mason a

Part of the reason I hike that far is that part of my brain keeps telling me the farther away ,the better chance you have at getting a huge buck. But at the same time I really enjoy getting in shape for the hike , going over my list 10 times , not seeing any hunters during the whole hunt,just our small group. One of these hunts it will pay off with that big one , but either way every backpack hunt is special with great memories and lots of 85 -90 inch bucks, and sore feet .

I think I owe str8shot an apology for calling you a liberal anti hunter. Im sure you are a good guy( maybe a debater) but still a good guy. I get the point that you are against the use of salt and game cameras. My question is what style of hunting do you prefer? Rifle hunting? compound bow hunting? recurve bow hunting? Do you use open sights or the aid of a scope? what about binos, how much magnification is too much?Do you use the aid of a quad or truck to get you onto a dirt road , what about a gps . You can probably see where I am going with this. whatever fits your style, go with it.

I dont know why you have to bag on everyone who puts up cameras, Maybe some people just enjoy it . I watch your posts and It seems like you are always wanting to get people worked up. (" hunters being responsible is a joke") . Those sound like liberal anti- hunter words coming from mr str8shot. We all know putting out cameras is a risk ,but what do you do?

i will also agree , the 7mm mag is is one of the best long range calibers.

Did the bear still mess with your camera after you put them in your bear box? A couple of my cameras have been destroyed by bears also ! So yesterday i ordered 3 bear boxes from Eric (Payson outfitters). I just hope those bears ,Being as strong as they are , don't tweek that box just enough to change the angle of the camera. Eric told me to upgrade the size of the lag bolts , which I will do. I'll let you know how they work. Great pictures, And a giant of a bear.

sweet gun ,i'm excited for you, My brother shoots a 264 mag with a douglas premium barrel and he loves it.

First of all, if you want a "1000 elk or coues rig" and you only shoot 100-200 rounds a year you need to atleast triple the amount of rounds you shoot. There is no way in helll you can consistently kill out to 1000 only shooting 5-10 boxes of shells a year! I shoot more than that on a dozen coyotes every winter! I agree 100-200 shots per year is probably not enough, I envy the fact that you have that much time to enjoy your passion. I used to think making a 500 yard kill shot was crazy , But now i'm very confident at that range. Now I want to take that out to 1000 yards.And believe me I know, there is a HUGE difference between 500 and 1000 yards, I will need to find more time to put in behind the gun ,before I have 100% confidence at that range.Thats why I am also looking into the 338 edge with a nightforce scope. Also as you guys all know, that just becouse some bum goes out and buys himself a high dollar long range rifle,does not make him instantly a long range hunter capable of dropping an animal with one shot.But i'm going to work my way up to it. There are 5 or 6 of you guys on this particular thread who know more about this stuff than I do , Thats why i'm learning what i can from your posts. My brother thinks i'm crazy to be spending this kinda money ( he says just sneak in closer like a real hunter).But he also knows that a few years ago I missed a chance of a lifetime on a huge coues because my only shot was over 700 yards, Thats when this crazy passion began! By the way does anyone now rounds i can shoot with the edge before i need a new barrel, if I don't load them hot? Also I just wanted to clarify 100-200 rounds was only through my long range set up, I do a lot of practicing with my 22mag pistol, It's great practice and a lot cheaper and its fun.

Shawn has an absolute rock solid reputation with his canyon rifles. There is not much of a need to work up loads for the his rifles. Somewhere between 89-94 grains of H1000 under the 300 SMK and youre in buisness. It is easy to get frustrated with 'local smiths'. More than one has had me yanking my hair out. If they would just put their machining where their mouth is everyone would be happy. The nice thing about Carlock's Edge is they are true and legitimate 1K yard elk rifles and are MORE than accurate enough to be a 1K coues rig as well. IMHO, a local smith may be able to build you what you want and it may shoot like a dream or they may leave you frustrated. While I have never owned a Defensive Edge rifle, I have never talked to anybody that has owned them have anything negative to say about them. If I had several grand to spend on a new package, the DE canyon rifle in an A5 stock and jewel trigger would be my #1 pick. M Thanks for the reply 308 nut, I have done a lot of research on this long range hunting stuff , and the 338 edge from defensive edge ,comes highly recommended. I just hope my wife does not read this forum, she might just shut me down on my plans. But she understands it's a healthy addiction, this hunting stuff!

Great thread , I think everyone had lots of good information on this topic, I too am wanting to build a great long range rifle , Actually I want someone else to build it and i will just buy it . I want a true 1000 yard elk gun ,but i will be using it more for coues than elk. I'm looking to spend between 5000-6000$ total. It seems like I get a different answer from everyone I talk with. My first choice would be the 338 edge (canyon rifle pack) 2nd the best of the west custom gun in a 300 win mag 3rd choice have a local gun smith build it, mount a nightforce nsx scope,sight it in and work up the best loads for my hunting style. Is that to much to ask? I don't have the time or knowledge to build the ultimate long range gun, Thats why I'm looking for a complete package ,where the gun has been sighted in.Also I would like them to work up the best load for that actual gun. I can do all the reloading once they have worked up the load. I worked up the load for my 30-06 and that was a lot of work ,but i'm glad i did . I almost feel like a lazy butt wanting a gunsmith to do all the work for me. I only shoot 100-200 rounds a year at long distances to prepare and build my confidence, And thats still probably not enough, but I, like lark feel like i'm a good shot, In fact I believe anybody that wants to shoot long range,better feel like they are a good shot. Anyhow back to my point, What are some of your thoughts? Can a local gunsmith build what I'm looking for , or Is the 338 edge the best bang for the buck, and let Shawn at defensive edge build the gun , sight it in and work the best load for that gun? By the way a heavy gun does not bother me, at least not yet!

I also like the zeiss conquest. I was saving up for the nightforce nsx, when my brother in law called me from sportsmans warehouse on the last zeiss conquest 6.5-20 x 50, 599$. Last year was our first chance to really try it in the field. Oct jr cow hunt my 11 year son dropped his first cow elk at 580 yards then 8 days later dropped his first coues at 534 yards, less than a month later I dropped a bull elk at 470 yards , Then in december my buddy borrowed my gun for his coues hunt and drooped a deer at just under 400 yards, And to top it all off I had a javalina in mexico bedded at 400 yards, and the only shot I had was a head shot, and of coarse we were having pig tacos for lunch. All one shot kills just to stress the importance of a good scope, My gun is just a 30-06 ,Some people would argue that's not a good long range gun,maybe thats true, but it was either a new gun or a new scope.So I chose the scope , by the way i also use the kenton turret on that scope. go with the zeiss!

This is great advice,I might just add one more thing and that would be a muzzle break if you are shooting a light weight gun, I know they are loud and the guys at best of the west don't recommend them .just my 2 cents

no antelope tags but me and my son got our third choice 3a 4b dry lake area in August cow hunt

Did i miss something? This thread has been fun to watch,great entertainment while waiting for the draw results. Are you mad because bonecollector started this thread, are you guys friends? I was happy to see bonecollector take those comments with a grain of salt.

I spend a lot of time in mexico with my family, We go through Caborca to get to puerto lobos, Where we have our place. We have a lot of great friends in Caborca, which is comforting to know , I have someone to help me out if I have any problems. I have noticed over the last few years , the agents at the different checkpoints have been great, not bothering us at all. It may be helpful that I speak spanish. Of coarse Mexico can be dangerous, But just like anywhere use common sense , the cartels do not target tourists. But there is always the exception. My good friend Martin Leon owns a great hunting ranch between Caborca and puerto lobos Its called rancho candelaria. We took a few pictures of some of his personal trophies at his office in caborca. All of the coues and mule deer came off his ranch. The last picture is a marco polo sheep. His trophy room is amazing.

Just got back from Lobos, Had a great trip, caught some rock bass, barracuda, bonnita, and my son Mason Tanner caught a 33lb yellow tail. it took him about 10 minutes to get it in. I love that picture from Tony from 1969 , I have been at that exact spot many times , we call it San lorenzo, It is were the big arroyo meets the ocean. If anyone is interested in fishing pt. lobos , and you have the funds Ted Miller is the way to go but if your short on funds, Or you just want to do your own thing, you can still have a blast from shore , or a small boat , and like I said before anyone is welcome to camp on my back patio. shoot me a message if you have any questions . Or call 480-390-6509 Mason

That price of 250$ per day is for up to 3 people so really its only about 85$ per day per person , For that option you will just need to get yourself to lobos, find a place to camp out, and bring your own food. And coordinate the times with Ted. There are great places to camp on the beach or rent small houses ( no electricity or running water) for less than 40 $ per day, or you can sleep on my back patio for free anytime. Its right on the ocean. In the summer the snorkeling is great too. Kent is right, Ted is a great guide and an even better person,just a chance to fish with him is worth the price of admission.

Holy cow , You guys went out with my buddy Ted Miller, We have a house down in lobos also . my Name is Mason Davis . We are are going next week for spring break,Ted told me the yellowtail are going nuts. Ted MIller is still down in lobos, I'll let you know how we do. I posted a couple of pictures of our house in Lobos , I don't know if you saw it or not. But if anyone in interested in a great trip to lobos my good friend Ted Miller is a guide, check out his website www.lobosfishing.com By the way make sure Keith takes some dramamine next time. lol Mason

Very well said, September

I voted for this 100% Look at the numbers for those in favor. We as members of cwt are true sportsman, We are passionate about the outdoors, And look forward to pass that on to our children. Look how we voted!! Bill and Mike make it sound like under the current method of being appointed to commissioner, It's almost impossible for anyone to make it through the gauntlet , Unless you are a true sportsman ,Passionate about preserving your rights to hunt and fish and enjoy our state. Well enough said , That is way supporting sb1200 and hb2189 is important. The sierra club has an agenda , A horrible one for the true outdoorsman. I was so happy to see basically all the votes in favor of this bill from the members of this forum!! I know this is a day late, but I just wanted to vent

SOLD!!! Thanks for looking

I bought this spotter at the outdoorsman about 2 years ago. I have only used it a few times,very nice glass. Lenses are 100% scratch free. The exterior tube has a few very minor scratches, as seen in the pictures. It also comes with the original soft case, I forgot to take a picture of it. Also included is a vortex mk1 digital camera adapter (150$ value). The spotter sells for 750$ at the outdoorsman. I'm asking 550$ obo for both. If interested call 480-390-6509, or pm me, or you can text me. I live in Mesa btw, camera and tripod not for sale, just for the lawyers out there!!

As you know some of the units in southern Arizona have terrible access. For example in unit 30a there are a lot of tags available, rightfully so, there are healthy deer herds,But with so little access ,It forces most hunters to congregate in those parts of the unit that does have public access,so those particular areas get totally hammered. It does not affect me and my group as much because we hike in 3 or 4 miles from the nearest road. Unfortunately most of the Dos Cabezas is locked of from any access,because the ranch owner happens to own a small piece of land that the road crosses to access hundreds of thousands of acres of public land and wilderness. The problem is these ranch owners are not just in the buisness of raising cattle. They give some hunters a key for a fee . In my case it was 1000$ , As they explained we would be hunting on virgin land , free of hunters for years , They only let a few hunters in there. I declined! How fair is that , they have basically a working private hunting ranch, to do with what they please, behind closed doors, or should i say gates. Just because They stategically bought up little pieces of land , Were an access road crosses, so they can put up an iron gate, Allowing access only for paying customers(which they wanted in cash),And of coarse family,and the good ol boys. Its kind of funny when , paying customers see me back in there with my backpack, they make little remarks like,( I'll bet you wish you could have driven your truck up , like we did. Anyways back to my reason for posting, I believe , You guys do a great job , with the resources afforded to the department. Do you take into account areas like the dos cabezas, which are most likely included in your deer surveys. Hopefully some progress can be made , to work with the land owners. I just feel like its unfair that they can keep people out of the millions of acres of public land in our state .

I have heard nothing but good about the huskemaw scope, I was ready to buy one when my bro in law called me about a zeiss conquest 6.5-20x50 on clearance for 599$, at sportsmans warehouse. So I use that with a kenton turret knob. Do some research on this site because there are some guys who really know there stuff when it comes to long range hunting. Also like coues and sheep stated, those guys at best of the west are very helpful and they know there stuff.

As you can see these pictures are a little dated but thought i would post them anyways , It pumps me up to look at other peoples picts. enjoy

308 nut, I have read some of your posts, so i know you know your stuff about ballistics and long range shooting, I have had great success with the berger vlds, Is there something out there I should also be experimenting with, besides the berger? I shoot a 30-06 It depends on what you want to do with them and how far you want to shoot game. I dont like them only because A: My rifle does not like them and B: They have to high of a minimum velocity requirment for reliable expansion. This poses a problem for guys like me who shoot 308's. They limit my range too much. That makes sense, Great explanation, thanks for educating me on that.