"Failure is not an option." - Apollo 13.
Great story.
As they say, happiness is in the journey not in the arrival.
Found one of my treestands missing this weekend. Stopped into local shop (Michigan)> They told me that stand and trail cam thefts are really up this year. People are stealing them, painting over the names, and selling them - often to people that know they are stolen.
I returned a Bushnell Trophy Cam because it was only taking videos - no pictures, day or night. Similar issues on the second one. Others on the Internet were reporting similar problems and suggested an illogical solution .. try a plain old Sandisk 2GB SD card ... not the Ultra or other brand of high speed cards. Works just fine with the new card. Would have probably saved the gas and the frustration over the first card but it is always nice going to Cabela's. I will pick up another card before they become scarce ($13-$19).
This is a hook blade:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005QVQV
Fits into a utility knife. Looks a bit like a gut hook (point is too sharp to use as a gut hook, though).
natureguy - it is no different than the rules of etiquette that has evolved in our hunting and fishing heritage. Shows courtesy and respect for others that share our space.
Discovered that someone had taken down my trail markers to a new stand location. Good thing I have the trail marked with a GPS.
Last year someone took down some trail markers that I placed pretty high in a tree as well as near the ground. Wonder if it was the same bow hunter I spotted from my stand 2-years ago. I watched him walk down and across trails brushing his bare hands along the trees and bushes. He finally spotted me, did a 180, and disappeared. He was using a traditional bow. Do you consider these traditional and ethical methods?
Mine was a .270 Win, synthetic stock and blued steel. Very accurate, Very different points of impact for different rounds. Not a complaint, just a point. I didn't care for the plastic components but could live with them ... except that stock. It made so much noise whenever anything hit or brushed against it - couldn't stand that anymore so sold it. Would definitely recommend one with a wood stock - just wish their wood was nicer, but that would take it too close to a Sako.
You are right, Sakos take the quality up several notches. Bolts on Tikkas and Sakos are still not as smooth as a Sauer, but plenty smooth enough.
Ish - I rang my Lefever barrels and also took it to my gunsmith. He basically did the same thing - disassemble the gun, hold the barrels up, and tap. It rang fine. Also inspected the barrels to see if any of the steel had separated between wraps. The Lefevers have extremely tight chokes (I was told they were choice for waterfowl). Fiber wads and low black powder loads were recommended. I picked up loaded ammo from my gunsmith for $10 a box. When I was a kid I shot low brass factory loads but think angels were watching over me.