Old time Adirondackers

I don't know how many folks subscribe to "The Conservationist," the publication of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, but the price of admission is well worth the expense, as there are always articles that are not only educational, but entertaining as well.
The latest issue features a profile of an Adirondack native that has made a lifetime of difference for all those who love these ancient mountains. And that man is Clarence Petty.
Click the picture to enlarge, and click the link to read how this 103 year old giant of a man made a huge difference for a worthy cause in his lifetime!

Thanks to the NYS DEC and The Conservationist..

The Order of Edwardian Gunners

or... The Vintagers.

Like many things in my life, I guess I have a Love/Hate relationship with these folks. We've hosted numbers of their shoots at the club, and I've been in close contact with them. I know some members personally, and consider a few friends.
I've taken an awful lot of shots (sometimes cheap ones) at these folks in the past because of the costumes and upscale attitudes.
While I still consider the "dress up" to be a bit over the top, and the fact that they often recoil at dirty Setter paw prints in the back of their detailed Range Rovers, my current foray into the esoteric world of the Side-by-Side shotgun has softened my judgemental attitude toward these folks to a degree. I'm still a ways off from procuring my first hammergun, so I won't be a member anytime soon (I also lack the financial "wherewithall"), but, the ice is melting. Further, they do put on, by all accounts, a helluva show every year, with doubleguns, books, and accoutrements of all kinds. Just be sure to buy the little woman a Victorian dress if you plan to attend!
While it's undeniable that the Vintagers lean a bit toward the "artsy-fartsy" side, and all that entails (you fill in the blanks), my age is creeping up and I'm mellowing... Besides, they're just like the rest of us, to a degree only moreso, aren't they? So, why not give the benefit of the doubt in the name of inclusiveness...

So, please consider this my peace offering to "The Order of Edwardian Gunners", and while I haven't placed my order for breeks and brogues just yet, I'll applaud their efforts of bring classic side by's out of the oak cabinets and into the fields where they belong...

So, please peruse the Vintagers website, and form your own opinions. Pay particular attention to the area "What to Wear", as it will offer some tips on how to dress for a shoot, and where to find appropriate "togs".. I must admit that the ladies look rather "appealing" in their oh so prim and proper Victorian garb.. I better sign off now before my much too fertile imagination runs away with itself....

Enjoy

A warm welcome

I was pleasantly surprised this morning to find a comment from my old friend Rick,
also known as Greyphase, whom I see has carved out his own little piece of Bloggerland.. I feel humbled to have a guy such as Rick reading our meager efforts, and I'm encouraged to see so many folks starting their own blogs so we can all keep up with each other, and pass along information from one to another.
So, please join me in wishing Rick a warm welcome, and be sure to check out his blog... Allegheny Mountain Wanderings.

It looks great Rick, we'll be checking in often!

Acknowledgements

Our thanks go out to the folks at The Cold Duck blog for taking note of our efforts here at "The Bombshell". Cold Duck is a great little site that I visit often. For those that have never seen the fantastic woodcock video, click here.
Thanks again to the kind folks at The Cold Duck blog.
New this week is also "grousers, formerly five smart guys who hunt, and Mr. Mike,". This is another interesting site that I have been reading for some time now. The reason I haven't added it earlier is that these folks hunt birds in upstate NY, in similar areas as myself. I always tell folks who ask that there are no birds in these areas, so I was just trying to keep things on the quiet side. But hell, they deserve recognition too for putting together a great blog..
Another new site I came across on Dr. Wayment's Birddogdoc Chronicles is The Upland Equation. This is a very enjoyable site! The gentleman is a former hunter who was forced to give up the sport for a time, and came back to it later in life. The joy of his return to the uplands with a dog and gun clearly shows through in the author's writings.

I recommend that everyone stop in and get to know these blogs. There is a lot of great reading and information posted on these sites..

Give 'em a try...

Of Gunners and Birdguns..

Met up with my old buddy Andrew, The Bronx Bomber, of Regal Vizsla fame for a couple of rounds of informal Skeet out at my club.
It was great to meet up with Andrew again, and finally meet Jozsi for the first time... I did miss a reunion with Momo though...
My reason for calling Andrew the "Bronx Bomber" will become readily apparent, as he showed up with one of the prettiest little 20 ga. boxlocks I've ever seen. A Webley & Scott produced 5 pound and change little marvel with 30 inch barrels. Pretty wood on the straight grip and nicely blued barrels.
And could he ever shoot this little wand of a birdgun. Lots of guys around with purpose built Skeet guns just shaking their heads in disbelief, as target after target created ink balls in the sky! And, low gun shooting to boot! My heart has to go out to any birds unlucky enough to have Andrew, his remarkable Vizslas, Momo and Jozsi, and that light little birdgun come across them this season.. It's certain meat in the WingWorks vest!
I, on the other hand have been staying with the 20 ga. Ithaca/SKB 280, and I'm quite pleased with the results it's been giving me. Particularly with my light 3/4 ounce reloads that I've become so fond of! One trigger is working for me, and, for the coming year, the 280 has already earned it's place as my "go to" gun..
Only time will tell...