Red Rabbit

Like Rica was, Clover has been a 24/7 companion. Her next hunts will be for quail.

I am hoping to find a few of those Mearns that hold for point as opposed to the flushing devil's quail.

The quail outlook seems incongruous with the dry spring and summer. I usually hunt in the Sedona area. Hope we get some moisture so Clover can sniff them out better. This will be her first quail season.

Her teats were hard and dry, and mammary glands empty. I hope the meat is tender though. I shot a lead cow once that was pretty tough.

I did not know how Clover would do on a big game hunt as this was her first. Would she whine, bark, jump around when game was seen? They introduced an "Absolute Hammer" bullet with a narrower ogive. They are getting muzzle velocities 200-300 fps faster than regular bullets of the same weight. Since the reduced diameter ogive reduces the pressure, one handloads more of a faster burning powder. That would be a possibility to give more speed to a 260 Rem. https://hammerbullets.com/product-tag/264-6-5mm/ https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/introducing-the-absolute-hammer.248519/

problem solved https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/outland-living-fire-bowl

My nephew has total hearing loss in one ear because his hunting buddy fired his muzzle braked rifle right beside his head.

Depends on how well one can shoot a lighter rifle that has heavier recoil when one may be breathing heavy from climbing/hustling to get in position, excited/buck fever, and in a field position. Weight may be a real good friend. Sprint 100 yards, set up your rifle in a field position (not on a bench), shoot at a 400 yard target in a limited time frame, and see how it goes.

Based on internet and gun shop reports, you might also consider a Christensen Arms or Bergara too. Look at stock configuration to help mitigate felt recoil. Get a suppressor.

Congrats Stan! Great steaks to enjoy.

When I was in Pinetop last weekend for an art show, there were plenty of acorns on the ground

Sounds like some great hunt memories were made. Looks like pretty elk country too.

I have purchased a few via Gunbroker. There is also AZGunBuy.

Congrats on a nice bull. He even has a devil's point.

The Coconino and Kaibab National Forests in northern Arizona are still under Stage 1 Fire restrictions. I had posted about some road closures on the North Kaibab a few days ago also.

If you have a deer or turkey hunt on the North Kaibab 12AW be aware of some road closures. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd750426.pdf https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/kaibab/alerts-notices/?aid=59436

My rec would be to look for a tripod that gets your needed height WITHOUT extending the center column. The bino/spotter will be much more stable when the center column is not extended. You can do a search and look at specs on some sites. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=tripod legs&filters=fct_category%3Atripod_legs_2636%2Cfct_maximum-height_1446%3A75in|80in|70in

Even hunters and shooters refer to live ammo as "bullets", so no telling what the general public thinks/knows.

I would guess you went to a hoky UPS store. You should still be able to ship from the real UPS terminal.

Lance, your stories are always a pleasure to read. Plenty of details, emotions, photos to make a well-written complete story. Not just a grip and grin sound bite like in today's mags. Congrats to you and Taylor.

You might inquire with Lance Crowther of TLO, Timberland Outfitters. https://www.tlohunting.com/ He lives in and guides/outfits 7E.

I am the opposite, as I think that nice wood even with scratches and dings still looks better than a new piece of plastic with no soul. The scratches also speak of good memories of past hunts. If one is worried about inclimate weather, the wood stock's barrel channel, inletting, checkering and under the recoil pad can be sealed.

I alluded to a Western classic in a previous post. Here's a nice Cooper Western Classic in 25-06 for sale. https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/15122938/cooper-52-western-classic-25-06-w-upgrades#Post15122938

I'd look for a Winchester Model 70 Supergrade with extra good wood, and have the action trued and rebarreled in the chambering of your choice for an accurate rifle. I always thought the Cooper Western Classic with case hardening and the octagon barrel exuded class. 6.5 PRC, 270 Win, 7 Rem Mag, 280 AI, 270 WSM, 300 WSM

Stage 1 restrictions start again this Friday Aug 14 on the Coconino and Kaibab. No campfires, no charcoal, some smoking outside of developed campgrounds. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD778917