Siwash

I got the same plan as you but it's just a long weekend and 1/27 don't figure for me. Gonna hunt AM between 4A/B and 23 and fish PM at Willow Springs...if you have a float tube you might consider taking your fly line to Chevelon Canyon Lake...plenty of turkey in the area too.

In my experience the Nosler BT is extremely devastating to Coues Deer, both to their vitality and the amount of meat you get to take home when you clobber one with it. I don't shoot them anymore. That being said my .270 shoots 130 grain Nosler BT over 54 gr. of W760 with 3 shots at less than .5" consistently. Similar charge with 140 gr. Nosler AB produces similar results and I think it is a better all around bullet for hunting big game.

I was fortunate to draw an archery elk permit in MT for Unit 410-15. I am also really fortunate to know a MT biologist who works in the unit everyday. My trip will be 100% DIY, minus insight and help from my friend who lives and works up there. Can anyone offer any advice or experience on planning for traveling there to hunt? I'd prefer to drive but life/time/money might dictate an airplane flight. How many members have traveled to MT to hunt? Did you fly? Did you drive? If you were successful how did you transport head/meat? Thanks if anyone can comment.

Yes, not too far from Lewistown. At $4 a gallon I could get up there for less than $300 one way, probably less as *hopefully* fuel prices this fall will stay where they are now. I did check a flight from Mesa to Billings on Allegiant...less than $200 roundtrip. Hard to argue with that but as akaspecials pointed out I really need to research cargo/head costs, plus a truck rental, etc. because it might not really be cheaper when everything is said and done.

Incredibly valuable information, thanks for sharing. Personally I wouldn't try to butcher an elk on my own. If I had a friend with me I might, but in my experience that type of task, which should be pure joy, turns to stress and hard work when you are by yourself. Ditto that on packing an elk out of the field solo, but I may have just signed myself up for that one I'm fortunate to have employment that allows me to work "remote," so I may actually drive up there, try to rent a shack somewhere in my unit for a month and just takes days off here and there to hunt. I may also try to coordinate driving up there with another member from here who has a guided hunt. My last resort would be an airplane, but it might be the only way to do it if other factors come into play with life and work. Thanks again to everyone who replied. As the planning progresses I'll share my experience.

Boots sold!

For sale in Tucson: Minox DCM 5.0 Spotting Scope camera attachment. Works with Minox/Kowa spotters. Pretty much new in the box, used it once in the field and a handful of times in my yard. It takes photo and video. In my limited experience it is nice out to around 300-350 yards on game, after that photo quality diminishes. I'm sure the quality/objective lens of your spotter influences pic quality too, my spotter is light/small. This is really a cool toy and very light/compact I just rarely take my spotter hunting anymore, it's primary use is at the rifle range. $50 or trade for 22LR ammo. There is a spotter on the board right now that will work with this set-up.

Found this cracked skull plate stud at a Forest Service cabin up high in the Rincons.

End of Speedway

TTT, much lower price on boots. They aren't doing much for me in the closet.

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SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Well, was gonna buy another Tacoma, but the buyer decided it trade it on Monday night. You never make more money trading a truck...even if they let you think you are. Anyway, found a used 2012 F150 4x4 with the new V6. Excited to have a full size truck again. This Tacoma has been a great truck for me.

TTT for pics.

Believe there are cabins in Forest Lakes which is slightly east of 4A boundary and probably some in Christopher Creek too. There are also a lot of good camping spots with plenty of room for a trailer/RV in the national forest west/northwest of Woods Canyon Lake. There's also a ton of elk around there.

SOLD.

I cannot say for sure but I think all that they give you is a map of your unit with some highlighted areas known to be "hot spots." For $300 I'm sure you could buy a quality topo map, look at terrain and spend one weekend in the field. Feet on the ground in your unit prior to your hunt is exponentially more valuable than some else's advice...especially if they are selling it to other people too.

Hey Shooter, If you do not find a used pair: I went with Millet (Medium) and was able to mount a 6x40 Vortex and a Weaver 4x32 without issue. Both were tight, the Vortex really tight and if it was .25" shorter it wouldn't have worked.

I probably wouldn't bother with a rod and reel for that trip. It's below the LCR and typically the fishing below there is fair to poor due to visibility. They are also shocking the heck out of trout on the river right now which doesn't bode well for the future of fishing below Lee's Ferry.

TTT for cheap archery equipment....

1. Selway Longbow Quiver. Pretty much like new. Had some field points in it, never any broadheads. $45 2. Older HHA Single .29 pin slider. $20 RH, but could be made be switched to lefty. 3. Original Trophy Taker Drop Away Rest (RH). Excellent working condition with felt on the launcher. $20 4. 3 .29 pin site, RH/LH $10 Fee with any of this stuff: a few different peeps and some small bow jax. Will sell 2-4 fo $40 or all of this stuff for $80.

This is good glass and REALLY lightweight.

I used to live in the NW and fished a lot. I live in Tucson now and don't, but I'd like to start. I'm going over my gear and have a pair of nice Lamiglas Salmon/Steelhead rods I'd like to trade. They are versatile casting rods but the primary design is for jig/bobber or "drift" fishing. If you plan on fishing in OR, WA or AK these are proven rods I've used for steelhead, coho and spring chinook...check the pics. Both are 8'6" and rated as medium with 8-12#line weight, 3/8-3/4ounce lures. 1. Lamiglas Espirit Special S86MC: This is a classic NW drift rod, no trigger, near mint, cork/guides in excellent shape. Trade value is around $100 2. Lamiglas Pro Series Cascade BC86MC: Rod has some egg goop stains and cork is worn, guides in good shape. Trade value is around $30 Could trade one or both for equal quality bass casting rods...6.5-7' medium/fast action or let me know what you got. I'll be using my trusty Shimano Curado's so any really old style casting reel seats probably won't work for me. Thanks for looking.