Uncle Nicky

I've had a gobbler cross a huge field to get shot, I was using a gobble tube and a full-fan decoy. It might work real early in the seaon if the birds are still fighting, just one more tactic if you like to think outside the box. Just be careful someone doesn't stalk you.

I've used one for over 10 years. They work great for repelling mosquitoes, not so great for black flies and gnats.

Strangely, not a whole lot of luck right off the roost, seems like they usually catch up with the hens and drift off. I've had my best luck from 10:00-quitting time.

Hmmm...wonder what you are doing wrong? I've never had a problem with mine, but I trim off as much meat & fat from the base of the tail as possible, and salt very heavily. I know some guys use Borax, but I've had good luck with salt.

I have 4 full mounted birds (Eastern, Osceola, Rio, and Merriam's), as well as a garage full of fans. I usually make a cardboard plaque to support the fan and hot glue the tail and spurs to the plaque. I'm pretty much out of room in my garage, my wife calls it turkey wallpaper. Any new fans will probably get hung up in the shack at hunting camp and the mice can have at them. I did discover a plastic hanger device called "The Fan Dangler" which allows you to hang the fans upside down, I have room for a few more. If I shoot a jake I'll give the tail to someone for their decoy or switch mine out.

The world is way different now, I remember growing up watching adult men occasionally threatening each other with a punch in the eye, and sometimes they went through with it. And the older guys would always say, "If I was twenty years older, I'd kick your *ss up and down Main Street", LOLOL. Take a poke at someone now in anger, and if the police show up, you'll both wind up in jail and possibly face felony charges. Not worth it over a hunting spot or being cut-off on the highway. Not saying anyone should be a doormat or pushover, but you have to think it all the way through before getting physical.

A little off-topic, but if you ever get a chance, watch the documentary "My Life as a Turkey". http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xvccpd_my-life-as-a-turkey-hd_shortfilms It's the story of a human who raised a brood of turkeys from eggs to adults. One of the main concepts I grabbed form this film is that turkeys are born with superior instinct & survival skills. On-topic, I think if you shoot one or two birds on a property a year, they're not going to be particularly spooked. Let 5 or 10 guys walk through the property blowing turkey calls, and you will be hunting a whole different bird.

IMHO, best commercial pickles are Klaussen whole dills. Best local pickles are Zayda's, http://zaydasbrand.com/index.php/shop-online. I remember when the owner was starting out, he used to drive to many of the local restaurants and bars handing out samples and taking orders, he was quite a character, I doubt he does that anymore.

I've never looked for sheds on purpose, but most of the ones I have found over the years were in thicker areas where they bed down. I know some people even train dogs to find sheds.

Personally, I try to get as much as intel as possible from other hunters before I try a new spot, I've found enough spots over the years that generally hold birds, that I'm not really looking to go in cold and try a new area unless I want a change of scenery. But when I was actively scouting new areas in the past, I would look for leaves scratched up, dusting bowls, footprints, and feathers. I've gone as far as driving back roads, finding birds in a field, and asking the farmer/landowner for permission (you'd be surprised how many will let you, as long as you're not after deer). The best scouting of all is to get into an prospective area way before sunlight, and just listen, the birds will let you know where they are about 1/2 hour before the sun rises. Roosting with an owl call or box call right at sundown sometimes works, and gives you a good idea where to start the next morning.

I was always more of a Hustler man myself, Playboy was just a tad highbrow for my low-class taste in adult magazines.

Went to a pheasant-in-a-barrel preserve with friends a few weeks ago, I still wear blue jeans, carry a short-barreled SXS and wear my old Jones cap, like I did when I was a kid. For old times sake.

Southeast PA where I live was THE hotspot back in the 60s & 70s for wild pheasants, I was fortunate to have caught the end of it when I was growing up and first started hunting. We used to hear them all of the time cackling in the woods & fields when I was a kid. By the middle of the 80s it was pretty much over, I never did figure out why they died off, probably increased predators and loss of habitat. Too bad we didn't take pictures back in those days. I still have my Jones cap that I used to wear when I went small-gaming with the old man.

Try to feed them the best you can afford, avoid anything where corn is the main ingredient. If you have a Costco near you, look at Kirkland Nature's Domain kibble, VERY similar to Taste of the Wild but about 1/2 the cost. I usually mix a little ground beef, venison, or bluefish in so they don't get bored.

$1,000 for a pair of used shoes? I remember my grandfather telling me when I was a boy, "Some people will buy anything. I can sh*t in a bag, put a fancy label on it, and call it garden fertilizer".

If someone just wants to kill a pig for eating, look at Mohr's Island near Harrisburg, PA. I've never gone, but have heard the hogs are great eaters. http://www.mohrswidowmaker.com/island.htm

You can buy an over-the counter tag in Texas to kill a javelina, I've seen quite a few there over the years, never shot one, I've heard the meat isn't that good.

Personally, I'd drive a little further and head to Georgia or Florida, real free range hogs and good established populations. Anywhere near Abbeville or Savannah in Georgia, or Lake Okeechobee in Florida.

I will take it off of your hands Pygmy, if Bill doesn't want it.

Never mind, just realized this was muzzleloader...

Had to do a double take...at first glance I thought is said Ted Bundy was a role model...

The youngest boy is going to chef school, he wants to make juevos rancheros for dinner tomorrow night. For me:

I've made country hams before, almost the same process as making prosciutto. Most people rinse country hams off well before cooking and cook in some sort of liquid to remove some of the salt.

Yes to both, they are both quite popular in this corner of PA where I live, usually Taylor Ham is referred to as "pork roll".

20 years ago, I'd be up for the challenge. I'd probably have a heart attack if I tried it now, but I'd die a happy man...