Backyard Angler

Shawnee 22 Miles

July 28th, 2010

Miss K, now 18, called me a few weeks ago, from her cell phone, wanting to know ‘which way’ was home. She was on the interstate and the last sign she read said Shawnee 22 miles.

Oh goodness. She was ‘way’ off track.

I got her turned around and headed the right direction but I instantly knew what to get her for her birthday. You see, that wasn’t the first time she’d called me, lost and turned around. Nope, she needed a GPS system.

We went to WM and bought her a top of the line one, splurged a little. Bought it ‘there’ just in case she needed to return it - she wouldn’t have a problem.

It so happened a closer relative bought her the same gift! AND already gave it to her. We ended up returning the GPS and gifting cash instead.

I have seen her using the ‘other’ GPS though and I’m glad she got one. Saves everyone worry and I’m sure Miss K feels better about driving with it too.

I’ve been thinking about getting one myself…. I could load all the yard sale addresses into it and just drive from one to the next as easy as pie!

Tags: gps
Posted in Ramblings | No Comments »

Too Hot to Mow

July 27th, 2010

What do you do when the riding mower that last week sunk up to the hilts in a muddy area of the lawn is now embedded deeply in the dried mud?

My first thought was to pull it out with the tractor. Now that the back yard isn’t a soggy bottom it should be easy, right?

Not if the tractor won’t start…..

Battery is dead. Strange it’s a new battery - bought it last month, and we disengaged the batt the last time we used to tractor just so that wouldn’t happen. Looks like we might need a new alternator… … …

So, it’s shovel time. “Where” did I leave the shovel? Yep, I’m one of those. I get to working on something, set my tools down, then decide it’s too hot to go back to it. I’ve left many a tool leaning up against a tree and ‘lost’ them for months at a time… ….

Found the shovel and started digging out the riding mower. More work than I thought it’d be. It’s too close to a tree, the dogs are ‘trying’ to help and sweat is dripping into my eyes and it’s only 8:30 in the morning…

Decided to strap it out using the Jeep. Hmmm, seems the jeep doesn’t have ‘that’ kind of bumper. Let’s use the ball mount on the truck…. “Oh yeah”. Bought the truck a couple of months ago and haven’t gotten around to getting a trailer hitch installed.

It’s too hot to mow anyhow. Think I’ll save it for another day. Good thing we live in the country!

Tags: too hot to mow
Posted in Ramblings | No Comments »

Tips and Advice for Going to the Countryside

July 26th, 2010

Camping and walking are great activities and are always a satisfaction and peace source. Here you can find some tips to do it with the proper outdoor equipment so you will enjoy the best of Nature.

- First of all do not go alone, it is always better to go with somebody not just for fun but security and safety.
- Resistant and comfortable footwear, such as a pair of Merrell shoes; don’t forget the sunglasses, a hat, a scarf,
- Quality outdoor clothing, it has to be comfortable. Make sure you wear light clothes that can be taken out easily, a warm and insulated jacket and spare socks.
- Carry a small backpack, a knife, a lighter or matches, plastic bags, and toilet paper.
- Take some medicines; don’t forget the sun block cream, the insect repellent and the antibacterial hand gel.
- Do not forget your camera or mobile phone and a GPS if you have one.
- It is really healthy to take some dried fruits; they have a great nutritional value. Dried fruits supply some important nutritional needs such as antioxidants iron, folic acid, fiber and assorted vitamins.
- If you don’t know the area you are going to, take a look at some maps, guides or Google Earth.
- Start the activity with enough time for finishing it before the hot days of summer or the coldest days in winter.
- Do not eat berries, mushrooms or whatever you are not 100% secure it is good to eat.
- Do not empty the trash, return with it in a bag, don’t leave it in the countryside, be ecologic and so the others would do the same.
- Do not light fires unless authorized places on the dates allowed.
- Don’t forget that walking in the countryside can help raise self-esteem and reduce stress so enjoy your break or holiday at the countryside!

Tags: merrell shoes, tips for the countryside
Posted in Ramblings | No Comments »

Oklahoma Fall Hunting Dates

July 26th, 2010

Fall will be here before you know it. Yeah, September one is just a hair’s breath away! Do you know the dates of the different hunting seasons here in Oklahoma?
“““““““““““““““““““““““““““““

September 4 & 5: Free hunting days for Oklahoma residents, a hunting license, legacy permit and HIP permit are not required.

ANTELOPE ARCHERY: Sept. 13-26 (Only in open areas)

BEAR ARCHERY: Oct. 1-22, 2010 (Only in open counties)

BEAR MUZZLELOADER: Oct. 23-31, 2010 (only in open counties)

CROW: Oct. 10 - Nov. 16, 2010 and Dec. 9, 2010 - Mar. 4, 2011; statewide

DOVE: Sept. 1 - Nov. 9 (70-day season) Statewide (excluding southwest zone)
Southwest zone: Will not be announced until August/September.

DEER SEASONS: The archery deer season runs from Oct 1 through Jan 15.
The muzzleloading season opens on the fourth Saturday in October
and runs for nine days. The deer gun season opens the Saturday before Thanksgiving
and runs for 16 days.

ARCHERY: Oct. 1 - 2010-Jan. 15, 2011

MUZZLELOADING: Oct. 23 - 31, 2010 (Antlerless days vary by zone)

GUN: Nov. 20 - Dec. 5, 2010 (Antlerless days vary by zone)

YOUTH DEER GUN: Oct. 15-17, 2010; statewide

HOLIDAY ANTLERLESS DEER GUN SEASON: Dec. 17 - 26 (Open only in certain zones).

Antlerless deer hunting dates for 2010-2011 muzzleloader and modern gun season:

* Zone 1 will be open Nov. 20 and Dec. 5, 2010, of the deer gun season and the limit will be one antlerless deer.
* Zones 2, 7 and 8 will be open Oct. 23 to Oct. 31 (all of muzzleloader) and Nov. 20 to Dec. 5, 2010 (all of gun). The limit will be two antlerless deer during muzzleloader and two antlerless deer during gun season.
* Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 will be open to antlerless hunting Oct. 23 – Oct. 31 (all of muzzleloader) and Nov. 20 – Dec. 5, 2010 (all of gun). The limit will be one antlerless deer during muzzleloader season and one antlerless deer during gun season.
* Zone 10 will be open Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 29-31, 2010 (muzzleloader) and Nov. 20, 27 and Dec. 5, 2009 (gun). The limit will be one antlerless deer during muzzleloader season and one antlerless deer during gun season.

PHEASANT: Dec. 1, 2010 - Jan. 31, 2011 Open only in designated areas

QUAIL: Nov. 13, 2010 - Feb. 15, 2011; statewide (second Sat in November thru Feb 15.)

RABBIT:
* Cottontail & Swamp Oct. 1, 2010 - Mar. 15, 2011; statewide
* Jackrabbit Oct. 1, 2009 - Mar. 15, 2010 (west of I-35 only); no open season on
jackrabbits east of I-35.

SQUIRREL: May 15, 2010 - Jan. 31, 2011; statewide

SEPTEMBER TEAL: Sept. 11-26, 2010; Statewide.

SPECIAL RESIDENT CANADA GOOSE: Sept. 11-20, 2010; Statewide.

TURKEY: Check regulations pertaining to individual counties.

Fall 2010 Season:
* Gun: Oct. 30 - Nov. 19; open only in select counties.
* Archery: Oct 1, 2010 - Jan. 15, 2011; statewide

Tags: oklahoma fall hunting dates
Posted in Ramblings | No Comments »

Out of the Way Places

July 23rd, 2010

Sometimes the fishin’ buddies seem to pick the most out of the way spots. But you know, there’s a reason they do choose the places they do.

Maybe they’ve been there before. Maybe as a kid, maybe last month, but they ‘know’ that there’ll be good fishin’ there as well as no crowds. Maybe the fishing hole was featured on one of the tv fishing shows, or showcased in a magazine, but most of the time, it’s just word of mouth. Someone’s uncle fished here once and caught ‘the’ big one.

There is nothing worse than Oklahoma red dirt and muddy bottom clay sticking to a new pair of white tennis shoes! The ‘person that does the laundry’ would have a stinkin’ fit! So instead of my ‘usual’ white tennis style shoes, this time I chose a new pair of Walking shoes, brown ones. Shoot, with a brown pair, you can just tap off most of the dirt and no one will ever know where you’ve been…

I broke these new walking shoes in walking around at Sams and the electronic store last week, as well as mowing the lawn. The reason being that you should always break in a new pair of shoes before you do any extended walking or hiking in them. You sure don’t want to get blisters when you’re out at the fishin’ hole - the guys would tease ya half to death!

What kind of shoes are they? Hawkshead. Nice manly name and they’re lightweight WITH waterproof construction. The outer parts are breathable suede and mesh upper made for keeping these feet dry and comfortable. Inside there’s a trail sole and absorba-sole insoles for durability & comfort.

As it was, the guys didn’t even notice my new walking (fishing) shoes, but my feet sure appreciated them!

Now, if the guys could just pick a fishing hole that’s NOT two miles off the road!

Tags: walking shoes
Posted in Fishy Stories | No Comments »

Staycationing This Year

July 16th, 2010

It seems that lots of everyday folk are planning on taking a staycation this year. Everyone’s view of a staycation is a little bit different. Their views could be as different as a blow-up pool in the backyard to a cottage holiday.

Seriously. Some folks buy a kiddie pool and sit around outside, drinking kool-aid, lemonade and sweet tea. That’s their idea of a staycation. To others, it’s just a chance to catch up on things around the house.

Some folks even do a marathon of old tv shows.

To other people, staycation means vactioning ‘near’ your home. This could mean renting a houseboat on a lake (not cheap) or renting a cabin in the woods, or at the lake. It might even mean camping in a tent at the local lake, or just visiting the local lake on a daily basis.

The ultimate though would be renting a little cottage or cabin somewhere in your own state that’s a little bit off the beaten path. Somewhere where there are things you enjoy, whether that’s fishing, tubing, snorkeling, or near Shakespeare in the park. There’s a place for everyone, on every kind of budget.

You don’t have to venture far and wide to get away from it all. You can do it near your own home.

Tags: staycation
Posted in Ramblings | No Comments »

Crappie at Hefner

July 15th, 2010

If you can get past the roller bladers, and the runners, you’ll find some good crappie fishing at Lake Hefner. True, the place is packed with young healthy people, running, jogging and skating, not to mention the place is full of sailboats and restaurants dot the shores, you can still find yourself a spot to fish.

Crappie are good there year round and newcomers to this lake should try the rocky area near the dam as well as around the lighthouse area.

Hefner DOES have a daily permit… ($3)

Tags: crappie, lake hefner
Posted in Fishing Tip | No Comments »

Thunderbird

July 14th, 2010

I live a stone’s throw from Lake Thunderbird - it’s a handy fishing spot.

You have your purists who call Thunderbird, Dirty-bird, but that’s Norman’s water supply. It’s really only dirty when the water level is low - most of the time the lake is as blue as any other.

Of course, the blue is from a distance, up close you can see that the water IS murky and dirty. But that just makes it a great lake for crappie!

People are pulling foot long crappie out of T’bird these days.

The docks were a favorite spot for many fisherman but sadly we lost the northern dock area to a tornado earlier in the year. I haven’t been back to that side of the lake yet, but I bet as they rebuild that it’ll return to being a great spot to fish.

Tags: Lake Thunderbird
Posted in Fishing Tip | No Comments »

Creek Fishin’ in Oklahoma

July 13th, 2010

The eastern half of Oklahoma has streams and creeks all over the place. The best thing about these ‘criks’ is the fact that they’re often filled with native fish, particularly the smallmouth bass.

There’s the Illinois of course, but in that same region of the state you might try Flint Creek, Spring Creek, Lee or Little Lee, Sallisaw or Barron Fork (and others).

Down in the Quachita area - try Black Fork, Glover, Eagle Fork, Mountain Fork and the Kiamichi. And don’t forget Pennington that flows into Texoma, there’s a hatchery there and it seems that some fish like to stay close to home.

Make sure you don’t intrude on the landowners, use bridges as your access points.

Posted in Ramblings | No Comments »

Pennsylvania Loans Gear

July 12th, 2010

The kids want to try fishing. But gosh, what will it cost you just to ’see’ if the kids would like it or not?

Folks in Pennsylvania now have an answer to that problem! The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission loans out fishing rods, reels and tackle boxes filled with equipment to anyone who asks.

The 5-year-old Borrow a Rod and Reel Fishing Tackle Loaner Program works like a library. At dozens of loaner sites, anyone — from beginners to those returning to the sport — can simply show ID, fill out a card, borrow the gear and bring it back when they’re finished. Fishing license regulations, seasons and creel limits apply. Equipment can not be reserved.

The loaner program is a partnership of the Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and local sponsors of individual loaner sites. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources helps by providing loaner tackle at many state parks.

As well as loans made to individuals, the equipment can also be borrowed by groups conducting angler education programs. The equipment is purchased by Fish and Boat through its education wing.

In southwest Pennsylvania, loaner sites are located at Keystone State Park in Westmoreland County, Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County, Yellow Creek State Park in Indiana County and Mahoning Creek Lake Park, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project in Armstrong County.

Encouraging new anglers to take that next step to investment in fishing licenses and equipment is an important part of the program.

Tags: loaner program, pennsylvania fish and boat commission
Posted in Fishing Tip | No Comments »