Viper

My first coues was around 1985, on an any antlered deer hunt in unit 23. We camped up on the bluffs above Roosevelt Lake. I lugged around my father-in-laws heavy old JC Higgins.30-06 for the first day. We didn't do any glassing back then, just a lot of walking. That thing wore me out, so the next day I carried my Marlin .30-30....much lighter. I walked up to the top of a juniper covered hill. When I got to the top, I had to "answer natures call". After taking care of business, I walked out into an opening and there stood a doe and spike. The doe ran into the trees and the spike "hid" behind a tiny little 3 foot stick-tree at 40 yards. I shot and he dropped where he stood. At camp, I skinned him and hung him in a tree, with the head on. Late that afternoon, my buddy and I went to Young to buy ice, leaving his Dad and little brother at camp. We got a little "tangled up" at the Antlers Bar until late in the night. We actually joined in the annual Halloween party....great time. I think I was part of a mock shotgun wedding...at least that's what the poloroid picture showed. We got back to camp around 1:00am.....I think we forgot the ice...or maybe it was melted...don't quite remember. The Dad and brother had taped small branches to the deer's spikes to make it look bigger. We had a good laugh at that one. I left them on when I took the deer to the processor, downtown Mesa....mighta' been Southwest, before they moved to Queen Creek...different name though. I got some real suspicious looks and finger pointing, until they caught on...then they all had a good laugh. It was a little spike, but probably the most memorable hunt.

I don't know if mine is the X-mark trigger or the older style. I believe it's a 2006 model. It's the XCR, which came out in 2005. I like the performance of it....just have to take it out this weekend to verify it is safe. It sounds like regular trigger maintenance/cleaning is important to prevent this from happening again. How do you clean a trigger assembly, without taking it apart, if possible?

Thanks for the reply. That's reassuring. I like the trigger, just can't have a safety issue.

My .270 shoots the Remington Core Lokt PSP, 130 grain really well. The bullet performs well under 300 yards. I realize the BC is low (.336), but they are low cost and easy to find. After this season, I may try the Accu Tip Boat Tail...BC is .447

The reviews say they have problems with the electronic lock and the shelving is poor quality. Anyone have experience with this particular safe?

My Midland's are about 5 years old. I can turn off all beeps/noises. They also have the call-vibrate feature, which is great for silently calling your partner. I've had great luck with Midland. FYI - the "Bubba" model did not have the call-vibrate feature last time I checked.

Val Vista & Southern. A meet-up would be great!

Great bull Tony!! That's gettin' r done!! Brad

I am new to the trail cam game. I bought a Covert from Jeremy a few weeks ago. I hung it in my elk area 2 weeks ago, in a somewhat random spot and captured a few subjects. I think this new "hobby" will be fun. I think the second one is a cow elk really close to the camera. I hope to get a crack at this bull in a couple days (last pic). He is a 6x7.

Val Vista and Southern. Love to meet up sometime...after elk season. - Brad

If you decide to sell it, let me know....

Dang!! I have been looking at those. I hesitated to buy another $500+ tent. I wanted a wall tent that sets up quick for weekend trips. I already have the Cabelas Alaknak 12x12, but it takes too long to set up just for a weekend. I ended up buying a Coleman Instant Tent on sale. Really fast set up, decent quality. Not sure how weather "proof" it is. Congratulations...you got really lucky!

Another idea for attaching your rifle to a pack frame - I used to use an old aluminum frame backpack that I modified into a pack frame. I mounted a rubber mag light holder (the one that holds a D-cell mag light) to the side of the frame, near the bottom. The pistol grip of most rifles will snap right in and hold well. On this frame I had to cut the top cross bar off so I could sling the rifle over the upright peg. I actually mounted that cross bar to the bottom of the frame, between the verticals, to form a meat shelf. It worked very well, but the old pack is not very comfortable with an elk-sized load on it. It has been replaced by the new high-tech stuff. It currently hangs in my garage and still has a apecial place in my heart.

+1 for the Kelty Cache Hauler. I went through this delema a couple years ago. I actually bought four different packs, one at a time, brought them home and loaded them up with all my gear. You can tell pretty quick if they fit you right, and handle all your junk by wearing it around the house for a while. I tried the Eberle J104 and X1. Great packs, but the lumbar pad made my low back hurt right away (I have some low back issues). I also didn't like the way the load is carried away from your back, due to the rifle scabbard. I tried the BL 2200. That pack is very comfortable, but there were a few things I didn't care for. I was also concerned about the bad press on the zippers. The last pack I brought home was the Kelty Cache Hauler. I got it at Sportsmans for $100. It's light weight and very comfortable. I like the "batwing" style compression system. I pack a small Camelback on it for water and gear, and a small fanny pack with field dressing gear. I took the top crossover bar off so it just has the vertical upright sticking up like a peg on both sides. I sling my rifle on this and snap the stock into the "Gunslinger" that is attached to the belt. This setup gives you options after packing into your hunt area. You can stash the frame and just use the camelback, or go real light and just use the fanny pack. I haven't tried an overnighter yet, but I'm sure it can handle it. There is a pack bag made for it....if you can find it. Last year I bought an Eberle X2 (before the new version came out). It was a "smoke damage" sale, so it was a good price. This is a great pack which I use a lot for scouting and archery hunts. I just bought the rifle scabbard that was listed on this sight by PJM. I will be trying that out this October. It's hard to find one perfect pack...so you have to own several

I have no doubt the range snap will work on my bull hunt....just hope me and the rest of my gear works at the moment of truth. I really like mine. Great idea.

This morning I saw on Facebook that Eastman’s (of Eastman’s Bow Hunting Journal and Eastman’s TV) is requesting pictures of live coues bucks for a feature story. Quote: “Have a great photo of a live Coues' buck you'd like to see in the magazine? If so, shoot it over to us at editorial@eastmans.com. We might be looking for one for a feature story design.” I think there is some great material from forum members!

I go to maptech (http://mapserver.mytopo.com/homepage/index.cfm?CFID=10339098&CFTOKEN=31851023) I print out various sections of my hunting area, then piece/tape them together to form one larger map. If you do a "print screen" and copy to power point, you can crop, resize, add text/symbols, etc... On maptech, you can hold your cursor over a particular location to display the GPS coordinates, and label your map. These are real handy in the field.

Make sure all the beeps and noises can be turned off. One feature I find very helpful is the "vibrate call alert". The Midland radios I have, do have this feature. Not sure of the other brands. This allows you to simply press the call button to vibrate your buddy's radio. Then he can talk back to you to find out wuz up. This allows you to keep the volume very low. Otherwise, you have to speak into the radio to get your buddy's attention, and he has to have the volume loud enough to hear your call. I've got an older set of Midlands (maybe 5 years old) that allow you to silence all beeps and noises and turn on the vibrate feature. The Midland "Bubba" radios don't have the vibrate feature. My buddy bought a set of Midlands about a year ago and couldn't turn off all the beeps, so he took them back.....could've been operator error. The problem with this frequency band (FRS) is that objects and terrain greatly reduce the range. Open Hills and canyons will reduce the range to 2 or 3 miles. Tall pines, hills and canyons will reduce the range to 1 mile. Over all, they serve most of the hunters needs for an economical price. Buisiness Band radios have more range through obsticals, but are more money, and usually larger. Also, you're suppose to have a license to operate them.

This is an excellent guide! I've not seen this before. I'm afraid to check the tuning of my bow this close to the season. I'll want to start fooling around with it and goof it up. It shoots pretty good now.

Don't have to worry about that camera getting stolen. Nice buck!

That's what I figure. I found a small isolated ridge, away from normal traffic, that had a lot of activity and rubs last year when hunting with a friend, who shot his bull at that spot. It seems to be a natural travel route for the elk. I plan to try that, then check it a couple weeks later and move it if need be.

I have been reading about this issue for some time now. It is one reason why I've delayed getting into the trail cam hobby. I went to the CWT yard sale last Saturday, met a few of the fellow CWT folks. I bought a Covert 3.0 cam from the shop. I'm planning to put it up this weekend where I got drawn for elk (4B). Being a total trail cam rookie, I am reading all I can. It sounds like I really have to consider where I hang it, and how I secure it. It is a real shame that we have to go to extra trouble and expense to make it "secure". Has anyone tried the "government property" angle? Maybe put an official USFS or G&F logo and warning statement on the box. Maybe set a Rambo snare with spikes....that would make some good pictures

I've had the older 12x50 trinovids for several years now. I hope I never have a warrenty issue, but it's good to hear the possitive experiences. I will feel better about shipping them off....they are considered family.

I plan on bringing $$. I want to buy a couple trail cams, a quick-pitch cabin tent, and whatever else I can't live without. I look forward to meeting some CWT folks. It seems a lot of you live in Mesa/Gilbert area.

Daryl, I too am interested in doing the trail cam thing. You posted some great pics! What camera did you buy? You said it was the older one...is it the covert II or the older, odd shaped covert I ? I am leaning toward the covert I, but wasn't sure if 3 MP is good enough resolution. Do other trail cam users have experience with the covert I, and can offer input? I also noticed Bass Pro has Wildgame Inovations 10 MP camera for a little more $$. Anyone have opinions on this camera? Thanks, Brad