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Spaulding Smails

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Posts posted by Spaulding Smails

  1. I solved one problem last night.  But created another.  Now, I need to figure out how to get the skunk SMELL out of the coop.  I went out there today to try to clean up and get some of the old hay out of there.  I couldn't even come back in the house without taking my clothes off and hopping in the shower.  Just walking in the coop left me covered in skunk stank.  Trying to air it out right now, but it's BAD.

    Went out last night after the UT game.  Dude was in there.  Shut the doors, and he climbed the ramp into the area where they nest.  I ended up knocking a hole in the wire mesh covering one window to to coop, then got my wife on the far side of the nesting area with the water hose.  He finally got down from the nesting area, so I had a pot shot with a light and the .22.  I guess he sprayed right when I shot him.  

    And that smell...  I'm afraid that coop is going to stink for months.  

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  2. I'll also throw software "consultants" into the mix.  Especially anyone selling an enterprise, subscription based product.  The sales guy wows you on the front end with promises of easy install, training and immediate ROI.  Their support teams suck, and it's a revolving door of personnel so they can always blame the last guy.  

    I'm getting ready to cut half my tech deck.  I'm tired of paying stupid fees for no results.  

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  3. 5 hours ago, Storm the Field said:

    What time do you East TX hunters set your feeders for the mornings? I feel like last year we had ours way too early for the first few weeks. Sitting in the dark for 40+ minutes after going off. 

    It wasn't what I'd consider light enough to shoot until about 5 minutes past 7 this morning. I'm thinking maybe 6:45 am for now, adjust to 6 am after the time change, and then nudge it up to 6:20 or so after Thanksgiving? Currently going off at 5:45 in the evenings, but will probably adjust to ~4:30 after the time change. Making a quick trip up Saturday to top off feeders and set the feed schedule.

    Many an argument has ensued at a deer lease over feeder times.  Throw in DST changes. and it can be downright comical. 

    I've gotten lazy.  I leave all my feeders set on standard time year round.  I run them from October 1 through the end of doe season.  Morning feed at 7:30, afternoon feed at 4:30.  So, 8:30 and 5:30 right now.  We're in western Kimble County, and I used the sunrise / sunset for the winter solstice as my guide.  I think it was roughly 7:30 AM for sunrise and 5:45 for sunset.  So, shooting light is 7 AM - 6:15 PM.  I HATE when the feeder spins before first light.  And, I wanted to set the afternoon time late enough for me to make it in the stand before it goes off on a Friday afternoon.  

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  4. Anyone have experience with skunks as they pertain to chickens and eggs?  

    For the last few weeks, we've noticed a TON of feathers on the ground beneath the roosting bars in our coop.  And, egg production has been down significantly.  We attributed it to molting.  We manually open / close the door to the coop every morning and evening.  If we're going to be gone late one evening, we'll leave them in the coop all day.  We're typically out to close up the coop within an hour or so of dusk.  Two nights ago, I was out of town, and my wife went out later than normal (around 10 PM) to close the coop.  She had an encounter with a skunk.  LUCKILY, she got away before being sprayed.  He ended up making his way out, and she chalked it up to a one-time encounter.  

    Last night, we got home from dinner, and I went out to shut the coop door.  That little SOB was in there again.  I closed the door and went to get the .410.  After Unfortunately, the way he came out when I opened the door, I couldn't get a shot off without blasting my coop.

    So, the question is... do skunks eat chicken eggs?  Is he the culprit messing with our flock?  I'm going to set out a have-a-heart trap (then blast him if I catch him) this evening.  

  5. On 10/1/2025 at 8:09 AM, markstanco said:

    I just bought the same feeder.  You like it alright?  

    Also, some T posts and hog panels are cheap and easy to put around your feeder.  I think I used 8-10 panels and it took me only 3 beers to put them up. 

    We have three of these feeders at our place.  Absolutely love them.  7+ years and no issues.  Put in new batteries last year for the first time.

    CSB:  Literally THE FIRST HUNT after we filled one of these feeders.  My son was probably 10.  Deer season hadn't even opened, but he wanted to go up there to try to shoot pigs.  We got to the ranch later than expected and the feeder had already gone off.  We'd been in the stand for 5 minutes, and a decent sized boar walks out from the east.  He stops in the sendero about 50 yds from the feeder.  My son shoots him and he runs off to the north.  I can hear him kind of thrashing in the brush about 200 yards away.  I decided to get down and put another round in his ear to put him out of his misery.  I'm about 20 yards away from him, getting ready to squeeze off a round and I hear a BOOM from the direction of the blind.  Oh shit.  My heart sinks.  I'm immediately freaked out.  I start sprinting back to the blind fearing the worst.  He's been shooting since he was six, and has always been very responsible around firearms, but I can't believe I left a 10 year old by himself in the blind.  Probably the single most panicked I've ever been as it relates to my kids.

    I get within sight of the blind, and I see my son hanging out the window smiling and waving.  Immediate relief.  But, now I'm perplexed.  Evidently, right after I left, a sounder came out to the feeder.  That little SOB squared up his .223 and squeezed a round off at a little sow.  Unfortunately, that sow was DIRECTLY BEHIND THE FEEDER.  He shot straight through the motor box.  Miraculously, it went right between the motor, the control box and the battery.  Through and through right through the ear of the little sow.  Covered up the bullet holes with duct tape, and it still spins like a champ.

    • Like 4
  6. 33 minutes ago, Herbie Hancock said:


    You know who the only people are that think owning cows is a good idea? The people that don’t own any cows.

    Cows are like boats.  The only thing better than owning one is having a friend that owns one.

    Go make friends with families who have kids who raise animals for show.  Preferably the mediocre ones.  For the last decade, we've bought a side of beef every March from our friends' kids.  I spent $1,800 this year for 250 lb of beef, all vacuum sealed in individual packets.  I'm guessing half of that was ground, the rest steaks, roasts and misc cuts.  It's good but not great.  I'll still treat myself to a prime cut a few times a year, but the rest is just fine for a random meal.  I have three more years before their youngest is out of HS.  Need to start recruiting for the next round!

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    • Drool 1
  7. On 9/22/2025 at 7:29 PM, tx 3 putt said:

     

    LaVaca port lavaca, the victoria location isn't the same / might be closed 

    get the tamale, entire menu is great 

     

    then 35 to rockport 

    Went to LaVaca in Victoria in June and was very underwhelmed.  It was decent, but nothing to write home about.  

  8. 8 hours ago, Vic Mackey said:

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    Southern Comfort.  I was 19.  Easter weekend.  I drove down from the 40 Acres to my parents' place on Lake Medina.  We were going to hang there for the long weekend, then drive to Seguin for Easter Sunday with my grandma and all my kinfolk.  I had a few beers at dinner during a little get-together at my aunt's house Saturday night.  I remember at some point after dark going to the patio where we all the food was left out after everyone left and seeing an enormous raccoon sitting on the folding table like Jabba the Hut with a bag of Ruffles between his legs, just chowing down when I flipped the lights on and busted him.  He stopped mid bite like I'd busted a fat kid with a hand in the cookie jar.  But I digress...

    I told my parents I was going to stay with my cousin that night who lived in a single wide trailer next door.  They drove home, and I proceeded to drink an entire fifth of SoCo (it was still sealed and kept in the freezer.  How cool is that!?!?).  We fished, night skied, shot pistols and raised hell with some skanky neighbor chicks that were much older than me.  I remember passing out in the grass out front and banging on the skirting of the trailer until he came out so I could ask him to roll me over so I wouldn't choke on my own vomit.  

    The next morning, I poured myself into his truck for the 20 minute drive back to my folks' house.  I had to help my dad put the boat back on the trailer, and it was sheer agony.  My dad realized how bad of shape I was in and drove my truck to Seguin for me that afternoon.  We had Easter lunch, and I remember sitting on the front porch puking bile in the flowerbed nursing a dinner roll all afternoon trying to not embarrass my parents.

    I hung around with my grandma after everyone left.  It was honestly one of my fondest memories of her.  She told me stories of her and my grandpa painting the town red, him playing semi-pro baseball, running across the border to Acuña and all the other things I could never fathom my grandparents doing.  

    So, great memory, but I've never had a sip of Southern Comfort in the 26 years since that day.  

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  9. 7 hours ago, Noogman said:

    Won't be able to make it out for dove season this year, but I found out today my dad and I got drawn for a public archery hunt down at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in January for whitetails and unlimited exotics. Very excited to get down to that part of the world and bow hunt. 

    Anyone have any experience with the public hunts down there? It's the Laguna Unit. 

    No direct experience at all, but does the access to exotics include nilgai?  Because that would be pretty f'n amazing if you could arrow one.

    I've had some friends do the (somewhat questionable) hunt for nilgai in the tidal flats south of Port Mansfield.  One I know had success, but it came with constant concern over confrontations with King / Kenedy ranch personnel along with the chore of dragging a 400+ lb nilgai a few hundred yards through muck back to the boat.  

    Any idea on the total number of drawn hunters and previous kill rates?  I looked through the TPWD draw hunt harvest results and didn't see a single listing for Laguna Atascosa.  Regardless, that's going to be a fun experience.  Congrats on getting drawn!

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  10. 4 hours ago, BrazilHorn said:

    Don't forget Austin High (The original Austin area power) - got beat 47-3 by Canyons (obviously I am joking about AHS being on same tier as those other teams.

    On different note - Holy Shit at Drip curb stomping Vandegrift. From winning state to getting face raped week 1. I am hoping that is a harbinger of what Texas does to Ohio State today

    Drip looked really good.  Expectations were down this year because they lost a ton of talent.  I'm obviously biased, but they had a great game plan and executed well.  Defense had Teodecki (K-State commit) confused all night and he couldn't get in a rhythm.  Great run-pass balance on offense kept Vandegrift's defense on its toes.  They had a few mistakes on the O-Line and that TD they gave up at the end of the first half showed signs of fatigue, but they bounced back incredibly well in the second half.  

    The biggest play that doesn't show up in the box score was a fluky deal in early Q3 when they were up 20-14.  Starting center goes down with an injury.  Second snap from the backup center goes almost completely over QB Ames's head.  He's able to JUST BARELY get a hand on the ball, and they're able to fall on it.  If that goes completely over his head, it brings a turnover into the conversation.  Next play is a false start.  So, 3rd and 25 from their own 10.  Instead of being conservative and running the ball up the middle, taking your medicine and punting, they dial up a wheel route to RB Gotta for 52 yards.  Punched it in a few plays later.  HUGE swing in momentum.  

    My son is a senior baseball player at Drip.  So, he's grown up with / played sports with most of these kids.  If they stay healthy, this could be a fun season.  

  11. 8 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

    you overbuilt the shit out of this thing.  And I'm here for it. Looks like about double the wall studs that you needed, and those rafters...holy hell.   This thing is a bomb shelter.

    Pretty much spot on.  In my defense, I spaced the studs @ 11" OC so that my siding would land on them directly and I could avoid sheathing.  And yes.  Can double as a bomb / tornado shelter.  

  12. 20 minutes ago, Anastasis said:

    Would love to hear what tweaks your are going to incorporate and how this progresses. Reminder this out from the food board post. 

    Nothing too major.  I designed the last one myself, but I'm no mason and a lousy welder, so I had it built.  

    Biggest thing is figuring out how to prevent the stone veneer from cracking.  It had firebrick inside, but the heat still cracked the mortar joints within months.  If I keep the stone veneer, I think I'm just going to use high heat refractory cement for the mortar joints unless I can figure out another option.  The two other big changes center around access.  I need to make sure the main access door to put logs in the firebox is flush without a lip.  It was a pain scooping out ashes.  The next one can't have a lip.  I need to be able to slide the ashes right out.  Similar thing around the perimeter of the grills.  I had one over the firebox for direct grilling and a second as a smoke chamber.  They worked great, but there were basically voids around the perimeter that were difficult to access.  So, I need to figure out how to make those flush vertically for easier access.  The last big thing would be to add a retractable (swing-up) steel ledge in the front that acts as a counter for staging the meat.  The dimensions of the last one were pretty big, and the ledge was 12" deep.  So, it was tough to reach the back of the grill.  I'll shrink that some for sure.  That little square thing in the middle of the front was a handle for the baffle between the firebox and the main smoke chamber.  That needs some modifications as well to improve balance, but that's pretty minor.

    Ultimately, I just make it completely out of firebrick and forego the veneer.  It won't look as nice, but it should remedy some of the depth issues and mortar cracking.  Need to get the wife to buy off on those aesthetics first.

    Just now, thunderlounge said:

     

    Stove pipe? 

    Yep.  That's exactly what I'm thinking. 

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  13. 1 hour ago, Jkwellborn said:

    You could build the duct and box out of bricks.

    That's basically what the pit will be.  Just need to figure out how to duct it over.  Here's the old one I'm going to replicate from my last house with a few modifications.  

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  14. Before the birth of our first when she decided to be a SAHM, my wife worked for a startup.  They were fledgling.  She had been there 4 years and had some decent stock options.  But, they weren't vested, so she would have had to scratch a check to the tune of about $20K to get the stock.  Simultaneously, a good friend that was a stock broker at the time had the inside scoop on a pre-IPO for a company called Spare Backup.  This was right on the cusp of cloud storage being a real thing, so it seemed like a no-brainer.  My wife and I decided that her stock probably wouldn't be worth the paper it was written on given the perceived direction of the company.  So, we bought $20K in Spare Backup stock and passed on her shares.

    Fast forward a few years, and my wife's old company sells to AT&T.  At roughly 20X the price we would have paid for the stock.  And my sure thing?  Screen shot attached.  The ROI comparison between those two decisions is roughly infinity.  I never adjusted my cost basis, but I didn't get out quickly enough.  Got under $1,000 out of the deal.  Still brings back nightmares.  

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    • Fuck Around and Find Out 2
  15. I'm almost done with a fun little project.  We make all of our own sausage, and since moving two years ago, I've been limited to breakfast, Italian, etc and can't do my traditional link sausage.  That all changes this winter.  

    I didn't get pics of the pad, but I poured a little 6'x6' 4" thick slab with #3 rebar at 12" OC.  20 bags of 80# readymix was 2 bags short, so I had to haul ass up to Home Depot before it set up the day I poured it.  I framed it the following weekend and put on the siding / hung the doors last weekend.  I've got probably 12-15 hours of work in it total so far.  Just need to install the metal roof and stain the exterior to match the house then throw in a thermometer.  

    After that, I still need to figure out my strategy on the fire box.  I'm toying with buying an old offset smoker, cutting the firebox off, and welding to a little skid, then running some 4" duct to the smokehouse.  This would be a somewhat temporary solution, so I don't want to go too crazy.  Eventually, I'm going to build a large "Lockhart style" BBQ pit adjacent to it, and I think I can run a duct straight from that into the smokehouse.  So, i want to kind of play around with a cheap solution before I commit to that.  

     

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  16. Played Friday with two friends.  I hit the ball OK, but missed by just enough just often enough to screw up a round.  Short sided myself multiple times.  Missed fairways by less than a yard four separate times, all of which ended up in heavy rough that affected my approach shot significantly.  It was one of those rounds that should've been in the low 80s, maybe upper 70s with some good breaks, but carded an 89.  Second shitty round in a row.

    Meanwhile, my 12 hdcp buddy rattles off 6 birdies, and my 18 hdcp buddy lips our for albatross and has a banner round.  I need the pendulum to start swinging back the other way.  Soon.  

  17. 10 minutes ago, Incredulity said:

    Oh No Comedy GIF by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

     

    I get it and I'm just being Surly.  Few things in golf beat the feeling of a pure struck low iron.  I'm nothing special at the game, but could always hit low irons pretty damn good(would promptly give away anything I gained around the green).

    That's been my golf game the last few months prior to yesterday.  Solid off the tee with good distance.  Decent long irons.  But struggling to capitalize on short approach shots.  Chipping has been suspect.  And putting fell off a cliff.  I was averaging under 30 putts/round last year.  Up to over 33 this year.  Not a lot of three putts, but missing makable putts constantly.  So, for the strokes I've picked up off the tee and from the short grass, I've given them back around the green.  I also have the inevitable 2-3 blow up holes per round.  I feel like I'm a 5-6 hdcp tee to green, but have been a 20 hdcp around the green and putting.  It's all about putting in the work, which I haven't.  

    I'm hoping work slows down in the next year so I can try to turn that corner to a consistent single-digit handicap.  

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  18. Played yesterday after work.  I've been feeling like I was SO CLOSE to turning the corner to the point I can start breaking 80 every once in a while.  Consistently 80-84 for the last few months.  So, what do I do? I lay an absolute egg.  It was like I forgot how to play golf.  Started off OK, but had a stretch of bogey-double-triple-triple-triple-bogey on the front 9 for a smooth 48.  Somewhere in there was a 3-iron that went about 40 yards.  A drive that was in another county and a one-putt triple bogey on a par 3 despite being pin high and 6 ft right of the green off the tee.  I recovered somewhat with a 42 on the back, but it was an absolute grind.  Couldn't find a fairway to save my life and irons were just far enough off line to cause issues.  

    I hate golf.  Which is why I'm going back out there to walk 9 after work today.

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    • Haha 1
  19. 3 hours ago, BabaYaga said:

    If you already have a .22lr, Aguila sub-sonic ammo is the teets.  Doesn't cycle in a semi, so make your shots count.  Bolt gun or lever action would be optimal.

    This is the way.  I had a fox that nabbed a half dozen or so chickens and two ducks at my last house (in a neighborhood).   Smell is one thing.  If they ever get the taste of chicken, they'll be coming back indefinitely.  The day it nabbed the ducks, I found the head of our drake about a half mile down the road in Godfather fashion.  Foxes are some of the coolest animals... until they gain that affinity for your birds.  

    Finally got him with a sub-sonic .22 round in the cloak of darkness.  Held the spot light under the stock of my old lever action iron sight .22 and popped him between the eyes at about 30 yds.  

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  20. 5 hours ago, nolongerU2horn said:

    Well, I shot 87 at Sandia Golf Club in Albuquerque on Friday. 

     

    48-39!  Easily my best 9 in a long time. Hit every fairway on the back with 2 birdies. Hit a couple into the desert on the front.

     

    Sandia was fantastic. One of the best conditioned courses I've ever played and really a bargain at $114 on a Friday morning. That's less than you'll pay at Avery on a weekend. Which is ridiculous.

     

     

    Sandia is a really fun course.  And Albuquerque is an awesome location for a quick, cheap golf vacation.  Twin Warriors and Paako Ridge are both easily accessible from downtown / the airport.   Paako is pretty spectacular and worth the 45 minute drive.  

    About 10 years ago, we did a three day weekend there.  Flew in early Friday morning from Austin.  Landed by 8 AM (gained an hour).  Got 36 in at Sandia.  Gambled at their shitty casino that night.  36 at Paako the next day (27-hole course).  Ate ribs and fajitas at El Pinto that night.  Blakes' green chile burrito followed by 18 at TW early Sunday morning.  Back home to Austin in time for supper Sunday night.  All-in for under $1K.  

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  21. 58 minutes ago, Surly Bevo said:

    If he's a lefty who can throw mid 80s he will get looks, he will get more looks if he goes after them.

    Thanks!  Hope you're right.  Trying to figure all that out right now, and encouraging him to do it on his own.  I've always pushed him to do things himself.  So, it'll be up to him on how hard he wants to pursue this thing.

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