I am the NRA

 

Behind steel reinforced doors in a concrete bunker deep in the bowels of a stately compound in rural Virginia, men conspire to seek the ruination of America. Smoky backrooms are filled with Washington politicians, eagerly awaiting their turn at the dole, kissing the ring and doing the bidding of their masters. All who enter bow at the altar of the gun, and the evil clergy of this sinister church of gun worship, the NRA, sermonize to their congressional congregation – thy will be done.

What a bunch of baloney. Do you really believe this nonsense?

Yet, this is what gun-grabbing liberal media elitists and anti-gun activists want you to believe. And oath breaking politicians are all too eager to go along for the ride. Why not? What counts is getting elected; not the constitution, the truth or their constituents safety.

Here is an earth-shaking revelation: The National Rifle Association is comprised of dues paying members; that is to say – regular people, doing regular jobs, every regular day. There is no evil cabal locked away anywhere, celebrating mass slaughter. The idea is simply ridiculous.

The NRA’s lobbying efforts are a direct result of dues paying members concerns about their constitutional right to keep and bear arms; a right under constant assault by progressive anti-gun ideologues. Let me reiterate that one more time – a right, not a privilege. And as stated in the highest law of the land, it shall not be infringed.

The NRA is also responsible for the framework and foundation of our military and law enforcement firearm training programs. They were also the first to introduce formal gun safety education programs like the Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program, to keep guns out of children’s hands. The Training and Education division is filled with thousands of citizen instructors who are committed to teaching the safe handling, usage and responsible ownership of firearms.

But that doesn’t stop politicians from whipping up a frenzy, spreading false information and fanning the flames of fear in the aftermath of a tragedy to suit their own agenda.

Which is to get re-elected of course. Blame is always assigned to an inanimate object or a faceless evil empire, not the actor who committed the crime. Inanimate objects can be banned and regulated, fixing moral depravity isn’t as easy.

Ask yourself this question. Why, during President Barack Obama’s term in the White House, when the very same gun grabbers had a super majority, controlling both houses of Congress, did they not ram through any of these very same types of ill-conceived anti-gun legislation? Did children’s lives not matter as much then? Of course that’s ridiculous, but you still didn’t answer the question.

Here’s a possible answer; the majority of Americans respect the law and understand evil people will find a way to commit violence by any means necessary, if that is what their heart is set to do. Most Americans respect the entire Bill of Rights, not just the ones they are most passionate about. The majority of Americans respect rule of law, not mob rule fueled by emotion.

And millions of those Americans are NRA members.

Your dentist is an NRA member. So is your mechanic. Your elementary school teachers are NRA members and so is the guy who fixes your boiler. Your airline pilot, package delivery driver, favorite actor, restaurant chef, school bus driver, nurse, doctor and the woman who planned your wedding are all NRA.

The African-American man, Asian woman, Caucasian homosexual and Puerto Rican heterosexual are all NRA.

I am the NRA.

So if you really want to debate guns, let’s debate guns. Let’s debate facts. Let’s talk about Gun Free School Zones and creating a safe space for violent attackers. Let’s talk about the complete failure of the FBI in following up on reported threats. Sure, we have a lot to talk about.

Smearing millions of everyday, hard-working Americans, some of which are your next door neighbors and coworkers, isn’t going to get you anywhere. More so, it is shameful.

As the former Democrat political operative, Clinton administration spokesman and current ABC network pundit George Stephanopoulos said, “Let me make one small vote for the NRA. They’re good citizens. They call their congressmen. They write. They vote. They contribute…”

Well said George. I should have just quoted you right up front.

How I cut the cord and why I never looked back

I still remember the day my wife Moira looked across the table at me, holding the satellite television bill in her hand, and said “This is getting ridiculous.” The monthly charges were skyrocketing and a comparison with the initial service bill was shocking.

Just the night before, I was fit to be tied after realizing the football game I had been looking forward to all week was blacked out. A call to the satellite company revealed that in local markets, if ticket sales sagged for the game in question, that local market didn’t receive the broadcast.

I thought it ironic that with hundreds of channels I never watch available, I couldn’t see the one program I wanted to.

“You’re right” I answered and that very day we cut the cord. I’ll admit, there was a bit of stumbling involved in going back to antenna television, but in the end it was well worth it and I wished we had done it sooner. That was nearly six years ago.

Before you cut the cord

Learning what you will gain, as well as lose, is very important before deciding to kick cable or satellite television service to the curb. In our case, I had flirted with the idea for some time and had an idea of what I was getting into. I spent a fair amount of time researching current day over the air (OTR) broadcasts on the internet and learned what I could expect.

If you are a sports or news junkie, you ought to think twice. Channels like ESPN, NFL Network, and all of the 24 hour news channels do not exist over the air. The only channels you’ll receive, depending on where you live and the reach of your antenna, are broadcast channels.

Typically, that means local affiliate network stations such as NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox. There is an added bonus though. With digital broadcasts coming online several years ago, stations now have the ability to broadcast several channels on their network. This results in additional channels like the CW, Justice Channel, and Retro TV to name a few.

If you have high-speed internet you may also seek out services like Apple TV or Roku to round out your viewing options. I don’t have that internet capability, so I stick with over the air broadcast television. But even if I had the ability, I probably wouldn’t. Those services and apps are fee-based and broadcasts don’t cost a dime to watch; other than the value of advertising you are subject to.

Benefits

The obvious and most immediately noticeable benefit is out of pocket savings. Your initial equipment expense will be recouped within the first two months in most cases. After that, your savings add up quickly.

You may also find you suddenly have more time to enjoy being outside, reading or getting more involved in hobbies. I liken the experience to Neo unplugging from the Matrix.

There were unexpected benefits too. I found myself connecting more with family and friends.

Relaxing by the fire in winter, my wife and I talked more. We spent summer afternoons exploring the woods and later, we watch the sun slowly set over one ridge line, and the moon rise above the other.

It was almost like reintroducing ourselves to each other. I never realized how staring at a hunk of plastic for hours on end limited our engagement. It was like a spell had been lifted.

How to do it

You’ll need a television equipped with a digital tuner; most televisions sold today are. If your TV is older, you’ll need a converter. But to be honest, you are better off investing in a new television with the tuner installed as the cost of a converter can sometimes range near the cost of a new, modest digital television.

You’ll need an antenna; and not the little plastic square you see advertised on late night programs. You’ll need a full sized attic or rooftop antenna capable of picking up the broadcasting station’s signal. Depending on your elevation and distance to the broadcast transmitter, you may also need an inline signal booster between your antenna and the television.

Lastly, you’ll have to figure out where the transmitters are. Usually these are located around the closet urban area on high ground and in the city the affiliate is based in.

AntennaWeb.org has a tool that allows you to input your zip code or full address and estimate what channels you may expect to receive and the type of antenna you’ll need to get them. Don’t worry if you enter your zip and the results come back scarce. A lot of factors come into play in determining possible reception – terrain, distance, installation height of the antenna and so forth. And remember, it’s just an estimate.

If you select an extended long range antenna and use a signal amplifier like we do, you should have no problem receiving broadcasts. My location returned zero channels predicted, but alas, I receive seven channels on good days and five on most. That is good enough for me.

I currently enjoy all of the major networks’ programming, local news and sports for the total investment of under $200. And not a single cable or satellite bill in the mail for six years.

Guns are not the problem America, you are

 

Let me make this clear; America’s school shooting epidemic isn’t about guns. It’s about you, America. And until you stop beating your chest and pointing fingers, these kinds of tragedies will continue.Continue reading “Guns are not the problem America, you are”

Committee to hunters: You don’t have the right to feed your family

I have three words for the Maine Legislature’s Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife – shame on you. By bowing to anti-hunting activists and out of state interests, you have sold your own constituents down the river. And for what good cause?

Continue reading “Committee to hunters: You don’t have the right to feed your family”

Coyote Country

This past deer season was the best I can remember in years with plenty of 200 pound bucks showing up on social media and in photos tacked up by the liar’s bench in many of the small town general store tagging stations. In my local area, big bucks were hanging from game poles all across eastern and northern Maine. I thought, “What if every year could be like this?” It was an intriguing notion.

There is plenty of debate on whether deer mortality rates are impacted more by wintering habitat or coyote predation. I’ll leave that to the wildlife biologists and academics. As a hunter and guide I can tell you a couple of things for sure. Northeast Maine is coyote country and coyotes kill deer. While I‘ve never been a big fan of making New Year’s resolutions, this year I am making an exception – kill more coyotes. If you are new to predator hunting and want to join me this season, here are some tips to help get you started.

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Keep your feet warm with these tips from the cold feet crowd

I recently asked followers on my Facebook page how they keep their feet warm and to name their favorite winter boot. These are hunters, ice fisherman and trappers for the most part, and if anyone knows about cold feet it is this crowd. While there were varied opinions on brand, most agreed on certain features.

Along with your hands, your feet are usually the most susceptible to cold weather. If your feet aren’t warm, you will never be comfortable; no matter how many layers of the best hunting clothing you can buy are worn. And if you have had a cold weather injury such as frostbite in the past like me, you know you can hardly ever keep your feet warm from deer season through coyote season – otherwise known as November through March.

A stroll through your local outfitter or bigger chain outlet store could leave you with more questions than answers when it comes to choosing the right gear to keep your feet warm. And with the cost associated with a quality pair of boots on the rise, making the right purchase the first time is important.

Shelves stuffed with boots of every conceivable style and purpose loom over you like a thundercloud in July. Add in Thinsulate ratings and activity guides and you are soon so overwhelmed you just end up checking out with a box of shells and a new blaze orange beanie.

My readers responded like my very own personal pro-staff and here is what they had to say.

The boots

The most recommended brands, in no particular order, were Muck, LaCrosse, Baffin and my favorite – the U.S. military surplus extreme cold temperature boots; also known as the Mickey Mouse and Bunny boots.

According to my pro-staffers though, each brand and design has its own drawbacks. The Muck Artic Pro has a loyal following, but detractors complain of durability – especially with neoprene tearing and sole separation issues. LaCrosse is another big favorite but rubber cracking and declining quality came up several times in the debate. Baffin Trapper boots were well recommended for severe sub-zero temps, but again, some folks were critical of them for being too bulky and don’t recommend them if you walk long distances. The extreme cold temperature military surplus boots have a staid following and a proven track record, however they require the right socks to prevent feet from sweating and a proliferation of imitation knock offs can make it a challenge to ensure you are getting  authentic boots.

One size doesn’t fit all

What seems to be the most difficult aspect in deciding on a pair of boots is the walking versus sitting conundrum. Still hunting or walking in to a tree stand that is located deep in the woods calls for a boot that can breathe so your feet don’t sweat. Same goes for a stroll through the woods looking for antler sheds. When you stay moving, your feet stay warmer. Conversely, sitting in a blind or standing on ice all day while ice fishing requires a boot that keeps the cold out and the heat in. Lack of motion in these instances causes circulation to slow and feet to cool.

The consensus is that the type of activity you are engaging in will dictate the type of footgear you’ll need. Terrain, mobility and weather all affect the type of boot you’ll need. You may find you’ll end up with several pairs of boots suited to specific tasks. I’ve yet to find a single perfect solution for all activities I’m engaged in over the colder months: stand hunting, still hunting, ice fishing, predator hunting, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and the list goes on.

While I don’t know if we will ever see the perfect universal winter boot for the outdoorsman, there are some things that just about everyone agreed on.

Wool, Felt, and Warmers

One recurring theme, and one I very much agree with, is what goes on your feet before the boots do. Wearing proper socks goes a long way in keeping your feet warm and dry. Wool is the best choice by far; you’ll need to experiment though to find the right weight so you don’t cause overheating and thereby, sweating.

Felt liners provide an additional barrier to keep the warmth in and the cold out. Look for a pair of boots with removable felt liners. You should remove them daily to dry out any moisture accumulated during wear.

Individually packaged foot and hand warmers have become very popular. One placed under the arch of the foot and one placed at the toes will provide comfort on the coldest days. This works especially well when you are stationary.

A word about Thinsulate

Thinsulate is the brand name of a synthetic insulating material developed by 3M. Its primary use is in clothing and is rated by grams; the higher the gram weight the higher the insulating factor.

Most readers, when discussing their boot choices, almost always noted the Thinsulate rating of their boots. The ratings ranged from 600gr to 2000gr, highlighting the differences between rubber and leather boots. On average, those who chose rubber boots had lower Thinsulate weights and the leather boot crowd had the highest counts. This is likely due to the breathability differences in rubber and leather.

After tallying responses, the cumulative advice is this:

  • Fit the boot to the task.
  • Wear wool socks.
  • Use felt soles and liners where you can and remember to air them out daily.
  • If you move a lot over dry terrain to a fixed location, a pair of leather boots with between 1000 – 2000 grams of Thinsulate may be your best choice.
  • If your operational area is wet or you stand on ice a lot, rubber style boots may be the way to go.
  • Last but not least, you can never go wrong with having a few hand and foot warmer packs on hand – just in case.

Gun Cleaning Techniques

January is the time I perform the majority of checks and services on all the equipment and guns I’ve used afield since the opening of black bear season in late August. This helps me get reorganized after back to back hunting seasons and square away the residual disarray throughout the shop that inevitably follows. At the same time, I take the opportunity to inspect accessory items like rifle scopes, rings and bases, slings and the sum of other gear that gets put through the paces during varying weather conditions. Rain and snow are by far the biggest considerations as rivulets of moisture always find their way into the nooks and crannies of equipment. Daily wipe downs throughout the season keep the majority of moisture issues in check but nothing beats a complete detail cleaning at season close.

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5 hot Maine destinations for early ice fishing

For most anglers, ice fishing preparations are still under way. Shacks are being readied; tip ups are being checked and ice augers are being uncovered from a mountain of gear stowed in the shed. Most of the state’s waters open to ice fishing are still thickening and anticipation runs high. If you are one of the legions of ice fishing fanatics that simply cannot wait for your local spot to harden over, fear not. Head west young fisherman; December ice fishing is underway in western Maine.Continue reading “5 hot Maine destinations for early ice fishing”

Maine bear hunters might get a second shot

This question on the survey really got my attention – “Currently you can harvest 2 bears, one while hunting and one while trapping. If the law allowed you to harvest two bears while hunting, would you attempt to harvest two bears?” I had no choice but to answer ‘yes’. There simply wasn’t an option for ‘Heck yeah!’Continue reading “Maine bear hunters might get a second shot”

Why you soon may be hearing shots in the dark

The first thought that may cross your mind when you hear the report of a rifle in the still of the night next week could be ‘Poachers!’ – But that may be jumping the gun. Maine’s night hunting season on coyote opens Saturday December 16th at 12:01 a.m. Continue reading “Why you soon may be hearing shots in the dark”