Range Report

Took the Savage Model 60 .22 to the range to check out the new sight. Looks like my grandchildren will be receiving another .22.

My eyes are at the point I couldn’t hit a target at 50 yards. Just to make sure, asked another shooter to try. He had no problem. Stings a little to realize age is catching up with me.

Took the revolver over to the 7 yard range. Two handed, double action, and using my left eye (the one without macular degeneration) put all five on paper. Not great, but good enough for self defense purposes.

I do like the holster I got from Charter Arms. No issues of any kind. Holds the Bulldog secure while being easy to draw and reholster.

Almost always something to see at a range. This gentleman plans to go elk hunting with this flintlock. 

He is planning a four day hunt. First two days with the flintlock and then two days with his rifle assuming he doesn’t get an elk with the flintlock.

Sometime back Pete Grant

bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com

mentioned binoculars he purchased. His review sounded interesting for the price so I order one. I’m pleased with the clarity, even with my eyes, and they now have a permanent home in my truck.

The Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=80588

is a 45 minute drive for me but worth the trip. Before this we used a couple of gullies about a mile North of this site that was, “one of those ranges”.

It is fair to say the place is remote.

The Pawnee National Grasslands is a favorite place of mine that I visit frequently.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/cs/detail/!ut/p/z0/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zijQwgwNHCwN_DI8zPyBcqYKBfkO2oCABZcx5g/?position=Not%2520Yet%2520Determined.Html&pname=Arap

It takes some “looking” to see the variety of animal and bird life the area hosts. 

The Rattlesnake Buttes in James A. Michener’s book Centennial are the Pawnee Buttes.

 A “birder” drive is established with way points and information signs. While not a “birder” I do enjoy the loop.

Pawnee Buttes

The weather cleared so early this morning drove out hoping the arrive before sunrise. Didn't quite make it. Old AF Sarge said he wants to see lots of pictures.

To the North is a mammoth windmill farm stretching for miles.

Getting there is fun as it is somewhat isolated. I've driven there in a Lincoln Towncar but a studier vehicle makes a more enjoyable trip.

The buttes themselves.

As these are as many pictures as blogger will let me upload, there will be a Part II.

This trip I didn't walk out to the Buttes. It is nesting season and people are requested to not disturb the raptors nesting as they will abandon their nests. Instead, I just sat and soaked up the solitude and listened to the birds. No one was around except for one vehicle and tent about 3/4 miles away in a fold in the ground.

The area is an open range but no cattle were present. On a trip several years ago, on the return hike from the buttes, I encountered a young Angus bull. He was  about twenty feet away. While Angus are not overly aggressive like dairy bulls, they are to be respected. I kept an eye on him, and he kept an eye on me as we passed each other. Lucky me! Had he decided to be proddy I had nowhere to go and certainly couldn't outrun him.

If you have read Michener's "Centennial" he used this setting as "Rattlesnake Buttes". I've never seen one in the area but they are common.

Part II is coming up. More information (and better pictures) can be found at this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pawnee_Buttes