CouseforLife

No wind I would take it because I have practiced out that far. In 25 mph wind no way. It might 25 there but whats it doing in between. Is it south wind there and west wind in between. Temps make a big difference also because the air maybe sinking or rising. I agree with most everyone not to take the shot. If you can't get closer he lives to see another day. in 25 MPH I would be very cautious even at 200 yards.

15 points for Antelope now 4 for Elk. Can't complain to much my average is about every 4 years for Elk. Wife got a 6a cow in Dec. Something to do before I go WT hunting when I get drawn later for that. I gotta keep my hopes up!!

Not trying to start a fight but comparing a bullet to a broadhead is not correct. Two different principles all together. One cuts the other uses energy and expansion. I think comparing ML to high power rifles is wrong also. Again two different principles. To the point, your 25-06 will work just fine as everyone has said that shot placement will be key. I personally would not use it past 250-300 yards. Downrange ballistics becomes an issue at those ranges.

119 2/8

I wanted to pick something else but I did not see 132 4/8 taken.

After the snow storm in 6a just before Christmas I saw rut activity and the 90+ I went after the last week was definetly rutting. He had is nose to ground like a bloodhound. I really think the lack of summer rain played havoc on the season.

Well my brother and I had 6a late tags and my first late tag in 4 years. I was expecting a very good season for deer since it was so cold early this year compared to other years I had tags. I had also helped a few friends during the Nov hunt and saw a lot of deer and some decent bucks. I had set my sights on 95+ for the first two weeks then 85+ the last week. I have a bunch of 75 to 85 bucks under my belt so decided this year I would trophy hunt a little. I usually do not trophy hunt but I have only one over 100 and wanted another. During the first week I saw a pile of 75 to 85 bucks and one I thought would go 90. My brother went after the 90, he was not trophy hunting and his other two Couse were 80 class. The 90 was rutting and chasing does all over the place. We ended up losing him and my brother made an awesome shot on a 85 buck at 487 yards. We then went into a drought of seeing deer. Every spot we went to where I had seen alot of deer in November we would see 1 doe or maybe 2. Alot of areas that in years past I would see piles of deer there were none. I also saw alot more lions this year then in years past and a ton of sign. Unfortunely none of lions (three) were easy to get to and two of them spoted at probably a mile away. I did let GRONG's dad know about one of them. Hopefully he can put his dogs on it. ANyway the last week I spotted a 90 to 95 buck chasing a doe and went after him. Got in position and he bedded in some thick cedars. There were three ways out of the trees and I had two of them covered from my position. I sat there for three hours and he either left or stayed bedded til dark. I am sure this has happened to everyone that has hunted these elusive tacticions. I hunted this buck the last two days and never saw him again. So I did not tag out this year but had a great time helping my brother kill his third and helping him see his first lion. We saw a ton of Elk, Bald Eagles, pigs, and a few bears. I have to say this lack of rain this summer had to have a big effect on the deer this year. In some places there was no grass on the ground where in years past it was knee high. Most of the tanks were dry and it sounded like you were walking on broken glass because it was so dry. All I can hope for is another chance next year.

Not sure its been 4 years since i had a late tag. But in 6A I have seen a pile of 80 to 85 bucks and a few 90 to 95's. I almost went after a 95 yesterday but I have seen him in the same spot a few days ago and there are about 10 does around him. So he will be my backup plan if I cannot locate a bigger one. I have only checked about half my spots so far and had to work today I have seen some of 80 class bucks actively chasing does but the bigger ones I saw were not to interested yet.

I am thinking of a new tripod for myself as a christmas present. I have been using my Monfrotto with pistol grip head for the last 10 years. It is about wore out but I have to say I got my $200 worth out of it easy. It is heavy but worked great. I am looking for something a little lighter and want a fluid head rather than pistol grip. I use it at the range for my cheapy spotter and glassing. What is everyone else using now.

Sorry I meant to say that I got the Manfrotto 700RC2 head and have been using over the past week on my Couse hunt. I really like it and it is much better and less tiring to use than my old grip action. I will upgrade my tripod with my tax returns I suppose. Thanks again for the advice

The Kiababs are narrower than the Swaros. I have issues with the Swaro for the narrow eyes but not bad enough I cant use them. A friend has both pairs and the Kiabab were more comfortable for me to glass with. I found the optics comparible. Swaros were slightly better but very little difference.

I agree with RCBS being bare minimum. I use almost exclusively Redding equipment. I like the adjustments on the dies much better than RCBS and Redding has very good customer service. I use a RCBS press and a Redding press and both are good quality. Dillon is top notch equipment also I just feel they are a little to proud of their equipment. If your just starting out the Lee presses are good as well as the RCBS starter kit. I have also used some Hornaday Dies and they appeared to be good quality. I do not like Lee dies at all. I also prefer Competition Seating dies but I do not have them in all calibers. Just my 270 WSM and 22-250. Those dies are pricey and just can justify the cost especially in our current economic situation. They are very nice to use though.

I have developed about 10 loads for my 270WSM so far. I have loads for 130 Scirrocco, 140 A fram, 140 NAB, 140 Sierra GK, 140 NP, and 150 NP. In all my Loads I use either Reloader 19 or R-22. My gun likes the buillet seated just a hair off the lands and near max loads. These are the only bullets I have expiremented with thus far.

My first choice is always AZ Strip Carp deer for the trophy. My second and third is always late Couse in the two areas close to home and I know the areas very well. I use to put in for Oct hunts (early) because of the draw odds. The last two years I have not because of the cost for me to travel to those areas. I would take out a loan if I needed to for a strip carp tag.

I have had nasty Javi and good. I love pork and I am sorry Javilina aint pork. I really do not care for it. I always donate mine. Ask your meat processor and they will probably know some organizations that will take it. Game and Fish also knows to locations it can be donated.

Never thought of that. I have not had the opportunity to hunt them yet and really have not had alot of opportunities to see them. Its possible they were. Awesome nonetheless.

While helping a friend during his Cow hunt last weekend I jumped up two very young Big Horn sheep rams. They were about 20 yards from me and watched me for about 2 minutes then ran off. They did not even curl yet but absolutely cool. I was in 6A Clear Creek Canyon. I tried to get my camera on them and thats when they ran off.

I hate brakes on rifles especially when I am standing next to someone shooting one. On my 270 WSM I put a Mercury Recoil Reducer in it. Brownells sells them and you have someone put it in for you unless you know how. You must be careful to make sure it is level when installing for maximum effectiveness. I put a 14 oz one in and it cut recoil but 35% at least. It is actually fun to shoot now. It adds weight to the gun but I hardly noticed it on couse hunts.

I bought the monfrotto 190XDB as Red Rabbit suggested. I can't wait until it gets here to check it out. I will use my current tripod for this upcoming hunt and in the spring get a new one.

I plan on calling Doug at camaraland when I have narrowed my choices down. I currently have a Monfrotto Tripod with the pistol grip head. I bought it about 10 years ago. I can't read the model number on the pod but his has thumb screw legs. It is rock solid but heavy. It is the shorter one and I cannot stand with it but I am 6'3. You will never miss me in the woods, walking telephone pole with arms. But anyway, Thanks for the tips and I think I will do some more shopping and try some of these out. I was thinking of just getting the head for now and the tripod later. I have a 6A late Couse and time is running out I have been scouting a little and found a few pretty nice deer if they are still there in another month. I never shoot of my tripod. I have always felt more comfy shooting off my butt or laying down. If I have to shoot standing I have always found a tree to lean against or something. Maybe thats why I always fell down as a kid

The SLIK Sprint Pro that Amanda has looks like a nice tripod to fit in my pack. Anyone use one and how did they like it. Again height is not important but I want it compact enough and lite enough it will fit in a backpack and not feel like I am packing out a deer when I carry it. Thanks for all your advice. I do know the most important part is the head but the bottom does need to be stable.

Thanks for the info so far. I hate to stand and glass. For some reason I just hate it and feel I see more if I sit. I always pack one of three legged stools with me on the bottom of my pack to sit down on. In fact I found one a cableas that only weighs about 20 ounces. So height is not important. I think for now I will buy a new head and do the tripod later. The pistol grip is wore out and if i put 15's on it and with any downangle the head starts to slowly creep down. I was looking to spend around 250 to 350 total.

When I have hunted the southern half during a full moon, as soon as the sun came up and was visible it was like cockroaches. The deer went into hiding almost immediatly but were up earlier in the evening. In all my hunts further north it seems the deer bedded earlier but were still feeding at first light. I also notice they move around more in the afternoon. I wonder if maybe the cooler temps in the north had something to do with it. I prefer no moon on my hunts and that is when I see the most deer moving pretty much all day.

He is very nice. 126 6/8

A buddy of mine got a pair last month and I helped him one day last week on scouting for his Elk Hunt. We just glassed and I was amazed at how well I could see at dusk. I do not have a pair of Swaros but have looked through them many times. I was impressed enough I will save up some cash to get a pair. I have also heard their customer service is as good as Swaro.