Monthly Archives: January 2011

Jan 31 2011

Remington Model 700 Bolt Action VTR-ATACS

Ladies, are you looking for an accurate rifle?   The one that doesn’t kick like a mule when you shoot it! I have the rifle for you.   It’s the Remington Model 700 Bolt Action VTR-ATACS featuring the newest innovation in camouflage from Digital Concealment Systems and comes chambered in the two most popular calibers in today’s market-The Remington 223 and 308. I saw this rifle at Shot Show back in January 2010. I liked how it looked and how it fit to my standards.   The rifle is rated very high on accuracy.

It comes equipped with a Remington X-MARK PRO adjustable trigger that is set at the factory with a pull weight of 3 ½ pounds with a 2 pound range of adjustment (3 to 5 pounds).  The trigger pull is so smooth and crisp that makes it easy to shoot it accurately.  It has a uniquely triangular contour on the 22” barrel with a three port muzzle brake that’s machined-in during production to decrease recoil and muzzle jump.  Remington spent years of rigorous research and development  in designing the barrel to reduce the weight, enhancing the rigidity,  and promoting rapid heat dissipation all while maintaining the most accurate barrel in a production firearm. The twist rate is (1 turn in 9 inches) in the 223 Remington and (1 turn in 12 inches) in the 308 Winchester. The Barrel Finish is a Satin Black Oxide.  To complete the rifle off the stock package has a single rear and duel front sling swivel studs and Remington’s revolutionary Super Cell Recoil Pad which provides recoil reduction up to 54%.   The Magazine Capacity is five plus one in the 223 and four plus one in the 308.  The length is 41 5/8”.  Average weight is only 7 ½ lbs. So it won’t kill you to carry it all day. The MSRP is $872.00.

 I used this rifle in 308 on my Antelope Hunt in October 2010.  I was very amazed on how well this rifle can shoot.  I recommend this rifle to all ladies and gentleman who would like a rifle that doesn’t kick like a mule, and is extremely accurate.  I have my gun decked out with a Harris Bipod and DOA 600 Scope from Bushnell. Check out this review at http://womensoutdoornews.com/

Jan 30 2011

Zippo Hand Warmers For Those Cold Days

I saw these Zippo Hand Warmer at Shot Show Media Day, I love it! It’s great for an emergency.  You can  keep it in your glove box of your car, in your backpack, or hunting gear.

Zippo Open Field Hand Warmers With its rugged, metal construction, the reusable Zippo Hand Warmer allows the outdoor enthusiast to enjoy the great outdoors, even when it’s cold. Thanks to its slim and sleek design, the Hand Warmer can easily fit into any pocket, and it burns Zippo lighter fluid to produce safe and reliable heat for up to 12 hours.  The odorless hand warmer is great technology for us hunters or huntresses who don’t want to relinquish our hiding spot.   It won’t take up any room in your

Zippo Hand Warmer, A must have in my Emergency Kit!

hunting gear or back pack.  The Zippo Open Field Hand Warmer features a Realtree AP warming bag decorated with an NFL team logo patch or you can get it in black.

 The first step you would do is to fill the filler cup with Zippo Lighter Fluid,  the second step would be to light the burner on top with a Zippo Pocket Lighter; and the last step would be to place the lid on the top and place it in the pouch.  It will last up to 12 hours to keep you warm. This is one little item you will want to keep with you for an emergency situations or on those chilly days when you least expect the weather to turn on you.  If your car breaks down this would be helpful to keep in your glove box of your car, to supply heat until help arrives.  This is one little gadget that I will use to keep me warm in my tree-stand. The retail price is $19.95 from www.zippo.com.

Jan 24 2011

PrimaLoft Introduces New Product at Shot Show 2011

At the 2011 Shot Show held at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. PrimaLoft held their press conference on Wednesday Morning. Their representative Diane O’Connell introduced their new synthetic material used in such product lines as Browning, LLBean, Scentlock, Under Armour, and Russell Outdoor.

PrimaLoft insulation products offer superior performance for high quality cold-weather gear. PrimaLoft is incredibly soft, lightweight, breathable with excellent water repellency so you can remain dry, warm and comfortable—even under the most extreme conditions.

The patented PrimaLoft ultra-fine microfibers are specially treated in a proprietary process, creating a core with incredible insulation properties. PrimaLoft has expanded its product line and developed new products to meet specific needs for outdoor enthusiasts, sportsmen, and the military. PrimaLoft has manufacturing facilities in the US, China and Italy.

The Primaloft line has a new PrimaLoft® Eco Footwear insulation that keeps your feet dry, warm and comfortable and helps to make the environment healthier. PrimaLoft blends 50% virgin fibers with 50% recycled materials to create a resilient, performance insulation ideal for active outdoor footwear. You can also find socks made with this material that will wick the moisture away and keep you dry. They are made of Primaloft and merlino wool. These socks are very comfortable. After wearing the LL Bean Primaloft socks around Shot Show 2011. They kept my feet dry and comfortable. The price range of these socks starts around $12.95 a pair.

PrimaLoft Eco Footwear is warm, lightweight, water resistant, and breathable it has excellent compressional recovery. Since staying dry is not always an option, it’s good to know that PrimaLoft Eco Footwear helps to keep your feet warm even when wet. You can find Primaloft Eco Footwear in boots by Under Armour and LL Bean for hunting and hiking.

They also have the Ascent Primaloft Hooded Jacket; it folds up in itself by stuffing it into one of its own pockets so it won’t take up very much space in your bag. This is a great jacket to have for those mornings that are chilly and when the afternoon warms up just fold it up into it’s pocket. It makes a very nice package so you don’t have the bulkiness of the jacket. It’s very lightweight, quick-drying PrimaLoft One polyester insulation is as warm as down and yet stays effective even when wet. The outer shell is made with a rugged nylon, that is wind and water resistant. The insulated cinch hood fits snugly for protection while skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and any other outdoor sports. This jacket comes in colors that are cool blue and bright Lapis. The retail price is $129.00.

Jan 11 2011

My First Fly Fishing Adventure with my Spouse

We had a fantastic time fishing with our guide/friend Katherine Browne

My husband Rick and I never went fly fishing before, and I was so excited about it! I couldn’t wait to go fishing with my friend Katherine Browne whom I met last year at Shot Show. We talked about fly fishing together on Face-book and how much fun we would have together. I mentioned to her we were coming out to Colorado in the fall and maybe we could plan our first fly fishing trip.  It was another new outdoor adventure for me to add to my list of things I wanted to do.  She had mentioned to me several times about how much fun she was having catching all these huge fish.  She started up a group for women called “Fishing Chicks” it’s a group to get more women involved into fly fishing. If I lived closer I would be a member of this group, because she is a wonderful teacher.

Rick catching his last big fish of the day!

After we received our instructions from Katherine on how to fly fish; making sure we cast out properly.  She told us the key to catching Kokanee Salmon is you have to set the hook hard; and so she demonstrated how to set the hook hard. “When in doubt set the hook, because you never know when one might be on the hook”. We started our fishing adventure around ten o’clock that morning and had so much fun catching our first Kokanee Salmon and Brown Trout. I caught the Brown Trout and Rick caught the Kokanee Salmon within five minutes of fishing. Katherine laughed at us, because she said alright you two! “Do you have to do everything together?” Since just six days ago we hunted down our first antelope together one hour apart. We had so much fun fighting those fish on our line and listening to Katherine yell “Ripping Lips!” I never caught a big fish like the ones we caught in Gunnison, Colorado. I always caught the little sunfish back home, and when I caught my first big trout I was a happy girl!

There is a wrong way to fly fish and the right way to fly fish. I’ve experienced the wrong way and the right way to fly fish. I had my line in tangles a few times, the fish would break my line, and I even had my fly lost once.   Rick and I were casting the same time and ended up having our lines cross.  We didn’t realize that we were going in the same spot to fish. It just shows you that two great minds think alike! So Katherine was very patient to get us untangled. She always makes sure when you are fly fishing with her that you have fun! She makes it exciting, relaxing, enjoyable, and she even keeps you from falling into the water. (Hahahaha)

Double Trouble

 While we were on our way to a new fishing hole to try out some dry fly fishing.  Katherine seranaded to the eighties music and we ate our lunch provided to us from the outfitter.   When we arrived at the river  it was very peaceful, quiet, and beautiful.   We had a great time dry fly fishing after we were trained by Katherine on how to cast; and what to expect on this dry fly fishing adventure.  Rick didn’t catch as many fish as I did in the river when we were dry fly fishing, but I did catch my first cut throat trout.   The day ended that Rick caught the majority of Kockanee Salmon and I out did him on the trout. We lost count on how many fish we did catch; but the point was we were catching them and having fun fishing. 

We would like to thank Katherine Browne for making our first fly fishing trip a memorable one!  We had a marvelous time fishing with her in Gunnison, Colorado and we can’t wait to do it again in the future!