Dodger2

My brother recently bought a Browning A-Bolt .300 WSM and he has been trying to site it in. Well, yesterday he stopped by with the gun ready to turn the gun into scrap since he couldn't get it to group at all (not at 100yds or even 50 yds.). While he was walking to the door he noticed his rings on his scope had come lose from the bases. Turns out, the Leupold rings that he had were actually sheared right off from the recoil. I've never seen anything like it before. I have the same rings he has on my 7mm WSM and haven't had any problems.

It is sad to see the loss of some of our forests, but like Lark said in the long run it is a good thing. Nature is amazing and the animals/plants that live here are designed for this stuff. Survival of the fittest I guess. There were storms building south of Douglas last night, so hopefully the monsoon is on its way.

I'm going to try to go. I haven't been for a couple of years, since it moved to Williams and I moved away from Flagstaff. I think I'll try a 3D shoot, I've never done one before but they sound like fun.

Garth, That is a great story that has a true meaning behind it. I almost lost my Dad this past August to a heart attack. He turned 59 this year. He has taught me so much about hunting and fishing and he is the one that introduced me to the great outdoors. This past year I have seen the roles starting to switch, much like you saw on your trips. When we hunted this past fall, I would wait for him on the trail even though he told me to "go ahead, I'll catch up". He hasn't shot a coues deer yet and my goal this year is to fill his tag. Just recently, I took my 3 year old up to the White Mountains and my Dad, Mom, Brother and his girlfriend all came along. While we were there, I was making sure that my Dad and my son were both doing okay. On the last day, while we were packing up we reflected on the trip and my Dad talked to me about when he took me on my first trip. It is something I will never forget. I will hunt with my Dad until he says he can't go anymore. Matt

I can relate to that. I make my kids play outside, when its cool enough, and don't panic when they eat dirt in the sand box. It is sad though that I don't let them go out in the front yard by themselves (they are 3 and 1) because I don't trust other people. We use to play baseball on fields where first base was the tree, 2nd was the sprinkler cover, and third was the line on the sidewalk and play "touch" football in the street. Times have definitely changed.

For deer, all coues: 33, 32, 29 (November), and 29 (October). I never have done a 4th choice until a couple of years ago and got that draw. For elk, all archery bull 5b-N, 7W, 11M. I quit applying for antelope here and now go to Wyoming. Maybe I'll start again, but I keep putting in for archery hunts and don't get drawn and my first time applying in Wyoming I pulled a buck tag, and looking at the fee structure for next year, it won't cost that much more than a tag here.

Knock on wood, but I heard that the monsoons are supposed to be above average this summer. Lets hope and pray that they are. Having the dove hunters on tanks could make the deer come to water more during midday or the afternoon or, worse, at night.

Congratulations! I can remember growing up and reading the paper on only the days that the outdoors section was in part of the sports page. I don't think they even run one anymore.

Just thought I would share my son's first camping, fishing trip with everyone. We went to the White Mountains for 3 days to break in the new pop-up trailer and to expose the boy to the great outdoors. We had a great time and when it came time to leave he said that he didn't want to go home. I thought for sure that he would be asking for Mommy after one day. We were able to catch his first fish...a 14" brookie at Crescent Lake And enjoy some awesome sunsets...even though the storm that brought these clouds brought lightning with it that actually nocked me to the floor of the trailer and left my left side tingling for about 3 hours . Way too close, but the kid just asked me what happened...

I had been dreaming about that day since the day he was born. He is already asking to go back and now wants to move to the mountains. I guess the next thing to do is drag him along with me scouting and hunting. Hopefully he'll get as excited about that. My daughter just turned 1 last week, so she is next. KGaines, looks like you and the kids had fun. I remember catching some huge cats out of there when I was going to school up there. I think the next trip with my son we'll keep a few and cook 'em up so he can get the full experience.

Got my sticker and finally got somewhere besides the driveway for a picture...Thanks Amanda!

We are leaving tomorrow and coming back Friday. I'll give you a report on the fishing when we get back.

Scott, Great pictures! I'm taking my 3 year old up to the White Mtns. (Crescent/Big Lake) for his first fishing trip/camping trip. I think I'm more excited about it than he is.

CHD, The last time I was up in Telluride, there was a jeep that rolled off that road up to Bridal Vail falls. Unfortunately, both people were killed in the accident. That is one serious road. The night life in Telluride isn't bad either, but it is a little on the weird side...

I am so ready for August/September this year. I do need to get a new string put on my bow, its a year old is ready to get changed. I'm ready to start building some arrows this year too. Maybe if I build my own they will fly straight and I finally connect on something . Still looking for my first after more than 15 years of trying. It just seems like since I've gotten to the point that I can shoot consistently I can't get close anymore. Its almost like the deer, elk, javelina, etc. have esp or something...

CHD, Beautiful pictures. I have worked a baseball camp for the last 4 years in Telluride. It is some beautiful country. I always had a hard time keeping focused working the camp while at city park. Its one of those places that you have to see for yourself to get a real appreciation for it. Thanks for the pics!

Congrats and good luck! I've been married for 6 years (May 20th) and we have 2 great kids. I can say that I feel lucky everyday of my life.

I can't find any of the posts I made. I was wondering if I did something wrong and got kicked off or something. I just don't get the mentality of the people that do the hacking stuff.

Thanks for the replies. I pretty sure he is going to buy the gun. He actually had to order it. He has a Remington model 700 that is left handed, but its also 15 years old and my dad had to special order it. I knew that Browning was a respected name, but just didn't have any experience with them. Thanks again. Matt

Just looking for some information for my brother. He is looking at buying a Browning A-bolt .300 WSM. Any opinions. We are typically a Remington and Winchester bunch, but the problem is that my brother is left-handed and this is only left handed rifle in this caliber he can find. Thanks

younghunter, As a former high school baseball coach, I just resigned after this season, I must say that your comments need to be commended. That's what sports is about. Just by these comments that you have made, it would have been an honor to have had the opportunity to coach you. It is far too often that the trash talking and other garbage taints everything that sports is about. Thank you for giving me the hope that there is still hope. I hope that your wrist heals completely. Thanks Dodger2/Matt

azhuntnut, Thanks for the tip. I'll check out the site. I figure I can use the generator for other purposes as well. We don't really camp anywhere that will need AC. I was more concerned about a heater and a toilet (wife's only requirement). Matt/Dodger2

Kevin, That does help. I'm a real newbie at this stuff. Usually its a tent or the back of the truck for camping. I went down to the dealership today and the tent trailer guy sells Honda generators and will put one into the deal. The toy hauler is nice, its just more than I need and costs a lot more money. Matt

Kevin, Thanks for creating this thread. I just got finished looking at some generators on line since I'm looking at buying a trailer since the wife wants a toilet in order to camping with me and the kids. Here's my question, for a trailer what size generator do you need to run lights, etc? I've found the price goes up pretty quick. I'm looking either a tent trailer w/ a front platform for a quad or a 19' toy hauler. The toy hauler comes with one but its a $4,000 option. Thanks Matt

I have two rifle that I have taken coues deer and antelope with. I have a Remington model 700 .243 win with Nikon 3-9x40 and a Winchester model 70 7mmWSM with a Burris 3-9x40. I have Swarovski 10x42 binoculars.