Viper

Thanks for the tips. Been huntin' that way for years. I remember seeing a huge herd several years ago, but not since then. A good indicator of the numbers of pigs in the area is tracks in the washes. This year, very very few. A lot of the big trees in the washes are dying off. It seems to be drought related.

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Which reticle?

Great buck!! WOW! Most of us can only dream of tagging a buck like that. Great job at doing your homework on an unfamiliar area. I seriously suggest you send your story to Eastman's Hunting Journal. They publish these tough DIY hunts in their magazine each month. If they do, you get a nice gear package. Yours definitely qualifies! Brad

I am also torn. It was nice to have two weekends, and maybe cooler weather in Nov., but I like the better odds of getting a tag every year. The October hunt is usually warm, but we've had pretty good luck with that hunt. As long as you can take time off during the week, after the weekend hunters leave, it is a good hunt. I gave up on a Dec. tag after the change. At least we still have archery.

I finally scored on a nice 100+ buck. We saw him twice before the season, once in velvet and once after he rubbed off. I was blessed to find him opening morning. I shot him with my .270 at 160 yards, from a cliff edge down into a very steep canyon. It was a straight on shot in the chest. Dropped in his tracks. His buddy 2x3 stood and stared at him for several minutes before running off. I shot him at 9:00am and got him to the Ranger at 1:00pm....4 hours. My hunting partner, Bill, was able to drive his Ranger to within 1/2 mile. I met him there and we had a snack, hydrated, slipped into are pack frames....I said "don't forget your walkin' stick, you're gonna need it". He was a heavy deer (The processor estimated him at 140 lbs) so the packs were heavy. This was definitely a "poor man's sheep hunt" experience. I haven't taped him yet. What do think?

My hunting partner has Doctor 15x60 he is thinking of selling. Probably in the $600 range.

Check out Strelok. It seems pretty good. You can save various rifles, along with scope brand and reticle. It will give you a graphic scope picture showing you where to hold based on distance, angle, wind, etc...

When I originally posted this, I had no idea this many incidents would surface, just within this forum....that's spooky. As stated before, mine is a 2006 XCR model with the newer trigger. I am now confident it wasn't a defective trigger, but a defective trigger adjustment....done by the previous owner who didn't know what he was doing. Since the gunsmith reset and locktighted the set-screw, I have not had another incident. Bottom line: If you buy a used 700, or any model for that matter, have it checked by someone who knows what they are doing. Always think SAFETY...SAFETY...SAFETY. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and do not have a round in the chamber until you are on target and ready to shoot. When you are pre-season shooting, make sure the safety mechanisms are doing their job and there are no accidental discharges...before the hunt.

This is rather long, but I thought I'd post for those that have limited experience with trigger assemblies and adjustments, and may have/had a similar experience. So, I had a scary experience with my Rem 700 (XCR model in .270) this past weekend. History: I purchased this rifle a couple years ago from a craigslist add. The guy was thinning out his collection. This rifle was his Father-in-law's, who bought it new from Cabelas in 2006. "He died and didn't have a chance to shoot it". The rifle looked very clean and no evidence that a scope had been mounted. Still had the box with a 2006 ship date. Last year, on a couple separate occasions, while shooting, the gun discharged when I clicked off the safety. I had to question if I hit the trigger somehow. This year...same thing on a couple different occasions. Now I'm certain I didn't hit the trigger. Last weekend I am shooting, and I figure I will not work the safety...just get on target, jack a round, shoot. Well, I jack a round and BOOM...gun goes off. WTF!! Then, It happens again. My huntin' partner is freaking out a bit, so I pack it away. I am well aware of the bad press these rifles have gotten over the years. I've read a ton of forums/posts. Monday I took it to Mesa Gun Shop to have it looked at. I'm thinking the chance of getting it back before my Oct 21st hunt is slim. The Gunsmith called me yesterday saying it is ready for pick up. I have limited knowledge of trigger assemblies, but apparently, the trigger had been adjusted and the set-screw was not lock-tighted, so it eventually backed out and was about to fall out. The Smith adjusted it and lock-tighted the set-screw, also cleaned the assembly. He says I shouldn't have anymore trouble with it. I will shoot this weekend to be sure. One day turn around for $65...not bad. So...his input on the Rem 700 trigger issue is that nearly all malfunctions are due to inexperienced adjustments and poor maintenance of the trigger assembly. I guess the message here is, if you're not an expert, don't mess with it. Take it to someone who knows what they're doing. Any thoughts?....experiences? Brad

My first mount is a 70" buck. Not my first couse, but my first 3x3. It is a beautiful mount. When I look at it....instant flashback to the hunt. Keep in mind, you only put down a deposit. You have nearly a year to come up with the rest of the $$.

I posted the story (short version) and pics previous. I now have the rack at home and am attempting to measure it using Amanda's spreadsheet. The only measurement that is not straight forward to me is the right side between G2 and G3, because it is palmated. How do you measure this? Same as the normal side? See attached pic.

Outdoorsman's has both the ring mount and the stud mount types, which requires the adapter as well. I see these in their magazine, Western Hunter. They can set you up if you call. I think you can find them on their website too. Due to cost, I use a $20 adapter made of a poly/plastic (?) and velcro. It has served me well for several years. The velcro loops over the objectives and snugs down. The flat platform can also be used as a shooting rest. I have the older, heavier Leica Trinovids 12x50, and the Badlands Bino pouch works great for them. They fit perfect...any bigger, they wouldn't fit. My binos stay clean the entire hunt. Especially good if you're riding dusty roads.

I have the Meindl Perfekt Hiker, from Cabelas. A bit heavy, but the most comfortable, supportive boot I've ever owned. The Perfekt Hunter is the high-top version. I may try those if mine ever wear out....no sign of it after 3 years in coues country.

I think the "peace bull" did it. He is an undercover saboteur. Seriously, that sucks. I just got into the trail cam game this year. So far, no problems, but I hide it pretty well.

That's our rule in camp. So, gross score is 111 1/8. With deductions is 107 2/8.

I was afraid you'd say that. That will be a huge deduction.

Thanks to all for the good comments! I've been really busy since I got back and haven't had a chance to put a tape on it. I'll post what I come up with, but I'm not experienced in measuring a rack. Any suggestions on where to take it for official scoring? I think Sportsman's Warehouse is have an event for scoring racks.

Thanks Joe. It was nice meeting you too....really friendly guy! Any luck yet?

Were they empty, or still loaded? They were empty. It looked like where they did an exchange. I did notice something that I've not seen before. The old packs had all the empty water bottles and food wrappers inside them. Are the drug runners going "green"?!

Update: I took the rifle out last weekend to verify it is fixed. No problems at all through the whole shooting session. I feel a lot better about having a "safe" rifle in my hands. The trigger is set at 3 lbs now. It's a little heavier than it was, but still feels good and crisp.

It's been several years since I've hunted that area. There is a large, old burn area along FR300, east of FR95 (Fred Haught Ridge). It is 1/4 - 1/2 mile of open burn between FR300 and the Rim edge, for a couple miles. It used to be, if you were the first one in the morning to drive that stretch of FR300 you'd see a lot of elk, and some deer. Eventially, they bail off into the canyons on the north side of the road. This location is about 10 miles from FR141/300 junction. I think you have the same scenario if you go west from FR300/141....large open burn area along the Rim. I don't recall how far it is. Gotta be the first one there though.

That's cool! Love to see a picture. By your handle I assume you hunt Bellota Ranch area in unit 33. We used to hunt there. Missed a 100+ buck one year. It got pretty crowded with other hunters, so we moved on. Brad

We will be scouting/shooting in 22 on Sunday. Usually on the 201 road. We'll be in a maroon chevy pickup or crew cab Ranger. If you see us, say hi. Brad

How do you guys do this every year?! I'd have trouble scraping together money for one short hunt. I'd love to go, but it's a lot of money....from what I've heard, around $5000. Am I off base, or is this accurate?