Hello, my name is Jim Graham (GTbrewer here ... I usually use Spooky, a nickname I picked up while working in
USAF Special Operations Intel on Hurlburt Field, but that was taken when I signed up).  I am a two-time cancer
survivor who is just now getting back to hunting (not sure I'm physically able to, but I'm not letting that stop me).

I will be hunting on the Eglin AFB public land (Eglin AFB WMA), as I don't have anywhere else to hunt.  I've read
comments (both Eglin's and a private review) that the deer, turkey, and feral hog hunting there is excellent, so I'm
optimistic.

I just (a month ago) bought a new deer rifle, a Remington 700 ADL .270, and a new rattlesnake eliminator,  a
Mossberg 500 pump .410 shotgun (also for cottonmouths).  I'm trying to pull together other stuff I need between
now and when the "General Gun" season opens in November (some of which I'm trying to get by 1 Oct, when
I'll be able to get my permit and start doing some intel gathering on where the deer are moving, etc.....  I live
on Social Security Disability as of my first cancer, so I'm having to go cheap on almost everything (including
boots---can't afford snake-proof...just cheap $47 RealTree hunting boots from wally world).  I'm HOPING to
have some kind of range finder.  In October, I'm just going to take what I have:  my 35mm with a 60--300mm
lens, my Nikon digital (bought when I was at Hurlburt, and had money) with a 3X telephoto, and IF possible,
a range finder and/or pair of binoculars (along with stuff like coffee, something to eat, my Camelbak, my folding
chair and cushion, etc.).

I'm also planning on processing my own deer, turkey, and hogs (whatever I end up with), both because of the
horror stories I've heard about paying to get it done, and getting crap back, along with the fact that I can't
afford to pay to get it done, either way.

I have asked some questions in the disabled hunter forum, under "Partially disabled (from cancer)---need help with
some questions".

That's about it, at least as far as hunting stuff is concerned.

Later,
   --jim

Hey jim, we've "met" on your jerky thread but hi and welcome again.   Also follow the thread in the disabled forum, I'd listen to those guys as they've either been through, or are going through similar situations are you're facing.

As for a range finder; if you're using the .270 in Fla, I seriously doubt if you have to even worry about distance.  You're probably like where I hunt where 150yards is a long shot. With the .270 within that distance, if it's nutz at 100, you should be able to just hold on spot an drop 'em.

If you're truly concerned about distance, once you establish your stand you can pace/measure the distance to key visuals from your stand.

Good luck!

Welcome to the club from Southeast Missouri.

May your game bag always be full.

Always Hunt SAFE.

Posted By Steve on 06 Sep 2012 07:41 AM
Hey jim, we've "met" on your jerky thread but hi and welcome again.   Also follow the thread in the disabled forum, I'd listen to those guys as they've either been through, or are going through similar situations are you're facing.

As for a range finder; if you're using the .270 in Fla, I seriously doubt if you have to even worry about distance.  You're probably like where I hunt where 150yards is a long shot. With the .270 within that distance, if it's nutz at 100, you should be able to just hold on spot an drop 'em.

If you're truly concerned about distance, once you establish your stand you can pace/measure the distance to key visuals from your stand.

Good luck!

I haven't even been out to the Eglin AFB land yet---can't get a permit until 1 Oct, so I have no idea what kinds of distances I'd
be looking at.  But if it is as you say, you're right, no need for a range finder....  Especially not with Remington 500 gr Core
Lokt.  As for a stand, certain types are allowed, but you have to carry them in when you get there, and out when you leave,
if I understood the regs correctly.  I know that trail cams are allowed, but you risk having them stolen (moot point in my case,
anyways ... no $$$ for either a stand or trail cam).  But, starting 2 Oct, after I have my permit and can get out there EARLY,
I'm going to start doing some recon on various sites.  I'm hoping to find several choke points, so I can alternate between
them after firing any shot(s).  Unless I'm allowed to take a .410 to terminate any diamondbacks or cottonmouths that show up
in my path, I'll be carrying two cameras and basic stuff like snacks//water.

One thing I'm DEFINITELY going to need at the start of the season is a good, stable bipod/tripod.  Thanks to nerve damage
done by cancer #1's chemo, my hands aren't exactly a stable platform for a rifle....  I tried making one from a camera tripod.
That was a disaster.  After a few shots, the plastic clamps that hold the telescoping legs in place started breaking (the one
in the back, facing the recoil head on, was always the one to break).  I'll fix it so it'll work again, but the only thing it'll be
shooting from now on is lightning and other weather (water spouts, tornadoes, etc.), with my 35mm.  :-)

Every deer or hog I get is a huge boost to my extremely limited budget---that's meat I don't have to buy.  Same goes for
turkey, but to a lesser extent.  And a nice rack and hide would be nice, too.  :-)

Oh, and my 60--300 mm lens can do short range measurements, just by focusing and checking the focus distance (out to
about 20--30 m, I think).

Thanks,
   --jim

Welcome to the board Jim .And I am one of those disabled on here that wont give up .I am leaving next Wednesday for two weeks of hunting .You will find ways to do things .You sound like one that is not a quiter either .
This is from the land of fruits and nuts CA .

Posted By holly on 06 Sep 2012 02:55 PM
Welcome to the board Jim .And I am one of those disabled on here that wont give up .I am leaving next Wednesday for two weeks of hunting .You will find ways to do things .You sound like one that is not a quiter either .
This is from the land of fruits and nuts CA .

You're right---I don't give up easily.  Throughout my first cancer (and later during my second, as well), two thoughts never
left my mind:

1) There is ONLY one acceptable outcome:  I win, the cancer dies.
2) Sun Tzu wrote:  Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be
imposed on him.

Cancer #1 did its share of damage, and I'll be living with that for the rest of my life.  BUT...I'm alive; the cancer isn't.

Later,
   --jim

PS:  The Score:  Me:  2   Cancer:  0

It's finally time! Blac mullet should be either running (more like clustering up for mating) thick, or soon will be. Time to get my
cast net out and  do some fishing! Sadly, my first bridge net was forced into retirement by too many run-ins with the pilings (currents in the East Pass can be really fast, and can move a perfect throw right back into the pilings in nothing flat, and after a
few such accidents, the net ends up being more patches  than not). And I no longer have the equipment (lead melting pot and
the molds to make lead weights for the lead line) to finish my new bridge  net, so I'm going to have to use my dock net (which
I made close to the specs for a small, lightweight bridge net: 10.5 foot 12.5 lbs). So I'm  stuck with docks, etc.... But that
shouldn't matter, if they're running. After all, they start in the bay, and move from there into the gulf, but it  was nice to
stalk them at the choke point, the Destin bridge..... I remember, with the first bridge net I made, catching so many in one throw
that it took 4 adult men to pull the net up, and I'd fill all of their ice chests, and still have enough to fill both 5 gallon buckets (the
catch bucket  and the one that my cast net is supposed to go in). Roughly 75 to 100 pounds of mullet in one throw (from 35 feet
up, having to pull the net  up OVER the railing without letting it TOUCH the railing, which would slice right into the net).

For those for who mullet is a trash fish, read this...... In areas where the bottom is mud, mullet are most definitely a trash fish. In
areas where the  bottom is sand, however, they are very good eating. Silver mullet (typ. May through late July/early August) are
great for frying (breakfast with eggs  and grits!), and the big black mullet (around now through sometime in November, give or
take on both ends) are fantastic for grilling and smoking.  Smoked black mullet is also great for making mullet dip. :-)

Oh, and there are ways to make otherwise great-tasting mullet into a trash fish, too. One is to take the mullet as you catch
them and put them into  a dry bucket (or one with saltwater, but no ice jugs). Result: the mullet gets hot in the sun, and
goes bad before you even leave to go home.

Another is to, while cleaning and fileting the mullet, to let it sit in non-iced down and/or bloody water. Mullet need to be kept
in ice-cold saltwater  that is clean (no blood) from the time they're caught until the time they're either cooked or frozen (in
water, with a small amount of salt, i.e, just  enough to make a thin line of salt on the bottom of a freezer bag).

Cooking methods:

For the small, silver mullet: After thawed (or fresh-caught): shake salt over the meat side and let sit at room temp for about
20 minutes. This  draws the juices from the meat, and works as a natural adhesive for breading. Then shake each fillet in a
plastic storage bag half-full of white  corn meal (not yellow).  From there, straight into a hot cast-iron skillet with peanut oil
hot enough to splatter with a miniscule drop of water.  Like other fish, do NOT overcook mullet.

For the much bigger black mullet: season fillets with garlic powder, lemon pepper, paprika (or cayenne powder), and dried,
minced onion. Grill  or smoke.  Do not overcook. Serve with whatever you like with grilled/smoked fish, or make into mullet
dip.  I can't find the recipe for mullet dip,  but here it is from memory: start with either low-fat sour cream or soft cream
cheese (preferred). When smoking the mullet, go a bit heavy  on the seasonings listed above. Combine smoked mullet and
soft cream cheese (or sour cream, if you insist) until it's fairly thick with mullet.  Optional but suggested: mix in some
store-bought sliced jalapenos (about that much). It's not going to be as hot as you might think, but it WILL add a nice
touch to the flavor. Serve with saltine crackers, etc. Take a tub of it and crackers to work, and everyone will love you and
constantly ask you when you're bringing more...... Take that as either advice or a warning ... it can go either way.

NOTE:  When serving grilled/smoked mullet, one side that works GREAT is a mix of white hominy corn, green peas or
green beans, sliced onion or Durkee onions, and small slices of smoked sausage.  Cook that mix up, and it's the only side
you'll need.  :-)

One final note: I know some people like to load a cast net with a bit of the lead line between their teeth. On the Destin bridge,
you could always  recognize those, before they even took their nets out: their front teeth were missing. Instead, toss that
part of the net over your left shoulder.   It works great, and you don't lose your teeth. And, of course, make sure you aren't
wearing anything that will snag on the net......

Later,
--jim

PS:  I meant to add this with the first edit, but got distracted by fixing line wraps.....  Mullet dip can be made in LARGE batches,
       but you need to freeze what you want to store for later.  It freezes and thaws just fine.

Welcome from MA.

Posted By McAvene on 18 Sep 2012 12:59 PM
Welcome from MA.

Thanks.

GT you can make your own shooting sticks using some 1"X1" material and using a piece of leather or even good nylon cord simply tie them together the way you see the hunters in Afreeca do for use. I personally use a set of Stony Point " Pole Cats " that extend from 27"-63" and I can shoot from sitting, kneeling, and standing and when not using them for shooting I use them as a walking aid as I am 100% disabled Veteran. The cost of the shooting sticks was I believe $59.99 and you should be able to find them for the cheapest price at http://www.sportsmansguide.com and if not then do as I suggest and make yourself a set. I dfo believe you can find a set of shooting sticks at the site I gave you andmost probably cheaper than the price I gave also. Good Luck !!!

PS: I also lived in Ft Walton after first being retired. Is Sam's Oyster house still located just before the bridge on the left headed toward Okaloosa Island ??? I also had a subcontracting company and helped build a good many of the apartment/condo buildings on Okaloosa Island. I coudn't take more than 1 1/2 years there before I left and came back home to Georgia.

Posted By Big Dawg on 29 Sep 2012 10:41 AM
GT you can make your own shooting sticks using some 1"X1" material and using a piece of leather or even good nylon cord simply tie them together the way you see the hunters in Afreeca do for use. I personally use a set of Stony Point " Pole Cats " that extend from 27"-63" and I can shoot from sitting, kneeling, and standing and when not using them for shooting I use them as a walking aid as I am 100% disabled Veteran. The cost of the shooting sticks was I believe $59.99 and you should be able to find them for the cheapest price at http://www.sportsmansguide.com and if not then do as I suggest and make yourself a set. I dfo believe you can find a set of shooting sticks at the site I gave you andmost probably cheaper than the price I gave also. Good Luck !!!

Archery is off for now....  I'm back to my original (and at that time, short-lived) plan for getting into the February rut
(Late Archery/Muzzleloader) via a Muzzleloader.  I've even found what looks like a great buy:  a CVA Buckhorn 209
Magnum .50 cal in-line muzzleloader with scope and accessories for $224.99.  I'm not sure exactly what you need for
a muzzleloader, but I get the idea that this one starts you off with everything:

    Konus® 3-9x32 mm scope
    Essential tools
    PowerBelt Bullets and bullet starter
    Speed loaders
    Cleaning jag and patches
    Barrel Blaster™ Wonder Gel solvent
    Breech plug grease stick and brush
    Instruction manual, and the Blackpowder 101 instructional DVD, starring O'Neill Williams and Chad Schearer.

If not, it's certainly less expensive than buying all of that stuff separately.  Is there anything missing from the
above list  that I should know about?

Oh, and how did this thread from the equipment forum end up here?  :-)

Later,
   --jim

Welcome from MS and thanks for your service!