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Post by Burnston on Jan 9, 2024 13:24:41 GMT -5
SPENT A FEW DSPENT A FEW DAYS AT PUNTA LAST WEEK, DEER WERE STILL RUTTING, LOTS OF DEER SIGHTINGS, HERE IS A NICE BUCK: As a kid hunting in Lampasas I'm not sure I'd have known what this critter was. Those Texas deer have sure changed from the overgrown jackrabbits I used to hunt.
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Post by Burnston on Jan 3, 2024 22:34:20 GMT -5
Manuscripts have been sent. My thanks to those who have expressed interest.
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Post by Burnston on Jan 3, 2024 10:57:31 GMT -5
Thank you all for your willingness to help out. I am smoothing out some last minute edges and will be sending out copies forthwith.
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Post by Burnston on Jan 2, 2024 21:52:05 GMT -5
More of a glorified pamphlet than anything. One could easily get through it in an hour or so.
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Post by Burnston on Jan 2, 2024 14:25:59 GMT -5
Congratulations, my friend. I have an Oliva Maduro, 24oz Ribeye, and an inviting firepit with your name on it where we can watch the longhorns graze.
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Post by Burnston on Jan 2, 2024 14:21:37 GMT -5
I've been working with a publisher the last few years who has shown interest in publishing what was for years a hobby, in an attempt to remind me of good times in my forthcoming (37 going on 70) old age. He has suggested the time has come to get the publishing side of things underway; I remain a bit skeptical and requested some time to test the waters. As most of us are fairly like-minded individuals, at least in some respects, I would appreciate volunteers to whom I might send a copy of this compilation of ranch/gun stories. My primary wish is for people to glean a bit of pleasure from their read, but secondarily I hope some of you old hands might provide some helpful criticism on how it might be better received among those who have travelled similar roads as I have. I can sincerely state that these stories are true, but for the sake of my sweet mother who will eventually read this, among other reasons, there is a seasoned amount of humor, and a bit of exaggeration to soften a blow or two. These instances will be obvious among those whose lives are influenced by guns. Note; there are several accounts of recklessness, some needless, in the included pages. That said, I do not look for an advocate or an "it's okay, son" pat on the shoulder. Rather, some helpful input on how I might more effectively brighten the day of anyone who happens to read it. They've all been copyrighted, but are in need of some editing, in my opinion. If anyone would like to sit through this and tell me how it can be improved upon, I would consider it a great favor, given the ultra busy, fast paced life many of you lead. Either PM me with your email address, or if you'd prefer to shout your address to the world, post it on this thread and I will send you a digital copy. I will also be glad to print and mail if you would prefer. Please and thank you.
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Post by Burnston on Dec 30, 2023 20:33:46 GMT -5
Oklahoma has an extended end-of-the-year doe season during which I usually top off the freezer if space still remains. My three year old caught me in the wee hours this morning as I got ready to leave for the woods, and tough as I might sometimes try to come off, I struggle to resist the whole "daddy, please" troupe. He's proven himself as a tough hand in the freezing cold; stalking through the woods quietly, or sitting silently for hours, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter. Having never gone after white tail with me, I could not be sure how the morning would progress, though I had my suspicions. Packing some age appropriate books, a bag full of homemade venison jerky, an age appropriate pistol (plastic,) and a semi truck or two, we said goodbye to his mother at 4am and off we went. As I suspected, he was no hand at silent woods stalking, so we found us a naturally concealed spot with a back rest adjacent to a trail I had scouted out and there we sat. He lasted a good two hours before the books and looking through the binoculars lost their charm, so I resigned myself to likely going home empty handed. Turns out, it was well worth it. We walked almost four miles, getting three armadillo with the ol' .35 Remington. He learned to distinguish a deer and hog track, finding an abundance of both. My son wanted a snack, and I obliged with a head shot to a cocky red fox squirrel with the .44spl. While I am very thankful this is not our only option, the company and the atmosphere made the unseasoned meat delightful. A nice bed of coals and some fresh cut green branches served as our grill. Unable to finish the vast meal in one sitting, he placed it in his pocket and periodically took bites off of it as we travelled. By the end of our jaunt, the bones were 100% clean, making him more legitimate as an outdoorsman than yours truly, as mine still had a bit of meat on it when I tossed it. We sighted a fourth armadillo, but he requested we catch this one instead of shooting it. He must have been an old hand because the wily dasypodidae made it to his den in short order. My son then suggested we smoke him out, so we built a fire in at the mouth of his den and used my jacket to plug the hole. We walked away with a smoke scented jacket and no armadillo. Every mile he was rewarded with a rest and a snack, at which point he insisted on roasting his jerky over an open flame. "Cowboys do it this way, dad." No deer were taken on today's excursion. No tears were shed over this.
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Post by Burnston on Dec 29, 2023 22:36:11 GMT -5
No idea what they're going for now but the aforementioned Turnbull Bisley is a fantastic option. Glad I got mine when I did. Craig, what is that book sitting under your Turnbull? Also, good call with the Gran Habano Maduro. Sorry for the hijack, OP. Welcome to the forum. If you’d like to know whose worth listening to and whose full of it, come ask me. You’ll find out real quick whose full of it…..
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Post by Burnston on Dec 26, 2023 22:29:38 GMT -5
So glad you or your son were not hurt!! Good on you for being a great, protective Dad Regarding hogs and charges. I went on a guided hog hunt up around Crossville, TN many years ago. My guide had an impressive scar that a hog had graciously given him. It started on the inside of his right leg, right at the ankle "protrusion", ran up the length of his calf and exited at his knee. I don't remember how many staples it needed, but it was a lot. Don't remember if he killed the hog or not. Chris Incidentally, my most trusted rig for my 21 is a Lobo Threepersons with hammer thong, going strong since 2015.
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Post by Burnston on Dec 19, 2023 15:53:09 GMT -5
Benjamin, If you’re still needing that set of service style grips I’ve got them refinished and ready to go. What kind of wood is that, it's very nice? Bless your heart, Zane. I forgot we talked about this. I hope someone grabbed them.
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Post by Burnston on Dec 16, 2023 17:28:52 GMT -5
Note up front; my son was not harmed, and I was not seriously harmed in this unexpected encounter. Please consider the following a cautionary word based on an unexpected and unfortunate experience; not a measuring stick for machismo.
My father recently gifted me an heirloom quality Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 mag once owned by several long gone family members, wrapped in a delightfully tooled Safariland #43. Many of you will know that this holster features a snap, (important note.) This is a break from my typical rig, that being a Tom Threepersons with a hammer thong. While I typically shy away from change for change's sake, I strapped this rig to my belt for a walk through the woods with my three year old son, after putting about 200 rounds through it to get the feel for things.
Being the proud owner of a "big-boy" battery powered tractor equipped with trailer, my good son rode through the woods about twenty yards ahead of my while I followed, enjoying watching him have a good time. Spending my life on various ranches and outdoor settings, I naturally make careful effort to be hyper vigilant while outside the house, especially with my son. This habit allowed me to see a black and white critter from a good distance away as it rapidly approached my boy. The sound of the tractor kept me from hearing what turned out to be an aggressive pitt bull crashing through the leaves and branches at a good clip. Naturally I took to a good run while attempting to draw my pistol, my son being completely oblivious while he enjoyed his ride.
I felt my heart in my throat for the split second it took me to realize I was using my thumb to look for a hammer thong that was not there, instead of un-snapping my revolver. That split second was vital, as the dog closed the distance with shocking efficiency. We made it to the boy at about the same time and I was able to offer him my left arm in lieu of his primary target, my revolver still securely holstered. I was able to bear hug him, dislodge the Black Hawk and secure the dog at a safe angle while I irreversibly dispatched him. My denim/horse blanket jacket saved my arm to a large degree, the only result of this madness being intense bruising. No lacerations or blood loss. My son had forgotten about the whole ordeal by the time we made it home, though his recounting of the event will no doubt surface at the next church potluck on the third Sunday of the month.
The dog was a very well built, healthy weight animal, leading me to believe he has a home. Bearing no collar, it has bee a chore tracking down the owner thus far. However, this is but a slight bump in the road towards the inevitable.
Please take the following with the spirit it is indented, as my negligence almost cost me a great deal.
1. The "concealed carry culture" aficionados who have their Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. guns/rigs are, in my opinion, short-sighted at best, bordering on foolish. If one is prone towards change for change's sake, might I suggest at the very least utilizing the same carry system for your various guns. While I am under no illusions in comparing this experience to an active shooter scenario, I cannot help but feel that the fundamentals to getting one's firearm into action are universal when doing so under intense pressure and adrenaline.
2. Consistency is key to efficiency. Though it is impossible to say with certainty, I feel that I could have taken this dog on the run when I first saw him had I been carrying my usual m21 in its usual trimmings. The tiny detail of hammer thong v. snap is a world of difference when you have one and are expecting/experienced in the other.
3. Watchful does not mean irrationally paranoid. It only takes a moment to ruin your life. Best to maintain awareness and "risk" being called overly cautious.
Please pardon the soap box. I do not intend to take away from the lessons of those whose experience far exceeds my own. That said, please take this for what it is worth; that is my own limited but extreme (in this case) encounter.
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Post by Burnston on Dec 14, 2023 15:40:25 GMT -5
link
CAMP FIRE AT Punta, NICE PLACE TO SMOKE A *GOOD CIGAR* AND HAVE A COLD ONE. What's your pleasure?
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Post by Burnston on Dec 12, 2023 14:05:19 GMT -5
Good afternoon gentlemen,
I have a few projects in mind and I'd like to buy a few sets of trashed, beaten up, or worn out square-butt N frame coke or target style grips. I do not care about the manufacturer, texture, medallions, etc. Just that they wrap around the front of the frame, and that they are wood.
Let me know what you have and how much. Please and thank you.
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Post by Burnston on Nov 30, 2023 14:47:37 GMT -5
Burnston, that’s a nice picture, wish we could see the whole horse. Worn out, beaten, and sick of cows, but Hancock all the way. Sorry about the hijack, op......
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Post by Burnston on Nov 30, 2023 13:19:43 GMT -5
To the finer, simpler things, boys. Mrs. Ramrod-of-the-Whole-Operation gained her position through the skillful use of a coffee pot, among other admirable attributes.
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