thegunsmith2506

For the Spring hunts I think all the loads suggested are good, but for the Fall hunt I would use a little bigger shot to extend your range a bit. Hornady makes a 2-3/4 #4 Buckshot load that I think would make a great Fall turkey load. No matter what you choose, be sure to pattern your gun and know your limits. Good luck on the hunt!

Here are my thoughts.As hunters we all limit ourselves in one way or another. Some guys only hunt with a bow, some with only a recurve, some won't use an e-call, and so on. We do this because we enjoy the challenges these limits bring us, but in the end we are all working towards the same goal. A lot of guys tell me I am crazy because I never carry a rifle to my calling stands. For me I enjoy the challenge of calling the predators in close, but I don't mind using an e-call to do it. I don't really think it has anything to do with ethics. I also don't think just anyone can go out, plop an e-caller into a bush, and have consistent success. In my opinion, the sound that is played has less to do with the success, than many other factors. Most predator callers do have a lot of blind luck, and I have been one of them many times. I also put in a lot of time scouting areas, and animals, to increases my success. The biggest advantage of an e-caller for me, is that it takes the focus off of me. Being that I usually call in really thick cover, and only carry a shotgun, I like the focus to be on the call and not on me. That being said, there are many times my e-call has failed on me and I have had to dig into my vest for the trusty old hand call. Nothing beats calling them into shotgun range with a hand call! As long as it is legal, who cares how the other guy hunts. And by the way, thanks for teaching me how to hand call predators 15 years ago. It has been a blast!

Saw you Sunday when we were headed home from a bear hunt.

We have shot several over the last few years. A few tricks we have learned: Sight your pin in for a known distance, I like 20 yards. Range the base of the tree and move back until you are exactly 20yds away. Once you draw your bow, lean back at the waist so that your form stays the same. Don't just raise your arm. It works best if they are stopped on the trunk or sitting upright on a branch. If they are laying on a branch it can be really hard to hit them. I bought some cheap blunts on Ebay that worked pretty good. I don't change anything else in my setup. Good Luck!

We will be in the southern end too. Looks like there are going to be a few of us out there.

Cabelas just did this to one of my orders. I called after 3 weeks to find out they canceled it, but they still charged my card. They are really slipping.

Saw a green Jeep in Dewey about 5:45am today.

Tried to send you a pm but your inbox is full

My Buddy and I bought these when they first came out. I haven't even shot mine, but his seems to shoot really good. We bought them both in 7mag to use as long range deer rifles. His shoots sub MOA with 162gr AMAX handloads. We haven't switched barrels, but I have removed his barrel and it seemed to return to the original point of aim. The trigger left a lot to be desired, but that was the only complaint I had with the gun. The only reason I haven't set mine up is because I started a custom .280ai build around the same time.

33 MUZZY and 23 turkey for me

This is a great place to start scouting. Once you find a few places that look good, get out there and explore them. Good Luck! www.azaccessmap.com

What I have found that works best for me when helping youth, or any new hunter, is a tripod with a "V" shaped rest on top. I get the tripod set for the right height, and then leave it that way. I carry the tripod, and when we find game, I set it up for them. All they have to do is put the gun on it. It has worked very well for me the last few years. Another thing to think about is how well the gun fits the shooter. If the LOP is too long, and the eye relief on the scope is too long, they will have a hard time finding the target. Nothing can replace gun fit and practice IMO. Congrats on the tags!

I picked one up for my elk hunt last year at Cal - Ranch for $75.00 on sale. Also watch Gander Mountain clearance, and Cabela's Bargin Cave.

A non res deer tag is $300

Yes he was the only one.

Yes but I am trying not to get my hopes up.

I put my Uncle in and got hit for a Non Res tag. $300

I tested them before my last elk hunt and they seemed to break more often than some of the others I tested. They shot good, but just a little too fragile IMO.

Haven't had much time to play with my cameras this year. I finally got out this weekend and checked some cards. Date and time are not right.

I put this camera out hoping to get some good deer pictures. I had 400 pictures of bulls and just a few cows. Wish I had a bull tag this year.

Well I never even tried Dogtown just because of all the people. I didn't find any decent numbers anywhere else. Maybe next trip. Thanks for the replies!

What twist are you shooting and what velocity were you getting out of the 168's? I am just getting ready to work up loads for my .280ai. wish I could help you out, but all I have are 168's

That sounds good to me. I will plan to meet at cabelas Monday at 7pm. If something changes just send me a txt, and I will do the same. 928.713.5727

My wife and I had the opportunity to take Cody and his mom on his first hunt this year. He was lucky enough to draw one of the antlerless tags on the Kiabab. Cody and his mom spent all summer shooting my .243 Ackley and finishing his hunters safety course. Opening day finally arrived and we were off to 12a. We spent the first morning getting our bearings, and trying to find where the deer were hanging out. We had a close call and a missed shot opening morning, then headed back to Jacobs lake to check in to our hotel. Friday afternoon we were back at it. Thanks to a few friends, and a few guys from CW, we knew right where we needed to be. We had a few more close calls and missed shots that evening. We were all having a great time seeing all the deer, and seeing Cody so excited every time we got close. Friday ended with a lot of deer seen, and high hopes for day 2. Saturday we headed out to the same spot before daylight. I couldn't believe all the trucks parked along side the road waiting for shooting light. We decided to head for some lower country we could glass. On the way to our new spot I spotted 2 does across a small canyon. We parked the Jeep and Cody, his mom, and I, snuck back up the ridge across from the deer. We took it really slow glassing every few steps. I soon spotted the 2 deer but they had us pegged. We got Cody set up on the tripod and waited for a good shot. He had a hard time seeing the deer in the thick brush, but finally got one in the scope. I told him to shoot as soon as he could. It seemed like forever, but he finally took his shot and I watched the big doe drop and roll a few times down the hill. After the backslaps and high fives we hiked over to his deer. It took a little while to find the spot, but Cody soon found her right where she dropped. He had made a great clean kill at over 150yds. Not bad for a guy who just started shooting last summer. Cody and I field dressed the deer and I carried her back to the Jeep. That afternoon we got her skinned and boned out. Sunday we headed home and had her packaged and in the freezer by noon. Thanks to all those who offered tips and advice on this unit. It was really a big help to know where to start. I can't wait to help Cody on his next hunt!

I posted a story in the youth section, but thought I would add a pic here as well. Cody took this big doe Saturday morning. Thanks to all of you that offered advice on this hunt. It really was a lot of help.