Viper

I sent you a PM regarding the Vipers. Do you still have them?

The X2 is great! Mine is the older model. The new one is probably better, with the improvements they've made, especially the external frame. Each time I hunt/scout with it, I am amazed at how comfortable it is and how dry my back stays.

The title of the post states they are Doctor 15x60.... Good glass!

This is good info. It all makes sense. Any particular "pack rattle" and "doe call" you would recommend? I have the little coues buck grunt, made in the west valley (don't remember the name). The pack rattle I use is the smaller pack rack by Barnes and Hale... I have tried the bags and I personally have found them ackward to use and hard to "tickle" them together. Using a tickling technique seems to me more productive for me than making it sound like a full on fight. I use a Ridge Runner grunt by Quaker Boy. I leave the expandable tube compressed and not extended much, as it keeps the tone a bit higher. Keep your grunts to one or two in a sequence. I have never heard a Coues rip out three or more grunts in succession. (It may happen, I just have never personally heard it)... The thicker the cover, the more likely they will come into your call... if you are near an opening, most likely they will come only to the edge of the covering and hang up there. Oh, the doe call I use is a small can call, EZ Gravity Bleat, but I have modified it... I took a leather punch and punched a couple of small holes in the center of the orange silencer cap. I always use the cap on it and it produces a nice, softer and quieter toned sound. I will turn the bleat can all the way over for a second or two then turn it back right side up. Dont allow your bleats go too long, it is not a natural Coues sound. I just got all set up to film our hunts. Once the pre-rut really gets going, I will try to get some rattling action on film and post up a link or something, even is we dont kill what comes in... Hope this helps! Yes, that is a big help! I think you ment KNIGHT & Hale....I looked it up online. They make the smaller Pack Rack and the EZ Gravity Bleat. I will check Sportsman's for them. Thanks again!

This is good info. It all makes sense. Any particular "pack rattle" and "doe call" you would recommend? I have the little coues buck grunt, made in the west valley (don't remember the name).

Yes, there still is a lot of pigs in that area. We got into a decent size herd last year. It's just that we like the Tiger Mine area due to the big muley bucks in there and the possability of getting a crack at them while hunting pigs. We've been seeing whitetails there too.

Anybody know what is happening to the pig herds in the Tiger Mine Rd / Tucson Wash area in 37B?! We have hunted there for 10+ years. We took pigs every year for the first 7 years straight, then the last few years, the pigs have been real hard to find. My buddy went scouting down there two weeks ago, for the junior hunt, and saw very little sign. There used to be several herds and a lot of sign all over the area. Four or five years ago, we heard of a dysentery type disease going through the pigs in that area, but never could validate it. Anyone else have the same experience in this area?

Thanks for the tips. Been huntin' that way for years. I remember seeing a huge herd several years ago, but not since then. A good indicator of the numbers of pigs in the area is tracks in the washes. This year, very very few. A lot of the big trees in the washes are dying off. It seems to be drought related.

PM sent

Which reticle?

Great buck!! WOW! Most of us can only dream of tagging a buck like that. Great job at doing your homework on an unfamiliar area. I seriously suggest you send your story to Eastman's Hunting Journal. They publish these tough DIY hunts in their magazine each month. If they do, you get a nice gear package. Yours definitely qualifies! Brad

I am also torn. It was nice to have two weekends, and maybe cooler weather in Nov., but I like the better odds of getting a tag every year. The October hunt is usually warm, but we've had pretty good luck with that hunt. As long as you can take time off during the week, after the weekend hunters leave, it is a good hunt. I gave up on a Dec. tag after the change. At least we still have archery.

I finally scored on a nice 100+ buck. We saw him twice before the season, once in velvet and once after he rubbed off. I was blessed to find him opening morning. I shot him with my .270 at 160 yards, from a cliff edge down into a very steep canyon. It was a straight on shot in the chest. Dropped in his tracks. His buddy 2x3 stood and stared at him for several minutes before running off. I shot him at 9:00am and got him to the Ranger at 1:00pm....4 hours. My hunting partner, Bill, was able to drive his Ranger to within 1/2 mile. I met him there and we had a snack, hydrated, slipped into are pack frames....I said "don't forget your walkin' stick, you're gonna need it". He was a heavy deer (The processor estimated him at 140 lbs) so the packs were heavy. This was definitely a "poor man's sheep hunt" experience. I haven't taped him yet. What do think?

My hunting partner has Doctor 15x60 he is thinking of selling. Probably in the $600 range.

Check out Strelok. It seems pretty good. You can save various rifles, along with scope brand and reticle. It will give you a graphic scope picture showing you where to hold based on distance, angle, wind, etc...

When I originally posted this, I had no idea this many incidents would surface, just within this forum....that's spooky. As stated before, mine is a 2006 XCR model with the newer trigger. I am now confident it wasn't a defective trigger, but a defective trigger adjustment....done by the previous owner who didn't know what he was doing. Since the gunsmith reset and locktighted the set-screw, I have not had another incident. Bottom line: If you buy a used 700, or any model for that matter, have it checked by someone who knows what they are doing. Always think SAFETY...SAFETY...SAFETY. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and do not have a round in the chamber until you are on target and ready to shoot. When you are pre-season shooting, make sure the safety mechanisms are doing their job and there are no accidental discharges...before the hunt.

This is rather long, but I thought I'd post for those that have limited experience with trigger assemblies and adjustments, and may have/had a similar experience. So, I had a scary experience with my Rem 700 (XCR model in .270) this past weekend. History: I purchased this rifle a couple years ago from a craigslist add. The guy was thinning out his collection. This rifle was his Father-in-law's, who bought it new from Cabelas in 2006. "He died and didn't have a chance to shoot it". The rifle looked very clean and no evidence that a scope had been mounted. Still had the box with a 2006 ship date. Last year, on a couple separate occasions, while shooting, the gun discharged when I clicked off the safety. I had to question if I hit the trigger somehow. This year...same thing on a couple different occasions. Now I'm certain I didn't hit the trigger. Last weekend I am shooting, and I figure I will not work the safety...just get on target, jack a round, shoot. Well, I jack a round and BOOM...gun goes off. WTF!! Then, It happens again. My huntin' partner is freaking out a bit, so I pack it away. I am well aware of the bad press these rifles have gotten over the years. I've read a ton of forums/posts. Monday I took it to Mesa Gun Shop to have it looked at. I'm thinking the chance of getting it back before my Oct 21st hunt is slim. The Gunsmith called me yesterday saying it is ready for pick up. I have limited knowledge of trigger assemblies, but apparently, the trigger had been adjusted and the set-screw was not lock-tighted, so it eventually backed out and was about to fall out. The Smith adjusted it and lock-tighted the set-screw, also cleaned the assembly. He says I shouldn't have anymore trouble with it. I will shoot this weekend to be sure. One day turn around for $65...not bad. So...his input on the Rem 700 trigger issue is that nearly all malfunctions are due to inexperienced adjustments and poor maintenance of the trigger assembly. I guess the message here is, if you're not an expert, don't mess with it. Take it to someone who knows what they're doing. Any thoughts?....experiences? Brad

My first mount is a 70" buck. Not my first couse, but my first 3x3. It is a beautiful mount. When I look at it....instant flashback to the hunt. Keep in mind, you only put down a deposit. You have nearly a year to come up with the rest of the $$.

I posted the story (short version) and pics previous. I now have the rack at home and am attempting to measure it using Amanda's spreadsheet. The only measurement that is not straight forward to me is the right side between G2 and G3, because it is palmated. How do you measure this? Same as the normal side? See attached pic.

Outdoorsman's has both the ring mount and the stud mount types, which requires the adapter as well. I see these in their magazine, Western Hunter. They can set you up if you call. I think you can find them on their website too. Due to cost, I use a $20 adapter made of a poly/plastic (?) and velcro. It has served me well for several years. The velcro loops over the objectives and snugs down. The flat platform can also be used as a shooting rest. I have the older, heavier Leica Trinovids 12x50, and the Badlands Bino pouch works great for them. They fit perfect...any bigger, they wouldn't fit. My binos stay clean the entire hunt. Especially good if you're riding dusty roads.

I have the Meindl Perfekt Hiker, from Cabelas. A bit heavy, but the most comfortable, supportive boot I've ever owned. The Perfekt Hunter is the high-top version. I may try those if mine ever wear out....no sign of it after 3 years in coues country.

I think the "peace bull" did it. He is an undercover saboteur. Seriously, that sucks. I just got into the trail cam game this year. So far, no problems, but I hide it pretty well.

That's our rule in camp. So, gross score is 111 1/8. With deductions is 107 2/8.

I was afraid you'd say that. That will be a huge deduction.

Thanks to all for the good comments! I've been really busy since I got back and haven't had a chance to put a tape on it. I'll post what I come up with, but I'm not experienced in measuring a rack. Any suggestions on where to take it for official scoring? I think Sportsman's Warehouse is have an event for scoring racks.