EdD270

I've looked and looked, still can't believe what I'm seeing. What are the chances he'll "migrate" off the reservation??? One can always hope. Best of luck to you Waylon, I wish you every success.

I've bought some stuff on eBay. Generally good experiences. You do need to pay attention to shipping, though. I've had two items get lost in the US Mail. If you get something expensive, or important to you, have it shipped surface freight and really consider getting insurance. Also watch shipping costs. Some sellers seem to list items for a bargain rate, but charge excessive shipping costs to make it up. Hope that helps.

As a youngster in the late 50's-early 60's I'd run trap lines with my neighbor who was a trapper for the State of Texas. We'd kill any and all javelina we found. Sometimes we'd field dress them and take them to a BBQ joint just out of town, where they'd be deep pit BBQ'd and made into great BBQ sandwiches. Since coming home to AZ, I've only hunted javi once. My experience in TX soured me on having to get drawn for javi tags. But, I was successful and took my javi to Malapai Meat Processing in Taylor, AZ. They made it into great summer sausage. They also do a great job on deer and elk. Another place to try is Lonme Eagel Outdoors in Heber, AZ. I've not had javi processed there, but they do good with deer and elk. Just for what it's worth.

Yep, there's grouse up there, look above 7K ft. around Hannagan Meadow, Big Lake, etc. My nephew and I got one up there not long ago, while the season was open. Oh, yeah, the season's closed now.

RCBS is the bare minimum in reloading. If you want the best go with Dillon equipment. I use both Lee and RCBS, and also Redding. All are good. I got the Lee to start with as it was less expensive, then built up over the years. I still use the Lee often, and it makes as good ammo as RCBS. I think Redding is better. I've no experience with Hornady so can't speak to them. Dillon is top drawer, but be ready to pay for it.

I use the "3-4-5 rule" from construction work. The sum of the square of the sides equals the square root of the hypoteneuse. Thus, 3 on one side, 4 on other side = 5 on hypotenuese. Can be switched around to find other unknown sides. Or did someone already say that?

The cheap fanny packs and back packs at FalApart. They don't last a season. Same with the cheap footwear, don't fit, don't last. All the gimmikey game calls on the market. They're like fishing lures, if the customer buys them, they've worked.

My nephew and I went on my first Coues hunt. He's been hunting them for years, and I've taken mulies before, but this was my first time after the Coues. We left opening day, 11/26 and travelled to unit 30B, hunted that evening around NW of the town of Dragoon until too dark to continue. We hunted all day Saturday NW of Dragoon and around Jordan Canyon of Dragoon Mts., again getting home after dark. Church on Sunday, and hunted hard Monday and Tuesday on East and South of Dragoon Mtns. We saw five deer, including one buck. It was very cold, and rained, hailed and snowed on us, with heavy winds, all the time we were there. I think that's why we didn't see more deer. The little buck had barely forked antlers, the little points were about 1 or 1 1/2" long. It wasn't what I was looking for for my first whitetail, and I passed on it. Oh, yeah, it was in somebody's yard near the Cochise Stronghold park, which may have contributed to my decision to pass on it. We did get to see the Cochise Stronghold park, both East and West, a lifelong dream for me. Cochise is one of my heros, and I have studied about the Apache leader since I was in about 4th grade, and always wanted to go to the Stronghold. What a treat! We had to come home on Wed. due to other committments. I put some spicy brown mustard on the tag and ate it, lol. No deer on my first Coues hunt, but we had a great hunt. But then, I've never had a bad one, though I've often been skunked. Looking forward to elk season next week.

Hard to get clearer or better advice. Take your son and go hunting.

Our prayers go out for Marvin's family and others who mourn his passing. My son and I attended two of his turkey camp-schools on the Rim and he taught us so much. We are thankful that his family shared him and his knowledge of turkey with us and so many others. He was as free with his turky knowledge as he was with his testimony of Christ. His passing while doing what he loved was another "tender mercy" of our Father in Heaven extended to a worthy son.

Sounds like the makin's of a great trip. Good advice here. I'd get a 5-gal. plastic water jug and carry it in empty, then fill is with a water filter/pump at a stock pond or creek near your camp. As for gear, REI and some other outdoor stores rent equipment so you can try different stuff and find out what you like before buying it. This is great for expensive items like tent, sleeping bag, backpack, etc. as well as smaller items like water filter, stove, etc. Be sure to take a camera, and post photos when you get back for us to share in.

There are good squirrel hunting opportunities in Units 1, 3B & C, 4A & B, 5A & B and 27. Look in areas where there are lots of Ponderosa pines and oaks, usually lower elevations 6-8000 ft., and you'll find good populations of Abert's. At higher elevations in spruce/fir/aspen woods you'll find another kind of squirrel, I think it's a fox squirrel, that is smaller than the tassel-eared Abert's, but still good eating. At the higher elevations keep an eye out for grouse, too. For best chance of success, look in areas that have recently been thinned or burned. I like to use a call to locate them, it helps a lot. A few barks with a call and they usually reply so you know where they are, then stalk up on them. I understand there are good populations of squirrel on the Kiabab, too, but I've never hunted there. I love squirrel hunting, only thing better is squirrel eating. Best of luck to you on your adventure.

Just wanted to let you know. My niece delivered the powder today. Thanks again. EdD.

The .22-250 is a fine varmint, coyote and turkey round. I would not hunt deer with it, mulies or coues. To start your son off, take him out rabbit and squirrel hunting with a .22 rimfire. When he's ready for a deer rifle, get him a .243 at minimum. A 7mm-08 or .270 would be much better. Get him a rifle in a calibre he won't have to replace in a few years, that he can hunt with all his life.

The White Mountain Shooter's Association, Inc. is holding their 3rd annual King of the Mountain Shoot on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Linden, near Show Low, AZ. Look for signs at the HWY 260 and Lone Pine Dam Road junction. There will be Black Posder, High Power rifle, bullseye pistol, practical pistol, cowboy action, and smallbore rifle shooting events. All weapons and ammo will be furnished by WMSA, participants should bring their own eye and ear protection. Register at the shoot site, $20.00 per shooter. Registration and shoot begins at 8:30AM and runs all day long. Prizes in Various Categories will be awarded. Everyone welcome, youth should have a parent with them. This shoot is a fund raiser for WMSA which is a non-profit group founded to get a quality shooting range in the Show Low/White Mountains area. For more info call 928-205-3609, or check the website at WMSAINC.org.

I run a patch with solvent through the bore after every shot to help cool the barrel, and try to wait a couple minutes after that to shoot the next one. I never shoot more than three shot groups, as that's all I'll realistically get at game. After the third shot, I swab the bore with solvent and then oil, and let it sit for 10 minutes or so out of the sun with the action open, barrel vertical, to cool. I usually have another rifle with me to shoot while the first one cools. Proper barrel break-in of a new rifle will do a lot to ensure many years of good shooting. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, and check out the websites already mentioned for more good advice.

Sounds like a great hunt. Thanks for sharing. At least you saw birds.

Wow! Thanks, Snapshot and Loner for all the info. I appreciate the help.

I was drawn for 30B in December. I've never hunted there before, either. Please let me know how you do and what you find. thanks in advance.

Thanks for the photos. Great country. We were camping in Lee Valley last week, went to Big Lake some, but didn't catch anything. Can't wait for tomorrow when grouse opens. Bill, did you graduate from Snowflake HS? I remember a Bill Quimby in our class.

Thanks for sharing. I love living up here, but I'm wierd, most people wouldn't like it so much. the tree was probably debarked by a porcupine. they peel the bark off and like the sap and sometimes peel the cambium. Bears do the same, but as low as it is I'd bet porcupine. Glad to hear about the grouse sighting, they are seldom seen, and season opens tomorrow.

Want Lee Target Model loader set for .243 Win. and .270 Win. These are no longer made, and mine wore out, can't get parts or repairs. If you have one or both, and no longer want them, let me know. For clarification, these reloader kits look like this: attachment.

Thanks again. I use a lot of IMR4350 in my .270 and the wife's .243. I don't care for real hot loads, tend to be mid range, get good power and better accuracy, I think.

Welcome. I'm new here, too, and think it's a great site with good folks who are willing to share. enjoy.

Thanks, Quest, I'll start trying to work up something in my Rem.700.