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How Committed To The Cause Are Gun-grabbers?

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Jim Braaten

Right now…in Minnesota…a skirmish for our gun rights is taking place. On Monday, President Obama was in Minneapolis to underscore his support for sweeping new gun control legislation—both federal and at the state government levels. Then on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week the Minnesota House of Representatives are holding a series of hearings on a handful of bills that, if they became law, would make Minnesota one of the most restrictive places in the country to own most guns.

And so, I’ve listened to the debate so far both yesterday and today. In essence, it’s the same old story we’ve heard for years with now the emotional twist of some mass shootings thrown in for good measure. Will the testimony really have an influence on the legislative committee? I doubt it…I think both sides are pretty well set with how they will eventually vote. In some ways these committee hearings take place just to give both sides a chance to air their views…to feel better somehow their message was at least listened to.

But, today’s hearing was most striking to me. The author of HF241–Assault Weapon Ban Bill in presenting her opening remarks to the hearing about the bill had a decision to make. Does she stay and fully introduce the bill while being available for questions, or does she leave the hearing early to attend a speaking engagement at a nearby theater for a bunch of school students? Tough choice, huh?

On one hand she’s presenting legislation for enactment directly impacting everyone’s constitutional rights. On the other hand, she certainly wouldn’t want to disappoint a bunch of school kids who my guess is doesn’t even know who Rep. Hausman is anyway. Check out the video beginning at the 17:30 minute point and see what she decides.

More importantly, Rep. Hausman didn’t even turn her duties over to a co-author of the bill. Nope! Instead she turned her duties over to Heather Martens who is the executive director of Protect Minnesota. To me that act alone shows a real lack of legislative commitment to one’s cause and duties as a legislator.

Frankly, I wonder how committed many sponsors of gun-grabbing legislation are no matter what legislative body they exist in. They don’t have the facts on their side…so, instead they peddle raw emotion. And that sometimes works great when terrible events are vivid in people’s minds and it overshadows logical thinking. Yet, the truth is most poor decisions people tend to make in life are those based purely on emotion. Take emotion out of the equation and allow logical, open-minded thinking to replace the discussion.

Right now it’s obvious the gun-grabbers are throwing lots of misguided gun legislation out there hoping something will stick. I truly believe in their hearts they are not as committed to their positions as those of us who push for gun rights are committed to our beliefs.

There are many battles yet to be waged. There will be lots of misinformation disseminated and twisted in the media about these and other proposed new gun control measures. But in the end, if we are battling an opponent who lacks the commitment level we have as gun owners possess, their actions and words will ultimately ring hollow and will have no merit in our society.

Filed under: Current Outdoor Issues, Gear, Politics | Tagged: assault weapons, gun control | Comments Off

Of Band-aids, Guns, Preschoolers and Politicians

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Jim Braaten

From time to time my four year old will come running to me in obvious pain and crying. She’s not looking for real medical attention of any kind—there often is no blood involved. Nor, does she want daddy to simply kiss her boo boo or give her a big, tight hug. As her daddy I know what gives her the most comfort in these situations. She needs a band-aid.

Now, mind you, the band-aid is not covering a real wound…just a perceived wound in the mind of a preschooler. Nothing…and I do mean nothing…relieves her stress in these situations better or faster than a band-aid expertly applied.

And sometimes one is not enough. When I see she is still fighting back the tears after sporting a freshly applied band-aid, I will occasionally grab one more…and another…and another. You see, when a problem continues to persist I’ve learned that applying multiple band-aids on one tiny leg will eventually cause us both to break out in laughter. Voilà! Problem solved.

Right now gun owners are dealing with lots of band-aids. Oh, these aren’t band-aids to help heal any emergent medical problem we have as a group. Nope, they are band-aids some folks believe are necessary to solve a societal problem through restrictive gun legislation. Unfortunately, a series of evil events have occurred in our world and a faction of lawmakers, along with the media, have devised their own form of a band-aid approach.

Now, I’m certainly not here to suggest we shouldn’t learn from and try to prevent future tragedies in our society. Quite the contrary. It’s the manner in how we react that displays if we deal with it like a 50 year old, or a four year old. One expects that an adult has a certain maturity level suggesting a logical and well-thought out response. A young child? Well, of course they will be more reactionary looking for whatever gives some immediate resolution to a perceived terrible problem.

Let’s be honest. At no other time in American history has the anti-gun movement felt so emboldened and powerful as they do right now. They feel this is their time. High emotions are being stoked on a daily basis with biased news reporting. The enemy isn’t the criminal who commits these cowardly acts…it is the gun…THE GUN I tell you! The gun is ALWAYS the problem. Remove the gun and…Voilà! The problem magically will go away.

Yeah, it will work just like that…won’t it? Maybe in the mind of a small child who wants some immediate action, but not for an advanced society who should be mature enough to know far better.

In the days and weeks to come this blog will expose how gun control is a big hoax being perpetrated by folks who want to take away our freedoms. Folks, it has nothing to do with protecting children in some school classroom or preventing another tragedy in some movie theater. Indeed, this is about a group of politicians who want to take action to appease the whims of their voter base. THEY WANT TO GET RE-ELECTED and they see restrictions on our guns as their first-class ticket to enabling political longevity.

How wrong they are. I’m not about to tell my four-year old that putting a band-aid on an imaginary owie is a silly thing to do. But I sure as hell will tell my politicians how taking a band-aid approach in dealing with gun violence is not the proper American thing to be doing. Any solution that restricts my long-standing, God-given freedom as an American is simply juvenile and should be treated as such.

Filed under: Current Outdoor Issues, Gear, Politics | Tagged: gun control, politics | 6 Comments »

Heading Off To The SHOT Show Soon

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Jim Braaten

Just to let you know this blog will likely not be too active during the coming week because we will be off to the 35th annual SHOT Show held in Las Vegas. Because there is too much to see and do at SHOT, several years back I decided how I wasn’t going to spend precious time sitting down writing about the experience when I should be living it. Sorry, that’s my policy.

In the meantime, however, I urge you to follow my Twitter feed:

www.Twitter.com/jim7226 (@jim7226)

And/or LIKE my Sportsman’s Blog Facebook Page:

www.facebook.com/SportsmansBlog

as this is where I will be actively communicating the SHOT Show experience in realtime.

I do, however, understand the desire to hear about what new products are being introduced and may be on the marketplace soon. Therefore, I urge you to also follow these two blogs as they do an exceptional job of delivering the new firearms products information quickly and with skillful knowledge on the topic:

http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/

http://blog.predatorbdu.com/?m=1

Viva Las Vegas!

Filed under: Events, Gear, Hunting, Shooting Sports | Comments Off

How Will You React In The Face Of Protesting?

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Jim Braaten

Back in November 2006 when I hosted then Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty at my farm as part of the Minnesota Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener event, part of our prep work covered what if we have protestors. Quite frankly, protestors were avoided in the first place because the location where the hunting took place was a well-guarded secret until AFTER the deer hunt had taken place.

When protestors get in your face how will you handle the emotionally charged situation with proper tact?

But not all events can be conducted in secret. I’ve dealt with protestors at rodeo events, circus events, heck…even the occasional protestor who proclaims their disdain for fur sales at some high-end fashion store. The point is protesting is meant to grab the public’s attention in a striking way and then twist it for the benefit of their cause.

So, as hunters and gun owners why should any of this really concern us? Well, our day is coming and the best outcomes generally require at least a modicum of preparation so as not to fall into their public relations trap. It should be no surprise to you how we live in strange times and the current climate is not exactly favorable to those of us who carry guns and/or kill animals.

That being said, I want to offer up some tips on how best to deal with protestors to diminish the impact of their misguided acts. Carefully consider these actions when confronted by any protester:

AVOID PHYSICAL CONTACT of any kind. The media is drawn to these events like moths are attracted to fire. You don’t need your name appearing on the evening news nor does the gun owning/hunting community need a big black eye caused by aggressive actions taken against a protester.
ANTICIPATE DISRUPTION. These folks will do whatever it takes to be seen and heard. Don’t allow it to affect your day.
AVOID ANY VERBAL INTERACTION. Remember, if they can engage you in conversation you are slowing falling into their trap. You won’t change their minds…nor will they change yours.
KEEP WALKING. If they get in your face simply smile and walk away. It’s tough to do…but critical you don’t linger and fuel the hostilities.
KEEP EMOTIONS IN CHECK. They are trying to get under your skin so don’t give them that satisfaction.
DISREGARD THEIR ABSURDITY. Accept in advance how their message will be full of lies and other outrageous claims trying to get you to negatively react.
PROFESSIONAL PROTESTERS? It’s possible. These folks may not even hold these deep-seeded feelings, but are moved to be protesting because it only pays the bills.
PAY THEM NO ATTENTION. They are seeking attention so quickly move from the area, especially if you don’t have to be there. Avoid making them the spectacle they so desperately want to become.
IF MEDIA IS PRESENT, AVOID THEM TOO. Most of us are not versed to be articulate spokesmen for our side of the cause. If asked by media for a comment kindly decline and walk away.
NOTIFY EVENT ORGANIZER OF THIS SITUATION. If the protest is just getting underway, quickly notify the event organizer what is happening. Most large events have a protestor reaction plan and will implement it quickly if they know what is happening. Let the professionals defuse what could quickly turn into a highly charged incident.

There you have it. I certainly don’t expect you to memorize all these points, but take some satisfaction in knowing most points are just plain old common sense. By being prepared for what could happen you take away their element of surprise, as well as the emotional shock of what they are saying/doing.

In 12 days I fully expect that Las Vegas 2013 SHOT Show® attendees could potentially see this sort of protest given the current negative climate toward guns. But, in just 8 days I will be attending my local gun show and this same protesting could easily take place there, too. It behooves each of us to be prepared with a plan as to how we best deal with the situation. For the sake of our cause, don’t fall victim to their tactics meant to destroy our heritage in the public’s eye.

Let’s hear your thoughts. Have any of you encountered protestors and what was your experience?

Filed under: Current Outdoor Issues, Events, Gear, Hunting, Outdoor Potpourri, Safety | 5 Comments »

Consider These 5 Tasks To Beat The January Doldrums

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Jim Braaten

I completely realize that depending upon where you reside in the country hunting and fishing can be a year-long activity. But let’s face it…here in the upper Midwest when the cold winds of January begin to blow strong the options for outdoorsy things to do can get somewhat more limited.

Oh, sure, I understand predator hunting is just cranking up. And yes…I am fully aware that the ice fishing season is just getting going for many anglers. Likewise, chasing bunnies with beagles or some midwinter trapping also holds possibilities for this time of the year.

Still, there are those winter days when the body yearns for a nice indoor project huddled near the fire. Here’s a few ideas of things I like to do during some of my idle time in the mid-winter season:

Clean and Maintain Guns — I usually spend the better portion of a day going through and tearing down, if necessary, all of my guns for a proper cleaning. I check things over for worn or missing parts, I use the proper lubricant on all mechanisms, and in general I ensure it will go back into my safe in a rust-fighting condition. This is also a good time of the year to get those guns needing professional repair in for service. On the other hand, if guns aren’t your thing this same principle for maintenance holds true for archery gear or for any outdoor investment requiring routine attention. One final thought…this is also a good time to take a photo inventory of all your equipment for insurance purposes. I take a picture and include the serial number right on the picture.
Start Planning For Next Season — Believe it or not, in the outdoors world there are deadlines to apply for hunts nearly all the time. Make sure the hunting or fishing activity you want to embark on next season doesn’t have a fast-approaching application deadline. January is the perfect time to browse those department of fish and game websites to become better acquainted with the rules and the process.
Build Some Birdhouses — I’ve found that one of the best ways to foster enthusiasm for conservation with kids is to spend time building bird houses together. Not only does it help develop certain craftsman skills, but the project can also be quite rewarding when the youth actually sees nature using something they built with their own hands.
Last year while at a local sports show my daughter tried to convince dad to buy a new boat…she will need to try harder this year as it didn’t happen in 2012.
Attend A Sports Show — I know during the upcoming several weeks until spring there is at least a dozen sportsman and outdoor shows I can attend within an hour’s drive of my home. I’m guessing there’s plenty of opportunities for shows in your area, too. Check your newspaper’s listings for such upcoming events.
Try A New Recipe — C’mon, you have all that wild game in the freezer. Be bold and make a commitment to try something new. Whether it be a new chili recipe, a novel new way to prepare a venison roast, or heck…maybe you’ll try to delicately smoke some pheasant breasts. Now is the time to once and for all attempt that wild game or fish recipe you’ve always wanted to try…but were too busy to mess with at other times during the year.

How about you? What types of indoor sportsman related activities do you like to engage in during the winter. I’d like to hear just how many other good ones I missed. Leave a comment below.

Filed under: Gear, Hunting, Nature (General), Outdoor Potpourri, Travel | Comments Off

Turbulent Times Ahead For Gun Owners

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Jim Braaten

As an American Civil War buff I’ve often read accounts of battles where the soldier lived through a “maelstrom of bullets.” That word…”maelstrom.” Powerful. Very poignant! Describing a situation where nothing is predictable. Literally, a Civil War soldier experiencing a maelstrom of action meant bullets coming from all directions and seemingly non-stop aggression from a relentless enemy.

Quite honestly I have never experienced a “maelstrom” of anything in my life. But my hunch and fear is this sensation could be changing. And the battle could be coming soon.

In case you’ve missed it, gun owners are under attack. Most of us have not experienced the first bullet whizzing by our heads as of yet. But, metaphorically speaking we will be soon. For years various gun groups have postured to vigorously fight all forms of gun control. While many of us have jumped on the bandwagon for support (I’m an NRA Lifetime Benefactor member), many more gun owners just sat idly by with their hands firmly planted under their rear ends.

I honestly believe we are seeing the perfect storm brewing before our eyes. An election barely two months ago that could not have gone worse for gun owners. And now, recent tragedies in theaters, malls and even schoolhouses involving guns are just stoking the fire. Worse yet, we have a media that is so biased toward a liberal agenda that the truth and entire story is often lost, unless of course it serves to support a specific left-leaning agenda.

In this blog post I’m not going to refute or even debate why gun control is all wrong. Those of us with sensible, clear-thinking heads know it doesn’t work. Let’s face it…gun control only affects law-abiding citizens…period, end of story. Is it law-abiding citizens who commit heinous crime? A killer will find some other mechanism to carry out carnage even if guns are not readily available.

The Spencer Rifle, which seen limited use during the Civil War, was one of several guns the soldiers said could be “loaded on Sunday and shot all week long.” By today’s standards even this 150 year old classic firearm could be classified by some gun-banners as an “assault weapon” only suitable for war.

So, how do we know when this battle has begun? Well, much like the Confederates fired upon Fort Sumter nearly 152 years ago, I believe we are only days, if not hours, away from hearing that first serious shot in our modern day civil war battle. Indeed, the gun-banners are feeling they have lots of wind in their sails to move forward.

Tomorrow, Senator Diane Feinstein is rumored to be introducing a bill that is “swinging for a home-fun” in this debate. If enacted, it would essentially make criminals out of current law-abiding, gun owning citizens. Worse yet, especially for the State of Illinois, but it is believed that tomorrow will also see legislation introduced for fast track (Governor’s signature by Friday) calling for the outright ban and confiscation of nearly all gun types by the IL State Police.

Seriously, brace yourself as this is only the beginning. There are many people WE VOTE INTO OFFICE who believe we cannot be trusted with guns. Their mission is to take them away from us. Yet, the electorate continues to vote these idiots into power.

And don’t get caught up in the semantics of, “well, we really don’t need assault rifles anyway.” When Diane Feinstein tells Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday that she doesn’t know a single hunter who uses an assault rifle for hunting it only proves how out-of-touch and fact-avoiding the Senator really is. Truth is, the modern sporting rifle (the proper name it should be called) is the gun of choice for many hunting situations.

If you own even one gun it is time to get involved. The very foundation upon which this great country is built is dependent on personal liberties—of which gun ownership should be one undeniable right. Let your voice be heard. Join the NRA. Stay tuned to current events. And above all, don’t sit idle while cheap shots are being fired all around you and from every direction.

The battle has begun…and folks, the maelstrom of propaganda and legislative attacks is viciously swirling all around us. To survive one needs to fight back and not just stay hunkered down.

Filed under: Current Outdoor Issues, Gear, Outdoor Potpourri | Comments Off

Are You Ready For The Next Zombie Attack?

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Jim Braaten

“I just don’t get it!” That was a comment I remember an older gentleman saying at the January 2012 SHOT Show. His remark was in reference to the growing number of booths that were showing some item associated with Zombie warfare. It might have been a display showing blood…guts…and plenty of gore, or it might have been something much more innocent such as paper Zombie targets. Whatever the case, there seems to be a Zombie revolution taking place in the shooting world.

One of the biggest, if not the biggest, Zombie shoots in the country takes place at Ahlman’s Gun Shop in rural Morristown, Minnesota. This morning I decided to check it out. I did not participate, rather, I watched and took video of the massive event.

So, what is a Zombie shoot you ask? I gotta be honest…when I left the shooting range I was still scratching my head over this question. I suppose Zombies are much more acceptable to shoot than people, but the truth is a Zombie shoot is just a good ol’ fashion excuse to get out and shoot your guns. That’s really all it is.

In today’s event there were no scores kept. It was just a bunch of good-natured guys and gals spending a day doing what they love—shooting. Oh, and with that many folks toting guns safety was a top priority, but I was amazed at the quality of shooters and the respect nearly all of them showed for keeping things safe and playing by the safety rules.

Scattered throughout the gun range were plenty of bloody, nasty props just to remind everyone the true reason they were there. And most participants had ample supplies of ammunition to feed shotguns, handguns, and the ever present modern sporting rifle. A bevy of stages allowed shooters to get their fill of short range, as well as long range shooting.

Quite honestly I was very pleased to have made it out of there alive, considering I came unarmed just to cover this event as media. No Zombie attacks. Perhaps they figured that because I was not carrying any guns I did not have a brain worth seeking. Who knows.

The scene outside Ahlman’s Gun Shop in Morristown, Minnesota. It’s a Zombie apocalypse. Proceed with caution.

The point is as silly as these Zombie shoots may seem to some within our shooting ranks, there is no denying how the Zombie craze is catching on at a feverish pace. And that’s good. Seriously, the person who developed this concept is a genius and should be congratulated by every gun owner.

The more people we can attract into shooting the better off our shooting heritage will be. Not everyone owns a gun to go hunting. Many firearm owners have them purely for self-defense or pleasure shooting. Still, we are all brethren who must fight for our shooting rights together.

Not everyone likes to target shoot at paper with concentric circles and a bullseye. Some folks want action, suspense and a little bit of flair which comes with going on a Zombie hunt.

That old timer I overhead at the SHOT Show in January…I’m not sure what role he plays in the shooting industry. I suspect he could have been a dealer who was just walking the show looking for deals. Makes me wonder. How long will it take for a guy like that to recognize that if he quickly embraces this silly Zombie craze…well, heck…he might be able to sell a few more toys to folks who look for wacky ways to have fun? I suspect not too long.

Filed under: Gear, Safety, Shooting Sports | Tagged: Ahlman's guns, DPMS, zombie shoot | Comments Off

Antique Fishing Gear At Auction Offers Glimpse Into Angling’s History

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Jim Braaten

Last Saturday I attended the estate auction for William “Bud” Snyder, a renowned fishing gear collector who amassed an amazing collection over his lifetime. In fact, it was touted as being the largest privately held fishing-related collection to be found anywhere in the U.S. Want to learn more about Bud…you can read more here.

Bottom line is this auction was so large it spanned two full days and there were over 1,100 auction lots up for bid. Keep in mind, many lots (especially for fishing lures) contained on average 3–6 items per lot. That’s one heck of a lot of fishing gear on display and for sale.

I attended the second day and when I walked into the local VFW it was like stepping into a fishing time warp machine taking a person way back to years before my birth. I’ll be honest, I am not much of a fishing historian so there was lots of antique fishing gear I had no clue how it was even once used, let alone what the collector value might be for such artifacts.

Yet, I sat and viewed the auction for over 5 hours and was amazed as angling history passed by my eyes. Many of the items sold for just a few dollars…other items sold at what I deemed to be exorbitant prices. Perhaps most interesting was the fact this auction was conducted on the Internet as well as in-person so bidding was literally taking place throughout North America. I would estimate that perhaps one out of every three items sold on this day went to an Internet bidder.

What follows are several pictures taken from my day spent at this auction. All of the pictures were taken from my iPhone camera so I did have some auto focus issues on some images, but please bear with me. I tried not to be too intrusive or disruptive of the on-going auction process. The photo captions contain some additional remarks about this interesting day.

A very unique and extensive collection of outboard motors was on display for sale.

Tackleboxes galore were on display just as if you’d found them in grandpa’s attic.

Inside every tacklebox was a treasure waiting to be rediscovered.

As an old Herter’s shopper, it was fun to see this now defunct store have a small display showcasing its once-popular fishing wares.

Bobbers…did someone say bobbers? This auction had them in all different shapes and sizes.

Speaking of fishing creels, most of these unique models sold for $30 – $60 with the occasional one topping out near $100.

This was a typical display board detailing how Bud used to showcase most of his unique fishing lures.

This 1915 Evinrude outboard motor Model A sold for $425 as was a typical price for such a treasure.

But the granddaddy of them all was this 1905 Waterman Porto Motor, outboard model C14, 3hp. We were told there are only two such motors in existence today and the other one resides at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. Once valued at over $40,000…at auction this sold for a mere $5,300. What a bargain!

Each box constituted an auction “lot.” Honestly, it took the better portion of two full days to sell all 1,100+ lots.

The fishing memorabilia was not limited to tackle and equipment…in fact, a large display of angling advertising was also up for sale and proved somewhat popular among some bidders.

Truly, this auction was more like a museum…and to collectors it was like being in the proverbial “candy store.”

I know you can’t see the fishing lure the auctioneer is holding up…but it is a Haskell Minnow reproduction and it sold for $850–the highest price I seen paid for a single lure at the auction. I’m told the originals of this lure are so rare they can sell for over $20,000.

Okay, I would like to tease you and say this was a fishing lure…but that’s not entirely true. In fact, this musky was some sort of wall display with what appeared to be an electronic mouth that opened and closed.

This auction was so big that items actually surrounded the room at the local VFW.

Although I was not really in the market to bid on any of the collectibles, it was incredibly interesting to watch those collectors in attendance add to their personal collections.

What a great auction this would have been for the person just starting their fishing collection. There was something for everyone…and in many cases it seemed to me that most items sold quite reasonable.

Not exactly sure what this item is…but it just looked neater than heck.

During the second day there maybe was 40-50 bidders in attendance…with likely an equal number or more watching online. If there was anything that surprised me about this auction it was the rather sparse attendance. I would have guessed 4 times as many people as actually showed.

Filed under: Fishing, Gear | Tagged: Fishing collection, William Bud Snyder | Comments Off

Quality Equipment Next Time You Need A Pinch

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Jim Braaten

Several years back I was reading an ad for a medical supply company that had something I wanted. Now, keep in mind typically these businesses sell to hospitals and doctors—not the general public—but they had something I knew I could use. In fact, it stays in my first-aid kit and gets used more frequently than I care to admit.

Nothing says “I Love You” better than giving a professional splinter removal kit for Father’s Day.

What did I buy? None other than a Professional Splinter Removal Kit. I mean, c’mon…spend any amount of time in the outdoors and your skin gets poked by a variety of things. Sure, a lot of those thorn bushes will just fester and eventually work their way out from under your skin. Nevertheless, there are those times when a person must “man-up” (excuse me ladies) and go digging sub-dermally for that foreign body needing removal from under your hide.

To do so you need the right equipment. Look, for roughly the cost of a box of good shotgun shells you, too, can purchase your own doctor’s-quality splinter removal kit that will last a lifetime.

Ladies, we could be talking the perfect Father’s Day gift here. Let’s face it…none of my hunting buddies have one. In fact, I am the only person I know that has invested in such a device. I’m not saying that receiving a splinter removal kit ranks high on most people’s gift list…but I can assure you it is the sort of gift that shows you care.

Of course, there are also other options that make sense like the various angled forceps used for tick removal. If you are serious about the outdoors than it just makes good sense to invest in the type of equipment to keep you safe.

Have I mentioned fly fishing? How about some quality clamps and scissors you won’t find anywhere else but a doctor’s office. Now, they can be also found in your fly vest.

Let’s face it…if you go to the website www.tweezersplus.com you will find lots of quality equipment that can be used to make your outdoor life better, whether its in the kitchen, the workshop, you name it. Best of all, this equipment is all top-quality because it was designed for the hospital or clinical environment.

I’m told this website is offering (through June 2012) a 20% discount on all orders if you use the Discount Code: TPSPRING.

Hey, these folks are not a sponsor nor do they endorse anything I do…I just like to use quality equipment and obviously these folks have it. Take a quick look at their site and choose a few items that will help round out your first-aid kit or kitchen drawer.

Oh, and by the way…now that I’m into pushing the medical equipment you might be interested to know that next week in this blog I plan a series that goes beyond splinter or tick removal. The series focuses on “do-it-yourself” appendectomies and how you can save big money with just three basic surgical tools. Stay tuned.

Just kidding!!

Filed under: Gear, Safety | Comments Off

Seriously? A $750 Spinning Reel?

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Jim Braaten

Okay, this item is not new as it appears to have been on the market for at least a year…but I just noticed it while perusing my recent Cabela’s catalog. At first I thought it must be some kind of misprint. I mean, could a spinning reel possibly cost $750 and not be 14 kt gold plated or diamond encrusted?

Well, it appears so.

With a $750 price tag, the Shimano Stella Spinning Reel will not be found in the arsenal of every angler.

Now, keep in mind you’re reading this from a guy who once spent $129.99 for a spinning reel that was on sale and I thought that was an extreme extravagance. I remember walking from the store feeling a bit guilty and second-guessing the purchase. Even at that price I sure as heck did not tell my wife how much I just spent.

And apparently I’m not alone. In reading over the few comments shown on the Shimano Stella reel, I noticed 3 out of 5 purchasers commenting made mention of their wife. One had to have his wife revive him with smelling salts, another acknowledged not telling his wife the actual cost and a final person stated his wife eventually saw the price at the Cabela’s reel counter, so he finally got busted.

In fact, I found it somewhat amusing how this last guy not only disclosed the price to his wife by accident…but somehow found a way to purchase three more for a total of four luxury reels. Yes, four spinning reels each costing more than all the fishing reels I’ve purchased combined.

Agreed, maybe I’m just out of touch. Heck, shooters have their fine shotguns sold at ridiculous prices. Bowhunters have their high-priced bows. So, why not anglers with some state-of-the-art high-tech equipment with a price tag to reflect it?

I’d like to hear what you think. Would you ever purchase a spinning reel costing $750? If not, just what is the upper limit on how much would you spend on a reel to enhance your angling experience? Does it take this sort of high-buck equipment to bring out the best angler you can be? Please comment below.

Tags: Fishing+Gear, Shimano+Spinning+Reel

Filed under: Fishing, Gear | Tagged: cabela s, Fishing Gear, fishing reels, Shimano Spinning Reel, shimano stella, spinning reel | 5 Comments »

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How Committed To The Cause Are Gun-grabbers?

Of Band-aids, Guns, Preschoolers and Politicians

Heading Off To The SHOT Show Soon

How Will You React In The Face Of Protesting?

Consider These 5 Tasks To Beat The January Doldrums

Turbulent Times Ahead For Gun Owners

Are You Ready For The Next Zombie Attack?

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Jim Braaten

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