Ron G.

I have a double bull matrix I was using hoping to get a shot at coues with this past September. I really liked it. The bucks didn't cooperate and provide a shot, but I saw them several times. Things I would consider would be wind flap, material, ease of setup, black material inside, ease/quietness of opening windows, weight (if packing in a ways), cost, warranty?, and possible camo pattern if important to you. When I researched ground blinds I found there are a lot of cheaper ones, several that come close to the double bull quality and features, but none that had everything the double bull has. The ones that were pretty close in features/quality seemed to be copy cats, and not that much less than a double bull. There are cheaper blinds out there, but from what I saw/heard double bull blinds were the best. Others might disagree... Here's the buck I was after... Here's a pic of my blind from the 'back'... The front (before brushing in)... Pics taken from in it... Just be sure to practice all shots you think you might have from it. I missed a bobcat at under 10 yards because it was too close and my arrow hit the bottom of the window sill and skipped the arrow right over its back. Still kicking myself over that one... I went with a ground blind over a treestand for a couple of reasons. Safer, sometimes there aren't trees handy, and I have young kids I want to start taking with me. Figure they can move around more in a ground blind. Scent containment is a bonus. I had animals approach from downwind, and while on alert, they didn't spook.

Nice buck and great pictures! Way to make it happen.

Good job and congratulations on a great buck!

Great job Troy! Awesome job on a great pig. Glad to see you had a great time. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your future successes.

I just had the tenderloins off of my javelina the other night. Delicious! Just seasoned them, wrapped them in bacon and cooked them over direct heat. Very tasty! I turned the rest of it into sausage, but wish now I hadn't. This is the first time I've pig hunted in years and didn't really remember what the meat tasted like.

I had the chance to try out my 2200 pack on my javelina hunt recently. I'm pretty happy with how it performed. No major complaints towards it, not even any minor ones really. The true test of it was how it would handle the meat packout. I was very pleased with it. My pig was 43 lbs and I weighed my pack when I got home with what I carried out and it weight about 17 lbs. So, 60 lbs total. Was very comfortable on the hike out. Here's some pics of it loaded up...

Sounds like a fun and exciting time! Thanks for the update. Looking forward to seeing pics of your pig and/or deer that you are sure to get.

Great story and awesome pics! Congrats to you and your daughter! I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to go out hunting with me.

Point it north if at all possible so you won't get a glare from the sun.

Well I used some Christmas money and ended up getting a 2200. I was able to try it out this weekend in scouting and hunting pigs this weekend. Here's a few thoughts about it and how I packed it. As I said before, this is kind of a replacement for my older Superday backpack. I like the fact that I'm able to lash some meat easier to the 2200 than the Superday. I didn't get to try out that feature yet, but hopefully by the time pig season ends I'll have gotten to try it out. I put my 15 power binos in the top outside pocket, tripod in the tripod holder on the wing, and since I usually don't carry a spotting scope much, I put a bottle of water in the spotting scope pocket on the other wing. I was hoping to put a water bladder in the mesh pocket on the zip out back panel, but the 70 oz Camelbak I use barely fits, and the 100 oz doesn't fit. I instead put the water bladder in the inside top pocket, hanging it from the hook. I put my first aid kit and other odds and ends in the mesh pocket on the zip out back panel. I stuff my lunch, fleece vest, and other stuff (jacket) inside the main pocket with room to spare (although not much). I strapped my crazy creek glassing chair to the bottom of the pack. After using the pack for a couple of days and carrying it for only 5 miles or so, I'm very happy with it. It's very comfortable and moves well with me. I'm curious how it would feel and how much stability it would lose if I were to remove the aluminum stays. I did try it at home and liked how easily it flexed with my body, but am afraid it would lose it's support, especially in packing heavy loads (ie meat). A couple of minor annoyances or disappointments with the pack are as follows. The SMALL outside pockets on the wings are just that, small. I couldn't fit a 26 oz sport bottle in them, but a 16 oz water bottle fits. I'm using those pockets to hold rope, granola/energy bars, and other snacks. I have a small waist, so there's not a lot of extra webbing on the hip belt between the buckle and the hip belt padding. It makes it tough to attach extra pouches like rangefinder/camera/gps cases. A beef I have with all pack manufacturers are the holes they put for the water bladder tubes are always too small and hard to fit the tube through. I usually end up just brining it out through an opening in the zipper so I don't have to fight it. I think this is the case for just about every pack I have except a camelbak hiking daypack. Overall, I'm very pleased with the 2200. I'm looking forward to carrying it this month on my archery javelina hunt. Came close to packing one out yesterday, but just couldn't get a clear shot through the brush...

Congratulations on a nice buck! Thanks for sharing the great pics!

Thanks Amanda. I'll probably try to contact somebody closer for the time being. If things don't work out I'll let you know and see if your schedule allows me coming over to Globe. Just pretty busy the next few weekends... Thanks, Ron

Hey all, was wondering if anyone who frequents this site is an official Boone and Crockett measurer? I have the official list, but thought I'd check here before blindly calling or emailing somebody. I live in Chandler. How much time is usually needed to set up an appointment with a measurer? Thanks! Ron

Some good information here everyone. Thanks! I currently have an older model Superday and added an Eberlestock Just One to my pack collection last year. I love my Just One, but I still foresee a need for my Superday while archery hunting (my Just One seems somewhat big to archery hunt with when not traveling far from camp or the truck), but I don't like the feel of my Superday when it's loaded down. I was thinking of possibly replacing the Superday with the 2200 or 2800, but not sure if I'll just be getting more comparable to the Just One in size (ie too big). I like the idea of the Just One where I can haul out a good load of meat after I get one on the ground on the first trip out. I think the 2200 or 2800 would also allow that where as the Superday in my experience doesn't handle the weight as well (no load lifter straps on the shoulder straps) or have as good a design to strap the meat on. I'll have to research and compare some more based on what I've read here. Several things have been brought up I'll have to keep in mind as I do my research. Thanks, Ron

Great pictures and story Amanda! The Grand Canyon is an awesome place. I've hiked several of the trails, but it's been a while since I've been there. If possible, try and do a raft trip through the canyon. While expensive, I feel they're worth every penny. A motorized trip will take you about 8 days to do the length of the canyon from Lee's Ferry to Diamond Creek, just above Lake Mead. Very fun and relaxing! Once again, nice pictures! Ron

Amazing how quickly it can happen... I pray you make a fast and speedy recovery. Ron

Great pictures! Those are all awesome animals. Ron

22 - 3 WT 5A/B - 3 MD 12AW - 2 MD All have been with rifle so far. Maybe this January I can add another one in 21 with my bow!

It sounded like you had an awesome hunt! Way to keep after the buck you were originally after. That's awesome that you finally got him. Very nice story and pictures. Thanks for sharing! Ron

Congrats on a great buck! Thanks for sharing those great pictures! Ron

WOW! Awesome buck! Congratulations!!!

Great job Ryan! Congratulations on a great buck!

Congratulations on a great buck. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Ron

First big game animal I ever harvested was a javalina with a .308. Shot went in the shoulder, and out under the eye. Very little meat loss. I was 11 or 12 at the time and probably shooting handloaded 130 gr bullets too. Ron

Congratulations and great story! Glad you were able to salvage the deer after the lion got ahold of it. Great deer! Ron