Safety Tips for a Realtor

Everyday there is a real estate agent who has become a crime statistic. Many of you Realtors feel that crime is not going to happen to you. You may be right because chances are it will not. According to law enforcement officials and security professionals, real estate is considered a "high-risk" profession. Sales agents are on the road, usually work alone, frequently interact with strangers, and visit unoccupied properties.

The following is some tips for a Realtor to ensure his/her safety:

Be suspicious of everyone. This is no benefit in being paranoid. Being a bit cautious can keep you from getting into a vulnerable situation. Be cautious of a man showing up alone. Assume that he will show up in a nice car, well dressed, perhaps with his wife and kids along for the ride. He might have a business card saying he is an engineer or a pharmacist. Do NOT let your guard down. He might decide to make you a target after two or three meetings. He wants to earn your trust first. You feel comfortable carrying jewelry and cash before he chooses that it is safe to move in.

Identify and pre-qualify during your first meeting. Whether you are at your office or meeting at the house, get a picture ID. Also, it may be to your benefit that the potential client purchasing a house is pre-qualified. Somebody who is pre-qualified by a lender and meets you at your place of work is less likely to be a predator. Make a file with the client's identification and include his personal information, such as license plate number, make and model of the car he is driving, and employer phone numbers.

Maintain contact with the office. Before showing a house, tell your co-workers, spouse, or friend where you are going and when you will return. Have this person call you at a designated time to check on you. It might be helpful to have this person set an alarm on their cell phone as a reminder. A "buddy" system where you call in has advantages. Have a designated in-out file. Use a clip board, cork board, e-mail, or voicemail system that everybody can access.

Have a plan for safe open houses. Bring a friend and carry a cell phone. Take a few minutes noting all the vulnerable points located within the property and how you would escape if necessary. When somebody walks in say to the client, "I'd be happy to show you the benefits of this home and in a few minutes, my partner, Rex, will be along to help me." When a couple comes to preview the house, ask that they remain together. Often, they split up. One has your attention while the other rifles through the jewelry boxes and drawers for anything of value. In high crime areas, especially blue-collar areas, consider hiring an off duty police officer to watch over the property during a showing.

Use predetermined code words to alert your office of distress. Use the colors of a traffic light: red, yellow, and green to alert your office of your levels of distress. For example, say to your caller, "It's in the green folder" letting the office know that you are okay. Or, "it's in the yellow folder" telling your office that you are in a shaky situation and you might need help. Consider using an acronym for help such as Have Emily Leave the Papers at 401 Main Street.

Conduct safe personal marketing. To a stalker, your picture on a sign or in print is a personal advertisement. He makes the determination if you have the "look" of a prey that he is seeking. Keep your pictures "professional" rather than "attractive." Use your cell phone number as opposed to your home phone number on the advertisement. If possible, use a personal 800 number which you can subscribe to anywhere in place of a home or cell phone number. Use P.O. boxes in place of your home address.

Use the buddy system. If possible, bring a co-worker. There is safety in numbers. Predators prefer isolation. By pairing up with a buddy, you reduce the chances of a potential attack.

Dress for safety and success. Do not wear expensive necklaces or rings. A $2500 diamond ring buys a lot of drugs. Dress professionally and not provocatively. Scarves and loose fitting items can give attackers something to grab onto. Wear shoes you can run and kick with so that you can defend yourself in case of an attack.

Do NOT take predators for a ride. Do not allow the client to ride in your car if you do not know who he is. Properly identify him. Make sure he is a client and not a potential attacker. Ensure you have taken the necessary precautions ahead of time before you are put in an isolated situation. If you feel uneasy about a client, let him follow you to the location and bring along a buddy. If he gets into your car and makes attempts to control you, put on your seatbelt and ram into a stationary object such as a parked car or a telephone pole.

Heed your intuition. Trust your gut instinct if you feel troubled by your new client. If something feels wrong, then it is wrong. Cancel your appointment with him if necessary.

Know how to defend yourself. Your life is worth fighting for. It is necessary to defend yourself if you are ever placed in a situation that would put you in harm's way. Aim for the eyes, throat, groin, and the top of his foot. Ground fighting is an advantage that few people realize they have. Kicking the knees and the groin is very effective when you are lying on the ground. Scream, yell, gouge, bite, and fight with whatever you have. Carry some pepper spray, stun gun, or a kubaton keychain in your coat pocket. Have a ball point pen ready to jab. It has been estimated that 80% of women who fought back against an attacker escaped. You have the power within you.

Fabiola Castillo is an online marketer for the website NinjaCOPS SuperStore. This virtual store specializes in personal defense products where you can buy pepper spray, kubatons keychains, wireless hidden cameras, nunchaku technique videos, Taser stun guns, expandable steel batons, and many other home security products.

Effective Tips For Purchasing a Cheap Gun Case

Of course, there is no doubt about spending your income on cases that would protect your weapons that you may own as part of your interests or for a matter of security. But the real question that immediately comes up is how much you should spend on these gun covers? It is not a question for those who collect these weapons out of pure passion. They don't think twice on investing their hard earned income on gun cases that are strong enough to tolerate any kind of hazard. But there are many rifle or pistol owners who clearly look for a case that is not too expensive but just sufficient to protect their weapon against normal hazards.

While choosing a gun case, it is obvious to choose one that can fulfill the main purpose - i.e. protecting the weapon. But how far you should go on investing is something we can educate ourselves here. It would be a sheer wastage of money to spend more on a case than on the gun itself! And it is definitely not advisable to purchase a cheap gun case that can hardly serve its main motive. Thus, one must consider all the factors while purchasing a gun case - the budget, the type of gun owned and the usage etc.

If the gun is not too costly, it is recommended to purchase a gun case that is not too expensive either. In market, we will find a large variety of gun cases. However, most of them are not at affordable prices, rather very expensive and not easy to maintain. Metal gun cases ranges above $25. That sometimes may not be of any worth.

On the other hand, there are various forms of homemade cases that are cheap and also easily available. They are also very easy to make and handle. Unfortunately, most of us don't really know that these are efficient enough, if properly selected. A cheap case may not always mean a wrong decision. Sometimes, properly made gun socks or cases can work well in keeping the guns like rifles and pistols safe. Some of the ways of obtaining a cheap gun case are:

1. DIY (Do It Yourself) Method: You can even make one of these at your home. Just by taking your old denim jackets or jeans that have stimulated sheepskin lining can easily be stitched into a gun sock. It is feasible and presentable at the same time.

2. Conversion Method: Some people also use cases of Violin and other abandoned wooden and plastic boxes to secure their weapons in it. This is a great way to use the household items effectively yet it doesn't require much spending.

3. Local Auctions: Usually the local auctions also have such items that can be yours at a considerably low amount.

4. Tailored Method: You can also get many of such cases made at workshops like Condor where professionals can make them at very low rate. Silicon and plastic gun cases are usually made at such workshops for as cheap as for $6. You can also purchase a custom made bag too.

5. Retail Shops: Who says cheap gun cases are not available in market? Retail Stores like Wal-Mart, Outdoor World, Optic Planet has various types of ready made cases that cost as low as $10.

Hence, it is safe to say that one does not need to spend too much out of his pocket in order to safeguard his firearms. Even though, branded expensive cases may have a great quality, there is no doubt that cheap gun cases can also be a great investment altogether. If done wisely, it may not just be cost effective but also a good guard for your collected weapons.

Author enjoys writing on wide range of topics such as Gun Case and Rifle Case. You may visit for more details.

Tips For Getting 20+ Kills Consistently on Halo 3

Anyone can get good at this game with a little effort and knowledge. Knowledge is truly power. I was a total dud when I first became drawn to this game. I am now at the skill level where I can get MVP most games. I still have off games as I'm sure we all will have from time to time.

Here are my tips for you to go from dud to MVP:

1. Watch that radar
I can't stress this enough. You can't earn the kills if you are constantly being killed. I scan the radar approximately every 2 seconds. You will learn to do this without thinking about it and it will become easy with practice. If you see a blip in front of you and no one is there, be very suspicious. It may be telling you that your enemy is above or below you, but it could also mean your death is coming very soon! Fire a spartan rifle in the direction of the irratic blip as soon as possible. Many times you will be dealing with an invisible opponent and it is a fatal mistake to not react immediately. Firing your weapon will make them visible if you hit them. You could also throw green smoke if you have it. I never have it when I need it, so my policy is to fire away to be safe.

2. Know your weapons
Each weapon is capable of performing better or worse depending on the manner in which you are attempting to use them. For close range combat, a standard spartan rifle will work. sticky bombs are a good choice as well. Avoid using a Battle rifle or sniper rifle at close range as they are best suited for medium to long range combat. Use the energy sword lunge maneuver! When I began playing, it took me a while to realize how people were able to lunge at me from a distance and kill me with the energy sword. I did not realize that you do this by getting your opponent directly in your scope for a couple seconds. The indicator will turn red. Pull your trigger at this time and you will perform the lunge motion and easily kill with the sword. Always re-load guns by pressing RB after each combat engagement. If you do not do this, you will inevitably run out of ammo mid-fight and lose the battle. Just do it.

3. Sneak attack
Any time you can sneak up on an opponent without them noticing you, you will have the advantage. When you do manage to get close, don't blow it by using the wrong gun. A good 'ole fashioned beat-down is my preferred weapon in this situation (AKA press B quickly 2 times!). You will draw attention to yourself by firing a weapon unnecessarily. Also, it takes multiple shots to kill with the standard issue spartan gun. That could give your opponent time to react and kill you. If you do use a weapon please make it a shot-gun, as they will take out an opponent with one shot at close range. There are some instances where the shot-gun is your best friend.

4. Locate some sniper locations
The next best thing to sneaking up on someone is to find a few good sniper locations and move from one to the other while taking out as many opponents before they catch on to your hide-outs! I made the mistake of thinking I had found a spot where I could perch and nobody would find me. WRONG! It only takes a kill or two before your opponents know your general location and will be closing in to take you out. I recommend moving to a new location after 2 kills from any given location. If you are up against a sniper, you must take him out ASAP, because the damage to your team could be catastrophic. If you get taken out by a sniper, observe the bullet trail trajectory and when you respawn try to get to the source unnoticed and take them out! You may not have a sniper rifle to return fire from a safe point. If you can get a battle rifle, you can take out the sniper without venturing out into the open.

5. Develop your Battle rifle skills

A battle rifle is your friend. When I first started, I hated battle rifles. I couldn't kill anything with them. It turns out I was using them wrong. Battle rifles work the best at medium distance. I was trying to use them close up or far away. When you are aiming the battle rifle a small red dot will appear in the center of your scope if your opponent is in the "Kill zone". It takes practice, but you need to get that dot in your scope ASAP while maneuvering through chaotic environments. Stay calm. It's a mind thing and when you focus and don't get rattled by your opponent, you will find that your battle rifle killzone will be on autopilot. With all gun / rifle type weapons, I have found that aiming at the head is best. If the enemy is moving try to keep their head in your scope.

6. Toss some grenades

Use those grenades! I have found that most of my kills are from medium range. By throwing grenades first, I can make a big noise and kinda throw off the enemy. Grenades also damage multiple enemies if they are clustered together. I follow grenades with the battle rifle and typically do OK in medium range confrontations. I always select sticky bombs when I have them. When you sticky an opponent, evade them immediately, as they will try to take you out with them by running up to you! On the same note, If you are stickied......sadly, it will be over for you in 2 seconds, so run up to the nearest opponent before imploding, if you can! LOL.

7. Find a turret gun
Love that turret gun! I usually take out at least 3 opponents one after the other when using a turret. Be sure to rip it off the stand by pressing B after grabbing it to go mobile. The turret offers you more shielding from incoming bullets too. It will slow your walking speed down considerably due to its "weight", so don't be too far away from shelter.

8. Know where the missile pods are located
If you are on a map with a banshee and/or warthog, immediately locate a missile pod. The enemy will inflict massive casualties on you if you do not destroy these vehicles ASAP. By using the missile pod, you will get a red "LOCK ON" indication. When you get this, fire! 2 or 3 direct hits and their vehicle is a smoldering pile of shrapnel and your team members will love you for it! If you are piloting one of these vehicles and you hear a loud siren, you need to ditch the vehicle or swerve immediately. This tone is telling you that someone has you on lock. Don't forget that you can disable a vehicle with an energy drain. I did not know this when I first started out. It will render any vehicle dead immediately, so keep one handy if you can find one for this situation. If you are driving a warthog, do not get too close to the enemy. Your turret gunner will not be able to shoot the enemy at close range. This also makes you vulnerable to power drains and don't forget sticky bombs. They will take you out. If you are piloting a banshee, remember that you can fire missiles by pressing B. It took me a while to realize that I could do this. It may be helpful to know. Also, Use that LT button to speed up and evade. Better yet, the LT is great for going fast and splatting opponents before they can move out of your way! That is always a lot of fun. LOL.

9. Stay alive by jumping
Remember to jump spastically. This will make it more difficult for snipers to kill you. Definitely jump after each kill. Many times your opponent will throw a grenade when they know they are going to be killed. I can't tell you how many times I get killed from the grave, because I forget to do a post-kill jump and the enemy threw a death grenade. It will save your life. If you are about to be killed, try a sticky bomb or frag grenade as a last ditch Kill-from-the-grave method. It does work often enough. Nothing makes me smile more than killing from the grave! LOL.

10. Stay with the team if possible

Most of the time, I know that I am doomed if I get caught out in the open somewhere alone. I try to avoid this situation at all cost. Occasionally when I really got my game on, I can take out multiple opponents by myself, but I really advise people not to put themselves in that situation if it can be avoided.

11. Those portals are death traps! Always scan your radar before entering a portal. If you see red blips near the portal, move to a different one or take a back way up if all portals are compromised. Remember to throw a grenade or two into the portal for fun and maybe a kill or two!

Happy gaming!

More tips here

Home Security Tips: What You Need To Do To Secure Your Home

Common Home Security Tips

There's nothing worse than someone breaking into your home. While a lot of people haven't experienced it, let us paint a picture. You come home and find all of your things have been rifled through and thrown about, wondering what has been stolen. You feel violated, and this is something that makes you feel very vulnerable. It's hard to get the image out of your head. Fortunately enough, these days, we have more than enough things that we can do to protect ourselves. This is definitely something that you should think about if you want to keep your valuables and your family safe, as burglaries can happen when you're home or not.

More than Just a Home Security System

Of course, it all starts with a proper home security system, preferably one that's been top rated. You'll have to do your due diligence and read some reviews before you decide on something. But it doesn't really stop there, as you'll have to put yourself in a potential burglar's shoes. Considering that most of these people are amateurs, it shouldn't be a problem for any reasonably intelligent person to think about what potential danger spots are. Use your knowledge of your home's layout to your advantage, and once you find any spots where your home security system may miss, you can consider what you should use to rectify the situation.

Use Practical Deterrents

This should go without saying, but a lot of people simply do not use what the house already has. For instance, there are quite a few people who leave their doors and windows unlocked. While there are areas where burglaries don't happen too much, it can really happen to anyone. In addition to that, you'll always want to make it seem like someone's at home. Leave some lights on, maybe a TV, or anything that could potentially make a burglar think otherwise. Also, if you happen to be a dog lover and don't have one, maybe it's time for one? Not only are they fantastic companions, they deter a lot of burglaries. It doesn't have to be scary, just make sure it has a deep enough bark. No burglar wants to tangle with a dog, especially when they may be facing a prison sentence.

These couple of things can really help you decrease the chance for a burglary. While there's nothing explicitly stating that you won't be a target, these tips are more than enough to scare off most.

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Cleaning a Gun Safely

CLEANING A GUN SAFELY

To make sure a firearm is performing to its specifications the owner must make sure the gun is clean. Most problems pistols, shotguns, and rifles encounter are due to dirty bores and actions. Gun Powder is fairly corrosive and can cause damage to your firearm if not taken care of regularly. Below you find some good tips on cleaning your gun safely to help insure your firearm is working properly.

SAFETY FIRST

Make sure you are about to clean an empty pistol or rifle! Remove magazine clips and any ammunition in the chamber. Be absolutely sure the weapon is unloaded! It never hurts to check more than once. BE SURE YOUR GUN IS UNLOADED!

DON'T DISASSEMBLE TOO FAR

Read the owner's manual of your gun and go only as far as they recommend. If you don't have an owner's manual you most likely can download one from the manufacturer's web site usually at no cost. As a rule you should only need to disassemble as far as to reach the major components that need cleaning that powder and residue will build up due to normal use. Typically the bore, chamber and bolt or action.

EXAMINE THE FIREARM AS YOU BREAK IT DOWN

It's a good idea to inspect all the parts in the firearm as it's down for warn components due to normal wear and tare of the gun. You should also check for hair-line cracks, rust and signs of too much wear. If you find anything like this you should take the firearm to a professional gun smith for repairs.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLEANING YOUR GUN

REMEMBER: CHECK THE CHAMBER FOR ROUNDS BEFORE YOU START!

1.Clean your gun from the breach end if at all possible. If you can't clean from this end be sure you don't "push" any debris down into the action of the gun. Be sure to use a muzzle guard to protect the muzzle "tip" from scratches or nicks. If you damage this part of the gun you will loose a lot of accuracy in your shooting.

2. Be sure you use the proper patch holder for the caliber of your weapon. Soak the patch with a factory approved solvent or copper cutter.

3. Run the patch down the barrel to saturate the bore. Remove the dirty patch at the other end of the barrel. If you pull the patch back through the barrel it can fowl the barrel with debris you just pushed out. Let the solvent "stew" a couple of minutes to break up any stubborn lead or carbon that may have built up.

4. Pull the "empty" rod back out of the barrel, then attach the proper brush to the rod. Soak the brush with solvent and run it up and down the barrel 4 or 5 times to scrub the bore. Replace a patch on the rod and soaked in solvent and run it down the barrel with a new patch each time until the patch goes through free of any discoloration. Run a "dry" patch through to remove any remaining solvent. Check the bore for any debris and if necessary clean again.

5. Apply a few drops of quality gun oil to a new patch and run it through the barrel to leave a LIGHT film of oil inside the barrel. This will go a long way to prevent rust during storage.

6. With a nylon gun brush saturated in solvent brush away any powder that has not been burnt or debris away from the action. After the action is clean use a gun oil to LIGHTLY coat all surfaces and moving parts. Do not use too much lubricant because the action may become sticky and hinder the weapon from operating properly. A light coat is all that is needed to prevent rust and help in increasing the life of the weapon.

7.Reassemble the gun making sure you wipe any areas you have touch with your hands with a cloth lightly oiled or a silicone fabric. The acid on your hands from sweat can do a lot of damage to the steal as well as remove any marks you have deposited while handling. It will also have a "new" look to it when you are finished.

REMEMBER TO CHECK THE BORE FOR ANY OBSTRUSTIONS BEFORE YOU FIRE THE GUN!!!

Have fun and be safe.

Billy Willis
http://www.lonestarholsters.com

Responsible Gun Storage by Finding the Best Gun Safe Features

Owning a gun for personal and business use always entails responsible handling and safekeeping from its users. Owning a gun safe is one of the important factors to consider upon gun ownership. When purchasing a gun safe it is highly empirical to know the best features to look for in order to ensure that you get the quality storage safe where to keep your gun.

Buying a gun safe of good quality is much less expensive than spending for a replacement once your gun gets stolen. There are several stores who sell gun safes of different quality and the choice is left to the buyer to choose the one that fits their budget and meets their quality requirements. One should note that a gun safe that is made of thicker steel always offers the highest quality and better protection for your guns.

With countless gun stores selling gun safes of different brands and quality how will you get a gun safe that comes with better quality and assurance of storing your guns safely and more reliably? Knowing the following important factors that contribute to the quality of a gun safe feature will help you make better decisions when buying a gun safe.

1. Gun Safe Size and Weight

Recommendations from the experts on the ideal size and weight of a gun safe will be an interior vertical clearance of 58" and a loaded weight of 750 lbs. A 30" barrel rifle for instance is about 52" long. An extra space will be required thus a 58" interior height is more ideal. This is the recommended minimum interior vertical clearance by experts. The common width sizes are between 36" to 40" which provides enough space for a 16-gun rotary rack on one side of the gun safe with an added shelving unit on the other. These measurements provide an efficient and handy storage of a gun safe.

A 2000 lbs gun safe provides better security but requires professional installation in your home that can be a bit expensive. An alternative option is to go for a 750 lbs gun safe which provides a sturdy foundation that is hard to move while giving enough size and can resist from being tipped over.

2. Shell Strength and Wall Thickness

This is an important feature of a gun safe as this help prevents your guns from being toasted during a fire. A gun safe should be one with good external strength to prevent the breaking down of its components such as when heated on a fire. Good quality gun safes shells are constructed with continuous wells instead in stitches.

It is notable that steel is very expensive and many gun owners find it more practical to compromise the external shielding of a gun safe to get manageable weight and to spend a reasonable cost. Since most home related gun thieves employ a snatch and grab tactics of stealing guns instead of using cutting tools and gadgets this may seem a practical choice for a gun safe buyer.

3. Locking Device

Experts prefer the feature of rotary combination dial locks as a more reliable locking device for gun safes. They remain to be durable and often times with less hassles to operate than its digital clock counterparts. Cheap electronic locks are known to have its key pad internal to easily wear out. When choosing to buy a dial lock you should look for a UL group II certification feature and a UL Type 1 certification for digital lock gun safes.

Being able to find these good quality features from a gun safe will give you a guaranteed reliable gun safe to buy where you can store your gun safely.

Peter Garant is writing home security and gun safety and gun awareness articles for both winchester gun safes [http://www.gun-safes.us/winchester-gun-safes.html] Info and magnum gun safes Info web sites.

How To Stay Safe When Taking Photographs In A Foreign Land

When traveling overseas, taking photographs of unusual sights and scenes can be a great way to give friends and family back home an idea of what your experience was like. But if you were to wander around a foreign country snapping pictures randomly of people and buildings, you might end up in a heap of trouble, and can even be arrested. It is important to be aware of cultural sensitivities as well as local rules regulating when photographs are allowed and when they are prohibited no matter where you go.

It is natural to want to reach for a camera when confronted with a scene that is new to you, for instance when you see local people dressed or behaving in a way that you think of as being unusual. Taking photographs of the people in foreign countries is an activity fraught with risk, you should ask yourself how you would feel if a tourist came to your home town and started taking pictures of your family. No matter which part of the world you travel to, you should always ask permission before taking a photograph of people.

Religious scenes can be amazing to behold, especially if the faith in question is one that you do not know so much about. It should be understood that religion and the rituals that accompany various ceremonies are often intensely private affairs. Taking photographs of people praying or performing any religious ceremony is not an activity that should be encouraged, even if you see other tourist happily snapping away, this does not mean that you should do the same.

If you were to take pictures of any kind of transport infrastructure in a foreign land, for example airports, train stations, and bus stations, you may suddenly find yourself surrounded by local law enforcement agents. Many developing countries are extremely sensitive about photographs being taken of their infrastructure, and strictly prohibit the activity.

Under no circumstance should you take photographs of any military vehicles or facilities, that is unless you enjoy having automatic rifles being pointed in your face by angry soldiers. Do not think that a western passport gives you the freedom to take pictures of anything, and it would also be a mistake to be under the impression that your country's consulate or embassy would be able to help you out of a tricky situation.

Traveling overseas should be enjoyed and remembered as a wholly positive experience. By thinking carefully about where you point your camera you can make certain that you have a trip which is exciting, though not dangerously so.

Check out our tips on how to stay safe while taking photographs in a foreign land now in our article on where to find the best Photoshop tutorials beginners online on http://photoshopforbeginners.org

Tips For Hand Loading Ammunition Cases

Some say the war is the reason for the .223 Remington ammunition shortage. If that is true, then the shortages will not be ending soon. This might be the best time to start loading .223 cases.

Starts by picking up all the empty .223 cartridge cases that you find so that you can hand load your own cartridges. Reloading your own cases is more economical than buying factory loads even when they are not in short supply.

It is only a matter of time before the production of component bullets takes a supply hit also so now is the time to set up your reloading shop.

Local gun shops may not provide you with all of the components needed for loading .223. The internet might be the best place to start locating all of your materials since running all over your state for the various supplies might be a bit time consuming and expensive!

The following is a partial list of items needed for loading .223: A hand press; Die set for .223 Remington that includes shell holders; Power dipper and funnel; Case lube; Auto-prime tool; Primers; Case Trimmer and Lock Stud; Reloading tray. These items may vary. You will want to read through all of your equipment instructions and make an additional list of supplies according to their recommendations.

Although reloading your ammunition requires no special skills other than reading, understanding and following directions, you must make certain to have a safe area away from children.

A clean work area is of the utmost importance and you should be sure to clean the reloading area regularly to prevent dust buildup that may contain lead. Do not have carpeting in our loading area as it will hold reloading residue and it can also induce static electricity problems that could be hazardous when handling primers.

For your personal safety, make certain that you wear safety glasses while reloading. Also, all equipment should be firmly anchored to the work surface as you do not want your loading press to fall.

Make certain that you read and understand all reloading equipment instructions prior to using the equipment and use the loading data which is published by a reputable reloading component manufacturer.

Do not work on your reloading where there are lots of distractions, kids, TV, etc. You loading bench area is not the place to be if you are in a hurry.

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Calling Coyotes - Tips and Tools

Coyote calling is great fun and if you can find the market and properly care for your pelts, it can be somewhat profitable.

I have called coyotes for about ten years, prior to moving to Montana. I worked in a feed lot in Nevada and thanks to a man, Marty Morris, I learned to call. He was very helpful in teaching me to use a mouth call and gave me hints to get me started. Marty rode horseback in some of the country that most hunters didn't go to. Coyotes don't too pay much attention to horses so he was able to ride into the juniper trees, tie his horse up and get into position relatively unseen. I know that he would, on occasion, take 3-5 desert dogs on one stand.

I tried the horse back traveling for a while but time constraints were tight, so I would drive to an area I wanted to hunt. I would always be checking for tracks in the gullies since this is a main travel route for most coyotes. I would look for corner markings, scat, that would be a corner of a territory for a alpha coyote. If possible I would find a ridge or high ground and approach a stand site from the top. It seems like I always had better luck working from the top down. Now that's not to say that is the only way I would approach a stand. Working up washes or gullies also worked well.

I used coyote urine as a scent cover, wore all camo clothes and face paint. My rifle was wrapped in camo tape, in other words, I was as stealthy as possible. Once I chose a stand site I would sit in as much cover as was available. I would sit very quiet for a few minutes to let everything get quiet.

I would start my series of calls with a very soft, short call just in case I might have a coyote close. Wait 2-3 minutes, then go into a more aggressive call, wait 3-5 minutes and if I hadn't seen anything coming in, start over again. If you're going to call a coyote in, it will only take 15-20 minutes. If you have nothing coming in chances are you won't.

If you get a coyote coming in, wait until he stops to look around then give a squeak. He should turn and come to you. A lot of times they will want to get the wind in their favor by circling to check for smell. If you have one stop that's the time to give him the squeak. If you get him down, sit very still about 5 minutes then start your series of call again. Coyotes like to hunt in pairs so you might pick up his buddy too.

When you move stands, move at least 1/2 mile. On a normal breezy Nevada day, your call will be heard that far. By moving at least 1/2 mile you will be calling to new coyotes.

A side note here, if you call in a coyote, DON'T miss your shot. A coyote that has been called and shot at gets pretty hard to call again. I always carried a Remington 22-250 and a 12 gauge shotgun. A lot of times the squeak will get them in close enough for a shotgun. A shotgun will lay them down hard and you don't have the bullet hole to sew up.

Speaking of sewing the bullet holes, the best thing I found was dental floss. Works great, strong and looks clear. Always sew from the flesh side, don't pull the floss to tight or you'll get a pucker in the pelt.

I liked to skin as soon as possible. That way you don't have the carcass to mess with when you get home. The birds and other scavengers will pick the carcass clean in no time. Skinning a coyote is fast and simple. First cut around the "knee" joints, skin the pelt back around all four legs, make a cut up the inside of the hind legs, cut of the testicles and penis off if it is a male, pull down to the tail and make a small cut between the tail and and the carcass. The tail bone will then pull out of the tail. Tie the hind legs together, and then tie that to your bumper hitch, a tree or whatever you can find. The hide will then pull off all the way down to the head. I should mention here that you do not split up the back or the belly. You will have to pull and skin around the head being careful not to cut through the pelt. When you get to the ears, cut them off up close to the skull. Make a cut around the gum line of the top and bottom jaw. At this point you should be able to pull the remainder of the skin off. That's it! Throw the pelt in your truck and go hunt.

When you get home, wash the blood out of the pelt, turn it inside out and sew if necessary.

You can build stretch boards by using two 1"x4"x8' pine boards, round the top to a smooth point, I use a piece of leather as a hinge at the very top. Drill holes in the bottom two feet of the two boards, using a piece of 1x2, a bolt and wing nut, attach this to to one side. Drill a couple of holes in the other end. Slide your washed and sewn pelt over the top of the stretch board and pull down tight. Spread the boards apart to stretch the bottom of the pelt and put a nail in the hole you drilled in the 1x2 and in a hole you drilled in the 1x4. Now you have your pelt flesh side out and stretched tight on your new stretch board. Leave the pelt on the board until it is nearly dry, I repeat nearly dry. You should, at this point, be able to turn it inside out again putting the hair side out. Put it back on the board and repeat the stretch procedure again. after a couple more days it should be completely dry. Remove it, brush it good to fluff up the hair. You can brush in a little talcum powder to really do a fluff job.

Take your pelts to your market place and pocket the cash.

When you see your first coyote running to you...it is a rush!

Hunt hard, be safe and have fun.

frank@outwesthunting.com

Frank Rutherford

Want to Go Caribou Hunting? Here Are Some Tips

Before we go into the details of Caribou hunting let us first understand about the caribou. The caribou is a member of the deer family, and has the appearance of a big mule or a small elk. It has soft hair, extremely long legs and huge antlers. In spite of the fact that they resemble deer they are differ in many ways. They do not shy away; can sleep in water unlike deer and are animals that are always moving in herds. They generally feed on moss known as lichen and the reason that they are always on the move is because they go in search of lichen that takes a long time to grow back. Caribous can be easily tamed.

Caribou hunting is an exclusive experience. Caribou are hunted for their meat, their antlers and pelt. But ensure that if you plan to go hunting for the caribou, you hire a guide who knows things; because even if you do not happen to kill a caribou you are at least assured of a good hunting experience and you will be back safe and sound.

With every passing year the caribous becoming fewer in numbers and there are certain norms that have to be followed when you consider going on caribou hunting. Rules regarding the number of animals that you can kill, the regulations regarding the guns that you can carry, and various hunting techniques all now all very strictly managed.

You can use various means to hunt caribou. Generally people prefer to follow hoof prints, tree rubbings, scat, etc to track down a caribou. There are many places in Canada that you can go Caribou Hunting and many of the outfitters arrange hunting trips based on the movement patterns of the caribou, giving the hunter great pleasure in the sport especially with his favorite weapons like the rifle, muzzle loader or archery kit like the bow and arrows.

To find out more about caribou hunting opportunities including our hunting lodges and packages click here Caribou Hunting

Gun Rack Advantages and Selection Tips

Owning a gun is not mandatory, but it is legal in most states. For that reason, most people see the need to have a rifle. This item is necessary for hunters, campers, travelers, some jobs, shooting games, and so on. Most people keep a gun for self-defense. If you want to start carrying a gun, then you have to buy one from an authorized vendor. The retailer should know the local laws that govern use of a firearm. Another thing you will require is a gun rack. This item is used to transport pistols, rifles and other types of firearms in trucks. There are many different styles available for all types of trucks. Whether your SUV is old or modern, you can find the right rifle rack for it. The following are a few brief advantages of owning gun racks.

• They are available in a wide range of styles and sizes

• Gun racks offer easy installation, as no drilling is necessary.

• These small items hold your guns in a small space

• They provide a safe method of transporting guns

• The items are versatile as you could store your guns, fishing or hunting gear in them simultaneously. Some styles allow one to hang his or her garments, cables and other stuff on them.

A few people who lack racks are not keen enough on the issue of theft. If you are not near your truck, then hide your rifles. A gun case is just perfect and it fits snugly across your track's back seat. In case of an emergency, you could easily remove your gun and defend yourself. If you require a gun rack today, the following tips should give you through selection and buying processes.

• Construction - Although many rifle racks are available, some of them are not very reliable. You must examine the hardware construction. Find out if it is enough to hold the guns even when the conditions are tough. Look for metallic gun racks because they are strong and durable.

• Easy installation - Most racks are easy to install without making holes in your truck. Make sure that the type of installation offered is sturdy. You do not need a shaking rack for your firearms. Many styles you can find do not need any assembling. In addition, they are not bothersome during removal from the truck. They cannot even cause a single scratch on the interior parts of your auto.

• Matching racks - Today, trucks have newer advancements than in the past. This is why finding a matching firearm rack is virtually simple. Explore all the online possibilities and you will finally get an ideal style.

• Color and styles - The majority of gun racks can go well with your auto interiors. All the same, you should search thoroughly to find a complementing style. If you prefer side window utility racks, they are available too.

• Price range - A gun rack price depends on a few issues. For instance, the materials used for construction and the designs are two factors that would influence the prices.

G. Smitty is a writer who loves to discuss many topics ranging from truck gun rack to professional basketball. Thanks for reading!

Tips When You Are Hunting

Are you planning to take up hunting as a sport? If so there are some things that you have to know to be a successful hunter. This is a good sport that a lot of people are now taking up. Before you decide though make sure the area that you are hunting is open and you can legally hunt there. It is also important to be prepare your things that you are using for your hunting trip. You need to do all of this to be prepared and at the same time you can be safe when you are out hunting. Hunting can be dangerous if you are not careful and don't have the right tools to use. Here are some few things that you need to keep in mind when you are out hunting.

The very first thing that you have to choose when you are going hunting is to find the right weapon. Choosing the right weapon is important because you need it to shoot the animal that you are hunting. You can use either a rifle or a bow and arrow when hunting. Depending on which weapon you are comfortable using. It is important that you know the right way to handle these weapons and at the same time you need to know how to use the safety of these weapons.

Wearing the right clothes when hunting is a very important thing that you need to think about. That's because when you are hunting you are bracing the weather outdoors and you need to have the right protection to protect yourself from the weather. It is important that you wear the right clothes and footwear when you are hunting. Another thing, aside from giving you protection is that wearing the right clothes can give you the camouflage that you need.

You can wear ghillie suits when you are hunting. A ghillie suit is a type of camouflage that can look like heavy foliage. It can be a net or different kind of garment mostly covered with loose strips of cloth or some twines or twigs that can look exactly it surrounding area. You can choose a sniper ghillie suits to hide yourself when you are hunting. Animals can sense you when you are around so it is important that you hide yourself when you are hunting.

It is important that you hide your scent. Animals can detect your smell and they might run away from you the moment you get closer to them. There are some animal scents that you can buy and spray them to your body. You can hunt easier if animals cannot detect your scent.

Bring the right equipment. Bring the right type of knife, flashlight or other types of outdoors items when you are hunting. It would be better if you test them first before you decide to bring with you. This way, you know that it can work properly when you are hunting for animals. As much as possible bring only the items that you can carry. You may have some trouble carrying them and carrying the animal that you hunt.

Andrew Boone enjoys writing for Ghilliesuitshop.com which sells ghillie suits and sniper ghillie suits as well as a host of additional products.

Deer Hunting Tips and Secrets - Using A Stand Or Climber

Many hunters prefer hunting from a tree stand or climber. Some of the benefits from hunting from a stand include better sight distance, "less likelihood" of being seen, your scent is above the ground level, and many, many more.

However, you must have patience. Sitting quietly and near motionless for hours is difficult. Waiting for game to pass within shooting range works great when you choose the right stand placement. You must place your stand near a deer trail and definitely want to place it downwind from where the deer will be coming from. Many hunters prefer putting up two stands in the same area so when the wind changes you can pick the one that will give you best downwind protection.

Pick your stand for the type of weapon you will be using. Some of the stands are made to be adjustable for both rifle and archery use. But consider your body movement while shooting and made sure you can freely hold and use your weapon without hindrance. In most cases you will not want to shoot straight ahead - so position your stand for proper body placement and movement where you expect to be shooting towards.

Remember to stretch quietly to keep your muscles limber. You can get stiff after sitting in one position for very long.

There's a lot to learn about scents, masking your scent when in the stand, your clothing, etc. That's beyond the discussion here. Except for one thing... after you consume the morning coffee, or whatever you drink for breakfast, you'll eventually need to empty your bladder. Normally you don't want to climb down and back up again, making noise and movement that will tip deer off to your position. You may be tempted to turn and use the area behind the tree. However, the scent will definitely be picked up by deer in the area and will keep them away. Use a plastic container of sufficient size with a lid.

Many hunters are killed or seriously hurt every year by falling from their stands. It happens in a moment and every reason has been given from slipping, loosing balance, falling asleep, celebrating, etc. In many cases, the stand has failed - due to metal fatigue, straps or chains break, etc. Be sure to use a safety harness of sufficient strength. Test it. Make sure steps and branches will not impale you if you do fall. A little prevention goes a long, long way. Be safe while you hunt and return safely home.

Chas Hicks is a writer, an avid deer hunter, and loves the outdoors. His most recent book, "Deer Hunting Secrets EXPOSED: How To Take The Best Buck Of Your Life" addresses the advanced aspects of finding and selecting the biggest buck in the territory you hunt. You can read more at http://www.DeerHuntingWeb.com

Helpful Tips For Securing a Deer Hunting License

Securing a deer hunting license is one of the first things you need to do prior to organizing your hunting trip. This license is not simply for fun but for very specific purposes, for both the fish, game and wildlife authorities as well as the hunter. Keep in mind that while many of the regulations for obtaining a license are the same from state to state, each state typically has some of its own rules so for the state in which you plan to deer hunt, it is imperative that you get a copy of the current regulations.

The deer hunting license must be carried every time you hunt so if an official from the fish, game and wildlife department were to check you could be covered. Without having the license on your person, you would not only be booted from the hunt but also charged a significant penalty. A deer hunting license is designed to help officials know the name of the person hunting, where the person is hunting, and the type of deer being hunted. Additionally, a deer hunting license makes it possible for laws in each state to be enforced.

Although deer hunting is needed every year to keep the population down to a safe level, hunts need to be controlled. If officials were not able to follow people using the hunting license, we would see hundreds of thousands of people tromping on private land, hunting unsafely, injuring deer without following through to finish the kill and more. Therefore, a deer hunting license is an imperative part of this activity for both the official, as well as the hunter.

The price for a deer hunting license would vary slightly for each state. In addition, a resident of that state would pay a lower fee to obtain a license than someone who is not a full-time resident. Other residency requirements for getting a hunting license seen for most states includes being a permanent resident for a minimum of six months, being a legal voter and having completed a hunter's safety course.

We wanted to provide you with some examples of what would be required to obtain a deer hunting license for residents but again, rules for non-residents are different.

• Members of the armed forces being on active duty and stationed in the state

• Students enrolled in one of the state's universities

• Unnaturalized individuals who own property in the state for a minimum of five years

There are also exceptions in which some residents are not required to secure a deer hunting license. In this case, the people in situations listed below would not require a basic license, whether using a bow, muzzleloader, shotgun or rifle.

• A resident or non-resident as well as his or her spouse, children, grandchildren and parents that hunt on owned land

• Tenants that rent on land would also not require a deer hunting license although they would need to obtain written permission from the official landowner

• Any individual 65 years of age and over hunting on private land in the county or city in which he/she lives

• Hunters age 12 and under who are residents of the state although individuals of this same age who are non-residents would need a license but always supervised by an adult

• A person assisting a disabled hunter would not require a license nor would anyone possessing a state Resident Disabled Veteran Lifetime license

• Any American or Native American Indian living on the land being hunted

• A stockholder who owns 50% of the land on which the deer is being hunted

Trophy Deer Hunting Secrets reveals how experts get dramatic results when hunting for trophy whitetails. To learn more about deer hunting license visit us at http://www.trophydeerhuntingsecrets.com

5 Tips on How You Can Hunt Without Accidents

Hunting could be one of the most interesting and exciting sports. However, it also comes with lots of dangers and accidents if adequate precautions are not taken. Particularly, if you are a beginner in this field, then you should be very careful in your activity planning.

Lessons on hunting safety are given at many places where you may join others - online and off - to learn the basic tips for a safe and secured hunting trip. For example, here are certain general tips which you should definitely follow to be on the safe side.

1. If you are yet to start your hunting experience, then for your first few times out, plan to join a group of experts. There is much to learn about hunting, for which you need to have the practical experience. The experts will teach you various practical tips and tricks on how to avoid accidents in your deer hunting related expedition. Even if you are an experienced hunter, you should never go for the game shoot completely alone.

2. The most useful equipment for hunting is the rifle or gun. But you should know clearly about how to operate them. Otherwise, you might harm yourself or your friends or others. So, learn the techniques of handling or operating guns, before you plan for hunting trips.

3. Always keep a safe distance from the animal you want to hunt. Very few hunters in this world can keep their nerve strong while standing face to face with his or her game. So unless you reach that level of expertise, it is better to remain on the tree-stand or maintain a safe distance.

4. Staying alert at all times is very important. When you are hunting in a food plot or woods, remember that there will be other hunters around. So take a shot only when you see the deer clearly and within your range. Firing on basis of sound is very dangerous. Similarly, make sure you wear regulated hunting clothes to make your presence known to other hunters.

5. Always be cautious when you move through the woods and forests. At any moment you might have to face a dangerous creature. You should be enough flexible to react properly whenever the situation requires.

Click here for more information on planting a food plot and check out: hunting deer secrets for your library of resources.

List of Turkey Hunting Supplies You Need to Get - Essential Tip For Turkey Hunters

Back when we were still unknown in this world we are living, people are using different kinds of tools to survive. Most of these tools are made for hunting. Of course, food is a vital part on our survival, which is why they have to obtain as many tools they could get just to collect more food for their every day endurance.

As technology become wider and improved, less and less people engage themselves in turkey hunting events. And the reason why they still engage in these kinds of activities is for sports and fun purposes or for fresh food experience. If you want to try involving yourself in these events, you have to at least know what kind of turkey hunting supplies you need to get.

Here is a basic list of the needed turkey hunting supplies:

1. Backpack: This material is very helpful especially when you are bringing a lot of things with you. This will also be very good in transporting your turkey hunting supplies into good and manageable use.
2. Binoculars: A standard pair will be enough.
3. Rifle: You have to prepare this tool to keep you safe from other elements such as bears or other wild animals. You can also use this for easy hunting. You may bring ten or more cartridges with you.
4. Compass: obviously, this tool will turn you towards the right directions.
5. Map: A map of the place will be a good guide for you not to get lost and end up being stranded.

Aside from these basic turkey hunting supplies, you also need to arrange licenses and required papers to play the game. If you do not have these papers, you might finish off by going to jail.

There are times that hunting takes place in more than one day. Therefore, the hunter also needs to bring essentials such as food and spare clothes to survive the game. Aside from that, you should also be careful with the way you smell. Do not put on fragrance on your clothes, or else, you might end up the victim in the game.

If you would like more tips on turkey hunting supplies and separate yourself from the usual results obtain by amateur turkey hunters, please visit http://www.howtohuntturkey.com

8 Tips That Will Make Your Journey Safe And Trouble Free

Traveling by plane requires great planning. One can minimize problems by planning well in advance and taking a few precautions before embarking on the journey. This will alleviate problems and ensure that you have a safe and hassle free trip.

1. Always book tickets on a reliable airline. Check if they are offering any special fares or discounts. Check the tickets to ensure that what you have is a confirmed booking.

2. Find out details regarding size of baggage and weight allowed. Tag all bags with your name, address, phone number, date of travel, and flight number. Pack the bags yourself and ensure that they are all locked safely. Make two sets of keys.

3. As a precaution pack documents, passport, medicines, and other immediate essentials in the carry on case. In case your luggage gets lost or misplaced in transit you will still have bare essentials.

4. Follow to a "t" all security rules. Do not carry electronics, knives, batteries, or other banned items. All dangerous objects like razors, scissors, and so on must be put in your check in luggage.

5. All electronic items like cell phones and laptops must be fully charged and in accordance to rules turned on for checking if asked. Use of cell phones while flying is prohibited. So do not plan or making or receiving calls when in flight.

6. Take along a valid photo ID to the airport. Check whether you have your tickets.

7. Make prior booking for parking at the airport this will save you valuable time circling around to find suitable parking. If the airport lots are full or inconvenient try any of the private parking lots.

8. Always check the flight schedule before you leave the house. Make sure what the check-in-time is for your flight. Leave with plenty of time to spare. This way you won't have to rush from one end of the airport to the other.

It is against regulations for passengers to carry inflammables, aerosols, or household cleaners. Other prohibited items are: firearms even if you have a license, hunting rifles, baseball bats, golf clubs, pool cues, ski equipment, hockey sticks, darts, as well as bows and arrows. Because of terrorist threats it is against the law to speak of hijackings, bomb threats, or other dangerous things. Be cautious about who you befriend. Never accept any letter or parcel to be delivered to persons known or unknown. Never leave your luggage unattended and if you do notice any abandoned parcel or luggage bring it to the notice of authorities. Be aware of what the weather conditions are like where you going and take clothes accordingly. Prepare well for your flight and enjoy it.

Before leaving check online whether there are any diversions to be made at the airport or whether any new rules have been made. Most airports have easy to use websites. Refer to the site and find out where your terminal is and where your car is to be parked. If using public transport only use transportation services from official pick up points. The vehicles must have official markings. Don't get conned by people who make offers of special privileges or deals.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1866Travel.com , the premier website to find help on Traveling including topics on online travel directory, online travel planning, air tickets reservation, cruise travel, travel insurance issues, world travel, travel guide, vacation packages, travel agents, travel agencies and make hotel reservation, car rentals and more. He also freelances for the premier Hotels site http://www.1866Hotels.com

Airsoft Gun Safety and First Aid: Play Safe!

No matter how safe a game or sport is, the fact still remains that there's just no such thing as a pastime that's guaranteed to be accident- (or incident-) free. This holds true for bike riding, jogging, baseball, and even airsoft guns. But just like everything else, if you use the proper safety techniques, are aware of some of the basic mishaps and carry a suitable first aid kit, you'll be able to enjoy a worry-free day of airsoft fun.

First on our list of safety topics is the all-important first aid kit. While most of the major playing fields and areas will have a substantial kit or a medical professional available, you might want to consider the possibility of injury when you're well out of range of the base. For this reason and many others, you should always carry a personal-sized first aid kit. Most discount retailers, convenience stores and pharmacies carry the "ready-made" kits for you to grab and go, or you can make your own for a lot less money. It needs to be the right size to carry with you at all times, but also needs to hold the essentials like waterproof band-aids, eye-wash pods (to get dust and other tiny, foreign objects out of eyes), Tylenol or Advil, wound dressing, wound disinfecting spray and medical tape. Remember that you'll want to treat a small cut or abrasion early on before it gets infected and becomes a real problem.

It also might be a good idea to carry a cold-pack and an Ace bandage or other flexible support with you in your gear bag to aid in any ankle or wrist twists that may happen during your adventure. Slipping on wet grass or leaves, or turning holding your airsoft rifle incorrectly for a prolonged period of time can have quite an impact on certain body parts.

But the most important of all safety tips is to wear your protective gear like gloves and other body coverings. Always use your protective eyewear according to the manufacturer's instructions, as eye injuries can be some of the most painful of all. If your eye ruptures, there is a good chance that you will lose your eyesight permanently, so don't try to "look cool" by skipping protective eyewear!

Common sense reminds us to know our bodies when heading out for a safe day of airsoft. If you have weak ankles, be sure to wear the proper footwear and ankle support for a long day on your feet. If you're prone to back pain, a back brace or other support will help to keep you comfortable and pain free while you spend some relaxing time practicing the latest maneuvers and tactics in the realm of airsoft guns.

Chad Hodges recommends Trinity Airsoft if you?re shopping for airsoft guns.

Firearm Safety

HANDGUN SAFETY RULES

We've all heard it: firearms are not toys. Since pistols, revolvers, shotguns and rifles are really only as safe as the handler, everyone needs to know how to operate any type of gun safely. The safety rules below are recommended by EVERY firearm maker in the world and all who use pistols and rifles would do well to adhere to all of these safety rules. No one wants to turn an enjoyable outing of shooting into a terrible tragedy. So, read them well and APPLY them to your shooting experience, and above all, have fun with your gun!

ALWAYS...

1. POINT GUN IN A SAFE DIRECTION.

This rule will prevent 99% of all shooting accidents. The pistol or rifle should be pointed in a direction so that even if it goes off accidentally it will not injure anyone or damage anything. When handling the gun, it is up to the shooter to control the muzzle in the safe direction at all times (loaded or not). You need to use common sense to determine that direction whenever the gun is being handled.

2. KEEP YOUR FINGER AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER UNTIL READY TO SHOOT.

You should rest your trigger finger on the OUTSIDE of the trigger guard. Even better, keep your shooting hand away from trigger/trigger guard. Not until you are ready to fire are you to put your finger ON the trigger.

3. KEEP THE GUN UNLOADED UNITL YOU ARE READY TO USE IT.

When picking up ANY gun you must make sure the safety is ON! Then check the firing chamber by working the action back out of the way and checking the chamber visually to make sure it is empty. Remove any remaining rounds, if any, from the chamber. If you don't know how to work the action LEAVE THE GUN ALONE! Put it down! Find someone who knows how and they can show you.

SUMMARY

In order for all to safely enjoy the sport of shooting EVERYONE must hold to these simple rules for firearm safety. Shooting is such a pleasurable sport and can be as fun as anything you do with your family or as a "solitaire" experience. So PLEASE apply these safety rules and have a good time.

Billy Willis
lonestarholsters.com

5 Tips About Animals

I do not know anyone who does not like animals. I mean, I don't know anyone who hasn't a favourite animal. I know some people who don't like dogs, but do like cats and I know people who like dogs, but not cats. Some people are frightened of horses or bats, but like tropical fish. I guess most people are frightened of snakes, lions and tigers, but is that the same as not liking them? I'm not sure. I do find these latter three species frightening, but I don't wish to see any harm come to them. Luckily, the days of the 1920's and 1930's have gone, when the toffs would go to India or Africa and shoot dozens of animals a day from a safe distance with high powered rifles and scores of local body guards.I like this quotation:

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms".

George Eliot.

Helping Puppies Move Home: if your dog has puppies and you intend selling them or giving them away, put a piece of cloth in the dogs' basket for each puppy. The dogs' scent will permeate the fabric. When you hand the puppy over to it's new owner, give them a piece of cloth too. The smells on the cloth will help the puppy get over the shock of losing its mother and siblings. Nine times out of ten this will prevent the dog whining or crying at night.

Keep Off The Grass: nobody likes to see dogs' mess on their lawn, although sometimes the dog has nowhere else to go. The best way to prevent your dog from doing its business on you r lawn, is to take it for regular walks. However, this will not deter other peoples' dogs from doing it. In Australia and New Zealand, people believe that putting a transparent plastic bottle in the middle of the lawn will frighten dogs and cats away. It has to be said though, that nobody else in the world believes it works.

Super Glue It: it is quite frightening to see your dog oozing blood after a fight or after stepping on broken glass. Last year, my dog had its ear almost torn right off by another dog in a fight over a lady friend. It was 11 pm and there is no vet in our remote village. My wife called a friend who is a cowherd and he came straight over. After briefly examining the four inch wound, he whipped out a tube of super-glue and almost literally stuck my dog's ear back on. He says it works on humans too, a use for which it was apparently developed by the Americans in Vietnam.

Mouse Trap: if it annoys you that your dog or cat sleeps on your chair while you are away, you could put a set mouse trap on the chair before you go out. If you are worried about injuring your pet, put the trap under a single sheet of newspaper. Your pet will get the general idea after a day or two.

Whiter Than White: a Victorian trick for enhancing the colour of the coat of a grey horse, was to soak a piece of coal in the bucket of water that you use to rinse the horse off with. It brings the coat up and it looks whiter for some reason. It works on dogs too.

Owen Jones, the author of this article writes on several subjects, but is currently involved with Electronic Bug Killer devices. If you would like to know more, please go to our website at electronic insect killer.

Airsoft Review: Classic Army M15A4 Airsoft Rifle

This Classic Army rifle is an exact replica of the M-16 machine gun.

History of M-16:

The M-16 was designed in the mid-50s by designer Eugene Stoner.

It became the official issue weapon for the infantry in the United States military in 1967 just in time for the Vietnam era.

The gun is manufactured by ArmaLite, a firm based out of Illinois.

Features:

The CA 15A4 rifle closely resembeles the M16. It has an all-metal receiver. The only parts there are plastic on this gun, are the pieces that are also plastic on the real M-16, namely: the stock, the handgrip and the fore grip. The material is a very durable fiber reinforced plastic.

Classic Army is the only Airsoft manufacturer licensed to use Armalite's logo on their products. The markings appear on the M15A4 in the same way as they appear on the real M-16.

The fire selector switch has three positions: safety, semiautomatic and full automatic. The gun is shipped with a 300 around high-cap magazine. It is equipped with a detachable metal handle (unlike M15A2 that has the handle joined to it permanently). The latch that is employed to cock the M-16 and the button that is used to fix ammunition jams are for show only. The fire selection indicator on the opposite side of the fire selection switch is also for looks.

Operation:

The operation of this airsoft gun is fairly straightforward. Put the fire selector switch on semi or auto mode then pull the trigger.

To load the high-cap magazine, remove it from the gun by pressing the magazine release button then open the small sliding door on top of the magazine. After loading the BBs, the sliding door must be pulled shut. Next, the loading mechanism inside the magazine, must be wound up in order for it to feed the rounds into the feeding tube of the magazine. The wind up wheel is found on the bottom of the magazine. It is okay to turn the wheel as many times as you wish, since has functionality built in to prevent it from being over-wound.

The hop-up mechanism is located under the dustcover on the right-hand side of the gun right beneath the carry handle. It is held shut by a small magnet, and it is also spring-loaded. In order to get to the hop-up mechanism, the cover must be flipped open. This mechanism is used to adjust the flight of the BB exiting the barrel. It puts a spin on the round, thus increasing accuracy and range. The product is shipped with the tool to adjust the hop-up, but it can be just as easily adjusted by sticking a finger into the opening. If you need the BBs to fly higher, turn the larger wheel counter clockwise. To induce the opposite effect, turn it clockwise.

The battery is located in the stock. To get to it, the door must be opened on the butte plate of the gun. Sometimes, it takes a little convincing before the battery comes out. It is a tight fit, however, the gun will also take the much larger 9.4-volt battery. One must be careful though, not to let the battery just slide out by it self. Doing so may result in the connections being torn off.

Reliability:

Classic Army products have had a new design since 2003. A great number of things have been fixed in the newer versions. The gearbox is sturdier than before, and it is also said to be quite a bit quieter. They all metal construction also eliminates the squeakiness usually associated with guns made are plastic.

Performance:

These stock rate of fire is between 280 and 315 fps. Velocity moves in this range in semi automatic mode. It will alternate on every shot fired. There does not seem to be a fluctuation on full the automatic setting. The velocity is consistently at its highest in this mode.

The rate all fire is about 15 rounds per second.

The velocity can be easily increased by installing a stronger spring in the gearbox. Your local airsoft store will be able to do that for you. A higher rate all fire is achieved by installing a larger, stronger battery.

Maintenance:

The battery must be fully charged, in order to prevent jamming of the gearbox. Once the battery gets weak. It is less likely to complete a full cycle of the gearbox hence the tendency to jam. In order to help the battery to hold a full charge, it must be fully discharged periodically. It is wise to invest in a smart charger.

And finally a word about safety: while airsoft products are ultimately toys, they are grown-up toys. Eye protection must be worn at all times. While not in the middle of a game, it is prudent to put the gun on safe. Once done with a gun for the time being, the magazine should be removed.

Airsoft products in the United States of America are required to be sold with a bright orange tip. Removal of those is not recommended.

In the event that you get pulled over by the police and you have an air soft gun in your possession at the time, it is advisable to inform the policeman of the fact.

Conclusion:

Classic Army products in general are of great quality and the M15A4 rifle is no exception. The gun looks great, and handles and feels like the real thing. If you are in the market for something with long range and great accuracy, then this gun definitely has your name on it.

Watch a video review of this product on our website at http://airsoftguns411.com/classic-army-m15a4-rifle/airsoft-review-classic-army-m15a4-airsoft-rifle/

Amateur Pig Hunting - 10 Tips to Success

Having never shot a gun, nor seen a pig in the wild, you could say I was very much an in-experienced hunter, but when the opportunity presented itself, my enthusiasm more than qualified me to join an expedition. No pigeons or rats for this buccaneer, my first kill would result from a 'do-or-die' situation. Kill or be killed I mused as I pictured myself pitted against the might of a charging boar. Sights aligned, trigger readied, Beast against Bullet.

As it turned out, the only time I saw bullets that day was when they were falling off the kitchen table as we gathered our equipment. I flinched like I'd just been stung by a wasp as they bounced off the concrete floor. The only eyes being batted were in my direction. Harden up, I thought, we're going pig-killin'.

So my two companions, a complete stranger and a friend of a friend, had guns, knives, and full camo gear, while I had a water bottle and a camera. There were other weapons I was told, namely Rat and Mouse, two specially bred pig dogs. They belonged to the most ardent hunter in the area and his home was a shrine to his exploits as a marksman. They were tied, with about ten other dogs, to the base of a large dead tree. The bark was black and the branches bare except for the hundreds of skulls that hung there. Empty eye sockets stared down from deer skulls as their antlers twisted into each other like some macabre foliage. Jaw bones from wild pigs, complete with pairs of huge tusks, hung in rows, sneered down at me. The dogs yelped and squealed and tore at their bindings. 'Pick me, pick me' they barked. Careful not to walk in the bundles of snares and traps by my feet, I stepped away from the scene.

By my judgement, the dogs were a greyhound-bull mastiff cross. 'Fast and Nasty' I was told. So, Tip number 1: Get dogs.

Off we headed, into New Zealand's rugged south island hills, with our guns and dogs and a sense of direction that only my companions were aware of. I assumed I'd just follow them and try not to get shot but my assumptions were misguided. To follow someone else's trail, I was assured, could be suicide as the hills were riddled with wasp nests. If someone disturbed a nest, it's the one following behind that will suffer the consequences. Tip 2: Beat your own path.

As we plodded along by a stream in a cool shaded gully, my two guides discussed our tactics. When one of them pointed to the ridge on one side of us I knew that we were in for a climb. And climb we did, for about 45 minutes, up a slope of about 55 degrees. Travelling through thick bush is hard enough on the flat, but with this angle it made for a hellish struggle. Tip 3: Be fit.

I finally reached the ridge and was confronted for the first time by the heat of the day. It was early morning but already in the mid 20's. As our next route was being discussed, just beyond eaves-dropping distance, I realised I'd have no say, nor would have any information, until I opened my mouth. "Where to now," I asked between gulps of air. "After the pigs," was the reply. Tip 4: Don't ask stupid questions.

We slid down the other side of the ridge and rested in the shaded gulley at its base. There had been no sign of the dogs since we left the car. No sign of pigs either. Tip 5: Don't get your hopes up.

I kicked a lump of mud into a small pool next to me. Just then, I heard rummaging nearby. The adrenaline began to flow as I imagined the pig charging in my direction. My guides didn't seem too excited so I took their queue to be calm. Suddenly, the dogs burst from the bush and scampered around us. One of them lay in the pool next to me. It was a pig bath, I was duly told. He lay there and rolled in the mud, picked up the pigs scent, looked through his eyes, had, for a moment, become the pig, then tore off in another direction. 'We're on,' I heard someone mutter.

I blindly fumbled through the bush, trying to avoid wasp's nests. One of my companions would point to a broken branch or a skinned tree and claim that they were pig markings. Sure, I thought. With each forced step and scratch to the face, my enthusiasm waned. I hoped that we wouldn't find a pig because I imagined dragging the thing back to the jeep, being covered by its blood, being infected by it's fleas, getting drooled upon as I tried to shoulder its massive weight. But then I thought, well, if we don't find a pig, then why the hell am I here? Why am I climbing yet another ridge, suffering another scratch to the face, twisting another ankle in the undergrowth if there is to be no prize at the end of it? My apathy became determination. Tip 6: Stay focused

We kept up to the dogs as best we could, resting when we could. Tip 7: Don't sit on the ground when hunting dogs are present, unless you want a thick film of greasy saliva all over your head and a lungful of retched, death flavoured breath.

I did savour some fantastic views during my trek and it as during one of these moments, while catching my breath and losing it again at the sight of the scenery, that some nearby rustling did occur. The body language of my companions signified that this was the real deal. A silent dog, I had been told, was a killing dog. A barking dog was one that encountered a pig so large it needed backup. The chorus of barking that ensued denoted a huge one. I heard some branches snap and some loud un-earthly sounding grunts. The grunts intensified, grew louder and morphed into full-blooded shrieks - like a stuck pig's I suppose.

I caught a glimpse of its huge shoulders as it darted through the undergrowth. I reached for my .22 rifle; the one that my mind told me should be hanging on my shoulder. I clawed at my nonexistent knife clip to unleash the hunting sabre that my adrenaline supplied me with. I stood, rooted with just clenched fists and teeth to defend myself with. Tip 8; Bring weapons.

Luckily for me the noise faded, carried in the opposite direction, and away into another day's tale. My companions saw fit to climb two more ridges, but even I knew the hunt had ended and that the fleeting glimpse was as close as I would get. No shots fired, no blood drawn, no addition to the tree of skulls

Unbeknownst to me, we had completed a full loop and ended up back at the start. Tip 9: Do a loop, for the sake of all your bodily functions.

Safe and well, I withered into the back seat of the jeep. All things considered; gunshots, tusk gouges and wasp stings, steep inclines and exposed ridges, my imagination had been my most dangerous foe. Which brings me to Tip 10: Learn to hunt pigeons and rats before 500 pound beasts. But you already knew that one.

Tips on How to Mount a Riflescope

The lower the scope, the better. A scope positioned near the rifle makes suitable cheek weld to the stock for any steady firing posture and permits quick target acquisition. We recommend using the most reasonable ring level. No distinct clearance is required, though the scope should clear the bolt handle, hammer (on lever actions and handguns), sights and barrel.

Whenever installed, ensure that your scope won't impact firearm performance and will not speak to anything apart from the mount rings.

Putting in the base, rings and scope:

Please, make reference to the directions included with the base and rings with regard to their proper installation over the firearm. If required, it can be safe to put the rear mount ring on the exposed threaded are close to the eyepiece, but only right after focusing the eyepiece. This gives a more forward placement of the scope

Developing Eye Relief on Rifles and Shotguns

With the safety concerns related to suitable eye remedy, experts recommend for you to install your scope as far forward as you can.

Beyond that, follow these steps:

1 - when using the scope as much as forward from the mounts as you can, secure the rifle as part of your regular shooting position

2 - slowly move the scope to the rear just until you can see a full field-of-view

3 - position your scope to put highest possible eye remedy

4 - proceed to complete the setting up

To substantiate that the scope is installed in the absolute best position, try assuming many positions: kneeling, seated, prone and aiming both uphill and downhill. Remember that aiming uphill ordinarily decreases eye relief. Being dressed in hunting/shooting distinct clothing is beneficial because may alter eye remedy considerations slightly.

In case a scope is placed too much on the back, the eyepiece can injure the shooter's brow. Shooting at an uphill angle furthermore raises this risk given it shortens the distance among the brow plus the rear on the scope. So, whenever installing your scope, we endorse positioning it as far as forward within the mounts as you possibly can to take full benefit from this ample eye relief.

Setting up eye relief on hand gun scopes

Due to the fact handguns are generally fired from an arms extended posture, eye relief is a smaller amount of a safety issue than with riflescopes. On the other hand, it is still vital that you get the eye relief right for you.

1 - keeping the handgun within your normal shooting stance, position the scope inside rings to accomplish the full field of view

2 - go to accomplish the installation

In contrast to riflescopes, adjustments to the eyepiece in hand gun scopes modify the eye relief along with the reticle focus. Rotating the eyepiece clockwise increases eye relief and rotating it counterclockwise lessens it.

Concluding the set up

1 - while not disrupting the best eye relief position, rotate the scope until the elevation adjustment dial reaches the top of the scope

2 - from a firing position, check to be sure that the vertical hair in the reticle align with the vertical axis of the firearm. Misalignment is not going to influence precision at modest distances nevertheless it can minimize long range precision

3 - when you are pleased, tighten up the ring screws equally and securely

Information provided in this article is only a starting point, considering all the Nikon scopes features. You can find more info and prices clicking Nikon scopes

My Next Top 10 Travel Tips

Earlier, I wrote my Top 10 Travel Tips. I had a number of people offer suggestions, so I thought it was time to write the next Top 10 Travel Tips.

Hope these are helpful!

1. This one is from a friend. Pack with travel cubes - or any other type of bag within a bag. This helps keep clothes organized and when security rifles through everything, "things" won't go flying.

2. Wear shoes that slip on and off easily to the airport - I like Dansko.

3. Drink a glass of water every hour (when the water is safe).

4. This one if from friend...and a little gross. Put a little Vaseline in your nostrils and a just a little in the corners of your eyes - you get less dry. I tried it and it works!

5. When making decisions about activities, ask yourself how you'd feel 5 or 10 years from now about each decision. Do I go to the museum or do the boat tour? Do I have a fancy dinner or go to a play? Spend an extra day in Paris or see the countryside? Lie at the beach or site see?

6. This one is also from a friend. He was in Cambodia after traveling for months. There was a movie theater playing an American movie. He fully enjoyed the movie and forgot where he was. When he walked out he had a renewed appreciation for where he was and where he came from.

7. It's hard to enjoy yourself if you are tired or sore. A quality memory foam travel pillow is a necessity. You'll find yourself wearing it on planes, trains, and long car rides. The best travel pillows. will provide full support for your head and neck. Also, more and more airlines are no longer offering airline pillows.

8. Bring a couple packs of Wet One's or Handy Wipes. They are useful for hygiene, comfort, and even make-up removal.

9. Save a copy of your itinerary on the Internet. Just email it to yourself.

10. This one is from a friend. If you find yourself trying to sleep and there is a mosquito in your room, ask the front desk for a fan. Turns out, mosquito's hate even a light breeze.

Happy travels!

Lisa Teller is a travel writer and operator of the travel blog, The Travel Doc. Lisa is also a consultant for the Embrace Sleep Collar. For more information, please visit http://www.sleepcollar.com/

Ruffed Grouse Hunting Tips

Hunting the spunky, but cyclical, ruffed grouse can be both exasperating and rewarding. Now I've got to admit, a huge part of hunting success for this wonderful upland game bird is shooting accuracy and proficiency, and I just am not the marksman with a shotgun that I am with a rifle. But as important as being a good shot is, it is equally important to know how grouse behave and to put yourself in position to get a good shot. With that said, here are five key points to focus on for improved ruffed grouse hunting results:

1. Choose the right gun and stick with it. Shots at grouse come super fast, so the gun mount has to be right instantly and consistently. That's just not going to be the case if you're changing guns all the time. Changing barrels depending on the bird species being hunted is way preferable to changing guns completely.

2. Shoot skeet with some regularity and increased frequency as hunting seasons approach. It's great hunting practice and will boost your confidence and your effectiveness. You'll find that you will get used to seeing your targets break and that confidence will carry over to your field shooting. You move differently, you're not tentative. You expect to see birds fall and they do.

3. Always be ready for birds to flush. Whether you're using pointing dogs or spaniels and other waterfowl retrievers, you need to work together as a team and always keep an eye on your dog. I've seen numerous hunters with pointing dogs only pay attention when the dog goes on point, and as a result are surprised by wild flushes and miss many good opportunities. Keep your trigger hand on your gun and use your left hand to push brush out of the way so you can always get your gun into action quickly.

4. Make the right approach and don't stop until you're in a spot for a good shot. Dogless hunters know the trick of stopping to make birds flush, and grouse hunters do it inadvertently, pausing on the way to a point and making birds flush wild. When your dog goes on point, walk in a rhythmic, steady cadence to the bird until you reach a place that you can shoot.

When cover is so thick that there is no "right place," take turns with a partner. One of you goes where you can shoot; the other plunges into the thick stuff. Look for escape cover like conifers where the bird will want to fly, then cut the grouse off by coming in from that direction.

5. Read the line of flight. Grouse are not swift flyers. The heavy cover they're hiding in just makes them seem fast. Get a good bead on them by simply identifying where you can shoot and the bird's probable path.

If you can't see your partners, call out so you'll know where they are. That tells you where you can't shoot safely and gives you your shooting window. When a bird flushes in that window, you only need to see enough to read its line of flight.

Line is much more important than lead. If you can get the gun ahead of the bird and shoot on the right line, chances are you will hit it.

Ignore brush and pull the trigger. The odds of a grouse being directly behind a 10-inch tree trunk the instant you shoot are slim.

Remember, a grouse in hand really is one of hunting's greatest trophies, the satisfaction of which ranks right up there with a trophy whitetail. Why? Because you work for them just as hard and earn every one you bag! Good hunting!

James Nelson is an avid, lifelong hunter and he enjoys sharing tales, tips and tricks from his hunting adventures at his "Hunting Tips And Tricks" website at http://www.huntingscopes-jei.com/.

Be Safe With Your New Airsoft Gun

Getting an airsoft gun can be an exciting time as it gives you the chance to learn a new interest and become skilled at using it, there are organized airsoft games held all over the country where you'll meet like-minded people and have some fun.

The type of airsoft gun you decide to buy will depend on the reason you want one in the first place, whether it's just for a spot of target practice, a shooting competition or a game. Whatever your reason there are certain aspects you should be aware of, concerning safety and security, before going ahead and making that purchase.

Once you have your own gun you'll notice that there is an orange tip at the rear of the barrel, the reason this is here is so it can be distinguished from a real firearm. If for some reason you remove or hide it then you are actually breaking the law, this might sound unreasonable but telling the difference between a real assault gun and a replica can be extremely difficult and can be the only way police can tell between the two. If you are seen outside with your replica by a member of the public they may think it is a real firearm and so call the police, if they then turn up to check out the situation and your orange tip isn't firmly in place you could be in real trouble.

You should know that it's illegal to act in public as if your airsoft gun is the real thing or brandish it irresponsibly, if you do and scare members of the public you can actually be charged and tried by the law. This includes playing an airsoft game in any public place without notifying the police beforehand, so a spontaneous game on the wasted bit of ground just down the road is out of the question. This also applies to private land as well - make sure you first get the owners permission.

When carrying airsoft guns from one place to another ensure it's always packed away in its case where no one can see it, this is the safest method and also protects your gun from damage. You may know that it is a replica you are carrying but anyone else will not and it could scare them enough to call the police which will result in all kinds of trouble for you - the best thing to do is follow the rules and avoid this.

Safety aspects aren't only about how you handle your gun, however you also need to look out for yourself. Participating in airsoft gun battles or games might be fun, but can also hurt like hell if you don't protect yourself sufficiently. A plastic BB coming at you anywhere from 250 feet per second to 350+ feet per second can be extremely painful and leave nasty bruises or can even make you bleed, or if it hits you in the eye then you're sure to find yourself at the emergency department at the hospital. Ensure you always wear your goggles at all times when playing, they should be rated at least ANSI Z87.1 or paintball goggles. Full-face protection is also necessary for any airsoft sporting activity as bb's can not only cause serious eye injury but also shatter teeth. Other recommendations include using neck protection as well as elbow and knee guards. Clothing should include long-sleeved jackets, trousers, boots and gloves.

Overall, the best way to enjoy your airsoft gun is to treat it as if it is a real firearm, this can prevent accidents, hassle, misunderstandings, and injury. Don't be put off by these safety aspects! Participating in a game can introduce you to a new circle of friends and a lot of excitement on the weekend. It doesn't have to be dangerous as long as you are responsible and heed the rules.

If you do decide to buy airsoft guns then you can find some really good deals online. Specialized websites can give you all the information and advice you need on the type of gun that would suit your needs and there are different price ranges for everyone's budget. Shop for cheap airsoft rifles on the web for convenience and ease and start having some fun!

Michiel Van Kets writes articles about Air Soft King, one of the leading online retailers of spring, electric or gas powered airsoft guns. Air Soft King carries real firearm replicas in a variety of shapes and sizes, and some come with an option of adjustable trigger, shock proofing, multiple shots features, as well as accessories such as airsoft gun clip, mask, targets and more. If you are new to the game invest in cheap airsoft rifles for an experience you will never look back.