http://rockinwithmac.blogspot.com/

http://rockinwithmac.blogspot.com/

http://rockinwithmac.blogspot.com/

http://rockinwithmac.blogspot.com/

I will no longer be posting on this blog. If you want to continue to follow my travels and experiences while taming the great outdoors, log onto Rockin' Outdoor Adventures with Mac Arnold at www.rockinwithmac.blogspot.com.
-- Mac Arnold

By Mac Arnold
MAHFS Editor

As the temperature slowly rises from the winter that never seems to end, I have also begun to rise from under the covers and dream of days afield.

No, I am not mocking the holiday. In fact, I don't know where I would be right now if He wasn't the driving force in my life.

I have had a flush of game changing events happen in my personal life over the winter, which at times have seemed to put me on my heels and into inertia, at least with outdoor activities.

I'm sure there are many who could say the same in this day and age of economic surprises behind every corner.

However, after reading about the differences of shot velocity versus knockdown power for turkey loads in the latest "American Hunter," I realized the motivation was returning for the glorious spring gobbler season.

There are a couple of automatics in my life, one being deer archery and the other of course being the upcoming turkey season.

I am getting pumped! I want to put the hurt on some poor innocent thunder chicken big time.

The best money for getting the job done on this would be with the old reliable 835 Ulti-Mag Mossberg, a true and tried warhorse. The only consideration for this aging turkey hunter with a couple of surgically repaired shoulders is the weight of the brute. With the Jellyhead choke tube at .880 constriction and Hevi-shot No. 5's, no doubt it will get the job done up to 50 yards and has on a few occasions over the years.

Last year, the weight of the scatter gun did cost me quickness in drawing a bead on his precious little head, which was really the only opportunity I had to fill my tag. I was too slow slipping the barrel out of the pyramid blind, he busted me and started high-stepping out of the setup. It was the only bird I called into range that May.

So this year, I'm seriously considering using the boy's H&R single shot .20 gauge. With it being much lighter and having a shorter barrel, I'm thinking it will compensate nicely for the whimp I've become. LOL.

Obviously there won't be any 50-yard shots with its modified choke. I've heard good things about the Winchester Xtended turkey loads, so that's the first one I will try to pattern with during practice.

Oh, so much fun is on the horizon in the upcoming months. I'm so glad I've risen and so has He. Happy Easter!

By Mac Arnold
MAHFS Editor

For anyone wondering where I went, I'm still around but I haven't gotten back into the woods since the debacle of a hunt on New Year's Day.

I mean it ended well as far as obtaining tasty venison vittles but not so good for peace of mind.

During the New Year's Day hunt of two years ago, I once and for all tore my right rotator cuff in 40 mph winds while chasing the infamous "demon blind." I eventually caught up with it, and used it again this late deer season at the Sanilac County dairy farm, where it remains today. I'm sure it's still there. I wouldn't have any such luck of someone stealing it. I would be more upset about the stakes disappearing than that blind walking off.

This past New Year's Day I lost my jeep key in a foot of snow while helping one of the hunters at the camp recover a doe. For the life of me, I can't see why I brought it with me. Stupidity?

I'm all good now but I had to get a couple of breaks in order to make it that way.

I can tell you all this: next New Year's Day I WILL NOT BE HUNTING.

And speaking of not hunting, I have had a few things going on in my personal life that are making it tough to be motivated to do "fun things." I'm sure I'll get back at it but just haven't felt like it. Hopefully, by spring gobbler, I'll regain the spark.

In addition, this past season was basically crap for me. Thankfully, a couple of the guys at the camp gave me two nice-sized deer, so I can't complain about not having meat. The freezer is packed.

Backstrap is on tap for the next meal.