Schmitty

Based on research and recommendations, I went with a spott-hog sight on my new setup. (Cameron Hanes 7 deadly pins w/ hogg wrap) Anyhow, I'm having a hard time making out the individual pins. The green pins are pretty easy to see, but I have a much harder time with the orange and red pins. I've got an astigmatism in both eyes that puts my vision at 20/40, but I haven't felt the need to wear glasses. I spoke with a good friend who happens to be an optometrist and bowhunter and he suggested I swap out all the pins to green or yellow. Having the hogg wrap, I'm not so sure this will be too easy. Anybody have any ideas for an easy to see sight for aging eyes? I ddidn't have near the problem with the older fiber optic PSE sight that I was using, however there was alot more space between the pins due to the bow being much slower. Go ahead and offer up any suggestions and or jokes about my getting old. thanks, Schmitty

I've got the same Harris bipod as Casey and it works very well. I'm pretty tall, so I 've got no problems shooting prone with it. I also find it a tad short for sitting, especially on a hillside, but I make it work. Sitting isn't nearly as steady as prone, but I can consistently hit P-dogs at 250 while sitting w/ the bipod. Out past that, it gets a bit shaky on such a small target for me. Prone w/ a bipod is almost as steady as shooting off a bench w/ the right technique. I'd highly recommend one to improve your shooting. Good luck, Schmitty

I'm ready for my elk hunt! I'll be using a: Hoyt Katera XL 32"/70lb draw 32" Easton Axis FMJ's tipped w/ Slick Trick Magnums ripcord rest and Spot Hogg sight Oh, you said rifle! If I wasn't chasing a bulls this year with a stick and string, I'd be trying hard to decide between two rifles. First is a trued up Rem 700 w/ a #4 contour Schneider covered in graphite cerakote chambered in .340 Weatherby magnum stocked in a McMillan Hunter stock. Second would be a MRC 1999 w/ a #2 contour MRC barrel chambered in .300 WSM stocked in a Bansner shooting 180 grain partitions scoped w/ a Leupold mark4 3-10x40. All depends on the terrain and anticipated shot distance as the .300 is a considerably lighter package. I received the Weatherby in a trade and haven't even pulled the trigger on it. I've got all the components, i just need to dig up some dies and find a reason to punish my shoulder. However, my experience with my .338 Win (now gone) was that the big bullets punish the elk as well. Good luck to all on your upcoming hunts! Schmitty

Doug, Actually, I've never looked thru the 10x50 ultravids, though I have looked thru a couple pairs of the 10x42's. I've only read on a couple of birding forums where folks who own/have owned both have said that the 10x50's are remarkably better. As I've been packing around the 8x42 trinovids for the last several years, the 10x50 ultravids are only 1-2 oz heavier than what I'm used to. I can just think of alot of areas that I will be scouting for elk this summer where 10's on a tripod would be ideal, not to mention quite a few pig/deer spots as well. I'll use a pair of lighter 7's or 8's as my primary around the neck wood's bino's. Makes a strong case for the duovids doesn't it? Craig

Gino, Do you find yourself using the 10x50's more of the tripod than the 15's? Doug has those ultravid 10x50's on sale pretty cheap and I'm awfully tempted as I can think of more than a few canyons where 15's may be a bit much. He's also got the 10x42's on sale which would be far more comfortable around the neck, but something about the 10x50's keep calling my name. thanks for any help, Craig

I was wondering if a group of guys/gals from CWT.com wanted to put together an archery pig hunt over in CA next year. One option would be the Tejon Ranch I've only driven past the north end of the ranch while driving across Tehachapi pass outside of Bakersfield, but it is nice looking country. You can book a private archery hunt, but need a minimum of 8 hunters. Cost is $450 per head for a 2.5 day hunt that includes lodging and meals. The hunt is unguided, but you do have one "guide" for the entire group that points you in the right direction. Hunting is all spot and stalk, no TX style feeders here in hilly country w/ a fair amount of brush. My understanding is that you can sit water/trails if that's more your style. From the research that I've done via the web and phone, it looks like everybody will see pigs and most should have shot oopportunities w/ a 50% success rate to be expected. Although, I think we might be able to do a bit better due to our glassing/hunting experience. I was thinking late Feb/March 2009 would give enough time for folks to get it on the schedule and it wouldn't interfere with any other hunts going on locally. The Tejon is about a 6 hour drive from Phoenix. More info can be found at www.hunttejon.com I'm sure there are other options as well, I'm open to any other ideas as well, just trying to extend my hunting season. Please post up if your interested. If we can get enough folks interested, I'd be happy to head up the reservations, logistics, etc. thanks, Schmitty

The thing is, what they were doing is perfectly legal in UT. At least when I lived in UT 10 years ago, jackrabbits and coyotes were afforded no legal protection and from my understanding were legal to spotlight. However shooting out of a vehicle and off a road certainly were not legal. I wonder if the littering charges were in regards leaving empty .22 cases behind. Sounds to me like they were trying to nail their butts to the wall, and I would have to just for the fact that alcohol was involved. Should have stayed on their side of the line and it's my understanding that if you lose your hunting rights in AZ, you lose them in a bunch of other states. All because of a few jackrabbits up on the strip. Sucks to be them, Schmitty

I've got my set of 8x42 Leica trinovids that I'd like to sell. They are in good shape, but have spent a alot of time afield. Optics are crystal clear and I'm probably an idiot for selling them, just need $ to put towards a new pair of 15's. These were purchased at Cabela's and I still have the unfilled US warranty card and box. New they are $1200. $600 FTF in AZ, or I'll split shipping and insurance anywhere else. send me your email address if you want pictures. Schmitty

I'd look at getting something that you can have repaired and get parts for. Money saved up front does you no good if it breaks and you have no way to fix it. I have a friend who bought a SKB O/U for $400 and it was a nice gun. Well two years ago a mechanism in the action broke and he's still waiting on parts as SKB doesn't have a US service center and the Canadian service center doesn't stock the parts for his model. If he'd have ponied up and bought a browning, beretta or ruger, he'd have had parts within a week and still have a gun that shoots. Just a thought, but I'd look at shotguns that have service centers in the US and will most likely be established here in the future when you need them. As for Spanish shotguns, they can be masterpieces ie: grulla, aya, etc. or pieces of junk. Terry Weiland wrote a book on spanish shotguns, maybe somebody here has a copy. take care, Schmitty

Plus one on the kittery trading post and seafood. I wasn't too enthralled with Freeport, though I did find a couple of good deals in LLB's version of the "bargain cave". Also, there was a knife shop in Freeport that was loaded with every type of knife at typically high touristy prices, however the kid behind the counter took me to the back room and showed me how to get a hair popping blade on my knives. One of the more valuable lessons in my life. I'd also go up the coast and just hang out in the smaller towns. The wife and I took a great two week trip hiking and traveling all over NE when she was pregnant with our first child. It was the last good trip before kids and we just went wherever we felt like with no set itinerary or plans. I much preferred the small, non tourist traps and hit any gun/sporting good shops along the way and met alot of good folks. We were equally enthralled with eachother's hunting methods. I thought it was so cool that they hunted moose and braved the seas to shoot sea ducks, while they got incredibly excited when talking about elk, pronghorn and mule deer. It was a good time. We stopped in Portland briefly, I think we hit an indoor farmer's market that wasn't terribly special. Sorry that I'm not much help there. Have fun, Schmitty

Hatcher, Get the kitchen pass and we'll make it happen. When does everybody else want to make this happen? We need to just pick a weekend, set it in stone and run with it. Let's hear everybody's opinions, Schmitty

Elk tag and antelope refund check arrived this afternoon My wife was excited to get the check, I on the other hand, can now sleep at night now that I know I really did draw that unit 8 archery bull tag! It went right into the safe as I regard it as the most important document I own! take care, Schmitty

DB, Where do you find the details on that hunt? It sounds hot and I assume the pigs will be mostly nocturnal that time of year, but I may be interested. I've heard the roads can be fairly nasty when wet. I figured that by Feb/March we'd be done hunting in AZ and the pigs would be more active during daylight. Please educate me as I've never been hunting over there. thanks for the info and help, Craig

Desert Bull, As you've been there before, what do you think? Is this worth doing? I've only hunted hogs in TX which was alot of fun, but wasn't much of a hunt. The Tejon looks like pretty big country where our AZ style hunting could be employed to it's fullest. IE: glassing, spotting and stalking and it sounds as though they have a bunch of wild pigs. I figured with lodging and meals thrown in, it didn't sound too out of line price wise. You can pay the same $450 and hunt w/ a rifle, but then you are in charge of your own camp and have to provide your own meals. As my wife's family is in No Cal, I have driven over Tehachapi pass countless times and see the Tejon Ranch signs and think to myself that it is good looking country. I'd head over there myself, but then you are limited to their "Hog Wild" weekends w/ a bunch of CA folks. I figured hunting with 8 or 10 CWT members sounded like a better proposition. Let us all know what you think and if you have any other ideas. As I mentioned earlier, this thing is a good 10 months out so I'd like to look at all the options and hear everyone's opinions. thanks, Craig

Thought that I'd ask around here and see what everytody thinks about all of the different boot covers on the market. Do they work? Do they Last? Who makes the best pair? Are they worth the $? I've slipped out of my boots into my socks to seal the deal in the past and while it works, it sure sucks when you blow the stalk and your feet are wet/muddy, etc. for the rest of the day. Please share any or all opinions. BTW, I wear a 14 and it looks as though most are only made up to fit a size 13. thanks, Schmitty

I'm with Doug on this one. When there were leftover tags in both C and A of the 36's, why go and add more permits. There was already plenty of "opportunity" available to a guy who put down one of those hunts as his #3-5 choices. The December whitetail hunts were one of the few "quality" deer hunts that could be pulled every once in awhile. With the serious reductions, they'll become the equal of a Kaibab deer tag or an early bull hunt. Seems to me that there was already plenty of "opportunity" available to the guy who wanted it. Just my observations, Schmitty

Casey, I'm not a young stud anymore! I had it up to 73 lbs and it was no problem getting it back, it's just that I want to maximize my practice settings and minimize fatigue. After a couple of months of shooting, I might crank it up a few pounds. However, it's more important to me that I can draw the bow from any/all possible hunting positions and hold it at full draw for a few minutes than it is to gain a few fps. KB, I haven't shot it over the chrono yet, as I'll probably be dinking around w/ my setup (draw weight/arrows) over the next little while. With my arrows weighing over 500 grains, I'm probably in the 260 fps area w/ the 65 lb draw. Jackshoe, I thought about going down to the Axis 340's to pick up a bit of speed. However, these 300's are incredibly stiff and shoot amazingly well at longer distances w/ the wind. So far, I'm really enjoying this setup, I'm amazed at how well I'm shooting despite a long layoff. Groups at 40 and 50 yards have been impressive. I've only been shooting spots at 20 and 30 for fear of wrecking the $10 arrows. take care, Schmitty

Well after looking at a few different bows, I settled on the Hoyt Katera XL. The box was expensive enough, add all of the fixins though and it got out of sight pretty quick. Here's the new setup: Hoyt Katera XL w/ a 32" draw at 65lbs Ripcord fall away rest Spot Hogg "Hog it hunter" 7 pin sight w/ " hog wrap." and a 3/16" peep Fuse 2 piiece quiver. adjustable to hold those LONG arrows. Fuse 6" stabilizer As I'm a big believer in heavy arrows, I had 6 easton axis full metal jackets (300's) fletched up to see how I liked them. They are skinny devils, but weigh in 11.6 grains per inch. I shot at a buddy's house last night in a wicked wind and his light carbons were getting blown all over the place while mine were flying true at 40 yards. Beyond that the wind was too strong for the archers or the arrows. I also bought a new Carter "Quickie 1 plus " release after trying a few different ones out at the range. I find that I'm really liking it over my old trufire caliper release. I don't have the bow set up as fast as it can be, but I figure everybody's got to use pins beyond 30 yards. The heavier arrows should give better penetration and fly a bit truer in the wind. I went w/ the Cam1/2 plus cam as it's a bit smoother and can be adjusted to the full 32" which I need. 31 seemed a bit short to me when I tried it. The bow is awfully quiet, I'm still getting used to the new style cams, but it's pretty smooth to me. It's a pretty heavy set up, but than again I'm a big guy and don't really notice the extra ounces. Tomorrow, I've got to revamp the home shooting range to handle the faster flying arrows and then it'll be on until Sept. thanks for all of the help and advice, Schmitty

I went to a big ranch (30.000 acres) north of Abilene compliments of my Brother's work to cull does and hogs. It was similar country to the flats in Southern AZ. Lots of tall grass and mesquite thickets. There were alot of critters and bagging them with a rifle wasn't too challenging, as we hunted "safari style" (Texan for road hunting) Both hogs I shot were "meat hogs" in the 120 lb range and eat better than any domestic pork I've purchased. They were very tough however, going a long ways with no heart or lungs to speak of. next time I'll take my bow or handgun to make it a bit more of a challenge. thanks, Schmitty

Well, I finally drew my dream tag up in Unit 8. I've been shooting the same Browning midas hunter set up for almost 14 years now. It's accounted for a couple of elk, deer and a javelina, but it's time to look for a new dancing partner. I haven't kept up with all of the latest and greatest in the archery world, so I'm not really sure where to start. I'm going to plunk down the $ for a new setup in the next week or two, I just need to know where to start looking. I need a 31" draw length minimum, 32" would even be better. All of the new bows will be so much faster than the old setup that I don't need the latest 340 fps barnburner to keep me happy. My neighbor is a big Hoyt fan and has the Vectrix XL and loves it. There is a Hoyt dealership in Humboldt, so that's attractive that I won't have to head to the valley for service. He's pointing me towards the new Katera XL. Prescott Valley archery are dealers for Matthews, and I see they make an XL Drenalin as well. Any other thoughts, suggestions? It's going to be a spendy proposition as I'll be adding new rest, quiver, arrows, broadheads, sights, etc. I'll probably buy the best I can afford as I don't want to do it again for another half doz years. Thanks for the help, Schmitty

I've got a Lilja, Pac Nor, Lilja, Schneider, Shilen and one of Danny Pedersen's. I've got friends with Krieger's, Hart's, douglas, etc. All shoot good and clean up quick and easy. Some folks feel that the "cut" rifled barrels (pedersen, krieger, rock creek, bartlein etc.) last a little longer than the button rifled barrels. My most accurate rifle wears a Lilja, but then again it's a 14lb monster made for shooting off a bench. I'd look at the list of mfgr's above, look at their costs, contours and lead times and make a decision. good luck, Schmitty

Thanks for the replies, As for draw length, it's what I've shot for 15 years. I'm 6'5 and my wingspan is over 80 inches. I'll go ahead and get measured just to see what the pro shops suggest. I'd like to try shooting a few different bows, however what I've found in the past. (I've been looking for the past couple of years, the tag has finally pushed me over the edge) is that most shops don't have anything set up for a guy my size. I've also been pulling 80 lbs as well, pushing my rebar like arrows at 240 fps. (Easton 2613's w/ 130 gr muzzys, penetration was never a problem ) It looks like 70 lbs is pretty standard these days for limbs, which is fine as I'm not getting any younger. Keep the suggestions coming, Schmitty

Add another one to the list for the archery hunt in unit 8! I can't believe the luck, looks like it's time to finally upgrade the old bow! Take care, Schmitty

SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks, Schmitty

Badlands 2800 in Max1 camo FS. This is the new style, purchased this past fall and used twice. My torso is just too long and I can't get the weight to sit on my hips. I am going to order a custom made Kifaru freighter pack. I'll throw in the camelback water bladder ($30) $145