cactusjack

just ordered the 15x50s too. I couldnt help it, such a good deal for my son to start glassing off a tripod.

Looks like Bill and Travis got some explaining to do.

If these hunts go away it will be sad. I will not be playing anymore, but I have some great stories of Vets who would not have had the chance. The one that made the biggest impression on me was a Desert Storm Vet who lost his vision in the Gulf. His dad was with him and they had a rifle set up with the scope really high rings. They sat with the Vet in position and the dad lined up the shot. When the elk (I can't remember if it was a cow or a bull but it didn't matter much at the time) was in the cross hairs the dad tapped the shooter on the shoulder. One shot, one kill, one soldier who gave his site to his country with a huge smile on his face.

The Gunclaw is awesome. On our unit 33 youth hunt, 3 boys (12 and 13) made long one shot kills on Coues. 187, 332, and 333 yard shots.

Went to the range this morning to check the zero on my Tikka. When I first bought it 5 years ago it didn't group very well and I was going to send it back to Beretta to have them fix it. There is a MOA guarantee on the Tikka. Limbsaver sent me a DeResonator along with a buttpad for it about 2 years ago and now it shoots pretty well. I shoot Winchester 180gn Silver Ballistic Tips, other people have told me they have trouble getting them to group, but my rifle seems to be happy. Here are some pics. It has a Mark 4 4.5x14 on it, distance 100 yards, pretty gusty.

295 75 16s. Thank you for the comments on my little mule. I took that out over the weekend on my sons hunt and gave it a work out. I bought it because it has the e-locker in the rear. I didn't see any other stickers because I was trying to act like I knew a thing or two about CW.com. I was the tall ugly guy in Amanda's booth in the Firetruck yellow shirt. It was good to meet the CW members that stopped by.

Good job Courtney!!! I love the youth hunts!

The Tacoma is mine.

congrats on a great hunt! What is the value of a father son experience like that? I'd say that was money well spent. Those pics show a happy boy. Good job Dad!!!

Good luck to all the hunters going out for tomorrows Youth Hunt. May the deer of your dreams show up in your optics. A special thanks to all the "old" hunters for passing down the traditions of hunting and good sportsmanship. Now, to quote a cop show from the 80's (Hill Street Blues), Let's be careful out there.

I forgot to mention we are heading down to 33 today for my sons hunt. Does anyone know any good areas to go and shoot a 120 inch Coues, that they want to share? :lol:

I have 2 swift scopes and they have been good to me. I had one that broke on an air gun and sent it back in. They sent me back a brand new scope at no cost. Also the customer service was incredible, they asked my what rifle I was using it on, and sent me a higher recoil rated scope then the one I purchased. I no longer shoot those 2 rifles but they are ready if and when they are called into action.

I'm so excited! My 12 year old son and I are going on his Unit 33 deer hunt on thursday and we are packing and getting ready. My 11 year old daughter (there is 18 months between them), who has never had an interest in hunting asked if she could go on a hunt and see if she likes it. I told her she could come on this trip but she is going with mom to Disneyland. I'm going to find her a hunter safety class and get a spring turkey tag for her. I've wanted my girls to hunt with us for years, but they haven't wanted to. I am going to take her dove hunting with us when it opens again. I told my wife it wasn't a waste when I bought 2 youth shotguns and youth 243's........Now to work on the 9 and 7 year olds!!! Dreams do come true!

I've played it cool with her so far. All the kids have helped me clean ducks, dove, quail and chickens we butcher so the blood and guts part doesn't concern me as much as her not wanting to kill anything. I've always told them that meat isn't from a store, its from an animal. So we will see. I told her we will take the safety course together (4th time for me) and go shoot. I have a youth 22 and a 223 and then a rem 600 in 243 with her name on it. The only down side is that I just dropped 400 bucks for new hunting clothes for the boy, and she will need all the same stuff. Kinda reminds me of a Visa commercial. ................................................................................ ......... Time spent hunting with your kids, Priceless.

I was one to share my "secret" spot with many people, until I got burned. I took a person to my favorite quail spot on opening day a couple years ago and we did very well. The following week I was unable to go so my friend took 6 or 7 guys from work that he told how well we did. Those guys also shared the news and by the 4th weekend when I got out there there were more hunters from this group out there and no birds to be found. I bet I'm not the only one this has happened to. Now if you want general information on where deer are found, the regs provide a lot of info or you can contact Game and Fish or even attend a clinic, or get an answer like Ace High Benny listed, but sending an army of people into someone's "secret" spot is pretty bad form in my opinion. Ask yourself why professional guides do not like to guide Resident hunters on over the counter hunts? Some dont mind but a few I know don't put them in their best spots. That being said, it is public land and it will continue to happen.

163 lbs

+1

nice job. I will be on the Depot on the 15th. Call me when you get a chance. I wanna hear more. Thanks.

+1 I like the Harris bipod because it keeps my rifle up off the ground and ready to grab.

The last rabbit I cooked was at survival school while I was in the Air Force, in 1995. Boiled in a number 10 can, no salt, seasoning or anything. I remember thinking it was the best thing I had ever tasted. There was a couple of squirrels boiling in there at the same time, so maybe that was the trick.

My son has his 33 youth hunt on the 8th, if we are back count me in!!!

I for one, am going to scrap my recipe and go with Chef's! He is giving us pearls of wisdom!!! Chef you should give a cooking class using the block off of a John Deere as your heat source.

Great set up. What does it weigh?

For the $ its tough to beat a Tikka. I would like a metal trigger guard but that wasn't a deal breaker. Glad to hear yours is shooting well now.

Upland bird hunting is still my favorite type of hunting. I miss hunting over great dogs. Looks like you had a blast. Awesome!!!