Viper

Looks like a great trip!....beautiful backcountry adventure.

Holy palmation and tines!!!! WOW!!

ttt

That's a tough deal. Cudos for such an effort. That's thick country. I have the Nov archery bull in 22-S.

Wow! Great bulls!

I have a Marlin lever-action in .30-.30. I have taken a small coues and a couple mulies with it several years ago, at less than 100 yards. That was when I didn't know anything about coues. Now that I hunt coues pretty much exclusively, the .30-.30 won't do for most of my opportunities. If you are proficient to 250 yards with your 444, then you shouldn't have a problem taking a decent coues. A 237 gr bullet will probably knock him clean off the mountain...and leave strips of jerky along the way.

If you are wanting light weight, I just bought a small Slik from Archery Headquarters (don't remember the model) for $109. They only have a few models to choose from. It works real well for a sit down technique. You can actually stand up with it as well, but there has to be no wind as it is a bit spindly. It is 2 1/4 pounds. The head is the 3-way with short adjustment levers, so it keeps the weight down. I really love it for packing. My heavyier-duty tripod is also a Slik, 3-way. It is relatively light at just under 4 pounds. I took out the horizontal adjustment lever and replaced it with a wing-nut type screw. It cuts down the weight and size and still can be loosened for adjustment. I do not care for the pistol grip or ball head type.

Hi, is this Brian? If so...it was nice meeting you. When we talked that night, I didn't realize you got a shot. It is not easy getting within bow range of a coues, let alone successfully drawing...and actually getting the shot. You are well on your way. Brad

105 ish

Holy smokes!!!!

Dang it! Been wanting to get this pack! i guess I'll get in line behind Chef.

I must confess, I broke my #1 rule...I put a camera on a waterhole in 22-S. It's been there one week and I got a few bucks on it. One real dandy that I had a close call with the week before. If it's still there this weekend, I will probably pull it. I hope to get another crack at that buck. This is only my second camera. The first one burned up in the Sunflower fire.

I know this horse has been beat to death...but I need to ask. My buddy has an archery elk hunt in a couple weeks. We have had elk camp in the same great area, near Clints Well, for the last 15 years. It appears it is now closed to camping....have to stay out along the main road. We are thinking of camping there anyway. My question is, has anyone had experience with the USFS enforcing the new policy? Have you, or someone you know, been cited, warned, etc...? What is the fine if cited? I heard AZ state agencies are not going to enforce it...is this true?

I have a mid-level Slik head that was very smooth until last year. I took it apart, cleaned it good with WD40 on a rag, wiped it as dry as possible, put it back together...good as new. Don't leave risidual WD40/oil or it will attrack dirt.

This particular road isn't closed...but apparently closed to camping. I guess I better find "the map" to be sure. My buddy wants to camp there anyway. I feel like making a "Ruby Ridge" standoff

A "poor mans" method is to remove the bolt; anchor the rifle in a gun vice, or equivalent, on the bench; site through the barrel and line it up on a close target; without moving the rifle, adjust the scope to the same spot on the target. This should get you on paper. You should be able to do this in the comfort of your home....unloaded of course.

I believe it was Western Hunter magazine, or Elk Hunter magazine...current issue, did a review of a bunch of the compact spotters and Vortex Razor HD 50mm came out on top, just ahead of the Nikon ED 50mm. I would seriously consider that one. When you start packing a spotting scope, you will be trying to figure out how to shed some weight. I have a Zeiss 65mm, and I end up leaving it behind most of the time to lighten the load, and just carry a doubler for my binos. I am considering the compact scope idea. If you are going to use the scope near your vehicle most of the time, might as well go with the 80mm. JMO.

Paper tuning is more critical with a whisker bisket. Your arrows may be under-spined, which will cause inconsistancy. I draw 65 lbs at 30" and shoot 75/95 hunter xt. Sounds like you're getting it dialed in. It seems to be a work in progress over the life of the equipment...always tweeking something....part of the fun

My Leupold 1000i TBR does pretty good....a lot better than the older models. IMO, the best RF in the $400 range.

That's the one...Chasin the Dream. Amazing bucks. I beleive a couple of those are his wife's and son's.

You can't fix poor ethics with a class or certification. Maybe showing grusome pictures in class might plant a seed... It all starts with proper teaching from a good mentor, when you're young. I would rather pass on a questionable shot and chase that awesome buck/bull another day, than take a bad shot and never see it again. I taught my boys and a few other youths that way and will not share a hunt camp with someone who is not ethical.

Wow! What an adventure! A trip of a lifetime for most foks. Congrats on the great success. I hope you have a big trophy room.

Wow! What an awesome buck! Very nice.

Wow! That was quick! Very nice buck...congrats!!

Wow, nice WT! Nice job on the mount! .....very cool...your Dad would be very pleased.