so waht ya doin today?
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CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
Winterize? What's that? Two seasons where I live--Summer, and February. We can and do run the boat year-round.
The first time Marie and I went to the area of the photography was late Fall 2002. We stayed overnight in Needles, and a storm had come through overnight. The area had not yet been labeled as "Mojave National Preserve", but the hand-over from BLM to USPS was under way per the 1994 Desert Protection Act.
Once we climbed up westbound on I-40 atop the plateau west of the Colorado River, there was snow on the ground. It has rained pretty steadily in Needles, and at Goffs there was about 3" of snow on the ground. In 2002, a lot of the town was still standing--most of it is gone now. The storm had blown out, and as is common in the desert at such times the temps dropped markedly. We were in the area close to the photos that day--about 25 road-miles from Goffs (northwest as the crow flies)--and the snow depth was about 6". It was cold for mid-November in California, about 20* at 1 P.M. It can and does snow in the high desert--and can get bitterly cold (for California) on occasion. Winter of 2013/2014 was one such time--I drove from Ridgecrest to Las Vegas to attend the SHOT Show that year, and the temp gauge on my truck showed 1* above zero at the summit of Mountain Pass, a few miles west of the NV state line along I-15. Nothing in most of California is built for temps much below 20*, and plumbers made bank that year and in 2007.
So, real winter CAN occur here--but it's infrequent.
The first time Marie and I went to the area of the photography was late Fall 2002. We stayed overnight in Needles, and a storm had come through overnight. The area had not yet been labeled as "Mojave National Preserve", but the hand-over from BLM to USPS was under way per the 1994 Desert Protection Act.
Once we climbed up westbound on I-40 atop the plateau west of the Colorado River, there was snow on the ground. It has rained pretty steadily in Needles, and at Goffs there was about 3" of snow on the ground. In 2002, a lot of the town was still standing--most of it is gone now. The storm had blown out, and as is common in the desert at such times the temps dropped markedly. We were in the area close to the photos that day--about 25 road-miles from Goffs (northwest as the crow flies)--and the snow depth was about 6". It was cold for mid-November in California, about 20* at 1 P.M. It can and does snow in the high desert--and can get bitterly cold (for California) on occasion. Winter of 2013/2014 was one such time--I drove from Ridgecrest to Las Vegas to attend the SHOT Show that year, and the temp gauge on my truck showed 1* above zero at the summit of Mountain Pass, a few miles west of the NV state line along I-15. Nothing in most of California is built for temps much below 20*, and plumbers made bank that year and in 2007.
So, real winter CAN occur here--but it's infrequent.
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Rally
NC Minnesota
Cut firewood all day today, made a point of using the splitter I bought last year. Works well, but man are they slow. Had a few pieces I cut too long for the splitter and used the maul. Almost felt bad putting it down! Got a bunch of wife wood cut, and a buddy of mine that hunts pheasant the same place I do, just called me trying to talk me into going this next Tuesday. It was tough saying no, but have too much to do.
Winterizing, isn't that where you take all the cans of bug spray out of your truck and boats so they don't freeze?
Winterizing, isn't that where you take all the cans of bug spray out of your truck and boats so they don't freeze?
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Ian
Notorious member
True, Rich, sometimes people are truly unprepared for correct answers to their questions.
The only realistic dangers we have here are brush fires and tornadoes. We've had two F1s within three miles of our house in 30 years and a half dozen F3 or less within two hour's drive. Brush fires were bad in the '80s when oil-rich urban cowboys from the Reagan boom era bought huge ranches all around the area and paid illegal workers from the south to cut and burn cedar. The all-around ignorance plus that coinciding with a terrible run of drought torched half of the hill country and nearly burned us out several times from several directions.
I run the same tires and load all year. Never have to wash the undercarriage, and vehicles last as long as you want to keep replacing the worn out parts. We're far enough inland to be safe from any hurricane, our earthquakes are frequent but too small to detect without equipment, the ground is solid, and our bad floods only affect those dumb enough to build on the obvios flood plains near the rivers and creeks or try to cross flooded bridges. It is, however, quite hot and humid much of the year and we have LOTS of allergens in the area.
The only realistic dangers we have here are brush fires and tornadoes. We've had two F1s within three miles of our house in 30 years and a half dozen F3 or less within two hour's drive. Brush fires were bad in the '80s when oil-rich urban cowboys from the Reagan boom era bought huge ranches all around the area and paid illegal workers from the south to cut and burn cedar. The all-around ignorance plus that coinciding with a terrible run of drought torched half of the hill country and nearly burned us out several times from several directions.
I run the same tires and load all year. Never have to wash the undercarriage, and vehicles last as long as you want to keep replacing the worn out parts. We're far enough inland to be safe from any hurricane, our earthquakes are frequent but too small to detect without equipment, the ground is solid, and our bad floods only affect those dumb enough to build on the obvios flood plains near the rivers and creeks or try to cross flooded bridges. It is, however, quite hot and humid much of the year and we have LOTS of allergens in the area.
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Winelover
North Central Arkansas
We too can fish year round. Norfork Lake never freezes. However, I winterize, clean and cover the pontoon, by the end of October. Sided by side, in the basement, is 3/4 full of frozen Striper.................rest is filled to capacity with venison. Fall is when I focus on deer hunting...............which runs till the end of February. Boat gets used again in the Spring. Best fishing starts when the water temperature gets to @ 65 degrees.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
I will gladly put up with our 4 distinct seasons. Winterizing things is a good time to perform other needed maintenance. Of course I own too many "things". Might be over compensation for a childhood where money was very tight. But except for the three "toys" the rest of it are tools and equipment.
Soon we will be ice fishing, one of my favorite thing so do. Because I live within reasonable driving distance from the Mississippi I fish primarily the back waters for panfish through the ice. Many of the back waters and of course the main channel have current and therefore the ice is unsafe to cross except during the most severe cold weather. A bunch of us old guys that fish a lot have hover crafts, primarily Star Cruiser hover crafts made by a couple of brothers in Cuba City, WI just north of the Illinois border. The last ones were built in 2001 and still bring 8K-10K if you can find one. With one you can run on open water, over bad ice, and on back to the good spots where fish congregate in Winter. Of course a hover craft allows you to get away from the "community holes", those places with relatively easy access that get somewhat crowded with fishermen. It can be a surprise however to fly back in a couple of miles to a special spot only to find 6 other hover crafts and 10 to 12 anglers there ahead of you.
Another thing I really like about Winter and ice fishing is that there are fewer other chores, responsibilities, and other hobbies to conflict with. Unfortunately, towing anything in Winter really takes a toll on parts that are subject to rust and corrosion.
Soon we will be ice fishing, one of my favorite thing so do. Because I live within reasonable driving distance from the Mississippi I fish primarily the back waters for panfish through the ice. Many of the back waters and of course the main channel have current and therefore the ice is unsafe to cross except during the most severe cold weather. A bunch of us old guys that fish a lot have hover crafts, primarily Star Cruiser hover crafts made by a couple of brothers in Cuba City, WI just north of the Illinois border. The last ones were built in 2001 and still bring 8K-10K if you can find one. With one you can run on open water, over bad ice, and on back to the good spots where fish congregate in Winter. Of course a hover craft allows you to get away from the "community holes", those places with relatively easy access that get somewhat crowded with fishermen. It can be a surprise however to fly back in a couple of miles to a special spot only to find 6 other hover crafts and 10 to 12 anglers there ahead of you.
Another thing I really like about Winter and ice fishing is that there are fewer other chores, responsibilities, and other hobbies to conflict with. Unfortunately, towing anything in Winter really takes a toll on parts that are subject to rust and corrosion.
Mitty38
Well-Known Member
Been helping a younger fellow and a few of his friends, do up their deer. He has a virtual butcher shop in his basement garage, and has not developed the skills yet to use it well. Going over later tonight to help him stuff summer sausage.
Heck I have even went out twice and helped a couple of these youngsters from work, with a walk thru on field dressing. One guy actually called me at noon one day, to show him how to dress any hang his deer before work. He actually had started the gut but did not know you had to reach up in and cut the esophagus.They have not forgot to Comp me either, have a freezer full of venison, and I bet 20 lb of it is tender loin.
So I have opted to forgo the deer tags and concentrate on finishing my shed this week while on vacation, and maybe do some more small game this year.
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JWFilips
Well-Known Member
I always have butchered my own deer...This way I used all of it including the Sinews for sewing thread and the suet for the birds and Bark tanned the hides.
I boned out most of the meat and Cooked the bones down for Bone Broth ( That I put up in containers and froze). the larger bones were roasted for the marrow! No I did not do brain Tanning so I guess that and the head were critter feed! Saved the legs to make Gun racks.... & absolutely NO ground venison came out of my deer Just good meat!
I boned out most of the meat and Cooked the bones down for Bone Broth ( That I put up in containers and froze). the larger bones were roasted for the marrow! No I did not do brain Tanning so I guess that and the head were critter feed! Saved the legs to make Gun racks.... & absolutely NO ground venison came out of my deer Just good meat!
JWFilips
Well-Known Member
I have to add ....You don't need special Knives and You don't need to know how to cut any particular cut ( Oh You will ruin It is BS)
Good meat is good meat ...You can not ruin it!!!!
It may not look like the Steaks and Chops you see in stores but It is all the same + better meat
Good meat is good meat ...You can not ruin it!!!!
It may not look like the Steaks and Chops you see in stores but It is all the same + better meat
L Ross
Well-Known Member
We always do our own butchering, and we do grind a bunch of burger, because we use lots of burger. We make our own chorizo, andouille, and have made hot dogs, brats, breakfast sausage, Italian and others.
I have never done bark tan but have done a few brain tanned hides. Marvelous stuff, especially after it is smoked.
Got more stuff put away before the snow started this afternoon. I sure hope I can fish on Halloween Day, it will be the Blue Moon and the long range forecast looks like a high in the low 50's. I would not mind one more open water trip.
I pulled the Yak tongue out of the brine and smoked it for 3 1/2 hours, then Sue pressure cooked it for me and I just peeled the skin off. I used a brine like you would use for corned beef or pastrami and injected the tongue then sealed it in a zip lock bag with the brine since Friday afternoon. Best one yet, but they have all been good.
The yard doe and her two fawns just sauntered through past my shooting benches 35 yards from our back door. The safest place they can stay is right here. Those deer and the yard squirrels get a free pass. Yard vermin, not so much.
I have never done bark tan but have done a few brain tanned hides. Marvelous stuff, especially after it is smoked.
Got more stuff put away before the snow started this afternoon. I sure hope I can fish on Halloween Day, it will be the Blue Moon and the long range forecast looks like a high in the low 50's. I would not mind one more open water trip.
I pulled the Yak tongue out of the brine and smoked it for 3 1/2 hours, then Sue pressure cooked it for me and I just peeled the skin off. I used a brine like you would use for corned beef or pastrami and injected the tongue then sealed it in a zip lock bag with the brine since Friday afternoon. Best one yet, but they have all been good.
The yard doe and her two fawns just sauntered through past my shooting benches 35 yards from our back door. The safest place they can stay is right here. Those deer and the yard squirrels get a free pass. Yard vermin, not so much.
Ian
Notorious member
Two decent whitetail bucks are hanging out on my property again this year. Typically they hide somewhere else but this year and last, everyone else got to wonder where they went! They're safe here, I killed a spike last year a few weeks after the rifle season opened and we've had so much poaching and high fatality rate among fawns that I don't plan on taking any of "my" deer for another year or two. We do get some impressive axis deer through here occasionally, though, and now that it cooled off the next one I get in my sights is going to become supper.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
We have lots of deer. I only hunt for meat, but in our late November rifle season I can often get my meat in two hours.
Just 1/2 hour before dark, a buck came out of the woods, trotted down the road with his nose 2" from the pavement, and followed whatever scent he was tracking up a woods road. I'm assuming a doe was being trailed.
My wife watched hm from the kitchen window and said his nose was like a vacuum cleaner.
Just 1/2 hour before dark, a buck came out of the woods, trotted down the road with his nose 2" from the pavement, and followed whatever scent he was tracking up a woods road. I'm assuming a doe was being trailed.
My wife watched hm from the kitchen window and said his nose was like a vacuum cleaner.