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Congratulations, he is a beauty! Al

Watching the videos of those African Sun Safari hunts one of the things that stick out is that always without exception the use of some sort of shooting sticks to rest the firearm when taking the shot, there were a few shots taken using an attached bipod laying on the ground. I have a couple of trigger shooting sticks that I use on occasion, one is a mono pod that doubles as a walking stick, I use it mainly when hunting with a handgun, it helps a lot with my old geezer shakes LOL. The other is a tripod I use when calling varmints, it is a short model and I set it up when making a stand to call from, I like using them when I can. There is no doubt they work great and help a lot making a good steady accurate shot. The big difference between here and safari hunts is hunters in the US do not have a pro hunter to carry the sticks around and set up for the shot while hunting. To carry around both a long gun and shooting sticks for still hunting or spot and stalk would be a pain in the ass. For handgun hunting they are worth the trouble for me.

I agree with Charlie and Wolc when it comes to tough meat the pressure cookers will do wonders, I have a counter top electric one and cook tough game meat cuts in it all the time, the meat falls off the bone and the cook time is short. The good old slow cooking crockpot will work great too if not in a hurry. Al

Hang in there Antlers, Moose will travel long distances, while you may not have many in the vicinity on a particular day things can change fast. You have plenty of time, good luck. Al

Maybe it is just me but I found this cartridge belt to be a bit funny. The hunting and the bag limits must be good. Al

When I first started hunting I got Buck fever as bad as anyone could, my first Woodchuck I was shaking like a leaf. What cured my fever was small game hunting, Rabbits, Squirrels and Chucks, the more experience I got taking the shot and making the kill the less fever I got. When it came down to my first Buck I was using a Sako 222 with a 8X Leupold scope and a dot Reticle. I had probably killed over 50 Woodchucks with that rifle and I knew wherever that dot was when the shot was fired, that is where the bullet would strike. I put the dot at the base of that Buck's neck and touched her off and he went down like he was struck by lightning. Experience with the rifle, confidence in it's ability to put the bullet where I wanted made it easy. I still get excited, I was in the squirrel woods this morning and when I still hunted one for a shot I was excited but no shakes and the shot and kill was easy, if the excitement was not there I probably would quit hunting. I always say the best way to get young hunters started is on small game, experience builds confidence that you just can not get Deer hunting taking a shot once or twice a year. Al

The worst are those that vote Democrat and pretend they are your friend. Al

Looks like mange and it is horrible, I have had some first hand experience with mange after purchasing a silver Fox Kit years ago. The Fox had contracted mange before I got her, did not see anything suspicious when I picked her up but in a few days it reared it's ugly head. Mange is tiny mites that burrow into the skin and live off the host. It can also be contracted by Humans by close contact to an animal infected., ask me how I know. The itch these mites cause is fierce and never ending, you will scratch infected areas until you bleed. On Humans they will eventually die in a few days, on animals they will keep on spreading sometimes covering the whole body. There is a Human version called scabies, they used to treat with Kwell Lotion. I ended up buying a dipping solution you mix up in a tub, dipped the Fox and a couple of my Hounds and got rid of it. Today Ivermectin can be used and will knock it down but back when I had the problem there was no Ivermectin. It is an awful way to die. Al

When it comes to maintaining my firearms I do not mess around with fads, I use what is proven and known to be the best. Anyone that wants to use scent free cleaning solvents and maintenance oils can have at it, it is a free country last I knew. My wife washes my clothes with whatever and the wool gets dry cleaned and all are saturated in permethrin. I know for a fact that you can not defeat a Deer's sense of smell so I use the terrain and watch the wind, never have a problem finding and killing a Deer if I want one but I am just a meat hunter. Al

No matter how scent free my clothing can be my firearms scent would negate any effort, the chemicals used to maintain them like Hoppes, Ballistol, Frog Lube, etc. all stink to high Heaven. Al

I have a large metal double door of what one would call a wardrobe that I keep in my shop building, most of my hunting clothes are hung inside that wardrobe. I do not do anything special for odor as I firmly believe a deer's nose can not be defeated. I regularly spray down everything with permethrin, after contracting Lyme disease I am paranoid. I also favor wearing a lot of wool hunting clothes and the permethrin seems to keep away any moths just as good as mothballs and does not have the strong after odor. Al

Way to go Charlie and for a great cause. Al

I have a mild interest in old collectable fishing equipment, some of the tackle, poles, lures and reels I used when I was a kid bring in big money these days. My Dad fished with a regular sized Alcedo Reel and when he and his cronies got talking about equipment I well remember the how highly prized the Alcedos were thought of back then. I used to subscribe to all the outdoor rags of the day and read an article about ultralight fishing and fishing equipment, it had me sold on giving it a try. Nowhere near the choices that we have today, almost everyone used a Mitchell, but I saved my money and went for the best that Cabela's had and am glad I did. Most of my fishing equipment is either light or ultralight tackle. Like I mentioned above I think the Diawa SS1 is made like a fine Swiss Watch and have three of those little buggers and actually wore one out. A little history below from about 15 years ago on Alcedos, find one cheap at garage sale buy it! Al “The Alcedo Micron, an imported Italian spinning reel first brought to America around 1953, holds a place in fishing tackle history, as it was the first true ultra-light spinning reel. It was an expensive reel–selling for $35 in 1954–and extremely durable. It has developed a cult-like following. Even today, noted anglers like Joe Robinson and Dave Whitlock remove the bails from vintage Alcedo Microns and use them for what is sometimes called “extreme ultra-light” fishing, with 2 pound test line and 1/64-ounce lures. The Micron went through numerous permutations and the latest I can find it offered is 1974. They regularly sell for $125-$200 depending on model and condition.

Back in the late sixties I purchased by mail order from Cabela's an all metal Alcedo Micron ultra light spinning reel, made in Italy the Alcedos were considered to be one of the very best fishing reels of the day. I used it for years and caught a ton of fish with that little guy. Alcedo reels on their side plate had little medallions glued on, added a bit of class and bling. Anyhow the medallion on my Micron came off and I misplaced it and never could find it, after losing the medallion I put the little Alcedo up and started using the new SS1 Seiko made Diawa ultra lights. So the other day I was on ebay looking at the prices some of these old vintage fishing reels bring and found a vendor that sold Alcedo Medallions, I ordered one and it came today, cleaned up the 50 plus year old Micron still spooled with yellow Stren and glued on the new medallion. Works as good as ever and the reel looks good, I might just take it out catch a fish or two with it. Al

I will say that is a Buck. Al

You have had some great weather for it, nice catch! Al

All the time I have been a member I do not think I have hardly ever posted in the live in the woods, just not my cup of tea, don't mean I am not out there and I do not post every fart that happens while hunting , but here is a pic for you! Just came in from Squirrel hunting and took my 1 Squirrel limit with my Browning target pistol, by the way how many posts have you made in the live in the woods Crap?? Al

Owned one Harley, a 78 anniversary "Dresser" as they called them back in those days. She was a real "sparkler" Al

The Bird Hunter Hook Knives are used in a similar fashion to remove the innards of both gamebirds and small animals like Squirrels. They are used more frequently in Southern states where is hot during hunting seasons. Some Bird hunters also like to hang their gamebirds much the same as folks do with beef and venison, they want the innards out when they hang them to age. I actually collect Bird Hunters knives and have pretty much got everyone's make. Al

Wolc's favorite tool, I am sold on it too! I do it just a bit different than the videos. I insert it and give it a twist and then I will take my knife and cut the skin around the Butt Out detaching it from the Deer, Everything comes out super easy. Al

Have a great day.

An opening day quite a few years ago had really warm temperatures. I arrived at the parking area where I hunted about a half hour after daylight and met a young hunter who had already scored on a party permit small doe, we shot the breeze for a moment and I helped him put the deer into the trunk of his car. As it was so early he said he was going to get back into the woods and see if he could get a Buck. To make a long story short at the end of the day I came out to my vehicle and noticed the fellow's car was still there. A few minutes later out of the woods he came and when he opened his car's door the rank stench that came out from inside would knock you over. The temps that day must have got to near 80 plus degrees, the temps in the car probably exceeded 100 and basically cooked that Doe while it sat inside the trunk all day. I ran into that kid a week or so later and he told me that the meat had pretty much spoiled and there was little of the deer that was salvaged. Al

Always been a motorcycle guy, I still ride but as I get up there in age I ride less and less every year. Still mess around collect mostly with vintage stuff, they are fun to tinker with and I like the old styles without all the electronics that I know nothing about. I picked up an Honda adventure scooter last year, I ride that one quite a bit and like it's ability to go on easy back-gravel roads which is where I do most of my riding these days. Always wanted to go to the Sturgis Bike Rally, looks like it would be a blast. Been looking for a late 60's early 70s Honda CB 750 four in good shape, my first and favorite bike was a 69 CB 750 in Antares Red, they are pretty pricey these days. Al

Nice! Nothing like a good ride on a hot day, just as refreshing as going swimming. Al

When the temps get up to be as hot as they are predicting the only hunting I like doing is going out for Woodchucks and Bowfishing for Carp. Al