Red Rabbit

That left brow is an awesome sword! RR

What's wrong with looking like George Burns? RR

Scott, Probably best to just set a place and time. Let's get'r dun. Rica told me she wants some hasenpheffer, spaetzel, and an Oktoberfest Brew . RR

The AZ Game & Fish website info is pretty general. http://azgfd.com/h_f/hunting_units_36b.shtml Duwane Adams' book recommends Warsaw and Sycamore canyons off the Ruby Rd., Summit Motorway, and San Louis Mtns. Good luck on your hunt. RR

The Coconino Rim overlooking the Upper Basin is real popular, so popular that it would be best to avoid the crowds. Look on the topo maps for openings that a road does not go through. That is how I found my nice bull two years ago. Most of the large openings have roads down the middle, so I count on people driving through before dawn, or road hunting after dawn and spooking the elk out. If it's dry, they will still be coming to water. The bulls are still bugling and with cows now, but will be separated in Nov. But it's still worth a scouting trip now to learn the country. The power line running East-West through the unit would be a good place to sit and wait for elk to cross. RR

Scott, I should be finding your camp that Friday evening. Call me with details of location and vehicles to look for. Doug

Great buck! What a way to get Steven's hunting fire stoked for life. Did you notice if the buck had any testicles? RR

Rica, my German Wire-Haired Pointer, and I hiked up to enjoy the fall colors. Yeah, I know it's opening weekend of quail season, but Rica can't read the calendar. I figure this weekend is the peak for the aspen colors, so oppotunity knocked. RR

Elk? There are no elk there; they migrated to unit 45 to their wintering grounds. Actually, there were fresh elk tracks and squishy droppings. RR

To set the bullet seating die so you do not crimp the neck, place a resized case in the holder, raise the ram, screw down the die till it contacts the case mouth, then back the die off at least one full turn, and set the lock ring. RCBS makes a video series on how to reload, which may be helpful if you do not have an experienced reloader to guide you. The directions in the Speer manual that came with your kit are pretty good also. RR

Not legal. You can use .22 and 5mm rimfire magnums on javelina, but not the 17hmr. But you can use the 17hmr on turkeys. R12-4-304 (page 62 in the regs) I'd use a 22 centerfire before a 22WMR, or use a bow to have fun stalking close. Welcome to CWT. RR

Bowhunt Coues, Were you up in CO on a pack in archery elk hunt? The San Juans in late September are a beautiful sight. The inner basin is AZ's closest to the Rockies, but its candle dims much in comparison to CO. I keep thinking that a relocation to Durango or Montrose is needed. RR

A SOLID CORE door makes a sturdy reloading bench top. A used building materials place may have one on the cheap. RR

Shiras, I hiked into the inner basin of the San Francisco Peaks just north of Flagstaff. It's a volcano that blew out its side hundreds of years ago, much like Mount St. Helens did. RR

Scott, You gotta teach me how to use that PhotoShop program you keep raving about. How you ever got a speed goat with those Bushnell Sportview binoculars and Remington 710 with Trashco scope is beyond me . Congrats to you and Kevin on two more great bucks. RR

The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme kit is a good kit to start with. You will also want to get a case trimmer, powder trickler, dies, shell holders, caliper, and a chronograph. I do not know about saving money, since trying diff bullets and powders gets into your blood. Be sure you have the time to commit to trying the different handloads at the range. I have been handloading for 20 years, and still enjoy it. Hope you do also. Doug~RR

Take a close look at the Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44mm. Another good choice would be the Leupold VXIII 3.5-10 with the B&C reticle. I'd hesitate to say 4.5-14x, as you may catch an elk or deer up close, and 4.5x is really about 4.8x if you look at the Leupold specs. I have not found the 10x lacking for magnification. RR

AMEN.

I have heard rumors of a Sportsman's Warehouse coming to Flagstaff, but I don't see how our town and surrounding area can support it. Congratulations to you in Tucson on getting a nice outdoor store. RR

Thanks for sharing the pic of your nice bull. Congrats on your success! If you wish, since you have a Dec WT tag, register for the CouesWhitetail.com & MonsterMuleys.com buck contest. http://coueswhitetail.com/buck_contest_05.htm Doug~RR

Your Britttany has got to be smarter, and looks better too .

CNE, Hope you do well in December. Lots of good spots to go. Last November we went to a new canyon. We were prepared to backpack in, but a road got us to where we needed to camp and could hike an hour in from there. This November we are unsure of where we will go. We have a lead from a rancher that needs checking out. Oweing to the number of deer we saw in last year's area, we may return there. I keep hearing of glassing the flats, but seems to me that getting in range and relocating the buck once down in the flats would be difficult. Ernesto de GF, your monthly payment for 36c access is in the mail. RR

432 gross, 415 net http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID7/5327.html Those good ol' days are NOW. RR

Bret, Nice job in the lifeless zone. Why do you supppose there are fewer elk in the that country this year? Guess if he's been eat'n chilis, he's preseasoned for the grill. Doug~RR

Bigger than I've ever seen. I recall taking a hatchet to split the back open to get the meat off the back of 3 footers. THis one should have some nasty teeth. RR