Since losing most of my guns in a house fire, I’ve been going to gun shows and looking at firearms individuals have for sale. I decided not to replace all of my guns, thinking about four would do for what I need.
I want a .22 rifle and like a Browning or Marlin lever action. I’ve replaced my CVA Accura muzzleloader with one just like it. With an Alpen Kodiak scope sitting on top, this gun is extremely accurate. The Alpen scope has been dubbed an Outdoor Life “Best Buy” about five times. I like the extended windage and elevation fingertip adjustments. This may be the only gun I’ll need for deer hunting.
As for a shotgun, the perfect one has come in the form of a gift. Just in time for my birthday tomorrow. An old friend gave me a Browning pump-action he won at an Elk banquet about six years ago. The gun is still new in the box. This beautiful shotgun comes with a set of choke tubes and can accommodate 2-3/4 or 3-inch shells. I could order a slug barrel for this gun or buy a .44 magnum for deer.
I took this Browning coyote hunting Tuesday morning. I had inserted the full choke tube and was loaded with 3-inch magnum, No. 4 shot. I sat in a chair and used a rabbit squealer. A south wind and 57 degrees made me sleepy and it must have done the same for the coyotes. I saw none.
The problem with the gun show guns is that most do not offer choke tubes; same with the old gun collections.
Many of my nicest guns I won at wildlife banquets. Perhaps, I’ll get lucky at the Elk Banquet Saturday, Feb. 11.
A reader came up with one of those why-didn’t-I-think-of-that ideas.
His suggestion: use solar lights for indoor lighting. The idea came forth when this fellow’s electricity went out. He looked at the solars along the driveway and a lightbulb went off in his head.
Insert the stakes of the lights in used water bottles. Add weight and decoration to the bottles by using flat landscape marbles. Set the lights outside during the day to recharge.
I’m a little concerned that this warm winter may have an adverse effect on morels. A couple of years ago, record breaking temperatures in early March upset nature’s timing and few morels were found.
Another problem the warm winter is sure to bring is that very few shad will die. Usually, ice and snow covered lakes will lose enough oxygen to kill thousands of shad. Without this die-off, young-of-year game fish will have to compete with shad for the available zoo plankton.
Finally, Tuesday morning, I had to help my pet squirrel “Fat Boy” out of a jam. My furry friend was enjoying unsalted peanuts and corn when a yellow cat charged him. Fat Boy raced up the tree with the cat in pursuit. I opened the back door and ran the cat off.
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Rick Bramwell: Slowly rebuilding my gun collection
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