Two new 'hobbies'

[joechianti]

Well, I have discovered 2 new hobbies which blend very well with my brewing hobby and my natural lazy streak. I quit smoking cigarettes 14 years ago after 27 years of it. I had briefly smoked cigars and pipes about 25 to 30 years ago but never really stuck with those. Now that I'm apparently old enough to sit still for more than 5 minutes at a time, I've discovered the pleasures of a leisurely cigar smoke, and thinking of pipes next. I really like the fact that they don't burn my lungs the way cigs always did. Also picked up an inexpensive air rifle so I can sit in the backyard and plink targets while enjoying a good home brew and cigar for 30 minutes to an hour. Turns out to be a very relaxing way to unwind each day. Anyone else here happen to enjoy cigars and/or air rifles? Inquiring minds want to know.

[RickBeer]

Joe, good to hear from you. At your age, how can you sit that long without having to get up and pee?

Happy Holidays!

[joechianti]

Hey Rick. Good to hear from you too. Very funny, "at my age". I'll have you know, my doctor just recently told me I'm in excellent condition, for a 90 year old man. Just got sent on furlough for 4 to 6 weeks so hopefully I can catch up on things here for a spell. Finally got the pipeline back on it's feet thanks to Clarity Ferm. I highly endorse that stuff for anyone with gluten issues. Now if they can come up with something that removes the gout issues from beer, the world would be a perfect place.

[mashani]

I've got an old competition style pellet rifle. Back from before they figured out that muzzle velocities > speed of sound were actually detrimental for accuracy of the little .177 pellets. Not that it doesn't shoot good groups, it does, it was meant for 10m comp shooting, but it is as loud (if not louder) and kicks as much as a .22, it's not like a "bb gun". I mostly used it in recent past to plink rats in my old urban houses basement that were so big that the cats were afraid to go down here. I have to be careful with it in the house, it's got enough punch that it can put holes in cheap metal target backstops meant for bb guns. I probably should get something "mellower".

In my current burb with postage stamp lots I can't shoot it much in my yard these days, folks think it's a "real gun" and call the cops.

I've got that and my Remington .223, which is also a comp worthy rifle, but pretty much have to go to a range to shoot either.

[joechianti]

Sounds like some nice air rifles there. I originally went looking for a rifle to scare off the pesty critters that invade my backyard, mostly leaving gifts for me to step in and also for me to dig up while working in the vegetable garden, not to mention the ones that are eating my fruits and vegetables. I also live in a postage stamp yard so a regular rifle was out of the question, not to mention overkill, literally. I was amazed at the air rifles that are available, from pretty wimpy ones only good for target practice, all the way up to 22 caliber rifles that can be used for hunting small animals. I ended up with a 750 fps rifle that is quiet as a mouse when firing. The only sound coming out of it, really, is the clicking sound when pumping it up. I never had any kind of gun as a kid in the inner city of New Jersey, and now in Texas, all I have is a very loud hand gun to protect the house, which thankfully I've never had to use outside the firing range, and the ammunition is not cheap. So the first thing I need to do is spend lots of time becoming an accurate shot with this thing before I can start seriously deterring the critters. I like the fact that I can control the velocity and impact with more or less pumping, so I can scare off the local pets without seriously hurting them or actually hunt with it if I feel, like it. In fact, if I can be discreet enough, this rifle is supposed to be capable of taking down birds and squirrels, so I might even get some free meat in the deal. I see squirrels, rabbits and doves in the yard a lot during certain times of the year.

[DaYooper]

Huh, my previous post is somehow missing. Oh well, on another note...

Be careful if you are serious about "hunting" in your back yard. In most cases you cant, and in all cases you will still need to abide by DNR laws and licensing.

[joechianti]

The way I understand it, you ain't broke no law until you get caught.

[FedoraDave]

Good to hear from you, Joe.

I like a good cigar from time to time, but not very often.

And I don't shoot. My aim is so poor, I can't even pee without having to wipe up afterwards.

[FedoraDave]

Also, if your targets aren't living critters, but rather, a knot on a tree, or a coffee can or something, you ain't breakin' no laws, as I see it.

If they are living critters, well, just make sure they're varmints, and not somebody's pet.

[Brewbirds]

Now that I'm apparently old enough to sit still for more than 5 minutes at a time,

Now this is the part I'm having trouble with knowing the man personally.

When BB2 and I arrived in Florida we did the cigar thing for a while and it was pretty much as JC describes; finding a moment of quiet with a laid back smoke and a glass of something ( in those days a Port or wine)

It is timely to see his post about the rifles because BB2 and I were talking about the fact that we have never lived in a place where we might "hunt" where we live. All I've ever done is fish.

[RickBeer]

I can't imagine that in the sophisticated state of Texas there are any laws against discharging a firearm, including probably machine guns and bazookas. The bigger the better.

If they did have laws, Joe would probably get around them claiming dementia, and they would immediately accept that reason. I mean, look at that guy's face! Those tooths (teeth is plural).

[joechianti]

Actually,the sheriff in my town would never arrest me since he's my wife and sister's brother. And he never likes to make her sad.

[BlackDuck]

Actually,the sheriff in my town would never arrest me since he's my wife.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself on that one!!!

[joechianti]

And they let you be a moderator. We're all in trouble now. At least you didn't say when my wife wants to see my cousin she just has to look in a mirror.

[DaYooper]

And they let you be a moderator. We're all in trouble now. At least you didn't say when my wife wants to see my cousin she just has to look in a mirror.

I would have but you beat me to it.