SERINE HALVERSON

BAD RIFLE ADVICE?

I was appalled to see the recommendation in the article “Shoot Your Best,” (Sept. 2009, Page 54) to cover the muzzle of a rifl e with tape. I am a former Marine armorer, journeyman gunsmith, gunshop owner, hunter education instructor and lifelong hunter, and I know that, when hunting in inclement conditions, moisture will always fi nd its way around the bolt face and into the chamber and barrel. Even if you are carrying your rifl e slung, when you remove the rifl e from your shoulder rain, condensation or melted snow will accumulate in the bore, chamber and at the muzzle when obstructed by tape.

During the hunting seasons in your northern clime, temperatures frequently hover around freezing. Even if the column of water in the barrel doesn’t freeze, it still creates the worst hazard possible: a bore obstruction.

A bore obstruction will, at best, bulge the muzzle or bore of the rifl e. It can cause ruptured cases that can blind or otherwise injure the shooter and his companions, or, at worst, catastrophic structural failure with potentially severe or fatal injuries. I have seen rifl es in hunting camp that were not attended to every evening with their bores fi lled with ice their entire length to include the cartridge (that shouldn’t have been chambered) frozen in the chamber and the bolt frozen closed. This was caused by a plug of mud initially obstructing the muzzle.

Frequent inspection of your muzzle during the hunt to ensure that no mud, snow, or ice is obstructing the muzzle is the only safe procedure in these conditions. The damage caused by dust and debris (and easily repaired by re-crowning) is minor compared with the potentially life-threatening situation caused by blocking the muzzle. Don’t do it!

- Robert Williams Vale, Ore.

Don’t Ignore the Cause

Carl Battreall’s photographs of vanishing glaciers are eerily gorgeous. It is odd, though—and embarrassing for Alaska magazine—that the culprit is not even mentioned. There is no longer any credible doubt that this environmental cataclysm is the product of human industry. Please call it as it is.

- David Farris Portland, Ore.

Wonders about Whitekeys

I am fascinated by Mr. Whitekeys’ articles. His ability to write tongue-incheek and pull my leg is so amusing. What a brilliant writer. But does he really look like that?

- Jim Cox Lodi, Wis.

That’s really him. But he doesn’t always wear lipstick.

- Editor

Sherry’s Great, Too

I really enjoy your magazine. I especially enjoy Sherry Simpson’s contributions. Who does the art for her articles? And is that what Mr. Whitekeys really looks like?

- Lyle Mullenbach Chatfi eld, Minn.

The art for Sherry’s columns is created by Lance Lekander, and yes, that is really what Mr. Whitekeys looks like.

- Editor

Ugly Cover Shot

You did not do your magazine or the state any favors by putting the picture of the fi lthy-mouthed, cigarette-sucking Capt. Phil Harris on the cover of this usually beautiful magazine in October.

- Jim Guthrie Cortez, Fla.