General

Looking for a Coyote Calling Expert

By CTD Blogger   June 25, 2013

7

I am far from a coyote-calling champion, and certainly do not get as much practice as I would prefer—too many hobbies and the boss still expects me to somehow get my work done. That’s why, when I headed out to do a little predator hunting the other day, I opted to use a digital call. I have a couple of dandies with a ton of different buttons and sounds. I wasn’t sure one would work best, but I was bound to try at least a handful and see what kind of results I could get.

Read More >

AR-15s

The Best of the Best: AR-15 for Beginners

By Suzanne Wiley   June 20, 2013

9

There is a reason why the AR-15 is the best selling rifle in the United States. For its versatility, flexibility, modular design, and ease of use, everyone from beginners to expert shooters love the AR-15—the modern sporting rifle. The love for the AR-15 derives from how easily it is to customize and change. It goes from self-defense to competition to hunting to plinking with a few minor adjustments and accessories. Accessories and add-ons are widely available. Created by ArmaLite Chief Engineer Eugene Stoner the semi-automatic AR-15 uses either a direct gas impingement or gas piston system to operate. Originally chambered for the .223 Remington/5.56 NATO round, now you can find AR platforms in a variety of calibers such as .22 Long Rifle, .300 Blackout, 6.8 SPC, and .450 Bushmaster.

Read More >

Firearms

Don’t Worry. You Don’t Have to be a Gun Nut to Shoot Guns.

By Suzanne Wiley   June 19, 2013

5

What do you envision when you hear or read the term gun nut? There is nothing wrong with being mildly obsessed with your hobby or sport, but there is nothing wrong with NOT being a gun nut either. I hope the word gun nut hasn’t scared off any new potential gun owners. You can own a gun. You can own two guns. Heck, you can own five guns and still not consider yourself a gun nut. Don’t get me wrong, I think we need to support our gun nutty sisters and brothers. And gun nuts, this goes for you too. If you know a gun owner whose passion is rock climbing don’t fault them for putting that passion first.

Read More >

Camping & Survival

Alternative Cooking Method for Preppers

By Lisa Metheny   June 15, 2013

10

The image of a Dutch oven is often associated with camping trips or even chuck wagon cattle drives from days gone by, but the truth is Dutch ovens are still being used by many folks today. In a nutshell, the Dutch oven is a timeless alternative for cooking delicious homemade meals without using electricity and is a perfect tool for the home prepper.

Read More >

Gear, Parts and Accessories

Top 10 Gifts Your Dad Doesn’t Have But Should

By CTD Blogger   June 14, 2013

2

So, you still haven’t filled out the goodie basket for dad on his big day? Fear not we have the gift list that will make dad anticipate his day like it was going to be Christmas.

Read More >

Camping & Survival

Can You Outrun a Tornado?

By Suzanne Wiley   June 12, 2013

2

On the night of Wednesday, May 15, 2013, an EF-4 tornado ripped through the North Texas town of Granbury, killing six people and injuring many more. That same night, I was driving home from running errands 72 miles away in Dallas. As I was entering downtown Dallas, my riding partner exclaimed, “Look at that weird car! What is that?” I glanced over to see a car pulling off the highway that appeared to be the Tornado Intercept Vehicle from Discovery Channel’s television show Storm Chasers. Being fully aware these professional guys know more about tornados and severe weather than I do, should I have pulled over as well or kept driving? What are you supposed to do when on the road and a tornado is approaching? Can you outrun a tornado?

Read More >

Hunting and Outdoors

Women Afield — Set Up for Success

By Lisa Metheny   June 10, 2013

The old saying “we’ve come a long way baby” rings loud and clear for many women who actively participate in shooting, hunting, fishing and other traditionally male-dominated activities. In the last decade, we have seen more and more of these types of activities dusting off the welcome mat for women. We also have seen more manufacturers that once only catered to men now engineering and designing more female-friendly gear. Why? Because companies have learned women are like men in many ways and are eager to spend money on their hobbies and favorite pastimes.

Read More >

Ammunition

The Birth of the .44 Mag. Cartridge

By CTD Blogger   June 4, 2013

26

Ever heard of the Smith & Wesson NT-430? Maybe not by that name, but the easiest description would probably be to use a famous movie quote, “Go ahead, make my day.” Yep, the NT-430—later dubbed the Model 29—was famous long before Inspector Callahan wielded it in back in ’71. However, “Dirty Harry” ensured it would always have a place in firearm history, but he wasn’t the only champion of the Model 29 and the .44 Mag.

Read More >

Camping & Survival

Ammo Can 72-Hour Bug Out Kit

By Suzanne Wiley   June 2, 2013

7

Can you pack a 72-hour bug out survival kit in such a small area? You sure can. Working with a small space means you eliminate heavy and unnecessary items. When you gotta get outta Dodge quickly food, water and shelter are your main priorities. These three essentials, plus a few extras all fit in a .50 caliber ammo can. Why an ammo can? Ammo cans take up little space, can be stored virtually anywhere and are stackable. I have seen ammo cans used as center consoles in vehicles and as alternative to saddlebags on motorcycles. An ammo can, be it metal or plastic can withstand temperature extremes and have water-resistant O-ring and gasket seals. So storing them in basements, attics, crawl spaces, and even buried underground means the gear inside stays dry. Metal military surplus ammo cans are durable, while new plastic ammo cans are untraceable to metal detectors—in case you want to cache your gear.

Read More >