Remember, when I get older you're going to have to carry me.
Some of you probably can’t even remember the days when picking up hitchhikers was acceptable. People routinely hit the road with nothing more than extra clothes in a duffel and their thumb in the air. You didn’t have to worry (at least not as much) about serial killers, rapists and simply “weird folks.”
I worked with an older video photographer (older than me) who routinely discussed his hitchhiking adventures from coast to coast. He enjoyed the freedom, the adventure and most of all, the cost. He didn’t have much money back then so a free ride was greatly appreciated.
I never hitchhiked any long distances. I once bummed a ride from an American Indian after tiring from a long distance canoe trip and hoping to find a ride to my truck. Come to think of it, that guy talked me out of a $20 bill for the ride. I wasn’t hitchhiking. I took a cab ride!
So how does the hitchhiking theme tie into this blog? This weekend we undertook some major hikes. Cole and I scouted elk country on Saturday and found ourselves in the fog at the start of the hike. After wandering up and up we finally stopped for lunch and when the fog lifted we couldn’t believe how high we had hiked. Sage knew. She plopped down and needed a nap. Instead of waiting for her to finish her REM cycle Cole fit her into my pack and off we went. We found the elk we were looking for over the next ridge and quietly exited after noting their location.
The next day Katelyn and I headed to Montana. We were mainly flatland hiking, but it still was tiring for a pup. It didn’t help that the ranch owner showed up with his 6-month-old border collie and the two puppies were a blur of fur for nearly 30 minutes. Needless to say, Sage once again ended up in my backpack. At the rate she’s growing this hitchhiking won’t last for long. At the rate I’m aging I’ll be the one looking for a ride. Do they manufacture baby carriers for adult-sized passengers?
Mark Kayser
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My parents sent me this photo the other day. It seems as if my coyote hunting skills are needed at the Sunland Springs retirement community in Mesa, Ariz. Just when the cats thought it was safe to evade marauding coyotes by climbing the coyotes themselves learned to climb, and balance like a tightrope walker at the circus.
Did somebody lose a Frisbee up here?
I’ve been researching an urban coyote hunting article the past few days. Although I brag about the good coyote hunting within rifle range of my bedroom window, the cities aren’t exactly void of coyotes as this photo proves. In fact, an ongoing study in Chicago confirms that coyotes not only live in the suburbs, but they spend time right downtown.
Maybe you recall the news footage of the coyote that walked right into a Chicago restaurant and sat there waiting for an order. Do you remember the New York coyote that decided Central Park was his new home? In Seattle, Wash., a coyote strode into a federal building and actually took an elevator ride. At the Seattle airport a coyote walked into the airport and then boarded a commuter train for a ride back to the suburbs.
Coyotes are survivors and they no longer look at the city as a place to avoid. In fact, the city offers them shelter and a great menu at the same time. The coyote season is winding down as pelts lose their prime, but if you have a hankering for one last outing you might consider doing it close to home…like the backyard.
Next time I visit Arizona I’m going to set up on my folk’s patio. It looks out over the golf course where I’m sure a rodent or two is basking in the sun just teasing a hungry coyote.
Mark Kayser
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These early days of March are the low point in the hunter’s year. On these gray days there’s very little in North America to hunt for! Quail and rabbit were the last “regular” game seasons to go out. We’re a few weeks away from spring snow geese and even the earliest turkey seasons. It’s even on the very back edge of when to be shooting coyotes.
The devoted North American big game hunter is even deeper in depression come the early spring. He or she is likely resorting to X’ing days off the calendar counting down to a spring bear hunt that’s at least six weeks away or more! What are we to do?
Well, pack up the gear and go shooting! This is prime practice time!!!
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If you don't knock that off you'll end up like Roy Rogers' Trigger on display in a museum.
The tragic death of the female trainer at SeaWorld last week was horrifying to say the least. But was it unexpected? Not really. This particular killer whale already had an established history of injuring trainers. In fact, I watched one interview with an employee whose job it was to watch the animals at SeaWorld and enact emergency measures when things went wrong. Few jobs have a person like that on staff so you know its risky business.
Animals do and always will have unpredictable natures. Even domestic animals can become testy at times. I always try to keep extra alert when working around our horses and I’m not surprised when the cats or our new puppy snap for some unknown reason. People do so why shouldn’t animals?
What is predictable was the reaction from animal rights groups. “Free Willy” soon became a call heard across the airwaves regarding Shamu, aka “Tilly.”
Unfortunately you just can’t turn this animal loose since it has no natural skills to fend for itself. They did that with Willy and despite a great start Willy ended up dying in Norway. The costs alone to train an aquarium-raised killer whale to hunt are astronomical. Millions went toward Willy’s journey to the wild.
My view on the subject is that working with animals is a high-risk career, not unlike what farmers or miners experience in their jobs. You go into the job knowing that there’s always the chance something bad could happen, but with enough vigilance and common sense you can avoid a pitfall. Think about your job and the risks you take daily. It might just have you believing that being a trainer at SeaWorld isn’t risky at all.
Stay safe out there.
Mark Kayser
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When you travel out-of-state or out-of-country especially by air one of the most nagging worries is whether you and your ammunition will end up at the same place and at the same time. Here are some tips to help you “relax and enjoy the flight” as they say.
1) Don’t fly with ammo if you don’t have to.
Trying to figure out the up-to-the-second regulations of the Transportation Security Administration and the individual airlines is a headache. Seems like they change day to day and from person to person you have to deal with. If there’s a way to either buy ammo at your destination or have it shipped there well ahead of time, you might be better off. However, make some calls before hand to ensure the availability of the precise load you want to use. Perhaps you want to order it from a cataloger and have it direct shipped to someone reliable at the location you’ll be hunting. If you go this route, make the order at least a month before your hunt!
2) If you fly with ammo, go over-prepared.
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I'll take a coffee frappuccino. Why yes, that is a Glock model 22. How nice of you to notice.
Keeping with my current theme of firearm rights I had to comment on the current spike in publicity on businesses that are inviting firearm owners to legally carry inside their premises. Or, the fact other businesses are posting their premises as off limits for firearms even when legal. In states where it is legal to carry a firearm in open view (or concealed if you have a conceal carry permit), firearm owners have been showing their muscle and testing the laws. And businesses have been following suite. Just because the law allows you to openly carry doesn’t mean businesses have to allow you entry. It’s all based on the ways state laws are structured. It’s kind of like the “no shirt, no shoes, no service” rule.
So why the battle may be building elsewhere one company has decided to stay out of the fight and allow customers to openly carry when state law allows.
That one company is Starbucks. Yes, you heard right.
Starbucks, unlike several other large chains, has decided not to be drawn into a fight between law-abiding firearm owners and firearm opponents. If the law allows open carry, come on in and order a “ccino” drink.
I have to admit, I’ve always looked at Starbucks as a place where metrosexuals hang out. I’m sure they have great coffee, but until recently I’ve never lived close to a Starbucks chain store and my view of them was formed from TV. It always seemed like people from the cast of “Friends” hung out there, not blue collar, truck driving, hunting folks. Hearing this news about the company has greatly changed my opinion. In fact, next time I pass a Starbucks I may just swing in to order a foamy explosion of caffeine just to say thanks.
Mark Kayser
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Did you pack the sunscreen? How about the .40 S&W, and .460 ammo?
This week was a successful week for defenders of the Second Amendment. Don’t breathe too big of sigh of relief. There’s still a large crowd out there hoping to take your right to own away, but we have to revel when triumphs occur.
On Feb. 22 a Congress-approved law went into effect allowing loaded firearms in national parks. It’s a major step for those of us that believe 911 is a great service, but a backup due to the time lag from call to response.
In truth this law is all about personal defense and little more. I believe it’s our right to defend ourselves regardless of where we may happen to be at any given moment. National parks may be strictly managed, but most are still large blocks of wild lands with emergency services minutes and even hours away from your location.
The parks are mixing pots for people representing a variety of values. Just because parks are historical and natural wonders doesn’t mean the scum of the earth won’t also be looking for victims there. You may even encounter a wild animal that threatens you or your family.
That said; remember that current rules apply including no hunting (in most instances), no target shooting and no carrying firearms into federal facilities. State laws also apply so brush up on firearm laws before your next trip to a national park.
A win for firearms isn’t an everyday occurrence so enjoy your new safety measure next time you visit a national park.
Mark Kayser
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You don’t even have to be as old as me to utter the phrase, “How did we ever live without (fill-in-the-blank)?” Some of the blank fillers in my lifetime are microwave ovens, fax machines, anti-lock brakes (on cars where the brakes actually work), cell phones, DVDs, MP3s, Iphones, Blackberries, and on and on and on.
Sometimes in hunting we find refuge from the ceaseless barrage of technology, but less and less often. Think about it. Laser rangefinders, string releases, GPS, pelletized black powder, etc., etc. Hunting’s list of how-did-we-live-without technological advances is really no less endless!
There is one technological advance that is truly a boon to hunting any way you look at it. It unquestionably makes it easier to be a law biding hunter and actually creates hunting opportunity by making preparation for a hunt much, much more convenient. It’s acquiring your hunting license via the internet!
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Scrub your plans for Australia to help out with the bunny conundrum going on there. We have problems right here in the good old U.S.A. Yes, nonnative snakes have taken hold in Florida and these aren’t just everyday garter snakes. These are monstrous, poodle-choking, cat-gripping, gator-gulping Burmese pythons. And it’s only now that the authorities that be have decided there might be a bit of a problem with these giant constrictors slithering around in the Sunshine State? Apparently hurricane destruction of reptile holding facilities and irresponsible pet owners led to the invasion. I saw a report on it a few days back on Public TV so I’m somewhat of an amateur expert.
Starting March 8 and going through April 17 you can hunt these potential shoe-leather critters simply by having a Florida hunting license and a $26 management area permit for the open hunting areas allowed. You also have to take a short course in python hunting etiquette.
Dad! We got one! What do you mean it's not a python?
After that you’re free to wade the swamps in search of a quarry that can reach 26 feet in length and weigh more than 250 pounds. Oh yes, the big ones could squish you.
But hold on, there’s more bang for your buck. Not only do you get to hunt Burmese pythons, but the state also allows the taking of other invasive species including the Indian python, reticulated python, northern and southern African rock python, amethystine python, green anaconda and the Nile monitor lizard. I’m going to need a bigger Crock Pot because I hear they all taste like chicken.
What firearm should you use? Unfortunately no centerfire rifles are allowed so release the grip from your .50 BMG. You can use handguns, shotguns and rimfire calibers. I think I’d go with my semiautomatic Smith and Wesson 1012 and use a heavyweight turkey load. In case there’s a question of whether or not the python is still capable of constricting I’ll have my X-Frame .500 S&W for backup.
And if any of you reading this are college students planning for spring break, enough said! Here’s an activity that gets you near the water, feeds you and even allows you to make a buck back by selling hides. I wish I were 20 again!
Mark Kayser
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“Lurker.” Sounds sinister, doesn’t it? This is the type of guy who hangs around back alleys and shadowy doorways. He’s always there, but you can never see his face. Yes, until last week, I was a “lurker” on GunBroker.com one of my all-time favorite websites.
Fantasy Island for a gun nut would be a place with wall after wall and rack after rack of every kind of firearm ever conceived. And to truly be FI for the GN every gun would be for sale! Well, in the virtual sense that’s exactly the premise of GunBroker.com! And on top of that, GunBroker.com offers way more than just firearms to ogle. Optics, hand loading equipment, hunting trips, ammo, clothing, accessories and more all for sale find a market on GunBroker.com.
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