Making Friends at Terry’s Gun Shop

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

If a man does not make new acquaintances, as he advances through life, he will soon find himself alone; a man should keep his friendships in constant repair…Samuel Johnson 1709-1784

It’s always a comforting feeling to arrive at one’s vacation destination – this one being the Rifle River Recreation Area in Ogema County. Even with a detailed camping list and having checked all the boxes, suspicion that I had forgotten something crept in on the way north.  Sure enough, upon arrival, it was discovered that my large cooler full of hand-picked food was left behind.  After establishing camp, a trip into Rose City was necessitated to restock provisions.

Fortunately, the Family Fare market had the requisite necessities. However, a detour ensued, when I motored in the opposite direction from camp following the signs to Terry’s Gun Shop a mile west of Rose City.  The refrigerated items would be fine for a little while, thought I.

The sign at the side of the road indicated the shop opened at 1pm.  Dang!  I was too early.  As I began to turn around at the drive, an ol’ boy was mowing and alertly noticed my vehicle’s maneuver and promptly waved me in.  “Are you Terry?” I called out.  “I am he” was the response and he proceeded to open the shop’s door.

I told Terry that I was looking for a .410 gauge repeating shotgun for hunting, after which he asked what that meant to me.  Terry then removed a few firearms from his safe and carefully pulled out an old J.C Higgins bolt-action shotgun made for Sears Roebucks by Savage Arms in the 1950s.

.410 Shotgun made for Sears Roebuck by Savage

It was a shining example of American craftsmanship and quality of days gone by.  Bluing was flawless and the straight-grain walnut stock was better than any modern-day synthetics.  The action was tight and slick.

Magazine Tube Feed

“I’ll take it” involuntarily seemed to jump from my lips.

When asked how long he had been this location, Terry replied, “All my life.”  We then learned we had acquaintances in common – one from the area and one from Owosso – both having passed on.  We hit it off and began to talk guns – old guns – like the gem I had in my hands.

However, one hitch evolved:  Credit cards were not accepted and I didn’t have the cash in my pocket.  With the refrigerated food still in the truck outside, I decided to get to a fast-cash machine in town and then head back to camp for my first meal of the day.

Back to the gun shop, the previously vacant lot now had five vehicles in front belonging to five men sitting indoors with Terry behind the desk.  I felt like I was among friends and shared a few laughs with the local boys.  Returning to camp was one happy camper.  (Ugh!  I usually hate that reference, but not this time!)

Back home, the old scattergun was function tested and patterned at 25 yards with different loads and the results couldn’t have been better.

In summary, the fishing was more than slow, but gaining a friend made my northern visit worthwhile.

Firearms, General , , , , ,

Michigan: dry weather boosts fire risk around state, especially in northern Lower Peninsula

Warm, sunny spring days across most of Michigan this week have sparked people’s interest in outdoor fun, but warmer weather also stokes wildfire danger. Make fire safety a top priority when working in the yard, riding all-terrain vehicles or building an evening bonfire.

Fire danger is highest across the northern Lower Peninsula and in parts of the Upper Peninsula, said Jeff Vasher, fire specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

“Humidity is low, so the environment is drying out fast,” Vasher said. “A fire can take off with very little warning in these kinds of conditions, especially if it’s windy at all.”

Some parts of the Upper Peninsula still have melting snow, but those that don’t also are drying fast. Fire danger is expected to remain elevated throughout the weekend. Read more

Wildlife

Davidson’s Exclusive Girsan MC P35 PI OPS

PRESCOTT, Ariz. – Davidson’s, one of the nation’s top firearms, ammunition, optics, and accessories wholesalers, is pleased to announce its latest Exclusive pistol produced in conjunction with EAA/Girsan.

Since beginning its relationship with EAA/Girsan, Davidson’s has introduced dozens of Exclusives in collaboration with the Turkey-based manufacturer.

When EAA/Girsan first brought the 9mm chambered MC P35 to market, Davidson’s was quick to begin design and production on several exclusives in this product family. The most recent to be received is this PI OPS model. Read more

Firearms

THROOM Ricochet-Free Targets BounceBack Series

BounceBack™ targets mount on soft wood 2x4s, 2x3s and 1x6s. With each hit they snap back and then bounce back to their upright position. There is no need to go down-range to reset this target. One-piece BounceBack™ Series targets have a flexible hinge at the base made of Shoot-Throo™ self-healing polymer, so bullets pass through the target and the hinge. For an entirely different reaction, remove the bolts to knock the BounceBack™ Series target completely off the stand. Read more

Firearms

Anglers should be cautious when fishing for deep-water walleye

Anglers who catch walleyes in deep water should carry and learn how to use deep-water release devices to prevent fish deaths.

Walleyes are moving away from their spawning locations into deep water. Anglers reeling them up from depths of 25 feet or more can cause barotrauma in walleyes. Barotrauma is when the gas in a walleye’s swim bladder, which help control buoyancy, expands, forcing eyes to bulge and bladder to push out of its mouth. If the fish is released in this condition, it is unable to get back down to its depth.

Lake McConaughy, Merritt Reservoir and Elwood Reservoir typically are the reservoirs where this can be an issue.

Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said Nebraska anglers are not aware of deep-water release devices. Instead, he said, they use hypodermic needles to release the gas from walleye suffering from barotrauma, which he said there is no research to show it is effective in saving the fish.

A blog written by Bauer discusses this issue and includes a video on how to deep-water releasing of fish. View it at magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/2014/11/deep-water-mortality/.

Fishing

SK Customs® Introduces Gods of Olympus-Ares to the 1911 Series Lineup

HAYMARKET, VA – May 12, 2023 – SK Customs®, the Nation’s only series driven, limited edition manufacturer of custom firearms, proudly presents “Ares,” the third creation in the Gods of Olympus engraver series. This production of 200 custom model Smith & Wesson Full Size 1911 pistols cambered in 45 ACP embodies SK Customs’ talent in producing one-of-a-kind engraved firearms.

“Ares, known as the Greek god of war and courage, is one of the most prominent and recognized Olympians,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Customs. 1911 collectors and enthusiasts can now boast a beautifully designed firearm representing some of the oldest stories in the world.”

To exalt some of Ares’ powers, SK Customs showcases his shield, spear and Spartan helmet throughout the pistol. The grips are made of Kirinite® and feature the Greek Key border, illustrating Ares in battle armor along with the god’s vulture and dog, symbolizing loyalty and protection. Read more

Firearms

Cobalt Kinetics to Showcase at the 2023 TRIGGRCON

Cobalt Kinetics, a manufacturer of exquisitely designed (and expertly built) American Masterpiece firearms and accessories; is proud to announce that they will be exhibiting at the 2023 TRIGGRCON show (October 7th-8th) in Fall River, KS at the Flint Oak Hunting Lodge. Range “LR7” will be the main destination for show attendees that want to come by and shoot/ test out Cobalt’s new Pro series platforms, SPR series platforms, and line of accessories (including the RCB-KM & other soon to be launched accessories).The Cobalt Kinetics staff will be on site with a secondary booth at the vendor area as well to answer any in-depth questions that folks may have about the tech behind the Pro/ SPR series of rifles. Read more

Firearms

Barnett Introduces New Entries to the Explorer Series

Tarpon Springs, FL (May 11, 2023) – Barnett® is proud to include three models to their legendary line of hunting crossbows. The updated Explorer (“XP”) series is designed with the serious hunter in mind. Veteran outdoorsmen and beginners can now find a quality, reliable, and deadly-accurate bow at an affordable price, all in the same crossbow series.

Barnett’s XP lineup introduces three lightweight, powerful hunting crossbows, each constructed with foot stirrups mounted onto diecast magnesium risers and with machined, drop-in flight tracks. Additional features include a pass-through foregrip, three composite Picatinny rails, and a TriggerTech™ metal-injected molded trigger. Safety features include Trigger Tech’s Anti-dry fire (ADF) trigger and a Soft-Lok bristle retainer to keep arrows secure.

Each crossbow in Barnett’s Explorer Line comes complete with a ready-to-hunt accessory package containing a lightweight quiver, rope-cocking device, lube wax, and two 20 in. Headhunter arrows. Measuring just 13 in. to 13.1in. axle-to-axle cocked, these compact, accurate, and reliable crossbows offer the ultimate in maneuverability and performance. Barnett ensures that performance and function of the XP line make it the ultimate hunter’s crossbow package. Read more

Archery

Wonders of Wildlife Partners in Nationwide Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Effort

More than 500 cold-stunned sea turtles were flown to 12 AZA facilities across the country for critical care and rehabilitation this year.

SPRINGFIELD, MO – As part of a nationwide commitment to conservation, 12 Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) facilities have teamed up this year to rescue and rehabilitate 518 cold-stunned sea turtles off the coast of New England.

Participating in this global effort are some of the nation’s top wildlife conservation and education destinations, including the world-renowned and award-winning Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium (WOW), New England Aquarium, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Florida Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, National Aquarium, North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium, SeaWorld Orlando, and South Carolina Aquarium.

In the last decade, more than 10,000 sea turtles have required rescue along the U.S. Atlantic Coast due to cold-stunning. This life-threatening condition occurs when water temperatures rapidly decline, and sea turtles are unable to move to warmer waters or fend for themselves. Like all reptiles, sea turtles are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and cannot regulate their body temperature. If water temperatures drop below approximately 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), sea turtles become lethargic and are unable to swim, forage for food and defend themselves from predators. The number of cold-stunned sea turtles varies from year to year based on migratory habits and the severity of winter storm conditions in the area. This season, more than 1,000 turtles washed ashore, making it the third-largest cold-stunning event on record out of the Northeastern United States.

Cold-stunned sea turtles being rescued off the beaches of Cape Cod. Photo Courtesy to Andrew Spence.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are two key governmental agencies dedicated to conserving and managing marine ecosystems. These organizations oversee sea turtle rescue efforts and facilitate transport from the beaches to the New England Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital, where the turtles receive initial assessments and urgent care year after year. As the hospitals fill up, the nonprofit group Turtles Fly Too then helps transport many of the animals across the country to AZA-accredited institutions.

Turtles Fly Too helps transport sea turtles from the New England Aquarium to other AZA facilities nationwide for rehabilition.

Read more

Wildlife

Nightstick Launches Improved 650-Lumen Compact Handgun Lights

Wylie, Texas – Nightstick, a global manufacturer of professional portable LED lighting products announces the launch of its latest TCM-10 Series compact handgun weapon lights, TCM-10 and TCM-10-GL models.

Both new models feature ultra-performance LEDs and an optimized TIR lens, delivering a brighter and longer-reaching 650-lumen beam for up to 2 hours, illuminating objects up to 136 meters away. The TCM-10-GL also comes with a daylight-visible 532nm green aiming laser, which is easily zeroed to the user’s preferred distance with built-in elevation and windage adjusters.

Weighing only 2.5 ounces, constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum, and rated as IP-X7 waterproof, these lights are designed to provide robust illumination and a bright laser aiming point during critical low-light threat identification and target discrimination. Both lights feature intuitive dual rear-facing switches, programmable ON/OFF strobe mode, and a ‘Safe Mode’ battery lockout to prevent accidental activation during storage or transportation. Read more

Optics
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