28-5C2) The popular Phantom Flash Suppressor has been redesigned by YHM to work as a muzzle compensator while maintaining the excellent flash hiding capabilities of the previous model. This five port design has no downward facing port which helps eliminate dust problems when shooting in the prone position. Notice the aggressive V cuts at the end for the occasional mano a mano!

In order to mount a full length rail system to a carbine length barrel, a low profile short gas block has been installed. The (YHM-9383) is mounted by the use of two set screws and is manufactured from high quality steel and finished with a mil. spec. phosphate coating.

The new Quick Deploy Sight System features an automatic deploy system. Pushing a button on the side of the sight base deploys the sight.



QDS Rear Sight deployed

QDS Front Sight folded


QDS Front Sight deployed


Both front and rear sights lock positively in the folded and deployed positions and are made from aircraft quality aluminum and hardcoated to military specifications. The rear sight is adjustable for windage and features dual apertures. The front adjusts for elevation and is a standard post. I found the sights to be at an excellent height allowing me to pick them up instantaneously. The larger aperture worked best for my eyesight, as the smaller blurred the target.

I'll be working with the YHM some more over the weekend. So far I am impressed with the fit and finish of the upper, and the thought put into the engineering of the product. Next week it will be going out to the range for a full workout. If the quality I see is indicative, the range tryouts should be a breeze.

YHM Yankee Hill Machine Co.
YHM-7820 Black Diamond Specter XL Top End
MSRP $865.00


Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
Member: Shindand Tent Club
Member: Hunting Sportsmen of the United States HSUS (Let 'em sue me.)
The Hunt Continues...


The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, Albert A Rasch, Hunting in Florida


Albert Rasch,HunterThough he spends most of his time writing and keeping the world safe for democracy, Albert was actually a student of biology. Really. But after a stint as a lab tech performing repetitious and mind-numbing processes that a trained capuchin monkey could do better, he never returned to the field. Rather he became a bartender. As he once said, "Hell, I was feeding mice all sorts of concoctions. At the club I did the same thing; except I got paid a lot better, and the rats where bigger." He has followed the science of QDM for many years, and fancies himself an aficionado. If you have any questions, or just want to get more information, reach him via TheRaschOutdoorChronicles(at)MSN(dot)com.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

The Range Reviews: Update Darn Tough Vermont Boot Sock

My friends,

This morning I received the following email from Andy Linnevers of Darn Tough Vermont:

Hello Albert,

It was great meeting you at the SHOT show. Thank you for taking the time to include the detailed coverage about our products on your blog. It is clear that you are passionate about the industry and appreciate products of high quality. I have one piece of good news for your readers. I think they will be please to hear that our Boot Socks retail for $20. We will have an over the calf full cushion version that will retail for $22...

Thanks again for your kind words regarding our brand.
Andy Linnevers


Besides the fact that Andy recognizes the quality of my prose, he, and by extension Darn Tough, have a commitment to the customer that is unparalleled. I did not write or call Andy to tell him I was reviewing Darn Tough products. He found it on his own, hours after I posted it! If that is not paying attention to your customers, I don't know what is.

Once again I heartily recommend Darn Tough Vermont socks. Not only do the make a darn good sock, and are an all American company, but they serve the customer 100%!

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...

Florida Felons Report: Killing Protected Birds


A
nother example of wanton destruction. I am going to follow this one very closely and help see that the book is thrown at them.

FWC arrests 7 suspected of shooting, killing protected birds

February 19, 2009
Contact: Gabriella B. Ferraro, 772-215-9459

"Simply by being in the right place at the right time Tuesday evening, officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were able to arrest a group of people suspected of shooting and killing protected birds.

Officer Dan Stermen was on routine patrol of Curcie Grade and County Road 92 in Collier County, when he heard gunfire coming from the direction of a bird rookery. As he got closer, he observed birds flying erratically and some falling from the sky. Stermen called for backup and waited near some cars that were parked on a peninsula leading to a lake. The area is marked "no trespassing."

Three men returned to their car in a boat. Officers saw firearms in the boat. Zachary J. Mato (DOB 8/16/86) and Cullen M. Shaughnessy (DOB 8/5/86), both of Marco Island, and Joseph W. Gursky (DOB 3/25/86) of Hillsdale, N.Y., were charged with felony trespass with a firearm and booked into Collier County Jail.

Four other people on the island were on foot and were ferried back to land. Keith G. Lisa (DOB 3/1/77) of North Bergen, N.J., Alexander B. Wilhelm (DOB 9/14/84) of Annapolis, Md., Mark L. McClure (DOB 12/15/85) of Osprey, Fla. and Stephanie M. Meads (DOB 7/11/85) of Naples, were charged with misdemeanor trespassing and booked into the jail.

Officers collected 21 dead birds at the scene. The birds had been shot. Some of the birds are classified as "species of special concern," which means they are protected under state law. Some of the protected birds found at the scene included white ibis and blue heron.

Some of the other birds found shot to death included tree swallows and cormorants. These birds are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty act.

"In my 27 years as an officer, I've never seen people deliberately shoot and kill birds and just leave them for dead," said FWC Lt. Wayne Maahs. "This is truly a heinous act."

Additional charges are pending."

Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles: Best Boar Hunting Calibers Part I

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Range Reviews: Darn Tough Vermont Boot Sock

© 2009 Albert A Rasch



"My family has been knitting socks for three generations; for the last 30 years, here in the Green mountains of Vermont. We pride ourselves on the quality of our product and our commitment to making it local."
Ric Cabot
President Darn Tough Vermont

From the same city that my Alma Mater, Norwich University, is from, comes Cabot Hosiery Mills. Over twenty five years ago, third generation sock man Ric Cabot and his family open up a hosiery mill in Northfield Vermont, and began making socks. It is still family owned and operated. Just over a year ago all of their experience and expertise culminated in new line of socks: the Darn Tough Vermont.

Chris and Andy of Darn Tough Vermont

While at the 2009 Shot Show I met Chris Moon and Andy Linnevers the representatives of Darn Tough Vermont. They graciously gave me a set of In Country Series Hike/Trek Boot Sock Cushions socks. I liked them immediately. Dense and resilient, they had the feel of a well made sock that could take abuse and still protect the feet. But the proof is in the wearing.

Darn Tough!


I have worn them as often as possible, at least three times per week for the last two months while hiking, walking, shopping, and bicycling. They have good, high density cushioning on the soles of the feet, and are neither too thick, where it compresses the foot in the shoe, nor so sparse that the cushioning flattens out by the end of the day. The heel and toe are reinforced and it has knit-in-place elastic support around the arch. (You can almost feel that while wearing it. It's like a light support around the instep.) The stitching at the toe is called ring toe construction, and is done for a comfortable invisible seam. Many other socks have that overlapping stitch that will rub you raw. Not the Darn Tough Vermont 1403, their seam is imperceptible. The sock is ribbed above the ankle to insure a proper fit around the ankle and calf that won’t slip or slide down.

They are remarkably durable. They have no shiny wear spots, the cushioning does not seem or feel like it is flattening. The dye is colorfast and has not faded. When turned inside out there are no fuzzies or balls of fiber, and there are no pulled thread either. The elasticity is as new throughout the sock from toe to calf.

This particular sock’s blend is 67% shrink treated Merino wool, 29% Nylon, and 4% Lycra. The wool makes it extremely breathable, and it is not itchy because it is a fine grade of wool. It also dries quickly and is antibacterial! The nylon lends anti-abrasion properties to the sock while the Lycra gives it stretch. The blend wicks moisture up and away from the foot, keeping your feet as dry as possible in the footwear you have on. Darn Tough has another blend called CoolMax which is 100% synthetic.

Sizes available in men’s are medium, 6-8.5; large, 9-11.5; and x-large 12+. Ladies have small, 4-6.5; medium, 7-9.5; and large, 10-12.5. I have a 9.5 to 10 size foot, and the large I received fit perfectly.

Something that everyone should know is how very important it is that a sock is properly fitted to both the foot and shoe it will be in. When purchasing footwear, always try them on with the socks you are going to wear. Avoid any footwear that pinches you, has pressure points, or fits sloppily. No matter how good a sock you have on, ill fitted shoes will never fit or feel right. Worse yet it may damage your feet. Footwear should be snug, but not constricting. There should be no bunching, wrinkles, or folds in your socks. Your toes should have a little breathing room, and your laces should not cut into your foot, or cut off your circulation. Failure to follow this will result in sore, tired, and blistered feet.

In my opinion these socks are a great addition to the serious outdoorsman's wardrobe. While the street price of $39.99 may be a little high for some, it fits well, feels great, works, and actually looks pretty darn good. With a lifetime guarantee you can rest assured that the folks in Northfield stand behind their socks.

"If our All Weather Performance Socks aren't the most comfortable and durable socks you've ever owned, return them for your money back."
Ric Cabot

And remember, it is made here, in the USA!!!


Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...

Compound Bow Recall: Bow Tech Archery

Breaking News.

Bow Tech Archery of Eugene, Oregon, is voluntarily recalling approximately 8,000 of its "The General" compound bows. The limbs may unexpectedly break, sending bits and pieces of the bow in all directions.

All the details, including free repair, are available at this web site:

Be safe out there!

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The Range Reviews: Sterling Knife Sharpener

© 2009 Albert A Rasch

What's more dangerous than a sharp knife?

Every outdoorsman knows the answer to that question: A Dull One! In an emergency, a dull knife is next to useless. Even in a situation that's not an emergency, a dull knife is an exasperation that one can do without.

With the Sterling Knife Sharpener, sharpening a knife is easy, and a dull knife is a thing of the past.


The Sterling Classic and American Flag


It has two precision made tungsten carbide cutting bits mounted precisely to give a twenty degree edge. Weighing a touch over 1/2 an ounce, you won't even know it's in your pocket. It has a lightweight two piece aluminum body, riveted in four spots, two of which secure the carbide cutting blades. There is a lanyard hole which works equally well as a key ring hole, and one can easily carry it in a wallet if need be.

On a set of keys...


Carbide cutters...


There are no special skills required in order to bring a knife up to razor sharpness with the Sterling. And there is no need for oils or lubricants; so no mess to clean up. That's a big confidence boost to new sportsmen who may not have acquired knife sharpening skills.


Ready to sharpen...


It is also available in several colors: Sterling Classic (anodized red), Digital Camo, American Flag (My favorite!). In addition, they can custom print, anodize and laser engrave anything on the sharpener. Anything.

A small sample of what can be done!


Draw the knife through several times...

Using it is easy. Remember not to cut your fingers! Best results are obtained by resting the sharpener on a secure surface. A stump, block of wood, or truck tire will do nicely. Place the edge of the knife into the carbide "V". Smoothly and firmly draw the knife through the "V". You will feel the proper pressure to apply as you draw the knife through. A few passes and your knife will be hair shaving sharp. Dull knives will require a bit of effort to draw through. Pull it through as many times as needed. Patience will reward you with a razor's edge. Fish filleting knives are the easiest, they sharpen up in a few passes.

Razor sharp!

It works equally well on any type of knife, machete, hatchet, axe, and broadheads too.

This is one of those must have tools that you have in your go bag. It will put a sharpened edge on any knife whether kitchen, table, field, or combat. With a street price of $11.00 to $15.00 it is another definite buy. I'll have one with me from now on while hog hunting, fishing, or camping.

A couple of recommendations. Get two; when your Father in Law sees it, he will want it and you'll be out your sharpener if you didn't get a spare. Put a lanyard on it right away so you don't misplace it out in the field, shop, or garage. Lastly, hide it because the kids will want it, the Mrs will need it, and like I said, in-laws will demand it!

For those of you in business and looking for a small practical gift, Sterling has very reasonable prices for engraved sharpeners in orders as small as ten units! Call and ask for Ms. Bonnie Sterngold 800-297-4277.

The Sterling Sharpener has been in production since 1977! The folks at Sterling are so confident of their Sterling Sharpener that they stand behind it with a Lifetime Warranty.

And remember, it's made in the USA!

Sterling Sharpeners

(800-2x-sharp)
MSRP: $15.00

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...

Best Boar Hunting Rifle Calibers: Part I

Preserving and Tanning Small Hides

Hog Hunting Israeli Style!

© 2009 Albert A Rasch

I found this during my nocturnal wanderings.

The Jerusalem Post
Feb 12, 2009 10:32 | Updated Feb 14, 2009 10:37
Man vs Pig
By MAURICE PICOW


Following the fresh hoof prints in the muddy ground of the banana plantation on the slope of Mount Carmel, Eli Aaron of Kibbutz Ma'abarot and his companion knew that the boars were nearby. The animals were probably headed for a feast of half-ripened bananas still sheathed in the blue plastic bags that local farmers use to try to prevent them from wrecking entire groves on their nightly foraging. These pigs were smart and extremely wary, especially of hunters like the two kibbutzniks.

Aaron and his friend could only turn on the halogen-type spotlights attached to their 12-gauge semi-automatic shotguns for an instant to get a shot at one of the elusive varmints. They were the intruders into the wild boars' domain, treading on the pigs' home turf. The hunters stopped often to try to hear their adversaries, who seemed to be 80 to 100 meters ahead.
Suddenly, the men heard a number of grunts and noises that sounded like sheets of plastic being ripped to shreds and froze. The pigs had found ways to remove the bananas' plastic wrappings.

Aaron and his friend slowly made their way forward, trying hard not to make any unnecessary noise that might startle the animals. Pigs have terrific senses of hearing and smell.
The boar were definitely in a feeding frenzy, and must have become less cautious since the men were able to get within easy firing range. Aaron had the advantage of a laser "red dot" sighting device, which enabled him to sight his prey quickly and fire off a shot or two at a hog's shoulder or head. Sensing they were well within range, he and his friend switched on their "projectors," as locals call these spotlights, and found themselves facing an entire family of wild boars, including at least two males, three mature females and five or six youngsters a few months old.

The hogs gave out startled squeals as Aaron and his friend fired at will, striking at least two of them. The wounded boar began running with the others in all directions. The men looked around for signs of fresh blood to determine which way the wounded ones might have gone.
The men followed a trail of tracks and blood drops, keeping their guns ready in case one of the pigs, wounded or not, decided to become a bit unfriendly. About 60 meters on, they found the first pig, a medium-sized boar, which Aaron had hit in the left shoulder. The pig was still alive and thrashing in the mud under a stand of banana trees. One more shot to the head, and it was all over.

They found the next wounded pig, a mature female, lying on its side about 20 meters ahead. It had been hit in the chest cavity, and adrenalin alone must have enabled it to run as far as it did before dropping from blood loss. Another quick shot and that was the end. Not a bad night, with two animals dressing out at 60 to 80 kg. each. Following a visit to a government veterinarian to make sure the pigs were disease-free, the men were on their way home.

This hog hunt was one of many that occur regularly in Israel. With pork being largely taboo for most people living here, one might wonder why boar hunting exists, especially among Muslims and Jews. But it does, and is gaining in popularity.

Although an avid hunter, Aaron doesn't eat pork and parcels out the boar carcasses among kibbutz members who do. "I consider hunting an exciting and challenging sport, like mountain climbing or sky diving," he says. "I have plenty of people interested in eating the game I shoot, including wild ducks. The pigs do a lot of damage to agriculture, and farmers are more than happy to let me hunt them to be rid of animals they consider to be pests."

Wild boars still thrive in many of the country's rural areas. In fact, they are becoming so prolific that they are causing substantial damage to both crops and private gardens. The omnivorous hogs will eat just abut anything, including carrion. Besides vegetable matter, wild boar are especially fond of grapes, resulting in serious damage to vineyards during the summer. Agriculture Ministry agronomists, who study the damage caused to crops by wild animals, agree that the damage caused by wild pigs is more than that caused by all other species combined, including rats and mice.

Dr. Simon Nemtzov, who specializes in wildlife ecology for the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, studies the habits of these mostly nocturnal mammals and the damage they cause. Originally from Canada, he is also involved in overseeing the permits issued to local hunters, whom he says number about 2,800. About half are Jewish.

According to Nemtzov, the species of boar prevalent here is the European wild boar, known by its Latin name of Sus scrofa. He estimates that there are "tens of thousands" of wild boar in Israel, and the primary reason hunting is allowed is to control the population to reduce the animals' agricultural damage. "The boars have adapted very well to man's environment, even though they don't get along very well with man," he says, giving examples of how the pigs have managed to provide for themselves very well by foraging and raiding garbage dumps.

It should be noted that pig hunting is permitted only in less-populated areas in the North. Wild boars are now protected around Haifa. The most popular sites are in the Carmel range and northern Galilee, home to many Druse hunters. Although hunters are allowed to go after boar at day or at night, the pigs are very wary and are rarely seen in the daytime, preferring to hole up in hilly, wooded or marshy areas, and then go out foraging at night. Due to security considerations, special permission has to be obtained to hunt boar on the Golan Heights. Nemtzov notes that boar hunting is allowed year-round, as opposed to the official hunting season of September 1 to January 31 for other species.

Hunting has been allowed in Israel virtually since the beginning of the state, and the Wild Animals Hunting Law of 1949 is the basis for all hunting permits. Only shotguns are allowed to be used in hunting most game, which includes not only wild boar, but also ducks, quail, doves and pigeons, hares and - until recently - chukar partridge and porcupines. Air rifles are allowed for hunting birds and small game, but not rim-fire or center-fire rifles or pistols.

To be issued a hunting license, as well as a license for the gun itself, a hunter must pass a written examination and have neither a police record nor physical or mental health problems. An annual hunting permit costs NIS 1,500 a year, and the gun license, which is good for three years, costs NIS 300. In addition, a hunter must have valid third-party liability insurance in the event he injures anyone or causes property damage. Israeli hunters can own only two hunting shotguns and are limited to an annual allotment of only 500 rounds per gun.

Foreign diplomats and tourists, including those with temporary work visas, can receiving hunting permits providing they show proof they have hunted in their home countries. Like local hunters, they must pass a short examination (available in English) before being issued a permit.
Under Israeli law, wild boar are the only hoofed mammals that may be hunted. Hunting some species of gazelle was previously allowed on the Golan Heights by special permit, but this practice has been discontinued. A few species of deer, especially fallow deer, are being introduced into some forested areas of the Carmel, and hunting them is strictly forbidden. This also holds true for a species of Nubian ibex, found in limited numbers in the Ein Gedi nature reserve near the Dead Sea.

Aaron has two Italian Benelli shotguns; one a Model 90 Super Magnum, and other a Model 123. For hunting pigs at night, the Model 123 has a special spotlight attached to the barrel that is powered by a 12 volt rechargeable battery. He also has attached a "Quick Point" laser sighting device. Since much of the hunting is done at night, range becomes less important; and often a combination of both Brenneke slugs (a special rifled cartridge designed for hunting larger mammals like deer and boar) and buckshot are loaded in four- or five-shot magazines.
Aaron's father, Yuval, who no longer hunts but was once avid, was born in Afula during the British Mandate. Yuval's father, also an avid hunter, fought with the Hagana during the War of Independence and was assigned to help defend Kibbutz Ma'abarot, where his family was living. He was one of the state's first hunters, often riding a bicycle to hunt ducks and partridges near the kibbutz. Aaron started accompanying his father at five and says he was "nearly scared to death" the first time he saw a wild boar.

Aaron has a very effective technique for hunting pigs. "First, I go to the area to find definite signs that the pigs are there, such as trails, tracks, etc. Then I put food in places where the pigs can easily find it. Pig food includes overripe fruit and vegetables, stale bread and bread products, and even meat such as leftover beef or chicken. The food is put in piles about 30 cm. high, and I make sure to cover over my own tracks to not arouse suspicion among the wary animals.

"When setting up a stand, it has to be off the ground to prevent the pigs from smelling the hunter, and downwind, of course. The food has to be put in the same places repeatedly in order to gain the confidence of the pigs so they'll be less wary. As the pigs begin foraging soon after dusk, the trick is to be in place before dark, at least three meters off the ground, and simply wait for them to come along."

"The whole thing is a waiting game that can last as long as six hours, until the pigs show up - if they do at all."

End of Article


This might become the next Hog Hunting hot spot!

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...

Monday, February 16, 2009

Blogs of Note, The OBS, and New Stuff

© 2009 Albert A Rasch

I've been blogging for over a year now, and along the way I have learned a great deal: How to write better, keep my foot a little further from my mouth, avoid being bit by cottonmouths, and how to make Cowboy Cookies. More importantly, I have also met some wonderful, generous, genuine, and worthwhile people from all over the world.

One of the things they all have in common, is their membership with Outdoor Bloggers Summit.

Sten, (The Suburban Bushwacker) our sterling correspondent from the fair British Isles, (He's English, btw not Austrailian.) introduced me to the OBS. At the time I was a third rate blogger, with mediocre content, and a couple of good stories. With his enthusiastic references and links, and his introduction to the OBS, I began a journey that has already taken me much further than I imagined.

Kristine, our Queen Bee at the OBS, has been very generous with her knowledge and time. Through her ideas and effort, she has provided many of us a forum to interconnect our different pursuits, and make connections with one and other.

In that spirit, I am going to start making picture links for Blogs of Notes. Rick Kratzke at Whitetail Woods actually had the idea to make it a "Blogs of Note" thing. He is taking your banner and making a link out of it. I was just putting link pictures up because I wanted to for folks that I like. You can see the one I made for him in the upper right hand column. The idea is to put it up for thirty days and give those bloggers a little more visibility!

You can do as many or as few as you like. I have a back log so I may toss in three or four at a time! (Remember I can only work with what you send me, so if I call on you to forward me a picture, make it a nice one!)

If anyone has any questions on how I do it please feel free to ask. (If I figured it out, anyone can do it!) I'm not sure how Rick does his but you can get with him on that method.

I've been having a great time helping folks out on different blogs with comments, encouragement, and emails. Not only does it help folks learn new things, but I get to learn stuff too!

As usual, I encourage every one to pitch in, help the new guys, throw a suggestion to the old timers now and again, and when you are out there reading stuff, mention the Outdoor Bloggers Summit.

Warmest Regards!
Albert A Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles
Proud Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit
Southeast Regional OBS Coordinator

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Cowboy Cookies at Lakewood Ranch

© 2009 Albert A Rasch


First batch out of the oven!

Not too shabby for my first try at making cookies!

After reading Miss Jamie's post Cowboy Cookies, I got a hankering to make me some of those cookies. I asked the Bear to go fetch me a box of rolled oats and baking powder at the supermarket. We had everything else in the pantry.

First batch, they are really gooey at this stage.

I followed Miss Jamie's directions and ended up with a batch of beautiful cookies. One thing, make the dough balls a little smaller than a ping-pong ball, or a little bigger than a red eared slider's egg, the cookies are more reasonably sized.

By the time I took this picture I had eaten two of them. Sorry.

Raisin oatmeal on left, and chocolate chip, raisin, oatmeal on right.

Easy enough to do, keep an eye on the time, and you are good to go!

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...