Precision Bowhunting: A Chronicles' Book Review

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Recently I was fortunate enough to win a signed edition of Precision Bowhunting by John and Chris Eberhart, a father and son team from Michigan. So I've decided that this year I would focus a little (actually a lot) more on whitetail deer hunting than my usual hog hunting. It will also allow me the opportunity to delve more intimately with the "suburban hunting" phenomenon that is the norm in so many built up areas.

Packed with practical advice, John and Chris' Precision Bowhunting covers a year round approach to scouting, finding, and hunting the whitetail. They explain what you should be doing right now, what to prepare for, and what to expect month to month, season by season.

There are no gimmicks or tricks, just a studious application of hard work and perseverance. Hunting pressured or public land is what most of us must contend with, and that is what is covered in Precision Bowhunting.

Precision Bowhunting covers not only where you need to be, but also where you shouldn't. The Eberharts warn you of common mistakes made by both experienced and amateur bowhunters. Scent control, scouting tactics, and stand selection receive serious consideration and suggestions. Both John and Chris seem very sincere in their writing and discussions. That alone, sets the apart from many other writers in the field.

If you are new to bowhunting whitetails, or an old hat trying to up his game, you couldn't pick a better book. I learned more about scouting whitetails from this book than I have in reading everything else over the last forty years.

Be warned. It is not a "how to" book, that you can read right before season opener. It is, as the cover says, "A Year-Round Approach to Taking Mature Whitetails."

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...

Florida Felons Report: Killing a Tortoise

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Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

Just about in my own backyard.

"On Saturday, April 4, Theodore Cuyler Jr., (DOB 02/13/67) of 6707 Carovel Ave., North Port, loaded "Speedy," as the Gopher Tortoise was locally known, into his van - over the loud objections of residents on Calera Street."

The sorry piece of human refuse, thought he could get away with stealing and killing an endangered tortoise, but he didn't count on the determined and combined efforts of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Bob O'Horo and North Port police officers Shawn Rice and Mike Laden.

"Wading through the maggot-filled trash, officers found gopher tortoise parts, consisting of skin, feet and claws, which indicated that at least one gopher tortoise had been dismembered."

They proceeded to arrest Cuyler and the case is now in the hands of the state courts.

"Gopher tortoises are considered a keystone species, because their deep burrows are important to the survival of more than 130 other species that call Southwest Florida home. Gopher tortoises are listed by the state as a threatened species. Intentionally killing a threatened species is punishable as a third-degree felony, with a fine of up to $5,000 and/or five years in prison."

The full report can be found here at: North Port man arrested for killing imperiled gopher tortoise.

The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles Top Ten

© 2009 Albert A Rasch
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"PS: 2-effing-hundred!! Well done, race you to a thousand."

A jovial SBW, congratulating me.

Well, with 200 posts under my belt, I thought it would be interesting to see which are the top ten posts on The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles as voted by you, my faithful readers.

I have to be honest my friends, I was a little surprised with the results. See for yourself!

Patiently waiting...

Number 10:
The Ethical Question: Hunt or Shoot

"If you don't desire to participate in a particular form of hunting, or if you disapprove of a certain practice, then you are well within your rights to discuss it with others. But to discredit it or make claims that you cannot substantiate, that is wrong. We have enough opponents without making more of them within our own ranks."

Number 9:
The Range Reviews: TriSquare eXRS TSX Radio

"I think this is a great value for the money. Clear communications, rugged, programmable, private, and once again reasonably priced."

Number 8:
Boar Hunting: Rifle Calibers Part II

"577 Nitro Express rolls off the tongue with fluidity and grace, whereas 280 Remington doesn't."

Number 7:
The Range Reviews: CMMG Immortal Mags

"CMMG is yet another American company striving hard to produce quality merchandise for the American people."

Number 6:
Hog Hunting Rifles Part I

"The young man had sidled himself up the counter. He turned to me and asked, “What do you consider a good boar hunting rifle?”"

45 LC with 325gr LBTs

Number 5:
The Range Reviews: YHM Black Diamond SpecterUpper

"The machining is exceptional, clean and crisp with no burrs or hooks. Assembly was done by someone who cares, not a mark, scratch, or ding anywhere. The rifle upper had a definite lean, aggressive look to it with the rails, flattop, and jagged flash hider."

Number 4:
Game Reserves and High Fence Hunting

"Claim the privilege of hunting according to the dictates of your own conscience, and allow all hunters the same privilege; let them practice how, where, or what they may."

Number 3:
The Range Reviews: The 416 Ruger and Hawkeye Alaskan

"So when you are in the market for a Dangerous Game Rifle that is rugged, controllable, weather resistant, and accurate, look no further than the Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan."

Number 2:
Boar Hunting: Rifle Calibers Part I

Robert Ruark said "Use Enough Gun." Peter Capstick said, "Use enough gun, but not more than you can handle." To which I add, "Use enough gun, but not more than you can handle, and make sure you can shoot it."

SBW: This is his number One! He's a bit cheeky, and occasionally boorish, but then again, he is a Colonial.
Mrs H: Oh my! He is good isn't he!

Number 1:
Disassembling, Cleaning and Assembling the Ruger Rotary Magazine.

"Among the skills you should have, being able to disassemble, clean, and reassemble your Ruger 10/22 magazine is important."


I was really surprised that the Ruger Magazine Tutorial really rocketed to first place over other articles that have been on the blog for a couple of years now. And who would have known that reviews would be so popular?

I was very pleased to find that the articles, Boar Hunting: Rifle Calibers Part I and Boar Hunting: Rifle Calibers Part II were so well received. That was a serious effort, and one that I am pretty proud of.

On another note, I've hit the magical 5000 unique views per month milestone! I want to thank all of you that stop by regularly, and all of the new folks that are now regular readers of the Chronicles. I hope to have even more informative, controversial, enlightening, and fun articles for everyone to enjoy!

Now let me get cracking on the next 800 posts!

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...

Darn Tough Vermont Awarded Army Contract

© 2009 Albert A Rasch
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Click on the picture for a larger image.

As many of you know, I love Darn Tough Vermont socks. Not only are they the best darn sock out there, but they are made right here in the United States of America in Northfield, Vermont. Northfield is the very town that I started my university career at, home to Norwich University and the Norwich University Corp of Cadets!

Recently Darn Tough Vermont Socks was awarded an $8.5 million contract to provide their Merino wool boot sock to the Army as part of the Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble known as the FREE Clothing System. Not something you would wear to local charity ball, but a new and integral part of a multi-layer insulating system that is easily adaptable to a variety of mission profiles.

Sales Manger Roland Beliveau states that, “The announcement of this award represents the culmination of several years of hard work and many manufacturers coming together to develop and provide the U.S. Army with a high performance safe clothing system. We are excited to know that soldiers around the world will be more comfortable wearing our Vermont made socks.”

In support of the contract, Darn Tough Vermont and the Cabot Hosiery Mill will knit and provide the U.S. Army with their 100% U.S. sourced and manufactured Merino wool boot socks.

If you want to know what a good US made product is, go to my evaluation of Darn Tough Vermont Boot Socks.

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

Ric Cabot

With a guarantee like that, it is no small wonder that Cabot Hosiery Mills and Darn Tough Vermont are making a place for themselves in the annals of American manufacturing history.

Do yourself a favor, save up a few dollars and order yourself a pair. Do that every so often until you have a drawer full of them to cover you while you work, play, and hunt. You won't be disappointed!

I should know.
I wear them exclusively.

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...

Cleaning the Ruger 10/22

© 2009 Albert A Rasch
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Part II: Cleaning a Ruger 10/22

In our last post, Disassembling the Ruger 10/22, we field stripped the Ruger 10/22 to all of its component parts. In this post we are going to clean the Ruger 10/22 and look at some of the components more carefully.

Now that you have the rifle disassembled, it is a good time to check over all the components for damage or wear.

I noticed that the back of the bolt, where it strikes the bolt stop, has wear. After several thousand rounds, it was bound to have a few wear spots.

Back side of the bolt.

I'm sure it is normal but I decided to order a buffer from Buffer Technologies. (For more on Buffer Technologies see The Range Reviews: Tactical; 1911 Buffers) It should be here in a few days, and we will install and field test right here at the Chronicles.

Give the bolt a good scrubbing; use plenty of Hoppes #9 to cut through all the dirt and wax. A bronze brush is very handy for loosening the accumulated grime. An old bore brush on a pistol cleaning rod works great. Bend the end a bit to help you get into the tight corners and gaps.

My old standby, Hoppe's #9.

Scrubbing the bolt clean.

Getting the small spots.

Don't forget to clean around the extractor and firing pin. Misfeeds can be caused by accumulated deposits on and around the extractor. A lot of powder residue and cartridge wax gets into the little nooks and crannies and gum up the works. As I mentioned earlier, use an old bore brush and bend it slightly.

Brush the bolt face well.

Check the firing pin too.

Let's turn our attention to the action. Inspect it inside and out for any obvious signs of damage.


Now give it a good cleaning. Use a rag and plenty of Hoppe's, and follow up with a brush. Finally wipe it clean and look it over again to make sure you haven't missed anything.

Bent brush at work in the action.

The trigger group should get a wipe down. Detail stripping of the trigger group is not usually necessary, but I will cover that in a future post.

Wiping down the trigger group.

The bolt handle, spring, and guide, should also be thoroughly cleaned and inspected.

Don't forget to clean the spring and guide rod too.

The barrel should also be cleaned now that it has been removed from the action. Remember, 22 rimfire barrels should be cleaned every 5000 rounds or so. More 22s have been worn out through the improper use of the cleaning rod, than have been shot out!

Clean from the breech only! Run a wet patch down the bore and let it sit while you do other things. When you're ready, run another wet patch through removing the majority of the gunk. Now wet your brush and carefully run through the bore, several times. You know the drill. Lather, rinse, repeat, until the patch comes out clean.

Wipe down the stock, and now you are ready to put it together. We will cover that in the next post in the Ruger 10/22 series.

Don't forget we also have done a Ruger 10/22 Rotary Magazine tutorial! Please check it out at:

Disassembling, Cleaning, and Reassembling the Ruger 10/22 Rotary Magazine.

Follow the rest of the maintenance series on the Ruger 10/22:

Disassemble the Ruger 10/22
Clean the Ruger 10/22
Assemble the Ruger 10/22

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...