naturegirl

You have my support. I lost my 18 year old brother to suicide. It's one of those things that unless it touches you personally, people tend to look the other way, but through efforts like yours lives can be saved. My brother

I have Swaro 10x. These are my every day binos. I'd recommend you go to a store that lets you try them out side by side. That's how I decided between the 10s and 12s. I started at Bass Pro Shops looking through the different options, but ended up at outdoorsman where I could look through each glass outside.

A kennel is very good advice and something I didn't think about until after the fact and is definitely something I could've done differently. I know many people kill the frogs, but it isn't in me. I went looking for frogs after he died and asked myself why. In my heart I know I would've done nothing to a frog if I had found one. I'm pretty good and laying blame where blame is due. Thanks all. I know it gets better with time.

We do owe it to the animal to look for it extensively and many of us do take the time to do that. What makes me even more sick than losing an animal is someone taking a second animal and not counting that first one as their bull. If you hit a bull that good, then you are tagged out. I know this is common practice in the hunting community to keep shooting til you get a tagged animal, but its complete BS to me. When you lose your animal that you know has been hit good, then the hunt should be over and all further efforts go toward recovering the animal.

If they can, definitely go back and look for birds. The birds will find him. I went through it last year and it plain sucks losing an animal.

Great bull! That's a lot of work packing one out by yourself!

So so cute! The silver is very neat looking. I have two black labs and they are the best!

It's a pretty neat looking one

I went to Outdoorsman where I could try each one I was interested in. He set up tripods outside and I spent quite a bit of time behind the ones I was interested in. I tried multiple brands first. Swaro won out. My toughest choice was 10's or 12's. I carry my binos EVERYWHERE when in the field. I chose 10s. The 10s for me were clearer. Your eyes make a big difference compared to the next guy. Once in awhile I'll take a peek through my husbands 15s (with one eye..LOL). Beautiful clarity and closeness, but I still would rather have my 10s As for durability of Swaros, I'm still out on that one. I know I can be hard on equipment, but mine are already needing to be sent out for repairs. This is just from me using them a lot - I did not damage them. They literally are falling apart. I'm waiting til next year to send them in after all the hunts are over.

It's passion that can borderline on obsession for myself. I gotta check myself back to the passion level and out of the obsession level often.

Many years ago we were attempting to make it north in a bad snow storm. We ended up snowed in at Hannagan Meadow Lodge. We had no reservations and they had a no dog policy (we had our 2 labs with us). They made an exception to the rule and let us stay in one of the cabins with our dogs to wait out the storm. We were very appreciative. I'd say get ahold of the owners before the legal action.

I've debated about asking for help for quite awhile. I tend to be a little independent (sometimes to spite myself). I'm done with the archery hunt so it's time to move on and start planning. Since I found out I was drawn, I've been reading and reading and reading just about all the info I can find on this unit and the hunt I have. I've got my map, I've used Google Earth and I almost feel like I'm nowhere closer to knowing exactly where to start. Two months isn't that long and most of our 6a hunting is limited to the northern part of the unit to combine trips to see family in the area. Honestly I put in for this hunt because I have only seen a couple WT in 6A. I looked at what hunt I thought would be hard and I put in for it. I would prefer to use my bow, but I'm also very realistic and if the opportunity presents itself, I want a dead deer. Here's a little info. I have feet that work well and I'm not afraid to use them. We have an ATV and we have horses. Much of the scouting the next month or so will be with a 5 year old in tow so that means either near roads to at least get general locations or we can ride the horses to get away from roads. My husband has a late bull tag in 6a. He doesn't care where I want to hunt, but I think it would be nice if there was an area that held both so we could be one step ahead of the game for his hunt. I really want an elk in the freezer just about as much as I would like to tag a WT. So here I sit thinking I wanted to target south of 260. Then I started thinking about the east part of the unit. Then going back to the central part of the unit (where we have a little experience - he more than I). If there are a lot of people (mostly I'm referring to other hunters), then I prefer not to be there. I don't want to sit more than I have to. I've got the equipment to glass, but again my lack of ability to sit still for long tends to interfere with glassing. Although I'm totally willing to glass, I'm just being honest in that I know for a fact I will not sit all day glassing. I also am not a long range shooter. Any shot I take will be under 300 yards. I've got a few ideas where I'd like to start, but knowing I'm on a timeframe I'd like to know if someone here wouldn't mind me bouncing a few ideas off them. I'd like to know that my thought process is at least going in the right direction.

Start slow with a couple of your favorites. I like the idea of asking her if she can help you place them. She may be A OK with it or she may not. When we moved a couple years ago, I was VERY hesitant to have heads on the wall. I had to remind myself that this is his house too...LOL We have a pig, deer, turkey, and 10.5 lb large mouth bass mount(yep the fish is mine). He wanted them in the family room. I wanted them in the office (where they used to be at our old house). We compromised and they are now in the living room. I will say though as soon as I shot my turkey, I was more than proud to put it front and center on the wall right when you walk in the front door for everyone to see

We hunted labor day in the area. If you need any help as the hunt gets closer, feel free to PM me. We helped a youngin fill their cow tag last year in 6A north. It should be a great hunt with the opportunity to see a lot of animals!

I'm very sorry for your loss. Missy was very lucky to have such a nice home. You can tell she was very loved and a dog can't ask for more than that.

Actually, mom and dad should be teaching this to thier children. It all starts at home. +1 Exactly what I was thinking.

Thanks for posting the info

My husband saw someone elses camera box (in 6a) that had been broken into, but the camera was left on the ground. We are assuming someone wanted the card. He left it untouched by him and moved on. I no longer put cameras anywhere where people typically are and I get them down as soon as I have the info I want. The cameras stay out no longer than they have to.

5. Limit the pressure. If she's not comfortable with something, listen to her. If she doesn't want to take a shot at 400 feet, that should be it. Everyone now knows that I will shoot only when I'm ready period. Well said Most of the things people have mentioned carry over to children too!

just got back from 6a north having spent 6 of 9 days there. We saw very little signs of pre-rut even. It's my 6th archery deer season in this unit and this is the least activity we have seen or heard as of Labor Day weekend in these last 6 years. I always love hearing the bugling this time of year and was a tad disappointed I heard none and my husband "thinks he heard one." Just not much going on.

A lot depends on your wife's personality to start with. 1. First and foremost make it FUN! If she's not enjoying herself, she's less likely to go back. Remember that many times some of the "fun" has absolutely nothing to do with hunting. 2. Make sure she has rain gear, warm clothes, and is prepared for all weather and insects. A warm, dry bite free woman is a happy woman. 3. Let her make the pace whenever possible. I spent so many years trying to keep up with my husband which was never really possible on my end. 4. Encourage her to make some of the choices regarding the hunt so she can have a little say. 5. Limit the pressure. If she's not comfortable with something, listen to her. If she doesn't want to take a shot at 400 feet, that should be it. Everyone now knows that I will shoot only when I'm ready period. 6. Practice, practice, practice with her weapon.

I've seen zero enforcement myself. We have a camper so we camp on the main roads anyway, but in no way do we camp close to the road and we have never gotten ticketed for being too far from the road. if you are camping in an area that is closed, that does put a bigger target on you though.

Wow! He's a beauty! Great job

How's the boy's size? Within a year or two he will be sprouting at a quick pace. At age 12 I'd tend to lean toward a 12 gauge if it's doable with him.

Not ever having hunted 10, I had to research the ranch and read the rules. Sounds like a place I'd like to hunt and pay the $$ to hunt there. Not sure how they enforce their rules, but the rules do not seem out of line and it sounds like the animals are their priority along with collecting some money. No cameras, no salt, no blinds, no tree stands, no ATVs, no vehicle retrieval for elk if roads are muddy, and only 2 guides per hunter. Sounds like they are going old school and evening the playing field a little.