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#1
The Tailgate / Good Friday was just that!
Last post by Hawks Feather - Today at 07:44:13 AMMy daughter is hosting an exchange student from Germany, and he had never fired a single shot before in his life. I asked my daughter if she thought he would want to shoot, and she said that they had already talked about it, and he did. She added that since her four kids had only shot .22 LR in the past that they wanted to shoot the bigger guns as well. Plus, the college age granddaughter wanted to bring her boyfriend along since he likes to shoot as well. So, I rented the Fish and Gun club on Good Friday so that we would be the only people allowed on the range and would have the clubhouse to eat and play board games that my wife brought. The safety meeting started just before 11:00 a.m., lunch was eaten around 1:00, and we started cleaning the range at 6:00 p.m. and went back to the clubhouse for supper. No board games were played but the smell of gunpowder filled the area.
1,980 rounds of .22 Long Rifle
407 rounds of .223
148 rounds of .45 ACP
141 rounds of .38 Special
124 rounds of 9 mm
50 rounds of .22 K Hornet
44 rounds of .44 Mag
27 rounds of .308
22 rounds of .270
20 rounds of .357 Mag
10 rounds of .221 Fireball
35 rounds of .450
So, a little over 3,000 rounds and the smiles were priceless.
9 rifles and pistols chambered in .22 LR
6 rifles and one pistol chambered in .223 (2 were AR platform)
3 pistols chambered in .38 Special
1 pistol chambered in .357 (also used for .38 Special)
3 pistols chambered in .45 ACP
The rest were rifles.
1,980 rounds of .22 Long Rifle
407 rounds of .223
148 rounds of .45 ACP
141 rounds of .38 Special
124 rounds of 9 mm
50 rounds of .22 K Hornet
44 rounds of .44 Mag
27 rounds of .308
22 rounds of .270
20 rounds of .357 Mag
10 rounds of .221 Fireball
35 rounds of .450
So, a little over 3,000 rounds and the smiles were priceless.
9 rifles and pistols chambered in .22 LR
6 rifles and one pistol chambered in .223 (2 were AR platform)
3 pistols chambered in .38 Special
1 pistol chambered in .357 (also used for .38 Special)
3 pistols chambered in .45 ACP
The rest were rifles.
#2
The Tailgate / Today in history 4-19
Last post by remrogers - Yesterday at 11:00:39 AM1861
April 19
First blood in the Civil War
On April 19, 1861, the first blood of the American Civil War is shed when a secessionist mob in Baltimore attacks Massachusetts troops bound for Washington, D.C. Four soldiers and 12 rioters were killed.
One week earlier, on April 12, the Civil War began when Confederate shore batteries opened fire on Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor. During a 34-hour period, 50 Confederate guns and mortars launched more than 4,000 rounds at the poorly supplied fort. The fort's garrison returned fire, but lacking men, ammunition, and food, it was forced to surrender on April 13. There were no casualties in the fighting, but one federal soldier was killed the next day when a store of gunpowder was accidentally ignited during the firing of the final surrender salute. Two other federal soldiers were wounded, one mortally.
On April 15, President Abraham Lincoln issued a public proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteer soldiers to help put down the Southern "insurrection." Northern states responded enthusiastically to the call, and within days the 6th Massachusetts Regiment was en route to Washington. On April 19, the troops arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, by train, disembarked, and boarded horse-drawn cars that were to take them across the city to where the rail line picked up again. Secessionist sympathy was strong in Maryland, a border state where slavery was legal, and an angry mob of secessionists gathered to confront the Yankee troops.
Hoping to prevent the regiment from reaching the railroad station, and thus Washington, the mob blocked the carriages, and the troops were forced to continue on foot. The mob followed close behind and then, joined by other rioters, surrounded the regiment. Jeering turned to brick and stone throwing, and several federal troops responded by firing into the crowd. In the ensuing mayhem, the troops fought their way to the train station, taking and inflicting more casualties. At the terminal, the infantrymen were aided by Baltimore police, who held the crowd back and allowed them to board their train and escape. Much of their equipment was left behind. Four soldiers and 12 rioters were killed in what is generally regarded as the first bloodshed of the Civil War.
Maryland officials demanded that no more federal troops be sent through the state, and secessionists destroyed rail bridges and telegraph lines to Washington to hinder the federal war effort. In May, Union troops occupied Baltimore, and martial law was declared. The federal occupation of Baltimore, and of other strategic points in Maryland, continued throughout the war. Because western Marylanders and workingmen supported the Union, and because federal authorities often jailed secessionist politicians, Maryland never voted for secession. Slavery was abolished in Maryland in 1864, the year before the Civil War's end. Eventually, more than 50,000 Marylanders fought for the Union while about 22,000 volunteered for the Confederacy.
April 19
First blood in the Civil War
On April 19, 1861, the first blood of the American Civil War is shed when a secessionist mob in Baltimore attacks Massachusetts troops bound for Washington, D.C. Four soldiers and 12 rioters were killed.
One week earlier, on April 12, the Civil War began when Confederate shore batteries opened fire on Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor. During a 34-hour period, 50 Confederate guns and mortars launched more than 4,000 rounds at the poorly supplied fort. The fort's garrison returned fire, but lacking men, ammunition, and food, it was forced to surrender on April 13. There were no casualties in the fighting, but one federal soldier was killed the next day when a store of gunpowder was accidentally ignited during the firing of the final surrender salute. Two other federal soldiers were wounded, one mortally.
On April 15, President Abraham Lincoln issued a public proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteer soldiers to help put down the Southern "insurrection." Northern states responded enthusiastically to the call, and within days the 6th Massachusetts Regiment was en route to Washington. On April 19, the troops arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, by train, disembarked, and boarded horse-drawn cars that were to take them across the city to where the rail line picked up again. Secessionist sympathy was strong in Maryland, a border state where slavery was legal, and an angry mob of secessionists gathered to confront the Yankee troops.
Hoping to prevent the regiment from reaching the railroad station, and thus Washington, the mob blocked the carriages, and the troops were forced to continue on foot. The mob followed close behind and then, joined by other rioters, surrounded the regiment. Jeering turned to brick and stone throwing, and several federal troops responded by firing into the crowd. In the ensuing mayhem, the troops fought their way to the train station, taking and inflicting more casualties. At the terminal, the infantrymen were aided by Baltimore police, who held the crowd back and allowed them to board their train and escape. Much of their equipment was left behind. Four soldiers and 12 rioters were killed in what is generally regarded as the first bloodshed of the Civil War.
Maryland officials demanded that no more federal troops be sent through the state, and secessionists destroyed rail bridges and telegraph lines to Washington to hinder the federal war effort. In May, Union troops occupied Baltimore, and martial law was declared. The federal occupation of Baltimore, and of other strategic points in Maryland, continued throughout the war. Because western Marylanders and workingmen supported the Union, and because federal authorities often jailed secessionist politicians, Maryland never voted for secession. Slavery was abolished in Maryland in 1864, the year before the Civil War's end. Eventually, more than 50,000 Marylanders fought for the Union while about 22,000 volunteered for the Confederacy.
#3
Big Game / Re: Record book fork horn blac...
Last post by Okanagan - April 18, 2025, 10:40:35 AMThanks for the kind words.
"Fork horn record" has an element of humor to it, and I almost didn't post about it. But it is kind of interesting. Some icing on the cake is a good way to put it.
I knew there was a big buck in the area from fresh big horn rubs, and was hoping I would see the one that made those rubs. But that morning, the last day of season, I would not have passed a spike. I wanted some meat for the freezer.
Scoring antlers is always interesting to me. For anyone not familiar, the score for an antler means how many inches it measured. They measure everything about the antlers in inches, down to 1/8 inch. Then they add up all those inches of how long and how big around etc. and that is the total or gross score.
Then for official net score they subtract the differences between each part of the left and right sides. So if a tine on one side is a different length than the matching one on the other side, they add the lengths of both of them, and subtract any difference in lengths. So a score of 101 2/8 gross means the measures of this buck's antlers added up to 101 2/8 total inches. Subtract the differences from one side to the other and this one scores 96 6/8 net, which is the official score that goes in the record book.
This buck is remarkably symmetrical, same size on both sides with very little deduction other than the third tine on one side. The length of that third tine is all deducted from the overall score of course. I asked how he could be scored as a fork horn when he has three points on one side. The scorer said that if it has two points on one side (not counting eye-guards), it counts as a fork horn, and they subtract whatever the extra points measure from the final net score.
A month earlier this buck had eye-guards over an inch long on each side (seen on a trail camera) and those would have added to his score. But by the end of deer season he had broken and ground them off. A tine or projection on the antler has to be at least one inch long to score, whether adding to or subtracting from the final score.
"Fork horn record" has an element of humor to it, and I almost didn't post about it. But it is kind of interesting. Some icing on the cake is a good way to put it.
I knew there was a big buck in the area from fresh big horn rubs, and was hoping I would see the one that made those rubs. But that morning, the last day of season, I would not have passed a spike. I wanted some meat for the freezer.
Scoring antlers is always interesting to me. For anyone not familiar, the score for an antler means how many inches it measured. They measure everything about the antlers in inches, down to 1/8 inch. Then they add up all those inches of how long and how big around etc. and that is the total or gross score.
Then for official net score they subtract the differences between each part of the left and right sides. So if a tine on one side is a different length than the matching one on the other side, they add the lengths of both of them, and subtract any difference in lengths. So a score of 101 2/8 gross means the measures of this buck's antlers added up to 101 2/8 total inches. Subtract the differences from one side to the other and this one scores 96 6/8 net, which is the official score that goes in the record book.
This buck is remarkably symmetrical, same size on both sides with very little deduction other than the third tine on one side. The length of that third tine is all deducted from the overall score of course. I asked how he could be scored as a fork horn when he has three points on one side. The scorer said that if it has two points on one side (not counting eye-guards), it counts as a fork horn, and they subtract whatever the extra points measure from the final net score.
A month earlier this buck had eye-guards over an inch long on each side (seen on a trail camera) and those would have added to his score. But by the end of deer season he had broken and ground them off. A tine or projection on the antler has to be at least one inch long to score, whether adding to or subtracting from the final score.
#4
The Tailgate / Today in history 4-18
Last post by remrogers - April 18, 2025, 09:48:17 AM1906
April 18
The Great San Francisco Earthquake topples buildings, killing thousands
On April 18, 1906, at 5:13 a.m., an earthquake estimated at close to 8.0 on the Richter scale strikes San Francisco, California, killing an estimated 3,000 people as it topples numerous buildings. The quake was caused by a slip of the San Andreas Fault over a segment about 275 miles long, and shock waves could be felt from southern Oregon down to Los Angeles.
San Francisco's brick buildings and wooden Victorian structures were especially devastated. Fires immediately broke out and–because broken water mains prevented firefighters from stopping them–firestorms soon developed citywide. At 7 a.m., U.S. Army troops from Fort Mason reported to the Hall of Justice, and San Francisco Mayor E.E. Schmitz called for the enforcement of a dusk-to-dawn curfew and authorized soldiers to shoot to kill anyone found looting. Meanwhile, in the face of significant aftershocks, firefighters and U.S. troops fought desperately to control the ongoing fire, often dynamiting whole city blocks to create firewalls. On April 20, several thousands of refugees trapped by the massive fire were evacuated from the foot of Van Ness Avenue. The army would eventually house 20,000 refugees in more than 20 military-style tent camps across the city.
By April 23, most fires were extinguished, and authorities commenced the task of rebuilding the devastated metropolis. It was estimated that some 3,000 people died as a result of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and the devastating fires it inflicted upon the city. Almost 30,000 buildings were destroyed, including most of the city's homes and nearly all the central business district.
April 18
The Great San Francisco Earthquake topples buildings, killing thousands
On April 18, 1906, at 5:13 a.m., an earthquake estimated at close to 8.0 on the Richter scale strikes San Francisco, California, killing an estimated 3,000 people as it topples numerous buildings. The quake was caused by a slip of the San Andreas Fault over a segment about 275 miles long, and shock waves could be felt from southern Oregon down to Los Angeles.
San Francisco's brick buildings and wooden Victorian structures were especially devastated. Fires immediately broke out and–because broken water mains prevented firefighters from stopping them–firestorms soon developed citywide. At 7 a.m., U.S. Army troops from Fort Mason reported to the Hall of Justice, and San Francisco Mayor E.E. Schmitz called for the enforcement of a dusk-to-dawn curfew and authorized soldiers to shoot to kill anyone found looting. Meanwhile, in the face of significant aftershocks, firefighters and U.S. troops fought desperately to control the ongoing fire, often dynamiting whole city blocks to create firewalls. On April 20, several thousands of refugees trapped by the massive fire were evacuated from the foot of Van Ness Avenue. The army would eventually house 20,000 refugees in more than 20 military-style tent camps across the city.
By April 23, most fires were extinguished, and authorities commenced the task of rebuilding the devastated metropolis. It was estimated that some 3,000 people died as a result of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and the devastating fires it inflicted upon the city. Almost 30,000 buildings were destroyed, including most of the city's homes and nearly all the central business district.
#5
Big Game / Re: Record book fork horn blac...
Last post by FinsnFur - April 17, 2025, 10:35:15 PMVery cool.
Signs of good genes and an healthy herd
Signs of good genes and an healthy herd
#6
Big Game / Re: Record book fork horn blac...
Last post by remrogers - April 17, 2025, 11:16:46 AMThat is an impressive looking buck. Nice and tall. I would not have let him walk away.
#7
The Tailgate / Today in history 4-17
Last post by remrogers - April 17, 2025, 11:09:54 AM1790
April 17
Benjamin Franklin dies
On April 17, 1790, American statesman, printer, scientist and writer Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia at age 84.
Born in Boston in 1706, Franklin became at 12 years old an apprentice to his half brother James, a printer and publisher. He learned the printing trade and in 1723 went to Philadelphia to work after a dispute with his brother. After a sojourn in London, he started a printing and publishing press with a friend in 1728. In 1729, the company won a contract to publish Pennsylvania's paper currency and also began publishing the Pennsylvania Gazette, which was regarded as one of the better colonial newspapers. From 1732 to 1757, he wrote and published Poor Richard's Almanack, an instructive and humorous periodical in which Franklin coined such practical American proverbs as "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
As his own wealth and prestige grew, Franklin took on greater civic responsibilities in Philadelphia and helped establish the city's first circulating library, police force, volunteer fire company, and an academy that became the University of Pennsylvania. From 1737 to 1753, he was postmaster of Philadelphia and during this time also served as a clerk of the Pennsylvania legislature. In 1753, he became deputy postmaster general, in charge of mail in all the northern colonies.
Deeply interested in science and technology, he invented the Franklin stove, which is still manufactured today, and bifocal eyeglasses, among other practical inventions. In 1748, he turned his printing business over to his partner so he would have more time for his experiments. The phenomenon of electricity fascinated him, and in a dramatic experiment he flew a kite in a thunderstorm to prove that lightning is an electrical discharge. He later invented the lightning rod. Many terms used in discussing electricity, including positive, negative, battery, and conductor, were coined by Franklin in his scientific papers. He was the first American scientist to be highly regarded in European scientific circles.
Franklin was active in colonial affairs and in 1754 proposed the union of the colonies, which was rejected by Britain. In 1757, he went to London to argue for the right to tax the massive estates of the Penn family in Pennsylvania, and in 1764 went again to ask for a new charter for Pennsylvania. He was in England when Parliament passed the Stamp Act, a taxation measure to raise revenues for a standing British army in America. His initial failure to actively oppose the controversial act drew wide criticism in the colonies, but he soon redeemed himself by stoutly defending American rights before the House of Commons. With tensions between the American colonies and Britain rising, he stayed on in London and served as agent for several colonies.
In 1775, he returned to America as the American Revolution approached and was a delegate at the Continental Congress. In 1776, he helped draft the Declaration of Independence and in July signed the final document. Ironically, Franklin's illegitimate son, William Franklin, whom Franklin and his wife had raised, had at the same time emerged as a leader of the Loyalists. In 1776, Congress sent Benjamin Franklin, one of the embattled United States' most prominent statesmen, to France as a diplomat. Warmly embraced, he succeeded in 1778 in securing two treaties that provided the Americans with significant military and economic aid. In 1781, with French help, the British were defeated. With John Jay and John Adams, Franklin then negotiated the Treaty of Paris with Britain, which was signed in 1783.
In 1785, Franklin returned to the United States. In his last great public service, he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and worked hard for the document's ratification. After his death in 1790, Philadelphia gave him the largest funeral the city had ever seen.
April 17
Benjamin Franklin dies
On April 17, 1790, American statesman, printer, scientist and writer Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia at age 84.
Born in Boston in 1706, Franklin became at 12 years old an apprentice to his half brother James, a printer and publisher. He learned the printing trade and in 1723 went to Philadelphia to work after a dispute with his brother. After a sojourn in London, he started a printing and publishing press with a friend in 1728. In 1729, the company won a contract to publish Pennsylvania's paper currency and also began publishing the Pennsylvania Gazette, which was regarded as one of the better colonial newspapers. From 1732 to 1757, he wrote and published Poor Richard's Almanack, an instructive and humorous periodical in which Franklin coined such practical American proverbs as "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
As his own wealth and prestige grew, Franklin took on greater civic responsibilities in Philadelphia and helped establish the city's first circulating library, police force, volunteer fire company, and an academy that became the University of Pennsylvania. From 1737 to 1753, he was postmaster of Philadelphia and during this time also served as a clerk of the Pennsylvania legislature. In 1753, he became deputy postmaster general, in charge of mail in all the northern colonies.
Deeply interested in science and technology, he invented the Franklin stove, which is still manufactured today, and bifocal eyeglasses, among other practical inventions. In 1748, he turned his printing business over to his partner so he would have more time for his experiments. The phenomenon of electricity fascinated him, and in a dramatic experiment he flew a kite in a thunderstorm to prove that lightning is an electrical discharge. He later invented the lightning rod. Many terms used in discussing electricity, including positive, negative, battery, and conductor, were coined by Franklin in his scientific papers. He was the first American scientist to be highly regarded in European scientific circles.
Franklin was active in colonial affairs and in 1754 proposed the union of the colonies, which was rejected by Britain. In 1757, he went to London to argue for the right to tax the massive estates of the Penn family in Pennsylvania, and in 1764 went again to ask for a new charter for Pennsylvania. He was in England when Parliament passed the Stamp Act, a taxation measure to raise revenues for a standing British army in America. His initial failure to actively oppose the controversial act drew wide criticism in the colonies, but he soon redeemed himself by stoutly defending American rights before the House of Commons. With tensions between the American colonies and Britain rising, he stayed on in London and served as agent for several colonies.
In 1775, he returned to America as the American Revolution approached and was a delegate at the Continental Congress. In 1776, he helped draft the Declaration of Independence and in July signed the final document. Ironically, Franklin's illegitimate son, William Franklin, whom Franklin and his wife had raised, had at the same time emerged as a leader of the Loyalists. In 1776, Congress sent Benjamin Franklin, one of the embattled United States' most prominent statesmen, to France as a diplomat. Warmly embraced, he succeeded in 1778 in securing two treaties that provided the Americans with significant military and economic aid. In 1781, with French help, the British were defeated. With John Jay and John Adams, Franklin then negotiated the Treaty of Paris with Britain, which was signed in 1783.
In 1785, Franklin returned to the United States. In his last great public service, he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and worked hard for the document's ratification. After his death in 1790, Philadelphia gave him the largest funeral the city had ever seen.
#8
Big Game / Re: Record book fork horn blac...
Last post by pitw - April 16, 2025, 06:40:45 PMCool as [L]. 
#9
Big Game / Re: Record book fork horn blac...
Last post by Hawks Feather - April 16, 2025, 05:41:30 PMCongratulations. That is a little extra 'icing' on your Blacktail.
#10
Big Game / Record book fork horn blacktai...
Last post by Okanagan - April 16, 2025, 12:22:13 PMMy blacktail buck from last Fall makes a special fork horn record book. Whoda thunk it.
At our annual antler party last month, an official B&C scorer told me that the fork horn I got last Fall looked big enough to easily make a special record category for blacktail fork horns. Evidently since blacktail antlers are generally small, there is a book category for fork horns.
He scored it yesterday and it makes the book. 101 2/8 gross, 96 6/8 net. I think the minimum for the book is 90. Yay!
At our annual antler party last month, an official B&C scorer told me that the fork horn I got last Fall looked big enough to easily make a special record category for blacktail fork horns. Evidently since blacktail antlers are generally small, there is a book category for fork horns.
He scored it yesterday and it makes the book. 101 2/8 gross, 96 6/8 net. I think the minimum for the book is 90. Yay!