Chef

A successful hunt includes eating with an oil lantern glimmering through it's lacy veil. With the sweet aroma of fresh cut flowers that someone made me hand cut myself. Yes this really happened, but I won't get into it. I have to protect my manhood. ....for me, just being in the outdoors and seeing quality game makes it a success.

Orlin, just tell them your neighbors did it!

I haven't had a chance to get out again guys. This was my first week back to work after a 10 day hunt I helped on. A bit hectic getting back to say the least. I will keep you folks posted though! Thanks for the interest.

Several months back I was considering a new rifle for deer sized game. I wanted a 60 degree bolt throw and a reputation for accuracy. Doug turned me on to Cooper Arms and more specifically, the .280 Ackley Improved. Nosler offers brass and ammunition for this caliber so those would be no issue in acquiring. I began online research and concluded that this would be my next rifle. I placed an order for an Excalibur from Hendershot's Sporting Goods Inc., this was seven months ago and now the rifle is here. Topped it off with a Zeiss Conquest and I'm off to Usery Range. I drove all the way out, and walked into a jam packed parking lot. I endured a twenty five minute wait for a bench and the wind starts to pick up. I contemplated leaving as this wasn't my cup of tea but decided to endure the masses. Did I mention the auto loader crowd spraying hot brass all over others?...fun! I sight her in and could only bear to shoot one group before getting the heck out of dodge. Two shot group before adjusting POA to the right. Three shot group to the right. Nosler Custom factory ammo 140 grain AccuBonds 100 yards, no cooling between the five shot string. I'll spend some more ammo soon to have brass then start reloading with 130 grainers. I'll keep you guys posted! "Thanks Doug!"

Awesome! Nice rifle too.

Looks like great fun guys! A perfect day for sure.

HOMINA HOMINA HOMINA! CONGRATS!!

That thing is awesome!!

Well this hunt started off last year with the booking of the hunt through Baja Hunting. They guide for pheasant, quail, dove, Occelated turkey, mule deer, and coues deer in Mexico. There are some members here that have taken monster coues bucks with them. My Dad hunts with them several times a year for birds so I knew what awaited us and looked forward to a great hunt. We drove into Mexicali and spent the night there. Enjoyed the night life a little before waking up and heading to the Hacienda that Baja Hunting has set up in the town of Quintana Roo for it's clients. This is a short 30 minute drive East of Mexicali. The Hacienda was very nice and can accomodate many hunters at one time. This is not a pen hunt and all the birds are wild. The guide has leases with the farmers and there are a ton of birds. They have a good concept and do not allow you to shoot hens. So Roosters only. Here are pictures of the accommodations... We went Pheasant hunting upon arrival. We headed straight to several milo fields. Some of the fields were short and some were very tall. It was basically a push drive through the fields. We had "bird boys" that made noise and trashed their way through the fields. Some hunters would drive and others would block at the end of the field. We had very good luck. Here are some of the fields to give an idea of the areas we hunted... This was the first time I hunted pheasant. I was hunting with a Benelli 20ga Cordoba. I was thrilled as the first rooster that flushed in front of me in my life, and the first shot I ever took at a rooster, downed him nice and tight! Here are some pics after our first hunt...four hunters... Here are the bird boys cleaning our morning harvest... The lodging and all food was included and we enjoyed every meal immensely. Here are a few pictures of what I look forward to the most... Here are our bird boys after our second day harvest. Along with one of us... The lodge had some nice muleys and a nice bighorn pick up... Here is a cool Occelated turkey mount. They hunt these in the Yucatan and the bird boy assigned to me is from Chiapas and guides there also. The feathers are awesome with metallic coloring. This pic does no justice to it's beautiful feathers. The head, well, that's a whole different story... The End!...(representin' with the CW shirt!) (little blurry I know)...

The only way Tim weighs 140 is with a 20 lb weight strapped to his back! LOL Kudos to him for helping you out. Yeah, he called me from the mountain about his elk. Congrats again Tim!

Nice looking buck Casey! Congrats!

Reminds me of all the brown tree snakes they said I would find on Guam. Granted, there are more scorpions and snakes here than I think you believe. I killed 125 scorpions in my parents backyard one night hunting with a black light. 115 the next night too.

Your buck is really nice! Congratulations! Those are pretty good trophy pictures, hard to think they were even rushed. Wonder how Dick's buck got the holes in its ears?

PM tjhunt2, I think he was in the market for one...

Way to go! Nothing like a cute girl out hunting the boys! Nice buck, too bad you guys couldn't close the distance on Mr. BIG! There is always next year, probably be more left overs.

Your buck is awesome! Congratulations to all the hunters!

Sounds like you had a great trip. Awesome bucks! Congrats!

NICE!!!

Heck of a shot. You need a shotgun too so you can get em when they bump ya!

Great pics. Looks like a fun filled vacation. I KNOW you had to take some pictures of all the great food too!

Great write up and pictures! Congratulations to you and your Father on two awesome bucks. I appreciate all the hard work you put into all your hunts and most importantly the effort you put into thinking about us during your hunts. With all the pics and attention to details, its the best!

Great pics as always RR! Looks like you and the boys (and Rica!) had a good time. Must have been interesting to get hailed on in the dark. Good thing you didn't eat that bean!

Doug, Thanks for the kind words. I know you love nice wood, and the Coopers are known for that, but I opted for synthetic. I still think she's purdy! I was thinking about trying to duplicate the load used for the three shot test target, but have decided against it since I will be hunting with this rifle and have no need for super tight groups with bullets I would never use on game. They used Speer boat tail hollow point Match Kings. I'll try some Hornady 139 grain Interbonds first and see how she likes em. I do think I will go the custom turret route also. I like that set up. I saw Casey's and he says they are awesome. Here is the test target from Cooper. I think they shoot at 50 yards.

That is one COOOOOL looking buck!! Congrats!

Nice buck! Congratulations!