Fairbank Rod and Gun Club Pheasant Hunt

On Saturday September 27th Fairbank Rod and Gun Club held their 3rd annual Western Pa Wounded Warrior pheasant hunt.  I look forward to this event every year. The men and women at Fairbank are excellent host and they simply can't do enough to make sure we all have a fantastic hunt.

It was another great day in the field.  The weather was beautiful and the ringnecks were flying very well for all of us on the hill.The club put out 100 pheasants for our morning hunt.

For the 3rd year in a row I was able to take a pheasant in flight.  I feel I am becoming a better wing shooter and having the right equipment makes all the difference. The last two years I have been using my custom mount and custom bite trigger that my friend Ed Leeper made for me.  I have become a much more confident shooter using this set up.

Everyone had a great time hunting together.  We enjoy our time hunting together and giving advise and encouragement to each other.  On this hunt we had hunters with quadriplegia, blindness, amputations, paraplegia, ptsd,  heck you name it. Together we are strong and for a short while, just hunters and friends.

Pheasant Hunting

I am looking forward to tomorrows 3rd annual Pheasant Hunt  at Fairbank Rod and Gun Club with the Western Pa Wounded Warriors.  The weather is going to be nice and the people at Fairbank are great to hunt with.

What loads do you use for pheasants?

The Sightmark 12 Gauge and .243 Review



 

 

I recently used the Sightmark laser bore sight to pattern my 12 gauge shotgun. I  think it was very easy to use and it worked very well.  The shotgun shell used three batteries and the.243 used two, the batteries were included with each.

 

The left and right was spot on accurate using the sight.  I used the laser sight indoors at my home so the up and down needed tweaking at the range.  If I used the sight at the range in low light conditions I am sure it would have been more accurate.

"The Sightmark Laser Bore Sight provides the most convenient and accurate method for sighting in rifles of all types. Simply chamber the bore sight like a regular bullet and a laser dot will show exactly where the rifle is aiming; it’s easy to sight in any scope without firing a single shot. The Sightmark laser bore sight is available in several calibers and gauges for use with all the most popular rifles and shotguns. "


I plan on using the .243 when I install my new Nikon 3 x 9 x 50 scope later next week. I did try it  out with  my current Bushnell scope and it was easy to use and very accurate. Hopefully it makes installing the new scope easy.

       

CAMP ROSTER REQUIREMENT LIFTED

Larger groups no longer need to fill out or post rosters.

Groups of five or more people hunting from a permanent camp traditionally have needed to fill out and post a participant roster during big-game seasons.  No more.


The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today voted unanimously to remove the requirement for such groups, which previously needed to fill out paper rosters in duplicate and post one copy at the camp for at least 30 days following the close of any deer, bear or elk season.


Hunting parties for deer, bear and elk would remain unchanged at a maximum of 25 hunters.

Ham & Bacon Shoot

WPA Wounded Warriors had their last ham and bacon shoot for 2014 yesterday at the California hill gun club.I was fortunate enough to win bacon on my first shoot!  I kept the bite trigger on from the pheasant hunt and it worked out great.

It was a fantastic weekend of shooting for me. Pheasants on Saturday, and bacon on Sunday! I'm looking forward to next Saturday, a pheasant hunt at Fairbank Rod and gun club.

 

 

Pheasant Hunt McDonald Sportsmen

On Saturday I went pheasant hunting with the Western Pa Wounded Warriors on a hunt sponsored by the McDonald Sportsmen's Association. The hunt was at the McDonald property and it was fantastic! I had so much fun and met so many wonderful people. The weather was perfect and the club property was beautiful. I knew it was going to be a good hunt when I scored my first pheasant without firing a shot, check out this video!

 

I did manage to take another three pheasants on my own without too much help from Elvira, although she did point and retrieve all of the pheasants.

I was also able to shoot some trap at the club. This is a first for me since my disability. The last time I shot trap was at least 25 years ago. I did not believe I would be able to hit any of the Clay pigeons, but I was able to hit six out of 25 attempts.





After breaking the six clay pigeons everyone congratulated me and I felt like I just won the Olympic gold.  They gave me a new nickname ''the Crusher'' and everyone who volunteered at the shoot ended up signing my sweatshirt by the end of the day.




The club provided a great steak dinner after the shoot and I can't remember when I had so much fun! Everyone there was so nice, it was a perfect Saturday afternoon! I am so glad I had the opportunity to take part in it. I was able to meet some great people and be a part of this great event.  THANK YOU to everyone involved.

Alcohol Stove

How to make an easy alcohol stove from a beverage can in just a few minutes.

Opening Day 2014

Good luck to all the Pa hunters tomorrow.  Archery Doe season starts Saturday morning.  I will not be hunting deer but will be hunting pheasants with the Western Pa Wounded Warriors. 

Changing Batteries in the Action Trackchair

I had to get the batteries  changed in my action trackchair yesterday. After several years they would no longer hold a charge.

I found that out the hard way, when I went on my Russian boar hunt. After unloading the chair and transferring into it I realized I had very little power.  I barely made it through the hunt.

Changing the batteries was pretty straightforward. The difficulty was the weight of the batteries in such a confined space and moving the onboard charger.We had difficulty with one bolt while removing the charger and that added a lot of time to the process. From start to finish it was about two hours.

Hopefully I am all set for archery season and the new batteries allow the trackchair to perform up to its capabilities.

Adapted Hunting You Can Do It

If you are a person with a disability and would like to try hunting, I encourage you to do so. With the right assistance and the right equipment, hunting with a disability can be very rewarding.

Prior to my injury in 1999, I was an avid bow hunter. After my spinal cord injury it took me several years before I felt strong enough to attempt hunting again. I am so glad I made the effort to return to the woods.

Look at yourself realistically and do an assessment. Concentrate on the positives you bring to the table and attempt to mitigate or lessen your weaknesses with adaptive equipment or assistance from others.

Research what resources are available close to you and take advantage of the experiences others in the community have had. Set simple goals at first and gradually increase your goals. Keeping in mind that success is not linear and as you problem solve your way to your goal, there will be setbacks.

The most important thing is safety. This includes your safety and all of those around you. Practice with your equipment and become proficient in all you do. Good luck in your endeavors, shoot straight and be safe!

Tenpoint Practice

I had so much fun shooting my Tenpoint on Sunday that I had to shoot again on Monday. Shooting at 50 yards, I'm a little high and to the left but my bolts are touching for a very tight group!

Tenpoint Crossbow 20 Yards

Archery season is almost here and I wanted to get in a little shooting practice and try out my GoPro camera. I can't wait for this season to start!

New Field and Stream Store in Washington Pa

I was at the grand opening of the Field and Stream store in Washington Pa this weekend.  I  met Mike Stroff the host of Savage Outdoors.  I love his show and it was great meeting him.  He was very nice and I enjoyed hearing his tips on approaching a stand or blind.

Magnus Broadheads

This is why I shoot this broadhead.  The fixed blade 100 grain Magnus 4 blade buzz cut. It also has a lifetime guarantee, anything goes wrong with it, send it back for a free new broadhead!

GAME COMMISSION TO HOST TOURS

Game farm tours set for Sept. 28, game lands driving tours to follow.

Those looking to gain perspective into Pennsylvania’s wildlife, habitat and hunting heritage will have several opportunities in the coming weeks to take one or more tours being offered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The Game Commission on Sunday, Sept. 28 is scheduled to host guided tours of its four game farms – two in Lycoming County and one each in Armstrong and Crawford counties.

And Sunday driving tours on several tracts of state game lands across the Commonwealth are planned for Oct. 5, Oct. 12 and Oct. 19.

The Sept. 28 game farm tours all will begin at noon and conclude by 3 p.m., and will be held rain or shine.

Those taking a tour will get a comprehensive look at the Game Commission’s pheasant propagation program, which again this year aims to raise about 200,000 birds to provide hunting opportunities statewide. Tour stops include hatcheries, brooder houses and the rearing, “grow out” and over-wintering pens. The tours also will inform on the objectives in propagation management, including the importance of sportsmen’s clubs and members of the public raising day-old hen chicks hatched at the farms, ultimately to provide hunting opportunities.

GAME FARM TOURS

All to be held on Sunday, Sept. 28, from noon to 3 p.m. Directions to the game farms are as follows:

·        Loyalsock Game Farm: Lycoming County, 136 Game Farm Rd., Montoursville, PA 17754. The game farm is five miles north of Montoursville on Route 87.  The game farm is 1.5 miles east of Warrensville on Route 973. Tour starts at the hatchery.

·        Northcentral Game Farm: Lycoming County, 1609 Proctor Rd., Williamsport, PA  17701. The game farm is 18 miles north of Montoursville off of Route 87. Tour starts at thehatchery of the Proctor (northern) farm.

·        Western Game Farm: Crawford County, 25761 Highway 408, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403. The game farm is 3.5 miles east of Cambridge Springs on Route 408. Tour starts at the office/hatchery.

·        Southwest Game Farm: Armstrong County, 217 Pheasant Farm Rd., New Bethlehem, PA 16242.  The game farm is two miles south of New Bethlehem off Routes 66/28. Tour starts at the office/hatchery.

Refund

I recently bought a hard case for my crossbow at Cabela's only to see it go on sale two weeks later. I took a chance and called Cabela's customer service line. I explained the situation to the sales representative, and they were very helpful.

Yesterday, I received a $45 refund from Cabela's. It just goes to show, that if you ask you may receive. It's important for retailers to be responsive to their customers needs. Thank you Cabelas!

Hog Hunt Video

Please check out the surprise visitor who crashes my hog hunt.  Thanks Austin and Adam for the great camera work!

Hog Hunt

I went hog hunting on Sunday for the first time and harvested this nice Russian with my .243 rifle.  The hog was at 80 yards and quartering towards me.  I shot it in the neck and dropped her instantly.

I used my Action Trackchair, my adapted shooting brace and a BMF Trigger activator.  It all worked out great.  My family and friends took three other Russian hog's with handguns.

Tenpoint Crossbows

Are you a crossbow hunter?  You should be...

That's A Knife, Ka-Bar

I have always liked knives.  Pocket knives, and hunting knives were my favorite types, Swiss Army and Buck being my go to blades of choice. I never owned a Ka-Bar until recently. Here are some thoughts about the legendary knife.

Cost $107.77
Blade Length 7'' overall length 11''
Weight .70lbs
100% Bad Ass

It's made in the USA, but the leather sheath is made in Mexico.  The knife comes very sharp from the factory and will hold that edge if you need to cut down a tree with it.  I applied a coating of snow seal to the sheath which protects the leather.  With this knife, I feel ready for the zombie Apocalypse.

The .243 Is Ready for Action

My Remington .243 is all sighted in and ready for this weeks Russian Hog hunt.  My brother John and I put the last 3 shots into the X on Tuesday morning.

It's been a few years since I have hunted with a rifle and I'm looking forward to getting out.  This will be my first hog hunt.  I am approaching it like a whitetail hunt. Scent is my big concern, everything will be washed up and I'll spray myself and chair with Code Blue.

Hogs have a great sense of smell, if I can fool their nose and play the wind right, I should have a better chance at harvesting one.