Change of scenery for all of ya!!!

HAPPY HUNTING!!

Courtesy of Burrisoptics.com

The Ultimate Integrated Targeting, Illumination, and Video Documentation Weapons Accessory

Duty officers who put their lives on-the-line deserve equipment which provides the most confidence and peace-of-mind possible. ShotCam combines four integrated technologies for additional situational awareness, accuracy, non-lethal surprise and intimidation and audio/video event/suspect/witness documentation.

Most weapon deployments occur under low light. ShotCam delivers 120 lumens of bright white light to provide an officer the maximum in situational awareness, put blinding light on the suspect, and provide increased safety for innocent bystanders.

Laser-targeting capability allows an officer full and total focus on the target without thought or worry about the front and rear sight focus and alignment. A laser focused on the perpetrator provides considerable intimidation.

Video and audio documentation provides an officer the peace-of-mind that he can prove his story and dramatically reduce personal, departmental, and jurisdictional liability. ShotCam also provides valuable evidence leading to more convictions. Video and audio documentation also can assist in identifying and apprehending suspects who succeed in fleeing a scene. Removed from a weapon, the Shotcam can serve to provide video, still frames, and audio of a crime scene and witnesses.

Documentation is saved in an encrypted manner to non-removable on-board memory which can be Mini-USB port downloaded only with a security password to assure evidence authenticity and proper evidence handling.

Features and Specifications
• Ultra-bright LED Tactical Illuminator provides 3+ hours of 120 lumen bright white light.
• Laser Targeting System is class IIIa visible laser with windage and elevation adjustments.
• MPEG4 Camcorder with 30 minutes of password-secured VGA 640X480 video/audio at 30 frames per second. After 30 minutes of video is recorded, ShotCam automatically switches to Auto-Still mode and captures high resolution photos both manually and during a recoil event. The on-board memory is 512 megabytes which allows for over 30 minutes of video plus over 100 high resolution still images.
• 3.2 Megapixel Digital Camera (manual operation or automatic recoil-event activated)
• Frame mounted on any Picatinny-style or Weaver-style rail. Overall size is 3.1″ x 1.7″ x 1.2″. At only 5.5 ounces, does not interfere with a sidearm’s cycling and handling characteristics.
• Advanced Power Management System yields up to 5 full days of standby mode and a minimum of 2.5 hours of continuous operation when all three modes are activated. Rechargeable battery and charger are included.
• Automatic-On Activation from a special holster, or can be operated manually while on or off of a weapon. Auto-On is activated by a magnet permanently embedded into a tactical holster. See Fobus holsters for application chart.
• Each mode can be pre-set or manually activated exclusively or in combination with other modes.

Today I was sitting at the dentist office and watching my daughter read a Nickelodeon magazine and came across this article about a hotel that is shaped like a Beagle.  I couldnt believe my eyes at first and then I couldnt help but laugh at the mere thought of this!!  It comes with the following to start………..

• Sleeps four:  Queen bed.
• Two twin foldout futon mattresses in loft.
• Full bath
• Microwave
• Small refrigerator
• Coffee maker
• Clock radio
• Hair dryer
• Books, games, puzzles
• Breakfast
• No phone or television

Dog Bark Park Inn offers a continental self-serve breakfast featuring our family’s secret recipe for The Prairie’s Best Fruited Granola.  Breakfast also includes a variety of teas, coffees, juices, fresh fruits, boxed cereals, milk, yogurts, cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, bagels, locally made pastries & breads.

And to top it off the artists who live here carve all kinds of dogs no matter the breed shape or size..  Can you imagine how creative they are?

Courtesy of Kansas WIldlife and Parks
WICHITA — The votes are in, the judging complete, and the final design and layout completed for the Great Plains Nature Center’s (GNPC) second “Kansas Critters” book. On Saturday, Aug. 23, GNPC will honor the 223 young artists and authors grades K-8 whose 238 art and text entries comprise the second book in the series, Kansas Critters: A Wildlife Book Written and Illustrated by Kansas Kids. Four book receptions will be staged throughout the day to individually acknowledge each artist and author.

“This book is a result of Kansas kids learning about 26 kinds of birds,” says GPNC director Bob Gress. “Kids throughout Kansas accepted our challenge to research and then draw, paint, or write about their favorite birds. We received more than 3,200 entries and are proud to showcase this collection.”

Beginning Monday, Aug. 25, complimentary copies of Kansas Critters: A Wildlife Book Written and Illustrated by Kansas Kids will be available free in the Owl’s Nest Gift shop at the GPNC, 6232 E. 29th Street North in Wichita. For more information, phone 316-683-5499

Courtesy of Kansas Wildlife and Parks
PRATT — The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Program is designed to provide women a chance to learn about hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation in a friendly, supportive environment. During a three-day workshop at Rock Springs 4-H Center Sept. 26-28, volunteer instructors will teach participants a variety of skills, including fishing, wingshooting, camping, orienteering, rifle marksmanship, botany, dog handling, archery, and more.

KDWP held its first BOW workshop in 1994, so this will mark the event’s 15th anniversary.

“We had 110 women enrolled in the program last year,” says Ross Robins, KDWP Education Section chief. “Women wishing to ensure themselves a spot in this year’s workshop should register soon. KDWP is grateful to have the best corps of volunteer outdoor skills educators in the state as partners in this program. Many of them have been with us since the beginning.”

Studies have shown that many women do not participate in outdoor recreation because they have not had an opportunity to learn the outdoor skills that make these activities enjoyable. The BOW program has shown that when that opportunity is offered, women take advantage of it with enthusiasm and self-confidence.

The application deadline for this BOW event is Sept. 15. More information on BOW, including a brochure and registration form for the 2008 workshop, is available at the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us, or by phoning 620-672-5911.

Courtesy of Kansas Wildlife and Parks

Printed copies of the 2008 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary will be available at Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) offices and license vendors around the state soon, but hunters can view or download the summary now from the KDWP website.

This year’s booklet contains several changes, in both format and new regulations. A few of the more significant new regulations include the following:

• Annual hunting and fishing licenses are available at no cost to honorably discharged resident veterans with certified service-related disabilities of 30 percent or more, effective Jan.1, 2009.
• A season for Eurasian collared and ringed turtle doves will run Nov.20 through Feb.28.
• Resident Any-Season Whitetail permits will be valid statewide during any season with equipment legal for that season.
• Resident Either-species/Either-sex Archery permits will be valid statewide.
• No big game permit may be transferred to another person.
• Big game or turkey permits for residents younger than 16 are half-price.
• Special Hunt-Own-Land deer permits may be issued to a landowner’s or tenant’s siblings and lineal family members and spouses, regardless of residency.
• Nonresident deer hunters are restricted to two adjacent deer management units.
• Nonresident hunters are required to select one season (archery, muzzleloader, or firearms) at the time of application.
• Scopes are allowed for early muzzleloader deer season.
• Knapped broad heads allowed during the archery deer season.
• Crossbows are allowed for deer hunting in the firearm season.

The most significant change in format this year involves the way the public hunting areas section is presented. Each KDWP-owned or operated property is listed, including size, directions to the area, and special regulations that apply to that area.

As always, most season dates have changed to some degree, and other regulations are covered in this indispensable booklet. Printed copies of the 2008 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary will be available in September at department offices and license vendors around the state.

Courtesy of USA Shooting Team

BEIJING, China (August 14, 2008)

Kim Rhode (El Monte, Calif.) added to her Olympic medal tally today when she captured the silver medal in the Women’s Skeet event at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Rhode, who won the gold in Women’s Double Trap in 1996 and 2004 as well as the bronze in 2000, also shot in the skeet event at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games, but switched to skeet shooting full-time after the Women’s Double Trap event was taken out of Olympic competition in 2004.

“After double trap was eliminated in 2004, it was a bittersweet win for me,” said Rhode. “On one hand I won the gold, but on the other hand I knew the challenge I faced in completely switching to skeet. I couldn’t be happier with winning a medal today. Gold, silver or bronze, I don’t think it matters. I am just so glad to be back at the Olympics and representing my country.”

Rhode claimed her silver medal after an exciting shoot-off. She went into the final tied for third place at 70 out of 75 targets with three other shooters. After hitting 23 out of 25 targets in the final, Rhode came out tied for first place at 93 targets with Italy’s Chiara Cainero and Christine Brinker of Germany. In the sudden death shoot-off, Rhode and Brinker each missed a target on their first pair, while Cainero hit both her targets, giving her the gold medal. Battling for the silver in a second shoot-off, Brinker missed one of her targets and Rhode hit both to claim the silver.

Jamie Beyerle (Lebanon, Pa.) barely missed out on earning a spot on the medal podium today in the Women’s 3 Position Rifle event. Beyerle entered the final with a score of 586, just three points out of first place, which was held by China’s Du Li. Despite shooting an excellent final score of 100.9 and standing in second place overall going into the final shot, Beyerle fired a score of 8.7, which wasn’t enough to land her on the podium and she finished in fifth place with an overall score of 686.9.

“It was a great match. I am disappointed, but to finish in fifth place isn’t bad and it’s really been a great experience overall shooting at the Olympics,” Beyerle said.

Sandra Fong (New York, N.Y.), the other U.S. shooter competing in women’s 3 position and the youngest member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Shooting team, finished in 21st place with a score of 577.

Du Li hung on to win the gold medal with 690.3, while Katy Emmons of the Czech Republic, wife of U.S. shooter Matt Emmons, won her second medal of the Games, taking home the silver with a final score of 687.7. Cuba’s Yaima Eglis Cruz took the bronze, finishing right behind Emmons in third place with 687.6.

Friday’s competition at the Beijing Shooting Range Hall/CTF will feature the Men’s 50m Prone Rifle, Men’s Skeet and Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol events. Both the qualification and final round will be held in prone, while 75 targets will be shot in the skeet competition and stage 1 of the rapid fire event will be contested.

Matt Emmons (Browns Mills, N.J.), the 2004 gold medalist in Men’s Prone, will be competing in his first event of the 2008 Olympic Games tomorrow, vying for another spot on the podium in the prone event. Emmons had an extremely successful 2007, winning a total of eight medals on the ISSF World Cup circuit. He captured a gold medal in the Men’s 50m 3 Position Rifle event, as well as a silver in the Men’s Prone Rifle event at the 2007 World Cup Final. Most recently, Emmons claimed a bronze medal in prone at the 2008 World Cup in Milan. Michael Anti (Winterville, N.C.), a Major in the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) is the 2004 Olympic silver medalist in Men’s 3 Position Rifle and will be competing in the prone event this time around in Beijing.

Already at the young age of 19, USAMU member Vincent Hancock (Eatonton, Ga.) is a World Champion, Pan American Games Champion and the 2007 World Cup Italy Champion and world record holder in Men’s Skeet. Hancock will be representing the U.S. on his first Olympic team here in Beijing. Joining him will be 22-year-old Sean McLelland (Mission, Texas), who finished in second place behind Hancock at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shotgun and will be competing in his first ever Olympic Games.

Keith Sanderson (San Antonio, Texas), a Staff Sgt. in the U.S. Army, who won the bronze medal at the 2007 World Cup in Munich and secured an Olympic participation slot, has been very successful in Men’s Rapid Fire since coming on the scene in late 2004 and will be competing on his first U.S. Olympic team.

Courtesy of Outdoor Envy

Linda Seeley’s beautiful compositions draw you away from the stresses of the city life to the peaceful serenity
of the countryside. Her 2005 release “Full Moon”, and her 2002 release “Make Something Happen” are beautiful, soothing piano compositions that were composed and performed by Linda.

Linda has performed fundraising concerts for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, The Relay for Life for Cancer Research, The Laura Staerkel Foundation and volunteers and performs at Oakridge Nursing Home where she accompanies The League of Mercy a group of musicians from the Salvation Army in Wisconsin. This past year, Linda has performed at UW-Parkside, The Racine Theater Guild for Jean’s Jazz Series, The Music and More Series at The First Presbyterian Church in Racine, Get Out To the Grove outdoor concert series and at Gander Mountain in Kenosha and at The Steinway Gallery of Milwaukee.

Linda received a B.A. degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. In 1988, she began giving lessons to children and adults in the Racine area. She currently teaches over 50 piano students of all ages at her home in Union Grove and at Lakeshore Conservatory in Racine.

Linda and Mark reside in Union Grove, WI. They love to spend time on their 70 acre farm in Hollandale, WI where they enjoy bowhunting, turkey hunting, fishing, and camping.  Her music can be heard on Spirit Within and internet live radio 365.com.