Greybeards Gripes

I’ve started reading a book called “Trolling Top to Bottom” by Mark Romanack.  I’ve already learned a few things we’ve been doing wrong,  and I have already decided that my next book purchase will be “Precision Trolling“.  The first book,  talks about the various methods and practices of trolling,  and the second,  is a reference for the depths that various crank bait will run,  when trolled at various speeds and lead lengths.  Along with a new drift sock to slow down the ol’ Searay,  them Walleye just better watch out. 

I’ve heard that the “Dream Amnesty Bill” has been voted out of contention.  (GREAT!)  I was a bit disgusted to learn that BOTH of my Senators,  Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow,  voted FOR “Dream Amnesty“..   Makes me feel just a tad bit under represented by my legislators.  (nothing new about that though!)

~~>GB

Wouldn’t have a carry gun without them.  I love the green (factory) tru-dots on my Glock G-36.   (two dots rear, one front)

The dots on the G-36 are starting to fade a bit, (after nearly eight years),  I suppose it’s getting time to ship it out for light tube replacement.  It’s just going to be tough to do it,  I’ve had this gun close for 7 years.  If I send it out,  I’ll be without it for a couple of weeks.   How do deal with this?

I could switch to my S&W Model 19,  but it’s fairly hard to conceal, and doesn’t have night sights.  I could carry the wife’s Bulldog,  but again,  no night sights.   Maybe I should buy her on of those cute little S&W snubbies,  with the Crimson Trace sights factory installed?  (I could hold off giving it to her, until my Glock get’s back)

Then there’s the other question,,  green dot’s again,  for go for something in multi colors.  I kind of like the green rears, blue front on the kid’s Griffon.

As a quick update,  I bought a TechForce TF-99 .22 caliber air rifle.  It came with a Tech Force 3x to 12x variable power scope.  I couldn’t hit the side of a large barn with it at 15 yards!!!   

The problem turned out to be mostly the very nice looking,  but extremely poorly built,  Chinese made scope that came on the gun.  (The iron sights were crap also)  I wound up replacing the TF scope with a Winchester branded 4x scope,  the difference in accuracy, (or at least repeatablility) was like night and day.  The TF-99 definately isn’t a Match Grade gun!  I’ve got it shooting into about a 1.5 in. square at 15 yards, beyond that,  it starts to get a bit wild.

Yesterday I pulled it out and shot for a while.  I was shooting at 1.5 in. by 1 in. wooded blocks,  set at varying distances,  from 7 yards to about 20 yards.   The pellets I was using were Crosman Premeir #625 domed.  Weighing in at 14.3 grains.  Bottom line,  if I did my part,  I could bounce the wooden blocks on every shot.  If I let my concentration wander,  it would produce a miss.   I still don’t understand why these spring air guns are so hard to shoot accurately??

Soooo,  I won’t be winning any target matchs with it,,  but it is finally becoming a pretty good plinker.  (I’m guessing I would have been happier if I’d held out for a RWS!)

~~>GB

With water flooding out of Lake Michigan at Chicago,  and water flooding out of Lake Huron at Port Huron,  these photo’s are somewhat indicative of our problem.

If you look closely at this seawall photo,  you can see the water discoloration, witnessing where the water SHOULD be.

Then there’s this photo, showing a boat, docked 12 ft away from the seawall, (but a least floating).

Finally the above photo!   The next day, a storm system lowered the water level a couple of feet below the normal low,  and we see the same boat,  same dock,  but now the boat is sitting firmly on the bottom!!!

Our Senators and State Representatives,  agree that the water going out of Chicago and Port Huron,  are causing much of the problem,  but also agree, that little or nothing is likely to be done about it.

It’s a sad state of affairs, when a goverment will allow one of the wonders of the world to be slowly drained, until it’s just one big mudpit. 

~~>GB

Ok,  just in case anyone out there takes offense to the idea of me wanting to use my new AR to hunt wild boar  (feral hogs) in Michigan:

Take into account,

*The feral hog population in Michigan is growing very quickly.  *The Michigan DNR is very concerned about this growth.  *The DNR say’s the hogs present a major problem for wildlife and agriculture. *There are now, a least 45 counties in Michigan, with a feral hog problem.  The DNR say’s “Once feral hogs get a foothold,  they are impossible to eliminate”. 

Feral hogs weight between 100 to 150 lbs,  with very large boars going over  300lbs. Their attitude has been described as similar to that of a JUNK YARD DOG!  Sows are capable of breeding at 18 months old,  and can have 4 broods a year. Litters average between 4 and 6 piglets each.  You do the math.   They will eat ANYTHING,  ground nesting birds, their eggs, and their young, (Turkey, Grouse, Woodcock, etc.),  any small mammals including Whitetail fawns, (and in  extreme cases small human children).  And most agriculturally importantly is their ability to destroy huge patches of feild crops, hay, corn, beans, etc.  Plus, they seem to have insatiable appetites!! 

To top it off,  they are known to habor and spread disease,  particularly diseases know to infect humans.

The DNR suggests that if you’re out hunting, and see a wild hog,  that you eliminate it immediately.  Afterwords they request that you call them and report the kill.

So far, I’ve not determined the exact legallity of hunting them.  I’ve read nothing about specifically hunting just the hogs.  I assume you must have some sort of hunting license, even though there is open season on them.  Bottom line,  if I get a line on a nearby area with a feral hog problem,  I think I’ll talk with the conservation crew,  learn the legal methods,  and offer the  services of my newest aquisition.

~~>GB