okie
Gold $$ Contributor
Got room for me???
I envy you!!
Vartarg first blood
- Thread starter snert
- Start date
I envy you!!
Gary in MD
Gold $$ Contributor
Snert, great write up and awesome pics.
Travel safely.
Definitely jealous here,
Gary
Travel safely.
Definitely jealous here,
Gary
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Headed out your way in a few weeks okie, into the Panhandle. Hoping it isn't as hot as it has been!
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
In regard to the van setup we rented a Hertz. It is a Transit 2500. Not dual wheel. We got a good one, with only 7300 miles on it. We also got in early through expedia, $26 a day, unlimited miles.
I built a platform in the back. I used a 2x12 stacked on a 2x4 (edgewise) to gain about 15-16 inches. I made the sides that were cut out over the top of the wheel wells. I boxed it off at the front and ran a "wall down the middle, creating two long tunnels under the bed, accessed from the rear. I used cheap 1/2 inch pressboard as a platform. I put a lip att he front using 1x5 to keep the mattress from sliding forward. It fits a queen with room on each side for stuff. At the back I slid plywood down like a tailgate to cover the opening, and when traveling I sheetrock screw it in. That way no opportunist can just open it and take stuff easily. We bought a stand-up AC unit (120) and it exhausts out of the window. I wind down the window, and I have styrofoam (from the AC packing) that fits into the window frame. Up a little and it seals up the opening. On cool nights we tape screen over the windows and turn on a ten dollar walmart box fan. A battery lantern and a shower curtain and rod complete the light and blackout between the cab and the box. Plenty of room underneath for PD and groundhog equipment. Lots of room in the box sliding door area for suitcase, small cooler, and all the crap we are taking to our kids out west.
Total cost of lumber was $200. The AC will be in our house. Gas isn't terrible. When we drive 8 hours it costs about $95. We drive then we stay a while. All we need is electric and a shower/bathroom so friends driveway, a state park, etc works cheap.
I built a platform in the back. I used a 2x12 stacked on a 2x4 (edgewise) to gain about 15-16 inches. I made the sides that were cut out over the top of the wheel wells. I boxed it off at the front and ran a "wall down the middle, creating two long tunnels under the bed, accessed from the rear. I used cheap 1/2 inch pressboard as a platform. I put a lip att he front using 1x5 to keep the mattress from sliding forward. It fits a queen with room on each side for stuff. At the back I slid plywood down like a tailgate to cover the opening, and when traveling I sheetrock screw it in. That way no opportunist can just open it and take stuff easily. We bought a stand-up AC unit (120) and it exhausts out of the window. I wind down the window, and I have styrofoam (from the AC packing) that fits into the window frame. Up a little and it seals up the opening. On cool nights we tape screen over the windows and turn on a ten dollar walmart box fan. A battery lantern and a shower curtain and rod complete the light and blackout between the cab and the box. Plenty of room underneath for PD and groundhog equipment. Lots of room in the box sliding door area for suitcase, small cooler, and all the crap we are taking to our kids out west.
Total cost of lumber was $200. The AC will be in our house. Gas isn't terrible. When we drive 8 hours it costs about $95. We drive then we stay a while. All we need is electric and a shower/bathroom so friends driveway, a state park, etc works cheap.
okie
Gold $$ Contributor
Good deal!
I'm as far as you can get from the panhandle and still be in ok.
I love going. Wish you the best! Kill a truckload and watch out for rattlers.
Marc
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Bringing boots and a 38 with snake loads. I HATE being surprised.
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
I just reconfigured my scope settings on three rifles, packed up a pile of ammo and cleaning gear. Tore down my tripod for traveling, bought a straw hat (sun) and a smaller cooler (drinks and ammo cooling) and packed an EZ up in case sun is terrible and wind isn't. Just need to pack a few small items and my "hunt/shoot" stuff is ready. I need a pair of elastic bands to hold my glasses so I can read my come-ups and not lose my glasses. Grabbed the 22 as well, just for giggles when I visit my son we can shoot his new Single Six and my old one side by side. Updated my carry permit and LEOSA to avoid any beaurocratic non-sense (though I plan to only pass thru the anti states.) Put a new battery in my rangefinder (who woulda thought that it would die after ten years?) and made out readable charts for scope settings. My eyes are failing faster than Biden's economic plans.
Tomorrow we pack up and then we are gone again Saturday morning. First stop Ohio, where we visit college friends, one of whom we lost touch with 33 years ago, but have missed greatly. Then on to Sedalia for a brief stop, and then to Bartlesville. I hope to see @357Mag while visiting my daughter, SIL, granddaughter and just learned, next grandchild-to-be! Then off to the panhandle and up into Colorado and Canon City to see my son. We will return a similar route, and after getting back home, its back to NY for more back shots and groundhog shooting, if the grass cutters cooperate.
My twins will be holding down the fort here, doing chores and making cash to pay for their last year in college. Lil' Snert is manning the 12 ga should anyone mess with them in our absence.
I'll write again just before the holiday.
Snert
Tomorrow we pack up and then we are gone again Saturday morning. First stop Ohio, where we visit college friends, one of whom we lost touch with 33 years ago, but have missed greatly. Then on to Sedalia for a brief stop, and then to Bartlesville. I hope to see @357Mag while visiting my daughter, SIL, granddaughter and just learned, next grandchild-to-be! Then off to the panhandle and up into Colorado and Canon City to see my son. We will return a similar route, and after getting back home, its back to NY for more back shots and groundhog shooting, if the grass cutters cooperate.
My twins will be holding down the fort here, doing chores and making cash to pay for their last year in college. Lil' Snert is manning the 12 ga should anyone mess with them in our absence.
I'll write again just before the holiday.
Snert
Snert -
Howdy !
Great article and associated pics ! The ambient lighting seen in the left aft shot of the Arisaka 'Swift was really terrific !
Since you are headed to Sedalia, you might want to see if you can stop by / go through Sierrra Bullests; there. Had an Aunt & Uncle that lived about 4mi West of the fairgrounds, after re-locating to Sedalia ( from NW Ohio ) back in 1971. Looked into shooting some " Soybeanus Digestus " while I stayed a few days w/ my Missouri Aunt & Uncle backin 1978. I and my best friend did not happen to see any, even though it was early Jun; and the 'beans were up. Soon as we returned back to the farm in NE Indiana..... we killed one right from the lane into our homestead. 'Beans were up there, too !
Looking fwd to talking w/ you soon !
With regards,
357Mag
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
That is my sole reason for passing thru Sedalia on a weekday...155 Palma "seconds".
Leave some for next year. Hunted many years on one farm with good success. The farmer got a new young dog and all the GH disappeared.
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
I know that those numbers of DRT are outrageous. However, I also know another guy shot 16 before I arrived, and I shot about 20 off it last year. When I left I had seen, and not shot at, over ten more that were hanging out where it was not safe to shoot. And there was a 25 acre field directly behind me yet un-mowed. I also could not see 1/3 of the field I was shooting. This, despite a heavy coyote and hawk/eagle population.
These two farms have produced over 900 groundhogs killed in 27 years. It is a little nuts.
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Thanks for the compliment on the rifles. That old arisaka came out of a forgotten closet in central NY about 35 years ago. I used it for years with it's sewer pipe barrel and killed a pile of game with it. The stock is just walnut with poly on it. It is a lot of fun considering it cost $200 when it was bought, and it had a Lyman AA 20 x on it.
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
My kid chose to live here. I'm trapped by decisions made by my progeny.
And I'm carrying a 38 with snake loads.
Saturday is prairie dog D-Day. Wish me success
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