Red Rabbit

Many of you know that I have been shooting a Nikon more than a Winchester the past several years. As life progresses, interests change also. I do find landscape photography a lot like hunting in that one has to research and scout locations, check the weather, hike in the dark to get to locations, and have patience for the right opportunity. Even if a glorious sunset does not happen, or a royal bull steps in the opening, the time spent in nature is a blessing. This past Oktober, I spent the first week in southwest Colorado photographing fall colors. I had not been to Colorado in five years for various reasons, but the return happened when the colors of the aspens and oaks were the best in several years. What wonders some summer rain and optimum temperature make. The venture to the San Juan Mountains included some areas that I was familiar with and then an area I was invited to meet some friends. Turns out, this "new" location was where I had archer and rifle hunted elk for a few seasons twenty some odd years ago. Here is one of my favorite image from the trip. The rest may be seen on my website using this link: https://www.plateaulightphotography.com/New-Work/Colorado-Fall-2021/

North Kaibab to begin fire restrictions May 19. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1024344

Stage 1 fire restriction will begin 8am Thursday May 5, 2022 on the Coconino, Tonto, Prescott, and South Kaibab National forests. No campfires, charcoal, smoking except in developed sites. No recreational shooting on the Tonto and Prescott. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1016513 https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1016530 https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/prescott/alerts-notices/?aid=72537 https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/kaibab/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1016523

There is Central Basin Wirehairs in Camp Verde. A DPS officer in Flagstaff also breeds gwps. I believe there are a few breeders in Utah if you are looking close to AZ

This is the best map i have seen. If accurate, it stopped at my friends' back yards and went around. They had called and texted that they were good/OK

O'Leary webcam looking at Tunnel Fire north of Flag. https://fts360overwatch.com/event/77/6326

If you were to build your "perfect" custom rifle for Coues hunting only, how would you build it? Choice of action, barrel (brand, length, contour, twist), chambering, bullet choice, stock, trigger, magazine, scope mounts, scope. etc? Why would you choose those components?

Some roads on the Coconino NF are opening today 4/8/2022. Read the notice in link. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1010976

Other considerations may be: 1) the made in Japan Vortex HD LHT https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-razor-hd-lht-3-15x50-riflescope.html 2) Tract Toric 3-15x42 https://tractoptics.com/all-products/toric-uhd-3-15x42-bdc-rifle-scope or 2-10x42 https://tractoptics.com/all-products/toric-uhd-2-10x42-t-plex-rifle-scope Also made in Japan. I had the Tract 3-15 on my 28 Nosler which was sold in a fit of destitution. I liked the clarity and the reticle stood out well. No mechanical problems. Looked through a SHV 5-20 at Sportsmans. Took it outside with a Zeiss V4 for comparison. I and friend were completely unimpressed with the clarity/resolution of the Nightforce. Maybe it was a bad copy considering the good rep that NF has.

Nice walleye. That should be your yearly allowance of mercury 😉

Terminus Apollo Light- preference to a 60 degree bolt lift. Gunwerks Clymer- I like the negative comb and flatter toe line. With Arca tripod mount. BDL floor as I dislike holding a stock with a DBM. Most grips with ambidextrous palm swells seem too fat for my small hands. I would have it film dipped in a walnut grain as I prefer nicely grained wood stocks. Bartlein 2b 22" 1-7.5" 5R. Threaded for suppressor. Black nitrided. I thought of a CF wrapped barrel, but still like the look of nice wood and blued metal. 6.5 SAUM - I have a 6.5 WSM and like its ballistics. Better quality brass should be available for the SAUM. Triggertech Diamond. Tangent Theta 3-15x50 LRH I have a Winchester 70 Super Grade in 6.5 WSM, but find it a little heavy approaching 10 pounds scoped.

Was Berger able to give you any data if you contacted them?

I would order some 180 grain Hammer Hunters. They are easy to develop a load for and are not very seating depth sensitive. https://hammerbullets.com/product/308-cal-180-hammer-hunter/ There are many you-tube videos of Hammer Hunter gel tests. After the petals break off and diverge like shrapnel into the tissues, the shank has a flat front like a destructive wadcutter. I have used the 124 HH from my 6.5 WSM on cow elk the past two falls and have been happy with the results. Both shanks have exited with behind the shoulder shots. I did find a petal under the offside hide of the first cow, I did the gutless method so no internal autopsy was made.

Makes one want to do all firearm transactions through a dealer so one does not unknowingly buy from or sell to a felon.

I would think a women's backpack or daypack from Osprey or Gregory in a neutral color would fit more comfortably than a regular men's hunting pack.

The last hunt for antelope was back in 2010 up in Wyoming when I drew a permit in unit 64. I have been putting in for points since and now have 11, so figure it is time to cash in the chips. I have been looking at draw odds, access, % public land, trophy quality, yada yada, and have not made a decision yet. Will see what the rest of the winter in Wyoming brings- hopefully mild. (I have 15 points for antelope in AZ, but all know that won't get you a cup of coffee). Photo is of the 2010 Wyoming antelope. The blaze cap was swapped out for photo purposes. Anyone else chomping at the bit for an antelope permit?

Winter may bring a white sugary coating on the red sandstone of Sedona maybe once or twice a winter. The last week of February had one such occurrence. I had not photographed the snow there in a few years, so with the storm coming, I made my way down the hill from Flagstaff to Sedona so as not to get blocked by closed highways. The snowstorm broke around sunset and the vortex hill by the airport provided a great vantage to catch the light in many directions. Dawn of the next morning brought soft light and mostly clear skies as just a few clouds formed over the peaks. Cold but beautiful. The complete album of these snowy Sedona images may be seen larger and with higher resolution on my photo website. https://www.plateaulightphotography.com/New-Work/White-on-the-Red-Rocks/

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I noticed that CameraLand has a daily flash sale and the Kowa 15-45x55 Prominar is $224 off (ends Feb 6, 2022). Arguably the best compact spotter. Just a heads up if anyone wants to treat themselves for Valentines Day 😉 Wish my wallet was flush. https://cameralandny.com/daily-flash-sale

congrats on the pistola fun with your hunting dog

Look at the last two columns on each page of the report. https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/archive/Bonus-Point-Report-2021-Elk-Pronghorn-Draw.pdf

FFP or SFP? Budget?

For 6a October rifle cow, you'll need about 7 BP to be in the bonus pass. With 3 bp, I think your chances are about 4%.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading/brass/rifle-brass/300-prc-brass-prod138888.aspx?avs|Cartridge_1=CDL_300%2bPRC