thegunsmith2506

The boy and I got out in the woods over Christmas break chasing ducks and geese. As usual I didn't take enough pictures but I did snap a few. Anyone have suggestions for 20ga duck loads? Right now he is shooting 3in #4 Faststeel loads and they aren't working as well as I would like. My son is a pretty good shot and doesn't burn through ammo on sketchy shots so I don't mind spending a little extra on some better ammo. Last weekend he knocked the same duck down 2 times and he still got up and flew off. We watched him go down about 150yds into the trees but never found him.

Thanks everyone! I use to load my own 12ga for predators and patterned everything. We shot some dove loads before dove season but I had no idea he was going to enjoy jumping ponds this much. I have never patterned steel but I'm going to learn now. I picked up #2s, #1s, and #6 today. We will spend some time getting him set up. Those mergansars weren't great but trying to keep an 11yo from shooting a legal duck is hard. The mallards and geese were much better.

We get enough geese to keep us out looking for them. Today we saw about 50 or so with snow. Hopefully they stick around

Aluma hyde has worked well for me but I let it cure for a couple of days before I do anything with it.

Its already starting to happen in other states.

I think going rate is about $150 from what I have seen.

Got to help my nephew on his 33 youth hunt. These hunts are the best!

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1028958125?pid=148863 I just bought this scope for my "truck" gun and love it.

Anything over about 30 in/lbs will start smushing plastic is what I have found. Savage had some really soft stocks for a while.

My boy has been making us some great dinners out of his deer.

My son drew his 2nd choice 12aw antlerless for his first deer hunt. Due to the weather we got a room in Kanab for the weekend. We had just enough time to drive through the unit Thursday before dark but didn't see any deer. We were joined by his cousin and my brother in law. Friday morning had mom spotting bucks all over the place up high. Between glassing and driving we saw 17 bucks and no does by lunch time. After lunch and some exploring we changed elevation and started seeing some does. We got busted on our first stalk but right before dark we spotted this doe moving through some oaks. Jase and I made a quick stalk and I stopped her with a bleat in a small opening. He made the most of it and shot her at 150yds off my tripod with his 300wsm. She jumped at the shot and ran out of sight. Everyone came down to help us track. Before we even found blood i glassed down the hill and saw an ear in the grass. I handed Jase the binos and told him to look where he last saw her. It took him a min but when he saw her he got the biggest smile I have ever seen. After pics we navigated the new etag app and got her gutted. While we were skinning her G&f stopped by and said he would tell the check station to wait for us. We got her checked in 15min late. It was nice of them to wait for us. Back home Saturday we got her cut up and Jase cooked us steaks for dinner. Great memories were made!

Any of the ag area on the southwest side of 31 is good.

They are still going in 8

Buddy got a hit for turkey

That's an awesome hunting setup

I've seen it 2 times with Hornady .308. Rifle shot everything else fine but just had 1 box with a few bad rounds.

The bulls in unit 8 have been on fire the last 2 days.

He just got back from a long trip so he sat this one out.

The weather held out for us up north. Jase got his first deer right before dark.

We will see. Heading up for my son's first deer hunt Thursday. Hopefully we don't get rained out.

This morning we had incredible action for about 30min. Hopefully it's the same tomorrow.

Tonight we saw a herd of 15 cows with 2 spikes. No bull around.

8 has been super quiet. We found a couple but they were silent. Hopefully they turn on soon.

If you spend any time in 8 you will see plenty. I wouldn't worry about it. I probably find 8-10 a year out hiking around. The Sheep herder was camped on the powerline just west of Whitehorse rd last week but he moves often.

How many hides and when would you pick them up?