Viper

Yup. I like mine. A huge improvement over the older models. I compared the Leupold to the Vortex and liked the Leupold better.

Sorry for your loss. I started tearing up reading your tribute....remembering my last Golden. She went the same way, same age. Sudden case of pyometra (uterus infection). We couldn't afford the surgery and the odds of survival were very low. It was so sudden and heart breaking. Our dog friends often fill a void that our human friends can't. They age much faster than we do...so this heartache is inevitable, but I do it over and over. Couldn't imagine life without a good dog. If it's any consolation, we thought our last Golden could not be topped. Our current Golden has even more personality and character than the last. We still remember the last one, but also have the daily joy the current one gives. She is 9 years old....a few years from now is going to be really tough to handle.

Prayers for you and your's. Thank you for your service! The service/sacrifice is not only during active duty, but ongoing. I pray for many more blessing upon your family.

This is my 2013 rifle coues buck. Thanks Clay for a great job!! (Never mind the plastic sheeting...home remodel in process.)

I am interested...I have the cash...but not the time to drive to Oracle. I am in the middle of a home remodel, which is consuming my weekends. I have thought about going this route to make it easier to haul the toys. It would have to pass the wife's inspection...she has a "thing" about slide in campers. I would love to take a look at it, if I can get a break one of these upcoming weekends....if you still have it.

You can buy the Kelty Cache Hauler brand new for that from Sportsman's...online too. I love mine.

That's a real bummer! I pray for a miracle recovery. A few years ago there was a guy in a wheelchair hunting a waterhole where we were hunting. Someone would drop him off and pick him up. He sat many hours. I don't know if he ever got one...he wasn't very friendly to talk to. We just tried to leave him alone and only sat our treestand when he wasn't there. Sitting a waterhole in a wheelchair should be just as effective as a healthy guy sitting a ground blind on a stool....and probably more comfortable. You can also get a crossbow permit from G&F, since you have a "handicap". I hear you though....I too would rather be healthy and mobile with a rare elk tag in my pocket.

I like the Stoney Point long expandable bipod. I can use it as a walking stick, glass from it, and shoot from it. It deploys quickly. If things happen quicker than I can get the bipod set up, I use my shoulder as a rest. Both my boys shot game using my shoulder as a rest....you have to remember to plug that ear with the opposite hand. My oldest son shot his first cow elk off my shoulder at about 80 yards. My youngest son shot his first pig off my shoulder at about the same distance. I once helped an adult friend on his rifle bull hunt. We had to run up a hill to flank a herd and get in position for a shot. I could see he was having trouble catching his breath, so I told him "when we get up top, use my shoulder to steady your rifle". We got there just in time as the herd crossed in front of us at about 50 yards. He rested the rifle and my shoulder and placed a perfect shot on the bull. It's best to be prepared with whatever method you've practiced with, but sometimes things happen quick and you have to improvise. Might want to practice some alternative methods along with your primary chosen method. Oh yeah, I tried the Triclaw. It took too long to set up and was shaky on my medium weight tripod. The recoil would knock it off alignment, making it impossible for a quick followup shot. You will definitely need a heavy-duty tripod to make it effective. Also, if you have a variable power scope, be sure to have it dialed to low power so the shooter can find the animal in the scope...then dial up the power if necessary. Have them practice this so they are familiar with how it works.

That's a great deal Evan! I've seen these quads on the mountain...they look to be in great shape. What are you boys gonna' do this year for scootin' around the mountain? Well, you do most of your hunt with boots on the ground anyways.

Another option that is less spendy...same technology as the high price stuff, is Core 4 Element and Russell Outdoors APX G2. You can find good deals on the web and camofire. The light-weight merino wool base layers work well in cold to mild temps and really does help control BO.

I'd like to see the video of that! Would it be easier to use a large saddle?

Our golden loves to ride with us. I used the heavy rubber bungees to strap the bottom half of her first kennel to the quad rack. Put a piece of carpet in the bottom. This picture is 5 years old. She is 95 pounds now and still loves to ride. The kennel seems small for her size, but it is just big enough for her to sit or lay and the sides keep her from flopping around.

The blood shot meat is good dog food

They shoot well out of my Rem 700 .270 130gr....out to 400 yards. I have shot several deer with core lokts (different calibers)...all one shot kills. My coues last year dropped in his bed at 230 yards. My son shot two cow elk with them, in .30-06 and dropped them where they stood. They are cost effective for what you get. Shooting more is not so painful. However, I have noticed some inconsistencies in POI from one box to another. Before a hunt, I make sure to shoot a couple rounds from new boxes to verify POI. I often think of switching to higher quality ammo with higher BC bullet...but then I realize the cost.

I've had the older model Jet Boil for 4 or 5 years. I have never had trouble with the igniter, even at higher altitude. I tried the french coffee press. It leaves a mess in the cup and uses up valuable water for cleanup. Instant coffee is the way to go. I even use it for car camping. Nothing like a hot meal in 10 minutes. It heats up a backpacking tent pretty quick on cold mornings, while making coffee in bed.

PM sent on snake gaitors.

I only have the block wall behind my bag target or block target. Motivates me to shoot better

4a was very quiet.

That's good to hear! Congrats and thanks for the info. It's amazing how fast the critters recover after a major burn.

A friend has a turkey hunt this weekend in unit 1. He is pretty familiar with the area, just hasn't been up there in quite a while. He's wondering how the turkey numbers are in the burn areas. Not asking for your favorite hot spots, maybe just a couple general areas to get started. I had great success along the Black, on the unit 27 side, the spring before the fire. According to the fire map and google earth, that area looks pretty burned.

Wow!! Sorry for the loss. If it were me, the radios would be pretty low on my list. I am a fan of Midland. Always performed well for me.

Thats great! We need all we can get. Maybe fire restrictions will be lifted for my hunt next weekend.

WOW!! Very nice!

Viper, on 09 Jan 2014 - 10:57, said: This is a great voluntary service you are providing to fellow CWT folks. We shoud all get together and buy you many beers. I know I have little chance of drawing a good tag with a few BP's so I am asking for my buddy. He has 8 BP for elk and plans to put in for 5B-S Sept Archery Bull (cause that's our favorite area). What would be a good 2nd choice for the same hunt....4B, 4A, 6A?How about Rifle Antelope with 13 BP's? Thank you much! "With 8 BP he will have a good shot at 5BS so hopefully 2nd choice is a moot point. All the units named would offer 100% odds for him so be careful putting as a second choice if you really want to hunt 5BS. Another to consider is 5A, same habitat as 5BS + you can hunt junipers and a lot fewer tags. he is 100% on that one as well. With 13 lope points just pick a rifle hunt and put in, the odds are terrible for all of them". Flatlander, My buddy was drawn for 5B-S archery bull!! He wanted me to thank you for your advice. He probably would have put in for a 2nd choice, but heeded your warning. He put in for only one choice and got it. Thanks again for providing this info....I know it's a lot of work trying to accomodate 14 pages of requests. Brad (Viper)

I am interested in recommendations as well. I have been using the inexpensive Rem core lokt ammo. It has served me well with shots up to 300 yrds. I have taken two nice bucks that dropped in their tracks. But, in practice I have seen some inconsistencies with POI that had me scratching my head. It seems quality control with the cheaper ammo could be better. I know there is some better quality off the shelf ammo that won't break the bank.