scoutm

For draw odds any reduction is a blesssing...For future costs it's bad. If my math is correct and the assumption of 30,000 fewer applicants is correct GF Revenues are now $225,000.00 below budget. When something like that happens you can expect that prices will increase again, services will be reduced or both.

I received this via e-mail today and thought it was pretty wild. Anyone know if it's real? http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/sco...current=dad.flv

Was in 33 weekend before last and didn't see any rut activity.

I've learned a few of things this year - 1.) if a bunch of punks start setting up camp accross the road - MOVE YOUR CAMP you won't get any sleep if you don't! The only other thing is take your trusty skinning knife and skin some wheels Won't get you any more sleep but might make you feel better about not getting any. 2.) 80% of the scouting you do before October goes out the window about 30 minutes after the first deer falls the openning day of the October hunt so scout early, find a deer you want to take before you have to apply and then apply for December 1st, October second - forget November it's too tough. 3.) When your hunting buddy has a strong gut feeling follow it and go with him - If you don't he's likely to shoot the wrong buck!

Here are pictures of My and Sun Devil's second scout trip of 2007. We didn't see too many bucks but what we saw was pretty good. The one wide buck we estimated between 95"-100". Can you see both deer in the first picture? Sun Devil has some great video that we will post later. Enjoy....

Here's some video of the buck we posted pictures from. The video was done Sun Devil. http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/sco...t=MOVIE0010.flv http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/sco...t=MOVIE0007.flv http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/sco...t=MOVIE0006.flv

Here's a link to the one I purchased. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...oughType=search

You have to engage the trigger to pan. I have set the tension on mine to the lowest level so the amount that I have to pull the trigger is very slight. This allows me to pan on the horizontal plain without changing the vertical. It's difficult to pan in a continuous motion but when I glass I like to move my field of view scan the entire field and then move again. The Pistal grip works great for that. I use a Swaro 20-60x80 scope and even at the lowest tension it support my scope when I release the trigger it is locked and even in heavy wind there is very little movement and I've not had is sag at all. Also, when I was doing my research there was someone that was selling a JW Head I will see if saved the PM he sent me.

I recently purchased a new Manfrotto Tripod with their pistol grip head. I'm very pleased with it. When I was looking at them I also looked at a fluid head which was very smooth. What solid me on the pistol grip is that when you release the grip you are locked in both horizontal and vertial planes which is great when you've aquired your target though you spotting scope. With a traditional head I would alway knock the scope off the traget when locking up the scope. Some warned me that hand fatigue was an issue with a pistol grip head but I have not found that to be the case. BHP Photo and Video has very good pricing.

I received my Tripod holder from Badlands...not quite what I asked for but for the price it can't be beat and what they sent will definitely protect my tripod. I can't say enough good things about their service...if you're looking for a new pack Badlands is the way to go...

I have to share that Badland's service absolutely ROCKS!!! I messed up the spotting scope pocket on my pack trying to force my new scope (which was too big) into it. I sent it to Badlands to get it fixed letting them know that I had a trip planned and needed it back if at all possible before my trip. They contacted me to let me know that they put a new custom pocket on my pack that was designed for my specific scope and that it was on it's way back. I just checked the tracking and it is ouf for delivery to my house as I write. I sent it Saturday, they received it Tues AM fixed it and had it out for delivery Wed AM - less than a 24 hour turn - amazing!!! When I spoke to them I also, asked if they could design a better system to secure my tripod to the outside of my pack. They said they could and that they had. They are only charging me $25 which includes the shipping - again amazing. I won't have it for my trip but I should have in the next week. Service like that makes every cent I spent on the pack worth it.

RR - It's my Jeep we are beating up each time we go out so gas money would be appreciated but it would be even better if you could take a chunk of the repair bills.... L

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/sco...2007bb_0001.flv 2006 is over so let the 2007 scouting begin... Here's some footage I took of a buck that Sun Devil found while we were scouting on Friday. Sun Devil has more footage that he will post when he gets a chance.

I couldn't take the time to tell the entire story...the invitation for the big day was being drafted and my time on the computer was being restricted. Not that I have a little more time here's the left and the right...

I should have added that the second and the last picture are of the same two deer in the first picture. Here's a picture of the bigger buck while it had it's head up. Never gave me a better look than this.

took my rifle out today to see it the polished chamber did the trick....It did. I put 60 rounds through it and had no problems. Once I got it sighted in I shot two 10 shot groups at 100 yrds you could cover with a 50 cent piece. That was with junk ammo and lots of wind.

7mm Weatherby Mag: $2.00 per round New Leupold Range finder: $300.00 New Weatherby Rifle: $1,200.00 Bother scoping self day before hunt: Priceless!!!

The brass has always looked fine. No signs of extra presure and the gunsmith checked out the bolt and everything looked good. The only thing he could recommend was to polish the chamber. I need to shoot it to see if it worked.

I have a howa 1500 chambered in 223 with a varmit barrel and it shoots great....the only issue I've had is 50% of the time the spent case won't extract and I have to knock it out with a cleaning rod. I've taken it to a gunsmith and he found nothing wrong with the rifle. He polished the chamber hoping that will help. I haven't shot the rifle since he did that so I don't know if it has.

Here's some of Sun Devil's footage. http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/sco...MOVIE012607.flv Here's some footage that I took of the smaller 3x3 that was haning around the bigger buck. Still working on finding the best way to film through a spotting scope so forgive me for being a little off. http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l302/sco...007small3x3.flv

I took my name from the belief that the only way to consistently tag a good coues deer each year is to scout them. Plus with scouting you get to have all of the fun and none of the work.

Looking for some feedback on a new tripod head. I currently have a Manfrotto tripod that I really like but I'm not very happy with the head - it has more play in it than I like and the up and down movement is very choppy. I'm considering a pistol grip but it's hard to get a feel for one without sitting behind it for a couple of hours. So, if anyone can share their likes/dislikes with their pistol grip head I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for the feedback. How have you found the panning? With the pistol grip it seems unless you are really steady when you pan you will pan in both the horizontal and vertical plains - has anyone had problems maintaining good grids when glassing?

I was told by game and fish that you could still access skeleton canyon but you have to pay the rancher a $125 trespass fee. I can't remember the guys name but his job is to work with ranchers to gain access to public lands that are landlocked by private land. He works out of the Tucson office I would suggest calling him he maybe able to give you more direction.

I have a Howa 1500 in 223 that shoots great but about every third or fourth round shot the spent shell won't extract and needs to be knocked out with a cleaning rod. I have attempted to improve the situation by cleaning after every shot but this has not worked. A friend of mine has a family member with same rifle/different caliber that has the same problem. He has had his to a couple gunsmiths which couldn't find any problems and were unable to fix his. Looking for any input before I take mine to a gunsmith. Any suggestions will be appreciated.