Viper

Oh....this doesn't include elk/antelope. Where can I get this report?

Thanks for posting! This could be a big help to understand the process and tag distribution.

Are you sure it's a Gunslinger? It doesn't match the pictures on the website....offset scabbard and zip open front. More like a J104, but not exactly.

I can get exact measurements, if you are interested. He has it stored at a friends property...it may take a few days. I believe his and mine are the same dimensions, as they were both built at the same time. His was on an early model Ford 250 and mine is on a 2004 Chevy 2500. What truck would you use it on?

I was ranging trees/bushes at 890 yrds last weekend with my Leupold 1000i TBR. Clear image and instant reading. IMO, the best in this price range.

To haul a single rig, or load sideways, the rack deck would have to be modified...which wouldn't be difficult.

I doubt it. I'm pretty sure a sidexside has a longer wheelbase.

Oh...I just noticed, you mention 22-N. The Mazatzals on the north end are pretty tough (Hardscrabble area). We did some scouting in there for WT a few years ago. It was tough just walking on all those "baby heads" (cantelope-sized rocks). AZ Trail will take you right into the wilderness area. I know a guy at work that does pretty well with that hunt. He says it depends a lot on the weather.

Do you have the 22-S Nov archery hunt? That is what I drew this year. Can't draw a Sept hunt, so we put in for this one. I know the area pretty well, as we have hunted WT in there for several years. We see a lot of elk in late October. Most of the area is steep and brushy. I figure on a lot of moving around/glassing, then stalk in, and sitting water where possible. It will be a way different hunt than up high in the pines. Kind of an experiment...if it works out, I will put in for it again. There are just 60 tags for that hunt, but there are a few prior hunts. Whether good bulls are left over for us depends on how well the muzzle-loader hunt goes. I heard they slottered them last year. Someone told me the big bulls tuck into the canyons way up in the cliff country to rest and eat for winter. It is near imossible to get to them, but can be glassed up. I'm sure it will be fun, but tough....a meat hunt.

Is anyone interested in this, but the price is too high? We can talk.

Is that a bobcat?

GAVE your Leica to a friend?......I'm sending you a friend request

ttt

Leica is definitely the RF of choice. If you absolutely can't afford the price, I would go with the Leupold 1000i TBR. I was in the same dilemma last year. I researched the reviews and settled on the Leupold. I was hesitant because I had an older model Leupold I was not happy with. The new model is 10 times better. I can range trees/bushes at 900 yards, reflective over 1000 yrds. It is accurate in rifle or bow mode no matter the conditions, has angle compensation, and gives a fast readout. I am very happy and impressed with mine. Read the reviews/forums and go to the store and play with them.

Is the 870 camo?

For a "budget" RF, I really like my Leupold 1000i TBR. I checked all of them in that price range, and prefered the Leupold.

I have this one on my garmin....free, they just ask fo a donation. No problems so far. Also, Google Earth. The updates are usually less than a year old. If I need it in the field, I print out the appropriate areas. Also make prints off G4 maps. http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?

I will be in Colorado October 12th at 11000 feet. I will be in a wilderness area where there are no roads. The last elk I shot was in unit 10 in December. We hung the quarters in a shady tree for three days while my buddy hunted. We did not put the quarters in a cooler and they were still frozen when we dropped them off at the butcher in Tucson. From what I can gather the weather at that elevation will probably be colder than unit 10 was at the beginning of December. YIKES!! I guess we're kinda spoiled here in AZ.

I admire your sense of adventure. I'm wondering where you are hunting, that there isn't a road within a mile or two, and what time of year... that you think the meat will freeze overnight? I've not found many elk areas in AZ where there isn't a road close enough for a day hunt, or overnight bivy. I doubt elk quarters will freeze overnight. It would take two or three days at zero degrees to freeze an elk quarter. It only needs to be cooled down quickly as possible and kept cool...preferably around 40 degrees. The Sept hunt is usually warm, so cooling the meat is real important, while the nights are perfect for hanging meat. I would be sure my scouting shows it is worth remote bivy hunting. Otherwise, you could go to all the trouble and find the animal numbers/quality no better than hunting closer to the road. If it's just the wilderness experience you're after, then go for it...I understand....I'm wired that way too. Give us a good report/write-up when you get back.

Big 5 - 0 huh.....it's just a number.

I have the Alaknak 12x12 with the wood stove. I will use it if it's cold enough. Nothing like wood heat and the crackel of the fire when dozing off. I haven't had an issue with fire...yet, but the ember roof protector has several holes in it. Usually, it isn't cold enough to use the wood stove. A propane heater is enough and a lot more simple. I haven't had any condensation issues with that tent in AZ or while using propane heat. It is a heck of a lot lighter than canvas, about 75 lbs. I can set it up and take it down myself, but is easier with help. I love the tent, but if I am camping less than three nights, I take a smaller, simple tent. With your criteria, I would suggest sleeping in the bed/camper shell of the truck and just throw up a pop up shade/tarp. Or a 4 or 6 man dome tent and pop up shade. The wall tents are more of a base camp.

Welcome to the site! Your observation is correct...very good/knowledgeable folks on this site. I had that 4B tag 2 years ago. There is a lot of people activity north of Forest Lakes. Of course it subsides later September. Labor Day weekend is an absolute zoo. A friend, familiar with the area, suggested I take the first decent bull that gives me an opportunity. There aren't a ton of elk and not a lot of big bulls. During my scouting/hunt, I found this to be true. I hunted the side canyons all along Chevlon for the whole two weeks. I was into elk almost every day, but very few opportunities. There were two good bulls in the area, so I was being selective. I passed on a 5x5 at 40 yards the 2nd day. I passed on spikes two different occasions. I had encounters with the two good bulls, but couldn't make it happen. The very last day of the hunt, right before dark, I called in a 5x5 at 25 yards. But, he wouldn't clear the brush....just one more step. Finally he blew out of there, and that was the end of my hunt. There was a lot of competition with other hunters, but I still had a great time. The other thing you have to contend with, is the sheep herd. There is a huge sheep drive that time of year. They will be all up the 172 road and the surrounding canyons, water holes, etc. Wasn't a deal breaker, just can't hunt where the sheep have mucked it up. I was told the big bulls are further north, in the open country. Must be something to it....every morning there was a "mad max" race up 172. You'll have a good hunt, just have to stay flexable to avoid the mentioned issues. I think 4A is a better unit for an elk hunt. Good luck!

This is a follow up to my previous post (similar title). I took "Redman's" advice and tested the BH on a grapefruit. First, I shot a paper plate attached to my BH target. This gave clear evidence how much it opened on impact. Then I shot the grapefruit. This gave clear evidence how much it opened at impact and exit. Paper plate: the entrance cut shows the BH was open about 1/4" Grapefruit - entrance: the entrance cut shows the BH was open about 1/4" (like the paper plate) Grapefruit - exit: The exit cut shows the BH was completely open upon exit So it appears a decent amount of cutting trauma will be done inside the animal, but must exit to give a good blood trail. I wonder how much it will remain open through soft tissue, like lungs? It took about 3 lbs of force to hold the blades completely open. I pushed the BH against a small food scale...not very scientific, but I think pretty accurate. I'm not sure I like that this BH is spring loaded in the closed position and can close/partially close on it's own. I think I prefer a BH that locks open on impact, and stays open. Any comments/feedback?

I am faced with the same "adventure" this year. Put in for Nov archery bull for the first time ever so I could get a tag. Got unit 22-S. We have hunted WT deer in that unit for years, so I know the country. We always see plenty of elk during our Oct deer hunts. I think we will be able to find elk....getting in on them through the heavy brush will be the challenge. We always get our first big winter storm that last week of Nov, so water may be plentiful. I consider this hunt an experiment and will not be too picky on size...more of a meat hunt. I am interested in any pointers/strategies for elk hunting in late Nov. Most of my experience has been during the rut.

Body Pump...great complete body workout. Light weights and a lot of reps for 1 hour. Lots of squats and lunges. Similar to crossfit.