September 19, 2011 Waiting Room

I had a dentist appointment today but for once didn't mind waiting in the lobby.  Read this issue of North Carolina Game & Fish from cover to cover. 

September 15, 2011 Shooting with Mama

Me and mama with our certificates

Last weekend I got to do something that I've been wanting to do for a long time, attend a carry-conceal class.  As an added bonus I got to go with one of the finest people on earth, my Mama.

During a recent visit to the Gun Vault I noticed a flyer from Lewis Creek Shooting School describing an upcoming class.  So I called the instructor, Dick Jones, and boy am I glad I did.

The class was great.  Dick and his wife, Cherie, did a wonderful job of making the sometimes drab material fun and exciting.  The technical, or shooting, portion of the class was on their property, using their firearms and ammunition (we could have brought our own if desired).  Lunch, pheasant creole with rice, salad, bread and peach cobbler were all homemade, and nearly worth the cost of the class alone. 

Mom and I both passed the written test and shooting competency portions of the class.  I was so proud of her considering she'd never fired a gun before.  As you can tell from the photo above we had a blast....literally!

To find out more information about Lewis Creek Shooting School or to register for future classes visit the Jones' website, Off the Porch Media. 

September 12, 2011 New Bow, Zero Balance

Mark finishing up The Mission

While we were still living overseas my wife, knowing I was going through outdoors withdrawals, gave me a new bow, or at least some money to put one on layway. So after a bit of internet research I contacted Mark Brady at Adrenaline Outdoors in Sanford, NC.  I'm not sure how many bows Mark has sold to guys in the Middle East but he acted like it was no big deal, going way out of his way to accommodate my request.  I couldn't wait to get down to Sanford to pick it up.  

Well last week the stars aligned and we headed down to pick it up.  When we walked in the shop Mark was putting the finishing touches on it. Here's what I ended up with:

Mission Venture

Fuse Axium stab

Extreme Challenger site

Mission 5-arrow quiver

Beeman Hunter 400 arrows

G5 Montecs

Nockturnals (bought 3 to try 'em out) 

Adrenaline Outdoors

He finished everything, double checked it and said "You're all set."  So we walked up to the counter to pay the final installment.  My better half asked if I wanted her to write a check but I said maybe we should put it on my credit card so we could get the points.  Mark said, "You can just stop right there.  You can't pay anything else on this bow."  "What?" I said, completely confused.  "Rusty has taken care of it so you have a zero balance," he said.  Stunned, the only words I could think of was, "That jerk!"  One of my best friends, who just happened to be the one that talked me into buying my first bow, the one I was replacing, nearly 15 years ago had called down to the shop and paid the remaining balance on my bow.  I love doing stuff like that for folks but am not use to it happening to me.  He got me good.  On the way home I called Rusty and told him I was putting a new truck on layaway!  We both laughed like little boys.

This bow buying experience is something I will remember the rest of my life and treasure as long as I draw breath.  Not only because of the going-beyond-the-call-of-duty service I received from a complete stranger and the completely selfless blessing from a dear friend but because of the wonderful feeling it brought to walk up to the counter and be told my balance was zero.  

It brings to mind another event, nearly 2000 years ago, when Someone out of selfless love for me (and you) paid a debt I was unable to pay.  All I had to do was accept the gift and my balance was brought to zero.  Nothing beats that.  Not even a brand new, killer bow. 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 ESV

September 9, 2011 Pellet Guns & Spinning Targets

Got a chance to do some target practice with my two eldest boys this week.  It's hard to beat pellet guns and spinning targets!

September 1, 2011 National Hunting & Fishing Day

From the NCWRC website: 
On Sept. 24, 2011, attend one of seven free*, family-oriented events hosted by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and learn about fishing, hunting and wildlife conservation in North Carolina.
Through interactive activities and demonstrations, participants can connect with nature and test their outdoor skills. Some of the activities, which vary for each event, include:

• Fishing;
• Shooting a bow and arrow and BB gun;
• Seeing live animals, such as reptiles, amphibians and raptors;
• Outdoors cooking;
• Tracking and game recovery;
• Learning more about North Carolina’s hunting heritage.

The events are held in conjunction with National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual celebration that promotes outdoors sports and recognizes hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation.