I can't begin to put into words what it has meant to me to hear from so many of Daddy's readers and customers since his death. The emails have often come at a moment when I needed them the most- the universe is funny that way. Each prayer, each kind word has eased the pain and loneliness of my and my family's grief.

I am sharing several excerpts from some of the condolences we've recieved. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Signed,The Frugal Outdoorsman's Daughter

9-19-14

I was greatly saddened at the news of Junior's passing, he had become a friend although I knew we'd never meet, at least during this life. Your Dad helped me several times when I got stymied during a project and gave me some very good ideas about camping and such. I miss your Dad.

Gerry N. Mountlake Terrace, WA

9-29-14

I just found out your daddy passed, ma'am. We never met but he showed me so much about the blues and camping on the Ms/La line. I planned to try to meet him next spring when we drive and camp down the Natchez trace for our honeymoon. His recipe for neckbone gravy was easier, and almost as good as my own granny's. To this day I use his instead. All the best to you, ma'am, and again I am very sorry for your, and all our, loss.

Franklin J Atlanta GA

9-29-14

I just discovered The Frugal Outdoorsman website earlier this year, maybe March or April. It didn't take long for me to have read the whole of it. Great Stuff!! I am sorry to hear of Junior's passing. I know he will be missed by many.

He and I are not that different in our way of thinking. I have roughly 30 years experience in handloading, casting bullets and general firearm tinkering. Junior and I have arrived at much the same answers to a myriad of dilemmas. I have also learned a lot from his writings. I am in the process of reading the website over again, as I know I will learn more the second time around.

Thank you for keeping The Frugal Outdoorsman intact. May God be with you and your family.

TL

10-2-14

I revisited your dad's site today and was saddened to see that he has passed away. I have enjoyed his articles over the years. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but he did offer me some sage advice (and save me a heap of money at the gunsmith's) via e-mail several years ago. I am very sorry for your loss. He was a very special man. Our prayers are with your family!

Josh P.

2-5-14

I've been asked to post and explain why I haven't updated the site in a year. The answer is skin cancer, arthritis. and high water. I've been back and forth to VA dermatologists and nose doctors in Pineville and in Shreveport. We thought it was all removed. Lo and behold, it recently popped out again. It is hard to concentrate on writing when you are afraid of losing your nose.

It is only a matter of time until I have knee replacements. Walking is almost unbearable pain.

Looks like I'm snake-bit on camping. Camp was erected, including my beloved wood heater. Then came sudden high water, and I made it out, barely, with my sleeping gear only. The water continued to rise and stopped about three feet over my tent. It stayed there for two weeks.

When it went down, oh, what a mess. A stinking mess. Slime everywhere and thousands of skinny little white worms crawling all over. Did I mention stink? There went a planned camping article--downstream with the water, I suppose.

Firewood knocking around inside the tent poked holes everywhere. The tent was ruined. My wood heater was a rusty mess, but elbow grease and rust remover made it good as new. Since then I bought a Cabelas Outback Lodge 10'x10', but it's still in the box. When it quits raining and warms, I'll erect the new tent in my yard and install the heater as a test/learning project. Cabelas says, No, but Junior says, Yes.

I have to find a new camping spot, too. The landowner leased the river bottom to a hunting club. I suspect I'll move camp to the Little River Wildlife Management Area, which I've written about here before and which is only 14.5 miles from my house. My main problem with camping there is having to poop in a bucket. But I have a Cabelas 5-gallon bucket commode seat, so that problem is lessened. I still don't like it.

There's two articles in the works. I've removed 1+ pound off my YUGO SKS. It now weighs just a tad over 7 lbs. I bought a 50 caliber Lyman Plains Pistol and replaced the sights. I bought a 50 caliber RB barrel for my Lyman Great Plains Hunter. Now I can change barrels and have a GPH or a GPR. I'll now pack both Lyman pistol and Lyman rifle for muzzleloader season.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Signed, Junior Doughty

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10-4-12

I just found your site yesterday, and it's great! I'm tired of reading about how you have to have this, and you have to buy that, and if you don't have all the new gimmicks, you aren't keeping up. The older I get, the more I realize that, for me anyway, less is more, and I get more enjoyment out of making do with less than I do dreaming of all the things I don't have. Sure, some of our modern technology is great, but sometimes it seems like a runaway train. Anyway, keep up the good work. I'll be looking forward to more great articles.

Wayne D.
Iowa

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3-8-11

Junior, I've enjoyed your website for a long time. I like seeing your rifles and handguns that you hunt with. Your cast bullet loading is very interesting too. I'm about to get into casting myself. I've already bought a mold and got some wheel weights collected. I need to get an electric melting pot and ladle. Keep up the good work.

David S.
Tennessee

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2-17-10

Junior, just wanted to drop you an e-line from East Texas and let you know that I've enjoyed your online content immensely. I especially enjoyed your posted article on hog hunting with your Juniorfied SKS. You're a great writer, a great guy, and I'd sure as hell love to have a beer, bourbon and scotch with you.

Michael T.
Texas

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2-16-10

Junior,
Thanks for your web site, I find myself reading your articles over and over. A lot of your material covers things I would like to do, but I don't seem to find the time taking care of my family, job and other things. Keep up the good work, there are those of us out there who are watching and living through the things you are doing. Hope you read this in good health.

Jim S
Oklahoma

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1-10-07

Hey, Junior,

I used to have an old black buddy some years ago named Junior. I sold building materials and he delivered them. But to make some extra money, Junior ran a little juke joint out in the woods near his house at night. Do you have a juke joint? If so, is that where you develop your recipes? (You Yankees don't really know what a juke joint is, but don't worry about it. You wouldn't understand anyway.) (Editor's note: see www.deltablues.net )

I'm about old as kerosene now, so at this point in my life I do a lot more reading than doing, and I really enjoy your website. I've kept it on my favorites list for quite awhile now, and I go back and read some more of it from time to time. Keep up the good work. I'm still waiting on those "country girl of the month" photos, though. What's the matter, can't you find any cute, young, dumb volunteers? Try offering them some Southern Comfort or Crown Royal, but make sure they are 18 first so we don't have to take up a collection and go bail you out. Remember, they don't call that place the pokey for nothing. If you drop the soap, leave it there!

Sometime, how about an article for these poor, deprived, ignorant, city kids on gigging frogs, fish, and other edibles? If you use one of those little, imported, multi-prong gig heads mounted on a cane pole or some other stiff, lightweight pole, you can feed yourself fairly well in most places where you are around the water. As you probably know, you don't throw it like a spear. You sneak up and ease that sticker up close to your prey, then make a quick, straight jab from a short distance. Bingo. Chow. If all you had was a gig, a short machete, and a way to make fire, you wouldn't be too bad off in our neck of the woods. Now, if you had some of those little yo-yo fishing reels at $25 a dozen, you would be in tall cotton. You can go two ways here. Either keep a low profile and your pie hole shut, or check with the squirrel sheriff to see if they are legal where you operate. On the coast, though, all you have to worry about is the mullet patrol, and they're not too bright for the most part.

The real old timers who came to Florida during the Big Boom back in the 1920s said that if a man had fish hooks, line, matches, and a knife he could feed himself. Some of them used beer bottle reels, too. One of them told me all about it once when I was a kid. He and his buddy came down from Tennessee, helled around having a good old time for a couple of years, then went back home with enough tales to last a lifetime. They had bought an old wrecked boat, just the hull really, for fifty cents, then cut some poles so they could pole it around, and they used a .22 rifle from it to shoot small gators for the hides. They brought twenty-five cents apiece back then. I guess women in the big cities wore shoes and toted purses made out of them. Of course gator tail has always been good eating, too. That's all you eat, though, just the tail. And you shoot the little ones because the big ones are too damn hard to skin. Gators were thinned out for awhile, so the government, in its infinite wisdom, protected them for a long time, and now we are overrun with the critters again. They keep eating stupid people, and they sometimes try to eat the smarter ones, too. It's just natural selection at work. A few years ago a buddy of mine plugged an eight-footer amidships with his .308 the second or third time he caught it at the edge of the lake behind his yard watching his old dog, Arf, and his little kid, Fugly, play. The gator whipped around, swam off, and sank somewhere. Good riddance.

Well, that's enough of my crap for tonight. Keep on keepin' on, Junior. Reading stuff on your website is the most fun I've had since the hogs ate my little brother.

Once Wild Woodrow
Somewhere in the Florida Panhandle

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12-9-06

I read the interesting article today"Accurizing the Ruger Single Action Revolver" by Roy Seifert, and was very impressed with the content. I am not very well versed in handgun-ology, and learned quite a bit from the article. The internal balistics of the revolver are a bit more complicated than I had first thought, and I am sure I have much still to learn. I was surprised to hear that his gun had such a tight spot where the barrel threads into the frame. Is that a common problem for all revolvers? I understand how it could happen, but I would imagine that the manufacturers would forsee that problem and machine it accordingly. But I could be wrong. I liked the jigs he used for the trigger work on the moving parts, and he is right, work should not be performed on areas like that without the proper tools. That is the exact reason why I have'nt done any trigger work on my Mosin Nagant yet. How am I sure I am polishing the parts squarely? I can't, so I don't. The author addressed all his points of accuracy except one, the muzzle in his article. I am just assuming that his muzzle was in good shape and in no need of recrowning. He probably keeps it out of the dirt and rocks unlike some people out there! HA HA! Good article and a blast to read!

Andy G
Missouri

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9-12-06

Re: SKS hog gun

Thanks for the great article on your new Hog gun. Really enjoyed reading it.

Did you know that Wolf has some 150 gr rounds for that rifle? I have some and they work great, kick a little harder than 123gr. Never chrono'ed them.

It would seem that you would get some leading from your cast bullets, but you know better than I about that.

I'm glad to see you come around and accept the little (heavy) SKS for what it is. It's a great all round trunk gun and very reliable. Ammo is cheap, (so far) and for under 100 yd hunting, a perfect southern firearm. If I could buy 1000 rds of 30-30 for $130 delivered, I would. I just got the last of the Brown Bear from Sportsmansguide for that price, they are out now. I think they may have marked it too cheap because it went fast.

I see you did not mention the stagey, creepy trigger. It can be improved, but takes some file and stone work. I really improved mine, but it took some work. Mine is a Norinco I bought years ago when they were 90 bucks.

I have another in that caliber you may consider. Its the Saiga 20" barrel "black" hunting version of the AK47. There is one with a 16" barrel, but that seems short for hunting. You can find them used for about 200-250 bucks. I also have a 5 round magazine for mine. Comes with a 10 rounder. It may be more reliable than the SKS, and lighter. It's political correct and therefore not near as deadly. (tongue firmly in cheek, no bayonet or pistol grip) It is lighter and has a great scope mount on the side.

Anyway, thanks again,
Frugal Outdoorsman fan,

Lee R.

Alabama

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Junior Comments:

Glad you liked the article. I would have mentioned the creepy trigger, but in a hunting situation I doubt I'd notice it. It's sure noticeable while shooting groups, however!

Signed, Junior Doughty

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7-15-06

Re: Junior's Choctaw Fry Bread

Thanks for posting the recipe for this wonderful treat. When I was making the first batch, the wife and children and their spouses were all turning up their noses. As it was cooling on the plate, curiosity got the better of my daughter-in-law. Others soon followed - it's now almost a regular staple around our place.

I've been on an extended trip for better than 2 weeks with my job - my batch of fry bread is traveling along just fine. It reminds me of home!

Thanks again -

Ed, TX

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5-31-05

Dennis, I began reading your website during lunch at the office and have not seen the whole thing yet, but I'm definitely enjoying it. I checked out your pages on cooking and food preservation first and had to tell you that I have the same dehydrator you show in the photo of your mother's dehydrator. It's the best. I've probably had it longer than I've had my son. He's 12-1/2.

I do not have a garden. I live in a city/suburban area in Florida. The price of produce from the supermarket is disgraceful, but they keep plowing under the food producing farms in our area and building more homes for rich people. I'm not one of them. But just like your parents, I use the dehydrator and freezer, along with a Foodsaver vacuum sealer, to save a fortune. Mushrooms in the supermarket are about $3 per pound. I get them for half that at a restaurant supply store and dehydrate them. I also use that dehydrator to make the beef jerky I've been making in the oven since I was about 10 years old. No drippings to clean up, no muss, no fuss!

Very truly yours,

L M
Florida

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5-24-05

Sir:

I ran across your site and read your article on cast bullet shooting in the 30-30. Since I have done somewhat more than a lot of this I thought I would offer my 2 cents worth.

First off: I saw that you were having a hard time getting groups with the loads approaching 2000 fps. I have a couple of loads that push this velocity pretty hard and are very accurate. I have found that when you go up in velocity the bullet diameter is very important, and I am sizing my 30-30 bullets at 311 for this velocity. I am also using Winchester 748 powder and it's cool burning seems to help, but I don't think Hodgdons should make much difference. My best load to date is 30.5 grains of W/W 748 behing a Lyman 31141 sized to 311 diameter. With iron sights at 100 yards this load will put 5 into 2 1/2" regularly. I had to beagle my Lee Molds to make them work in my gun as they cast undersized. I use the Lee 113 gr soupcan sized to 311 with both 4.5 grains of Red dot and with 9 grains of Unique. This gives me the equilivant of a 32 rimfire and a 30 carbine round.

In my Savage 30-30 I am using a Lee (casts undersize again) 185 RN made for the 303 British. This bullet cast from wheelweights runs 187 grs, and I am duplicating the velocity of the original 303 Savage with 748 powder. I have had such good luck with cast bullets on deer at between 1700 and 2000 fps that I do not ever anticipate shooting jacketed slugs again. I feel that the 30-30 is the most versatile caliber for cast loading as I can go from squirrels to moose and back again just by changing the cartridge I load in the chamber.

Respectfully

Jim
Nebraska

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5-22-05

Junior, a while back we discussed using black powder in the .30-30. I finally got around to trying it. Results were fairly anemic.

I prepped and primed my cases. Then I took one of them and filled it with Goex fffg black powder to the base of the neck. This charge was then weighed on my scale at a little under 39 grains. I set the scale at 39 grains and loaded 30 cases with that charge. This was topped with a gas-checked, hand cast 180 grain Lee bullet sized to .309". Lube was Alox, and the bullets were straight lead.

I ran five rounds through the chronograph. Average velocity was 1391 fps with a 69 fps spread. I used three rounds to get on target at 25 yards. I then fired at 50 yards and was 8" low. After adjusting the sights and several more rounds down range I felt I was close enough to see what type of group I could get. This was a dissapointment, 6 1/2" for a group of five shots. I am using a Marlin 336 with Micro-groove rifling, Williams 5D receiver sight and a post front sight. I get much better groups than that with H4895 behind the same bullet.

I did not run any patches down the bore between shots. I do this with my Lyman GPR flintlock and it makes loading a bunch easier. Though I don't know what effect it has on accuracy. I didn't think the old-timers would have done so when in the field with BP cartridge guns and therefore didn't do it this time.

Cleaning was a problem of my own making. The lovely thing about the Marlin is that you just remove the pivot screw for the lever and the bolt is free to slide out the rear of the receiver. The rifle can then be cleaned from the breech. I did not do this though. I foolishly ran a couple of patches down from the muzzle, then did the same with one sopping with dish water. ERROR! I had black powder sludge in the action big time. I pulled the lever and bolt, but the damage was done. It is amazing how fast that crud can induce rust in steel! I ended up dismantling the whole action to take care of this problem.

Conclusion: I will stay with smokeless. The performance was not what I was hoping for and the hassles of cleaning were not worth it.

Take care,
-Kees-

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5-27-04

Just a quick word from a shooter in New Zealand ..great site. Good honest back to basics shooting information. I haven't plunged for a black powder rifle just yet...but your site certainly gets me thinking it won't be too long... maybe a Handi-Rifle in 45-70 plus some extra barrels. Currently I shoot 1940's Lee Enfields taking Tahr (Himalayan goat) and Red Deer for the freezer. I enjoy the thrill of the chase hence haven't opted for flash high powered sporting rifles of today... and that's why I like the thought of a black powder cartridge rifle (sorry you muzzle loaders but stuffing around loading patches in the snow on top of a 7000ft mountain isn't my idea of fun) ..plus it's cheap!

There is a reasonably small but dedicated black powder fraternity here in NZ with a definite centre around Kopara... situated at the base of the Southern Alps on the West Coast of the South Island. If any US "old smokers" (or simply shooting enthusiasts) make their way to NZ then Kopara should definately be on their itinerary... it's cheap to stay there, has several ranges to challenge the shooter, and the trout fishing and hospitality is superb too.

Keep up the good work,

Ralph S.
New Zealand

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4-23-04

Junior,

Now for hogs. I was hunting hogs out of a tent camp and a canoe on the St. Johns River in Florida in 1964 or so. I was working an island hummock of grass about a half acre big. I could hear pigs, but I couldn't see any. I worked forward with my civil war period 58 cal. smooth bore round ball gun, and at about 30 yards was a BIG boar hog quartering away.

I shot him behind the shoulder and the big 58 caliber ball made a thunk, then all H--- broke loose. I couldn't see him through the smoke, but he knew where the pain came from. Much more of a roar than a squeal let me know he was hit, but he was coming at ME!!! No time to reload, I grabbed my .455 Webley out of the holster and took the steady aim of a teenager in deep trouble and fired double action as the hog closed distance.

Being the excellent marksman I was back then, the last two bullets found their mark and one was in the spine. The crash ended with that old boar within three feet of me, but very dead.

He was BIG! There was NO WAY for a 120 pound youngster to move that rock. I remember six big pieces of pig going into the canoe, and a lot of smaller ones. I don't remember how big the canoe was, but I do remember I only had about two inches of freeboard, and the river was smooth as glass that night. I pushed off and paddled towards my friend John's dock.

When I got out at the dock, my 120 pounds of weight coming out of the canoe made precious little difference in the freeboard. I helped unload the canoe, and John and his boys hung the meat in his smoke house. We pulled the canoe up, washed it, then Mary, John's wife, insisted I take a shower and was given a towel and clothes. That was BEFORE I could come in the house to eat.

After I ate, I don't remember much else. I worked hard that day, and killed the biggest boar hog of my life. I don't remember dreaming that night, but I'll bet I was dreaming of going hunting hogs again out on the shores and Islands of the St. Johns River out of Sanford, Florida.

Oh yes. I did shoot the hog with a .58 caliber lead ball and a charge of black powder, but that IS NOT what killed that hog. That ball flattened out and punched a two inch round hole through the gristle plate, but everything stopped JUST INSIDE THE GRISTLE PLATE AND RESTED ON THE MUSCLE. My thanks to a good friend and Bucks Gun Rack in Sanford who sold me the .455 Webley and the ammunition back in 1964. That is the only time I ever needed a second shot to kill a hog. Bless the men who knew it would happen eventually.

Gordon D.
Alaska

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1-6-04

Hey Junior,

I found your site when I was searching around for a simple(and cheap) hunting pouch design. So far, I've made a blue jean hunting pouch, a saw blade patch knife and some of your junior lube for my .54 caliber flintlock.

I've recently come into possession of a Winchester Model 94 my neighbor's husband had purchased during the 1968 Detroit riots. The rifle sat in its original box untouched until it was found by a crew cleaning up his store after his recent death. The woman knew I loved to hunt, so one day she walked over and presented the rifle to me. I couldn't believe it. The rifle is in perfect shape and has never been fired. I can't wait to purchase some molds and fire some of my own bullets through it. God bless good neighbors and lever action rifles.

I believe I've read every word posted on this site and have immensely enjoyed the stories and pictures posted on your delta blues site. Keep up the good work. If you ever find yourself in Detroit, send word and I'll put the beer on ice and the beans in the pot.

Terry Z.
Detroit

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11-18-03

Fantastic web site. Keep up the good work.

How about a reloading page of pet loads for us cast bullet shooters?

Powder Dipper: Take a cartridge case from 22 rimfire to 44Mag. Insert a spent primer upside down to stop up the hole and glue a nail to it head first with epoxy (JB Weld). After the epoxy sets up, rub with powdered graphite to prevent powder sticking and file down the mouth until it throws the exact amount of powder you want. Make a bunch in all your favorite loads and label them with a magic marker.

Will Barker
AR

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Junior Comments:

A pet load page sounds like a good idea, Will, but one man's pet load might be another man's disaster. Dennis or myself would have to check each load before I'd post it. There's too many variables.

Signed, Junior Doughty

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11-08-03

Hi Junior. I just read the articles on cast bullet accuracy in the .30-30. They look great to me. I've been playing some with cast 180 gr. RN bullets (Lee mold) in my Winchester Model 88 in .308. I haven't had the chance to really wring it out, but I got some 1.5" groups at 50 yards from the sitting position the other day. That's with a Williams Foolproof in the back and a Marbles Patridge sight up front.

In your article you were talking about your new standard of accuracy being a 1 5/8" group. Being an old land surveyor, I feel the need to remind you of the difference between accuracy and precision. You could have a 10" group splattered around the target, but if the center of the group is in the center of the aiming point, that is more accurate than a 1" group centered 6" away from the center of the aiming point. The second group has the greater precision, but it still did not accurately hit where it was supposed to. Of course once you adjust the sights so the precise group is centered on the aiming point, the deviation of error is much smaller and it becomes the more accurate group.

I may copy your example and put a Lyman Target front sight on the 88. I love that Patridge sight, but my eyes aren't as good as they used to be and when the sun hits it, it becomes a shiny blob. I can't imagine what a Firesight would look like!

Keep on writing, partner. Your articles are very informative, and I look forward to the next ones.

Kees
USA

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10-18-03

Love the site. Some bowfishing stuff would make it better. Keep up the good work!

POOL
USA

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7-28-03

Where have you folks been hiding all these years? I sort of stumbled onto the site via a search on Google for old knarly guy stuff or some such and ended up here. It's very refreshing to see a site that doesn't seem to believe that deer are kevlar coated, smarter than Einstein, and faster than a speeding bullet.

The article on the 45-70 really gets to home. If any of your readers have discovered a good cast load for a Marlin with micro-groove rifling, I would really like to hear from them. It's great with jacketed, but with retirement staring me in the face, I don't see a lot of jacketed bullets in my future.

Keep up the good work!

Regards,

Jim W.
Colorado

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7-22-03
Shucks Junior,

After reading all the past letters, it looks like folks are getting all riled up about what Fuller S. said in letter no. 1. What I got out of that letter was that the writer was either seriously pulling our legs or just plain a smart ass deriding hunters. Either way, from the tone of his writing I don't think it was what he really does.

Nice site, by the way. I keep coming back to it but don't find many new articles. I sure hope to see something coming up!

Take care,
-Kees-

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Junior Comments:

Thanks for the kind words, Kees. I suppose it's time to admit that I wrote the Fulla S letter as a joke.

We'll have some new articles in the near future. I'm still recovering from two heart surgeries and abdominal surgery within seven days. I had an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm about the size of a grapefruit. Before they could remove it they had to fix my heart. But I'll soon start working on more cast bullet loads for ol' Bill, my Buffalo Bill Commemorative Model 94 Winchester 30-30.

I plan to see just how well ol' Bill will shoot cast bullets. I ordered 500 new WW 30-30 Winchester cases, 500 Meister 165 gr 30-30 cast bullets, 500 Laser-Cast 170 gr 30-30 cast bullets, and 1,000 CCI BR2 bench rest primers. I'll also cast a batch of Lee 170 gr FP bullets, the ones Bill likes. My goal is 5 shot, 2" or less groups at 100 yards with peep sights. Should make a good article. I'll also detail how I prepped the new cases, i.e., trimmed, neck turned, flash holes uniformed, primer pockets uniformed, and sorted by two SD.

My bud Dennis just started a new deputy job with the Rapides Parish Sheriff Department, and he just acquired a new bride. He's been a little busy. Phil, the Cookin' Captain, had to replace the floor in his house over in East Texas before the East Texas Granny put a knot on his pumpkin head. So keep checking the Frugal Outdoorsman. We'll post new articles soon.

Signed, Junior Doughty

5-29-03
dear dennis

hi all the way from western australia.

just got on to your site the other night, it's good to see there are still some good people in this world , who still follow their basic instincts. love the writing on this site. as for that ass wipe fuller s., cindy l from alabama is not quite right in her description--this dipshit probably does not have a dick, enough said. anyway keep up the good work.

Regards:
Bernie and Sue D.

4-28-03
Hi Junior

I stumbled upon your website this morning and was thrilled to realize I wasn't the only person who fishes with cane poles and hunts primitively! I agree with your philosophy 100% and I intend to submit a few articles in the near future. Count me a big fan of the magazine!

God bless
Guy M.

4-14-03

Hello Junior,

First off, let me say that my Pop's proper name is Junior. Second, let me say that I like your site. I've recently gotten into muzzleloading and (judging by your foolishness on the website) can tell you have your head screwed on right. :) Particularly liked the AC unit in the tent. Nice touch. Looks exactly like something Pop would do. Also like the info in general. Good tips.

My first ML is CVA in .50" and the most recent is a Pedersoli Dixie Cub in .36". I love the small bore rifle. Of course it cost more than the CVA, but it is a real pleasure to shoot. It's easy on lead, powder and noise. I also recently bought some molds. So far I've casted .35 RB, .50 RB and 250gr .50 cal REAL bullets.

Hope to be able to take a deer with my .50 this fall and a tree rat or rabbit with the .36.

You (by your site) have given me some "frugal" tips. I'll give you one. If you need a handy fixed volume powder measure, just make them from 3/8" soft drawn copper tubing. Cut one end at a slant (like on a classic antler tip measure) and crush the other end in a vise till it holds whatever volume of powder you need. Just keep inching up till right. Then leave about 1/2" of crushed tubing (to stamp the volume weight and to drill a small hole for a thong). Debur and polish and tie to the powder horn.

Take care and keep up the foolishness.:)
Chuck W

4-1-03

Junior, really enjoy your site, just as a note, I needed more patches for my muzzleloaders. Being frugal and not wanting to spend any extra funds I brought my handy pocket knife with me when I took 2 old sets of twin mattresses to the dump. Off the truck they went, out came the pocket knife and in about 15 seconds I had cut/torn off the top and bottom of both mattresses and the tops of the old box springs. They were old ones so they were all upholstered in great blue on white pillowticking, and it was FREE!! Washed it and dried it, my micrometer says it's about .017 - .018, just what I needed, more than I'd need so some went to a friend I hunt with and I still have plenty left over. Just advise your readers to keep their eyes open at the dump or be ready when the wife wants a new mattress. Keep up the good work......Andy M.

2-9-03

Hi Junior, Enjoyed your web site and your "fixing's" on your own home-brewed lube. Lube, to me, is a very interesting subject. I have expended many unnecessary bucks and untold hours of experimentation trying to a "one purpose-serve all needs" lube with very little success. I do have "my own" homemade concoction that works pretty doggone good for both BP and Smokeless but the search never seems to end. Reference your take on the NEF "Handi" in 45-70...seems pretty much a reflection of my own thoughts. I just got a digital camera, and as soon as I figure it out I will make an attempt at my own web site. Again, Nice website, made for some enjoyable reading.

Respectfully, Russ

8-7-02
Dear Rangemaster:

I've read a lot of Junior's writings on his Blues site, and I am always enlightened and entertained. Recently I've read your writings in the Woodsmoke part of the cast bullet site/outdoorsmen site. And I've enjoyed your thoughts. It's good to see life from inside a man's head once in a while, because women's brains operate so differently I think.

I bet if you guys had one section specifically for women, maybe even written by a woman well versed in hunting or reloading, or even black powder, it'd eventually gather a following. I'd enjoy reading that. Believe me, there are women out there very involved in those things. Even just shooting for target practice is a woman's pastime too. You've likely heard of Paxton Quigley. She was on some board to ban guns entirely. I believe it was after the Kennedy assassination. She was so gung ho to ban guns that she took lessons on shooting and learned a lot surrounding the gun culture so she could better fight the gun lobby.

However, what she learned totally turned her around and she became a very valuable asset in the gun world. She has taught classes to women around the states and has written at least one book for women on gun use and safety.

I realize that your site is male oriented and perhaps you want to really keep it that way, and that's fine. Just wanted to give you my 2 cents, and believe me, that's probably all it's worth! :) My opinion is that guns, hunting, reloading, black powder, etc, are a part of life that in today's world is very open to women as well as to men.

Well, your site is interesting as it is, so I'll read it more. Thanks!

Signed, Janet in Kansas
.................................................................
Rangemaster's Comments:

Janet. Thanks for your kind words. It is always good to hear from a fan. Maybe our site is a "guy site," but there is no reason for that, other than the fact that Junior, Phil, and myself are guys. Our site has always requested submissions from any interested writer, and we only reject manuscripts that do not conform to our written guidelines. In short, if you can write about the outdoors, we will probably publish it. Please see our submissions page for writers guidelines.

As a sidebar, both Junior and I were taught to write by a woman: Kate Myers Hanson. Katie is both a mentor and friend and we love her dearly. Her criticism of our work was educating, loving, and at times, scathing.

Thanks again for your kind comments. If you, or any other woman would like to be an outdoor writer, please submit articles to The Frugal Outdoorsman.

Signed, Dennis Dezendorf

7-12-02
Dear Editor:

Best regards. I enjoy your online magazine. Here's a joke:

A woman goes into the office of a small town newspaper and makes her way to the obituary desk. She hands the editor about ten pages of handwritten text. The editor looks at the woman. She was not from the upper socio-economic strata of the town. "You know" said the editor, "that we charge 50 cents a word for obits. They are considered a 'vanity' item, almost like an ad."

The woman looks shocked. She turns over one of the pages and wrote "Joe Dinky is dead." She hands it to the editor.

The editor said, "We have a $4.00 minimum. I can let you have four more words at no extra cost."

The woman thought for half a minute and wrote, "Joe Dinky is dead. Bass boat for sale."

Joe Hecksel
Eaton Rapids, Michigan

7-01-02
Dear Editor:

I love the site and I'm sending it to friends. I just started cooking with cast iron and over fires so the cooking articles were a great help to me. Keep it up and good luck.

Kelly

12-20-01
Dear Editor:

Now I will be looking forward to the pictures of the buckskin bikini for sure. Humm looking for tanning receipes. . . Well brains work good then ya can chew the hide like the Native American women did. Hard wood ash also will work, has tannin in it. Waiting patiently for the pics. Grin. Hell, anybody can make a running 800 yard shot once in their life if they shoot at enough critters and take the chance of wasting and wounding.

Steve
Idaho

11-13-01
Dear Editor,

Just wanted to drop a you a few lines to say I enjoyed your site. And who the $#%^ is Fulla S.? What an ass! Anyway, I can identify with the feelings you get when in the outdoors; however, I am not into hunting. I have not eaten meat for over 30 years but I do not condemn anyone who hunts as long as they eat what they kill. I have had many friends who were hunters... bow hunters.

I have been a camper since the early '70s - mostly in a tent. Have camped from SoFla to Maine and SoFla west thru the rockies/yellowstone/the dakotas... Oh my god we'll run out of space if I tried to list 'em all. I've always been one of the persons who 'invents' whatever it is I needed, so I could identify with your 'Make It's.

Well, keep up the good work and lots of luck with your site.

Victoria L
South Florida

10-28-01
Hey Junior,

Just LOVE the e-zine! Keep up the good work all of you on the staff.

Now about Fulla S.----I have a 7mm Remington magnum too and damn good with it but I'd bet a months worth of my pension (yes I'm retired too and consider I'm in good company with you folks) that he couldn't hit a running deer at 800 yards. He probably couldn't hit the broadside of a barn from the inside with the doors shut! But ya know it's way more fun with a muzzleloader!

Keep your powder dry,
Tom T

8-26-01
Dear Editor,

It is people like Fulla S. who will be left with their dicks in their hands when the world falls to crap and folks have to live by their wits to survive.

Great magazine!! I would like to see an article about the easiest, simplest way to tan animal hides, both with and without the hair on. Once I make my deerskin bikini, I will submit a picture for country girl of the month.

Cindy N.
Alabama

6-21-01
Dear Editor:

I really like the start and plan of your new site, and I enjoy your other site. It's great. CNN obviously thinks so too, since it has been on TV a couple of times now.

Fulla S. is exactly that. The editors you have on this site, got more going for them that the one from Arkansas who hasn't anything better to do with his time that try to throw mud at someone else. Anyway, keep up the good work.

Signed,

J&S
North Carolina

5-29-01
Dear Editor:

You guys are full of crap. Ain't no way an Internet magazine can survive unless it has pictures of naked women on it. Besides, if I can't submit an article about the deer—running!—I shot with my 7 mag at 800 yards, I sure ain't reading anything in your little online piece of @#$%^ magazine. Besides, look what you got for editors. A guy that went broke in the liquor business, a retired small town cop, and an East Texas redneck rocket scientist that thinks he can cook!

Signed,

Fulla S.
Arkansas