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The Campfire / Re: Story of a Successful Hunt
« Last post by No Powder on Today at 04:28:31 PM »I understand. 
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The Campfire / Re: Story of a Successful Hunt
« Last post by Bigsmoke on Today at 03:34:40 PM »Yep. I only wish he and his friends were around here about 5 or 6 years ago when we were having a gopher infestation.
We tried gassing them and it worked pretty good for a while. Tried setting traps for them, but I don't think we harvested more than a couple that way. I did whack a few with a shovel. Then we said the heck with that and dug up the whole front yard, laid down some heavy felt and covered that with white gravel. In the planter areas we dug down half a foot or so and covered the area with a 1/2" wire grid. That really did the job quite well. But overall, I would have liked to see a bunch of those herons come in and be well fed.
John
We tried gassing them and it worked pretty good for a while. Tried setting traps for them, but I don't think we harvested more than a couple that way. I did whack a few with a shovel. Then we said the heck with that and dug up the whole front yard, laid down some heavy felt and covered that with white gravel. In the planter areas we dug down half a foot or so and covered the area with a 1/2" wire grid. That really did the job quite well. But overall, I would have liked to see a bunch of those herons come in and be well fed.
John
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The Campfire / Re: Story of a Successful Hunt
« Last post by Winter Hawk on Today at 02:46:41 PM »Cool photo! I also thought they stayed by the water and caught fish only. It seems this guy (gal?) has come up with a better way to make meat. I hope it catches on with this buddies! 
~Kees~
~Kees~
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The Campfire / Re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hank in WV!!!
« Last post by Winter Hawk on Today at 02:42:54 PM »Well DANG, I missed another BD party! I'm glad it was a good day, and hereby offer my belated wishes for a great 2024/2025!
~Kees~
~Kees~
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TMA Postal Shoots / Re: May targets
« Last post by Winter Hawk on Today at 02:31:39 PM »I was wondering the same. Not that I'm going out in our monsoon weather today & tomorrow, but it would be nice to be prepared!
~Kees~
~Kees~
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The Campfire / Re: Story of a Successful Hunt
« Last post by Bigsmoke on Today at 01:43:18 PM »I always thought that myself.
But go figure, this guy seems to have a taste for rodent. And he is quite successful as well.
And no, I do not see a pond in my miniscule yard, this year, or next year either. After that is not looking promising either.
John
But go figure, this guy seems to have a taste for rodent. And he is quite successful as well.
And no, I do not see a pond in my miniscule yard, this year, or next year either. After that is not looking promising either.
John
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The Campfire / Re: Story of a Successful Hunt
« Last post by No Powder on Today at 01:33:38 PM »Good photo John. I thought they only ate fish. You could always build a pond and stock it with big bass and trout.
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Long Range Muzzleloading / Re: Are you up to a Revolutionary sized personal challenge?
« Last post by No Powder on Today at 01:26:38 PM »Good info from John. I decided I wasn't going to waste a lot of black powder at our woods walks. So I tried to find 2 loads for each of my rifles. One for woods walks, and one for deer hunting. When working on those 2 loads for my TC 54 Hawken, I discovered 65 grains was the first light load that seemed pretty accurate. Then I had to go up to 95 for the next accurate load. And if I decide to try the shingle with the 54, I'll use the 95 grain load. That's with FFG Goex, .015 TC dry patch, cut down to 1 1/8" dia. and LV patch lube. (Just saying).
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The Campfire / Story of a Successful Hunt
« Last post by Bigsmoke on Today at 11:27:42 AM »A couple of weeks ago, a Blue Heron started hanging around the neighborhood. He (I guess it's a he) would walk around here and there, then take to the wing and go up the road a short distance, then repeat the procedure, etc. I have always liked those birds. White ones seem to be much more common, but occasionally a blue one would pop up.
Earlier this week, Ms. Smoke called to me that the bird was in our front yard. So, I dropped everything and rushed out to take a look. By the time I got there, he was at the road and heading east. It was just a short trip as he stopped in the next door neighbor's yard. After he poked around here and there, he dropped into his stealth mode and presto, like a flash, he struck. Viola, he came up with a gopher! I was impressed.
Here is a photo of his lunge. I think it is pretty cool stop action. He has just connected with the gopher but has not pulled it out of the hole yet. And his right foot has not come down to ground yet. I would guess a second later he had the rodent secured in his beak and was making sure it wouldn't kick and scratch on the way down its neck.
I was going to post a few other photos but they didn't come out. Oh well, he obviously was happy and I was too.
John (Bigsmoke)
Earlier this week, Ms. Smoke called to me that the bird was in our front yard. So, I dropped everything and rushed out to take a look. By the time I got there, he was at the road and heading east. It was just a short trip as he stopped in the next door neighbor's yard. After he poked around here and there, he dropped into his stealth mode and presto, like a flash, he struck. Viola, he came up with a gopher! I was impressed.
Here is a photo of his lunge. I think it is pretty cool stop action. He has just connected with the gopher but has not pulled it out of the hole yet. And his right foot has not come down to ground yet. I would guess a second later he had the rodent secured in his beak and was making sure it wouldn't kick and scratch on the way down its neck.
I was going to post a few other photos but they didn't come out. Oh well, he obviously was happy and I was too.
John (Bigsmoke)
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Long Range Muzzleloading / Re: Are you up to a Revolutionary sized personal challenge?
« Last post by Bigsmoke on Today at 11:03:00 AM »Kevin, Pardon me for Monday morning quarterbacking, but in my experience in shooting .54's, and I have had several, I have never had one that shot worth a darn with your wimpy 40 - 50 grain charges. With the exception of my first rifle, a T/C Renegade, they all seemed to like charges in the 80 - 90 grain range. And I always used Ffg GOEX powder.
I really think you need to develop your load.
Off a bench, start with 60 grains and shoot a three shot group at 25 yards. Wipe the bore and increase the charge to 65 grains. Then increase to 65 grains, etc.
With each group you should see the group size decrease. When you notice your group starting to expand, you have found your ideal load. If you want to, then you can work on other variable, like ball size, patch thickness, lubes, etc.
When you are satisfied with the load, then start working on adjusting your sights.
Pretty soon, you will be shooting the hat off of Captain Morgan's head.
John
I really think you need to develop your load.
Off a bench, start with 60 grains and shoot a three shot group at 25 yards. Wipe the bore and increase the charge to 65 grains. Then increase to 65 grains, etc.
With each group you should see the group size decrease. When you notice your group starting to expand, you have found your ideal load. If you want to, then you can work on other variable, like ball size, patch thickness, lubes, etc.
When you are satisfied with the load, then start working on adjusting your sights.
Pretty soon, you will be shooting the hat off of Captain Morgan's head.
John