Hunt Smart Think Safety http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/ Gun Safety Innovations Blog en-us Nucleus CMS v3.23 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog//nucleus/nucleus2.gif Hunt Smart Think Safety http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/ Community Wednesday 12/3/08 http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=490 The Tale of a Female Hunter
Tom over at Base Camp Legends has a great story courtesy of his grandmother. It involves a hunt for a bull elk back in the 1960s. The story just goes to show that women have always hunted, and we were (and are) good at it too! Make sure you go read Part 1 and Part 2 of this story. It’s a good one.

I Hope I Can Say This When I Turn 40
Jon over at Hunt Eat Live recently turned 40. If the title of his post on the subject “40 Ain’t So Bad After All” is any indication, it sounds like he had a good birthday. He also got a really nice present. Go read his post to see what he got.

Guiding is a Business. Treat it Like One
Our rant of the week comes from the River Mud Blog. Apparently Swamp Thing has had a couple of bad experiences with guides in the last year. In his post “On Guides and Guiding”, he makes the point that guiding is like any other business, you need to serve your customers. If you’re a guide or thinking of hiring a guide make sure to read this post.

Because Conservation is Important
Most hunters and anglers I know are dedicated conservationists and ecologists. SF Boater has provided some tips on green fishing and boating. He offers some good tips, particularly the one about throwing back some immature fish that you might catch. That helps keep the lake stocked for future generations.

A Very Cool Way to Help Needy Families in North Carolina
Moose at Moose Droppings has pointed out a very cool way to help needy families in North Carolina. The North Carolina Bow Hunters Association has created a web based matching service which matches needy families with hunters who want to donate game. Their Deer Donation Registry is a great idea and one I’d like to see more state organizations follow.

Othmar Interviews Mike Hanback
Othmar Vohringer scored a big interview with a very well known hunting personality. Mike Hanback writes the Mike Hanback’s Big Deer blog and website as well as hosting a hunting show and writing for many popular hunting magazines. Othmar had a chance to interview him via e-mail. Stop over and read what Mike had to say.

It’s a Banner Year for Babies
First it was Abby from Simply Outdoors. Then Mungo from Mungo Says Bah! announced that a Mini Mungo was on the way. Now, Michael from Troubled Child has announced that he and his wife are expecting as well. Please stop by and say congratulations. While you’re there, you should also read about Mike’s hunt.

Technorati Tags ]]> Community Wednesday http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=490 Wed, 3 Dec 2008 11:27:49 -0500 Add to My List http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=489
First I’ll explain the how. I’ve decided to set myself a challenge. During my fortieth year I want to do forty things that will change and expand my life. Hopefully these things will enrich me and make me a more well rounded person. I’d also like it if some of the things I do benefit others or the world at large. I’d also like my forty things to be things that affect my life outside of work. My career is going along nicely and I’m happy with where things are in that department. It’s time to spend some energy on other areas.

What I’d like to do is create a list of 40 things that I will do in my fortieth year. The idea is to start at a certain date, probably either the first of the year or my actual birthday, I haven’t decided that yet, and then complete the entire list in a year. The goal is to have a variety of experiences at the end of the year that I hadn’t had at the beginning.

This is the part where I need your help. I know the how of what I want to do, but I haven’t settled on the what. I have some ideas for my list, but I could always use a few more. I also know that one of the areas I’d like my list to touch on is the outdoors. I’ve talked about taking a hunter safety class or learning to shoot a gun, but I haven’t really done anything about that yet. Part of my 40 things should be about the outdoors. I’m just not sure what items in this category should make my list.

Please keep in mind my list is about enriching myself, not killing myself. I don’t want to climb a mountain or skydive or take a whitewater rafting trip. While I’m sure all those activities are valuable and could teach me a lot about myself, they’re really not what the list is about. What I really want on my list are activities and ideas that I can carry forward into my forty-first year and beyond. So, I’m more looking to learn new skills and make new contributions than I am to have a one time experience.

If you have any ideas for what should be on my list, please leave a comment or e-mail me. I’m excited about this. It appears my fortieth year will be an adventure, and I can’t wait to get started.

Technorati Tags ]]> Miscellaneous Musings http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=489 Mon, 1 Dec 2008 09:35:16 -0500 Community Wednesday 11/26/08 http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=488 Giveaways and Sales, What Could Be Better?
When I make my rounds through the blogosphere every week, I often come across steals and deals. Since this Friday is, well, Black Friday, I thought I’d share some of what I found with you. Blessed is giving away Whomp Em Sticks, perfect for toasting a biscuit over an open fire. The Addicted to Hunting crew is spotlighting some deals over on their blog. Great Wild Outdoors spotlights a Black Friday Sale at Eastern Mountain Sports. Upland Feathers points out that residents of South Carolina get a 2nd Amendment Tax Break on Thursday and Friday. Finally, the Cypress Creek Hunting Lodge is running an end of the year hunting special.

Hunter Angler Gardner Cook Celebrates 1st Anniversary
Sorry, I just don’t like the term blogiversary. It’s just weird. Anyway, Hank is celebrating the first anniversary of his blog. He’s also asking his readers for some input on what makes his blog a must read. Stop by and say congratulations and you could always answer his question while you’re there.

How to Deep Fry a Turkey
I’ve been told that deep fried turkeys are the best, but I’ve never tried to deep fry one myself. Should I ever get the urge, Mike over at Hooks and Bullets has supplied me with all the turkey frying instructions I’ll need to get the job done.

A Free Survival Manual
The Suburban Bushwhacker points us toward a free survival manual from the state of Maine. It is in PDF format and can easily be downloaded. It’s pretty cool and a nice reminder for everyone who spends time in the woods.

Women with Weapons who Cook
At first I was going to go with “Girls with Guns” but I just couldn’t do it. Anyway, I’ve come across a couple of blogs written by women who shoot and cook. One is The Breda Fallacy, which is currently playing host to a great recipe for pulled pork. The other is Home on the Range which offers what looks like a mouthwatering recipe for lasagna. Both have been added to my list of blogs to read.

A Great New Blog
I wanted to point out a brand new outdoor blog that I think will quickly become great. Rods, Rifles and Rhetoric has a lot of potential. Currently there is a great Thanksgiving photo essay up on the blog. Stop by and take a look and welcome Wade to the outdoor blogosphere.

There’s Still Time
If you haven’t written your post for the Thanksgiving Write About the Good Challenge, there’s still time to get it done. The round-up post will go up on the OBS Blog tonight at 5 p.m.

Technorati Tags ]]> Community Wednesday http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=488 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:04:12 -0500 Thanksgiving Write About the Good Challenge http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=487
Some of my aunts and an uncle came to town recently and stopped by my new house. The first thing one aunt said when she saw my living room was “You need to get better lighting. You could never read in here without hurting your eyes.” This was said while completely ignoring the lack of my dining room table and the fact that, as of yet, I have seating for two. It’s a matter of priorities, you see, and good reading light trumps having a place to eat dinner or seating for guests any day.

When I first conceived the idea of the Thanksgiving Write About the Good Challenge, I assumed that I would either use the post I wrote about my grandmother, or I’d write something about my Dad. Grandma had, of course, already been mentioned, and while Dad deserves a post of his own, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I needed to say thank you to another group first. I needed to thank the people who gave me the words and the love of reading them. After all, without them, none of the rest of this would have happened.

So, thank you to my parents, who always read and who encouraged me to read, and then later encouraged me to stop reading and get outside. While I didn’t always appreciate their prodding, I am starting to realize that a well rounded person spends time both indoors and out. It took me almost forty years to learn that, but I think it’s starting to sink in.

Thank you to my aunts and uncles who wrote me letters and gave me books and listened when I discussed them. They also read my first awful stories and didn’t tell me how awful they were. I still have aunts and uncles to this day who ask me when my book is coming out. They have that much faith in my ability.

Thank you to the cousins who listened to the stories I made up. I can still remember telling stories to my younger cousins at family reunion week. I’d make up elaborate tales of pirates and witches and, for some reason, a talking parrot named Sam, and the kids would eat them up. In retrospect they were probably just ideas cobbled together from the books I’d read and the television and movies I’d seen, but to the kids, they were marvelous and new.

Finally, thank you to our neighbor the kindergarten teacher, lost to history for years, who gave me the reader that started everything. Something in that big yellow book clicked in my head, and the words that had once been mystifying made sense. I don’t think I’ve ever been given a greater treasure and I am grateful.

Technorati Tags ]]> Miscellaneous Musings http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=487 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:01:49 -0500 Community Wednesday 11/19/08 http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=486 A Great Youth Hunt
A lot of people talk about introducing young people to hunting, but far fewer actually do it. One of those who matches his actions to his words is Rex Howell. You can read about this years youth hunt on his blog. Marian also attended the hunt and has some great pictures to share.

Hunting and Fishing Tips from Othmar
Othmar is widely acknowledged as a great resource for people who like to hunt and fish. He hasn’t let us down with his two latest posts. For those who ice fish he offers tips on the BC Fishing Blog. If you hunt, he discusses “Stalking the Forgotten Art” on the Whitetail Deer Passion Blog.

A Discussion of Fair Chase
Let’s face it; there are several issues that can divide a group of hunters. One of them is what constitutes a fair chase. Phillip at The Hog Blog has a great examination of this question. I’m still not sure what I think about this issue, but the discussion sure is interesting.

Albert’s Back and In Rare Form
I always love it when a writer I enjoy starts writing again after an absence. Albert’s latest post deals with The New Big Game: English Fly Fishing Sportsmen. Apparently a writer in England was a bit alarmist when it came to the dangers of hunting and fishing in America. Albert took it upon himself to reply. It’s definitely worth a read.

Win Some Stuff
When I come across them, I always like to point out opportunities to win gear. Here are a few I’ve found. Othmar has opened the 2008 Big Deer contest for entries. Scott Linden is looking for contestants for his Great Outdoor Game Show. Apparently he’s offering lots of great prizes.

Recipe Roundup
There’s lots of good cooking related stuff out there this week. The blog Yeah We Fish Too points us to a cooking revival. Whitetail Woods features a recipe for venison chili. A Blessed Crazy Life features links to a whole heap of recipes.

Just a Reminder
If you haven’t seen it yet, or even if you have, I wanted to remind everyone about the Thanksgiving Write About the Good Challenge over at the Outdoor Bloggers Summit Blog. I hope a lot of you will take part.

Technorati Tags
]]> Community Wednesday http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=486 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:13:49 -0500 A Boy Who Hunts http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=485
My nephew is 13. He’s crazy about hunting and fishing. When I asked him what he wanted for Christmas, I was hoping he’d tell me something specific. A particular kind of fishing lure he’d been craving or a DVD that he just had to watch perhaps. Unfortunately, he wasn’t nearly so specific. His Christmas list for me reads this: “anything related to hunting or fishing”.

I could, of course, give him a GunTriever, but he doesn’t yet treestand hunt much and I really want to give him something that he can use now and enjoy. I’d also like to give him a gift that will encourage his love of hunting and fishing and nurture it. His Dad hunts a bit and my father, his grandfather, has hunted and fished for years, so he does have people to take him hunting and fishing. He just needs the equipment and the tools to help him learn.

What I need from all of you are suggestions. If you have kids of your own, what are you getting them? If you were once a 13 year old boy, what would you have wanted to receive? Please keep in mind I don’t have an unlimited budget, so sending him on an all expenses paid elk hunt or some such thing is probably out of the question.

I could really use some help here guys. This is the first time he’s asked me for anything related to hunting or fishing and I’d like to come up with something great. Any suggestions you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Technorati Tags ]]> Life in Northern Michigan http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=485 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:18:51 -0500 Community Wednesday 11/12/08 http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=484 Some Great Veterans Day Posts
There were a lot of great Veteran’s Day posts written yesterday, but two really stood out for me. One was Mungo’s post about his grandfather who served during World War II. The post includes some letters his grandfather wrote while overseas. The other is Jody’s post about veterans living in poverty. Jody claims that humor is what she does best, but this is a very eloquent post that speaks directly to what we owe those who helped to keep us free.

Deer Down – Get Your Hunting Story Fix Here
I’m sure I’ll miss some of the blogs that are posting stories about hunts, but here’s a small list to get you started. Marc at NY Bowhunter got another buck. The gang at Simply Outdoors, with the exception of Arthur (sorry Arthur), has had a great season so far. The Hunting with Mike blog has been putting up some great tales of deer hunting success as well. Things also seem to be going well at the Cypress Creek Hunting Lodge.

Happy 1st Birthday NorCal Cazadora
Judging from the number of comments, it appears a lot of us have already stopped by to wish her well, but if you haven’t yet, take a moment to drop in and congratulate NorCal Cazadora on her first birthday. Holly is a terrific writer and a real asset to the outdoor community. We’re lucky to have her as part of the OBS.

Three Ways to Looks at Deer and Deer Hunting
Every once in a while a piece of writing just stops you and makes you think. This week I found a few of those. First is this lyrical piece by Ryan Connolly at HuntingLife.com. Then we have a short and too the point post about deer hunting and trophies from Way in the Bush. Finally, we have a great piece about the trails hunters follow from Catfish Gumbo.

Recipe Corner with Campfire Flavoring
If you’re looking for a good recipe for Thanksgiving, you might want to try this pumpkin pie cake. For more hearty appetites, we have an offering of venison taco casserole. John at Western Wanderer also points out something I’ve noticed myself, food cooked over a campfire tastes better. John has his list. My list would include fruit cobbler in a Dutch over and those little brown n’ serve sausages. What’s on your list?

Technorati Tags ]]> Community Wednesday http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=484 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:01:20 -0500 A Love of Nature http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=483 I’m going to preempt the regularly scheduled Safety Friday post because there’s something else about which I feel compelled to write today. It’s kind of a personal story, but I think there’s a good message in it for everyone who loves the outdoors.

My grandmother died yesterday.

If there is one person I can point to and say “that’s who taught me to love the outdoors” my Grandma Ackerman was it. She had a passionate love for nature and weather and the beautiful scenery that was all around us. Every walk through the woods was an adventure and a learning experience. There was always something to see or touch or smell or learn more about.

Grandma was also an artist who specialized in landscapes and animal paintings. I still own three of her landscapes and other family members have countless examples of her animal paintings. She loved doing small drawings of birds and flowers and worked to get the coloring exact. Her love of the outdoors and the animals that lived there shows in every one of her paintings.

She was a teacher and taught her classes and her grandchildren what she knew about nature lore and bushcraft. She taught us how to predict the weather using the signs in the natural world all around us. Grandma could do an hour lecture just on different cloud formations. Spending time with her was a lesson in being aware of the world around you. It was also a lesson in asking why and how. Why do animals do what they do? How can this plant be used for food or medicine? What does this track or sign mean?

I’m sad to say that most of her lessons didn’t really take with me when I was growing up. I was an intellectual kid who loved books and didn’t really like the outdoors. I did like the bird books and the rock collection and standing outside at night to look at the craters of the moon, but I really wasn’t up to tramping through the woods to explore. Still, some of what Grandma passed on to me was lying dormant, waiting for the right time to spring forth. I think, had Grandma been a bit more based in reality these last few years, she would have been proud of my newfound love and respect for the outdoors and the work I’ve been doing.

A lot of outdoor bloggers talk about their fishing or hunting mentors and publically say thanks for what they’ve been taught. Today that seemed like an appropriate thing for me to do. Grandma was one of the first who taught me to fish. She encouraged my wanting to learn new things and supplied help and advice. Part of the reason I love learning is because she had such a passion for it. A big part of the reason that I love the outdoors is because of her as well.

Leona Henrietta Meyer Ackerman lived 98 years and made a big difference in a lot of people’s lives. I’m sure her many students benefitted from the things she taught them. I know I certainly benefitted from her teachings. I’m grateful to be her granddaughter and I only hope that I can carry her passion and her love of nature into the future. I’m certainly going to try.


Technorati Tags ]]> Miscellaneous Musings http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=483 Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:52:18 -0500 Community Wednesday 11/5/08 http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=482 One quick note from me: I apologize for the lack of posts these last few weeks. I'm hoping I'll be able to go back to my regular posting schedule soon. In the meantime, if anyone wants to do a guest post for the OBS blog, you're more than welcome to do so. Just let me know.

CSI: The Hunter’s Wife
Jody, who writes The Hunters Wife, consistently, makes me laugh. She has a way with words and can see the funny in almost any situation. Her latest post is no exception. If you want a good laugh or need to brighten your day stop over and read about her latest adventure.

Kids Who Hunt and Fish
The outdoor blogosphere just seemed to be overflowing with stories about kids who hunt and fish this week. Here are some of my favorites. Taylor Rather tells us about deer hunting in the national forest. Base Camp Legends has the story of a 10 year old with her first buck. Catfish Gumbo has the story of a 10 year old boy with a gift for catching crappie. Finally, The Happy Anachronism gives us a cute little girl and some fish. What could be better?

Christmas Gift Ideas
If anyone was wondering what they should get me for Christmas, and why wouldn’t you be, I have a few humble suggestions. I think this solar powered flashlight is awesome and would love to have a few around my house. If you’re more into offering homemade gifts, I’d like to suggest that these peanut butter chocolate chip cookies would make a terrific gift.

How Do You Introduce Someone to Hunting?
This is the question currently being examined on the Hunt, Eat, Live Blog. There are already several good comments and pieces of advice. If you haven’t contributed your two cents to the discussion yet, stop by and add your opinion.

Duck Hunting Gear for Women
Holly from NorCal Cazadora has done a lot to educate women about hunting and to give advice to novice hunters. Her latest post is no exception. If you’re a woman who is gearing up for a waterfowl hunt, give Holly’s latest post a read. You’ll be glad you did.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Wetlands
We have wetlands in Northern Michigan and, in many cases, they’re protected by the State. Although I know they exist, I don’t know much about them or why they’re so important. Luckily there is an outdoor blogger who can tell us. To learn more about wetlands, read this post or this one on the River Mud Blog.

Technorati Tags ]]> Community Wednesday http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=482 Wed, 5 Nov 2008 10:04:21 -0500 Safety Friday: Halloween Safety Tips http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=481
Make Sure Costumes Can Be Seen – Being a dark and spooky Dracula or a wicked witch can be lots of fun but those sorts of costumes can’t be easily seen if your kids are trick or treating at dusk or after dark. Make sure the costumes have some reflective material on them, or have your kids carry a reflective basket for collecting candy or a glow stick. The object is to make them visible to passing motorists.

Consider Alternatives to a Mask – Masks are fun but they can also make it hard to see where you’re going and block peripheral vision. Instead of a mask, consider face paint, or a wig and hat. Those items will still let you stay in the Halloween spirit without impeding your vision.

Set Pumpkins Away From Traffic Areas – A pumpkin with a burning candle inside is a great symbol of Halloween and a fun decoration but it can also pose a danger to trick or treaters with long flowing costumes. Make sure any pumpkins with candles are set out of the traffic area and in a place where they can’t come into contact with costumes or any flammable material.

Review Basic Safety Tips - Remind your kids of the safety tips they already know, like looking both ways before crossing the street and not talking to strangers who may approach them. Halloween is an exciting night for kids and they may forget the rules in their excitement. Sitting them down before you go out and reminding them will help the rules stay fresh in everyone’s mind.

Don’t Drink and Drive - The Halloween punch and other refreshments at a party can pack quite a punch. If you’re going to drink, either designate a driver or call a cab. There may be a lot of trick or treaters on the streets when you’re driving home. The last thing you want to do is turn someone’s Halloween into a nightmare.

Hand Out Packaged Candy - By pre packaged individual sized candy to give out as treats. Homemade treats are a nice idea, but too many kids have been harmed by treats like these. . Many parents are cautious about the treats their kids are allowed to eat. Giving out only pre packaged treats will help eliminate some of the worry.

Keep Identification Somewhere on Your Person - Many people going to a party in costume will leave their driver’s license and other identification in the car because they don’t want to ruin their look. Make sure you keep at least basic identification, name and phone number and information about any health issues on your person. If something should happen and you’re unable to speak for yourself, you still want someone to know who you are and who to call.

Make Sure Your Yard is Obstacle Free - Before trick or treating begins, make sure your walkway and yard are free of obstacles. You don’t want someone tripping over a rake or hose while they’re walking to you door.


Technorati Tags ]]> Safety Friday http://www.git-r-slung.com/blog/index.php?itemid=481 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:43:55 -0400