rossislider

Boom!

Yep, still recovering from the last run/shortage, and we might have another run in the making here in a couple weeks.

Sportsman's Warehouse in Mesa HAD a couple thousand. They still had a bunch of the large rifle. Might have some at the other Sportsmans stores.

Our lab we got from Barb got really sick a few weeks after we brought her home. Turned out to be a totally fluke thing that wasn't any fault of genetics or the breeder. Regardless, Barb insisted on paying our vet bills that ended up being almost twice what we paid the for the pup. All along sge thanked US for taking such good care of the puppy. Our Remi is now 7 months old and doing great thanks to Barb. Doubt most would get that from their breeder.

Going to give you the benefit of the doubt that your comment wasn't a shot at Barb. She is a pretty awesome lady.

https://www.facebook.com/barbhouselabqc/

I'd recommend Barb's House of Labs. Several members here have bought from her, including me. She also donates a pup each year to the Arizona Deer Association for auction.

I have two setups. One for me and another for a hunting partner (usually my wife or son). The first is an Outdoorsman tall tripod with the Manfrotto 700 rc2 head. The second in the Slik 723CF with a Vanguard PH-113V head. I love both setups and switch between them a lot. The Outdoorsmans tripod is awesome. I love it, but at a price tag of about $600 (with the center post extension) it would not be my top choice and is definitely outside the budget you suggested. I picked it up for a smoking price at an auction. Were it not for that deal I highly doubt I would have it. The Manfrotto 700rc2 is a great head in your price range and I highly recommend it. The Slik CF series of tripods are great and really hard to beat for the price. This would be my go to in the "best bang for your buck category". I also prefer the twist legs type. I think I paid around $200 for mine. I had originally planned to get another Manfrotto 700rc2 for it when I came across the Vanguard PH-113V. I was looking for something with a little higher weight capacity for when my son mounts my heavy Sendero rifle using a Triclawps setup. The Vanguard lists a weight capacity of about double what the Manfrotto head does and weighs a couple ounces less. I have used Vanguard products in the past and have always been very impressed and happy with them, so about a month ago I ordered one from Amazon to try. I can confirm that the Vangaurd does feel a bit more stable. There is a bit of wiggle in the Manfrotto head when the horizontal screw is loosened that I don't get in the Vanguard. I also prefer the larger Vanguard base plates. I have only been using it and comparing the two for about a month now, but so far I would have to give the slight edge to the Vanguard head over the Manfrotto. That said, I like them both a lot and will continue to use both. Another good choice for someone looking to get both tripod and head for under $200, would be the Vanguard Alta+ 264 AO. Not as good as the previously mentioned combos, but great for the price.

This guy's hunt lasted about 15 minutes as he dropped this lady at 6:15 this morning. His friend shot his 15 minutes later. Time for some fishing.

Yes, I have a Manfrotto 700rc2 on mine.

Thanks. I used my LG G5. LG doesn't have the phone following of Apple or Samsung, which is fine by me because there phones seem to be a little less money. But I think the G5 probably has the best phone camera in the industry. I used to be a Samsung guy but switched when they started sealing their cases so you couldn't swap memory cards or batteries. I can take a couple of extra batteries when I am camping and be good for a few days. I've found the LG phones to be nearly identical to Samsung in function with a few extra cool features.

Here is another one that I took from about 450 yards. This bully showed up with his girlfriends and chased my deer away. https://youtu.be/ySGxNTuv3Ro

This was only 380-400 yards. Probably zoomed out about 20-30%.

Taken tonight using the new Vortex Razor Phoneskope combo:

Saw a bear this morning while watching deer and elk. Unfortunately my rookie spotter lost him when he put his binos down to check his phone and we never picked him up again.

I have one. Picked it up from Muley Crazy about a month ago. I really like it. It is a big upgrade from my 65mm viper. Wish I could compare it to the Swaro, but I have never looked through them side by side. I personally don't think I would have any need to upgrade from this. My primary glassing optics that are used for 95%+ of my glassing are 12x50 Swaros. I don't think I could personally justify the expenses of a Swaro spotter thats sees so much less use. My opinion is go for the best on your main optics (usually the binos). If you have the cash, you can't go wrong with a Swaro spotter, but I don't think most of us fall into that category.

Going scouting for deer. But the rifle will be on my back, and the bear tag will be in my pocket.

If anyone in the east valley has a spool and wants to sell some, or go in on some, let me know.

He won't be on the team next year, they won't pay him. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them try to trade him this week while he has some trade value and could serve to shake up the locker room.

In excellent condition. Comes with everything pictured plus the carry pouch. $90 obo http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/summit-ss-p-tripod-with-panhead

SPF

Sorry about that. Totally spaced out on listing the price. I have added it.

What time do we show up?

I'm smarter than I look! And that statement makes for an awesome 1000th post! I'm somebody now! Welcome to the club of people who spend way too much time on this website!

I used to clean way to much, pretty much after every trip out to the range, hunt, etc. I now clean at the end of the season (spring) and re-foul the barrel over the summer and fall as I prepare for the upcoming season's hunts. So to answer your question, about once a year.