Greetings

[Mike in Oregon]

This is my 1st post, and I would like to introduce myself. I'm posting here, as this is my primary interest. I will also be hanging out over on General Reloading.

First of all, full disclosure, I'm currently not back online after a 20+ year break in time. In 2019 I started building my varmint arsenal again after completely selling out. Boy have prices changed. This will be where I spend the majority of my time in retirement. I am still currently setting up, with the tail end of the reloading aspect nearly done. I will be shooting a few production firearms, but I am more focused on the custom end. Back in the day, I was unable to afford any customs and most gunsmithing. This time I'm doing it right, at least with the budget I have allowed for myself.

[skipper]

Welcome aboard. You might try saying hello in the 204 Ruger Forum under the "Tell Us About Yourself" thread. Nice to have you and we LOVE pictures.

[Mike in Oregon]

Man, I looked all over for "Tell Us About Yourself" thread before posting here. Thanks, skipper.

[Rick in Oregon]

Mike, welcome aboard, and glad to hear you're 'back in the saddle' so to speak.

Yup, prices have sure changed in 20+ years, along with most everything else. Welcome to retirement....highly recommended! I'm in my 18th year of enjoyment myself, and now have more time for shooting and getting out into the field with my favorite varmint rifles having fun with "Skippy the Flying Squirrel".



And as our buddy Skipper mentioned, we're quite 'visually oriented' here, so feel free to post up pics of your rifles and field adventures.



Good to have another Oregonion with us.

[Mike in Oregon]

Hey Rick, it's defiantly been a while! Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm always onboard with lots of pics. Slowly getting setup here on the board and pictures are currently getting taken so I can share. I always wanted to meet you sir. I hope we can do so soon.

[MTPaul]

Mike - First of all welcome back after your hiatus! And also welcome to the ranks of the gladly retired! I myself hung up my spurs in 2014 and other than missing those close friends I made over the years, I haven't regretted retiring one bit. I ended up in the Gallatin Valley in MT after retiring but I see you hail from the Willamette Valley in OR. I grew up in a small logging town in the western edge of the valley outside of the town of Philomath and I still have brothers who live in OR.

There is nothing like having more free time on your hands to pursue those passions that for many of us ended up putting on the back burner while we toiled in our various employment activities. Yes, the prices for quality components (firearms, optics and ammunition) have definitely changed over the years. It's a bit of a sticker shock for those of us on fixed incomes!

Many of us on this forum are more than happy to share our pursuits and our collective learnings and pictures are always much appreciated. I just returned from my semi-annual trip to the Wheatland, WY area where we "red misted" a few furry prairie dogs much to the appreciation of the local ranchers. Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment and welcome to the group.

WY - PD Setup 2025.jpg (1.29 MiB) Viewed 21266 times

[MTPaul]

Oooops...sorry for the duplication. If the moderator wishes, please feel free to delete one of those pictures. My bad...

[skipper]

We don't delete unless absolutely necessary. Other duties, ya' know.

[skipper]

MTPaul, you know you can edit your posts. You can delete the picture if you really want to. Myself, I wouldn't worry about it.

[MTPaul]

Skipper,

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? I did edit out the duplicate image. It was sloppy on my part; I had to clean it up.

[skipper]

Nice going!! That makes you a member in the know. Where there's a will, there's a way.

[dan97526]

Welcome, Mike. One more Oregonian here, down in Grants Pass. Don't get here much anymore myself, but I always seem to show up a few times every year...coincidentally about the time the squirrels do.

[SecretCode]

Glad to have ya Mike. I've been busy with kids and work and life. Haven't shot all winter except once out for yotes (skunked) needed to get out today and had some crows line up to say cheese and wait for the flash. Only 1 acctually made it to the camera. The other 3 stayed put out in the middle of the muddy ag fields.

[SecretCode]

Snapchat-1553445448.jpg (4.37 MiB) Viewed 20137 times

Spring Crow season for ND is open til April 20th. Hopefully can smash a few more with 32 gr Varmageddon's over RL10X before it's on to gophers.its gotta stop Freakin' snowing! We were dry all of March. Even had a couple of 60 degree days. But we just got nailed with a Strom wed and snowed all day again today.

As others have said. PIC'S, PIC'S, PIC'S! WE LOVE 'EM.

[MTPaul]

SC - I feel your pain as we too had another dusting of the white stuff a few days ago. But a light has appeared at the other end of the tunnel as the forecasted high temps for the coming week are in the high 40s to low 50s with the 60s in the longer term. The Richardsons Ground squirrels are now scurrying around and will soon be lined up in the sights. Cabin fever will soon be shaken off as hints of Spring are soon to follow.