To clean or not to clean?

Question:

Thanks everyone for the replies. Dick, even though I dislike cleaning the birds (they make that squishy sound like fish, which I also hate cleaning) I dressed my first deer last fall. The person I was with offered to help, but I did it all myself.  Elk?  Piece of cake <grin> Sue elk. LOL Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

I saw this question a while back but don’t remember where and never saw an answer. When I harvest grouse should I clean them immediately and put the breast meat in a plastic bag or leave the bird whole and clean when I’m done?  I’m usually not out for longer than 4 hrs. at a time. Thanks, Sue Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I saw this question a while back but don’t remember where and never saw an > answer. > When I harvest grouse should I clean them immediately and put the breast > meat in a plastic bag or leave the bird whole and clean when I’m done? I’m > usually not out for longer than 4 hrs. at a time. > Thanks, > Sue

Sue, If you want your meat to be in the best shape, table fare wise, yes, cut the breasts out and place them in a plastic bag and get them on ice or cool them somehow. The good news is, this is not neccessary.  I just pluck the breast feathers and remove the entrails and place the bird in my game bag.  Sometimes I remove the head and swing the bird asround to remove some blood…sometimes I don’t.  Some think it should be placed in a breathable bag to allow more air circulation.  My game tastes good to me the way I do it so that’s what I do.  Never got sick.  Never had anyone at my table get Bitter Bear Face (from my grouse anyways).  I think that’s all that’s neccessary.  Of course…if you breast em and cool em on ice within 10 minutes of downing the bird, it’s better…your choice. HH Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Check your local rules as you may have to have a wing attached to transport to home. Just a thought. Scott StLMo Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I saw this question a while back but don’t remember where and never saw an > answer. > When I harvest grouse should I clean them immediately and put the breast > meat in a plastic bag or leave the bird whole and clean when I’m done?  I’m > usually not out for longer than 4 hrs. at a time. > Thanks, > Sue > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Unless you have a cooler along I definitely would not put the bird in a plastic bag. I do breast the bird when I get them and wrap them in a clean cotton rag until I get to the water to clean the rest of the bird. I do leave the wing on in case there is a warden around. The meat will cool faster without the feathers around it. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

i like to clean them as quick as possible……the way i do it is to hold the bird breast up in one hand…with the other hand i hold the breast and get my fingers under the base of the breast and pull the breast away from the rest of the bird….this will leave the wings attached….then when you get home you can finish the job. Bill Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I saw this question a while back but don’t remember where and never saw an > answer. > When I harvest grouse should I clean them immediately and put the breast > meat in a plastic bag or leave the bird whole and clean when I’m done? I’m > usually not out for longer than 4 hrs. at a time. > Thanks, > Sue

In warm weather, it’s best to fully dress them. However, I get by with just plucking the breasts. That exposes most of the meat to the cooler air and they will keep a few hours without problems. It’s also a lot cleaner in a game bag. Avoid plastic bags. The meat needs air. Dick Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Thanks HH, I won’t be as worried although there were no problems last year. But, you TOUCH the insides?  Yuk, I step on the wings, pull on the legs and everything comes out, guts and all with the legs.  I just have to peel the wings off and I have a clean breast.  BUT, if there’s a bit of gut left, I always have my plastic gloves with me….! Give me a few years, maybe by then I’ll be used to it. Sue Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> Thanks HH, I won’t be as worried although there were no problems last year. > But, you TOUCH the insides?  Yuk, I step on the wings, pull on the legs and > everything comes out, guts and all with the legs.  I just have to peel the > wings off and I have a clean breast.  BUT, if there’s a bit of gut left, I > always have my plastic gloves with me….! > Give me a few years, maybe by then I’ll be used to it. > Sue

 Sue, you REALLY need to dress an elk. LOL Dick Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

New Bow, Arrows, and Broadheads

Question:

>I had a premature release (not sure what happened)

Get a Scott. NRA Life Member Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

[My apologies for the crosspost] As some of you remember, I purchased a new bow this year and put my trusty old Bear Whitetail into semi-retirement.  I’m using a Mathews FX with a prong-style rest, carbon arrows (Beman ICS 400), and mechanical broadheads (NAP Splitfire(?)).  The only thing I haven’t changed, !!3 months before deer season!!, is my release. Anyway, I thought I’d make an update. This bow is much faster than my Whitetail.  I really like the speed. However, it vibrates a good bit.  I put some of those Sims limb saver thingies on and it made an immediately noticeable difference; count me a satisfied customer. These carbon arrows are light, narrow, stiff, and fast.  I shoot at a dense foam target in the garage and a 3d target in the yard.  With field tips, they are difficult to remove from the dense foam target and *very* difficult to remove from the 3d target.  I think I’ll invest in an arrow puller. These mechanical broadheads are the first I’ve shot in years.  Like my old bow, I was comfortable with what I was shooting and didn’t really feel the need to look at the "modern" mechanicals.  Now, I’m glad I have.  Yesterday, I finally screwed one on and took a couple shots at the 3d target.  I was really more interested in how difficult they would be to remove than how well they shot.  I was imagining all sorts of situations where I would have to carve them out of my target, etc.  It turns out, the arrow was significantly easier to remove with this broadhead than with the field point.  On a side note, I hit the "heart" of the target on both shots and the tips opened completely both times.  Using this small sample size, I can now make some nutty claims.  Anyway, I can’t wait to see how paper tuning goes. Finally, we’ve had some conversations in these forums regarding the kinetic energy storage and delivery of carbon arrows.  I have a testament to their ability to nail whatever they need to nail.  My garage setup is nothing more than a $15, square, dense-foam target in front of two straw bales* against the chimney. It is perilously close to the bike rack (24" bull’s-eye to front tire).  However, in the gazillion years I’ve shot like this I’ve never missed the target; probably because I typically don’t shoot more than 20 yards on this setup. Anyway, a month or so ago, I was at full draw, getting everything set, when I had a premature release (not sure what happened).  The arrow hit my wife’s bike dead on the front rim (wheel).  Once I stopped laughing, I went to see the damage.  Of course, the arrow was destroyed, but the amazing thing was, I got a pass through on that aluminum wheel with a field point.  So, I’m convinced these arrows can carry enough energy to kill an adult bicycle. That’s enough rambling for now. a. *For those of you that use straw bales, I wrap mine in plastic wrap to hold them together longer and it keeps them from rotting.  In the garage, this also keeps the errant straw pieces at bay. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Trapper Nelson Backpacks

Question:

Does anyone know where I can find a Trapper Nelson Backpack? My old one was over fifty years old and still in good shape. Granted, it was patched, bloody, and stained with soot and who knows what else. But it was still in good shape and chuck full of memories of successful hunts for Moose, Elk, Caribou, Deer, Bear, and camping with my kids as they grew up. I don’t want aluminum anything; just a wood and canvass Trapper Nelson. Someone liberated mine from my last camp site. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

>Does anyone know where I can find a Trapper Nelson Backpack? My old one was >over fifty years old and still in good shape. Granted, it was patched, >bloody, and stained with soot and who knows what else. But it was still in >good shape and chuck full of memories of successful hunts for Moose, Elk, >Caribou, Deer, Bear, and camping with my kids as they grew up. I don’t want >aluminum anything; just a wood and canvass Trapper Nelson. >Someone liberated mine from my last camp site. >Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: >        http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Check ebay, just ran asearch and saw two there. brad Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text —— Original Message —– Sent: Friday, June 08, 2001 12:34 PM >Does anyone know where I can find a Trapper Nelson Backpack? My old one was >over fifty years old and still in good shape. Granted, it was patched, >bloody, and stained with soot and who knows what else. But it was still in >good shape and chuck full of memories of successful hunts for Moose, Elk, >Caribou, Deer, Bear, and camping with my kids as they grew up. I don’t want >aluminum anything; just a wood and canvass Trapper Nelson. >Someone liberated mine from my last camp site. —– > Check ebay, just ran asearch and saw two there. > brad

  Yep, and one was probably yours. Maybe you can catch that ‘liberator’…..  Bob Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Seriously folks, help me : 9mm vs. 45 vs. ?

Question:

> I am nothing of a gun aficiondo so I need some help here. Ideally I want a > light, compact handgun for protection from critters (bears) out in the > wilderness.  I don’t want to spend more than about $500 dollars.  I have > been looking around and Glocks seem to be a reasonable fit.  So, what > advantages are there to 9mm vs. .45 vs .40? > Thanks > Tim

What kind of bears, blacks or big browns? I started out with a 9mm for protection from Colorado’s mountain lions and black bears, then switched to a .45.  Both are OK for lions at close range but marginal at best for bears. A far, far better choice, IMHO, is a .44 Mag.  I currently have a Ruger Super Redhawk with a 7-1/2" barrel and charge it with 240 grain JSP’s or XTP’s over 24.0 grains H110.  They leave the barrel at 1529fps and are kind of obnoxious to shoot, but should be very effective.  Even better would be Nosler Partition HG’s or Barnes XPB’s. If you live in an area where big browns are present, you might want to consider Ruger’s new .480 or even a .454.  You can use .45 Colts in the .454 for reduced recoil practice, then step up to full-house .454 loads for the woods. You can pick up a new stainless Super Redhawk for under $500 at the Denver gun shows, Redhawks and Blackhawks for considerably less. My two cents. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I am nothing of a gun aficiondo so I need some help here. Ideally I want a > light, compact handgun for protection from critters (bears) out in the > wilderness.  I don’t want to spend more than about $500 dollars.  I have > been looking around and Glocks seem to be a reasonable fit.  So, what > advantages are there to 9mm vs. .45 vs .40?

 9mm = lots of rounds.  .45 = big bullet.  .40 = somewhere in between.   If you want a much better compromise of the two, and recoil isn’t a problem, go for a 10mm – a plenty-powerful round. steve Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text —— Original Message —– Newsgroups: rec.hunting > I am nothing of a gun aficiondo so I need some help here. Ideally I want a > light, compact handgun for protection from critters (bears) out in the > wilderness.  I don’t want to spend more than about $500 dollars.  I have > been looking around and Glocks seem to be a reasonable fit.  So, what > advantages are there to 9mm vs. .45 vs .40? > Thanks > Tim    Tim,     If you are looking for Bear ammo, stick to the     .44 mag, or . 454 Casull chamberings.                         Al > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: >         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I am nothing of a gun aficiondo so I need some help here. Ideally I want a > light, compact handgun for protection from critters (bears) out in the > wilderness.  I don’t want to spend more than about $500 dollars.  I have > been looking around and Glocks seem to be a reasonable fit.  So, what > advantages are there to 9mm vs. .45 vs .40?

Given $500 I wouldn’t pick any of the cartridges you mention.  I’d buy a Ruger Blackhawk, Vaquero, or Bisley Vaquero in .44 magnum with a 4-3/4 inch barrel.  Other choices might include a S&W M629 Mtn. Gun – likewise in .44 magnum, or the Taurus Tracker in .41 magnum (though I have not tried it). Problem is, none of these pistols are a first pick for a beginner’s handgun, especially with full power ammunition.  OTOH If you’re just looking for an excuse to buy a Glock – and have larger than average hands – I suppose a case could be made for .45 ACP 230 grain +P loads being better than nothing, but that’s no beginner’s gun either.  Good luck to you. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I am nothing of a gun aficiondo so I need some help here. Ideally I want a > light, compact handgun for protection from critters (bears) out in the > wilderness.  I don’t want to spend more than about $500 dollars.  I have > been looking around and Glocks seem to be a reasonable fit.  So, what > advantages are there to 9mm vs. .45 vs .40? > Thanks > Tim

There is a revolver that would be well suited to your application.  It would be the Taurus Titanium tracker in .41 magnum.  It is an amazingly lightweight firearm yet powerful and versatile. Good luck, Rick Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

if you want to shoot bears. a .45 or .44 mag. 9mm lack power, ask the military . they would much rather have a .45. when you shoot something with a .45 it stays shot. large round, goes slow packs a PUNCH… LIKE A BIG TRUCK… ret’d USMC Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

If you went up against the bear with a 9mm  you would just piss it off. Do youself a favor, for the few extra pnds get the 45 or 44 or the 41! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

I am nothing of a gun aficiondo so I need some help here. Ideally I want a light, compact handgun for protection from critters (bears) out in the wilderness.  I don’t want to spend more than about $500 dollars.  I have been looking around and Glocks seem to be a reasonable fit.  So, what advantages are there to 9mm vs. .45 vs .40? Thanks Tim Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I am nothing of a gun aficiondo so I need some help here. Ideally I want a > light, compact handgun for protection from critters (bears) out in the > wilderness.  I don’t want to spend more than about $500 dollars.  I have > been looking around and Glocks seem to be a reasonable fit.  So, what > advantages are there to 9mm vs. .45 vs .40? > Thanks > Tim

None of those calibers is even vaguely adequate for bears.   Great for self defense if you’re worried about 2-legged critters.   Dogs.  Rabid small critters.  But absolutely not bears. For bears, look at a .41 or .44 mag or .454 Casull.   If you’re a handloader, the .45 Colt can be warmed up a little in the right heavy framed handgun, but I’ve not seen an adequate factory load yet. If you insist on a semi-auto (mistake, in my opinion) you might consider a desert eagle .44 or .50 AE, or a LAR Grizzly in .45 Winchester Mag. Basically, you need 200+ grains of lead, not smaller than .40 caliber, fired at not less than 1200 fps.   That elminates conventional, common semiauto pistol cartridges.  That’s also absolutely minimal; I’d feel a lot better with a .429" bullet of 250 grains weight starting at 1350 fps, though even that isn’t absolutely decisive … it takes some precision shooting to make it effective. Tom Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I am nothing of a gun aficiondo so I need some help here. Ideally I want a > light, compact handgun for protection from critters (bears) out in the > wilderness.  I don’t want to spend more than about $500 dollars.  I have > been looking around and Glocks seem to be a reasonable fit.  So, what > advantages are there to 9mm vs. .45 vs .40?

You need the one you can easily file the front sight off of because it won’t hurt so much when the bear shoves it up your …. before he eats you. If you want a more serious response, see Tom Rutledge’s — + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Chris Barnes                                          AOL IM:  CNBarnes Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

: I am nothing of a gun aficiondo so I need some help here. Ideally I want a : light, compact handgun for protection from critters (bears) out in the : wilderness.  I don’t want to spend more than about $500 dollars.  I have : been looking around and Glocks seem to be a reasonable fit.  So, what : advantages are there to 9mm vs. .45 vs .40? : Thanks : Tim If you’re insisting on an autoloader and it *has* to be compact and light, you might want to look into a Glock 20 (10mm).  It’s going to be marginal at best, but if you load it up with full power 10mm rounds you’ll be better off with that than any of the calibers you mentioned. Personally, I’d go with a bigger revolver. Steve Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I am nothing of a gun aficiondo so I need some help here. Ideally I want a > light, compact handgun for protection from critters (bears) out in the > wilderness.  I don’t want to spend more than about $500 dollars.  I have > been looking around and Glocks seem to be a reasonable fit.  So, what > advantages are there to 9mm vs. .45 vs .40? > Thanks > Tim

Keep in mind that in the late 19th century, Wild Bill Hickock used to hunt bear with a pair of Colt 1851 cap and ball black powder revolvers in .36 caliber.  He also used dogs so it was easier to walk up to the bear and put a round in its ear.  Those guns had the ballistics of a .32 caliber semi auto. Decades later, the .44 magnum was touted as the ideal bear load.  Now it’s the 454 Casull.  I hear people speak highly of shotguns with slugs. Whatever.  Still seems whatever you’re armed with is better than what you left at home. Just pay your money and take your chances. -Norm Balog, D.O. NRA pistol instructor, iconoclast, physician Occupied Maryland Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I am nothing of a gun aficiondo so I need some help here. Ideally I want a > light, compact handgun for protection from critters (bears) out in the > wilderness.

<snip> If you are going to be using it against bears, out of the three that you mentioned the .45 ACP would be the only one that I’d even consider marginal. The 9mm and .40 S&W simply don’t have enough energy and penetration to reliably do anything other than make a bear mad. With a bit of luck, and an accurate, well placed shot, they might work, but they might not. If you are really serious about critter protection, go for a double-action revolver in .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum. The revolver has fewer moving parts, meaning fewer things to fail while tromping around in the backcountry. Both the .357 and .44 have far better penetration vs. the .45, which you’ll need against a bear. A good, new revolver will cost you +/- $500, depending on what you get. Quality used revolvers abound, all you have to do is look around a little and you should be able to get a good quality used revolver for around $350. HTH Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Gasoline as bait?

Question:

I have heard that the bears like to go after mixed gas and chainsaw oil from some of my logging buddies. They tell me that the oils are either fishy smelling or actually are made from fish oils either way I wouldn’t want to pull that bears finger good hunting shawn — From Shawn Murphy www.skybiz.com/shawn_murphy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> When I was a teenager, we raised about a dozen sheep as part of our 4-H > projects. We had an old Sears riding lawnmower that we kept in the sheep > pasture, it didn’t run very well and was started maybe once a season, but > always had a little gasoline in the tank. > Our 300 pound Suffolk Ram was constantly sniffing the gas cap and rubbing > his head on the gas cap. Usually he rubbed it so much with such force, that > he often unscrewed the cap and we found it on the ground. > While sniffing and rubbing, he would often distend his upper lip in the same > fashion as when he found a ewe in season. It was very similiar to the way > bull elk act when they get on the rut around cows and start pissing on > themselves. > Don’t know if the gasoline would attack elk, but it sure seemed to work on > sheep. > -Jonathan > I keep an emergency stash of gasoline stored there for use in my > > generator.  The gas is in a red 5.25 gal Blitz heavy gauge plastic > > container.  This weekend I found the container punctured with holes that > > from the pattern and markings could only be claw or tooth marks.  If > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: >         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

>Ever heard on seen this?  I’ve got a hunting trailer on rural property in N >Idaho.  I keep an emergency stash of gasoline stored there for use in my >generator.  The gas is in a red 5.25 gal Blitz heavy gauge plastic >container.  This weekend I found the container punctured with holes that >from the pattern and markings could only be claw or tooth marks.  If I start >hunting over my gas stash what kind of tag should I have?   ;^) >SEC >Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: >        http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

We get that a lot here in Southeast Alaska.  Not sure about the rest of the state.  Randy? I have even had people tell me about instances where their plastic molded red kayak has been chewed up by brown bears over on Admiralty.  But I haven’t heard of anyone using gas as bait.  Can’t imagine that it would make any of the meat taste very good. Ken Juneau, AK Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

I have sighed both Cougar & Bobcat in the area but neither where of the Mercury subspecies. SEC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ever heard on seen this?  I’ve got a hunting trailer on rural property in N > Idaho.  I keep an emergency stash of gasoline stored there for use in my > generator.  The gas is in a red 5.25 gal Blitz heavy gauge plastic > container.  This weekend I found the container punctured with holes that > from the pattern and markings could only be claw or tooth marks.  If I start > hunting over my gas stash what kind of tag should I have?   ;^) > SEC > I knew a man who owned a Cougar (Mercury subspecies) which ate gasoline > excessively.  Get a cougar tag! > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: >         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

<snip> > This weekend I found the container punctured with holes that > from the pattern and markings could only be claw or tooth marks.  If I start > hunting over my gas stash what kind of tag should I have?   ;^)

Once you get a tag, make sure you use tracers while shooting it.  Kill, clean and cook with one pull of the trigger Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> Ever heard on seen this?  I’ve got a hunting trailer on rural property in N > Idaho.  I keep an emergency stash of gasoline stored there for use in my > generator.  The gas is in a red 5.25 gal Blitz heavy gauge plastic > container.  This weekend I found the container punctured with holes that > from the pattern and markings could only be claw or tooth marks.  If I start > hunting over my gas stash what kind of tag should I have?   ;^) > SEC

I’d bet that’s a black bear.   Never saw one eat a gas can before but they sure do like black PVC pipe.   It seems to be addictive; once they start, the only way to stop ‘em is to kill ‘em.   My grandpa had about 2 miles of water line from his spring to his house.   The bears would chew hell out of it … turn maybe 10-15 feet into a sprinkler hose, them move along a quarter mile or so and do it again.  Sometimes he could crew wood screws into the holes to plug ‘em, sometimes he had to replace sections. Stands to reason that PVC pipe and plastic gas can would emit about the same volitiles into the air and smell about the same to a bear. Tom Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

When I was a teenager, we raised about a dozen sheep as part of our 4-H projects. We had an old Sears riding lawnmower that we kept in the sheep pasture, it didn’t run very well and was started maybe once a season, but always had a little gasoline in the tank. Our 300 pound Suffolk Ram was constantly sniffing the gas cap and rubbing his head on the gas cap. Usually he rubbed it so much with such force, that he often unscrewed the cap and we found it on the ground. While sniffing and rubbing, he would often distend his upper lip in the same fashion as when he found a ewe in season. It was very similiar to the way bull elk act when they get on the rut around cows and start pissing on themselves. Don’t know if the gasoline would attack elk, but it sure seemed to work on sheep. -Jonathan

I keep an emergency stash of gasoline stored there for use in my > generator.  The gas is in a red 5.25 gal Blitz heavy gauge plastic > container.  This weekend I found the container punctured with holes that > from the pattern and markings could only be claw or tooth marks.  If

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Sounds like you have an infestation of *gas hogs* to me. Op

> Ever heard on seen this?  I’ve got a hunting trailer on rural property in N > Idaho.  I keep an emergency stash of gasoline stored there for use in my > generator.  The gas is in a red 5.25 gal Blitz heavy gauge plastic > container.  This weekend I found the container punctured with holes that > from the pattern and markings could only be claw or tooth marks.  If I start > hunting over my gas stash what kind of tag should I have?   ;^) > SEC > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: >         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Ever heard on seen this?  I’ve got a hunting trailer on rural property in N Idaho.  I keep an emergency stash of gasoline stored there for use in my generator.  The gas is in a red 5.25 gal Blitz heavy gauge plastic container.  This weekend I found the container punctured with holes that from the pattern and markings could only be claw or tooth marks.  If I start hunting over my gas stash what kind of tag should I have?   ;^) SEC Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> Ever heard on seen this?  I’ve got a hunting trailer on rural property in N > Idaho.  I keep an emergency stash of gasoline stored there for use in my > generator.  The gas is in a red 5.25 gal Blitz heavy gauge plastic > container.  This weekend I found the container punctured with holes that > from the pattern and markings could only be claw or tooth marks.  If I start > hunting over my gas stash what kind of tag should I have?   ;^) > SEC

I knew a man who owned a Cougar (Mercury subspecies) which ate gasoline excessively.  Get a cougar tag! Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Factory 200 gr 30/06 Cartridges

Question:

  Hey,,, Does anyone load up 200/220 grain factory ammo for the 30/06? I am asking this for a buddy who will be hunting bear this fall. He cannot seem to find any. He had to shoot his 327 pound bear last fall three times with 180 grain corelokts before it fell dead, and wants to try heavier bullets this fall. TIA,         Jim Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

I did some quick searching through the major manufacturers and could only find weights up to 180grns.  The major bullet manufacturers all make premium bullets in the 200grn range, though, if you can reload.  I guess if I was going to stay with factory ammo, I’d switch to one of the premium brands that use either the Nosler partition or the Winchester Failsafe bullets. YMMV CAL Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

field dressing black bear

Question:

>I was wondering if someone could explain how exactly to field dress a black >bear.  Thanks in advance

Except for the matter of scale (size) there isn’t much difference between gutting a rabbit, or a deer, or a bear. Or an elephant for that matter. It’s just that as the animals get bigger you need a little more help handling the carcass.      Bill Van Houten (USA Ret)  "No matter how hard you try, you can’t throw a potato chip very far." "Linus" Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Yes, the do have back straps and one should not over look them. They make excellent chops.. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text —— Original Message —– Newsgroups: rec.hunting Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2001 2:11 PM > I was wondering if someone could explain how exactly to field dress a > black > bear.  Thanks in advance > You don’t "field dress" a black bear. You skin in out with the guts still > in > it (much, much easier). Then you take the hind and front quaters off of > it. > The rest is food for the scavengers.There are no "innards" in a bear that > is > fit for human consumption. > WW Do they have backstraps like a deer that can be used? Dave — Remove anti-spam device from my email address if you wish to contact me. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was wondering if someone could explain how exactly to field dress a > black > bear.  Thanks in advance > You don’t "field dress" a black bear. You skin in out with the guts still > in > it (much, much easier). Then you take the hind and front quaters off of > it. > The rest is food for the scavengers.There are no "innards" in a bear that > is > fit for human consumption. > WW

Do they have backstraps like a deer that can be used? Dave — Remove anti-spam device from my email address if you wish to contact me. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

first thing is make sure you pick out something pretty,  they wont wear certain things. hahahaha,   just making a joke.  dont get offended. hard core hunter here, would love to know also Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

I was wondering if someone could explain how exactly to field dress a black bear.  Thanks in advance Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I was wondering if someone could explain how exactly to field dress a black > bear.  Thanks in advance

You don’t "field dress" a black bear. You skin in out with the guts still in it (much, much easier). Then you take the hind and front quaters off of it. The rest is food for the scavengers.There are no "innards" in a bear that is fit for human consumption. WW Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text —— Original Message —– Newsgroups: rec.hunting Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2001 12:35 PM > I was wondering if someone could explain how exactly to field dress a black > bear.  Thanks in advance > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: >         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/ I have never bagged a bear but some of my friends have. I do not believe that there is inherently anything different about bear than a deer or any other game. My guess is that you would cape it much in the same way for a mount. However I would feel that it would be somewhat different should you wish to end up with a rug…..perhaps some of the successful bear hunters can explain…I have not been lucky enough to draw a permit in Michigans lottery….yet! jp Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

.450 MARLIN?

Question:

my bubby has one. and its no gun to go plinking with unless you have the money to burn for the ammo or lots of time on your hands to reload and a good massage after the plinking!. its very stout on the recoil! i toss about 10 rounds thru it, shoots real well and i could feel it after. i guess you could use it to hunt anything but its for bigger game! > I would like some opinions on the .450 Marlin concerning it’s recoil, >reloadability,,ect. Is this caliber really overkill for weekend plinking, >(using more economic reloads of course)? Is it too much gun for Northern >whitetails? just right for moose, black bear? >                                Thanks in advance, A.W. >Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: >        http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

> I would like some opinions on the .450 Marlin concerning it’s recoil, > reloadability,,ect. Is this caliber really overkill for weekend plinking, > (using more economic reloads of course)? Is it too much gun for Northern > whitetails? just right for moose, black bear?

Overkill for plinking?  Up to you!  My .44 Mag Browing lever gun has a steel butt plate, and I only shoot 240 grain bullets over a full load of H110. Pain is pleasure!  Doubt you can download the .450 much below .44 Mag levels, but at least it has a recoil pad — won’t need as many drugs when you are done. Should be just the ticket for hunting those evil water jugs at ranges of 150 to 200 yards. And a great moose and bear gun.ideal caliber.  Too much for whitetails?  Do your part and I’ll bet none complain. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

I just finished reloading a batch that cost me less than $12 for 20.  That beats the $30 for a new box.  Recoil was equivalent to my .338WM before I let my local gunsmith talk me into a full-blown muzzle break job on it. That substantially reduced recoil and allowed for faster follow-up shots. Of course muzzle blast increased but that has never been a big problem for me.  I’m not hesitating to use it on anything that walks here in Alaska – out to about 150 yards.  I’ve tried the factory sights (adequate), receiver sight (much better), and currently have a Trijicon Reflex II (better yet!) mounted on it.  I’m planning to try a Leupold 1.5 – 5x on it here soon. > I would like some opinions on the .450 Marlin concerning it’s recoil, > reloadability,,ect. Is this caliber really overkill for weekend plinking, > (using more economic reloads of course)? Is it too much gun for Northern > whitetails? just right for moose, black bear? >                                 Thanks in advance, A.W. > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: >         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

 I would like some opinions on the .450 Marlin concerning it’s recoil, reloadability,,ect. Is this caliber really overkill for weekend plinking, (using more economic reloads of course)? Is it too much gun for Northern whitetails? just right for moose, black bear?                                 Thanks in advance, A.W. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at:         http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/

Response:

Fishing Lodge for sale

Question:

Fishing hunting lodge ( camp ) for sale in the Ontario Near North area. Cottages, efficiency rooms and camping sites. Moose, bear, small game, walleye ( pickerel ), bass, lake trout, pike, white fish, speckled trout. to reply, please remove NOSPAM from address. Fred Jeney

Response:

If we all chip in….we could send Al away to camp…for good! — Darren Fish

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Fishing hunting lodge ( camp ) for sale in the Ontario Near North area. > Cottages, efficiency rooms and camping sites. > Moose, bear, small game, walleye ( pickerel ), bass, lake trout, pike, > white fish, speckled trout. > to reply, please remove NOSPAM from address. > Fred Jeney

Response:

Sharpen them hooks

Question:

Gamagatzus are awesome hooks. I use the EWG hooks and when they stick,the fish are stuck! www.jimcpromotions.com

Response:

True – no need to increase quality if product is selling at #1! I like fishing against another club member when the fish are hitting traps and see he has not changed his hooks, too!  Another reason for keeping them the same! Ronnie http://fishing.about.com

Response:

I much prefer a file to gadgets when sharpening my hooks.  I have never had a hook come out of the box and be sharp enough for my liking. Having had to recently replace all of my ice fishing implements of destruction, I hadn’t as yet replaced the file used to sharpen the hooks on my ice jigs.  I used to use an 8" bastard file, but yesterday I found a nice file made by Nicholson.  It’s a 5 1/4" (or 130mm for you metric enthusiasts) Tungsten Point File. The advertising on the blister package said, "Tungsten files are designed for dressing contact points that are tipped with tungsten, iridium, or similar metals.  these files are double cut for fast stock removal with a smooth finish." Bought it, used it, and man does it do a quick job on coated hooks. They are usually a bear to get through to the actual metal of the hook, but this puppy ate right through.  It took only a couple of minutes to do all of my ice fishing lures….and I have many.  Cannot wait for the weekend to get back up on the lake and get the other tacklebox full of ice jigs sharpened. Great for when the hook hits the ice. A couple of licks from the file and voila, ready to hook another big un.  The nice thing is that it’s thin, flat, and can go into a pocket w/o poking a hole in your britches.  Just thought I’d pass it on…. — "Mad-Mikey"  At first, fishing and hunting were just hobbies,              then they became addictions taking all my time              and money. If they ever find a cure for these              sicknesses—   I’m refusing treatment.

Response:

I remove all factory hooks on all my crankbaits, unless they come equpped with Gamakatsu’s.  I only use Gamakatsu and Owner hooks.  I’ve been doing this for the last ten years.  The expense is worth it, especially when fishing tournaments. It’s a real crime that these major lure manufactures put cheap hooks on $4 and $5 lures, anything to save a buck! Fishin’ in Maryland                                             DOM

Response:

I just read in the 2001 Bassmaster New Product Guide that Bill Lewis Lures has changed the hooks on some of the traps. Going to a cahle EagleClaw hook that is teflon coated:) — Chuck Coger

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Never have been able to figure why the folks at Rattle Trap don’t put better >hooks on their baits. > According to Cabela’s catalog, Traps are America’s #1 selling crankbait. That’s > why they don’t put better hooks on. > Collectively, we do too much buying and not enough complaining. What is their > incentive to improve hooks?

Response:

I am often too lazy to change the hooks on crankbaits. (I don’t fish tournaments so it really doesn’t matter all that much.) I have found that if I bend the hook "out" a little it catches a heck of a lot more fish. I found this out while fly fishing on the Yellowstone. The guide was tying on the itty-bitty little flies ( my eyes are showing MY age! ) and I was missing four or five fish in a row. I DON’T normally miss that many fish. I pulled the fly out of his hands and bent the hook out slightly. He was Aghast!!!  I caught every strike from there on! Keep trying stuff, some of it works! regards,  RichG .

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I remove all factory hooks on all my crankbaits, unless they come > equpped with Gamakatsu’s.  I only use Gamakatsu and Owner hooks.  I’ve > been doing this for the last ten years.  The expense is worth it, > especially when fishing tournaments. > It’s a real crime that these major lure manufactures put cheap hooks on > $4 and $5 lures, anything to save a buck! > Fishin’ in Maryland                                             DOM

Response:

>It’s a real crime that these major lure manufactures put cheap hooks on >$4 and $5 lures, anything to save a buck!

What is even more mystifying to me is that 1) With the quantities they buy in, a quality hook would probably cost a penny or two more, and 2) They could raise the lure price by a nickel and we wouldn’t even notice and if we did, we’d happily pay the increase.

Response:

Never have been able to figure why the folks at Rattle Trap don’t put better hooks on their baits.  It is the only bait I always change. Ronnie http://fishing.about.com

Response:

>Never have been able to figure why the folks at Rattle Trap don’t put better >hooks on their baits.

According to Cabela’s catalog, Traps are America’s #1 selling crankbait. That’s why they don’t put better hooks on. Collectively, we do too much buying and not enough complaining. What is their incentive to improve hooks?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well went out on the lake yesterday, and what a productive day it could have > been.. I nailed at least 10 nice fish burnin Blaze Orange traps over humps > in 10 foot of water. As luck would have it the first 10 fish all threw thr > traps early in the fight. I know I had serious rod dippage when they hit and > really hammered on them. I never landed a fish until I did a field change > from the factory hooks to spares I had in the box. I put on some Gam’s and > went a size larger on the back. I only had two hits after that but I landed > them both.. I’m sold and the factory hooks are gone… > — > Chuck Coger

–You might have landed the other ten if you would have sharpened the factory hooks.  All hooks right out of the package needs sharpening except the presharpened factory hooks like Gammy. Sharp Hooks, Pat Holdzit Fishing Products Inc. http://www.holdzit.com

Response:

Well went out on the lake yesterday, and what a productive day it could have been.. I nailed at least 10 nice fish burnin Blaze Orange traps over humps in 10 foot of water. As luck would have it the first 10 fish all threw thr traps early in the fight. I know I had serious rod dippage when they hit and really hammered on them. I never landed a fish until I did a field change from the factory hooks to spares I had in the box. I put on some Gam’s and went a size larger on the back. I only had two hits after that but I landed them both.. I’m sold and the factory hooks are gone… — Chuck Coger

Response: