Hunting/Working

Went duck hunting with Justin and Jacob first thing this morning. We saw a few mallards, and had 4 come close enough to shoot at. I knocked one down, but it got away. It went down out of sight behind some brush, and must have either flown away or dove under the sheet ice. I let both dogs search for it, but they came up empty despite looking for about 15 minutes in the water and on shore. They both have good noses, especially Kate, but they couldn't ever find a track on this duck.

Had a good Christmas with family.

Though the office is officially closed this week, Linda and I are doing some work, trying not to get behind.

Bill Scurlock

January/February 2010

The Jan/Feb issue is on the way! I received a phone call a little bit ago that the magazines were all labeled and bagged and on the way to the post office. Now if we only had Santa delivering them, you would all get them tonight. But since we couldn't get Santa to deliver them for all of you grown up boys and girls, you can just watch your mailbox for the next week or two.

All of the presents are wrapped and under the tree. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Bill Scurlock

DeCamp Loading Block

Art DeCamp donated one of these blocks to the auction for the CLA in 2007. Since I had seen the photo of it while preparing the July/August 07 issue, I emailed Art about getting one. He replied that he would have one for me at the show. Sure enough, after we got set up, Art came over and handed me one. This block is made from walnut and has a horn inlay at the top.

Art is a founding member of the Honourable Company of Horners and a terrific powder horn craftsman. He is also quite active in many associations promoting our sport/hobby/lifestyle.

Bill Scurlock

Jan/Feb 2010 Preview

Here's a preview of the Jan/Feb 2010 cover. It's a painting by David Wright entitled Long Way from Home. As usual, it's a superb piece and causes me to reflect on some of my feelings through the years when I've been out on hunts and treks for several days. The J/F issue is printing now and should be mailed before Christmas. As usual, there's a lot of good stuff in it; some new guns that most of you haven't seen, a neat piece on Cherokee warriors, lots of history, hunting and how-to. I hope you enjoy it when it comes.

Bill Scurlock

Pete Hutton Horn

Here's a horn by Pete Hutton from 8 or 10 years ago. I got it at the CLA show. Pete makes really nice horns and pouches. His wife, Pam, makes nice woven straps for horns and bags and such. They're very nice folks, and I always enjoy seeing them. This horn measures about 17 inches around the outside curve.

Bill Scurlock

Antique Eyeglasses

These glasses are one of my most fortuitous antique store finds. In 2005 I went to Dixon's Gunmakers Fair with Buford Blanton. One evening, we went up the road to eat at an old tavern. When we came out, we noticed that the antique store across the road was still open, so we crossed over and went in. I spied these glasses in a display case and asked Buford (an antique expert) what he thought. He said they looked good, but we didn't know the price. When I got a chance to ask the price, the owner said $20. I glanced across the store at Buford, and he was mouthing, "buy it." He didn't really have to tell me that, because I was already reaching for my wallet. Besides looking good and being in very good shape, they also have close to the right magnification for my eyes, so I can use them in period character.

I found the nice case at the Fort Frederick Market Fair a couple of years later. Mr. White at Avalon Forge had it and just gave it it me, though I tried to pay him.

Bill Scurlock

Roland Cadle Horn

Roland Cadle, from Pennsylvania, made this horn for me several years ago. Roland is a founding member of the Honorable Company of Horners and a master horner. He also tears down and rebuilds historic log and wood structures, as well as builds new log structures in the fashion and style of the 18th and 19th century.

This horn has a stained decoration not uncommon to Pennsylvania horns made for the trade. I believe that the pigment is iron oxide, but I may not remember that correctly. The horn measures about 14 inches around the outside curve.

Bill Scurlock