Tools for the hunt.....what are you using?

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I'll post a photo of my most used stuff together later....but so far I've only been successful with my .280AI, and Muzzleloader. No picture from the .280s goat, be here's the muzzleloaders goat.

I think I'd really like a 280AI. %95 of a 7RM, but can be made with cheap 270win brass, no dealing with belted cartridges, and similarly well behaved as the afformentioned 270win but more versatile.

Just gotta get a few more rifle manufacturers on board. C'mon Tikka!
 
Deer hunting has evolved from the three day shotgun season to what has now turned into an insatiable 4 month quest for deer. October begins the archery season that continues till the first of December when the gun seasons start then finishes up in January. If there was a blow gun or sling shot season I'd probably get the necessary equipment and give it a try.

Began carrying a number of handguns along with a black powder rifle. Figured the rifle for the long distance shots and handgun if something was in closer range. Favorite is the .44 Desert Eagle, a little heavier to pack but very accurate.


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For many years a Matthews Switchback served well until last year when injuries began taking its toll. This ushered in a Ravin Crossbow which has yet to score on a deer....perhaps this season.

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Now that we are permitted to use straight wall cartridges, the shotguns have been put away and switched over to a 450 Bushmaster AR platform. Don't think I'll go back to using a shotgun after seeing the groups this can produce.
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Last of the gun seasons goes into January, late black powder season. Used this Knight MK 85 for nearly 35 years. It's an early first year production (1985) when Tony Knight first introduced the in-line rifles. Topped with Swarovski glass it's taken one-to-two deer every year since first acquired.
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Thanks for the info, entropy!
After looking at your attached website, those guns are out of my reach!
But I still think they are cool!

I like to go there and drool occasionally myself. ;)

I actually am buying a SxS shotgun from one of the dealers on there-I shoot Trap leauges with him. It's priced a bit less than most those drillings. :)

The type of drilling he has in the pic is a 'cross-eyed' drilling; the shotgun barrel on top one rifle barrel on the side (the rimfire) and the other rifle barrel below the smoothbore.
 
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For Deer I use a Barnett Ghost crossbow (thinking hard about the Centerpoint CP400), gun season its AR's I built in 450 Bushmaster, or a new this year 350 Legend. Or if feeling nostalgic my Marlin 45/70. Muzzle loader brings out the CV Acura 50 cal.
 
I tried a Blackhawk in 45LC on 2 deer. I can assure you that a 250gr XTP pushed by a stiff load of IMR-4227 will get it done. Might have to try a 12 ga slug this year. I've taken a couple with buckshot but never a slug.

I have some 300 grain XTPs, but I think I'm going to try the 250s before deer season.
I'm concerned about getting the velocity high enough to expand properly. I think that will be easier with the 250 grainers. I do have IMR4227, and have found it to be very accurate with the jacketed bullets.

With the shotty, I've started casting and loading my own buckshot, so I want to get one with that. I'm thinking 40-45 yard max. Once I get it out to 50, the pellets on target are getting unpredictable.
 
Archery is my CP400 crossbow.

Rifle season is one of my many MSRs 350 Legend, 300 Hamr, 7.92x33 AR pistol, 7mm Valkyrie, 6.8spc, 30 Rem AR, and for the spot where I could potentially shoot 415 yards I'll take my AR-10 260 Rem.
 
Archery is my CP400 crossbow.

Rifle season is one of my many MSRs 350 Legend, 300 Hamr, 7.92x33 AR pistol, 7mm Valkyrie, 6.8spc, 30 Rem AR, and for the spot where I could potentially shoot 415 yards I'll take my AR-10 260 Rem.

How do you like that CP400?
 
Archery: Blackwidow HS recurve. 54#
Blackpowder: Thompson Center Hawken Silver Elite .50 cal
Firearm: Steyr Pro Hunter .30-06 or Remington 760 .35 rem
 
If my #1 doesnt sell I might blast a late season doe with it at a northern spot.
 
I didn't have any sandpaper finer than 1000 and was trying to sharpen some Cutthroat broadheads last night.
Ran out to look for a diamond hone and or strop, both are on the Work Sharp "Field Sharpener".
Was 30 bucks so figured why not.
It worked, bald spots on my arm now ;)
Would be nicer if 1.5x the size it is, but then proly not as handy to take along.

Washing hunting clothes in Scent Killer.

Might hunt Saturday, or just sit in a woods looking silly (same thing usually).
Cant hang stands or do much til doc says OK.
But I can park my behind in a deadfall by some oaks.

Today was opening day, think 3rd one I've missed (maybe 4th) since '85
 
Pictures of the "most likely" to be used gear (these are all older pictures, just grabbing them from my previous attachments.)

Tradtions pursuit, took a decent billy this year already. If i have a reason it will come out again.
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Christensen Ridgeline 280AI. Took one goat this year.
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Browning Abolt .375, Next on the dance card as I havent even hunted it yet this year.
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No name chinese wood recurve 62# @ 30", and my recently rebuild WARF bow limbs are maked 60@28, but it feels closer to 70@30
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Dont know when ill use the bows, or my muzzle loader, but Im starting to practice with both again. Hate shooting the muzzle loader because of the cleaning, but I missed 4 shots with it this year, which isnt acceptable.
 
No name chinese wood recurve 62# @ 30", and my recently rebuild WARF bow limbs are maked 60@28, but it feels closer to 70@30
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How long are those recurves? Guys with 30” draws usually like a recurve 64” long. Gives less finger pinch and won’t stack so bad at the longer draw lengths.

It kind of looks like those are bows you just ended up with so they probably aren’t fit to your long draw length.
 
How long are those recurves? Guys with 30” draws usually like a recurve 64” long. Gives less finger pinch and won’t stack so bad at the longer draw lengths.

It kind of looks like those are bows you just ended up with so they probably aren’t fit to your long draw length.
Your right neither is ideal.
60 and 63ish, I've always shot 62s with a few 64s (including a r/d longbow).

I kinda quit practicing archery except right before hunting season for a few years, and switched to a compound, just because they were easier. Stopped all together for a year or two, and sold my compounds.

Got back into traditional archery a few years ago, and bought the wood one. Never got into it hard enough to buy another really good how tho.

The wood ones a little pinchy, but actually doesn't stack too bad, I actually had a bow scale and checked when I got it. It draws heavier than marked, and hits 57# at 28, 59# at 29 and 62# at 30.

The one I built is long enough I don't get bad finger pinch, but there was more reflex than I'd thought there would be, and its stacks pretty hard right at the end of my draw stroke. No scale now, so I'm just guessing at poundage comparing tonwhwt I've used in the past, so i could be way off.
I need to decide if I'm gonna mess with the limbs on the metal one, or just live with it. If I ILF the pockets I can run longer limbs with more adjustability.....or i could just get longer fixed limbs....
 
I was going to use my Howard Hill "Wesley Special" longbow, 54#@29" for the whole season. I even got a closely matched set of cedar arrows with fluorescent yellow fletching, in the hopes of not losing so many this year.

The whole state is on fire, though, and most of the hunting areas are closed, so it's looking more and more like I might not get out at all this season.
 
I was going to use my Howard Hill "Wesley Special" longbow, 54#@29" for the whole season. I even got a closely matched set of cedar arrows with fluorescent yellow fletching, in the hopes of not losing so many this year.

The whole state is on fire, though, and most of the hunting areas are closed, so it's looking more and more like I might not get out at all this season.

I have a Hill style longbow made by David Miller, who apprenticed under John Schultz who apprenticed under Howard Hill. The truth is, I have owned a Hill bow as well. It was the Tembo. The two are very alike each other. I still primarily use a newer production Bear Super Kodiak. 50#@28" and probably 53#@ my 29" draw.
 
I have a Hill style longbow made by David Miller, who apprenticed under John Schultz who apprenticed under Howard Hill. The truth is, I have owned a Hill bow as well. It was the Tembo. The two are very alike each other. I still primarily use a newer production Bear Super Kodiak. 50#@28" and probably 53#@ my 29" draw.

I really enjoy being afield with a classic longbow. I shoot my recurves quite a bit better, but the Westley Special weighs nothing, looks great, and is extraordinarily quiet to shoot. And of course, taking an animal with it feels like a real accomplishment!
 
Bob Lee 47# TD longbow and a Euro Doberman. This was a cpl weeks ago,she loves "messin with sasquatch Ghogs". Heading out in a bit this a.m. for some deer hunting with "Bob".

Rifles,probably my '06 CDL and cast 150's. It's my "heavy" varmint rig. Makes a dandy deer rig and have LOTS of practice with it.

Want to do some handgun deer hunting with the "little 629" it's a 1980 4". Using cast 250's.

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For the past 10 years I have done 99.9% of my hunting with a traditional style side lock muzzle loader in either flint or percussion. I find that I enjoy the hunting even more cause I feel like my ancestors that came to this country in the late 1700's.
 
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