A Shot of Texas Magazine #2

TM

March 2013Like us on Facebook

PLUS • Accident Prevention • Industrial Networking • Clothing For Construction • Industry News - Hoist Safety

AutumnANTLERSThe Long Prairie Buck

Gun ControlA letter to Congress

THE THREEBEARS

FIVE-STAR ACCOMMODATIONS

WORLD CLASS TROPHY HUNTS

Cleburne, Texas 276” White Tail Deer

268” White Tail Deer324” White Tail Deer

/AutumnAntlersLodgeOver 400 Whitetails!Grown and Raised Here.

1-866-4BIGBUCKS Fax: 320-547-2201 www.autumnantlers.com 1280 180th Street Long Prairie, MN 56347

STAFFRobert & Teffany KahnFounders

Robert KahnCo Editor/Marketing & Events

Teffany KahnCo Editor/Contents & Photography

Chris HermesArt Director/Design

Kendall KahnCamo Girl

Rodd DaigleIndustrial Content Consultant

Butch RamirezWild Life Photographer

Jim Baines Wild Life Photographer

Barbara GiacaloneTravel Adventure Writer/Contributor

Frank GiacaloneHunting Adventure Writer/Contributor

OUTDOORS

4. Long Prarie BuckIndustry-leader-turned-professional-hunter tells his tale of the Long Prarie Buck

8. The Three BearsNot the traditional Fairy Tale

14. HBR Clay ShootThink you can shoot? Prove it! Sign up your team for the HBR Clay Shoot

23. Gun ControlFrank Giacalone sights in on the issues

25. Wild AlaskaA walk in the woods gets exciting

INDUSTRY

7. Accident PreventionJobsite safety 101

10. Hoist SafetySame rules apply at the plant and the hunting camp

16. Industrial NetworkingA Shot of TX’s Networking Event

24. Don’t Ask 29. Clothing for ConstructionDress for success

RECREATION & ENTERTAINMENT

12. Guys & GrillsRecipes to impress

19. Under the FeederBy Seymore Bucks

20. Chasing Pirates in the Cayman IslandsStories of early Privateering to current financial world of investments

© 2013 A Shot of Texas Magazine. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. For distribution or advertising information call Rob Kahn at 832-922-1508 or email [email protected].

A Shot of Texas Magazine™

IN MARCHA Shot of Texas Magazine™

IN MARCH

T he day was sunny and cool...a steady 7 mile per hour wind was blowing...leaves were

bright yellow and orange, many of which had already fallen. Fall col-ors in the north are beautiful this time of year and we were headed to a blind. Sounds of antlers crack-ing...they winded us just as we spot-ted them...two big bucks sparring for some unseen doe...one was huge by my standards. They didn’t give us any time at all...breaking contact with each other and sprinting off into cover in different directions. The next time we saw that whitetail he was coming up out of a swamp

from behind us...one hour and 10 minutes after we first spotted him.

We were hunting at Autumn Antlers in Long Prairie, MN, arriving Sunday af-ternoon after a 1,400 mile drive across the heartland of Ameri-ca. Texas to Kansas City, then Kansas City to Long Prai-rie, Minnesota. 93 degrees to 30 degrees in two days...what a change. We drove this year since we expected to be transporting meat, horns and hides. I drove with my friend Alex Campbell and our cameraman Alan Lee for an episode shoot for the outdoor adventure se-ries World Wild Adventures. Driv-ing my big Ford F350 gave us room for coolers, gear, guns and space enough to get comfortable on the long ride.

We hunted at Autumn Antlers in 2011 and harvested some impres-sive deer and elk. Good hunting together with a comfortable lodge with great staff compelled us to come back this year. Add to that the prospect of taking a large whitetail...larger than any I had taken. Denny Neis and Jim Gerchy, run the show at Autumn Antlers, and promised some great hunting. They spiced it up with some trail cam pictures of bucks seen on the ranch. So the hunt was on. Back in the

blind we had just settled in for some glassing, prepping our gear in case we got lucky and getting the cam-eraman flexibly set up to pick up the action. I was hunting with a pistol. Not just any pistol but a single shot pistol made by Magnum Research Lone Eagle...more of an antique since it’s been out of production for a while. My Lone Eagle was special still since it is chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum...making it a true hand cannon...and I was very confident out to 100 yards...so we were ready for some buck action.

The bucks that we saw fighting were originally about 250 yards south from the blind we were in. Quarters were tight...we had 4 big guys sitting in this blind...our guide Jim, Alex, Alan the cameraman and me. We saw a steady stream of animal activ-ity but few bucks of merit. Jim was glassing off in a different direction than the rest of us and was the first to spot this big whitetail. We all turned slowly and silently to put binoculars on him. Yes, for sure it must be that

Long Prairie BuckBy Frank Giacalone

Frank Giacalone

Frank is the principle owner of Navasota Energy, and its affiliates, Muskie Oil & Gas, both headquartered in Magnolia, TX. He has been hunting with family and friends his entire life. Frank joined forces with Huntin’ With The Judge and World Wild Adventures as stakeholder and executive producer. Frank now has 6 years of Professional Hunting experience under his belt. Big game, up close, is his specialty.

4 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ March 2013

877-SLABSAW (752.2729) www.AggregateTechnologies.com

Sawing Comes Natural to Some...Sawing Comes Natural to Some...

... of course, concrete is a little tougher

• Pile Cutting• Wire Sawing• Robotic Hammering• Core Drilling• GPR Scanning

Our patented concrete pile cutting machines have cut up to 200 14” piles in one day! EMR is .80 and TRIR is 0.0.

ATI puts safety first!

• Industrial • Marine • Oil & Gas

March 2013 A Shot of Texas Magazine™ 5

big deer we saw earlier but he managed to get way around behind us. Jim spotted him on the edge of the field below the blind north of us. By the time we had binoculars on him he had moved about 100 yards out into the field along its back edge...distance about 220 yards. Long for my pistol...no point getting too excited. But without warn-ing the buck stopped and turned, facing directly at the stand. He put his head down like he was on a scent and started walking right towards us.

Things were changing and maybe he would get close enough for a shot...I got a round into the Lone Eagle, made sure the Aimpoint sight was on and cocked the pistol. Again the buck stopped, head up testing the wind...he was now in the mid-dle of the old corn field but a frontal shot would be difficult at this range. He turned again this time giving me a good broadside...distance I guessed at about 90 yards. Maybe he saw another buck or got wind of a doe...but he stood in that position for what felt like minutes. I put the red dot on his shoulder and squeezed...click! What, a misfire! I recocked the pistol and aimed again, certain he wouldn’t stay there much longer...but he did...long enough to squeeze of a solid shot into the vitals...down he went.

When we got to the deer the horns were huge. We counted 36 scoreable points and later that day rough scored him at over 303 points. I’ll need to get an SCI master scorer to do an official mea-surement but this buck may be record book mate-rial especially with a handgun.

All this adventure occurred on the first day of our hunt. Later, Alex took his whitetail plus a real nice elk and Judge Julie, the host of World Wild Ad-ventures, took a nice, heavy horned buck several days later using my single-shot handgun. A suc-cessful hunt and great times at Autumn Antlers...a great destination for the North American hunter. Now for the long drive back to Texas with 800 pounds of elk and deer meat...in one day! ¨

Long Prairie Buck, Continued

Join Us At Our Upcoming Events

April 25

May 30

Coming in June

September

Executive Networking EventSundance Grill 2• Live Music• Rifle Give-A-Way• Silent Auction• Drinks & Hors d’oeuvres

HBR / A Shot of Texas Clay ShootAmerican Shooting CenterReserve your spot now! Reservations and Sponsorships available, see Clay Shoot Flyer on page 14.

Fired Up and Wild Wild Game Cookoff & Archery Competition Location and Date TBD.

Dove HuntMore information coming soon.

When it Comes to

ON-SITE MEDICAL SERVICES

www.medicalplazamobile.com

WE STAND ALONE.

Since 1991, our focus has been on the changing needs of the industrial community. Helping Client Companies save time and consequently money. The foundation of our program is built on the strength of our professional

staff and long-term commitment to industrial health care and quality customer service.

Medical Surveillance, Customized Medical Programs to include but not be limited too, asbestos, lead, noise, and hazardous chemical environments.

Audiometric - Chest X-Ray - History & Physical Examinations - Phlebotomy - Pulmonary Function Testing - Respirator Fit Testing - Annual Influenza immunization - Wellness - Drug Screening

There are advantages to using a “Mobile” Occupational Medical Provider:

• Complete specialized physicals on site with a multiphase mobile unit or in an appropriate area at your own facility

• Flexible timetable to accommodate changing shift schedules• Eliminates liability traveling to offsite testing facilities• Time saving and cost effective• Reduces employees’ time away from the job

Medical Plaza Mobile Surveillance1009 S. BroadwayLa Porte, TX 77571

281-470-8770


As a construction worker you are part of a team of skilled professional craft workers, and accident prevention is part of your job. It takes everyone’s effort to keep a jobsite safe. There are many things you can do to help prevent accidents. Come to work fully rested; wear proper clothing and sturdy footwear; jewelry, watches and rings must be left at home. Use the correct personal protective equipment when the task requires it, and keep this safety gear in good condition and replace it as necessary. Damaged or lost equipment should be reported to your supervisor. Keep your work area cean and neat. Don’t let your housekeeping get out of hand.

Follow the warnings written on labels. Observe signs, regulations and procedures; ask your supervisor about any you don’t understand. Never bypass safety valves or devices. Follow lock out - tag out practices where required to do so. Remove protruding nails or bend them over.

Wipe up spills of oil, water, or grease. Keep walkways, aisles, traffic lanes and fire exits clear of debris and other materials.

When working in new areas of the jobsite take a few minutes to look around to locate obvious hazards. Don’t leave any floor openings unprotected. Cover floor holes securely or guard with standard guardrails. Make sure you have the right type and size of ladder. Climb it facing the rungs and be sure your hands are free to hold onto the ladder.

Check your electrical tools prior to use. Whenever

possible plug into electrical outlets that are protected with GFCI’S. Do not use tools with split, broken, or loose handles. Watch out for overhead power lines. Store flammable liquids in approved containers. Shut off engines and let them cool down prior to refueling; and never smoke around flammables. Report any accidents to your supervisor. If you get injured get proper first aid and seek medical assistance if necessary. Keep your mind on your work. Drugs and alcohol don’t have a place on the job. Horseplay and practical jokes cause accidents so keep them off the job. Practice accident prevention. Try your best to follow these guidelines and all of us will have a safer place to work. ¨

Give your undivided attention to safety.

Preventing your accident depends

mostly on you!

“It takes everyone’s

effort to keep a

jobsite safe”


I realize that this title has been used before, but what can I say? Last September a couple of my buddies, Rod Daigle and Benny Dunn from Lake Jackson, invited me to go along on a bow hunt for Black bear near Bathurst, Canada. For those of you not familiar with Bathurst, it’s only about one hour flight north of New York City.

My first thought was that it would be a big jump from regular white tail deer to black bear. My second thought was that deer don’t climb trees and they certainly don’t have sharp teeth and claws. Regardless, I accepted the invitation and next thing you know I was getting off the plane in Bathurst .

Our guides, Pierre and Ron, of P&R outfitters met us at the airport. The lodge was about 40 minutes away by car and we enjoyed the scenery along the way. Its amazing how tall and straight the tress are, especially if you compare them to my home town of Laredo. Anyway I digress. The town itself was quite small and the kind of place that you can easily forget still exists today.

It is located directly on the coast. The small frame homes were bright and color-ful and tidy and every one of them has huge stacks of firewood nearby. It only took a couple minutes to reach the outskirts where the pavement ended and log-ging roads took their place. The trees were extremely tall and the forest was incredibly thick and lush.

Pierre was going on and on about how many bear they had been seeing over the last few days. “They’re tearing up the baits” he was saying. We all listened intently. I was just hoping to see a bear and frankly I just didn’t see it hap-

pening. After all, just to get an opportunity to draw on an animal that can outweigh a grown man by 200 pounds and out run an Olympic sprinter would be an accomplishment all by itself.

Black bear is an evening hunt so after a good night’s sleep we woke up each morning and started our day by checking the baits. Our guides were very careful not to allow us too near the barrels. I was thinking that it was to keep the human smell away but that was not the case. The year prior a hunter stepped in some grease. The hunter then tracked his way back to the tree stand and all the way up

the ladder. He fell asleep in his blind and guess

THE THREEBEARS

Benny Dunn - President/Brazos M&E, Robert Kahn - Founder/A Shot Of Texas Magazine, Rod Daigle - Manager Of Business Development/The Infinity Group

By Rob Kahn


what was attached to his boots when he woke up? I really can’t imagine what it would be like to have a bear attached to my foot but I can tell you that it happened and that he had to use an arrow without the bow to get him to let go. We stayed away from the barrels.

The blinds were set up between trees and poles were lashed togeth-er to form a base. Tree branches were wound tight forming a per-fect hideaway for the hunter. With the barrels positioned no more than

20 yards away it would have been no challenge with a rifle, but with a bow it was down right fun. Bears have an incredible sense of smell therefore it takes a couple of hours in your blind before the human scent dissipates enough to give the all clear sign to a wander-ing bear.

On my first evening a young bear came into the bait and it did not take me long to figure out how the “bear on the bait” game worked. The trick was to move when the bear had his head inside the barrel. That sounds easy enough but the slightest sound or mo-tion ends the game. So the bear comes out and heads for the bait, your heart starts to pound out

of your chest. He puts his head in-side to grab a bite.

With his head in the barrel you start to position yourself . First you sit up straight. Then his head goes back in the barrel and you reach for the bow. Basck in the barrel and so on and on goes the game. It is great fun and I have already booked for this year. ¨

Someone once told me that they were going on a mountain hike in Colorado and all they were taking wa a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “Hmm, a PB&J,” I ask, “why is that?” He replied, “So if I come across a bear, I can throw it on my buddy and run!” There is a bit of truth to that, the bears WILL go for your food. The best way to keep bears out of your food is hang it up in a tree. Here’s how it’s done.

You will need the following equipment: • Bear Bag (9” x 20”) • 40’ Rope • Throw/Rope Bag • Carabiner • Small Twig

Add rocks to throw bag and attach the carabiner 1. (with rope attached) to the bag’s drawstring.

Hold throw bag in hand and toss over a branch that 2. is 15-20’ above the ground. When properly hung, the

bear bag should hang at least 10’ above the ground and 4-8’ away from the branch and tree trunk.

Unclip throw bag from 3. carabiner. Clip cara-biner to the bear bag. Feed loose end of the rope through carabi-ner and pull loose end to raise the bear bag to the top of the tree branch.

Reach as high as you can and tie a close hitch around 4. a small twig on the loose end of the rope, creating a toggle.

Release the loose end of the rope. The bear bag will 5. stop at the toggle. The loose end hangs above the ground suspending the bear bag at least 10’ from the ground.

Following these simple steps will keep your food sup-ply, and you, safe. ¨

Hang It Up!Hang It Up!

Rod Daigle - Manager Of Business Development/The Infinity Group


Hand operated hoists have many applications in rigging work. Typical applications include hoisting pipe or plate into position for welding or bolting, moving machinery, fence stretching and lifting engines or equipment during repairs. These devices are simple to operate but misuse can result in sudden failure, property damage, and serious injury.

Some things to keep in mind are:

Inspect the hoist to be sure it • is in good condition. Do not use any hoist that appears to have been overloaded. Some things to look for include a bent handle, stretched chain links, broken ratchet teeth, stiff operation or bent hooks. Anything that is cracked, bent, distorted, deformed or broken probably indicates overloading. Don’t use it.

You must know the weight • of the load you plan to lift. Never attach a load greater than the capacity of the hoist. Never use two hoists to lift a load that is heavier than the rated capacity of either. A shifting load may place the entire load on one hoist, causing failure. Also keep in mind that capacity ratings are based on a new hoist. Age, dirt, wear, and improper maintenance will reduce the lifting capacity.

Never put a “cheater bar” • on the operating lever or use more than one person to pull the lever. It is a sure sign that

the hoist is overloaded if the load can’t be moved by one person using a normal pull.

Make sure that the structure • your hoist is hanging from is strong enough to support the load you are lifting as well as any possible shock load.

Use these devices only in • locations that will not expose you to a hazard if you lose your grip or slip; the site of use must also permit you to stand clear of the load at all times.

Never operate a hoist in • a manner that causes the load chain to bend or slide around objects, such as corners or sharp edges. Do not use load chains or cables as a substitute for a sling.

Apply the load evenly. Do • not jerk, bounce, or allow the load to swing. Any violent motion or shock loads could easily exceed the capacity of your hoist.

Always be sure the load is • centered on the hoist before lifting, to avoid a swinging load.

Never leave a suspended • load unattended, and never work or walk under a suspended load or allow anyone else to do so.

By keeping these things in mind, hoists can be used safely…think about it. ¨

COME-A-LONGS, “COFFIN” HOISTS & CHAIN HOIST SAFETY

Inspect hoists and other lifting equipment

before use

Site selection is critical for hoist safety


Grilling chicken is an art form. It is a cook-by-feel type of pro-cedure. If you follow the steps below, and trust me you can do it. It is by far the most difficult item to grill on the planet. When done properly all other methods step aside.

Ingredients • One whole chicken, butterflied, wings off and excess

fat removed with sharp knife• Season to Taste – Your choice of herbs or spices

you cannot over season it• 4 Feet of Nylon Rope (a pretend rope is what we

recommend)• 4 Bottles of Corona Beer

ProcedureStart a fire in your grill using only MESQUITE charcoal or real mesquite wood. Fire can take from 30 to 45 minutes to be ready for grilling and must be HOT. As

soon as the flames have disappeared from your fire, and your coals are red hot and glowing, grab your 4-foot imaginary rope, tie one end in your belt loop and the other end to the grill. For liability purposes we suggest that you use a pretend rope. This will ensure that you do not leave your chicken. If you leave it for more than 30 seconds it will burn and you loose it! I know that some of you will test me on this so be sure and have a frozen pizza as a back up.

Place the chicken bone side down. Turn it often and gently taking care not to tear up the skin. Flames are your friends, so let them flame up to the edge of almost out of control, then use the beer to control the fire by gently pouring it directly over the chicken and down onto the flames. It will take 55 minutes from the time the chicken touches the grill. At 55 minutes the two sides of the chicken will come apart easily. At 56 minutes it’s ruined. Go ahead and test me on this also. I like regular pepperoni. ¨

Guyswith Pitmaster, Rob Kahn

Chicken Grilled To Perfection

The Repcon folks sure know how to make a statement on the grill!

Gotta love a grilled tomato!

Grilled chicken wings,mmm

The Perfect Texas Margarita

Needs the Perfect Texas “Tequila”


RAILEAN Blue Agave spirits... although not technically “Tequila”, they sure are great for sipping and both products make a mean Texas Margarita.

Railean Distillers in San Leon, TX is the first and only Texas distillery to make Blue Agave Spirits in the Lone Star State. Kelly Railean (Proprietor & Master Distiller) imports 100% Blue Agave Nectar from Mexico to make her Railean “El Perico” Silver and Reposado Blue Agave spirits.

The Blue Agave is first fermented, then distilled multiple times before being filtered, blended, aged and/or bottled at the Eagle Point Distillery in San Leon.

While the Silver Agave spirit is not aged, Kelly ages the “El Perico”

Reposado in her double charred American Oak barrels, the same barrels that were previously used to make one of her several aged rums. Although Kelly does follow the “rules” for making Tequila and her products are made from

100% Blue Agave (Tequila must be made from at least 51% Blue Agave), she cannot call her spirits “Tequila” because Tequila must be manufactured in specific areas within Mexico. That being said, RAILEAN Blue Agave spirits should be enjoyed just like fine Tequila - sip it on the rocks and mix in your favorite cocktail, whether it be a Margarita, Tequila Sunrise or Paloma.

Look for RAILEAN Blue Agave spirits at your local liquor store, and for more information check out: www.railean.com. ¨

4 Can Margarita

• Railean El Perico Agave Silver

• 1 16 oz. can Limeade concentrate

• 1 12 oz. can of Fresca soda pop

• 1 12 oz. can of beer• Ice• Sea salt & lime wheel

for garnish

Pour limeade concentrate into blender. Fill the empty limeade can with Railean El Perico Blue Agave Spirits and pour into blender. Add Fresca, beer and ice. Blend until ice is crushed and margarita is smooth.

Serve in a margarita glass rimmed with sea salt. Garnish with lime. Makes 4 servings.

Kelly Railean, Proprietor & Master Distiller.

The Perfect Texas Margarita

Needs the Perfect Texas “Tequila”


HOUSTONBUSINESSROUNDTABLEMeet

Camo GirlLIVE! 1st Annual

CLAY SHOOT�ursday May 30th, 2013American Shooting Centers

16500 Westheimer Pkwy. Houston, TX 77082281-556-8199

Games & Registration 12pm-2pmShoot Begins at 2:15pm

5 Person Teams - $150.00 Per ShooterLUNCH * DINNER * DOOR PRIZES

GUN RAFFLE - HENRY .22 OR 17HMRGIFT FOR EACH SHOOTER

Bene�tting

Sponsorship Opportunities* Gold Sponsor - $1500.00

* Beverage Sponsor - $250.00

* Ri�e Ra�e Sponsor - $425.00* Shooting Station Sponsor - $150.00ea. * Door Prize Donations

TM

REGISTRATION FORMShooter Name Company Email Phone #------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Where Outdoors

Meets Industry”

If you do not have a team of 5 - No Problem - We will put you with a team.

RSVP - tef@ashoto�exas.netFax: 713.645.2812

Texas Adaptive Aquatics

•


Rio Grande Spring Turkey

in Season

HBRGolf

Tournament

ABC BayouChapter

Crawfish BoilACIT

Mid CoastOutlook

BreakfastACIT

Golden TriangleCrawfish Boil

ACIT/TCC - Chili

Cook Off

Pipeliners - Golf Tournament

< 7-9th - National Safety Council TX Conf. & Expo >TCC/ACIT -

Clay Shoot

ABC PAC Clay Shoot

ABC Houston Membership Breakfast

A Shot Of Texas Magazine Networking Event

Brand Energy Charity Golf Tournament


On February 28th, A Shot Of Texas Magazine “Where Outdoors Meets Industry” hosted its sec-ond of six networking events for 2013. The event was a great success; Sundance Grill 2 served plen-ty of drinks and outstanding hors d’oeuvres for all who attended. Kelly Railean of Railean Rum & Distillers poured margarita’s to boot made with her latest product Railean Blue Agave.

Tex Leggio founder of thenetworker.biz educated and entertained guest by sharing his knowledge on the art of networking and “Being at the Right Place at the Right Time”.

Attending is the first step to all networking, which brings me to the PRIZES, FREE RIFLE GIVE-AWAY, AND RIFLE RAFFLE! That’s right, you must be present to win and some folks took home the goodies. From camo bags and coolers to rifles. Henry Netherland with AZZ Galvanized

won the RIFLE GIVEWAY, taking home a Marlin .22 Semi Auto Rifle.

Mary Labeff with Dockside Development won the RIFLE RAFFLE, taking home a Mossberg 12 ga Shotgun. See below for other attendee’s who came out to enjoy the fun and networking.

While mingling the guest enjoyed music per-formed by Robert Kahn /co-founder of A Shot Of Texas Magazine, Kendall Kahn / Camo Girl & product review writer for A Shot Of Texas Magazine, Leroy Fagg of Larco Ind. played the Bongo’s and Conga’s. Rhonda Roberts sang and played the Ukelele and Bill Parish of One Man Band put on quite a show.

Don’t miss our next event, April 25th from 5 til 9 at The Sundance Grill 2 in Waterford Harbor. ¨

The Networking Hunt Is On

Kelly Railean of Railean Distillery poured delicious Railean Blue Agave margaritas.

Henry Netherland of AZZ Galvanizing won the RIFLE GIVEAWAY. Henry took home a Marlin .22 Semi Auto.

Leroy Fagg with Larco Ind. entertained guest on the Bongo’s and Conga’s.

Chris McGinnis with Stronghold Inspection Services and Rob Kahn - A Shot Of Texas Magazine

Jerry and Wendy Monical with Infinity Group & UEI joining Robert Kahn - A Shot Of Texas Magazine

A Shot Of Texas Magazine Networking EventFebruary 28th at Sundance Grill 2

Shelley Leggio with Correct Electric and Tex Leggio with Aggregate Technologies celebrate the March 2013 issue.

Barbara and Frank Giacalone receive gifts of recognition for sharing all of their travel and hunting adventures with A Shot Of Texas Magazine.

Tex Leggio of networker.biz & Ana Mendez with Texas Industrial Medical share networking & sales tips.

Mike and Mary Labeff with Dockside Development enjoying great food, drinks and entertainment. Tex with thenetworker.

biz sharing knowledge and experiences about “Being At The Right Place At The Right Time”.

Chris Morgan with Ventech Engineering and Chris McGinnis of Stronghold Inspection. Are two businessmen allowed to have this much fun?

Mary Labeff of Dockside Development won the Mossberg 12 ga shotgun Raffle.

Kendall Kahn entertaining guest between Hunting Trivia and Raffle Give-a-way’s .

Rod Daigle with Infinity Group, Al and Lori Weaver of Limcroma Safaris planning the next big hunt!

Cindy Smedstad with Odin, Ltd. greeted by Chandler Randall of Kemah Hardware and Lumber and Camo Girl.

Special Thanks to the sponsors of this event:

We appreciate all the guests who attended and helped make this event a success: Steve Cessna – OGI Texas; Leroy Fagg – Larco Ind.; Matt & Kelly Railean – Railean Rum & Tequila; Al Weaver & Lori Weaver– Limcroma Safaris; Rod Daigle, Jerry Monical, Wendy Monical – Infinity Group, UEI; Tex Leggio – Aggregate Technologies; Shelley Leggio – Correct Electric; Shaun Eller – OGI Texas; Chris McGinnis – Stronghold Inspection; Ana Mendez – Texas Industrial Medical; Sandra How – Triumph Pharmacy; Fen How – Trifield Energy Services; Barbara Giacalone – A Shot Of Texas Travel Writer; Frank Giacalone - World Wild Adventures; Cindy Smedstad – Odin Ltd.; Mike Bond, Henry Netherland - AZZ Galvanized; Chris Morgan – Ventech Engineering; Mike Labeff – Dockside Development; Chad Amios – CBS Engineering; John Burroughs – Martin Tool; Chris Hermes – Solitaire Creative Services


KEEP THE SPORT GROWINGLetters from our young hunters

Well for me it started when I got into the only chair

in the room. It was a two person stand with four

people in it my dad,my mom, and my twin brother

shane. I had the .243 with me the entire time, and

for what seemed like hours we waited.

Now the first deer I saw was a baby deer which was

a doe, I think, and it was there for quite a while, but

then we saw a momma doe and her little one come

up. Then last came the two bucks.

Now one was a six point (which I was told not to

shoot) and an eight point buck. Now we waited a

little bit longer and my dad finally said “shoot the

eight point.” So, I got the .243 ready and I aimed

behind the shoulder and fired. Now there was a

loud bang and that buck whent straight to the

ground, Now I was kinda shocked that i shot it and

nervous it was still alive until my dad told me that

it was a perfect shot throught the lungs and heart.

Now i was pretty glad that it was a perfect shot and

that the thing wasn’t still alive so yea, it was a great

Christmas day for me.

Shawn

Cristi

Anali

Shawn

Joe


Take a kid hunting.

UNDER THE FEEDERBy Seymore Bucks

Send us your best Feeder Photos. Email files to [email protected].


Your Ad Here!Advertise in A Shot of Texas Magazine

and reach the Industry professionals that are your target market.

Call Rob at 832-922-1508 or email: [email protected]

www.SolitaireCreative.com281-480-7622

Advertising • Marketing

Serving Small Business Since 1990


Welcome to the “Blissful” Cayman Islands

I first ventured to the island of Grand Cayman many years ago when the capital Georgetown was just a quaint and lovely city filled with British and Jamaican influences.

The Cayman Islands consist of the three islands, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. These islands are located south of Cuba and Northwest of Jamaica. Interesting enough these islands were originally named “Los Tortugas” by Columbus, due to the numerous sea turtles swimming in the surrounding waters.

These islands are also well known around the world for world-class diving as the deepest point is the Cayman Trough that measures 25,200 Ft below sea level. Sting Ray City and the Cayman Turtle Farm are other well-known attractions on Grand Cayman…but if you just want to relax then by all means take a stroll along Seven Mile Beach.

If you have an opportunity to visit Cayman Brac they host Keith Tibbetts Shipwreck Adventures and Little Cayman hosts the Bloody Bay Marine Park.

In researching the early history of the islands, I associated the myth and fact of pirates with their mystical escapades. We can now describe some of the most “colorful” figures in our history books; Buccaneers - specific to the Carib-bean these individuals escaped from colonies, forced to survive with little support, they had to be skilled in boat construction, sailing, and hunting to survive.

Pirating - These original buccaneers were chased off Ca-ribbean islands by colonial powers and had to seek life at sea. They created lucrative but illegitimate opportunities to attack European merchant ships beginning in the 16th century

Privateers - In the 16th & 17th century Privateering was the “legal” form of piracy. These private vessels would be commissioned into the “Navy” with a letter of marque, or royal seal of their governments. Subsequently ships were paid with a substantial share of what they captured from enemy ships, and the rest bequeathed to the crown.

As stories were shared with me by a 10th generation Caymanian, the Cayman Islands once had magnificent hidden caverns providing pirates an excellent hidden wa-ter access to evaluate their prey. Over the many years of hurricanes and natural disasters these caves have been slowly washed away leaving only the rocky and beauti-ful coastline’s of the Cayman Islands.

Here are just a few of the famous Pirates that captured my attention:

Captain Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts Black Bart was one of the most famous lucrative pirates of all times, as legend has it he was estimated to have captured over 470 vessels during his reign as a pirate sea captain. His history gives way as a meager beginning as just the third mate on a slave ship off Africa when it was captured by pirates. Both he and the pirate captain

By Barbara Giacalone

These British held islands hold a vast array of stories of early Privateering or Pirating to our current Financial World of Investments. Welcome to The “Blissful” Cayman Islands.

were of Welsh decent and they struck up a friendship. Sometime later when the captain was killed in a battle the remainder of the ships mates elevated him to captain and so the saga begins, he viewed his legend as follows; “In honest work the food is bad, the wages low and the work hard. In piracy there is plenty of loot, it’s fun and easy, and we are free and powerful … I will have a merry life and a short one …that will be my motto.”

Captain “Calico Jack” RackmanWell known for his colorful calico clothing “Calico Jack” was his derived nickname. His design of The Jolly Rog-

er flag, skull with crossed swords. Calico Jack was born in Cuba and spent most of his 38 years cruis-ing Caribbean. But he sailed into Nassau in 1719 to take advantage of the general amnesty for pirates and to obtain a royal pardon. Whilst in port he met a then married Anne Bonny and their affair began…but her husband James Bonny found out he brought her in front of the local governor “he worked for” and she was to be whipped on charges of adultery. That’s when Captain Rackman offered to buy Anne by “divorce by purchase”, but she refused to be sold like an animal. They escaped by stealing a sloop and

sailed into the Caribbean overtaking other pirate ships.

He was eventually captured by pirate hunter Jona-than Barnet before being hanged in Port Royale, Ja-maica, Anne Bonny said the following; “I am sorry to see you here but if you had fought like a man you needn’t be hanged like a dog.” Anne Bonny and Mary Read

Undoubtedly the two most famous pirates were fe-male, both holding the position of Captain. Both spent their sea-roving careers under the command of “Calico Jack” Rackman. But they gained further ruthlessness when Calico Jacks ship was captured and they spoke of murdering observers in the gov-erning counsel – and they retaliated and resisted far more fiercely than their male crewmates. The two women Bonny and Read alone escaped the gallows, when at trial before the judge that sentenced them to death, he asked if they had anything to say, Bonny stated: “Milord, we plead our bellies.”

They were both pregnant and the judge stayed his order as no English court had the authority to kill an unborn child. Reed died in jail of a fever … there is no record of Bonny being executed but it is rumored that her wealthy father paid a ransom and took her home. ¨

You have got to try this. It may be the best time you have ever had with a bottle. A huntin’ buddy of mine, Kevin Barnes with Infinity Construction Services Coatings Division, and his wife Sissy raved about the experience. Naturally, my wife and Co-Editor just had to go and take a look and see what all the hub bub was all about.

At the end of September 2012, Garrison Brothers finished bottling their largest bourbon release to date — more than 9,000 bottles of heavenly ambrosia were lovingly packed by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. By October 15, Garrison Brothers Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey was finally available everywhere in The Great State of Texas. Dallas to Brownsville and El Paso to Beaumont it had finally arrived.

The volunteers help make this all possible and having met many past volunteers I can tell you that they re-port that they never worked so hard and had so much fun at the same time. The distillery itself is beautiful, sits high on a hill overlooking a breathtaking Texas countryside. Tef and I never miss stopping in when-ever we get a chance. Its easy to find too, just turn left at Hye Texas about half way between Fredricks-burg and Johnson City.

I promised Dan that I would paint an accurate por-trait of his bottling events so here goes.

A note to volunteers: Bottling at Garrison Brothers is not for the faint of heart! It means hard work,

attention to detail, reliable, consistent help, and above all else, patience. Every finished bottle has to get past Dan Garrison himself.

Heres how it goes:Bottling starts every morning at 9am and wraps up around 4pm. Breakfast, lunch, entertainment, and an occasional shot of courage to keep everyone creative and motivated is provided to each volunteer. Now don’t get excited they know folks are driving so a taste means a taste.

If you’d like to take part, you would need to commit to two full days, 9-4. At the end of your two-day shift you will get your own bottle to take home. Trust me it’s worth 4 days work

So c’mon all y’all non faint of heart bourbonites. Email Laurel Hoekstra, Bottling Coordina-tor at [email protected] and she will fix you right up. ¨

Texas’ Own Bourbon Bottling Bash

No need to travel to Kentuky to bottle (and sample) quality bourbon Garrison Brothers Texas Straight

Bourbon Whiskey is distilled in the Texas Hill Country.


I write to express my views regarding the tragedy that occurred on December 15th in Newtown, Connecticut and to respectfully request that you to consider a direction for the State of Texas and our Nation that may be markedly different from proposals coming from President Obama and some of your colleagues at all levels of government and the mainstream news media.I concur that we must do something to prevent more tragedies such as the school shooting that killed so many children but I do not agree with the direction the President or the anti-gun advocates plan to move. Responsible gun owners might have been able to stop or limit some of the carnage from such mass shootings as the Dec. 14 killings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., in which 20 children and six adults died.

On December 15th “Evil visited this community today,” Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy said of Friday’s massacre.

This tragedy occurred in a state with some of the most restrictive gun laws in the nation.

I have listened to all sides of the debate as I have for years, and this debate has gone on for most of my lifetime, as none of this is new. In my view we need to do a far better job of protecting our children and ourselves that we do from the evil-minded and the deranged. But I am sick and tired of hearing that acts of criminals and madmen are the fault of this Nation’s lawful firearms owners.

For years now I have listened to the rhetoric related to “reasonable” gun laws and how they will lead to a safer society. In short, that legislation failed with resulting unintended consequences. In 1994, President Clinton and Congress passed laws restricting “assault weapons” which included a broad list of firearms and their accessories, choosing a mass murder in California as reason for action. A deranged man armed with semiautomatic

weapons had gone on a rampage, slaughtering eight people at an office building in downtown San Francisco. This tragic event became the focal point that sparked historic legislation blaming legitimate American firearms owners and at the expense of the Second Amendment to our Constitution. The law did little to crime, since these banned weapons are typically not used in significant amounts of crime. Congress chose to let this foolish legislation to expire in 2004.

In the years since 1994 may states including Texas have passed concealed carry laws. Since the 1994 “assault weapons” ban ended the crime rate has been steadily decreasing. This decline took place in an era where gun sales increased and carry permit laws were liberalized.

From local news in San Antonio, Texas. Two days after the CT massacre, a man went to a restaurant in San Antonio, TX to kill his ex-girlfriend. After he shot her, most of the people in the restaurant

The Gun Control Debate

Frank Giacalone’s Letter to Congress

Strength in Numbers Join fellow gun owners - write your congressmen


Ask not, “What my networking organization can do for me?” Ask, “What can I do for my networking organization?”

That’s right folks it is the other way around. Last issue we talked about working a trade show booth and I am happy to report that someone actually listened. As I was walking a trade show at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston recently I came across a very enthusiastic young lady. She stepped up, looked me in the eye and said, “Well? How am I doing?” In her hand she held the January/February issue of A Shot of Texas Magazine. “Very well,” I replied and thus my teaching abilities were recognized.

I don’t understand how a company can pay for a membership in an organization and then not be an integral part of that same organization. ABC Houston is one of those organizations that experiences member companies dropping out. The membership committee will then make a call to ask them why. Unbelievably, the answer is most often cited is that “we never got much business from being members.”

Joining up is one thing and being a part of is another. Here are my dos and don’ts of networking organizations.

Do join only if you plan to attend most functions.

Don’t join if you think that you are going to get business by simply being listed in the directory.

Do become active and get on every committee that they have going. I say all because you don’t know if being on that committee will benefit both the organization and yourself until you join.

Don’t sign up for a committee and then not show. It takes five times for one person to remember you. This is a proven fact.

Do keep track of who you meet, when and where you met and how many times you have met. The magic number is five. ¨

Don’t AskSecond in a series of Networking Tips from Rob Kahn


Just Outside Soldotna, Alaska – King season is over, and since I had a day off before silvers start, I thought I would go for a walk. This occurred at 11:16 am, just 2/10 of a mile from my house – on our road – while walking my dogs (ironically trying to get in shape for hunting season!). This is in a residential area-not back in the woods. No bow hunting. No stealth.

I heard a twig snap. And looked back. Full on charge-a huge brown-ie, ears back, head low and motorin’ full speed! Came with zero warn-ing; no “woof”, no popping of the teeth, no standing up, nothing like what you think or see on TV!

It charged from less than 20 yards and was on me in about one-second! Totally surreal. I just started shooting in the general direction. And praise God that my second shot (or was it my third?) rolled him at five feet and he skidded to a stop ten feet BEYOND

where I was shooting my position. I actually sidestepped him and fell over backwards on the last shot. And his momentum carried him to a stop past where I fired my first shot!

It was a prehistoric old boar. No teeth. No fat. It weighed between 900 and 1000 pounds and took five men to DRAG it onto a tilt-bed trailer! Big bear. Its paw measured out at about a 9-1/2 footer! Never ever thought it would happen to me!

Well, no bull. I am still high on adrenaline. With my gut in a knot (it felt like I had done 10,000 crunches) puked for an hour after. Had the burps and couldn’t even stand up as the troopers conducted their investigation! Totally wiped me out. Can’t put that feeling into words. By far the most emotion I have ever felt at once.

No doubt that God was with me,

when I decided to bring my Ruger .454 Casull and some “hot” 350 grain solids just for the heck of it. on my morning walk. And when I managed to draw and snap shoot (pointed, never even aimed!) from the hip. Total luck shot! All I can say is praise God for my safety and for choosing to leave the wife and kids at home on this walk!

Now, if either Hillary, or Barry Hus-sein or anyone else in this adminis-tration starts making noises about taking away your right to protect yourself with a gun, we need to let them know where we stand. Very quickly! ¨

Wild Alaska“My right to carry my pistol saved my life and could save yours.”


fled next door to a theater. This insane gunman followed them and entered the theater so he could shoot more people. He started shooting and people in the theater started running and screaming. It’s like the Aurora, CO theater story plus a restaurant!

There was an off duty coun-ty deputy at the theater. SHE pulled out her gun and shot the man 4 times before he had a chance to kill anyone. San Antonio is giving her a medal for her heroism.So since this story makes the point that the best thing to stop a bad person with a gun is a good person with a gun then why does it appear that the national media is treating it like it never happened? Only the local media covered it.

Now aren’t you wondering why this isn’t a lead story in the national media along with the CT school shoot-ing? It does not fit the bi-ases of the national news media against American gun owners but it does re-inforce that the best first-responder is an armed citi-zen.

When we created “gun-free” zones crimes and mass murders in these areas skyrocketed; an unintended consequence of putting our first responders minutes away when seconds count. Laws making schools gun-free zones have backfired: “They tell every insane kill-

er in America that schools are the safest place to inflict maximum mayhem with minimum risk.” said Wayne LaPierre of the NRA.

These laws should be reformed to provide in-creased mandatory pen-alties for violators and liberalized to encourage citizens who are qualified to carry a concealed fire-arm to be able to do so in a school zone. Some school districts in Texas do this now. No defense is not a good defense.

The broader picture includes a fact that seems paradoxical in light of Newtown: There is actually less gun violence today than there was 20 years ago. The national homicide rate is down to the level it was at in the early 1960s. I find it extraordinary that the locales in this country with the greatest firearms violence have some of the most restrictive firearms laws and the poorest enforcement record. In “evidence-based medicine”, the evidence points to the need for a very different approach.

Empower the “real” • first responders; those citizens that are on the scene and lawfully armed; especially in schools; concealed carry laws now create a “first line of defense” that our Founders intended.

Increase enforcement •

and prosecution effec-tiveness of our existing firearms laws includ-ing the use of “manda-tory” sentences; severe penalties deter criminal activity and mandatory prosecution removes the criminal from our streets. If we must spend money in a tight budget environment let it be to remove the criminals and criminally ill.

Monitor our mentally ill • providing database ac-cess to law enforcement at all levels; healthcare providers must be em-powered and respon-sible to alert authorities of potentially dangerous individuals

In the interests of pub-• lic safety do something about the misuse of public information used by an anti-gun media to drive their political agenda by publically posting private informa-tion with intent to cause harm to law-abiding citizens; reckless acts harm firearms owners and non-owners alike by providing the evil-minded who prey upon the defenseless with a roadmap...another “gun-free” zone

As a consequence of • reduced national and state budgets in the 1970’s, and in the interests of patient privacy, laws changed providing more

protections for the mentally ill and thereby less public information about those who could pose potential societal risk. Existing firearms law restricts lawful purchase of firearms and ammunition by criminals and the mentally ill. Criminal background checks are part of the process of lawful purchase...databases exist now and should be expanded as they relate to the mentally ill.

“How many more copycats are waiting in the wings for their moment of fame from a national media machine that rewards them with wall-to-wall attention and a sense of identity that they crave, while provoking others to try to make their mark? A dozen more killers, a hundred more? How can we possibly even guess how many, given our nation’s refusal to create an active national database of the mentally ill?”

Further, we must do some-thing about the hate and take steps to alter the cul-ture in the U.S. that glam-orizes violence. We must also take steps to discour-age hate; much of it is fed by the biases of our na-tional media. We have a national media propaganda machine that distorts facts for their political end, at the expense of the Ameri-can people and the US Constitution. ¨


There’s one industry where today’s fashions just don’t make it. That‘s construction. Fancy duds are likely to get caught or snagged and cause you to fall or to get hurt in some other way. Your clothing should not only be appropriate, but rugged enough

to stand up to the use it’ll get.

KEEP YOUR SHIRT ON Always wear a heavy duty shirt, preferably long sleeved with the cuffs buttoned at the wrist. Don’t wear it loose or baggy. Keep it tucked in to avoid snagging. Your shirt will protect you from sunburn, so keep it on even when the weather is hot. It also will protect you from scrapes and from skin-irritating materials, such as concrete water and poison ivy. Don’t wear anything around your neck that can dangle and get caught in machinery.

NO BAGGY PANTS Wear straight-line pants of proper length without pocket flaps or cuffs. They should not be baggy or so long that your heels get caught in them. You probably can’t keep your pants up without a belt. If your belt is too long, cut off the extra length or run it through additional belt loops. In this way it won’t get caught and pull you into machinery.

LEAVE JEWELRY HOMEOne of the most common causes of amputated fingers is jewelry, such as rings, wrist watches and bracelets. Lt may look nice, but if it gets caught in machinery, you’re in for a painful experience.

PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARDDifferent jobs call for different kinds of foot-wear, but, generally, properly fitted, high top safety boots should be worn. They give you more support than other boots and more protection in case you drop something on your foot where steel-tip footwear should always be required. Wear rubber boots when working in wet material, especially if it’s deep. Spreading concrete is a good example.

WINTER WEAR During cold weather, two light, woolen shirts are better than one heavy one for warmth. Gloves and hard hat liners are also advisable in cold weather. ¨

Dress for SuccessClothing for Construction


Brand Energy & Infrastructure

to Hold Charity Golf Tournament

PASADENA, TX — Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services will host its Third Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, April 26 at the Timber Creek Golf Club in Friendswood, TX.

The tournament will benefit Combat Marine Outdoors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding in the rehabilitation of Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Navy Corpsmen recovering from traumatic injuries sustained in combat. The organization provides these wounded servicemen with opportunities to go on outdoor adventures away from the confines of the hospital.

More than 220 individuals participated in last year’s tournament, which raised $50,000 for Combat Marine Outdoors.

For more information or to register, contact Michael Marta at (281) 404-5112 or email [email protected]. ¨

The Brand Golf Tournament provides opportunities for wounded servicemen to go on outdoor adventures.

For a Dealer in your area, or more information about GameGuard camouflage, please contact us at: 1.888.381.GAME or visit us at www.GameGuard.net

ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

WANTED

GameGuardThe Official Camo of the Lone Star State!™

A Shot of Texas Magazine4500 Williams Drive, Ste 212-413Georgetown, TX 78633

Don’t Waste Your Ad Dollars on Those Other Turkeys!

Advertise where people in Industry spend their spare time – in the outdoors.

Nearly 100% of Industry enjoys the outdoors, why not consider joining a forum that we all enjoy and actually read, A Shot of Texas Magazine.

• Ad rates well below standard Industry magazines• Six, no-cost networking events per year• Free catered event for a full page ad for up to

100 people

832-922-1508 • [email protected]

Like us on Facebook

Date post:	26-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	omar-cabrera
View:	221 times
Download:	5 times

A Shot of Texas Magazine #2

Documents