HEROES

Our club has many heroes – this is a shout out to four.   These times, during the CCP virus, have been hard on everyone.   These four guys (one chic) have kept fearlessly working providing critical services during the lock down. 

Joe McBride  has never left his desk, kept buying guns and selling guns & ammo.   During a time that was scary for many he provided an outlet for many new gun owners granting the peace of mind so citizens can protect their family via their 2nd Amendment right. Joe was exposed to a bunch of people, but he kept at the helm not leaving his post – literally.  It takes bravery to buck the media and herd instinct to hunker down to make sure citizens have the means of self-defense.  Joe is a founding member of our club and generous corporate sponsor.

Ryan O’Rourke owner of Falling Skies guns has been a great supporter of the club, and a corporate patron.  He kept his hands locked to the wheels of his business steering it through the rough.  Again, he has made it possible for many first time gun owners to protect their families and provided a resource for ammo.   He didn’t flinch in the face of CCP virus.  He’s been  a real help to our club during these uncertain times.

Unbeknownst to anyone we have  a CCP medical celebrity in our club.   John Bedolla, MD  is the national director of a national medical services company that was the point person designing a national response to CCP virus.   He was responsible for over 5,000 physicians and over six million patients.   He was a first responder deep in the trenches actually treating CCP patients here in Austin, as well as being a professor at the medical school.  He designed an online curriculum on the fly without missing a beat.   While handling a national protocol design, he also was hands on helping one of our corporate sponsors in intensive care,  keeping him alive.  He has kept a positive optimistic outlook, taken the time to help us in the club and powered on.  This guy is a super hero right out of the comic books. 

Ashley, our Director has stayed working at her desk.   She balanced home schooling two teenage daughters and walked on water to be sure the club continues going forward.   Ashley is already working on our events post CCP virus.  Ashley on top of everything else is in the middle of a club web site re-design.   She, like many of you, each and all you’ve braved this pandemic and juggled kids and all the stresses and demands of a lock down.   Also, hard to believe, has worked so pro 2nd Amendment modeling in as well!   This super woman is a great mother and the backbone of the club.

Thank each one of you!  Thank you to all the first responders in the club and all of you grinding through this difficult time.   Heroes – each and everyone of you, and on the other side of this challenge make sure you teach your kids, faced with completely unexpected adversity none of us planned,  you handled the one in a hundred year challenge with grace under pressure.  The true definition of courage.   

CLUB MALLARD SHOOT (FLIGHTED)

JOSHUA CREEK

Saturday we went out to a CCP virus safe shoot at  Joshua Creek, each shooter had their own private blind.   As it was late in the season, they let a lot of ducks fly…  the shooting was fast and furious 

 Surprisingly, the ducks are descending sharply at speed and harder to hit that normal duck hunting when you are shooting a flaring landing duck.   Leann was working our newer puppy Colt who just won his Junior title and Bella …  our master hunter.   They loved the non stop retrieving.   Five members of the club shot including Trevor who drove up from Houston.  Afterwards we had a mini pigeon shoot that was fairly challenging.  A beautiful day to shoot, then box lunch under the trees.   Joshua Creek is always a great supporter of our club, and put on awesome events.  This was no exception in any regard, we will try to arrange another event soon.   Joshua Creek is awesome for a get away, the huge Cypress trees overhang a beautiful creek stocked with rainbow trout.  It is a Texas fly fishing dream.   Joshua Creek is breathtakingly gorgeous and can set you up to shoot sporting clays or a half day bird hunt.  Work it in, as this is a great safe fun day trip.

Joshua Creek reservations 830-537-5090

WILDLIFE LEGACY HUNTS COMING UP

We put together more hunts for our members than any other charity club in Texas!

ARGENTINE DOVE HUNT

Remember the Dove have not been hunted in 6 months. This will be a banner year. We have put together a club trip to Argentina In June or July for a huge discount. We only have three spots open. These go to our Corporate Sponsors first then Members. It is a top-notch operation outside of Cordova… you have the option of spending time in Buenos Aires where we will have a couple of club dinners/lunches. Our club has done this three years in a row, it’s been awesome and tremendously fun.

LOUISIANA FISHING TRIP IN AUGUST

We are planning an offshore Trout or Red Fish trip in mid-August.

DOVE & PIGEION SHOOT

In mid-September we have our wildly popular local Dove and Pigeon shoot. This famous Ranch is just outside of Austin. This is a fun hunt/shoot and one of the most popular amongst our crowd. (honestly, we have so many fun events it’s impossible to narrow it down)

EAST TEXAS EUROPEAN PHEASANT SHOOT IN OCTOBER

In late October we have a European Pheasant shoot at Hidden Lakes, Yantis Texas. These are a lot of fun and very similar to actual driven hunts in Europe, they are reasonably priced as well.

SOUTH DAKOTA WILD PHEASANT HUNT IN NOVEMBER

This IS our most popular club hunt and it only continues to grow. Spots are prepaid a year in advance by repeat members and new members who have heard about this club hunt, it’s become so popular we have added a second week. These hunts are tons of fun and airfare is cheap to Aberdeen, SD. We usually limit out…. Meals, beverages and hunting included. Jeremy the owner of Bird Down Lodge is a long-time member and for the last six to eight years he has given our members hunts of a lifetime.

First week:   Fly in Nov 11, Hunt Dates Nov 12-14, Fly out Nov 15

Second week:     Fly in Nov 18, Hunt dates Nov 19-21, Fly out Nov 22

VIENNA DRIVEN PHEASANT HUNT IN DECEMBER

In December we put together an amazing Pheasant hunt in Austria, with Palarikovo being your accommodations, yes, an actual Castle, Castle of Count Karolyi. This is usually around the first week of December, touring Austria during Christmas Season is truly an experience of a lifetime that your family will never forget.

SANDHILL CRANE HUNT IN DECEMBER

Located in the Texas panhandle,we have a hunt for “Ribeye of the Sky”- Sandhill Crane. This is truly a fun experience, lots of laughs, lots of partying, camaraderie and some unmatchable fun shooting Crane. We as a club are looking forward to doing this hunt again this year.

Contact Ashley Morgan for more details or if you would like to reserve your spots on any of these upcoming hunts.

Ashley Morgan

737-701-0660

Ashley@centraltexaswildlifelegacy.org

CENTRAL TEXAS WILDLIFE LEGACY BREAKS AN INTERNATIONAL NEWS STORY

Chinese Shut Down Largest US Pork Plant Causing Shortage

Note:  Picture is completely intended to be racist and intentionally uses tropes and stereotypes – TOWARDS the CCP, not Asians or Chinese in general. 

It is rare you can toss a pebble down a mountain and see it turn into a full fledged avalanche.   Although  I like to think Jeremy and I instigated it,  the incredible reporting of the Epoch Times deserves all the credit.

The story unfolded like this.  A Washington Post article came out roasting the South Dakota Governor for not locking down the entire state.  The articles point was South Dakota was crippled with widespread infection.  The article made the inference without citing numbers.  I called Jeremy with Birddown Lodge in South Dakota, tongue in cheek, to let him know his state was rife with CCP virus.  

Thus, started a chain of serendipitous events that created its own news cycle…. Below is the email sent to a major US publication.

Dear ************

I am a subscriber to Epoch (david@seftontaxconsulting.net)  my phone is 214-924-5674

I’m a very serious person, and I don’t waste time on social media,  and I am not writing this email lightly.

Backstory:

I talked with a club member  in South Dakota late last week and he commented there were very few  Corona cases in South Dakota.  By comparison, here in Austin where I live there has been  642  cases and 7 deaths. 

As a joke about how hysterical the media has gotten tongue in cheek I sent him the Google headlines.  What shows up on my Google headlines will be hugely different than his. 

This is what I sent him.  The  focus of article was the Governor not cracking down on Corona created a hot spot in South Dakota.  The headline makes the whole state seem like it is the hot spot.

See Google Headline

Okay... his response was  jaw dropping, and I attach it....

"I like how media twists things. They had an outbreak in a pork slaughter plant (Smithfield Farms) in which the [company] was paying bonuses to employees to show up for work even if they didn’t feel good. Had a huge outbreak from that plant. Guess who owns Smithfield Farms?? (China)"

.. This is a huge company that owns most of the famous brands of  pork.  Bacon, sausage  hot dogs including Nathan's.   etc.. .

I could not believe this is a Chinese company.    Look who owns Smithfield...

To Recap a Chinese company owns  one of the largest pork providers in US in fact the world.   They pay bonuses in middle of  pandemic for workers to work overtime in middle of epidemic, once they  reasonably expect the first  worker has corona, they pay bonuses for "anyone who feels bad" to come in anyway.. ..   and then close the plant when there is a shortage of meat across country.  

How does this remotely have anything to do with Governors policy of no lock down when food production is an essential service in all 50 states? 

How many of these  food  companies that have closed  are owned by the Chinese ?   Why are other essential industries open, yet the one most critical vital companies – food production - is shut down?

How is it possible that meat is sold out in stores...?   yet farmers are getting in difficult position because they can't sell their animals.. in fact, the price of beef on the hoof is falling....  AND

the production companies happen to be shutting down ?     Especially from self-induced worker policies that encourage infection...

Why isn't anyone reporting this ?

If this isn't your area of reporting .. could you forward to the reporter that would most likely find this important.

I greatly admire your writing and what you do.  I understand the personal risk and hazards you take in reporting the truth.    I admire your courage. 

David Sefton

214 924 5674

This email started an investigation.  The newspaper wrote the day after the story broke, and  included a link to a follow up story.  Shockingly a Chinese executive traveled to the Sioux Falls plant AFTER  President’s Trump travel ban from China.   The subsequent investigations have turned up additional Chinese owned food production companies that have been closed exacerbating the problem of food shortages

1910 FORD & STATISTICS

What a difference a century makes! 

Here are some statistics for the Year 1910:

Business Retirement Plans Newsletter

2nd Quarter 2017

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MISSING PH UPDATE

It has now been absolutely confirmed Scott's remains were found in crocodiles in the Limpopo River.  I have to be honest, Scott Van Zyl didn't care for me much - we had disagreements.  There is certainly nothing new in that - the hunting community is one of strong passions and egos.  Let me say Scott was a man to respect: he was passionate in his beliefs; tenacious on positions he strongly believed in.  One of our founding members Gib Lewis who hunted with him several times feels he was a great professional hunter who was exceptionally dedicated to his profession. His many friends felt he would do anything for them and was a true comrade.

Last issue, I was called to task because we wrote foul play was suspected.  I absolutely stand by that comment.  In the day of "fake news", it's hard to discern truth, rumor, outright lies and sensationalism from fact.   

The current update is as follows:

After a full week of intensive searching driven by the Limpopo Hunter's Association and their president Phillip Bronkhorst no trace of Scott remains were found.   This search was conducted by helicopter and foot searches.  In addition dogs were used searching for  his scent.  Currently Scott's GPS is being searched to determine his route. One clue was his backpack was found on the bank of the Limpopo River.  His vehicle, guns and radio were found 8 kilometers away (indicating this was not a simple robbery).   Two particularly aggressive crocodiles were shot near the location on the Limpopo, they were opened and the suspected human remains were tested against Scott's DNA.  Horrifically those remains were the missing PH. 

There has been reported from 4 up to 13 native Africans killed by crocodiles in the area of the flooding Limpopo River in the last month. A crocodile is malicious and sinister enough in their own right to be classified as foul play.

No one knows exactly what happened to Scott at this point.  However there is a vast chasm between rank speculation and statistical probable certainty.

Let's consider Scott having died by non malicious means:

1) He went swimming in the Limpopo River at flood levels when numerous crocodiles were visible?  Not likely.

2) He laid down on the bank for a siesta, knowing crocodiles in that area, at that time are particularly aggressive and was snatched off the bank while he napped. Ludicrous.

3) He committed suicide by crocodile intentionally jumpingin the water.  Absurd.

Each of these explanations are ludicrous on their face.  Those that knew Scott, knew he had a passion for life.  He was a dedicated husband and father to young sons.  I met the man and talked to him extensively in just February, and I can truly attest there was nothing depressing or despondent about him.  He was full of passion and vigor.

On the other two benign possibilities, Scott was an extremely knowledgeable hunter and NO ONE that knew him, believes he would have made the mistake of swimming or sleeping next to the Limpopo.

On another point,  Scott wasa big strong guy, maybe 275 pounds, looked like he could wrestle a bear a win.  A farmer, a strong man, he wasn't some pansy office suit wearing guy.   A crocodile that got hold of him would have been in for a struggle.  Why then were their no signs of claw marks on the banks, struggle marks - just a backpack laying there in the open.   Just the other day a ten year old girl fought back and got away from an alligator(http://news10.com/2017/05/08/10-year-old-girl-escapes-from-8-foot-alligator-by-prising-open-its-jaws/ ), why would there not have been some sign of a titanic struggle ?

Two or so years ago another PH was killed in the same area.  A smaller river that runs into the Limpopo from West Nicholson Zimbabwe has illegal miners panning for gold.  This is considered a very serious offense in Zimbabwe where the government owns all the minerals. I have personally run across these individuals, and they are armed, and it was one of the more dangerous situations I've been in. The most likely explanation is Scott stumbled onto these miners and was killed.  They then attempted to get rid of his body in a manner suspicion would not fall on them; not counting on either his worldwide circle of friends, the massive worldwide financial support to find him, and the relentless and tenacious Limpopo Hunter's Association.

Regardless his friends in the Limpopo Hunters Association continue to fund the investigation into who ended Scott's life.

In short I completely stand by my original article, that foul means are suspected in Scott's death based on the totality of both hard and circumstantial evidence.

IRS NOW ACTIVELY CANCELING PASSPORTS OF US CITIZENS OWING TAXES

This New Policy Will Massively Disrupt Hunting Plans As Many Hunters Pay For Hunts With Tax Money And Plan To Catch Up Later

See Actual IRS Notice Sent to Hunter Below:

Guns With A Most Deadly History

Rock Island Auction - May 5-7th 2017

https://www.rockislandauction.com/

Gun's With a Most Deadly History

“Lot 2156” - sounds fairly benign, hard to imagine one can purchase a true fatal moment of history, a moment that had mortal consequences to those involved. As the baby boomers reach the beginning of the twilight of their years, some long closed gun collections are beginning to come to market. These guns, most of these guns, will disappear into private collections for another 50 or 60 years as the cycle continues. Within the last year, Rock Island Auction has presented dazzling historical artifacts.

One auction item resonated with me, a pair of dueling pistols. These weapons were used in one of the last formal duels held in the United States, "An Affair of Honor" as it was known, held August 26, 1870. In this case one Edward Freeman challenged Edward Hamlin to a duel by formal letter, writing he was a "coward, poltroon and a base scoundrel." Though silly in a modern context these words were deadly in the 19th century. The exact nature of the offense can be inferred as involving an affair by the married Hamlin with a woman of Freeman’s interest. Since both men had fought for the confederacy and attended Virginia Military Institute, they should've had a certain collegiality. Hamlin, considered a professional duelist, had killed five men in three years. Understand, most duels of this later period ended with guns being fired intentionally missing the opponent, or intentionally inflicted flesh wounds. Shooting to kill was bad form, especially so many times in such a short period (and dueling was illegal). The fact the reference to the underlying issue was oblique is clear from the writings of the time that sex with an unmarried women was involved. Hamlin's dying words stressed "he died a gentleman." Interestingly Hamlin, contrary to form, actually put notches on the back of his pistols, "marking" his kills with pride. The pistols at auction are inscribed with these visible marks.

The guns are a matched pair of beautiful Damas Dacier damascus muzzle loaded percussion cap single shot pistols. The case included (and still has) all the accouterments necessary, including the lead mold to make the bullets. The pistols also have beautifully delicate engravings, and the damascus is laid out in a complicated decorative pattern. Typical of many fine dueling pistols of the era, these were crafted in Paris. Consider these guns were made long after metallic cartridge ammunition was available, and revolvers were the rage, yet there was still a demand - in the middle of the old west and Indian wars - for fine antiquated single-shot dueling guns. The irony escapes most. As sportsmen's guns, self defense and military weapons reached for the stratosphere of innovation and invention, dueling weapons stayed the same over the previous 200 years.

There in an auction this May, one can purchase a slice of history: elegantly fitted guns that accomplished their deadly purpose all too well. The continuity of history, the story and lives they affected are often best reflected by storied firearms. They bear the personal history of families for generations.

Search and Rescue Effort in Zinbabwe

Outfitter Scott van Zyl (@SS Pro Safaris) missing while hunting out of Chikwaraka Camp in Zimbabwe.

Our prayers go out to the family of PH Scott van Zyl from South Africa, a writer says "I was fortunate enough to go on a safari with him 2 years ago and had a great time. His Family were great and he ran a great operation at SS Prosafais. Today bad news came out to us that he has been missing since yesterday from a hunt in Zimbabwe. There is a search taking place but nothing yet. My heart goes out to his wife and 2 children and hope for a safe return."

Fellow Outfitter Scott van Zyl (@SS Pro Safaris) went missing yesterday while hunting out of Chikwaraka Camp in Zimbabwe. Published on April 8, 2017

Outfitter Scott van Zyl (@SS Pro Safaris) went missing yesterday while hunting out of Chikwaraka Camp in Zimbabwe. Details are sketchy at this point. All we know is that they have been searching for him since last night.

Here with our GoFundMe account :https://funds.gofundme.com/dash…/search-rescue-scott-van-zyl

A helicopter was called in from Harare to aid in the search. This runs at $850/hr. We envisage minimum 7 hours of flying time. The Limpopo Hunters Liaison Forum (LHLF) is pulling members together and asking for donations to fund the chopper search.

A writer states

"I already donated as have many others and so far we've bought roughly 4 hours flying time. If you can find it in your hearts and pocket books, I beg you to assist by means of a small donation towards this cause. Scott has a wife and small children. We have to do everything we can to help him out."

UPDATE #4 (9:44PM South African time): At this current stage there is little to no feedback from the ground. We know that the choppers and major part of the search team will resume their efforts at daybreak tomorrow morning. We will then have more updates so it might get quiet for a while now. Thanks to all the organizations whom all made contributions to the search effort and each and every Outfitter, PH and Individuals and hunters around the world who has opened their hearts to help search for Scott.

Salome de Villiers writes: Here they are waiting for re-fueling, the large helicopter from Harare is not in this picture, these three helicopters are working the Limpopo river on the South African side. Please keep the prayers coming and again i can't thank each and every one enough.

UPDATE #6: Good evening everyone, my apologies for not giving updates today. Most of the search parties are in extremely challenging terrain with little to no mobile/cellphone coverage therefore updates did not come in during the day. The search party is confident they've locked down a search area but daylight caught up with them again. A large part of the day was spent to get the Zimbabwean Police and departments involved and up to date with the progress made yesterday and they have been assisting in the search with extra resources. There will still be searches continuing tonight but the largest part of the search party will stand down till first light tomorrow morning.

UPDATE #10: Feedback from the ground - a lot of hours has been spend today on the ground and in the air. The terrain is extremely difficult to negotiate. Additional help is arriving late tonight from the Zim side to help with the search and rescue. Keep praying for Scott and his family. Everything is in the Lords hands. Everything humanly possible is being done to find Scott. We appreciate your understanding and co-operation.

We want to thank each and every one again for their contributions, prayers and messages of hope to the family and friends.

We would like to urge everybody to stay away from any unconfirmed speculations or rumors as there has been many opinions and inaccurate information shared during the day which only upsets the family and I consider to be unfair to them in this trying time. There is also many media interest about the search and rescue, I would also urge anyone who are approached by the media to refer them into the official LHLF channels of which Mr. Gerhard Vos is the coordinator of this effort.

Thank you again to all the organizations including several SCI chapters and other hunting organizations like the LHLF , ZPHGA (Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association), Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, South African Police Service, HPG & all the other organizations involved as mentioned in previous updates.

WILD GAME HAMBURGERS IN WACO

Twisted Root Burger Co.

Truly a carnivore's and hunter's dream: A burger - a top notch burger place - serving unusual wild game burgers. This place is awesome. Check out their menu: ostrich, rabbit, gator and even kangaroo. This will make the antis heads explode. All their offerings are mind blowing - from the five pickle options for your burgers (all made in house), the fresh bread for buns, and various specialty drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic.  The Red Velvet Milkshake, young William Johnson was astute enough to order, deserves special mention.  

At lunch there was a line, this is mid-week on a rainy day - a long line - snaking through the restaurant and out to the door. A surprising distance actually, a surprising number of people loving the wild game. We had the elk and buffalo, and it was really a treat. No I don't own stock in the company, it was completely a hit and miss random stumbling on a great place.
I think restaurants in all their political correctness ought to heed the message, this country is craving wild game.  It is a sure fire hit on any menu.  

We definitely encourage you to try Twisted Root Burger Co., they have locations in several Texas cities.

Very Serious Issue For The Traveling Hunter

CRITICAL BREAKING NEWS:

South Africa Refuses 4457 Forms with "Expired" Dates for Firearm Importation

Published by permission of Barbara Crown, The Hunting Report

US hunters going to South Africa with firearms must ensure their Customs Form 4457 does not show an "expiration" date that has passed. The date is found in the top right-hand corner of the form. The South African Police Services' (SAPS) central firearms desk has advised the Professional Hunters' Association of South Africa (PHASA) that they will no longer accept any US Department of Homeland Security Certificate of Registration (CBP Form 4457) if the date in the top-right hand corner has expired, even if a US border official has stamped it with a later date.

A 4457 Form is the document accepted by customs authorities around the world in lieu of a firearms ownership license for US hunters temporarily importing a firearm for a hunting trip. The Hunting Report first warned you about this issue with the "expiration" date on the US Customs Form 4457 last October (see Article 3892), when a subscriber reported a SAPS official did not want to accept his form for this very reason.

US Customs has not addressed this problem, despite several reports from hunters hassled over the "expiration" date. According to US Customs officials, the expiration date in the top right-hand corner is strictly for internal use and not meant as an expiration on the use of the form. Despite this, customs authorities and other agents abroad who check required firearm import documents have interpreted the date as an expiration on the use of the document.

Before you leave the US for South Africa, make sure you have a NEW CBP Form 4457, which is available from Homeland Security's official website. That means you will have to get your new form signed and stamped by a US Customs officer before departing the US.

PHASA also warns no one should try bribing South African police to allow the importation of their firearms or to speed up the process. "Paying bribes is not acceptable under any circumstances," reads a notice from PHASA to The Hunting Report. "Hunters are encouraged to expose anyone who tries to extort money or who offers money to an official in order to circumvent due legal procedures. Also, please treat South African police officers courteously." There have been several instances of safari operators or their clients creating difficulties with rude behaviour, which is why safari operators can no longer accompany clients into SAPS offices.

PHASA strongly advises hunting clients to pre-apply for temporary South African import/export firearm permits and/or a transit permit by using a reputable, registered meet-and-greet agency. Although there is a small fee, PHASA contends that the peace of mind and time saved from standing in line at the firearm permit office at OR Tambo airport is well worth it. For assistance from PHASA click here.

The Continuing Texas Hog Crises..

Last issues story regarding warafin has generated the most controversy since the OAEN has first been published. Good points were raised on all sides. 

TEXAS HUNTERS ARE ON THE SAME SIDE AS LANDOWNERS.  Let's not let those with partisan economic interest pit us against each other.

THE AUTHOR WARNED ABOUT THIS IMPENDING WILD HOG CRISIS FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS.  EVENTUALLY SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED BY A WILD HOG. Not to mention property damage and fatalities from vehicle hog collisions. 

I am absolutely on the side of the landowners in wanting eradication of wild hogs.

March 2nd Texas Courts issued an injunction against the rule allowing use of warfarin poison on wild hogs.

Quoting: "This afternoon, State District Judge Jan Soifer issued a temporary restraining order enjoining Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture from implementing the “emergency rule” that they had issued to try to facilitate the use of rat poison across Texas lands for feral hogs. Specifically, Judge Soifer’s Order stated in part that Defendants Sid Miller and the Department “did not follow the requirements of the Texas Administrative Procedure Act . . . and so therefore the rule is invalid.”

So as of now things are on hold.

In Texas we have long trusted that some "magic" chemical is going to solve all of our ranch problems. How many times have we been burned?  Who bears the liability if it doesn't work as represented?  The chemical company is in and out of the market leaving Texas landowners with the consequences.

Let the free enterprise system work. Bounties have had a long successful career in Texas eliminating problem animals. 

LEUPOLD'S LTO-TRACKER

A monocular thermal observation and game recovery tool that is tremendously flexible. This amazing optic can be used during the day and at night. It goes to six different color palettes that allow maximum effectiveness during the day. Obviously thermal recognition at night is much easier.  

The optic works amazingly well. The signatures are strong and easily readable even in a temperature controlled environment like a store under lighting. This device over the years would have saved me thousands in downed animals never found. Made in America - America Proud and 5 year warranty. And guys I am ever so tired of all this Chinese crap that looks great and quits working within 6 months, after having bought it. Glad to have an American product in my hands.

This optic also has a 6x digital zoom. Very amazing device, it runs about $750.00 and is a great tool. It is not a scope, there was some confusion regarding the issue. Regardless this is a great tool for anyone who hunts in conditions where the game is not always readily findable, and unlike some outdoor writers don't always kill your game dead with one shot.

Real Life Lesson – Why You Need Ripcord

On a beautiful carefree day a stark lesson in emergency preparation reared its ugly head.

Leann and I took a day off after our record-breaking banquet.  We spent the night in a wonderful Bed & Breakfast in the Navasota area, and had a killer dinner at Veritas in College Station.  We can highly recommend the restaurant. 

Driving home the next day on Hwy 79, I had to take a bathroom break at trusty McDonalds – would never eat there – but boy they have great restrooms. That little break probably saved our lives. Ten minutes up the road there was a horrible wreck. It was so horrific the emergency responders were holding blankets up to keep the carnage from being seen by the stopped traffic.

A big pickup truck pulling an RV trailer had somehow spun off the road and was t-boned by a commercial van. One of those wrecks you can never figure out on a dry day, crystal clear sky good road. If a family member or friend of those that were injured or died is reading this, our prayers are with you. 

A life flight copter had flown in and landed on the road to take the one survivor to the hospital.  It is important to think about these catastrophes before they happen.  

Does your insurance cover the cost of life flight?

Do you even know how much the cost is?  Most of us assume this is a standard covered medical care like a ground ambulance.  It isn’t – it is not uncommon depending on flight time for a life flight copter to cost over $50,000.00.  

Note it is almost never covered by your medical insurance.  You need to check with your agent and get it in writing.

One of the unsung benefits (for those of us on the road traveling to hunting destinations) of RIPCORD is that they not only cover life flight helicopter extracts – they will arrange it.

This picture taken from our car clearly shows that on a beautiful day, just a short way away from home, when you would least expect it – a service like RIPOCORD could mean life or death.

Don’t take emergency care for granted.  Check with you medical insurer and verify your coverage for life flight.

RIPCORD is always a good idea – look into it.

The History of H. Gerstner & Sons, Inc.

The History of an American Legend

1884 was a very important year for H. Gerstner & Sons. It was the year company founder Harry Gerstner was born. Some other very notable and interesting events were taking place around the country at this time: the Statue of Liberty was completed, Boston and New York were first linked by telephone, the Cincinnati Reds held their first game at Crosley Field, and Dayton, Ohio, had its first paved street. Harry Gerstner first started working when he left high school at age 17. He signed on as a woodworking apprentice to become a pattern-maker starting at a salary of six cents an hour. At the completion of his four-year apprenticeship, Harry received a one hundred dollar bonus and was earning ten cents an hour - top wages for a journeyman woodworker in the Dayton area.

Harry Gerstner made his first tool chest while working as a pattern-maker. It took him a year to design and make, as he only spent evenings working on it. After it was completed a friend remarked that he would like to have one of these well-designed chests, so Harry built another one. Some of his fellow workers commented on how well made it was, and this got him thinking that there may be a demand for his chests, as they were better and different than anything on the market at that time. So, in 1906 while the Wright Brothers were perfecting their first airplane, Harry Gerstner used the 100 dollar bonus from his job and founded his own tool chest company. He picked up his first orders by making evening door to door sales calls on his many friends and acquaintances.

This small leatherette covered chest is a copy of the earliest known machinist tool chest built by Harry Gerstner, founder of H. Gerstner & Sons. It is featured in brochures beginning as early as 1913. (All company information from 1906 up to 1913 was lost during the Great Flood that occurred in Dayton in March of 1913). The Style 18 is only available to Members of the Gerstner Owners Club. The Style 18 features a leather top handle, mortised lock and brass hardware. Each chest is individually serial numbered.

Overall dimensions 14" W x 9 1/2" H x 8 1/2" D

Only Available Factory Direct

For Owners Club information please click here.

Harry decided to name the company H. Gerstner & Sons not only in honor of his father Herman Gerstner who introduced Harry to woodworking, but also because the name sounded established and he hoped that he would someday have his own sons to bring into the business. Indeed, it was a family business from its inception and Harry provided jobs for his father, his two brothers and his two sisters. His first woodworking tools were fairly basic and some of his machines were handmade. His first machine was a "saw-table," he says he made with an old motor from a washing machine. Harry designed his tool chests to hold the full compliment of a journeyman's precision tools and the basic principle of design for his tool chests was "A place for everything and everything in its place."

H. Gerstner & Sons was not the only manufacturer of wooden tool chests during the early 1900's. Because of the allocation of metal towards the war effort, by the close of World War I there were about 15 companies producing wooden chests. The mid 1960's saw the last of H. Gerstner & Sons competition as all the other companies either closed down or moved on to making other products. As the twenty-first century draws near, H. Gerstner & Sons stands alone in maintaining over 102 years of quality manufacturing of wooden tool chests.

H. Gerstner & Sons has always kept quality as the number one priority in establishing the company's reputation. The tool chests were never built to be beautiful, but H. Gerstner & Sons products have a certain "look," and their inherent quality has come to be appreciated as a truly "American" product. Like all articles of merit they have been flattered by cheaper imitations, but the company focus has always been to build the best quality wood products money could buy. Some years ago a man would bring his personal tools to a job interview. If they were presented in a Gerstner Chest, he was virtually assured a position. The name Gerstner has been well established to mean the highest quality in wooden tool chests, and the use of a Gerstner Chest was, and still is, evidence that a craftsman takes genuine pride in himself and his work.

In the company archives are letters from people who purchased our chests as far back as the 1920's. Many of these early Gerstner Chests are still in use today and their current owners are as happy with them now as the day they were first purchased. The tool chests are built to be extremely durable and some letters we have received told of Gerstner Chests even surviving through fires. The chests were sometimes damaged beyond repair, but the tools they held were protected. Due to the moisture absorbing characteristics of wood, tools stored in Gerstner Chests remain in a rust-free environment. With a little care a Gerstner Chest will last a lifetime and beyond. People have often sent their older chests in to be refurbished to keep them in top condition, as many of them are passed down through family generations. The company has operated from its present location since 1913 and Gerstner Tool Chests are to be found in virtually every quality metalworking shop from coast to coast. In recent years the company has begun to build fine wood products for homemakers and hobbyists. These new products exhibit the same craftsmanship and attention to detail as the reputable Gerstner Tool Chests.

H. Gerstner & Sons is still a family owned business today. While Harry Gerstner and his wife, Emma, never did have any sons, they did have three daughters, and since the beginning, the business has been run by a family member of their descendants.

John A. Campbell was the first "outside" family member to enter the business. He married Charlotte, the eldest of Harry Gerstner's daughters, whom he met in college. Harry convinced him to move to Dayton in 1938 and join the business. John's background as a high school English teacher provided him with the writing and communication skills he needed to help develop some early brochures used by the company. He was very active in sales and dealer relations while he was with the company, and was vice president and in line to take over the business until his untimely death in 1961 at the age of 50. He spent 23 years working at H. Gerstner & Sons and the good "old fashioned" friendly customer service policies he initiated are still practiced today.

The next family member to enter the business was Harold Leland. He married Harriet, the youngest of Harry's daughters. He was president of the company from 1962 to 1976. Harold saw the company through some very difficult times as his competitors began closing down or moving on to other products. His background in engineering helped to formulate cost and control systems that are still used in the running of the business. Under Harold's leadership the company began to introduce new products that would help assure the future growth of the company.

John Harry Campbell (nicknamed Jack), son of John A. Campbell, and grandson of Harry Gerstner, is the present owner of the company. He purchased the company from his uncle (Harold Leland) in 1976 and has set about reaffirming the policy of building the finest wood products available on the market today. He has brought the company into the 21st century through continued diversification into other products designed for home and hobby as well as new tool chests designs for industry.

Jack’s daughter, Kim, and son, Scott, worked part time for the company during their teenage years. Now, Scott is working full time as the Vice President of Operations.

H. Gerstner & Sons started making tool chests exclusively, but throughout the years many other products have been introduced by the company. Today though, tool chests are still the most popular item in the Gerstner line. People have discovered that in addition to their use for tools, Gerstner Chests are ideal as jewelry chests, hobby chests or because of their unique styling they can be used as ideal accent pieces for home decor. The distinctive styling of Gerstner Chests has had a definite influence on other Gerstner products such as: attaché cases, collectors chests, fly tyer cases, and cigar humidors to name a few. Numerous movie stars and film personalities use Gerstner make-up cases and Gerstner customers include sports figures, famous statesmen and even several former presidents of the United States. Gerstner Tool Chests and other wood products represent both the quality of fine woodworking craftsmanship and the proud tradition of true American heritage.

Gerstner International - GI-532

(Click Here - For more information on the Gerstner International Line of Products)

In an ongoing effort to provide the finest hardwood chests in the world, we have recently opened a new division - Gerstner International.

The mission of Gerstner International is to seek out manufacturing partners the world over to enable Gerstner & Sons to offer it's customers economically priced wood products built to a benchmark of quality that will proudly uphold the Gerstner name. As we have seen cheaper imitations in recent years entering the market, we are positioning ourselves to remain as the top branded name by offering the best quality economic chests to be found anywhere - backed by our USA operations and featuring our new Gerstner International brand name.

Each of our divisions (both the USA made chests and the Gerstner International imported chests) carry their own specific levels of quality and craftsmanship. Our import division has not been created to replace, nor compete with our USA division. The USA division is still our outstanding quality with full attention to even the smallest of details - premiere product line. Our Gerstner International line was created with price as a driving factor and was not created to duplicate our USA division, but rather to provide a good quality economically priced product. Both divisions carry guarantees and warranties to insure customer satisfaction.

We realize that with our 100-year history of providing unsurpassed customer service and factory expertise, our well-earned reputation will help us continue to grow and prosper as we enter our second century of business.

Written by Kimberly Campbell
Manufacturers Rep, daughter of John H. Campbell and great granddaughter of Harry Gerstner

The Magic of High End Custom Guns Now Here in Austin

By David Sefton 2017 Copyright

On a dreary cold day in the mid 1800’s, a hard-bitten Texan was a long way away from home.   He paid his hard earned money to make the long trip to New York.  The meeting was important to this Texan.  Long had his friends been butchered across the Texas country side by Comanche.  This fateful meeting was with an eccentric flamboyant industrialist – Samuel Colt.  The Texan, a Ranger, Captain Walker worked with Colt to re-define firearms: their design still impacting guns one hundred and fifty years since.  The Walker Colt is one of the most collectible guns to this day (and one of the most expensive). 

Texas has long been on the front of fine firearms. Ever since the fateful meeting of Colt and Walker, Texas was on the forefront of firearm innovation. The Walker Colt changed warfare and self defense across the world.

In our own backyard, in Austin Texas, another innovator, a Texan, is looking beyond how things have been done in the past – to what’s possible in the future and is making a huge impact on custom guns.  The Shurley Brothers Custom Rifles are changing the playing field for fine firearms. 

Tommy Shurley learned fine gun stock crafting from one of America’s most famous and respected stock makers based in Missouri.  To further his craft he did his advanced apprenticeship under a nationally recognized Virginian gun maker.  Tommy advanced so far he eventually took over the business.  Many of these Virginia clients still use him.  Finally he migrated back home to Texas.   Here, where Ranger Captain Walker once fought Comanche’s across the hill country, Tommy has now built his business.

What makes the Shurley Brothers stock so magical?  His obsessive attention to exquisite detail and love of fine woods.  He has pioneered a extra fine traditional woodstock with stunning grains on the outside of the gun, then adhered to a center of dense exotic wood cross grained to the outer fine figured wood shell.  Sounds familiar? Look to the construction of the famed Toledo sword blades with the shell (using the old Spanish term) escalloped over the inner core. 

Not surprisingly in the last five years his custom stocked rifles have won more national and international championships than any other stock.  The center tightly grained exotic wood adds immeasurable strength to the stock, resulting in the wood never heat warping away from true.

His custom chosen wood and design is superior to even high end synthetic stocks – the outside long grain figured wood sided to the dense exotic core, never bends, swells or warp.  The consistency of the shot patterns from these strong stocks are scary tight groups.

Shurley Brothers in their high tech, state of the art shop, also fine tunes high end receivers and barrels – bringing the gun to pitch perfect competition tuning.  The combination of stock, barrel and receiver tuned to each person’s individual rifle demonstrates the pure mastery of Tommy’s craft.  The top shotgun shooters of the world use Tommy’s stocks where fractions of inches matter in International Clay Competition.

Tommy starts by taking three dimensional scans of a shooter favorite stock and then begins tweaking from there.  If you always shot best with a Remington 1100 stock and now want to purchase a fine double.  Shurley can merge drop, cast and pitch of your favorite gun to the extremely tight tolerance of the new guns inletting and furniture, such as the metal fit of a high end Krieghoff.  This combination of fitting favorite field guns dimensions with high end doubles has been virtually impossible when done by hand.  Thanks to extremely sophisticated computer modeling and Shurley Brother’s vast experience and knowledge this is now possible for reasonable prices. 

The impact today on the casual shooter or high end competitive shooter can’t be underestimated.  When you get down to it, your stock fit – both to you as a shooter and the fit to the barrel and receiver is the 98% of what impacts the accuracy of a gun.

Working with Tommy Shurley on a several gun project has been an absolute delight.  The project has beenunusually enjoyable, and surrounded by all the beautiful wood choices, it was almost more than I could to design my path going forward.

Diplomatic Level Letter To Chinese Minister Regarding Widespread Poaching Taking Place In Africa

The 450/400 Double Rifle Re-Created by Searcy

Butch Searcy is creating a masterpiece for an Austin hunting club dedicated to preserving the American tradition of hunting and continuing the legacy.  Butch Searcy is one of the true masters of his art and is recognized as one of the preeminent gun makers in the US.  Did you love Jurassic Park?  That was his gun custom made for the movie going after the Velocaraptors.  

The Wildlife Legacy masterpiece will be a field grade 450/400 double-rifle.  Searcy hand regulates these barrels.  I have viewed - in person - the process of barrel regulation that Searcy personally, hands on, performs.   The inside of this box lock is built like a tank.   Searcy has long generously supported hunter advocacy.  He is helping Central Texas Wildlife Legacy continue the mission through an alliance bringing this gun to be offered to members.

Butch Searcy, longtime fine gun maker resurrected/reinvented the holy grail of doubles. A rising bite was first patented in 1879, by Thomas Bissell who joined with the John Rigby Company to produce this magnificent masterpiece of engineering. The rising bite is typified by what I call a “dolls head” (somewhat like our own US famed Parker shotgun) that’s instead hollowed – a “U“ shape, so to speak, at the end of the rib. The “U“ lowers onto a fixed post when the gun locks up. The lug engages into the nose of the “U“ when the gun closes. Thus, the rifle now has typically three locks, two on the underside, and the topside “bite” (lock) sealing shut like a Fort Knox vault.

As I was standing with Butch admiring this outstanding example of American technical art, a bystander asked if a double rifle “needed to be stronger,” Butch answered “mine certainly don’t,” then came the inevitable query: “then why did you build it”? Butch looked at him perplexed, answering “ A few years back, Searcy achieved a unique accomplishment in the United States, if not the world.  He re-invented and re-crafted the fame Rigby rising bite action.  It hadn't been duplicated in better part of a century and most thought the ability to handcraft such a masterpiece was lost.   I asked him why make it, his response: "I wanted to see if it could be done”. That struck me as to what makes Americans so different from everyone else in the world. When most firearm manufacturers are trying to figure out how to cut an extra screw out here, a tenth of an ounce out there, Butch reverse engineered the most difficult rifle ever created – merely to test his American engineering skills.

John Rigby & Co. only made at the most 500 rising bite rifles, quite possibly as few as 200, they are one of the most collectible rifles in the world. Terry Wieland February 2010 wrote regarding the resurrected rising bite in London; yet, not terribly surprising it already was re-created in the US. The Rigby rising bite ceased being constructed sometime around 1935, the cost of the extensive exceptionally skilled hand work necessary for the action simply was no longer feasible.

Butch Searcy made it happen again: American ingenuity crafted with American pride. The outstanding level of technical expertise as well as craftsmanship is our heritage and is manifested in B. Searcy Co. firearms. Maybe you haven’t heard of Searcy, our own “American” double rifle company. He doesn’t give his guns away to gun writers, nor does he give commissions – guess what, his doubles aren’t pushed or recognized as they should be. He selects every piece of wood and personally supervises each gun crafted. Yet he’s treated as the red headed stepchild among firearm salesmen – of course, so was John Browning at first.

Butch will craft each gun custom to you if you take the time to visit his factory; as well as providing a lifetime warranty on his firearms. Next time someone wants to sell you a German gun, ask to see “their” rising bite rifle. Don’t let anyone trash talk American firearm manufacturers. I’m thinking “if you can’t make a rising bite, then don’t make me a double at all”. B. Searcy Co. Ph. 760-762-6131