Hey, Honey! Want to go for a ride?

Just smell the aroma of guy stuff!

So, it's Labor Day! It's also my birthday! The Ball and Chain and I were sitting in the living room pondering life and making it alive to another year, when an idea popped in to my head. "Honey, I may need some stuff at the store." "What stuff?", she queried. "I'll know it when I see it." was my considered response. So, off we went to the land of orange and camo.

Down here, bird hunting is an after-thought. Real men hunt deer, big bucks, and stuff like that. The local  shop in Macon, in fact all the stores of that genre in this area, hit the deer, turkey hunting and fishing equipment real hard. Dog stuff is mainly for duck dogs. But, there are training collars and other gear that would cross the lines from duck/deer/turkey/dove hunting over to the sport of gentlemen. I like just being where men and women are trying on boots, guns, camo and stuff. Videos of deer kills and stalking, and cleaning carcasses are running continually throughout the store....ahh, sweet music of the outdoors!

I did manage to find a buy on ammo and bought a box or two to get me started. I will order the rest of the best stuff from www.uplanders.com in a week or so. With the good prices and free shipping (over $100), it's a deal that can't be beat.

We are getting close.....22 Sept, the big diesel rolls out of town to Montana.....



The Blue Grouse

Blue Grouse

I, someday, will chase a few of these.  Old books I read say they are the largest of the grouse family and only smaller than the pheasant, when it comes to game birds. Just recently, I read they are second only to the Sage Grouse in size in the Grouse family.  Having harvested several Sage Grouse, I  can agree with that.  I've heard they eat as well as the Ruffed Grouse, too! High mountain habitat make the hunting very challenging and that is right up my alley.  I'm still recovering from the last Chukar hunt I went on, but it only whetted my appetite for the red-legged demon.  I'm going to study this bird and maybe figure out where I can get the dogs in the area of a suitable population.

Hunting Tips (From State of Colorado website)

---

Lower elevation: Hunt edges, benches and draws. Look for berry or mast producing shrubs such as chokecherry, serviceberry, elderberry, currant (ribes), and oakbrush. Look for seaps and other water sources which tend to hold green forbs and insects later into the fall.

Higher elevations: Get as high as you can and then hunt downwards. Know your trees! Lodgepole pine is too low, keep going to spruce/fir. Look for vaccinium with berries and high elevation forbs and/or pockets of insects.
Look for sign such as feathers, droppings, tracks and dusting bowls.

• A good bird dog is an asset in the sage/aspen areas. They aren’t as much of an asset in the high country (where birds don’t tend to hold a point) and can even hamper your hunting efforts.
• For every bird you see, you’ve probably walked past 5-10.
• Dusky grouse (formally know as blue Grouse) tend to be gregarious; where you find 1 bird there should be others nearby.
• When flushed in the high country, blue grouse tend to fly downhill and often escape by flying up into trees. When in sagebrush-aspen areas they tend to hold for pointing dogs and flush.
  

Randy and Ace- ID 2012

Randy and Cap- ID 2012

Randy, Ruby, Cap, Ace- ND 2011

The weather is (somewhat) cooler. The muscadines are loaded down.  The Tulip Poplars are turning. My pasture hay is being cut as I write.  It's almost time for hunting and trialing season.  Friends of mine are already in Montana preparing for the big national NSTRA trial in Lewistown, MT.  This year we will point the diesel north on September 22.  With stops in Illinois to visit a friend and South Dakota for the same, we will have dogs on the ground in Montana on the 24th.  They all swear they are ready, but I suspect they'd say that while dragging a broken leg. After all, that's the kind of dog I want- one that will hunt all day, every day. 

(I was just rudely interrupted by a friend calling from Idaho praising their new Ford F-350.  That's all I need!  I'm keeping my 2001 F-250 running fine at 330,000 miles and fighting off new truck fever.)

So, the truck vault is finished and ready to be packed with gear.  My first inclination is to the last in-first out method of packing.  I will look at items used every day and have them at the front- guns, shells, electronics, batteries, dog boots and tape.  Nest down the list would be items used, but infrequently and also, first aid/skunk formula, etc. followed by good stuff to have along, but not necessarily used every trip.  Finally, the bins in the back will be camping stuff, tarps, chains and emergency road stuff. That's the plan.....

It's not long now.  I'm trying to talk the B and C into flying to ID to meet me for a few days on Chukar and quail around the first week of October, but it's not looking good at this point.  I'll keep working that angle. 

Finished! My new truck vault!

If you look carefully at the bottom picture, you can see that the vault fits perfectly between the wheel wells.  When the drawers are secured, I have perhaps 3 inches of play to the tailgate.  At the back of the vault (front of the truck), those two silver things are recessed hooks to pull up two lids for more storage space. Since this is Vault #1, the next one off the assemble line will take advantage of all the little things we learned finishing this one.  Glen is starting on his own box today.  The most difficult thing to get right is seating the locks properly and setting the striker plates, etc.  Inspecting closer, you may see how I made numerous small corrections.  At any rate, it is very solid, looks good and will allow me to carry and  lock my stuff on trips.  Now, I will attack that pile of stuff behind the driver's seat- some of which has been there 10 years or more. This should be interesting! 

Working on the truck vault!

Thanks to Glen Bahde, and his father who did the carpentry, I am very close to finishing my truck vault.  Made of poplar, oak, and marine-grade plywood, this a lifetime box. Glen put many hours in to the detail and finishing and the final touch is the Linex lining (spray in bed liner) on the exterior.  With two drawers, one lockable for guns and such and the other matching in size, I will have all the room I need to carry all my incidentals.  The dogs will be in kennels on the top.  Glen is pushing for me to get a "bed slide", in addition, and that may be in the future.  But, for now, I will carry the vault and my dog kennels under my truck topper. We have close to $800 in materials and I'm incredibly glad Glen is not charging by the hour for his time.  I noticed a similar commercial box, just recently, selling for close to $3800.  I have some trim work and adjustments to make and this bad boy will be sliding in to the bed of the old F-250 diesel...

Is your "Beast of Birdin'" an F-250/350?

The Overhead Display Hole

I guess I was blessed with one that lasted longer than most, but when my overhead display (also known as the trip computer, mileage computer, temp sensor)  went out, I figured no big deal.  Then, I caught myself looking up there at a blank screen time after time. I noticed it was nice to know the temp/direction/miles to go to flameout and all that other nice stuff.  I called the local Ford guy and gave him the part number off the old unit and asked him to give me an estimate (in case I needed to rob a bank on the way over). He said Ford doesn't make the part and he can't get me one!  What? Passing up an opportunity to triple the profit on a part? That doesn't sound like Ford Motor Company to me! I got on the Internet and found a Ford blog site that gave detailed instructions about how to repair said part. (http://www.ford-trucks.com/)  I unplugged the black box, detached it from the mount, unscrewed three screws and layed open the innards.  It looked like the inside of my desktop computer.  Sure enough, one of the resistors was loose, so I gently pressed it back in to place.  I hooked it up and it worked! I noticed it was dim and all the functions didn't work, however.  More investigation revealed there should be 7 chips- I only had 5 chips in 7 holes. Two of the chips had fallen off!

Back to the Internet to find  a guy to fix it. I found several people who sell re-conditioned boxes and, also, new OE boxes.  The refurbished ones run about $100 and the new ones are about $220. I gave in and ordered a new one, and he gave me a $20 credit if I sent him my old one (hence, the photo of the hole where it was- lol.).  Interestingly, one guy said the refurbished ones have all the computer upgrades and show instantaneous mileage, as well, something my 2001 F-250 never did display.  So, I should be getting an upgrade on the my computer out put, too. That figures since my truck is almost 12 years old now. 

Note: the most difficult thing in this whole operation was getting the cover off.  There are detailed instructions here (http://www.ford-trucks.com/), but I suggest taking it to your local repair place and paying them to show you how to do it.  Don't cheap this one- if you break it, you will pay much more than you save.  Once the cover is off, the rest is a piece of cake!  

This is the guy I used, but there are many others out there.  Google "F-250 Overhead display" to start your search, or message me and I'll find the website address. George DeCarlo 57olbird@gmail.com

***UPDATE***

The part arrived before noon today and it took me 10 minutes to plug it in, put three screws in the mount and put the cover back on! It's working fine and it should last me another 10 years...or another 325,000 miles.  Along with the part, were instructions on removing the cover and box.  They are the same instructions on his website.  Overall, I am pleased with the transaction.  Everything was exactly as presented and I recommend this method.  

The Updated Repaired Version! Whoohoo!



Snakes and Bird Dogs

Western Diamondback-Crotalus Atrox

Prairie Rattler-Crotalus viridis

Bird Dog- Caninus Buddyus

They do not mix well.  The territory map of these two snakes overlay nearly every area I hunt west of the Mississippi. For 20 years, I did not see either variety, nor did I have a dog bitten.  But, just in the last 4 years, I've seen numerous Prairie Rattlers and my dogs have been struck at and even a member of my party was struck at. Consequently, I am serious about preventing snake encounters and planning for the eventual snakebite.  The odds of a snakebite occurring increase every time I drop the tailgate and I know I'm overdue.

I attack the problem on three fronts.  First is awareness.  If I choose to hunt Montana in early September, around prairie dog towns, I should be aware that is prime rattler habitat and plan accordingly.  I keep my dogs away from the holes and closer in to me, so I can monitor their behavior and, if there is an encounter, I can get to him quickly to get him aid and to the vet.

Second, is treatment.  I carry a snakebite kit with me, in the truck, consisting of injectible benedryl, syringes, and injectible steroids.  I know the dosages for my dogs, based on body weight. In addition, I vaccinate my dogs every year with Rattlesnake Vaccine from Red Rock Biologics (google it).  The theory is the vaccine stimulates the dog's immune system to minimize the affects of the venom. I've seen stories pro and con on the subject, but tend to believe the science behind the theory. It takes two injections a month apart for full immunity for one year.  One injection as a booster for every year after that.  You can read the fine print, but it does not protect against anything East of the Mississippi or moccasins or coral snakes.  I've heard they are trying to develop a vaccine for the Eastern Diamondback, but don't know that for sure.

Third, is avoidance training. In September I'm taking all three of my dogs to an Snake Avoidance Trainer.  They take about 15 minutes using an electric collar and mild stimulation to teach the dog to avoid snakes altogether. I think experienced dogs that hunt out west all the time, or even here in the south, already avoid snakes.  But, I want to make sure my two year olds know and understand what snake scent means.

I hope with all this, I will be able to go many more years without an encounter between dog and snake.  As for me and a snake, I wear Turtleskin Snake Chaps on warm days and keep a sharp eye out.  Good hunting to you, folks.....  

Finally! Muscadines are in!

Bronze and Regular Muscadines From the Arbor

When we moved to our home, the landscape architect suggested we plant a few muscadine vines in an arbor out our side door.  He made it from cypress branches and trees he was cutting off his land. It came out great and provides that side of the house with a lot of shade in the afternoon.  Well, that was over 15 years ago and those two vines are as big around as my arm! The two varieties are the normal black grapes and a bronze variety, which is super sweet. Over the years, I've noticed the native black taking over, but when I can find the bronze, I head for them. We got these vines at Ison's, named after a man who developed this variety.

Another nice thing about grabbing a few grapes as I head in or out, is the fact that these grapes herald Fall on the horizon.  And Fall, my good friends, means cool weather, bird dogs, and hunting. Just like you count down the landmarks when driving home after a long trip, I count down the landmarks to Fall. Even though it's 95 today, when I pop one of these juicy berries in my mouth, in my mind, I'm walking up behind Ace, Ruby and Cap, gun up and ready for the flush.  Yeah!  Bring on the muscadines!

Performance Trial, Waverly, NE

Bunch of Brittanies

Cap (left) and Ruby (right)

It's extremely difficult for me, and for the dogs, to let go of hunting season.  A few months ago, I took Cap and the Ball and Chain on an expedition to Idaho to see some friends and run one of their NSTRA Trials in the Northwest Region.  We had a great time and really loved the area and people!  Arriving home, I entered Cap in the Performance Trial in NE the end of May.  Driving out there would make the trip hassle-free and I do like to drive!  I figured I'd take Ruby along as a paid standby dog, in case one of the other dogs had to pull out.  As it turned out, Cap did not make the cut  to the second day, but Ruby was called up just prior to the start of the trial and made the cut on the first day, as well! She gave it all she had, but came up just a little short on her second run, and, so, we were eliminated. 

We met some super people, and even some guys we'd only corresponded with on Facebook and from this BLOG.  The top picture is the outfit of Nolan Huffman and all his Brittanies.  He was doing quite well in the trial when we left the afternoon of the second day. This was a great way to spend a few days and meet some bird dog people.  Next time, I think we will partake of the "pre-trial" and learn the fields a little more.  It seemed we were already behind the curve when we showed up, since the dogs really did not know the fields very well.  But, that's the game and I'm not complaining- just logging that in the memory for next time.

Yeah, wait 'til next year!!!!

Bird Bag Memories

I was extolling the virtues of the WingWorks vest to a plantation manager and his head guide the other day explaining the well-considered features.  After the day spent driving the vast quail-managed property discussing bird dogs, quail habitat and managing for hunters, guiding and other war stories, I said my good byes and headed home in my friend Glen's truck. Later, I discovered a missing vest, iPad, camera and various other items that failed to make the transfer to my truck for the journey home. The next day we both drove 45 minutes to meet in the middle for a hand off and things were back to normal...

As I grabbed my vest from his truck, I glanced in the bird bag at the sticks, feathers, wool hats, spent shells, empty plastic bottle and various other stuff. I started thinking, driving along, looking at feathers on the floor board.  I got home, pulled the vest to hang in the barn room, reached in to grab some more feathers and clean out the back of the vest. 

Cap and Sharptail

I saw Sharptail Grouse feathers from my September trip to Montana. Memories of Ruby (B/F/1.5yrs) loping along the sagebrush hills and spinning to point a plum thicket absolutely full of Sharptails.  Ace (B/M/7yrs) working the edge of a green alfalfa field, dropping in to the creek for a quick dip, climbing up the steep bank and slamming to point on a forty five degree slope on a small covey of Sharps.  And Cap (B/M/1.5yrs) disappearing around a clay mound, one hot day, forcing me to walk around the hill looking for him, only to find him standing tall on a covey of seven or eight Sharps.

A few small Hungarian Partridge feathers were mixed in the brew, I think from the day Ace and I managed to corner six coveys just before sunset with the temperature dropping and a long walk back to the truck.

Cap and BJ

One, long rooster tail feather fell out on the floor.  No doubt this feather was from the bad boy rooster Cap and I worked along the  gravel road outside Regent, ND.  Cap worked him, pointed, worked him, pointed- for almost 200 yards.  He was careful not to push too hard, and for a 1 1/2 year old pup, it was a pleasure to watch him work the bird like a much older, seasoned dog.  Finally, the rooster made a fatal mistake and veered to the road and the edge of the CRP grass.  He stopped and, following right on his scent, Cap locked up, high and tight.  For some reason, I just knew this was a rooster and a big one at that.  Sure enough, he got up, squawking and flapping, right over Cap's head, banked right  and headed for the hills.  A load of 5's caught him square and the puppy made a great retrieve to hand.  A little bird dog love fest ensued for a few minutes right there on the prairie.

Nancy and her Camera

Mixed with the feathers, a wool watch cap came out.  Nancy Whitehead, I have your hat.  Remember when we hunted along CJ Strike Reservoir in Idaho?  It was cold that morning, but warmed up nicely. You aren't but five foot nothing and hauling all that camera gear, I guess, will warm you up, too.  I don't remember the hat going in my bird bag, but I know it's yours.  I'll return it in person this October!

Valley Quail feathers from the sloughs and plum thickets in Idaho were in the mix.  Probably from the day we had 40+ points in an area maybe a half mile on a side.  Four dogs either backing or pointing a small shrub with fifteen quail hunkered down inside.  We took pictures and took our time and finally kicked the bush and shot the birds.  What great fun that day was...cold and wet and perfect.

Cap and his Chukar

My favorite feathers of the trip I hold to the last- my Chukar feathers from Idaho.  Cap on point, Aaron, my friend and his dog, Remy working up alongside and the birds getting up over the volcanic rocks and heading down in to the steep canyon.  I knocked one down and Cap gave chase.  He made a retrieve that still brings a grin to my face and the little Brit put that Chukar in my hand.  He looked up and said, "Hey, Boss, there's more in here!  Let's get 'em!"

An old, plastic water bottle from Minnesota with a Ruffed Grouse feather still stuck to the side brought memories of Ace panting and staring and as immobile as a marble statue, alongside the trail as I came around the bend.  The light roar of wings as the male Grouse headed to cover just a split second too late.  Ace put the bird in my hand with a slight wink as we acknowledged each other's contribution to the evening meal. 

Not a bad year for memories, I think, as I clean out the spent shells (#5's, #6's, and #7 1/2's), twigs, collapsible water bowls and one, lone penny.  I toss the penny back in.  I hope next season will fill the bird bag just as full.  If not with birds, then I will be happy and content with the memories of good bird dogs, fine companionship, bright blue skies and birds rising over the pointed dog, the twin barrels come up and safety clicks off..... 

Spring Hay Cutting

Coiled King Snake

Pasture cut in progress.

Snake and Yellar and BJ

All kinds of critters come out when we cut the hay in the Spring. The top picture is of a King Snake my yellow lab found while we were outside weeding.  He woofed and jumped and woofed some more.  The bottom picture shows him and the Ball and Chain in the background.  I thought it might be snapping turtle, the way he was carrying on.  But, Ms King was coiled up and in no mood for a visit.  I'm sure her nest was just under the grass!

Dog Food Contamination Again?

Diamond Pet Foods makes Taste Of The Wild dog food. I've been feeding TOW and I've been very pleased with the results in my hunting dogs (field trial and hunting Brits) and pets. However, I just learned of yet another recall by Diamond. This time it is my favorite TOW! Crap. Sorry, but it angers me to think I've been feeding contaminated feed, EXPENSIVE contaminated feed to my hunting companions. Yeah, these are just dogs, but they are my dogs and I put countless hours and dollars in to their care and well-being.  You know, I just (last year) went through all this searching for a better feed for performance and health and now I think it's been wasted! It appears this South Carolina plant consistently has a problem with quality control.  Originally, I posted "I'm off Diamond and looking for another feed.....again.".  I'm not so sure now, but if I can find a suitable, available alternative, I think  this may be the last straw!

Idaho NSTRA Trial

The Judges and Winners

Cap, me, Paul (Trial Chairman)

Between the beautiful country, vistas that stretched to next week and the welcoming spirit of the club members, we had a great time at the field trial.  About halfway through the trip up to Idaho, actually Washington, we missed our last fight but our dog did not.  Cap spent the night in the Spokane airport being walked by the baggage people and watered and fed, too.  By the time we got to baggage claim at noon the next day, he was a rock star!  "Oh, Cap! Yeah, he's down there behind the ticket counter in his own room on a blanket!  It's my turn to walk him, you aren't taking him, are you?"  The Delta people were wonderful.  They called me on my cell (number written on the kennel in indelible ink and on his collar) the night he showed up and told us they had him and not to worry. It made for an exciting travel day, no doubt.

We got to the trial grounds, just south of Asotin, WA, early on Friday and met a few of the folks.  Then, we eased back in to Asotin just in time for the County Fair! That was fun, with animal shows, livestock auctions, funnel cakes, bands, roping, rodeo, cowboys and cowgirls, beauty queens and a tractor display.  Got to love America!

About 5 miles south of the fair, on top of the cap, at the end of 10 switchbacks and a fair climb, the grounds were ready for us.  Big, fairly flat with tall CRP grass, they were a lot different from what we see here in the southeast.  Cap ran big against the setters of the NW Region, but seemed to be getting acclimated each run.  By Sunday, on his 4th brace, he came alive.  We were running a nice setter with an experienced handler on their home field, but Cap decided enough was enough. He came off the line like a rocket, make a loop and locked up about 100 yards ahead.  The judge raised his arm and I started to him.  He stood like a picture...stretched out, head high and stubby little tail straight up.  I walked to his front and kicked for minute and had to turn him loose to re-locate.  He took 2 steps and locked up again.  I walked farther up an saw the bird running.  I kicked it up and dropped it and he retrieved to my hand.  Off again, he locked up again and another bird in the bag.  On the third bird, I missed, and the bird flew off the field and down in to a steep canyon.  I told the judge I'd wait a bit to see what would happen.  He rode his ATV to the edge, looked down, and yelled to me, "Hey, call your dog!"  Cap came up out of the canyon and across half the field and put the bird in my hand.  "Nice shooting, knothead!" he said, and was off again.   One more bird and we had 4 nice finds and moved into the lead.  At the end of the day, we were bumped out of first and took a second, and we were darn proud to do it!  They have some great dogs up there in the NW Region and we were lucky to get out of there with any sort of dignity.

I have nothing but fond memories of the visit, and, while I don't know about flying all over the country to run trials, we decided this was most definitely worth the effort.  Next up: Waverly, NE and a National Trial! Get ready Cap, here we go again!

On the way to Idaho!

Cap

My wife and I are on the way to a field trial in Idaho.  I had so much fun hunting out there in January that I was looking through the NSTRA calendar and noticed they are in the middle of their season!  Whoa, Nellie! I entered and they had some room left for one dog.  I'm taking Cap with me. Although he's the youngest, he needs the traveling experience and I want him to be comfortable at trials other than the same old fields around there.  He's a powerful little bird dog, too.  It's been over a month since he's smelled a bird, but that's what the first run will be for, I guess.  I'm hoping he'll do OK and maybe score pretty good.  He's easy to turn and listens well.  This will be more fun for me, because I get to bring BJ with me and we'll drive around and see the country for a full day before we show up in Asotin, WA for the trial on Friday.   I hope to see Hell's Canyon and that area and maybe look at some good quail and chukar habitat.

My new roading rig!

Ace is thrilled with the new rig. This sure beats the old iron bar and rubber bungee cord!

My Updated Bertram Lanyard

Bob made me lanyard last summer and even patterned it after the color of my Brittanies. But, through the season, I found I really missed the counters like I had on my old lanyard. One call to Bob and he says, "No problem!". Voila! My new and improved Kangaroo leather, custom lanyard

Dog Thoughts- Flossing and Heartworms

I did two things this week, with my dogs, that I've never done before.

 First, I took them in to have their teeth cleaned.  Up until this year, I never heard of such a thing! But, after several conversations with vet friends, it turns out bad teeth are a concern in older dogs due to poor maintenance throughout their lives.  Our Westie passed away last year and the vet who euthanized her later mentioned to me he noticed her teeth were very bad and would have caused major problems (of course, if it hadn't been for the cancer!).  I took my two male Brits in and had their teeth cleaned.  They sedate the dog, then clean the scale and polish the teeth.  It did wonders for their breath, too.  I'm not sure there is anything that can be done with active bird dogs to ensure it won't build up again.  With house dogs, brushing and additive to the water will help.  But, I'm glad it is done and suspect this will be an annual thing. 

Second, I gave them an injection that will cover heartworms for six months. I'm pretty sure heartworms are everywhere, but here, in the southland, they are a real problem.  Every month, year round, I give them some form of ivermectin.  For years, I bought it at the feed store and measured out the appropriate dose and squirted it down their throats.  That was the cheapest way to administer and I never had a problem.  Then, I converted over to heartgard and had to rob a bank every month. I was about to go back to the feed store when I heard about the 6 mos. shot.  My two Brit pups are on it now.  My main dog, Ace, is still on the chewable since there is a 7 year old dog limit on the shots and he just turned 7 this month.  I'm not sure where my vet got that information, since I couldn't find it in the literature, but I wasn't going to take any chances with the "franchise". 

Anyone have any comments on either of my adventures? 

WingWorks Vest



(Photo by Nancy Whitehead)

This is Bob Welsh and me hunting Valley Quail in Idaho January 2012. We are both wearing the WingWorks vest. After a full year of traveling and hunting around the country, I can easily say this is the finest vest I've ever worn for serious bird hunting. Plenty of storage, water capacity, secure pockets and designed for use with the electronics many of us use. The new Astro holder is a perfect solution to carrying and using the handheld unit.  I broke down and ordered the camera holder, too, since my various hunting partners all chided me exposing the camera to the elements all day.  This is a durable tool for the bird hunter. It may not be suitable for the hunting done by jumping in and out of the truck many times a day. For that, the Filson strap vest may be more appropriate. I did notice over the season that Chukar hunters love this vest. And that, my friends, is one heck of an endorsement! Those purists (some would say..fanatics) don't use anything that will drag them down or slow them up in their search for the red-legged demon. I hope to consider myself a Chukar hunter some day, but as for now I'm not, merely a wannabe.  My vest hunted 7 states over the season and should last me through my last day.  

2012 Georgia NSTRA Championships

Click here for YouTube video!

Now the season is 100% definitely over.  Only 6 1/2 months to go and we'll be back on the road to Montana, Idaho, Oregon and points birdy.  The dogs are ready and so am I. 

The truck box is coming along, with plans to assemble and then coat it again with a truck bed liner type material to enhance the water resistance and wear resistance.  More as we move along on that one!

Working on Truck Vault

Glen Bahde and I are building sliding drawers for use in our respective trucks. He has a 2012 Chevy 1500 and I am piloting a 2001 Ford F-250. Turns out the beds are the same general measurements so it's all good. Glen's father is a woodworker and is doing the actual building. Shown above is the application of 3 or more coats of spar urethane to all components for durability. The plywood is marine grade 3/4" and the drawers are poplar. The finished product will be coated with another product to enhance resistance to wear and abrasion. Stay tuned as we assemble this thing!