By Dave Bates For the Observer-Reporter Retirement is official. I am unleashing myself onto the sporting scene on a more full-time basis. Last Sunday afternoon, my wife, Kelly, and daughter, Emma, surprised me by inviting a myriad of friends, family and colleagues to celebrate my retirement ...
By Dave Bates For the Observer-Reporter Each summer, for the past few years, I have developed a renewed interest in improving my marksmanship. A .22 caliber rifle suits the chore nicely and does it at a fraction of the cost of a high-power rifle. That being said, I have always relied on a ...
By Dave Bates For the Observer-Reporter My earliest supervised activities in the great outdoors were accomplished with my favorite uncle, Howard Blair Watson. To say that such activities were supervised might be a bit overstated. Rather, I accompanied him on various field exercises of which ...
By Dave Bates For the Observer-Reporter This spring has not only been a wet one but has offered a phenomenon that has not routinely presented in my years as an outdoorsman. Three times during the months of May and June my phone rang with a concerned party on the other end. The story in all ...
By Dave Bates For the Observer-Reporter If you’ve never shot steel targets, then let me assure you that you are missing out on a great learning opportunity. Shooting steel is simply a lot more than fun. Hearing the satisfying ring of steel each time your round impacts on target is a hoot. ...
By Dave Bates For the Observer-Reporter No doubt, once upon a time, you found and fell in love with the perfect pair of shooting gloves. Like true romance, it’s different for everyone. The same element that creates spark for me, might not set your heart ablaze in the same fashion. No ...
