PRDATR

I just try to stay covered up as much as possible and use chemicals like DEET to a minimum since they stink and definitely can't be good for things like your liver when it gets absorbed in through your skin.

Be patient sometimes they don't get a chance to return phone calls for a few days or a week but they usually will get back to you.

As said, go out early each day and be where you want to be glassing from 45 minutes before sunrise, stay out all day (find some mid-day shade) as deer will be active during mid-day as they get up to stretch and browse. The last two hours of sunlight will be productive as the shadows get longer. Everyone on here has been in your place so keep asking questions and we will try to answer them the best we can. You say you haven't hunted deer before, have you hunted small game? Have you seen a deer field dressed or helped someone do that before?

If your lucky you may even get to see a few Antelope.

It pays to have a pair of snow chains on hand.

You can definitely expect freezing temps at night and a possibility snow if that's where you will be. I was hunting in mid October above Purgatory one year and awoke to 8 inches of wet snow.

My thoughts, and take it for whats it's worth, is why take anything that needs to be cooked at all? Get some MRE's or Mountain Home meals. I find that 1500 calories a day get's me by so I don't starve. The biggest thing for me is staying hydrated so I'll pick a few areas for a stash and pre-pack in water 3-4 weeks ahead of time. When I go remote I don't even make a fire at night. I don't know what you use for socks but I highly recommend Smart Wool brand socks. Wear one pair and pack another that will easily get you through 4-5 days by alternating them and rinsing them out on off days. They don't get matted down like other socks and wear like iron. I would also wear Under Armor to soak up sweat and keep you warm at night. A lightweight down bag with a liner will keel you warm and they are very light. However they are pretty much worthless if they get wet. Take some para cord and hang the meat to keep it away from four legged predators but be advised that Yellow Jackets and Ravens may find it. I would also take a few lightweight plastic trash bags to put over the meat when hanging it in case it rains, just cut the bottoms out so they can breath.

Personally. I wouldn't use a wood stove. Look at Mr Heater Buddy. It will run all week on 5 gallons of propane. A lot cheaper and easier.

Dude That Ain't Right. That's an ignorant thing to say, even for someone who lives in Payson. Even if you're "able" to say it.

Seen the latest Reg's?

You couldn't have "landed" in a better place. Lots of good CWT Peeps down there.

Looks like a great trip. About how much does that salmon weigh that you are holding in the first picture?

Noise is a definite negative when road hunting no doubt. I have 256K on an F250 Diesel and Elk just stand there at the side of the road staring in amazement (evidentially too skeerd to move) as I putt by. Now iffin I was on the market fer a gasser it sure wouldn't have a V6 or be a freakin Jap Truck. Thank You, Thank You Very Much My first choice would be an F150 with a V8 and in my experience the towing mileage of a gasser is usually about 60-70% of normal driving when not towing. But that Hemi Ram sure is purty, just point it in the direction you want to go and whala. My younger brother even lets me drive his when I visit him down in Cajun Country. Then you also have to take into consideration overheating when towing and the ability to stop (or not) when breaking. Cross winds can be, well,, interesting. But if you have the whole family crammed inside and a bunch of ice filled coolers in the bed the added weight will help but get some good tires (maybe E's) and keep em aired up. All in all I'm just bustin your chops and I think it would probably work as a second vehicle. You might want to rent one with a hitch for a week.

I bought my son a pair of 10x50 Diamondbacks a couple of years ago and he really likes them but there is no comparison between them and my 8.5x42 Swarovski's. Not quite day and night but they are no where near as sharp as the Swarovski's. I would suggest going someplace where you can look outside through a few pairs in your price range for comparison. Don't, I repeat DON'T look through binoculars beyond your price range because you will be jaded and won't be happy with the lesser priced models.

Call them like they owe you money, at least that's what I tell my guys at work. LOL Seriously though, email is OK but there is nothing like talking to a real person to get things done.

Some interesting reading for you. http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=25561 On the alaskaoutdoordirectory forum there is a guy who goes by the name of straingerinastrangeland who uses a Moisan for all his shooting so you might want to look up some of his posts or drop him a line.

I usually see a few of them too and keep a few #6's handy for them.

10x50 or 8.5x42 would be my first choice. Anything over 10X and you will need a tripod to keep them steady. Anything smaller than 42mm isn't going to let in enough light during twilight hours.

The shooting high and to the right with a different grain bullet isn't anything to be concerned about. The rifle probably has a right hand twist. I would shoot whichever is the more accurate as both are more than enough for Coues.

August 10th and 11th.

Maybe we should start another topic for them (as if there aren't enough already) and throw in a page of sticky's.

I have carried them out after gutting them and boned them out too. Just depends on how far I have to go and the terrain as I almost always am hunting alone when I actually get a deer down. Here is something which I found to be of interest if you have time to read through it. http://www.wyomingextension.org/agpubs/pubs/B594R.pdf http://extension.oregonstate.edu/lane/sites/default/files/documents/pnw517.pdf http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06504.html The Maricopa Skill Center also offers game processing but call before the hunt so you know how to bring it to them. A year or so ago some guy brought them a whole elk that wasn't field dressed first and was turned away. http://www.maricopaskillcenter.com/meat-cutting-0

As WW said altitude can be a killer. Go see the Doc and get a clean bill of health especially if you are over 40 and don't exercise. Drink lots of water in te higher altitude to help flush the CO2 out of your body. One of my sisters is a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner in Colorado Springs and hunting season usually means a few guys showing up feeling crappy after or during a hunt. Last year a 53yo guy came in to the hospital where she works a day or two a week and never left. Even worse was that his wife and teenage kid where there when he went into arrest. One thing is certain, we are all going to die. I'd just like to enjoy the ride as long as I can.

I have never seen one before but for the price I don't see why you just would't but a nice tent and save yourself a bunch of cash.

Do you have beady-eyes? LOL