Red Rabbit

What is her measured torso length?

Cool. What gun didja use?

Sounds like friends and the hunting gods smiled on your dad. good deal. For a pack frame, you might look into the Eberlestock F1 mainframe. Sportsman's carry them too. The harness is adjustable. I am not saying this is the best, but a good option.

One can hope that the reloading friend or the guy down the street doing a favor has plenty of insurance.

My preference is for the Harris 25C swivel model. I found that the extra 2" with the 27" is just a little nicer when sitting than the 25" model. I also like to use a set of crossed sticks under the rifle butt. The Triclawps or Riflerailz would be nice if you're using a tripod for glassing. Crossed sticks under the butt are still nice in conjunction.

The sun has set on another late rifle elk hunt in unit 9. I had driven to my favorite area on Thanksgiving day to set up a spartan camp and look for any elk in the evening. The area seems to hold bulls and few cows. It was a nice walk to a glassing hill with Rica. Opening morning had Rica and I on the edge of the opening at first light. If the two bulls had not been walking near the top of a ridge and skylined their antlers, I would not have seen then in the din of dawn. I figured they were over 600 yards away, but I had to circle back to get some small pinyon trees in between so I could close the gap to within 400 yards. By time I peaked around the chosen pinyon, they had mad it the 50 yards off the end of the ridge and into the trees. Late for the train I was. That evening I saw a spike bull. The barren ridge that I had seen the two bulls crossing across provides a good glassing spot to see the tree line below the end, and about 800 yards to the north and south to catch any elk crossing the opening. That is where I was Saturday morning. About 8:30 AM I noticed a solitary bull crossing the meadow. I grabbed my gear, dropped down below the ridge top, and walked quickly to the southern end of the ridge where I hoped to cut him off and have a decent shot. I had just set up my shooting tripod and was trying to range him when I heard two shots ring out. Looking at the bull through the binoculars, I could see him do his death stagger. Late for the train again. It turns out that the lucky hunter was a 65 year old CHAMP hunter, and this was his first bull elk, even though he had hunted his whole life. This was a good event that made me happy. After they field dressed the elk, I helped load him in their truck and then walked back to camp for some lunch. Sunday evening brought 8 inches of snow to the area. I figured that Monday morning would have the elk moving, but the no elk tracks streamed across the opening. That evening I tried a distant opening, but the only movement seen was a Chevy truck. Tuesday morning, not even the crows were flying. That evening, a five point came out on the treeline 20 minutes after sunset. I would have close the distance by circling 600 yards and race a truck coming along a road with its lights on. I figured I would lose that race before the truck buggered the bull back into the trees. Late for the train again as the bull did vanish. Wednesday evening arrived after an uneventful morning. Next to the last day and close to crunch time. I am scanning the treeline from the perch atop the original ridge. No elk. But there is a coyote traipsing the edge looking for dinner. I give a few squeaks with pursed lips and he starts coming from about 150 yards away. I watch through the binos as he nears, stops and stares my way and sniffing the air. A few more lip kisses and he tilts his head back and forth like a metronome. I guess he finally caught my scent as the wind was in his general direction, and he turned and trotted off. He must not have spooked too bad as in a few minutes, I saw him carrying off a cottontail. Back to glassing for elk, but none to be seen. Almost 30 minutes after sunset. I check if I can still see my crosshairs and it's pretty close. Wait, where did he come from. Guess he had just jumped the fence into the opening. Looks to be a wide 6 point. Grab the pack, rifle, tripod, rangefinder and hustle directly at him. It is the only chance with darkness descending quickly. Down into a shallow draw and up until I can hopefully see him. Man, this crusty snow is noisy. I finally rise up far enough out of the draw to where I detect a dark brown form. I sense that he heard me coming and finally saw me. He whirled and was gone. It was too dark and I could not see antlers. Late for the train again. Last day of the season is tomorrow, so I load camp and head to where the elk tracks have reportedly tore up the snow. A morning glass of the scattered sagebrush openings turned up just sage on Thursday morning. I had not hunted this part of the unit in 20 years, so took a midday drive to find a good evening spot. A raggy 4 point walked out 50 yards in front of the truck, saw me and quickly said "yikes, I'm outta here." That was to be the only elk seen that last day of the season as the evening brought only two herds of mule deer does. Sure am glad I like beef, cause as the commercial once said, "Beef. It's what's for dinner"

I assume you mean smaller cartridge, as the 26 Nosler, 260 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor are the same caliber. I had a 260 once and liked it. I have a 6.5 Creedmoor now. Good luck on a trade. Bump.

One of the websites that I look at that does reviews for camera lenses also reviews binoculars. Figured I would pass along the website for another tool in your toolbox when making purchasing decisions. http://www.allbinos.com/binoculars_reviews.html

Nice to read that goals have come to fruition. Congrats Noah!

SWFA will have a sale

2017 Landscape Calendars The calendar is printed glossy on heavy card stock and coil-bound. Each page is 8.5"x11" Cost is a $15 plus $4 postage ($19 total) One can send me a PM with your address and quantity. One can mail me a check (I will PM you back my mailing address), or pay via paypal through my email address dkoepsel@aol.com

Shane, you can send me a PM with your address. One can mail me a check (I will PM you my address), or pay via paypal through my email address dkoepsel@aol.com

Hoss50- make yours a fun hunt

I might be tempted to add the 3200 bag, load sling and some straps, (on sale for 30% off the next few days) to your Kuiu frame. I like the Kifaru Gun Bearer too.

Hunt starts in a week. Getting anxious. Went out shooting yesterday to 400 yards and checked the B&C hash marks and POI off the bipod and 150 TTSX. GTG. You know how it is with a newish, virgin rifle ;-)

We do not have any snow on the ground now. Supposed to get some moisture next Monday, but snow level may be about 9000'. I would not use a hoochie mama fora call. Glassing from a high spot is a good tactic for that late rifle hunt. Even though there may be no snow, if it is real muddy, tire chains are good to have.

Dan, congrats on a busy trifecta. I only drew a javelina tag this spring - unit 21 for the general hunt.

I am hoping results will be posted later this week. I have no insider info, just wishful thinking.

Since picking up a digital camera in 2009, I have been fortunate to go to southwest Colorado four times to spend a week in the golden aspens. The first evening this year at Dallas Divide had nice clouds rolling over the peaks. Rest of the week had a night with snow, a day of 50mph winds, a few colorful sunsets, warm sunny days, and a chance to meet up some photographer friends. You're welcome to take a look at a collection of the week's images on my photography website. http://www.plateaulightphotography.com/Landscapes/Coloradolandscapes/Colorado-Fall-Colors-2016/

I wonder if the LGS will be open late tonight if Hitlairy wins? I see a S&W in my future

Nice curled fronts. Not envious of the pack out though, but looks like some young legs were along too ;-)

I took a once-folded washcloth and laid atop the front bag for cushion. Some have said it helps with a light rifle.

Does look a wee tad mucky, but those deep back forks are a great override.

It was a nice sunny afternoon here in Flag with little wind, so I took the 30-06 and a variety of factory loads to a local pit to shoot at 100 yards. It looks like the Barnes factory load with the 150 TTSX was its favorite. I tried with and without a doubled washcloth over the front bag. I did not hold the forearm. Barnes factory 150TTSX (3 shots without cloth) Barnes factory 150TTSX (3 shots with cloth) Barnes factory 168TTSX, (5 shots with called pull) Federal Premium 180 Copper (4 shots without cloth) I also tried Nosler factory loads with the 168 e-tip and 180 e-tip. Results were abysmal and not worth to photo.

The snow did not get very low on the peaks. The SnowBowl webcam did not show any this morning at the bottom of the lifts.