tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19995083280364678052024-03-12T20:13:49.105-04:00The Rasch Outdoor ChroniclesHunting and Fishing
The Florida Outdoors and the World!Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.comBlogger747125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-6872048067938808422013-08-19T23:26:00.001-04:002013-08-20T21:08:02.511-04:00A Woodworker's Tool Chest<i>Plane Details's "Perpetuating Woodworking Project"</i><br />
© 2013 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<br />
It all started, innocently enough, (Have you guys noticed how many of my stories start that way?) with an email from Chris Schwarz, Contributing Editor of <a href="http://www.popularwoodworking.com/">Popular Woodworking Magazine</a> and Owner of <a href="http://www.lostartpress.com/">Lost Arts Press</a>.<br />
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I’d been sitting on the shop-built plank stoop in front of my office, letting my eyes relax from staring at the monitor and become accustomed to the searing Afghan sun that was steadily turning my usual seat into a weathered, splintered piece of scrap wood. A few long legged running ants were foraging on the misshapen gravel, looking for the meager crumbs that might have escaped the mini-flocks of sparrows. I figure those ants only come out when the sun’s burning rays are scouring the land so they can avoid the sparrows that are sensibly roosted in the shade.<br />
<br />
I’d about had enough of the sun and limited local fauna amusement, and trudged back to my office to see what new and wonderful pronouncements would cross over my desk.<br />
<br />
I fired up the laptop and waiting for everything to load up.<br />
<br />
“OMG! An email from Chris Schwarz?” What wonderful and wondrous news!<br />
<br />
Quickly click here, wait for it to load… view!<br />
<br />
“Hey Albert, you still planning on being home in June?”<br />
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To which I responded: “Lord willing and the Taliban don’t manage to separate my head from my shoulders, I should be.”<br />
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“That’s great. I want to send you a little something.”<br />
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Ok, right now, the majority of you are wondering who is this Schwarz fellow, and why would I be so elated that he wrote?<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image credit: Chris Schwarz/PW</span><br />
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Well, most of you all follow me for the hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventure stuff, but I also do quite a bit of hand work like woodworking and machining. So imagine Ted Nugent or Tred Barta dropped you an email saying they wanted to send you a little something. For those of us that do any kind of woodworking Chris Schwarz is like the Motor City Madman… except he’s not in camo and smeared in bloody entrails; maybe some mutton tallow, but not guts. I don’t think he wails on a Gibson Byrdland either. (College years not withstanding…) But you all get the idea.<br />
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“Honey!” I gushed over the VOIP line to the house, “Chris Schwarz is sending me something!”<br />
<br />
“Who?”<br />
<br />
I could tell she did not understand the galactic immensity of this by the marked lack of enthusiastic and immediate recognition.<br />
<br />
“You know - the magazine woodworking guy! The nice fellow who I buy books from all the time.”<br />
Still nothing.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Credit: PBS</span></div>
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“The guy whose picture is on the shelf by the planes and slicks, next to the other guy in red suspenders!”<br />
<br />
“Ohhh...” she says as she recalls the picture frame and votive candle incident at Michael’s Craft store and the ensuing fire.<br />
<br />
Finally some progress. <br />
<br />
“Is that the one with the beard or the big mustache?”<br />
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Women.<br />
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Of course, I’m giving it all sorts of thoughts between rocket attacks and ground
fire.
Probably some books or videos… No.
He wants me to review an as of yet unpublished opus on woodworking!
Hmmm, no probably not.
Wait… He’s going to offer me a job writing for Lost Arts Press! "Afghan
Woodworking" and he want’s research done in the field! Now that would be
up my alley. Tearing up the countryside; black bagging woodworkers and
interrogating them. Kill two birds with one stone!
Fantasized about that one for a while, but unlikely at best.<br />
<br />
I know it’ll be something great no matter what!<br />
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So I’m counting the days until R&R; home, roast chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and expecting, well, a little something to arrive at the house.<br />
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A week or two before I’m scheduled to get home, I get another email, this one from a fellow named Sam Cappo.<br />
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Huh? Who the devil is Sam Cappo? I ask myself. But the subject line says: Friend of Chris Schwarz. Ok, a better than good reference, so let me see what’s up.
“Dear Albert, I’m a friend of Chris Schwarz, and I want to send you something.”<br />
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You know something, I like getting things, but seriously, I feel vaguely uncomfortable with such largess. But I’ll allow that I know it makes a lot of folks very happy to share their good fortune. I know I like to do it too. So, qualms forgotten, now I’m thinking a couple of little “somethings” will be waiting for me when I get home.<br />
<br />
“That Chris,” I think, “what a hell of a fellow. A celebrity no less, but always doing something to help out a fellow woodworker out in the suck.” “What about this Sam fellow? What a lovely gesture to make someone’s day like that, right out of nowhere too!”<br />
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Imagine traveling almost 56 hours with little sleep. Imagine a joyous reunion with the Mrs at the airport. Now imagine a Starbuck’s made with real half and half instead of plaster of paris colored water. And imagine, if you will, a large, obviously well-constructed crate covered in shipping labels from an exotic, far flung locale like New Orleans, sitting on the downstairs landing.
That’s what awaited me when I walked through the door, along with Charlie the mixed breed ball of happy fur!
Hmmm, I think to myself as I try to lift the corner of the crate. This sure isn’t a little something…<br />
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I dump my bags, and after getting my ribs fractured by Blake’s bear hug, drinking another good coffee, scratching Charlie, and paying respect to Her Royal Highness Rollie the cat, Blake and I head downstairs, and between the two of us hoist the crate up a flight of stairs and into the living room. Cristal had taken a seat on the couch, and Her Highness paced around the crate, wrongly assuming that anything securely shipped in such a handsome crate, must be for her.
Sam and Chris, I wonder, what have you sent me here.<br />
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I cracked open a bottle of Red’s Apple Cider to wash down the coffee and pondered how best to approach this. I had noted that Sam had thoughtfully taped the appropriate bit to the inside of the handle in order to assist in the disassembly of the well-constructed crate.<br />
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Blake gets my brace from my tool box, and we start to pull the screws from the lid. I had commandeered a small jar to hold the screws, because anyone who builds a crate as nicely executed as this one has been, deserves the respect of having those screws saved. That, and I tend to save stuff anyway; ever seen my garage?
So all the screws were off, and the lid lifted.<br />
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Inside we found everything padded in bubblewrap, and wrapped in brown kraft paper with cardboard strips holding everything in place against the capricious handling and unknown ravages perpetrated by our brown suited delivery Santas.<br />
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Still no clue as to the contents; though my initial guess was perhaps some nice lumber or something like that.
After a bit of looking, I choose a narrow well wrapped object and get a grip on it to pull it free. I can tell what t is by just the little bit I’m hold onto, It’s obviously a saw!<br />
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Laying it on top of the crate I unwrap it and find myself holding a lovingly refurbished and recently sharpened panel rip saw.
I asked Blake to pull some of the cardboard out of the way while I ran my fingers over the teeth and squinted at the saw’s toothline.<br />
<br />
He plucked a half dozen pieces out and said, “Dad, there’s a big blue thing in here, and this other thing feels like a big piece of wood.”
I turned to look and he was holding a well wrapped rectangular object.<br />
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Ahh, I thought, it is a bunch of wood and maybe a couple of tools. Awesome! I love wood; got all sorts of wood in my garage that I have saved for just the right project! Did he say a <i>blue</i> thing?
Go ahead and unwrap it I told him, and went back to inspecting the saw.<br />
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“Ummm, Dad. What is this?”<br />
<br />
I think I did a double take, as what he was holding wasn’t a board.
It was a…
“Uh Blake, I really don’t know.”<br />
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I rewrapped the saw, and placed it on top of the end table, and peered into the crate. The blue thing was by all accounts a tool chest! Blake handed me the wooden contraption, but in the midst of everything going on and the dawning realization that there was more to this than a bunch of neat “stuff,” I was feeling a bit like a California surfer about to be engulfed by a frothing, towering wave.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdzxwUcIJiVbIq4capNLZ9dYkgGGraBPksoHV7FdqwZMEC0bdPxK_1LBv859fGcW9raJrrY6zXL_lG5AkNr68Bw5hD1MFcj3yY4FhV7H4XAwvPIh1ZcBau0WDNFiNIu5aby0mrxeGlJQt/s1600/TOB_WildTurkey_Rocks_Glass_Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdzxwUcIJiVbIq4capNLZ9dYkgGGraBPksoHV7FdqwZMEC0bdPxK_1LBv859fGcW9raJrrY6zXL_lG5AkNr68Bw5hD1MFcj3yY4FhV7H4XAwvPIh1ZcBau0WDNFiNIu5aby0mrxeGlJQt/s200/TOB_WildTurkey_Rocks_Glass_Front.jpg" title="Bit of Wild Turkey" width="200" /></a>I went and sat on the couch for a moment to collect my thoughts.
You know, I just got in from Afghanistan, I’ve had a long trip to the front door of the house, everyone including the cat, is glad to see me and well, I was feeling a little overwhelmed. Perhaps an appropriate libation for its medicinal effects and properties would help me place everything in perspective.<br />
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With a cut crystal tumbler, ice, a scant inch of Wild Turkey American Honey (to wash down the Red’s), and the rip saw on my lap, I settled down on the couch for a moment and marshaled my thoughts.<br />
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Cristal saw my anxiety, and took my hand and said, “Albert these are nice people, they appreciate what you’re doing, and want to show you their appreciation with this gift.”<br />
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“I suppose you’re right my love.” She has a way of always saying the right thing at the right moment. That includes kicking me in the ass when I need it too.<br />
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Feeling a bit better and less anxious, I got up and asked Blake to give me a hand.<br />
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“Blake,” I said, “let’s reach in and carefully lift the blue box up and out, mind the sides now!” We managed to lift it completely out and set it on top of the solid, reinforced crate.<br />
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I took another sip of Bourbon, and asked Blake to lift the top of the chest and take a look.<br />
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“Holy smokes,” he stage-whispered as he turned to Mom, “it’s full of stuff!” Inside, carefully wrapped in paper and bubble wrap, was indeed, a whole bunch of “stuff.”<br />
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I’m not going to bore you all with a blow by blow account of each individual item, even though I really want to! Suffice it to say that Christmas had come very early!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image credit: <a href="http://planedetails.com/?p=277" target="_blank">Sam Cappo Plane Details</a></span><br />
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A Stanley # 5 followed by a #4 were the first items I pulled out. Each one looked as if it was better than brand new. A small brass carving mallet followed along with a Disston backsaw. Lie-Nielson chisels and dividers.<br />
<br />
On and on it went:
A Record 044 plow plane, Lie-Nielson backsaw, handmade squares and straight edges, sharpening stones, pig sticker mortise chisel, router and block planes, marking gauges, beautiful winding sticks, a wooden shoulder plane; I think someone even threw in a sea lion nasal hair bundle for wiping just sharpened blades!<br />
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And the contraption.<br />
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As you might imagine, I was officially stunned at the magnitude of the gift.<br />
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I had to go lie down and take a nap. I heard my wife say, "Put all the tools down! You're going to cut, stab, or otherwise mutilate yourself in bed if I insist on taking them in with you!"<br />
<br />
Women.<br />
<br />
It turns out that Sam had the crazy idea to construct a tool chest, fill it with donated and refurbished tools, and then find someone that would put them to use. He started to write about it, brought Chris on board, and worked tirelessly to put it all together. He chronicles the whole project on his blog <a href="http://planedetails.com/" target="_blank">Plane Details</a>.<br />
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Now, let’s discuss the contraption. I try to keep up with Popular Woodworking’s blogs, and Chris’ own <a href="http://blog.lostartpress.com/" target="_blank">Lost Art Press blog</a>, but listen; the internet really sucks out in Afghanistan. So I miss a lot between accesses. All this in a way to explain why I didn’t know what the contraption was.<br />
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Underneath, there was a clearly identifiable maker’s mark. It was the Lost Arts Press logo! Eureka! Now all that was left to do was go through everything that Chris has ever published on-line, and figure out what it is.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not entirely clueless. I had an idea of what individual parts of it where, but I just couldn’t figure out the whole.<br />
<br />
After a short search, I found the post where Chris describes and builds “<a href="http://www.popularwoodworking.com/workbenches/schwarz-workbenches/the-milkmans-workbench-in-use" target="_blank">The Milkman’s Portable Bench</a>.”<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Try Squares made by Aaron Moore on the Milkman's Bench</span></b></div>
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I ran back to my office desk/work area and carefully clamped the sucker down to the desk. The only piece of wood available was an eight inch or so split and somewhat squared quarter of an oak log that somehow ended up on my desk. Without further ado, I clamped it in place, and proceeded to plane it flat with my old Stanley block plane. (I wasn’t about to use any of my new tools until I had sat down with them and gotten to know them better!) That little bench is solid as solid can be and lets you do just about anything you can think of. My friends at <a href="http://www.americanlongrifles.org/" target="_blank">ALR</a> are going to LOVE it!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Counter Clockwise from Top: </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stanely #5, Stanley#4, Lie-Nielson #71, #61 Block Plane, and Record #044 Plow Plane</span></b></div>
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Now, you might ask, “Which is your favorite tool in the chest?” Well, they’re all fantastic, but one in particular really is incredible to me. Mr Marty Backe made an absolutely stunning straightedge out of 200 year old Hard Maple. He even included a small note, which reads:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>“Remember, tools are to be used to make ‘things.’ Don’t abuse them, but don’t treat them as precious things that you are afraid will be worn out if used.”</i></div>
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I’m going to mat and frame it.<br />
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I went down to see my parents, and I took a few of the tools for my Father to see.<br />
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My Dad built custom yachts for a firm called Katzenberg (sp) back in the Fifties before he went to the DoD. I believe that he was in the hull construction part of the house, but as you might imagine, I’m certain that everyone at the yard had a hand in everything from the keel to the topside, and interior. In those days it was all wood and fine finishing.<br />
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Dad went on to work for the US Navy as an engineer, but never stopped doing a little carpentry or furniture making here and there as need arose. That’s how I became involved in woodworking.<br />
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Anyway, Dad’s health has diminished somewhat, and his memory isn’t what it used to be. I visit him each and every time I come home. My Mom’s a real trooper and takes really good care of him.
Anyway, when I went to see them, I brought a few tools for him to see. I brought the Record combination plane, pigsticker, maple straightedge, and the Lie-Nielson backsaw.<br />
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The effect on him was magical!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6MWMHRlK4dfdTr4irta2Uz0G1tOlNbXCcdYbekl-o8ZJ_ZTPcufj6_oRIfHsL3889Wa7P59baVy-mFgAwynrbKvLrAM-Wm5kC6o3DPATqFo8DM2LA_ynP1wvBu5gpLp4m1pATzIk9D5_/s1600/aIMG_1772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6MWMHRlK4dfdTr4irta2Uz0G1tOlNbXCcdYbekl-o8ZJ_ZTPcufj6_oRIfHsL3889Wa7P59baVy-mFgAwynrbKvLrAM-Wm5kC6o3DPATqFo8DM2LA_ynP1wvBu5gpLp4m1pATzIk9D5_/s200/aIMG_1772.JPG" width="170" /></a>My wife cried as he took the tools one at time and vividly recalled his days at the boatyard. He lectured me on the proper care of a good quality saw, remarked that the mortise chisel could use a bit of sharpening, explained to Mom the proper use of a plough plane, and asked me who had made the maple straightedge. It was as if he was transformed and transported back 50 years, his mind clear, and hands strong.<br />
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He held the backsaw for some time, looking at it from end to end, lingering on the flame patterns on the handle, running his thumb gently down the tooth line. I saw him squint and look down the saw plate nodding in appreciation of the straight and true line of teeth. I could almost imagine he was considering how to best employ such a quality tool.
Fellows, I wish you all could have been there. I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity you all have given my father and I!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IOwUCSDyVwlf3u248GACFupYG6FOz5rxuX7fvoq7UZms4iVSHA1zPZ1acxf8VPr0PqTLXkXCwPfZ-uqHg03RPVV9V67JidvpCkO4XY3xIfYojP0DXxpQ2oOkqU00rWxtIQr5esl7bIl5/s1600/aa+IMG_1797a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IOwUCSDyVwlf3u248GACFupYG6FOz5rxuX7fvoq7UZms4iVSHA1zPZ1acxf8VPr0PqTLXkXCwPfZ-uqHg03RPVV9V67JidvpCkO4XY3xIfYojP0DXxpQ2oOkqU00rWxtIQr5esl7bIl5/s320/aa+IMG_1797a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now all that’s left to do is to put it to use. As Marty said, “These are meant to make things.” Blake wants to get started making things, and as soon as I get home permanently, (A few more months!) he and I will have lots to do and plenty to show.<br />
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What I need to find is a lumber yard that deals in furniture quality wood. Obviously the first step is to use lesser quality non-descript wood to learn the basics of woodworking. Granted, I know a bit, mostly on a scholarly level, but much past a rabbet or lap joint cut with a table saw and dado blades, I don’t have all that much experience in quality woodworking.<br />
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The local Orange and Blue Borg operations carry plenty of poplar and red oak in stock sizes to practice on and at a kind of moderate cost. (Excluding social cost of course…I almost started to rant…) None-the-less I want to stock up on some domestic woods like white pine and quartersawn white oak. I have several projects in mind, from a gunmaker's adaptation of <a href="http://www.lostartpress.com/The_Anarchist_s_Tool_Chest_p/bk-atc.htm" target="_blank">Chris Schwarz’s Anarchist’s Tool Chest</a> to a Greene and Greene inspired entertainment center.<br />
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Plus, I really want an old school library card catalog – five drawers high, eight across…
But let’s get the dove tails down first, and then we’ll venture into more stratified regions.<br />
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Ok, so, a really big shout out and an eternally grateful “Thank You!” to Mr Sam Cappo for putting this all together.<br />
Chris Schwarz for throwing his weight behind this project and putting in some wonderful additions to the chest.<br />
Marty Backe for not only the straight edge, but especially the <u>insightful note</u> that accompanied it!<br />
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And to everyone else, please drop me an email at your convenience; I would like to thank you all individually for your generosity and kindness. And if you know someone who donated to the project, please let them know I’m looking for them so I can thank them!<br />
<br />
Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"> FOB Shank Tent Club</a><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">The Hunt Continues...</span><br />
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s1600-h/100_0105b+small.jpg"><img alt="Albert Rasch,Hunter" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383736493621485554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s320/100_0105b+small.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 164px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 118px;" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Though he spends most of his time keeping the world safe for democracy and corporate profits, Albert was actually a student of biology. Really. But after a stint as a lab tech performing </span><span style="font-size: small;">repetitious and </span><span style="font-size: small;">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, "<span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span>" 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.</span><br />
<br />Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-53519911956402574982013-02-25T05:37:00.001-05:002013-02-25T05:52:16.197-05:00Bladesmithing, Blacksmithing, and Metal Working Artisans in General!<i> We explore metalworking on the net!</i><br />
© 2013 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Strike When the Iron is Hot! </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmVXogNPFy3l9d1oGviawqDAymfmSgHc_jKkkk5rF5hCRM5ZiKBTr58SJMdlwqYtNPuarauIwGpnH_fPtwL4b28TcnbTCcLzGICPmPoFOTe4d3uAFXQ0TOQNvnkvYHDs22XEGaQNWVoln/s1600/IMG_0604a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmVXogNPFy3l9d1oGviawqDAymfmSgHc_jKkkk5rF5hCRM5ZiKBTr58SJMdlwqYtNPuarauIwGpnH_fPtwL4b28TcnbTCcLzGICPmPoFOTe4d3uAFXQ0TOQNvnkvYHDs22XEGaQNWVoln/s320/IMG_0604a.jpg" title="Sperwan Ghar, Skull Mountain, Albert A Rasch" width="285" /></a></div>
There is a vibrant metal working community not only out there in the real world, but on the internet as well! people are bending, twisting, melting metals at prodigious rates and in there own backyards and basements. Holy smokes! Ancient mysteries are being unraveled as a matter of course, and we are the lucky recipients of all this information.<br />
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I haven't done a Blog Rodeo in quite some time... Shoot I haven't blogged in quite some time either, but the circumstances haven't been conducive to good writing or even thinking for that matter. I think it's going to take quite a bit of time for me to get back to normal.<br />
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Well, normal for me anyway!<br />
<br />
So lets get back to the metal working shall we?<br />
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As you all know I have an interest in all sorts of metal related stuff, not just the bits that come out the front end of 'Mbogo' my favorite Ruger #1.From well crafted tools, to sword blades, I love the work and effort put into each piece, to say nothing of the aesthetics. Look at a well maintained Stanley #45, a Pre-war Colt, or a fine katana forged by a contemporary maker (I'll be introducing you to one shortly!) and regardless of the objects intended use, they have one thing in common.<br />
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Quality.<br />
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That's right, quality through and through.<br />
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It's the small things too. the extra polish, the precise fitting, the use of quality materials. But there are things that are also made from utilitarian materials, and they also exude quality. It's the craftsmanship, the aesthetic excellence (in other words: Dang, that sure looks nice!),<br />
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Let's take a look at some of the Artisans I've gotten to know I the last few months!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguu-DNWZzQTJfojX2JKfSDuz5HLMsn9_D96tx48nPZYwheTIF2rycC5k1g0P329a-javh_pJZQ7XcvUCVjRcAGBXSkHkHTXFhlTb3OZm7LKr2lz3nBrpzzW_yGaX0EW9xBVuPnDGPCqwv4/s1600/Ford+Hallam+Katsuhira+Tsuba+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguu-DNWZzQTJfojX2JKfSDuz5HLMsn9_D96tx48nPZYwheTIF2rycC5k1g0P329a-javh_pJZQ7XcvUCVjRcAGBXSkHkHTXFhlTb3OZm7LKr2lz3nBrpzzW_yGaX0EW9xBVuPnDGPCqwv4/s200/Ford+Hallam+Katsuhira+Tsuba+a.jpg" title="Ford Hallam " width="187" /></a></div>
<a href="http://followingtheironbrush.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Postcards from the path</a> is Mr Ford Hallam's blog. A trained goldsmith and an acknowledged master in the art of Tsuba creation, Mr Hallam unselfishly shares all he knows... as long as you make an effort. His forum, <a href="http://www.followingtheironbrush.org/index.php" target="_blank">Folowing the iron brush</a> is the center of the Tsuba making universe on the net, and has an incredible number of talented artisans in a variety of fields, that much like Mr Hallam, are willing to share their knowledge. Be forewarned! They don't fool around there; it's serious business and you are expected to follow the rules of the Do-jo.. Otherwise you will have to deal with Lorenzo! But we will get to him shortly.<br />
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As many of you know I lean heavily towards the firearm side of the spectrum, but what I have learned on <a href="http://www.followingtheironbrush.org/index.php" target="_blank">Following the iron brush</a> is invaluable to me. Techniques and ideas that I will spend years sorting out and trying in new and potentially dangerous ways. But as fun as that is going to be, the most important thing that I have taken, and that you will take away from Mr Hallam's forum and education, is an appreciation for art, in all its forms.Take a look at the many videos generously provided by Mr Hallam on Youtube: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ironbrush" target="_blank">Ford Hallam: Following the iron brush</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M4kPRz9HV5qP3JL6OqG8adPmEWhPxZXIpnKm-ejXAwFnLs-2cVf23wIDroeLQmLaV-XyxFnO3I1lLjbVZgXQOB9XqeNCh36PSMLoyfSG8PTUCDnRasiuwq7C7btkuhOAkgdGp_qDTjLq/s1600/John+Page+Elderlands_smaller.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M4kPRz9HV5qP3JL6OqG8adPmEWhPxZXIpnKm-ejXAwFnLs-2cVf23wIDroeLQmLaV-XyxFnO3I1lLjbVZgXQOB9XqeNCh36PSMLoyfSG8PTUCDnRasiuwq7C7btkuhOAkgdGp_qDTjLq/s200/John+Page+Elderlands_smaller.png" title="John Page and Shards of a Dark Age" width="200" /></a></div>
Cartographer and Bladesmith, John Page is on a major exploration of the metal medium. His blog <a href="http://shardsofthedarkage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shards of the Dark Age</a> has folders to fixed blades, in 15N20 and Mokume Gane, with the occasional <a href="http://shardsofthedarkage.blogspot.com/2013/01/bowyering.html" target="_blank">hand crafted bow</a> and map thrown in for good measure, John has it! The key thing that really separates John from others is his meticulous exploration of each theme. Whether it's the maps he draws, or the bow he crafted, all of them show an attention to detail that clearly indicates the work af an artisan. John just started blogging, so please stop by and leave him a note or two!<br />
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<a href="http://www.katanabuilders.com/katanablog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/finforgebest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="http://www.katanabuilders.com/katanablog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/finforgebest.jpg" title="Dan O'Conner's Katana Builders.com" width="200" /></a></div>
I bet you didn't know this, but there are many American artisans practicing very traditional forms in our very own backyards. I recently made the acquaintance of Dan O'Conner, a bladesmith trained in his own words, in a short but intensive fashion by Mukansa swordsmith Yoshindo Yoshihar..Dan has documented his work on his blog, <a href="http://www.katanabuilders.com/katanablog/about-katanabuilders/" target="_blank">Katana Builders</a> and is currently documenting the construction of his Kagi-ba, or in western terms, Blade Smithing Shop . His posts are well illustrated and again another person that shares his knowledge selflessly. Also check out his <a href="http://www.twinoaksforge.com/index.html" target="_blank">Twin Oaks Forge</a> where he shares some of his other interests, including fiddle making. Dan is also a practitioner of Kendo, the Way of the Sword.<br />
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I mentioned Lorenzo a moment ago didn't I? Yes well Lorenzo, we will wait a while before delving into Lorenzo's World where the Mad Italian Philosopher, Jeweler, and Tsuba Artist reigns supreme and asks you the <u>Why</u> of what you do in order to understand the <u>Where</u> that you are heading to!<br />
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I have pretty much run out of time and need to get going, I'll pick this up soon with several more Smiths, Artists, Craftsmen, and Artisan!<br />
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Be safe, stay alert!<br />
Albert <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s1600-h/100_0105b+small.jpg"><img alt="Albert Rasch,Hunter" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383736493621485554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s320/100_0105b+small.jpg" style="float: left; height: 164px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 118px;" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Though he spends most of hi<span style="font-size: small;">s time</span> keeping the world safe for democracy and the pursuit of <span style="font-size: small;">profits</span>, Albert was actually a student of biology. Really. But after a stint as a lab tech performing </span><span style="font-size: small;">repetitious and </span><span style="font-size: small;">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, "<span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span>" 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.</span><br />
<br />Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-61294005306425865252013-02-01T23:45:00.003-05:002013-02-02T03:33:08.799-05:00Beekeeping in Florida: The Coincidental Beekeeper!<i>Beekeeping Adventures in Florida!</i><br />
© 2013 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
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Dear Readers,<br />
Lately, I have had a lot of requests and inquiries about beekeeping; more so than ever before, all put together. So I've decided to reprint this "Chronicles Classic" which I have been told, is very inspirational, educational, and instructive. There are a lot of beekeeping hints and ideas in this post, and it is my sincere hope that it educates, elucidates, and of course as always, entertains you! Albert A Rasch
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><i>"The Bear grabs hold, all the while telling me to hurry up before they manage to sting us and we die of anaphylactic shock<span style="font-size: x-large;">!</span>"</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5gSN6Zglzct0nYxALIER26x-3nK49LQtTuuwfC5xrEKlLY28LZQgHkpHIPjfnsXk0WGvsKcQhjp6Bu0-4tsZm-RJJomciH1BfMYVFaxfNlfxcKAkK03PuN4f5n8BbbaXfCVtLProXw6_/s1600/100_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5gSN6Zglzct0nYxALIER26x-3nK49LQtTuuwfC5xrEKlLY28LZQgHkpHIPjfnsXk0WGvsKcQhjp6Bu0-4tsZm-RJJomciH1BfMYVFaxfNlfxcKAkK03PuN4f5n8BbbaXfCVtLProXw6_/s1600/100_0446.JPG" /></a>
Quite a few of the things I have gotten myself involved with are coincidental. For instance, I’m a coincidental beekeeper.<br />
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You see, I was sitting at the feed store one balmy afternoon enjoying the local gossip, when by coincidence, in walks a local rancher looking for bee killing stuff. “Bee killing stuff?” I wonder. Probably wants wasp or yellow jacket spray. Yellow jackets raise cane with horses, and can drive them to madness, or he had mud daubers and wanted them gone, even though they don’t bother people much. But no, its bees, and by the sound of it they’re in hives. One of the fellows recommends gasoline and a match, while another comes up with motor oil and a sprayer. Its times like these that I wonder how we survive as a race.<br />
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Now, I’ve always had an interest in beekeeping. Such diligent laborers those little creatures are. Not that I’m very diligent, but I appreciate their hard work and perseverance. After listening to the eradication plans of my hard working but less sophisticated associates, (I think they had reached the point of mixing an explosive cocktail of diesel fuel, organo-phosates, and black powder.), I graciously volunteered to get the bees.<br />
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The denim clad rancher tells me he doesn’t know how the bees got there in the first place. He was pretty sure that they had been in the same spot for a few years. But he wants to clean that area up and get a few more square feet of tomato, cabbage, or whatever plants into the space the hives were taking up. So in that moment of misplaced civic duty, I get directions to the location, fully prepared to gather up not only bees, but a bounty of honey too!<br />
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I found the spot with little difficulty. An area about thirty foot wide and ten foot deep had the look of purposeful neglect. Bay trees grew in random spots, and shoulder high weeds covered the rest.
Investigating more closely, the buzzing sounds of industry and purpose directed me. I carefully parted the sea of grass and saplings and found a half dozen hives of four or five boxes each, all in various states of disrepair. One derelict hive’s bottom box had rotted so badly that the whole hive listed a good 30 degrees to the left. Searching thoroughly, there were two other hives and assorted other boxes in the surrounding brush, most of them unsalvageable.<br />
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I went back home and did a lot of reading. Which in and of itself was educational, but did little in preparing me. Most of the information I gathered was related to production. There was some info on moving them from one location to another; not on the actual mechanics of the process, but rather the importance of proper relocation. It is true, we came to find out, that there’s really nothing quite like hands on experience to get a real world education.<br />
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I figured that night time was the very best time to get them. They would all be home and cozy. Bees have to sleep, right? What could be simpler than gently picking up the hives and putting in the back of the Blazer, then taking them home while they slept?
Of course bees don’t really sleep. By the time I had figured out that a hive weighs in excess of 150 pounds or so when loaded with bees, wax and honey, the girls had crawled all over me and proceeded to sting me at every opportunity. By the third or fourth barb, I had decided to retreat and regroup.<br />
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If at first you don’t succeed, make a plan. So it was time to plan the operation.<br />
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The next night I came better prepared.
First on the list was blocking the entrance; a properly cut one by two would take care of that. Sweatshirt, light gloves, duct tape, mosquito netting with a hat, head lantern with a red filter, and two large Rubbermaid containers to hold the hive.
The plan was to remove the top box, lay it to one side, remove the next one, put it on top of the first, and so forth until I got to the bottom one which I would then put in the Rubbermaid box. Then the rest of the boxes would go back into the Rubbermaid in proper order.<br />
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That <i>was</i> the plan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjBeAfWYbM-WG_VqVIfBVNixepV4Ib5cicG-tHIG-GHba4AJ2_JwQk9atYdLBAHjRQx97_tcHymrzHRKXSH9Vc0VgxJ0WCmT5D8AN83op1hsMT17m1EK8TR8-w_h4mPcaLF5wFdLVnygh/s1600/000_0191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjBeAfWYbM-WG_VqVIfBVNixepV4Ib5cicG-tHIG-GHba4AJ2_JwQk9atYdLBAHjRQx97_tcHymrzHRKXSH9Vc0VgxJ0WCmT5D8AN83op1hsMT17m1EK8TR8-w_h4mPcaLF5wFdLVnygh/s1600/000_0191.jpg" /></a>
I arrived at the location an hour after sunset. I geared up and went right to work. What I hadn’t noticed the previous night, was that bees frequently gather at the front of the hive, sometimes in smaller clumps, other times in much larger, depending on the temperature. This was a warmer night, and there were plenty of them hanging around the outside of the box. And I might add everyone is home at night. A couple of inexperienced and misplaced hands, a thump or two, and they were angrily buzzing around.<br />
<br />
For those not accustomed to having bees crawling on you and what sounds like angry buzzing all around you, it can all be disconcerting, or terrifying whichever the case may be. I had removed the mosquito netting before I even got to the hives because it impaired my vision. I felt the first bee land on my cheek and before I could formulate a plan of defense, she let me have it.
At that moment another two or three commenced defense plan delta, landing on my exposed neck and scalp.<br />
<br />
By now I was running around in circles, arms flailing in every direction, which only made matters worse. A bee landed right on my forehead. I took a quick slap at it with my left hand. Of course I forgot that I was wearing my wedding band. Damn near ¾ of an ounce of tungsten carbide clocked me a good one right between the eyes. That staggered me. I don’t know what happened to the bee though.
My wife was watching from the safety of the Blazer. She rolls the window down and hollers at me: “Honey! Baby, are you all right?” I’m thinking to myself “Yeah fine, I’m lovin’ all of this!” All I manage to get out, according to her, was “I’m going to die out here! AAAaaargh!” I run for the relative safety of the car.<br />
<br />
Obviously my plan required refinement.<br />
<br />
I finally called the fine folks at Rossman Apiaries. After explaining my situation to the nice lady that answered, she recommended I use a smoker and maybe another person to help lift the boxes.<br />
<br />
OK point taken.<br />
<br />
Now, it’s not that I’m cheap, but I am frugal. Money is always tight when you’re raising kids, and the price of everything keeps on going up. That smoker would cost me $28.00 of hard earned income. I, of course had a better idea. Back in the day I was quite the cigar aficionado. I still have a couple dozen boxes of cigars in a humidor I made out of a large tool chest. (That’s another story…) So I grabbed a couple of stogies and went forth to do battle one more time.<br />
<br />
Firing up that cigar with my multi jet cigar lighter and savoring the aroma and taste of a fine Dominican blend, I set forth once again to save the bees.
(Just go up a half-dozen paragraphs, where it starts with “I arrived at the location an hour after sunset.” And you get the idea of how this plan worked out. Save me the trouble of retyping it…)<br />
<br />
I finally broke down and ordered the smoker.<br />
<br />
When it arrived a couple of days later, I took it to the shop, loaded it up with cedar wood chips and lit that sucker. Finally! Voluminous clouds of cool white smoke! Now I was in business.<br />
<br />
This time I brought Jordan Bear with me. We geared up in substantially the same stuff as before. But this time we had “THE SMOKER.” We decided to move the smallest of all the hives which consisted of three boxes total. We lit the smoker with a micro torch and made darned sure that the thing was well lit and smoking vigorously. We approached the hives like two Roman gladiators sizing up a known and dangerous opponent. I started puffing that smoker like a steam locomotive. Clouds of smoke wafted over the hive. The bee’s wing vibration increased noticeably from a gentle hum to an angry buzz. I looked at Jordan but couldn’t make out what he looked like in the dark and behind the veil. (Sweating bullets I bet.) But as we watched, every bee on the outside marched into the hive. I gave Jordan a quick rundown on what we were going to do. I pulled out my cabinet maker’s pry-bar and positioned it between the first two boxes. I gave it a sharp rap with the palm of my hand to separate the two boxes from each other. All I managed to do was to shake the hive from side to side. I tried a couple of other corners with similar results.<br />
<br />
I gave the hive a couple of more puffs of smoke. I sent Jordan back to the car for a tire iron. A short time later he was back. By this time I had darn near suffocated the bees with smoke. Anyway we placed the pry-bar back in place and gave it a couple of good whacks with the tire iron. It took a good eight or nine solid blows before the boxes parted. By now the bees were getting real noisy; a few were even flying around looking for something or someone to sting. I suppose that if someone was banging on your house you would be pretty aggravated too. But the smoke was keeping them pretty pacific… I puffed that smoker some more.
I tried to lift the top box off but the frames from the lower box were stuck to the frames from the upper. (The bees build comb on the frames, and the frames are what hold the wax combs and honey.) By now bees are crawling all over the hive, my arms, chest, and plenty have taken flight. I can see exactly where this is heading. I put the box back down crushing a dozen bees, and give it a violent twist to break the adhesion between the two sets of frames. All I manage to do is spin the three boxes around.<br />
<br />
Did you know that crushed bees smell like silicon spray? i didn't until then. And did you know that the smell of crushed bees incite the others to attack something? Didn't know that either.<br />
<br />
I tell Jordan to grab the bottom boxes and brace against the next twist. He grabs hold, all the while telling me to hurry up before they manage to sting us and we die of anaphylactic shock. I gave it another mighty twist and thankfully separate the two.
We put it in the Rubbermaid box and cover it. I take the bottom two boxes and with Jordan’s help put it in the second box. There are still a few dozen bees flying around, and I hope they all found a home in another hive; I wasn’t going to hang out any more than was absolutely necessary. We each grab one end of the tote box and carry it to the car, load it up, and go for the other.<br />
<br />
Finally, we are at the car and congratulate each other on a fine job. I pulled my gloves off, and then the cap and veil. Jordan was doing the same. Both of us tossed them in the back and I started the car.
What didn’t occur to either of us was that bees were crawling all over our shirts, hats, gloves, and everywhere else. Of course I had the car rolling down the shell road before it happened.<br />
<br />
In hind sight, it was obvious that we started celebrating too soon.<br />
<br />
The Bear, his appellation and appendages notwithstanding, screams like a girl. I mean pitch, intonation, all of it, as teenage girl as it can get. How he gets his vocal cords screwed up that tight is beyond me. All I know is that he screamed, I jerked the wheel, and we were barreling off road across a pasture at 40-50 miles per hour. Now, right about this point I feel the damned bees crawling on my neck. My right foot was trying to get to the brakes; both hands were trying to keep the car under control. Each hummock of grass threw us against our safety belts or slammed us into the doors. I feel the first of several stings nail me on the back of my neck.
At some point, I don’t know when, Jordan managed to tear the belt off, open the door, and before I could react, was bailing out the door. I suppose the car wasn’t really going that fast but it felt like forever before it stopped. The Bear already had his feet under him and was off to the proverbial races. I wasn’t far behind.<br />
<br />
About an hour later, we were back on the road again, none the worse for wear, if you don’t include the five or twelve stings we got.
Once we were home, we moved the totes under a tree that would remain shady until we could get the hive reassembled.
Assembling them wasn’t that bad, as the bees were obviously disoriented by the move and allowed us great latitude to do whatever we needed to do without too much grief. That and it was daylight which made it easier to figure out what we were doing.<br />
<br />
Believe you me; we learned quite a bit from that experience. The following moves went much more smoothly. We collected a minimum of stings, and ended up with seven hives of bees. We have collected about two hundred pounds of honey from our hives this fall<br />
<br />
Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<br />
On the same theme: <br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/2010/09/thoughts-on-afghanistan-permaculture.html">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles: Afghanistan, Permaculture, and Beekeeping</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s1600-h/100_0105b+small.jpg"><img alt="Albert Rasch,Hunter" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383736493621485554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s320/100_0105b+small.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 164px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 118px;" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Though he spends most of his time keeping the world safe for democracy, Albert was actually a student of biology. Really. But after a stint as a lab tech performing </span><span style="font-size: small;">repetitious and </span><span style="font-size: small;">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, "<span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span>" 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.</span>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-45058442875776035772013-01-29T01:14:00.000-05:002013-01-29T01:14:34.514-05:00Greetings and Happy New Year from Fish Creek Spinners! <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">© 2013 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>JohnDelaney and <a href="http://www.fishcreekspinners.com/" target="_blank">Fish Creek Spinners</a>!</i></span><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">My fishing friend and lure maker John Delaney of Fish Creek Spinners, recently sent me this note letting me know about all the great things going on at FCS!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>
</i></b><b><i>Greetings and Happy New Year from Fish Creek Spinners! </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I hope the Winter weather is letting you enjoy the season and thoughts of Spring are beginning to take shape.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now for the news! </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The website homepage has been reorganized, and work continues to improve the web store format.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">There’s an early season 30% discount - FCS3013 - running on all web store products through 3/13/13.
Take advantage of the reduced prices if you need some spinners. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I added a promotion box button on the <a href="http://www.fishcreekspinners.com/" target="_blank">Fish Creek Spinners home page</a> that I'll make visible when a discount is running. It will list any active codes and their specifics.
I also added some Javascript mouse over pop ups on models in the grid. (The jury’s still out on whether it’s a positive or negative impact. You can disable browser popups if these bother your navigation.) When you visit, be sure to refresh your browser cache to pick up any changes; new pages, new spinners, and new codes, show up frequently and many times go unnoticed without a refresh on your browsers cache. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ultralite and Medium sized Trout spinners continue to be our best volume sellers in all markets. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Always scroll down the pages. I put popular spinner models in the grids up top, but often times, less popular models are available that might interest you.
Last year we added 1/5 and 1/4 oz Glass Armadillo's, June Bug Transformers, 2/3 oz Skirted June Bug Armadillos, and larger 2 and 3oz Muskie and Pike tackle. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I’m also excited about using the twirling Mustad Slow Death hooks on bait rigs with our new Bullseye rigs, Walleye Props and optioned on most walleye rigs in the Walleye Category. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Large spinners and Spinnerbaits are selling online and bringing back some fish pictures from around the globe. My thanks, to all of you that sent in some pictures! </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">This year I expect the rigs with Slow Death hooks to get some quality time in the water and bring back awesome Walleye pictures. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also have high expectations for the June Bug blade spinners – Transformers, Walleye rigs and Skirted Armadillos. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stop by and check out our many products if you need a restock or want to try some different colors, a new species, or new models. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Finally, always check the Assortments. Best prices on the website, especially with a discount. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Best of luck with this years fishing adventures and Cheers! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">John</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Noise on the Line! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">John Delaney (303) 949-9174 </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> fishcreekspinners@gmail.com </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">http://about.me/john_delaney </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.fishcreekspinners.com/" target="_blank">http://www.fishcreekspinners.com </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">http://blog.fishcreekspinners.com </span></span>
Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-36721035046141824802013-01-20T02:14:00.000-05:002013-01-20T02:14:00.169-05:00Afghanistan Still Sucks...<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hello everyone!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38zVfMiDkYJ54jQq81-BkhtYsb_f0s8LaCaKJeYqckLO3xMASytJUFR5Kn1nPemU0zE3NWJPMJiKuX2f8ILaeVUPgJ-Lf0KkylOiV6rwXwBpxKcG_k8W_RJ7Xvzdg_ZhP3m_LyRiiqyvL/s1600/IMG_0244a.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38zVfMiDkYJ54jQq81-BkhtYsb_f0s8LaCaKJeYqckLO3xMASytJUFR5Kn1nPemU0zE3NWJPMJiKuX2f8ILaeVUPgJ-Lf0KkylOiV6rwXwBpxKcG_k8W_RJ7Xvzdg_ZhP3m_LyRiiqyvL/s200/IMG_0244a.png" width="168" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yes it's been a long time since I've posted anything, and it may be longer still before I can finally get back to outdoor blogging again.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm still in Afghanistan plugging away and earning my keep.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Nothing new to report on that; it's the same old crap, repackaged for the nightly news. That's if they even mention it anymore. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Other than that, I am older and more cynical. Still don't have many gray hairs though!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I see that the political carnival and specifically the <span style="font-size: small;">Congressional Side Show is still <span style="font-size: small;">running. It would be entertaining if it wasn't so dangerous<span style="font-size: small;">. My Dad once told me<span style="font-size: small;">, "The Cuban people got just what they asked for and deserved when they allowed Castro to take over." I could say the same for us...</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">On a lighter note, I hope everyone had a great holiday season, and hunting season too. Thank your blessings <span style="font-size: small;">whenever you have your family near and can spend time with them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyway, email me anytime<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">;</span> I can get that much easier than I can get on <span style="font-size: small;">Blogger. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">You all stay safe, keep alert, and for the sake <span style="font-size: small;">of the Union, vote wisely. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your friend,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Albert A Rasch </span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></span>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-68231400530312041392012-07-03T06:04:00.001-04:002012-07-03T06:17:13.020-04:00Grandstaff Flintlock Chunk Gun or Bench Rifle<div style="text-align: center;">
A Full-Stocked Flintlock Rifle by </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
John Grandstaff
Shenandoah County, Virginia, circa 1820-30 </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In my wide ranging and far flung meanderings through the internet's netherworld, I came upon this beauty. A circa 1820-30 chunk gun. Also known as stump guns, they were frequently used for informal and formal target shooting at blocks of wood.</div>
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"The 46 inch octagonal barrel with seven-groove rifling in .42 caliber, brass fore-sight and open rear sight; breech signed J. Grandstaff; left flat with indistinct markings; unusual two-step tang. Engraved lock signed Joseph/Golcher. Double-set triggers. Brass furniture, most components engraved with skip line border; patchbox with three piercings, the finial a simplified scroll and blossom, the engraved lid with button release. Full stock of dark, striped maple, the rounded cheekpiece with fluted lower edge and inlaid with a brass compass star; behind the cheekpiece four brass inlays, one in the form of a pointing hand, the other four circular. With older, and possibly period, hickory ramrod, the lower 12 inches a separate pinned piece.
Condition: Very good plus. Barrel with dark patina and some light pitting. Patchbox lid with old repair to hinge. Wood has been cleaned and possibly revarnished; fore-end with several small hairline cracks and one 7/8" x 1/8" piece missing to left side 14 inches from muzzle; small chip to right side of barrel tang, small crack to left side and small chips at rear of tang; repaired chip above rear of lock.<br />
<br />
Footnotes
Note: Illustrated in Plate 112 of Kentucky Rifles, Capt. John Dillin. In his listing he misreads the maker's name as Grandstatt and notes he was a workman of great merit...
Note: John Grandstaff, 1789-1853, Shenandoah County, Virginia. See pages 110, 111 and 112 of Gunmakers of Virginia by John Biser Whisker, for examples of Grandstaff's work. The gun illustrated on page 112 also has the pointing hand inlay motif and a counterplate of somewhat similar form."Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-80242973640804240722012-02-17T00:20:00.001-05:002012-02-17T00:20:00.672-05:00Biology on the Bay: Mangroves<i>Tamp Bay Mangroves and their Biology!</i><br />
© 2009-2012 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #fef1ce;">.</span><br />
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">Biology on the Bay: Mangroves<br />
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While goofing around this weekend with Bubby and his pal Ethan, we pulled into one of the many parks that dot the Tampa Bay coastline. Unknown to many even a few miles inland, these parks often offer easy access to the bay for small boat enthusiasts, wade fishing, and in many cases offer picnic areas and scenic walks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNKkmYCauHlXG9AovNbtbFdIskRFKADLfyV20234vMOzoXfs-EtWPn_XLokGiWUCsSIurWOHmjZDNkMshcYKZEwliKHJk0fsX4uxMnpZS-wA-A2ZaQSlHi7jNG9jYgiVBRPmcj2nBSAoL/s1600-h/Blake+on+the+Water+long+ii.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368518789954652274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNKkmYCauHlXG9AovNbtbFdIskRFKADLfyV20234vMOzoXfs-EtWPn_XLokGiWUCsSIurWOHmjZDNkMshcYKZEwliKHJk0fsX4uxMnpZS-wA-A2ZaQSlHi7jNG9jYgiVBRPmcj2nBSAoL/s400/Blake+on+the+Water+long+ii.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 99px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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As the boys wandered around, I meandered over to the seawall and looked over the edge. Along with the accumulated trash and seaweed, I saw several mangrove pods, many with sprouted leaves. That’s when I got an idea. "Biology on the Bay," will be an occasional series touching on the different flora and fauna of the Tampa Bay region.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/edgley_cesar/3366002009/">Edgley Cesar</a><br />
</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJgTCzn8DPFKai4RKou060-IwU9ZuSy42vqx0MffSlkwtqUmUAFyyfKTCvZZ93v5eOOqyCdg8RvB7IkxQaPnUpRYp0EQVL6vJAoNE5jK6CkB0Xd3xqTXi9-yYPkYi5FVQnjO535GAHKQ3/s1600-h/red+Mangrove+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368515538511298002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJgTCzn8DPFKai4RKou060-IwU9ZuSy42vqx0MffSlkwtqUmUAFyyfKTCvZZ93v5eOOqyCdg8RvB7IkxQaPnUpRYp0EQVL6vJAoNE5jK6CkB0Xd3xqTXi9-yYPkYi5FVQnjO535GAHKQ3/s400/red+Mangrove+1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
There are four different types of mangroves that inhabit the Tampa Bay estuaries: Red Mangrove, Black Mangrove, White Mangrove and the Buttonwood.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 78%;">Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tjetjep/">TeeJe</a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hbRo8NYaU3DdbdF8bSXgAxAUqZqbLtX4jFZX5BBjESdIJa-x1amMkueUwch3ZDUzNstgBRyv7gktSVj7PwghvrgkLIxGJd1mZYLC82kfVcxUl-9ZsuT5H1I30GC9LS35R6etSYHtBhop/s1600-h/Red+Mangrove+pods.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368514500608072114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hbRo8NYaU3DdbdF8bSXgAxAUqZqbLtX4jFZX5BBjESdIJa-x1amMkueUwch3ZDUzNstgBRyv7gktSVj7PwghvrgkLIxGJd1mZYLC82kfVcxUl-9ZsuT5H1I30GC9LS35R6etSYHtBhop/s200/Red+Mangrove+pods.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 132px;" /></a>Living closest to the water, the Red Mangrove is the most common of the mangroves and the one that drops the pods that you frequently see floating by when you are fishing. Given the opportunity, a mangrove pod that gets washed up on a shoreline, or gets caught between reef rocks, will throw out roots that will quickly support it. As it grows, the Red Mangrove will produce a maze of aerial roots that prop it in place, and provide structure for all the denizens of the shallow waters. Oysters, sponges, and many types of invertebrates take refuge within the curved and intersected confines of the root system, as well as the juvenile of any number of fish. Along with the grass beds, this is the nursery of much of the Gulf Coast’s fish. 75% of all game fish, and 90% of all commercial fish use the mangrove systems for rearing their young and depend on it.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fisheze/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Image: Angie Chestnut<br />
</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzBI20AFEVZ0Pt_Id0svuLo1l2rx4T2wpf_otLLcAsFVjXatApSWlv4sMWFGHqcbCMKdqmsUT06k3arsJXYB6-Tfszg_90PenixcvMfkNW3exvexd1P9M9au6AzYxcDauC55zzBjnx3-c/s1600-h/Black+Mangrove+shoots.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368512755128723778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzBI20AFEVZ0Pt_Id0svuLo1l2rx4T2wpf_otLLcAsFVjXatApSWlv4sMWFGHqcbCMKdqmsUT06k3arsJXYB6-Tfszg_90PenixcvMfkNW3exvexd1P9M9au6AzYxcDauC55zzBjnx3-c/s320/Black+Mangrove+shoots.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 167px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Black Mangrove Breathing Tubes</span> </span></div><br />
The Black Mangrove’s roots are actually an underground network of roots. Inhabiting the area nearest high tide, the Black Mangrove can be identified by the breathing tubes that pierce the tidal flats around the trees. As the Black Mangrove grows, the roots expand, putting up new breathing tubes, and as new seeds drop and germinate, they eventually growing into groves of substantial trees. The Black Mangrove though, is fighting a loosing battle against invasive species such as the Brazilian Pepper Tree, a particularly noxious and difficult to eradicate pest that can withstand brackish conditions.<br />
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The White Mangrove grows furthest inland along with the Buttonwood. Both have a more conventional root system. They can be identified from the other species by the shape of the leaves. These are the last to colonize an area, and are on the inside fringe of the mangrove community.<br />
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The three types of mangrove work jointly to stabilize shorelines throughout their range.<br />
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The ecology of the mangrove forests is fascinating. If you were to take a single sprout, plant it, and observe it over years, you would find that by itself, it would have the capability of creating not only its own ecosystem, but in essence bring life to a seemingly barren location.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericvichich/">Eric Vichich</a><br />
</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTv_S9LLCyFzMASHXiMB-x2FNPZAWD8VlgM2qVPDfxEBPQQZ8aA0S0rqD3S_k_P1Uo2yhFHKkcGFJICHi-aDYrMH2J6aKsFl4pCUjgHrBj8m16PHee-9HxyT_uArnkXeVlzdSRr0RWgEq/s1600-h/Mangroves+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368517709155356258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTv_S9LLCyFzMASHXiMB-x2FNPZAWD8VlgM2qVPDfxEBPQQZ8aA0S0rqD3S_k_P1Uo2yhFHKkcGFJICHi-aDYrMH2J6aKsFl4pCUjgHrBj8m16PHee-9HxyT_uArnkXeVlzdSRr0RWgEq/s200/Mangroves+2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 133px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>When a mangrove pod takes root, it very quickly stabilizes the adjacent areas. As it grows, the aerial roots that it produces create a tangle that hold debris and detritus that gets caught up in them. As the mangrove accumulates materials, it becomes colonized by any number of invertebrates. These in turn attract other creatures. The falling leaves decompose, are consumed by these tiny creatures, and become the first link in the food chain of the bay. Soon other pods are caught up in the outlying roots of the initial mangrove and a new tree begins to grow, expanding the process.<br />
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Over time, as the accumulation increases and the number of animals upon the mangrove expands, the mangrove mangals take on the characteristics of an island. Birds nest in the canopy, carry seeds, nesting material, and leave behind plenty of droppings. Storms bring more debris that gets caught up in the ever expanding ring of aerial roots. Over decades and centuries islands are formed.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bethbader/">Image Credit:expatkitchen</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcwfwQrEv22Fr3wA_A9Mj6bWJ96z6aw30qtmp_SrJ0Mhrl13lV1vdshXsGUlahtqFM3MNRCvzGGbnuK5u18-BRsL-9Il1-bg0gR6dJCwJioc9kMvWtMweNv-Y80zqNATK-XTNfIJggIPZ/s1600-h/Blk+Mang+w+fish.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368513426603275970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcwfwQrEv22Fr3wA_A9Mj6bWJ96z6aw30qtmp_SrJ0Mhrl13lV1vdshXsGUlahtqFM3MNRCvzGGbnuK5u18-BRsL-9Il1-bg0gR6dJCwJioc9kMvWtMweNv-Y80zqNATK-XTNfIJggIPZ/s400/Blk+Mang+w+fish.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 160px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">High Tide at a Black Mangrove Mangle</span> </span></div><br />
Mangroves create barriers that prevent erosion from both wind and water. The interconnected root systems breakup and diffuse the energy of tidal flows and storms, preventing soil, silt, and sand from getting washed away. The oysters and sponges that inhabit the system help filter runoff and do their part in keeping the Tampa Bay Estuary in its great condition.<br />
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Next time you are out on the Florida coastlines, take a closer look at the mangroves. Not only are they an interesting part of the landscape with their interesting roots and salt encrusted leaves, but they are an integral part of the life cycle of Tampa Bay.<br />
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Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/">Lakewood Ranch Tent Club</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></a> (Let 'em sue me.)<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;">The Hunt Continues...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-45462223707233096732012-02-11T02:10:00.001-05:002012-02-11T02:10:00.146-05:00Saturday Blog Rodeo 02/11/12<i>The Best of Outdoor Bloggers and Posts! </i><br />
© 2012 Albert A Rasch and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles</a><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #fef1ce; font-weight: bold;">.</span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rexy85/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Image Credit: Daniel Rexy</span><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/59/263649949_7e68212099_m.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/59/263649949_7e68212099_m.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 185px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">Blog Rodeo for September 5th<br />
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Folks, here are my picks for this week's best posts. It's all old stuff that I think is always good to take a second look at! Now I may have missed a few here and there, and if that's the case don't forget to feel free to remind me to add it to the Rodeo!<br />
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By the way, if you have a post that you're particularly proud of, or it's an oldie but a goodie like these, then let me know and I'll link to it and put it on TROC.<br />
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First up is <a href="http://deerimpacts.blogspot.com/">Deer Impacts</a>: "<span style="font-style: italic;">In many places, deer and other large ungulates are reaching densities that damage ecosystems and create conflicts with people. This blog represents my attempt to monitor deer conflicts and impacts around the world. Tom Rooney: I am a biology professor at Wright State University, and have been studying the effects of deer on forests since 1995</span>." Really interesting stuff and good information on what's going on with respect to the burgeoning deer population.<br />
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<a href="http://operation-idaho.blogspot.com/">Operation Idaho 2009</a> "<span style="font-style: italic;">This blog has been created as an electronic journal of Brandon and Brad's quest to bowhunt Idaho's backcountry in September 2009. The challenge is that neither have done this before. This blog will serve as record of 6 months of planning and preparation: exercise, diet, archery practice, equipment research, purchase and review, as well as any other aspects backcountry bowhunting.</span>" Another really interesting blog. I think it's a great concept, and one that I would like to see more of.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPzNas2b_x-TJDGBu08zNeocoqCilHwDq4kxHBfcxY8GgZgf_xVnX9_Jna5dtJXfyWWUIpvKUSeDNIXp4A3aYdPMx0QraqloZBckhgZIK7R-cyrwzQoI4AOZyCwgAxYmMC0nT0V8c5jg/s400/11+Fred%27s+Hunting+Blog+Antelope+Trip+2009.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPzNas2b_x-TJDGBu08zNeocoqCilHwDq4kxHBfcxY8GgZgf_xVnX9_Jna5dtJXfyWWUIpvKUSeDNIXp4A3aYdPMx0QraqloZBckhgZIK7R-cyrwzQoI4AOZyCwgAxYmMC0nT0V8c5jg/s400/11+Fred%27s+Hunting+Blog+Antelope+Trip+2009.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 125px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 168px;" /></a><a href="http://fredshuntingblog.blogspot.com/">Fred's Hunting Blog</a>, "<span style="font-style: italic;">A Bow Hunter's Adventures in Montana I live in Montana and started bow hunting four seasons ago. The bow hunting bug has hit me hard and I spend way too much time hunting and thinking about hunting. I am not an expert and these are merely my experiences and opinions, take them for what you will.</span>" Just a regular guy doing what us guys do best. One of my new favorites.<br />
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Patrick Grotto on <a href="http://patrickgrotto.blogspot.com/2009/08/bow-hunting.html">BowHunting.</a> A fascinating read on bow hunting and taking deer. I'm not sure where to begin as it is all very, very good. The subject matter is varied, and I feel like I am being educated by a sage, who is trying to impart wisdom through the direct, and via metaphor. It's a must see.<br />
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Over at Rob's Hunting Journal, Rob has modified a deer cam with some awesome results. Here is the mods: <a href="http://robshuntingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-first-homebrew-trail-camera.html">Homebrew Trail Cam</a> and here are the results: <a href="http://robshuntingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/08/homebrew-trail-camera-moment-of-truth.html">Moment of Truth.</a> Rob does a great job of explaining what and how he does it, clearly and in a fashion that is easily followed. The results speak for themselves.<br />
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<a href="http://fairchasehunting.blogspot.com/2009/08/slob-hunters.html">Slob Hunters </a>covers an important topic that we all have to consider. <a href="http://fairchasehunting.blogspot.com/">Fair Chase</a> gives some thought and consideration to the subject in a well written post.<br />
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<a href="http://norcalcazadora.blogspot.com/">NorCal Cazadora</a> wrote several articles for her local regional newspaper and is asking us to support the newspaper by commenting on the paper's website. It is imperative that we <a href="http://norcalcazadora.blogspot.com/2009/09/hunters-get-little-love-from-metro.html">support one and other, in addition to allies in the media</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.petawatch.com/">PeTA Watch</a> is a group that keeps an eye on the loons at PeTA. I get quite a bit of intell from these folks, and for those of you that keep tab on the animal rights extremists, this is a great resource.<br />
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Alright then, these are this week's highlights, I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.<br />
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And don't forget, touch base with me if you would like me to link a story, drum up some interest in one of your posts, or just to shoot the bull. My e-mail is on my profile page.<br />
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Regards,<br />
Albert A Rasch<br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></span></a> (Let 'em sue me.)<br />
<span style="color: #666600;">The Hunt Continues...</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-64724220331672885192012-02-09T01:20:00.001-05:002012-02-09T01:20:00.431-05:00Training for the Outdoors: Get Ready for Spring!<i>Easy way to get in shape for hunting season!</i><br />
© 2012 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Train Your Way to Better Hunting</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Train for Endurance</span></div><br />
Y'all remember this post of 2009? I was at 212 lbs, and dragging butt.<br />
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<div class="zemanta-img zemanta-action-dragged" style="display: block; float: left; margin: 1em; width: 105px;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:USATC_Fort_Jackson.png"><img alt="US Army Training Center & Fort Jackson" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/USATC_Fort_Jackson.png" style="border: medium none; display: block; height: 117px; width: 99px;" /></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution" style="font-size: 78%;">Image via <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:USATC_Fort_Jackson.png">Wikipedia</a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><i>After seeing the Bear at Fort Jackson, I was motivated by the lines of recruits scampered to and fro while being yelled at, their bodies being forged and hammered by their kind and conscientious drill sergeants, and finally drawn and tempered into finely honed fighting members of the United States Army. I'm telling you, it was as if I was reliving my youth as I watched the activities, washing down my slice of stuffed crust, extra cheese, Italian sausage pizza with a Super Big Gulp of Pepsi.<br />
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As I looked down at my extended midline, I was reminded of the fact that hunting wild game can be an athletic adventure, and I should plan on getting myself in shape before the season starts. Quite frankly I'm in decent shape, my blood pressure is low, cholesterol is low, and overall I'm pretty good. But my endurance is not what it once was. And endurance is what determines what physical demands you can place on your body.</i> <br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/acetosa888/">acetosa</a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoH8TzSPOMeithpCdAL2Q9vYvWsHjMM8sPgd3882U0sfWe3O87TyGjArTOgmc4ZM-42WBhkVGXS12GTPZL7HkEPU-30yuTAlCsa7hua5fP8Kif_Sd5xSAxUuF6vHijKbmd-8V_MsvzGk0L/s1600-h/Lasagna.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366302678301601778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoH8TzSPOMeithpCdAL2Q9vYvWsHjMM8sPgd3882U0sfWe3O87TyGjArTOgmc4ZM-42WBhkVGXS12GTPZL7HkEPU-30yuTAlCsa7hua5fP8Kif_Sd5xSAxUuF6vHijKbmd-8V_MsvzGk0L/s200/Lasagna.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 150px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%;">I spend a lot of time behind the keyboard when I am at home, and I spend a considerable amount of time sitting while driving and while at work. I'm sure many of you do the same. I did a little research and decided it was high time I not only got back in shape, but make a change in the way I have been leading my life. No I am not going vegetarian, nor am I going to give up calzones, lasagna, chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, and big hunks of red meat. What I am going to do is get regular exercise, and moderate my intake of food.<br />
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The goal is to design a program that will reflect the needs of a hunting sportsman, build up endurance, and tone up the muscles. Remember we are not looking for gains in size and large increases in strength, we want endurance.<br />
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Repetition and time are the key ingredients of endurance. But how are we going to go about it?<br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;">Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonjazz/">MoonJazz</a></span><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNK1IQ9yYGVmrb4NFsQevjWhr2lvsKySFPOklwgqRHV3wv2nVBPUjU49cYqogfQ5zQu8qhd8bt1I_Qag0p-4_sxYCMpKbGIcLf4NtOS_fjiSiEk8Hc1JmdNghmrE6Aw-7diX77bT-QZ3nD/s1600-h/Hhiking.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366303199877190802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNK1IQ9yYGVmrb4NFsQevjWhr2lvsKySFPOklwgqRHV3wv2nVBPUjU49cYqogfQ5zQu8qhd8bt1I_Qag0p-4_sxYCMpKbGIcLf4NtOS_fjiSiEk8Hc1JmdNghmrE6Aw-7diX77bT-QZ3nD/s200/Hhiking.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 153px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%;">Rules of the Game:<br />
You have to have a modicum of discipline.<br />
You must think before you act.<br />
It helps if you have a partner that's willing to support you.<br />
Write down your plan of action.<br />
Then get started!<br />
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First things first. Decide you want to do this. If you can't make even a small commitment to the regimen then forget about it. You must decide you are going to make time every day to get yourself back in shape. Decide if anyone else is with you on this. The truth is it is easier if you have someone that will do it alongside you.<br />
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So where are you now? Don't even think of going out there and doing a Rocky in the Russian mountains or anything like that. Let's think before we act!<br />
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If you've been on your rear end for the last nine months, then a little walking might be the way to go. Get a decent set of hiking boots, if that is your proclivity, but wait a while before you lace them on. Let's start with sneakers or walking shoes. You will also need a watch that is easily read, or a stopwatch.<br />
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Find a place where you can walk undisturbed and proceed to take a brisk and invigorating walk. Go from point A to point B and time it. Use that as your initial marker. Now try to do a little more a little faster every day. Once you are motivating for thirty minutes at a good pace, switch to those hiking boots. Make sure you have good socks on and that the boots fit is correct. I recommend Darn Tough Vermont socks which are by the way the Official Socks of The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles.<br />
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Make sure you do some moderate stretching before you start, each and every time it really does help prevent injuries.<br />
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See if you can find a piece of 1.25 or 1.5 inch black iron pipe that's about 3 foot long. Nice to carry a bit of weight in your arms to simulate that rifle during season.<br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;">Image:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24175726@N08/">100pushups</a></span><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGHB5Xmq5IQBS3spa-n1hbVJYRIJ0XTKMOcJPBJ572opt0STKuh50EtpJjB_fUu9DTsYQIrTndCuDDR60ZMVdGb4S4jt-BZMTz7fF1ZWcVx0MySn9mPFrfFtIraoPVJCzi9_DgmVQfbV_/s1600-h/Pushups+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366302000838215890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGHB5Xmq5IQBS3spa-n1hbVJYRIJ0XTKMOcJPBJ572opt0STKuh50EtpJjB_fUu9DTsYQIrTndCuDDR60ZMVdGb4S4jt-BZMTz7fF1ZWcVx0MySn9mPFrfFtIraoPVJCzi9_DgmVQfbV_/s200/Pushups+1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 132px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%;">A great tip I picked up is the 5 repetition push-ups during those moments between TV shows, or between desk and door. It's not enough to make you sweat or get out of breath, but it is enough to help you gain strength. You can increase them little by little over the summer and into the fall. I'm up to 25 reps, and I do them 3 to 5 times per day. It takes less than 20 seconds, and considering I started at ten sloppy ones a few weeks ago, I'm pretty pleased.<br />
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The other exercise I recommend is the good old sit up. Abdominal strength is the key to core strength, and ultimately determines factors like back strength and alignment, and hip alignment. These factors help with your balance and help prevent and minimize back injuries.<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Image: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9608294@N03/">socialmouth</a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpJEOUfji8t2OISmL6yyApA7Mbf_0ezXjOk4z3psS37kh9Z-vsASN7zQgRlHiZvY3BvBEOvhmkyJcMKkrhCk7yn3Vqd8ddUdw3Po_lgejdawUuWicrVRBMLRbwFFcxtfGhnpzQqoCjjxj/s1600-h/Working+out.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366301082169491202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpJEOUfji8t2OISmL6yyApA7Mbf_0ezXjOk4z3psS37kh9Z-vsASN7zQgRlHiZvY3BvBEOvhmkyJcMKkrhCk7yn3Vqd8ddUdw3Po_lgejdawUuWicrVRBMLRbwFFcxtfGhnpzQqoCjjxj/s200/Working+out.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 182px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%;">Wedge those feet under a piece of furniture, keep your knees bent, and fold your arms across your chest. Don't pull your chin into your chest as you lift, just bend it modestly as you start to lift off. Suck that gut down to your spine as your shoulders leave the ground and continue the lift in a controlled manner. Go back down in the same controlled fashion. Do what you can with proper form, and add to it as your strength increases. Sit ups are my evening exercise and I try to do as many as I can the first time, and follow it up with a set or two more, doing as many as my abs will allow.<br />
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Back in my Army days we used to "slap our boots." Basically we would squat, back relatively straight, until we could swat the top of our boots. This is a great exercise that you can do at any moment, quickly, and with great effect. It works your quads well, and helps with balance. I do ten reps whenever I remember. You can do them slow, or pick up the pace when you're in a hurry.<br />
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I thought of this a little while ago. We tend to stick to things we like. Don't fall into the trap of only doing what you like or are good at. Try to work on every part equally! Legs, abs, upper-body, they are all equally important.<br />
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That's my current regimen; walking, push ups, sit-ups, and squats. I do other odd-ball things as the mood or opportunity strikes me like pull-ups, chair dips, arm raises, and jumping jacks. Anything at anytime that is convenient. The key is to be doing something constructive and healthy for your body.<br />
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Stop and think for a moment how much time you spend doing a good job for your employer, or how much time you spend keeping that car or boat in great shape, or blogging. Don't you think you deserve the same care and consideration?<br />
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Repetition is the key to endurance. Keep adding repetitions as you gain in strength and endurance and before you know it, even the Mrs will notice the improvements in your physique...<br />
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GET UP AND SLAP THOSE BOOTS!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">NOW!</span></span></div>Epilouge: It helped that I have been in Afghanistan for some time now, but at home I stay at about 185 lbs. That's without watching what I eat, other than from the plate to my mouth. I do moderate the amount of ice cream i consume, and I pretty much avoid soda pop, but other than that I don't limit myself much. I walk everyday, bicycle as often as possible, and knock out a few push-ups, sit-ups, and the occasional motivated run up a couple of flights of stairs to keep the weight in check.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-91824552287968852172012-02-08T02:10:00.001-05:002012-02-08T02:10:00.109-05:00Free Fishing Lures from Fish Creek SpinnersYou have until the tenth of February, only two days, to enter into <a href="http://www.fishcreekspinners.com/" target="_blank">Fish Creek Spinners</a> lure give-a way!<br />
<br />
<b>How It Works:</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fishcreekspinners.com/MArmadillo_160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fishcreekspinners.com/MArmadillo_160.jpg" /></a></div>Leave a comment, any comment <a href="http://blog.fishcreekspinners.com/2011/12/happy-birthday-noise-on-line-blog.html">on the contest post</a>, up to 5 entries per angler so enter as many times as you want - you cast more, you catch more fish.<br />
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Help promote the drawing, Twitter it, Facebook it, or feature it on your blog! Better participation = more and better prizes!<br />
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What's this mean to you?<br />
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More Comments = More Entries = Better Angler Odds<br />
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More Anglers = Better Prizes (more spinners) and more Winners<br />
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So if you're feeling lucky, spread the word. More anglers in drawing = more winners and more spinners for the winners. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fishcreekspinners.com/354w420h279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.fishcreekspinners.com/354w420h279.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>After reaching 24 anglers, each time the number of 'anglers' in the drawing exceeds the next multiple of twelve, another winner and spinner is added to the drawing. The more anglers that enter, the more winners and spinners in each winning set - up to twelve spinners for 10 winning anglers.<br />
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OK then, let's double check we got it all correct!<br />
<b>How to Enter Drawing</b><br />
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To enter just click the blog title: <a href="http://blog.fishcreekspinners.com/2011/12/happy-birthday-noise-on-line-blog.html">Happy Birthday Noise on the Line</a> and then enter a comment to the Comments section at the bottom of the post.<br />
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Each comment you enter (that includes unique identifying info) becomes an entry number in the 2/11/12 drawing.<br />
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Each comment increases your odds of Random.org choosing one of your numbered entries.<br />
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Some anglers choose identifying information when they comment, others use Anonymous. Just leave something, anything that we can track back to you! Hate for you to win, and we don't know who you are, where you are, or any of the other W's that might identify you!Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-24300968106119151792012-02-07T01:20:00.000-05:002012-02-07T01:20:00.993-05:00The Range Reviews: RedRam Merino Thermal Underwear<i> RedRam Merino Wool Thermal Underwear Review!</i><br />
© 2012 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Superlative Merino Wool Products for the Outdoorsman!</b></span></div><br />
Wool, as you know, is an outdoorsman's best friend. Though it is capable of absorbing and holding one third its weight in water, its structure allows it to retain your body heat. I was invited to test a set of RedRam Merino Wool Thermal underwear, which I gladly took with me to Afghanistan for the winter.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.redram.com/wp-content/uploads/m-ls-n.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.redram.com/wp-content/uploads/m-ls-n.gif" /></a></div>But first, lets talk a little about <a href="http://www.redram.com/">RedRam</a>, <a href="http://us.icebreaker.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-IB-US-Site/default/Home-Show">Icebreaker</a> their parent company, and sustainability. RedRam is part of the Icebreaker family. It was in 1994, that Icebreaker pioneered the merino outdoor clothing category when its founder, Jeremy Moon, saw the opportunity to make natural performance garments when everything else around was made from synthetic fibers. Icebreaker designed and invented the world’s first merino layering system, and it was the first outdoor apparel company to source merino <i>directly and ethically from the grower</i>s. <br />
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Sustainability has been a huge issue with me and something that I have been studying for some time. If we don't change our behavior, attitude, and our desire to desire, we will see an end to those things that we take for granted, but that are the most important things in our lives.<br />
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Luckily many companies, like Icebreaker, are taking these matters seriously and to heart.<br />
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My first impression of the RedRam Merino Wool Thermal Underwear was that it was really soft, not like my old Woolrich MacGregor tartan blanket that accompanies me everywhere. It is fine wool fiber with a softness that compares favorable to any nice fleece material. <br />
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Here is the information and specifications from their website.<br />
<ul><li><i>Breathable: I want you to be perfectly warm, not hot and sweaty. That's where RedRam shines. Merino thermal underwear stays drier because it naturally absorbs perspiration from your skin and releases it into the air.</i></li>
<li><i>Natural Fibre: I like people warming, not global warming. So RedRam couldn't be more natural. The ingredients are grass, water and sunshine. I grow it and it's woven into your thermals. Unlike polyprop underwear which is made from petrochemicals.</i></li>
<li><i>Stinkiness: You can ski, hike, or fish all day, or run up and down the sideline, whatever the weather. No matter how active you get in your RedRam, it won't get smelly. Synthetic fibres stink to high heaven but Merino is far more efficient than other fibres at releasing sweat and moisture.</i></li>
<li><i>Comfort: Put on a silky smooth, super light merino garment and you'll enjoy the warmth of a heavy sweater. But you'll have none of the bulk. That's because of merino's finely crimped fibres, which create millions of air pockets to capture your body heat.</i></li>
<li><i>Sustainable: No use making men's and women's thermal underwear if there's not going to be a world left to wear it in. Fortunately RedRam merino wool is renewable and biodegradable. We merino are shorn each year, then we return to the mountains to grow more underwear. Merino is biodegradable and unlike cotton and synthetics it uses very low-energy production processes.</i></li>
<li><i>Pure Merino Wool: I am pure merino. And we merino spend our days roaming high in the spacious Southern Alps of New Zealand. Our coats are designed to naturally handle all extremes of weather. And that can mean -20 degrees Celcius in winter. </i></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.redram.com/wp-content/uploads//m-l-n.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.redram.com/wp-content/uploads//m-l-n.gif" /></a></div>Let me comment on the preceding. Breathability is an inherent characteristic of wool and is what makes wool such a wonderful insulator. Natural fibers, sustainable, and pure Merino wool, are all great aspects of the material and <a href="http://us.icebreaker.com/Icebreaker-Ethics/what-is-our-supply-chain,en,pg.html" target="_blank">production ethics</a> of Icebreaker and RedRam. Comfort is as comfort does, and these are comfortable. They run true to size, at least on me they did, and they are soft and warm. As to stinkiness, I didn't allow myself the privilege of testing that particular aspect of the RedRam Merino Thermals... having said that, the official socks of The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/2009/02/range-reviews-darn-tough-vermont-boot.html" target="_blank">Darn Tough Vermont Boot Socks</a>, are also made of Merino Wool, and are advertised as stink repellant.<br />
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Speaking of which, washing you wool garments require a bit of care if you want to make them last longer and retain their best characteristics. Use a soap product, not detergent. Use cold water. Wash them by hand or in a gentle cycle. Line dry them, do not use a drier! I of course broke every one of those rules while on base. Except the cold water rule. My socks and the RedRams have survived through it all.<br />
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Ok now for the nuts and bolts.<br />
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They are comfortable and they keep you warm. Temperatures varied between the high teens and low forties, with rain, sleet, snow, and bitingly cold clear days. My body and legs were comfortable; I never noticed the cold bothering me there. So that tells me they work, and work well. In the end, a tool that works well, is one you don't notice until its absence!<br />
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I rate the <a href="http://www.redram.com/" target="_blank">RedRam Marino Wool Thermal Underwear</a> a definite buy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.redram.com/" target="_blank">RedRam Marino Wool Thermal Underwear</a><br />
Retail prices:<br />
Long sleeve shirt $57.99<br />
Short sleeve $47.99<br />
Long pants for $57.99<br />
Boxers for $29.99. <br />
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Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"> Lakewood Ranch Tent Club</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> (Let 'em sue me.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">The Hunt Continues...</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, Albert A Rasch, Hunting in Florida" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s1600-h/100_0105b+small.jpg"><img alt="Albert Rasch,Hunter" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383736493621485554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s320/100_0105b+small.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 164px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 118px;" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Though 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 </span><span style="font-size: small;">repetitious and </span><span style="font-size: small;">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, "<span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span>" 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.</span>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-68963097964072506222012-02-05T01:21:00.002-05:002012-02-05T01:21:00.485-05:00Making Caviar with Hank Shaw and Hunter, Angler, Gardner, Cook<i>How to <a href="http://honest-food.net/2009/12/02/how-to-make-caviar/">Make caviar</a> with Hank Shaw of <a href="http://honest-food.net/">Honest Food Net!</a></i><br />
© 2012 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>How to Make Caviar!</i></span></b></div><br />
"Caviar, the delicacy of Kings, Princes and Commissars. Think of gold, diamonds, Champagne, Ferraris, and what else but caviar. The finest caviar was from the Caspian Sea, from sturgeons that could weigh over 900 pounds and reach ages greater than we humans. It was carefully harvested, delicately salted to preserve it, and sent all over the world in sterling containers carefully packed in ice. Beluga was the most famous, and Ostreca and Sevruga were also revered by connoisseurs." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(From Great Cooking)</span><br />
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As usual, for reasons that I don't quite remember, and who's torturous path through my synapses I can't even begin to fathom, I wanted to know how to make caviar. Don't ask, I have no idea why, it's not like there are any fish in Afghanistan.<br />
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Well, there are some, but they real good at spotting an Afghan with an RPG. Seriously they shoot at trout with RPGs to collect them. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg4bcaIXKHU">Here.</a><br />
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Anyway, I started checking out caviar making, and lo and behold <a href="http://honest-food.net/" target="_blank">Mr Hank Shaw of Hunter Angler Gardener Cook</a> did a whole write up on preparing salmon roe so you can on your way to <a href="http://honest-food.net/2009/12/02/how-to-make-caviar/" target="_blank">making caviar</a>.<br />
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"<i>Caviar has always had a hold on me. It is a mysterious ingredient, almost otherworldy; the individual eggs look like jewels from an alien planet. Caviar tastes briny and vaguely floral, and the textural surprise of the pop in your mouth has led more than one writer to liken it to Pop Rocks for adults.</i>" Hank Shaw, <a href="http://honest-food.net/2009/12/02/how-to-make-caviar/">How to Make Caviar</a><br />
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I would be remiss if i didn't mention the <a href="http://heyserphoto.smugmug.com/" target="_blank">food photography by Holly Heyser;</a> it is phenomenal!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://honest-food.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/steelhead-trout-with-mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://honest-food.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/steelhead-trout-with-mushrooms.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Photo credit: Holly Heyser</span></div>Makes you want to lick the monitor screen doesn't it?<br />
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So there you have it folks, another project for all of us to give a shot at come fishing season!<br />
<br />
If you have already tried it, please let us know how it worked out. We have substantial shad runs in Florida, and I am curious as to the possibilities of making caviar.. More research is in order!<br />
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Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"> Lakewood Ranch Tent Club</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> (Let 'em sue me.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">The Hunt Continues...</span>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-81699866746652596692012-02-03T02:56:00.002-05:002012-02-05T00:08:07.542-05:00Scouting for Hogs the Chronicles Way!<i>Scouting for Hogs the Chronicles Way!</i><br />
© 2009-2012 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles</a><br />
<span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">How to scout for hogs! $g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.</span><br />
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<div style="font-style: italic; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEAzNwnS6xgYlZ5Wa_ecKUeWsv4mA8kA9xWiqsooK3x_RyxGoAoLfwFCs51jx3x7sVZ2bicNoRV9g1mKfKndvy1cZoeLTVBQcyIG05zIw0yygYOTS7_zr9UNVJq3HngqhERM9ePiKP5qv/s1600-h/hog+banner.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346496043953656946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEAzNwnS6xgYlZ5Wa_ecKUeWsv4mA8kA9xWiqsooK3x_RyxGoAoLfwFCs51jx3x7sVZ2bicNoRV9g1mKfKndvy1cZoeLTVBQcyIG05zIw0yygYOTS7_zr9UNVJq3HngqhERM9ePiKP5qv/s400/hog+banner.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 87px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biggreymare/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Image Credit: Big Grey Mare</span></a></div><div style="color: #0c343d;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;">"It looked bad, but it wasn’t like I was bleeding all over the place and in danger of imminent death."</span></b></div></div><div></div><span style="color: #666600; font-size: 180%;">Y</span>ou can only just make out the scars now, it has been that long.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">DumbAss Credit: Albert A Rasch</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCAn6SlHbHjMmTbyIjH_4FZY1NjVoofDir8q3f5slSej26rzmiCfwO_wqA-_OHK3R7Zi6srW1MGVRzxO6brPrrVmmXxOU3ZA6ybPzWr6rVNKBTuq0Zs8ZhMKV2V8QEU2pm7DB56nFC6XE/s1600-h/Forearm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347298621783731570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCAn6SlHbHjMmTbyIjH_4FZY1NjVoofDir8q3f5slSej26rzmiCfwO_wqA-_OHK3R7Zi6srW1MGVRzxO6brPrrVmmXxOU3ZA6ybPzWr6rVNKBTuq0Zs8ZhMKV2V8QEU2pm7DB56nFC6XE/s200/Forearm.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 140px;" /></a>Sun, wind and weather have faded them to faint lines on my forearm. The splintered end of the branch had skewered me but good. About four inches of it had stabbed through me, just under the surface of the skin. It had, by sheer luck and happenstance, missed going through muscle, artery, or tendon. I pulled my impaled arm off the branch cursing and sputtering deprecations at anyone and anything I could think of. I had already dropped my rifle anyway so my free hand instantly wrapped around my forearm as it cleared the spearlike point of the broken branch. All I had time to see was the bloody splinter sticking out of my forearm before I pulled my arm off, and now my hand was clamped onto my arm and threatening to cut all the circulation off to the other hand. It’s as if it had a mind of its own.<br />
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Image Credit: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snandy_81/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Zedaxis</span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3fDM3fPf-Yx7LLbEr7RriQZZciuJJqgNo28sGvunsyRhW7IvYMvf0ianlaOAdZHVgJJfyrRy8VbFCEFO_eB1PIqIrMGuv5RcooyZCX5F_Fe5tyjcxARZZDZmYrwCK455pkgLqgoC5k_e/s1600-h/hog1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346401905993586210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3fDM3fPf-Yx7LLbEr7RriQZZciuJJqgNo28sGvunsyRhW7IvYMvf0ianlaOAdZHVgJJfyrRy8VbFCEFO_eB1PIqIrMGuv5RcooyZCX5F_Fe5tyjcxARZZDZmYrwCK455pkgLqgoC5k_e/s320/hog1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 168px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
I had been scouting for hogs that morning. As usual, my route took me right up the railroad tracks going through the local ranches. The track maintenance crews use a mechanical, one-armed, articulated monster with a three-foot diameter circular saw on the working end to hack back the encroaching trees and brush. Among the shredded remains of the plant life are an innumerable number of branches that are left jagged and splintered, Punji stake like, waiting for an unwary idiot like me to impale himself. Which is exactly how I was now to be found.<br />
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At that particular point, I could have cared less if Britney Spears was prancing by me nude, naked, or disrobed. I was on the job, scouting for hogs, and now I was out of commission. Well, I might be curious why Britney was there and what brand of mosquito spray she used, or if she put on enough sunscreen and maybe needed some help making sure she had enough on, but that’s about it.<br />
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Scouting for hogs, or any animal for that matter, requires a bit of thought. When you are out their looking for hogs, you have to start by taking a broad view. I mean that both metaphorically and physically. Step back a moment and considering the hogs needs first. Then making calculated decisions based on your observations.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mape_s/333863470/">Mape_S</a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgT3ohYrd-iMqgS7_sdGG8baAOAMAla6JUJk0d7AeFy7_aRzBV37SjwjMl-K5z_PHVldcpUoPf__8ef6YGQ4FsSwTTpwfd4ZdwMO576uTamhoDE7FwPIi7KLuj1VbFpSQjQIFNeEDrLuny/s1600-h/hog+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346402634700013602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgT3ohYrd-iMqgS7_sdGG8baAOAMAla6JUJk0d7AeFy7_aRzBV37SjwjMl-K5z_PHVldcpUoPf__8ef6YGQ4FsSwTTpwfd4ZdwMO576uTamhoDE7FwPIi7KLuj1VbFpSQjQIFNeEDrLuny/s320/hog+2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 213px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a>Let’s say you are scouting an abandoned farm or grove that you now have access to. Hogs move from cover, to feed, to water; that’s pretty much their routine. Throw in a wallow at the local mud hole and you pretty much got it. They tend to move early in the morning to their feeding areas, then quench their thirst with the regulars at the watering hole, and move into heavy cover before the day warms up too much and makes them uncomfortable. Breeding is a year round affair so there is no rut to contend with. But a sow in heat will attract every willing male in the county. Regardless, the first thing to do is determine if they are making regular forays into the property and why.<br />
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Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30043331@N02/3462627695/">Stile di Pallanti</a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lrPe7ZLmMfyGdaKDZPrW5OvCtGh9y9F2qeZUX94C2fY6hHho3r_zxaKKD2vMMEc-ryS9obJBqgEzT54v84up2SWGXnIhP909TdCZZmV4M3j5OUufQ-RjdIl_H25f5h1jGsySr7SqiZzf/s1600-h/hog+5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346405443861596002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lrPe7ZLmMfyGdaKDZPrW5OvCtGh9y9F2qeZUX94C2fY6hHho3r_zxaKKD2vMMEc-ryS9obJBqgEzT54v84up2SWGXnIhP909TdCZZmV4M3j5OUufQ-RjdIl_H25f5h1jGsySr7SqiZzf/s320/hog+5.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 180px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 240px;" /></a>A great tool for pre-scouting or familiarizing yourself with an area is Google Earth. Back in the day we had to buy topographic or aerial photographs of the area in question. Now you can get all sorts of whizbang satellite imagery! My biggest issue is that I can’t seem to figure out how to save a screen shot or print it out. So I’ve used shrink-wrap and fine tipped markers to trace the terrain and landmarks directly on the plastic while on the screen and then transferred it to paper. Maybe someone will take pity on me and explain to me how I can do it on the computer.<br />
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Image Credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kahunna/"> Retro Traveler</a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuQHsb8nXUrGP5oycze1Yi8BBupwarHjJmiNYHUqbA3ci53AQ6GclNpPPbDGMjWypqxY1670pQhFLMNRaPKxJJ8v3dxwCfvEHTAnEGlhSA-d1NO_2AwZJOR9muRtsMfSMTvl7r2EdIM49/s1600-h/Map.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346407211056213442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuQHsb8nXUrGP5oycze1Yi8BBupwarHjJmiNYHUqbA3ci53AQ6GclNpPPbDGMjWypqxY1670pQhFLMNRaPKxJJ8v3dxwCfvEHTAnEGlhSA-d1NO_2AwZJOR9muRtsMfSMTvl7r2EdIM49/s320/Map.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 160px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 240px;" /></a>Maybe if I had taken a better look at an aerial view, I wouldn’t have jumped off where I did, and found myself looking like an Hors d'oeuvre on an oversized toothpick. My arm was throbbing under my cold, clammy grip, and I could tell I was suffering from a mild case of shock. My face felt cold even though it was the middle of summer. I sat down, took a couple of deep breaths, and quickly decided what I should do. First thing on the list was: Get a better map… Hell, get any map! Next on the list is a shot of Bourbon, for medicinal purposes of course. Time to get a flask…<br />
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There’s a lot you can learn from an aerial or topographic map. The overall lay of the land is better understood from the vantage point of a satellite or airplane. You can see how land, vegetation, and features make natural corridors and lanes, which will guide any kind of traffic including air movements. You can see where thick vegetation may be, and how it might be accessed. It gives you a starting point for your scouting and helps you visualize the context of what your feet are standing on when you are there. Now you can see the forest and the trees!<br />
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Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucycat/">Lucycat</a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgZf7zziyF3BSx4of3rFg5FrMLRosvTVX55JW1JDw7n7bf4QNXK6AA9jUtdUyQkvIhJ_UnAvR4H-5-iqsG1uiCbm9mcT6Ncd36PJdv8MEnT2lAfm603gfJDJF_i3i_fzEM99wmezJK-z-/s1600-h/acorns.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346408370063175922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgZf7zziyF3BSx4of3rFg5FrMLRosvTVX55JW1JDw7n7bf4QNXK6AA9jUtdUyQkvIhJ_UnAvR4H-5-iqsG1uiCbm9mcT6Ncd36PJdv8MEnT2lAfm603gfJDJF_i3i_fzEM99wmezJK-z-/s320/acorns.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 180px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 240px;" /></a>Now that you have a broad view of the property, let’s look for the specific needs of wild hogs. Is there a food source for them right now; if so what is it. Food sources that are constantly replenishing themselves will have the hogs visiting regularly while the food is available. For instance, when nut trees ripen and drop their mast, it is over a period of time. Hogs will visit for the time that the trees are dropping their bounty. Once the nuts stop dropping, the hogs stop visiting, except by happenstance if they happen by to see if they can glean a few more nuts out of the ground. Old orchards will also be attractive to hogs for the same reason. Grain crops have a narrower window depending on the amount of grain and the size of the predation. Once millet or corn is ripe, it’s all ripe and that’s it. A hungry boar can chew up and destroy a substantial amount of acreage in a night, but when the food is gone, it is gone. Wild pigs will also graze and root for vegetative matter. In the spring time hogs will graze new growth and in the fall they will use those bulldozer noses to rip out tubers and roots.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cloudedearth/">Valeriep</a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURhb3O6dihEsoPmwbys8PND_lHKf-uZgCEKzYYBGrb7SpbqYnN38k9EJYvB5niH3mUWj0ZPhLDFmk6lEO807c86mWcldKaBpAj7T1OWyrPeK2IuvPyXBVBCc1yXWjnpK662zUtPKZnANp/s1600-h/rooting.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346496440285407426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURhb3O6dihEsoPmwbys8PND_lHKf-uZgCEKzYYBGrb7SpbqYnN38k9EJYvB5niH3mUWj0ZPhLDFmk6lEO807c86mWcldKaBpAj7T1OWyrPeK2IuvPyXBVBCc1yXWjnpK662zUtPKZnANp/s200/rooting.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 133px;" /></a>One thing to be aware of is that rooted up areas are a sign that hogs were there, as in past tense. They are unlikely to be back in that general area. They’ll find another area to root up the following night, sometimes far away from the one you are looking at. It is a good sign that the pigs are in the area, but nothing more.<br />
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I hadn’t seen any sign like rooting, but I knew that there were plenty of hogs in the area. I thought I would scout out what looked from the ground to be a promising area, after crossing the overgrown right-of-way. Now I was sitting there like a dummy. I screwed up my courage, let go of the arm, and took a look at the carnage. It looked bad, but it wasn’t like I was bleeding all over the place and in danger of imminent death. So I took the water bottle, poured some over the holes and poked at it with my dirty fingers. The pale jagged edges of the punctures looked like I had tried to use a drill on my arm, and where the splinter had run me through, the flesh was bruising and full of dark blood. I washed it with more water, pulled the now famous do-rag off my head, and proceeded to wrap up my arm.<br />
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Image Credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bamawester/564547599/"> BamaWester</a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-SOFrA5J0pMB1n9Ctk5oev0R619HKeJ4aroghYyNrFrDr6cGbIgX8ZIFj4gD4vsHX2C34UEWq-x5P7iFk-dyZnXVwnnPYIgGPOyyRIiI8aOawnL0mnZHHyYkE0QHXrELfWF1nqJjWxhf/s1600-h/creek.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346410900932831858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-SOFrA5J0pMB1n9Ctk5oev0R619HKeJ4aroghYyNrFrDr6cGbIgX8ZIFj4gD4vsHX2C34UEWq-x5P7iFk-dyZnXVwnnPYIgGPOyyRIiI8aOawnL0mnZHHyYkE0QHXrELfWF1nqJjWxhf/s320/creek.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 160px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 240px;" /></a>Water plays the most important role in animal movement, and of course affects how and where you scout. If there is a scarcity of water, it makes sense to concentrate your efforts on waterholes, streams, and rivulets that will attract a thirsty pig. Again, when scouting, look at the big picture. Where are the avenues from potential feeding areas to the water? Hogs will follow established paths to their preferred drinking areas. If you can determine how they get there, you are close to bagging your hog. Now if you don’t have access to the areas with water then your plan must by force, look elsewhere. In other words you must look to the food and shelter aspects.<br />
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Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulvoskamp/">Paul Voskamp</a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfsvOiodJ0iWhfuQDT7339paULK-8MyDkqTj8k3uBiGySZ9prZ8oEHRmpA__o0CPVzJRmlD1hS5nIgDxbT19jx80J1v2WwfzWfwaZ-bVd15Y1XaOKAJ4v5qeP3WgLeVu7u6EYHqf87msn/s1600-h/hog+6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346406522217931298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfsvOiodJ0iWhfuQDT7339paULK-8MyDkqTj8k3uBiGySZ9prZ8oEHRmpA__o0CPVzJRmlD1hS5nIgDxbT19jx80J1v2WwfzWfwaZ-bVd15Y1XaOKAJ4v5qeP3WgLeVu7u6EYHqf87msn/s320/hog+6.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 173px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 240px;" /></a>My preferred method is to find the wild boars’ travel corridors, and lie in ambush. Usually it is either from a bedding area to a feeding location, and these can vary according to season, or from the watering holes to the bedding areas. In Florida, during the wet season, food sources are the easiest areas to locate and prepare for. Water can be everywhere down here! But during droughts and the dry season it is very much like those pictures you see from the Serengeti plains. All animals go to the limited water.<br />
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What I had seen from the railroad tracks was what looked like an open corridor through the scrub and palmetto. It was hard to tell from the roadbed, which is why I had jumped into the right of way in the first place. I picked my .308 Mauser up out of the dirt where I had dropped it and climbed back out of the ditch. I could feel my forearm starting to swell, and I had to force my hand to make a fist. I knew I was in for an uncomfortable night.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Image Credit: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/snandy_81/"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Zedaxis</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIVdMz85ZnD6ScPd4uV_Mu2WE69r6b9BmcOkLXIV6i2_RKAwDToADpod7Me89iq5kvsnMffRBmd12tBDEss0rswtv-gL3Oc_dLSgPwYvjD7COeC6HZSFPf7BfzsIQP3NLY_w3r9Y49ydZ/s1600-h/hog+3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346403271028205074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIVdMz85ZnD6ScPd4uV_Mu2WE69r6b9BmcOkLXIV6i2_RKAwDToADpod7Me89iq5kvsnMffRBmd12tBDEss0rswtv-gL3Oc_dLSgPwYvjD7COeC6HZSFPf7BfzsIQP3NLY_w3r9Y49ydZ/s400/hog+3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 270px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Look for corridors, natural or man made, that hogs travel on</span></span></div><br />
Narrow or wide corridors create edge avenues that animals exploit for movement or even feeding. Animals will use the edges to move adjacent to the corridor, and then possibly feed in the open areas if they are grazing, or cross at certain points to access other routes or feed locations. Hogs in particular will move along the overgrown right of way, adjacent to fence lines, and on the edges of wooded areas, before stepping out or crossing into an area where they might feed. Look for a depression under the wire where hogs have scooted under, and also check out low spots on stone walls for places they have gone over.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markeveleigh/2569530023/">Markeveleigh</a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1yemWhzepfBXmLLrcFL6Y_8G5_uiXS9fGZk9oe0dX0BwDX10pqtdig4ypkNCl3aCpPOwZCUipEj1mXQFIu3vsZVwn1hcjJBiXVBVLMvzIoH4h01F5b0gI6PqdyJXt3RfA9wSTa5DkdWH/s1600-h/hog+4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346404943380329602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1yemWhzepfBXmLLrcFL6Y_8G5_uiXS9fGZk9oe0dX0BwDX10pqtdig4ypkNCl3aCpPOwZCUipEj1mXQFIu3vsZVwn1hcjJBiXVBVLMvzIoH4h01F5b0gI6PqdyJXt3RfA9wSTa5DkdWH/s320/hog+4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 161px;" /></a>My suggestion to you, and this works for any game animal, is to concentrate on how the animal gets to and from its food sources and water. Start with aerial views to help you narrow potential areas of interest, and then put in the footwork that is needed to confirm your hunches. Look for fence lines, hedgerows, timber edges and corridors that guide or funnel animals from one area to the next. Remember to minimize any disturbances. Don’t walk on game trails, keep your distance. Don’t push into bedding areas, skirt around them. Mind the air currents. Try to get out early, preferably before dawn, find a vantage point based on what you have determined, and observe what is going on. Keep a sharp eye out, and listen intently; wild pigs can be noisy! Many birds also sound the alarm and scold animals moving through.<br />
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Most importantly, go out there and enjoy what you are doing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEkLoH3IEcvyQCdMJQ1uDBp3oYGVT449dMggJL-OpRC-lxmW2b6shD3uegXmeASU2oaSqaVzFcZCgF9nuoWgnBF3roMvwiFP57KUAYo_0whzdIXhNfuh3mkbT-UDRExrpFa-xLtwQnAzK/s1600-h/Bourbon.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346411719884474738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEkLoH3IEcvyQCdMJQ1uDBp3oYGVT449dMggJL-OpRC-lxmW2b6shD3uegXmeASU2oaSqaVzFcZCgF9nuoWgnBF3roMvwiFP57KUAYo_0whzdIXhNfuh3mkbT-UDRExrpFa-xLtwQnAzK/s200/Bourbon.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 150px;" /></a>As for me, by the time I got home, I could no longer close my fist. I mean it hurt! I stuck the arm under the kitchen faucet, turned on the hot water, and proceeded to scrub the wound with dish detergent and a wash cloth. I grabbed my first aid kit and jeweler’s loupe and went to the table where the light was better. After a thorough examination, it looked like it was debris free, so I pushed some anti-biotic cream into the holes, stuck a couple of band aids over the holes, and poured some Bourbon over ice.<br />
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A few days later it opened up and left me with an angry, nasty, open gash, but it started healing right away and after a couple of weeks I could finally use that hand again.<br />
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Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: Lakewood Ranch Tent Club<br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></a> (Let 'em sue me.)<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;">The Hunt Continues...</div><br />
More great hog hunting tips!<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/2008/02/baiting-up-hogs.html" target="_blank">How to Bait Hogs!</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Key words: Scouting for hogs, how to scout for hogs, hog scouting, how to scout for wild pigs, wild pig hunting, hog hunting, wild pig hunting, scouting, wild boar, wild boar hunting</span>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-9268643068077926432012-02-01T12:59:00.004-05:002012-02-05T21:36:24.586-05:00Fish Creek Spinners: New for 2012<i>New spinner baits from John Delaney and Fish Creek Spinners! </i><br />
© 2012 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<br />
My good friend John Delaney at <a href="http://store.fishcreekspinners.com/servlet/StoreFront" target="_blank">Fish Creek Spinner</a> sent me some exciting news on an expansion to his already phenomenally successful line of spinner baits. He has plenty of new fishing stuff to look at, and i would like to share the news with you my readers. <i style="color: #cc0000;">Also see the contest for spinners at the end of this post!</i><br />
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First off he has expanded the Armadillo line, filling in some weight gaps and creating a <a href="http://store.fishcreekspinners.com/servlet/Detail?no=521" target="_blank">larger metal skirted version</a> that is sure to be a huge hit with lunker Largemouth bass.<br />
Here are the specs:<br />
<ul><li>1oz in weight - biggest one yet</li>
<li>7 inches in length with skirt - skirt is removable and can be changed out!</li>
<li>.051 inch heavy stainless wire - this wire is tough</li>
<li>All Nickel body beads and friction discs - Noisy ring on this one.</li>
<li>Baked Powder coat in 14 colors -</li>
<li>Double Super Willow blades on a single clevis for added Noise</li>
<li>53 strand 8 inch Silicon Starflash Skirts - 20 varieties to choose from</li>
<li>Duolock clasp attached #1/0 brass treble hook - Quickly switch hooks or change skirts</li>
</ul><br />
This is a tough duty spinner for all big fish. Here are a few pictures<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7jYdhjKyDiwuUhZO_sN-CvN3FtZFtUY_MIdKkv3Wywa67ZItjn8gbbeGJLbwDzcds40HXi7Sefwp-de03kS0pp3suJII6YZ9zFSHVC8PiZupQ-iAFFQnLy08J1AH8SgxeeB48QmqvJk/s320/LARMMETAL2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7jYdhjKyDiwuUhZO_sN-CvN3FtZFtUY_MIdKkv3Wywa67ZItjn8gbbeGJLbwDzcds40HXi7Sefwp-de03kS0pp3suJII6YZ9zFSHVC8PiZupQ-iAFFQnLy08J1AH8SgxeeB48QmqvJk/s320/LARMMETAL2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmPtJwy3OEfPoawtW6lX-PItvVlk7I-0Za9KIq6ooEZSv9aiUcaPTcKqE7TFGcLkNPkCroouAje2FKz-VzNnBEx3kZGzwxGq-615A0xJ3jo28dGDt6dhGROfhfZw1qH2ws_RCyaozM20/s320/Dressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmPtJwy3OEfPoawtW6lX-PItvVlk7I-0Za9KIq6ooEZSv9aiUcaPTcKqE7TFGcLkNPkCroouAje2FKz-VzNnBEx3kZGzwxGq-615A0xJ3jo28dGDt6dhGROfhfZw1qH2ws_RCyaozM20/s320/Dressed.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFj1d8qrOGIYuQajGGkh4ipJjI9VX7gfb5phYa5WtfZ_FYmaMbz3nYW93vezBWTUkJwAvji9WNziEEjt-ZwaZmK5LR-g90wJ9hnPraBrdU-LxfZa5NYMjZ3qz-8PVgN2RP2cBOHlIPVs/s320/Undressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFj1d8qrOGIYuQajGGkh4ipJjI9VX7gfb5phYa5WtfZ_FYmaMbz3nYW93vezBWTUkJwAvji9WNziEEjt-ZwaZmK5LR-g90wJ9hnPraBrdU-LxfZa5NYMjZ3qz-8PVgN2RP2cBOHlIPVs/s320/Undressed.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFj1d8qrOGIYuQajGGkh4ipJjI9VX7gfb5phYa5WtfZ_FYmaMbz3nYW93vezBWTUkJwAvji9WNziEEjt-ZwaZmK5LR-g90wJ9hnPraBrdU-LxfZa5NYMjZ3qz-8PVgN2RP2cBOHlIPVs/s320/Undressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFj1d8qrOGIYuQajGGkh4ipJjI9VX7gfb5phYa5WtfZ_FYmaMbz3nYW93vezBWTUkJwAvji9WNziEEjt-ZwaZmK5LR-g90wJ9hnPraBrdU-LxfZa5NYMjZ3qz-8PVgN2RP2cBOHlIPVs/s320/Undressed.jpg" /></a></div><br />
For you crazy Ice Fishing fanatics, John has put together a new glow-in-the-dark spinner, the<a href="http://store.fishcreekspinners.com/servlet/Categories?category=Ice+Fishing" target="_blank"> Depth Charge</a>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bGEpoa7xB9KXvdC_hWokcpsI7_Denzi8oijTABpCoKit0eVp3IRaEeh_xmonLkL8adW56OD1lK5HvsYJKqaDglPxe_ugGuGVrwg_BkOAoCJgSdfPdLf_gzcUfumloHU226wVd9p6IEU/s320/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bGEpoa7xB9KXvdC_hWokcpsI7_Denzi8oijTABpCoKit0eVp3IRaEeh_xmonLkL8adW56OD1lK5HvsYJKqaDglPxe_ugGuGVrwg_BkOAoCJgSdfPdLf_gzcUfumloHU226wVd9p6IEU/s320/009.JPG" /></a></div><br />
These will undoubtedly be a go-to item in every ice fisherman's box.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIHvv0NvpxAQl5lXw-QyBK0cKluq1u1JieBOLXt0G4BPMryfHb2-FxLSiX2xlXpWWPrRKs4R1TVQQ0pXgRVdbZUKvo6hdFBDlOP1m_3cFY0YqxvDETLUH9rrFB3_ytUG5ZL79HcGs7dM/s320/089w420h279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIHvv0NvpxAQl5lXw-QyBK0cKluq1u1JieBOLXt0G4BPMryfHb2-FxLSiX2xlXpWWPrRKs4R1TVQQ0pXgRVdbZUKvo6hdFBDlOP1m_3cFY0YqxvDETLUH9rrFB3_ytUG5ZL79HcGs7dM/s320/089w420h279.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This weight will create quite a churn as they're dropped. The larger propeller causes the metal head and eyes to spin in the opposite direction (maybe they should be called Regan's - remember the Exorcist?). As you can surmise, while being jigged, they'll spin, in addition to clacking at the bottom of your stroke. Notice the eye silhouettes against the glow background at rest. Nice target for a trout under ice.<br />
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Six glow colors available in the <a href="http://store.fishcreekspinners.com/servlet/Categories?category=Ice+Fishing">Ice Fishing section</a> of the <a href="http://store.fishcreekspinners.com/servlet/StoreFront">Fish Creek Spinner Web Store</a> Stay tuned for Assortment pricing. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday 'Noise on the Line' Blog! - <a href="http://blog.fishcreekspinners.com/2011/12/happy-birthday-noise-on-line-blog.html">Free Spinner Drawing</a></span> <br />
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It's time to launch the Fish Creek Spinners monthly Spinner giveaway drawing for 2012 and celebrate the Blog's first birthday! Drawing to be held 2/11/12 on the anniversary of the first FCS post! Just go to: <a href="http://blog.fishcreekspinners.com/2011/12/happy-birthday-noise-on-line-blog.html">Free Spinner Drawing</a> and put in a comment!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMimU8eCG6E/Tv-gUsN7p8I/AAAAAAAADY4/ldHgL0czidQ/s640/2012JanuaryAssortment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMimU8eCG6E/Tv-gUsN7p8I/AAAAAAAADY4/ldHgL0czidQ/s640/2012JanuaryAssortment.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.fishcreekspinners.com/templates/Draft/img/NoiseLogo4x.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="65" src="http://www.fishcreekspinners.com/templates/Draft/img/NoiseLogo4x.gif" width="167" /></a>Fish Creek Spinners, an American company making American products, creates some of the best new spinner designs for fishing in the nation. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, they have the "fishy" qualities that make them catch fish where others fail, and his service, attitude, can do attitude, and reasonable costs make him the "go to" guy when it's time to buy gifts for your fishing friends. He has with out a doubt, the best quality, American made, spinner lures on the market! I highly recommend him and will continue to purchase from him.<br />
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Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/2007/12/boar-hunting-rifle-calibers-part-i.html">Best Boar Hunting Rifle Calibers: Part I</a>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-61407313142023008602012-02-01T01:03:00.001-05:002012-02-01T17:04:32.729-05:00The Range Reviews: Sterling Knife Sharpeners<i>Great field sharpener at a great price!</i><br />
© 2012 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.</span><br />
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A Chronicles Redux! Two plus years in Afghanistan, and a Sterling has accompanied me throughout. It has been a great help in touching up and sharpening countless knives, machetes, hatchets, and kitchen knives throughout the theatre. It continues to hang opposite a cigar cutter ready for use when needed!<br />
AAR<br />
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<span style="font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold;">W</span>hat's more dangerous than a sharp knife?<br />
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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.<br />
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With the <a href="http://www.sterlingsharpener.com/home.html">Sterling Knife Sharpener</a>, sharpening a knife is easy, and a dull knife is a thing of the past.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ji5FkFAQlS7FXZVQ0q6jmPXRLF15DGwK9AcrmnMO9wDWlptcU8FQjjvJpgtahryIYogeHMo36nv4ZLwt1Ag6wTO71B_SmonalxqB8hOzu87VFl70AEJlGA_mFNJcf2CnjwLuK2GQ2S8Q/s1600-h/Classic+and+Flag.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303976405323557138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ji5FkFAQlS7FXZVQ0q6jmPXRLF15DGwK9AcrmnMO9wDWlptcU8FQjjvJpgtahryIYogeHMo36nv4ZLwt1Ag6wTO71B_SmonalxqB8hOzu87VFl70AEJlGA_mFNJcf2CnjwLuK2GQ2S8Q/s400/Classic+and+Flag.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 319px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Sterling Classic and American Flag</span></span></div><br />
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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.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1OXpyEDNEY_X1Fk5r-nBEJQJ2sLnG0M-OHoT-P_Iqpjz6CeIijkOPBInVlcvKHR4clVWcYWR22mjMGJhzhJNyplbBxrPWYhhPIhLIJAFMHSL8CASQC0d5j1rUwCtDPi9Onwxh9D1p1_j/s1600-h/Classic+Key+ring.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303982444477708530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1OXpyEDNEY_X1Fk5r-nBEJQJ2sLnG0M-OHoT-P_Iqpjz6CeIijkOPBInVlcvKHR4clVWcYWR22mjMGJhzhJNyplbBxrPWYhhPIhLIJAFMHSL8CASQC0d5j1rUwCtDPi9Onwxh9D1p1_j/s320/Classic+Key+ring.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 109px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">On a set of keys...</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqv4u2TJnB5O5ssoy8ja47Pc2_krQ2lC6P1RhiYSxTM8QuH2Nkn6Fkfpkab6yrrAu2bzWmTS_ILby9W0Rx_-TC3yzpZRpQN6SsocCu_IBQsHWAVybONhtq-J6MuPn4hkHkR1P4SQCv_v-/s1600-h/Carbide.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303980205192093090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqv4u2TJnB5O5ssoy8ja47Pc2_krQ2lC6P1RhiYSxTM8QuH2Nkn6Fkfpkab6yrrAu2bzWmTS_ILby9W0Rx_-TC3yzpZRpQN6SsocCu_IBQsHWAVybONhtq-J6MuPn4hkHkR1P4SQCv_v-/s320/Carbide.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 318px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Carbide cutters</span></span>...</div><br />
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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.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqq6KI6t2-d-LBBI_QXZMTJ3Hp3L_k4cByQmTyoQddM5rm9DW224ScrNt7GxxN66zbOvJ3Qq05RRJNt0Vi6AwO68nIRhVd3KO1u6hrkpI2OXW8lj-kJv2BGKYeNj6h2DtITgzYK07THVI/s1600-h/Flag+and+Knife.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303978690237963346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqq6KI6t2-d-LBBI_QXZMTJ3Hp3L_k4cByQmTyoQddM5rm9DW224ScrNt7GxxN66zbOvJ3Qq05RRJNt0Vi6AwO68nIRhVd3KO1u6hrkpI2OXW8lj-kJv2BGKYeNj6h2DtITgzYK07THVI/s400/Flag+and+Knife.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 202px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ready to sharpen...</span><br />
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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 <span style="font-style: italic;">anything</span> on the sharpener. Anything.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhNsOxANVB5iepwUGEfOSB7xf_les65ntKEjc_c5M4CKdEG_IcUn46EKL6g05sen0aQ_IK4eIJRToRTog-WK8s7SLJ8dwNn7NPsnoP5GKM-sU4ITj5NTe-2klvW7vDU7D48XqEw6j3vit/s1600-h/color_options2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303962858520022178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhNsOxANVB5iepwUGEfOSB7xf_les65ntKEjc_c5M4CKdEG_IcUn46EKL6g05sen0aQ_IK4eIJRToRTog-WK8s7SLJ8dwNn7NPsnoP5GKM-sU4ITj5NTe-2klvW7vDU7D48XqEw6j3vit/s400/color_options2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 242px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A small sample of what can be done!</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfiYtHR09wsILSx8MitBAWYBTR-w-lYuBz6DFsDocVvJ58rqsOY3vtGnV5kNZnIKdXu-WJEvL3fv-axBH_3Xfl0V_p38Al2FC2Q4Oooiue7Yxcw5mAXKCw__M57dZKti7GsaYJI8JI_vw/s1600-h/In+Use.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303969554252884946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfiYtHR09wsILSx8MitBAWYBTR-w-lYuBz6DFsDocVvJ58rqsOY3vtGnV5kNZnIKdXu-WJEvL3fv-axBH_3Xfl0V_p38Al2FC2Q4Oooiue7Yxcw5mAXKCw__M57dZKti7GsaYJI8JI_vw/s400/In+Use.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 345px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Draw the knife through several times.</span></span>..</div><br />
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.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike_gfI9HXdqckS8dQkrIyVj5wdPL7rB23dWXZN8fYIIf_uYNKaA-DX39fJWK754YjfsPKni9p22_U3U-QrXzjwywTIs0V4hluRYxzzDECnvEoCqEUSUrXw48UmofwM0bJ7MUK1l9iUUvJ/s1600-h/Shaved.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303970363006775810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike_gfI9HXdqckS8dQkrIyVj5wdPL7rB23dWXZN8fYIIf_uYNKaA-DX39fJWK754YjfsPKni9p22_U3U-QrXzjwywTIs0V4hluRYxzzDECnvEoCqEUSUrXw48UmofwM0bJ7MUK1l9iUUvJ/s400/Shaved.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 341px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%; font-weight: bold;">Razor sharp!<br />
</span></div><br />
It works equally well on any type of knife, machete, hatchet, axe, and broadheads too.<br />
<br />
This is one of those <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">must have</span> 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.<br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
The Sterling Sharpener has been in production since 1977! The folks at <a href="http://www.sterlingsharpener.com/home.html">Sterling </a> are so confident of their Sterling Sharpener that they stand behind it with a <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Lifetime Warranty</span>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">And remember, it's made in the USA!<br />
</span></div><a href="http://www.sterlingsharpener.com/home.html"><br />
Sterling Sharpeners</a><br />
(800-2x-sharp)<br />
MSRP: $15.00<br />
<br />
Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"> Lakewood Ranch Tent Club</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> (Let 'em sue me.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">The Hunt Continues...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, Albert A Rasch, Hunting in Florida" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s1600-h/100_0105b+small.jpg"><img alt="Albert Rasch,Hunter" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383736493621485554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s320/100_0105b+small.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 164px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 118px;" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Though 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 </span><span style="font-size: small;">repetitious and </span><span style="font-size: small;">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, "<span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span>" 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.</span><br />
<br />
More great posts on Hog Hunting!<br />
<a href="http://www.albertarasch.com/2012/02/best-hog-hunting-caliber-part-i/">Best Hog Hunting Calibers Part I</a>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-38650378679794451192012-01-30T02:10:00.005-05:002012-01-30T13:01:47.694-05:00Making a European Skull Mount with Wild Ed!<i>Making a European Skull Mount with Wild Ed!</i><br />
© 2009 - 2012 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">"To say he was surprised to find out I had done my own and the cost was under $10.00 per skull for chemicals and $35.00 for the wood plaque to hang it on the wall was an under statement."</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wild Ed</span></div><br />
With most whitetail hunting done and over with, I remembered that Wild Ed of <a href="http://wildedtx.blogspot.com/">Wild Ed's Texas Outdoors</a> has a great tutorial on doing cleaning and bleaching all those skulls you've been stuffing in the garage freezer.What a fantastic way to commemorate that hunt!<br />
<br />
Check it out at Wild Ed's <a href="http://wildedtx.blogspot.com/2009/02/european-skull-mounts-texas-way.html">European Skull Mounts the Texas Way</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/">Lakewood Ranch Tent Club</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></a> (Let 'em sue me.)<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;">The Hunt Continues...</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, Albert A Rasch, Hunting in Florida" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-16012883086221942362012-01-28T16:45:00.004-05:002012-01-28T17:06:25.207-05:00Why is there Air?<i> Albert A Rasch explains the meaning and purpose of hunting!</i><br />
© 2009-2012 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<br />
I’m a curmudgeon. I really don’t like anyone. Everybody’s in my dang way, and those pesky kids are always under foot. How I manage to get anything done is beyond me.<br />
<br />
There’s a fellow, Mr. Ron, who comes over while I’m in my garage; I can’t get anything done while he’s visiting. Miss Nancy likes to check up on my progress with whatever project I am working on. Then there’s Samuel Joshia; I think he’s four months old, and loves Charlie. He bounces up and down in his mother’s arms when he sees him, and they come to visit every time I’m out. There’s Jeffery, Joey, Matt, Darrel, and lord knows what all the other urchins' names are. Can't forget the old deaf guy here that drives one of those snazzy black Audis. He listens to talk radio on his car stereo system so loud, that I can’t hear the table saw above it. And to put icing on the cake, Miss Mae has two little fair haired ones that are so painfully cute, it makes me wince. Of course, they beeline right to me when they see me, peppering me with dozens of questions, none related to the previous one like, "Why is there air?"<br />
<br />
Funny thing is that for a curmudgeon, I sure am tolerant of their visits.<br />
<br />
I guess it's not <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> bad really.<br />
<br />
Jeffery actually helps me out. Well as best a seven year old can. In return I’ve taught him how to use a Daisy Red Rider, and the fundamentals of safety. Those two itty bitty cutie pies, Sean and Tessa, can identify red rat, black racer, and cottonmouth snakes now. So can most of the other children; they have all had an opportunity to look at them and actually study them up close. The parents, meddlesome as they are, have learned the importance of biodiversity during these impromptu natural history classes. I can’t tell you how many Moms have been dragged over by a child to see a one of those pesky cottonmouths. I don’t get the “Why don’t you kill them?” question too often anymore. I think the kids tell them why it’s important to protect and safeguard them.<br />
<br />
Mr. Deaf Audi Guy drove by a couple of days ago with a half flat tire. I whistled at him, and lo and behold he heard me. I had him back up the Audi close to my shop so I could fill his tire. While waiting for me to assemble my compressor, he noticed the latest cottonmouth in a bucket. I’m not going to bore you with the whole of the conversation, but it eventually got to firearms and hunting. He told me he didn’t like guns, and didn’t understand why anyone would want to shoot an animal.<br />
<br />
“You see all this nature here,” I started waving a wrench around me, narrowly missing his alltogether to close head, “I'm responsible for all of it. From that huge live oak over there, to this little ornery fellow here, every last bit. Just like I stopped you, and I’m taking the time to help you out, I take the time to do something I love, hunting. I’m the forester, guardian, and warden of every patch of woods, fields, or beach I walk on. I’m an enforcer when need be, a steward, and an educator. Whether it's an orphaned bird, a lost snake, or in the case of that danged invasive Brazilian pepper tree which I mercilessly hack and kill, I do what needs to be done.”<br />
<br />
He understood that part, but then he asked, ”If you're its protector, why kill anything?”<br />
<br />
Stealing Ortega Y Gasset I answered, “I kill in order to hunt. It’s not the act of killing I love, that is actually somewhat sad; it is everything that precedes it, and for that matter what follows, that is most important. The death of the animal is a very small, but important part of the hunt. But it’s not the totality of it.” I was on a roll and kept on. "Think of me as part of the equation. Lions do their part, raccoons theirs, even the cottonmouth here does his. I'm just part of it. You don't take offense at the fox taking a turkey do you? Well I am just another member of that circle."<br />
<br />
I continued, “Not only am I part of a cycle that has existed since the first form of life came to be, but I add to it by the fact that I have memories. The sore muscles, the cold or heat, the view, the scent of the game, the sweat, the frozen breath, the warm blood, every one of those things are indelibly engraved in my memories. A worn buck deer torn apart by a desperately hungry wolf pack is never remembered, the one I bring home, <span style="font-style: italic;">or not</span>, will live forever in my memory. You can’t buy that for the price of a movie ticket.”<br />
<br />
I paused to let that sink in. Then I added, “I live more during the hunt, any hunt, than most people do in their entire lives.”<br />
<br />
I saw him look around; <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> look around. He noticed, maybe for the first time, the buzzards flying by overhead. There was a squirrel in the median between two parking areas. He reached for the pack of smokes in his breast pocket, they looked like Lucky Strikes, thought about it, and pushed them back down. There was an odd look in his face.<br />
<br />
I finished filling his tire. There was a nail in it. I got up and grabbed a yellow wax lumber crayon from the tool box.<br />
<br />
As I was marking his tire so the repair guy could find it easy, he offered me a few bucks. I declined; not that I couldn't use them mind you. He was trying to put it in my pocket, but I said, “Look, I did it because it’s the right thing to do. No other reason.” As an after thought I added, “That’s why I hunt; because it’s the right thing to do.”<br />
<br />
He got the message. Then he went to his car, started it, and thanked me for helping him out. He rolled forward a few feet, stopped and reversed. I stopped coiling the air hose, and turned to him.<br />
<br />
He leaned out the window. “What’s your name anyway?”<br />
<br />
“It’s Albert, sir.”<br />
<br />
“It’s been a <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> pleasure. Thanks again.” With that he drove off.<br />
<br />
I thought to myself, “Another convert.” I don’t care if they’re young or old, man or woman, Black, White, Asian, or Rainbow coalition, I talk to them all…<br />
<br />
Because it is the right thing to do.<br />
<br />
My hands were all dirty and greasy from fiddling with the tire.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE58eO8FOmbWhja_70gPAkn7rh_WkjCKjCpQKwN9PPSGMEkylri-ULprBrKVdtNPjWLs3cb65at9FuZduObWiSpq1zBrsNXeVFYdSM_1YybhoghuyUKgDgybFIDLqfx8Bq9x9tkeO_Bc0/s1600-h/100_3116+jeffry+a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302792544779787042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE58eO8FOmbWhja_70gPAkn7rh_WkjCKjCpQKwN9PPSGMEkylri-ULprBrKVdtNPjWLs3cb65at9FuZduObWiSpq1zBrsNXeVFYdSM_1YybhoghuyUKgDgybFIDLqfx8Bq9x9tkeO_Bc0/s320/100_3116+jeffry+a.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 187px;" /></a><br />
I see red headed Jeffry coming down the street, fishing pole in hand. I reach for the hand cleaner.<br />
<br />
I suppose fixing the table saw can wait until later.<br />
<br />
<br />
Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/">Lakewood Ranch Tent Club</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></a> (Let 'em sue me.)<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;">The Hunt Continues...</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, Albert A Rasch, Hunting in Florida" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s1600-h/100_0105b+small.jpg"><img alt="Albert Rasch,Hunter" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383736493621485554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s320/100_0105b+small.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 164px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 118px;" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Though 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 </span><span style="font-size: small;">repetitious and </span><span style="font-size: small;">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, "<span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span>" 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.</span>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-72194882231978179422012-01-27T00:10:00.000-05:002012-01-27T00:10:00.593-05:00Latte Porcine: Expresso and Hogs<i>Cooking Rank Hog with Instant Coffee? It Works!</i><br />
© 2012 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<br />
I had shot that three hundred pounder right through the cheekbone.<br />
<br />
We had been hunting hog at a friend's ranch an hour or so from where I lived. We had been carefully stalking this bad boy for the better part of two hours. There were sows and piglets to contend with, mosquitoes, and the occasional pygmy rattle thrown in for fun. Actually, I was pretty sure those damned chiggers were, at that very moment, digging into my tender flesh and making themselves at home.<br />
<br />
Skirting palmetto clumps, and patches of scrub oak, we finally got into position with out spooking him. I took off my leather hat, laid it in front of me, and used it as a rest for my hog hunting rifle, a 30/06 Weatherby Eurosport. I wanted an instant kill; I had had enough of chiggers, ticks and skeeters for the day, so I carefully lined up for a spinal shot. I was certain of my shooting ability, and I have complete confidence in my weapon and the ammo I use.<br />
<br />
180 grains of copper clad and partitioned lead went right under his left eye, through his sinus cavity, and smashed right into his spinal column where it demolished nine inches of bone and nerves, disrupting much of his motor functions. But it wasn't enough. By the time I had crossed the forty or so yards between us, he had regained some use of his body. His jaws worked to and fro, slashing at the under growth, hooking roots, branches and the occasional shrub. Apparently he could use his back legs, and had some use of his front right one. He stumbled as he tried to charge me.<br />
<br />
I had stoked the Weatherby with another Remington Safari Grade Swift A-Frame before I was even up. As I raised the Weatherby for a follow up shot, Matt put his hand on my shoulder. "Wait, don't waste the bullet, let me finish him with my .22." Moments later the big hog was down.<br />
<br />
And what a hog! Scarred and cut up from slugging it out with the other males, he was a brute; three inches of whetted tusks stuck out either side. I had him mounted, but unfortunately over the years he has deteriorated to the point that it was, in my mind, disrespectful to his memory to have him displayed in that condition. So he now resides sealed in a large bin with a desiccant package and a pest control devise. Maybe, when times are a little better, I can have him refurbished, and he can take place of pride over my desk again.<br />
<br />
I really need to get out hog hunting...<br />
<br />
But that's not why I tell the tale. Cooking, that's what I want to talk about.<br />
<br />
It all started, innocently enough, when I happened upon Miss Jamie's blog <a href="http://borderlandadventures.blogspot.com/">Borderland Adventures: Her Perspective</a> and her post <a href="http://borderlandadventures.blogspot.com/2009/02/stinky-little-pigssometimes-kinda-cute.html">Stinky Little Pigs.</a><br />
<br />
Now I like pigs. I like them as livestock, pets, and wildlife. I like them alive and I like them roasted. Now Miss Jamie is actually writing about the New World equivalent of the pig, that being the peccary also known as the javelina. Miss Jamie does an excellent job of explaining their natural history and taxonomy; and she does it with great humor. In addition you will find great narratives of the border area, posts on cooking both in the home and out in the field, and a product review. Not only that, but she has some great photography too! I heartily recommend visiting her Blog <a href="http://borderlandadventures.blogspot.com/">Borderland Adventures: Her Perspective</a>.<br />
<br />
Now back to the cooking. As it turns out both peccaries and that big ol' hog I took, have similarities. They both stink real bad. As in rank.<br />
<br />
I don't like to waste game. But a rank old hog is unpalatable. Simple as that; just plain inedible. I had Matt carve out the tenderloins, if that's not a misnomer I don't know what is. I also got the two roasts. Matt got the rest to grind up for sausage.<br />
<br />
When I got home I threw a box of coarse salt over the meat and ice in the cooler. I figured that would buy me enough time to figure out what I was going to do.<br />
<br />
I've got one of those big enameled roasting pan, and I always have a lot of garlic. Work with what you got I always say. As I was trying not to pass out from the testosterone induced odor, I remembered reading somewhere that instant coffee neutralized the odor and helped to tenderize the meat. I couldn't remember how much was recommended, so I dumped a big handful in there. I mean I poured it into my hand and dumped it over the roast. With that done, I took a knife skewered that roast and stuffed garlic into every hole I made. I doused it thoroughly with some white wine, the cheap stuff I keep for those meddlesome neighbors, and put the cover on it.<br />
<br />
I set the oven on low (325 F) and came back to it about four hours later.<br />
<br />
Holy smokes! It worked! The smell was gone, and in its place a delectable and genuinely delicious aroma of cooked pork with subtle tones of garlic. After due deliberations though it was decided that a couple of more hours wouldn't hurt. I cut up some more garlic, potatoes, carrots, and celery, and poured in some more wine and water.<br />
<br />
A couple of hours later we were sitting around the table enjoying a tender and tasty roast.<br />
<br />
I've tried it out with other cuts of tough meat both wild and domestic with similar results. Oh and there is no taste of coffee either. What is in the instant coffee that does that is unknown to me. All I know is that it works.<br />
<br />
Amazing what you can do with some coffee...<br />
<br />
Regards,<br />
Albert A Rasch<br />
<span style="color: #666600;">The Hunt Continues...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Update:</span><br />
While cruising the Blogsphere this morning, I came upon this <a href="http://www.bbqaddicts.com/blog/recipes/bacon-explosion/">"The Bacon Weave."</a> For those of you that don't have enough cholesteral in your diet, this is a sure fire way to get it up there! Brought to you by the fellows at <a href="http://www.bbqaddicts.com/blog/">BBQ Addicts!</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/">Shindand Tent Club</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #ffcc77;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></span></a> (Let 'em sue me.)<br />
<span style="color: #ffcc77;">The Hunt Continues...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, Albert A Rasch, Hunting in Florida" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s1600-h/100_0105b+small.jpg"><img alt="Albert Rasch,Hunter" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383736493621485554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s320/100_0105b+small.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 164px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 118px;" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Though 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 </span><span style="font-size: small;">repetitious and </span><span style="font-size: small;">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, "<span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span>" 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.</span>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-69119009013599388742012-01-24T00:10:00.014-05:002012-01-24T00:10:00.287-05:00The Range Reviews: SOG Twitch I<i>The Range reviews the SOG Twitch I; Best Undercover Self Defense Folder!</i><br />
© 2012 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">SOG Twitch I: Swift, Sexy and Subtle!</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoieRWlKEfobQjFeutjvgzPBeFwolFXaNH_Z7p4TJ0MbW-k6LRvILm1bU4IEmbVA_QIkfu3ybTkvc9nBg2NqgpvKnc-Fji33za23XZdl1zGi22eY2cxpOmgj76A52YTFaS6WxHOhBwuXDf/s1600-h/Twitch+I+SOG+Pic.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299178639019440434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoieRWlKEfobQjFeutjvgzPBeFwolFXaNH_Z7p4TJ0MbW-k6LRvILm1bU4IEmbVA_QIkfu3ybTkvc9nBg2NqgpvKnc-Fji33za23XZdl1zGi22eY2cxpOmgj76A52YTFaS6WxHOhBwuXDf/s400/Twitch+I+SOG+Pic.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 298px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%; font-weight: bold;">The SOG Twitch I</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;">Photo Courtesy of SOG Specialty Knives</span></div><br />
Though I don’t usually bring it up, I have a more than passing interest in self defense and offense. Being prepared for any eventuality is ingrained in me, and I rarely get dressed without a basic set of tools on me. I've been fortunate to never have to resort to them, but I sure have been glad to have something with me several times!<br />
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When stepping out of the house, my primary defensive arm is the SOG Twitch I. (Model number TWI-7.) When SOG decided to upgrade the classic lockback pocket knife, they did it with engineering, technology, and style. From the lightweight construction to the high tech cryogenic treatment on the blade, the Twitch I oozes sexy, covert, special ops –<br />
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for the average, every day, 9 to 5 guy.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihSAVHje2jWGw-2aCVms25zVqSr561-V7QuWjk7BtRq7U_X-WpgimN2BfoLabXEsn9Gxy3MZrAs2aUekA7wmx76pWSUqKRbz14b7UVjl4aIpy5f3wfKZqRZM-2Hte8OHk9qwEEqXyzKwc/s1600-h/Twitch+on+Desk.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299450117049330530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihSAVHje2jWGw-2aCVms25zVqSr561-V7QuWjk7BtRq7U_X-WpgimN2BfoLabXEsn9Gxy3MZrAs2aUekA7wmx76pWSUqKRbz14b7UVjl4aIpy5f3wfKZqRZM-2Hte8OHk9qwEEqXyzKwc/s400/Twitch+on+Desk.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%; font-weight: bold;">Sharp accessories</span>.</div><br />
The handles are hard-anodized aluminum in a very discreet graphite color. The hard anodization is exactly that: <span style="font-style: italic;">hard</span>. After a year of constant use the aluminum shows no sign of scratches, scuffs, or scrapes.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5asnY524lPh0J1tyZWT-n2N2sjjF8uo8tSL2nSY9ZNa-HvxMU_jvV_WYKL-FTqMGrCmyA7tZFFecK-yCAleELjsTk-5GoverDWlnO6HhpbWEKMkeI2ZR-03yFKntHRcaNOmDjcgOV44bK/s1600-h/Twitch+Clip.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300624611684503730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5asnY524lPh0J1tyZWT-n2N2sjjF8uo8tSL2nSY9ZNa-HvxMU_jvV_WYKL-FTqMGrCmyA7tZFFecK-yCAleELjsTk-5GoverDWlnO6HhpbWEKMkeI2ZR-03yFKntHRcaNOmDjcgOV44bK/s400/Twitch+Clip.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 306px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%; font-weight: bold;">Lightweight and subtle, two things I'm not.</span></div><br />
The Twitch weighs 2 ounces exactly; it’s very light. That means that it won’t wrinkle your slack’s pocket nor drag it down. The pocket clip which can also be used as a money clip, is unobtrusive and finished in a matte silver finish.<br />
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It sports a two inch long, stainless steel, cryogenically treated, drop point blade. The SOG Cryogenic Treatment process brings the blade down in temperature to less than 300°F and then reverses the process and lets it return to room temperature in a controlled fashion. This freezing and warming, stress relieves the stainless steel on an atomic level. The process increases overall strength, toughness and in addition, increases edge retention. In other words, your knife stays sharper longer with significantly less micro-fracturing and edge-chipping. The Twitch is razor sharp out of the box, and if touched up regularly, stays that way.<br />
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The drop point is an excellent choice for defensive knives. It is an effective stabbing profile, but is also very good on the slashing attack.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyPwAi3teHJ42n9SdpwTHIxA_xBAI31acST0lMzTZLdqr38wfOkUAObfGOFkN0ZpQK1dSOFne0HE9JPfkaWBEAxriG0fCIyJ8VOskjBjmpQSAm8LWJr3OKkejSLHwciU3LI81zpMd4P9t/s1600-h/Twitch+Lockback.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300626915205102066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyPwAi3teHJ42n9SdpwTHIxA_xBAI31acST0lMzTZLdqr38wfOkUAObfGOFkN0ZpQK1dSOFne0HE9JPfkaWBEAxriG0fCIyJ8VOskjBjmpQSAm8LWJr3OKkejSLHwciU3LI81zpMd4P9t/s400/Twitch+Lockback.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 142px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%; font-weight: bold;">The split lockback: Pass Through Lockbar<br />
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When SOG updated the lockback, they did it with panache. The Twitch features a pass-through lockbar (patent pending). This allows the kicker tab to stick out. One push with the forefinger, and the blade deploys to fully open in a flash. The SOG Assisted Technology is responsible for the lightning fast blade action. Two springs coiled inside the assist assembly propel the blade to fully open once the user has initiated the opening.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAgV3QGezZuQrew2b-0BDy-9SVAOEqXA1aQuzqu_jyNH0Ppc6g8MsLZJ8ZwxqQ4vaoQJ1VREiNTayoyExufxIGCTR9GV2wBUk1ghHaXFxCl492CUJj8n_iKOGHQPPjck7zn-4HLVH78Dp/s1600-h/Twitch+SAT+spring.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299179139922278290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAgV3QGezZuQrew2b-0BDy-9SVAOEqXA1aQuzqu_jyNH0Ppc6g8MsLZJ8ZwxqQ4vaoQJ1VREiNTayoyExufxIGCTR9GV2wBUk1ghHaXFxCl492CUJj8n_iKOGHQPPjck7zn-4HLVH78Dp/s400/Twitch+SAT+spring.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 216px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 269px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">SAT Springs in the Assist</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;">Photo Courtesy of SOG Specialty Knives</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
There is a safety that allows the blade to be locked in both the open and closed position. Mine has a little piece from a bamboo toothpick jammed in it. I don't want there to be a failure to deploy if I ever need it. I'm not concerned with the blade closing on my fingers either. The lock is very secure and sturdy, and for my intended purposes, it should only be in use for moments.<br />
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All in all, I find the SOG Twitch I a solid buy. Perfect for discreet wear, it has sufficient style that it would not raise an eyebrow if someone saw it on your office desk. The blade is short enough to pass in most concealed weapons districts. (Check your laws very carefully!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOarl5Ag7ejTDYqEMILgN_hfJDOqkS3oVudcdisntCWoZqmdzeKCdi0_iz1NU9RDAjVL32sxveQHwfB-LFQ6ytxEDiKdz8nAqghXTgodBKXs-siVg8X1LkUFuqD_79ZDsVWK4Ww7khG2x/s1600-h/SOG_TWI-7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301023521380251586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOarl5Ag7ejTDYqEMILgN_hfJDOqkS3oVudcdisntCWoZqmdzeKCdi0_iz1NU9RDAjVL32sxveQHwfB-LFQ6ytxEDiKdz8nAqghXTgodBKXs-siVg8X1LkUFuqD_79ZDsVWK4Ww7khG2x/s400/SOG_TWI-7.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 96px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
The price is very affordable; most street prices range from $32.00 to $39.00.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sogknives.com/store/index.html">SOG</a><br />
<a href="http://sogknives.com/store/TWI-7.html">SOG Twitch I</a><br />
MSRP: $60.00<br />
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<br />
Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/">Lakewood Ranch Tent Club</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #ffcc77;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></span></a> (Let 'em sue me.)<br />
<span style="color: #ffcc77;">The Hunt Continues...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, Albert A Rasch, Hunting in Florida" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s1600-h/100_0105b+small.jpg"><img alt="Albert Rasch,Hunter" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383736493621485554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s320/100_0105b+small.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 164px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 118px;" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Though 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 </span><span style="font-size: small;">repetitious and </span><span style="font-size: small;">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, "<span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span>" 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.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scottcroner.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert “Afghanus” Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-been-long-road.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://nebraskaoutfitters.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://merriamsturkey.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner, Merriam's Turkey Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.free-press-release.com/news-albert-rasch-and-in-afghanistan-it-s-been-a-long-road-1292793394.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.scottcroner.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert “Afghanus” Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-been-long-road.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://nebraskaoutfitters.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://merriamsturkey.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner Merriam's Turkey Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.free-press-release.com/news-albert-rasch-and-in-afghanistan-it-s-been-a-long-road-1292793394.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><a href="http://knol.google.com/k/albert-rasch/working-as-a-contractor-overseas/3ijqbto61sdfb/4#"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch So, you want to be a contractor. </span></a><a href="http://knol.google.com/k/albert-rasch/handfeeding-a-baby-bird/3ijqbto61sdfb/3#"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Handfeeding a Baby Mockingbird</span></a> <a href="http://knol.google.com/k/albert-rasch/clean-and-repair-your-ruger-10-22/3ijqbto61sdfb/2"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Clean and Repair your Ruger 10 22 Magazine</span></a></div>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-56953909311829725732012-01-04T01:45:00.002-05:002012-01-06T17:55:32.829-05:00Making an Iroquois Tomahawk<i>Making a Tomahawk by Hand!</i><br />
© 2011 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch </a>and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
<br />
I recently received the Iroquois Tomahawk from Track of the Wolf and wanted to share my impressions with it and the procedure I used to finish it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy0Vnt6hjxRAqDQ9fo_4wNwYU2moosBCw1f-Das_z24ZqVRSg8In_35vfkp2HCdZSbLFtdPMxBq980haK_V9zq2aNfIb4la1S3WpsrKrLEMrD_TiPDdD-8pfJTavtgtG6V4GcSpvKk0vh/s1600/Hawk+1h.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albert Rasch, Custom Handmade Tomahawk, Iroquois Tomahawk" border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy0Vnt6hjxRAqDQ9fo_4wNwYU2moosBCw1f-Das_z24ZqVRSg8In_35vfkp2HCdZSbLFtdPMxBq980haK_V9zq2aNfIb4la1S3WpsrKrLEMrD_TiPDdD-8pfJTavtgtG6V4GcSpvKk0vh/s400/Hawk+1h.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Other than removing the casting lines and cleaning up the flats, the only other thing I felt that needed doing was smoothing out and relieving the inside edges of the eye.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xI62GIch4kY/TwKGJuSTW_I/AAAAAAAADYs/7y7pZo88AOA/s1600/Hawk+1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albert Rasch, Custom Handmade Tomahawk, Iroquois Tomahawk" border="0" height="222" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xI62GIch4kY/TwKGJuSTW_I/AAAAAAAADYs/7y7pZo88AOA/s400/Hawk+1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I decided to use Plum Brown to brown the tomahawk. Unfortunately the label had deteriorated to the point that the only reason I knew it was plum brown is because it's the only bottle that looks like that, and the fact I put "P.B." on the top of it.<br />
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I did some research on how to use Plum Brown and truth be told I didn't find very much. A reference on a forum suggested the procedure, and truth be told I probably should have posted a question on its use on my favorite <a href="http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php" target="_blank">Black Powder Forum</a> <a href="http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php" target="_blank">American Longrifles</a> and I would have gotten all the information I needed!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KcQh3yHsAcI/TwKKQJKD0vI/AAAAAAAADZE/Odfc4ZB8uKc/s1600/Hawk+1d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albert Rasch, Custom Handmade Tomahawk, Iroquois Tomahawk" border="0" height="371" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KcQh3yHsAcI/TwKKQJKD0vI/AAAAAAAADZE/Odfc4ZB8uKc/s400/Hawk+1d.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
None-the-less I proceeded with the limited technical knowledge I had, and the substantial circumstantial information I had acquired over the years.<br />
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In other words, I flew by the seat of my Wrangler jeans.<br />
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I put a pot of water on the stove, spread a bit of newspaper on the counter, tore a piece of coarse (#2) steel wool off the pad and washed it with detergent, shook the bottle of Plumb Brown, and washed the 'hawk head to remove any contamination it might have acquired while I worked on it. It's important to degrease the steel wool and the tomahawk head so it doesn't interfere with the gentle rusting of the steel.<br />
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I waited for the water to simmer, and placed the hawk in the pot. The idea is to get the metal hot enough to quickly dry the solution as it is wiped on the metal.Some folks suggest that the metal should be hot enough to sizzle liquid, but I have had good success with 212 degrees.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dyYcLZ8vrkU/TwKKa5T2McI/AAAAAAAADZQ/t8_wyCxwLZY/s1600/Hawk+1e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albert Rasch, Custom Handmade Tomahawk, Iroquois Tomahawk" border="0" height="397" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dyYcLZ8vrkU/TwKKa5T2McI/AAAAAAAADZQ/t8_wyCxwLZY/s400/Hawk+1e.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I used a foam type of brush, the kind that some folks use for painting trim. I don't think it's the best option. It holds too much fluid and while some spots get a wash, others get saturated; a roll of cotton fabric would probably be best, and I'll try that with the next tomahawk I make.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the Plum Brown solution went on, and instantly started to rust the alloy hawk head. I waited a few moments and dropped it back in the pot, stopping the rusting in its tracks. Depending on the finish you are looking for, you could allow the metal to rust significantly before you card it. (You could refrain from boiling it, and end up with a much browner finish. Just make sure you oil it well to stop the rusting once you are done.) A few seconds later, I pulled it out and scrubbed it hard with the #2 steel wool. This is called "carding." It knocks off the "loose' rust, leaving only the tightly bound oxide on the metal. I repeated the procedure several times, until I was satisfied with the color. It's a dark blackish-brown with a bit of dark plum here and there.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNu-UO_pEbdEPZs6FiK-XOQdRX3JB7MhIFoW8fpI3Y4Z8S-SOXb3ASmlxujxA0f27xPQJKVsFIFVER6s_dst8WDbJsW1Di6n9so-wlVpkeNWsXkhGYb42G6Kw7qzTC17HOKM2hFuKyI8U/s1600/Hawk+1b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albert Rasch, Custom Handmade Tomahawk, Iroquois Tomahawk" border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNu-UO_pEbdEPZs6FiK-XOQdRX3JB7MhIFoW8fpI3Y4Z8S-SOXb3ASmlxujxA0f27xPQJKVsFIFVER6s_dst8WDbJsW1Di6n9so-wlVpkeNWsXkhGYb42G6Kw7qzTC17HOKM2hFuKyI8U/s400/Hawk+1b.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
After the final carding, I boiled it a bit longer and fished it out of the pot. After a final scrubbing with the steel wool I headed to my "work area" where I keep a baby food jar full of linseed oil. The head was still pretty hot, and the linseed oil thickened up immediately as I rubbed it in, giving the 'hawk a rich dark satin finish. The linseed oil will also protect the metal from further rusting, and give it some weather resistance too.<br />
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In the next installment I will cover how I worked up the handle, and some options that can be entertained that personalize and add to the uniqueness of your Iroquois tomahawk.<br />
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<br />
Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"> Lakewood Ranch Tent Club</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> (Let 'em sue me.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">The Hunt Continues...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, Albert A Rasch, Hunting in Florida" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s1600-h/100_0105b+small.jpg"><img alt="Albert Rasch,Hunter" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383736493621485554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QasGrbQ2VAvQPmoBct13OsAXh6bEIu-YsCLZ8LX_WI1GY9IXjDB5EF_fETe7eGbDyvNqWAl3sOTTRHRP0eJgZUXgq707eDU3Q_twTrzi_HOKLgdz5jonsnTMuZ3-CosOOSQ_40A_WQPh/s320/100_0105b+small.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 164px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 118px;" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Though 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 </span><span style="font-size: small;">repetitious and </span><span style="font-size: small;">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, "<span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span>" 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.</span>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-87343359651569670952012-01-01T02:36:00.001-05:002012-01-07T15:33:27.900-05:00Grumman 17 Foot Canoe w/ Rocket Tilt Trailer for SaleFriends,<br />
<br />
We are putting our Grumman 17 foot canoe up for sale. Though I love the lines and durability, space in our home is at a premium. The canoe and trailer take up altogether too much space in the garage, and we need that space. <br />
<br />
I'll be buffing it out tomorrow, and I'll be listing it on Craigslist. I'll add the link to Craigslist later on.<br />
<br />
Craigalist:<a href="http://sarasota.craigslist.org/boa/2788290947.html" target="_blank"> http://sarasota.craigslist.org/boa/2788290947.html</a><br />
<br />
Your friend,<br />
Albert<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYBk7vwEjbPlWMVFlsMHwd03O1y_GFjkqLT5UIt7dueYQgRUSDwQuQ3RYqHfLysvdg0Y2oMCehIF2E4TvTNc0z3z6yltuuT2J-VpI1OAn-V8OS6vyRL-VxDfp6s_X0RIPzpbqJ5nnW1VL/s1600/Grumman+17d.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYBk7vwEjbPlWMVFlsMHwd03O1y_GFjkqLT5UIt7dueYQgRUSDwQuQ3RYqHfLysvdg0Y2oMCehIF2E4TvTNc0z3z6yltuuT2J-VpI1OAn-V8OS6vyRL-VxDfp6s_X0RIPzpbqJ5nnW1VL/s320/Grumman+17d.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-53216068532866165812011-11-11T00:42:00.000-05:002011-11-11T00:42:00.127-05:00Hunting Trophy Turkey in Nebraska<i>Hunting Meriam's Turkeys in Nebraska with Scott Croner!</i><br />
© 2009-2011 Albert A Rasch<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span> and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles</a><br />
<span style="color: #332211; font-size: 78%;">$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5. trochronicles.blogspot.com</span><br />
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hunting Trophy Merriam's Turkey</span></div><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">While</span></b></i> pecking away at the keyboard some time ago, I came upon fellow <a href="http://outdoorbloggerssummit.com/">Outdoor Bloggers Summit</a> member Scott Croner’s Blog, <a href="http://nebraskaoutfitters.blogspot.com/">Nebraska Hunting Company</a>. I meandered off to his company website, <a href="http://www.nebraskahunting.net/">NebraskaHunting.net</a>, to see what it was all about. I am always curious what fellow bloggers do when they are not beating the keys off the keyboard. Makes me feel like I know everyone a little better. <br />
<br />
As it turns out, Scott is an outfitter based in Nebraska and covers several of the Midwest states in his pursuit of American big game, waterfowl, and turkey. Not only that, but we had some <span style="font-style: italic;">interesting</span> acquaintances in common, but more on that later.<br />
<br />
Scott has some great pictures of his clients on his website, and on the left hand side is a beautiful turkey that one of his clients harvested. Big turkey too, as far as I can tell.<br />
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But before I get into what caught my eye, I think a little bit of turkey talk information is in order! You would be surprised at how much there is to know! I certainly was.<br />
<br />
There are two species and four subspecies of turkeys.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 78%;">Eastern Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wlmccoy/3468729400/">WL McCoy</a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQBu3QrVHmauMDZqKFcDGiVV95w_VKFuouuhKNOm2eSLQWbTXLDotE8waNNzjgCeozsLLS5s1YdBlNvR-thh2_ikTF65hbc8sRiFjhhGMxFW61MDo5pSirNE7KXHKL_b1CyvZsOuU4wlt/s1600-h/Eastern+turkey.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358017486871472482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQBu3QrVHmauMDZqKFcDGiVV95w_VKFuouuhKNOm2eSLQWbTXLDotE8waNNzjgCeozsLLS5s1YdBlNvR-thh2_ikTF65hbc8sRiFjhhGMxFW61MDo5pSirNE7KXHKL_b1CyvZsOuU4wlt/s200/Eastern+turkey.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>There’s the Eastern Wild Turkey. He’s your garden-variety turkey that you see all over the place except on opening day of turkey season, or for that matter the rest of it too. Since the eastern wild turkey ranges the farthest north, individuals can also grow to be among the largest of any of the subspecies. The adult male, can be as tall 4 feet (!) at maturity and weigh 20 pounds plus. As an aside, the turkey came in second as the bird of the National Seal. (They say Ben Franklin was besides himself when they told him the news! Legend has it he said, “$&!% that Jefferson!”)<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Osceola Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21248205@N03/2203370854/">CL Evans</a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEbPJzmPiZYJx9nJXESXIO1kaSP_w0WWaIgJZbpKQdeuSEw41ekLiCIGHfSPKGRg53Y3Y-wcUR7ywadAZOyBuep-nmmuRloKtTT0TdQdovRseejWFgKD06QvhvI01kyDw73hZrRcTcXFt/s1600-h/Osceola.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358018090746251826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEbPJzmPiZYJx9nJXESXIO1kaSP_w0WWaIgJZbpKQdeuSEw41ekLiCIGHfSPKGRg53Y3Y-wcUR7ywadAZOyBuep-nmmuRloKtTT0TdQdovRseejWFgKD06QvhvI01kyDw73hZrRcTcXFt/s200/Osceola.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 155px;" /></a>These are my own hometown turkeys. The Osceola is named for the famous Seminole Chief, Osceola. They are a bit smaller than the eastern variety and live in the oak and palmetto hammocks where they thrive on palmetto bugs, acorns and palmetto berries, the slash pine woods, and the swampy habitats of Florida. (Basically everywhere else on the southern two thirds of the peninsula.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: 78%;">Rio Grande Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/twotom192004/2399163870/">TwoTom</a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvchgTPAceQu-iFv8aTNabl6II9DAlR2a3Y3eVGyUGn0-OuvD9KBxCPGS0RATu8FYksHYHRuC_BQVCo3qByd1hA67v5d5hcykjbStUk_8rHqD4joSqXsytdQdI-_sdqnsGzIldd9vWvKuq/s1600-h/Rio+Grande.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358019797821857202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvchgTPAceQu-iFv8aTNabl6II9DAlR2a3Y3eVGyUGn0-OuvD9KBxCPGS0RATu8FYksHYHRuC_BQVCo3qByd1hA67v5d5hcykjbStUk_8rHqD4joSqXsytdQdI-_sdqnsGzIldd9vWvKuq/s200/Rio+Grande.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 146px;" /></a>The Rio Grande subspecies lives adjacent to what’s left of the Rio Grande. But they are found as far north as Kansas, usually by water. The Rio Grande turkeys are comparatively pale and copper colored, and they are awful long legged compared to their cousins; sort of like that redheaded girl in middle school that you were scared of.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Merriam's Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21645654@N04/2305394555/">Alice Outwater</a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeetqURhJs-whII7jcNABW9anXzPP5NVvrwReAUoYkLM8AiXwz3sBoitRzBjLNWZHX1NmXkgpHd0Mkc8tZJfTVz3aD_WCu00F-L5zlel8syBq_Fm3xtszRFIKIoRNqhEF0dE4YPOlSWH9/s1600-h/Merriams.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358021279465891634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeetqURhJs-whII7jcNABW9anXzPP5NVvrwReAUoYkLM8AiXwz3sBoitRzBjLNWZHX1NmXkgpHd0Mkc8tZJfTVz3aD_WCu00F-L5zlel8syBq_Fm3xtszRFIKIoRNqhEF0dE4YPOlSWH9/s200/Merriams.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 167px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>Further north still, and probably the handsomest (if you don’t include the fellows from south of the border), is the Merriam. This species is most at home in mountainous wooded regions, and it has been successfully stocked in areas far away from its original range in the southern mountains of Western America.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 78%;">Gould's Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ornitholoco/2529262083/">Ornitholoco</a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRT0GfYQEyR-0Y4bB2z-yt1UW-TCUTr77dQ5DS7jckbqgbudqvCTDwC0aJCuZQE8hW_VVQXrZmudOReZwaR10kr65Ip2dxtDPgCHs78sA2NHtf2frb8w3L6TAoWwKlUhO4ZzQU6SqAd5g/s1600-h/Gould's.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358021972945787842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRT0GfYQEyR-0Y4bB2z-yt1UW-TCUTr77dQ5DS7jckbqgbudqvCTDwC0aJCuZQE8hW_VVQXrZmudOReZwaR10kr65Ip2dxtDPgCHs78sA2NHtf2frb8w3L6TAoWwKlUhO4ZzQU6SqAd5g/s200/Gould's.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 133px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>The Goulds, named after J. Gould who, I guess, discovered them in 1856 during his Mexican road trip in search of artisanal agave tequila. The Goulds are pretty rare at about 800 or so in the US, though a substantial population lives in Mexico. Arizona and New Mexico offer limited hunting opportunities for the Gould’s wild turkey, while stocking from Mexico continues to increase their numbers in the South Western US.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"><br />
Ocellated Image Credit <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovettwilliams/270347335/">Real Turkeys</a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xwi5RfdwwDIkjjtPM9niDvGjcBGlgNlwFZmB7NNZW-zKsAav2k9GEBUd_VoAcdPw4qRFx3NL4V7L9gd2Qrut7XWa56LR2EC-S95v4CSa_t96maqmSk6pYHaNPWO9huyQtB95DKGa9BvY/s1600-h/Osellated+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358023965352243138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xwi5RfdwwDIkjjtPM9niDvGjcBGlgNlwFZmB7NNZW-zKsAav2k9GEBUd_VoAcdPw4qRFx3NL4V7L9gd2Qrut7XWa56LR2EC-S95v4CSa_t96maqmSk6pYHaNPWO9huyQtB95DKGa9BvY/s200/Osellated+2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 134px;" /></a>The prettiest of them all is the Ocellated turkeys. They are their own species and do not have any sub-species. Both male and female ocellated turkeys have beautiful greenish-bronze iridescent feathers, but neither the male nor female have a beard. Their tails feathers have a blue spot that terminates in orange at the ends, and the head and neck is also pale blue with bright orange warts. They live in the tropical forests of the Yucatan Peninsula in southeastern Mexico. They are truly a remarkable and beautiful bird.<br />
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Now I have always known turkey hunters to be a little obsessed. Box calls, slate calls, glass calls, owl hooters (Hooters? Who knew?), camouflage, gilliesuits, blinds, special chokes, shotguns, knee-pads, and shells in different lengths, sizes colors and loads. And that doesn’t include the turkey bowhunters!<br />
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I had no idea how far the turkey madness went.<br />
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Curiosity peaked more than was probably good for me, I found the <a href="http://www.nwtf.org/">National Wild Turkey Federation</a> website. Much to my delight it was a virtual warehouse of information, chuck full of all sorts of turkey stuff. Single-handedly, they have managed to complicate the relatively simple idea of killing a turkey, and elevated into well nigh an art form.<br />
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I was entranced and enthralled by it immediately.<br />
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By now it was getting late while I was reading all of this, and I came to the “Slam” page. Logically I assumed that this was the recipe page where turkey, egg, and pancake met. But, much to my surprise and glee, what I found was the Holy Grail of turkey hunting aficionados. The Slams my friends, are the different levels of madness that one can attain by hunting the different subspecies of turkeys! And you get a certificate (Suitable for framing!) commemorating the event and a pin for your lapel! All that is required is membership in the <a href="http://www.nwtf.org/">National Wild Turkey Federation</a> , and the turkeys.<br />
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These are the Slams that <a href="http://www.nwtf.org/">NWTF</a> awards:<br />
<ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grand Slams</span> consists of the Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriam's and Osceola (Florida) birds</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Royal Slams</span> is the four subspecies listed above in addition to the Gould's bird</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">World Slams</span> include all five subspecies listed above in addition to the Ocellated wild turkey</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Mexican Slam</span> consists of the following birds harvested in Mexico only: Rio Grande, Gould's and Ocellated. Of course you are required to survive the experience. No posthumous awards issued.</li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Canadian Slam</span> consists of harvesting the Eastern and Merriam's bird in the following provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta or British Columbia, and then serving them with thick sliced bacon.</li>
</ul><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdY7KVMuBeMd7ofVew21qx15x1W2FDSHOqmLWk9xQ7bym9oTEru8kmh0CPxD-nlsr4nGRntwVXWst_eEbwsJpzXT3eT8CMQuLHxr13nUyoRVsfLMm-IdjTmN5ybVkvGoq21tr4vKLSJfP3/s1600-h/slam+pins.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358026077648856514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdY7KVMuBeMd7ofVew21qx15x1W2FDSHOqmLWk9xQ7bym9oTEru8kmh0CPxD-nlsr4nGRntwVXWst_eEbwsJpzXT3eT8CMQuLHxr13nUyoRVsfLMm-IdjTmN5ybVkvGoq21tr4vKLSJfP3/s200/slam+pins.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 134px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>Unlike many other feats of huntsmanship, like hunting Marco Polo sheep with a spear and loincloth, this one is a relatively attainable goal. The NWTF maintains records of the registered turkeys, and when you complete a NWTF Slam you receive a slam certificate for each slam you complete, you receive the distinctive wild turkey record slam pin for each of your slams, and they put you up on their <a href="http://www.nwtf.org/all_about_turkeys/records_slams.html">Slam Website</a>! And more importantly you do not have to kill all the turkeys in the same year. So this allows you to plan a great adventure far into the future with your family members or friends. That’s just Slamming!<br />
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So of course now I am all crazy about getting turkeys. I have always been interested, but now… I’m obsessed… must get calls…must get more camo…<br />
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Sorry, lost my train of thought. Phew! It’s worse than I thought.<br />
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Well this brings me back to Scott and <a href="http://www.merriamsturkey.com/">Nebraska Hunting Company</a>. While kicking around his site I saw a fascinating turkey. During the 2009 spring turkey hunt, one of Scott’s clients, Mr. Todd Ried, harvested a melanistic or black color phase Merriam’s turkey! As you can tell the turkey is almost completely black, a stunning and exceptional trophy indeed! Not only is the Merriam one of the lesser-harvested turkeys, but to get one in a color phase is just unbelievable.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPICFyN_BFXtTE-luMUe61aD_i97WFBLmGw4pLqxxNWOMO_WPkUE2F1rZ9ocbcdMteNGLVHnPsnn4KS72z6I_9ePnDSnreJ7nXgUVQBD5whiGJThIb0CPmsy9YzHQfhhCnc05RwdffA-d/s1600-h/Ried+Melanistic.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358027158555078146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPICFyN_BFXtTE-luMUe61aD_i97WFBLmGw4pLqxxNWOMO_WPkUE2F1rZ9ocbcdMteNGLVHnPsnn4KS72z6I_9ePnDSnreJ7nXgUVQBD5whiGJThIb0CPmsy9YzHQfhhCnc05RwdffA-d/s400/Ried+Melanistic.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 271px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Todd Ried with his all-black melanistic Merriam's trophy!</span></span></div><br />
Melanistic mutations occur in almost all creatures from fish to humans. It is much like albinism but not as hazardous to the animal’s health as being all white in the dark green woods! Birds in particular have several other color mutations that can occur, including blue, yellow, and red. Red, or more appropriately copper or rust, is occasionally seen in turkeys.<br />
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I want one. In a full mount, flying, so I can take up even more room in our miniscule apartment!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tom H., Scott C., and Warren P.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8i5_xtImB4EFmr3XgE6oxNBUIfgKNUj1-iO8EJOCHP0X1aPwA13giIaiQo4UW_GGU21GjAd8At107ISlskGGmoFG324xpCW7_DUzz9DMHRkrkWZGt55Ak2Th1Tx2eGAcdbwxa_UZl-4/s1600-h/tom_h__black_2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358041237169520962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8i5_xtImB4EFmr3XgE6oxNBUIfgKNUj1-iO8EJOCHP0X1aPwA13giIaiQo4UW_GGU21GjAd8At107ISlskGGmoFG324xpCW7_DUzz9DMHRkrkWZGt55Ak2Th1Tx2eGAcdbwxa_UZl-4/s320/tom_h__black_2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 155px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>I called Scott up to inquire about his turkey hunting concessions (leases) and the general availability and the possibility of collecting a Merriam’s. Scott “Turkey Man” Croner told me of this past season, and I am not kidding you, I was taken aback by his success ratio. I have read and talked with enough hunters to know how difficult turkey hunting can be. The number of clients and the number of birds taken was simply phenomenal. I have to admit I was a little skeptical, but after checking his references and talking to several people, I have concluded that he is a very talented outfitter and his concessions are fantastic! Having good concessions is very important. Good concessions have good habitat and that is what makes or breaks a turkey population.<br />
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I called Scott back and we did a phone interview, a TROC first by the way. I have been so impressed by his good character, integrity, and know how, that I will definitely be booking with him when the time comes for me to collect my Merriam’s.<br />
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…and the Snow goose.<br />
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The turkey is going to need some company.<br />
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Contacts:<br />
J Scott Croner<br />
<a href="http://www.nebraskahunting.net/">Nebraska Hunting Company</a><br />
<a href="http://www.merriamsturkey.com/">Nebraska Hunting Company Merriam's Turkey Hunting</a><br />
Mobile: 402.304.1192<br />
Email: scott@nebraskahunting.net<br />
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Related Posts: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/2009/04/range-reviews-quaker-boy-typhoon-turkey.html">Quaker Boy Typhoon Turkey Call</a><br />
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Regards,<br />
Albert A Rasch<br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></span></a><br />
<span style="color: #666600;">The Hunt Continues...</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scottcroner.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert “Afghanus” Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-been-long-road.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://nebraskaoutfitters.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://merriamsturkey.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner, Merriam's Turkey Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.free-press-release.com/news-albert-rasch-and-in-afghanistan-it-s-been-a-long-road-1292793394.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.scottcroner.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert “Afghanus” Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-been-long-road.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://nebraskaoutfitters.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://merriamsturkey.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner Merriam's Turkey Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.free-press-release.com/news-albert-rasch-and-in-afghanistan-it-s-been-a-long-road-1292793394.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><a href="http://knol.google.com/k/albert-rasch/working-as-a-contractor-overseas/3ijqbto61sdfb/4#"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch So, you want to be a contractor. </span></a><a href="http://knol.google.com/k/albert-rasch/handfeeding-a-baby-bird/3ijqbto61sdfb/3#"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Handfeeding a Baby Mockingbird</span></a> <a href="http://knol.google.com/k/albert-rasch/clean-and-repair-your-ruger-10-22/3ijqbto61sdfb/2"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Clean and Repair your Ruger 10 22 Magazine</span></a></div>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-2673453111363216372011-11-03T00:14:00.000-04:002011-11-03T00:14:00.057-04:00Great Young Florida Hunters and Hunting<i>Fellow Florida Hunters and Fishermen!</i><br />
© 2009-2011 Albert A Rasch and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles</a><br />
<span style="color: #fef1ce; font-size: 78%;">$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5. trochronicles.blogspot.com</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;">Photo Credits: "Buck" Bevillee</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6Hq7uTjPBmSrA11FqDmJui-cLDiMOAAdIQo32bAiGTpWGC0SQtnFuTzZDhXMNuSXaXZmLC3HTS71g1HqYtRzfo_EhEjrkVwRdbvD-3PpB4MQc2NcGHXO0FwKnSuuXCDVy1zw7o7x21_8/s1600-h/Bucks+9pt.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391624735285959490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6Hq7uTjPBmSrA11FqDmJui-cLDiMOAAdIQo32bAiGTpWGC0SQtnFuTzZDhXMNuSXaXZmLC3HTS71g1HqYtRzfo_EhEjrkVwRdbvD-3PpB4MQc2NcGHXO0FwKnSuuXCDVy1zw7o7x21_8/s320/Bucks+9pt.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 219px;" /></a>I had the opportunity to run into a couple of young Florida hunters recently. Both are very accomplished deer and turkey hunters here in Florida.<br />
<span style="color: #fef1ce; font-size: 78%;"><br />
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"Buck" Beville was kind enough to forward me a few pictures of some of the game he has taken.<br />
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To the left is a nine pointer that Buck took when he was a very young fellow. That's a deer anyone would be proud to take!<br />
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Below is a very nice 8 point he recently took.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7UDE2QuYmYV9onKe6cH7YYPOx1CYDxzXVu7PNAFkfoWmA2YB0Hk-t5XGjVSh_YF1_637geMtVRt5cdgApg6B5lP9aNPvoDx_GfdfDmvwPsGC8QnTPIbj1_rIf27FmdrgOAVvKoR-5E5v/s1600-h/Bucks+%232.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391631410816624786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7UDE2QuYmYV9onKe6cH7YYPOx1CYDxzXVu7PNAFkfoWmA2YB0Hk-t5XGjVSh_YF1_637geMtVRt5cdgApg6B5lP9aNPvoDx_GfdfDmvwPsGC8QnTPIbj1_rIf27FmdrgOAVvKoR-5E5v/s320/Bucks+%232.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdRXOguubUz7OgyY0Yg1CmEix3Zfa_wRxhc_AujmsLQnchi3hOWv7-k-Nn2g2q7SQJxi1venrYX8Vtitx0l0nksf57ewxvWKCxkDsSMk-fRmHU94esrJEv3UbgcvmVw3I1kXDmu38q0oz/s1600-h/Bucks+Turkey.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391631975429516770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdRXOguubUz7OgyY0Yg1CmEix3Zfa_wRxhc_AujmsLQnchi3hOWv7-k-Nn2g2q7SQJxi1venrYX8Vtitx0l0nksf57ewxvWKCxkDsSMk-fRmHU94esrJEv3UbgcvmVw3I1kXDmu38q0oz/s400/Bucks+Turkey.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 382px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A great archery Oceola Tom Turkey!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFM-IUWlcCynHON5_lpeH5hjt2mKd_lJFeqJDiImmx8N5fhidXHzchHQg4ZNfxHby7D3EFJyMf5U51FD8afkX_6LPxJowTHjDrV4_1cXHJ4Wib40DsT_fDuH6kTj9QJmqpZaqPq8iKa8Ii/s1600-h/Bucks+Boar.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391685184058673266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFM-IUWlcCynHON5_lpeH5hjt2mKd_lJFeqJDiImmx8N5fhidXHzchHQg4ZNfxHby7D3EFJyMf5U51FD8afkX_6LPxJowTHjDrV4_1cXHJ4Wib40DsT_fDuH6kTj9QJmqpZaqPq8iKa8Ii/s400/Bucks+Boar.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nice Boar! Note the cutters.</span><br />
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As I meet more Florida Sportsmen, I'll be sharing their stories and successes with you. I might add that it was my pleasure to meet both these young men, and with good fellows like these as our next generation of hunters, we are definitely heading in the right direction.<br />
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Best Regards,<br />
<a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"> Skull Mountain Tent Club</a><br />
Member: <a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H</span>unting <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>portsmen of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">U</span>nited <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>tates <span style="font-weight: bold;">HSUS</span></span></a><span style="color: #38761d;"> (Let 'em sue me.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">The Hunt Continues...</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, Albert A Rasch, Hunting in Florida" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWL87FjJqs5BsAO9AsfLUn9zK9c1g8VqhaQ-N0yn0Y294NUXjFpRSQnOJU7WoNGi3o_Q18y0sJmdAgSR_nKLwVQaxTMZFMMBmMpk8Uu9cK_569IqmnE7nkxRLqYxlcrPkH0iBvIpjI2nK4/" width="150" /></a></div><br />
Other Stories of Interest:<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/2007/12/boar-hunting-rifle-calibers-part-i.html">Best Boar Hunting Rifle Calibers: Part I</a>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-47104093928656400462011-10-30T00:13:00.000-04:002011-10-30T00:13:00.128-04:00Learn to Shoot with Red Ryder!<i>Learn to shoot well, cheap and easy!</i><br />
© 2011 Albert A Rasch and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles</a><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 180%;">So You Want to Start Shooting and Hunting...</span></div><span style="color: #fef1ce; font-size: xx-small;">$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantmac/">Grant MacDonald</a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj01wwgi6lo1K8R_aeq9HJQnBnWWysxOqKNDw9Up1BDloCjNuomQ58re1JpP6pTE_PzZF5HkHbTsfrihn1o28E-VXzjqoMBMEtnc9x9u_vVGxD9GUTfWMZvyf06jE4Ih7z_9KlV7C5Njop/s1600-h/Thinking.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589711981667874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj01wwgi6lo1K8R_aeq9HJQnBnWWysxOqKNDw9Up1BDloCjNuomQ58re1JpP6pTE_PzZF5HkHbTsfrihn1o28E-VXzjqoMBMEtnc9x9u_vVGxD9GUTfWMZvyf06jE4Ih7z_9KlV7C5Njop/s200/Thinking.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 184px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 158px;" /></a>I’ve had a couple of requests from folks that are asking me to please contemplate ideas for the aspiring or beginning hunter.<br />
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Come to think of it, that is a great topic, and one that I will gladly write about. I think it is of the utmost importance for the future of hunting and wildlife in general, that we do everything to encourage and facilitate new hunters, fishermen, and outdoorsmen into our ranks. Every new kid that picks up a fishing rod, every new wife that takes up a firearm, is yet another person that will appreciate the great outdoors, and will be a bastion against the forces of emotionalism and timidity that are swamping this nation.<br />
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The question posed to me by the indefatigable <a href="http://borepatch.blogspot.com/">Mr Borepatch</a> was, “What would you recommend to someone who's never been hunting?” And <a href="http://stephenolner.blogspot.com/">Steveo UK</a> also added, “How about something for beginners.” I would like to look at it a little more broadly, and take up your specific questions in the next part. <br />
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When I am introducing folks, and especially children to shooting, I have a method that I like to use. It’s relatively inexpensive, fun for the whole family, and really sets the stage for everything else that follows. If you follow along too, you will not only start off on the right foot, but you will likely bring several other folks along with you too. This is assuming that you have never shot before, and that it is a new found interest, or you are bring someone up into the tradition and sport.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5QWGQbv4Ir_WL8hK03hcaqo8yxK75lpi2fzRspogmKUflKUY_8o0Izcm9vY7X6Djt43DyJdfo2nimjRMC-muAiPTdKZWHqH5ZNNV1fzb6VrlXTLMZhf3XyMGo2LAV9R6_Qaj6T_gBNnR/s1600-h/RedRyder.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363595679589354978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5QWGQbv4Ir_WL8hK03hcaqo8yxK75lpi2fzRspogmKUflKUY_8o0Izcm9vY7X6Djt43DyJdfo2nimjRMC-muAiPTdKZWHqH5ZNNV1fzb6VrlXTLMZhf3XyMGo2LAV9R6_Qaj6T_gBNnR/s200/RedRyder.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 144px;" /></a>Now that I have your attention, let’s dive right into it. Go to Walmart and get two Red Ryder BB guns, and a couple of pints of BBs. They are cheap, and they are about the best introduction to shooting you will find. The Red Ryder is virtually non-threatening, and there is always the "You'll shoot your eye out kid!" from A Christmas Story to have fun with. Even mom's that are dead set against guns and things of that nature can usually be convinced to allow their precious princes and princesses to have a little fun with the BB guns.<br />
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So now, not only are we going to learn safe gun handling habits and the basics of shooting, we are going to create a safe and instructive atmosphere for others to learn in too.<br />
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I know most of you are familiar with the rules of safe gun handling but it never hurts to go over them again. It's of utmost importance that you also make a big deal out of the following rules. It is the basis of safe gun handling and is as important as the shooting itself!<br />
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<ul><li>Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. Do not allow the muzzle to point anywhere but down at the floor, or down range.</li>
<li>Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Do not allow your finger to touch the trigger or be inside the guard unless you are actually shooting.</li>
<li>Now your target and be sure of it. Identify and be sure of your target and anything behind it.</li>
<li>Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Do not load until you are ready to shoot.</li>
<li>Last, assume every gun you handle is loaded. Assume every gun is loaded; do not ever take anyone’s word for it.</li>
</ul>Ok, now to the nitty gritty. A cardboard box with a Sunday paper in it is a more than adequate backstop for a Red Ryder. Sheets of paper with a black magic marker dot are inexpensive targets. Now tape up a piece of paper with a couple of big black dots on it, and have at it, punch holes in that paper until you have grasped the fundamentals of shooting. This is the time to get those fundamentals down like breathing, positions, and techniques. There is very little you can’t learn with the Red Ryder! Before long you will be amazed by what you can do with the Red Ryder and a handful of BBs.<br />
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Have a bag full of rinsed out soda pop cans at your disposal, plenty of BBs and enough safety glasses for the whole group. Get your safety glasses at a big box store, they are much cheaper, and are the same Z-87 rating that shooting glasses are. You rinse out the cans so no bugs come out of them as you pull them out. If you won the BB gun battle, don't lose it on the bug front.<br />
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Safety first, so go through the rules, but don't make it dry and don't lecture. Have a little fun with it, but make sure the kids and adults know you mean business. I have a one warning rule, and that’s for the group as a whole. The first infraction gets a warning for the whole group, with any other infractions being immediate removal from the shooting area for the individual, and having to sit out the whole shooting match.<br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;"><br />
Image Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/virtualdistortion/">V Distortion</a></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO6wmw-YcqPAeqcc3cNhYHSUuj4xeKMuTsfQqoL2gmmpvDoWXTqhkZGecRBcBmL86moxRNDoyOsRFnGnvOM6BcoAe2aw8ysMW4Squ8He0CjE-jr-iyVm1QHnsHM8CUCJjY4HdBZ6h0M8r/s1600-h/Shot+up+can.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363735481282120162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO6wmw-YcqPAeqcc3cNhYHSUuj4xeKMuTsfQqoL2gmmpvDoWXTqhkZGecRBcBmL86moxRNDoyOsRFnGnvOM6BcoAe2aw8ysMW4Squ8He0CjE-jr-iyVm1QHnsHM8CUCJjY4HdBZ6h0M8r/s200/Shot+up+can.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 150px;" /></a>As far as the shooting goes, you can make up the game's rules to suit your proclivities. Get a couple of boxes and lay a 2X4 over it and line the cans up. You can tie some twine to the tabs and string them up from a low hanging branch or clothesline. Anything that appeals to you and that keeps everyone’s attention and focus is good.<br />
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Start out each person individually so you can observe the level of responsibility and attention span of each one. If you are comfortable with what you see, allow a couple of them to shoot at the same time.<br />
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Father and daughter, Mom and Dad, Mom and son teams are always a lot of fun, and I make sure that the kids win often! Nothing primes the desire to shoot like being a winner.<br />
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So now we have convinced Mom or your neighbors that at least BB guns aren’t inherently evil. Maybe you’ve made a few converts along the way, and naturally they want to expand their repertoire. In the next installment we will take the next step.<br />
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Related Links:<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/2009/05/learn-to-shoot-break-flinch.html">Learn to Shoot, Break the Flinch</a><br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/2007/12/boar-hunting-rifle-calibers-part-i.html">Boar Hunting Calibers: Part I</a><br />
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Wild Ed's Texas has this! <a href="http://wildedtx.blogspot.com/2008/12/shoot-where-you-look.html">Shoot Where You Look!</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PDYVCkafn-MvGHoYtx5Ea5L0L3-5F6uRdhgs6RJ3qCP0bDBWnDEJ-NxQAXlLJSUtaWy7oojoxC0Mga5Op2sT6tpsaxyfyL2Yb1gE_HDyDCXAFN9QWzrQ7O3b7bHIRqxr6YO9euzM5jTT/s1600/BAF_On_Guard_Starbucks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Albert A Rasch, Afghanistan, Starbucks Coffee" border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PDYVCkafn-MvGHoYtx5Ea5L0L3-5F6uRdhgs6RJ3qCP0bDBWnDEJ-NxQAXlLJSUtaWy7oojoxC0Mga5Op2sT6tpsaxyfyL2Yb1gE_HDyDCXAFN9QWzrQ7O3b7bHIRqxr6YO9euzM5jTT/s200/BAF_On_Guard_Starbucks.JPG" width="156" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Though 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 </span><span style="font-size: small;">repetitious and </span><span style="font-size: small;">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, "<span style="font-style: italic;">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.</span>" 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.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.scottcroner.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert “Afghanus” Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-been-long-road.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://nebraskaoutfitters.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://merriamsturkey.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner, Merriam's Turkey Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.free-press-release.com/news-albert-rasch-and-in-afghanistan-it-s-been-a-long-road-1292793394.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.scottcroner.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert “Afghanus” Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://inastan.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-been-long-road.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://nebraskaoutfitters.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://merriamsturkey.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Scott Croner Merriam's Turkey Hunting</span></a><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.free-press-release.com/news-albert-rasch-and-in-afghanistan-it-s-been-a-long-road-1292793394.html"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch</span></a><a href="http://knol.google.com/k/albert-rasch/working-as-a-contractor-overseas/3ijqbto61sdfb/4#"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Albert A Rasch So, you want to be a contractor. </span></a><a href="http://knol.google.com/k/albert-rasch/handfeeding-a-baby-bird/3ijqbto61sdfb/3#"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Handfeeding a Baby Mockingbird</span></a> <a href="http://knol.google.com/k/albert-rasch/clean-and-repair-your-ruger-10-22/3ijqbto61sdfb/2"><span style="color: #554c44; font-size: xx-small;">Clean and Repair your Ruger 10 22 Magazine</span></a>Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999508328036467805.post-44686098642587887262011-10-27T00:10:00.000-04:002011-10-27T00:10:00.229-04:00RV Florida! Historic Forts and Fishing!© 2011 <a href="http://af.linkedin.com/pub/albert-rasch/14/623/958">Albert A Rasch,</a> Joe Laing, and<br />
<a href="http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/">The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles<span style="font-size: xx-small;">™</span></a><br />
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<b>Fishing Florida's Historic Forts: An RV Itinerary</b><br />
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Try as we may, we can't all raise families who share our obsessions. Fortunately, for the fisherman who can't bear a day away from the water (but whose spouse or kids might favor other pursuits), Florida doesn't require much of a compromise for anglers. Down here, it's easy to balance a vacation between water time and family fun.<br />
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For a road trip that will please every member along for the ride, it's hard to beat a tour of Florida's historic forts. Beyond the obvious historical draw, many of the state's military landmarks are now protected within the State and National Park system. That means plenty of hiking, camping, and just-plain-relaxing along the way. And best of all? Florida's strategic forts also happen to harbor some of the state's best fishing spots, from land and boat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCckOBguyaRNmZdH-ZWOT-RriejjcyRfJsgWjGqo-Z1Ipk8DqQRRHkeGBOgisWklnHvWcIEDazCQpNQchyphenhyphensgImkms8tIL4i_jwCGxgMPnzRBKOrGOFwY12317ogILVPZozzm181V94pa6/s1600/Gulf-Islands-National-Seashore%253A-Fort-Pickens%253A-Aerial_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCckOBguyaRNmZdH-ZWOT-RriejjcyRfJsgWjGqo-Z1Ipk8DqQRRHkeGBOgisWklnHvWcIEDazCQpNQchyphenhyphensgImkms8tIL4i_jwCGxgMPnzRBKOrGOFwY12317ogILVPZozzm181V94pa6/s320/Gulf-Islands-National-Seashore%253A-Fort-Pickens%253A-Aerial_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>For a taste of the entire state, start in Pensacola and slowly make your way to Key West. On Pensacola Beach, make your first stop at Fort Pickens, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore (<a href="http://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-pickens.htm">http://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-pickens.htm</a>). In addition to this well-preserved landmark's importance during the Civil War, it's also home to a short but deep-water fishing pier. It's a great place to keep your line singing -- use cut mullet for bait, and you'll likely be helping the kids pull in small sharks and even Spanish mackerel. The grass flats to the east of the Pickens pier are a great place to stalk tailing redfish.<br />
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Fort Pickens includes a National Park campground, with plenty of amenities offered at just $20/night (<a href="http://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/campground-openings-in-florida-and-mississippi-districts.htm">http://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/campground-openings-in-florida-and-mississippi-districts.htm</a>). And, of course, there's all the fun to be had on Pensacola Beach as well, where the 'whitest sands on earth' have (luckily) survived serious damage from last year's oil spill. It's such a nice spot to park your RV that you'll be tempted to stay, but there's a whole state left to explore.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1pmIotn67ZEkrqgZeJgbAonMSQj56c_BDP22llotXqaj8dEW_NBKKGtlyqWjNBma47hyyGaUzOMg-DCXigpPHA8RYPZUhh5mvF-UtAlbQewjPZ5c8JdDy9iNHRdtpnVB9FG7GbVndMCY/s1600/Fort+Clinch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1pmIotn67ZEkrqgZeJgbAonMSQj56c_BDP22llotXqaj8dEW_NBKKGtlyqWjNBma47hyyGaUzOMg-DCXigpPHA8RYPZUhh5mvF-UtAlbQewjPZ5c8JdDy9iNHRdtpnVB9FG7GbVndMCY/s320/Fort+Clinch+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Head east down I-10 toward Jacksonville, to Fort Clinch State Park, one of the best-preserved 19th century forts in the nation (<a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/">http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/</a>) Six miles of nature trails wind through the beautiful peninsula, bordered by the Amelia River to the west, Cumberland Sound (and Georgia) to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. 53 campsites offer both privacy and proximity to the entire park, which includes a half-mile long pier on the ocean side, making deep water fishing possible without a boat. With Egans Creek curving through the park's marsh, jetties to the north, the pier, and the option of surf casting on the beach a short walk from your RV, it's hard to beat Fort Clinch as an all-around saltwater fishing destination.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQssdsmgHG5t4XB-6NT98Tol8Q8iqZls4KA7gdUJbL3uw1HJhHlS4pmBKTy7xTsvR1y6_3QHRRxus4MM-zGa2YFjvMroyPoLILxf1LArSRTSWJbhOyZ33nh7-WuPPx5LhdTYpP9fLBMt0/s1600/ft+cooper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQssdsmgHG5t4XB-6NT98Tol8Q8iqZls4KA7gdUJbL3uw1HJhHlS4pmBKTy7xTsvR1y6_3QHRRxus4MM-zGa2YFjvMroyPoLILxf1LArSRTSWJbhOyZ33nh7-WuPPx5LhdTYpP9fLBMt0/s200/ft+cooper.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Next, head southwest toward Inverness, home of Fort Cooper State Park. Take the scenic route through beautiful Ocala National Forest, a part of Florida most visitors never experience (<a href="http://fs.usda.gov/ocala">http://fs.usda.gov/ocala</a>). The dense forests of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings classic book, The Yearling, are still alive and thriving here in the north-central swampy woodlands.<br />
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Arriving at spring-fed Lake Holathlikaha, the azure water looks much as it did in the 1830s, when U.S. soldiers rested here at Fort Cooper, between skirmishes with the Seminole Indians. Due to low water levels, fishing and swimming were temporarily restricted during early summer 2011, but with rain, that could change at any time. Paddleboats and canoes are available at the park. This is the spot to paddle out with your toddler and drop worms for bream and largemouth bass.<br />
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Although Fort Cooper offers primitive camping, to park your RV, try nearby Riverside Lodge along the Withlacoochee River (<a href="http://www.riversidelodgerv.com/">http://www.riversidelodgerv.com/</a>). The campground includes free canoe rentals, so after a day at Fort Cooper you can still get in an evening session along the river.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4-_5cpW1wWKlXOouZmfh_R_pKryVxuUxko96xHbELV-uvC4OQ0z4rWPzA7XkqzxuBX-3pvUpQu6MtNraMJ3la6hR8aErDSd3QeRkQ6TNbyAMlctGi8PTGOFdnmkylNBGKrKabqlOlzag/s1600/Little+Mac+II.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4-_5cpW1wWKlXOouZmfh_R_pKryVxuUxko96xHbELV-uvC4OQ0z4rWPzA7XkqzxuBX-3pvUpQu6MtNraMJ3la6hR8aErDSd3QeRkQ6TNbyAMlctGi8PTGOFdnmkylNBGKrKabqlOlzag/s320/Little+Mac+II.JPG" /></a></div>From here, head down the coast to Fort De Soto Park, situated on a truly stunning spit of land south of Tampa (<a href="http://www.fortdesoto.com/">http://www.fortdesoto.com/</a>). Five interconnected keys make up De Soto, the largest park within the Pinellas County park system. Despite boasting 238 camping sites, it's a good idea to make reservations here -- this beach won Trip Advisor's Top Beach in America prize in 2009, and over 2.7 million visitors flock here each year. Still, with 1,136 acres, it's easy to find some alone time.<br />
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De Soto has two fishing piers, on both the Gulf and the bay sides, and each sells bait. There's a two-mile canoe trail, and a ferry to remote Egmont Key. Whatever your target species is, it's easy to find a superb fishing spot among these crystalline waters, where the Tocobaga Indians once harvested their own seafood bounties.<br />
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If time allows for a full tour of Florida, you'd be missing out not to journey through the Keys, arguably one of the prettiest drives in America. Fort Zachary Taylor allowed the Union to control the sea at Florida's southern tip, and has been impressively preserved as a state park (Try to visit near Halloween, when the fort is transformed into a Civil War-themed haunted house; <a href="http://www.fortzacharytaylor.com/home.html">http://www.fortzacharytaylor.com/home.html</a>)<br />
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It's hard to beat the view when fishing from the fort, at the entrance to Key West Harbor. It's the finest place to watch a sunset in town, and you might just bring home dinner to an RV full happy, sun-kissed campers.<br />
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<b>About the Author</b><br />
Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for <a href="http://www.elmonterv.com/" target="_blank">El Monte RV Rentals</a>. Be sure to check out their new <a href="http://www.elmonterv.com/RV-tailgating-football/ca-208.aspx" target="_blank">Professional Football (NFL) Tailgating</a> and <a href="http://www.elmonterv.com/RV-tailgating-football/ca-207.aspx" target="_blank">RV Tailgating to College Football Games</a> pages in preparation for the upcoming seasons.Albert A Raschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11431765456546701021noreply@blogger.com1