Ducks Unlimited Praises Record Expansion To Wetlands Conservation Program

WASHINGTON - Ducks Unlimited commends President Obama's proposed increase of $10 million to the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), one of the most successful conservation programs in history. The fiscal year 2010 budget request is a nearly 25 percent increase over the FY 2009 request.

"We are very pleased to see the administration recognize the success that NAWCA has had through its 20 year history," said Scott Sutherland, Director of the Governmental Affairs Office for Ducks Unlimited. "The program has conserved more than 23 million acres across North America since 1989, and this increase is acknowledgment of that success."

Sutherland and other Ducks Unlimited staff worked with members of the presidential transition team to identify effective and proven conservation measures, including the NAWCA program.

The budget summary also notes that it is the administration's intent to have NAWCA reach its full funding of $75 million per year by fiscal year 2012.

"This is great news for wetlands and waterfowl habitat, and we look forward to working with Members of the House and Senate towards this goal," said Sutherland.

In addition to wetlands conservation, economic studies have demonstrated NAWCA to spurs the creation of more than 3,700 jobs annually in the United States.

In addition to the increase to NAWCA, the budget proposal includes funding for monitoring and adapting wildlife habitat in the face of climate change and funding for wetlands restoration in Louisiana and along the rest of the Gulf Coast.

With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with more than 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands − nature's most productive ecosystem − and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres important to waterfowl each year.

Press Release found at the Outdoor Wire

The time to get your tickets for the ’09 Gun-a-Week Drawing is NOW!

Next week, Pass It On is going to give away the 1st of 54 guns!

Some lucky winner will win a Franchi Deluxe 48 AL 20 gauge shotgun!

The retail on these, according to the Franchi site is $1,199!

And Pass It On is going to be giving away a gun every week for 50 weeks. And someone is guaranteed to win at least 2 guns as they put all of the winners in a hat at the end and draw for a bonus gun!

Get your ticket TODAY! For a $50 donation, you will get 1 ticket that is entered into each of the 52 weekly drawing. For a $100 donation, you will get 3 tickets!

If you would prefer to use your credit card, just give Mike a call at 316-290-8883. Or you can mail your donation to the address below.

But don’t wait too long…that nice 20 gauge is gonna have a new home next week!

Thanks for supporting Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors!

Mike Christensen
Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc.
310 E 2nd
Wichita, KS 67202
316-290-8883
mchristensen@outdoormentors.org
http://www.outdoormentors.org/

Browning Introduces New Sawtooth Mountain Bags and Salt Creek Waterfowl Bags

Morgan, Utah - Browning's will introduce two new line of hunting bags to give hunters very durable, high quality bags to store and haul their gear in for all types of hunting applications from big game to waterfowl. A Large Duffle, Medium Duffle and small Gear Bag will be offered in both the Sawtooth Mountain bags and Salt Creek Waterfowl bags for 2009.

Browning's new Sawtooth Mountain bags are built to take on rugged country. From the Ballistic Nylon and heavy-duty 900 denier Poly shell fabric, to the oversized zippers, durable molded bottoms and reinforced stress points, these bags are designed to withstand the abuse of traveling to hunting camp. The anvil-style openings on the duffle bag models provide a wide mouth to pack clothing, while the separate bottom compartments are perfect for boots and other gear. The Gear Bag is perfect for knives, flashlights and ammo.

The Large Duffle Sawtooth Mountain bag is 26" L x 16" W x 16" D and features two large side compartments, two compartments under buckle down flap, a large bottom pocket for boots or parkas and hidden pocket for handgun. The Medium Duffle Sawtooth Mountain bag is 18" L x 12 W x 12" D with same pocket configuration as the Large Duffle without the hidden pocket. The Gear Bag is 15" L x 7" W x 7" D and features quick dual-entry top for fast access to ammo or gear. Accessory pocket on end and removable dividers to customize interior are also featured. All Sawtooth Mountain bags will be offered in Mossy Oak® New Break-Up® camo, Suggested Retail, $79.99 - $149.99.

The new Salt Creek Waterfowl Bags are built out of the finest materials to stand up to the harshest conditions waterfowlers experience that includes wear-resistant Ballistic Nylon and heavy-duty 900 denier poly, rust proof pewter zipper pulls, oversized heavy-coil zippers, reinforced stitching, rigid foam liners and molded polymer waterproof bottoms. The Large Duffle Salt Creek Waterfowl bag is 25" L x 13" W x 12" D and features a large outer lid pocket, two end pockets and one rear pocket. The rigid lid has buckle, zippered and magnetic closures for easy access and protection from the elements with shotgun straps and inner and outer pocket on lid.

The Medium Duffle Salt Creek Waterfowl bag is 20" L x 11" W x 10" D and has all the same features as the Large Duffle except the shotgun straps. The Gear Bag in the Salt Creek line is 17" L x 9" W x 7" D and is ideal for the boat or layout blind. The top and side-entry allows quick access to ammo. Collapsible, zippered dividers separate ammo and customize interior. External and internal openings allow access to end shell pockets. All three Salt Creek Waterfowler bags will be offered in Mossy Oak Duck Blind Camo. Suggested Retail, $89.99 - $ 199.99.

Press Release found at the Outdoor Wire

Bass Pro Shops #1 Car To Pay Tribute To Conservation Work Of National Wild Turkey Federation

Springfield, Missouri--The National Wild Turkey Federation's flying turkey logo will appear on the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, Bass Pro Shops sponsored #1 race car, driven by current Nextel and 2-time Busch Series Champion Martin Truex Jr.

Truex, who recently won the pole position and finished 11th in the Daytona 500, will be trying to win the NASCAR Sprint Showdown and earn his way into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race both on May 16th at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bass Pro Shops salute to the NWTF is a part of the Conservation Fund's "Racing for America's Wildlife" program. The program is designed to engage the NASCAR community in conserving America's hunting and fishing heritage through habitat protection, restoration, education, and outreach.

"We are very proud to partner with the NWTF and their work in conservation, helping special needs hunters, getting women involved in the outdoors, and youth education," said Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. "This is our way of thanking the NWTF and their thousands of grassroots volunteers, who are also NASCAR fans, for all they do."

The NWTF is an over 500,000 member conservation organization with chapters across the United States, Canada and 10 other foreign countries. The Federation has worked with its volunteers, partners and wildlife agencies to restore wild turkey populations to 49 states and in parts of Canada.

Bass Pro Shops is a dedicated supporter of NWTF's Women in the Outdoors, JAKES, and Wheelin' Sportsmen outreach programs.

"Bass Pro Shops has been a great partner to the NWTF," stated George C. Thornton, NWTF CEO. "We are very excited about the opportunity Bass Pro Shops and Johnny Morris has given us to have the NWTF logo in front of millions of race fans across the country."

In 2006, Johnny Morris was awarded the NWTF Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award for his dedication to conservation, as well as securing the future of hunting for others. Bass Pro Shops was honored by the NWTF with the 2005 Corporate Achievement Award for their dedication to conservation and the NWTF.

About Bass Pro Shops
Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Bass Pro Shops, also an international catalog and internet retailer, currently has 54 retail locations in 26 states and Canada visited by over 100 million people per year. In addition, Bass Pro Shops, also provides products and services for thousands of independent dealers world wide through its subsidiary company, American Rod & Gun. Bass Pro Shops gift cards can be purchased at over 132,000 retail outlets across America. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog call 1-800-BASS PRO.

Press Release found at The Outdoor Wire

Tales from the Field- The first "BOOM".

I have such vivid memories of walking the fields for pheasants with my father. He would let me walk the edge of North Dakota "coolies" with an old .22, empty of course, but I got to be with dad. As early as five or six, walking with a gun in hand, I got the chance to experience hunting in it's finest form.

However, walking with a .22 and taking the first shot of a 12 ga. Remington 1100 are two totally different things. I still remember the spot where dad let me step out of the truck, take aim, and pull the trigger.

We always took the backroads back to town if we didn't fill our limit in the hopes of catching the late "scraggler" in the wheat fields. Dad had just spotted a couple roosters and had taken a fleating shot as they took off into the early evening sky. Rather than empty the chamber, he allowed me the "opportunity" to shoot his soda can off a nearby fencepost. As I took aim, he helped me steady the long barrel and stepped back.

Now, I would like to say the 3 in. mag. blew the can off the post, but honestly I don't remember. What I do remember is having to pick myself off my backside and dad howling in laughter. I swear it almost took my shoulder off and the gun was lying somewhere next to me. Now that I think about it, that might be the reason I had to have shoulder surgery in my javelin throwing days.

Well, this past Christmas, my brother and his son got the chance to experience the same memory. His son is nine and wanted to experience the thrill of the hunt with dad. His experience had the same outcome and he's now dreaming of the next trip to Grandma and Grandpa's.

It's tough living in the city and not having the same opportunities to give my kids what my father gave to me. The kids are only five, twin two-year olds, and one due in May, so I have a little time to start planning the trips home and giving the kids their first real "BOOM". I'm already laughing thinking about it....

The Fresh Air Fund Program

I received an email from a reader who represents the Fresh Air Fund Program wanting some help spreading the news and wouldn't be a father or outdoorsman if I didn't try to help in some small way. It's all about the getting the kids outdoors.

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations in the country to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities. Each year, thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program or attend one of five Fresh Air Fund camps.

The Fresh Air Fund is now accepting applications for counselors for this coming summer of '09. They hire staff members with a wide range in some pretty amazing fields. They are looking for college-aged men and women who love to work with children. She put together this social media news release which explains it all:

http://freshairfundcounselors.smnr.us/

If you know of someone who might be interested in the program, please contact Sara Wilson.

Amazing...Albino moose!

Just saw these pictures over at HuntingLife and had to share. Thanks for everything Kevin.

Is it a dream?

The definition of success in today's business world has changed. Where it once was profitability, now it's statistics. It brings me back to the "jock days" of old, following the "rankings". I fall asleep each night and wake up each morning excitedly firing up the computer to see the "back end" stats. It really cracks me up. My wife, on the other hand, thinks I've completely lost my mind and is having an online affair with someone. However, she IS pregnant...we can't trust her.

I think I'm looking for small victories to help keep a positive outlook on the situation. Let me explain. First, I've sold more shirts this month to the United Kingdom than the United States. It's a close race however...8-5. Makes it a little tough to feed the family with those numbers. But, I did make five dollars in adsense!!! You know the real funny thing...THAT is exciting. Making money for your family while you sleeep. Did I tell you the wife thinks I'm crazy.

Anyways, to ensure I don't have to move the family to one of my packaging boxes under the "high five" expressway, I have several jobs. To be exact...four. If I count the blog...five. Sleep is overrated and coffee is king. However, lately I've been falling asleep on the couch after dinner. My wife calls me the roommate...she loves me though. I tell her there isn't much room on the bed...she IS pregnant. That doesn't go over real well, but we'll save that blog post for another time. My jobs are the following:

• Only employee of Field Dress
• Personal Trainer
• Landscape Lighting Design (locally)
• Landscape Lighting Design (National/International)
• Blogger

You know about Field Dress, but you didn't know I'm a "muscle head". At least used to be. I graduated from a Big Ten University in exercise physiology, tried to compete in the 1996 Olympics, and personal training paid the bills. I still have a couple doctors and physical therapists that have clients give me a call when safety and fitness are important. I am the only trainer in the gym that shows up in jeans and boots...yup, they know me.

Landscape lighting designer...yes, I am in touch with my feminine side. I used to work for the only international landscape lighting company as their national designer. Traveled the country doing design for the "rich and shameless". Really did enjoy the job, but couldn't keep traveling every week. At the end, I had traveled Mon.-Thurs., 18 out of the last 21 weeks...too much. I wanted to be a husband and father.

Now, I do local design work for one firm and international design work for another. They don't know about each other and think they're the only one in my life. If my wife only reads this line...I'm in BIG trouble. Risky, but I have to pay the bills.

And...The Wild Side. I really don't want to work this hard, but I promised myself I would keep the blog and Field Dress going until I have reached my "statistic" goals. The way I figured it, the last national census stated roughly 50 million people purchased a hunting and/or fishing license, with some cross-over, we'll call it 30 million. I think 10% of those people would like to buy a Field Dress shirt. So according to my goals, I have 29,990,538 unique visitors left to reach. I used to dream big...the olympics and all...now I dream of thousands of page views and unique visitors per day. Did I tell you the wife thinks I'm crazy?

Deer hunters set state record in '08 season

Indiana deer hunters registered a state record by bagging more than 129,000 deer during the 2008 hunting season. The 129,748 total surpassed the previous high mark of 125,526 set in 2005 and represented a 4 percent increase over the 2007 season.

"That's a remarkable increase that reflects the skills possessed by Hoosier hunters," DNR director Robert E. Carter Jr. said. "It's good to see them continue to help manage deer populations while putting food on the table."

The taking of antlerless deer-does and fawns of either sex-played a key role in the sharp increase. The 78,903 antlerless deer that were reported were a single-season record and 5 percent higher than 2007. Antlerless totals exceeded 1,000 deer in 29 counties compared to 25 counties in 2007, and antlerless deer constituted half the total harvest in 88 of 92 counties.

The 2008 antlered total of 50,845 was a 3 percent increase over 2007 and was the third highest on record. Despite bad weather on opening day of the firearm season (Nov. 15-30), that segment still accounted for 67 percent, or 86,454 deer, of the total harvest. That was a 7 percent increase over 2007.

Early archery season (Oct. 1 to Nov. 30) accounted for 20 percent of the total, with 12 percent coming in the muzzleloader season (Dec. 6-21). The youth (Sept. 27-28) and late archery (Dec. 6 to Jan. 4) seasons each accounted for 1 percent of the total.

For the fourth straight year, Steuben County, in the state's northeast corner, was the top county for deer hunting success with 3,672 deer reported, a slight decrease from 2007. Steuben also ranked first in antlered harvest with 1,214 deer. Kosciusko, Noble and Marshall counties ranked 2-3-4, all with record totals above 3,000. Record harvests were established in 33 more counties and tied in one.

It was the fifth straight season in which the total harvest topped 120,000 deer. Approximately 2.59 million deer have been legally taken during the past 57 deer hunting seasons in Indiana.

Press Release provided by The Outdoor Wire

The Facts

I've been divorced for about four years and have a five year old son(call him Ace) with my ex-wife. I fought for more custody when he was a baby and won a significant addition to the tradional "every other weekend" and "Wed. night" routine. I remarried and we have two year twins(we'll call them Duece and Trey) and one(Baby Bean) on the way. Sorry for the brief history, but there is a point.

Ace is a great kid. His mother and I have worked hard to keep him out of our differences. However, when we have Ace, he has to do something extremely unfamiliar...play outside. Ace and I have this little thing we do when the question "Why" comes up and at his age its' extremely often. This is a typical scenerio...
Dad says "Go play outside"
Ace reply "Why"
Dad reply "Because I said so"
Ace says "I want to play with legos in my room"
Dad says "But, YOU do not make the rules. Who makes the rules?"
Ace says "You make the rules"
Dad says "Why"
Ace says "Because you're the big daddy"
There is more to it...hugs, kisses, loves, and a swat on the cheeks before he goes outside, but you get the point. As a parent, you make the rules.

Enough about me...here are the facts we are faced with today.

1. More than a third of American children and adolescents—17 million—are obese or at risk for obesity. Half of overweight children remain overweight as adults.
2. 60% of obese 5- to 10-year-old children already have at least one risk factor for heart disease.
3. The number of kids living with a chronic disease has more than quadrupled since 1960up from 1.8% to nearly 8%.
4. The number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes, including children, has risen at an alarming rate over the past 50 years, from 1.5 million to 17.9 million.
5. A 2003 survey, published in the journal Psychiatric Services, found the rate at which American children are prescribed antidepressants almost doubled in five years.
6. In 1969, 50% of U.S. children walked or biked to school. In 2004, less than 13% did.
7. The area in which children are free to roam has shrunk by 89% in the past 20 years.
8. After 50 years of steady increases, per capita visits to U.S. national parks declined by 25% from 1987 to 2003.
9. Nature-based recreation as a whole has been declining every year since the 1980s, for a total decline of roughly 25%.
10. The U.S. loses one million acres of forest each year. The U.S. Forest Service reports that we have lost 13 million forestland acres since 1992 and estimates that 23 million more will be gone by 2050.

We had better start now or we'll lose the fight...do all you can.

Statistics found at the National Forum on Children and Nature

2008 Top Brands and Products

Southwick Associates has announced the brands and products that hunters and target shooters preferred most in 2008. This list has been compiled from the 24,206 surveys completed by hunters and target shooters last year for HunterSurvey.com and TargetshootingSurvey.com.

In 2008, top brands included:
* Top rifle brand: Remington (18.1% of all purchases)
* Top shotgun brand: Mossberg (29.9% of all purchases)
* Top muzzleloader brand: CVA (40.8% of all purchases)
* Top handgun brand: Smith & Wesson (18.4% of all purchases)
* Top scope for firearms: BSA (16.1% of all purchases)
* Top rifle ammunition brand: Remington (29.9% of all purchases)
* Top shotgun ammunition brand: Winchester (35.7% of all purchases)
* Top handgun ammunition brand: Winchester (26.1% of all purchases)
* Top blackpowder brand: Pyrodex (39.0% of all purchases)
* Top balls, bullets, or shot brand: Powerbelt (34.9% of all purchases)
* Top bow brand: BowTech (22.0% of all purchases)
* Top arrow brand: Easton (40.5% of all purchases)
* Top fletching brand: Bohning (26.3% of all purchases)
* Top broadhead brand: Muzzy (21.5% of all purchases)
* Top game call brand: Primos (35.9% of all purchases)
* Top reloading bullet brand: Hornady (23.0% of all purchases)
* Top reloading powder brand: Hodgdon (33.0% of all purchases)
* Top binocular brand: Bushnell (29.4% of all purchases)
* Top knife brand: Buck (19.8% of all purchases)
* Top shooting target brand: Shoot-N-C (37.7% of all purchases)

Launched in 2006, HunterSurvey.com and TargetshootingSurvey.com help the firearms and outdoor equipment industries, government officials, and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends.

Press Release found at The Outdoor Wire

Tales from the Field- Oh, what a night!

Home sweet home...miss it something terrible. This is a little taste of NW North Dakota...where the Missouri and Yellowstone meet to form the border with Montana. Current is strong and paddlefishing is the sport of choice...at least for about a week (short season). This is a paddlefish in case you're wondering.

My family has been hunting this area since my dad was a young boy, so he introduced my brother and I to the "great outdoors" very early in our lives. I can't remember how old I was this particular evening, but I would guess seven our eight.

I was in a tree-stand that backed up about fifty yards to the water and was surrounded by alfalfa fields and timber. My brother was hunting the edge of the corn field and bordering alfalfa field on the way back to my stand. Dad...who knows...he would drop us off, always in the best stands and I think would go sit with Farmer Don.

Well, this particular evening, something must've been in the air. Both my brother and I, "experienced" well beyond our years of eight and eleven, had my dad scratching his head in amazement when he picked us up.

He pulled up to my stand and found an empty quiver. "What was I shooting at" he asked? "Big buck" was about all I knew. As I got out of my stand, I told dad I "think" I got him and to follow me. As we started walking out into the alfalfa field, my dad kept looking back to the stand...twenty yards, forty yards, sixty yards. Now, I will say I was a pretty good shot, but my old Bear didn't even have a forty yard pin, so dad finally asked. "Did he run this way?" and I replied "No, he was standing out here". Dad couldn't believe it when we finally reached the point where my arrows came crashing down...down perfectly verticle! To this day, I don't know why I had to shoot at that buck. Really can't even call it shooting...I was just raining arrows down around him. I surely knew better, but I had a "clear" shot and maybe it was my first taste of "buck fever".

Well, if that wasn't enough for my pops, we pulled up to get my brother who also had an empty quiver. Dad, asked the question, "Are we tracking?" and my brother replied "yes, sir". Excitedly we started out on the bloodtrail and it didn't take long before we realized my brother had experienced a "brain cramp". We came upon his "trophy" walking ahead looking like a pin pushion. This poor porcupine was my brothers practice target for the evening. Now, I don't consent to mindless killing, however, Wikipedia does define porcupine as "rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators". "Rodent", that makes me feel a little better about the situation. Anyways, if you didn't already know, porcupines have a tough outer shell and the quills make it almost impossible to retrieve an arrow. At least I was able to retreive my arrows I thought.

Now, I can't remember anything my father said that evening, however, there are a few things I do "know".

1. My brother was a real good shot...poor little rodent.
2. I still think I could've made that 100 yard shot...not.
3. Neither ever happened again.

Help Pass It On Create the BUZZ!

The recent press release is starting to get legs as it appeared this morning at The Outdoor Wire and NRA Insights . Also, Mike, director at Pass It On, appeared on the recent HuntCast Podcast with Joe Duckworth.

However, this is a marathon and we need the help of the blogging community to keep it going. There are a lot of different ways you can help, for instance;

1. The easiest, a quick blog or copy the release.
2. Ask your blogging friends to blog about it.
3. Add a link to Pass It On or the Field Dress websites.
4. Pass It On is doing a gun-a-week raffle giveaway...mention that or provide a link.
5. Email Mike Christensen at mchristensen@outdoormentors.org and see if there is something happening in your area.
6. Email Mike and wish him well...a supportive word goes a long way.

Thanks in advance for your help and please let me know if there is something I can do for you.

Chad "Rod McBellanic"

****Just in case you're wondering about the name, it's a combination of my childrens names. We have another "boy" due in May though, so I'm going to have to go through a name conversion!

A new breed of rifle for a new breed of shooter.

North Haven, Connecticut -- O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. raises the stakes with their new 100ATR Night Train II bolt-action rifle. As with its counterpart, the Night Train, this tack-driver is equipped with the new adjustable LBA™ (Lightning Bolt Action) Trigger System and free-floating 22" button-rifled barrel. To further enhance the performance of this well-balanced and fast handling bolt gun, the Night Train II features upgrades including a factory-mounted Barska 6-24 x 60mm variable scope; muzzlebrake; Harris Bipod; and neoprene comb raising kit with foam cheek pad inserts-all factory installed. The integral top-load magazine offers a 4+1 capacity with .308 Win cartridges while providing reliable feeding and simple loading and unloading. Available in black or digital camo, every 100ATR Night Train II is fully factory assembled and includes a free gun lock and two-year limited warranty.

Product Specifications
Action Type: Bolt-Action centerfire
Calibers: .308 Win
Trigger: Lightning Bolt Action™ Trigger System
Stock: Synthetic, black or digital camo
Magazine type: Top load magazine
Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds including one in the chamber
Barrel Length: 22"
Metal Finish: Matte Blue
Optic: Factory-mounted Barska 6-24x60mm variable scope
Avg. Weight: 9.5 lbs.
Origin: Made in the U.S.A
Warranty: 2-year Limited Warranty

Founded in 1919, O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. is the oldest family-owned firearms manufacturer in America, and is the largest pump-action shotgun manufacturer in the world. Leading the way with over 100 design and utility patents to its credit, and standing as the first ISO 9001 certified long-gun manufacturer, Mossberg is considered to be one of the most innovative firearms manufacturers in U.S. history. For more details on the new Mossberg 100ATR Night Train II bolt-action rifles or the complete line of commercial, special purpose, law enforcement and military shotguns, rifles and accessories, please call your local Mossberg dealer or visit us online at http://www.mossberg.com/.

Press release found at The Outdoor Wire

Field Dress™ lends support to Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors Program

WICHITA, KS (February 11, 2009). Today, many children express an interest in outdoor activities, but don’t have the support to help them realize those adventures.

Field Dress LLC has stepped up to help these kids. A portion of the price of every item sold on Field Dress’s website (http://www.fielddressed.com/) will go directly to Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors Program. Field Dress will also be supplying packs for specific Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors Program events. Chad Rodvold of Field Dress stated, "Pass It On- Outdoor Mentors is the ideal platform for Field Dress to continue its’ design ideals of respect and passion for the outdoors. I feel extremely privileged to be a part of such a worthy organization."

The Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors program recruits mentors who will share their love of the outdoors with children who lack opportunities to get outdoors without a mentor showing them the way. Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors was recently endorsed by the National Forum on Children and Nature as one of 30 projects that creatively reconnect kids with nature, benefiting their overall health and appreciation for the great outdoors. “Too many children are spending too little time outdoors,” commented Mike Christensen, President of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. “The generosity shown by Field Dress reflects their commitment to the outdoors…providing not only quality products for those who love the outdoors, but working to make the outdoors accessible for our youth as well. Their assistance through this effort will make it possible for more of our youth to experience the outdoors cherished by Chad and all of his customers.”

For more information about Field Dress, please visit http://www.fielddressed.com/. For more information about Pass It On -- Outdoor Mentors, Inc., please http://www.outdoormentors.org/

Contact:
Mike Christensen
Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, Inc.
310 E 2nd
Wichita, KS 67202
316-290-8883
mchristensen@outdoormentors.org

Traveling Trophies Promote Elk Foundation Habitat Message

MISSOULA, Montana-Massive antlers are a product of age, genetics and habitat. Encouraging habitat stewardship and conservation is the goal of a 2009 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation traveling exhibit of trophy-class elk.

The RMEF Great Elk Tour, themed "Great Elk Need Great Habitat," is appearing across the U.S. at sports and outdoor shows, retail locations, Pro Bull Riders events and more. Continually updated schedules, photos of the mounts and other details are available at http://www.greatelktour.org/.

Sponsors include Blaser, Brunton, Hunter's Specialties, Realtree, Sitka and Trijicon.

The tour features six monster bulls: Arizona-Specimens for 2009 include two bulls from Arizona. One is a unique three-antlered non-typical elk that gross scores 341. Hunter Troy Pfennigs took the bull from the White River area in 2006. The second Arizona bull has typical antlers grossing 402-2/8. P.T. Carter found one of the sheds and then acquired the mate from an antler dealer.

Montana-Two bulls from Montana are included for 2009. The first is a set of non-typical sheds with a gross score of 404-6/8. Kyle Libsack found the sheds last year in Park County. The second Montana elk is a unique winterkill bull found in 2008 by Tom Benedict in southwest Montana. The bull gross scores 311.

North Dakota-This 397-1/8 gross-score bull from Billings County was taken by Terry Doll in 2007. Doll hunted for two months without seeing an elk. His luck changed one evening when this monster stepped out just before sundown.

Wyoming-This 363-1/8 gross non-typical, droptine bull was found dead on the Jackson Hole elk refuge. Wild West Designs purchased the antlers, helping to fund operations for the refuge and local Boy Scout troops.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.5 million acres-a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at http://www.rmef.org/ or 800-CALL ELK.

Press Release found at The Outdoor Wire

2nd Amendment March

Just came across this from the Up North Journal:

Michigan Takes Lead in Organizing National Gun Rights Rally

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb 4, 2009
The Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners (www.mcrgo.org), the largest state-based firearms advocacy group in America, is laying the groundwork for a national rally in Washington D.C. next spring. The Million Gun Owner March will demonstrate broad national support for the recognition--and preservation--of the Second Amendment.

"In the wake of last spring's D.C. vs. Heller U.S. Supreme Court decision which protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for private use and the renewed importance placed on the issue of gun rights across the country, the time is ideal for this historic gathering of gun owners at our national and state capitols," stated State Senator Alan Cropsey (R-DeWitt), a member of the MCRGO Board of Directors.

"Our lawmakers need to understand that America's gun owners come from all races, genders, political viewpoints and economic backgrounds," added Chuck Perricone, MCRGO's Executive Director.

The Million Gun Owner March is the brainchild of Michigan based author and Second Amendment advocate, Skip Coryell (http://www.whitefeatherpress.com/). Mr. Coryell recognized the need to speak up after receiving an e-mail from a distraught woman in Belgium who related the story of a knife attack at a daycare facility in that country following a draconian gun ban that left staff helpless. Many gun owners have expressed fears in recent months that legislation to restrict access to firearms for personal defense may soon be introduced in Congress and state legislatures."

This is the beginning of a period of historic change in our nation's history and it is no time for the timid. This is a time for brave men and women to stand up and be counted. We want our children to inherit the same freedom our forefathers know. Freedom has to be protected or it will fail. We are at a crossroads. The time to act is now," explained Mr. Coryell.

Rock-n-roll legend and Second Amendment activist Ted Nugent reinforced MCRGO's efforts by adding his enthusiastic support for the march: "A Million Gun Owner March on Washington DC in the Spring of 2010 is indeed building much steam across the hinterland. All pro-Second amendment groups must be on board and perfectly coordinated. I would be proud to rally, promote, lead and speak to whatever degree the people so honor me with."

MCRGO is building partnerships with a variety of organizations around the country to plan the Million Gun Owner March in Washington for the spring of 2010. The day long rally will occur simultaneously with events at state capitols all over the United States and in many local communities. People interested in receiving more information about the event and volunteering to be a local organizer can register at http://www.milliongunownermarch.com/ beginning Friday, February 6, 2009. Question regarding the event can be directed to Skip Coryell at skip@milliongunownermarch.com.

"Michigan is enthusiastic about taking the lead role in organizing this march," said State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch), the First Vice Chair of MCRGO. "We have already seen an outpouring of community interest and support for this effort from churches to union halls in every corner of our state. I encourage Michigan gun owners to help make history by offering their help for the Million Gun Owner March."

UPDATE Feb 9, 2009 -- by Skip Coryell
We've been getting lots of feedback on our name “Million Gun Owner March” and we are listening to you and taking your comments and suggestions seriously. Your input is important to us. After all, this is a movement of the people; it doesn't belong to us. It moves and breathes and gets its being from “We the People” who give it life and make it live.

Many of you have expressed concern that the name “Million Gun Owner March” implies that people will be marching on Washington DC fully armed and ready to launch an armed takeover. At first I was skeptical, but then I did an internet search and started reading what people were saying across the other forums, and there is merit to what you're saying. People aren't reading it as “Million Gun Owner March” but as “Million Gun March”.

Also, we are getting a lot of email from people who don't own guns, but still want to support us. They believe in the Second Amendment, but just choose, for a myriad of reasons, not to own them. We respect that and want them to feel welcome here. We need as much support as we can get if we're going to make this march work.

Because of this, we have decided to change our name to “Second Amendment March”. We are still early in this process, so if we're going to change, then now is the time.

Once again, thanks for your input and your support, and welcome to the “Second Amendment March”.

Drumroll Please....New shirts are in!

New Designs....Made in the USA....New Material....Online Now!

Please, all feedback would be greatly appreciated...positive or otherwise.

Thanks,

Field Dress

Tales from the Field- Did you see my buck?

My brother (Fireman T) and I grew up with a bow in our hands. We shot in tournaments, leagues, yards, fields, wherever we could. Fireman T even won three state tournaments in both field archery and 3D. I forget everything I won...you know why, because second "sucks". Always lost to some girl from the big city (Fargo) at the state tournament.

Anyways, I'm getting off point and the point is all we've ever done is archery hunt. In past posts, I've told of our annual hunt with my uncle Bear. Fantastic uncle, but he had a hell of a time shooting ND whitetail. Besides making the shot, he even got handcuffed by the same buck (five-point) on three consecutive hunts. We call him the "phantum five".

Well, he and Fireman T would have all sorts of shooting comptitions and of course the first camp kill trumped all others. T must've been about eleven and was in a stand near uncle Bear. Made the shot on a little rag buck, waited about a half-hour, got out of his stand, and went straight to get Bear. Who just happened to be in a stand in the same direction the buck ran. About the same time Bear spotted the buck, he also spotted the arrow sticking out. As the buck got closer, he considered putting an arrow in him and finishing the job...but, while he was considering, the buck decided to "expire" directly under his tree stand.

Not too long after, T excitely walked up and said to Bear "did you see my buck". But before Bear could respond, T almost tripped over his piled up trophy. Bear did manage to get out a few choice words for T, but we'll keep this family oriented.

Anyways, it's a camp fire classic and only gets better with each passing year. In fact, I'm pretty sure this year, that rag buck will score at least 200 and field dress at 250.

From Champ to Chump

I couldn't call myself an ex-athlete, baseball player, baseball fan, or sports junkie without commenting on Alex Rodriquez. By the way, I just can't bring myself to call anyone A-Rod...its like calling Sean Combs, Puff Daddy. Give me a break, I'm too frickin' old.

There is only one question remaining with the recent ESPN report of Alex's use of steriods. Will he step up to the plate and hit a home run? There's no doubt he used, but so did the majority of major leaguers. It's a hell of a lot more than 15%-20% reported. So, will he do something for the game that is positive? He's not a media darling, huge role model, or philanthopist, so what is he really going to lose? The Hall of Fame? I hate to say it, but ooooh Alex, you've already lost it. No matter how many home runs he ends up with, at the end of his career, the black cloud will loom mightily.

However, he has a way out. Crazy or not, we're an extremely forgiving society. Look at the comeback of Jason Giambi. So in my eyes, the Jerry McGuire wantabee that I am, Alex has a few things to do to save his career.

1. Suck it up, admit it, it was a mistake, and sorry.
2. Do the talk show circuit and give yourself to fighting the prevention of the use of steriods.
3. Write the "tell all book".
4. Keep hitting home runs now that your off the "juice".

Good luck Alex, hope it works out for you and baseball. You already succeeded at one thing...me writing about you sticking a needle in your arse before I tell the world my new designs are in.

National Shooting Sports Foundation to Sponsor NHF Day

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI-The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) founded the National Hunting and Fishing Day concept in 1971 to encourage sportsmen and sportswomen to introduce newcomers to traditional outdoor activities and to celebrate the contributions made by hunters, shooters and anglers to protect wildlife and wild places. Today, 38 years later, NSSF continues to be one of the annual celebration's greatest supporters.

NSSF, the trade association for the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry, has announced major sponsorship for National Hunting and Fishing Day 2009.

"NSSF is proud to continue its longstanding sponsorship of National Hunting and Fishing Day," said Stephen L. Sanetti, NSSF president and CEO. "It's well documented that today's youth are less active outdoors, so we'd like to ask all sportsmen and sportswomen to continue the great NHF Day tradition of introducing newcomers to outdoor activities so that today's youth can discover the joy of time spent in America's woods and fields and on its waters."

This year's NHF Day celebration is set for Saturday, September 26. NSSF's sponsorship supports Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo., the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The museum directs national programs and campaigns to build public awareness of the connections between hunting, angling and conservation.

"Through licenses, permits and special taxes, hunters and anglers generate $100,000 every 30 minutes-totaling more than $1.75 billion per year-for fish, wildlife and habitat. No one contributes more for conservation," said Denise Wagner of Wonders of Wildlife.

At NSSF's urging, Congress established National Hunting and Fishing Day to recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation. Every U.S. President from Richard M. Nixon to George W. Bush, as well as numerous governors and mayors, have issued formal proclamations commemorating the day.

Rising country music star Luke Bryan is the honorary chairman for NHF Day 2009. The growing list of sponsors for National Hunting and Fishing Day includes Wonders of Wildlife, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, The Sportsman Channel, Realtree, GunBroker.com, Hunting Heritage Trust, Cabela's, Boone and Crockett Club, Smith & Wesson, Field & Stream/Outdoor Life, Woolrich, Yamaha, Safari Club International and SCI Foundation. For more information, visit www.nhfday.org.

Press release found at The Outdoor Wire

Online Scams - The affect on ecommerce.

They magically appear in your inbox every week and it is urgent you reply. Everyone of them has the similar pitch to the guy at the gas station. You know the guy. The one that ran out of gas, lives across town, car is just a few blocks away, would really appreciate a couple of bucks for a bus ride home, no job junkie. Yeh, maybe a little harsh, but they're not going to get any simpathy here. NOW, my wife on the other hand is a saint and wants to give everything away, but that is for another post.

Anyways, some examples are the following.
The Nigerian Loan Scam
You receive an unsolicited message that masquerades as some manner of business proposition, request for assistance, notice of a potential inheritance, or opportunity to help a charity. In fact, there is a seemingly endless array of cover stories that the scammers use in order to draw potential victims into the con. In spite of this diversity, virtually all of the scam messages share a common theme. The messages all claim that your help is needed to access a large sum of money, usually many millions of dollars. That is the hook - the messages offer to let you keep a significant percentage of the funds in question in exchange for your assistance. This percentage is the bait that the scammers use to entice potential victims deeper into the scam. Once a recipient has taken the bait, and initiated a dialogue with the scammers, he or she will soon receive requests for "fees" that the scammer claims are necessary for processing costs, tax and legal fees, or bribes to local officials. You get the point..."BS".

Google AdWords Phishing Scam
This unsolicited email claims to be from Google AdWords. Google AdWords provide an easy method for people to place advertisements on the Google network via an online submission system. According to the message, the recipient's payment for ads was unsuccessful and current ads will be suspended if payment details are not quickly updated. The email instructs the recipient to click a link to sign in to his or her AdWords account and update payment information.However, the email is not from Google AdWords and is designed to steal personal and financial information from AdWords customers. More "BS".

PayPal New Security Messsage Phishing Scam
The emails simply state that the recipient has "(1) security message waiting". The recipient is instructed to click a link, retrieve the security message and "resolve the problem". Those who click links in such emails will be taken to a bogus PayPal login webpage designed to closely resemble the genuine PayPal website. If a victim logs in to the bogus site, the criminals responsible for the scam can harvest his or her login credentials. And still more "BS".

Here is my most recent email scam attempt
You're invited to:YOUR FUND
By your host:Office Document
Date:vrijdag 23 januari 2009
Time:10:00 - 11:00 (GMT +00:00)
Location:DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOREIGN REMITTANCE DIVISION ATM AND CHEQUE INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC BENIN WEST AFRICA Attn Beneficiary,This is to notify you that after the meeting held on 4th of jenuary 2009. His Exelence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN DR YAYI BONI. has Instructed this Department to send your funds through western union money transfer for easier receive of your inherited funds without any further delay.. to avoid paying money to the fraud stars that is going on through out the World now, we have arranged your payment of ($1.millions) one millions united state dollars, in cheque, to be sent to you through western union money transfer payment: Your payment will be sending to you by western union, the amount you will receive per day is $5000,The minister trust funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently standards track details you need to pick up your ($5000) payment by western union,you will receive every day till yo u recei ve the $1 millions united state dollars, now, no need to send you this cheque or atm card because may be it will expire before it will reach your hand,The director administractor trust funds have already signed your payment, now you are free to comply with wemaco payment office on this email: (www.western_union_customer_department@live.fr) However, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your payment by western union. per day $5000 Mr SAM HARRY, western union department Financial Bank Benin,Mobile:+229 97502564 E-mail: (www.western_union_customer_department@live.fr) The financial western union payment canter has been mandated to issue out your payment and you have to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment.Therefore the only fee you have to pay them is $150 usd that they will use to renewing of your file. Note that the administrator payment need this details from you to process your paymen t:Your name, Address, Tel, Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to SAM HARRY he will start sending your payment by western union Regards to you and your family. Will you attend? RSVP Here (link)

And there are hundreds, if not thousands more. Just remember several things:

1. Stop and think. Nothing is free.
2. Access your original account...NOT THROUGH THE EMAIL.
3. Again, stop and think. If you're really questioning it, google some key words of the email. It'll clear it up for you.

Alright, so how does this affect ecommerce. FEAR. I can't tell you how many orders I have lost because my payment merchant is Paypal. For the record, in all the countless orders, we haven't had a single issue with Paypal and they are the most reasonable with merchant fees and charges. Still, on a monthly basis, I will receive an email asking for "other payment arrangements" or worse, lecturing me on "wasting their time for not notifying them earlier in the buying process that I use Paypal." And it wasn't a waste of time to send me the email! People really crack me up sometimes.

So, what is the solution? I have no idea, but I do know I won't be "clicking" or "reaching" into my accounts or pockets for "loose change".

Colorado Eight-Point Three-Legged Bull

Nice 6X6 he filmed days later

This is a story from the '08 Colorado Archery Elk Season I had written for a few of my blogging friends before the launch of The Wild Side. I enjoy it so much, I had to post it for myself.

Every year my father, uncle, brother and I get together for a week of non-stop bowhunting in either Colorado, for elk, or North Dakota, for whitetail. This year is like no other, as everyone had a tough year financially and we decided we’ll have to wait until next year to get together. My uncle’s son, however, finally decided he would like to take up bowhunting and drew both elk and mule deer tags. In previous years, he would always join us in the woods, but he never had the passion for the actual “hunt”. He has been calling me every evening to not only rub it in, but mostly to get advice and tell me about the happenings. The story he told me the other night was one we’ll be telling around the campfire for years to come.

He scouted pretty well and had been seeing quite a few cows and a couple monster mule deer on a consistent basis. In the morning hunt, he glassed the area they’ve been in and the valley was alive with activity. The mule deer bucks, herd of cows, and a couple rag horned elk were out. A friend came up the night before and the two devised the route to take. They had radios, a perfect wind, and my cousin set out on his first true stalk.

He decided to go after the rag-horned elk, as they were preoccupied with each other in a morning scrap. It didn’t take him long to get within sixty yards. He feels extremely confident shooting within forty yards and as he stopped to figure out the plan, he heard the familiar "crack" to his left.

Now, the rest might be hard for some to believe, but let me tell you, the boy doesn’t have it in him to lie. He looked down the ridge and there was the grand-daddy bull elk standing forty-yards away through the pines. He set up just in front of a pine and some brush preparing for the shot. He couldn’t tell how big, but could see a mass of horns walking directly to him. As the bull came through the pines into clear view, he counted eight points on one side and as he described it, “horns going every direction” on the other. He also noticed the bull had a limp and realized one of his back legs had been shot off just above the knee. An eight by (?), three-legged monster bull elk on his first elk hunt.

The wind was perfect, blowing directly in his face and the adrenaline was kicking in as the bull kept walking to within twenty yards. Never offering a broadside shot, the bull kept coming to ten yards. At fifteen-feet, the bull stopped to relieve himself and my cousin swore he felt the spray on his face. He absolutely had no idea what to do with a bull that close and continuing to get closer and closer. My cousin was slightly above him, as the bull had been walking up the ridge and fifteen-feet quickly became five-feet and then TWO-FEET. My cousin closed his eyes to try and calm down and when he opened them all he saw were horns surrounding his body. The bull had put his head down to feed and had he turned his head would’ve hit my cousin for sure. Being an agile young man, he slowly contorted to draw his bow, never realizing if he actually would extend his arm he would hit the bull directly in the forehead with the end of his arrow. As the monster grand-daddy lifted his head, they met eyes and I’m sure they both “shat” themselves.

I can’t imagine the feeling of looking into the eyes of such a majestic animal at that distance. In a moment the three-legged eight-point grand-daddy monster bull was gone and my cousin was left standing to wonder what he could’ve done. To me, it doesn’t really matter. He might not ever harvest the biggest bull in our camp, but he’ll always be able to keep us captivated with the best elk hunt story around our campfire.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Set to "Reload Nebraska"

Grand Island, Nebraska - Nebraska Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) will unveil an ambitious new campaign to restore the state's pheasant and quail populations at the Nebraska PF/QF State Habitat Meeting on Saturday, February 7th at the Midtown Holiday Inn in Grand Island. University of Nebraska Athletic Director and pheasant hunter Tom Osborne will help make the "Reload Nebraska" introduction and announcement.

Reload Nebraska is a campaign outlining a four-year statewide plan to increase pheasant and quail numbers in Nebraska. The plan adopts an aggressive strategy for improving available wildlife habitat; establishing new, high quality nesting cover and brood-rearing habitat; expanding wildlife habitat delivery systems and offering increased habitat education and training for landowners. The goal of Reload Nebraska is to raise $20 million to establish and improve 1.1 million acres of wildlife habitat on private and public land in the state. Osborne, along with staff from Pheasants Forever, will make the "Reload Nebraska" announcement at 9 AM.

"Wildlife numbers and habitat in Nebraska face significant challenges in the very near future. When confronted with increasing land values, decreasing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres, decreasing numbers of hunters and a faltering economy, the need for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever has never been greater," said Pete Berthelsen, PF/QF Senior Field Coordinator, "By facing these challenges with a specific, strategic plan, we can have a significant impact on pheasant and quail populations in the state both today and for the future."

The Nebraska PF/QF State Habitat Meeting is open to anyone interested in attending. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members, chapter officers, landowners, resource professionals and wildlife students will all find interesting and informative sessions to attend. Registration includes a noon meal and access to more than 25 presentations on various topics including: Pheasant, quail and prairie grouse management techniques, hunting dog health & care, wildlife photography and more. The meeting will also feature a Landowner Help Desk where you can talk to PF/QF biologists about how to improve your land for habitat. The Nebraska PF/QF Statewide Banquet will follow the meeting that evening. To register for the Nebraska PF/QF State Habitat Meeting and the Statewide Banquet, log onto http://www.nebraskapf.com/ or call (308)428-3062.

In 2008, Nebraska's 64 PF/QF chapters and 11,000 members spent over $2.6 million, which translated into 4,912 wildlife habitat projects benefitting 322,966 acres. This included 3,656 nesting cover projects totaling 149,345 acres; 891 food plots totaling 8,149 acres; 365 projects that planted 134,642 trees and shrubs. Historically,Nebraska's PF/QF chapters have spent over $23.2 million to complete 74,682 projects which have benefitted over 2.5 million acres for pheasants, quail and other wildlife.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

Press Release found on the Outdoor Wire

Tails from the Field...treasure hunting.

Ever since I can remember, my father has his annual week long hunt. He, my uncle BEAR, and his buddy Dave would either hunt North Dakota or Colorado. Alternating yearly, in ND they would camp at an hundred year-old farmstead and wake-up ten minutes from the tree stands.

I would only be able to come out on weekends, but would definitely make up for lost time. A thousand questions and go, go , go. Sometimes I don't know how they put up with it, but now that I'm a father I'm starting to understand. This particular memory, I was roughly seven. Most days were full of either hunting or shooting. Typically, a day at camp looked like this:

• Morning deer hunt
• Tracking...if not tracking, story telling
• Pheasant hunt on way back to camp
• Breakfast at camp
• Shoot to see who does dishes
• Hunt pheasant, grouse, and partridge all afternoon
• Clean-up for evening hunt
• Get in the tree-stands
• Tracking
• Story telling
• Dinner, drinking, and sleep

They were really amazing. It was a rare occasion when we stayed at camp for the afternoon nap, but when they did, the door was wide open to all the outdoors had to offer. Hours of unadulterated exploring. The farmstead opened a kids mind to all sorts of possibilities. It looked a lot like "Little House on the Prairie", but I would make it "The Outlaw Josey Wales" with all the indians and outlaws. Anyways, leave a kid alone in a house long enough and he will find everything you have misplaced or hidden.

I'm sure I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but under an old bedspring was a loose board. I moved it and revealed a "treasure chest". Maybe it was an old tin cigar box, but either way it was full of treasures. Letters from WWII, a war medal, stamps, football cards, and even a few coins. I thought the letters were the coolest, but it made my dad a little uneasy. I read all of them before I went back to camp because I knew he would say it wasn't my property or business reading someone else's letters. My first question was "Dad, what is poontang". Apparently, it was some kind of "juice" this particular soldier missed terribly.

Now the crazy thing was the football cards were dated 1900-1910 and in great condition. Also, several stamps were worth a few bucks at the time. Everyone knew to keep them because "it's going to be worth something someday". The problem was they left them in the hands of me. I hid them in the house so well that for years when I would return after college, I would seach for my "treasures".

My parents sold the house and about everything in it some years ago. I guess its meant to be that way...treasures for someone else to find. BUT DAMN...those cards have to be worth something.