Coach

I had a hit for $10

I like the look of that one - especially the range finger mounting. Post an update when you get a chance to use it in the field.

Wow, Tony. That was downright creepy....

Wow, awesome buck and great story. What a tough hunt, but the hard work sure did pay off for you. Congratulations on a great hunt.

I'm looking for a spare tire for my '06 ranger. Has to be the front tire - the fronts wil work on the back, but not vice-versa. Hopefully someone in the White Mountains or Payson. I don't get to the valley much these days, and shipping is expensive. Thanks, Jason

I know a guy... Hey, he's cheap - waddayawant???

Thanks for the replies, and keep 'em coming. The thing that irks me with my setup is that they attach at the end closest to the eyepiece. So when I'm crouched and stalking, they dangle and I have to flip them upward toward my chest. The badlands setup is pretty good, but I've tried one once, and it seemed hard to shut quietly. I LOVE the little hook on them that allows you to hang your bow without setting it down to glass. My "go-to" pack is a Cabela's hybrid day pack, which is really just a great fanny pack with shoulder harness. I wish I could find something I could attach right to that without having a separate harness - everything is already right there. I've heard good things about the Sitka bino pack, but it's $100 and I'm not sure I want to go that route, yet. Anyone out there designing backpacks - here's an idea for you. If you could combine a Cabela's hybrid, or badlands Monster fanny with an integrated front bino pouch that stays close to the body, AND find a way to incorporate a light mesh bag supported by the shoulder harness to carry 30-40 pounds of meat, even if that meant some optional corded support poles to create a frame, you would have the perfect set-up for hunters that venture in deep, but stay light and still have the capability to haul out a boned-out deer. In my last situation, I literally used my friend's under armour shirt with knots in the sleeves as a makeshift game pack. We used parachute chord and mule tape to support the extra weight and put it on the harness and belt of my pack. There is no reason a heavy-duty fanny pack can't be converted to a game-hauling pack - it just hasn't been done yet. Make a detachable, front bino carrier that snaps onto it and you have a winner. Add a range finder tether to the shoulder strap and kifaru gun-bearer and you would have the ultimate setup for run-and gun hunters. Man, I sure wish I could design this pack. Eventually, it will come but for now we have to piece together the best elements of a lot of good designs that weren't necessarily meant to work together.

Spotting and stalking a bull after the rut with archery equipment has to rank right up there with the toughest hunts anywhere. You definately earned a great trophy with that stalk. My hat is off to you - great job. Congrats on a true trophy.

I feel your pain. I think having the option of an online course was a very good move by G&F, but it would certainly be nice if it were easier to find a field day to complete it. On the other hand, you have to keep in mind that the guys doing these classes are volunteers, so it's hard to get too upset that they aren't holding one every weekend. It would be really nice if each office would try to schedule one field day per month specifically for kids who have taken the online course. That would certainly be convenient. I've got one more to go, he turns 10 on the 28th of January and I am hoping to find a field day between then and the general javi hunts - which I'm sure will be tough. Good luck. I hope those boys are able to get out there and hunt with you soon.

Nice buck for sure and great job! You should be glad it was a cat that found him. Here is what they look like when a bear finds them. This is less than 12 hours from when it was killed (not my buck, btw)....

I've been using the Slik Sprint Pro for years as my primary binocular tripod. The ball system isn't the greatest, but it definately works. You do have to find the "sweet spot" where it is tight enough not to flop over, but loose enough to still pan. My "other" tripod is a Bogen 3205GN with a 3130G head. It's a great tripod, but not something I'm willing to lug around at 5-6 pounds. If you find a good, fluid pan head for he Slik Sprint that is worth the money, let me know. I've been considering trying one of these...not sure if it fits the Sprint Pro. http://www.amazon.com/Slik-Compact-All-Metal-3-Way-Release/dp/B0007YPGDK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321063117&sr=1-1 If you can get used to the ball head that comes on the Sprint Pro, it's actually not that bad, considering how light weight it is.

Yikes, innocent until proven guilty, but it sounds like they've got a lot of evidence in this case. What are these guys thinking??? We've all seen "To Catch a Predator" and every time these guys act totally surprised. And of course they all say the same thing - "Really, this is the first time I've ever done something like this..."...Yeah, right...

Wow - what a GREAT buck! Just amazing! Great job to "Uncle Bill".

That is a fantastic buck! And to take him in an area with so much pressure from other hunters shows you have some fine-honed coues hunting skills. Congrats on a great buck, and a great hunt. Thanks for sharing it.

Wow, amazing photos! I would love to "pass" on muleys like that. Thanks for posting them! Great looking bull too, for CO, especially.

+1, Thank you for your service. You guys are the heart and soul of this country. I hope a lot of people spend Veteran's Day (tomorrow) not just thinking about those who have previously served, but also those who are still in harm's way. My dad just got back from a flyfishing trip on the San Juan in NM, and his club took out some disabled vets. Most were younger guys - just back from Afghanistan. He's kind of a "tough old bird" but he really got choked up talking about the experience. So many young Americans coming home missing limbs, eyes... And what are we even doing there??? I'll get off my political soap box - you guys don't even ask that question - just report for duty and do it to the best of your ability. My hat is off to all all of our current, past and future soldiers out there that are the true backbone of America. God bless you all.

That is a GREAT looking buck! I love the father-son hunt, and help from another CWT'er. Awesome job!

3 in the Mag (or 4 depending on gun), 4 in the sling. You guys are making me nervous.

Good luck on your hunt, Flash. I hope you have a great time despite the injury. Let us know how it turns out.

Very cool pictures. Great looking buck, and those coati's are awesome. I've never seen the little ones like that.

Nice job! Way to get in the back country. Nice bucks and a great write up. I really enjoyed it.

I think you answered your own question with "they do it in Texas"....no offense but they also fence off all their deer and have turned hunting into a pastime for the uberrich. It's hard enough to get drawn for archery elk or kaibab deer without crossbows getting in the mix. Now if it just about a disabled guy getting a fair shot then that is a different story...same with small game - I am all for it, My sentiments, exactly. Well said.

Great job, Jed. Thanks for sharing the video. That's a really nice looking buck, and some great footage.

Shameless TTT.

To answer your question, yes. As a hand-loader for years, learning what I could from my dad, every *great* gun is fickle. On the one hand, there are so many great guns out there and so much incredible ammo available it's almost hard to not put something together that shoots really well. Weatherby, Howa, Savage and Sako all have rifles now with guranteed, sub MOA, with factory bullets. As a hand-loader, I can tell you that little things like the primer you use, the powder you choose, the bullet, the brass, whether you crimp or not, little things like "throat spacing" all make a huge difference. Some guns like the bullets right up in the lands, some do better with a little gap. Rifles are more fickle than girls, in my experience. These days you can buy a good rifle off the shelf, put a good scope on it, buy a box or two of ammo and start shooting groups. But if you really get downn and dirty, you'll find every really great rifle has a preferred load, and that's down to the primer, powder, brass and bullet.