Category: Guns & Ammos

I attended my brother Doug’s funeral on February 4, 2009 in Ohio. He was given a rifle salute. I had never paid much attention to the honor guard and what they did in the past. But at my brother’s funeral I focused on every little detail because this ceremony was significant.

Seven men stood in a row, the commander of the guard called roll: “Sgt. Baxter.”

Sgt. Baxter replied, “Here sir.”

“Gunners Mate, Morris,” Morris replied, “Here sir.”

“Private Zimmerman,” He responded, “Here sir.”

“Airman Jones.” “Here sir.”

“Corporal Myers.” “Here sir.”

The commander called for, “Private Martin,” “Here sir.”

Then the commander called, “Seaman Jackson,” There was no reply. “Seaman Jackson.” Still, no reply. “Seaman Douglas Jackson,” Again there was no answer.

One of the guard members called to the commander, “Seaman Douglas Jackson is not here sir.”

The seven men raised their rifles and shot rapidly three times each in honor of the fallen seaman, my brother, Seaman Douglas Jackson. Then a bugler played taps. The anxiety of not hearing my brother reply, “Here sir,” was strong. The emotional tension was high as mourners sobbed and embraced each other. Faces that previously had not shown any grief at the funeral now contorted with pain and streamed tears.

Two members of the guard stepped forward and took the American flag from my brother’s coffin. They folded the flag neatly then turned and knelt down to our mother and said, “Another veteran, Seaman Douglas Jackson, has been called to a higher command. On behave of a grateful nation, I present you with a flag of our country.” He then rose and gave our mother a slow deliberate salute.

As I sat there taking it all in, I noticed the guard members were in their late 60’s and 70’s.

When I returned home to Arcadia, Florida, I inquired with the commander of the DeSoto County Veteran’s Honor Guard as to why the honor guard was predominately older men.

He explained that there are fewer and fewer military people joining service organizations such as the VFW, American Legion, Am Vets, DAV, etc., which help to supply members for the honor guard. One reason for that is that people are still working and busy with their careers, and not always able to attend daytime funerals. Ninety percent of the honor guard members are retirees.

The commander also stated that the local American Legion, which had 250 members after World War II, is down to 125 members, with only a few who regularly attend meetings.

As of this writing, the DeSoto County Veterans Honor Guard has performed at more than 300 funerals since 1992. They also perform in parades, school and civic functions.

Honor guards nationwide are always looking for volunteers to fill the ranks. You don’t have to be a member of one of the service organizations to join. You need only prior service in the armed forces. They will provide the training and the uniforms.

It is a wonderful service that they provide. I will always remember how special it made my brother’s funeral. Let us always strive to remember our fallen, They are the reason that we are free.

Ragnar Benson’s Urban Survival can be described as book jammed with a lot of content, but nearly the same number of faults.

Regarding The Writer

Ragnar Benson (assumed pen name) is a prolific writer devoted to non-fiction survival topics. He is the creator of a staggering 37 books (this number may be low) addressing such topics as retreats, hunting, trapping, phony identity, explosives, firearms, improvised firearms, urban survival, and “do-it-yourself” medicine.

Mr Benson has been able to keep his specific whereabouts and original name removed from public information.

Short Comings

Firstly, the guide is poorly authored. I am virtually all for authoring in a conversational tone, but the writer over does it. There are multiple expressions that get over used to the level of doldrums like “been there done that crew.”

There is no introduction that clarifies context in which the book was intended, it was similar to that of stepping into the middle of a dialogue. You eventually get what the author is speaking about, but you are left questioning what exactly initiated the conversation to begin with. This is a pretty significant factor considering that the guide was written as if hostilities on United States soil was inescapable.

The lack of introduction additionally leaves readership wondering exactly who this man Ragnar is and just how this individual came to possess his knowledge. From descriptions of his other titles, I get the impression that his story is disseminate over many of his publications as opposed to being in each and every book as part of an introduction.

The book is written about Urban Survival and was most probably created for an urban audience concerned with survival. However, the author gives advice with a disdainful tone towards “City Slickers”. In the first section, he expresses that many people referring to wilderness survival are really referring to, “..recreational activities frequently practiced by elitist yuppies in SUVs..” Wait a minute, by most accounts I am a SUV driving Yuppy; less the elitist piece. Not a huge problem, but annoying. After these assertions I was left thinking much like the author had no honest concern for the potential audience, however instead was stuffing his own account.

Ragnar Benson offers mistaken information, for example silencers being unlawful, casting any other information in a questionable light. If you have read through, Silencers: Truth, Lies, and Zombies, I covered how silencers are not illegal.

Ragnar Benson brings in historical evidence of stuff that has and has not been successful. Having said that, the details are provided by “the been there done that crew” that do not ever get identified or even cited.

The Good

Ragnar Benson relays a good number of knowledge and makes really quite a few beneficial points all through Ragnar’s Urban Survival. Some of these ideas are the need for or value of: secrecy as a prepper, silencers, food storage, live stock options, caching, water.

The most notable issues covered in Ragnar’s Urban Survival are the Rule of Threes, the Rule of Survival Thermodynamics, and keeping your financial houses in order.

The Rule of Threes in a nut shell is that for every single big need (ie. food, water, shelter, security) you should have “three separate and distinct methods of supply”. As a side note, the author states the Rule of Threes originates with the Nez Perce Indians who rigorously adhered to this way of life and were extremely successful because of it.

The Rule of Survival Thermodynamics advises that an individual ought to “never put more energy into a survival activity than is taken out.” It’s a pretty clear point, but one that I had never heard put into such simple terms.

Maintaining your “financial house” in order is a no brainer in my judgement, but I am consistently amazed at the amount of individuals fiscal lives are a total mess regardless of financial or socioeconomic status.

Benson’s section on Nursing and medical attention is one of the more beneficial chapters of the book. The details provided is specific enough that it is straightaway helpful without extra exploration.

Closing Thoughts

I was left with a partly positive and partly negative reaction concerning Ragnar Benson’s Urban Survival and whether or not I might suggest it to folks. There is most certainly a wide range of beneficial knowledge, but the weak writing, off-putting tone, and faulty information makes it difficult for me to claim it is well worth studying. Ultimately, I would recommend the book merely because of the amount of answers presented and quantity of subject areas included. However, I highly recommend that people fact check everything from the book before you try it.

What’s your real estate marketing plan for 2011? If the first thing you thought of is “Well, hopefully the market conditions allow for a good year,” it’s time to reevaluate how you approach your career. When you operate from a proven game plan, success comes much easier. And that’s what this month’s article is all about. It’s about taking what you know, using your resources to the fullest and making things happen instead of waiting for market conditions to dictate your success.

If you’re serious about success, this article is all about helping you create a winning marketing plan for 2011. But remember – a plan isn’t a plan unless it’s written down, so start by creating your game plan. Then, follow the comprehensive year-round marketing plan you’ve mapped out. Your own plan may vary based on your budget, what’s available in your area and other factors, but try to follow it as closely as possible.

Once you’ve mapped out your own game plan, it needs to become your guide to the coming year. You should review it every quarter and chart your progress.

The problem I see far too often is that agents don’t plan their marketing in advance and then their marketing suffers by operating under a shotgun approach that lacks focus and consistency. Too many times agents operate in the deal-to-deal mentality – “It’s been a bad month, I better do some marketing.” That approach is ineffective and a total waste of money. You need to stop operating from deal-to-deal and develop a long-term plan for growing your business. That’s exactly what this game plan is all about – setting a plan and sticking to it over an entire year to get all your marketing money working together to present a consistent image.

Develop Your Mix

The first step toward a successful 2011 is determining how you’re going to disseminate your marketing message. There are virtually limitless combinations of various channels at your disposal. Analyze which marketing methods will be most effective for you. If you’re not quite sure yet, this article will walk you through many of your choices.

Your year-round marketing plan should be built from a combination of the following aspects of personal marketing: online marketing, social networking and email farming, direct mail, strategic networking, advertising and public relations.

Start with the Basics

No matter what combination you choose, make sure your plan calls for continual communication with your PSAs – Past clients, Sphere of influence and All leads generated – via both direct mail and email farming. This critical group provides the core of your business and must be tended to before you target anyone else.

Now let’s examine some of the methods you’ll choose to include in your marketing mix.

Web Sites and E-mail Farming

It never ceases to amaze me how many agents still do not have an adequate web presence in today’s Internet age. Agents are shooting themselves in the foot by choosing the cheapest option just so they can say they have a web site. Many others don’t have one at all or simply rely on a tiny section on their company’s site.

You should be driving traffic to your site through both search engines and your marketing. But it’s not enough to simply get people to your site, however. The key to success on the web is providing valuable content to your visitors. Don’t only give them a reason to visit, but you also need to inspire them to return frequently. You want their experience on your site to make a positive impression and convey a sense of quality and trustworthiness.

That’s why your annual marketing game plan needs to have scheduled time to work on adding new content to your web site. These activities need to be scheduled and executed with purpose. The beauty is that continually adding new content to your site will not only lure visitors back repeatedly, but it will also increase your search engine ranking. The more timely and relevant information your site can communicate, the more business your web site will generate.

Your site should also demonstrate the value you bring to your clients by offering free special reports and other “opt-in” opportunities. For purposes of your 2011 game plan, your focus should be on increasing your “opt-ins” and growing your email database. The larger you grow your email database, the more you can take advantage of this powerful and virtually free of charge method of generating more leads and increasing your bottom line.

Social Media Integration

Social media has grown up and transformed from “that thing the kids are doing” into an essential element in business. From a marketing perspective, there’s great strength in generating a strong following on Twitter, building relationships on Facebook and LinkedIn and becoming a trusted resource for valuable information through your personal blog. Your 2011 game plan should include time reserved specifically for working on improving and capitalizing on these – and any emerging – social networking opportunities.

This doesn’t mean just “having” accounts on the various social media sites and posting without purpose, but truly using them to your advantage. Establish yourself as the authority on your local real estate market by providing timely, market-related updates via the various social media outlets. To maximize your effectiveness, you need to map out how many posts you’re going to make a week. You should aim for a balance of personal and professional content in your posts.

If you’re not sure where to start with social media and feel you’re falling behind, get educated in this topic to avoid making costly mistakes.

Direct Mail

Right now is an outstanding opportunity for you to make a big impression in your farm area using direct mail. By following a consistent mail plan and continually providing new content to homeowners in your mailings, you can build credibility and generate more leads.

We recommend mailing an average of three times per month to each person in your direct mail farm. This way, you’ll establish name recognition quickly and maintain it consistently. Some of the tools to consider in your direct mail toolbox include:

• Powerkards

• AdKards

• Personal Letters

• Past Client Contact

The keys to success in direct mail are to follow a plan and resist the urge to make rash decisions. Tailor your content to your audience and market conditions, but do not let those factors encourage you to deviate from your plan. The more you can hit your specific market segments with timely messages and important content, the more your phone will ring, and the greater return you’ll see on your investment.

Strategic Networking & Referrals

With all the talk about agents wanting to “get back to basics” and some even resorting to doorknocking, we feel it’s important to stress the effectiveness of strategic networking. Note that word “strategic” in that last sentence, because having a strategy is the true difference maker when it comes to making the most of networking.

Networking is an essential part of any holistic marketing campaign. What that means is that it’s not a haphazard activity, but rather one that has a written plan, written objectives and a desired outcome. In simpler terms, you need to strategically schedule your networking activities to ensure maximum effectiveness. Otherwise, it’s all too easy to tell yourself that you’ll get around to networking someday, yet it never happens.

• Strategic networking involves setting a goal to hand out a certain number of personal brochures every month (100 is a good number) and then holding yourself accountable to this goal. To get started, answer the following questions:

• What do you currently leave behind when you meet someone in a networking scenario?

• How many personal brochures do you hand out on a weekly or monthly basis?

• How many opportunities are you missing by not making a concerted effort to engage in strategic networking on a regular basis?

• What will you do to ensure you hand out more brochures on a consistent basis in 2010?

When it comes to referrals, most agents view them as bonus clients that fall from the sky. It doesn’t have to be this way, though, if you schedule a concerted effort to generate more referral business. Don’t be afraid to ask your past clients and sphere of influence for referrals on a regular, planned basis. Schedule letters on a quarterly basis to keep these important relationships prosperous.

Far too often, agents do not consider these activities as part of their overall marketing mix. The irony is that strategic networking and referrals are powerful, inexpensive methods to generate more business. Don’t overlook this essential activity in the coming year.

Print Advertising

Unfortunately, for many real estate professionals, only one thing comes to mind when they think of advertising. That’s definitely not what we’re talking about here. We’re talking about personal, emotionally based, image-building advertising that promotes you and helps you establish a relationship with your target audience.

Your advertising dollars should be split into segments such as: ads in “home” publications, ads in newspapers and magazines, billboards and cable TV. Each of these advertising outlets should have their own line on your game plan.

You need to determine which of these categories will be most effective for you in reaching your target market and focus most of your advertising dollars there. For this example, I’ve divided everything into a fairly even mix to give you an idea of what a full-scale media campaign looks like.

On the sample game plan I’ve provided, I’ve divided print advertising into two categories: “homes” publications ads and newspaper ads. We chose “homes” publications simply because that is where many agents place a majority of their advertising, and because those publications are typically widely available in most areas.

However, don’t limit your options to just to these publications. Take a look at all of the publications available in your area. Focus especially on those that appeal to your target market. Pay close attention to any publications designed specifically for a niche market or geographic area you may be farming. Don’t worry if other agents aren’t advertising in particular publications. As long as you know the publication is well read by your target market, it may be just what you need to stand out.

Television Advertising

Cable TV offers a new advertising frontier for many agents. We’re not talking about house ads on TV or dull, “I’m the best agent” infomercials, but actual 30-second spots that promote you as an individual, capture your audience’s imagination and tie in with your personal marketing campaign.

Because of the cost effectiveness of this medium, advertising on television is no longer just for the big national advertisers. Like outdoor advertising, rates will generally be higher in large metropolitan areas, but if you check with your cable company, we’ll guarantee you’ll be surprised at how inexpensively you can purchase airtime.

Scheduling your TV commercial time is similar to billboards and outdoor advertising, with bursts of frequent air times followed by off times. Your cable representative should be able to provide you with market analyses and demographic information to help you determine the best time of day and the best programming for your ads.

The Public Relations Plan

An oft-forgotten but important part of your marketing mix is public relations. Having an article written about you or being quoted by the newspaper or local TV news show is powerful advertising that you can’t put a price tag on – and it’s free!

But the only way to get this exposure is to make yourself known to the local media, and that’s why it’s so important that you plan your public relations schedule ahead of time. Schedule sending between one and three press releases a month to editors and reporters in your area. Your schedule should include specific topics for each press release you plan to send. Otherwise, when the time comes to send out a release, suddenly you need to think of a topic and write the release, and chances are you won’t do it because you’re simply too busy for that kind of undertaking.

Knowledge is Power

Finally, you cannot overlook continuing education in your marketing mix. If you’re serious about personal marketing, you need to attend an absolute minimum of two personal marketing seminars each year. Not only will this expose you to new ideas to keep you on the cutting edge of marketing, but each visit will recharge your batteries and keep you excited about your career. Just like your marketing, you must plan these activities now.

Make Your Plan Work for You

A major part of having an annual game plan is analyzing what generating the best results. Once your plan is finalized, you need to stick to it like glue. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you follow it blindly. Once per quarter, you need to sit down and analyze what has been most effective and make adjustments as you see fit. Be careful, though, not to do this more frequently. You don’t want to end up in the “plan of the week” mode. Review your plan quarterly, and then stick to it.

Putting Your Plan to Work

It’s been said that a plan isn’t a plan if it’s not written down. Well, I couldn’t agree more. You cannot underestimate the power of your game plan worksheet. It should be one of the most frequently used sheets of paper you will use in the next 12 months. Post it on the wall as a visual reminder of your progress!

Bowhunting Mule Deer is something many hunters dream about, but is rarely turned into reality. Mule Deer inhabit a vast area of the western half of North America that is characterized by arid deserts, rugged mountains, forests, and prairies. To harvest a mature mule deer with a bow is one of the most difficult things a hunter can do.

What is Bowhunting Mule Deer?

Bowhunting mule deer can mean different things to different people. Anybody that has spent much time in mule deer country can tell you how dumb a young mule deer can be. It would not be much of a challenge to drive around on the road until you see a herd of immature mule deer, slip out of the vehicle and off the road, and arrow a 1 or 2 year old mule deer dink. These deer do not know any better and for someone who is really passionate about bow hunting mule deer, this would not be considered an achievement.

For the serious mule deer bow hunter, a mature mule deer is what dreams are made of. A mature mule deer is on a different playing field than young mule deer. Although a mule deer can successfully breed at 3 years of age, serious mule deer bowhunters typically refer to a mature mule deer as 4 years old or more. This is the age when you start to see their antler growth potential and their ability to evade hunters. While antler size will continue to increase through at least their 6th year depending on nutrition, most hunters (regardless of weapon) will agree that a four year old buck is a shooter and has developed the skills to keep himself alive even with rifle hunters all over the place.

Unfortunately, not many mule deer live to be over three years of age due to the fact that they are shot when they are young and dumb. In general hunting areas where there is no limit on the amount of hunters, especially rifle hunters, for a mule deer buck to reach maturity is to overcome unreal odds. If one is able to make it through a few years of hunting seasons, then it has a sixth sense to overcome hunters and to take one with a bow is one of the hardest challenges a hunter can experience. In the rest of this article, we will discuss the tactics that can make a hunter consistent at bowhunting mule deer.

Methods for Bowhunting Mule Deer

There are several methods that can be employed to harvest a mature mule deer. The most common are Spot and Stalk and tree stand or ground blinds.

Tree Stand and Ground Blinds

One of the (dare I say) easiest methods to take a big mule deer buck with archery equipment is using a tree stand or a ground blind. While sitting there waiting for a buck may not require a lot of energy, it does take a lot of patience. Patience is the easy part. The real work is finding a good spot that a mature mule deer will walk by in daylight hours. This takes a lot of work with preseason scouting, trail cameras, and patterning bucks so you will have a good idea of where they will be when the season arrives. It is much harder than it sounds and takes a lot of time to be consistent year to year.

Of course, you can just put your tree stand or ground blind at any waterhole, food source, or other high deer traffic area and be successful on a mature mule deer, but this will require a lot of luck and possibly patience. Once you do find a good area that produces large bucks, it is reasonable to assume there will be more there in the years to come, so this type of hunting does get easier once you have established a good area.

Spot and Stalk:

Though requiring a little bit more energy than hunting out of a tree stand or blind, spot and stalk bow hunting is usually a faster paced way of bowhunting mule deer. The object is to spot a big mature mule deer buck and then stalk to within bow range undetected.

The number one thing to remember when spot and stalk bowhunting mule deer is to be patient. If conditions are not right, then wait for them to improve. This might mean waiting for the buck to bed down in a better place where you will be able to get closer, or waiting for the wind to pick up or change direction to not only carry your scent away from the buck, but also to cover up your noise once you get close.

Preseason:

Most of the mule deer bow hunters that consistently harvest large mule deer begin their season well before the bucks are even done growing their antlers. It is important to have a good idea of what the area holds for big bucks so you can develop a minimum size and an order to which bucks you will focus on first.

Of course size is not the only factor in determining if a buck is a shooter or not. An experienced hunter can often judge a deer’s age by body signs and antler configuration. In my eyes A 6 year old buck with low scoring horns is more of a trophy than a 4 year old buck with great future potential.

For spot and stalk hunting, it is important to have several shooter bucks picked out and in known general locations before the season starts. This is because it usually takes several stalks before one is successful. After several years of spot and stalk bowhunting, I have found that the average success ratio for stalks is 1/6 or so. Of course, it might happen in the first try, or it might take 15 times. An inexperienced hunter may go several seasons without having a successful stock on a mature mule deer.

For Stand hunting (tree or blind) it is not as important to have several shooter bucks spotted, as it only takes one mature mule deer in the area and you can hunt him the whole season. Of course your odds will be greatly increased if you can identify multiple shooters in an area. One thing you do not want to do preseason is disturb an area too much. You will run the risk of spooking off the bucks before you have a chance to start bowhunting them.

Archery Practice: One thing that cannot be overlooked is shooting your bow. No matter how good of stand location you have or if you are the stealthiest person on the planet, if you can’t seal the deal when it counts, then you might as well stay home. Of course, everybody that has hunted enough has missed or made a bad shot, but shooting throughout the year can increase your odds of being able to perform when you have to. A good thing to do is to enter into 3D competitions where you will have an opportunity to shoot at life size deer targets in different positions, angles and ranges.

During Season:

Once the season has started you will obviously be targeting the mule deer buck that you like the best. One thing to keep in mind is that with bowhunting mule deer you will not always be able to get the number one buck on your list. Sometimes all you get is one chance, and if it does not happen the first go around, you may never see that buck the rest of the season. That is why it is important that you need to know where other shooter bucks hang out.

Stand BowHunting Mule Deer:

If you are sitting in a stand, you must be patient. Just because the opening day did not produce much does not mean the big buck won’t show up the next day right where you want him to. I have an impatient friend that moved his tree stand after opening day because the buck took a different route. He then got trail cam pictures of the buck the following day from the tree his stand was in the just 12 hours earlier while he was sitting in a tree a few hundred yards away. Should have stuck it out!

Spot and Stalk BowHunting Mule Deer

You should have a good idea of where there is going to be a good buck on opening morning if you did much preseason scouting. It is best to be in position to spot him from a far when that first ray of light begins to show. Once you have found the intended target, you will want to assess the situation and determine if the conditions are right to put on a stalk right away or to watch and wait until the conditions have improved. This is where only experience and common sense can help you out, as every spot and stalk situation is different. Knowing when to go on it and when to not, as well as how to go about it will vary a lot depending on how things fall into place.

The same factors that are responsible for most mule deer bucks not being able to achieve maturity are the same factors that make them so hard to get with a bow. Many of the areas they inhabit lack cover for them to escape rifle bullets that can shoot in excess of 500 yards. This same fact is why it is hard to get within bow range of a mature mule deer that has managed to sneak past rifle hunters. There simply is not a lot of cover for a bowhunter to hide behind in order to get a good shot. In this case, you have to use the lay of the land in order to get close enough for a bow shot.

Bowhunting Mule Deer Equipment:

Bow hunting mule deer can be made easier with the right equipment. In fact, some equipment is necessary to give bow hunters the upper hand. Below is a list of the archery equipment you will want to consider buying before you begin mule deer bowhunting. Just remember you get what you pay for, so go with the best you can afford, and then upgrade as you can.

• Rangefinder: Knowing the exact distance to your target is a huge benefit especially when shooting long distances or bow hunting. There are certain specs that you will want in a rangefinder, so make sure you check the link below to be sure you get the right one.
• Binoculars: Spot and stalk deer hunting requires you to find the deer. It is amazing how many more deer you can find with the use of binoculars that you would not see otherwise. They also are essential in the stalk as you need to find the deer before they find you, which means using your binoculars to pick out the tip of a horn or the flick of a tail.
• Spotting Scope: Both used for spotting deer and then being able to judge them to make sure they are worthy of a stalk. Spotting scopes are also important to find other deer and anything else that can compromise your stalk that is in your intended path. It is very easy to get busted by an animal you did not know existed. Spotting scope are a must have for Spot and Stalk Hunting.
• Boots: When stalking deer, it is important to be as quiet as possible. I have taken my boots off and stalked in my sock successfully before, but with cacti and thistle prevalent where I hunt, this is just not doable. Therefore I wear lightweight boots made for stalking to close the final distance to within bow range. They have saved my feet and helped me to be much stealthier.
• Camouflage: With deer vision it is not as important to be the same color as the back ground, but more so to break up your silhouette. Plus, in typical spot and stalk habitat the foliage can be dry and yellow in grasses, or green in trees and shrubs. Therefore it is important to have a camo pattern that is very versatile.
• There is other gear that will give you an edge that you may want to take advantage of that we will talk about later.

Experience: Now Go Learn For Yourself

The Passport SR7:

Price: the price tag is $799.00, making this a relatively expensive radar detector in our point of view.

Bands: this product detect all radar and laser signals (X, K, Superwide Ka).

Voice Alerts: voice alerts are sounded when a radar or a laser source is nearby.

False Alerts: The AutoSensitivity Mode reduces false alerts.

Features: Includes EZ-Programming, a feature that allows easy customization of the radar detector device, 3 High-Resolution Meter Modes, several low-noise laser sensors that provide maximum range against targeting laser guns.

Custom installed: the passport SR7 is custom installed, enabling it to remain hidden in the vehicle, not to mention the fact that it is more aesthetic (no need to attach it to a window!). However, this means it cannot be taken to a different vehicle.

GPS Technology: this product does not include GPS capabilities.

Detectable: the passport SR7 has no stealth capabilities.

Database subscription: Not relevant.

In summary: The SR7 is the predecessor of the Passport SRX, and as such, shares most of the same features the SRX has. When we compare both, it appears that other than the price (and some minor aspects), the main difference is the stealth capabilities which the SR7 lacks. However, considering it costs about 2/3 of the SRX, we consider it to give roughly of the same value for its cost. It is our opinion that it may be worthwhile getting one of the cheaper models that have equivalent capabilities (i.e. the passport 9500ix) – the only disadvantage would be that these would not be custom installed and would have to be manually attached to the windshield. Is the convenience of having a custom installed radar detector worth it? This is a matter of personal preference. If this matters to you, then the SR7 is definitely a good radar detector to have (in fact, got 5 out of 5 stars in the Escort Radar website). Our total score for this product is 4.0/5.0 stars.

Hey, it’s me, Billy Blackjack. I see all this stuff about people selling creams and lotions and all kinds of stuff that is supposed to help a gentleman increase the size of his fishing pole and allow him to use that pole and fish for as long as he wants. Should guys really be smearing this gunk on their fishing rods? I don’t think so.

Whatever you smear on your penis is going to get sucked right into your penis through the skin. Now, tell me, do you really want all kinds of weird chemicals swirling around in your tackle? You have no idea what kind of side effects this stuff might have. The last place you want to be using as a chemical waste dump is what’s in your boxers! Don’t make a hazmat site out of your private parts! Seriously, guys, this where You Make Your Sperm. It’s the last place you ever want to be putting anything that wasn’t meant to be there in the first place.

Okay, then, let’s see what we have here…

Erectile Dysfunction:

Okay. If you have erectile dysfunction, and the doctor says it isn’t because of some plumbing problem, if you want to get erect, here’s what you do: Get some jalapeno peppers, cut them open, and rub them on your penis. This will get you erect. I guarantee it. But after you’ve finished healing and have finally left the hospital, you’ll also come looking for me with your shotgun for giving you this dumb advice. So, don’t do this with the peppers! I’m only making a point. What is this point?

The point is that people will be telling you to smear this type of goop and that type of goop on your penis because it’s “natural” and will help you. Okay, just so you know, jalapeno peppers are also Natural. Listen. Just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe or good for you. Radon gas is “natural,” too. That doesn’t mean you should go sniffing this stuff in your basement.

If there are no plumbing problems with your erectile problems they could be psychological origin. Hey, that’s no sweat, nobody is perfect; so if this is the case, don’t be too hard on yourself. Get some help from a head doctor. There are also exercises men can do that will help with this little problem. The point is, again (I like to make points), don’t be too hard on yourself! Stop beating yourself up. If you get emotional about this stuff and let it get to you then it will just make things worse. Don’t sweat it. This is small stuff, really. Life has a lot bigger obstacles to throw in your path.

Premature Ejaculation:

Okay. What about premature ejaculation? Should you be smearing chemicals on your hot dog and spraying stuff all over it? Probably not. Why not? Because most premature ejaculation goes away once the hormones level out a bit and you get used to being with the ladies. Here’s the truth:

All men have had premature ejaculation at one time or another. So, I welcome you as our newest member to the largest all-male club in the world. It’s no big deal unless it totally gets out of control. You should be happy that women excite you so much. I’m serious. That’s not a bad trait for a man to have. Now you ask, “What can I do about it”?

You can “double bag” it for one thing. This means you put on two condoms instead of one. This here will decrease the amount of sensation your penis gets during intercourse. This should help you last longer.

As for spraying stuff to deaden your penis, just so you don’t feel anything… C’mon guys, is this stuff for real? I tell you that if you’re so excited by your lady friend that you can’t hold yourself back, it will have a Big effect on her. Number One, she’s going to feel very complemented that she had such an incredible sexual affect on you! That’s the truth! Number Two, be glad that you are like this now! Men in their later years would kill to be like this once again. And Number Three, it’s a great way to tell if your sweetheart really cares about you. That’s right. If she stands by your side and sticks with you during these sexually confusing times then that means she’s a real, 24-carat Sweetheart! Women like this are hard to find. If she dumps you because of this problem then you are better off without her. Trust me on that one.

If this sort of thing keeps going on, then things might get frustrating and the novelty of it will start to wear off for her (see Number One, above). So, what are you going to do if the condoms don’t work? Educate yourself and find a way to fix this problem. One way to do it is to practice what are called “hold back” techniques. You can do this while masturbating. Simply get yourself excited and sexually aroused and then what do you do? You “hold back” from ejaculating. Does that make sense…?

Here, let me try to explain it better:

What you want to do is get just up to the point where you are going to orgasm and stop ALL stimulation to your penis! Try to focus your mind on algebra class or something that is just as unsexy and as boring as can possibly be. Remember, most of us couldn’t ride a bicycle for the first few times or drive a “standard” transmission on our first go. But, with a little practice we’re ready for the Tour de France and ready to win the Indy 500!

Okay. So, “On Your Marks, Get Set, and GO!” A little practice should help you out a lot. You can also practice with your lady friend. Explain what you are trying to accomplish to her and together you can get things as right as rain. This will bring the two of you closer together. Comprende mi amigo? Make the most out of everything that God deals you in life. Turn that water into wine.

Penis Enlargement:

Do I even have to go into this? Smearing sludge on your penis isn’t going to make it bigger. Maybe I’m mistaken and there is some magical cream out there that’s changed the way men can really enlarge their penises. I tell you, I must have been asleep at the wheel the last ten years and driven into a ditch to have missed these new miracle enlargement creams.

If you want to enlarge your penis you have to exercise! Just like if you want muscle-man biceps and pecs so that you can tear phone books in half, you have to do what? You have to work at it. This is just basic common sense. Get exercising!

In Summary:

There you go. I hope this helps you good guys out there. Again, don’t sweat this stuff. You can use anything that seems to be a detriment in your life and turn it into a wonderful opportunity and experience. Start looking at stuff from a different perspective and begin to realize how set-backs like this can really be of enormous benefit to you — How they can and will improve your life, if you let them.

Real men overcome their obstacles and grow, learn, and improve themselves from such experiences.

You do the same.

— Billy Blackjack Carson

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Dipteryx

Species: odorata

Common Names: cumaru, tonka, tonka bean tree, amburana, imburana de cheiro, tonquin bean, rumara, kumaru, cumaruzeiro, charapilla, charapilla del murcielago

General Description: The bean is a long seed from a Guiana shrub that grows in South America, specifically Guiana. This leguminous shrub is Dipteryx odorata, in the Fabaceae family. Tonka bean can be used as a vanilla substitute; however, it actually combines aromatic essences of vanilla, almonds, cinnamon and cloves, so the aroma is distinct.

Uses: The bean is used to alter vanilla extract and to flavor snuff, generally used as a mixture in each item. Tonka Bean is also used in the perfume business. It is used to add fragrance to emollients, including salves, creams, and oils, and for direct scenting of botanicals. Its use in the cosmetics industry is increasing because the seeds are so aromatic. After years of use in perfumes, the bean is also now beginning to make an appearance as a dessert flavoring in fine-dining menus.

The bean also has a place in the world of magic. Because of its sweet smell, it is used in love incantations and for building courage. In Mexico, this bean is mixed with vanilla to flavor food, but it is prohibited in the United States as a food ingredient, because it may cause liver damage.

The Tonka Bean is black and wrinkled. It is considered poisonous if used regularly or in large amounts; it is the source of Coumerin, a highly inhibitory plant hormone. Venezuela and Nigeria also now grow and export Tonka bean.

Disclaimer: The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Any reference to medicinal use is not intended to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.

Our family has been making bi-annual trips to the Colorado River for as long as I can remember. Tradition dictates that we go to the same place, a sand bar about a mile up river from Picacho on the California side. Picacho, a former mining town, is about 18 miles north of Winterhaven. Getting there requires taking the infamous Picacho Road. It’s a long, ruddy dirt road that weeds out all but the heartiest of campers. It’s a test of your vehicle as well as your nerves.

There is shorter way to get to Picacho from the west on a road called the Hyduke Mine Road. My brother John and I heard about it from a former trucker, who said he’d used it to bypass the Interstate 8 agricultural inspection station. We figured that if a trucker could do the Hyduke Mine Road, then so could we.

Our vehicle was a Chevrolet Caprice Classic; a cop car. John was driving, his future wife rode shotgun, and my girlfriend and I were sitting in the back. We assured them that this was the best way to go. The Hyduke Mine Road starts off of Ogilby Road and after about 16 miles it connects to the Picacho Road just 5 miles south of Picacho. While on Ogilby Road we saw the sign for the Hyduke written on a piece of wood and staked into the ground. We pulled onto the trailhead and assessed the situation.

To the east of us was Picacho Peak, a prominent Butte jetting out of the desert which can be seen for 100 miles on clear days. According to the map, all we had to do was keep heading towards it and pass on it’s north side. How could we get lost with such a prominent feature to navigate by?

Within the first 8 miles we encountered only a few obstacles. We crossed numerous dry washes and plowed up a few sandy embankments. These things were good for a laugh and instilled in us some confidence that this was going to be a cinch. All the while we headed for Picacho Peak. I felt a little uneasy since we hadn’t seen a soul and we were now at the midway point. 8 miles of walking in either direction would be required should there be problems with the car. On this day the temperature was about 95 degrees. We had the windows rolled up, air conditioning blasting out the cold and Van Helen tunes cranking all the while.

At this point we encountered difficulties in rapid succession. The car’s check engine light came on and drew John’s attention to the temperature gage approaching the red zone. John knew just what to do. He ordered us to roll down the windows and cranked the heater to full blast. As crazy as it seemed, shutting off the air conditioning and running the heater provided the additional cooling effort necessary for the engine to not overheat and thus leave us stranded in the desert. Grumbling passengers aside, this was a prudent move.

We came across an area where the road was washed out by a wide stream. The stream bed was now dry but the road on the other side was 24″ higher than the stream bed. “We can’t climb up that” was what we were all thinking. Out came the military shovel and a level of ingenuity that only desperation can muster. Within a half hour we’d built a ramp out of sand and rocks. John and I carefully studied the situation and decided we’d need momentum, timing, and perfect tire placement. After agreeing on the plan, John jumped in the car, gave the obligatory thumbs up, and slammed on the gas. I can still see the event so perfectly in my mind. John’s car hit the ramp and the front end made it up the bank just as planned. The rear tires rolled halfway up the ramp and the tires began to spin. The spinning tires inched up the rest of the way and finally grabbed hold, launching the car up onto the road and tearing off its muffler. After a roaring applause, pats on the back and a sigh of relief, we all jumped in the car and sped on.

Up till this point, we always had Picacho Peak in sight. This aided navigation and provided assurance to the womenfolk who’d begun to lose faith in our plan. As we headed into the foothills of the Chocolate Mountains the peak fell out of sight. Our spirits sank along with it. John and I attempted to pacify the ladies by reminding them that we carried with us camping provisions for a whole weekend. Under the worst case scenario we would simply have to camp, which is what we came out here to do anyhow. Neither of us dared point out that water, our most necessary commodity, was already running out.

We came across a deep pond with a soggy earthen dam on the south side. The road passed over the dam which was only just wide enough for the car to pass. I got out of the car to spot John as he drove over it. On his right ride was a shear drop off, on his left was this pond which slowly leaked over the dam and under his tires. It seemed that as he passed over it, the dam crumbled, the tires slipped, and ever more water began to fall over the dam. After he crossed we had the impression that we could never go back over it again. No one could, for that matter.

Later we came to a fork in the road and decided to take the left since it seemed to be more traveled. We continued on for a half mile as the road turned to thick sand. John gave it gas enough to continue on. Soon we came upon a cul-de-sac, a dead end with the thickest sand we’d seen yet. I imagined this is where we’d be forced to camp that night. Here I think is where John’s 4 wheeling instincts first manifested themselves. John slammed on the gas and whirled the car around this dead end in the widest allowable arc he could. The tires slowed and began to slip but the car continued to move forward. The car’s speed gradually increased and soon we were back at the fork. This time we made the right decision.

Stopping for a rest I took stock of our situation. I realized this was a road for 4×4 vehicles. Not cop cars. In 2 hours we’d made it about 12 miles. We lost sight of our point of reference. Each of us was sweating, dirty, and embittered. We’d long since stripped down the least layer of clothing that decency allows. The secret of the water supply was now public knowledge. The car was running poorly because the muffler was torn off. This hurt our ears because we had the windows rolled down. We couldn’t roll them up since we were in the desert with the heater running. Of course, we did this because the car was overheating, and so on. By this time, John and I felt we were way beyond the point of no return. The ladies on the other hand saw every bump and turn as a sign that we should turn back. Our stubborn refusal to turn back led to hurtful accusations and a “them vs. us” mentality which lingered well beyond the completion of the Hyduke Mine Road.

Late in the afternoon we crested a hill and took in the sight of the Picacho Peak on our right. It was close so we knew we didn’t have far to go. Proceeding down the hill we entered into White Wash. We continued on in this wash at about 30 miles per hour daring not to slow down or even turn sharply for fear of digging in and getting stuck. After some scary points where we slowed to a crawl we were within sight of the Picacho Road. We saw that the road was flanked by sand berms used to keep drainage from flowing into the road. John didn’t even consider slowing down. He hit the 2′ sand berm at full speed, smashing his way over it and onto the Picacho Road.

Our misadventure was over. We found our way to Picacho and jumped into the Colorado River to cool off.

The cost of hunting and shooting supplies continues to rise, so finding a bargain is important to the dedicated outdoorsman. Muzzleloader hunting provides the opportunity to enjoy shooting while spending less money. This makes muzzleloaders a very cost effective hunting and shooting option.

Modern muzzleloaders have come a long way. Today’s inline muzzleloaders are much easier to use and are much more reliable than those made even just a few years ago. In order to help keep your costs down, we have reviewed the 3 best muzzleloaders for under $300.

1. CVA Optima Muzzleloader– This is an overhauled version of CVA’s original design. Sporting a 26″ fluted stainless steel barrel, weighing just under 7 lbs and having a breech plug which requires no tools for removal, the Optima is a rock solid gun for its price. This break barrels action is smooth and it’s out of the box trigger pull is just about 2.5 lbs. At about $275, this is a great muzzleloader option for the hunter how wants to invest in just one muzzleloader for their arsenal.

2. Traditions Pursuit Ultralight Muzzleloader– Weighing in at just over 5 lbs., the Ultralight has a 26″ chrome fluted barrel with a CeraKote corrosion resistant finish. The trigger breaks at about 3 lbs. of pull and the breech plug comes out with a few twists. With an average price of about $290, this muzzleloader option is a good choice for the hunter who finds himself hunting in the thick woods as this lightweight gun is quick and easy to shoulder.

3. Thompson Center Impact– The TC Impact Muzzleloader is a break action muzzleloader weighing just about 6.5 lbs and sporting a 26″ barrel. The break barrel mechanism, which doubles as a hood for the closed breech along with the hammer not accepting a spur makes it difficult to mount a scope on the Impact. The most expensive of the list coming in at about $300, Thompson Center Impact is an ideal gun for a beginner or youth hunter due to its adjustable stock.

Muzzleloader hunting provides the outdoorsman with several wallet friendly options to keep them shooting. The advances in projectiles and propellants as well as the accuracy and handling characteristics of these guns, combined with affordable prices help to keep avid hunters in the fields longer during the season.

The 3 best muzzleloaders we have highlighted above represent the hottest bargains in shooting available. As a dedicated hunter, you should own at least one.

Small sacrifices is another Ann Rule masterpiece, that tells the story of small town, Oregon resident, Diane Downs and how it is that she got to the point of no return. Diane Downs took her three children to a rural, back road, pointed a pistol through the car window and she shot to kill.

After performing this cold blooded act, Diane then proceeded to drive her children to the hospital. The first female child to be carried into the hospital was dead upon arrival. Two other children were rushed through the doors one after another. The second and third child, a young boy and girl, barely clung to life. The hospital staff worked feverishly to stabilize the surviving children as their mother acted indifferent.

Upon being questioned by Lane County detectives, Diane Downs told the story of meeting a stranger on the back road, who stopped her car, initiated an argument with her and as she struggled with him, he proceeded to shoot her children, right before her eyes.

Over the following months Mrs. Downs changed the story of what happened and her suspicions so many times that she made herself the prime suspect.

As prosecutor Fred Hugi got more familiar with the case and met the surviving children he vowed to continue investigating the case until it was solved, once and for all.

No one is entirely sure why Diane Downs wanted to dispose of her children, It is suspected that the motivation may have resulted from her obsession with Lew Lewiston, who was a casual fling and fellow employee she met at the Chandler post office. Mr. Lewiston refused to leave his wife for Diane and did not want to raise another man’s children.

Whatever her reasoning, the murder weapon was eventually traced to a man who had reported it stolen, potentially by Steve Downs, who is identified as the children’s father, therefore giving Diane Downs access to it.

The surviving children, Christie and Danny eventually remembered what happened and with the evidence and their testimonies, their own mother, Diane Downs was convicted and sentenced to the Valley State prison for women located in Chowchilla, California where she continues to be a model prisoner and protests her innocence.

During the length of the case Detective Hugi found himself becoming closer and closer to the Downs children. Christie and Danny Downs are happy, well taken care of and currently reside with Detective Freg Hugi and his wife Joanne.