Enigma

Pygmy nailed it. Read that again cause that's how it's done on field birds. I've killed many in exactly the way he describes. I might add for someone getting started with blinds, just my opinions . . . I dont care what gun or load you shoot 40-50-60 yards pokes are for those that haven't clipped one, pulled a shot or rolled one over and had to chase that sucker down. Take my word for it it's no fun. Make it easy on yourself. Get him inside 30 and lights out. Bang. Flop. Smiles. Shoot the first legal bird you have in range. See the beard, verify target and send it. You have 30 days to tag a longbeard. Stay away from the birds! Like deer they're easiest killed when not pressured. I cannot emphasize this enough. Scout from afar with binoculars. NEVER let them see you on foot in daylight if possible. Only enter your area in the dark and hunt slowly back to the truck at noon. Anything else and you're only pushing birds around. Turkeys will walk right by a blind placed that morning in the dark. In the middle of the darn field if you have to! You'll be inside when they walk by haha. Take some time to figure out which way they go in the morning and get in front of them. I know, sounds simple but you dont have to call them hard if they're headed your way. Call your close love ones and tell them now you'll be unavailable till June 1. Most of all have fun and welcome to the club.

Stay strong and most importantly, positive. You'll be in our thoughts today.

Pygmy, you're just splitting beard hairs now. I pull my shots to the right so lefty is getting the hammer. Rat needs to invite us down to chase them around the block w spit guns. We'll measure the spurs when we catch them. I'll hold the tape . . .

I understand. All in jest WR. You're fortunate to see them up close when you can. Interesting that we can see, watch and admire them from 5 ft but having them inside 30 yrds with a gun in your hands is a totally different experience. People who dont hunt turkeys dont understand. It is a sickness lol. Once again, great pics. The one on the left still has his head up. Dominant or not his time is up and he's coming home w me.

I'd shoot the bird on the left. His head's up higher. I think he's in range. Have to pick up the spent wad off the neighbor's lawn after I shot em though lol. Great pics. I think they're starting to break up. Saw big flocks last week but mostly two's and three's this week. We'll see where they end up in a few more days.

Easy 1" this AM. Downright ridiculous. I'll meet you half way for the goods bud.

Save it for your driveway this November. Or tomorrow . . .

It takes a year +- before you can stain a pressure treated deck because many times, the lumber is still wet to the core from the treating process when the deck is built. It has to pretty much dry out completely before any stain, sealer or top coat is applied. Yards typically store PT outside and a lot of time uncovered.

So my question for those who might know . . . Can you transplant them to a new spot? Anyone ever tried? Would think with the right soil conditions (leaf litter) the ends might take if planted correctly? My understanding is the seeds are unpredictable and leeks take a very long time to produce. Anyone?

Dug some up yesterday. Leek n potato soup tonight. Good stuff.

Anything that covers your face to prevent airborne infection. Anything will help. I use a hankerchief/doorag tied around my nose cause I had some kicking around. Probably not the best but . . . Wear rubber gloves. Disposable. Anything cheap to cover your hands when touching anything public. Hit your keys, phone, car door handles, steering wheel etc w a solution of bleach and warm water. Clorox spray woorks too. Once a day. Go to the doctor's, check in n tell them you ll be outside when they're ready. In and out. No unessessary contact. Wash n bleach your masks if not disposable. I'm not a disease expert in anyway. Have a physiology n science background but staying "clean" isn't difficult. Dont be a vector. Barriers and bleach are your best friends. Stay well.

Cause here's the twisted, thank you very much for the reminder, slap in the face cause you be getting old stuff that starts to happen. Recieved last July in the mail when I made it to 50. I want to speak to their marketing dept lol.

I get your line of thought, insurance company's, billing, charging this or that, out of nowhere they call you etc, etc. But the circumstances really are irrelevant as to why they're calling. You're insured. They called and reminded you that even though they're profiting, they're someone in some sort of way that gives a crap about your well being. Use the service. Things have changed. Gonna be permanent with the virus. The way we used to do things is over. Kiss it goodbye. They ll have the protocol figured out soon. I can see you showing up at the doctor's office in a hazmat suit and respirator, lol, total barrier protection. No waiting just walk inside to the room and strip down. Keep your mask on lol. Dr comes in to poke prod and turn your head and cough deal. Prepare for the finger now as you're pushing 50 haha. Get your blood work done at an outside vendor. Cheaper. I'm sorry bud for harping but it just ain't no joke. Get checked often, be well, stay well. Best regards.

I dont know you personally Rob, so please dont take offense, but dont be a putz! I'm sure you pay a large part of your earnings for health care, use it! Our system isn't awesome but you have to believe it's the best in the world. Take advantage of it. I can understand your reservations about going to see your Doc, past experiences, the virus thing going on etc. But please, make the appointment. I could give you a couple examples of people I've known who felt great, thought there was nothing wrong w them physically and then they just up and DIED from an undiagnosed issue. Get it done Rob. Take care of yourself!

Materials estimator. I tally and summarize every stick, sheet and screw for your project. Write itemized reports, plans and cut lists to increase efficiency. Create detailed step by step preparation, machining, assembly and work flow sheets. I help you get it done with as little hassle as possible. I told my gf that with the tough times now, regrettably, I was going back to my old income standby. She said she really thought my time as a male escort had passed and I should refocus. Love that girl.

I love this time of year. Every nimrod with an owl hooter, peacock screamer, coyote howler or air horn is out trying to get a bird to respond. I get it. It s fun, you like to hear them react, pumps you up and gets you excited for the season. But hey man, you know, we still got a month to wait! Relax! I agree, very little common courtesy amongst some hunters. I rolled up on a guy last year mid April doing the same thing, in the evening, almost dark. "Whatcha up to?" I asked. "Just tryin to roost some" he says. "Just heard a gobble over there!". "You got your gun w you?" I said, cause you got him fired up and you ought to go kill him right now! Guy looks at me w a stupid look cause he doesn't understand the dig. I told him if he really had to kill one of those birds to come see me May 2nd and i'd take him up the hill and he could call his a@@ off then. Just part of the deal sometimes, "helping" people become better turkey hunters lol.

Get the ball moving a little bit in the right direction and before you know it its coming back around to you. And you re covered! In a pinch you could knock back the sanitizer if you were desperate and I suppose wash in the whiskey. On second thought . . .

Wed morn 3.25. 703 AM. Was sitting in my truck ready to go for a walk. BAM! BAM! What the heck! Sounded very close but it was calm. And then some cutting and yelping. Right where they re supposed to be - May 1st! So the bumbling fool I am, off I go! Just gotta see em you know? A short walk and I see 3 stutters in a small gulley. Messin around for a pic I got busted by a hen and the race was on! Prolly 15 - 18 birds, lots of hens, couple jakes in the back. I ll try hard to let them be. Hopefully have some new friends coming for the youth hunt. Tick tock it's getting to be that time of the year!

Not the slugs, but I probably have 100 rounds of Activ shot shells loaded w 7 1/2. From waaaaay back when. Interesting . .

Deer heart is fantastic when salvageable. Pickled is very easy to make and always a great snack. Fresh floured and quick fried is good as well. Liver, sometimes I keep it from a young skipper. The liver on an adult deer is just too big for me to keep. My dad likes it and we eat it once a year or so. Butter and onions of course. Always keep the kidneys. Beef and kidney pie is some good stuff. I've tried calf oysters a couple times and I'll pass on those from a buck. Same with the brains. I knew folks at one time that loved sauteed deer brains. Tried em but again, I'll pass.

I second Bill's experience. A friend of mine has free range birds. Lots of birds. A few different types of chickens and others. No ticks or bugs to speak of anywhere near the house, garden or barns. I realized one day at his place he gets free pest control, fresh eggs and chicken marsala out of the deal. Win for everybody I guess lol.

Funny thing. I never got my crap together last year and got a tripod or new ladder stand like I intended. Family circumstances kept me out of town on Sat. opening day last year. First time in 16 years I wasn't there. The first morning I hunted, Sunday, found me on the ground on a stool leaning up against the next tree on the row, in the wide open. Was there 20m and shot the biggest buck I'd ever seen on that farm at 20 yards! I dunno. Can't explain it. Sometimes it just happens. Maybe next year I won t even bother to take a gun. Maybe I ll just walk out there opening day and they'll just be a couple boxes of frozen venison waiting for me lol. Always fortunate. Some years are easier than others.

Stopped over to my spot yesterday on a walk for turkeys. I hadn't seen the downed tree without some snow cover. So I looked closer and sure enough, I believe it was an ash. I m really poor at tree ID but the grain of the wood said ash to me. Not sure what killed it EAB? So it takes me awhile, a year in this case lol, to put 2 n 2 together to figure out what happened but I'll call it case closed for now.

Looks very nice. I'd prolly just ask for a couple bucks for the oak and a 12 pack lol. Nice gesture on your part and the good vibes will come back to you soon. I owned a custom millwork business for 15 years that went belly up. I was always building stuff for friends and family at no charge. Satisfying work to create custom pieces but a very very difficult trade to succeed in profit wise and financially. Keep up the good work. Keep it as a hobby and enjoy your time in the shop. AND KEEP THE D@#M GUARDS ON THE TOOLS!!! They can be a hassle but keeping all ten digits on your hands, kind of important. Be safe.

Pittsburgh venison loin. Recipe from Quality Venison Cookbook by Steve & Gale Loder. Circa 1998. My back strap go to for many years now. Butter/olive oil, soy sauce, spicey brown mustard, fresh garlic, black pepper. Double the sauce recipe because it doesn't make enough for putting on sides. You ll want more trust me. I caught my veggie loving girlfriend licking this off her plate once lol. She said she would drink it. 325 for 35min will put you right at 145 degrees meat temp. Overcook it and not so good. This will be quite rare but the ends will be pink, the middle of the roast bloody. Cut with a fork tender. Something for everyone. Perfect for popping in the microwave tomorrow if you have leftovers.