Well, the preparations for it have anyhow. Last Friday Arizona Game and Fish hit my credit card for both Deer and Fall Turkey. The official notification hasn't been posted yet, so I don't know what unit I got. In Arizona you submit your choice of five 1 week hunts in the order of preference for each species. But, I know I'll be hunting this fall. I didn't get drawn for Big Horn Sheep unless that drawing is drawn after deer and turkey. Big Horn Sheep in Arizona is a once in a lifetime draw. I know, generally, where they are in my unit. Heck, I've been within 40 yards of a herd and we just stared at each other. But I would hire the local rancher as my pseudo guide. He has the horses and he can see their habitat by looking out the back or front door. There are only two tags for that unit this year. There used to be only one, so getting one is a longshot and you can't waste the opportunity. There are only 122 total tags issued for Big Horn Sheep in the entire state. Once you have been drawn for sheep you are precluded from being drawn for sheep again regardless if you were successful or not. Tough love in Arizona.
Now choices have to be made. Last year I wanted to hunt with my Krag Carbine and was successful. It really wasn't the best choice for the desert terrain that I hunt in. Wide open desert mostly and little opportunity to stalk close. That being said, both of the deer I have harvested in that unit were less than 100 yards (70 and 35). But I wanted to harvest a deer with that Carbine. Now is the time to choose the rifle for this year and I have a lot to choose from. 1898 Krag Rifle in full military trim, Enfield No. 4 - one of the ones that was manufactured and put directly into storage. Also in full military trim. Remington Rolling Block in 7 Mauser, military trim I guess, the old tried and true Remington 700 ADL 270 Box Store Special that I bought my daughter 10 years ago. Cheap, ugly, and the best shooting rifle I have possession of with a cold barrel. I could go short range again with a Ruger 44 Carbine (the original one) or a recently acquired Winchester Model 1910 in .401 WSL. Both shoot really well but would be more of a limited, under 150 yard gun. I suppose I'll need to know what unit I'm hunting in to make the final rifle decision. My normal unit lends itself to longer shots. But if I got one of my secondary unit selections, a short range rifle might not be a bad choice.
All of those to choose from but I am leaning on a Mannlicher Schoenauer Model 1952 in 270 that I picked up earlier this year. It is pristine but I would need to scope it.
Of all of the shotguns I own, the old S&W 916T will get the call for the Fall Turkey season. 12 gauge pump 3" magnum with a 30" barrel. Bought it new in 1980 something and it has taken more game than any other rifle or shotgun I own. I took my first Arizona turkey with it 4 or 5 years ago. It's not a bad looking shotgun but it has a terrible reputation for failures. It was the reason S&W got out of the shotgun business back in the late 80's. It was geared for sale to police organizations (916A) but had a recall and was still unreliable enough that it tarnished S&W's reputation. They didn't make another shotgun for a while after discontinuing the 916 series. Although I have had my issues with it, I can always make it work. Take it apart and make sure none of the internal parts are bent (that was my problem with them) and keep it clean and it doesn't malfunction. The Fox Sterlingworths will stay relegated to Dove and Quail. But they have no competition when hunting dove or quail.
To keep this from being just me rambling on about what rifle to use, even though that is what this is, of the listed rifles, what would be your choice for Highish Desert/Mountain terrain generally below 5500' in elevation? If I get a secondary choice it would be in a more forested/mountain terrain generally all above 5500' in elevation? Some of the cross canyon shots here could be on the long side. What would you use there?
Now choices have to be made. Last year I wanted to hunt with my Krag Carbine and was successful. It really wasn't the best choice for the desert terrain that I hunt in. Wide open desert mostly and little opportunity to stalk close. That being said, both of the deer I have harvested in that unit were less than 100 yards (70 and 35). But I wanted to harvest a deer with that Carbine. Now is the time to choose the rifle for this year and I have a lot to choose from. 1898 Krag Rifle in full military trim, Enfield No. 4 - one of the ones that was manufactured and put directly into storage. Also in full military trim. Remington Rolling Block in 7 Mauser, military trim I guess, the old tried and true Remington 700 ADL 270 Box Store Special that I bought my daughter 10 years ago. Cheap, ugly, and the best shooting rifle I have possession of with a cold barrel. I could go short range again with a Ruger 44 Carbine (the original one) or a recently acquired Winchester Model 1910 in .401 WSL. Both shoot really well but would be more of a limited, under 150 yard gun. I suppose I'll need to know what unit I'm hunting in to make the final rifle decision. My normal unit lends itself to longer shots. But if I got one of my secondary unit selections, a short range rifle might not be a bad choice.
All of those to choose from but I am leaning on a Mannlicher Schoenauer Model 1952 in 270 that I picked up earlier this year. It is pristine but I would need to scope it.
Of all of the shotguns I own, the old S&W 916T will get the call for the Fall Turkey season. 12 gauge pump 3" magnum with a 30" barrel. Bought it new in 1980 something and it has taken more game than any other rifle or shotgun I own. I took my first Arizona turkey with it 4 or 5 years ago. It's not a bad looking shotgun but it has a terrible reputation for failures. It was the reason S&W got out of the shotgun business back in the late 80's. It was geared for sale to police organizations (916A) but had a recall and was still unreliable enough that it tarnished S&W's reputation. They didn't make another shotgun for a while after discontinuing the 916 series. Although I have had my issues with it, I can always make it work. Take it apart and make sure none of the internal parts are bent (that was my problem with them) and keep it clean and it doesn't malfunction. The Fox Sterlingworths will stay relegated to Dove and Quail. But they have no competition when hunting dove or quail.
To keep this from being just me rambling on about what rifle to use, even though that is what this is, of the listed rifles, what would be your choice for Highish Desert/Mountain terrain generally below 5500' in elevation? If I get a secondary choice it would be in a more forested/mountain terrain generally all above 5500' in elevation? Some of the cross canyon shots here could be on the long side. What would you use there?
