Shooting Trap

Finally we are not shooting our trap off, we are trap shooting.
'S' , Myself, Bob and 2 of his girls went to Camp Pendleton, and went Shooting Trap.
'S' Borrowed a 20gauge from My neighbor.

Christmas Day on the beach

After we unwrapped gifts, we loaded the family up, and went to the beach ( Del Mar).
I had never seen the tide so far out. We didn't dress up fancy, but we took pictures.
The pictures below are what we came up with.

week 1 of Christmas break

I told the girls we would try to do as much together as we could. Now that 'A' has a job, we are on a tight schedule.
So hiking, riding, golf, softball, and visiting friends will be on the agenda.
First up, hiking in the snow on Mt. Laguna. We drove an hour outside the city, and took the dog, so she could experience her first snow under her paws.
The dog had fun in the snow, and so did the girls. They posed for pictures, threw snowballs, and left with smiles.

Thanksgiving Glamis Trip 2011.

It was our annual trip to Glamis. Our group included the Dickinson's, Bradford's, Coffin's, Berlue's and the Ratza's. This year was the best year of all. Everyone finally got used to their vehicles and we were able to keep a steady pace. Day 1 of our trip we took a new route to Oldsmobile. Day 2 we took a 13 mile ride out to the famous China Wall. This year, my daughter Sydney took the challenge of riding my 450 up China Wall for the first time. We were all so proud. We did have one breakdown. Todds Razor burnt up a belt, and we had to leave the Razor out there, go back and get him a belt, so he could return. Day 3 was the best ride of all.It started with a nice ride out to Oldsmobile and over the top. We were heading out to Gecko and 2 dunes before our arrival destination Sydney's CRF150 broke down. Something in the transmission, or the clutch, I think. We had to tow it out to Gecko road and Big Eric stayed with the bike while we went back to camp. We drove the truck to go pick the bike and him up. All of this excitement was the highlight of our day. Or better yet the low light. That was the end of the day, so we packed up our stuff, and headed out Home-Sweet-Home.

Getting colder!

Went up to the mountains to see what I can see. It was cold from the previous snow fall day. Some of the roads were closed, so we had to hike in.

someone shot my deer

Some asshole shows up late, crowds me and stumbles into the deer I was tracking.

I taught 'S' as much as I could.
I taught her to scout multiple spots.
Know your terrain, and the surroundings.
Make sure you know where your going to sit, have a backup plan.
Make sure you have a shooting lane
know your weapon and your comfort level of distances you can shoot
Look for signs, know that there is deer in there.
Get in your spot early, and don't screw up some one else hunt.
Be considerate, and respectful.

Well I did all those, watch a buck for over a week( he went about 18olbs, and was a 2x3 muley), and got in my spot by 5am

People were still rolling in after 6am, between 6 and 6:30, I counted 7 cars. One of the last guy to show up near me came in and 6:15, saw someone in his spot.
So he walks into my spot/area, busting through the brush, so I shine a light at him. He yells to his buddy, " some one is there, we need to move.
I thought he left. Turns out he was about 100ft from me. I finally see the buck i had been watching and two does walk out of the brush about 325 yds away, I make double sure he's legal, but I don't like the shot ( quartered toward me, between bushes) i see the doe come toward me, I see he is going to follow. They are heading toward me, he comes out of the bushes, but at an angle where I can't see him yet, and then.... My ears get rung by the guy sitting that close to me as he unloads his gun on this thing. The first two shots miss him ( at about 125yds) then he finally spines this thing, and it is kicking about. He waits about 4 minutes, walks out to it, and puts another round into its neck the size of a football. I just wanted to cry. All the work and effort, and this guy who does everything wrong gets the buck. Me or anyone else would have been better.


Moral of the story:
Its Ok to not scout ( I talked to him, he had no idea this buck is here) show up late, bust in on someone else spot, not leave, and not make good ethical shots.
Moral 2:
Its public land, and there is not a damn thing you can do about it!

First blood!

'S' was able to get her first confirmed kill today. We went out deer hunting on the edge of the desert. We did not see any deer, so we put away the rifle, headed south about a mile, broke out the 20 gauge shotgun, and started walking, we didn't get far before we heard a rabbit, 'S' took aim, and made a perfect shot.
It was an especially proud moment, because she was able to use the shotgun that my Dad had used most of his life, handed it down to me, and now my daughter is using it.

Home Coming

The girls took a break from there lives in Softball, Volleyball, golfing, hunting, and dirtbiking to get all cleaned up, dressed up, and looking beautiful as always.
I am a proud Dad. The girls looked great, and carried themselves very well. 'A' was asked to the dance by a very nice young man named Miles, and I knew he would take great care of my first born. They went out to eat as a group, and danced, and had a good night.
'S' was also asked to the dance by her best friends, dates, friend.
They are all buddies, but it was 'S' first time on a a semi-date. She was nervous. and rightfully so, her wallet is missing. Just kidding.


















"Why you no pay me?"

New hunter in the Family

'S' took the hunter safety class today with Dad, and we both passed. She got her hunting license at Walmart, and the next step is to kill something.
Here she is shortly after getting her license:

scouting success

I went out scouting today, and took my traveling buddy..... Sasha!
We started in McCain Valley, I did a small hike with her, and she did great. I started another 4 mile hike, and she didn't make it 100 ft before getting cactus burrs. I had to take her back to the truck, and off I went.
I saw some sign, and found a lake I didn't know about, not a bad place, lots of fresh tracks.
We left McCain and went to Pine Valley. I went to a spot where I had seen some fresh tracks in the past, and today was no disappointment. found some big fresh tracks. Then My little buddy found an abandon mine. It had been closed off, but still, pretty cool.
Here is the hoof prints,( notice the rear pads are touching, and the spread between the pads.

Freshmen win!

Girls Won a tournament over the weekend, and basically went undefeated.

Volleyball

My Girl getting some court time in:

Herping

Went out riding, and scouting. We came across a rattlesnake on the trail while riding, and we saw one or two on the road. This one I only got a shot of with my phone camera. The picture does not do it justice, this snake was just beautiful, it had light red features on its brown skin. We left it alone after our paparazzi moment.

some yard work

I decided that the Saga Palms in the front of the house, and blocking the window, was just getting to big. The removal would be a lot of work with shovel, and pick. I needed to find another way. My neighbor, Dan, has a bobcat or skip loader(Dallas). I dug around the base of the tree, clipped the lower branches, and hooked a chain around the base. I pulled the tree out with the skip loader. I also gave "S" a chance to learn how to drive it, and she did very well.

Men: your not alone

Chula Vista Militia

Made a connection with the Chula Vista Militia.
It was time to site in the scope for my deer rifle. Some time in December, I bought a Savage .270 deer rifle. I bought a Leupold Scope, and sited it in. The mounts kept loosening up, and I did not like them. I bought new mounts, which means I had to resite the scope in. Robert, Nick( his son) and I went out to the local mountains, to meet up with the other half of the group Mike, his twin sons Matt, and Mike and they had an arsenal of guns, and targets.
We had small to large calibur rifles, shotguns, and handguns the 22lr handguns were the most fun for me.
We set up targets at 200yds, 100yds, 75, 50, and handgun plate targets at 20yds
I don't have pictures of the targets, or me shooting, but here is the whole gang sans me.