WampusCat

The saddest part is that we have to have this conversation. Really detracts from everything most of us "hunt" for.

A quick google search and this first thing that popped up. From December of last year... " wanted to let anyone hunting elk or mule deer in Arizona, looking for a guide to steer clear of a company named Camo Joe's Guide Service operating out of Litchfield Park, AZ. Paid a cash deposit up front for 7 day fully guide hunt in unit 6A for late rifle bull elk season. 4 days prior to hunt I contact owner Joe Lorenz to finalize details only to find out due to health issues he is canceling. I'm okay with that as anyone can get sick but he refuses to refund my cash deposit. Very bad business. DO NOT HIRE THIS PERSON FOR YOUR NEXT HUNT"

Good luck on your hunt. Don't be discouraged right away if you don't see any deer. Once you spot one, your eyes will have a reference and the deer will be easier to pick out of their surroundings.

Hope the story is told as well. Incredible animal! Somewhere in the thread "pimped out" was used. That's how a lot of these hunts come across sometimes. A lot of kudos get thrown around also. Guys in the business shouldn't be offended when questions are asked on a public forum. I am not jealous (well maybe that currently I don't have the opportunity to be in the hills as much) but when the congrats are handed out to the contracted guide service I can't help but wonder... Kudos to them for finding, patterning, and enabling the shooter to have an opportunity at the animal OR kudos to them for shelling out biggest $$$ for the finders fee? It is not lost on me that their role in the contract is to provide the opportunity. Bottom line is that deer was killed by money. Money for gov tag, money for high dollar guide, money for a finders fee. If you had more of it (or were willing to part with more of it) than the guy who did all the buying, it could be you in the pic with all the watermarks. Pretty simple. Absolutely no disrespect to him or anyone like him. He got what he paid for. Congrats to him. When I see these pics I am in awe of the wild animal that grew on wild lands, but I would be lying if I said my mind didn't begin to wonder just how much money is laying there on the ground. I hope my words don't detract from the awesomeness of this Coues and help explain the thoughts of many.

What would keep this guy from slapping "his" watermark on their photo? This is the side of hunting I know nothing about.

Nice work. What are your thoughts on that Element chassis now that you've been shooting it for a while?

TTT

Yep, there is likely a "too square" area that is hanging up on that wide meplat of the hollow point. If its a detachable mag with metal feed lips you may be able to adjust the lips just right so the cartridge feeds with a more nose up attitude. Doesn't take much to make a big difference.

Thanks Mule! I did too.

Good shootin! Looks like a birth defect.

Not sure what you are trying to say. If the round fits inside the magazine and travels up and down freely, the length is not your issue. The length of the cartridge only matters for fitting in the magazine in most cases when talking about factory chambers. It sounds like the feed ramp (or lack of one) is what is giving you problems with the wide meplat of the hollow point. Remember to always work up to max loads.

Great stories and a great example of what can happen when you stick with it.

Good luck on your tag! I have seen some toads in there over the years. Are you hunting down in the R-100 flats or up on top?

TTT for the weekend. All PM's returned.

TTT

Just creepin back by here to stare at your pics. Thanks again for throwing them up. Good luck on your next trip.

Rooting for you. Good luck!

The overwhelming majority of competition barrels are not fluted... One can draw conclusions from that.

Wow! I like it even more now with the trail cam photos. Awesome bear! Congrats again.

Love to hear you buddy tell his story of that hunt. He looks pumped and I can help but wonder if buck fever sent the arrow in the neck or he was aiming there. Doesn't matter either way, I just have a movie playing in my head of him messing up the shot and seeing his arrow tail kick out of the bow. He freaks and then watches it smoke him in the neck. Success! Congrats to him.

Congrats on a good looking critter!

You are a good dude for leaving the mysterious new camera fully intact. Good luck this season.

.223 is plenty -o- medicine if a couple rules are followed. Lots more room for error when they are not. 1. You need a quality bullet capable of penetrating through to the good stuff. Preferably this bullet will also expand a bit as it works it's way through. 2. You need to be very capable with your rifle. A shot to the vitals will kill with no doubt, but a misplaced bullet will likely result in a lost deer. This deer from a few years back was killed at what many would consider a long poke. I used a 75 gr bullet and I had religiously practiced at distances much further. I honestly couldn't tell you a professional ball players name right now, I've never been part of a fantasy league, and I'm terrible at golf, but I am obsessed with all types of hunting and squeezing every drop of accuracy out of my rifles. It is what I do and why I am/was comfortable using that caliber. I will be the first to tell you it is not for everybody and a bigger cartridge is a better choice for most. If you put a quality bullet where it counts, a 5.56/223 will kill a deer every time. If you have any doubts at all, use a bigger caliber!

Good luck to you! Post some pics when you return!

I think we may be afflicted by the same illness.