Steve Merlo: When your checklist backfires (you forgot to include 'gun' on it)
| Thursday, Sep 03 2009 11:30 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Sep 03 2009 11:32 PM
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Ah, hunting season. Everyone should make a list of important things to take with them before they head out, as I do, and follow it religiously. The checklist should be prominently displayed and each item checked off before heading into the woods to do battle with whatever game the hunter opts to pursue.
Insect repellent, warm jacket, matches, shells, the dog, munchies and water for the dog, food, beverages, tags (if needed), maps, knives, plastic bags, rope, string, valid hunting license, sunscreen, thermos, sunglasses, hat, ice, tools, tow strap and a gun cleaning kit round out my selection of things that need to accompany me on any trip, no matter how small or far away. The list has always served me well, that is, until Wednesday morning.
Something kept nagging at me as I quickly threw my things in the vehicle, and though I could not quite pinpoint the reason for my fears that I had indeed missed something, I drove off anyway. Thirty miles down (Interstate 5) the light came on and it dawned on me that maybe I am getting old. I had forgotten my gun!
One cannot hunt too well without taking their trusty firearm with them. Of all things important, I had neglected to load my Beretta shotgun into the truck and ended up being a shooting advisor and the butt of quite a few jokes, rather than a shooter, for the whole morning with my merciless, smug-smiling and full-of-jokes 'friends.' Talk about me being dumb!
Okay, so I managed to do the same thing back in 1967 on a memorable duck hunt with my friend Chris Jones. Thankfully, the ducks were hot that day and we shared his gun until we had limits. Twice in 42 years isn't too bad, is it?
Anyway, the heading DID YOU REMEMBER YOUR GUN, DUMMY? is now prominently displayed at the top of the list, underlined and printed in bold type. Now if I can only remember where I left the list...
'Barnes and Birds' to air on Outdoor Channel -- again
My hunting partner and long time pal Ken Barnes will be heading to Canada later this month to video waterfowl hunting scenes in Alberta, Canada. Barnes has already had seven different hunts aired on 'Cabelas Memories in the Field' on 'Outdoor Channel,' including one two weeks ago where we hunted giant Canada Geese in Rochester, Minn. and viewed thousands of birds at Silver Lake, right in the middle of town.
This coming Sunday, Ken will have yet another clip shown on the Cabelas-sponsored show that will air at 6:30 a.m. If that's too early, I recommend taping and watching one of his better duck and goose hunts at a later time.
By the way, Ken is looking for one or two more hunters to join him at the end of the month for a special waterfowl hunting trip to Iceland for no-limit Greylag and specklebelly shooting. The spectacular backdrops in the Icelandic fields of majestic waterfalls and awesome glaciers, plus the incredible shooting, makes this trip an adventure of a lifetime. If interested, contact Ken at 599-7303.
Harmon legislation closer to becoming law
Several weeks ago, I mentioned that passage of SB-589 will guarantee that funds from specific hunting tags and stamp funds will specifically benefit those game species and habitats. In other words, the legislature would no longer be able to raid these monies for use in the state's general fund and spending sprees.
The bill has now moved to the governor's desk for signature after concurrences in both the House and Senate. Sponsor Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) commented that the bill would "...bring sunshine to government spending. As a life long hunter, I am particularly interested in seeing that we maintain an environment that will allow future generations of sportsmen to hunt."
'Shoot 'Em Up!' on tap
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) will hold a fundraiser sporting clay event Sept. 12 at the Kern County Gun Club with trophies to the top three four-man teams. The cost of the event will be $75 and shooters must bring their own 12-gauge shotguns and shells. A limited number of shotshells will be available for sale at the club.
An event ticket will also include a tri-tip lunch with baked beans, salad and drink. Contact Santiago Mesa at 477-4966; Jessica Moreno at 742-9800 or Saul Llanes at 487-6968 for more information.
Formed as a role model for the Hispanic community, SHPE is a nation-wide organization. The purpose of the fundraiser is to help the Bakersfield College chapter to attend the national conference. Since 2005, over 50 Bakersfield College SHPE students have attended this conference, resulting in about 20 engineering internships.
The Kern County Gun Club is located two miles south of Highway 119 and one mile west of Enos Lane, along the northern fence of the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area.
