Part 2: Ah Fall, Can Gun Legislation Be Far Behind?

Here’s some more fun from LaLa Land (also known as ‘congress’)

Handgun Safety and Registration Act

Guns and Congress - An Unhealthy Combination!

Emails: Essentially  they all claim that  the  US Congress has a bill before them that  would require all handgun owners to list  their handguns on their federal tax forms.

Senate Bill 2099  would require all guns be  listed on the 2009 tax forms and a $50 tax/gun be paid.

If you  like to watch your blood pressure reach the top of the charts, don’t miss  reading:   http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/taxreturns.asp

The Truth :  The truth is much  less sinister; SB-2099 was before Congress in 2000, not the year 2009 (old news).  It went no-where in Congress.

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Blair Holt Bill of 2009

Haven’t we heard  of this bill before?  Yep! This bill was first submitted in 2007.   More info: http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/blairholt.asp

Emails::  There’s a list of things that would change in relation to guns.  In a phrase:  no license = no gun.

This bill also  addresses any semiautomatic firearm (that can accept any detachable ammunition-feeding device). Same idea:   no license = no gun.

The bill directs the Attorney  General to set up and run a federal record of sales system. It would be a criminal act not to register  as the owner of a firearm.

The emails go on to itemize  other requirements:

- all guns be sold through a licensed dealer,

- a driver’s license  #,

- your Social Security  Number,

- fingerprinting  of the applicant,

- a physical  and mental evaluation

- $25  fee each time a gun is sold; sale must be registered

- failure  to abide by above provision = loss of right to own gun + 1 year in            jail!

- All firearms must be locked and unavailable to folks under the age of 18.

- The govt. would  have the right to come in and inspect if guns are locked and  unavailable to those under 18.

- If owners  do not have the gun thus described (safe, locked), the fine is 5 years in jail!

The Truth :  The application has 10 parts for an applicant –

1) Provide  a clear, passport-type photo with a clear likeness

2) Name, address, Date of Birth,

3) Any other names this person has ever used or by which this applicant has        ever been known.

4) A clear thumb print

5) A statement from state and federal govt. that this person is not barred                from owning a firearm.

6) Certification by the applicant that he/she will not store guns where those           under 18 can get to them.

7)  Certificate of written firearms examination, relating to –

* safe storage of guns, particularly away from those under 18 years

* safe handling of firearms

* use of guns in the home and dangers of their use

* legal responsibilities of owner in relation to federal, state and local laws

* any other subjects the Attorney General may deem necessary

8  Authorization for release of any/all mental health records of               applicant to Attorney General

9)  Date of application.

10) Signature of applicant.

The good news is that there is no one willing to co-sponsor this bill.   Most representatives think this is an issue they don’t want to lose their seat over; and that says volumes!

For this nonsense, we pay those folks big bucks (& unbelievable health care)!

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This blog is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Ah Fall, Can Gun Legislation Be Far Behind?

Guns and Government -- An Ugly Combination!

As the days shorten and the heat gives way to balmier weather, can gun legislation be far behind?  These are issues making their way around the Internet.

Oklahoma

Emails: It  seems that citizens and states are getting nervous about the federal government’s encroachment  into their perceived domain, especially regarding guns.

The Truth: Oklahoma passed a resolution in April of 2009, demanding that the federal government “cease and desist” mandates beyond those outlined in the Constitution.

The 10th Amendment of the US Constitution is cited as the relevant document that states the federal government’s rights and obligations. (Of course, no one mentions that US presidents have been ignoring the 10th Amendment since the days of FDR!)

This declaration was a resolution, not a law, and therefore is a symbolic act which has no legal effect.” (direct quote from www.snopes.com, http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/pending/oklahoma.asp).

Montana

Emails: This state went a step (or two) further. The emails flying around indicate that Montana has defied the federal government in relation to gun ownership.

The belief of these organizers is that the federal government wants to confiscate all firearms (a non-surprise).  Essentially, the emails indicate that Montana has the right to defy the federal claims of having the right to control arms.

The Truth: (Again from Snopes.com, http://www.snopes.com/politics/guns/montana.asp) In April 2009, Montana passed the Montana Firearms Freedom Act.

Essentially it throws down the gauntlet to the federal government: “A personal firearm, a firearm accessory or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in Montana and remains in the borders of Montana is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of congress to regulate interstate commerce.”

This fancy bit of wording means that Montana says that the federal government has no right to regulate the firearms owned in Montana.

They are saying that:  Just because the federals have the right to regulate commerce (between states, etc.), that does not give them the right to regulate firearms that have nothing to do with interstate commerce.

The only problem with this feisty law is that states do not have the right to nullify federal laws. The Supreme Court is likely to shoot Montana’s law down (pun intended).

Finally

Lest you think that is all that our legislators in LaLa Land are up to, come back tomorrow. If you have “anger management issues,”  it would be best to skip tomorrow’s posting!

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This blog is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Feral Pigs in Texas — 2 Million Strong and Increasing!

There’s been considerable interest in this 1800 lb. feral pig shot in Turkey (See my previous story: “Great Photos: That Wild Boar was Where?”)

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However, I just want to make you aware that we have plenty in Texas.  If you need one, come on by!

Now in Piggy Heaven!

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This is a recent article in a local paper about the damage that can be done when pigs go — ah — hog wild!

Mr. Rollins front yard!

Feral hog makes mess of man’s yard

Thursday, January 22, 2009

By TJ Aulds / The Daily News

(This article is from  The Daily News, Galveston, TX — Texas’ Oldest Newspaper!)

TEXAS CITY — Irvin Rollins has a big problem with his yard. Make that a pig problem.

Irvin Rollins is upset by the damage feral pigs have caused to the front yard of his Texas City home.

The west Texas City resident claims that at least one very large feral hog has turned his yard into, well, a pigpen. His grass has been replaced by huge divots from the latest attack.

“I’m frustrated,” Rollins said. “I’ve called animal control, and they’ve told me they ain’t in the business of getting rid of hogs. I’m at my wit’s end.”

Rollins said he called the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and got little help. He called the police, who referred him to animal control.

After the second dinner rush on his lawn, Rollins bought feed for the hogs, but tainted it with stuff he thought would scare them away.

They came back for more.

“I’ve gone to feed stores figuring they would know somebody to call to get rid of the hog and they called back and told me if I ever find out how to get rid of them to let them know,” he said.

Rollins isn’t sure whether his yard was attacked by one hog or a herd. He has been unable to see his nemesis up close.

“My neighbors said they saw one that was huge — bigger than (a) desk,” Rollins said. “He’s quick. I try to get out and see him, but as soon as the door makes a noise, he’s gone.”

Feral hogs are a problem not just in west Texas City, but practically everywhere in the state. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials estimate the state’s feral hog population tops 2 million.

“The increase in population and distribution is due in part to intentional releases, improved habitat, increased wildlife management and improved animal husbandry such as disease eradication, limited natural predators and high reproductive potential,” Texas wildlife biologist Rick Taylor wrote in a 2003 report on the feral hog problem.

Taylor describes feral hogs as opportunistic feeders, meaning their diet is based on availability. They eat everything from grass to insects. They will eat live mammals and birds if the opportunity arises.

Apparently, Rollins’ yard on Williams Drive has become a buffet of sorts. Three times in the past couple of months, in the early morning, a hog or group of hogs dined on what is in and under his lawn. The late-night dinner visits are a recent happening for Rollins, who has lived in his house for 35 years. Until two months ago, he had never had a hog problem.

While there are 10 more houses on Rollins’ block, the hogs seem interested only in his yard.

“I’ve told my neighbors that if they hear a gun go off, don’t worry — it’s just me shooting at the hog,” Rollins said. “I don’t want to go to jail for shooting a gun in the city limits, but I don’t know what else to do.”

Help may be on the way.

George Fuller, the head of Texas City’s office of community development, has had some experience in dealing with feral hogs. When hogs were tearing up the Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery on Interstate 45 last year, Fuller put together a hog eradication team and “fixed the problem.”

“We will look into it and see if we can solve the problem,” Fuller said. “If we have a problem, I am sure we can find a way to get it solved.”

How?

Fuller wouldn’t say without checking into Rollins’ situation.

Taylor’s report suggests trapping the animal. However, biologists do not suggest taking them someplace to roam free.

“Feral hogs are prolific breeders and can cause considerable damage,” Taylor wrote in his report. “They can destroy habitat, and compete directly or indirectly with all other species of wildlife.”

A search of Web sites found that many “experts” suggest the only good feral hog is a dead one.

Dead or alive, Rollins doesn’t care. He just wants his yard back and the hogs gone.

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And you thought YOU had lawn problems!

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This blog is a companion to my website: www.EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Knives: Think it’s Easy to Spot a Fantasy Knife?**

Old Weapons

During the Third Reich, millions of fancy dress daggers were ordered and distributed to the party faithful.

Coming in a variety of patterns, with various motifs and designs, these daggers have become popular collector’s items.

By the way, there are lots of dagger fakes around! However, that is not my story today.

Pocket Knives from the Third Reich

Nazi Knives

If you attend many gun shows, swap meets or weapon extravaganzas, you are sure to see a variety of Nazi pocket knives.  Some have swastikas, Third Reich emblems, the Nazi eagle – or even Hitler’s likeness and/or autograph!

The only problem is that the Nazi’s never ordered pocket knives! Someone decided that if there was a market for fancy Nazi daggers, surely there would be those who would want to collect Nazi pocket knives!

A Fantasy Knife  Example

This is a twist on the ‘fantasy knife’ idea I mentioned yesterday.  Instead of the knife being a total fabrication, pocket folders were created as companions to the “real” Nazi daggers.

These fantasy pocket knives were created in the 1970’s for the swap

Nazi Knife

meet trade. This should give you some idea of the care you need to take at  swap meets!

 

Most of these fantasy pocket knives were produced by Parker Cutlery of Tennessee.

Where These Knives are Now

These pocket knives are now available at estate sales and in antique stores.  This is why it is so hard to eliminate fantasy knives; if the pros in antique stores are fooled (or turn a blind-eye to them), what chance do you or I have?

If you don’t know your knife seller, know your history — before you buy a commemorative knife!

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* Before I get into trouble:  I’m not implying that all pocket knives from this era are fakes. Individuals may have produced Nazi knives – to fit in or to show their admiration for Hitler.

However, if a seller has several similar pocket knives and says they were produced for the Nazi’s, it didn’t happen.

** When info is added after the article is posted, I add the ** to show that fact.

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Full Disclosure: I don’t sell knives any more.  Because they have been popular, I left these articles online.

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This blog is a companion to my website: www.EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Knives: How are Knives Faked?

There are 3 types of faked knives: counterfeits, re-worked knives and fantasy knives!

Counterfeits

Bowie needed an extra horse to carry all the knives he's 'said' to have owned!

These are created by consciously copying quality knife brands for gain. Usually, they use the original’s name on the knock-off knife.

Counterfeiting shows in (1) the quality of  the materials used. Obviously, the idea is to use cheap materials and sell it for the high prices the originals command.

(2) The quality of the workmanship. If there are gaps or gapes in the way the knife is constructed, it is probably a fake.

(3) Pay particular attention to the markings. If you know a knife is made in the US and the knife states it was made in Taiwan, Korea or India, it is probably a fake!

Re-works – A Gray Zone

Sometimes a genuine old knife has been reworked. It might be as small as replacing a rivet or a bigger change — replacing a broken blade.

This may be an acceptable change if: the restored or replaced part is using authentic parts or using parts from that era and the seller reveals the change.

If the seller does not mention any changes made – this is outright fraud!

A much more troublesome area is when a cheap brand name is ground off and the knife is re-stamped with a more expensive brand name.

It’s important to study the evolution of lettering styles over the years in knives.  If the lettering does not fit the era of its construction, it’s probably a fake!

Fantasy Knives

These are knives for the gullible! They can’t be called counterfeits because the knife never existed!

These are knives that someone has created with the intention of tying it to a historical event or era.

Here’s an example.  A seller might offer a knife from the doomed ship, Arizona, from World War II (Pearl Harbor bombing by the Japanese).

Unless you know that the US government issued a knife with “Arizona” on its case to the sailors of this ship, pass this “treasure” by and don’t buy the story!

Finally

You really need to know your history before buying artifacts and knives from someone you don’t know.

Remember, if the knife does not work (and never did work) — it’s a fake.  Before knives became collectibles, they were used by their purchasers.

This may seem hard-nosed, but I assume all knives are fakes until proven otherwise!

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Next Time: An interesting story about “fantasy knives” that still fools some buyers!

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This is a companion to my website: www.EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Knives: Can You Spot a Fake?**

It looks like I’m not attending to my blog, however, I’m trying top get my new website ready and it’s taking far more time than I dreamed. I’m moving to a new server, etc. Sorry for the spotty posts. — marylouise

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This topic may take 2 or 3 posts to cover it adequately.

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Not a Fake!

Faking knives in America really started in the 1950’s, as the idea of knife collecting started to take off in the US!  In case you think you’ve never seen any — there are table-fulls of fakes at gun shows, swaps and flea markets!

Show sponsors can’t figure out how to stop the practice. All you can do is protect yourself by learning as much as you can on the subject!

The most important thing you can  do is:  avoid buying a knife until you learn how to spot a fake.

Where Are Fakes Made?

Fakes are rarely made in the country of the original. The Germans and Japanese produce fakes of old American knives. You need to know what the “American style” of knife making is so you can tell when you are seeing a German or Japanese copy.

Fakes have a long history. London brands were copied by Sheffield knife makers in the 1600 and 1700’s.  By the 1800’s, Germans created pseudo-British knives for sale in America.

Now, German companies manufacture fakes of American knives; Italians make fakes for German and American companies!

Japanese offers fake collectibles because, world-wide, there is a demand for them. Pakistani companies copy the Japanese fakes and the Chinese copy everyone!

To top this all off, everyone copies the Swiss Army knives!  How can person catch fakes? It seems almost impossible! It sounds as if there are more faked knives than real ones!

Things to Watch

There are a few things to watch.  (1) Look at workmanship. If things do not work smoothly, if parts do not  fit together well (Are there any gaps or parts that do not fit together smoothly?), then it is most likely a fake.

(2) Does it work as a knife?  Unbelievably, sellers offer collectable knives that don’t work!  Keep in mind, knives  – even collectibles — were ALWAYS constructed for use!

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Next time: There are 3 types of faked knives: counterfeits, re-worked knives and fantasy knives! Learn about each type! I’ll share as much as I know about spotting these fakes.  — Marylouise

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Full Disclosure: I no longer sell knives and multi-tools on my site.  I’ve left these articles up because they have been popular and informational.

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This is a companion to my website: www.EasyOnlineOrdering.com

** This is added to the title when material is added after an article is posted.

Turkey #5: Which Baby Turkey (Poult) Hatches First?

Mama Hen's New Recruits!

As a spin on the age-old question, we pose a new one – Which poult hatches first?  Is it the first egg laid by the mother hen, or the last?

Answer: No one knows!

Another Puzzle

No one understands how the poult can peck his way out of his egg with an ‘egg tooth’ that chips a nearly perfect line around the upper edge of the larger end of the egg.

In fact, that is how one can immediately surmise the outcome of the nest: If the eggs are smashed, a predator got to the eggs before birth. Otherwise, the eggs have clean pecks around the edge, as if the poults were unzipping themselves from their cocoon.

Early Lessons

If you recall high school biology, ‘imprinting’ is the process by which a baby learns to recognize her mother, her voice, her commands.

This bonding takes place in the first 24 hours; sometime before hen and poults leave the nest.  Once born, the nest becomes a liability for the hatchlings and mom.

The hen needs to feed the youngsters and predators abound. For the first couple of weeks, the chicks and mom are ground-bound.

Life of the Average Poult

Although the poult can fly at the end of the first week of life, the hatchling spends all his time preening, feeding, peeping. He relies on ‘dear old mom’ for warmth and security.

Between Day 14 and 20, the poult is able to move to the tree roost with his/her mom. The determining factor seems to be the weather; if the weather’s too cool,  the poults would rather stay snuggled up to Mom – on the ground.

The constant stream of  chatter is actually school-time for the youngsters. By the time they can roost in trees, they have developed quite a vocabulary.

They have also started to find their place in the family’s pecking order. Interestingly enough, the pecking order can change over time.

“Feed Me! I’m Yours!”

Poults need high protein meals at first: Bugs and grasshoppers. The wider the chicks range for food, the more likely he is to be attacked by hawks, and other predators. Generally, being in open, exposed areas makes attack more likely. As months pass, turkey chicks learn to thrive in their habitat.

By the first leaves of fall, the poults have merged into young turks. Their diet has changed from bugs and leaves to acorns and other foods on the forest floor.

However, they may find themselves in the cross-hairs of a hunter’s gun, if they learn to raid corn from his deer feeders.

Soon: How to Out-Smart a Turkey’s Survival Instincts

More Turkey Talk – Terminology

A Little Terminology

Let's Talk Turkey!

Gobbler - adult male, usually 2 years of age + , all tail feathers are sameLet’s Talk Turkey! length; overall – looks black, with red/white/blue head

Jake -  young male, middle tail feather is longer than the others

Hen – female adult, smaller and duller in color than males; overall – looks dark brown

Jennys – young hens

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Truth is Stranger than Fiction

1) Male turkeys have beards – which are made up of modified feathers. It is not unusual for a male to have more than one beard!

2) One in 20 females has a beard!

3) Habitat determines a wild turkey’s weight. They average about 20 lbs. in the agricultural areas of the Midwest. In other areas, they average somewhat less than 20 lbs.

4) Turkey hunters tend to be more interested in the size of the turkey’s beard and spurs, rather than their weight!

* Photo from Wikipedia!

UPCOMING: Turkey Behavior You Need to Understand; Preseason Ideas for the Turkey Hunter; and more!

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This is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com