Builds My '78 FJ40 "44" (1 Viewer)

[handcannon]

Great looking pics of the terrain. On that pic with the "bubbles", did you see the Nutria slipping it's eyes to the surface to have a look around? They are tricky animals. They can poke their eyes above the surface of the water to have a look around, without causing a ripple on the water surface. Maybe you don't have Nutria there, but around here they are just big "water rats" with huge yellow teeth.

Looks like with the weather front coming in you must have got the tail end of the weather we got here. So far we have been colder than normal, but not as cold as I've seen in the past. We had snow and ice a couple weeks ago that stayed for several days, with temps down to the low 20's, and up to around 32 in the daytime. Of course, around here, everything drops to an almost standstill when the white stuff shows up. Hoodoo Ski Bowl, at the summit of Hwy 20 (Santiam Pass) has the most, and earliest, snow pack for the past several years. Keep the pics coming so I can dream about being warm enough to get out into the High Desert in Eastern Oregon.

Don

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Great looking pics of the terrain. On that pic with the "bubbles", did you see the Nutria slipping it's eyes to the surface to have a look around? They are tricky animals. They can poke their eyes above the surface of the water to have a look around, without causing a ripple on the water surface. Maybe you don't have Nutria there, but around here they are just big "water rats" with huge yellow teeth.

Looks like with the weather front coming in you must have got the tail end of the weather we got here. So far we have been colder than normal, but not as cold as I've seen in the past. We had snow and ice a couple weeks ago that stayed for several days, with temps down to the low 20's, and up to around 32 in the daytime. Of course, around here, everything drops to an almost standstill when the white stuff shows up. Hoodoo Ski Bowl, at the summit of Hwy 20 (Santiam Pass) has the most, and earliest, snow pack for the past several years. Keep the pics coming so I can dream about being warm enough to get out into the High Desert in Eastern Oregon.

Don

I'm familiar with Nutria, from Central Texas... I've not heard of them here... But, are you referring to the stone "bubbles"?

It was warmer today... We left the dogs at home and went to my favorite target shooting spot... Very isolated... Burned through various calibers of ammo... Had a great old time!!

And we policed our brass!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Pics from today's trip

 

[gator25]

I'm familiar with Nutria, from Central Texas... I've not heard of them here... But, are you referring to the stone "bubbles"?

It was warmer today... We left the dogs at home and went to my favorite target shooting spot... Very isolated... Burned through various calibers of ammo... Had a great old time!!

And we policed our brass!!

Nice pics Danny, sounds like you had good time. I need to burn some powder bad, been to long. Oh and don't piss off one of those Nutra Rats, they'll hurt you!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Nice pics Danny, sounds like you had good time. I need to burn some powder bad, been to long. Oh and don't piss off one of those Nutra Rats, they'll hurt you!

I wouldn't think of it Nolen!

 

[1911]

Pics from today's trip


View attachment 1373708

Crinoid stems, as previously mentioned.

 

[handcannon]

I'm familiar with Nutria, from Central Texas... I've not heard of them here... But, are you referring to the stone "bubbles"?

It was warmer today... We left the dogs at home and went to my favorite target shooting spot... Very isolated... Burned through various calibers of ammo... Had a great old time!!

And we policed our brass!!

Yes, i was looking at the stone "bubbles". Close to the middle of that pic are a couple "bubbles" that looked a lot like eyes peeking up through the surface of water. It has been many, many years since my last Nutria hunt. For the most memorable hunt my friend and I were on the bank of a slough from the Santiam River. We were using .22 longs (I think) (or maybe .22 WMR), and they were not really powerful enough to stop the Nutria. We had one turn towards us and the light (shhh, we were spotlighting them), and it never stopped until it was on the gravel bar less than 10 ft in front of us when we finally made the right connection. Yup, we were impressed with those great big yellow teeth, and glad he didn't get any closer.

Nothing like burning some fodder to have a good time. You have lots of open desert there, but around here there are so many houses that it is closer for me to go 25 miles down to the ARPC range (Albany Rifle and Pistol Club) than to head for the hills. So many losers have left messes that it is getting much harder to find safe shooting areas that have not been closed to the public.

Good for you for policing your brass. I always police my brass, and check for others that were left behind in the gravel around the targets at the outdoor stalls. Usually 9mm, but feel lucky when I find some .40 brass. I'm building up my inventory of reloadable brass. Already set up to reload .45 long Colt/.454 Casull, and am slowly getting set up for .40, 9mm, and .223.

It's been slightly warmer here lately, warming up into the low 40's during the day and the low 30's at night. Still a cooler winter so far though. If you have time to do so, look up Mt Hood Lodge, Mt Hood Meadows, and Hoodoo Ski Bowl snow levels. They have lots more snow this winter than they have had for several winters.

Don

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Just thought I'd say hi Danny!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Yes, i was looking at the stone "bubbles". Close to the middle of that pic are a couple "bubbles" that looked a lot like eyes peeking up through the surface of water. It has been many, many years since my last Nutria hunt. For the most memorable hunt my friend and I were on the bank of a slough from the Santiam River. We were using .22 longs (I think) (or maybe .22 WMR), and they were not really powerful enough to stop the Nutria. We had one turn towards us and the light (shhh, we were spotlighting them), and it never stopped until it was on the gravel bar less than 10 ft in front of us when we finally made the right connection. Yup, we were impressed with those great big yellow teeth, and glad he didn't get any closer.

Nothing like burning some fodder to have a good time. You have lots of open desert there, but around here there are so many houses that it is closer for me to go 25 miles down to the ARPC range (Albany Rifle and Pistol Club) than to head for the hills. So many losers have left messes that it is getting much harder to find safe shooting areas that have not been closed to the public.

Good for you for policing your brass. I always police my brass, and check for others that were left behind in the gravel around the targets at the outdoor stalls. Usually 9mm, but feel lucky when I find some .40 brass. I'm building up my inventory of reloadable brass. Already set up to reload .45 long Colt/.454 Casull, and am slowly getting set up for .40, 9mm, and .223.

It's been slightly warmer here lately, warming up into the low 40's during the day and the low 30's at night. Still a cooler winter so far though. If you have time to do so, look up Mt Hood Lodge, Mt Hood Meadows, and Hoodoo Ski Bowl snow levels. They have lots more snow this winter than they have had for several winters.

Don

I never messed with Nutria, Don... I leave them alone.

No one shoots where I shoot, except my daughter and son-in-law... We keep it clean and brush out our tracks... A few people offroad out there, but I've never seen anyone in person, only a few tracks.

It's 80 miles from home, but well worth the drive!!

Happy New Years!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Just thought I'd say hi Danny!

Hi Ryan!!

Happy New Years!!

 

[handcannon]

Happy New Year to you also Danny. I don't have anything more special than a chili feed at church this evening. Then I will be home and in bed well BEFORE midnight. Yeah, I'm an old fart, not a night owl.

Sounds like you have a special "range" that is well worth the drive.

Don

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Happy New Year to you also Danny. I don't have anything more special than a chili feed at church this evening. Then I will be home and in bed well BEFORE midnight. Yeah, I'm an old fart, not a night owl.

Sounds like you have a special "range" that is well worth the drive.

Don

As Ryan and Jeff (@rkymtnflyfisher and @Chungas Revenge) are fond of saying, I'm an old fart too, Don... But, Gunner doesn't like the noise of fireworks... So, I'll be up very late... Trying to get him out from under the covers in our bed.

Enjoy your chili and sleep well!!

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I'm an old fart too

Well seasoned, by the winds of change ole boy'...

I've taken to posting ads in the AARP magazine just because I know most of my friends are subscribers. I wandered off one weekend and they posted my photo on a can of Ensure and the boys down at the VFW sent out random patrols looking for me. Of course most of them wandered off too. Three days later, we all showed up at Walmart for "Senior discount days", casually perusing the adult diaper section.

There is another point I was going to make but I've forgotten hat it was.

Here's to 2017 Danny.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Well seasoned, by the winds of change ole boy'...

Here's to 2017 Danny.

Hey! That wasn't me, it must have been the dog!


A new year brings new possibilities and new challenges... May they all be good!

I hope 2017 is especially good to you, my friend!

Happy New Year!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Took another problem-free drive and a new hike with daBoise... it was COLD out there, but we had a great time!!

44 is in the last picture... if anyone wants to find her.

 

[Helipilot]

Nice pics Danny! Maybe you should get a nugget shooter metal detector as much as you hike in the areas you do. I found enough nuggets several years ago in the Oro Grande while stationed at Ft. Bliss to buy a Yamaha dual sport bike that I rode in the desert. Also have found several nice nuggets around the Goldfield area in Nevada. Love that desert country.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Nice pics Danny! Maybe you should get a nugget shooter metal detector as much as you hike in the areas you do. I found enough nuggets several years ago in the Oro Grande while stationed at Ft. Bliss to buy a Yamaha dual sport bike that I rode in the desert. Also have found several nice nuggets around the Goldfield area in Nevada. Love that desert country.

Thanks Roger! I was thinking about a metal detector, but never heard of Nugget Shooter... Looks interesting!

 

[Helipilot]

"Nugget shooter" is just a term for a metal detector tuned for small nuggets. I have the Garret and also a White's model for nugget hunting. Both are very good and reasonable in price. Lot of fun and when I had my dog she loved to go with me and when I dropped to one knee to dig a signal she was right there pawing at the ground. My grand sons (7 & 8) go crazy at the sound of the detector when it sings on a target. They are fighting over who gets to dig. Took them to a Civil War location on the White River and we dug mini-balls, had a blast and they had a history lesson as well.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

"Nugget shooter" is just a term for a metal detector tuned for small nuggets. I have the Garret and also a White's model for nugget hunting. Both are very good and reasonable in price. Lot of fun and when I had my dog she loved to go with me and when I dropped to one knee to dig a signal she was right there pawing at the ground. My grand sons (7 & 8) go crazy at the sound of the detector when it sings on a target. They are fighting over who gets to dig. Took them to a Civil War location on the White River and we dug mini-balls, had a blast and they had a history lesson as well.

The White River is great fly fishing... If you pay attention to the flows... The water level can come up VERY fast!!

Digging anything sounds like just the type of fun a grandson would always remember... And mini-balls are, indeed, a good history lesson!!

I had researched a series of Garret detectors before... I think it was 250 and 350... But, how do you know if it's properly tuned for nuggets? Sounds like I may be carry even more on our hikes...

I googled "nugget shooter" after your post and actually found a guy called "Nugget Shooter", in southern AZ, who sells various brands of nugget shooter detectors.

 

[gator25]

Yes, i was looking at the stone "bubbles". Close to the middle of that pic are a couple "bubbles" that looked a lot like eyes peeking up through the surface of water. It has been many, many years since my last Nutria hunt. For the most memorable hunt my friend and I were on the bank of a slough from the Santiam River. We were using .22 longs (I think) (or maybe .22 WMR), and they were not really powerful enough to stop the Nutria. We had one turn towards us and the light (shhh, we were spotlighting them), and it never stopped until it was on the gravel bar less than 10 ft in front of us when we finally made the right connection. Yup, we were impressed with those great big yellow teeth, and glad he didn't get any closer.
Don

@handcannon made the mistake going in a pond after one, while running my traps one morning before school. I'll never do that again.

Beautiful pics. as always Danny!