Like all good questions, this one leads only to more questions. First, and most obviously, who put all this stuff here on a website? That one’s pretty easy. My name is Mike Congiardo, and I love to hunt and fish. I’m not a professional guide, I don’t own a gun or tackle shop, and I don’t write for or edit an outdoor magazine. I have a full-time job working behind a desk in an office, and I don’t get outdoors nearly as much as I’d like. See, I told you that part was easy.
The next logical question is somewhat more complicated. Why did I create this site? I already said that I love to hunt and fish. Because I don’t work in the “outdoor industry,” I don’t get to do either nearly as much as I would like. I’ve always dreamed of living the sporting life, traveling around the world with rod and gun. Cape buffalo in Africa, marlin off the Kona coast, you get the picture. Like most people, I find that my options are severely limited by two factors, time and money. There’s never enough of either, and both must be spent carefully. Most of my trips are self-guided, and involve places within an easy day’s drive. I live on the Gulf Coast, so that helps a little, but there hasn’t been a Cape buffalo through these parts in quite some time.
That brings us to the last and most important question. Who are you? When it comes to outdoor activities, do you have champagne taste and a beer budget? Is your most exotic hunting destination a dove field with your buddies? Do you wonder what fly pattern is most appealing to bream? If so, you may be an Armchair Outfitter. It’s O.K. We’re everywhere.
18 responses so far ↓
1 test // Oct 21, 2007 at 2:51 pm
This is a test comment to be sure that the site is working properly.
2 ellenbr // Oct 21, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Congiardo:
What type rifle is that & is there an ebony or horn cap on the forend?
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
3 armchairoutfitter // Oct 21, 2007 at 7:22 pm
The rifle is a Remington Model 700 BDL from the 1980′s in caliber .270 Win. The forend cap is . . . black. I’m not really sure of the material. I’d welcome any further comments that may illuminate this subject.
4 Greg // Oct 22, 2007 at 10:00 am
Look! You’ve killed Bambi’s mother!
On behalf of P.E.T.A., I demand you respect the rights of animals. Animals should not be hunted for sport or eaten for food, but should however be respected as an equal form of life and allowed to vote and run for political office. I personally have supported a badger in the last local mayorial race and his platform of eliminating the hunting of woodland creatures and his campaign of excessive dam building.
5 Theresa // Oct 22, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Very good picture. Where was it taken?
6 armchairoutfitter // Oct 22, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Thank you. The picture was taken by the “Sporting Wife” in Washington County, Alabama, at an undisclosed location where there are lots of deer.
7 ellenbr // Oct 23, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Congiardo:
What type bird-dog is pointed in the green on the banner above you?
8 Tim from Tenn // Oct 24, 2007 at 11:53 am
Nice looking site. What else are you going to put on here? Keep us updated on your recent deep-sea fishing trip and what you plan to do during gun season.
9 armchairoutfitter // Oct 24, 2007 at 7:39 pm
ellenbr:
That dog came with the theme and will be replaced soon with some original artwork, but even from that angle, any upland hunter should be able to distinguish the short-haired, liver-spotted Helifino!
10 armchairoutfitter // Oct 24, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Thanks Tim from Tenn:
There’s no telling what might wind up here. That depends on what people like you send me for inclusion on the site and the kind of stuff you tell me you’d like to see. I hope to have some surf-casting reports up soon, and maybe an article about replacing the trigger and safety on my .270 before deer season opens in Alabama.
11 ellenbr // Oct 26, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Congiardo:
A little known fact is that the Russians, instead of funding a project to develop a pen that would write in space, used a pencil and diverted funds to a dog program where they determined that the shorter the dog is, the better his nose is. That must be one fine sniffer the Helifino has.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
12 ellenbr // Oct 26, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Congiardo:
No, the truth was the opposite: the tall dog had a better nose than a shorter dog of the same breed. For each 4″ of separation in the shoulders, there could be a 10% increase in the ground clearance and still have the same sensitivity.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
13 armchairoutfitter // Oct 27, 2007 at 11:10 am
I’ve been meaning to respond to Greg, but I haven’t had the time. Bambi’s mother was tasty. Here’s hoping Bambi grows into a fine 8-point or better with a wide spread and massive bases. A drop tine or two would be nice. I don’t want to get too far into politics, but has anyone ever seen a badger dam? I get the distinct sensation that my leg is being pulled.
14 armchairoutfitter // Oct 27, 2007 at 11:29 am
Raimey:
I insist that you cite your source on this Russian dog study. You’d make a fine politician. You’ve pandered to owners of both tall and short dogs within the space of two posts. On the other hand, you’ve offended both as well. A political paradox indeed. Not to be confused with a Holland and Holland paradox, which as far as I know is apolitical. With the ability to function like a rifle and a shotgun, it may have been the original flip-flopper.
15 ellenbr // Oct 28, 2007 at 7:19 pm
armchairoutfitter:
I am awaiting the arrival of a Russian to English translation from St. Peterburg. I quizzed a wildlife bologist today who inferred that it really didn’t matter because all dogs are decendents of 1 dog.
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
16 ellenbr // Oct 28, 2007 at 7:49 pm
armchairoutfitter:
True H&H did intro the Paradox in 1885, but I believe it was on the Fosbery patent. And if you subscribe to the thought that the heavens opened up and shown brightly on the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers in London, then all is well. If not, much can be attributed to Westley Richards, of Birmingham- Guardians, in its success of multi-tasking via the Fosberry patent in the form of the Explora(12 bore) & Fauneta(20 bore).
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
17 stovert1 // Oct 30, 2007 at 3:01 pm
I’ve never met Raimey, but after reading his and your comments, I can see why you two get along so well.
18 armchairoutfitter // Oct 31, 2007 at 7:39 am
Raimey:
I too have great regard for Westley Richards and the other Birmingham gunmakers, but neither Explora nor Fauneta fit the pun I needed.
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