MT_Sourdough

^^^^Good Deal

I'll agree with other responders and say you're probably better served to think in terms of more cameras instead of better cameras. One thing to look for is the ability to lock them with cable lock or something similar. No guarantee, but it helps to keep honest people honest. Some cheap cameras have no easy way to lock them. If you place them on a water source, then they are far more likely to grow legs. Losing an expensive cam isn't fun. If you place them on trails. You'll not get as many animals, but if you place them on trails, you learn a lot about the animals travel corridors and patterns. As far as a cameras effective night time range can be a bit over rated, depending on your situation. Too bright can lead to white-out pics if critters are too close. In the last year or so, I have bought 13 cameras of different brands and models. My high end Bushnells had the most sensitive triggers. I'd get pictures of field mice at night. Problem was it would take thousands of pics if the wind blows. My Cuddebacks have the least sensitive triggers and work best over salt licks where the critters hang around a little bit. Great pics. I bought the Moultrie 1100i and it was garbage, had it exchanged once, but replacement was not any better. I like my Stealth cams because they seem to be the best compromise on trigger sensitivity and they take good pics and vids. You can get a Stealth g30 for $99 and free shipping. outdoortrailcams dot com If the cam(s) you get is not camo, then camo gorilla tape can be useful. The less visible the better.

looks young and tender. Looks like there are going to be some elk burger barbeques in your future.

FANTASTIC!

That looks to be a decent sized cow. Good job

I was looking at some pictures of a bull in one of the limited opportunity units. I noticed the bull has an arrow in it. The hit was low. I am guessing the bull will make it. If you hunted the limited opportunity (17A, 17B, 18B, 19B, 20A and 20C) archery hunt this year and think this may be you and want to know the details, PM me.

Carolina Cast Bullets sales the Ranch Dog bullets which cycle smooth like butter in lever rifles. His website advertises the 265gr, but I understand if you call him, he will also do the 300gr. He sizes his to .432" as recommended. I am not sure about lead time, but I am quite sure it's a lot quicker than Beartooth. http://carolinacastbullets.com/

I don't have a pic of it right yet, but I have a Savage 22lr that dates to sometime in the early 20's. Can't know for sure because it doesn't have a serial number on it. My great grandpa bought the rifle when it was new. The story of the rifle is that it kept meat in the pot during the great depression and during mine strikes.

Man, get ready for a whole new perspective on hunting, dude. Deer behavior between muleys and whitetails is largely upside down in this state. I came here, from Western Montana, a few years back and I have been able to draw some sort of general tag every year. This year, I didn't draw a deer tag, but I drew an "any elk" tag, so I am happy. Being an archery hunter gives you far more hunting opportunities than I have, Water is what you carry, I haven't been many places in this state's backcountry, where there existed water that I would want to drink (even if I had a filtration system with me). If you like to get out and bushwhack, boots don't have long life span in this state. The rock here chews through boots like warm butter vs. 120 deg lava rock. I live just North of Prescott, and I am still getting to know some of the local area/units. Here, it's quail not grouse. Maybe grouse further north in the state, but I don't know about that.

On the other hand, you could double your range with the 45-70, 450 Marlin or 444 Marlin. Be very careful, Marlinitis is real. You go and get a Marlin 1895 and you are just about a gonner.

It's .431-.432" for cast bullets and .429-.430" for jacketed. Most commercial 44 cal cast bullets are still sized at .430" for some reason. Everybody, who knows our bores, knows that you can't beat .432" yet producers still persist on .430" with commercial cast. That is why they rarely achieve their accuracy potential. They talk about 2" to 3" at 100 yards with cast bullets in Marlin rifles, but the rifles are capable of much better than that if they would use properly sized bullets. Anyways, like I said, if your using a jacketed bullet, then .429" or .430" is the correct size. Buffalo Bore has a 44 mag 300gr bonded jacketed load. The bullet in that load is the Speer 300gr Unicor. Problem, is that the BB 300gr jacketed load has the bullet seated out for long cylinder revolvers and it doesn't cycle in the Marlin. Buffalo Bore also has a 44 mag.305gr cast bullet load. I can just about guarantee that the 305 cast bullet in that load is sized at .430". Beartooth bullets dot com produces some of the best .432" cast bullets, but they have about a 6 month lead time Marshal Stanton is among the best business owners out there, but he does things the old way and won't change, so you better order now if you want your bullets before next summer. Every bit worth the wait. Though I tend to favor heavier, I am very sure that the 250gr bullet at 44 mag velocities would be a good choice. Dont worry about penetration, his bullets have a bhn of 21 and will surely bust through an elk shoulder without question.

I use 444 Marlin for elk. Same 44 cal bullets but another 500 fps. I have done literally hundreds of terminal ballistic tests with 44 cal bullets with impact velocities ranging from 1000 fps up to 2900fps (different weight bullets). In my opinion, any 300gr LBT style cast bullet would be most ideal. Air cooled wheel weight with gas check. I would stay away from Keith Hollowpoints, because in my opinion, with big bore cast bullets, a big meplat is the equal or superior to hollowpoints at rifle velocities (for 300gr bullet, I'd say impact velocities above 1300fps). I've tested, filmed and studied probably over 100 times looking at comparisons at big meplat vs. hollowpoint and big meplat wins at rifle velocities. If you do not want to go cast, then I'd recommend the Speer 300gr Unicor. It's an awesome jacketed 44 cal bullet for hunting. It's a plated style of jacket, so you'll never have jacket/core separation and it will retain it's weight, expand to great dimensions (over 1" to 1.3"). It will penetrate an elks shoulder with 100% reliability. The best 44 cal jacketed bullet commercially available is the Swift A-Frame, either the 280 or 300gr variants. The problem with the Swift's is the cost and sometimes hard to find. With a 44 mag rifle, even with best bullet option, I would try to keep shots under 150 yards and closer to 100 would sure be my objective. Just my opinion.

Exactly one week ago This Morning. So, I am just learning about the antler growth as far as with this much detail. So, my question is, does this deer have potential? How much longer will it grow at this rate?

Oct 8

Probably a serious coke addiction. Came here from Cali to escape the lifestyle. If you eat the meat and then use a drop light to work on your truck till 4am, then you'll know for sure.

Whoa! Sorry dude. I didn't steal it. I just borrowed it for a weekend bender in TJ. Don't worry, my brother is a TV repairman so he can fix it.

I have around 20# of the Varget. Use it with light bullets in my 30-06, for a 22-250, light bullets in a 30-30 and it makes a suitable powder for 400+ grain cast bullets in my 444 Marlins. It's a great versatile powder. I know how frustrating it can be when you need a particular powder and there is none to be found. After all the time, work and $ invested in proper load development, it sucks to start all over with another powder because you can't find the right powder when you need it. Good score

If the young man can't hit that elk shooting off hand out to 1000 yards, then he shouldn't be hunting. Just pulling your leg. Way to go!

Man, I don't know if there is much I like about this site, except in the light that it is still better than just about anywhere else on the internet.

My opinion, the Cards get a win in Motown and I am going to make myself a vodka O.J.

I just did a little investigating and it appears that Primos is the brand offering the Safari Sticks, but they are calling it them the "Polecat". I also wanted to mention that the pic I posted shows velcro, but the one I have and what is now available uses a piece of chord to perform the function instead of velcro. The chord is silent and velcro is not. the usable height can be from about 15" to about 3 feet or so.

I have an Eberlestock rifle rest on top of my backpack. That's the pack I use when I plan to cover a lot of miles. If I am going light, then I carry a set of Stone Creek Safari Grade collapsible shooting sticks. The collapsible sticks usually fit in my front pocket with the top part of the sticks that stick out of my front pocket gets tucked under my coat. They are quiet, light, and set up very quick.

So, is this spf?

Man. folk in AZ sure are spoiled as far as trophy hunting goes. Back in Montana, I'd be psyched and proud to simply fill an elk tag whether it be a cow or small raghorn. Many elk that Arizona hunters see as second rate would qualify as an elk of a lifetime in other places. I am joining the club, because I do not know how many opportunities like this I will have. With that said, I hope Bob had himself a great time and if the bull is big, well, that's a bonus. I look forward to the story.

as of Sept 25