Danny

I love the honesty, it what we all want!

I was lucky enough to pull a Whitetail tag for an October hunt here in Arizona. Im almost 40, but this will be my first deer hunt (daddy didn't hunt and all that), so I'm trying to do as much research as possible so I don't go home empty handed. I actually found this site while searching for info on everything from tactics on finding deer to how to gut a deer. Can anyone recommend a website with this type of info (there are lots of good posts here, but I didn't see any sections with "hunting how to's", or maybe a good book if you know of one. Ive got a million questions but i dont want to post them all here. Also is it too early to start scouting? I'm assuming its not, but I'm not sure how much patterns may change in 2 more months when the weather cools off a bit.

And I'm assuming we shouldn't wear sunblock either right ?

Elkaholic - i appreciate you keeping me in mind. I definitely want one I can pack for my hunt though, so I think I'll have to pass.

Agreed, its a decent rifle and it can definitely get the job done, but my biggest issue is with the bolt. There seems to be a lot of slop. If I pull the bolt back to load a second round, the bolt seems to stick or jam when im pushing it forward again. Sometimes I have to jiggle it a bit to chamber the round. If I need to place a second shot in a hurry this can be an issue. I'm not sure, but maybe its worse for me because I'm a lefty and I roll the rifle to its side when loading that second round. At this point I'm set on buying a new rifle. I just need to decide which one.

I hadn't looked at the Marlins yet. I've been reading reviews on the others i mentioned all day and still cant decide on brand or caliber yet.

I was looking at Remington 700 (not sure which model ), Tikka T3 Lite, or Savage 111. I'm a lefty, so Savage seems to have the most readily available guns for me. Lefty would be prefered,, but I have never even shot a left handed rifle so a standard would work too.

I'm leaning toward a new scope and rifle before this hunt. That rifle is actually my brothers so I don't really want to mess with. Plus I really should get my own hunting rifle.

Oh yeah, the rifle is a Remington 770 ( I know... ) with a Nikon prostaff 3x9

Honestly most my shooting has been desert shooting, not at a range so I cant tell you exactly. Most my experience has been shooting clays (on the ground ) or balloons at different distances. I rarely shoot paper targets unless I'm just sighting in. You can blow up a balloon to what ever sizeyou want and it can help indicate wind a bit. I can tell you I can hit a 6" target every time at 200 yards or less. I can hit that 300 yard balloon most the time. That's laying prone, no rest.

Right now in hitting about a 8" group at 300 yards. I definitely need additional practice for longer shots.

Thanks for the great tips. As far as the book, I definitely need it. If nothing else it will help pacify my OCD on hunting. I will most likely be searching the web and this forumn for more info every day till my hunt. I would hate to miss out on a deer because i didnt know something or made a mistake. Reading the book every now and then will help.

Based on everyone's suggestions it sounds like I definitely need a tripod. Looking at my binoculars it looks like it would need some type of adapter. I don't see one that came with it. I assume these are sold seperately, or do the shooting trips come with it ? Also can the tripods double as a shooting rest for the long shots ?

Oh its too late now. I'm determined to get something to mount on the wall, can't quit now.

I don't have a tripod. Any differences between the sporting goods ones vs photo ones? I'll take any recommendations for a decent one.

This video is great. Looks like the way to go for me Note - watching deer gutting videos while waiting to pick up your kids from school gets you some funny looks.

I was drawn for unit 21 (I'm in Arizona) . I have a friend that said he saw a couple deer on his Javelina hunt and could at least put me on the general area. As far as equiptment I have a 30.06 with a prostaff scope, but I'm considering buying a better rifle and scope for the hunt. I also have a pair or vortex binos .

One of the concerns I had was finding a book that applied to desert terrain. This one seems to fit the bill and a few of you guys recommended it. I'm going to get it ordered. Thanks !