Free Hat

Federal Premium Turkey Loads is offering a free hat with the purchase of a box of shells.  I picked my shells up over the weekend and have the rebate offer in the mail.

I am really looking forward to receiving this new camouflage hat although I'm not exactly sure I need another ball cap.  It's funny how many hats one person can collect, after a while I tend to give them away.  I was purchasing the shells anyway, the free hat is just a bonus.

Headlamp

I am very fortunate that my Permobil C-500 is equipped with lights.  This makes getting in and out of a dark van, parking lot or ground blind not only easier but safer as well.

If your wheelchair is not equipped with head lights, you may want to consider using a headlamp similar to this one made by Black Diamond .  There are certainly cheaper headlamps on the market, but I have used this one for several years since the last blizzard left my home without power for several days.

The great thing about a headlamp is you always have light where you are looking.  Being a person with quadriplegia, a headlamp is the best solution when darkness falls.

Parker Concorde

Ok,  I can't wait to shoot one of these and see how it performs.  Then I'll worry about coming up with the $1200 it's listed for....

I love my Parker Buck Buster 175 crossbow that I bought last year, I think its made by a great company that makes fantastic products.  I think it will be a few years before I replace it.  But when I do, this one will be looked at first.

New Brace LM100

I received the new adapted hunting Brace ( LM-100 ) and I thought I would show you how it looks on my wheelchair.  I have not had the opportunity to take it out on to the range yet, so the review will have to wait .

It's definitely made from quality, heavy-duty material and should last a lifetime.  I am looking forward to giving it a try with my shotgun later this month.  Stay tuned for more information.

$30.00 Permit Required for Pa State Shooting Ranges

Starting April 1 of this year if you are not a licensed hunter or furtaker in the state of Pennsylvania, it will cost you $30 per year to use the state shooting ranges.

I think it's a reasonable charge to use the state's facilities if you are not a licensed hunter.  But it would be cheaper to purchase an adult hunting license for $20.70.  You can read the news release by clicking here . 

I do hope the new charge and recent improvements to the shooting ranges will facilitate better accessibility for individuals using wheelchairs, but I have not been to any ranges to venture an opinion on accessibility.

What are your experiences at the Pennsylvania State ranges regarding accessibility?

3 Things

Being a hunter with a disability like quadriplegia can present a few challenges to say the least.  Three items I try to keep in my backpack are:

1. Plastic zip ties- they make an excellent fastener, but they can also be made into loops and taped onto objects.  This enables me to pick up the item using my finger or thumb, since I am unable to grasp objects.

2. Duct tape- it's always good to have a little duct tape with you, when you're traveling in the woods, it probably has 1001 uses (see above).

3. Velcro- I like to have things Velcroed to my wheelchair within reach of my hand.  Using Velcro, I can also easily remove, replace or exchange items that are temporarily secured in place. 

Always use the soft side of the velcro on any surface your hand may come into contact with.

What are some everyday items that make your hunting experiences easier or better?

Turkey Decoy

Like all my hunting I plan on Turkey hunting  from a ground blind.  Last year I had the opportunity to use a deer decoy the last few days of archery season. So this spring I plan on using this turkey decoy.

I feel it's important to use decoys when hunting from a ground blind.  It gives the animal something to look at other then your ground blind.

Decoys are important especially when calling, the animal your hunting is looking for what's making the sound.  Be sure to place your decoy in your shooting lane and also attach some hunter orange to your ground blind.  Safety has to take priority when turkey hunting. 

In my opinion, decoys are worth the money and increase my odds.  What are your thoughts?  Do you use decoys while hunting from a blind?

Turkey Loads

I plan on shooting Federal Premium Mag Shok Flightcontrol turkey loads this season.  Using 3 1/2 inch # 4 shot in my 12 Ga Mossberg 535 ATS.

I said in a previous blog entry I would be using a 2 3/4 inch shell to reduce recoil, but I figure I can handle it and I'm going with the 3 1/2 inch Magnum this year.  After all, these shells are on sale at cabelas.  It's hard to pass up a good deal.... lol

What is your favorite turkey load ?  What shell do you recommend to all your hunting buddies and why ?

Diaphragm Turkey Calls

With turkey season starting here in Pennsylvania on April 30, 2011 it's time to break out the turkey calls and start practicing.

The great thing about using a mouth call or diaphragm call is my spinal cord injury has very little effect on performance. I cannot call as loud or as long as I did preinjury, due to reduced lung capacity, but the calls are still effective.

Practicing inside the house does not seem to bother my service dog Misty Morning although she does get a little excited the first few yelps...

Meet your new neighbors: the bears

Meet your new neighbors: the bears

What an interesting article regarding black bears in Pennsylvania. In the early 1990s I hunted bear in Pennsylvania and Canada before my injury.

Unfortunately I had no success in harvesting a black bear.... Maybe my odds are increasing here at home!