There is only a few more beautiful places than the southwestern desert in the wintertime. I have been fortunate last few years  to get an invitation to participate in the making of the quail hunting shows for the Gundog TV (previously American Birdhunter). These hunts take place anytime between early/mid December to the end of January. The locations are mostly in New Mexico. The specific spot is decided in the last moment as the scouting reports about the bird numbers come in. We’ve had good hunts, great ones and also couple epic ones. Is it ever bad? No it’s not.  Any chance I get to carry a shotgun and chase after quail or any bird is good. I have had friends or guides apologize for the “lack” of birds many times. The point is not how many birds but how often. It’s never too hot, too cold, too rainy too windy or not windy enough.

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California is the most populated state in the union. It is a state with the most diverse natural environment, the most comfortable weather and a state economy that could compete with many industrialized countries on its own.

I enjoy visiting the state every time I get a chance.  I also shot many clays in their wonderful sporting clubs. The comfortable weather makes it year around sport there.  I have met lot of great law abiding gun owners over the years but the most recent CZ-USA demo event really brought out the cream of the crop amongst the defenders of the 2nd amendment. 

This event was held at LAX Firing Range  right by Los Angeles international airport in  Inglewood. I was familiar with the area from my playing days. We used to play the L.A. Kings in the Great Western Forum, not far from there . Only the older hockey fans remember that arena and also only the older players do. 
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” The existence of Israel is like a birth of a child. We all know the science behind it but every time a child is born it’s a miracle. What we have to do is to nurture and protect it so it has a chance for a long and healthy life. ”

These were my thoughts sitting at Ben Gurion International Airport July 29th 2017 waiting for my flight back to US.  I only spent two weeks there but the country and its people touched me in a way few things in life have had.

I will try to walk you through my trip chronologically even though I started with the end. 

The opportunity to not only visit Israel but also teach at a local hockey school presented itself couple years ago. Longtime friend, knowing of my public support for Israel, asked me if I would like to go.  I immediately jumped on the opportunity and committed. Things took little time but ultimately it worked out better than I ever imagined.
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The moment the bird season ended last winter  all the shooting seemed to stop and real work begun. I did not have much time to shoot or write. This winter was extremely busy for me outside of the shooting sports. Life’s true responsibilities always come first. The end of winter did not signal the end of work but for some reason I found more time to pick up a gun and have some fun. Is it the nicer weather, longer days or just coincidence?

It doesn’t really matter. What’s important I shot some brand new CZ shotguns this spring. I will try to share my experiences and many other shooters’ in this “field” report. It was a lot of fun to break clays again. You don’t realize how addicting it is until you have a great gun in your hand and see the clays break or turn into dust. Her are few shotguns that really stood out for me.

CZ SWAMP MAGNUM

This is a 2017 offering from CZ-USA targeting the waterfowl hunters among us. Interestingly enough I believe I’ve had reasonable success hunting ducks past three years yet only used 3 inch shells for half dozen shots. I never moved up to 3 1/2 shells nor would I want to.

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My most recent hunting trip started very differently than any other one before. I spent two days in CZ-USA’s office and warehouse in Kansas City. Getting to know how great firearms get from small east-central European town of Uhersky Brod, where CZUB is headquartered, to the hands of American consumers. Knowing what it takes is important part of being able to represent CZ-USA’s firearms in United States. I will not disclose any details here but instead I will focus on the people who are behind this fast growing company. Yes it is very important to have great product to sell but more importantly it’s the people behind the scenes who deserve the most credit for successful business. I met everyone from accounting, sales, marketing, shipping and receiving, parts department, assembly and the gunsmiths. It is little bit like a hockey team where everyone has a role and has to accept it for the benefit of the team. When the team does well, everyone does well. When the team does not, well you know what happens then.

There is one thing I would like to focus on more. Come to find out, twenty percent of the company’s work force are US military veterans. I could not be happier to hear that news and meeting everyone. I believe it is important for all of us to remember and appreciate the sacrifice these men and women make. IT IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN ON OUR COUNTRY’S BEHALF.

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The inspiration and thoughts gathering for this blog came after spending an afternoon on my farm with two friends who are both US Army veterans. One of them served in WWII and the other in Vietnam. I thanked them for their service and told them what the United States of America has meant to me because of guys like them. I did not ask questions because I do not know if there is a “place/area” they do not feel comfortable going back to. I opened my house to them and they opened their hearts. Stories flowed like crystal clear water in Wyoming creek in the summer afternoon. (It runs much faster in the afternoon because warm sun speeds up the melting process) . I will not get into specific details but let’s just say I will not have another bad day for a long time if ever. Hearing about their struggles in the respective conflicts always helps to put things into prospective. The conversation we had made me even prouder to be an American. And by the way November 4th is going to be my 20th anniversary of becoming US citizen.

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Here we are at a time when everyone has a voice. Conventional wisdom would tell us  it’s a great time in history because so many voices (millions) have been silenced since the beginning of mankind. We are finding out more is not always better. We can contribute the social media, technology and our leaderless “leaders” to causing this greatest human experience, the USA, to be most divided since the Civil war. Yes I am one of the people who has a voice. I am not looking around for the person or “leader” who is going to unite us, who is going to make other people’s lives better or how to better our republic. It is me and  everyone of us doing more for our family, our community, setting better examples for our youth. What it’s going to take is serious, very serious and very honest look in the mirror. 

I am not the one to emotionally overreact to the events of last week. I prefer to give it time and go through thoughtful analysis of what happened.

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We are in full summer swing here in Wyoming. Summer is shorter than most places so we have to make the most of shooting friendly weather. Going out on public land and bringing bunch of guns and ammo is what we do here quite often and enjoy it every time. This year is no exception.   Wyoming is the most gun friendly state in the Union. Most people/citizens are better at handling firearms, safer and more responsible than the average American. Gun culture in our state does not have the negative connotation the anti gun politicians and liberal activist continue to emphasize. Many citizens get their guard up immediately because you do not discuss any other constitutional amendment in that matter. More taboo you’re going to make the guns, more problems you will have. We need people to understand what guns are good for and get more people involved in firearms safety, training and discussion. Not less.

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Young man recently asked me to help him with his senior project about idolizing successful people in America. I found the term idolizations not positive and “warned” him that my prospective might be little different than most. It was formed by growing up in Czech Republic and playing professional hockey for two decades. Being amongst many who were considered role models yet shy away from that responsibilities. Everyone wonders and is trying to figure out how to make the country better place yet they do not want to change their behavior enough to make a difference. The story goes like this.

It was early to mid 90’s,my career just beginning to take off when I hear some members of the NBA on TV saying they are not role models during an interview. I can not remember who it was because it did not concerned me. What peeked my interest was the players were turning down the opportunity to be difference makers on the court and in the lives of many kids who were looking up to them. I made a decision at the exact moment I will not be selfish and bail on kids, my team or the society ever. I did not accomplish my success by myself. First it was my parents and my grandparents then coaches in youth hockey, veteran teammates in the  pros and other mentors throughout my career and life. None of us becomes successful in whatever we do without external help. Those people felt responsible to be there for me and help if needed. I feel responsible to give back. No matter your field of success mechanic, teacher, doctor, small business owner, athlete or artist. If you are successful someone is looking up to you because they want to “make it”. Success breeds responsibility because no one needs to be mentored by someone who’s mediocre. Sounds harsh but being average at anything does not take much.

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This has been a tremendous bird season for me and some of my friends. Plentiful grouse in Rocky Mountains, one of the best quail numbers in recent memory and so many ducks down on the bayou we could not keep up. The following blog is an account of my best duck hunt yet. What made this more interesting was Louisiana weather in January. My friend’s knowledge of the water, the winds and weather patterns proved crucial to our success. And of course my new Super Scroll combo was to “blame” too.

CZ Super Scroll Combo is a higher end over/under designed for the sporting clays course or the field. The receiver is engraved with beautiful detail and comes with 20 gauge and 28 gauge barrels. Swapping two different set of barrels is as easy as taking an over/under apart and then quickly putting it back together with desired gauge. The reasons for the decision to get this gun were few. A gun with 30 inch barrels does not swing as easy and provides me with much more control.

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