forepaw

Correct. There should not be any carryover from one generation to the next. Hard to say what influences characteristics from one area to another.

If it is a true 158 ram, then it could be a tough call for some. That is probably a class 4 ram, but may be borderline. There is nothing at all wrong with a 158, but depends on how handsome of a critter you think it is. How is the mass? Character? Color? Are you seeing other rams? A 158 class ram, taken on a DIY, 100% fair chase hunt, especially someplace with difficult access, would be a fine trophy!

My thinking also. Coues hybrid. Maybe not first generation? Very nice buck.

https://williamlarkinmoore.com/ These guys can probably do it, or know someone who can. What you are looking for is a stock fitter with a try-gun. This is a mechanical stock with all kinds of points of adjustment to obtain ideal fit. There is also a DIY technique if you just want to see how your existing stock fits. Basically, you need a steel gong about 3' diameter, that is clean and smooth, so you can roll light grease across the surface. You back up 15 yds. or so, and mount your gun and shoot quickly at what you perceive to be the center of the plate. After a few times, you will see how your stock fits as it will be obvious by the impact of the shot charge on the plate. It takes some interpretation by a knowledgeable person, but you could research it and figure it out. Most gun clubs with a trap and skeet range have these, and likely you could find someone who could help out. By the way, you want to repaint the plate after each shot. Take notes or cell phone pics, and after a few shots, you will have a good idea of the fit of that particular shotgun. For upland game, the ideal point of impact is centered left to right, and just slightly high, to account for the rising target. This technique will provide lots of info, but not the ideal dimensions. You will need a try-gun for that, or else mount a lot of guns, and record the dimensions of what fits and what doesn't. Kinda tedious, but shotgun guys like this stuff.

Buddy who was a sentry dog handler on a missle site on the DMZ in Korea said the way the army taught them to break up a dog fight was to grab the other end. Takes two people though. Not always convenient.

Yep. And don't kill rattlesnakes.

Great footage. Thanks for posting.

Must have been Gryphon Gunworks on 12th St. PSS recommended them to install choke tubes on a Rem. M 11 for me. Those guys were the REAL deal. Top notch gunsmiths and professional quality work - not necessarily rifle builders or barrel fitters, but full journeymen all around gunsmiths. I bought a pre-64 M70 .30-06 from them, and almost bought a couple other guns - one a pre-64 M 70 featherweight in .270. I don't know what happened to them, but I can tell you if there were still gunsmiths like them around, I would have bought a lot more guns over the past 30 yrs.

Gerry Blair. Jack Cain.

I looked at my list of ADBSS Charter Members, but no match there. Jack and Bradford O'Connor partially match, but they were known for more than one hunting discipline. I guess I am about to learn something new.

Sam Fadala.

Here is a blast from the past. One of these guys started a range, one a range was named after him, one was a gunsmith who wrote at least one book on the subject, one owned a gun store that is discussed in this thread. What's your guess kneeling left to right 1-4. Standing left to right 1-6. Sorry the pic isn't the best. Looks like Camp Perry. Gunsmith Roy Dunlap?

Would it have been Manuel Sinohui?

Hey Kev, you are more than welcome! I am always glad to help a young person have a positive hunting or fishing experience and enjoyed it like I would my own hunt. I am glad everything came together, as it was far from a guaranteed outcome. You deserve a lot of credit for coaching and judgement, and keeping Enoch's spirits up. And like you mentioned, it was really touch and go. You both had to race up that hill, with light fading fast, wind blowing, spooky deer dancing around, and get set up and make the shot. Enoch stayed calm and made it happen, which I could tell was not that easy to do under those conditions. I am glad he was pleased with his deer and the hunt. His first thought was making sure he had hit the deer solidly, which says his ethics are on the right track. Great job!

Have a way to keep your water thawed. Single digits and below, keep a couple liters in your sleeping bags. Even in cold weather, you have to stay hydrated (clear urine), and it is also nice to have some water to sponge off with. You can easily wash from head to toe with two or three coffee cups full. Use lotion on exposed skin, and powder in socks and skivvies. You may want to set up two tents - one for sleeping, and one for cooking and warming. Also, start your vehicle daily if possible, to keep the battery charged and oil fluid. Another handy trick is to have two each Jone hand warmers and fuel. In bitter cold, it makes a world of difference to have one in your shirt pocket and one in pants pocket. Have a dry pair of socks in your pack at all times, and a dry change of clothes in the tent. Recognize what early hypothermia looks like, and don't let yourself get into that condition. Build a fire, drink something hot, put on extra layers, whatever it takes to avoid uncontrollable shivering. Your menu should include high-calorie, easily digestible food items and snacks. Lots of good comments on this thread re: sleeping warm and portable heaters.

Handsome deer. Neck shot at 175 yds. with lightweight sporting rifle and scope. Good shooting. No ruined meat. What caliber and load?

So what's the deal with the $25 charge. Is it just a placeholder until status confirmed or???

It looks to me like you might be low on calories. If you can lose a pound a day, and still hunt effectively, you might be ok, since it's only 4 days. I agree with the above posts on additional grub. Specifically, consider adding some dried fruit, jerky, nuts, hard cheese, bagels, and some sort of candy like jolly ranchers. Powdered Gatorade doesn't weigh much. Avoid at all costs, "hitting the wall" due to physical effort and low calories resulting in inability to convert calories and protein into energy. I have let that happen a few times, and found I was pretty worthless until I ate something and then waited for everything to stabilize.

You might also try picking up some practice broadheads (or even tips) of 85, 100, and 125 gr. and see which weight groups better. Save you from all that pin adjusting, until you really get ready to dial in.

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Sounds like they are having a rough time with COVID. Sorry to hear. I was through there a couple weeks ago and it looked like they had checkpoints at intersections to screen for locals vs. NR. It will be a struggle until a vaccine is available. Hope they can sort things out. It has been a real blow to the Navajos.

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Nice. That water storage tank on the hill would be tempting (just kiddin). Good shooting right there, and good luck to you guys!

Dialed in is right. Where is that range located?

Never, ever live anyplace you have to haul water.