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A Father’s Day Fishing with Grandkids

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Yesterday June 6,  I went Mackerel fishing out of Hampton, NH on a party boat with my son Jason and grandchildren Amelia, Thomas (fraternal twins) age 9 and Calvin age 6.

No masks! Hurray!

I had happily planned on paying for the trip for all.  As I neared the parking in Hampton,  NH, my son called my cell and said; “Just pay the $5 dollar parking fee Dad”. I’ve paid for the trip, “Happy early Father’s Day”, he said.  

I parked my truck right beside his and when I got out, the kids each greeted me with warm hugs. I love it! So long with masks on that it was very special to not have one on my face.

Jason and I were prepared for the trip with food, snacks, drinks and warmer clothing, hats, sun screen and of course fishing rods and a 5  gallon bucket for all the many  mackerel we would catch.

This was a first for the grandkids to not only fish for the first time but a first for dad and grandfather (me) to share time learning to fish in the ocean, get splashed near the bow with cool salty ocean waves, and jig with a fishing rod.

The kids took to jigging the rod under Jason’s patient tutelage, and I was right there praising him. And they were eager and happy to learn.

In the middle of all that we caught a few fish, not as  many as we expected but the inquisitive nature of the kids, each in turn picked up the fish by hand and examined them closely.

It was not mackerel madness that can sometimes happen if we ran into a big school of them, but it gave us Dad’s close loving time with the children.

We shared potato chips, watermelon, bites of my ham sub sandwich as we fished and giggled and hugged to stay warm in cool salty air up near the bow. What I caught was more than any fish, I caught the love of my son, and my loving grandkids. It was a great Father’s Day! Sometimes what you catch, can’t be measured in fish, but can be measured in love! 

Enjoy!

© Copyright 2021

 

 

T/C Encore Pro-Hunter 30-06 with Hornady 180 grain GMX

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The Hornady GMX means Game eXpanding. The bullet is all gilding copper and has a cavity that opens up on contact like the Nosler E-Tip.

Alternate Image 1

The advantage is that it retains 95% of its original weight, has no lead in the GMX bullet and appears to expand and penetrate better than some lead core Hornady spitzers.

https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2009/7/20/hornady-gmx-bullet/

I hand loaded the 180 grain GMX using RL 22 and got about a 1.5 inch  bench rest group at 100 yards. The velocity should be close to 2800 fps, thus packing a real whallop. Great on Moose, Elk and Deer. Felt recoil is quite a bit more, rightly so, than my  6.5 Creedmoor but for Moose the 30-06 would be my choice of the two cartridges.

On big deer, I think that the 180 grain is a good choice for a  300 pound Northern Maine bruiser buck or a bull moose. it will drop them fast. You just got to make the first shot count with the T/C Encore!

Energy at 200 yards is a huge 2200 ft-lbs. Is it a brush bullet? I don’t really know, but if t hits vitals, that animal is going down. I do like the fact that if it hits bone, it stays together and there is no lead in the meat to cut out. The big difference is that the 180 grain fully loaded,  has more recoil than the average hunter would be used to. A 150 grain would recoil less. When dealing with heavy recoiling rifles, be smart, get a new state-of-the-art recoil pad that reduces felt recoil by 50%, like the Pachmayr Decelerator. And don’t shoot a whole box of ammo at the range, get bruised, and complain about your rifles kick. It is the shooter that needs to get smart, not the rifle.

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2021

 

 

 

 

 

Speer Hot Core Semi-Spitzer 235 g 375 Ruger Downloaded for Big Northern Whitetails Or…

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I have yet to kill a nice buck here in  New Hampshire or Maine with Speer’s Hot Core 235 grain semi-spitzer. It is more like a round nose than a spitzer. I like round and flat nose for thick brush hunting. And it drops them fast!

I have been writing about them for some time as a great bullet for the .375 Ruger or .375 H&H when loaded down for Whitetails at medium to short range. It is easy on the recoil and hits-em hard. Muzzle velocity is 2200 fps with powders like A 5744. I am still using up my SR 4759 powder but they no longer make it.

Good mushrooming is accomplished near to 2000 fps, give or take  leaving the optimum distance to game at just over 100 to 150 yards or less. Typical shot distances for heavy timber and brush is around 40 to 60 yards so this bullet will work well and  make a big hole in, and a bigger hole on exit. This bullet, I believe, being more round nosed,  is more of a brush round. It should stay together if it encounters some twigs and small whip saplings.

I took some to the range this week to give the .375 Ruger and me some exercise. I expected  sub-moa groups at 100 yards and I was  not disappointed, though I shot only 2 rounds. I have proven this round already as an excellent performer on targets.

 

Calculated Table
Range Drop Drop Windage Windage Velocity Mach Energy Time Lead Lead
(yd) (in) (MOA) (in) (MOA) (ft/s) (none) (ft•lbs) (s) (in) (MOA)
0 -1.5 *** 0.0 *** 2200.0 2.049 2525.1 0.000 0.0 ***
25 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.4 2130.5 1.984 2368.1 0.035 1.2 4.7
50 1.1 2.2 0.4 0.8 2062.2 1.921 2218.7 0.070 2.5 4.7
75 1.7 2.2 0.9 1.1 1995.1 1.858 2076.7 0.107 3.8 4.8
100 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.6 1929.4 1.797 1942.1 0.146 5.1 4.9
125 1.2 0.9 2.6 2.0 1864.9 1.737 1814.5 0.185 6.5 5.0
150 -0.0 -0.0 3.8 2.4 1801.8 1.678 1693.8 0.226 8.0 5.1

I will be comparing this round to my 6.5 Creedmoor with 155 grain Lapua Mega flat nose ammo very soon. Which round will be better? Time will tell…

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved.

Lost in Deep Woods or Just Turned Around – You Need to Think Clearly

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I was hunting deer with my brother and a friend in New Brunswick, Canada, up near Plaster Rock, years ago ( before Cell phones and GPS) along a logging trail the had ribbon marked offshoots. I found buck tracks crossing the logging trail and followed them beyond the ribbon marked trails. It was late afternoon, the terrain was mixed forest with small hills and hummocks. I prided myself in the past for memorizing my backtrail, often making it easy to find my way back. But here, I was interested in finding that buck.

It was getting dark and I had to call it quits when my nose detected tarsal gland scent. He is here, I thought. I stood looking at every bush, tree, sapling to find an antler, a nose, a tail but found none. Thoughts of getting out were taking over my deer focused brain, so I backtracked some and thought I recognized the small hillside. So I went over the hill. On the other side I did not recognize the terrain. What? It was at that moment when it dawned on me that I was turned around, lost my trail etc.

I could have kept going but I realized that I could easily parallel the logging trail and never cut it. Was I too far off the logging trail? No, I thought, but how best to get out?  My brother and friend were likely headed back to camp just 500 yards up the logging trail. I decided to stop and make a campfire as darkness fell. Luckily, I had a knife and camp hatchet and plenty of matches with me. Making the fire was easy with paper birch bark every where. I thought that guessing the direction to go was not in my best interest. I was thinking clearly. Sit tight, I thought, they will come and find me soon.

I was hunting with a 30-06 and had several rounds. One of the signals of a lost or turned around hunter is 3 spaced shots in sequence. I had a nice fire going and let off a single round at first. Then I heard a round fired in the distance. I returned fire. After several minutes I heard another round and I returned firing in the air.  It wasn’t long when I saw some flashlights and a lantern. All the while they  must be thinking I am sitting on a huge buck, but no, just enjoying my large campfire. You ok? “Yes, but I got turned around is all, and thought it best to just sit tight.” Good for you, we were not far from the logging trail.  All was well and some hot food. I was good to go.

Epilogue

I wasn’t lost but was feeling that creepy lost feeling even knowing I was not far off the trail. Staying calm was my priority. It is amazing how building a nice fire lifted my spirits, like having a friend.

I didn’t know it but I was using the STOP Method.

When you’re in a panic, your brain stops working, too. Thus, fear sets in and you can’t help making bad actions and judgment.

Stop what you’re doing at the moment and on that note, the acronym STOP really works well.

  • Sit. Stop what you’re doing and have a drink because a refreshing drink will help calm you down.
  • Think. Evaluate your situation so you can determine if you’re really lost or only feeling lost.
  • Observe. Look around you and evaluate the treats in your surroundings.
  • Plan. After determining your situation, you can now plan your next move or action.

On a deep woods hunt, plan first as if you are going to get lost or turned around. Others should know where you are. Carry enough ammo to use as a signal. Space Blankets and water will keep you warm by a fire and hydrated. For arguments sake lets assume no one is coming, because of poor planning. What do you do? Build a fire and a survival shelter nearby. Can you build a survival shelter, lean to, spruce bow tent?

If not I would read up on shelters…

Good Hunting!

©Copyright 2021

Worldwide Readership of New Hampshire Rifleman Magazine

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Thank you to all our readers! So glad you enjoyed our articles. It always ceases to amaze me that we are truly a free internet based worldwide magazine!

Our readership comes from every corner of the planet.

Our top 5 countries include the US, Canada, Australia, France and UK, in that order. Our USA readership does constitute the majority and New Hampshire readers are at the top. 

However we are well read in Germany, South Africa, Russia, China, Mexico, Italy, Spain and even Indonesia. 

Our Top modern Rifle Articles include companies such as Ruger, Savage, and T/C.

Top Scope articles are USA made Leupold Gold Ring Scopes, we love them.

Top Recoil pads include Pachmayr Decelerator with its 50% reduction in felt recoil.

Top Cartridge articles are 6.5 Creedmoor and 375 Ruger.

Top reloading/hand-loading companies are RCBS and Hornady.

Top hunting bullet manufacturers we like are Nosler, Hornady, Sierra and Speer.

Top bullet construction we like is partition/a-frame, bonded jackets, all gilding copper.

Top Flintlock articles on Jim Chambers Ltd Flintlock build. 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Meat from a Laboratory? Hunters are on the increase!

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Meat from a laboratory? Do you trust big business approved by the federal government to provide lab grown meat for you to eat?  They say government approval is coming soon. Is that really beef you are eating? Where is our society going? Where is the connection to the natural world? If you are so dependent, I submit you will lose essential survival and leadership skills essentially becoming sheep.

It was COVID that urged many to try hunting! As a hunter, I like to see the animal that makes my meat rich protein diet.  Hunting does that! In fact, hunters must understand the relationship of game and its surrounding field and forest, find the animal, make a clean kill, remove the guts, skin it, package it, and refrigerate or freeze the meat for future meals. The fruit of the hunters labor is celebrated when the game is in hand and at the dining table. You are the provider and you have first hand knowledge of the field care of your meat. Below, a wild pig taken with a crossbow.

Chops I cut myself for the table and freezer.

The process of hunting has provided meat for civilization for hundreds of thousands of years and it is family oriented, skill rich, survival rich benefits that nature can provide. Remove the survival instinct to forage and kill for food, and we become sheep, dependent on its master for food and protection.

During two recent episodes we as society were shocked that the grocery stores were closed. First recent episode; Katrina, that storm several years ago, so devastated the landscape that we humans were forced to forage and hunt for meat and have a weapon to protect ourselves and family.

The second event we are living in right  now, COVID 19. Remember the meat and pork scare last year? Grocery stores for some meat supplies were bare! Panic meat purchases ensued. I have had such a successful year hunting that I was  never really concerned for meat. My freezer was full of lean, organic protein rich game meat.

Making my own ground meat!

Do yourself a favor, learn to hunt, and forage, it is an essential survival tool. Along the way you will learn survival skills and trust in your own abilities.

Decades ago in one of “Outward Bound’s”  Colorado ( https://www.cobs.org/)programs, students had to be alone in the woods for three days, called a “solo” and among other things you were given a live chicken. You didn’t have to kill it, but it was there facing you every day. Grass shoots and herb tea for three days or roasted chicken on a spit? Your choice! When your stomach wants food it sort of growls doesn’t it.

When I was 16 years old, I attended the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (https://www.hiobs.org/) for 28 days, and learned survival skills and more about myself. I “solo’d three days on a small island off the coast of Maine. I did not have a live chicken but had access to mussels and sea urchins and sea weeds such as glasswort, plants bulbs like rose hips, plants like goose tongue, dulse, chicory and wild peas.  No it was not manna from heaven but I grew to like it. I forage for wild edibles even today when i  am hunting. When I was in Newfoundland a few years ago I had sea urchin eggs and wild peas on the shore. And lots of Codfish!

See you in the woods!

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2021, All Rights Reserved.

 

Cooking Venison with my Sous Vide – Video

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It was that pre Christmas storm here in New  Hampshire, when I  made this video to demonstrate my Sous Vide machine that utilizes water to cook. For those who have venison in the freezer like me, it cooks  my venison just as I like it, medium rare. You can set the temperature of the water to cook meat exactly as you like. I cut some mushrooms to add to the cast iron skillet used to pan sear the meat. And it came out tender and juicy!!

Below is the venison dinner.  I cut a piece of this  medium rare meat, just for you!

Wow! Soo good!!

 

Bon Apetit’

©Copyright 2020

 

Venison Backstrap Jalapeño Poppers – Updated

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I like to chef with my venison but it wasn’t till I hunted whitetails in Texas before I tried bacon wrapped Jalapeno poppers. My taste buds went absolutely crazy, when I ate one fresh off the grill or out of the oven. You use 1/2 seeded jalapeno with cream cheese, add a thin slice of  marinated backstrap and wrap it in bacon and roast.  It is not uncommon to stuff your popper with a taste of meat, and tender strips of venison backstrap is perfect. Below, I cooked these with jalepeno peppers, and for my wife I cooked with green bell peppers (no heat). Honestly, the heat in the jalapeno’s with seed removed is very mild and blends well with the saltiness of the bacon, cheese and venison. My wife’s comments were; “I could have these for dinner, they are so good! 

I found this recipe below that ideally does justice to these poppers. I can taste them from here! If the jalapeno seeds are removed there is just a bit of heat but the crispy bacon, venison and  smooth melted cream cheese comes through but be careful as they are addicting as all-get-out!

https://thekatherinechronicles.com/venison-backstrap-jalapeno-poppers/ 

Key to the crispy bacon is to precook some that can still be wrapped around the poppers as the recipe suggests.

Of course you can add meat or not but it is the bacon, a bit of spice from the jalapeno and the melted creaminess of the cream cheese. I recently had some poppers with cream cheese and three cheese Mexican added to the cream cheese. It’s all good! I like a cold beer to chase it!

Bon Appétit my Hunting Friends

 

 

 

 

 

Rifle Comb Cheek Weld Remedy with 50mm Scopes

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Many of today’s hunting rifles have standard height combs on the rifle stock. So you want to buy a new scope for it with a large 50mm objective lens to get more light at dawn and dusk? That’s fine, however your all important cheek weld is now too low for optimum eye alignment. Some think that raising your head a bit is ok. Not True. What you have introduced, without a good cheek weld is a variable that can move your bullet impact depending on how your hold and or rest your rifle and how your eye aligns inconsistently with the crosshairs. What to do?

There are several options. Some folks tape foam onto the comb. For me it is an ugly option. I prefer a slip on like Beartooth comb raising kits or Hornady. Many kits include height adjuster foam and have zipper pockets and bullet loops too.

Beartooth Products StockGuard 2.0 Rifle Model Buttstock Cover Neoprene

Products like this are a great and inexpensive add-on. I like them a lot. If you aren’t getting one now, then put one under the Christmas tree!

Good Hunting!

 

All Weather Rifle Barrels and Dry Lubes Are Best

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During deer season here in New England the weather is ever changing, sunny in the morning and drizzling rain or snow in the afternoon. It is wise to choose a rifle that is somewhat impervious to moisture and that includes the barrel and things attached to it. My Ruger African .375 Ruger is blued but not highly weather/rust resistant by the factory so I use bowling lane wax everywhere on the wood and barrel before going afield. Let it dry and it has little odor.

I hear that a hunting guide in Alaska paints his barrels. It works but must be a bit ugly! Of course there is stainless steel but as a new rifle, manufacturers offer spray on rust resistant coatings such as Cerakote, https://www.cerakote.com/project-gallery?tab=color

Or for example my Weatherby Rifle barrel with Weathershield coating. This website, Haus of Arms has this video on the difference between stainless and weathershield on Thompson Center rifles. I Own two rifles with weathershield coatings. I love them both for weather resistance. Easy to care for and no rust.

Just remember that the intricate parts in your guns action are likely not coated so you must take care for these parts as well. I use a dry lube (not stinky) that has a solvent to get the oil where you need it and then coats to protect the surface.

I hear that Otis has a nice dry lube created for the military. Remington offers a dry lube too!  Check them out! I use the Remington Dry Lube with Teflon! Very cost effective!

On waxes there are car waxes that work to repel rust and moisture from wood and steel and my bowling ball wax as well as commercial gun waxes by Birchwood Casey.

Hope this helps!

Good Hunting!