|
|
|
Backwoods Bound Bullet Volume 12 - Issue 7
|
|
Welcome to the July 2011 issue of The Bullet. As I sat at my desk trying to come up with some of my usual dribble I spew forth each month nothing came to mind. I was thinking of writing about all of the fun and adventure that we can have this month but each time I tried to write something it just didn’t materialize. My thoughts kept going back to all of those people battling floods, wild fires and drought. Their summer isn’t any fun. They can’t pack up the family truckster and head to Disney World or the Grand Canyon. So I didn’t think it fair to ramble on about summer vacations. So if you can help someone in need this summer then by all means do so in between the camping, fishing, boating and mowing the grass. Of course all of this is my opinion. I could be wrong. Have fun and stay safe!
I was asked recently why do use a lot of articles and press releases from Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma and my answer was they have a lot of great information on a wide range of subjects that just about everyone around the country can use at some point during the year. And we have another one from the great folks of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission this month about the subject of mowing our fields and how it impacts wildlife. It’s a good read for all who own farm property not used for row crops.
Enough said so let’s get to it. Enjoy issue one hundred and thirty of The Backwoods Bound Bullet. Until next month, J. E. Burns - editor-in-chief.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
In this issue:
~ Backwoods Trivia ~ Recipe: Cocktail Bluegill ~ Article: Recreational Mowing - What Are The Wildlife Costs? ~ Article: JD And That Ignorant Schneider ~ Recipe: Deer Yummy Burgers ~ What's New ~ Recipe: Squirrel Sloppy Joes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
BACKWOODS TRIVIA: Here is this month’s question. It comes from Tine Lansing. See if you know it.
"Oklahoma is nicknamed the ‘Sooner State’. Why?"
Find the answer at the end of this newsletter. Send your trivia questions to mail@backwoodsbound.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
** 7 - 11 SALE ** Since July is the seventh month of the year 2011, we are having a 7-11 sale in its honor!
So now thru July 31, 2011 take 10% OFF your order*. Just insert coupon code: 7-11sale during the checkout process. It’s that easy!
10% OFF thru the end of July, don’t miss out! Go to www.backwoodsbound.com/catalog.html and start shopping! Coupon code: 7-11sale
*Regular shipping charges apply. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
RECIPE: COCKTAIL BLUEGILL
~ 2 lbs bluegill fillets, cut larger fillets into 1” wide strips ~ 2 tbsp Zatarain’s liquid crab boil seasoning or your favorite shrimp boil ~ 4 quarts water ~ cocktail sauce
* In a large pot, bring the water and the Zatarain’s to a rolling boil.
* Drop in the fish pieces.
* Cover and turn off heat.
* Let stand for 2 – 4 minutes.
* Remove the fish with a slotted spoon and drain.
* Serve warm or allow to cool in refrigerator.
* Enjoy with cocktail sauce
Our thanks to Sheila Burkeen for sending in this recipe. For more great fish recipes our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/zfish.html. Send in your favorite recipe to mail@backwoodsbound.com and we'll post it on the site or use it in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
** KAREN'S KREATIONS ** Hillbilly Themed Wine Charms are just $2.09 each during July. That’s a 30% savings!
Everything else is 25% OFF this month!
Remember that any of our designs can be made into earrings so visit our web site at www.karensglabels.com to browse our collections.
Take advantage of these savings now as the sale ends July 31, 2011. Visit our site at: www.karensglabels.com or e-mail us at karen@karensglabels.com with questions or comments.
Keep up to date with all of our specials by signing up for our free newsletter! And be sure to follow us on Facebook, karen@karensglabels.com, to get the latest news and designs!
"Because no wine glass should ever be naked!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
ARTICLE: RECREATIONAL MOWING – WHAT ARE THE WILDLIFE COSTS?
  LITTLE ROCK – Spring and summer brings a bounty of vegetation valuable to wildlife to Arkansas. Native grasses, wild flowers, green briar, blackberries and a host of other plants that help wildlife may be found in old pastures, odd areas, ditch banks, pond edges, field borders or abandoned fields on private property across the state.
  However, on many properties, mowing has developed into an annual spring and summer activity without much thought of the cost to healthy wildlife populations. Mowing during the primary nesting season comes at a high cost to wildlife population recruitment, not to mention the great expenses of time and money to land managers. As vegetation grows in spring and summer and attracts wildlife, young rabbits are found in their nests, turkey and quail are sitting on their eggs or a recently dropped fawn is provided protection from predators by the vegetative cover.
  Arkansas Game and Fish Commission personnel receive reports from landowners every year telling of the destruction of a turkey or quail nest, or running over fawns while bush-hogging areas. These are the known mortalities; far, more wildlife is destroyed than the tractor driver ever sees.
  To protect nesting wildlife, restrict mowing during the primary nesting season which is April 1-July 15 in Arkansas. Delaying mowing into August is even better to protect any late-nesting or re-nesting wildlife.
  According to AGFC Private Lands Coordinator David Long, the notion that a field is unkempt if it is allowed to grow up continues to cause landowners to sometimes bow to pressure.
  "For whatever the reason a landowner mows, mowing during this part of the wildlife nesting and production year results in lower wildlife populations throughout the year," Long said.
  Without disturbance, even the best open-land habitat can revert to thick, young forest in a matter of 5-10 years, sometimes sooner. However, disturbances such as prescribed burning, strip disking or herbicide treatment can maintain these open areas for their benefits to early successional wildlife species. These practices are best to conduct before April 1 and after July 15 or later, depending on the specific practice, Long said. "These practices offer an alternative to mowing and the opportunity for premium future nesting cover and escape cover, along with additional food sources for wildlife."
  For the landowner whose only option is mowing, strip mowing versus whole field mowing can be used outside primary nesting season, although the wildlife benefits are not nearly as high as prescribed burning, disking or herbicide practices. Mow a third to half the field each year and let the other half to two-thirds grow. Mow a 50-foot strip, skip the next 50-100 feet, and mow another strip, using this alternating mow/skip method across the entire field. Wider strips may be used with larger fields.
  If you have major problems with invasive woody species, mowing just makes most tree or shrub seedlings grow more through increased spouting. Spot spraying with the appropriate herbicide is the best treatment to control woody invasion. Mowing most woody species does not kill the plants and they remain a problem you will have to address the next year, usually with more woody sprouts to deal with. For the landowner interested in managing for wildlife, leaving scattered fruit- and seed-bearing shrubs or trees can provide additional food sources for wildlife.
  Landowners who must mow during the nesting season should mow from the middle of the field outward, which will at least allow many adult or young of the year wildlife to escape the mower blades and tractor wheels.
  Consider evaluating your reason for mowing and consider other alternatives to managing your property to benefit wildlife. Deer, turkey, quail, grassland songbirds, rabbits and numerous other species will increase on your property if you protect their nesting areas. Better yet, try one of the alternative practices to provide even greater wildlife benefits. Contact an AGFC private lands biologist for additional information on the safe and proper implementation of these practices.
  For the latest in Arkansas Game and Fish Commission information go to www.agfc.com or
call the Wildlife Information Hotline, 800-440-1477.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
FUN FACTS:   The patriotic poem "America the Beautiful" was published on July 4, 1895 by Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates. The national anthem of the United States, the "Star-Spangled Banner," is set to the tune of an English drinking song, "To Anacreon in Heaven".
Send your Fun Facts to mail@backwoodsbound.com. For more Fun Facts visit www.backwoodsbound.com/funfacts.html.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
RECOMMEND AND VOTE FOR THE BULLET
Tell a friend about The Bullet. Just go to: www.ezinefinder.com/rec.html?ez=backwo and follow the instructions. It’s free and easy!
To vote for The Bullet follow this link: www.ezinefinder.com/backwo-vote.html.html.
Thanks for your help. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
FISHIN' TIP: "When fishing with crickets, buy them a couple of days ahead of time and feed them slices of orange. It will give them a better smell and taste for bream (bluegill) fishing." - Jake
Send your tips to: mail@backwoodsbound.com and we’ll post them on the site or use them in a future issue of The Bullet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
** AFTER THE SHOT TROPHY PLAQUES ** SALE! – SALE! – SALE! – SALE! – SALE! In honor of July 2011 we are having a 7-11 sale! Take 10% OFF your order thru July 31, 2011. Insert coupon code: 7-11sale during the checkout process. Regular shipping charges apply.
Our handcrafted plaques are made from solid oak not plywood or particle board giving your trophy a solid base to anchor to. Each plaque comes with a wall hanger(s) installed and the Picture Plaques come with glass and picture backing for your 4” x 6” photo.
No matter what type of trophy you want to display, Backwoods Bound has a plaque to fill your needs. So don’t settle for an ordinary looking plaque hanging on your wall! Go one better and order your AFTER THE SHOT Trophy Plaque today. Prices start at $26.95. Don’t wait, order today!
"It only takes a little more to go first class."
Visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/ats.html for photos and information on how to order your plaque. Order with our secure on-line ordering system and pay with confidence using Paypal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
INTERESTING QUOTE: "Never argue with a stupid person for they will only bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience." Sent in by Chuckie Roberts
If you’ve seen or heard an interesting or humorous quote send it in and we'll post it next month. Send them to: mail@backwoodsbound.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
ARTICLE: JD AND THAT IGNORANT SCHNEIDER
  Dear Friends,
  This is a true story. The names have been changed to protect the stupid. This took place at our old Washes Lodge in Mississippi and we are letting the cat out of the bag now. Want to be a hunting guide, think about it? The pleasures of being in the hunting business.
  Your Friends,
  Charlie Provost and Ross McGehee
  www.provostadventures.com
  JD got his stomach stapled shut. Not all the way but mostly shut. The gang at the hunting camp didn’t know whether to send a get-well card or a thank you note. A few did call to check on him after the surgery and That Ignorant Schneider gave him a ride home from the hospital. Some of the guys ran his crawfish traps for him for a couple of weeks and others went to south Louisiana to cut the limbs out of his yard when Hurricane Rita trashed the place and he was still laid up from having his “apron” removed. He’s recovered now and we’re glad. He had already caused us to build a new camp. But if he hadn’t had the surgery, we’d have had to replace bunkhouses, deer stands, and who knows what else!
  Don’t get the wrong impression. JD is a large-framed man. He is a good friend and there is no attempt being made to exploit his size. He laughs harder at all of this than any of the rest of us. That’s because he faces everything straight on, calls it like he sees it, and lets the rough side drag.
  JD has hunted with us for close to 20 years. His alter ego is “That Ignorant” Schneider, whose first name we can’t remember mainly because JD has given him a nickname that fits better than any Christian name could. They have had an ongoing prank war for years and it’s a wonder that they still speak let alone ride back and forth together to Mississippi to hunt. Of course, they can’t wait to get home after a hunt to tell their buddies what happened to each other at the camp.
  It bears mentioning that the old hunting camp was just that: old. Four-room frame house, fireplace, add-on bathroom, add-on kitchen, and if the termites ever quit holding hands, the place was going to collapse. But the roof didn’t leak and the plumbing worked. The floors had a little “give” under a load and you’d notice that the chair you where sitting in leaned a little when someone walked past. You didn’t jump out of the top bunk in the front bedroom because you may not have stopped at the floor. The chimney leaned away from the living area and you could see the trucks going to the back yard by looking at them through the back of the fireplace! So it comes as no real surprise that a big man like JD would create some problems with the structure.
  The first time we had a structural situation was when JD arrived to hunt turkeys. That Ignorant Schneider had already backed over the water hydrant in the yard at nine o’clock on a Saturday night so we were out of water and couldn’t fix the problem until Monday, without creative engineering.
  JD was still chewing on him for that when they went to bed. That Ignorant Schneider was on the top bunk and JD just collapsed into the bottom bunk. Gus and I were still in the kitchen and heard the crash. Actually, it was more like a whack-woomp-woomp, followed by LOTS of screaming! We raced in to see what the heck had happened and tried real hard not to laugh at the scene. JD had apparently fallen into bed. It should come as no surprise that the bed had fallen with JD. Subsequently, the top bunk lost all support since the bottom bunk was missing. That Ignorant Schneider lost altitude instantly. He and the top bunk fell on top of JD. Each bunkmate was screaming at the other as they tried to untangle from sleeping bags and lumber. There were no serious injuries but it took a while for things to settle down that night after throwing all the splinters in the fireplace. A year later, they were still accusing each other of sabotage.
  The next incident occurred when we had a house full of deer hunters. We had nine guys and one bathroom so everyone was taking their turn getting a shower before bedtime. JD was third in line. All the other folks were visiting around the dining-room table when he closed the bathroom door. Almost immediately, we heard a familiar sound of something breaking and JD calling for help.
  Now I should probably ask, “What would you do?” There’s a guy that weighs over 400 pounds in the bathroom and he’s requesting your presence. Do you REALLY want to go in there? Not on a bet! So someone stood at the door and divined that JD had fallen and needed help getting up. This is something that we usually don’t mind helping with although there is no merit-badge to go along with it. However, under the circumstances we thought we’d get additional information, through the closed door. No, he wasn’t dressed. Problem! Back and forth it went. How did he fall? Off the toilet? No, with the toilet. What does that mean? How does a toilet fall? Well, it didn’t really fall. So what’s going on in there? As usual, That Ignorant Schneider could not resist the opportunity to have the goods on JD so he cast aside the small measure of better judgment that he had and waded in.
  Years of a slow leak under the toilet had sufficiently saturated the floor but not where it could be seen. Drop 400 plus pounds on it and the toilet goes right on through the floor. Whoever happens to be the hapless victim is left wallowing in a corner where they can’t grab anything to pull themselves up! It ain’t a pretty picture! Suddenly we were out of restroom facilities for the weekend and someone’s pride and dignity had been injured. It’s a pretty sobering situation. Do you think for a minute that any of that kept the entire group from falling out laughing? Are you kidding me?
  There was also the time that JD “fell out” one evening. He was unresponsive so an ambulance was summoned. The little dinky gurneys are no match for JD and we couldn’t get him out of the house on one. Somebody grabbed a screwdriver and popped the hinge pins from the kitchen door and we rolled JD onto that. Everybody grabbed a hold and lifted. We were doing real well until it came time to go down the front steps into the yard. That Ignorant Schneider was in the front and as all of JD’s weight shifted he got weak and dropped his load. The whole gang followed the door down the steps and the entire group landed on top of That Ignorant Schneider! For a minute it looked like we were going to have to call a second ambulance. Turns out that JD had a blood sugar imbalance. We lost a kitchen door in that deal.
  The final straw was when the camp caught on fire. JD and That Ignorant Schneider had been in for the weekend to turkey hunt. They checked themselves out about nine in the morning and went back to south Louisiana. About ten I came by to lock up and when I opened the back door I was hit by a wall of smoke! After they had left, a log had rolled out of the fireplace onto the living room floor. The floor was already mostly gone and still smoldering. A chainsaw was snatched from the back of the truck and the fire was headed off by cutting the rest of the floor out. It saved the house but now we had no floor in the front room. That was interesting to repair.
  So I can’t say that JD is the reason we built a new camp. Not entirely. And he did bring his friends up to help with the project. They were good help too. His buddy Frank stood flat-footed and held a nail gun over his head to nail the entire ceiling up. That is a big man! We put a concrete slab down this time. We also put in a kitchen that JD could have room to work in. He is a Cajun chef second to none and spoils us with his cooking.
  But I do have to wonder: What are JD and That Ignorant Schneider going to get into next time?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
RECIPE: DEER YUMMY BURGERS
~ 2 lbs deer burger (ground deer) ~ 4 – 5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce ~ 2 eggs, beaten ~ 20 – 30 Ritz crackers, crushed
* Crumble the deer in a mixing bowl. Mix in the Worcester sauce.
* Let stand in refrigerator for 20 – 30 minutes.
* Mix in the beaten eggs and the cracker crumbs.
* Pat into burger size patties.
* Grill over medium heat or fry with a little oil to your desired doneness. Medium to medium-well is recommended.
* Serve with your favorite burger fixings.
* Enjoy.
Thanks to Lanelle Belongia for sending this recipe in time for grilling season. For more delicious deer recipes to try, visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/zdeer.html.
Remember to send your favorite recipe to mail@backwoodsbound.com. We'll post it on the site or use it in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
HUNTIN' TIP: "To help keep the hair off a squirrel while skinning it, wet the fur down first." Thanks to Cody for sending in this tip.
Send your tips to: mail@backwoodsbound.com and we’ll post them on the site or use them in a future issue of The Bullet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
** ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE HERE! **
Over 3,700 potential customers could be reading YOUR ad right now instead of ours!
Place your ad here for $8.00 a month! Discount rates for multiple issues.
For more details, visit our site at: www.backwoodsbound.com/advertise.html. Or e-mail us at: editor@backwoodsbound.com.
Deer season is fast approaching so place your ad now! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
** AFTER THE SHOT TROPHY TAGS ** Now you can add all the information about your trophy with our NEW metal placards! Made from brass with black lettering, they will add that final touch to your After The Shot Trophy Plaque.
Now thru July 31st take 10% OFF! Just use coupon code: 7-11sale during check out.
Offered in two sizes; 1 1/4" x 3 1/4" with three lines of text or 1" x 3" with two lines of text. They are easy to install. No holes to drill or nails to drive, they just stick on! Go to www.backwoodsbound.com/ats.html for ordering information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
WHAT'S NEW
This month we are offering 10% off all orders in honor of July being the seventh month of the year. That makes it a 7-11 sale. It’s easy to get your discount. Just use coupon code 7-11sale during our secure check-out process. The discount applies to the cost of merchandise. Regular shipping charges apply.
We need new pictures for our Candid CamShots feature. So send in any you have and send them soon! In the meantime check out the latest Candid CamShot at www.backwoodsbound.com/funphotos2.html.
We also need your hunting and fishing stories for upcoming issues of The Bullet. They don’t have to be long or professionally written. Just tell it in your own words and send it in. Send them to mail@backwoodsbound.com. As always keep your tips, recipes, photos, stories, etc. rolling in! Send them to mail@backwoodsbound.com. Thanks!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
RECIPE: SQUIRREL SLOPPY JOES
~ 24 squirrel legs ~ 1 medium onion, sliced ~ 1 can Manwich Bold sauce ~ sliced Swiss cheese
* Place the legs and onion slices in a crockpot or soup pot. Cover with water.
* Cook until the meat starts to fall off the bone.
* Remove the legs and allow to cool.
* Debone the meat and shred into smaller pieces.
* Place the meat in a pan and add the Manwich sauce. Mix well.
* Heat until warmed through.
* Serve on buns topped with Swiss cheese.
* Enjoy.
Thanks again to Glenn Starkey for another great recipe. To see more squirrel recipes visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/zsquir.html.
Send your favorite recipe to mail@backwoodsbound.com and we'll post it on the site or use it in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
ANSWER TO BACKWOODS TRIVIA: Oklahoma earned its nickname, the Sooner State, when some land-hungry settlers jumped the starting gun that was to open one section of the territory to settlers and rushed in to take land before they were legally entitled to do so earning them the name ‘Sooners’.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
|
|