...and the last before what many term "the true new millennium year." With all going right, you fine folks will be seeing this thing in the middle of December. And we may even have a clue by then about who our next president shall be. But I am not going to dwell on that (at least not planning on it).
NEW PRODUCT NEWS...
This is just beginning to show up at the door so it's not complete at all. Gun caliber's continue to multiply a bit like rabbits. First there are the new offerings from Remington which are more ultra mags. Then we have the Browning/Winchester 300 short mags which are supposed to work like a regular 300 mag but in a short casing: thus meaning a short action.
NEW TRAFFIC LIGHTS...
Talk about being catapulted into the new century! We have hit the big time here in Lomira. The frontage road near the big highway has lights now, all three colors: red, green, and yellow. And we gotta tell you the thrill of going out at night and watching those lights change has breathed new life into the Lomira Social scene. Many of us take long lunches and just sit in the lounge chairs at the new viewing area with umbrella drinks in hand.
NEWS FLASH- "license machine survives all the season crunch times..."
No new gray hair or additional defoliation caused by errant electronics. The machine worked and worked in a timely manner, all season long. This doesn't guarantee that next year will be smooth sailing but it sure was nice having it happen right for this one. No great news on this front. Looks like all fees should stay the same again.
HOW'D THE T ZONE GO??
A little like the election, it's too early to tell!! But it seams as though the numbers harvested will go some towards the DNR herd level goals. The regular season had snow and cold and rather positive conditions. This should spell out some successful totals. And I was lucky enough to NOT get a buck with my car this year. This was NOT the case with early riser Paul, he is the road kill king of year 2000.
A TOUCH OF POLITICS...
Presidential election point of view: we think that if Bush is elected, that it DOES NOT mean a free ride for gun owners and gun dealers. It just means that we have a little chance to catch our breath. Conversely, if Gore makes it, it DOES NOT mean the end of the world for gun owners and gun dealers. We have a balance of power in place in this country. This prevents any one branch from imposing their will on all. This country of ours is huge, in size and numbers. Our government is huge. And anything that large can not move around very nimbly. You have to laugh, three days after Clintons First inauguration, when he claimed responsibility for an economic upturn that had been reported that morning. What ever actions had been responsible for that economic bump, had been done years before. But he was more that willing to take credit. What has to be "watched out for" is the local stuff. Your village or city or county or state, passing some thoughtless rule of law that usurps your rights. Another thought is that perhaps the gun owners and gun industry, are the factors best suited to police the whole issue. They/We know what is what, that any semi auto model 48 rem or model 100 Winchester semi auto rifle, ARE NOT assault weapons. That any arm that is all black is not a negative thing, but a utilitarian and highly efficient sporting tool. I do not want to write the specs for teh new highway overpass, I want someone who is trained and experienced in that field. And just because someone garnered more votes for the senate or congress, does not make them qualified to write rules about health care, highway safety, firearm safety or any of a host of other areas. But is sure looks good on the six o'clock news.
ON GUN CLUBS...
One of the biggest bargains to be had anywhere is a membership card to your local gun club or shooting range. And the prices for these is really reasonable. I do not want to advocate all these clubs raise their fees. I do want you to consider that these places are a steal for 15 dollars or whatever a year. The facilities you enjoy are the result of a lot of work by dedicated members, donated work and donated materials. We suggest that you support more than one club. Every time you go to a new club for a day or a weekend, pick up a membership card. The benefits are as follows. Each club will have more members which will make them a greater social/political power. And they will have more money to help insure that these facilities will always be there for the enjoyment of us all.
ON HUNTER SAFETY...
...This holiday season finds us "between" class sessions. Got to throw some thoughts out about this. For males and females born after around 1973, hunters safety has been required in order for them to be licensed. So now there is a huge mechanism in place, which consists of lots and lots of caring and conscientious men and women teaching future hunters. And let none of us forget how much this is doing for all of us. We are getting hunters in the field who are very well trained, very responsible, and very aware of all the aspects involved. Hunters Safety requires commitment on the part of the student; and the commitment on behalf of the instructors is to be commended. And the number of adults that go through these courses is amazing, and even more impressive is that anyone can learn something from these.
FISHIN...
We start getting fishin stuff in now and put that 'department' together as time permits. We are gonna be working that one this year so come on in and enjoy.
SCOPES...
Pardon us for rambling on about all these scopes all the time but they are so reliable and so just plain neat. And really reasonable in price and now we're coming onto coyote season- and we will see just how outlandish we can make some of these - maybe we will tack weld a 60 power spotting scope on a 17 Remington.
...BOOT ROW...
Our idea of maintaining a great variety of boots and shoes seems to be working. We go for the 'models' that work and keep on working. And you fine folks keep on buying more and more of them. And one thing that keeps this happening is some great reps from Browning, Georgia and LaCrosse. And we are still having fun.
CLOTHING ETC...
This continues also almost running amok. And you know that we discount this fine department all the time, BUT RIGHT NOW we are offering the following: If you purchase any two pieces of camo and/or orange clothing - 25% more off. And we still have 25% off on all fishing, hunting and trapping vests unless you haven't heard- these are just incredible CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
GUN SAFES...
Enough about this already, but in fact we have another load coming in just in time for the holidays. Lots of these puppies.
YE OLDE WEBSITE...
We are working on this one still and hope to make it drop dead gorgeous bit by byte. We still have computers that are posseed by demons.
FED AND STATE REGS...
You would think that after the state of Wisconsin Department of Justice wrote the perfect application form, readable by all, that they would change it. But they haven't and that's a great thing. At least our state knows how to run something like that. Come to think of it, Wisconsin can also still properly run an election. Though the end result wasn't so great. At the Federal level, there is nothing new and nothing on the horizon except for rumors. Keep in mind the aforementioned thought that gun laws SHOULD be written by the legitimate gun owners and users. This will not only make said laws more effective, but will not impede the freedoms and rights of the straight people.
CROW NEWS...
You've heard us remark on this being the last true sport left in America, and now that 'pro' wrestling is on it's way out, we are not sure how that will affect crow life. But the season is on the way and to be ready you need tuned crow guns and shells from Bill's on the Hill...
ARCHERY UPDATE...
No news on this front as to what's hot and what's not next season. We will keep a careful eye out though.
AND THANKS TO YOU...
...for your patronage, we had a very hectic and wild year, but we enjoyed it, thanks to you we had another phenomenal rate of growth. And we sincerely hope that the neat stuff you got from us enabled you to have fun and fulfilling years as well.
Thanks and Happy New Year.
The folks on ye a olde hill-
Ken, Paul, Dan, Dick, Kathy, Andy, Diane, Al, Richard.