Not entirely sure where this would fall(Newbie questions)

[SilverHowler]

Hello, Silverhowler here. Been stalking this forum for a while and just now signed up.

My father does a lot of hunting for pest eradication. We're a half hour out from Reddeer. He hunts gopher and coyote, mostly, but doesn't do anything with the hides.

I'm getting into taxidermy as a hobby and while I do have a good idea where to start, in all honestly I have no clue what I'm doing in terms of guns and rounds. I just put the most recommended ones on my list, hah, but would like further input.

I'd ask my father but he does fiberglass/welding/pipework work(It's extremely varied) and when he gets home from a long shift, he is in no mood to deal with me, he just wants to watch some TV and pass out, hah.

Basically I need a round and gun that are appropriate for a beginner, under 10 pounds(I have shoddy joints and am not in great shape, to be honest.) and not extremely pricey. It can't destroy the hide but some damage(Sewable) is fine, and must actually be a high enough caliber to drop the dogs with little issue. I don't want them running 300 yards and then dropping.

Dad's going to take me out gopher hunting for target practice when he has the time, but I'd like to get my budget sorted before I start coyote and fox hunting.

Anyways, my list so far. If you want to recommend swaps on calls or the like, go for it. If you're curious about the alum and salt, it's for pickling(Soft hair-on tanning) the hides after skinning. The butchering kit? I'm not wasting a 25 pound animal :P (Well cooked, coyote is edible. Only hard part is making it taste good)

Hunting and taxidermy supplies
Tools
http://www.basspro.com/Duke-Traps-La...oduct/1110182/ $25
http://www.basspro.com/Duke-Traps-Sm...oduct/1110181/ $13
http://www.basspro.com/Duke-Traps-Me...roduct/111018/ $8
http://www.basspro.com/Outdoor-Edge-...3012505462433/ $50

Total $96

Fuel $50

Lures and Bait
http://www.basspro.com/Primos-Female...duct/10205542/ $18
http://www.basspro.com/Primos-Hot-Do...product/59307/ $28

Total - $46

Grand total - $192


Tanning supplies

Walmart, Alum, $3.14 65g
Walmart, Rougier sea salt, $3.97 4lb

Guns and Ammo
http://www.basspro.com/Remington-Mod...duct/10218335/ .223 $630
http://www.basspro.com/Remington-UMC...product/34251/ .233R, 55G, 3240V, 20 rounds, SJ, $10 x50 = 1000R/$500

Grand total $1130

Absolute total $1332
Tax not included


Still shopping around for a scope, not sure if one would mess with my glasses, though. Any recommendations, or even someone calling me an idiot in a constructive manner, is appreciated xD

Have a good day, and thankyou for taking the time to read. ~SilverHowler

[IR_mike]

Baby steps.

But you are heading in the right direction by following your interests.

[SilverHowler]

Originally Posted by IR_mike

Baby steps.

But you are heading in the right direction by following your interests.

As stated, this is just to figure out a budget and what I'd need for the future. I'm starting out popping gophers, and losing at least twenty pounds before I even really think about seriously hunting. I'm 230 pounds, but ideally I should be about 140. *cringe*

Edit: I know, that's 90 pounds to worry about, but 20 is a good starting point.

[KegRiver]

You seem to be a intelligent fellow. That is good.

But, I think, "take baby steps" is very good advice in this situation.

What you are proposing to do is possible, but to accomplish it you will need to learn a ton of stuff that you apparently don't have any clue about yet.

That can be done a few ways;' with a mentor, or with a lot of time, (years) and a lot of failures; or with a lot of money plus a lot of failures.
And even then it will take a few years to become skilled enough to show or sell your work.

The thing is you are proposing to learn three disciplines all at once.

First there is the hunting part.
Then the pelt handling part and then the taxidermy part. All are distinctly different and all require a considerable amount of time money and commitment to learn properly.

Like I say, it can be done and I suspect you are capable of doing it, but I also think you are setting yourself up for failure if you intend to learn it all at once.

Your equipment list looks good so far, but you will need a lot more then just those things, even to get a decent start.

Your gun choice looks good.

Your equipment looks good but lacks some key items, like a fleshing beam, containers for tanning, stretchers for drying hides, and a host of other things, like nails or tacks for securing pelts to stretchers.
There is too much to list here.

And you supply list also looks good, for a very basic start. However, I don't see a hide degreaser listed (soap) and or sawdust, and I don't see a few other items that would make for a better tan, like Neat Foot oil for starters.

I don't want to discourage you but I do hope you thing long and hard about proceeding one step at a time, first learn to hunt, or figure out how to acquire your pelts without having to go after them.

Then work on learning basic pelt handling skills. (become a hobby trapper)

Then learn to do the taxidermy part.

I think that if you go this route you will be far less likely to get frustrated and far less likely to give up due to the cost.

Set your sights high, but not out of reach. And don't hesitate to ask for help. I know almost nothing about taxidermy but I have been a hunter and a trapper for over fifty years, I can offer you at least some help with those things.

[KegRiver]

Oh and by the way, I'm not entirely sure what forum this should be in either.

I would put it in the trapping section if it were my thread.

If you think it would get better responses in a different forum, feel free to ask any moderator to move it for you. It is one of the magic tricks we can perform.

Oh! And welcome to the mad house. LOL

[SilverHowler]

Going to be learning hunting soon, dad's taking me out to shoot gophers for target practice. He gave me two options. The range, where I'm shooting at a static target, with a set range and no variables like wind and dirt, or the field, with no scope, no range finder, no bench, wind and dirt, moving targets(gophers) and a ton of ammo. I picked gophers :P

Believe it or not I've been studying for three months now, I just never bothered posting anything about it. (Oh, that 'three months' being tiny? I spend 18+ hours a day on the computer. Yeah. Not so tiny anymore xD)

Fleshing beams, I plan to make a few. Tanning tubs, I have at LEAST four 5 gallon buckets here. Mum got them as freebies, she has no use for them, I've done my reading and they seem to work quite well.

As for learning to handle the hide, my dad does summer 'yote eradication. The hides are practically worthless that time of year, but I figure they'd make good practice for case skinning, open skinning, leg-on skinning, the like. I won't be starting out and out taxidermy for a while, no, but it is something I'm looking to get into.

Trapping, I'm not allowed to do. Honestly I'm surprised bylaw will let me tan here in town, seeing as we're in a fourplex and all.(Their ruling is just skin + flesh in the field, they don't want to be seeing carcasses lying around, hah)

I know I'm missing some other key items, but that's because I already have most of it here. Raid, zip up coat bags(Air tight ones, apparently they're good for 'raid'ing the hides), degreasing soaps(You'd be surprised what my father hoards), nail and staple guns(My dad is a carpenter, among many, many things. Guy can't settle on one hobby, I swear), sewing supplies(I sew)... I didn't bother listing things there that I already have because that list is honestly only what I need to buy.

As for neatfoot oil, I have no clue where to find that. The stretcher board for drying hides, I plan on making a few of those too, but last I checked they're necessary more for garment hides, not mounting hides. At least when it comes to the 'stretching' part, heh. I want to do soft mounts, no matter how much they're frowned upon. Strange thing is only two years ago I was against taxidermy and hunting, but that's a whole 'nother story.

Edit: Sorry, I didn't realize I failed to make it clear that I'm not planning on doing everything at once, I really am planning to do one thing at a time.

[openfire]

I would recommend this gun to you.
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/26831/...-rifle-w-scope

[SilverHowler]

Originally Posted by openfire

I would recommend this gun to you.
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/26831/...-rifle-w-scope

Looked at the Savage AXIS and a few other Savage models before looking at the Remington models. Switched to Remington after some bad reviews, cheap part warnings, and a friend who has had nothing but trouble from the bloody things, hah. I am still debating it as a starting gun, though, seeing as it is pre-equipped with a scope and all..

If you don't mind lending me a hand, I do still need to find a scope. I have a budget limit of 2k as it stands right now, though I have about..$6 xD Trying to get a job, but with my disabilities and the fact that I'm generally nocturnal, it's a pain. Most places out here won't hire females for night shift for 'safety' and even worse, being under 18 doesn't help.

[SKSniper]

Originally Posted by SilverHowler

Looked at the Savage AXIS and a few other Savage models before looking at the Remington models. Switched to Remington after some bad reviews, cheap part warnings, and a friend who has had nothing but trouble from the bloody things, hah. I am still debating it as a starting gun, though, seeing as it is pre-equipped with a scope and all..

If you don't mind lending me a hand, I do still need to find a scope. I have a budget limit of 2k as it stands right now, though I have about..$6 xD Trying to get a job, but with my disabilities and the fact that I'm generally nocturnal, it's a pain. Most places out here won't hire females for night shift for 'safety' and even worse, being under 18 doesn't help.

Hold off on the Remingtons as well, there is a recall right now on their model 700 bolt actions. To be honest, my Savage 11($600) is a more accurate less expensive version of the Rem 700. If you buy the Axis (cheapest gun Savage makes, other than the Stevens) you can expect lower quality parts and craftsmanship, just like any entry-level product. Don't let one opinion determine your purchase, go out and hold a few rifles and decide which one suits you best. And I have had very good luck with Nikon scopes, but that's just me lol.

[SilverHowler]

Originally Posted by SKSniper

Hold off on the Remingtons as well, there is a recall right now on their model 700 bolt actions. To be honest, my Savage 11($600) is a more accurate less expensive version of the Rem 700. If you buy the Axis (cheapest gun Savage makes, other than the Stevens) you can expect lower quality parts and craftsmanship, just like any entry-level product. Don't let one opinion determine your purchase, go out and hold a few rifles and decide which one suits you best. And I have had very good luck with Nikon scopes, but that's just me lol.

Ah, trust me, my father has quite the collection and I'll be doing some playing before I make a final decision. I have no sympathy for the ground-rats, even if they bear a striking resemblance to my gerbil. Or maybe Mocha just looks like a gopher...Hm

Wasn't aware of the recall, thanks for the heads up. All I know for sure right now is I need a round that's pelt-friendly for both fox and yote, won't let 'em run 300+ yards(I'd prefer drop on spot but that depends on aim as well), and stays within my budget of 2K. You have any recommendations besides the Axis 11?

Oh, I also need a smaller cal recommendation for rabbit. Pretty hides and good eats, hah.

[diamonddave]

you look like a young kid, why are you sleeping all day and up all night?

[SilverHowler]

Originally Posted by diamonddave

you look like a young kid, why are you sleeping all day and up all night?

Still awake, surprisingly.

The photo is a few years old. Must have been twelve or thirteen, I'm sixteen now. In any case, it's not by choice. Between anxiety disorder, depression, photophobia, severe insomnia, parasomnia, aspergers syndrome, and being genuinely nocturnal, it's extremely hard for me to follow a 'normal' sleep schedule. Most people produce melatonin in reaction to lack of light. It's been theorized by a few sleep specialists that I do the opposite, I produce melatonin in reaction to light. No matter what we do, the longest I can keep a 'normal' sleep schedule is about 3-4 days at a stretch, and I come off that feeling exhausted, my depression gets a lot worse...It just sucks. It's easier to follow my 'natural' nocturnal schedule. I sleep better, I feel better, my depression and anxiety lessens, I'm not constantly around triggers like light, sound and crowds.. I do still manage to be awake during the day when need be, for example to see my therapist, but in general I'm nocturnal.

In short, my circadian rhythm is backwards, being up at night is less stressful, I'm homeschooled anyways and I just have my issues. *shrug*

Edit: Checked photo date on Facebook, yep, I was twelve when that photo was taken. Most recent photo I have I'm wearing makeup and look like a proper high-school girl, yuck. Jeans, t-shirts, and plain face for me, thanks. Mum keeps trying to put me in dresses, though... =_='

[diamonddave]

Gotcha!!

[SilverHowler]

Originally Posted by diamonddave

Gotcha!!

Yeah, I'm just a bloody strange person xD

Anyhow, my pillows are calling. Time to throw on some more skinning/fleshing videos for about a half hour, then fall asleep.

Edit: Just doing a bit of studying before I pass out, though my typical choices for lullabies are stranger..Heavy metal and loud rock, hah.

[SilverHowler]

Well, I'm active again, and still happily awaiting tips, list swaps, the like.

Edit: I now know where to find Neat Foot oil. Co-Op Hardware here in town carries it in the tack section. I'll bike over and check prices later,but it can't be too expensive.

[drake]

Originally Posted by SilverHowler

Still awake, surprisingly.

The photo is a few years old. Must have been twelve or thirteen, I'm sixteen now. In any case, it's not by choice. Between anxiety disorder, depression, photophobia, severe insomnia, parasomnia, aspergers syndrome, and being genuinely nocturnal, it's extremely hard for me to follow a 'normal' sleep schedule. Most people produce melatonin in reaction to lack of light. It's been theorized by a few sleep specialists that I do the opposite, I produce melatonin in reaction to light. No matter what we do, the longest I can keep a 'normal' sleep schedule is about 3-4 days at a stretch, and I come off that feeling exhausted, my depression gets a lot worse...It just sucks. It's easier to follow my 'natural' nocturnal schedule. I sleep better, I feel better, my depression and anxiety lessens, I'm not constantly around triggers like light, sound and crowds.. I do still manage to be awake during the day when need be, for example to see my therapist, but in general I'm nocturnal.

In short, my circadian rhythm is backwards, being up at night is less stressful, I'm homeschooled anyways and I just have my issues. *shrug*

Edit: Checked photo date on Facebook, yep, I was twelve when that photo was taken. Most recent photo I have I'm wearing makeup and look like a proper high-school girl, yuck. Jeans, t-shirts, and plain face for me, thanks. Mum keeps trying to put me in dresses, though... =_='

Based on your PMH I don't think you should own firearms.

[SilverHowler]

Originally Posted by drake

Based on your PMH I don't think you should own firearms.

...Why? because I'm a high-functioning autistic? Because I'm depressed but not suicidaly so? Because my anxiety disorder simply makes it stressful to function in large crowds, though I'm getting far better and can now be in an active mall for three hours with no issues? Because I'm hyper-sensetive to high-frequency noises like dog whistles?

What makes it a bad idea for me to own firearms? I've shot before, I'm a half-decent shot. I'm not afraid of guns. I know how to handle guns. I'm not an exceedingly violent person.

Do you think that because of my autism I'm going to shoot up a school?

Edit: Honestly, what makes me enjoying hunting a bad idea, other than a list of diagnosis with varying intensities? I'm not going to kill anyone, and I have a phobia of my own mortality so I have no wish to hasten that. I'm depressed due to past events that I'd rather not go into here. My anxiety disorder is getting handled because I force myself into stressful situations whenever i can to actually desensitize myself to the triggers. My ears being hypersensitive is no problem because I won't be hunting with a dog. Photophobia, I have those adaptive lenses anyways, we spent an extra $100 for that option. If being nocturnal is a problem, well, most animals are more active in the early and late hours I'm awake anyways. I typically wake up at 6 PM and fall asleep at noon. Little late today because I'm exhausted.

If you think my high-functioning autism(Aspergers) makes me a dangerous gun owner, I have a higher IQ than average for my age, I'm no moron. I bet that if I had never listed off those disorders, you would have been all for me getting a gun, even if you knew me in real life and see how I am away from the keyboard.

Edit 2: I'm just so bloody sick of people supporting me until they hear a label, then it's "Oh god ew kill it kill the genetic abomination!!!11!1" or "You are subhuman and do not have the rights that every other human is entitled to. Go sit in the corner, the doc will be in to shoot you up with experimental carcinogenic drugs in a moment, you pathetic lab rat.". You don't know me. You don't know the degree that my disorders affect me. To most I appear to be a perfectly normal person, except for my higher IQ, fascination with computers, and tendency to fixate on one subject. For me right now it's taxidermy and hunting. That subject used to be wolves, then science, math, computer programming..While I still thoroughly enjoy all these things and still study frequently, taxidermy and hunting are my current fixations so I study even when I should be sleeping or focusing on other things. *shrug* It doesn't mean I'm incapable of focusing on other things, in fact I'm blazing through advanced science exams and averaging 90 between typing these posts. It just means that the methods used in taxidermy currently fascinate me and I'm studying far more than I probably should. I'm like that college kid who slams espresso to cram for a test.

[drake]

OP....TLDNR...no guns for you.

[openfire]

"You are neurotic and depressed that doesn't mean that you are sad"

A line from a song I used to like a lot.
Don't let people that have no effluence on you or your Pal bring ya down.
I think what your doing is way cool.

[SilverHowler]

Originally Posted by openfire

"You are neurotic and depressed that doesn't mean that you are sad"

A line from a song I used to like a lot.
Don't let people that have no effluence on you or your Pal bring ya down.
I think what your doing is way cool.

Honestly, five years ago, when I was still medicated and having extreme side effects such as nearly rabid aggression due to the chemicals they had me on, I would have agreed with the guy. I was medicated for ten years, the second they got a diagnosis of ADHD I was put on pills. If I went off those pills I got in massive amounts of trouble. They put me on trial medications and never gave me a chance off the medication to see how I could manage on my own.

Last spring I went off all my medication, two weeks of hellish withdrawal and now with therapy and desensitizing training(Putting myself in stressful situations to get over the stress) I'm doing far better. My aggression is GONE, unless you're any enemy in a video game, hah. I do still have my troubles but it's nothing too bad, and if I continue with therapy I'll be fine. Besides, normal is over rated :P

(The extent of my 'aggression' now is a lot of vocalization, and I have a mouth worse than most truck drivers xD)

Anyways, since you have a list of what I need to buy, here's a list of what I have or am going to make.

Have-
Sewing needles
Leather-grade thread
Pliers
Various craft-scalpels and exacto knives
5 gallon 'icing tubs'
Storage bins
Dawn soap
Raid spray
Pet brushes
Various scissors
Rope
Duct tape
Wire cutters
Large garbage bags
Coat bags(Though I think I only have one...)

Need to make-
Skinning rack(For back of fathers truck)
Fleshing beam
Stretchers/Drying rack


Question though, with the pickling method of hair-on tanning(What I plan to use) is a stretching board even necessary since I'm not selling garment furs, but instead plan to make mounts? Seems more like all I would need to do is pickle, break, back in solution(Impossible to over-tan this way, or so I've heard), repeat with breaking until desired softness, let dry. The video that introduced me to the pickling method, the guy pretty much just rinses them, towels off excess liquid and lays them flat anywhere to dry.

http://cdn.instructables.com/FPH/5II...SWX.MEDIUM.jpg These are the 'icing pails' mum was getting for free.(They had icing in them, so..Yeah.) They're five gallons and I should be able to do the pickling method in these. The introduction video for the pickling method, guy said he could get a couple coyotes, a few rabbits and some squirrel in the same bucket, hah.

[north american hunter]

Originally Posted by SKSniper

Hold off on the Remingtons as well, there is a recall right now on their model 700 bolt actions. To be honest, my Savage 11($600) is a more accurate less expensive version of the Rem 700. If you buy the Axis (cheapest gun Savage makes, other than the Stevens) you can expect lower quality parts and craftsmanship, just like any entry-level product. Don't let one opinion determine your purchase, go out and hold a few rifles and decide which one suits you best. And I have had very good luck with Nikon scopes, but that's just me lol.

Great advice.

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by SilverHowler

Wow. What the heck is your problem? I write an intelligent post defending and explaining myself and you attack anyways, just because you have no patience or attention span?

Would you deny someone a gun because they were diabetic? How about having a limp? Being born premature? Having a migraine disorder? Epilepsy?

99% of places won't deny these people guns, because they have conditions that are not by choice. I didn't CHOOSE my conditions, why do I have less rights than anyone else?

There's a huge difference between advice and attack.

If you want advice from others, it would serve you well to learn the difference.

Oh and by the way, calling another member a troll is forbidden.

Funny you hadn't learned that with all the surfing these threads that you've done.
But you are new here so you get one free pass.

Keep in mind that on the internet, some people think they can pretend to be something they are not. As a result, people who are in real life, very forgiving and helpful, can be quick to judge and quick to write others off.

What I'm saying is that if you come across as a know it all or a hot head, don't be surprised if your welcome wears out real quick. It's the nature of the world wide web. Nobody here knows you or what you are really like.

For all we know you could be a well meaning naive kid or you could be Paul Watson's right hand man.

Folks here have endless patience for well meaning naive kids.
But Paul Watson's right hand man would be about as welcome here as a Skunk at a wedding feast.

PS, the best way to learn is to listen. Telling us how prepared you are tells us nothing about what you don't know.
You say you want to learn from us, then you discount what we tell you.

Sounds to me like you have it all figured out. Seriously. You have ten times the support, equipment, and information then I have ever had.

I'm sixty years old and I've been a trapper since I was old enough to walk but i honestly don't think I could teach you anything.

Best of luck to you. Never forget, you can do anything you set your mind to do. With or without our help.

[SilverHowler]

Originally Posted by KegRiver

There's a huge difference between advice and attack.

If you want advice from others, it would serve you well to learn the difference.

Oh and by the way, calling another member a troll is forbidden.

Funny you hadn't learned that with all the surfing these threads that you've done.
But you are new here so you get one free pass.

Keep in mind that on the internet, some people think they can pretend to be something they are not. As a result, people who are in real life, very forgiving and helpful, can be quick to judge and quick to wrote others off.

What I'm saying is that if you come across as a know it all or a hot head, don't be surprised if your welcome wears out real quick. It's the nature of the world wide web. Nobody here knows you or what you are really like.

For all we know you could be a well meaning naive kid or you could be Paul Watson's right hand man.

Folks here have endless patience for well meaning naive kids.
But Paul Watson's right hand man would be about as welcome here as a Skunk at a wedding feast.

I apologize for my earlier conduct, I'm just tired of people jumping to conclusions about me as a person based on a few labels. Though I must say that him flat out saying I shouldn't get a gun simply based on labels doesn't seem like advice in the least, and then coming back and saying "No gun for you" simply because he couldn't be bothered to read a post.. *sigh*

Also, if it helps any, I honestly have no bloody clue who 'Paul Watson' is. I'm a 16 year old female living a half hour out from Red Deer(Not listing actual area, safety and all that. Okay, more like paranoia, but meh) who does her schooling online, has a few mild issues and is looking to get into hunting and taxidermy as a hobby. I came here looking for pointers, tips, advice, the like. I understand that online it's easy to jump on someones throat over a label without taking the time to actually get to know the person, but that still agitates me to no end. I'm told day in and day out "You'll never do this because Aspergers" "You can't do this because x label" "You can't have this because x".

I do try to keep a level head in these situations, but it's just incredibly frustrating. It would be akin to me saying "You have red hair, you're not allowed to drive". (Don't know if you actually have red hair or not, just an example) No one can be bothered to see who I am as a person, rather they hear a label and it's "Pfffffft, yeah, you can't do anything, you're crazy".


TLDR: I'm sorry that I come across as short tempered, I just have little patience for people like Drake. I do try to be polite but everyone has their faults. If we could just get past this now and get back on topic, that would be greatly appreciated.

Drake, if you'd like to sort things out with me, PM me or something. I don't want to hate you over a 2 minute, short sighted spat.

Edit: Googled, Paul Watson is one of those PETA types. Yeah, I prefer my version of PETA better..People Eating Tasty Animals :P

It's one thing to be for animal rights(In all honesty I believe we should have far stricter regulations when it comes to animal cruelty and much heavier fines), but "No hunting, no meat, eat vegan or you're filth" types disgust me.

Edit 2: Now, if we could please get past the fact that at times I am forgive, me for saying, a total b*tch and get back on topic, that would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to cause fights, I just want to get a budget and supply list figured out. Next post, unless I can somehow edit my OP, will contain an edited list with what I have, what I need to make, what I need to purchase ect all rolled into one organized list instead of spread across multiple posts. I'm sorry this is so disorganized.

Edit 3 because my brain is about as functional as a gnats right now: Actually, if you wouldn't mind deleting this thread because, in reality, it IS a total disaster zone because I had no planning coming into this, I think I'll just make a new one and clean all this up.

Edit 4: Just now saw the PS on your last post, and I'm not trying to discredit any advice I've been given..? I said I can't trap, sure, but that's based on land. I live in a fourplex in the middle of town, heh.. I honestly can't see where else I've discredited advice, unless you want to count "You're mentally ill, no guns for you" as advice.. Some clarification would be appreciated.

Here's what I need to learn, and what I need in general; How to skin a coyote/fox with paws/claws intact. The best methods for skinning a canine for soft mounting(Case, open, the like). What gun should I use for a pelt-safe, humane as possible shot, that is also within my budget and won;t fall apart in the field. What scope to use, or if one would even work with my glasses..There's a lot I don't know, honestly.

[SilverHowler]

-I tried to edit the above post, but ran out of time while typing as I tried to redo the whole thing. KegRiver, if you wouldn't mind deleting that post and the ones where I called Drake a troll/got extremely defensive, that would be greatly appreciated.-

I'm sorry for my previous conduct. I just have zero patience for people like Drake. I also fail to see how "You're mentally ill therefore no gun for you" is advice. It does seem more like a jump-to-conclusions attack and an attempt to discourage me. I could be misinterpreting something, however.

I only called him a troll because of behaviour. Offering no advice, constructive criticism, the like, and simply jumping on someone to get a thrill is what most would class as 'trolling' behaviour. Granted it's my fault that I called him a troll and, worse, fed what I would classify as a troll, I do get hyper-defensive. I apologize for name calling like a typical infantile, I honestly should have known better.

I'm told day in and day out that due to my mental 'illness' I'll amount to nothing, I'll never be allowed to do what others can, and I do not have basic rights. According to most I am not an individual capable of what I set my mind to, I am only a label, a diagnosis, and a disease. It gets frustrating, and it is a major part of my depression. I don't want to get into that in major detail right now.

Drake, I apologize for snapping at you like I did, and KegRiver, I'm sorry for my behaviour. If we could please move past this, that would be fantastic. I didn't come here to start feuds, I came here to further an interest.

Discrediting advice, I didn't try to. I passed on the trapping idea because where I'm at, it's not possible. I'm living in a small fourplex, in an active town. If you know of someone in the Red Deer area who needs some extra hands checking traplines though, I'm sure I could figure out some way to get out there and lend a hand, even if only once a week and even if I had to slam Monster the whole time to do so. I could use the experience and I'd appreciate the opportunity.

As for what I need to learn, my father will be teaching me most of what I still need to learn when it comes to firearms, but everything else, I only know from videos and reading. I know the basic idea for skinning a coyote, fox, rabbit. I even know the basic technique for butchering the meat, fleshing the hide, tanning and breaking. But knowing basic technique from watching and reading is a far cry from having actual hands on experience.

I still need recommendations on a gun, ammo and scope. I'm upping my budget to 3K now. It will take longer to save up, but it's best to get decent materials rather than buying a cheap gun that'll break on the first trip. Any advice is greatly appreciated and I don't mean to come across as hot headed. I'm just really good at making myself look like an idiot.

[HunterDave]

Hi SilverHowler, I think that you ought to concentrate on learning shooting skills before anything else. There is soooooo much to learn in order to become a good shot. Research and concentrate on that and once you have it mastered you can move on to the next part of your goal. Good luck.

[drake]

Lets smoke a peace pipe and pretend this never happened. You get a gold star for longest back to back to back posts in AO history.

[KegRiver]

Originally Posted by SilverHowler

I'm sorry for my previous conduct. I just have zero patience for people like Drake. I also fail to see how "You're mentally ill therefore no gun for you" is advice. It does seem more like a jump-to-conclusions attack and an attempt to discourage me. I could be misinterpreting something, however.

I guess I read drakes post differently. To me it looked like he was trying to say that that is what the system would say to you.

I though he was trying to warn you, not trying to judge you.


It's kinda funny actually, you are jumping to conclusions about him, right or wrong, in the same way you think he is jumping to conclusions about you.

Not to worry though, it is the nature of the media.

No one is perfect, multiplied by one hundred on the net.

[SilverHowler]

Originally Posted by KegRiver

I guess I read drakes post differently. To me it looked like he was trying to say that that is what the system would say to you.

I though he was trying to warn you, not trying to judge you.


It's kinda funny actually, you are jumping to conclusions about him, right or wrong, in the same way you think he is jumping to conclusions about you.

Not to worry though, it is the nature of the media.

No one is perfect, multiplied by one hundred on the net.

Especially in regards to that last bit. Being unable to see body language or hear inflections and ones tone of voice turns communication into a game of "Who has the longer fuse", hah.

[diamonddave]

Originally Posted by KegRiver

I guess I read drakes post differently. To me it looked like he was trying to say that that is what the system would say to you.

I though he was trying to warn you, not trying to judge you.

It's kinda funny actually, you are jumping to conclusions about him, right or wrong, in the same way you think he is jumping to conclusions about you.

Not to worry though, it is the nature of the media.

No one is perfect, multiplied by one hundred on the net.

You read it wrong Keg, Drake wasn't refering to the system and there was no warning. It was Drake being Drake, don't blame her one bit for her reply.
You dont have to jump to conclusions about him on here, just have to read his posts.