Hello from Kelseyville, CA

[KonoctisWigwam]

Hi folks, I'm new here, and have just moved from West San Jose to Kelseyville, to finish building my dream home and shop. The home is a log home, and the shop is a 30x40 detached shop that is filled with all of my furniture.

My wife, unfortunately, decided to move back to Japan, after visiting in March to take care of her mother's funeral, her mom was 97 years old. She realized that it was easier for her to take public transportation, speak to doctors, and even shop in the market. Most of her friends were native Japanese, so they speak Japanese between each other, just that when you go shopping and everything is in Japanese, it makes it a lot easier.

With that said, I lived in Japan for 5 years, and I don't want to spend the rest of my life there, so while this is a bitter sweet ending, I will always love her, and I know she will always love me. We have spent more than half our lives with each other, we know how we look when we sleep, how we look when we wake up in the morning, when we take a shower, or go to the bathroom at night...I don't think I can ever forget her.

I have been using Long Range Hunting, and got a notice about this forum, so thought I would post here and see what happens. I have had a few problems with other users on LRH, so hope that things will be smoother here, it was mostly for out of state people, and most of them will not join here as this is California based.

I plan to hunt in my retirement, mostly public land around Northern A zone. I plan to hunt pig, deer, and bear. I have tags for all 3 this year, and pig tags are unlimited in CA, so that's good! I'm looking for fill my freezer this year.

I should also add, I'm a carnivore, so eat mostly meat and eggs. I mix some fruit in occasionally.

 

[Havasu]

We're glad to have you here. I'm guessing it is a huge lifestyle change from Japan?

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

We're glad to have you here. I'm guessing it is a huge lifestyle change from Japan?

Yes, from both sides. It was kind of accidental that my wife realized it, but her mother passed away in March, and when she was there for the funeral, she realized how much easier it is to live in Japan where everyone speaks Japanese, reads and writes Japanese, taking public transportation, which she would never do in CA, in fact, she doesn't like to drive the freeway. It was always my intention to have my project as a 2nd home, where she could live in West San Jose, and go to Kelseyville on weekends or for a week at a time. She wouldn't drive the hilly County of Lake, even 5 miles up the road to get to a market.

But I get it also, and I don't want to be in Japan, I don't like not being able to communicate with folks easily. I can speak enough Japanese to do business, but my grammar is what they would call funny.

Tell me, are you guys related to LRH ? I saw an notice on their forum, but wasn't sure if you're a paid advertiser or not. Either way, I'm ok with it, was just curious.

 

[Havasu]

They are all related to the forum owner, but wanted a more specific forum to fit our needs. We are not a paid advertiser, but sponsors are needed to help keep the lights on in here. Tell your friends about us!

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

They are all related to the forum owner, but wanted a more specific forum to fit our needs. We are not a paid advertiser, but sponsors are needed to help keep the lights on in here. Tell your friends about us!

I was just curious, as I have had people attack me over there, for what I'm not sure, but they are not likely to join a forum that is devoted to hunting out west. I will be a user here, for certain. I will also use LRH, I like Len and Chris, and they've been good to me. I have also found a few rifles there that would have been hard to find elsewhere, so I don't mind supporting them.

 

[huntinghuasna]

Welcome!

 

[huntinghuasna]

I love the LRH forum and have experienced some negativity simply from being from CA. Most of the comments are unfounded, and I call the naysayers out. Just keep true to your beliefs and always speak to the facts; telling the truth takes fewer words. CA as a whole is conservative; the big cities give us a bad rap. I'm thinking that if CA shows up and votes, we may take this state back. I believe the majority of LRH get it as well.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

I haven't updated this thread in quite some time, as I've been riding the roller coaster with my life/property.

As of a couple weeks ago, My attorney reached a settlement with the Buckingham Park Water District. I've had major issues with the water district President over the past 20 years, and that is going to stop, last Friday he was yelling at my contractor, who ignores him, so I sent an email to the new General Manager asking if he could ask the President to stop harassing my contractors. That was the last time he said anything to them.

I contracted to have the driveway done, and the bottom portion is being poured on Friday. Here's the top after it was framed and poured. Over the past week he was able to grade and pour the top portion of my driveway.

Good thing I didn't get my pellet gun, legally it's too late. Legal hours to hunt turkeys are 30 minutes before sunrise to 5:00pm, and it's about 7:00pm in this video. Also, turkey season is March 28 - May 3rd. I think there's some cutlets and 'que'd breast in the future.

@Eastenerwesterner I can see what you were talking about on the heads. These Toms definitely have a more white head with the distinctive red gobbler. Where the Hens seem to have a distinctive dark transition around the top of the head. I will need to taste both of them.

In addition to the driveway, it turned out quite a bit of the timber on the log shell was starting to rot. I'm having Tim Bullock build the shell for me. I will use some of my timber to make it a bit more affordable, and will mill up the logs I have that are solid into flooring/ceiling/paneling. All of the sudden white pine is becoming my preferred choice of wood for the home. Tim will also peel 8 x 12" x 8' logs that I will use for the porches, 4 on each side of the home. This will be my dream that I die in. Kind of a morbid thing to say, but I've long said this is a 28'x32' coffin. I think there's a better chance I will die in the shop...

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

I love the LRH forum and have experienced some negativity simply from being from CA. Most of the comments are unfounded, and I call the naysayers out. Just keep true to your beliefs and always speak to the facts; telling the truth takes fewer words. CA as a whole is conservative; the big cities give us a bad rap. I'm thinking that if CA shows up and votes, we may take this state back. I believe the majority of LRH get it as well.

I didn't reply to this, but I agree with you, and I am fairly liberal, but I continue to get more conservative as I get older.

I don't post much on LRH, unfortunately, and I think there's a lot of good people there, some amazing hunters, no doubt. Long range for me is about 300-400 yards. I'd like to stretch out to about 600, I'll be looking for a yote this season to try my luck.

Having this forum really gives me a place to talk about hunting, without posting on LRH. Maybe some of the other CA members on LRH will find this forum.

This is a pivotal point in time, there is so much happening with the 2A...we do live in exciting times. None of this would have been possible without "We The People" (i.e., ALL states) AND the current administration.

 

[Eastenerwesterner]

@Eastenerwesterner I can see what you were talking about on the heads. These Toms definitely have a more white head with the distinctive red gobbler. Where the Hens seem to have a distinctive dark transition around the top of the head. I will need to taste both

Now you see the color of the head issue. Combine that with the head movement issue. That’s why most go with a shotgun.
I may or may not have gotten one with a small caliber. But I knew where to shoot. It wasn’t at the bobbing head nor at the body where the feathers act like armor.

This is where I thought your air rifle idea was ill advised, whether legal or not. If times were tough and air rifle was all I had, (and mine only take 1 pump), I would only have a 45 degree angle for that shot at a quarter sized target. I probably would take my chances with the crossbow first.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

Now you see the color of the head issue. Combine that with the head movement issue. That’s why most go with a shotgun.
I may or may not have gotten one with a small caliber. But I knew where to shoot. It wasn’t at the bobbing head nor at the body where the feathers act like armor.

This is where I thought your air rifle idea was ill advised, whether legal or not. If times were tough and air rifle was all I had, (and mine only take 1 pump), I would only have a 45 degree angle for that shot at a quarter sized target. I probably would take my chances with the crossbow first.

Well, I did find out today that shooting a pellet gun in unincorporated Kelseyville is legal as long as you're 150 feet from a house and don't fire over the road. The season is not until March 28-May 3rd. I need to get an upland bird tag.

Making some progress, this is the last portion of the driveway.

 

[Eastenerwesterner]

We go back and forth on several threads about turkey hunting. But I will admit this here, I missed yesterday, first time in 10 years.
Was up caring for a pony on the north side of the house, heard a gobble on the south side. Went and saw a very nice gobbler(long beard, nice tail feathers) 10 yards from my bathroom window. Got my shotgun, and decided to go the out side route.
Steadying against a wine barrel rain catchment system, 30 yards out, at not my preferred angle, I took the shot, missed with 4’s in the gun. Had several possible shots at it after, but I wasn’t going to take a S41t shot.
I am now back to turkey hunting is one of the toughest hunts.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

We go back and forth on several threads about turkey hunting.

I am intent to get some turkeys this year. Season is open, but I still don't have an upland game tag.

But I will admit this here, I missed yesterday, first time in 10 years.
Was up caring for a pony on the north side of the house, heard a gobble on the south side. Went and saw a very nice gobbler(long beard, nice tail feathers) 10 yards from my bathroom window. Got my shotgun, and decided to go the out side route.
Steadying against a wine barrel rain catchment system, 30 yards out, at not my preferred angle, I took the shot, missed with 4’s in the gun. Had several possible shots at it after, but I wasn’t going to take a S41t shot.
I am now back to turkey hunting is one of the toughest hunts.

That's unfortunate. I'm seeing a ton of turkeys at both my rental and my property. I'm still planning on the pellet gun. Not totally sure if it's legal or not, but since it's in an unincorporated subdivision, I think it is. I don't think the neighbors will be able to hear or know I even shot a pellet gun. It sounds like a poof of air.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

We go back and forth on several threads about turkey hunting

The one thing we need to try and keep a secret here is how gorgeous it is in NorCal, and it's not that bad being away from the big cities. I don't know where I could duplicate California, climate wise...

Turkey, Deer, Elk, and even pigs...they're abundant in California for one reason, the weather.

Mums the word...

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

Moving along on my driveway, it's just about complete now. I'm really pleased with this driveway.

I ordered Anderson 400 Series windows and French Doors for the main floor. The reason is to get dried in quickly. I will build the lower French Doors going into the basement, but since there is only 1 single window in the basement I'll get that window later.

I ordered 6"x10"x20' beams to use for the rafters, and I ordered 4 extra. I plan to use a single beam, split in half to allow 2 x 6"x5"x20' to be cut on the sawmill and glued side by side, and then cut them into halves, so I have 4 x 6"x5"x10', I will put a tool holder / planing stop in the center.

I have an imported Emmert clone, that I bought, along with an Alex Klein Twin Turbo vise for the front. I mount the Emmert clone on the right front corner so I can use it with dogs, and to carve handles and such.

This is my old workbench, it's in the shop right now, but only 6' long x 30" wide (2 3/4" thick).

Plans

This is my driveway:

 

[Javbike]

That’s one long ass drive way

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

That’s one long ass drive way

And it's steep too!

I got the front door shipped to me yesterday, I bought Anderson Series 400 windows and French Doors for the main and upper floors, so I have what I need to dry it in. Everything was Anderson except the front door, I picked a Dutch door for the front with 9 panel on top, solid wood on the bottom. I have but one small window in the basement, along with another pair of French Doors. I'm going to try and make these French doors myself, in the basement.

I ordered 4 extra rafters, they're 6"x10"x20', to frame the doors.