I'm getting really sick of companies asking me not to carry in their locations because a group of 'activists' think its cool to carry ARs in the grocery store to prove a point.  Unfortunately, their point is backfiring big time and it is hurting the rest of us.  The more they push their "right to open carry" the more places are going to exercise their right to push guns off their properties.  The latest is Target.  Sure they "asked" customers not to carry without outright banning firearms, but all it's going to take is one nutjob to challenge this request and it will be an outright ban.
So far these open carry clowns seem to have been most effective at enacting gun control.  I support legal carrying in public, but who wouldn't be wary of guys carrying rifles around grocery stores and restaurants. 

Who would rather be out in the field with their Weatherby today?

Congratulations to Josh Smith for winning the Muley Freak Giveaway. It looks like he's already putting that rifle to good use with Thompson Long Range.
Muley Freak & Thompson Long Range long range winner Josh sizing up the 1300 yard target of which he hit! Had a fun couple days! Give us a call to find out just how easy it is to be shooting at 1000+ yards! 1-435-713-4248
Photo: Muley Freak & Thompson Long Range long range winner Josh sizing up the 1300 yard target of which he hit! Had a fun couple days! Give us a call to find out just how easy it is to be shooting at 1000+ yards! 1-435-713-4248

So I went on vacation and as we got out of the car at the first rest area and hour and a half up the road and I realized I forgot my hat.  We happened to pass the LL Bean store in Freeport so i picked up a new one.  I wear a Tilley hat made by our neighbors in the Great White North.  I bought one about 5 years ago In OD and liked the fit so I got another... and then found one on sale and bought another.... Now after my vacation I have collected every color in the canvas and vented hats.  They keep the sun and the bugs off and I know I don't look as goofy as they guys that wear the wide brimmed baseball cap sideways.  I see a few others guys wearing Tilleys now and again, but I guess it has become my trademark. 
I've had favorite hats before... the mets hat my brother gave me, my Yoda's Place ballcap from Kwangju AB ROK, my desert boonie hat that fit just right....
Anyone else got interesting or favorite hats?

Yes, it's a touchy topic around here. But I voiced my opinion thru Hornady's "Protect Your Rights" campaign.  This is at least the third time I contacted Senator Murphy, but the first response I received.  It clearly shows he has not read, nor does he understand or care, about my views.  Below is the form letter from Hornady followed by the response from Senator Murphy.  (NOTE: I sent a message condemning his comments that if Adam Lanza had magazines limited to 10 rounds "there would still be kids running around in Newtown" and he did not respond.  Have I mentioned how much I hate this guy!!!):

As a voter who believes in the U.S. Constitution, I am writing to express my views on gun control legislation currently being discussed in every level of government.  I am one of over 100 million law-abiding American citizens who responsibly owns firearms for target shooting, hunting, personal and home defense, and collecting. I care deeply about the Second Amendment, and I am  closely monitoring legislation that would restrict my right to keep and bear arms.
 
I am saddened by the tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut, but I believe that efforts to impose new restrictions on me, a lawful and responsible gun owner, are misguided and unwarranted. The so-called "Assault Weapons Ban," which for a decade restricted the sale of semiautomatic rifles and limited magazine capacity to ten rounds, did not reduce crime, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Justice. And since the expiration of the ban in 2004, violent crime has declined.
 
Your focus should be on real solutions to the problem of misuse of firearms, such as strengthening mental health care and improving the quality of data supporting the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
 
Do NOT pass more gun or magazine laws; instead, work to enforce the thousands of gun laws already on the books and help step up prosecution of criminals who commit violence and misuse firearms.


From Sen. Chris Murphy:
Thank you for contacting me about how we can prevent future gun tragedies. I appreciate your correspondence and hope that you find this response helpful.

Gun violence prevention is a sensitive and complicated issue that can be very divisive. While we may not agree on all aspects of how to best enact change, it is important to remember that we do all have the same priorities at heart: the safety of our children, the traditions of our forefathers, and the freedom of our fellow Americans. I can assure you that I am working hard every day to ensure that all of these priorities can be achieved.

Newtown will forever be a reminder of what can happen when even one deranged person can gain access to a deadly weapon. Newtown was not the first time it happened, but I am committed to making sure it is among the last. Too many lives have been traumatically ended or interrupted by gun violence, and our nation has waited too long to establish real safeguards that are capable of protecting the lives of our children and families. Now is the time to work together to establish stronger common sense gun laws that will simultaneously protect our Constitutional rights and keep Americans safe.

As you may be aware, I recently announced my support for the  Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 , a bill that would take critical steps towards eliminating high-capacity magazines and military-style assault weapons that are designed to inflict deadly harm and mass casualties. Specifically, this bill will ban semiautomatic weapons that can accept detachable magazines and have at least one military feature, as well as eliminating high-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It excludes weapons that are used by military, law enforcement, and retired law enforcement, as well as antique weapons and a specific list of 2,258 makes and models of legitimate hunting and sp
orting rifles and shotguns. Passing this legislation is an important first step in preventing a mass shooting in the future.

But there is still more work to be done. Research has demonstrated again and again that background checks are effective in keeping guns out of the hands of potential criminals, and most American households--gun-owners and non-owners alike--agree on the importance of this safeguard. Unfortunately, 40% of gun sales today do not require background checks because they are private sales, made over the internet or at gun shows through non-licensed dealers. We need to increase the efficacy of our existing program by closing these loopholes and making it harder for dangerous people to obtain deadly weapons.

Further, preventing the next Newtown is not only about reducing access to the deadliest of weapons. Mental illness is a common thread among the perpetrators of recent mass shootings, and identification and treatment of potentially dangerous people must be made a priority. At the same time,  we must recognize that there is absolutely no inherent connection between mental illness and violent behavior, and any steps we take to address these issues must not further stigmatize mental illness or discourage individuals and families from seeking diagnosis and treatment.

As we debate ways to stop gun violence, we must also ensure that the conversation does not stop at Newtown, but encompasses the thousands of victims of gun violence across the country every year. Specifically, too many urban neighborhoods are plagued by unacceptably high rates of gun violence. Better access to mental health care and smarter, more effective common sense gun laws can reduce this violence, and I will do everything I can to address this issue not only in the coming months, but every day that I am serving in the United States Senate.

Thank you again for contacting me about this matter.  I appreciate hearing from you and assure you that I will always do my best to represent the views of my constituents in the Senate.  In the future, please do not hesitate to call me in my Connecticut office at (860) 549-8463 or my Washington office at (202) 224-4041.

            Every Best Wish,

            Christopher S. Murphy
            United States Senator

Local gun shop (one of the few left in CT) is running a sale starting tomorrow morning.  It is for a S&W M&p15 Sport with a magpro 30 rd clip and 40 rounds of ammo.
I'm not really in touch with all the 5.56s semiautos out there so does anyone have experience with this one?  They are asking $839 which is the MSRP so i'm guessing thats about $200 too much, but given the circumstances, they say they have 100 and will start selling at 9am tomorrow. 
I was thinking of popping by in the odd chance its not a total circus. 
Thoughts?

I had a great hunt this morning for opening day of muzzleloader season.  Really windy and I got a late start because I had to take the girls to school, but still a great day. Got my spot tweaked for the weekend.

Now a lot of you are from places where when you say "i'm going hunting" you may get a shrug, or a "so what" or a "good luck"  because it's really not a big deal.  Here in CT people are way more ignorant.  Guns and killing things for food are just not a common practice here, and those that do keep it on the DL or surely they live in one of those redneck backwoods little towns.
I was laughing the whole ride up because of what happened at school.  I was all ready to go hunting except for my ML which I wouldn't bring near school grounds.  The bell rang and all the kids lined up, ready to go inside.  All of a sudden I hear "Hey Mr. R!  Why are you dressed like a hunter today??"  I volunteer at the school so many of the kids know me.
 "Because I'm going hunting as soon as you guys go inside."
"What are you hunting for? Or do you just kill any animal you see when your hunting??
 No. Micheal, real hunters don't hunt like that.  It is deer season, so I'm hunting deer.  By now I've gotten the attention of all three second grade classes, all listening intently.  "Do you have a gun??"
"Yes, I do, but not HERE.  Its safe at home."  I heard a huge gasp, mostly of excitement and curiosity.  One of the mothers made sure to say "thanks for clarifying that you don't have it here."
One of the other second graders piped up "is it a sniper rifle??"  I bit my tongue thinking "some of them damn sure could be" but answered
"Its muzzloader season today so I'm using my ML."  By then they were on their way inside... the teachers didn't quite know what to say.  I'm sure it will be an interesting day in school.  I can't wait until tomorrow because I'm sure there will be a ton of follow up questions.  I didnt get a call from the school, so that's good.  I'm educating our young uns on my side of town.  I can't wait to hear about my daughter's day.

Don't you hate "that guy?"  The one who does nothing all year and shows up on opening day and get his deer?  After a few years of scouting, and trail cams, and moving stands, and coming home from archery, rifle and ML seasons empty handed, I decided to try to be "that guy".  Haven't been to my hunting spot since August.  Showed up there Monday to put up a new blind at the last minute.  Took my one shot at a target with my rifle.  Showed up opening day and at 7:30 had a four pointer walk out on me!  Finally feels good to be "that guy"

But seriously,  if you count the time in the past 3 years that I spent there I guess I did put in the time. This year with the price of gas and my success rate, I opted out of bow season.  I really wanted to use my .30-06, but after taking out the action it isn't zeroed anymore, so I went with my .243.

So this was a milestone hunt for me.  It was my first deer in 3 years.  It is my first deer with antlers (not counting button bucks).  It was the first successful hunt for my Vanguard Sporter in .243.  It was my first kill with my own handloads.  I shot it with 100gr Nosler Partitions at about 60 yrds right thru the heart!!    I was home by 10:30!!  Now I'm enjoying a sip from the bottle of Knob Creek that is my "successful hunt toasting" bottle that has gone unopened for 3 yrs and boy does it taste good.  I also had to rub it in to my hunting buddy who has been taken away from me for the past 4 yrs because he works too much.  Was a great day and I hope you guys are all have great ones as well!!