Best "CookBooks" Ever-Culinaria Series

About a decade or so ago I purchased a few cookbooks that I consider the best books (of any type) I own.  Culinaria series of "cookbooks" are the best cookbooks ever.  I use quotations on cookbooks because I think they go beyond the definition of your typical cookbook.  They are a travel book, a history book, a cookbook, a culture book, among other things all wrapped into one.  These books are high quality in all aspects.  Superficially the books are made with quality thick paper and well laid out.   More importantly though the books are excellent not only in its recipes but also in its photography, and writing.   Some of these books are close to 500 pages.   Within those pages are interesting historical background on the culture's love of food or product.  One complaint I've read is that to fit all that information within the book, font size may be too small for some but I didn't have that issue.

These books aren't just for home cooks or gourmands but for anyone interested in European culture.  Hunters would like these books too.  There are several game recipes and sections regarding game in that particular country, with the Spain edition having the most game recipes.   In each book there are several recipes for quail, partridge (chukar is a good substitute), rabbit, hare, pheasant, duck, boar, venison and much more.  In addition to the recipes the books discuss hunting culture within that country with great pictures too.

Currently I have four of the books of the series-France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.  I intend on including the Hungary and Russia books in the near future.  The French book is where I actually learned about Laguiole knives.  Just that article made me want to buy one.  I loved the knife and its history so much I bought one for my father for his birthday. 

These books are originally from Germany and are translated into English.  Translation is good.  I wish an American publisher would copy this format and start making our cookbooks like this.  I don't think it would ever happen.   I've read that the German publisher is no long in existence, that's a shame as this series is the best cookbook ever produced.  Period.

Ballistol

Decades ago while looking through one of my old man's issues of an old German outfitters catalog,  Frankonia, I came across this stuff call Ballistol.  Since I did not read German, all I could decipher was that it was some sort of gun cleaning oil.  Remember, this was pre-internet days so information was hard to come by.

Fast forward to a few years ago, I ordered a catalog from another German outfitter, Akah.  While perusing through the pages, I came across this stuff again.  The Akah catalog is written in English so I could read about this stuff.  It is a mineral oil based CLP (cleaner/lubricant/preservative) that is nontoxic and safe for all surfaces-metal, wood, plastic and leather.  Over the years I forgot about this stuff but it wasn't until I saw a youtuber post a video about this stuff did it spark my interest again.  I goggled it and looked for a retailer that sold it and ordered a few cans.

A German Limited Edition Tin Set.  Packaging with Style.

Being nontoxic, I really like this stuff despite the smell.  Some say it smells like black licorice, I think it smells like ass.  All I can say it works.  Before the season began I used it to clean the barrels of my Darne R13 and Merkel Model 8, both were in dire need of a good cleaning.  I had shot B&P spreader loads in both those guns for years without really cleaning the barrels.  Those spreader loads are notoriously dirty.  Prior to Ballistol I had tried various gun cleaners with little affect so I basically stopped cleaning the barrels out of laziness but since modern ammo is noncorrosive I really didn't mind.  I finally had enough and it still took me a long time to clean those guns but I finally got those barrels clean.

Originally made for the German army, Ballistol has thousands of uses.  This stuff is great and use it for anything.  I spray down a rag and wipe the entire gun with it including the wood and leather sling.  Although I've never tried it but I have read that it has been used for minor cuts and scratches.  Its truly a miracle oil.  Because it emulsifies with water, its great for an all weather lubricant.  So if it rains, the rain doesn't wash off the oils.  It does not dry or congeal.  Seal Team 6 and the USCG have adopted it for weapons maintenance in the early 90s if that convinces you.  German shooters and hunters swear by this stuff.  For me that was good enough for me to try it.

Gunther You're My Hero

The story of a 23 year road trip of a 74 year old German who traveled the world in a G-Wagen:

Read more about it here and here.

Gunther please write a book.  I'd buy it the day it comes out.

Filson Outfitter Bag

Filson is having their annual winter sale.  It's a good time to buy your replacement tin cloth pants or a new hunting shirt or whatever else catches your fancy.  For me I had my eye on some new luggage.  With no reason to buy anything, when I first received the email notification a few weeks ago, so I ignored it.  After a few days, maybe weeks, I decided to open the email and see what was on sale.  There was nothing I needed or more accurately wanted.

When my Mulholland bag tore at the zipper seams from my first duck hunt of the year, I looked into new luggage.  I went back to the Filson email to see if any of their luggage were on sale. They were but too bad for me they were all out of stock.  Damn, I missed my opportunity.  For whatever reason, perhaps I was wishing for some miracle, I kept checking everyday to see if they were back in stock.  After a few days, I would notice that the otter green would be in stock , and once you refreshed the page it was then out of stock.  Soon the tan version would do the same.  Figuring it was just a website glitch, I decided to try adding it to the cart and it accepted it.   So I placed an order.  It accepted it and I eventually received a confirmation.  I figured that I would receive and email days after telling me that they were out of stock but instead I received a shipping confirmation email. 

This bag arrived while I was hunting the Owens Valley so I was not able to "test" it out in the field.  Now that I'm home I can play around with it and my initial impression was damn this thing is heavy.  This is a large and has enough room for a week long hunting trip.  There is a separate bottom compartment for boots or your dirty laundry.  Along with the two main compartments, there are plenty of pockets- two in the interior, two zippered pockets along the length of the bag and two small open pockets on the edges.  All in all quite the buy for $249.99 compared to the MSRP price of $415.  It's too bad I didn't get a chance to use it before the season closed.

It Might Be Over

For whatever foolish reason, I thought our season ended at the end of the month.  It was not until I picked up one of our hunting regulations booklets last night did I realize it ended this weekend.  I had planned on heading out on Monday and hunting until end of the month.  I'm glad I checked otherwise I would have looked pretty stupid driving 5 hours only to realize I was poaching birds out of season.  So I let my old man know and made a mad dash to reschedule my calendar since my sister's family is in town I told them they're on there own I'm outta here. With that I  head out to the market to get supplies before the store closed.  I spent the night packing the Rover and getting ready.

I awoke this morning and I'm not feeling well.  I believe I caught whatever my niece had and it may now be game over.  I'm pissed.  If I remotely feel better tomorrow I'm heading out otherwise its going to be a long bitter off season.  Nearby States, Arizona, Nevada Utah and New Mexico have "extended" seasons (I call them extended because the are longer than what I'm used to in CA) that go into February, perhaps I'll have to make an upland trip if I can't finish out this season here.  Sickness already cost me a pheasant hunt earlier this season now it might have cost me the closing weekend.  That's bullshit!  Back to bed to try and get better.

Video From Last Hunt

At Least The Season Is Not Over...Yet

Today I guess I can say I didn't get skunked today but I didn't come home with a table duck either.  I did though come home with a duck.  Not sure if that is a win or not. 

Again another clear warm day.  Sweated my ass off hiking up and down the river in my Simms waders.  It was not fun.  We got a late start this morning and started to look for spots on the river to put in but most were already taken by trout fishermen.  I probably should have brought my fly rod.  After some driving we found a spot to park and start walking down the bank.  This was the area I jumped at least 40 a couple hunts go.  While gearing up a flock of 10 big ducks (not sure if they were mallards) buzzed us just out of shooting range.  It didn't matter anyhow as we didn't even have our Merkels out.

We hiked downstream and came upon a bend, in the sun I saw three birds heading right for us.  Partially blinded by the sun, the birds came out of the glare and I shot, hitting one as it crashed behind us to the left.  I had no idea what birds they as I shot only that they were ducks.  Kaiser looked for the down bird and retrieved it for me.  It was a hen bufflehead.  Another bufflehead.  Having never eaten one, I'm willing to try one but given their reputation I'm not quite sure if I'm willing to try two.  Well if they suck at least they are small.  Given that these ducks are divers and feed on fish, I might try a recipe from hunters in Italy I have been wanting to try.

We continued on and I managed to spook a pair of mallards too far out of range.  They circled back toward us and I tried pointlessly to call them but it was no use.  I haven't called in so long I really suck.  I mean REALLY suck.  Not that I was ever that good before but I really suck now.  I need to practice.  Much of the rest of the time was a nice hike with a shotgun.

For the evening hunt we tried some of the regular spots but had no luck.  Towards the end of the day we found a lone ring necked in a pond.  Dad put the stalk on him as he crawled behind the tulies.  It eventually became wise on him and flushed.  With only a brief window to take him, my father took one shot but missed.  By the time he was on the second trigger of his Merkel Model 8 it was too late.  We drove around looking for ponds that I hadn't been to in years.  I've avoided this pond as its difficult to hunt without a small boat.  But since I was desperate I decided to take a look.  There were two big ducks of unknown species among the coots from what I could see.  They were too far and my cheap ass Steiner binos I keep in the car were not helping me out.

Beacause that ring necked flew toward an area near the canal.  We headed back there to see if we could find the bird there.  My father and I walked opposite directions as we were running out of light.  After about 10 minutes I heard a shot and looked in that direction.   I saw two big ducks way up in the air.  I tried calling them up, they were having none of that.  And so the day ended as did this trip.  Not really a success in terms of bag nor birds seen but that is hunting.  We have little more than one week left before next season so hopefully we have at least one more trip in us.  Hopefully the old man will also get a bird.

Nothing To Write About

Unseasonably warm weather made today's hunting rather unpleasant.  This is the second year in a row now that a heat wave has hit the ending weeks of the hunting season.  I really hate hunting in heat.  Its not good on me but more importantly on the dog.  Last week I was freezing my nuts off and loving every minute.  That is how waterfowl hunting should be.  Today's high was 66 but in this valley it feels like 88 degrees.  I don't know what it is about this place but it feels hot when its supposed to be cold. 

After a rough nights sleep, I awoke and we headed to the pond where on the last trip the canvasbacks continued to return.  When I drove up to it I was disappointed to see that its half frozen with no birds.  The rest of the day was a constant search for birds.  I managed to find a few were all out of range and did not want to be shot.

At the end of day, the old man wanted to hit the Thai Thai again but to our disappointment found that is closed on Mondays.  We headed to another restaurant and were disappointed that we paid more than we did last night for a worse meal.  My chicken pot pie was unimpressive and I have had better versions in the frozen food sections at the market.  Tomorrow, hopefully its better. 

Back Again This Time With The Old Man

The day started badly when we were all ready to take off, I asked my father if he had his hunting license.  I'm glad I did as he did not.  After about twenty minutes he finally found it after searching all over the house.   As he gets older his memory is going.  After that set back we finally made it on the road.

und 2:30 at our first location.  This area was the area I wanted to hunt the last time but didn't quite make it.  Once we made it to the water, I noticed some large objects in the water.  I glassed it and noticed it was 5 Canada geese.  Unfortunately the area is void of any cover and making a stalk on them would be impossible.

We left to reach another pond that even though its been warm is now nearly frozen over.  So we moved on.  Since its the weekend, I figured that there must be hunters pushing birds.  With that logic, I decided to hit the small canal I got my ring necked  duck last time.  We walked it but saw no birds.  Since my dad still is recovering from jet lag I told him to wait here as I get the Rover.  Once I got to the vehicle he called me and said a duck just landed in the canal.  I drove to him and we made our stalk.  After a few hundred yards of walking, the bird jumped 35 yards and I took him with the first barrel loaded with Bismuth No. 4.  Because he didn't drop instantly, I took another shot with my second barrel this one loaded with Kent Tungsten Matrix No.3.  The duck fell into the water and Kaiser ran to retrieve.   Once Kaiser came back with the bird we realized it was a drake wigeon.  This time I got it recorded on the headcam. 

We left here to take a look at the ponds.  To my surprise there were only two trucks parked here.  For a weekend, one of the last remaining weekends, I was shocked.  I guess everyone stayed home to watch the NFL playoffs.  We were running out of light, and there was a bufflehead in a small pond.  I normally would take this bird but I wanted to get some more action for Kaiser, so I put a stalk on it.  This drake flushed when I got within shooting range.  I missed the first shot but managed to take it on the second.

After that we stayed around a bit hoping for some pass shooting that never materialized.  So off we went for some Thai food and then back to the motel where I write this entry as my old man snores with Kaiser.  Hopefully I'll get some sleep with all this ruckus.

Glove Love

I hunt in gloves.  I don't care if its 100 degrees like in a September dove hunt or its bone chilling cold, I wear them. It's for several reasons.  For one, California's wild terrain is rough.  There are plants that will stick, poke and hurt you.  I know this for a fact as I once swinging my shotgun tracking a quail when my hand swung right into a cactus.  It was not fun picking all those cholla out of my hand.  Much of upland hunting in Southern California revolves around rocky or steep terrain.  Hands get beat up pretty good when sliding or climbing in those areas.  Also snakes are everywhere (even in our suburban neighborhoods).  While gloves would do little to a snake bite at least it provides some protection, if only psychological.  Obviously gloves are also made for protection against the cold.

In the mail today, I received a some of the finest gloves I've seen.  My everyday hunt gloves are a pair of deerskin leather gloves from Filson.  I had two pairs of these great gloves but lost one pair a few seasons ago.  Luckily the pair I lost was starting to fall apart as one of the finger's stitching was coming apart.  My current pair is starting to do the same. So  I started looking for a replacement, I considered just buying another pair of Filson's.  But while searching I discovered another pair from Geier Gloves Co. out of Washington.  When I first discovered these gloves I figured they were probably the OEM for Filson.  On a plus note these Geiers gloves are way cheaper than the Filson ones and the sizing is much more varied for a better fit.

Due to their pricing I bought three pairs, two unlined and one wool lined (and another lined pair for my father).  The Filson are currently running about $80 for an unlined pair.  I bought two different Geiers unlined pairs of just under $40 each and $65 for the wool lined pair.  All these pairs are made of supple deerskin here in the USA.  I can not express enough how nice these gloves are.  They are soft and tacky enough to hold an uncheckered wood stock without any problems.

The lining is merino wool so its warm and soft to the touch.  It's also not too bulky so working the back trigger on double trigger shotgun is not a problem.  Since all the shotguns I hunt with use this set up, its perfect for me.  When ordering a lined glove make sure you order at least a half or full size bigger than your unlined glove.  Geier does not adjust for the bulk of the lining when it comes to sizing.  In other words if you are a size 9 (like me) the lined glove will have the same dimensions as the unlined.  The extra bulk of the lining will make it a tighter fit so it will require you to go size up.  I ordered a 9.5 for the lined gloves and it seems to be a perfect fit.

These came just in time as the old man and I plan on hitting the valley again in search of waterfowl.  With a little bit of luck we'll be coming home with some good tasting birds.  

After More Than 20 Years Time For a Change

Quality.  It's a rare trait in today's disposable world where everything is made in some emerging nation without any pride or tradition.  Not long ago, quality and pride were the norm.  Now its hard to find.  I recently decided to replace my shooting cap.  That green wool cap is still going strong albeit little more rundown than its original condition.  Bought in London's The Scotch House more than 20 years ago while still in high school that cap has been through duck hunts, fly fishing adventures, urban treks, and normal day to day wear.  

After all those years of use, I finally decided to get a replacement.  I've been looking for a new one for awhile but unfortunately most of the ones available in the States are made in China crap.  I wanted a legitimate European-made hat not some cheaply made knock off.  When my sister went to France last year, I asked her if she found one to buy it for me.  She never did but I finally found one here stateside.  It's a Lawrence and Foster made in Yorkshire England, light olive check patterned.  Hopefully this hat will last just as long if not longer than my The Scotch House cap which has given me years of loyal service.

Covey Rise - A New Upland Mag

Looking to use a free gift certificate from Barnes & Noble, I discovered a new upland hunting magazine, Covey Rise.  At $12.99 an issue its one of the pricier hunting periodicals. 

The magazine is well laid out with excellent photography, printed on quality thick paper.  Contents include the usual hunting articles but of note is a high end gear section- On Point, The Ultimate Prep Guide to the Hunt, and a section on table fare with very nice recipes that go beyond the typical bacon wrapped dove poppers, so common to hunting magazines.  Notable contributors include Ben O. Williams who writes an illustrated essay on North American quail .

It's a nice periodical.  Will I subscribe?  Probably not.  I didn't renew my subscription of Shooting Sportsman years ago for various reasons so I don't think I'll be ordering this one anytime soon.

Mini Purdey of King George V

I was watching the youtube video I posted of a Discovery Channel's look into Purdey and for whatever reason I forgot about the mini Purdey that was presented to King George V in 1935.  So I decided to search for my information on the internet.  The gun is fully functional, breaks down into its own guncase and it even has cartridges made by Eley-Knoch, that are just under a half inch long loaded with 1.62 grains of powder and 2.02 grains of dust shot.  According to the video the King used it to shoot moths.  It's a fascinating piece of art for sure.  I wonder if the Purdey were to make one today what the cost to manufacture would be, assuming they could even recreate it.

For the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935, James Purdey & Sons presented His Majesty with a miniature pair of hammer ejector guns, nos. 25000 and 25001. Built to exactly 1/6 the size of the king's pair of 12-bore guns, the fully working miniatures were supplied with fully functioning ammunition. The cartridges were .47 inches long, .18 in diameter and loaded with 2.02grns of dust shot. It is said that the cartridges cost as much to produce as the guns themselves.  The guns and a complete box of 25 cartridges are preserved in the Royal Gun Room at Sandringham.

More Art

 A Forester at Home. Ludwig Knaus.

In The Hut of Forester.  Vladimir Makovsky

The Vision of Saint Hubert (ca. 1617). J. Brueghel and P. P. Rubens, Prado, Madrid.



Preparations for Hunting (1836). Jevgraf Fiodorovitch Krendovsky                                                                               Hunter in Tyrolean Hat and Jacket with
                                                                                                  Percussion Rifle and Pipe.  Max Scholz.

 

Arriving Just In Time

As I'll be hunting with pop when he returns in country,  so I needed to stock up on some nontox waterfowl ammo.  Although prices on raw tungsten have skyrocket over the years, prices on Kent's Tungsten Matrix have remained constant from when I bought my last case a few years ago.  Still they are not cheap at $320 a case of 100, but that is actually $29 cheaper than what I paid about 3 years ago.  Whereas Hevi-Shot Classic Doubles have nearly doubled at $410/100.  I recall paying a little over $2 a shot a few years ago with their rebate coupon.   Recently when checking websites, I was shocked when I saw their pricing. 

Personally that's fine as I feel Kent is a better round.  They have faster velocity and larger shot charges.  Also I've taken more ducks with it than I have with the Classic Double.  I believe it has to do not only on velocity but weight as well.  Kent's shot weighs 10.8g/cc, that is close to the 11.1g/cc that of lead.  Classic Double is 9.4g/cc.  Unless Tungsten Matrix pricing goes off the roof I'll be sticking with it in the future.

Video From The Owens Valley Hunt Jan. 9-11.13

Some Unexpected Eats in the Eastern Sierras

When one thinks of cuisine in the Eastern Sierras, most would think meat and potatoes, pizza, burgers or simple American country fare but to my surprise there is a lot more.

Escargot from Still Life Café a French Bistro in Independence CA that my pop and I had years ago after a duck hunt.  This restaurant is owned by a Frenchman from Provence.

Bishop has decent Thai food.  Who would have ever thought?  This green curry is from a in-the-middle-of-nowhere-restaurant, Thai Thai located in the airport.  I had take-out so I could dine with Kaiser in the motel.

I know there are a few fine dining restaurants in Mammoth but since I don't ski and spend my time fly fishing or hunting the valley, Mammoth is just too far for me to go dining. 

Game Preparation-Aging Ducks

I've been told and have read on numerous occasions, particularly from Europeans, that game should be aged.  I have aged steaks at home but never the game I've taken.  Most if not all the time I pluck and clean the birds I shot that day or the next depending on how tired I am when I reach the car.  This is done mostly because I do not want to pluck the bird at home where feathers and down simply make a mess when you clean them. 

Since last night was bone chilling cold I did not want to be standing in freezing temperatures cleaning this bird, so on my drive home I decided to try aging it to see if that makes a difference.  Also because this bird was not gut shot I thought it would be worth a try. 

From Orvis:
Preparation: Hang them in their feathers, head up, in a refrigerator or cooler for 4 to 6 days. It is not necessary to draw ducks before hanging unless they are badly gut-shot.

When All Else Fails Pray To Saint Hubertus

The last couple days have been a bust and today was my last try to avoid the skunk on this trip.  While I've seen various waterfowl all have been either out of range or somehow impervious to tungsten number 3 shot.  I started the morning late as I was more tired than ever.  Must have been all that shoveling of snow to get my SUV unstuck.

It was after 9:30 before I made it out of the motel.  My first destination was the pond with the canvasbacks.  When I arrived the birds were already on the water.  Fewer canvasbacks this time but more redheads and scaups and ringnecks.  Crawling on my belly, I made it to the edge and the birds flushed about 80 yards away.  Too far for a shot.  They fled north when I called with them then circled back.  Overzealous, I skybusted them when they were overhead- a cardinal sin.  Idiot.  That's what happens when you get desperate.  But that's a rookie mistake.  I knew they wouldn't be back for hours and I was planning on hunting my way south on my way home so these birds will be safe from this idiot until I come back.

The plan now was to hit the stretch of river that I jumped 40 birds last outing.  When I arrived a group of hunters were preparing to hunt it and after chatting abit I told them I'd go downstream a few miles.   After a few miles I made it to my spot and started hunting.  The hunting was not as hot as last week.  I managed to flush a pair of mallards that flushed too far for a shot.  Afterwards a mix bag of 15 ducks flushed wild all too far for a shot.  One straggler, perhaps a bufflehead, goldeneye, or scaup, flew towards me and I fired when he was directly above the river.  Again, though, bad luck happens to me on this stretch as the bird hit hard glided onto the other side of the river.  As with last week, there was nowhere to cross safely.

I made it to the pond and poked my head over the hill to see if any birds were on the water.  I only saw a couple of coots.  With the sun in my eyes, I didn't recognize the bird in the upper left corner.  I walked atop the hill and the bird flushed.  I couldn't recognized the species until it was around 40 yards out.  I shot once and missed.  After that I headed back to the truck.  I noticed that the elk were still around and all nine watched me cautiously was I walked to their direction.  Once I made it back I had lunch and then headed to Dave's to say hello. 

He was not in, so I decided to take a look at the ponds behind his office.  To my surprise, they were no longer frozen solid.  Since Dave was not in, I headed south to look at a pond I hadn't looked at in years.  The pond looked good but was devoid of any birds.  I was planning on hunting the river here moving southward toward the lake but as I noticed the river and channels were low or frozen solid I decided to head back to Dave's. 

After a quick chat, Dave reminded me of a lake I long forgotten.  I decided to head out there even though the last time I looked at the lake a few years ago, it was dry.  Dave hadn't hunted there in years and could not tell me if there was water or not so I decided to check it out.  The lake is still dry.  So I headed back to Dave's and chose to hunt the ditches near his office.  When I parked, I was too close to the water and as I was preparing my gear two mallards, a drake and hen, flushed.  I was pissed another rookie mistake.  I should have known better.  Earlier on my way to the dry lake, I crossed a bridge along this same ditch and flushed a hen teal and another hen big bird (not quite sure of the species) although it could have been a mallard.

There was a bit more water so I walked it anyways.  With light and time running out, I was getting desperate and with the possibility of the skunk I began to prey for at least one bird.  Being a nonreligious person, I needed all the help I could get.  I asked for help from Saint Hubertus, the patron saint of hunters to look after me.  

After a few yards a ring neck flushed a few yards ahead of me.  I shot the Merkel the first barrel and I saw the shot hit the bird as the outer portion of the spread could be seen on the water.  He looked unphased so I shot again and this time I could see the spread on the dirt.  I knew I hit him twice and he just flew away.  Shocked and pissed I knew I had him yet he got away, seemingly unhurt.  Kaiser and I continued to walk the bend of the ditch a lo and behold the duck was struggling in the water.  I was 50 yards away and debated to make another finishing shot but as I moved forward the duck finally gave in.  It floated with the current toward us and told Kaiser to go get him.  With temperature at about 30 degrees and dropping Kaiser was in no mood to get in that cold water, after all he is Southern California dog used to 70 degree weather or more.  He just waited along the edge until the bird floated in close to the edge and snatched it.

 After searching the rest of the ditch I headed back to the ponds and down bad luck road.  The last time I was on this road it was newly built and the dirt hadn't been packed fully.  When I tried to park on the side of the road, it gave and slid my truck into the pond.  I called Dave to help drag me out but I was buried too deep. AAA couldn't get me out so another towing company had to get me out.  It end up costing me, if I recall correctly, over $700 to get me out.  Today some numbnuts with Oregon plates parked at the end of the turnaround and blocked the whole section.  Had he parked just a foot to the right or a foot more forward it would have been easy to get around him and turnaround.  I had to reverse just about the whole length of the road to get out.  With a dog kennel and a truck load to the brim I could look easily through my rear mirror making reversing rather difficult.

Memories from three years ago on Bad Luck Road.

That day was one of my costliest hunts ever, I hope it never happens again. 

With the season fast approaching its conclusion I have at least one more hunt up here until I have to wait to next season.  I only hope my next trip is better than this one.