Coach

I've heard of a huge (130's) buck taken in the Whetstones (34B), but haven't seen a picture or gotten any solid details.

Interesting story about the blaze orange from last year. I was sitting on a rock outcropping and saw a Grandfather/Father/Son group heading my direction. To be safe, I took a blaze orange vest from my pack and placed it on a bush next to me so they would know I was not a deer. When the group stopped below me I swung my bino's toward them just in time to see the young boy say, "Hey dad, what's that?" and proceed to "glass me up" with his riflescope. I of course hit the deck immediately, but the father quickly pushed the gun down, and gave him a stern lecture, but it scared the bejeezers out of me. Back to the main subject - my hunting partner and I have been discussing this for some time now. Out of say 400 permits for a given area, one has to wonder how many are die-hards. Each year I only see a handful of guys who seem really well prepared and know what they're doing. One thing for sure is the VAST majority don't practice shooting enough.

I can recommend the Cabela's Alaskan Guide scopes. I put 2 on my rifles this summer and they are very bright and clear. I have one on a heavy magnum and it takes the recoil witout a problem.

You guys are doing a heck of a lot better than I am. A couple of weekends ago went out and saw 12 does and no bucks. This weekend was out and saw 9 does and 3 small bucks. Are you guys in the Southern or Central units?

I shoot a .300 Wby Mag. with relatively hot handloads for the ballistics. My longest shot is 319 yards so far, but I'm comfortable out to 400 yards with a good rest, plenty of time, and little wind. Been practicing out further, but it would have to be a "now or never" shot at a huge buck to consider it - for me at least. Some people can shoot very well out to long ranges, and some can't hit a barn from up close. I always laugh when I hear people trying to tell everyone the max range they should shoot based on their OWN abilities.