Recently I have been applying Ultragunshield from the boys at www.Ultracoatingsinc to my arrows and Rage broadheads. You might ask why. Well UBS dries to a very smooth finish that makes arrows penetrate better, easier to remove from targets and they will not chatter on a rest. For broadheads it prevents rust and aids penetration. Just wipe down with a degreaser and then use a clean dry cotton patch to apply. Broadheads can be dipped, then carefully shake the excess off. It only takes 15 min for each coat to dry and for most things like gunbarrels you need 3 coats.

My muzzleloader missfired twice on a 150 class 10 pointer. Somehow I felt a little relieved 'cause that would have meant no bowhunting the rut here in KS. Did shoot a button buck for meat. So far have taken one mature old doe with the bow. She won't eat anymore flowers and schrubs around my friend's house.

One nice day in April of '08 Pastor Dan Snowbarger and this author went turkey hunting in rural Kansas. The gobblers turned a cold shoulder to all our best hen talk that morning. Noon found us back at the truck with none of the ingredents for a turkey dinner. To try and make something out of that 90 minute drive we decided to scout for new places to hunt. Dan and I work as a team when doing this. It's my job to drive the truck, spot likely looking farms and keep Dan entertained so he doesn't fall asleep. Once a nice looking woodlot is located we find the farm house and Dan goes into action. Few famers can turn down a request for permission to hunt from that ol' silver tongued rascal. It helps that he is a Minister to boot. Anyhow, on the day in question we spotted a modest white home near a country crossroads. Out front was a small sign that said "Fresh Eggs For Sale". Being a country boy that loves eggs (and just about anything resembling food) Dan said "pull in here and let's get some eggs". Dan is a little like Will Rogers in that he never met a meal he didn't like. Anyway, that is how we met the Reusch family and my life has been changed forever. You see Mark and Jackie Reusch have two sons Jonathan and Wesley. Over the ensuing weeks we bought lots of eggs and became friends with these fine folks. It turns out the boys wanted to take up hunting and needed mentors to teach them how. That first fall we loaned Jon a muzzleloader and after a few trips out he succesfully harvested a nice fat doe. The family truly enjoyed the fine meat that doe provided. A good portion (my wife says waaay too much)of my time is spent chatting with friends on Field and Stream.com. The following spring one of those friends donated a Browning bow for Wesley and he has never been the same since. It looks like Wesley will be a bowhunter for life. Soon money and gear started pouring in from other on-line friends. Eventually we got both boys their first gun. Wesley received a new Henry leveraction 22 rifle and Jon got a new CVA Optima muzzleloader. There was also ammo, boots, camo clothing, hunting knives, caps, gloves, orange vest and a scope. A neighbor gave us permission to hunt his land and shoot on his personal range. We've had much fun shooting our guns over the summer while waiting with great anticipation for the Kansas September muzzleloader deer season. Then a couple of week ago I went to Cabelas. You see my old blind was 4 years old and in bad shape, that blind never was very good and we needed a replacement. While looking at the blind display three Cabelas executives walked by and started a conversation with me. After hearing about the old blind and the boys a nice man turned to the department supervisor and said let this man trade his old blind for anything in the display. Glory be what a blessing that was. That afternoon Wesley and I set up the new Michael Waddell Bone Collector blind and climbed in to watch for deer. We had the blind set up near the edge of a soybean field that has been badly damaged by feeding deer. About two hours later two bucks entered to feed on the beans and Wesley shot a very fat 7 pointer. That kid's feet did not touch the ground for two weeks but the thing that got me was the letter that came a few days later. Dear Mr Akins, Thank you so much for taking me hunting. I am so excited to get that buck. Everything you do I appreciate more than you know. If it weren't for you I would not have even started hunting. I just love to hunt with you and when we get the deer butchered I will save some meat for you. There's so much I want to thank you for. YOU'RE LIKE A GRANDPA TO ME (this is where the lump jumps into my throat). Thank you for taking me hunting. I had a ball. Now I feel as if I can't sleep for about two week... Thank you so much. Your good friend, Wesley Reusch We talked to Jackie Reusch last week and she said Wesley is a changed young man. His grades have taken a sharp turn for the better. A one time unhappy young man has a whole new attitude about everything. As for me, I look forward to taking my newly adopted grandson pheasant hunting next month.

A good one.