BilletHead

I have a couple of hunts to share. Been on some good ones and some not so good. Lacking posting them all good or bad but thought I would share a couple. Here is the first and the other will be a separate thread. Up until Christmas afternoon we have been froze up. Really froze up like a couple of nights we had four below here in BilletHeadville. BilletHead jr and his family were up day before Christmas to celebrate which left us lonely on the Birth day Jesus. So early that morning while most families were doing their thing we were out busting ice. I put on my heaviest toughest waders and the Mrs. and I headed to one hunting spot. Somewhat mushy ice by the shore but a good two inches out from the bank. Took a post tamping foot on a stick and proceeded to work out a hole for the upcoming big southerly winds to work on. Right off my handle broke from my tool. Slow job but finally managed about a twelve by twelve foot spot before my arm on the short tool gave out. Then the big wind hit with almost seventy degrees and by the afternoon all bodies of water had opened up. Most likely I would not even had to do this but desperate times take desperate measures or so I thought . Next morning we were early and set up. Quite of geese flying but no real lookers. Had a mallard drake bomb in and we got him. Other geese dumping into other ponds in the distance but again not much liking out spread. A bit later two geese and six ducks together came in silently when the shooting finished three more mallards and a goose were dead on the water. Pretty good shooting for the excitement of geese and ducks at the same time. Soon another pair of geese and they both got taken out. Silent for a spell then a nice flock of ten or more pitched in and the last three geese needed hit the water. Mr and Mrs. BilletHead make a good team. Next thread is one I am most proud of, BilletHead

Way to go Ham, keep count I think that is cool. I was gifted a clicker by OA member Curtise. I will use it this year for each trip if I remember. I started keeping track at five fish this spring but soon I lost count . Maybe I only caught five? See there I already forgot, BilletHead

Thanks terrierman! Much thanks, The BilletHeads

Mitch, As Gavin stated look for something local. Here is a prime example. When the Mrs. Had her bump in life with her cancer we got a 25 dollar gas card from the American Cancer society. In no way bashing them at all as I know a bunch of bucks go to research and in large programs like this there is administrative costs. Vernon County where we live has a cancer relief fund and it is run by non paid volunteers. A local bank has the account. When someone found out the Mrs. they contacted us wanting to help. We declined and then we got approached with a five hundred dollar check for anything we needed it for. We did use it for gas on our 38 two hundred mile daily round trips to Springfield for radiation treatments. When that was over we paid that back and then some. Run all by fundraisers and private donations. BilletHead

Back at ya Griz, And to everyone on this great discussion and learning place. Special thanks to Phil for providing it for us. Griping and disagreeing aside we are so blessed to live and breathe in this free nation. The BilletHead's

Yep Mr. Bork it is pretty tough out there right now in places. I actually was still able to walk on the ice along the edges. It did have a layer of water on top of the ice. Part of my morning will consist of going to one of my ponds we like to hunt. Donning waders and crunching the ice along the shore making an opening for todays big wind. Here is to hoping there will be a ripple effect working the open spot and continuing to open more. Desperate times take desperate measures, BilletHead

Similar to Mopanfisher, Simple just olive oil and some S&P. Put the fillet directly on the grill grates and let her go until two thirds of the fillet gets done and the fillet releases easy to flip. A quick cook on that side and a good release. Pull them off and chow down. I only use the thick back pieces for this. The thinner parts will be fried up. Grilling is my favorite, BilletHead

Morning Chief, Passed on the suds and was in bed at eight thirty.

I did not think I would qualify. Kind of figured you were so cool that counted you as two of them . Man this is fun and has nothing to do with drinking but I may have a beer this evening. BilletHead

Well Mr. Bork, There is an access on 82 highway for the Sac. Stockton did generate Monday and Tuesday. Not sure if that surge was enough to clear the ice down that far. BilletHead

Well Chief you hog! I am being careful and making it last. As a matter of a fact I think I will go slice off a piece and enjoy. I lied two slices, You all ought to be very, very jealous. Ok I have decided Ness can be an honorary part of the select three Missourians, Right chief? BilletHead

Well here in the boonies of Missouri we don't need to put on pants to burn leaves in the yard, of course we got to be pretty quick on our toes when doing so. Yes you do a good job camouflaging where you live. Heck I have shared a meal and coffee with you and you did real well blending in on this side of the state line. Even when you took a drink of java I noticed you pulled in the pinky finger in and gripped the cup tightly. . Nice job buddy, BilletHead can jest now that he has his fruitcake

I know what you are saying Mitch. You and I are Missouri Residents so it is pretty easy to figure that bottle tipping. The manly thing to do, BilletHead

No you have to hold your nose to drink that crap. I generally just take a swig right from the bottle but Ness is more upper class living in Johnson County . He does make good fruitcake though. I have been chewing the flavor out of the cheesecloth cover, BilletHead

Walleyedmike, Man what a good looking bunch of meat! On and on the trussing of the goose. That was a cluster and it took the Mrs and I some wrestling to get it done. That and of course the picture is of the good side of the tie up. You should of seen the other side. . BilletHead

Hey MoPanfisher, I think we are being shorted on them dark geese . That should make you smile. Oh and I think they should study in dry times why that lake you are in charge of is so low, BilletHead

Even if you don't understand it you all should be concerned. Not that deer hunting drives like it used to I am concerned with this outcome for others. Monetary of not it is a concern. Let me put it this way if it was something that affected those green bass in LOZ and had a trickle done effect on the economy this would be a concern to some. Now to others it maybe like if all the golf courses vanished or there became a shortage of golf balls. This may freak out some in that sport. We are all in this together if we hunt, fish or golf. United we stand divided we fall.

You know chief I got one of those in my mail today too! I'm not talking the popcorn tin either . BilletHead

Buck that is so funny! BilletHead

Well Mr. Bork, Yes Four Rivers has birds but it also has a good three to four inches of ice. They are keyed in on the refuge that the birds keep thawed and cornfields they can access. No on the cornfields because most are close to the refuge and leased by folks with fat pockets. Maybe the rain this weekend will do its job to open up water that can be hunted, BilletHead

Boy Howdee, Yowza this is great. Tastes like ham, the fat melts in your mouth except the most outermost rind. AND for you that wondered you can taste the scotch very faintly in the background. I will freeze one half and doubt the rest of this half will last very long, BilletHead

Well another good meal, Spicy fried white bass, A pile of sweet corn, steaming bowl of red beans and rice. used some of our green tomato relish mixed with mayo for our dipping sauce, And then, drum roll please, Ignore the set temp we are looking for the thermometer temp, And cooling off for the taste test real soon , BilletHead

Johnsfolly those are good we have tried them! Good looking cooking going on here in the deep freeze. Made a batch of nine pint jars of BBQ sauce. White bass will be fried up this afternoon with a side of put up sweet corn. The cured goose breasts are in the smoker. Slowly ramping up the temperature on them. Right now internal temp is 110. Looking for a finish of 140 to 150. Ordered and picked up thirty pounds of native cracked pecans last week. I have picked out ten pounds worth and the Mrs. has started the second ten. BilletHead's wife is going a bit nuts today

Last of the lettuce, Tired of babysitting the stuff and really not sure even sure covered if any would of survived these next two nights. Picked and cleaned it up. Took a drive at nineteen degrees and shared with a couple of neighborhood older folks. Funny look on their faces when we told them it was picked fresh today. BilletHead's

Stir fry at 22 degrees, Chinese tangerine venison was on the menu. Got to bundle up to cook outside, Ingredients and yes that is a cookbook there too, Plated up and chow time. first time dish and another keeper, BilletHead