2-Piece Self Climbing Tree Stand for Sale

I'm selling my old tree stand.  I used it last year for hunting, but I don't really need it any more since the spot I hunt has permanent stands.

If you're interested, the link is below.  I'll give you a good deal.  Name your price and come pick it up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tree-Stand-2-piece-self-climbing_W0QQitemZ190387616194QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2c53fc79c2

A Visit to Wolf’s Indoor Range and Shooting Center – Bristol, CT USA

Where: 597 Middle Street (Route 229), Bristol, CT 06010

Website: www.wolfsrange.com
Phone: 860-585-0447
Hours: Monday 2 PM – 9 PM, Tuesday – Friday 10 AM – 9 PM, Saturday 9:30 AM – 9 PM, Sunday 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Cost: It cost me $19 and change for ½ hour and 5 targets
Details: 15 bays, 50+ feet indoor facility. Small shop.

I’ve never visited a shooting range before, so I was not totally sure what to expect when I visited Wolf’s Indoor Range and Shooting Center in Bristol, CT. The experience was stress free. The staff at Wolf’s was no-nonsense, but still friendly. They explained all the range etiquette and rules, and most importantly, welcomed any questions.
Wolf’s has 15 bays available. The range goes beyond 50 feet, which is plenty far for handgun shooting. They have a small store that sells targets, ammo, and various accessories.

If you are visiting a range for the first time, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• If you have them, bring ear and eye protection. If not, Wolf’s has some available to borrow.
• DO NOT “expose” your firearm in the office. It needs to be kept in a case until you get out to the range.
• If you don’t have targets, you can buy them at the range. The targets I purchased were $.30 each.

 I will definitely visit Wolf’s again.

 

Equipment Review: Gunvault Minivault Standard Gun Safe

The Gunvault minivault gun safe is a small size safe intended to hold one or two handguns. The safe is small enough to fit under a bed or in a drawer. It is made of heavy gage steel, and lined with foam. The foam protects the internal contents of the safe. The safe features a spring assisted latch door. When the safe is opened, the door springs open unassisted. The safe features two unlocking methods. One is a standard key entry, and the other is a keypad made to mimic the position of fingers. The keypad runs on AA batteries, which are installed inside the safe. The safe has a low battery indicator light. The safe also includes mounting hardware and a template to allow the user to secure the safe to a floor or other solid surface.

The safe has an optional security cable available. It does not come standard with the safe. It must be purchased separately.
The deluxe version of the safe includes an internal light, an audible warning signal, and an AC connection for power. There is also a more advanced version that includes a biometric (fingerprint) reader to open the safe. This version is significantly more expensive than the standard and deluxe version.
The safe is large enough to fit 2 small guns. I was able to fit one revolver, plus two boxes of ammo in the safe.

I purchased the standard version. The safe appears to be a good option for firearm security in the home. The keypad is quick and easy to use, yet provides strong security. There is a key entry to back up the keypad, so even if batteries run out, the safe can be entered using the key. Additionally, the battery indicator light should remind the user to change the batteries. The spring-loaded door allows for only 1-step opening. As soon as the key is turned or the code is entered, the door springs open. No latches or hinges to operate.

I bought the Gunvault safe at Cabela’s for about $100. I am happy with the purchase.

Gun Show Disappoints

I made my way to the gun show at the Easter States Exposition in Springfield, MA this past weekend. It was not what I was looking for as a new gun shopper. I was expecting several booths where one could view and hold different guns. I was expecting salesmen trying to sell potential buyers on the virtues of their firearms. While there were some booths selling new guns, the majority of tables were devoted to antique items. All but one of the tables selling new guns had them behind glass. The one booth that had the guns available to handle was the most crowded booth at the show. One would thing the other sellers would catch on.


Perhaps my expectations were too high, but the show was closer to a flea market than a convention.

If you are in the market for a new gun, in my opinion the show is not the way to go. The selection at a store like Cabela's is likely better than the show. Additionally, there is no entry fee for Cabela's, and all the accessories you need are available in one place.

For the new firearm buyer, go to your local store. For antique items, check out the show.

West Springfield Gun Show

I've never been to a gun show before, but I plan on attending one this weekend.
This weekend there is an NRA sponsered gun show at the Easter States Exposition (Big E fairgrounds) in West Springfield, MA. 

The link for the show poster is below:

http://users.erols.com/fasttrack/loc/w-spr/SPRINGFIELD-FLYER-MARCH-10.pdf

There is also a coupon online for $1 off admission.  You can print that coupon here:

http://users.erols.com/fasttrack/loc/w-spr/w-spr-coupon.gif

Perhaps I'll see you there.

Primos Sonic Dome Triple Turkey Call Review

It’s a sure sign of spring fever when you buy a new turkey call in the middle of a winter storm. However, that’s just what I did this past week. I had a $10 gift card, and I used it to buy a new turkey mouth call. I guess I’m not the only one already looking forward to the spring turkey season because the sporting goods store has their full array of turkey hunting equipment on display.


I ended up buying picking out a Primos call called the Sonic Dome Triple. This is a triple reed call with a plastic dome on the top surface. The plastic dome helps the call to consistently fit in the roof of the mouth.

If you’ve ever tried a turkey mouth call before, you know that the triple reed design can be more difficult to use than other configurations. The trade off is that the triple reed is able to create a larger variety of sounds. The Primos Sonic Dome Triple is one of the easiest-to-use triple reed calls I’ve tried. The plastic feature works as advertised. It positions the call in your mouth, and is quite comfortable. With the call consistently positioned, it becomes easier to master the triple reed call.

The Primos Sonic Dome Triple can be purchased for under $10.

Bantam Lake Ice Fishing Derby -- February 14, 2010

Here is some information on an upcoming ice fishing derby.  I have attended this derby for the past few years.

Where: Bantam Lake, South Bay, Morris, CT
When: February 14, 2010
Time: 7:30 AM to 1 PM
How Much: $20 entry fee

Event to be held rain or shine.

Registration begins at 6:30 AM at the Morris Town Beach
Parking at state boat launch and Morris Town Beach
Route 109 to East Shore Road, Morris, CT

What could be a more romantic way to spend your Valentine's Day than ice fishing????

Ice Fishinig Hogsback Dam -- Hartland, CT

As I came to find out, Hogsback Dam on the Colebrook-Hartland line is also known as Goodwin Dam.  The back side of the dam is off Hogback Road in Hartland.  In past trips I've made to the dam, I've accessed if from Hogback Road and drove across the dam to the parking area.  This is not possible right now as the gate is locked preventing vehicle access to the dam.  For the purposes of ice fishing, it is better to park on the other side of the dam (Eno Hill Road to Durst Road).  This side has a parking area and better access to the ice, as I found out the hard way.  Because I was not sure how to get to this parking area, I ended up parking on the Hogback Road side, and having to walk across the dam.
There was about 8 inches of ice in the cove area just to the left of the Durst Road parking area.  Conditions were cold with a slight wind, but not uncomfortable with a bright winter sun out.  Further to the North there was actually open water.  I was surprised that there was not more ice, but 8 inches was more than enough.
Unfortunately, on this day the fishing was not very productive.  With 30 holes in the ice, our group managed to pull in only one fish.  It was a medium sized brown trout.  We were using medium minnows.  We spoke to another group and they did not have a single tip all day.  We moved to this location since the spot the group usually ice fishes has also been unproductive this year.  I might think it was something I was doing wrong, but with the whole group (as well as our neighboring group) having a slow day, I'll have to say it was just the conditions, and not the technique. 

Pond Skating Conditions in Litchfield County

As of 1-25-2010, there is plenty of ice on the lakes and ponds in Litchfield County, Connecticut.  The issue for ice skating is that there is also a layer of snow on top of the ice.

The ice in Hartford County is much clearer and smother.  However, the problem is finding a place that allows skating, and finding a place where one can trust the ice.

Best of luck. 

Ice Skating at Plainville Middle School

In a previous post I mentioned pond skating at the Plainville Middle School in Plainville, CT.  This past weekend, I tried skating there.  The conditions were poor.  There was a layer of snow-ice chopped up on the top of the man-made pond.  In order to improve conditions there needs to be either a rain followed the next day by below freezing conditions, or the town of Plainville to put a layer of fresh water on the pond.  Neither of which has happened at last check.

If you wish to go skating at the Plainville Middle School, I suggest doing a drive-by to check ice conditions before making the effort to skate at this location.