AR-15 Basics: Controls, Function, Disassembly, & Reassembly.

Conquest Scents

I received a great prize package this weekend from Conquest Scents .  They have a show on the sportsman's channel, Conquest 200, it airs Sunday's at 5 PM. It's a great show with great people who raise world-class whitetail deer.

The prize pack included a shirt, hat, two versions of their Ever Calm scent, a dispenser and extra wicks.  I cannot wait to try these products in archery season.

Pa Elk License Application 2015

The application for the 2015 Pa elk license opened on June 8th and will close on July 31. The cost to apply is 10.70 for Pa residents. The annual drawing for elk license will take place on Saturday August 15th during the elk expo at Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette. You can apply Here

I have been applying for an elk license for the past several years. Hopefully this is the year my tag is drawn. I can't imagine how fantastic it would be to harvest a Pennsylvania elk. I would be thrilled with a Cow or Bull.

Pa Doe License 2015

If you have not already purchased your hunting license, you may want to buy them this weekend. Pennsylvania state treasurers are accepting applications from Pa residents for doe license starting Monday morning.

In the past I have waited and purchased my Doe license over the counter at a later date. But I think I will get ahead of the curve this year and get them into the mail this Saturday.

Accessible Hunter Tattoo

I have been thinking about this tattoo for a long time. I finally had it done yesterday on my left forearm and I think it looks fantastic. My body might be a shell of what it once was, but I am still out hunting.

Kicks Choke .640

On Sunday I had the opportunity to shoot my new shotgun choke. The choke is a Kicks .640 and I put it on my Stoeger 12 gauge.

Here are the results from 25 yards shooting a two and three-quarter inch, 7 1/2 shot load.

I'm hoping  to win at the next ham and bacon shoot benefiting Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warrior's. The next shoot is Sunday, August 9 at California Hill Gun club.

Thankful

I have to say I am so thankful for everyone's assistance. I would not be able to complete this blog or enjoy any of the benefits of the great outdoors without the assistance of friends and family.

I speak with individuals with disabilities who are not as fortunate as I am. They do not have family,  reliable personal care attendants, an adaptive vehicle, a service dog, a power wheelchair etc.  As a high-level quadriplegic (C4/C5) I am dependent on others for assistance with all my activities of daily living.

Every day is a challenge. Chronic pain and fatigue are a constant battle for me. Sometimes people look at my success and compliment me for achieving so much in my life. My success and achievements are the results of a safety net of individuals working on my behalf. There are many days I want to quit, give up and give in to the disability. It's these days that I am thankful to have friends and family support me and assist me the most.

Pa Hunting License On Sale Now

Hunting and furtaker licenses for Pennsylvania’s 2015-16 seasons are on sale now.

New licenses are effective July 1, and are valid through June 30, 2016. All license fees remain unchanged. Licenses can be purchased online through the Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS) website https://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com. 

Licenses also can be purchased over the counter at all Game Commission region offices and the Harrisburg headquarters, as well as through more than 600 in-state and out-of-state issuing agents. A list of issuing agents is available at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.state.pa.us.

The beginning of license sales for the upcoming seasons also serves as a reminder for Pennsylvania hunters who hold senior lifetime hunting or furtaker licenses, or combinations of those licenses. While those hunters need not pay a license or transaction fee, they must pick up new licenses and harvest tags.

Additionally, those who hold range permits that allow them to use shooting ranges at state game lands are reminded that now-valid permits expire on June 30, and that new permits will need to be purchased for range use on and after July 1.

The permits, which are required for range users not possessing a valid hunting or furtaker license, are $30 and must be purchased by credit card through The Outdoor Shop on the Game Commission’s website, or at any of the Game Commission’s region offices or the Harrisburg headquarters.

Licenses purchased through PALS are subject to a 70-cent transaction fee for each license or permit, and that fee is paid directly to the Nashville-based company that runs PALS.

Through PALS, hunters can purchase not only their general hunting and furtaker licenses, but add-on licenses needed for archery or muzzleloader hunting, specialty licenses to hunt bears or set out after a second spring gobbler, permits to trap fishers and otters, and more. In short, what can be purchased from an issuing agent, can be purchased online.

Hunters also can use PALS to apply for the elk-license drawing or purchase Deer Management Assistance Program permits. 

Elk licenses are awarded by lottery and the deadline to submit an application is July 31. It costs $10.70 to apply and application fees are nonrefundable. 

Antlerless deer permits issued through the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) also are available to purchase online for $10.70, and DMA 2 Antlerless Deer Permits are available for $6.70.

County treasurers statewide on July 13 will begin accepting applications for antlerless licenses. Pennsylvania residents can apply beginning July 13.Nonresidents can apply starting July 27. Beginning Aug. 3, treasurers will begin selling the remaining unsold licenses for any wildlife-management unit for which licenses remain available. A second round of unsold license sales will begin Aug. 17.

D-Day 1944... 71 Years Later

Today we remember the veterans of World War II. We are thankful for their service and sacrifice on our behalf. We are grateful for all of the freedoms we have today because of them.  Never forget.

Fred Bear Quote