IA Born

I used to hang out with a former Green Beret and we got to talking .308s one day. He told me his amorers and CIA contacts all said 20" barrel was the optimal barrel for a .308. Take that for what its worth. But yes, pics!

I wasn't on CW yesterday, so I missed this. Happy belated birthday, although I got you on the IG! Happy birthday, buddy!

I gently lapped and then aligned the rings when I mounted them, as I've always done. I pulled the bolt and bore sighted it with a target on the back fence at 50 yards and it was the same: way off and not enough adjustment to bring it in alignment. Before I sent my scope back to Vortex, thinking something was wrong with it, I took it out and shot it on paper. It was still about two inches right at 100 yards and I couldn't move it left anymore. I won't rule out the screw holes not being aligned right, but knowing the history of this rifle, I'm having a hard time believing that's the issue, although I also can't rule it out. I also can't rule out some level of operator error, either, but I've been mounting scopes most of my life, have used Leupold DD bases and rings for about 20 years, and have never had this issue before. I also can't rule out that my bore sighter has gotten out of whack, either. I ordered the Leupold adjustable bases and rings this weekend, but I'm still going to have my gunsmith go over everything as soon as he gets back in town from his hunt, just to be sure its not operator error or the screw holes are out of alignment. I'm starting to hate this rifle, but I refuse to let it win. I'm also glad a deal Lance and I worked out includes unlimited questions!

I never take my laser bore sight to the range for that very reason. I always bore sight at 50 yds in our backyard from our dining room table. It's never let me down, but now I'm wondering if its not lining up right in the muzzle. The old tried and true method is my next option before buying new bases. The rifle came with the DD bases and I replaced the rings to fit the scope. I've seen people pull the bolt and bore sight at 25 yds. Is that what you do, or go right to 100 yes? I don't think it's a screw hole issue. The previous owner had no issues with these bases or his old scope. When I head over to my gunsmith to get the old family shotgun a friend found and is shipping, I'll take the rifle and have him give it a once-over.

Having only ever used the Leupold DD bases, will that base work with my current DD rings or does it require new rings? I think I know which one you're talking about, though. If you have one I can try, I will gladly pay you for it!

I miss fishing in Canada. Fresh walleye is the BEST! We're working on a family fishing trip to a friend's family cabin for next summer.

NWTF is selling calendars for 2018 for a chance to win a gun a week for 52 weeks. These calendars are $50 each, which comes out to less than $1/chance to win for 52 weeks. Only 1000 calendars are being sold in five states. We are working on scheduling times to set up a table and sell calendars at Sportsman's Warehouse in Flagstaff, but if you want one in the meantime, please PM me and we can make arrangements to get you one. You'd better hurry because we have a limited supply and they tend to go quickly. $50 for 52 chances! The guns are listed in the third photo.

PM answered, but there's better be a handshake/face-to-face involved soon!

I can, but you'll have to wait until I'm back in town. The only downside is it will take a while to run the card number since we submit them all at once to the person who has the reader.

Got your PM and consider it done!

I have 11 more tickets in my possession. It was 12, but AZDiamondHeat claimed one!

I will pm you the phone number for the State Chapter president and you can call him and ask if you went through the State Chapter website. If you went through the East Valley Toms website, I can put you in touch with them, but I know Mark and Kathi are usually right on top of that stuff.

Our chapter should have a few left if you want some. Unfortunately, we don't have a website set up yet, but we're working on it. You can PM me directly and we can work out getting you tickets. I just need to know how many you want and I can see how many we have left.

Your prayers are working, Phil! The orthopedic foot doc said yesterday, there is absolutely no need for surgery. These next two weeks are critical for her healing, but she should make a quick, full recovery and be back to soccer in 4-6 weeks! We go back for follow-up x-rays in four weeks and will know more then, but its looking great so far! I should send you a soccer schedule sometime so we can actually meet up and you can watch her play!

Last Friday morning, during Fall Break for her school and on my day off, Sydney and I went out squirrel hunting. Like her brother, she's been asking for over a year and she didn't want to be outdone by his new squirrel hunting success. She got all three she shot at and I got one of the two I shot at. Two more gave us the slip. Her last squirrel got the last laugh, though, when it landed perfectly on the seat of a ladder stand 15 feet up! "How do I get it down?" "YOU have to climb up and get it!" She had to climb up to get it down and I got a good laugh! Then her hunting season came to an end Saturday morning in Phoenix when she broke her big toe in a soccer game. We're still not sure how she did it, since it was a routine clear/save as a goalie. She turned around to head back to the net after kicking the ball away, took one step, and collapsed. We're on our way to the foot surgeon today to get a better prognosis after a trip to an urgent care (no disrespect intended). The doc at urgent care emphasized getting her to a foot specialist right away so we can form a plan that doesn't involve surgery (it was that bad of a break). The worst part was watching her get mad at herself for letting her team down. She was in the middle of a great shutout and we found out her team ended up losing 6-0. Its going to be a long two months for ALL of us with her in a boot (can't put weight on it) and no soccer, running, or hunting. She did say "At least I got my elk tag filled and don't have any other hunts planned this year!" So enjoy the pics, but please also say a prayer for a quick recovery. Squirrel landed on the tree stand seat!

Congrats! That's awesome!

Can you pm me a recipe?? Congrats on a great time chasing the tree rats! We've been going out and having a blast! Awesome time!

Its Savage Axis youth model in 7mm-08. It's the original style from 4-5 years ago. I intended to get her a decent enough entry level rifle, but it is wicked accurate with hand loads, and she doesn't want to upgrade to a better quality rifle. The factory trigger was horrible, so I had a Timney trigger installed three years ago and it's at 3lbs. After last deer season, we had it cerakoted. She picked the blue. This summer, my gunsmith up here talked me into putting a Boyd's custom wood stock on it to replace the cheap factory stock. She picked the thumbhole style and color. He bedded and floated it. I paid the $25 extra for the laser-engraved elk. It's quite a bit heavier, so I have to help carry it once in a while, but she's worth it! Syd says it's now her dedicated elk rifle and her other 7mm-08 (Weatherby Vanguard youth) is now her deer rifle. I'm doomed!

It's 3:30 am and I can't sleep. I can't sleep, in part, because I'm still on elk hunting time and this is wake-up time, and I can't sleep because my mind keeps replaying the awesomeness of the last 24 hours. I'm still at a loss for words in the pride I have for our amazing daughter. Yesterday morning at 6:13 am, she filled her elk tag. After three long days in Unit 1, including 20 miles of hiking in some very rugged terratin at 9,000-feet elevation, with a 20-lb pack, carrying a rifle, and a missed bull on opening morning, we only hiked a mile from the truck on Day 4 to fill her first elk tag and harvest her first bull! We got on the herd shortly after shooting light, but got busted because of bad winds. We knew the area and, therefore, knew the likely end route, so we moved "at elk speed" to cut them off. As we were getting to our planned rally point, we popped out of the trees to see a good bull standing about 150 yards away and perfectly broadside. We got set up quickly and he dropped at the first shot! There was much to celebrate and how I held in the tears is beyond me. Then I explained to Syd that the real work begins. We had no phone reception where we were, which meant we couldn't get ahold of our friends who offered to drive the hour to us to help out. It was just the two of us. Syd did an amazing job of helping me field dress her elk, never complaining about the mess or hard work. She even took a quick minute to help me tighten a make-shift bandage when I managed to slice off a chunk of my thumb (stupid Havalon; still love it though). After the mile hike back to the truck with the first load of meat, Syd helped me navigate a tricky spot on the two-track road we were parked on, and then used my GPS to figure out the two-track went right up to her elk! He was likely the satellite bull we saw, but neither of us really care about his score. We'll find out for our own edification, but it doesn't really matter; she earned every inch of those antlers and every pound of meat. The cape is beautiful and will look great hanging on the wall. The meat is at the processor and the head is at the taxidermist. Syd experienced every high and low a hunter (especially an elk hunter) can experience on this hunt, and she never gave up. We were in elk every day, and set up for multiple opportunities. I saw a young woman who believed in herself, who was determined, and willing to go the extra mile to achieve her goal. We both learned valuable lessons and to trust each other's instincts and training even more. I know now to let her make the judgement of whether or not she can make a tricky shot. She's not the 10-year old novice; she's the 13-year old who is currently the only person I've taught to shoot better than I can. We are both excited for our next big hunt together, even though we don't know when or where that will be; however, I can tell you that there are major plans for next year's elk and deer seasons! In the short-term, I will be heading to the doctor this morning to get my thumb professionally looked at and cleaned. I'm thankful for all of my first-aid training over the years, but I'm not messing around on this one. I ended up with four total cuts on both hands and a big chunk missing from my left thumb (still love my Havalon!). Seeing Sydney's face and watching her reactions was worth it all.

Our hunting adventures continue! For the past year, Jacob and Syd have been asking me to take them squirrel hunting. Jacob aced his Hunter Ed class last year, shortly after turning nine. I haven't squirrel hunted since I was their age, but I found some recipes and we made a plan. Today was fall break for Jacob and he asked if I could take the day off and go squirrel hunting. Absolutely, buddy! He showed excellent safety and awareness, and got excited at every opportunity. On our way back to the truck, we finally got a squirrel to climb a tree and sit Still! Patience paid off, and Jacob harvested his first game animal ever! His excitement was contagious and we have plans for Monday, after the soccer tournament. He even thanked me for being a good guide, helping, and supporting him. Why do pics come out sideways on my phone??

Thanks for all the words and support. We're still rolling in excitement. I just spoke to our taxidermist, and he officially scored at 286 5/8". He's deceptively small, but we don't really care. He was well earned and a great trophy! Now for a weekend of soccer. If you're near Red Mountain Park, look us up. We'll be there Saturday afternoon, Saturday nigjt, and Sunday morning.

Some of you may remember that my daughter, Sydney, won an all-expenses paid turkey hunt to Kansas last spring after submitting an essay to the NWTF JAKES Essay Contest contest. After all she experienced with her trip to the National Convention and her hunt, she decided to start up a Women in the Outdoors group through NWTF. Rather than start her own separate chapter, it was decided to start as a subcommittee of our chapter here in Flagstaff. I helped her contact local women who I thought would support, help, and guide her along the way. One day, I decided to email two of the top ladies at NWTF that we met to let them know just how much of an influence they and the NWTF had on Sydney. One of them asked me if she could write up an article to publish, hoping to motivate more kids and adults to step up and make a difference. When we got home from our elk hunt, my wife handed us the most recent JAKES Country magazine (Fall 2017). The last page was an awesome article about Syd and I had to share. I hope you all enjoy the article and are inspired as much as I am! Syd JAKES Article.pdf

There are plenty of spots to set up camp on the west side of the unit. Pretty much every road over there has a spot to set up camp. Good luck!

We talk about getting Jaycie involved all the time. When an event gets planned, especially one in Phoenix, Syd will be contacting her, if not sooner. Then we can finally meet up, too!

It was great following you on IG, let alone finally reading this story! Congrats on a great bull, Phil!