ZeroJunk
Member
I may not take but one pair of underwear, but I change socks every day.
Preparing for a first elk hunt
- Thread starter 95XL883
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Thanks again, guys. I'm still getting in 5.5 to 6 miles a day but just added 350 steps at a local high school stadium. I'm pleasantly surprised I can do 350, especially in the high 90's temps we have been having. I'll be upping the distance a half mile a week until I'm at 8 miles and then will add a pack/weight.
I appreciate the follow up shots advice. If I can get to my ground early tomorrow, I'll set some targets and try it. Hiking and shooting at the same time, should be fun if I can get it done before it hits 90.
Eleven weeks till the hunt really begins.
I appreciate the follow up shots advice. If I can get to my ground early tomorrow, I'll set some targets and try it. Hiking and shooting at the same time, should be fun if I can get it done before it hits 90.
Eleven weeks till the hunt really begins.
Mr. Hill
Member
I would have answered your other questions, but I knew that other, more experienced elk hunters here would chime in, and they know more than I do. 
I'd look at some premium bullets if they even load them in a .30-30. If shots are fairly close You will be fine. Elk have BIG lungs. Pop both on a good broadside shot, get in a 2nd shot if you can and you will soon be marveling at how BIG they are....when You have one on the ground!
I've shot a mess of bulls and cows and with good placement (heart/lung area on a broadside) have never had any issues. Used everything from a .257 Roberts, a .280 Rem up to a .300 H&H, .338-06 and even the .375 H&H to kill them. All of them with premium bullets, usually Nosler partitions. It's ALL about PLACEMENT.
You are doing it right. Get in shape now. Especially if you will be at 10K feet! I've had friends come out to hunt elk her in MT at 4500' who couldn't do half a days hunt. They spent their time BUYING mostly crap they didn't need as well as practicing for 1/2" groups off a BENCH. When they should have been getting in shape. Do some shooting off your pack, as well as using a tree or limb for support. And once the first shot is away..try to get a 2nd shot in the boiler room, even if it's not a perfect broadside.
Good Luck.
I've shot a mess of bulls and cows and with good placement (heart/lung area on a broadside) have never had any issues. Used everything from a .257 Roberts, a .280 Rem up to a .300 H&H, .338-06 and even the .375 H&H to kill them. All of them with premium bullets, usually Nosler partitions. It's ALL about PLACEMENT.
You are doing it right. Get in shape now. Especially if you will be at 10K feet! I've had friends come out to hunt elk her in MT at 4500' who couldn't do half a days hunt. They spent their time BUYING mostly crap they didn't need as well as practicing for 1/2" groups off a BENCH. When they should have been getting in shape. Do some shooting off your pack, as well as using a tree or limb for support. And once the first shot is away..try to get a 2nd shot in the boiler room, even if it's not a perfect broadside.
Good Luck.
Klint Beastwood
member
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- 622
do you take motrin too?
harrygunner
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- Joined
- Mar 23, 2006
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- 1,045
Recent study on building muscle strength for men:
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0181387
Essentially, whey protein, vitamin D, calcium, creatine and fish oil supplements had a significant effect on men likely older than you.
Something to consider.
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0181387
Essentially, whey protein, vitamin D, calcium, creatine and fish oil supplements had a significant effect on men likely older than you.
Something to consider.
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ZeroJunk
Member
You mean Imodium ?
I chuckle sometimes when I read the lists of things guys take on a hunting trip.
But, back in the early 90's I was twenty miles or so in the mountains by horseback and caught some kind of bug. Cook tents are not the most sanitary place, and it was bow season so you didn't have the freezer locker conditions that are common later on. I couldn't walk half a mile without stopping. One of the guys had some Imodium or it could have gotten serious, dehydration and all that. Who knows.
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Hi, Thought I should check in. Thank you all for the advice. I'm up to walking 6.5 miles or more a day and hitting the stadium steps 3 times a week. I'm pleased at how quickly some semblance of endurance is coming back. I've lost another three pounds as a side benefit. I'll still be heavy for the hunt but at the rate I'm going endurance won't be a problem. Two weeks before the actual hunt I'll wear a dust mask in an effort to adapt to the lower oxygen levels at 10,000 feet.
I picked up another nephew's 7MM Mag but haven't fired it yet. It's wearing a nice Leupold scope so I'm taken care of it in the weapons category. I just need to practice some with it. I'll set up a targets between 100 and 300 yards on my ground, hike the perimeter (about a mile), take two shots and hike the perimeter again and take another two shots. With ten weeks to go, I've got time.
My new boots (Schnee's hunter II's) arrived. I'll start the break in process this week.
I've been able to "see" the 1,500 acres we'll be hunting. It is just above the cliffs south of Brazos Peak. There is an off-grid cabin on site so I just need to bring some type of air or foam mattress for the bunk. My nephew explained that the day we arrive, we'll go to a ridge and glass to see any movements. The ridge is about a 1,000 feet above a big meadow (the meadow is actually the caldera of an extinct volcano so it is mostly bowl shaped.) where he says they fill about 70% of their tags. We'll get up each day about 4:30, get a quick breakfast and the hike quietly and slowly to one of several blinds around the meadow. It sounds much like deer hunting in that we'll have chairs and can set up shooting rests. We'll return to the cabin about mid-day for lunch and then go back out. He says some times a bull hangs up or will be spotted and isn't heading for the meadow. In those instances, we leave the blind and stalk it. They have had good success at getting within 70 yards of those before taking a shot. (They are usually in timber at that point.) He says those are the hard shots because at 70 yards I'll see how big bull elk are and I'll see the breath come out of their nostrils. Should be really exciting if I'm in that situation.
For a back pack, he says I don't need a really nice one, just something to put layers of clothes in. The big thing is to get something quiet as elk really notice sounds out of the ordinary. He explained temps will usually drop to about 25 at night and heat up to 70 during the day. So layers will definitely be in order.
He said it will also be black bear season. Some years they see quite a few and some years they don't see any. He estimated about a 20% chance of getting a black bear so I'll have to make a decision if I want to spend the $$ on a tag. (Obviously I won't shoot one without a tag.)
I'm pretty excited, especially after "seeing" the ground via Google Earth. I can't wait to see the main meadow in person. The cliffs are really imposing. I doubt we'll see any trespassers from the south. It would be a brutal climb. The land to north and east is sparsely, if at all, occupied. The road through that ground to ours looks more like dirt two track than a road.
Thanks again for all the advice.
I picked up another nephew's 7MM Mag but haven't fired it yet. It's wearing a nice Leupold scope so I'm taken care of it in the weapons category. I just need to practice some with it. I'll set up a targets between 100 and 300 yards on my ground, hike the perimeter (about a mile), take two shots and hike the perimeter again and take another two shots. With ten weeks to go, I've got time.
My new boots (Schnee's hunter II's) arrived. I'll start the break in process this week.
I've been able to "see" the 1,500 acres we'll be hunting. It is just above the cliffs south of Brazos Peak. There is an off-grid cabin on site so I just need to bring some type of air or foam mattress for the bunk. My nephew explained that the day we arrive, we'll go to a ridge and glass to see any movements. The ridge is about a 1,000 feet above a big meadow (the meadow is actually the caldera of an extinct volcano so it is mostly bowl shaped.) where he says they fill about 70% of their tags. We'll get up each day about 4:30, get a quick breakfast and the hike quietly and slowly to one of several blinds around the meadow. It sounds much like deer hunting in that we'll have chairs and can set up shooting rests. We'll return to the cabin about mid-day for lunch and then go back out. He says some times a bull hangs up or will be spotted and isn't heading for the meadow. In those instances, we leave the blind and stalk it. They have had good success at getting within 70 yards of those before taking a shot. (They are usually in timber at that point.) He says those are the hard shots because at 70 yards I'll see how big bull elk are and I'll see the breath come out of their nostrils. Should be really exciting if I'm in that situation.
For a back pack, he says I don't need a really nice one, just something to put layers of clothes in. The big thing is to get something quiet as elk really notice sounds out of the ordinary. He explained temps will usually drop to about 25 at night and heat up to 70 during the day. So layers will definitely be in order.
He said it will also be black bear season. Some years they see quite a few and some years they don't see any. He estimated about a 20% chance of getting a black bear so I'll have to make a decision if I want to spend the $$ on a tag. (Obviously I won't shoot one without a tag.)
I'm pretty excited, especially after "seeing" the ground via Google Earth. I can't wait to see the main meadow in person. The cliffs are really imposing. I doubt we'll see any trespassers from the south. It would be a brutal climb. The land to north and east is sparsely, if at all, occupied. The road through that ground to ours looks more like dirt two track than a road.
Thanks again for all the advice.
RPRNY
Member
7mm Mag is one of the quintessential Western elk cartridges. Recoil is not insignificant, so getting some quality time in at the range will be critical. Hunt area sounds fantastic.
Thought I should check in. Walking 7 to 7.5 miles a day, weather and time permitting. On the few days I don't get to 7, I get 5+. Distance is no longer a problem. Assuming the altitude doesn't get me, I'm confident 10 miles in a day won't be a problem.
I've gone through a blister phase. Not with my new boots, but my broken in hiking shoes. From a little internet research, I found a claim that blisters on the outside of the big toes is most likely due to worn out insoles. Okay, new insoles did seem to fix that problem. Not sure of the root cause of the blister on the inside of the little toe. But a good bandage around it while healing helped a lot. At the first sign of a blister on the outside of the heel, I inspected the shoe tread and saw it wearing out. Replaced that pair, bandaged the blister for a bit and the problem went away. If I get another bad blister, I'll try the Z folded gauze under the bandage recommendation (from a podiatrist.)
Another recommendation I found online was doubling up socks. The thought process is that rubbing isn't the cause of blistering but the upper layer of skin moving against the lower tissues is the actual cause of blistering. The multiple layers of socks (and a Z folded gauze pad) is believed to prevent the movement of skin against lower tissues. I don't know if the thought process is correct but it does seem to help. I've not had another blister since doubling socks. (I did buy new, thin socks as there is only so much room in a shoe to accommodate multiple layers. Hope this helps someone else.
I've gotten some practice in with the 7MM mag. Recoil is not as bad as I expected. Still a stout caliber but not intimidatingly so. I need more practice though to get comfortable with it. I think the LOP isn't quite right for me. And I'm not sure if it is me or the rifle but it seems to lose accuracy after the fourth shot. Hopefully today is better.
Thanks for the help and suggestions.
I've gone through a blister phase. Not with my new boots, but my broken in hiking shoes. From a little internet research, I found a claim that blisters on the outside of the big toes is most likely due to worn out insoles. Okay, new insoles did seem to fix that problem. Not sure of the root cause of the blister on the inside of the little toe. But a good bandage around it while healing helped a lot. At the first sign of a blister on the outside of the heel, I inspected the shoe tread and saw it wearing out. Replaced that pair, bandaged the blister for a bit and the problem went away. If I get another bad blister, I'll try the Z folded gauze under the bandage recommendation (from a podiatrist.)
Another recommendation I found online was doubling up socks. The thought process is that rubbing isn't the cause of blistering but the upper layer of skin moving against the lower tissues is the actual cause of blistering. The multiple layers of socks (and a Z folded gauze pad) is believed to prevent the movement of skin against lower tissues. I don't know if the thought process is correct but it does seem to help. I've not had another blister since doubling socks. (I did buy new, thin socks as there is only so much room in a shoe to accommodate multiple layers. Hope this helps someone else.
I've gotten some practice in with the 7MM mag. Recoil is not as bad as I expected. Still a stout caliber but not intimidatingly so. I need more practice though to get comfortable with it. I think the LOP isn't quite right for me. And I'm not sure if it is me or the rifle but it seems to lose accuracy after the fourth shot. Hopefully today is better.
Thanks for the help and suggestions.
Just a few comments on conditioning:
Realistically, if one's doing everything right, one can lose up to about 2.5lbs/wk. That ought to get you to 235-240ish. You could get lower than that if you starve yourself and run yourself into the ground, but that'll be counterproductive, unsustainable, and not altogether healthy, especially for a big dude who hasn't been exercising regularly (btw, a physical exam and running your exercise regime past a physician wouldn't be a bad idea). I think you'd do much better being in good condition at 240, than being starved and weak at 200ish.
To lose that 2.5/wk, you'll need to watch your diet ("calories in") - healthy food (and no junk food), limit your snacking and booze, eat regularly, plenty of water, etc. You'll also need to boost your "calories out". There are manifold benefits to resistance training, and you ought to keep doing it, but lifting weights for an hour a few times a week burns barely more calories than baseline. I see plenty of guys who've been going to the gym to lift regularly who can still stand to lose quite a bit of weight. Walking is good (I make sure I get plenty of it in), but consider getting on something like an elliptical trainer a few times a week, and keep a brisk pace to get your heart rate up (again, a physician's ok would be a really good idea).
And on the subject of weight lifting - if I in your shoes, I'd skip the isolation exercises like bench/military press and curls and do compound exercises. Squats, deadlifts, kettlebell swings, burpees, etc all use multiple muscle groups and you'll get much more bang for your buck.
As far as socks go, I wear only Smart Wool for work, hiking or hunting. They are not cheap but they work for me. For hiking or hunting I carry liner socks and medium cushion hiking socks and change them out daily. I keep my feet warm and dry this way and have never had blisters while hunting or hiking. I have enough liners and outer socks for each day of my hunt plus a couple extra just in case. I have a set of their heavy weight hunting socks but those really only get worn or cold winter days laying around the house being lazy.
bandur60
Member
Comment on the "mountain step" mentioned earlier ..... I (we) learned this from our crew chief on '61 Idaho fire lines. He brought it from Italian mountain troops, so he said. One step up the mountain, bring the trailing foot up and touch the toe beside the leading foot, just a touch for a momentary rest, then step ahead and repeat with each foot , each step. (It wouldn't work on stairs.) You can climb nonstop on any climbable slope by taking just a touch longer rest step if it's really steep. Once you get used to it you can shift in and out of it when slope changes, almost without thinking. It's easy to time and regulate breathing while doing this, too. Thank me in November .
.Mr. Borland, thanks for your comments on conditioning. I am kind of following your approach, concentrating on walking/hiking, not worrying so much about weight. (I have cleared this with my doc and lost 20+ lbs so far.) When I started this about 10 weeks ago, I could barely do 3 miles a day. I did 8.25 yesterday and could have gone farther had time allowed. I'm basically skipping strength training at this point. I just don't have the time, using what time I do have to get the miles in. I'm not so concerned about the distance as I was when I started preparing. Now, the concern is the altitude and my shooting ability. I'm going to Estes Park in a couple of weeks and hope to get at least one hike up to 10,000 feet or more. That should give me an idea of how I'll do at altitude. Anyway, I will keep up the daily walks/hikes trying to get at least 7.5 miles a day in.
Robert, I picked up two pair of the Smart Wool socks a couple of weeks ago. They are pricy but they seem nice. I also picked up four pair of Cabelas branded alternatives. Hopefully the weather is nice and I can air out one pair while wearing the other. If not at least I'll have a fresh pair for every day of the hunt. I guess I'll take my heavyweight socks just in case but I've become a believer in layering the socks. Just a short ankle sock under the regular socks with new insoles sure seems to have tamed the blisters.
Bandur, thanks for the reminder on the mountain step. I'll definitely give it a try. And thanks in advance.
Thank you all for the support.
I didn't shoot well on Saturday. The first three rounds were consistent and then I was all over the place. It's a decent rifle but I don't fit it well. The LOP is just a little long for me so I have trouble getting a good weld. I lean pretty far forward to have the sight picture use all of the optic. I'm stopping at a public range on the way home tonight. Recoil is not a problem for me. Will be practicing with both the 7MM mag and my 30-30. Unless I get more comfortable with it, I'll probably be carrying my 30-30. I'd rather work for a shorter (200 yard) shot that I have confidence I'll make than take any shot that I'm not confident I'll make. I've got six more weeks to practice.
Robert, I picked up two pair of the Smart Wool socks a couple of weeks ago. They are pricy but they seem nice. I also picked up four pair of Cabelas branded alternatives. Hopefully the weather is nice and I can air out one pair while wearing the other. If not at least I'll have a fresh pair for every day of the hunt. I guess I'll take my heavyweight socks just in case but I've become a believer in layering the socks. Just a short ankle sock under the regular socks with new insoles sure seems to have tamed the blisters.
Bandur, thanks for the reminder on the mountain step. I'll definitely give it a try. And thanks in advance.
Thank you all for the support.
I didn't shoot well on Saturday. The first three rounds were consistent and then I was all over the place. It's a decent rifle but I don't fit it well. The LOP is just a little long for me so I have trouble getting a good weld. I lean pretty far forward to have the sight picture use all of the optic. I'm stopping at a public range on the way home tonight. Recoil is not a problem for me. Will be practicing with both the 7MM mag and my 30-30. Unless I get more comfortable with it, I'll probably be carrying my 30-30. I'd rather work for a shorter (200 yard) shot that I have confidence I'll make than take any shot that I'm not confident I'll make. I've got six more weeks to practice.
I forgot to offer my congrats earlier. Losing weight and improving your conditioning isn't easy, so big kudos to you. I hope you keep up the steady progress, even beyond your elk trip. Good luck!
RPRNY
Member
Good thinking. Add wearing a heavy jacket when you see elkzilla one morning plus a potentially less than optimal positioning and all of a sudden it's impossible to get a decent shot. If adjusting the scope back is not going to fix it for you, then better off the rifle that you feel confident shooting with.
Maybe have a smith for the stock to you? Have it cut down and a new pad put on to make it fit you like a glove.
It's not my rifle so i really shouldn't make any permanent changes. This afternoon's practice was interesting. I couldn't even get a shot on paper from the 7MM mag. My 30-30 posted a nice 2" tall by 1" wide group right where I expected it would with that ammo. At least I know it's not me. I picked up a new brush on the way home and took to cleaning the 7's bore. I got a lot of copper out. Must have run the brush through it 30 or 40 times and used 50 patches. I was still getting green out and just gave up for now. I'm hoping the cleaning will get some accuracy back in the 7. I'll post the results after the next practice. Thanks for the help.
Mr. Hill
Member
Ditch the 7mm mag and use your .30-.30, a gun you are familiar with and shoot well. Start practicing with that rifle. Use bonded or premium ammo that will hold together and drill right through the elk. Practice should include follow up shots; you keep shooting at that elk until it drops. JMHO.
nmlongbow
Member
Brazos peak is a beautiful area in N/NW NM. I've spent a lot of time in that area including about 50+ days elk hunting. One hunt was with a compound bow the rest were with trad bows. I've killed several elk within 15 miles of Brazos Peak but all with a bow and all but one under 20 yards. There are a few big bulls in there but most are under 300". Good healthy elk herd though.
Your conditioning should be fine depending on altitude. Altitude affects everyone differently. I've seen people in phenomenal shape that struggle with altitude til they get acclimated. Others are fine on the first day. Drink plenty of water and take Ibuprofen with you. Headaches are very common when you're not used to that elevation.
I didn't draw a tag this year or I would be heading out this weekend.
Your conditioning should be fine depending on altitude. Altitude affects everyone differently. I've seen people in phenomenal shape that struggle with altitude til they get acclimated. Others are fine on the first day. Drink plenty of water and take Ibuprofen with you. Headaches are very common when you're not used to that elevation.
I didn't draw a tag this year or I would be heading out this weekend.
harrygunner
Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2006
- Messages
- 1,045
By now, I have a dozen+ pairs of "Smart Wool" socks. I use those socks over either a thin liner sock or over an all wool "Smart Wool" sock pair in cold weather. The coldest I've hiked in, is -8F and feet were fine with that last setup.
I bought a few of the Cabelas socks. They stretched and bunched in my boots. I use them for rags now.
These are better IMO than the Cabelas socks and cost less than "Smart Wool".
https://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signature-Outdoor-Trail-Merino/dp/B00PHMQSES
I bought a couple of sets from CostCo and they haven't stretched.
I bought a few of the Cabelas socks. They stretched and bunched in my boots. I use them for rags now.
These are better IMO than the Cabelas socks and cost less than "Smart Wool".
https://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signature-Outdoor-Trail-Merino/dp/B00PHMQSES
I bought a couple of sets from CostCo and they haven't stretched.
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Hi all,
Thought I should check in. Longbow, thanks for the area report. It's good to hear there is a healthy herd in NE NM. I'm guessing we'll be about 5 miles SW of Brazos Peak. I'm guessing you are familiar with the cliffs just NE of Corkins Lodge. We're hunting the area just above the cliffs. From Google Maps, the ground looks great. How often have you seen black bear while hunting? My nephew says some years they see several and some years they don't see any. Sounds like the success rate on black bear is much less. I'd like to see one just to get a picture and say I've seen one wild.
I go to Estes Park in about a week so that should give me some idea how the altitude will affect me. I'm continuing to walk 8+ miles a day and my speed has picked up. I'm not to worried about my physical ability right now. I hear you on the water. My nephew has warned to bring a lot and plan on drinking it all.
Harry, thanks for the report on the Cabela's socks. I'll get them exchanged for some more of the smart wool socks.
I've been practicing with the rifles. With the 30-30 on Sunday, I had 10 out of 10 within 3" at 100 yards, seated with my elbow on a bench holding the rifle with my hands. I'm going to start trying other positions and upping the distance but I'm feeling good about my ability with the 30-30. For hunting ammo, I'm planning on using Hornady 140 Leverevolution ammo. This is a copper alloy bullet that Hornady claims is suitable for elk. We'll see. I've been using my iron-sighted Henry 22 to practice follow up shots (a lot cheaper to shoot and I don't have to worry about overheating the barrel.) That is going well.
I was going to give the 7MM Mag another try but found a condition that concerns me enough that I'm not going to shoot it again. I'd like to say it was me, that I just needed to learn to shoot that gun, but I strongly suspect there is barrel flaw. I was cleaning the barrel again, getting out more copper, when I noticed there is a spot in the barrel that is apparently bigger than the brush. The spot is about an inch long and is about 6" from the crown. If I have the barrel straight up, friction will hold the brush and rod in place until it gets to that spot. If the brush is above it, it will free fall for about an inch until friction stops it. There is a blemish in the barrel at that spot but it is so slight that it is difficult to see. You have to be looking at one of two angles in good light. I've never had that happen in a firearm before. I'm not sure what caused it and I don't really care. I'm disappointed as I had found the instructions for adjusting the trigger and I was anxious to see if I could get consistent shots with a lighter trigger. If it were my gun, I'd re-barrel it but it's not so I'll return it to its owner, thank him for lending it to me and tell him my concerns. I'll take a rod and brush with me to show him exactly what my concern is.
Anyway, I'll be looking for a 100 yard or less shot with my 30-30. I'll shoot farther if I have to but the goal is 100 yards or less. This is going to be fun. Five more weeks.
Thought I should check in. Longbow, thanks for the area report. It's good to hear there is a healthy herd in NE NM. I'm guessing we'll be about 5 miles SW of Brazos Peak. I'm guessing you are familiar with the cliffs just NE of Corkins Lodge. We're hunting the area just above the cliffs. From Google Maps, the ground looks great. How often have you seen black bear while hunting? My nephew says some years they see several and some years they don't see any. Sounds like the success rate on black bear is much less. I'd like to see one just to get a picture and say I've seen one wild.
I go to Estes Park in about a week so that should give me some idea how the altitude will affect me. I'm continuing to walk 8+ miles a day and my speed has picked up. I'm not to worried about my physical ability right now. I hear you on the water. My nephew has warned to bring a lot and plan on drinking it all.
Harry, thanks for the report on the Cabela's socks. I'll get them exchanged for some more of the smart wool socks.
I've been practicing with the rifles. With the 30-30 on Sunday, I had 10 out of 10 within 3" at 100 yards, seated with my elbow on a bench holding the rifle with my hands. I'm going to start trying other positions and upping the distance but I'm feeling good about my ability with the 30-30. For hunting ammo, I'm planning on using Hornady 140 Leverevolution ammo. This is a copper alloy bullet that Hornady claims is suitable for elk. We'll see. I've been using my iron-sighted Henry 22 to practice follow up shots (a lot cheaper to shoot and I don't have to worry about overheating the barrel.) That is going well.
I was going to give the 7MM Mag another try but found a condition that concerns me enough that I'm not going to shoot it again. I'd like to say it was me, that I just needed to learn to shoot that gun, but I strongly suspect there is barrel flaw. I was cleaning the barrel again, getting out more copper, when I noticed there is a spot in the barrel that is apparently bigger than the brush. The spot is about an inch long and is about 6" from the crown. If I have the barrel straight up, friction will hold the brush and rod in place until it gets to that spot. If the brush is above it, it will free fall for about an inch until friction stops it. There is a blemish in the barrel at that spot but it is so slight that it is difficult to see. You have to be looking at one of two angles in good light. I've never had that happen in a firearm before. I'm not sure what caused it and I don't really care. I'm disappointed as I had found the instructions for adjusting the trigger and I was anxious to see if I could get consistent shots with a lighter trigger. If it were my gun, I'd re-barrel it but it's not so I'll return it to its owner, thank him for lending it to me and tell him my concerns. I'll take a rod and brush with me to show him exactly what my concern is.
Anyway, I'll be looking for a 100 yard or less shot with my 30-30. I'll shoot farther if I have to but the goal is 100 yards or less. This is going to be fun. Five more weeks.
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nmlongbow
Member
95XL,
Yes I'm familiar with the Brazos Cliffs. They are spectacular up close. I've been on both sides of the Brazos for quite a bit. A friend has a cabin on the river with a nice size property. He doesn't hunt or fish though.
I've seen bears often the area it just depends on they year. A young bear tried to get in my tent about 2am several years ago. That was on the first night of the hunt but I never saw him or any other bear for the next week.
There are some lowlifes around there that like to steal from camps but you'll probably be fine with your nephew.
Yes I'm familiar with the Brazos Cliffs. They are spectacular up close. I've been on both sides of the Brazos for quite a bit. A friend has a cabin on the river with a nice size property. He doesn't hunt or fish though.
I've seen bears often the area it just depends on they year. A young bear tried to get in my tent about 2am several years ago. That was on the first night of the hunt but I never saw him or any other bear for the next week.
There are some lowlifes around there that like to steal from camps but you'll probably be fine with your nephew.
Hi. My apologies, I meant to check in sooner. Prep has gone well. I handled hiking up to 9,300 feet well. I'm not fast but have a pace that works for me and that I can continue for miles. No altitude sickness at all. i did buy a can of oxygen just in case. It may be a gimmick but if I or somebody in my party needs it, at least we will have it.
I'm very comfortable with the 30-30 to at least 200 yards. I'm also carrying a 30-06. My only reservation with the 06 is I have only put 20 rounds through it. The first 16 were spent sorting out the scope. On the 17th shot I realized my light foregrip was allowing the barrel to rise throwing the shot about 6 inches high. Tightened the grip a little and the shot came down to 3 inches high. Tightened the grip a little more and the last two rounds I had were near perfect. I adjusted the scope up two clicks to get it close to a 200 yard zero. I'm confident in the gun and my ability with it. I just wish I had a little more time with it. At that point, I was out of ammo and time for practice before leaving. I picked up another 20 rounds. I've memorized the stated bullet drop for both cartridges (12.4 from 200 to 300 for the 30-30 and 6.4 from 200 to 300 and 12.9 from 300 to 400 for the .06).
Friday morning I dropped off most of my gear with my nephew. Went to work for half a day. People wishing me well. After listening to the hunting report from the prior group, I also bought a bear tag and a mountain lion tag. Celebrated my 62nd birthday with family that evening and got to be relatively early. Woke up at 2 am on Saturday, final good-bye to my wife, boys and dog and headed to my nephew's, Ray..
We finished loading and hooking up the trailer, picked up Mike (another first time elk hunter) and were on the road by 5:15. First three hours were in heavy wind and rain but broke out and continued west on I-70. Got to Hays, KS and met up with the 4th of our party. Griff is 48, an Iraq combat veteran, and seasoned hunter. It looks like I'll be paired with him for most of our hunting. He's a good guy and has already given me some tips I haven't seen anywhere else. Tough guy too. He's recovering from West Nile (had a 106.9 fever two weeks ago) but is up to this hunt and won't miss it.
I've got to go to breakfast now. I'll try to post more before we are off grid.
PS.. Saw lots of antelope and quite a few elk on the trip up. Nice trip once the weather cleared.
I'm very comfortable with the 30-30 to at least 200 yards. I'm also carrying a 30-06. My only reservation with the 06 is I have only put 20 rounds through it. The first 16 were spent sorting out the scope. On the 17th shot I realized my light foregrip was allowing the barrel to rise throwing the shot about 6 inches high. Tightened the grip a little and the shot came down to 3 inches high. Tightened the grip a little more and the last two rounds I had were near perfect. I adjusted the scope up two clicks to get it close to a 200 yard zero. I'm confident in the gun and my ability with it. I just wish I had a little more time with it. At that point, I was out of ammo and time for practice before leaving. I picked up another 20 rounds. I've memorized the stated bullet drop for both cartridges (12.4 from 200 to 300 for the 30-30 and 6.4 from 200 to 300 and 12.9 from 300 to 400 for the .06).
Friday morning I dropped off most of my gear with my nephew. Went to work for half a day. People wishing me well. After listening to the hunting report from the prior group, I also bought a bear tag and a mountain lion tag. Celebrated my 62nd birthday with family that evening and got to be relatively early. Woke up at 2 am on Saturday, final good-bye to my wife, boys and dog and headed to my nephew's, Ray..
We finished loading and hooking up the trailer, picked up Mike (another first time elk hunter) and were on the road by 5:15. First three hours were in heavy wind and rain but broke out and continued west on I-70. Got to Hays, KS and met up with the 4th of our party. Griff is 48, an Iraq combat veteran, and seasoned hunter. It looks like I'll be paired with him for most of our hunting. He's a good guy and has already given me some tips I haven't seen anywhere else. Tough guy too. He's recovering from West Nile (had a 106.9 fever two weeks ago) but is up to this hunt and won't miss it.
I've got to go to breakfast now. I'll try to post more before we are off grid.
PS.. Saw lots of antelope and quite a few elk on the trip up. Nice trip once the weather cleared.
The prior group's hunting report. The prior group were well-to-do trophy hunters. It poured on them. They shot one bull they could find, think they shot a second bull but couldn't find it and shot a cow. They left two days early because of the rain. They reported seeing a lot of black bear. (Whatever a lot is?) Ray says this is good for us as there will be a five day gap between hunting pressure. He is optimistic that we are going to have a very good hunt.
Griff and he discussed it. Apparently we are going to pair off and it looks like Griff will be a team. Griff has been here several times before and knows elk hunting, this 1,500 acres and where the blinds and bedding areas are. Their goal is to see that Mike and I fill our bull tags. My goal is to see all four of us fill our elk tags with enough time left to have a shot at filling at least the bear tag.
Why the mountain lion tag? Ray told me the story of the only person to have bought a mountain lion tag for this property. That guy was a real green hunter. While buying his bull tag, he saw he could get both a bear and lion tag, so he bought all three. He filled the elk tag the first day. The second day he was killing time shooting magpies picking at the gut pile when the only mountain lion anyone has ever seen on the property walked up and started eating. Of course he shot it and it was a big lion, 200+lbs. The next day he was back at the gut pile killing time and a bear walked in. He should have bought a lottery ticket. Ray says they seen lion sign regularly, just don't see the cats. So, realizing this may be my one chance to get one or the other of a bear or a lion, I bought both tags. Ray and Griff are stoked. They're anxious for that
Griff and he discussed it. Apparently we are going to pair off and it looks like Griff will be a team. Griff has been here several times before and knows elk hunting, this 1,500 acres and where the blinds and bedding areas are. Their goal is to see that Mike and I fill our bull tags. My goal is to see all four of us fill our elk tags with enough time left to have a shot at filling at least the bear tag.
Why the mountain lion tag? Ray told me the story of the only person to have bought a mountain lion tag for this property. That guy was a real green hunter. While buying his bull tag, he saw he could get both a bear and lion tag, so he bought all three. He filled the elk tag the first day. The second day he was killing time shooting magpies picking at the gut pile when the only mountain lion anyone has ever seen on the property walked up and started eating. Of course he shot it and it was a big lion, 200+lbs. The next day he was back at the gut pile killing time and a bear walked in. He should have bought a lottery ticket. Ray says they seen lion sign regularly, just don't see the cats. So, realizing this may be my one chance to get one or the other of a bear or a lion, I bought both tags. Ray and Griff are stoked. They're anxious for that
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