Plains Hunter

A Tale of 2 Guys Hunting the Kansas Prairie

Archive for category gear

Hunting Gear Review: Game Glide

Oct 1

Posted by Bill in deer, gear, hunting | 8 Comments

Faced with the task of dragging a deer out of a cornfield, what better way to put the Game Glide to a test. And test it we did.

My buck was down inside a corn field and we had to get it out, the farmer was due to harvest soon. It was difficult to maneuver in the field as the corn was over six feet tall. I managed to get the deer on the Glide and get it tied up. Keith had gone to get the truck and trailer closer to where we were. Once he got back to where I was, we started dragging.

It really seemed to go pretty well, still difficult, but we were moving. I’m not sure how far we had to go to get to the edge of the field, it seemed pretty far and its hard to gauge distance when all you can see are cornstalks.

At one point, it was very difficult going. We were really laboring to move the deer. We stopped to catch our breath (I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest) and noticed the deer had rolled and the Glide had moved up the side. We repositioned everything, tightened up the cords and were on our way again.

The going was much easier. I can truly say that without the Game Glide, we would probably have given up. I’m not sure the two of us could have gotten that buck out of the corn field without it. It really did make a difference. Keith has drug deer for years (he’s been doing this for a lot longer than I have) and he was even surprised at it.

Now I’m not saying it didn’t take work, we still had to put some muscle into it. But the difference between when the deer was on it and when it wasn’t was amazing. Yeah, it was definitely noticeable.

I give the product a thumbs up. The guys at Game Glide have created an excellent piece of gear!

Tags: , ,

Hunting Season Countdown Begins

Aug 8

Posted by Bill in black powder, deer, gear, hunting | 2 Comments

Well the countdown begins. I’ve set up plans for the opening weekend of dove season, which I’ll also get in some scouting for muzzleloading deer season. So now the waiting begins. I’ll go over my gear, again and again. Pick up my shotgun and rifles several times to check them out. Its an obsession.

But speaking of deer season, I just got notice that my Game Glides are on their way, so look for a review on them in late September. They sound like an interesting product. They also have a contest going on so check them out. Man, that really puts the pressure on me to get my deer this year. I hope I’m not jinxing myself.

Keep your powder dry.

Tags: , ,

Of Guns and Knives

Jul 15

Posted by Bill in black powder, deer, firearms, gear, hunting | 3 Comments

Wow, I can’t believe that summer is half over already. All it seems I’ve done is work. I still have yet to take a vacation. I haven’t even had time to post to the blog. It’s kind of hard to post about hunting when there isn’t any hunting to be done. But that will be remedied in about 2 months when dove season starts and of course, muzzleloading deer season. So here’s what I’ve been up to this summer so far, besides working like a dog at my day job.

I went through conceal carry class and turned in my application. Forty five days and I’ll join the ranks of the CCW crowd. Don’t ask me why I wanted to take it. I don’t necessarily feel scared and need to carry a gun. I did it more for the fact that I could, since Kansas is a CCW state. And to poke my finger at the anti-gun crowd. It will keep the stats way on the positive side and make their lies all the more noticeable. I’m still trying to ultimately decide what I’m going to carry, when I do. I have a Glock model 27, or rather, the good wife does. It was her father’s duty gun, he was in law enforcement for various departments. But I’m not a huge fan of Glocks. I’m more of a revolver guy and have been drawn towards a S&W model 60 in .357. We’ll see, I have time.

Phase 1 of the Bolte Skinner

Phase 1 of the Bolte Skinner

I’ve also done a bit of shooting here and there. The last time out, I went with Keith’s dad out to his gun club and watched a black powder match. I’m really considering joining the club. It’s reasonably priced, but a bit of a drive considering I live roughly 15 minutes from  another range. I’d save money in the long run and could go whenever I wanted if I joined, as opposed to 2 weekends a month at the close range. Plus they have a 200 yard range and lots of different types of shooting out there including cowboy action. OK, I’ve talked myself into it.

The other project I started is making my own skinning knife. I did some reading and saw what some were doing with old hand saw blades. So I got an old saw from my dad, and here is the knife I cut out. I’ve done a little work on the edge, but still have a lot to do. I have some cabinet maple scraps that I’m going to use for a handle. I’m a little skeptical that this blade will hold any kind of edge, it seemed a little soft when I was grinding on it. But we’ll see, it might be more a proof of concept than anything. It’s been fun so far though.

So that’s what I’ve been up to this summer. I’m really looking forward to deer season this year. I have so much to make up for from last season. I also really want to get those Marlins out as well. So what have the rest of you been up to this summer? Anyone ready for hunting season to kick off?

Tags: , , , , , ,

At the Range

May 31

Posted by Bill in black powder, firearms, gear | No Comments

I spent Saturday shooting with my hunting buddy. Both Marlins are shooting great at 50 yards. Took some shots with the 50 cal plains rifle (there is only 3 1/2 months until muzzleloading deer season by the way!). And we did a bunch of pistol shooting.

I’m planning on taking my conceal carry exam this summer, but I need more practice before taking the class. I don’t get around to shooting my handguns as much as I should. Keith gave me some good tips and I did pretty well. Another couple of times at the range and I think I’ll be ready. I do need to find a class and get signed up for it. I need to do some looking around and find out who teaches it around here.

The Marlins are doing great so far. Each time I get them out, I’m more and more impressed. No wonder this rifle has been so popular for so many decades. We got the iron sights adjusted for 50 yards. I managed a bullseye at 50 yards with the scoped Marlin. A few more sessions at the range at 100 yards should do the trick for those two rifles.

Keith brought out his 30-40 Krag and put a few rounds down range. What a sweet shooting gun that is. First time out with it and it hardly needed adjusting. Smoothest bolt action I’ve ever felt.

I also managed to get some shooting done with the Plains Rifle. I was pleased with the results, especially after the disappointing year I had last deer hunting season. I seemed to get a better understanding of the site picture. Now I just need more range time to make sure I’m repeating the results.

So, all in all, it was a great day. There’s just nothing better than spending a day shooting with a buddy. I wished I would have remembered a camera. We shot up an old computer of his (sorry Dell!). The Dell logo made a great target circle. And for me, destroying a computer like that just puts my soul at peace. A 50 cal round ball sure puts a nice big hole in the thing!

Keep your powder dry.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Signting In The Marlins, Round 1

May 11

Posted by Bill in firearms, gear | 1 Comment

Finally had a chance to get the Marlins to the range last weekend. It was my first attempt at sighting in a scoped rifle. We didn’t do to bad. The Good Wife’s shoulder started bothering her after a while so we stopped after we finished up at 50 yards. I guess I need to watch how she’s holding it in her shoulder.

We still have some work to do yet, we were pretty close at 50 yards. Still needed to get the windage in before moving out to 100 with the scoped rifle. I have some adjusting to do with the rear site on the other one, didn’t have the time out there.

The open sight rifle is shooting to the right. So I need to adjust the rear sight some to compensate. I was shooting Federal and Remington rounds through it. The scoped rifle started out to the right and low also. I don’t have much experience shooting a scoped rifle, so it was all new. Can’t say I disliked it. We only shot the Federal ammo in it this time.

Below are the results:

Target from 50 yards from the scoped Marlin

Target from scoped Marlin at 50 yards

Target from 25 and 50 yards from the open sight Marlin

Target from 25 and 50 yards from the open sight Marlin

Tags: , , , ,

For Want of a Pocket Knife

Apr 4

Posted by Bill in gear, hunting | 2 Comments

I’ve carried a pocket knife, of some sort, for ever. Probably over 20 years. The most recent knife that I’ve carried has been the small, Swiss Army style knife. I decided that I wanted something more traditional, besides, all I ever seemed to use was the blade anyway. So I kept my eyes open, looking for just the right one. I don’t really like tactical knives and wanted something small to fit in my pocket.

buck mini trapperI found it in a Buck Mini Trapper. It has a great look, has a nice heft in my hand. It just feels right. My only complaint, it’s made in China (much like everything these days, but that’s another post). Other than that, it’s a great knife. The first weekend I had it, I wandered around the house looking for excuses to slice open stuff with it. I couldn’t wait until the mail arrived.

My father collects vintage pocket knives. His main criteria; it has to have USA stamped on it somewhere. He favors the old Bucks and Uncle Henry knives. He pulled out his collection to show me some of his finds he’s picked up along the way. He’s got some great old knives.

kabar pocket knifeHe handed me an old Kabar that was my great uncle’s and told me it’s mine. Wow! I have a soft spot for Kabar as I have one of their military knives and have been jonesing for one of their hunting blades. The pocket knife is in great shape and it’s almost delicate in it’s feel. It’s very slim with 2 blades. But it’s rugged, it’s survived at least 40 some years and still holds a great edge.

Dad and I recently went on a scavenging trip down to a couple of small towns in Southern Kansas. We visited an antique shop and a couple of pawn shops. He found a Schrade Old Timer in the antique shop that he liked and the proprietor gave him a good deal on it. I thought about picking up one of the 2 Buck’s there, but changed my mind.

old timer pocket knifeI did, however, score a great deal on a Schrade Old Timer with 3 blades at the first pawn shop, nabbing it for a song (much to my dad’s dismay). I asked if he’d take $5 for it. The owner screwed up his mouth a bit and said $8. Deal! Guess it never hurts to ask huh? The blades are sharp and the knife is in great shape. It just needs a little bit of cleaning up. That was just too good a deal to pass up.

I really don’t know the value of any of these pocket knives, probably can’t really be measured. But I’ve caught my dad’s bug for them. I guess it’s due to my nostalgia for vintage these days and looking back to things lost. These knives were built to last, made in a time when you kept things and fixed them when they broke. Not like the throwaway world we live in now. But there’s just something about these old knives, something about the look and feel of them. It’s almost like you can feel the history in them.

So how many of you carry a pocket knife out there? If you do, what kind?

Tags: , , ,