tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47714771096034252992024-03-12T20:14:10.983-04:00Grits and GundogsFlint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-71762512125276304252016-01-21T13:34:00.002-05:002016-01-21T13:34:12.276-05:00A day in the fieldEveryone has to begin any recount of such endeavors by apologizing for going to a preserve to work their dogs.<br />
<br />
I say if it gets you out in the field and you get to work your dogs then more power to you. I know I certainly don't spend enough money to keep these places open so I'm actually grateful to those that do.<br />
<br />
Last weekend was one of those increasingly rare ones lately where there was more daylight than cloud-cover. The wind was noticeably brisk and I couldn't help thinking how hard it must have had to push to get that front to finally move through.<br />
<br />
Since there is the spring trialing season coming up I needed to get my dogs on birds. We tried our usual haunts for woodcock since the end of deer season, but the weekend prior had raised only one and then we never found it again after the flush and my horribly bobbled shot.<br />
<br />
The problem is that the area we had been finding them has been dramatically transformed with the seemingly incessant deluge. It's a hardwood bottom with a nice sized creek that feeds into one of the larger river systems working it's way to the Atlantic. This usually docile creek had overflowed it's banks so much that a full 8" of sand and silt now blankets a good portion of the bottom. A food plot just up from the creek had all it's winter wheat pushed to the side by the waters flow. The only way I could describe it to anyone not there was that it looked as if someone had combed the field like hair. It was like one of the old gents I used to see at church who still used Brylcreem. Luckily the silt and sand didn't inundate the food plot as I think the plants would have suffocated.<br />
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Another creek on the property had it's culvert plugged by the sediment and this led to the erosion of our road:<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BAIUwa1hpGT/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Washed out road at the lease. Thanks El Niño.</a></div>
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A photo posted by Sparkyflint (@gundogs_and) on <time datetime="2016-01-04T20:11:33+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 4, 2016 at 12:11pm PST</time></div>
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So, with no real birds to be had, a washed out road, and a need to work some rusty dogs it was time to pay a visit to the fine local hunting preserve.<br />
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Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-39165332026965759892015-11-19T11:20:00.003-05:002015-11-24T16:02:51.481-05:00Rain, deer, rain, mud, rain, deer, mud...and a grouse<br />
I have actually been busy and will post a about this soon:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">deer #2 Ogelthorpe CO, GA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">deer #1 Ogelthorpe CO, GA</td></tr>
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See the print in the mud below? That's my next quarry. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">evidence of hound from hell</td></tr>
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And for what it's worth, and probably the most striking:<br />
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there was a grouse flushed.<br />
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The first one ever for me this far south. The <a href="http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/523" target="_blank">DNR website</a> says they have been seen as far south as Clarke Co, GA.<br />
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Who knew?</div>
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Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-62893285263832119662015-08-05T14:55:00.000-04:002015-08-05T14:55:08.967-04:00RIP Jack Rowe<a href="http://www.shootingsportsman.com/john-frederick-jack-rowe-1936-2015/" target="_blank">Jack Rowe 1936-2015</a><br />
<br />
As a LH shooter, one of the reasons I gravitated to the SxS, especially the older ones is that generally they are cast neutral.<br />
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Cast:<br />
The lateral divergence of the shotgun stock from the plane of the barrels.<br />
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probably better explained, along with so many other variables, here:<br />
<a href="http://www.gundogmag.com/training/fine-tuning-a-shotgun-to-fit-you/" target="_blank">http://www.gundogmag.com/training/fine-tuning-a-shotgun-to-fit-you/</a><br />
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In the end, I wanted to shoot more consistently and to that end I owe a debt to another brit: Chris Batha (who I should write something about).<br />
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Time was spent developing a consistent mount and then more time was spent exactly 16 yards away from a pattern plate. The results of which told me how much I needed to alter my stock.<br />
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I went in search of info on bending stocks as I have enough woodworking experience to know I can do it myself. <br />
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Beyond the usual sources I came across a youtube video of Jack at one of his seminars. He was bending stocks, but without using a fancy jig. He simply had the wrist wrapped in cotton which he soaked in linseed oil then heated with an open flame. Occasionally the cloth would flame up, but he'd simply swat the embers out and move the flame a bit further away.<br />
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It was this matter-of-fact demeanor when working with the guns that struck me most. Here was a man who was a trained English gunsmith and yet he didn't hold these guns in high reverence as sacred objects. Rather, he seems to see them as what I imagine the craftsmen who made them may have: functional.<br />
<br />
These were machines/things meant to be taken apart and adjusted to suit a new owner; and in it's in the english tradition to send a gun back to the shop for a "refresh" every year or so. The gun is disassembled and worn or "tired" parts are replaced. Inherited your uncle's purdy? There no problem getting it adjusted to fit you. Not the same size you were when you bought the gun? Have the length of pull adjusted.<br />
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They're tools and they should be an extension of the body.<br />
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Whatever one may think of Larry Potterfield and MidwayUSA I am glad they produced, and I purchased, their DVD of Jack Rowe working on SXS's. The quality of the recording was obviously affected by his declining health so I have to adjust the sound to really make out what he's saying. It's clear that this was created after the youtube videos I first saw.<br />
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My wife laughs at me, but I honestly think one of the things she loves about me is that I can sit and watch Jack tighten/loosen a frozen turn-screw without buggering the head, and be impressed.<br />
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Like so many before him that I never got to meet, he had an impact on me.<br />
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God rest Jack. Thanks.Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-35965112918161897222015-07-23T09:56:00.003-04:002015-07-23T09:56:38.910-04:00sick of this weatherNothing makes me more ornery than this incessant heat.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="288" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/embed/mgid:arc:video:colbertnation.com:424b7482-ed01-11e0-aca6-0026b9414f30" width="512"></iframe></div>
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<b><a href="http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/">The Colbert Report</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/episodes">Colbert Report Episode Guide</a>, <a href="http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos">More Colbert Report Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.cc.com/full-episodes">Comedy Central Full Episodes</a></div>
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Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-88469891145812121952015-07-10T10:50:00.002-04:002015-07-10T10:50:39.353-04:00Summer doldrums and financial planningsCarson's reports have all been positive but I've been hesitant to post anything for fear of jinxing it.<br />
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Also, on a humorous note, I have a sneaking suspicion that a large percentage of my family are under the impression that Carson is off at some form of remedial obedience school and will return to us with the demeanor of an Scottish butler.<br />
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Personally, I'm expecting something else...<br />
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Thus far, the conversations with the trainer have been something like:<br />
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me: So, what do you think? Is he a hunting/meat-dog, is he a hunt test candidate, or is he maybe even a future field trial champion? </blockquote>
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trainer: If he was my dog the answers would be "yes, yes, and yes". </blockquote>
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One week later:<br />
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me: So you've had him for almost a month now-are you able to size him up yet?</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
trainer: I don't make predictions because so many things can go wrong and I don't like people coming back saying 'you said he'd make a such-and-such and he didn't'. But with this dog, if I don't run into any roadblocks, I think he could be real competitive in field trials. </blockquote>
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me: cool</blockquote>
My family asked about Carson's progress and I shared the good reports. The general consensus was that my wife would have to be the dog handler if I was going to want him to compete....because that's what they always see when they watch dog shows – women handling the dogs around the ring. Like I said, I am expecting something else.<br />
<br />
... mapping out the cost of field trials is a somewhat daunting task. There's food, travel, lodging, entry fees, additional training sessions, etc... I have a dog so I can hunt, that isn't gun-shy and loves birds. That's probably going to have to be enough, but if it's not I know I'd rather carry a NEF single-shot behind a good dog than have my dream gun (<a href="http://www.dicksonandmacnaughton.com/gunroom/new_guns/side_by_side/macnaughton_bar-in-wood.aspx" target="_blank">bar-in-wood round action</a>) but a crappy dog.<br />
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A little shotgun porn:<br />
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<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-65751527062031263482015-06-22T11:29:00.003-04:002015-06-22T11:29:54.306-04:00Summer schoolWhen it comes to certain things I've always held that you should seek the experts. While I am bullheaded enough to do fixing my own brakes, I'm not opposed to seeking any and all help when it comes to the more important things – such as training my dogs.<div>
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To that end, Carson has gone to visit a pro for a while. </div>
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I've never employed the services of a professional dog trainer so this is all new to me. It was a long drive to come home after dropping him off, but I owe it to him to give him the chance to perform to his potential. </div>
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The house is certainly quieter, and there are times you go to look for him and remember that he's not there.</div>
Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-4389802935547384912015-04-10T15:52:00.002-04:002015-04-10T15:52:23.499-04:00"new" ridesIt's not an everyday occurrence; much more like every couple of decades, that I get a new ride. And when I do it's never been "new" it's always "new to me". I mostly blame my Scottish ancestors and being raised by folks that saved everything because the great depression taught them what real privation was like.<br />
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Nevertheless-the new to me hunting truck:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43MGyf29LQ7aF_Bvo0Qom_gS7ciqRvCkANUvLqsSudZumb0-NqxSnnKQJts4tKnmeIZlltLfnQE4D0bBtGBx9XycozzXepLIO6EP7Lvoabw_2TQL_6JOe2rrE6ed8-O_mU68JGBNpWi-m/s1600/truck040715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43MGyf29LQ7aF_Bvo0Qom_gS7ciqRvCkANUvLqsSudZumb0-NqxSnnKQJts4tKnmeIZlltLfnQE4D0bBtGBx9XycozzXepLIO6EP7Lvoabw_2TQL_6JOe2rrE6ed8-O_mU68JGBNpWi-m/s1600/truck040715.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's not going to be replacing the tried and trusty subaru just yet as it has had some "deferred maintenance" issues to be taken care of before I can consider it to be completely dependable for everyday travel.<br />
<br />
That aside, the seemingly obvious issue is that it doesn't have 4wd. Honestly I didn't realize how much I really depended on my subaru's AWD until I took the truck turkey hunting a few days ago and nearly turned into an unplanned campout! Obviously I was able to get back to civilization but not without getting re-acquainted to RWD truck physics.<br />
<br />
So after reassessing the tread on the rear I think a set of these is in order:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIlr_E6h98qT9Lke_jc9PT-B8iCCqooWa_5QfMUkVFSrfv_ryYfEF_wdnV61VptG2gRVSP5l9Iarr6e3g3HH_U4BmTdFZqgRHnYmzG7JBOTCkiEDQQITOzuqWWQeLSlAyomiwbx_spWjK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-09+at+10.16.37+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIlr_E6h98qT9Lke_jc9PT-B8iCCqooWa_5QfMUkVFSrfv_ryYfEF_wdnV61VptG2gRVSP5l9Iarr6e3g3HH_U4BmTdFZqgRHnYmzG7JBOTCkiEDQQITOzuqWWQeLSlAyomiwbx_spWjK/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-09+at+10.16.37+AM.png" height="284" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The truck already has a locking rear diff, which will make a ton of difference and is probably the only reason I didn't have to camp out the other night. I won't be doing much over-landing but it should suffice on forrest/logging roads that I frequent if I just get a few bags of sand to keep some weight over the axle.<br />
<br />
The real question now is the pooches.<br />
<br />
My initial thought was something like this:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQ590tpkzGz9sUXpNaQlHOl2sNY8kRG293QPRTtDLnP9LLZ6fIdlI3oORUK9K_7nS7IUpgibjJWejjqnCAvMefmEWbR1k4SO3ZfyXJmJbvGdPeKSlpKknFm5ZtTxXkUp2VLoOzaxW_QOV/s1600/ruffTuffAndDrawers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQ590tpkzGz9sUXpNaQlHOl2sNY8kRG293QPRTtDLnP9LLZ6fIdlI3oORUK9K_7nS7IUpgibjJWejjqnCAvMefmEWbR1k4SO3ZfyXJmJbvGdPeKSlpKknFm5ZtTxXkUp2VLoOzaxW_QOV/s1600/ruffTuffAndDrawers.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flushandpoint.com/ProductDetails.asp?pID=596&ID=19" target="_blank">https://www.flushandpoint.com/ProductDetails.asp?pID=596&ID=19</a></div>
<br />
A plus is that I already have the ruff tuff kennels and could see building the drawer boxes. I'd just need to find a cap and a quick search on craigslist already shows me this wouldn't be too difficult to find.<br />
<br />
The other thought was a dog box:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoB1WWu7N5_P4x-tkS-sbWXTeZY_cyj2X8tkY4767fTKYNvpPSjGxwFQU5fT7VI1hgC31s3i8M-yP-BNRKFd6j1e_8m4kLpKqbfjEgb4KMVFVeFQvRfta-cExZbkg_DBXqcLBJiOsyc-Mv/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-09+at+10.24.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoB1WWu7N5_P4x-tkS-sbWXTeZY_cyj2X8tkY4767fTKYNvpPSjGxwFQU5fT7VI1hgC31s3i8M-yP-BNRKFd6j1e_8m4kLpKqbfjEgb4KMVFVeFQvRfta-cExZbkg_DBXqcLBJiOsyc-Mv/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-09+at+10.24.50+AM.png" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://diamonddeluxe.com/td_style_dog_box.php">http://diamonddeluxe.com/td_style_dog_box.php</a></div>
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I've been inside a camper shell in the summer and quite simply it sucks. I'm not sure how insulated the tool box is, but it could be much worse. </div>
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They do make this "summertime dog box" which might be a better option:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUagFws14DSfcoyGg5u8Vz4OPcp01C1rsvoHS50MwpWhKfr8T56dh5B317ITdB0PMGp9sm49uXockhmGyhbuDAbwJR99g_QZccTajcp8DSv3_D9WNtHzIDIn9PP-cqdTRtrwSRmJJexe8w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-09+at+10.28.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUagFws14DSfcoyGg5u8Vz4OPcp01C1rsvoHS50MwpWhKfr8T56dh5B317ITdB0PMGp9sm49uXockhmGyhbuDAbwJR99g_QZccTajcp8DSv3_D9WNtHzIDIn9PP-cqdTRtrwSRmJJexe8w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-09+at+10.28.13+AM.png" height="235" width="320" /></a></div>
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(for a bit of levity-this summertime box is listed as being "extremely lightweight at only 110#". Not that I can't move that, but that's bordering on what I would no longer call lightweight)</div>
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Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-63130549227910161022015-04-02T14:00:00.000-04:002015-04-02T14:00:07.407-04:00It's what's for breakfast Tomorrow is the Father's Day celebration at my daughter's school. In an effort to be as inclusive as possible Moms, aunts, uncles, granddads, etc... are invited. So while really it's XXXXXX Day and I'll be thinking that it should really be "YYYYYY" day, chromosonally speaking; it should be a lot of fun.<br />
<br />
We're invited for the morning and to bring hammer and nails to fabricate sculptures with our kids, who will paint them for us.<br />
<br />
Last year we were very representational and wound up with an airplane. Perhaps this year we'll be more expressionistic?!??! I'll have to wait and see what the boss has in mind. (I'm just in charge of nails and hammer)<br />
<br />
Also, we were requested to bring food and apparently there is/was a signup sheet with suggestions posted outside the classroom door, but still being a bleary-eyed-bloke in the AM thanks to the time change I still haven't fully recovered from, I didn't notice above mentioned sign-up sheet until there was only one slot left.<br />
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"Quiche: _____________________"<br />
<br />
Many years ago there seemed to be a political firestorm over a book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Real-Men-Dont-Eat-Quiche/dp/0671448315/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427996019&sr=1-1&keywords=real+men+don%27t+eat+quiche" target="_blank">Real Men Don't Eat Quiche</a> that's apparently now long out of print, but it made enough of a splash in our little town that it was the launching point for more than one sermon from the Sunday morning pulpit. So as a youngster it was indelibly etched on my psyche that any egg based pie was verboten...until I learned that I really liked quiche. (I decided that was ok, I just had to keep it a secret for fear of a repeat of the "easy-bake oven incident") <br />
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So, quiche is the suggestion and I gladly put my name down.<br />
<br />
Now, with the recent discovery of the "hipster hunter"<br />
<br />
<a href="http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/issue/2015-1/article/the-rise-of-hipster-hunters" target="_blank">Rise of the Hipster Hunter</a><br />
<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2012/12/hunting_by_liberal_urban_locavores_is_a_trend_good_for_the_environment.html" target="_blank">Hipsters Who Hunt</a><br />
<br />
I will do the hipster thing and see how 'cool' I can be and see exactly how many of my fellow dads are in on the 'game'.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow's menu will include a venison sausage quiche. Wish me luck. If no one eats it I promise it won't go to waste.<br />
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<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-77700941682092403002015-04-01T16:56:00.002-04:002015-04-01T16:56:54.687-04:00Four letter wordsIt doesn't take a long look around my favorite blog haunts to see that there is a bit of malaise. Whether it's <a href="http://wingshot.blogspot.com/2015/03/crickets.html" target="_blank">"crickets"</a> or <a href="http://red-legged-devils.com/2015/03/16/the-vest/" target="_blank">"the vest"</a> there has/had been a notable lull in productivity.<br />
<br />
I'm even more guilty than the next except I have been writing and working plenty but have posted nothing. The thing is that I've been dealing with a problem and I've not been sure how much of it to put 'out there'. There are a few words that contain more than four letters, but have the same effect as four letter words used to have. The one I've been dealing with:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gun-shy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
but to be honest it's not really "gun-shy"...more like "gun-nervous"<br />
<br />
That being said, I completely accept that it's my fault. I just don't know what the hell I could have done to deserve it!<br />
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Last year, in the late summer/early fall I noticed that Carson was getting progressively more storm-shy; until it was really unlike I've ever really seen in person: thunder = Slobbering, trembling, wanting to be in my lap, etc…(FWIW I didn't coddle him when it started, because I didn't want to reinforce the behavior for fear it would lead to more trouble down the road)</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Fast forward to this past January. I took him out with some buddies and their dogs for a cleanup hunt the day after a continental pheasant shoot. This was not carson's first hunt, but it was his first hunt with other people not to mention dogs other than his kennel mate. The hunt started off in a planted bottom of around 10 acres. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">So...the other dogs and their owners are working a separate part of the field when they (2 gsp and a gwp fwiw) went on point, birds flushed, their owners shot (and missed, but that's another story). </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
All the while my dog didn’t see any of this. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
He just heard the sound of three 12GAs going off in that bottom and I honestly think he thought it was thunder. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
At this point he was seeming pretty apprehensive and I should have stopped then and there but we kept hunting some the cover crops edges by ourselves when in another ~10 min the other group put up another bird (which they missed). </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
When he heard the shot this time he went into boot-licker mode and would have preferred I picked him up (which I didn’t). </div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Instead I took him directly to the car, put him in kennel, and drove home. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<br />
<span class="s1"></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The whole way home I keep thinking about the seriousness of this situation. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Thoughts were generally variations on: </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="s1">"I can’t believe I’m going to have to live with a gunshy dog for the next 12+ years" </span></blockquote>
At this point he’s part of the family and I won’t push him down the line. Not to mention:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"he's too f'ing annoying to just be a 'pet'"</blockquote>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">So I spent the afternoon brooding but by late in the day I finally came to the conclusion that if I was ever going to consider myself a "trainer" worth anything then I’d have to fix the situation because that’s what trainers really do-they fix problems.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Step 1 I talked to the breeder and</span> 3 professionals. </div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">First thought from most of them, including myself: put him on some quail. When he’s really going after a fly away, shoot one.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I did that and h</span>e was OK, but really just ok. I thought I saw a bit of hesitation in his run so I decided to stop. </div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Back to drawing board. Further input from trainers and further thinking on my part led me to:</span></div>
<ol class="ol1">
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Take a BIG step back in training. Pretty much back to square 1.</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">NO birds, guns, etc… for a few weeks. We're working on the basics.</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Add <a href="http://www.gundogsupply.com/gunshycure.html" target="_blank">Masters Voice CD</a> which I start to play several times a day. Fortunately I have an understanding wife and daughter!</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Seven to eight weeks later I went to my hunting lease and immediately after I sent the dog off for a dummy I had my wife( who was standing 100 yards away) fire one shot from a starting pistol. </span></li>
<ol class="ol1">
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">There was no reaction</span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">We only fired that one shot as there's no sense in tempting fate.</span></li>
</ol>
</ol>
Since then I've started firing shots closer and closer. But still only one.<br />
<br />
<div>
Where we are:<br />
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span></div>
Now I’m firing shots very close, but that are muffled by the training shoulder-bag. I throw a dummy, send him for a retrieve, and fire starting pistol inside bag. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fortunately, so far no reaction.<br />
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Next step is to reintroduce some quail and then the .410 and I will probably do that in the next week or two. Biggest worry right now is that one of our thunderstorms comes through and somehow sets me back. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">He’s a wretched combination of being wickedly smart, highly driven, with dominance tendencies, and a hatred for being corrected. With positive reinforcement this dog to do anything. Sometimes I find it’s hard to have that kind of personality/behavior and so I’m learning a lot about myself here too. </span></div>
<br /></div>
Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-13419354379552927752015-01-18T15:22:00.002-05:002015-01-18T15:22:56.039-05:00one season closes with sign for the next<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hopefully not everyone get's worked up at the site/sight of crap. </div>
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What the pic below tells me is that even though my whitetail season is over, my hunting season isn't. It could also explain why I've had such an abysmal woodcock season, and why despite the hundreds of piles of treetops left by the loggers there hasn't been the increase in cottontails I was hoping for. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztUUJkx-R1zuFXwHUG-zk9HX1raOyIcG6gv0urZoD0CjoSOU-R4pKDWFsXOSx2mtuJYlagZ2hm-kA40z-MyO2-LQR2R_ptayma-BHQ4EYbRygUFV2tLHWKBBb24zVQrIKY0_jEeds8cBm/s1600/UnknownScat_12_30_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztUUJkx-R1zuFXwHUG-zk9HX1raOyIcG6gv0urZoD0CjoSOU-R4pKDWFsXOSx2mtuJYlagZ2hm-kA40z-MyO2-LQR2R_ptayma-BHQ4EYbRygUFV2tLHWKBBb24zVQrIKY0_jEeds8cBm/s1600/UnknownScat_12_30_14.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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.270 included for reference (3.30 OAL)</div>
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who is the likely culprit?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyd5ssmCz8q48Wl1O9ro6e9CHbl3X8yKqHizEC1qGQdXDn7y5bA79xWBeKziDnQ9m6hkDFn8QVZIqI_NNaf7pblnDXrWmzVL7AfpILh0JHb3K5N2kB0xeNeg-UjoLByD8C_DoMukuX4Cy/s1600/Bobcat_sitting_in_tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyd5ssmCz8q48Wl1O9ro6e9CHbl3X8yKqHizEC1qGQdXDn7y5bA79xWBeKziDnQ9m6hkDFn8QVZIqI_NNaf7pblnDXrWmzVL7AfpILh0JHb3K5N2kB0xeNeg-UjoLByD8C_DoMukuX4Cy/s1600/Bobcat_sitting_in_tree.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
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or</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTwgh81qYwWTVbSdqb-rbU0yi1TCXOVdYs6BvzPHkOwFt9cOUknvEAH513qqokzwnlJSZoyIsLAXpGR3O5aJvLUBWeG290QlmmIR7UoGJxQdreH2q4Qm8782FmfUV-kX_pV784CN7SswM/s1600/Coyote_Tule_Lake_CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTwgh81qYwWTVbSdqb-rbU0yi1TCXOVdYs6BvzPHkOwFt9cOUknvEAH513qqokzwnlJSZoyIsLAXpGR3O5aJvLUBWeG290QlmmIR7UoGJxQdreH2q4Qm8782FmfUV-kX_pV784CN7SswM/s1600/Coyote_Tule_Lake_CA.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
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The question is whether to trap, to call, or both. </div>
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I don't have an aversion to trapping, but I'm not really looking forward to it. I know it's probably the most effective means for controlling the predator population. Truth be told, if it's bobcats I would just a-soon leave them be. I think they don't have nearly the impact as coyotes as they're more territorial, but that could be a total misconception. </div>
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<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-19076389380917134922014-12-16T11:22:00.000-05:002014-12-16T11:22:04.955-05:00ouch<br />
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<a href="https://38.media.tumblr.com/01743a544e6bce509413842c68ac0a59/tumblr_ngj4zmf7GZ1rqfghno1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://38.media.tumblr.com/01743a544e6bce509413842c68ac0a59/tumblr_ngj4zmf7GZ1rqfghno1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://onemansstyle.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">via OneMansStyle</a></div>
Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-74806828568330170372014-12-08T15:39:00.002-05:002014-12-08T15:39:52.641-05:00The sound of an arrow hitting the target One day around 7 years ago I was working the dogs at a nearby WMA when I came in contact with one of the DNR folks. I hate that I can't remember his name but he was a young fellow not long out of college and, like every DNR law-enforcement officer I've ever dealt with, he was genuinely nice. I'd like to think impressed him with my knowledge of the law when I volunteered to show my receipt for the quail I was training with, but he just laughed and said "sure, but I'll tell you I've never even checked one before!" He just seemed to really want to talk and hangout; I didn't get the feeling that he was just trying to get me to say something to get myself in trouble.<br />
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Turns out that his passion was bowhunting and we talked a bit about that (b/c that is all that is allowed on this WMA) he asked if I'd ever used the 3D range across the road...<br />
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3D range?<br />
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Nope.<br />
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(Actually didn't even know what that was but I've always loved archery. Always. For as far back as I can remember-to those "bows" strung with kite string and suction-cupped arrows)<br />
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To me the sound of an arrow hitting the target solicits the same endorphins as the sound of a golfball dropping into the cup.<br />
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Of course, as an adult I was convinced that I could/would/should shoot with a stickbow (probably somehow related to the pursuit of SXS shotguns and tweed; a sucker for that twist that lends an air of romanticism to an activity) However, the reality was that I had been shooting targets for a couple of years and was just not ready to go hunting. I was interested in killing (and even more importantly, interested in <u><b>not</b></u> wounding) a deer. The final straw was when I was brutally humiliated by my performance with a longbow during an evening backyard shoot with my fine Deutsche friend. He sent arrow after arrow into 1" circles from 25 yards while I was just happy to hit the damn target. <br />
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So not long after that I gave in to modern technology and bought myself a used, but still in great shape, Mathews Outback. It was technologically surpassed and outdated when I bought it, but honestly with this bow I almost immediately was putting arrows into a 1" circle out to 45 yards; into a 5" circle out to 60. I've been shooting that bow for 5 years now and put a new string and site on it this year. It's still a dart throwing machine.<br />
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But I still love my stick and string simplicity.<br />
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It's downright silly that in this large college town there is no real archery opportunities. More so, it's forbidden to do on the campus-a fact I had to alert two well intentioned young men to one day. Despite setting up in an incredibly safe manner and taking more than adequate precautions, they were heading for a 'weapons violation' that would haunt them for life. That's sad, really. And archery is one of those things that is gender neutral. In this age of Title 9 in collegiate sports it seems like a natural place to put $. </div>
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Some pics from shooting at that public 3D range yesterday. </div>
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Carbons are from the Mathews with the aluminum coming from my Bob Lee recurve. I carried both bows and both were shot generally from the same distances of 20-35 yards. (I've improved with a stickbow over the last several years but still have never killed a deer with one)</div>
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Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-58421873828693909992014-12-03T14:22:00.001-05:002014-12-03T14:22:26.095-05:00The importance of doing things yourself.Looking at the calendar I note that there ARE benefits to living in GA. The woodcock season just opened today, and I have every intent of getting out ASAP to put the pups to use. They've not so much been neglected as much as they've been in hiding. See, in GA these woods are deer woods, and any dogs seen out and about are likely to get shot.<br />
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I'm not kidding.<br />
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Lots of hicks used to brag about it on the local forums but that has been somewhat squashed. Nevertheless, it's one of the many reasons I run spaniels rather than a bigger running breed; but regardless, I keep them out of the woods until at least after Thanksgiving for their own protection.<br />
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The lease has me blessed with a couple of bucks this year.<br />
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Buck#1, which is a really interesting story for another time:</div>
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and Buck #2:</div>
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Buck #2 is the largest whitetail I've ever killed. I'm not much of a 'trophy' hunter for whatever reason-mostly as probably an excuse for never having killed a 'trophy'. To that end, I have had exactly ONE deer taken to the taxidermist; my first one. This year I have passed up several bucks after #1 because I was hoping to have one to take to the taxidermist this year. I know their out there even still:<br />
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So when this fellow walked out from the brush I thought "there's one".<br />
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However, the call I got from my taxidermist was less than what I was hoping for. Apparently the processor didn't keep the hide at the right temp and so the hide was no good anymore-he'd have to get a replacement cape.<br />
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I was/am pissed.<br />
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I thought about it a while and finally decided to go with a european mount instead because I didn't want to do this as "decoration". Earlier my wife asked me if I wanted this shoulder mount for my Christmas present this year and unflinchingly I said 'yes, it's something I can look back on for the rest of my life'.<br />
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I wanted to do it as celebration; even more so after I got the deer on the ground and got to see him up close.<br />
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See, this deer was an older one; probably 7+ and he had lost an eye at some point and that holds a special significance to me. I didn't know about it until I got him to the trail because it was on the opposite side from where I first saw him and how he lain down. But when I finally got him to the trail and saw his damaged eye-socket I honestly almost cried. Call me a pussy, but as someone who has struggled with partial blindness in one eye, I was empathetic.<br />
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However, it's not that I felt bad; I felt more connected.<br />
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So as I was discussing the particulars with the taxidermist and told him I didn't want this to be a "perfected" thing, but rather a preservation of what he was at this time; he told me about the damaged cape.<br />
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This deer was an elder. His injuries and age spoke to me in ways that I didn't want to loose. I wanted the loss of the eye preserved and I think that desire is what prompted him to tell me the rest of the story. The cape was ruined and there would need to be a replacement. I think he knew I would be affected by the substitute cape, and I appreciate that about him. Although he tried to convince me that it would be fine, he wasn't doing it out of greed for the business. I'd like to think he was touched and he was trying to preserve my feelings for this deer.<br />
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But in the end we decided the best thing to do was a simple european mount. I'll still have it the rest of my life.<br />
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I did learn the importance of taking the cape to the taxidermist myself, rather than trusting the processor to store it for a week.<br />
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<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-4962071770075724052014-06-06T10:30:00.001-04:002014-06-06T10:30:33.240-04:00The art of Bob BertramHaving completely matriculated through the modern art education system where depicting reality is never in vogue, everyone is an amateur auto-psychologist/interlocutor forcing others to join them as they work through the myriad reasons mommy and daddy didn't love them enough, or society oppressed their ancestors and continues to deny their "human-ness" because of their mis-appropriated gender assignation...; it's nice to be able to admit that sometimes I just like to look at (and sometime even create) pretty pictures.<br />
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In a moment of weakness/strength (because, in art, everything is a dichotomy) I purchased something I'm really excited about, a "study" from Bob Bertram:<br />
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I'm not going to try to dissect why I like it so much, but I think calling it a 'study' is an injustice. Do not be fooled by the loose character of the plein aire expressionistic brushstrokes, because while they are not indicative of his illustrations, which are decidedly more formal and illustrative, they show spontaneity and engagement with the 'present'. I could go on, but I'll keep the art-speak to a min.<br />
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Bob and his work are well known in the dog community. I have been more than impressed with his openness to inquiry and generosity. More of his work can be seen on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bob.bertram.artist?fref=ts" target="_blank">facebook page.</a><br />
<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-52003653786076817232014-06-03T11:00:00.001-04:002014-06-03T11:00:11.227-04:00RabbitsOne of the reasons I've stayed with spaniels, <a href="http://gundogsand.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-search-continuesand-its-amazing.html" target="_blank">although I've considered other flavors of hunting dog</a>, is that they are so versatile...not versatile enough to be in the NAVHDA ( and not that I'm bitter, but it's because they don't point). Having had the opportunity to train with some of those folks, I don't hold that against them! Mostly people that love dogs, that love working and training their dogs, don't care what flavor you bring so long as you bring dedication.<br />
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To the point...it's not rabbit season. It's spring and the rabbits are...breeding like rabbits. Combining this with the record woodcock return migration and this has been a very good year to be a puppy and have a puppy to train.<br />
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Between <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxomatosis" target="_blank">mixo</a> and the simple fact that EVERYTHING eats a rabbits, there's an ebb and flow regarding rabbit populations. From what I've seen, it seems to be a 3 year cycle; but that's so unscientific a conjecture that it really only rises to the level of "<i>maybe"</i>. <br />
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I am not seeing the number of raptors I was and I AM seeing more rabbits than I was. Make of that what you will...it's a situation like 'which came first: chicken/egg' I'm sure.<br />
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I do wish there were more on my lease but I'm hopeful it won't be long before they find all the brush piles from the latest timber-thinning and get busy doing their <b style="font-style: italic;">business </b>of being rabbits. In the meantime I'll do my part and continue to cull predators as I can.<br />
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The latest was a 4 1/2' rattler found on the closing day of turkey season. No pic as it was night so you'll have to just imagine a smoking 870 barrel and a rattler with no head.<br />
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In the meantime I try to get the pups on the areas where I know there are rabbits.<br />
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No flushes in this vid and don't judge my videography too harshly:<br />
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<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-36422291249678652102014-05-04T07:56:00.001-04:002014-05-04T07:56:45.487-04:00(almost) Summertime<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-40202312743512901102014-04-11T09:10:00.001-04:002014-04-11T19:06:10.837-04:00It's the time of the year for that "other" upland birdNo dog work required here, unfortunately. I've always heard that boykins can be used as turkey dogs, but I've never known anyone who did such.<br />
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It was a mature tom at ~3 or 4 years based on his 9 1/2" beard and 7/8" spurs.<br />
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It was almost a case of self defense, and it was over before I had a chance to really get excited. I can't say I shot him in full strut, but nevertheless I did call him in and it wasn't a long distance snipe. Ample evidence of which is that I was shooting a modified choke 2 3/4" 12GA; distance to this bird was less than 30 yards.<br />
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The birds are hot and heavy for a 'lost hen' call right now. Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-21251622123464405272014-02-18T11:22:00.003-05:002014-02-18T11:22:34.390-05:00Scolopax minor <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I've <a href="http://gundogsand.blogspot.com/2013/02/what-dogs-can-do-when-youre-having-bad.html" target="_blank">said in the past</a>, it's amazing what dogs can do to elevate your mood.<br />
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At approximately this same time last year we had a single flush on the same property. One woodcock-brilliantly silhouetted against the sky. I honestly thought about writing some poetry when it happened again this year, two weeks ago.<br />
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That single flush inspired poetry. I have yet to really internalize what the <b>8</b> flushes we had yesterday evening is causing. <br />
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(excuses to follow): All I had with me was my iPhone, and the vid is sooo bad I hesitate to show it; but if you look closely at the 10 second mark you will see (and hear) the flush of woodcock #8 from R to L.<br />
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<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-60880012571854561212014-02-17T09:27:00.001-05:002014-02-17T09:27:36.242-05:00Some tech play and an example of bad behavior<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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An example of bad behavior and it is completely my fault. </div>
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Working two dogs at the same time can be done but it's not easy. In the above vid Emmie was not supposed to be walking at heel so she's not really disobeying. The simple fact is that <b>I</b> should have placed her at heel and <b>then</b> given the retrieve for Carson. Then if she ran-in to try and "steal" the bumper I could have rightfully corrected her, and she would probably expect it.<br />
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The difficulty here is that the retrieve is so important to her that it might be worth it to her to be corrected if she were able to get the retrieve. It's something I am working on, and actually in the previous vid of Carson doing the unseen retrieve Emmie is actually behind me at "hup". <br />
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At first blush it seems that if I had all day to do it, and the training grounds were my backyard, I could work them each independently to the level I would be happy and then bring them together. This is something we do, in terms of yard-work. I do place-board training with them independently. But eventually in the real world, day-to-day they will need to both be with me at the same time. One will work, while the other is at heel and then they should switch out.<br />
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So on training walks like this one where I'm working them together I'm going on the theory:<br />
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"it's better to set off as you mean to go on". </blockquote>
Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-55605059465344050462014-02-14T11:03:00.002-05:002014-02-14T11:03:47.377-05:00Learning to use your nose on unseen retrievesI'm often asked why I hunt and particularly why do so with my dogs. The simple truth is that I am in perpetual awe of them; of their ability to use all their senses in such an all-comsuming way. When I see the light come on in their eyes; when the tail becomes a blur; the dog back-and-forth on the forest floor becoming frenetic–that anticipation of an impending flush peaks. This is the thing that I live for.<br />
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One of the 'selling points' for Carson was the description of him being very confident with his nose, even as a six-seven week old pup. This is very very true and it's up to me to shape this innate talent.<br />
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It's hopefully helped with situations like this:<br />
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<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-88274248006365097782014-01-31T07:30:00.000-05:002014-01-31T09:47:49.462-05:00You've got to have confidence in your tools. Tools.<br />
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It's vitally important to have confidence in your tools; all tools.<br />
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A lack of confidence you will either get you or someone else hurt. I've seen it. When teaching a new student how to use a tool safely; whether it was a table-saw, a hand-drill, or even a hammer, doesn't matter. If the person using the tool isn't confident they will hesitate, be less than committed, and eventually they may get seriously hurt.<br />
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There are a multitude of ways to look how to build confidence, but ultimately it comes down to feeling that the tool is not a hindrance. At it's essence, you don't want to <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">fight</u> the tool. You want to let the tool do the work. After all, by the classical definition a tool is supposed to be the thing that "saves work".<br />
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Such is the case with this tool:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKltawW1jWL-swqHsYc4lMnxd3F7rqkhr1-FGAzeKXoRKpaX1qvKJqueLbNuSiPizFpyxVPxoAEOTajIhWoiMDnA5VsG-KG-1dseodkTohXB1khQZakpS6xvYFmvaev-2osptCb48cmYC4/s1600/g23.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKltawW1jWL-swqHsYc4lMnxd3F7rqkhr1-FGAzeKXoRKpaX1qvKJqueLbNuSiPizFpyxVPxoAEOTajIhWoiMDnA5VsG-KG-1dseodkTohXB1khQZakpS6xvYFmvaev-2osptCb48cmYC4/s1600/g23.gif" height="263" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And, there's no doubt about it; it's nothing more than a tool. No one ever waxes poetically about their polymer framed semi-auto; except maybe in bad man-fiction. (<i>Which I claim ignorance of as I haven't read any since </i><i>this </i><i>1982 cold-war series by Jerry Ahern which I was surprised to find is still available:</i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WPZURC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004WPZURC&linkCode=as2&tag=gundand-20">Total War (The Survivalist)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gundand-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004WPZURC" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjv0HptiqgKj4hB1-bZITTVhly5mHxaYz2BURWcmo3hiqdPMBuResk5-97t5UT9_gy3sF59tCR_C4EqKwUlIHsA-8zCRbHVT635wxGzYY0yvy_4Jn4T2cNIC1kNFh8vcMqoBQgYFGlwrK/s1600/Survivalist1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjv0HptiqgKj4hB1-bZITTVhly5mHxaYz2BURWcmo3hiqdPMBuResk5-97t5UT9_gy3sF59tCR_C4EqKwUlIHsA-8zCRbHVT635wxGzYY0yvy_4Jn4T2cNIC1kNFh8vcMqoBQgYFGlwrK/s1600/Survivalist1.jpg" height="320" width="197" /></a></div>
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What's the the point? The point is this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv0-p6l3wukbyvQvMvW0bOh9RribGMVOLHHGhgynBMd7i7cNKimO2hQpWK_46x-qTKH-jWx13YLk1wzlC9o3-YKliwtRTojB6AF2dLxI23mF5w0Xy5HFo_zicK2HPsbZdDd2C8VZLqCYN/s1600/Glock23Gen3_EAAwitness_01_26_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv0-p6l3wukbyvQvMvW0bOh9RribGMVOLHHGhgynBMd7i7cNKimO2hQpWK_46x-qTKH-jWx13YLk1wzlC9o3-YKliwtRTojB6AF2dLxI23mF5w0Xy5HFo_zicK2HPsbZdDd2C8VZLqCYN/s1600/Glock23Gen3_EAAwitness_01_26_14.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the left are the results from the vaulted G23. On the right are the results from what has been less-than lovingly referred to as "the spaghetti gun" by my gunsmith: a Tanfoglio EAA Witness. (FYI-that is a streamer on the lower left of the target stand for gauging wind but at this distance it is irrelevant)</div>
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Look closer at the reactive targets and not the redneck target in the middle:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvEob2Up_sxXQ4l6LO_uIhl8XiaMuBbE4AdkwGJaLtCvoOe9LfHLoNqu8FPL44SCBpsgy94YMpq_M48rGqROSphMxZANFL20hOiHYCVqN7APcvWUlfqL6fYkqVl9ylK89Wg0X_JLLbr0H/s1600/Glock23Gen3_EAAwitness_01_26_14b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvEob2Up_sxXQ4l6LO_uIhl8XiaMuBbE4AdkwGJaLtCvoOe9LfHLoNqu8FPL44SCBpsgy94YMpq_M48rGqROSphMxZANFL20hOiHYCVqN7APcvWUlfqL6fYkqVl9ylK89Wg0X_JLLbr0H/s1600/Glock23Gen3_EAAwitness_01_26_14b.jpg" height="170" width="320" /></a></div>
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Each of the groups (on the reactive targets) is a carefully aimed five shot group. The targets are 5.5 inches across the black circle. The distance is 10 yards.<br />
<br />
The group on the right is pretty much "one ragged hole". It's a group I'm actually proud of unfortunately...which I'll explain*. I need to change my hold to get it in the center of the target, but it's consistent and would probably change with different loads.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQaiz7s-w_F28MMwiyCGK17DvV85Cz8e8Ig4lR11Gxq8E4Fu8bD7KBFiE24OrK12PDhAZPrmXUYY7hOxVmjjWxzjCbFmwyueT5rQ-Boa9bhcuF43B7GCjF7ewUKLuv6Kc8K1RfTckupVz/s1600/Glock23Gen3_EAAwitness_01_26_14c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQaiz7s-w_F28MMwiyCGK17DvV85Cz8e8Ig4lR11Gxq8E4Fu8bD7KBFiE24OrK12PDhAZPrmXUYY7hOxVmjjWxzjCbFmwyueT5rQ-Boa9bhcuF43B7GCjF7ewUKLuv6Kc8K1RfTckupVz/s1600/Glock23Gen3_EAAwitness_01_26_14c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanfoglio 40 S&W</td></tr>
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<br />
The group on the left is something I'm truly embarrassed about:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs50yU73VtYXONAJLflXGmDdpuBFZroQdE-qOP0M23GNZFXM2PR4ZGwujxooffyib9viWfpge8iz_yxPr_ZjvsAhYENwvov4NKOxPqhwXcgCV0rCoddjR4FqQVKcvUIHGO3hr1SU6jAc32/s1600/Glock23Gen3_EAAwitness_01_26_14d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs50yU73VtYXONAJLflXGmDdpuBFZroQdE-qOP0M23GNZFXM2PR4ZGwujxooffyib9viWfpge8iz_yxPr_ZjvsAhYENwvov4NKOxPqhwXcgCV0rCoddjR4FqQVKcvUIHGO3hr1SU6jAc32/s1600/Glock23Gen3_EAAwitness_01_26_14d.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glock G23</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've fought with/against my performance with <i><u>this</u></i> pistol for as long as I've owned it.<br />
<br />
Is it my trigger control?<br />
Is it lack of mindful practice?<br />
Is it ergonomics? (bingo)<br />
<br />
It is ergonomics, but in the end that doesn't matter because I have worked on my performance enough that I am now at the point of simply finding a replacement for the G23. I have proof that it's not me, per say. But it is me using THIS pistol.<br />
<br />
This is really an unfortunate realization because in other aspects, this is the IDEAL carry piece in the field. I whole-heartedly believe in the reliability of the Glock. It has NEVER failed to go bang. Not ONE stovepipe, FTF, etc...NONE. That being said, the good thing is that I can trade it or sell it with full knowledge that it does what it's supposed to do and there is nothing mechanically wrong with it.<br />
<br />
It's just a bad relationship. It's nobodies fault. We just don't work well together.<br />
<br />
It's my carry piece when hunting and was never meant to be a target gun. But as a carry piece for the field, it's all the more important that I <b><i><u>know</u></i></b> I can rely on it to put lead where I need it to go. If I'm using it it's likely because something BAD is happening and I need it to stop.<br />
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* Dissapointment lies in the fact that the Tanfoglio does not belong to me and I have (possibly misplaced) reservations about it's durability and reliability. Also, disappointing because that was the first time I had ever shot it-and I produced a group like THAT! I can't tell you how many times I've worked to produce that kind of a group with my G23.<br />
<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-87872280696266009252014-01-30T10:08:00.001-05:002014-01-30T10:14:33.221-05:00SNOW!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's not a lot that <i>won't</i> get a spaniel excited but there is something special about snow. Whether it's the rarity of it here, I just don't know but it certainly elicits some pretty strong emotions in the pups (only slightly dwarfed by the anticipation of a 3 year old little girl waiting desperately for it to snow enough to make her first snow angel (not pictured)).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM5hOZY-jsaGWESP7vqLxyWnQWhIkmjGoc0ECs5-xKVUzFzehhaeKT58PZRLT9zKAmQmQrEXP415DvHtWM4Mfxsz-w7oGHq8cHuZLvlEzKs7xqRa1Z9nP5jRl-RjGwyKOlxCT1gT8Eb_a/s1600/IMG_7737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM5hOZY-jsaGWESP7vqLxyWnQWhIkmjGoc0ECs5-xKVUzFzehhaeKT58PZRLT9zKAmQmQrEXP415DvHtWM4Mfxsz-w7oGHq8cHuZLvlEzKs7xqRa1Z9nP5jRl-RjGwyKOlxCT1gT8Eb_a/s1600/IMG_7737.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Always focused....Always.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0z0ZgVPQPlOVEc7S2mww3zZ-YHIp7R9lI4PQBK6Vz4aqcf7H7osuKUj1uJj1jcCwgfIURX7-Hqf1tx4jHpA6LDuo1n7ia6PcIshPQ-85PVI4gzW647-loEZBym0yRdOITylgaNCV8-i-l/s1600/IMG_7893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0z0ZgVPQPlOVEc7S2mww3zZ-YHIp7R9lI4PQBK6Vz4aqcf7H7osuKUj1uJj1jcCwgfIURX7-Hqf1tx4jHpA6LDuo1n7ia6PcIshPQ-85PVI4gzW647-loEZBym0yRdOITylgaNCV8-i-l/s1600/IMG_7893.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlQ4IWeekHY84sLE64zYij9h-Qpxah0XQ2X5PrfNPhPSzh6uh4HDo7IMbrWy1Hnm-VN56nOhCWhHktNhyphenhyphenQAEO64JJtNMRPQSPyBx18Bo6ta-JsKofYfu0v4IrA5upIIu2nz02ThpP4RkR/s1600/IMG_7857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlQ4IWeekHY84sLE64zYij9h-Qpxah0XQ2X5PrfNPhPSzh6uh4HDo7IMbrWy1Hnm-VN56nOhCWhHktNhyphenhyphenQAEO64JJtNMRPQSPyBx18Bo6ta-JsKofYfu0v4IrA5upIIu2nz02ThpP4RkR/s1600/IMG_7857.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTIhspnynjFjDhjVkkzfcdFlH1w0_gy7oA1ssQx261GMfPtYvRWfIXf0sx3CFHwp_qMwtdatym3vElmFJA2eyMIIK3wi32NgydiatjN-77rrndmUA2xHdcXAMrFvlGfoyc494iulcMxor/s1600/IMG_7665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTIhspnynjFjDhjVkkzfcdFlH1w0_gy7oA1ssQx261GMfPtYvRWfIXf0sx3CFHwp_qMwtdatym3vElmFJA2eyMIIK3wi32NgydiatjN-77rrndmUA2xHdcXAMrFvlGfoyc494iulcMxor/s1600/IMG_7665.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_fxe6j5fN-0HYXEb8ZHKW7QbAxlXXUJ086sZs9w1YY0QfvFFyrYFB7gm4fX6xjuLBMJXV2sqkkM4B3w0ghCjNbeRKCsypkvW_HSeD-oAg3J8vdBFhWJ0DOMNZwndqcZJCOa_YVeYWKzp/s1600/IMG_7912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_fxe6j5fN-0HYXEb8ZHKW7QbAxlXXUJ086sZs9w1YY0QfvFFyrYFB7gm4fX6xjuLBMJXV2sqkkM4B3w0ghCjNbeRKCsypkvW_HSeD-oAg3J8vdBFhWJ0DOMNZwndqcZJCOa_YVeYWKzp/s1600/IMG_7912.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-59854281005763756552013-12-09T10:46:00.006-05:002013-12-09T10:47:07.958-05:00At least they're not wearing sweaters.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsJbkHAXCeVnPMiwJvRsIzCFi07dBabQpyocs5rspEcrmA8THHvJhcIzgeldvJGyMVw5Jp8CnPbMd-pvO9pjaGRvxN917AHuOIBcj7a8a0EGvjEXWDvL5XkAH_s4dMWwrPgBdgQZ8lv_4/s1600/Christmas12_8_13Smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsJbkHAXCeVnPMiwJvRsIzCFi07dBabQpyocs5rspEcrmA8THHvJhcIzgeldvJGyMVw5Jp8CnPbMd-pvO9pjaGRvxN917AHuOIBcj7a8a0EGvjEXWDvL5XkAH_s4dMWwrPgBdgQZ8lv_4/s320/Christmas12_8_13Smaller.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carson and Emmie 2013</td></tr>
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Carson is growing far too fast-22.5# at his vet visit last week. As demonstrated by this lovely suburban/gentry Christmas photo, he's learning to "hup". (and doing a pretty good job)<br />
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We've begun place-board training which is new to me, and I want to share more but I had a mandolin <i>incident</i> recently:<br />
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<br />
and typing is somewhat difficult at the moment.<br />
<br />
Let's just say that it's not worth it to try to get that last bit of cabbage perfectly sliced. When the guard bottoms out it's over; you should just let that little bit o-cabbage go even if it goes against your very Scots-Irish upbringing. <br />
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Fortunately it was set to "thin slice" and was not a waffle cut. <br />
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<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-52307582616135346042013-12-02T15:58:00.002-05:002013-12-02T15:58:19.085-05:00I don't get sick...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkS_HobgOwSpg6IZ0rM6c4aPIScjc8h69c7xu2hoVaB_VF1ChGDEltocNiWYKQEvy0VD5Bvi9fLOSwV26IQ83q4zY_Y7v8zMEIXAB0iz2P2Y2wX5t_dTZT961sORcUszfTF4IlM75anee/s1600/feverSickImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkS_HobgOwSpg6IZ0rM6c4aPIScjc8h69c7xu2hoVaB_VF1ChGDEltocNiWYKQEvy0VD5Bvi9fLOSwV26IQ83q4zY_Y7v8zMEIXAB0iz2P2Y2wX5t_dTZT961sORcUszfTF4IlM75anee/s320/feverSickImage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't get sick...unless I've scheduled time off and been watching weather patterns for weeks in anticipation of a few quality days in the woods. </div>
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Then, I can pretty much guarantee I'll be bedridden.</div>
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always happens</div>
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it happened again</div>
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<br />Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4771477109603425299.post-17723042445093368592013-11-02T17:26:00.002-04:002013-11-02T17:30:42.218-04:00when bigger isn't betterIt's not a true 'group' at only 3 shots (ignoring the called flyer on the left). It's only that many because this was just supposed to be a load work-up. I'm thinking I'll stick with it. Can't get better than a .263 group...at least I probably can't. <br />
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<br />
69 grains 4831sc<br />
180 grain Accubond<br />
WLRM primer<br />
V/E: 2851/3250 (est)<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
I enjoy shooting at clays much more than center/rim-fire and even clays are a just a means to an end-the efficacy of time spent behind the dogs.<br />
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I've always thought shooting a shotgun was like playing a musical instrument or painting/drawing because so much of doing it successfully requires <i>feeling</i> you way towards accuracy.<br />
<br />
You don't <i>aim</i> a shotgun you <i>point</i> and a well fitted shotgun hits where you are looking.<br />
<br />
Compared to shotgun shooting, rifle shooting is more like science. Rifles <u><i>are</i></u> aimed.<br />
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Qualitative rifle shooting is about eliminating as many variables as possible and then performing LOTS of tests under controlled conditions; changing one variable at a time. The ultimate goal: put every shot through the same hole. So there is a deep satisfaction in punching a clover in paper. It's not the immediate, visceral, feedback of seeing a clay powdered by a perfectly centered pattern, but there is nevertheless a deep sense of satisfaction as you look through the spotting scope at the plate 100 yards downrange.<br />
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That the rounds you sent downrange were ones you assembled makes it all the more so. <br />
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Flint Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13308773915075820857noreply@blogger.com0