Everything posted by 686
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2021-2022 hunting thread
Shitter’s full.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
I was a guest at a high fence place in Kansas this fall and connected with that buck. They manage everything at that ranch, most impressive to me was the fields and fields of clover coming up through the summer wheat stubble. Beautiful meandering meadows between deciduous treed hills and valleys. They don’t feed much protein, just great soil, great habitat, food plots and native browse management; along with genetic management second to none. I don’t deserve or desire any credit as a high-skill hunter for this kill (there were tons of bucks on a small high fence place, easy pickens, I’ve shot lots of whitetails, so not a challenge for me where I’m at in my journey as a hunter), nothing like the effort it takes to find and harvest a big trophy on public or low fence hunts. That said, I enjoy hunting high fence ranches (especially as a guest ; ) ), they have their place and I think are a great way to make hunting and game meat available and attainable to more people. He was a great buck, and we will enjoy the meat all year, and he’ll be a great conversation piece in my office. 267lbs live weight, 238”. Also, the best tasting whitetail I’ve ever had.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
Please allow us to live vicariously through your gratuitous hobby spending.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
I would definitely plan on driving. Compared to flying, it will be a relaxed, bring all your shit and be comfortable, shooting the shit with your buddy on the road and seeing the country type of experience vs. commercial flying, which is never really relaxing and you’ll be sweating luggage size/weight/gun rules and god forbid they lose something, then your out a day of the hunt. 150 quarts of cooler capacity is probably about the minimum I’d plan on having for a deboned bull, and it would be nice to have a soft side bag cooler for the skull to ride in. Cape will need to be in trash bag in a cooler as well, maybe figure 60quarts of volume there. I would plan on driving back with the trophies and the meat, you should be able to make it fit; figure most of your bags/gear in the back seat. Driving back from a hunt with antlers sticking out of the bed of your truck and coolers full of meat is like smoking a cigar for the entire return trip. Looking in the rear view at that stuff never gets old. Especially with the kind of antlers you guys will probably have in the bed. Veni, vidi, vici.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
I agree with all this. When I’m prepping for a hunt; I’ll do something physical to get my heart rate up when I’m doing some practice shooting. You can even do it at the house with an empty rifle just doing dry firing. Go jog/fast walk around the block a few times and then get on your rifle in different positions and see if you can: acquire target in scope/ breathe/hold the reticle on target/squeeze trigger without the reticle bouncing around; and see how long this takes, see if you can reduce the time. Lots of quick shot opportunities don’t get converted or result in bad shots because guys can’t do this process quickly enough.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
I got it off Amazon; the exact one isn’t available there right now but there are similar things available; see below. I don’t like putting a bloody knife back in its leather scabbard or on the ground/random surface when I’m butchering. http:// https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZXQMSMJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_4B18M577WF27Z5GDCRKE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
- The Gun Owner’s thread
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The Gun Owner’s thread
It may be of FN manufacture, but in a refined Mauser design/style; so lots of old gun people would call it a “Mauser”, even though its not built by Mauser.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
Elk meat >> axis meat in my experience; admittedly based on a small sample size. The axis I shot a few years back was a rutted up buck in a late dry summer in that area, which doesn’t help meat quality, I’m sure the does are better. I wet aged, lightly brined, stuffed, bacon wrapped/trussed and baked/lightly smoked the backstraps from this buck and although it all got eaten, I was honestly a little let down with how it turned out, probably just had my expectations too high. Also, I’m changing my venison cooking methods to really high heat for short durations, which gives a better result for my palate. Yes the axis took a beating in some areas, but they will bounce back quickly over a few years IMO.
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The Gun Owner’s thread
Condolences on the loss of your father, nice that he he passed down some heirloom pieces. Regarding the Flaig’s rifle, take the stock off sometime and look at the markings on the underside of the barrel, it will probably say Douglas or Premium; Flaig’s generally used European actions (Sako, FN, etc) with Douglas (of West Virginia) barrels. Douglas barrels are/were well regarded. What action is your rifle? Also, a tip, when you take the stock off: I like to put some tape over the blade of the flathead screwdriver I’m using to avoid any marring of the bluing on the action screws. It’s also a good time to clean and rust-protect the bottom of the barrel and action while you have the stock off. The combination of the high end European actions, Douglas barrels, custom hand carved stocks (usually by Flaig’s), and master gunsmithing made for some very nice rifles. They also had some of their own innovative items (trigger shoes, etc).
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2021-2022 hunting thread
Nice man! glad you made it and glad you were able to find a good outfitter! Love it when a plan comes together. So your buddy is going on the elk hunt with you? Awesome if so; hunting with good friends is the best. Let’s talk logistics on your hunt: what elevation is the ranch at? What month is the hunt? Rain gear needed? Range of shots to be prepared for? You driving up and hauling the meat/trophy(s) back? If so, what’s your cooler setup look like? What bullet you shooting in your 300?
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Theranos' Death Rattle
How much time we talkin here?
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2021-2022 hunting thread
Yeah my folks have one. When we were really clearing cedar I could push down and pile over 500 cedar trees a day. Really works best to use the dozer to push the brush into small piles and then use a skid steer with grapple to shuttle the small piles to a larger burn pile area. Cab machines are the only way to work brush fires; I’ll never go back to open machines.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
Looks like a big old buck to me. Staining down his locks looks good; front legs look short. If this is low fence I’m shooting.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
To try and answer your original question: 1. there isn’t a great spot to look for leases. It’s really hard to find one. There are some websites (Craigslist, etc.) but seems to be mixed results. It looks like tpwd has a lease database as well: http:// https://www2.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/planning/hunt_lease/listlease.php 2. In my experience, if the lease is less than 2 hours drive from your house you’ll get a lot more use out of it than if its a 2.5+ hour drive; especially with kids. 3. You can try looking on the bulletin boards at the feed stores in the areas you are considering and talking to the folks that work there. Good luck man; keep at it and take care.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
Check out all of the optics when you’re there. Eurooptic has good sales at the show. You’re going to want a good rangefinder and good binos or rangefinding binos for this hunt (Vortex, Sig, Leica, Swarovski). All of the clothing companies will be represented, check out merino blend thermals from First Lite and others; at least see what your size is and note it if you don’t buy some. Also, if you need to up your mountain boot game, this is a prime opportunity to try on Kenetrek, Schnee’s, etc. I really like slings from Slogan outdoors and they will be there as well (being able to pull the second strap over your head really helps hold the rifle in place when you’re traversing awkward terrain. Also, I didn’t look for packs last time, but try out some nice packs from Stone Glacier, Mystery Ranch, Kuiu, Sitka, etc. if possible so you can make a better decision if you decide to get one later.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
Seriously - that’s really great man. I’ve been around a good number of folks that were adopted and there is nothing quite like the attachment there, the adoptee knowing someone did so much to change the course of their life for the better. Kudos to you for that and going above and beyond by getting her into the outdoors.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
I believe the generally understood series of events is that when you walk up on a bull elk you’ve put down, your mind will involuntarily start planning your next elk hunt.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
And great story on the 300 Weatherby, nice rifle!
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2021-2022 hunting thread
Here’s a floor plan of the DSC show, over 800 exhibitors.There will probably be well over 20 outfitters/ranches that offer elk hunting. Both the UU Bar and the Ox Ranch will be there, as well as many others. It’s a great way to see what the options are and figure out what you want. (Questions Like : Area, fence, class of animal (300” bull? 350” bull? 400” bull?), style of hunt (cabin, wall tent, horseback, backpack?), time of year/climate, etc.)
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2021-2022 hunting thread
I’d strongly consider the UU Bar if you want mountains, low fence, top end elk, and price isn’t a factor. Their setup is top notch from what I’ve seen (200,000 acres, cabins at 10,000 feet with hot water, great elk herds). I talked with them at DSC a few years back. The DSC convention is Jan 6-9 if you want to go meet a lot of elk outfitters in person, it’s worth your time. http:// https://www.expressuubar.com/ http://biggame.org
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The Gun Owner’s thread
Guns Galore in Killeen. They only had the one; I checked every shop within about an hours drive.
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2021-2022 hunting thread
They will usually put on more antler mass and usually points as they mature. Most mature 4+ year old bucks in Texas will be at least an 8 point, and then more depending on nutrition, weather, genetics, etc.
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The Gun Owner’s thread
I picked up a Ruger American in 300 blackout for my 9yr old to shoot. Mounted a scope and suppressor and did some function checking yesterday, need to finish sighting in. Also picked up some Black Ovis and First Lite merino thermals for me and the wife.
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The Gun Owner’s thread
Beautiful reloading/gun room arrangement! - gotta ask what’s going on with the door handle