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Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their kind words.   It appears Ernie is doing well.   The last time this happened he was really close to death. He spent several days in the vet in what was pretty much intensive care. The last time we did not catch it as early as this time. We have a few new options to hopefully prevent it from happening again.

It's 1am and Santa has already come and gone. He had a much faster trip this year as my son didn't request Legos. Poor ole Santa was up till 4am assembling the piles of Ninjago, only to see them destroyed within the hour. I think there are still tear stains on the rug from that one.   Now that my daughter is 2 1/2, we're in full on Christmas spirit mode. It's wonderful watching them light up at the thought of the season and i'm grateful that at their core, they understand that Jesus is at the root of Christmas and not just boxes and material things.   My son is 7 this year and I fear he may discover the secrets of the north pole this coming year. He's started asking the Bass Pro Santa (yup, we take them there yearly) to answer questions like "where do I live? what is my name?" etc. but for now, I'll just relive the magic of my childhood through him and hope that it's as wonderful for him as it was for me. Perhaps one day I'll be able to see grandchildren share the same joy.   I hope the holidays are wonderful for all of you and especially for the little ones I know you all hold so dear!!!   P.S. Miss you dad

Thought id show off what my awesome wife got me for Christmas! My new Benchmade 940 Osborne!

MTSC will be hosting 3 gun matches on the fourth Sunday of every month. Registration will open at 11:15 am and close promptly at noon when the shooters meeting begins. First shots will be fired at 12:30. Anyone not signed in by 12:00 will not be allowed to shoot the match. Match fees-$20 for MTSC members and $25 for non members. Round counts will not be posted for each match but if you bring a hundred for each gun you will be able to engage every target with the required number of rounds, bring more if you plan to miss. Set up will begin at 8:00 a.m. and any help is appreciated. Any questions can be sent to Ryan at sumocrp@aol.com or I will answer them in this thread. Directions to the range can be found at midtnshooters.com The website will be updated with 3 gun info and the rules in the coming days.

A few days ago this showed up on another forum and, well all I could think of was my wife. LOL So now it is on the way, should be here by Thursday. 1953 H&R Sportsman 22LR 9 shot.

Wife & I gave a Remington 597 to our 9 1/2 yr. old great-nephew (with a supply of ammo) 

I looked up the numbers:   Tennessee Handgun Carry Permits:     449,419     Tennessee Households:   2,440,663     Tennessee Population:   6,456,243       449,419 divided by 6.456,243 is .06960__ which means nearly 7 percent of the population has an HCP     449,419 divided by 2,440,663 is .18413__ which means -- perhaps -- more than 18 percent of the households have an HCP       That means almost 7 in 100 individuals have a handgun carry permit and many of them carry.   That means 18 out of 100 households -- perhaps --  have a handgun carry permit and many of them carry. You would have to allow for husband and wife both carrying, but that's probably not the main pattern.   I would think that if you see a husband and wife out with the family, that there is almost a one in five chance -- almost 20 percent chance!! -- that someone in the family -- perhaps the guy at least -- is carrying.   That is really bad odds for a criminal, and doubly bad odds for a merchant. I don't think any business would survive if they ran off one in five families.       I find these numbers surprising, I had no idea it was so many.

Santa brought me a shiny new roller handle for one of my Dillons, a box of SPP, a book to log my meager collection, and this glorious piece of technology: I'll post some more pics of the laser targets in action when I get them unpacked. thanks, Santa, you're awesome!!

Try to keep this to the point if I can. I am the shipping supervisor at my company and the receiving supervisor is a good friend of mine. I took him to a gun show a couple of years ago and helped him pick out his first pistol ever, a Sig 2022. I then took him to pick up his first rifle, a Savage .308 bolt action. I then got them (he and his wife) informed on the carry permit procedure and the responsibility that comes with it. They both took the class last year and love going shooting with me. Well, some of you know I got my new Remington 870 for Christmas and he was all excited about it, and explained that he can't wait to get one but doesn't have the extra cash for it right now. His wife works in the office at the same company and I emailed her to see if she'd picked out his Christmas present yet. She said "No, and let me guess, YOU have an idea!" HA HA Well it took some searching because a lot of people were out of stock because of Christmas buying, and I had to stay in her price range. But I found a Mossberg Maverick Home Defense 12 gauge with 20" barrel for $239 at Specialty Arms in LaVergne. Steve held one for her yesterday till she got off at 4:30 and she went to get it. She pulled in at work after buying it to let me see it before she took it home and surprised him with it. Needless to say, he was NOT expecting that! I bought him a target slaying starter kit (ammo) to get him started. I won't lie, every time he gets his new first anything firearms related and he's eager to learn more about them, I get as excited as if it was for me.  Anyway, I thought I'd share their growth and the cool story. It's really amazing to see people that want to learn and be responsible change with each trip to the range. Hell, we were all at that beginner stage at one time and I think it's important to share and pass responsible gun ownership on to people who will respect it!

I want to wish all my TGO Hunting Brothers and Sisters a very Merry Christmas! And may all your harvested deer not have a red nose!   Dave

this is way more fun than anyone should be allowed to have indoors with clothes on

Well, Remington is coming to TN. That's a good thing. They'll be building their AR rifles here, to start.

"I can't wait to tell the guys on TGO about this!"

Well seems like the gang had a special treat from their favorite girl... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 of course it ate my spelling.

Merry Christmas! Santa brought me a Cabelas Alaskan Guide Vanguard - absolutely gorgeous!

Merry Christmas!

I could like it better if I could taste it! lol Dave

I think we all could use a trip out behind the barn from time to time.

So the Wally World employees DO have a line on .22!

12/25/13:  Merry Christmas every one!   I'm going to change the direction a little bit here from the last post.    Venison, when taken cleanly and quickly; and used wisely, is the best way and the most ethical… holistically… to feed and fortified the youngs and olds alike….much better than our ‘factory-farms’.  Venison is NOT cheap in $$$ sense.  It is just plain better.   I process all my kills for lots of reasons, ~8X in the last 25yrs.  This doe is the 2nd doe in the last 15 days.   My family got a gifted ~120# doe on Sunday night from a friend.  He gave me two does last years in the process of thinning out the does at a hunting club he owned.  He managed his land for trophies.  Awesome friend!   I enjoyed hunting my own, and grateful for any gifts from others.     50yd  30 06  shot entered the lung (small 30 cal hole), minor damage to one of the inner tenderloins (6" wound channel @ 4in below the back bone) and small damage to one of the ham (3" wound channel).  Frontal shot, 30cal shot entered about 8" below the backbone at the lung.  Luckily the intestines stay intact and no damage to the outer tenderloin.  Doe dropped on the spot, evidently still moving, a 2nd killing shot enter the neck 2in below the ear at very close range.  Complete pass-through.  No bullet remains inside the deer.   I gutted & skinned & rinsed the deer with misting water within 2 hours of getting my gift on Sunday night.  Weather in CHA on Sunday night was misting rain, 60F, and dropping steadily to 40-25F for the following 5 days.  17yrs old son helped with the skinning and watched the gutting.  Skinning & gutting with son took 3 hours (setting up took 1hr) and got a delightful conversation with son as a bonus.   I told my wrestling son that watching wrestling and actually wrestle are two different things.  The same can be said of gutting a deer.  You can't learn from just watching.   Also, this is the 2nd times I used compressed air & air gun to "fluff" the hide (stretch the hide;  the deer carcass become a balloon with air leaking out of the wound channel).  Skinning is much easier.  However, you have to "fluff it" before you gut it.  Go to youtube if you want to see how this is done.  I was a bit skeptical at first, but now I'm a true-believer.   I wanted to hang the doe for a 'few days'.  This is the first time I attempted to hang it, after hearing much favorable information about the benefits, most of all, the draining of all the capillary blood.  All other times, I process and freeze them within 24hrs.   On Sunday night, temperature dropped to 28F and dry/desiccant wind were blowing, and I see that the skinned doe is drying fast, and the container I placed under the deer has about a quart of water/blood, 12 hours after hanging.  It may have rain/mist about a 1/4in overnight.    I debate whether to let the doe hang another night with temperature expected to drop ~28F.  I was a bit concern of "freeze-then-thaw" damaging my hanging doe, and wanting to process it after rigor mortis has left…which will be over around 7pm on Monday.   On Monday, I watched several you-tube videos to learn about the Pro&Con about aging venison and hints about sharpening knives and how to butcher the deer cleanly/quickly/efficiently.  Spent the next 6 hours prepping; getting materials/tools/set up in place.  Monday night temperature was going to dip into 28F.   On Tuesday, the doe is even dryer, and only a few drops of blood in the bucket below the hanging deer.  I did not want to loose more meat to the dry wind.  Tuesday night temperature is expected to go into ~23F…in fact it dipped into 16F.  I didn't want to loose any more meat to the dry wintery wind, so I decided to process the deer after 48hrs of hanging.   Having learned a few hints from Youtubes, I quartered the doe in 1hr.  Move the quarters into a heated garage, and debone the quarters.  I was disappointed in the meat loss from the bullet wound in the 'ham'.   After I quartered the deer, I got ribs and the back bones into an unheated garage.  I fired up the pressure cooker over a hot plate, and voila I now have a heated garage.  For simplicity, I just put water & ribs/bones in the pot, and just add enough heat to keep the pot at ~150F for ~48hrs, after an initial boil of 3min.  Before canning, I cool the pot, strained, and then bring the content back to the boiling point, then transfer to the jars.     Took me 6 hours to research, prep, clean up/sanitized the work area, sharpen knives, set up, and about another 3 hours to debone my ~80lbs carcass from the ~120lbs doe.  Son was not willing to learn ' deer butchering' that day; so my dog keeps me company while anxiously waiting for deer scraps.  The simmering pot of doe broth helps keep the 25F cold and windy day at bay.   At the end, I estimate about 40lbs (mostly sirloin) to the freezer, 10lbs of scrapped/damaged/blood shot meat/fat/uncooked bones for the dog.  Maybe 2gal of broths from the ~30lbs of bones/ribs I'm stewing now.  The four legs will be my dog's Christmas present.  She already consumed 90% of the two front legs including hooves & skin.  Hide, head & gut are waiting to be buried for next spring blueberry bush or fruit tree....have not decided yet.   Somebody did some research and analyzed that it cost ~$70/lbs of venison if you lease the land, buy the license and few other 'knick nacks'.  The hours that I spent processing my gifted doe, drives that cost even higher.  I hunt/process deer because I think the benefit far offset the cost.  I am thankful that I live in a country that I have that right, and in a position that I can.  Not many people who want a hunt can have a 'good hunt'...for numerous reasons.  Not many people who wants to taste venison, can...for similar reasons.   For those reasons, I am truly lucky, for I have been in those circumstances.     This is what I learned: 1.       Neck shot, when available, save lots edible meat.  Get big enough tool to get the job done.  Bigger tool, only wastes resources.  Too little tools, and pushing its envelope...only bring bad result. 2.       A young doe is less gamey than an older doe.  For me, I will skip buck.  I'm glad others will go after trophies. 3.       Farm doe is FATTER & larger, as compare to doe not around farms.  The smaller doe will not do well this cold winter...this is where hunters should come in. 4.       Gutting a deer right away, leave no gamey smell during butchering; only exception if the temperature outside will be <0F….and only if you want to deal with the stench from a fermented stomach. 5.       Will use a scrub brush next time to get rid of all deer hair after skinning, if the weather allow for it to hang/dry in the next 24hrs.  Butchering a wetted carcass is a hard/slippery job. 6.       Disposable rubber glove over working glove reduce cleaning of the expensive working glove afterward.  Cut-resistant gloves on a cold day, may save your fingers. 7.       Processing a deer that has been hanged for >24hrs is a lot less bloody, and EASIER.  Processing a fresh kill and freezing it… leaves much blood in the package after it is thaw out from the freezer. 8.       Sharpened knives make the job much quicker.  Skills & techniques for sharpening knives…well that is another story for another time.  All my sharp-able knives now have razor edges.  Did you know a leather belt is a vital tool in the sharpening process?  I didn’t either, before yesterday. 9.     Get all the tools ready at the end of the last job, all in one bag, so that I can be quickly ready for the next job…and save much time. 10.   Sharpen extra knives and stage them.  Better to have extras, than to stop and sharpen a dull working knife. 11.   Have a knife for trimming around bones….and a separate knife for trimming flesh only. 12.   Knife ‘stealer’ is a great tool.  Make sure the knife is cleaned before using it....help with clean up later 13.   I need to buy a meat hook/puller.  Got several closed calls of my fingers with my knives. 14.   A cold (near freezing) and blood-less carcass is a pleasure to process. 15.   Using a hammer banging the ax head is faster than a saw, and a lot cleaner (less of an eye hazard) than using an ax alone.  (a hammer is now part of the tool package, and so is safety goggle) 16.   Those large aluminum pans are extremely handy for holding venison in various stages of butchering. 17.   10% mixture of Simple Green & 90% water is a great deer fat degreaser. 18.   Can only teach son when he is willing to learn...can't ram it down his throat, even if it is a valuable lesson....especially for a teenager. 19.   Job goes faster when the family got involved.  Son helped with the skinning, and daughter/wife help with wrapping the venison packages for the freezer. 20.   Took me ~24 hrs from skinning to finish, may be another 2 hours to bury the gut pile & skin, but I enjoy it.   Broth pot is simmering.  A pleasant aroma greets me every time I go down into the garage.      Suggestions & your ‘lessons learned’ for making this job easier/more efficient in the future?

Hey. That's not fair of wifey to say that. Guns and cars are logical....mostly.   Kids' toys are designed by sadistic elves who delight in seeing parents go crazy.   Merry Christmas my friend!

My wife and me , oops I mean Santa , was up till 1:30 am this morning putting togather a 3 story doll house for our 6 yr old daughter. We started at 9 p.m. LAST NIGHT !!!!! It was so aggravating. My wife said  " you fix all our cars and put guns together and take them apart but why cant you put this thing together ? " . Oh lawd Jesus LOL 

I personally miss the family get-togethers that we had every year at the grandparents homes. All the family would gather there and enjoy the granny-home-cooked meal, pass around presents to the little ones, then give my grandparents their gifts.   Alas, those days, like my grandparents and parents are gone. But the memories are still with me, and always will be.   Merry Christmas to all.

Optic.... Check Front Grip.... Check Rail Cover.... Check Compass in the.... HEY?!?!?!

OK, my last post of the night. I am 62. I do not like to shop. This year I decided everybody gets money. And a card.  I went to Wal Mart to get cards. 10 minutes picking out 10 cards. 15 minutes in the first line and the cashier just shuts it down and leaves. 15 minutes in the next line and the cashier says "this line is closed." I went off. Verbally, not physically.  I got checked out at customer service. And I left. But, I thought of this song.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ws2Cp-zBV4  

My favorite Roy line:  "I'm gonna mop the floor with your ass then whoop it for not gettin up in the corners"

We've certainly had worse presidents. I honestly believe W loved this country. Can't say the same for the current dictator occupying the white house.

  Yup. Patriot Act stuff is perhaps the most significant infringement on overall rights in our history, really a giant leap forward for the Big Brother State.   Also, Dubya said he sign extension of the AUB AWB if Congress authorized it and was also for universal background checks.   Fortunately, he was too dumb to do nearly the damage that BHO has, and without Cheney's evil brain would likely have been quite a bit even more benign. Though I'll always consider both as war criminals for Iraq.   - OS

Not sure if I am qualified as a hunter since I don't hunt like I use to, but I sure do wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Be mindful of the reason for the season. [/URL]">http://[URL=http://s963.photobucket.com/user/runco0318/media/nativity_zps74ab37b4.png.html][/URL]

I have about 2000 rounds for my Christmas day shoot in the morning going to take my 50s to the range tomorrow

I sure do miss him. One of my better Christmas wishes I received today. http://

Merry Christmas everyone!

Right?! I also don't get why they didn't go with the dual extractor setup.   I asked the misses for a 590a1 for Christmas but unfortunately my Red Ryder story didn't play out. Her father saw me walk by while they were on skype today and he made the comment "Hey big guy, now that you've provided a wonderful Christmas for the rest of your family, go get that shotgun you want". It made me smile a bit that he has my back.

I've got the same log book. It's a pretty nice one, it has lots of pictures which is perfect for me. :lol:

Interview with God  MERRY CHRISTMAS   http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/popup-frame.html

[quote name="bersaguy" post="1084075" timestamp="1387987710"]When I first saw them I thought it was a new kind of Monopoly Money from a game. They say they are harder to counterfeit but with all the new colors on it a high end color copy machine could probably make them. I still like the old ones better and I am surprised ole Ben was not replaced with Barry's picture................ :rock: :rock: After all he is the one spending it faster than they can print it.............jmho[/quote]they have already been counterfeited. Seems pointless to add all those features when one week later they can be duplicated. Sent barefoot from the hills of Tennessee

[quote name="Monkeyman2500" post="1084022" timestamp="1387982299"]DO IT![/quote] I'm plenty tempted... http://f650pickups.com Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Tops Fieldcraft. I have been round and round on which bushcrafty blade to pull the trigger on. Finally decided on the Fieldcraft. It does need a little sharpening. Off to the workssharp!

Sweet! Benchmade are some good knives.   Merry Christmas.  Hope you got her something equally nice...

I found some in az for1.65 twin cities I bought 3 skids

Christmas dinner was last night for us. Large ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoe casserole, and cream corn. Doing a large breakfast this morning with family and then leftovers the rest of the day.

Thanks Dave and a wonderful, Merry Christmas to you as well!!

Very nice sir.

Boy! is that a burn. I got it from David for $23.I did see it two other places in the show for over $32#. I don't mind a dealer making a profit. But I don't want to walk away with the feeling that I just put one of his kids through school.

Joy, Pain, Sweetness, Sorrow, Silliness, Stress, Laughter, Goodness , Hope, and Peace that can come with this mysterious season....along with the children's incredible, irrepressible wonder and excitement at the coming Christmas morn.        To each and every one that makes up TGO, a Merry Christmas from our family to you and yours. Whatever of those experiences listed above fills your season, know that you are loved. - Here's hoping you can see at least one smile like I've seen on my kids' faces tonight.        So as my wife and I (more her) work as Santa's elves one more time on this Silent Night, we wish a whole and lasting peace for each of you. Merry Christmas.

Ha! I love the bumper stickers that say " miss me yet".

What??????  No you'll shoot your eye out comment?

Thanks for the feedback but for $20 and the trouble, I’ll try two hundred more strokes. My wife has a set of Almar knives and a couple of high dollar Japanese knives that I can sharpen. If I mess up the blade on the ceramic knife…. I’ll use it to spread peanut butter. ;)

I like using Jewelers Rouge.

I believe that there are two schools on this topic. Those who are wood guys and those who are gas/electric. I'm a wood/ charcoal guy and a snob about it. That said I received the Brinkman electric smoker as a gift and it is easy to deal with. I smoke small batches and rather infrequently I admit. But I use my Webber kettle grill weekly. Merry Christmas