kazpilot25

So I ordered a new Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 scope for my rifle and it will be here tomorrow! Ended up paying $405 which includes 2-day shipping! I can't wait to get it and test it out. Anybody have this scope? Can anybody recommend good 30mm rings?

elkaholic, I'm right there with ya. It's just terrible. I was there from 8-1 and got 6 sessions in. I was sighting in several rifles and had some issues with my scope. Now I'm the proud owner of a Vortex Viper after my old crap scope took a dump. Anyways, They didn't have the misters going last weekend but that just sounds terrible. Last thing I would want would be my gear/guns/ammo/powders getting misted. Stupid. The people out there are complete idiots! I had a situation at one point Saturday where they double booked the lane next to me, the second guy that showed up somehow didn't realize someone was already setup there with a target downrange. So he went out to setup his target, got to 200, and apparently didn't walk straight since he was now in my lane! So he proceeded to take my target down, rip the targets off the board, lay it on the ground, and stand his target in my lane! He then just stood there holding my targets like WTF do I do now? One of the range guys went out there, and didn't know what to to do or what was going on. So I ran out there and was asked by the range guy, "do you know what's going on here sir?" Umm yeah! this idiot took my targets and placed his in my lane. "Oh, it looks like we double booked his lane and I'm not sure what to do, and I don't have a radio on me so let me walk back to check with the Range Master. Needless to say, I had to reset my target and the wonderful gentleman had to find a new lane. Completely incompetent.

Looks like I got drawn for Spring Turkey! It's going to be my first turkey hunt. I can't wait to see the results to see where I'm going.

Thanks Adam. I just might have to call ya. I've heard good things about the Talley rings. I'll have to swing by Sportsmans and check them out.

I've been waiting all year. One week from tomorrow I'll be setting up camp and doing one last scout before the Friday opener! Hallelujah!

I'm going to throw in my $0.02 on the topic. I used to be an awful glasser. I couldn't ever find squat. I took Duwane Adams glassing class and it really opened my eyes as to what to look for, and really just how to go about it. Ever since, I've started glassing up bedded deer, and overall finding a lot more game. First, I will say you need quality glass, and you need to have your binos setup on a tripod. No tripod, no deer. Period. In the AM you need to be glassing the south/southeast facing slopes. Get in position about 30-45 minutes before first light and be ready. Use a grid pattern and start glassing the hillsides. Once you find a deer, if it's not exactly what you're looking for, move on. You can always come back to it to see what it's doing and where it's going. Once the sun is up and you can feel it starting to warm up, it's time to move. you need to get in a position you can glass the North/Northwest facing slopes. It's really a pain in the butt glassing the north facing slopes with the sun in your face. It's hot, it's difficult, and it's tedious. Remember though that that's where the deer are at that time of day. No doubt about it. Most hunters are unsuccessful because they're glassing areas where there are no deer (south facing slopes in the afternoon). This is because glassing the south facing slopes is easy. There's not much growth and it's just not difficult. While glassing the north facing slopes, use the grid pattern and pick the hillside apart. Look in areas that would be hosting deer such as shadows, shade of trees, etc. Typically deer are not in the open once the sun is up. Think of it this way, God gave the deer a warm winter parka to keep them warm in temperatures into the negatives. If you were wearing a huge winter parka, would you want to be somewhere where the sun is directly hitting you? NO! Same with the deer. Finally, the one thing that was really shocking to me when I first started located deer on the north facing slopes in the afternoon is this: From what I've seen, deer don't bed down for long periods of time, and not all deer are bedded down in the afternoon not moving. When glassing North facing slopes, I'd say the majority of deer I find are bedded down, then will get up and walk to the shade of the next tree, then bed down there for another 15 minutes, then get up and do it again. They'll just walk around in the shade of the trees throughout the day, randomly bedding down, munching on some grass, etc. The one constant I have found is that they are always in the shade. ALWAYS! Finally, it's important that you have the correct angle at the shadows. Try to get straight on with the shadow, have them going from the treetops to directly toward you. As the sun moves throughout the day, adjust to the shadows. This will give you the best opportunity to find the deer in the shadows. Also, one thing I think a little differently than most is this; if you've picked apart a hillside for some time (say you've covered it 2-3 times) and found no deer, you probably won't find them if you try again. The binoculars don't lie. It's best to try a different angle at the same hillside to give you a different perspective, or simply move to a different hill. I hope this helps give you a bit of a different perspective.

Scratch that... I'm an idiot. I forgot I went to Ben Avery over the weekend. I checked my account and it said arizona game and fish for $15.XX, which is about the turkey tag. I thought it was kind of weird hitting so quickly. Again, I'm an idiot! ha.

Some people just blow my mind. No "thanks" or anything? Come on, man!

Good catch. I'll get in there and change it. I copied all the content from the old site, which was awful, so it's been an uphill battle working this thing out. I've been doing graphic and web design for the past 10 years or so. Glad you guys like it.

Well I've been working with Duwane Adams to redesign his website and give it a cleaner, more modern feel. It's finally completed and we couldn't be happier in the way it turned out. Duwane is a great guide and overall guy and I'm glad I could help him out with this. Please check it out! www.arizonabiggamehunting.com

Holy crap. If the others made this one look like a baby, I'm jealous! ha.Great job.

If he's NOT hunting, he cannot carry. Sidearm or rifle. Have him carry some binos and stick close.

That is AWESOME! Congrats!

The past couple years I've gone to the ADA Deer Clinic where they've done different shooting things, glassing setup with the Vortex rep, and a bunch of speakers. I don't see that they're doing it this year. Does anyone know anything?

I have a younger cousin who is just getting into hunting and looking for a .308. If anyone has one they're looking to unload, let me know. I think he's got a pretty tight budget (16 year old working in fast food). Thanks guys!

Ok ok I'll give you that. Ha.

For some reason he's stuck on a .308. Not sure why. Thanks for the offers though guys. I'll keep looking.

I have to take a minute and say that this is the reason I love our hunting community. Stories are started with things like "This story is about a bull that the Lord truely blessed me with this year". Also, you have signatures such as; "Don't blame me, I voted Republican", and "The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else." Amazing group of people!

Curtis, thanks for the offer. I think he's trying to stay under $300. Coueser4, good idea. I've heard good things about those rifles too. I'll have him look into it.

Awesome buck! That's great you were able to get her lined up to hunt in NM. Definitely keeping your family in our prayers.

So I've been hunting down in 36b the last couple years and have talked to some other hunters down there who claim there are a lot of lions down in that unit. I was thinking about picking up a tag this year so I can be on the lookout and maybe bag one if the opportunity arrises. Anybody here ever see any lions down there? I've been thinking about checking out the heck's Gate area this year, or maybe I'll stay south of Ruby.

Amazing bull. Congrats to your dad on a successful hunt.

As a mechanical engineering student, I've recently learned about the science of optics and feel as though I can produce a high quality binocular that will rival the best in the business. With that in mind, I'm looking at starting this venture with 2-3 sizes to start. I'm wondering if you were to choose your top two favorite power/size binoculars, what would they be? For me, I'm thinking 15x56 and 10x42.

+1 as well

Ha. You make it seem like I'm planning to brew up some home made binoculars or something. In reality, I've developed specific formulas and lens specifications that should rival top brands. I'm not saying it will be better, but I'm hoping it will. I've been working with some of the higher end lens manufacturers overseas to develop my glass, I've also been working with some other manufacturers that have experience in putting the pieces together per se. I've been working with a team of engineers here in town for the lenses, CAD drawings, forms, and housing designs. Do I have an advantage over any of the current players in the market? No. But I have an idea, I've located the top sources for the materials, I've come up with some solid specifics on how to improve already quality products, and I'm thinking I can produce a quality product. I'm hoping to have a prototype put together in the next month or two. I'll keep you guys posted as this thing progresses. Who knows, maybe one day I'll sponsor the site and offer discounts to members.