Protection in troubled times
By JOHN CRINER
Times Outdoors Columnist
These are unsettled times and we all want to know what to do to protect our families, our homes and businesses, and our selves. The people trying to cause harm are not concerned about our safety and many do not understand anything but force. If we are outsized and out numbered, guns appear to be the only answer. Granted many folks do not like weapons and fear them, however there are many citizens who use them for recreational hunting, target practice, and defense.
Possession of guns is a personal choice. The Governor and State Police say a citizen in Arkansas has the right to carry arms, either concealed or open. The 2nd Amendment guarantees the same thing. The groups wanting to take away guns want the citizens of America to have no way to defend and protect themselves and their property. Papa Duck visited Aubrey Zachary who is a certified gun instructor and is very knowledgeable about the laws and use of firearms. He explained many of the laws in a clear and precise manor.
What can you do if someone is breaking into your house, or trying to burn down the house, or attack you personally? When can deadly force be use? It is illegal to break into a house, but you can not shoot through a door when the intruder is outside and you must fear bodily harm. A prosecutor has the right to prosecute or not. Deadly force can not be used if you can get away, but the citizen is not required to retreat in his own home. If the intruder breaks into a home, deadly force may be used. If pumping gas, and a person is threatened, an attempt must be made to escape before using force. A person fleeing can not be shot in the back. We are blessed in Crittenden County to have outstanding police departments that truly wants to help and protect us. Thank you!
A gun license is not required to carry a weapon in Arkansas but several states like Tennessee and Illinois require a license. These states are not 2nd Amendment friendly, but do honor gun license. The 2nd Amendment allows the home owner the right to have guns, knifes, and clubs to protect their homes. Some of our laws are complex and Papa Duck recommends taking Zack’s class. Come to class to learn the laws and how to shoot. Passing the course allows you to apply for a concealed license. 70 percent of his classes are women and most of his students are working class people concerned with personal protection and property. Call Aubrey Zackary at 901-647-9053 for information and to register. For hunters going out of state to hunt, some states require a gun license. Get it before hunting season.
The heat and phase of the moon has slowed down much of the good fishing. In all the lakes it’s catfish time. Some fishermen use single poles while others like yoyos, limb lines, and trot lines which must have the name and phone number on them. With the heat of a long hot summer, fishing is expected to be spotty at best. Wapanocca is still producing good catches of bream and bass, but the moss is affecting the fishing. Good bass fishermen are taking some very nice fish. Horseshoe is still the local crappie lake but the fish are retreating into the cooler deep waters and required more expertise to catch them. Bream and bass are about the same. Because the river was late getting out of Midway, it remains the bream and bass lake of choice. Hopefully the cooler river water will last for a while longer. Bank and pier fishing is available for $5. Burnt Cane does not get much local fishing, but it is a very long lake and there is plenty of shade. The bream and bass are biting but they are on the small side. Burnt Cane has always been a good catfish lake and they are biting now. Tilden Rodgers and Marion Rec catfish and bream are biting, but it’s early and late for the best fishing and get there in time to get a shade tree.
Even though it is hot, load up the family, get plenty of ice and drinks and head to Mother Nature.
Take plenty of pictures, they don’t have to be fishing pictures, and send them to Papa Duck along with some details. Lakeside Taxidermy has done some beautiful fish and we need more. The service is fast and the price is reasonable.
Papa Duck Lakeside Taxidermy 901-482-3430 jhcriner@hotmail.com
Kristan Uran and Noah Brawley caught their limits out at Midway Lake.
Photos by John Criner
Joreatha Gray shows off her 15-pound catfish caught out at Tilden Rodgers Park.
Jenna James, Tyler Sims and Brett Sweatman caught a nice stringer of fish out at Tilden Rodgers Park.
Check out the whopper this West Memphis fisherman landed out at Horseshoe Lake over the weekend.
