Red Rabbit

I have been collecting left sided elk sheds from about 340" class bulls. When I find a round tuit, I will make a chandelier. I figure that your coues deer sheds would make a nice chandelier also. I can't believe the price of those chandeliers in the catalogues and shops. Has anyone made these and figured a way to drill the antler core around the horns curvature? RR

For deer, I would not see a problem using expendables. The NAP Spitfires fly to the same point of impact as my field tips. I tried the Shuttle T-Locks I mentioned in another post, and they flew like field points at 30 and 40 yards . Then I screwed on a Thunderhead and hit about 4" off at 30 yards. RR

Is it still possible to get to Skeleton Canyon by driving from NM and coming in from the east side? Limited access would make the hunt better, IMO. My first coues, a nice 97"er, came from Skeleton. Is the sign for Geronimo's surrender still behind the ranch south of Apache? RR

I called NMG&F a couple of weeks ago and asked a similar question. The nice gal said we can puchase the license from the department or fron a license vendor. She thought the cutoff date would be a few days before the hunt, but said a letter enclosed wth the carcass tag woud offer explanation. RR

The AZG&F web site has nicely listed the access mileposts along the Sasabe Highway. You drew a great tag. Have a good hunt. http://www.gf.state.az.us/h_f/hunting_units_36c.shtml

I purchased a Remington 1100 in 1980 and have not had one problem through all the dove, quail, and clay pigeons it has fired toward. It has been very dependable. I think it was the guy doing all the shooting that had the problems. Doug~RR

I have had good bullet performance on a few deer and half a dozen feral Texas hogs with 180 Sciroccos. 180 Accubonds would be another good choice. A 150 grain Barnes TSX or Nosler Accubond would give you about 6" less drop at 600 yards than the 180's, and should still work on the black bears. I had difficulty getting the Hornady Interbonds to group out of 2 WSM's. For powders, I have had good results with Ramshot Hunter, H4350 and H4831. Right now I am trying to get a load built for 150 Accubonds fo the coues hunts, even though I have an accurate TSX load, but I like experimenting. RR

Keith, They do have a small housing development starting in the meadow just north of I-40 and A-1 Mtn Rd. Hook an immediate left and go west along the interstate for 1/2 mile or so and it'll turn north to A-1 Mtn and lots of places to drag a house and park it. They have done a lot of thinning and controlled burning in that area to reduce fire danger to the city of Flag. RR

Finally shot a Shuttle T-Lock this afternoon out of my LX. At 30 and 40 yards, flight was identical to the field points . What a change from my previous tuning experience with Thunderheads. RR

Welcome. Assuming that you are using factory ammo, I'd try the 120 Nosler Partition or the 115 Barnes X. Handloading, I'd still stick with the Partition, Barnes TSX, or Nosler Accubond.

David, Roads in 7m suitable to drag your 5th wheel would include A-1 Mtn Rd west of Flag off I-40, FR 222 off Hwy 180 past Snow Bowl turnoff, South on the FR700 off the Mountainaire road, Woody Mtn Road and out the water well road by the Arboretum. Check the yellow pages on-line www.dexonline.com for recreational vehicle storage in Flagstaff. There was a guy in Mountainaire who did storage, but not any more. Kendrick Park out Hwy 180 is on the 7E/W boundary, not in 7m, but a good spot to watch elk early morning come off Saddle Mtn or Whitehorse Hills. RR

Page 54 in the regs. R12-4-107 BONUS POINT SYSTEM "An applicant issued a first-come hunt permit-tag under R12-4-114©(2)(d) after the computer drawing does not lose bnus points for that species, and a valid but unsuccessful applicant for a first-come hunt permit-tag remaining after the computer drawing does not gain a bonus point." nothing to lose by trying, but a hunt to gain.

Now that we have all drawn December tags and are working up new loads, trying new factory ammo, new wonder bullets and new thunder sticks, thought I would share some observations. Many think that one gets less recoil with lighter bullets in the same gun. Having done some checking for my 300 WSM, and a 7 RUM, the recoil changes a negligible amount. In the 7 RUM, 140 grainers at 3300 fps gave 32 ft-lb, and 160's at 3200 fps also produce 32 ft-lb recoil, using max loads with the same powder with a 9 lb rifle. My 300 WSM produces 30 ft-lb with both 150 and 180 grain bullets in an 8 lb rifle. The recoil from a lighter bullet is offset by its higher velocity and greater powder usage. Link to recoil calculator: http://benchrest.com/sst/recoil.html Trajectory favors the lighter bullet by 2-6" less drop at 600 yards with a 200 yard zero. 10 mph wind drift favors the heavier bullet by about 2" less drift at 600 yards. the heavier bullet has 13-15% more energy at 600 yards. So for long range coues, I would say to choose the non-varmint bullet that is most accurate, since any advantages of heavy vs. light are slim (recoil and energy) and opposing (drop vs. drift). But it sure is fun to tinker and experiment . Doug~RR

Gnoto, Actually, I have a tag in 36c. But if you have a good mearns spot, I'd be obliged. Doug~RR

The 7 RUM belongs to someone else, but somehow I have four 300 mags that all want to go hunting. In the 300 WSM, I am trying to find an accurate 150 grain load with the Nosler Accubond. I have one with 150 TSX's, but I like to tinker. Will use 180's on the elk and may on the coues also, depending on whether I find an accurate one with Nosler 150's. RR

Ben~rifle looney, Has JB at the Campfire given you a label too . A good one to have. I have been using the Point Blank program. Doug

I'll be across the road from you in Nov. Have a good hunt and good luck! Doug~RR

The regs say permits should be mailed out by July 29, and refunds by August 12. Since the draw was posted, we can breath easy and go scouting. Doug~RR

Ben & Charlie have good advice; 150 grain Partitions. I would also try the 160 Nosler Accubond also. I have had real good accuracy and game results with the Accubonds out of my 300 WSMs. Doug~RR

Rica, my GWP, was reaaalllly reaaaallllly haaaappppppy that I was drawn for late season mearns.

It's going to be a busy fall. Drew 36c Nov coues and unit 9 rifle elk. Add those to the New Mexico Nov coues in unit 23, and Utah archery muley, and the gas bill at $2.50/gallon will require a second mortgage. Congrats to those who drew, I'll have a beer(s) in sympathy for Allen, and let's all enjoy our hunts, successful or not. See you in 36c, Ernesto. Let the Scoutin' begin! Doug~RR

I remember a spot in the Superstitions where it looked like someone had target practice. The moonlight caught the casings as it shown the hole in the rock. I think they were some weird chambering from Holland.

Next Friday, 5:01 PM, at the Bowhunter Happening, we'll all be walking around with cell phone earrings.

Scott, Let's forget about the Grouse. Rica just pointed 3 mallard ducklings in the backyard. Gently caught and mouthed em. Momma's having a conniption flying around the neighborhood. Think we'll take a hike on the north side of the Peaks tomorrow and scout for grouse (and deer). RR

Blue Grouse season opens Sept 9, the same weekend that archery deer on the Kaibab opens. Are you thinking N. Kaibab or SF Peaks? A fall fishing and grouse trip to the White Mountains sounds inviting also. A friend and I are going to Utah for a week of archery deer, connected with the Labor day weekend. I am trying convince him to schedule it for the week before Labor Day, but we should finalize it after the AZ draw comes out. Doug~RR