2 itches I had to scratch

[Jacko]

No ones posted here in a few weeks , letting you know were still about .

Since I bought my Rossi .357 mag a couple of months ago I've wanted a companion rimfire for it , was in the gunshop the other day to buy a new cleaning rod as my wife stood on my faithfull old kleenbore kit and bent every rod beyond straightening when a Browning BL22 caught my eye . I walked out without the cleaning rod but some second hand 9mm jags that fit a old one piece rod I also have so at least I can clean the Rossi . A plan was forming ! I laid the guilts on my missus - DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH A NEW CLEANING ROD COSTS - AS MUCH AS A DEPOSIT ON A NEW RIFLE - now she surprised me , the missus said - WHAT DID YOU SEE , GO AND BUY IT  Now I know why I love her ! 

That little Browning just would not get out of my head so I went back this arvo and dropped that new cleaning kit deposit on it . The shelf Browning had plain straight grain in the timberwork and then the gun fella says we got one in the box out the back . He opened it up and the timber is really nicely figured , plenty of grain and dark patches - my name went on it real quick

2nd itch - Last weekend in Brisbane they held the first SCI show I'm aware of ever coming to Brisbane , pretty small affair only a few dozen outfitters and guides , several gunshops , custom gunsmiths , custom knives , all the industry guff - really enjoyed it . Next year should be bigger and better .

While I was there I noticed the game council of New South Wales had a stand set up , they where running folks through the R licence accreditation test which enables you too hunt in those NSW state forests which have been declared for hunting . I've been meaning to sit these tests since they introduced them several years ago . I sat 3 of the 4 catorgories , Bow - Rifle Shotgun and Muzzleloader . Not that interested in hunting over dogs so I did not sit that Q & A session . Should have my R licence processed and delivered about the same time I pick up my Browning - Guess what I'm doing in around a months time !

regards Jacko

[Jacko]

Well folks I sent in my application for a permit to aquire my BL22 on the 9th of March , blown away  the permit arrived this afternoon the 15th , normally weapons licencing take up to a month to process the application . The screen door didn't hit me in the backside on the way out I tell you . Beatufull smooth little rifle , now I gotta wait until Sunday before I can shoot it . Will have to buy that new cleaning rod before then , might leave it on the floor and see if my Missus will step on it again so I can get a new 45.70 - the hallway should do it 

I have plowed through the paperwork to get my Game Council R licence now . Just waiting for the approved hunting organisations I am a member of now to send me the last of the documents I need and with luck in about 10 days I will be able to hunt in NSW state forests legally .   

regards Jacko

[bilmac]

The amount of paperwork you are talking about horrifies me, I suppose that is what our brave new world in America is coming to if the Dems allow us to survive as a nation at all.

[kombi1976]

The R Licence stuff isn't nearly as complicated as all that.
If you're already a SSAA(Sporting Shooters Assoc. of Australia) member you can have them change your membership to hunting as well and get their Approved Hunting organisation number.
Then find a close R Licence tester......like ME!!.......do the test which is dead simple if you've ever hunted before and you aren't a few long necks short of a 6-pack, and send the stuff away.
BTW, if someone tries to charge you more than about $20 or $30 to sit the test or alternatively tries to make you do a weekend course that they charge well over $100 for give them the "V-for-victory" and ask around for someone who will let you sit the closed book test.
Maybe it's because you live in Qld that it's been a lot of trouble.

[Jacko]

It has been a run around , a few phone calls , a few emails , a application form , perhaps if I should not have said "plowed through paperweork " I'm sorry I gave a poor impression but it's been a small chore with the tiny steps to get it done . If I had of went to an approved hunting organisation and paid for the test where everything was organised on the day instead of doing the test at the Brisbane SCI show at the Game Councils stand it would have been smoother . They were set up as an info booth so I think they got a fright with the leval of interest up here and pushed folks through , it was a busy time and the info I received was not quite complete .

The R licence is worth a lot more ginning around than I've done as now I have vastly expanded my hunting opportunities . I also have no excuse fore visiting NSW relatives  that live near approved state forests - bugger there's always a down side 

regards Jacko