Just back from USA

Cyres

Well-Known Member
The last time I went to USA was 1983 so when last year I received an invitation to my Cousins wedding in California major planning started.

Sadly the trip is tinged with sadness as I split up from my long term partner 6 weeks before the trip, however after some extremly fraught times I took my 20 yr old son with me (hang the expenense).

I have two cousins one lives in North Washington so we flew into Seattle and were picked up from the main airport. Within 1 hour we were in Cabelas on route. Well that was an experience for a start. Got 2 boxs of 6mm 87 vmax for $21 box 90 grn Nosler at $18 box 50 and lots more stuff.

Turns out my cousin lives in the most amasing huge swiss chalet type house overlooking lake Whatcom which is south of Bellingham. Bald eagles and ospreys soaring past speed boat on the lake and black tail deer in the garden. Just could not believe it. Wonderfull weather. It reminded me of Switzerland.

We had an action packed week off road quad riding, I got on a trial bike first time in 30 yrs, off roading in 2 customised jeeps up lumber trails in the mountains, float tubing and son learnt to water ski/wave board.

I was given a tour of Bellinghams gun shops and then on route home we stopped in a pretty quiet place. I walked into what looked like a medium size supermarket and found myself in what transpired to be the best gun shop in Washington state.

I was in awe. I had never seen so much ammo in my life, enough to supply a small army. There was absolutely everything from pistol up to .50 BMG and huge rare African big game loads (Lott). Reloading gear to die for and 6 tubs of Varget on the shelf. Specialist .222 mag Honady loads the lot.

It was impossible to take in what was there.

More to follow + pics I hope

D
 
The last time I went to USA was 1983 so when last year I received an invitation to my Cousins wedding in California major planning started.

Sadly the trip is tinged with sadness as I split up from my long term partner 6 weeks before the trip, however after some extremly fraught times I took my 20 yr old son with me (hang the expenense).

I have two cousins one lives in North Washington so we flew into Seattle and were picked up from the main airport. Within 1 hour we were in Cabelas on route. Well that was an experience for a start. Got 2 boxs of 6mm 87 vmax for $21 box 90 grn Nosler at $18 box 50 and lots more stuff.

Turns out my cousin lives in the most amasing huge swiss chalet type house overlooking lake Whatcom which is south of Bellingham. Bald eagles and ospreys soaring past speed boat on the lake and black tail deer in the garden. Just could not believe it. Wonderfull weather. It reminded me of Switzerland.

We had an action packed week off road quad riding, I got on a trial bike first time in 30 yrs, off roading in 2 customised jeeps up lumber trails in the mountains, float tubing and son learnt to water ski/wave board.

I was given a tour of Bellinghams gun shops and then on route home we stopped in a pretty quiet place. I walked into what looked like a medium size supermarket and found myself in what transpired to be the best gun shop in Washington state.

I was in awe. I had never seen so much ammo in my life, enough to supply a small army. There was absolutely everything from pistol up to .50 BMG and huge rare African big game loads (Lott). Reloading gear to die for and 6 tubs of Varget on the shelf. Specialist .222 mag Honady loads the lot.

It was impossible to take in what was there.

More to follow + pics I hope

D

Glad you enjoyed my home area, Cyres. I was born down in Vancouver, WA and spent my youth years in the mountains. Although I do love the scenery and the wild life, there, I found that the only place I wanted to live was the Highlands of Scotland.

Cabela's was a wee bit out of your way, traveling from SeaTac Airport to Bellingham, but I know it was well worth it. Too bad it costs so much to purchase and ship through Cabela's. The price of sporting equipment is better than most places, here in the UK, but to ship it in, costs a small fortune.

Grant
 
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It's certainly a good place if you like shooting/hunting - I am lucky enough to live in the US now and enjoy it but like Bearstalker I do miss home in some respects and specifically the Scottish hills and I plan on moving back after my USA adventures!


Regards,

Gixer
 
So, what's wrong with a mid terraced shop with a window full of old shooting tat covered with layers of dust, a floor space of about ten feet square with a counter sporting one person serving that you can't get near for at least three coffee slurping numpties with strange hairstyles, beards and a camo jacket regaling each other with stories they've all heard dozens of times. Nothing in stock ("I can get it by Tuesday") apart from some .22LR ammo, some metal pop up airgun targets, cans of gun oil and a rack of clothing that looks like it has been there since most hunting was done by Homo Erectus. ;)
 
It's certainly a good place if you like shooting/hunting - I am lucky enough to live in the US now and enjoy it but like Bearstalker I do miss home in some respects and specifically the Scottish hills and I plan on moving back after my USA adventures!


Regards,

Gixer

It is, and it isn't. We do have parts of the country that are as Shooting Sports Barren as some of the worst parts of the UK. Some states that make it nearly (not quite) as difficult to shoot as you gents have it. The bright side is that those areas are a distinct minority in the country.

I do understand your attraction to the highlands though. Brother and I have booked a return next fall. Planning to spend more time and see all of those things that intrigued us, but we had no time to visit, as we were making our way back to the Glasgow Airport.
 
So, what's wrong with a mid terraced shop with a window full of old shooting tat covered with layers of dust, a floor space of about ten feet square with a counter sporting one person serving that you can't get near for at least three coffee slurping numpties with strange hairstyles, beards and a camo jacket regaling each other with stories they've all heard dozens of times. Nothing in stock ("I can get it by Tuesday") apart from some .22LR ammo, some metal pop up airgun targets, cans of gun oil and a rack of clothing that looks like it has been there since most hunting was done by Homo Erectus. ;)

Pedro, are you describing your local gun shop :lol: Not many places left like you have described, although when I was younger they all seemed to like your description.:D
 
Pedro ,that is one of my local shops down to a tee !! It's uncanny ! Anyone in the exeter area will agree with me I am sure !!!

Cheers
tom
 
We do have parts of the country that are as Shooting Sports Barren as some of the worst parts of the UK. Some states that make it nearly (not quite) as difficult to shoot as you gents have it.
Where did you get the idea that it is difficult to shoot here in the UK? and where are these "shooting sports barren parts of the UK" ?
 
Where did you get the idea that it is difficult to shoot here in the UK? and where are these "shooting sports barren parts of the UK" ?
Not so difficult to shoot once you have a FAC and some private land, but it is clear those are quite the bunch of hoops to jump to be issued a FAC and find some ground. We have two states (Illinois and Massachusetts ) that make it difficult to purchase and possess a firearm.

In our most permissive states (such as where I live) nothing is needed to purchase or possess other than being a non-criminal 18 years or older - and we have thousands and thousands of acres of public ground that anyone may stalk on, only requiring an over the counter license and an open season.
 
Not so difficult to shoot once you have a FAC and some private land, but it is clear those are quite the bunch of hoops to jump to be issued a FAC and find some ground. We have two states (Illinois and Massachusetts ) that make it difficult to purchase and possess a firearm.

In our most permissive states (such as where I live) nothing is needed to purchase or possess other than being a non-criminal 18 years or older - and we have thousands and thousands of acres of public ground that anyone may stalk on, only requiring an over the counter license and an open season.

Getting an FAC is quite straightforward if you actually have a good reason to own the gun/ammo and no criminal record/health issues which would affect your application. Where it becomes awkward is if a person decides that they want a gun but they don't actually have anywhere to shoot!
Shooting and stalking in the UK is very straightforward. No compulsory hunter training courses. No permits. No tags. No lottery. No orange clothing. No limits on numbers of bucks/does taken. No special hunting zones. We also have very long open seasons for deer......the Muntjac season never ends!
A lot of people complain about how it's difficult to get an FAC or how it's difficult to find ammunition and how it's difficult to get into stalking. I think it is as difficult as people want to make it. I have two shops selling ammo within 5 mins walking distance of my house. Six gun shops within a few miles.
If you lived in the middle of a city and don't have any ground to shoot on and you want to hunt albino gold medal sika stags with a double rifle in 8.9 x 76mm Mexican Marlin Express.........then you are probably going to encounter some difficulties, of course.
 
Not so difficult to shoot once you have a FAC and some private land, but it is clear those are quite the bunch of hoops to jump to be issued a FAC and find some ground. We have two states (Illinois and Massachusetts ) that make it difficult to purchase and possess a firearm.

In our most permissive states (such as where I live) nothing is needed to purchase or possess other than being a non-criminal 18 years or older - and we have thousands and thousands of acres of public ground that anyone may stalk on, only requiring an over the counter license and an open season.

The main problem, in Washington State, is, so much land is privately owned and there are no requirements to post the land. As a result, you can be hunting (stalking) in, what you perceive, as "Public Land" and the next thing you know, you are given a notification that you are trespassing on private land, or, worst yet, hunting on land that is private and no hunting allowed. This could cost you your license, rifle, and a lot of money.

When I left home, the first time (join the military and went to Germany), all land had to be posted private property, no trespassing/hunting. I would rather no put up with the hassle, in my "Autumn Years", and know where I can stalk. Besides, the Highlands have some unmatched beauty, IMHO, and I enjoy taking it in.
 
The main problem, in Washington State, is, so much land is privately owned and there are no requirements to post the land. As a result, you can be hunting (stalking) in, what you perceive, as "Public Land" and the next thing you know, you are given a notification that you are trespassing on private land, or, worst yet, hunting on land that is private and no hunting allowed. This could cost you your license, rifle, and a lot of money.
Technology has changed a little, i have this on my Garmin GPS for Montana, it is brilliant and it is very accurate.
HUNT by onXmaps - Public/Private Land Ownership maps for your GPS, Mobile Device, and Computer
Cheers
Richard
 
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