When I received my fall edition of the Dakota Territory Gun Collectors Association newsletter, I learned that Mitchell, SD had lost its gun show. That show had been scheduled for March 14-15, 2020. My initial reaction was one of anger, and I contacted Rob Moore, who would have been the show’s chairman. From Rob I learned that we, the DTGCA, had lost our fair grounds show site.

We lost the site because the county commissioners had increased the rent to a point where the DTGCA could no longer finance the show. The rental fee for our last show was $2280. It would have cost $3435 to do the 2020 show. The DTGCA hopes to break even, and the increased rent would have put them in the red.

Other than supporting our Second Amendment, I see the show as being vital to Mitchell’s economy. The show brings in regional dealers who stay in motels and eat in restaurants. The show also brings in area residents from a 75 mile radius. These folks certainly go shopping while in town.

In looking for solutions, I thought about going to the county commissioners. Couldn’t they deal with renters on an individual basis and consider the impact on the Mitchell community before setting the rent? But after thinking this through and talking with Mitchell area business men, I came to realize that this approach would open a giant can of worms. I presume that the commissioners know what they need to charge to make ends meet.

Basically, about $1500 is needed to offset additional rent expenses. This is a small price to pay for the economic benefits received. It’s too late for the coming 2020 show as the DTGCA Board of Directors has already officially cancelled the show. Rob and I sat down to discuss how we could make a 2021 show work for Mitchell. I will take charge of soliciting the necessary funds from area businesses, and I am confident we will make it work. In the meantime, Rob will proceed with the necessary contracts. Our gun show will ride again!

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During the past two weeks I’ve had the opportunity to hunt pheasants with a great group of guys. Because of the neuropathy in my legs, I no longer walk very well. They permitted me to be a blocker. Other than when I’m hunting alone, I always wear glasses for eye protection. When I’m blocking, I especially want eye protection. Up until these recent hunts, I’ve always worn my regular prescription bifocals. However, they do not offer protection to the sides of my eyes, and I bought myself some yellow tinted shooting glasses.

For the past five or so years, I’ve noticed that my eyes aren’t what they used to be, and I’ve had problems distinguishing hens from roosters…..especially when the birds are in the southern sky and the sun creates problems. I’ve passed on shots I should have taken.

My new yellow-tinted shooting glasses were miraculous! Roosters stood out like neon lights! I didn’t do any better at hitting them, but I could certainly identify what to shoot at. I should have been wearing these glasses for the past ten years!

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Over the years I’ve been an advocate of the improved cylinder choke as opposed to the full choke for pheasant hunting. An improved cylinder choke will throw an approximate 30” pattern at 25-30 yards while the full choke is throwing an 18-20 inch pattern at 25-30 yards. This usually means missed or mangled birds. On one of my recent hunts, I noticed that one of the guys rarely if ever missed. I asked him what he was using for barrel choke. He replied, “improved cylinder.”

Like finger prints and snowflakes, all barrels and chokes differ. If you have never patterned your shotgun, tack some paper to an old barn wall, draw a 30” circle, and see for yourself what your shotgun does. There’s another factor that enters into this equation – your ammo and the shot cup within that ammo……not to mention shot size that can blown patterns. I know what I’m talking about.

My first book, A Dakota Rod and Nimrod, has done well. I’m out of copies, and I’m not going to stock any more. They can be ordered from Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com. Hoffman Drug in Platte also has a few copies.

See you next week.