PRDATR

There are always going to be those who place more value on the outcome of the hunt than the overall experience. I was guilty of this when I first started hunting deer. Back then it was all about killing my first deer and there were a few years before I succeeded. I didn't know anyone who hunted so it was all about reading books, magazines and just walking around. To me deer were just things to kill, soulless targets with hair and antlers. That first buck, a spike Mule Deer taken near Cottonwood Camp in the Superstitions was a lot of work. I had not much more than a rifle, sleeping bag and an old two wheel drive Chevy truck. After tracking the deer I hung it in a small tree in the wash where it died. I had tied a rope around it and ran it up over a branch and struggled to get it up off the ground. I grabbed the deer around the chest with my right arm and lifted the deer while pulling the rope with my left hand then stepping on the rope to keep it from slipping back. I carried the gutted deer on my shoulders about 100 yards to the truck then drove home where I butchered it on the kitchen table, before my wife got home. I'v now managed to kill a few more deer, each one a memory and I now understand that each one has a spirit and is a gift. Sorry for being so long winded.

You did the right thing by not making a big deal out of it.

I'll probably be burning diesel on Saturday looking for birds to hunt on opening day as the cattle company shut the area down we used to hunt, looks like a road will be cut through it. Anyone been out to Paloma? Used to be great but not so much anymore since the place change ownership and the feedlot went in south of Water Melon Rd.

The east Valley has been relatively dry with the storms of the last few days. For you dyed in the wool Browning Guys, good news. THE HUMP IS BACK! http://www.browning.com/library/infonews/detail.asp?id=372

Only in magazines.

Thanks metau. I actually ment to type southwest. I just happen to be going through some old papers over the weekend and found my AZ Hunter Ed card. I'll checkout those sites.

I am planning on hunting central Colorado next year with my BIL who lives in Monument. He and I used to hunt together when we lived in Northern Maine and he wants to get back into it but he dosen’t know anyone who hunts other than me. This will be a spot and stalk rifle hunt out of tents. I hunted above Purgatory about 15 years ago but that was on horseback with a buddy using some horses we rented from an Outfitter. Primarily the goal is for us to spend some quality time together, which hasn't happened since he and my sister got the Big D about 10 years ago. He and I have been friends since he was in HS over 40 years ago and he has not had much time to relax and enjoy himself for a long time. I would like to find an area to hunt within a four - five hour drive of where he lives that we can put in for that has a high draw percentage or possibly even an area where we could buy an OTC tag for Cow or maybe any Elk if that is even possible. When I hunted there I had to show proof of Hunter Ed. Do you think they still have a record of me in their system? Are there any Forums that he and I can sign up on that the Colorado Guys go on? It would be nice to get him in touch with some local people that can take him under their wing and teach him some of the things he needs to know as there is only so much you can learn by reading although I plan on making as many trips as possible to work with him and scout out potential areas. If we can find a place in the south or southeast part of the state I can make more trips up there. Thanks

When is this hunt? My kids are grown but I'll offer my services to help in what ever capacity is needed to mentor, scout or help pack em out.

Did you check that map thingy Amanda started?

I wouldn't be overly concerned about the weight since you will probably have them on a tripod 95% of the time when you are looking through them.

No need to shoot 70 pounds. The need for speed is alive and well in archery and in firearms. If you can consistently shoot a 4" group to 30 yards you'll do fine. When the group starts to open up, thats you limit. So , stop for that session. Go out and spot and stalk some jack rabbits.

That sounds like a heck of an idea. The last time I had some it was cooked in a 35 gallon drum with a bunch of chili's. Young females definitely taste better.

Is that a sea trout in your avatar? Holy smokes Red Fish. A Sea Trout (Speckled Trout) that big would put me in the Class of Lerner, Hemingway and Grey. The particular fish took a soft plastic in about a foot or two of water in the marsh near Galliano Louisiana. We tangled for close to half an hour before it surface and my brother tailed it into his boat. I released it to fight another day. We didn't have a scale so I don't know how much it weighed.

SOS not matter what unit you're in WW. USFS closes down roads, people biatch. Best put as much acreage between you and the road as you can. Best advice I can offer is to stay put next weekend, it'll be a ZOO.

Interstate's are great. I bought the Die Hard's because they are AGM and had the most CCA in the Group 65. Sears in the East Valley worked with me on the price and saved me maybe another $45. They probably weighed a good 10 pound more that the Wal-Mart one's I replaced which were going on three years old.

I have Humana at work, very small company with about a dozen employees. I got an email last evening saying we will still have Humana available but from the wording in the email it sounded like there will be a price increase (they will meet with each of us individually)and also said we will have this option to shop for our own insurance. https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace/individual/?gclid=CPSrgsTKlrkCFU5xQgodlDoAvQ

I rather hunt Caribou over the next few weeks rather that in Oct. Most places are already hitting freezing temps at nigh and the bugs will be almost nill in another week. Definitely join the forum and ask plenty of questions. There are a lot of good people on here to help you out. http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/forumdisplay.php/2-Alaska-Hunting

I think I'll go out today and buy one of these eve though I just put some new Platinum Die Hard's at over $400 in a month or so ago. http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-PSJ-1812-ProSeries-Starter-Portable/dp/B002J8LMVC/ref=sr_1_6/183-5114759-8533902?ie=UTF8&qid=1377362641&sr=8-6&keywords=battery+jump+box

You know you're not too far from PSE in Tucson and they are just a few blocks off the freeway. Maybe they can help you out.

So does this mean you changing your screen name to Apache0mm? LOL

I have not read of any accuracy problems with the 770 and did some digging around on them last week when my BIL decided to get into hunting and asked me about them. After researching entry level rifles I recommended he get a Marlin XL7 and put the savings into a decent scope. He hasn't taken the plunge yet but he saw a Savage 116 combo that had a 3x9 Nikon BDC scope for $599 at Cabelas at the Grand Opening in Denver so I told him that would also be a good choice as Savage Rifles are known for great out of the box accuracy. It was available in 30.06, 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag and is also stainless which would be good for the Elk Hunt we are planning next year in Colorado.

What kind of groups are you getting at 100 yards? What caliber are you shootin? Tell us about your scope. What kind of rest are you shooting from?

Please don't waste your money on these. Several good options in the $350-$700 range that have been recommended will work great. I saw a pair of monarch 12X56's on ebay the other day for $400. Good luck. Yeah, I ment that as a joke. I can't imagine anyone carrying around 10# Binos.

They are also trying to ban Bobcat hunting.

When you do look into using Lapua brass for rifle cartridges.