cohntr6

Impressive rifle! How about some more details on the scope? I didn't think it was available to people other than the highest of buddy buddies with Vortex. I would be another that would skip the dip. Congrats! Jeff

Sounds good. I may be in Mesa this weekend too (I live in Safford). Jeff

^^ Thanks. Grey ghost it should fit the bill. Weighs 8 pounds with scope. Jeff

After 10 years in AZ I am still learning the plant life lesson (still don't like it) but I love hunting these deer. Congrats on our first and congrats on coming from out of state into a foreign place and getting in done in a short amount of time! Jeff

Impressive backpack hunt. I thought mine was rough till I read your story! Congrats! Jeff

I have 3 claw slings, LOL. My Tenzing works well too. Jeff

Impressive! Congratulations. I can relate to the brutal pack out, except yours sounds way rougher! Jeff

Last year I did my first solo hunt a few miles into a remote canyon. I froze my rear end off trying to go with a light sleeping bag and decided one night was enough despite seeing a decent number of bucks I never saw one that I wanted to pack out. This year my two daughters and I were drawn for the 3rd whitetail hunt so the goal was to get them tagged out opening weekend then I could hunt during the week and backpack into the same canyon as last year. Unfortunately my 13 year old came down with a bad case of asthma and spent 5 days in the hospital right before the hunt. The doctor said she had to take it easy for a week before she could resume full activity. Friday evening my brother in law glassed a group of bucks before dark so we had a good plan for Saturday morning. Saturday morning we were close to where the bucks were but we couldn't even find a doe. After several hours we split up and I went to glass a spot I knew deer liked to bed and after less than five minutes found a little forkhorn. It took a little bit for her to get set up but one shot from the .250 Savage at 202 yards and the buck tipped over after running down the hill a short distance. Wow! I was a happy dad! Finally, after 5 years she got her first deer! I was able to take my 13 year old out a couple evenings and glass from the road. One of those evenings some friends glassed a little buck that we went after but it got too dark. I finally headed to my backpacking spot and set up camp early Wednesday. I was impressed to see a little rutting activity from small and medium size bucks. Nothing hardcore but I realized I better pay attention to the does when I glassed them up. Friday morning I headed to where I saw a buck of interest the evening before and didn't make it too far from camp when I came upon 3 point staring at me from 130 yards. I thought I better take him so I put a round in the .257 Weatherby and squeezed the trigger. I had to shoot through a branch but he went right down and I all I could see was a couple bushes shaking. I was happy. I boned him out after pictures and went back to camp. Turns out it wasn't my biggest buck but I was happy. The pack out was absolutely the roughest and heaviest I have ever done. Next year the goal is to be in better shape! My middle daughter was only able to get out one more time and we didn't find anything but does, a shed and a good nap. LOL Great time nonetheless! Jeff

Thanks! How did you do Clint?

Congrats on a great ram. Did you get him in town? LOL...J/K Awesome! Jeff

WOW! Congrats! I've been putting in for that hunt too! Super jealous! Jeff

Thanks Scott! I need to get Bronson's hunt up here. How did you guys do? Jeff

Just wondering if somebody has got a hold of this new manual and if it is worth it, specifically the ELD-x line and if they are using any of the newer powders out there. Thanks, Jeff

I couldn't wait! LOL Midway had free shipping on it, so I ordered it last night! I guess I'll answer my own question. Jeff

Thanks for the responses but I was looking for someone who has it and whether or not it is worth it. Midway has the new book and the caption says newer powder and the ELD-x bullets are part of the new loads. Thanks, Jeff

You mentioned you have a few others like this....Do you have the EBR-2c reticle in the same Viper PST?

We'll be up there too with a one cow tag and an 11 year old! Good luck! Jeff

Great buck! Any tags to go after him? Jeff

Awesome bull, congrats! Jeff

redline410, I am glad you had a great hunt and am a bit jealous I am not up there this year. Thanks for posting trail camera pictures of the monster bull and congrats on the success. Feel free to put up some more pictures of that familiar country! Did you have any cameras messed with by people or just the elk? Jeff

Huntlines, I have been fortunate to have a archery bull tag 3 of the last 5 years in that unit and have spent lots of time in that area (both bulls I killed where in there). I camp really close and just hike from camp up the hill. I only put a friends camera on that tank once for 3 weeks when I realized how much people activity there was. The year after the fire the fence was fixed, then later that next summer somebody had cut all the strands to drive a 4-wheeler back to the tank. Last year when I had a tag, I encountered more people and cameras than the other years combined. That is sweet you guys got in there first before the crowds for a crack at that monster! Are you from Safford? I would love to see the bull sometime! Congrats to your brother in law! Jeff

I can consistently find 250 savage ammo/brass online. I have never found brass stamped 250-3000 though. The '3000' was dropped many years ago. I have some brass and ammo that is probably 30 years old (estate sale luck) and none have a 250-3000 stamp. Here is my daughters tack driver setup. I love shooting that pink gun If you are still having a hard time getting brass I could probably part with some. Jeff

Safford has a great range, if you want to drive a couple hours. You can shoot out to 700ish. Jeff

redline410 and huntlines, I wonder if I have run into either of you in that spot? becasue I know exactly where those trail cam pictures are taken!! I would have guessed that bull at 370 last year without the cheaters (maybe 390's with them?) Congrats to your brother in law huntlines that bull had to be in his prime! I would love to see it sometime. Crazy!! Amazing! WOW, I am never going to be able to sleep tonight! Jeff

Somebody was talking about this in another thread and it seems worthy of a separate thread... 40% as of 856pm-7/5/16 https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/draw/statusbar/ Jeff