Swivelhead

If it is a dry spring, snow melt long gone, soils are powder dry, dry feed, etc. Birds will be feeding towards water soon after they are off the roost. 8 - 9 am seems to be when they'll show. Seems they like to loaf around water midday, often a wet drainage. Again they'll water in the afternoon on their foray back to the roost. A wet spring blows this pattern. Water everywhere, find the feed. Sitting water for a spring bird is effective when conditions are right but not much fun compared to calling.

You have not revealed what you'll be mounting on said tripod. Spotters definitely require a firm mount, especially in the wind. Binoculars are less affected by wind due to lower magnification. IMO, the only advantage carbon has over aluminum is sound, i.e. "ding" of objects hitting the legs. As a previous poster suggested, do an extensive search for tripod legs & heads @ BH Photo or Adorama. Get educated as to whats out there in your price range. The place to spend extra $$ is on the pan head (2-way video fluid is my preference). Average tripod legs with a great pan head are way better than excellent tripod legs with a lousy pan head. It's tempting to get a combo unit with legs & pan head. My experience is the pan head is substandard on most combo's.

No matter how any of us feel about trail cams, tree stands, blinds, etc. If it's not yours, leave them alone. End of story. The guy in the photos may be within his right (legally) but he's still a piece of work.

President Reagan brought honor to the office he faithfully served. As stated above, no man is perfect but Reagan had a steady hand and most of all, honor.

I was in the containment building of the #3 reactor at Palo Verde. A friend advised me, it was a solemn day to say the least.

Great post OP .......... site needs cannon fodder now & then.

A coworker recently purchased a system from Fry's Electronics for around $200 . Four cameras, motion activated, will ping your cell. Decent clarity.

Congrats to the young hunters!

Welcome to the site and thanks for your informative post.

Initially I had the same focus issue with my Zeiss. Discovered that IPD is somewhat critical with the Zeiss. Once I figured that out, no further issues. Sharper than my "old" Swaro 15 X 56. Swaro HD 15x56 is the top of the heap at this time. Something to consider. You're going to have these for a very long time, right?

You won't go wrong with either. If you've got the spare cash, go with the Swaro's. I've got the Zeiss and they are very good.

Seahawks drew up the blueprint for stomping the Cards 3 weeks ago. Packers almost got it done last week, Panthers GOT it done this week. I'm an NFC guy but would'nt mind seeing the Broncos spank the Panthers unlikely as that is. Palmer is not good when pressured, Cards need to get on with his replacement as he's already 36. I too have a problem with Rivera going for 2 late in the game, hope he stubs his little toe on a bar stool tonight,

I've thought about the landlock issue for a long time. Eminent domain could be used but every instance would be a long drawn out court battle. Probably the fastest, easiest fix would be to change the lease rates for inaccessible public land i.e. if the landowner who controls access does not allow free access to the public he pays a higher lease rate. Which in my mind he should as he has exclusive use of the land. Something to ponder. The legislature could act on this along with legalizing "corner hopping". Likely a lot of public land would become accessible with such a measure. Big Bo is within their rights as it stands. I'm OK with what they are doing, at least access is still available for a fee. The landlock issue is one that should be addressed however. All landowners should be able to access their property (without aircraft) public or private.

ChaaaaChing$$$$$

Very efficient predators that must be controlled. Therein lies the problem. Wolfers, aka eco-litigants will battle in court to keep them on the endangered list using OUR tax dollars. It is how they roll. Sucks that urban people control how rural folk live. It's BS.

Cool!

Please dont judge the entire hunting community by the elite wannabe attitude of the few on Coues Whitetail. Step away from this website you will see Vortex outsells Swarovski almost 10-1 (based on annual sales in North America). Reason is other than select hunting out west (especially Coues) most hunters have no need for Swarovski quality or outrageous price tag. Last time I checked, most of us ARE western hunters. Western states have a wide variation of habitats (rain forests to sand dunes). The best optics are always desirable. Nothing wrong with Vortex, IMO the basis of their success is pricing + VIP warranty. I buy used to avoid paying retail. For the cost of new premium Vortex products, I can obtain high end glass that will likely hold its value very well. I also believe that I get better optics for my $$$. Most high end manufacturers offer some type of warranty for secondary owners, I'm good with that.

1968, Rem 700 ADL .270. Cost $105.00 at Globe dept. store here in Phoenix. Washed dishes as a summer job when 12 years old to pay for it. One of my proudest moments.

Zeiss Conquest 15 X 56 are very good. Better than my 2004 Swaro 15 X 56. The Zeiss resolve better but I prefer the ergonomics of the Swaros. To be fair, the older Swaros do not have Swarodur coatings. I bought them used, could be the original owner scrubbed off some of the lens coatings during cleaning. All the top manufacturers use hardened coatings these days, a very desirable trait.

Products/manufacturers prove themselves over time. Reputations are earned, good or bad. Seems many Vortex owners opt to upgrade judging from the classifieds here on CWT.

Had a stash myself but made the decision to burn through them. Thinking some get "hotter" with age (kicked like a mule).

Congrats to you. Nice write up and heck of a buck.

Congrats on your first bow killed buck. Heck of an accomplishment.

+100, this is a great post

IIRC, Kemper Marley owned a huge chunk of the McDowell mtns. As development encroached the mountains,state & local governments decided to change the tax status of the land as it was not being actively grazed. Marley turned a bunch of goats loose in the mountains then claimed it was still agricultural/grazing use thus avoiding a tax increase. Not sure if this animal is a remnant of that original release or a pet that got loose. Either way, it's got to go.