A message from EatThePlanet.org: “We are happy you found us! We strive to be informative and accurate. Enjoy what you find here! Take a look at our new downloadable pdf eBook A Complete Guide To Foraging. We put a lot of work into this eBook and are very excited to share it with you.” – Joe Forager(Owner)
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in September 2013. Updated April 2022.
The name ‘wild cherry tree’ refers to a number of species in the genus Prunus. Some of the most common include the black cherry (Prunus serotina) and the chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), both of which are native to North America. There is also a species native to Europe called wild cherry (Prunus avium). All three of these common cherry species have similar characteristics, but there are factors that can help you tell them apart. Both the fruits and bark of the North American species have an interesting history of usage in Native American culture.
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) | Photo by Botteville on Wikimedia Commons
Edibility and culinary use
The only edible part of the plant is the flesh of the fruit, as, like store-bought cherries or apples, even the seeds contain toxins. The taste of the fruit can vary between species and even individual trees within the same species. The European wild cherry (Prunus avium) is also known as the ‘sweet cherry’. As the name suggests, the fruits are much sweeter than their North American cousins. Because of this, they are the original wild version of the cherries that we buy at the supermarket.
European cherries | Photo by Lendskaip on Wikimedia Commons
The black cherry and chokecherry have a similar taste which is usually described as bitter, often with a hint of sweetness. Some trees produce fruits with a sweeter taste, but the bitterness is almost always present. They can be eaten raw right off the tree as a snack while out walking or hiking. However, they’re more commonly used in pies and other recipes. If eating them raw make sure to choose the darkest and softest cherries, and make sure you spit out the seed. Wild cherries usually ripen in summer between May and June depending on the species and area.
Prunus serotina, Black Cherry leaves, fruit and twigs
Health benefits of wild cherries
Cherries contain a number of very effective antioxidants including chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. Some studies involving chokecherries indicate that they could potentially lower high blood pressure. The high number of antioxidants in black cherries could also help to ease inflammation caused by conditions like arthritis.
Cherries are an excellent source of fiber, potassium, and many B-vitamins. HealthTrends.com has some more indepth information on the benefits of B-vitamins and potassium in your diet.
Cautions and lookalikes
The leaves, bark, seeds, and all other plant parts of the cherry tree contain a substance called hydrogen cyanide that can break down into cyanide. It’s a well-known toxin that can be very harmful to humans. Grazing animals are often lethally poisoned by eating too many cherry leaves. Hydrogen cyanide has a very bitter taste, so if you ever come across berries that are extremely bitter it may be best to avoid them.
When foraging for any wild berries, make sure to follow these fundamental identification steps. Wild cherries generally do not closely resemble any poisonous wild fruits. However naive foragers could mistake black cherries (Prunus serotina) for deadly nightshade or moonseed berries.
How to identify wild cherry
Wild cherry trees can usually be identified by their leaves and bark. The leaves will have finely serrated edges and the bark typically features horizontal lenticels on newer growth, and sometimes older growth too. Chokecherry and black cherry trees are very similar in appearance, however, the chokecherry tree usually has smaller, glossier leaves.
Another good identification feature is that many cherry trees have a fungus called black knot which creates large and small cankers or burls on the tree. Black knot affects many plants in the Prunus genus including cherries and plums. When collecting wild edibles, always make sure to follow Safe Foraging guidelines.
Wild cherries in Native American culture
Cherries were a vital source of nutrition to ancient cultures across Europe and North America, including Native Americans. Wild cherries would have been eaten freshly picked or dried and stored with other berries as a winter supply of fruit. The dried fruits would be used in many dishes including ‘pemmican’, a traditional high-calorie Native American food that was created for long journeys. Dried meat and fruits would be ground down and then mixed with animal fats and stored in rawhide bags to preserve them.
A portion of pemmican | Photo by Jen Arrr on Wikimedia Commons
The bark of wild cherries was also collected and used in Native American medicines. It would be ground into a powder or boiled to create teas. It was used mainly to treat respiratory illnesses like coughs and colds. However, it was also used to stem bleeding, and treat digestive complaints like diarrhea or cramps. Chokecherry bark was also used by some groups in a herbal smoking mixture known as Kinnikinnick. The ingredients varied between groups, but it usually contained notable bark and leaves from certain valued plant species.
Prunus serotina Black Cherry Bark with Black Knot canker | Photo By Hardyplants on Wikipedia
Conclusion
Chokecherry and black cherry trees are a common find in many parts of the US, especially in the eastern states. They’re also a valued food source for plenty of wildlife too, especially deer, birds, and even bears. If you identify a tree in the wild, or even in your own backyard, try a cherry or two. Personally, I like to eat them freshly picked in small quantities during the summer.
Do you have a local source of wild cherries near you?
Many of our readers find that subscribing to Eat The Planet is the best way to make sure they don’t miss any of our valuable information about wild edibles.
See our privacy policy for more information about ads on this site
This diverse habitat that holds a good number of fish and plenty of 30-inch-class walleye, with the action picking up in mid-summer. This is a big fishery with weed edges on the west shoreline, rock bars on the east, and many islands and shoals that hold fish. This diversity means a variety of presentations where trolling or casting for big fish, can be successful. Good launch points include Oconto on the west side and Egg Harbor to the east, depending on the direction of the wind.
Lake Erie, Ohio
Port Clinton, Ohio, is called the “Walleye Capital of the World” for good reason. It’s the main access point to the tremendous walleye fishery in the western basin of Lake Erie, which may hold more walleye per acre than any body of water on Earth. In early season locals jig fish for spawning males, but July is traditionally the hottest month of the season with a strong casting bite on reefs and consistent limit catches when trolling in open water. The action starts to slow by mid-August.
Lake of the Woods, Minnesota/Ontario/Manitoba
Head for the border if it’s a trophy walleye you’re after. “You will always have a chance to catch a legitimate 10-pound walleye on Lake of the Woods,” said Thelen. “It holds an outstanding food source to help those fish grow, and the lake is so big the fish don’t see a lot of lures.” There is plenty of elbow room. The lake is 70 miles long and wide and contains more than 14,552 islands and 65,000 miles of shoreline, so there’s a diverse habitat that offers good fishing all season. Jig early, pull spinners in mid-summer, try crank baits late summer and jigs again in the fall. Early and late season the fish follow the shiner migration to the Rainy River which enters the lake at Four Mile Bay on the southeast shore of the lake. This protected water usually produces good fishing and the area is home to a number of family vacation resorts.
Lake Bemidji, Minnesota
This 11-square-mile lake in north central Minnesota, part of the origin drainage of the Mississippi River, is now Thelen’s home water, so he knows the score. “From May to June there’s heavy local pressure on the lake, but for some reason later in the season, nobody’s there,” said Thelen. “In July and August, the fishing is great.” A weed bed runs along the entire shoreline, and by mid-summer Thelen says that’s where the fish are lurking, and why you won’t see them on electronics. A spinner with a 3/8-ounce weight pulled along the edge of the weeds in 6 to 8 feet of water will coax keepers to 20-inch walleyes out of the weeds. Bemidji is another great resort town with activities for the entire family.
Devils Lake, North Dakota
The season opens at ice-out, so if you’ve got the itch to fish walleye in April this is one place to go. Just be prepared for safe boating on cold water and cool weather. Issues with flooding in the 1990s have been mitigated by an outlet that opened in 2005, which helped stabilize the water level on this 330-square-mile lake. The best walleye fishing is usually from April to June, fishing shallow early and deeper later in the season. The lake features lots of structure that holds fish, from trees and old roads to submerged farmsteads. Parts of the lake can be shallow and anglers need to use caution and watch for debris and old poles just below the surface. Local guides fish the north shore of the lake in early season, and transition to back bays of the main basin during the summer, fishing deeper structure in late summer. The city of Devils Lake on the north shore is the main hub of activity, but there are lodging options around the lake. Wherever you fish this season remember that a local Alumacraft dealer can be a valuable source of needed supplies and local knowledge. Get out and share your adventure photo by tagging #fishingfreedom.
An Orillia, Ont. angler says he has caught what could be an Ontario record burbot.
On Jan. 25, Sebastien Roy says he was ice fishing on Lake Simcoe with a buddy, looking for some whitefish.
Roy, 32, said the spot they had planned on fishing was open water, so they had to make an adjustment.
“It’s kind of luck as we ended up fishing a spot we usually wouldn’t fish,” he said.
Roy said his first fish on the ice was a burbot — a form of freshwater cod. “It was a really small one, ” he said. “But it was my first burbot ever.” Roy continued to jig a small Vibrato spoon just off the bottom. Twenty minutes after he had caught his first fish, another one hit.
This fish was much heavier, and pulled Roy’s jigging rod over in a tight arc. When it got near the ice hole, Roy said he knew he had something special.
“It’s really clear, Lake Simcoe,” Roy said. “And the minute I looked down the hole I knew it was a record. It was one of the biggest fish I’ve ever seen swimming around.”
Roy said he called his partner, Steve, over and and they pulled the burbot from the hole together.
“Oh my God bro, that’s a giant,” said his partner.
They measured the fish as nearly .99 metres (39 inches) long, with a 48 cm (19 inch) girth. Roy borrowed a scale from some other anglers on the ice and the scale read 18.3 pounds.
A check of the Ontario burbot records via smartphone revealed the fish he had landed was a potential Ontario record.
Roy, who prefers to release his fish, also learned he had to keep the fish to qualify for a provincial record.
Back on land, the anglers looked for a place to weigh the fish. Two scales were tried, but Roy finally weighed the fish on a certified scale at Zehrs market, in Orillia.
“The guy at Zehrs was amazing,” said Roy. “He let us weigh. In kilo’s it weighed 8.145, so times 2.2 gives you pounds, so it was 17.9 on a certified scale. And we got all this on video.”
Roy said he initially had to store the fish in a toboggan full of snow, as it was too big for the freezer.
“My girlfriend wouldn’t like it if I left it in the freezer,” said Roy. “It’s a big fish.”
He said he has filled out the proper forms and plans to enter his giant fish for record book consideration.
Roy said he had read about the giant burbot caught by 18-year-old Landan Brochu, of Thunder Bay, on March 5, 2016.
Ontario teen lands record-breaking freshwater cod
Brochu’s fish weighed 16.8 pounds and measured .94 metres (37 inches) long and was 55.9 cm (22 inches) around. It is also the pending Ontario record.
Alesha Howran, of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH)/Ontario Record Fish Registry said Brochu’s fish will be announced as the new record in March 2017, barring any other burbot from 2016 being entered.
However, she said if Roy’s burbot meets all the proper requirements, it may be announced as a new Ontario burbot record in March 2018.
The present Ontario record burbot weighed 15.8 pounds and was caught by Ernie Arpin, on March 14, 2003. That fish measured .93 metres (36.5 inches) long by 53 cm (21 inches) around.
If Roy’s trophy burbot makes it through the OFAH/Ontario Record Fish Registry requirements, it will be the first time in recent memory a fish from southern Ontario will have that title.
Both Arpin and Brochu’s fish were caught in the same northwestern Ontario reservoir, located just north of the town of Nipigon.
The burbot is the only gadiform freshwater fish and is closely related to the marine common ling and the cusk fish.
Once considered a nuisance by many anglers, burbot have become something of a phenomenon in recent years.
Although Ontario has a growing reputation as a home to giant burbot, the king of them all came from another Canadian province.
The International Game Fish Association records the world-record burbot as being caught in Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan.
That fish was caught by Sean Konrad on March 27, 2010. Konrad’s world record burbot weighed a whopping 25 lb 2 oz (11.4 kg).
Fish records are typically measures in pounds. One pound equals .45 kilograms.
Discover the truth behind deer shedding their velvet! Unraveling the mystery, we explore whether or not this process causes pain for these majestic creatures. Join us on an enlightening journey as we delve into the fascinating world of antler regeneration and its impact on deer.
The Process of Shedding Velvet from Deer Antlers: Does it Cause Pain?
When male whitetail deer, also known as bucks, grow their antlers during the summer, they are covered in a velvet-like texture. This velvet is a honeycomb, bone-like tissue that provides nutrients and blood supply to the growing antlers. Bucks use their antlers to fight other bucks and mark their territory by rubbing trees. However, during the mating season or “rutting,” high levels of testosterone cause the velvet encasing to die off.
The shedding of velvet from deer antlers does not cause pain to the buck. In fact, it is a natural process that occurs every year. A drop in testosterone after the rut weakens the connection tissue between the antlers and the buck’s head, leading to the antlers falling off. This typically happens in late winter, from January through March.
After shedding their antlers, bucks begin regrowing them during spring and summer months. The new antlers are usually larger than the previous year’s. From August through September, the antlers lose their velvet encasement in preparation for the breeding season. This cycle repeats annually.
During this time of year when bucks are shedding their antlers, it is a great opportunity for shed hunting enthusiasts to venture into wooded areas and search for these dropped antlers called “sheds.” Finding sheds requires first identifying deer signs that indicate deer activity in an area. These signs include tree rubs, scrapes on the ground made by bucks with their hooves, droppings, bedding areas characterized by depressions in long grasses made by deer, tracks, and travel routes marked with hoof prints.
To increase your chances of finding sheds, focus your search around bedding areas where deer rest or sleep, travel routes that are worn paths frequented by deer movement, food plots such as agricultural fields or areas abundant with acorns, and water sources. These locations are more likely to have shed antlers.
It is important to note that shed hunting should be done responsibly and ethically. Respect private property rights and obtain permission before searching on someone else’s land. Additionally, be mindful of your surroundings and take precautions to avoid disturbing wildlife or their habitats.
If you’re interested in learning more about whitetail deer or want additional information about shed hunting, you can visit the Mass Fish and Wildlife website for comprehensive resources.
Remember to share your experiences and findings in the comments section of the Animal Control Corner blog. Subscribe to receive future blog posts directly in your inbox by visiting Weston.org/StayInformed and entering your email address.
Happy shed hunting!
Understanding the Velvet Removal Process in Deer Antlers: Is it Harmful to the Deer?
The velvet removal process in deer antlers is a natural and necessary part of their annual cycle. It is not harmful to the deer but rather a result of hormonal changes. During the summer, male whitetail deer, known as bucks, grow antlers covered in a velvet-like texture. This velvet is a honeycomb, bone-like tissue that provides nutrients and blood supply to the growing antlers.
However, as the breeding season approaches, bucks experience high levels of testosterone during rutting. This surge in hormones causes the velvet encasing to die off. Bucks will then rub their antlers against trees to help remove the velvet and mark their territory. The rubbing action also helps strengthen their neck muscles for fights with other bucks.
Once the testosterone levels drop after rutting season, weakness develops in the connection tissue between the antlers and skull. As a result, the antlers fall off naturally without causing any pain or harm to the buck. This shedding process typically occurs from January through March.
During spring and summer, the antlers begin regrowing and are usually larger than those from previous years. From August through September, they lose their velvet encasement in preparation for the whitetail breeding season. The cycle then repeats itself annually.
It’s important to note that while shedding antlers may seem like an uncomfortable process for deer, it is actually a natural occurrence that allows them to grow new and stronger antlers each year. It is not harmful or painful for them.
If you come across shed antlers while out shed hunting or exploring nature, consider it a fascinating find that showcases this unique aspect of deer biology. Enjoy observing these natural wonders but remember not to disturb or interfere with wildlife during their mating or shedding seasons.
Shedding Velvet from Antlers: Exploring the Impact on Deer’s Well-being
Shedding velvet from antlers is a natural process that occurs in male deer, known as bucks. During the summer months, bucks grow their antlers, which are covered in a velvet-like texture. This velvet is a living tissue that supplies blood and nutrients to the growing antlers. However, as the breeding season approaches and testosterone levels rise, the velvet begins to die off.
The shedding of velvet from antlers does not cause any harm or pain to the buck. In fact, it is a necessary process for their well-being. Once the velvet dies off, bucks will rub their antlers against trees to help remove it. This rubbing behavior also serves as a way for bucks to mark their territory and assert dominance over other males.
After the rutting season, when testosterone levels decrease, the connection tissue between the antlers and skull weakens, leading to the shedding of antlers. This typically occurs in late winter, from January through March. The dropped antlers are called “sheds” and can be found in areas where deer activity is high.
The shedding of antlers allows bucks to conserve energy during harsh winter months when food sources may be scarce. It also prepares them for the upcoming breeding season by allowing new antler growth during spring and summer months. The new antlers are usually larger than those shed in previous years.
Understanding this natural process of shedding velvet from antlers helps us appreciate and respect the well-being of deer populations. Shed hunting can be an enjoyable outdoor activity during this time of year while ensuring minimal disturbance to these magnificent creatures.
For more information on whitetail deer and their behavior, you can visit Mass Fish and Wildlife’s deer information web page. And if you happen to come across sheds or any other interesting finds while enjoying nature, don’t forget to share your experiences with the Animal Control Corner.
Happy shed hunting!
Debunking Myths: Does Scraping Velvet off Antlers Hurt Deer?
Myth: Scraping velvet off antlers causes pain and harm to deer.
Contrary to popular belief, scraping the velvet off antlers does not cause any pain or harm to deer. The velvet is a soft tissue that covers the growing antlers, providing them with nutrients and blood supply. As the antlers reach their full size, the velvet begins to die off naturally. Bucks will then rub their antlers against trees and other objects to help remove the dead velvet. This rubbing action is a normal behavior for bucks during this time of year and does not cause any discomfort or injury.
Myth: Removing the velvet from antlers affects deer health.
There is no evidence to suggest that removing the velvet from antlers has any negative impact on deer health. Once the velvet dies off and is rubbed away, the antlers are fully formed and hardened. They serve as weapons for bucks during mating season and as territorial markers throughout the year. The shedding of the velvet is simply part of a natural process that occurs annually in deer populations.
Myth: Bucks actively seek out assistance in removing their velvet.
While it may seem like bucks are seeking assistance in removing their velvet by rubbing against trees, this behavior is primarily driven by instinct rather than a deliberate attempt to seek help. Bucks engage in rubbing activities as a way to mark their territory, establish dominance, and prepare for mating season. The act of rubbing helps them shed the dead velvet, but it is not an intentional seeking of assistance from external sources.
Overall, it is important to understand that scraping velvet off antlers does not hurt or harm deer in any way. It is a natural process that occurs as part of their annual growth cycle. By debunking these myths, we can appreciate the beauty and wonder of deer shedding their antlers without any concerns for their well-being.
Examining the Natural Shedding Process of Velvet on Deer Antlers: Is there Pain Involved?
The Growth and Purpose of Antlers
Male whitetail deer, known as bucks, grow antlers during the summer months. These antlers are made of honeycomb, bone-like tissue and serve multiple purposes. Bucks use their antlers to fight other bucks during territorial disputes and also to mark their territory by rubbing trees. While the antlers are growing, they are covered in a velvet-like texture. This velvet encasing is eventually shed due to high levels of testosterone during mating season.
The Shedding Process
After the rutting season, when mating occurs, testosterone levels decrease in bucks. This drop in testosterone weakens the connection tissue between the antlers and the buck’s head, causing the antlers to fall off. This shedding process typically occurs from January through March, with dropped antlers referred to as “sheds.” It is important to note that this natural shedding process does not cause any pain or harm to the buck.
Antler Regrowth
Following the shedding of their antlers, bucks begin regrowing them from spring through summer. The new antlers usually grow back larger than the previous year. In preparation for the whitetail breeding season, which occurs from October to early December and is known as “rutting,” bucks lose the velvet encasement on their antlers from August through September.
Deer Signs and Shed Hunting
To find shed antlers, it is essential to locate areas with deer signs indicating deer activity. Bedding areas can be identified by depressions made by deer in long grasses. Travel routes are narrow paths marked with numerous hoof prints. Food plots such as agricultural fields or areas abundant with acorns, as well as water sources, are also prime locations to search for sheds. By observing these deer signs, shed hunters can increase their chances of finding antlers during this time of year.
Conclusion
The shedding process of velvet on deer antlers is a natural and painless occurrence for bucks. Understanding the growth, shedding, and regrowth cycles of antlers can enhance the experience of shed hunting. By identifying deer signs and focusing on areas with high deer activity, individuals can enjoy the outdoor activity of shed hunting in Weston’s open spaces and forested areas while respecting the natural behaviors of whitetail deer.
Shedding Velvet from Antlers: Unraveling the Truth about Deer’s Sensations
When it comes to shedding their antlers, male whitetail deer experience a unique sensation. The antler growth process begins during the summer months, with the antlers covered in a velvet-like texture. This velvet is a honeycomb, bone-like tissue that provides nourishment to the growing antlers. As the antlers develop, bucks use them for fighting other bucks and marking their territory by rubbing trees.
However, during the mating season known as “rutting,” high levels of testosterone cause the velvet encasing to die off. Bucks will actively rub trees to help remove this dead velvet. The drop in testosterone after rutting weakens the connection tissue, leading to the natural shedding of the antlers. It’s important to note that this shedding process does not hurt the buck in any way.
The annual shedding of antlers occurs in late winter, typically between January and March. The dropped antlers are referred to as “sheds.” After shedding, from spring through summer, new antlers grow back and are usually larger than those of the previous year. From August to September, these new antlers lose their velvet encasement in preparation for the whitetail breeding season.
To communicate their presence and readiness for mating, bucks engage in various behaviors such as rubbing trees and scraping the ground with their hooves. These actions leave behind visible signs known as “deer signs.” Tree rubs, scrapes, droppings, bedding areas, and tracks are all indicators that deer are present in an area.
If you’re interested in shed hunting and finding these sheds, it’s essential to look for these deer signs first. Bedding areas can be identified by depressions made by deer in long grasses. Travel routes are narrow paths marked with numerous hoof prints. Food plots like agricultural fields or areas abundant in acorns, as well as water sources, are also prime locations to search for sheds.
Understanding the shedding process and recognizing deer signs can greatly increase your chances of having a successful shed hunting experience. So head into the woods during this time of year when bucks are shedding their antlers, and enjoy the great outdoors while searching for these natural treasures!
For more information about whitetail deer and their behavior, you can visit the deer information web page from Mass Fish and Wildlife. And don’t forget to share your shed hunting experiences or any other interesting nature encounters in the comments section of the ACO Blog.
Happy shed hunting!
In conclusion, the process of scraping velvet off their antlers may cause some discomfort for deer, but it is a natural and necessary part of their growth. While it might appear painful, deer have evolved to handle this process efficiently, and any temporary discomfort they experience is outweighed by the benefits of shedding their velvet, such as improved mobility and readiness for mating season.
The Gamo Urban air rifle has a Cold-hammer forged barrel.
It is wonderfully smooth, accurate, and vigorous at 35000 hammer strikes that forge a barrel.
Cold Hammer Forging refines the surface of rifling, the structure of the grains producing the mirror-like finishing in the bore, presenting an accurate and reliable air rifle.
The accuracy permits that you can shoot adequately for a sustained time.
Urban is the first gunning brand that has introduced the Cold-hammer forged barrel at such a reasonable price.
Gamo urban air rifle comes with a silencer, which is integrated with whisper maxim.
It allows the rifle to work silently without any hindrance or disturbance.
Accordingly, it can be said that Gamo Urban .22 cal is noise-free when compared to other guns.
Gamo Urban Vs. Benjamin Marauder
The Gamo urban air rifle is worth $299, and is a silent, accurate, and reliable air rifle. At PyramydAir, it has the lowest price in its class along with shipping charges.
It fits comfortably in the hands and easily handles.
The accuracy can be improved but is pretty good at this price.
Due to PCP, magazines are much more expensive to refill.
You must first go for a detailed analysis of the product to understand its reliability.
The Gamo Urban PCP review provided by the customers mostly ends up with positive feedback because the rifle is basically in a very stylish black color.
Moreover, the customers like the concept of silent shot introduced in the Gamo urban air rifle.
This allows them to shoot in the backyard or their gardens during weekends or the evening without any noise especially.
When you are uninterrupted while shooting your rifle, with no noise, then you perform well without any hindrance.
The Gamo Urban .22 review shows that there is less noise, but they are not claiming that rifle shoots with zero noise.
Another thing that is liked is the accuracy of the Gamo Urban .22 cal, particularly from 25 yards.
The higher prices of pre-charged pneumatic rifles have often kept customers away from the weapon,
But the reasonable cost with quality features attracts more customers.
The Gamo Urban PCP air rifle reviews are positive which urges the shooters to at least try once.
Moreover, the shooters call the Gamo Urban .25 the perfect gun for the backyard.
The customers with negative comments talked about the magazine, as maybe they did not know precisely about the refills.
As per the magazine, there is a $50 cost.
But, if they tend to read this article, all their confusion may vanish eventually.
Those who did not have accuracy in shooting, gave a try to .22 Gamo Urban PCP air rifle,
And it is impressive to read the reviews that their shooting accuracy has genuinely developed, and their confidence has improved.
In addition to this, the combo introduced by the manufacturers is also liked by customers a
As they have significant accessories where they can change anything according to their requirements.
Concluding thoughts
With the high quality and the great look, the Gamo urban air rifle .22 is a market leader.
It’s reliable and affordable, granting you a great time shooting!
Caseless ammunition is a special kind of firearm ammunition that – you might have guessed – lacks cases.
This is the simplest explanation, of course, but it still doesn’t really explain how caseless ammunition works. If ammunition lacks cases, then how is everything held together?
During the course of this article, we plan to break down caseless ammunition in its entirety. How does caseless ammunition work? Is it more or less efficient than traditional ammunition? And which type of ammunition is more affordable?
Let’s find out!
What Is Caseless Ammunition?
As noted, caseless ammunition is ammunition that lacks cases. But what does that actually mean?
In a traditional bullet, the internal components – the primer, propellant, and projectile – are held together by a case.
This case holds everything together and makes the ammunition easy to load; it also keeps the round in place once it’s chambered and ready to fire.
Caseless ammunition does away with this by incorporating the primer and propellant into the projectile itself.
This can take two forms – the propellant can be internal (e.g. placed into the base of the projectile) or external (wherein the projectile is packed into the propellant, which surrounds it).
In both cases, the primer and projectile are both consumed, meaning there is nothing to eject.
What Are The Advantages Of Caseless Ammunition?
Caseless ammunition obviously has its advantages, or it would not have been invented. What, then, are those advantages?
It’s Easier To Store
Because it doesn’t have a (relatively) bulky outer casing, caseless ammunition requires less storage space than its cased counterpart. It’s also much lighter than cased ammunition, making it more convenient to transport.
Improved Rate Of Fire
An automatic or semi-automatic weapon firing at a rapid rate needs time to eject the spent casing before chambering and firing the next.
The use of caseless ammunition precludes this; there is no spent casing to eject, so it’s possible to fire it much more rapidly.
”It’s likely that the technology surrounding caseless ammunition is only going to improve and that the ammunition will become more and more widespread in the coming years.”
This is of particular importance when firing in three-round bursts, where caseless ammunition is much more accurate than cased.
Lower Rate Of Malfunction
Because there is no case to eject, guns using caseless ammunition are far less likely to jam while in use.
This is potentially life-saving in combat situations, where a moment’s hesitation or clearing a jammed gun can be the difference between life and death.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Caseless Ammunition?
On the flip side of the coin, caseless ammunition has its drawbacks; these drawbacks have prevented it from being more widely adopted, and until the issues listed below are solved, chances are that many people will continue to prefer guns using traditional cased ammunition.
It Makes Firearms Prone To Overheating
One of the functions fulfilled by a bullet casing is that when the round is discharged, the brass casing acts as a sort of heat sink, absorbing much of the heat generated and protecting the weapon itself from any damage.
With caseless ammunition, this de facto heat sink is removed from the equation, meaning that the gun itself needs to absorb the heat.
This can lead to rapid overheating in the short term, interfering with the operation of the weapon. In the long term, it can warp the barrel and potentially ruin it completely.
The Rounds Are Prone To Storage Damage
Cased ammunition can be stored indefinitely, as the brass casing will protect the round from incidental damage and wear and tear.
Conversely, caseless ammunition is, by its very nature, highly prone to getting damaged. Internal-propellant caseless ammunition is susceptible to the projectile itself getting chipped or dented, which can interfere with its ballistic path or efficacy.
With external-propellant variants, however, the propellant itself can become compromised, which may lead to the round misfiring or decreased efficacy.
Propellant Residue Can Build Up
When a bullet is fired, there is a certain amount of residue left over from the combustion of the propellant. In the instance of cased ammunition, this residue is contained within the casing, which is then ejected from the chamber.
With caseless ammunition, that residue instead ends up building up inside the firearm, which can eventually lead to malfunctions.
Caseless Ammunition Can Be Less Powerful
One solution to the abovementioned issue is to use less propellant or to make use of a recoilless system whereby some of the propellant residues are ejected from the rear of the gun.
While this solves the problem of residue build-up, it means that the projectile is fired with much less force.
This leads to the round exiting the gun at sub-sonic speeds, which in turn leads to reduced accuracy and much less stopping power.
It’s Less Widely Supported
Cased ammunition is widespread and easily available wherever you can buy guns, making it easy to obtain and use.
Most gun vendors are also extremely familiar with it, meaning that it’s quick and simple to get advice or to deal with any issues that arise while using cased ammunition (e.g. jams).
Caseless ammunition, on the other hand, remains relatively niche – as do the firearms that can be used along with it.
This means that if you do run into maintenance problems with a firearm using caseless ammunition, it can be difficult and expensive to effect repairs.
Conclusion: Is Caseless Ammunition Better?
At present, it’s sadly the case that caseless ammunition isn’t quite as efficacious as its cased counterpart.
Despite the advantages it gains in reduced weight and space taken up, an improved rate of fire, and a lower rate of malfunction (in certain cases), the disadvantages soon pile up.
And those disadvantages are significant. With the build-up of propellant residue on the one hand or decreased projectile efficacy on the other, there’s no easy answer to the question of whether power or reliability is more important.
Furthermore, the relative lack of support for caseless ammunition means it’s much harder to get help if you do run into maintenance issues.
That said, it’s likely that the technology surrounding caseless ammunition is only going to improve and that the ammunition will become more and more widespread in the coming years.
Until then, however, it’s probably best to stick with your traditional ammo.
Want to read more about the ever-changing world of ammunition? Check out our related articles such as our guide to RIP ammo and 5 little-known Glock magazines to know about!
Walleye is the state fish of Minnesota. It is arguably the most sought-after species during the summer and winter months. Walleye offer excellent table fare, an exciting fight, and they are one of the few game fish that remain active throughout the cold winter months. Because of the popularity of the walleye and the challenge they provide for anglers, many methods have been developed for catching them. At Tuned Up Custom Rods, we have designed a whole arsenal of rods to be used for every known walleye technique. In this blog, we will break down which rods are best for each technique to help you make the best choice in your rod purchase.
All the different lures and presentations can be broken down into two main ways to fish for walleye: Jigging and Dead Sticking. Jigging means you are actively moving your bait and lure with your hand by lifting the rod tip up and down. This lets your lure imitate the movement of live bait. Dead Sticking means you have your rod stationary and you are using live bait (usually minnows). The bait itself makes the action underwater and you wait for a fish to bite.
Let’s look at jigging first. Jigging is active. You are constantly involved in the process and you often are trying to tempt fish with your offering. Sometimes, fish will respond best to large, aggressively jigged lures. Other times, the fish will prefer moderated jigging of a spoon. Still other times, the fish will want you to barely move a small spoon or jig. Having multiple presentations rigged up and ready to go, will allow you to home in on the fish’s mood quickly and effectively.
Different lures have different weights. At Tuned Up Custom Rods, our rods are built to be matched to specific weight ranges of lures. If you fish too heavy of a rod on a light lure, you will not feel or see the bite as well. If you fish too heavy of a lure on too light of rod, you will not have the control of the bait when jigging. It comes down to balance.
We offer three main walleye rods for most lure weights. These rods will be effective for most walleye presentations. The rods are the Precision, the Power Precision, and the Commander.
The Precision is a Light to Medium Light power, fast actions jigging rod. It is designed to handle lures from 1/10 ounce to 1/4 ounce. This is the range most walleye spoons fall into. The Precision is our most versatile walleye rod and will handle most walleye situations. The Precision works great with popular walleye spoons like the VMC Tingler Spoon, Lindy Rattln’ Flyer, and Swedish Pimple. It can also be used for small minnow profile baits like the Rapala Ultra-Light Rippn Rap 04.
The Power Precision is a Medium Power, fast action jigging rod. This rod is heavier than the Precision and can support baits from 1/8 ounce to 3/8 ounce. The Power Precision really shines with minnow profile baits like the Rapala Rippin Raps and Lindy Darters. It also works well for heavier spoons.
The Commander is a Medium to Medium-Heavy power, fast action jigging rod. This rod is our premiere walleye rod. It is very versatile, being able to handle medium spoons up to the largest minnow profile baits and swimbaits. It handles lures in the ranges of 1/8 ounce to 5/16 ounce. The Commander is excellent for targeting the largest walleye and pike in a lake. It has a remarkably sensitive tip and a backbone that can comfortably fight nearly all trophy fish.
29″ Walleye Caught on Commander
If you are looking for a rod that can be used for walleye and for smaller species, such as perch and crappie, we offer two, very different rods for you; the Fusion and the QuickTip. Both rods are intended to be jigging rods and accommodate the smaller end of the baits people use for walleye, including the smallest Rippn Rap 03 and the smallest spoons.
The Fusion is a Light Power, Moderate-Fast action rod. Its slower action allows the rod to load up more during the hookset. The Fusion is a great blend between panfish and walleye, especially if you are targeting eater sized walleye.
The QuickTip is a Light Power, Extra-Fast action rod. The tip transitions lightning quick to the backbone. This allows you to set the hook as soon as you feel a bite. Because the tip is so quick, the QuickTip is somewhat limited in the size of lures it fishes well. You will want to stay at or under the 1/8 ounce size. It is also very important to keep the QuickTip parallel to the ice when you set the hook and fight the fish. High sticking might lead to a broken tip.
Finally, if you are looking for a dead stick rod to place in a rod holder with a slip bobber or a bait feeder reel, the Tuned Up Custom Rods DeadStick is your perfect choice. This is a Medium Power, Slow Action rod. The slow action and the light fiberglass tip allow you to visually watch when a fish begins biting your minnow. You can see the bite happen before the fish knows that they are attached to the rod. This technique is expertly demonstrated in the attached video from In-Depth Outdoors. The DeadStick also works very well in an iFishPro tip-up system.
If you made it all the way to the end, you know now just how much thought and care went into the designing of the Tuned Up Custom Rods Walleye line-up. Which rod is right for you depends on how you like to fish. For many people, the Precision is the perfect starting point. But many people prefer to have multiple rods, to cover all their walleye bases.
Many people say that great power doesn’t usually come with great affordability.
Well with the Ruger Air Magnum, it does.
Ideal for taking care of your pest problem with its beautiful all-weather stock, and fiber optic sights, the Ruger has certainly gained a reputation when it comes to this monstrous creation.
Ruger Air Magnum – Guntype
This is a spring-piston gun.
A spring piston is easy to use, costs less than conventional guns, and has impressive accuracy .
It’s one of the 5 types of air rifle you need to know before buying – more on that here.
Besides, the Ruger Air Magnum is a break barrel gun.
This means that in order to cock it, you slap the barrel downward while holding the gun upwards.
You then insert the pellet and swing it back to its original position.
The first few times may seem difficult if you’re a beginner, but you’ll pretty soon get the feel of it.
The beauty of the break barrel is it gives you unlimited shooting capacity .
You can shoot hundreds of rounds without worrying about running out of gun powder.
In addition, the single-shot feature on the Ruger Air Magnum gives you added accuracy because you can only shoot one shot at a time, so you have control over the type of pellet you’re using.
The barrel on the Ruger Air Magnum comes with two types of caliber (the internal dimension of the bore measured in inches): .177 and .22
Both are ideal for plinking paper targets and spinners .
If you like to hunt, then the .22 caliber should be your choice for small game and pests.
The Ruger Air Magnum is probably one of the best rifles within this price range.
With its impressive power, accuracy, and velocity, beautiful synthetic ambidextrous stock, and fiber optics sight that gives you the traditional iron sights feel, the Ruger Air Magnum is certainly a gun any shooter would love to own.
For all intents and purposes, the whole month of September is a holiday in the state of Texas. Of course, Labor Day is the first Monday in September – three day weekend, BBQs, etc… But what September signifies to Texans is the start of dove season. It is absolute hysteria. In Texas some hunt deer, some hunt hogs, others hunt ducks or exotics, but everybody hunts dove. For reasons we’ll discuss shortly, I wanted to review the Mossberg 930, but hold that thought.
For the 2019 season, I was particularly focused on the second weekend of September. The plan: leave Dallas/Fort Worth at 4 am on Thursday with my buddy Jon, drive to Albuquerque NM, get a hotel, wake up early Friday morning, shoot all ten stages of the USPSA 2019 High Desert Classic, after the match drive to the family ranch in the panhandle of Texas where we would meet JD and Mo, predator hunt all night, get two hours of sleep, wake up, dove hunt, and repeat until we leave Sunday afternoon. We were really maxing out the schedule, but that’s just what you do on a guys weekend.
Why the Mossberg 930?
I was most looking forward to dove hunting. The other activities are awesome, but I get to do those all year. Between my personal armory, SHWAT™, and connections through the Texas Gun Experience, I can pretty much shoot any shotgun I fancy. Beretta, Benelli, Browning, Remington, and others are all on the menu. This year I decided to choose something a little bit different and went with the Mossberg 930 Pro-Series Waterfowl. I have always respected Mossberg’s 590 Series so it made sense to check out their 930.
930 Looks Matter
First things first. The 930 Waterfowl edition looks slick. Covered in a Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo pattern, it reminds me that I grew up lusting for such things. I hunted with old beat-up single shots while friends camo covered auto-loaders seemed to taunt me. Yes, “it’s the Indian, not the arrow” remains true, but it helps to have nice arrows and if they look good you get bonus points. High Schoolers like to flex with the coolest new phone or gadget, and, like it or not, dove hunters like to flex with their shotty’s. When your hunting buddy says, “Sweet shotty, bro!” life is all good. Under the camo pattern, the Mossberg sports clean, traditional shotgun lines.
930 Looks Don’t Matter
Looks don’t matter if the gun doesn’t work. My ammo choice for the Mossberg 930 Waterfowl edition was shotgun shell soup, or shell soup for short. What is shell soup? Well, I have this ammo container containing red, blue, green, yellow, and black shells. Some of these are 6 shot, some 7, some 8, and others remain unknown. That’s why I call it shell soup. Got it? Well, Mikey liked it. I put around 100 rounds of shell soup through the Mossberg and it ate everything. Not a single hiccup. I know what you’re thinking… 100 rounds can’t come close to telling us much about the Mossberg 930’s abilities. Granted, but based on past experiences I expected at least a stovepipe or two.
The Mossberg Shotgun Safety
The Mossberg 930 Pro-Series Waterfowl features something very new to me, but not new to Mossberg: A top-mounted safety selector. The majority of shotgun designs I know I know place the safety somewhere on the trigger guard. I didn’t give this much thought as the first bird came in. Flying the tree line, right-to-left, about 70 yards out it then turns, heading straight for me.
Oh yeah baby, dove season is about to get started!
I wait until the timing is right, pull up the 930, look down the raised vent rib, acquire the fiber optic red bead, and line up the bird. I have it dead-to-rights and pull the trigger. Nothing happens.
Crap! The safety dummy!
So, I take my finger off the trigger and start fumbling for the safety. I can’t find it, everything feels flush, so it must be off, right?
I quickly realign my shot and try pulling the trigger again. Nothing! I take the gun off of my shoulder, rotate it 90 degrees, and look down at the top-mounted safety as the dove flies right over my head… Yep… What’s worse than that is a couple of minutes later I repeat the entire failure process again. JD, in particular, finds great pleasure in observing my angst. I, however, do not.
After those first few mishaps, everything is smooth as a perfectly polished barrel. Maybe I should have thought about the safety position a little more to begin with, but no doubt, I’m thinking about it now. Running the gun properly throughout the next two days I think over the pros and cons of Mossberg’s placement of the safety on the 930 and other shotguns. I conclude that the top mounted safety beats the trigger guard safety design. Why? It’s safer, especially when you are flipping the safety back on.
Most safeties are less than half an inch away from the trigger when mounted on the trigger guard. When you think about that in conjunction with factors such as weather, gloves, adrenaline, and inexperience, you can start to see a host of potential problems. For this reason alone, I have pretty much made up my mind that when it comes time for my kids’ first shotguns I will go with Mossbergs.
Mossberg 930 Build Quality
Mossberg didn’t spend much money or do anything crazy with the stock or forend, but it’s a shotgun designed to live in a duck blind. The 930 is a tool that is going to get wet and beat up. Babying the thing is not something I want to worry about. Mossberg did, however, spend some money where it counts by boron nitriding the bolt and using a stainless steel recoil spring. This thing stands up to the abuse water fowlers put it though, so it should be able to survive chasing doves in a sunflower field without a problem.
Natural Pointing
Okay, we know the Mossberg 930 looks good, chugs shells, and utilizes a top-mounted safety, but it is time to get down to business. Wing hunters pay attention. The gun points nicely. When I shoulder 930 the bead is right where it needs to be. In my case, I’m not too high or too low on the rib (though it comes with a shim kit if this isn’t the case for you). The 28-inch barrel is well balanced. With a gas operated loading system, the 930 weighs 7.75 lbs, less than a gallon of water. The soft honeycomb recoil pad soaks up recoil which allows for fast follow up shots. If you don’t believe me, just look up some videos of Jerry Miculek shooting a Mossberg 930. Here’s one for you:
Final Thoughts on the Mossberg 930
What do we have when it’s all said and done? In my opinion, a good looking, no frills, down to business autoloader that is reliable and will stand up to abuse. Not really much to see here, because that is what a waterfowl shotgun is supposed to do, right? Yes, but the Mossberg 930 Pro-Series Waterfowl comes to the market with an MSRP of $794. That’s about half the price of the majority of the competition. Well done, Mossberg.
But after decades of restocking the population, there are now about seven million wild turkeys in North America.
The turkey is a variety of pheasant. Archaeological evidence suggests turkeys roamed North America as far back as 10 million years ago. Native Americans domesticated them about 2,000 years ago.
A male turkey is called a “tom” and a female turkey a “hen.” A large group of turkeys is called a “flock.”
Wild turkeys are found in hardwood forests with grassy areas. They spend the night in trees. They have excellent vision and hearing but don’t see well at night. They can fly short distances at speeds of up to 90 km/h and can run at speeds of up to 40 km/h.
Domesticated turkeys do not fly — because of selective breeding — and aren’t likely to run very much, either. By the time the average turkey is ready for your table, it has been so fattened up at the factory farm that it has as much chance of achieving flight as you do.
It takes 17 to 20 weeks to raise a turkey that weighs 10.8 kilograms or more. That bird will have consumed around 30 kilograms of feed while it was alive.
Canada is one of the world’s biggest producers of turkeys. According to Statistics Canada, Canadian farmers produced 180,000 tonnes of turkey in 2008. That’s an increase of 6.5 per cent from the previous year.
Canadian consumption of turkey has remained relatively stable over the past two decades — at around 2.2 kilograms per person per year. However, production has increased substantially as Canadian turkey exports have grown by 30 per cent since 2001.
The top turkey-eating country in the world is Israel, at 11.5 kg per person every year. Here’s how other countries measure up, per person per year:
United States: 7.7 kg.
France: 5.9 kg.
United Kingdom: 4.8 kg.
European Union: 4.0 kg.
Why is this type of poultry called ‘turkey’?
There are several theories:
The Native American name for turkey is “firkee.”
The wild turkey’s call sounds like “turk-turk-turk.”
Christopher Columbus named them “titka,” which is the word for peacock in the Tamil language of India. Columbus thought the New World was connected to India.
Why do turkeys gobble?
Male turkeys gobble; hens make a clicking sound. The gobble is a seasonal call for the males. They also gobble when they hear loud noises and when they settle in for the night.
What are those fleshy things on turkey heads?
Are there different breeds?
Common domesticated breeds include: Bronze, Broad Breasted Bronze, Broad Breasted Large White, Black, Bourbon Red, White Holland, Narragansett and Beltsville Small White.
Why does turkey have white and dark meat?
For the same reason that chicken does: the legs and thighs contain dark meat because the muscles are more heavily exercised from walking and contain more fat than the meat that comes from the breast. White meat has less oxygen-carrying myoglobin than dark meat. The more work a muscle does — whether you’re a bird or a person — the more oxygen it needs.
What’s with the wishbone? Does it serve a purpose?
The superstition goes that when you find a wishbone, two people should each grasp one part of the wishbone pull; whoever is holding the longest part when it breaks will have their wish come true.
For turkeys — at least the ones who spend their life in the wild — the wishbone, which is called the furcula, is key to strengthening their skeleton to withstand the rigors of flight. It’s formed by the fusion of the two clavicles at the sternum.
The bone is elastic, allowing it to act as a spring that stores and releases energy during flight.
Why can’t I buy turkey eggs at the supermarket?
Turkeys also tend to be far more protective of their eggs than chickens. They’ll stay with them until they hatch and do what they can to keep you away from them.
Why do I feel sleepy after eating turkey?
Probably because you’ve had too much of it, combined with too much dessert and maybe too much of other stuff as well.
Yes, turkey contains an amino acid called L-tryptophan, which the human body needs to build certain proteins. The body uses L-tryptophan to make serotonin, which has a tranquilizing effect.
However, many foods contain the same amino acid — and in much greater quantities than turkey. Ever feel sleepy after eating raw soybeans? Maybe you should. They contain more than twice the levels of L-tryptophan than turkey does.
What’s with the cranberry sauce and stuffing?
It’s believed Native Americans taught the colonialists how to cook cranberries and different kinds of corn, squash and pumpkin dishes.
The origins of stuffing are not certain. Some experts say it’s a traditional dish made from bread and vegetables and most probably originated in Eastern Europe.
