I leave next week for my Oregon fire lookout job - armed.

Yesterday was a first for me. I bought a gub, er I mean a gun (Woody Allen fans will recognize that). Many DUers gave me advice a few months ago when I asked what would be a good lightweight rifle to protect Nick and me from the increasing mountain lion problem in my area of operation.

Yesterday I went to Dewey's Pawnshop in Greenville (SC) and bought a Marlin Model 1894 lever-action .44 carbine. I fired it in Dewey's indoor range. I was impressed. I impressed my instructor, too. It has been 41 years since I have pulled a trigger (Viet Nam, 1970), but I fired a tight pattern at 50 yards with a very short-barreled rifle.

I hope I only use the carbine for noise. I hope I never see a cougar close enough to Nick or me to even consider a shot. If I have to shoot, I will shoot to scare - two shots. Then I will lever in a hollow point and shoot to kill. I hope to sell this damn gun back to Dewey's Pawn Shop when I finish my fire lookout career!

BTW: I will have a night game camera out by mid-June. I'll share those photos too.

:hi:

Last season's were excellent.

Bought my wife a T1i at the end of last year... best I could afford (and I really couldn't afford that!)

Dang, you're lucky. I only DREAM of a 5d. I have a T1I.

Would a 5D by nice? Certainly. But the T1I/500D is a very capable camera. I have an XTI/400D, two generations older and turn out some very good stuff with it. My main lens is a 20 year old model.

Posted small sizes for quick loading!







Yes, there's post processing involved, but many of the top photographers do it.

http://roadslesstraveledphotography.com/

sounds really cool.

What all do you do?


Do you stay there the entire time?

Oh wait - you meant something else didn't you

You will have no need for it bu better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it... Ever since they outlawed hunting cougars and bears with dogs here the problem has been growing, we have had a lot of bears here last few years, so far no trouble but always prepared.. have a good one . A, looking forward to the pix.

That was passed to me by the Deschutes Sheriff's Department.

Already?! How wonderful!

I'm so looking forward to your wonderful pictures and stories...

I hope the cougars will stay far, far away from you and Nick!:scared:

Stay safe, and have fun!

:hug:

is with your camera... But, I can't blame you for wanting a gun to take along...just in case.

Last September we decided to take 97 back to CA from our visit in E. WA.
Talk about the changes in scenery. I thought about your postings when we went through
Bend.
Here's to an amazing Season for you...

Tikki

I especially like to see what Nick's up to.

To your pictures.

It seems like you just left your lookout.

I'm glad you're taking precautions and look forward to reading about your experiences and seeing your photographs.

Good choice, Mac.

The only downside is the weight of both the carbine and ammo.

Put a strap on it so you can pull it snug into your shoulder with your forward hand.

I look forward to your accounts and pics.

Sonoman

I'm OK with the weight. To get the weight I wanted I would have had to spend twice as much.

and you post all those lovely photos and your commentary about your experience. Thank you!!!

"I hope to sell this damn gun back to Dewey's Pawn Shop when I finish my fire lookout career"!

Why would you want to sell it as soon as you come down off the mountain?

Do you think that anyone who isn't on a fire tower must not have a need for a rifle?

One day we will have our home in the foothills of the Trinities (our own foothill). Until then, I will drink of your experiences.

and looking forward to your reports and pictures when you get there.

Don't forget to show us your photos of the trip again

For those not familiar with the schizoid personality:

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx30.htm

Symptoms of Schizoid Personality Disorder



Above all, a schizoid vants to be alone.

:)

There is a revolving door, so to speak, of visitors: firefighters, LEOs, hikers & bikers, etc. They like to visit my lookout because I am so gregarious and affiliative. They like to visit the other lookouts for the same reasons.

I have a number of good friends and family members planning visits to the lookout this summer. This usually means up to five people sleeping in the 15x15 lookout.

The days are full of activities: official and unofficial, physical and intellectual, boring and stimulating.

It is a perfect platform for my award-winning photography (always open to praise and/or criticism) and writing.

I'm not even going to address the sex-in-the-lookout aspect of your list, just use your imagination.

I know of only one lookout who showed even a few of the schizoid characteristics you gratuiously (and, to me, offensively) posted. He was fired for cause before the season was over.

isolated in a forest area. I had no idea what your job really entailed. I don't know anything about you other than that which I read in this thread.

Schizoids are primarily loners and in no way need to have every symptom listed. A job which allows them to be alone is the type of job that a schizoid welcomes and they do gravitate to those type of jobs all the time, third shift jobs where they can work alone.

Let me point out the obvious here concerning posting on DU: when you start a thread you will get replies that you like or don't like, that offend you or not. You don't get to pick and choose the responses you will receive. You can either deal with it or not post, but you cannot have a thin skin.

Oh, you and all of us here probably have some who are schizoid to one degree or another around us, we just don't recognize them as such but simply think of them as loners.

Thanks for the apology. It is gratefully accepted.

:hi:

on end and never get to see many people. There was a good episode of Northern Exposure about that (it's when Joel first meets Adam when he goes to check on a ranger in a fire tower).

:hi:

gosh time flies. doesnt seem like a whole new summer

enjoy.

glad you have protection, just in case

you find yourself surrounded by Greys looking for fresh victims to probe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX2oZ6Kv_qo

Much cheaper.

wonderful pics. hope your summer is peaceful and beautiful

I talked - at some length - to the lion guy at UC Davis, and he says to set up scent posts around your territory. Save it in jugs and use it all on your perimeter.

That lets them know who's here.

Male cats spray, and if you find their rocks/trees (your dog will help), mark over them.

If you find scratch posts, scratch higher than them and then piss on it.

Bring lots of tea, and let 'er flow!

Urine is always in abundant supply. I'll try that.

Made in the early 80's when marlin was still manufacturing in Connecticut..

PM me any cleaning tips, etc.

Mac

get some skunk spray. That will ward off a cat.
I've never been against guns. Until now.
Let's see some photos and stories from up there, as usual.
But no shooting kitties.
dc

or did I miss something?

:evilgrin:

Woody Allen as an inept bank robber learns the perils of poor handwriting.

"that looks like gub that doesn't look like gun"
http://youtu.be/TSG_YNJCmik

CLASSIC