In the wake of the Marc Anthony scandal (the hunter, not the singer, and not Cleopatra’s boyfriend —which is spelled with a “k”), and in the midst of researching yet another potential big-buck scam, which I hope to report on soon, I was feeling a little jaded about antlers. Then a couple of spring bucks bounded through the yard, with their velvety stubs backlit by the sun—the stirrings of a new season and a fresh set of miraculous headgear—and I instantly recovered.

I like antlers. I have ever since I was a kid, and I find them every bit as fascinating now. On one hand, whitetail antlers are enough alike that we can say “he was a basket-racked yearling,” and an immediate picture pops in the head of every deer hunter. On the other, no two sets are exactly the same, and if a buck puts some on some age and has the right genes, he can grow a set of antlers like nothing else you’ve ever seen.

Antlers are special outside of hunting, too. According to research done at Mississippi State University’s Deer Lab (http://www.msudeerlab.com/growthcycle.asp), the antlers of yearling bucks grow about ¾ of an inch per week, and adult bucks can pour on 1-1/2 inches of bone in that time. Scientists researching everything from cancer to stem cells have studied deer antlers to better understand how fast-growing tissues behave. How cool would it be if we could someday credit deer antlers for a cancer cure?

Yes, antlers have a dark side. They inspire some folks to bend and break the law. And they can simply breed craziness; some cultures ingest powdered antler as an aphrodisiac or virility potion, and enough pro baseball players have used antler spray to improve their performance to make even Bud Selig look askance.

All that stuff is a sideshow to me. I’d love it if a whitetail rack brought a medical breakthrough, and I hate it that some people cheat to be pictured with a trophy set. But mainly, I just like looking at antlers. I don’t care if I’m viewing them through a binocular lens, staring at a trail cam photo, or ogling the head of a buck trotting toward me through the timber. I’ll never tire of antlers. And I’m excited that another growing season has begun.

Source: http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/whitetail-365/2014/05/wait-minute-antlers-ain%E2%80%99t-all-bad

Outers is excited to offer a full line of attractive, wooden specialty kits to perform cleanings quickly and effectively. Each kit is specifically created to work on all different calibers and gauges, as well as for all gun types, and boast an attractive full wood grain appearance for years of enjoyment. This handy chest serves as a two-in-one gun care product. Not only does it feature a full cleaning kit, but also a gun vise to help with cleaning and maintenance. This includes 2-in-1 wooden chest: storage box/gun vise, velour protective gun vise stows inside chest when not in use, 1 drawer with custom parts organizer, 3 solid brass rods (rifle, pistol and shotgun), 7 bronze brushes (.22/270-cal/7mm, .30/8mm, .38-357-cal/9mm, .40-45-cal/10mm, 20/28-ga, 10/12-ga), 50 cleaning patches, 7 mops (.22-25-cal/6-6.5mm, .270-30-cal/7-8mm, .338-35-cal, .38-357-cal/9mm, .40-45-cal/10mm, 20/28-ga, 10/12-ga), 2 spear pointed jags (.22/270 cal, 30-cal and larger rifles/pistols), 3 slotted patch loops (.22/270-cal, 30-cal and larger rifles/pistols, 10-28-ga shotguns), and shotgun accessory adaptor.

List price: $47.95

Keep comfort in mind for your next day out with this MOSSY OAK Stoneville rifle sling. The rugged yet lightweight sling boasts 3/8-inch foam padding to keep your shoulder in feeling great, as well as an Endura 600-denier polyester construction that can withstand trip after trip to the bush.

List price: $10.83

When the bartender at my local Mexican restaurant asked me if I wanted my margarita spicy, I must have look dumbfounded. Who knew you could amp up a margarita? Certainly not me, but he assured me it was good and would make my first one only “gringo spicy.” The drink he brought was packed with sliced jalapenos and topped with a rim of spicy salt. It was also plenty hot, but delicious and since then I’ve been incorporating jalapenos into several different cocktails, including my spicy take on the classic mix of tequila and grapefruit juice known as the Paloma.

Spicy Paloma

Ingredients
– Sliced jalapenos, to taste
– Pinch of salt
– 2 oz. tequila
– 6 oz. grapefruit juice
– Juice from half a lime
– 2 oz. club soda

Directions:
1. Lightly muddle salt and jalapeno slices in the bottom of a highball glass.

2. Fill glass with ice, then add tequila, grapefruit juice and lime juice.

3. Top with club soda and stir briskly to combine.

Source: http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/wild-chef/2014/05/summer-cocktails-spicy-paloma

Stretch-Form Camo Headnet for maximum camoflage concealment. Can be worn under a cap and folds up tightly for easy storage. Available in Mossy Oak Break-Up pattern.

List price: $14.95

Stunning charges and allegations concerning white-tailed deer used for extensive insurance fraud have been leveled against more than 40 residents of a northeast state, one of them an alleged mob associate already facing two trials, following a lengthy investigation and grand jury proceedings.

Forty-one people in Philadelphia, Pa., are alleged to be involved in a wide-ranging investigation alleging significant insurance fraud, corruption, intimidation and other charges. The purported scheme reportedly involved falsifying vehicle accidents and saying the damage was due to a collision with deer.

According to multiple reports here and here, officials allege that Ronald Galati Sr. of Philadelphia, owner of American Collision and Auto Center in the city, orchestrated the plan. They allege that Galati Sr. supervised a wide network of family members, insurance adjustors, tow truck drivers, a city official and a Philadelphia Police Department officer in order to defraud insurance companies and the city.

Among those charged are his wife, Vicki, and their son, Ronald Galati Jr. Fourteen arrests had been made as of May 29 and police were seeking 27 others to be arrested.

According to the report at Philly.com, Galati Sr. also is alleged to be a “mob associate” and is awaiting trial in two other cases, one of them federal, on charges he ordered or paid to have three people killed.

The same Philly.com report also said Galati Sr. and his auto repair business “also figured in the federal racketeering conspiracy case against reputed mob capo George Borgesi. Last year, star prosecution witness Louis “Bent Finger Lou” Monacello regaled a federal jury in Philadelphia with tales of two young mobsters in their youth. He and Borgesi, Monacello said, were paid by Galati to vandalize the cars of his own customers.”

In regard to deer and the alleged fake collisions, Galati Sr.’s auto center reportedly had deer hair, deer blood and carcasses to be used in photos for insurance claim submissions.

Over a 16-month period, the Philadelphia grand jury heard extensive testimony about the alleged insurance fraud before reaching its decision. Galati Sr. has been charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Intimidation and Retaliation.

YOU DON’T NEED A CAR TO TAKE HOME A DEER! BECOME A BETTER BOWHUNTER!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DeerDeerHunting/~3/A-TqbLhU7UI/massive-deer-fraud-alleged-shocking-charges-draft

Hoppe’s 9 Big Buck Target, 5 Pack CT6

List price: $9.39

This Tanto Survivor Fire Starter Knife is71″ in overall length. It has a black cord wrapped handle. The black finish blade is made of stainless steel. This knife comes with a sheath. This knife also comes with a fire starter tool.

List price: $29.99

Moultrie’s A-5 provides easy setup and great features at a price that makes it affordable to outfit your entire property. The Moultrie A-5 Game Camera makes scouting easy. Features: 5.0 megapixel Low Glow infrared game camera Up to 50-ft night range Day and night video clips Moon phase, time, date and camera ID stamp Picture delay 1, 5, 10 and 30 minutes SD memory card slot – up to 32GB (not included) 8,000+ images on 4 C-cell batteries Integrated strap loop with Python cable compatibility (cable not included)

List price: $69.99

Our light-weight stretch-fit gloves are cool and breathable with a 5-Inch extended cuff. They are great for spring turkey season or early bow season. One size fits most.

List price: $13.99