Fall Hunting 2018

So lets hear from the crew about what and where you are hunting this fall; what are you hunting, where are you hunting, what firearm, and which knife?

For me, elk hunting in Valley County, short range weapons only so 12 ga slug, and a Randall Model 19-5. Deer hunting around the house, Winchester Model 70 25-06, Randall Model 7-4.5" with #6 grind.

Pap

Whitetail about 80 miles away, AR15 .223 with 70 gr. Barnes bullets, Randall Model #15.

Good thread Pappy. As most of you know, I am fortunate enough to be on a great hunting lease in Alabama in "the black belt" for whitetails. We took (not me, others) 3-160+ inch deer this past season. The land encompasses 6,000 acres and very long shots are not uncommon. Having said that (or justifying more "stuff") I use a wide range of weapons and RMKs.
200 Yard hunting: 6.5 Creedmore with 140 Gr. BT's.
300 Yard hunting: 308 or 30-6 with 165 Gr. BT's.
400 + Yard hunting: 300 Win. Mag. 165 or 180 Gr. BT's.
4 Randalls used: 4" Stanaback Special / 5" Model #3 / 5" Model #5
/ 4 1/2" Model #4 (or occasionally #7).
I also have "new wheels" to get me there! Looking forward to a great season. Good luck to everyone. I know The James' Gang headed out yesterday (early AM) for archery season in Montana. I used to be an avid Bowman, having met Fred Bear and completed his archery tuning and repair instruction in Gainesville, Fl. to become an authorized repair facility.
After my bicep muscle detached and had to be surgically re-attached, my compound bow days were over. I may try a cross bow but have not, to this point.
I also hunt the 4 day muzzle-loading season in Bama, using a Bad Bull Muzzleloader (smokeless powder) which I got in a marathon trade with GCTom!
Good luck everyone, Capt. Chris

I used to hunt these, but I succeeded only one time. It turned out to be a good catch during the last 18 years

Eh hem, back on topic.
Pap I'm lucky to live just a skip and jump to my whitetail spots. Opening week we have a crew that has their own spots and we respect space. We've missed the rut on both sides of the opener. The backside is my chance; they all go home and I'm "home alone".
I hunt with two different rifles depending upon where I'm going. The Model 70 .308 gets the majority of the woods work. If I'm shooting cross open fields I'll take the WBY .257.
Knives are the easiest part of the day. Stock Randall 14 for whatever comes strapped to my shoulder pac. Field dresser is always Kevin's Randall 11-3. Made him a promise before he died that I would always take him hunting. It's got his name engraved and he hasn't missed a year yet.

I don't have time today but I'll follow up with pics.

Pap,

Rifle hunt for Mountain Goat in Alaska-.300 WSM 190 gr Accubond

Bow hunt for Whitetails in Finger Lakes

Rifle hunt for Whitetails in Finger Lakes-30-06 165 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip Spitzer

Sea Duck Hunt in St. Michaels MD-Browning 3 1/2 12ga.

Tom Flynn

Pap,
Squirrels and rabbits are pretty much my main fare using a Savage 24 in 22lr/410 O/U The Randall is an old Model #8 Bird & Trout.

In GA,the quail is the game,Darne 12 ga SXS,same knife.

Wayne

Hero. Go get-em friend.

Of all the hunting I have done over the years, quail hunting with a good dog is by far my favorite. Even over elk hunting and that's saying something.

Pap

Pap,
I have to agree. My Dad always had at least one Bird Dog. There was Rex, Sister, Sally, Buster, Mac, and Lucious. All Setters.

Dad and I must have walked a thousand miles across the old abandoned farms in Wood County, Texas as long as there were birds in East Texas.

Dad used that time to teach me proper Gun Safety, how to train dogs, about all of the wildlife that lived in our country, and about how grown men were supposed to act. I would give ANYTHING to go on one more bird hunt with Dad.

The quail disappeared from here sometime back in the 80s and I moved off to pursue my career so we quit going.

Dad died in 2004 but he was the first thing I thought about early one morning back in June of this year when I heard for the first time in years, that mistakable “Bob White”. I sure hope they come back!
Coach

Squirrels and rabbits here. I'll be using a marlin model 60 that I sank way too much money into, and a NEF single shot 20 gauge. Cleaning duties performed with a small gambler.

Brent,
Nothing at all wrong with the Marlin Model 60 and the single shot 20 gauge is pretty much a classic.

Always works,load it and it goes boom everytime.

Wayne

Oh, I know there's nothing wrong with the model 60, its just that I rebuilt it this spring and summer, larger target type trigger, new style feed ramp, replaced all the springs. I figure that even at a buck an hour for my time, hunting down the parts, I could have bought a brand new one, but it wouldn't have the memories this one has.

Brent,
That is basically the same story that probably most of us have.

The Marlin Model 60 has pretty much been their bread & butter gun for decades.

I think when they brought it out decades ago,it was one of their first or maybe the first to have the "micro-groove" rifling.

I have never heard anyone complain about their model 60,only good reports.

Wayne

Encouraging news from Wyoming.

https://www.wyofile.com/elk-populations-booming-ahead-of-hunting-season/

Elk hunting is becoming more hazardous.

I have read several accounts of the guide being killed east of Teton National Park last Friday.

Different details are disclosed in different online articles, but the gist is that his bow hunting client hit an elk on Thursday, late enough for the guide to say they would come back on Friday to find it and pack it out.

When they found the elk the next day, there was a sow grizzly and a full-grown cub in the vicinity. There was no evidence that the bears had fed on the elk, but while the two men were going to work on it the sow charged them.

The guide emptied a can of bear spray on her without deterring her, and she bore in and attacked him. The client made it to his horse where he had a pistol. Not getting a clear shot and being afraid of hitting the guide, he threw the pistol in an attempt to get it to the guide. At that, the bear came for him and dragged him off his horse (most accounts don't mention the horse), inflicted non-life threatening injuries on him, and then returned to her attack on the guide.

The client "ran" away, calling for help on his cell phone (again, no mention of the horse--it probably ran for its life). He was evacuated by helicopter, treated at the local hospital, and returned home to Florida a day or two later.

Teams of 4 to 5 Game and Fish Department personnel went into the area and recovered the guide's body on Saturday, the bears having dragged it away from the site of the attack. They also set leg snares to catch and hold any bears in the area so they could be evaluated. They went back in and found one bear in a snare, and while they were approaching it they were charged by a sow and had to shoot her. It turned out these were the same two bears that had been involved in the attack, and even though the younger bear had not engaged in the initial attack on the guide and his client, the evidence showed it had been in contact with the guide's body, so they euthanized it.

The behavior of these bears has some people scratching their heads (maybe we should say "this" bear, because the sow was the only one to attack these two men). As one source reported: "these bears didn't appear to be after the meat and weren't taken by surprise...."

But we can speculate that with more bears out there, and them becoming accustomed to having people around, there will be more encounters. Another source reported that in the greater Yellowstone area: "Wildlife officials killed at least nine grizzlies last year due to livestock attacks. Hunters acting in self-defense killed 15 grizzlies."

One lesson to take from this recent incident is that a guide needs to be armed with a bear-stopping weapon, even in bow season. Game officials might oppose this out of concern that people will kill elk illegally with a gun, but there should be a level of integrity on the part of the guides to avoid this--after all, if they get caught shooting an animal it would be pretty costly for them

From what I have seen, the guides generally don't carry guns even during gun season, although occasionally they will carry a pistol--but for safety sake they need sufficient stopping power to deal with a bear like the one that killed this guide.


Larry

Next year will begin my 50th year of elk hunting in the greater Yellowstone area. The Island Park area just west of the Park boundary, has a very high population of grizzly bears and is a major elk hunting area.

I started working for the Forest Service in June 1969 and was chased up a tree by a grizzly my 2nd day of work. I carried a Ruger .44 mag every day after that. I only 1 other incident, but was close to my truck so didn't need to use my firearm. I now carry a Glock 20 in 10mm with a Diamond D guide chest holster. Be advised that the greater Yellowstone area is checked full of grizzly bears, plus around Glacier the same situation. Be prepared.

Here's a picture of my daughter's first bull elk and my oldest grandson, now 24 with 2 little girls. 2007.

Pap

Mike--

Curious what ammo you carry in the 10mm? Especially the bullets.

Larry

Full metal jackets. I've seen 44 mag hunting loads blow up when hitting a big grizz, so the FMJ's I use have a flat nose not pointed. I am using Sellier & Ballot 180gr. ammo.

A side note; I was visiting with an older gentleman, that actually was 11 years old in 1889 when his parents homesteaded on Henry's Lake Flat. He told me that if possible, you can get a one shot kill on any bear, if you shoot it in the throat. No heavy skin or bones to keep the bullet from hitting the spine. I've only done that once on a black bear with a 243 and the bear collapsed and never moved. He stood up to wind me and I had a perfect throat shot.

Pap

Another hunting tip; I now carry a few pairs of cow pregnancy testing gloves. They are shoulder length, not just goves. I also pack a few rubber bands to hold them up. When gutting big game, no need to get bloody above regular glove. I get mine at a ranch store or vet supply. And they are cheap. Another reason why I use a wrist thong, with or without gloves, blood is still slippery.

Pap

"Paging Dr. Allen to the field dressing area"

Many elk hunters are using this method, but I am still old school, because I like the heart, liver and kidneys, plus the tongue.

https://youtu.be/X4kJIrW1IDM

Pap

Looks alot easier than anything else I've seen. Thanks for sharing Pap.

As opposed to this.

https://youtu.be/cTPMUAn-ZCE

Pap

Bizarre...

Pappy,
Obviously the apple does not fall far from the tree,your daughter has your wife's good looks!!!

I too use a Diamond Double D guide rig for my Ruger Alaskan 44.

I cannot imagine anyone hunting in bear country w/o a heavy piece and an industrial size can of spray.

I was surprised to hear that the spray had no effect.


Wayne

Wayne--

Considering how some people don't react in the "preferred" way to pepper spray, it is not surprising that a bear that has committed to an attack might not register the pain until it is too late for the person who sprays it.

Years ago, I worked on an inter-agency panel looking at "nonlethal" "less than lethal" "less lethal" alternatives for law enforcement officers. That was when officers still carried .38 Special revolvers. Even in those days, we recognized that a lot of factors enter into the effectiveness of whatever such options might be used by law enforcement. There were not and still are not 100% solutions to stop or deter all of the threats all of the time.

Deadly force decisions are the last resort, but going to that does not always stop an animal or a human in time to prevent harm to the person involved.

Larry

P.S.: If I can locate it, I will post a "scary" picture to share.

Found it...

Camping in the Sierras, dusk, and a black bear charging full bore downhill…


But...it made a sudden turn into the rocks, fished out a ground squirrel, gulped it down, then turned and continued on its way.

Bears nearest the park are known individually by the rangers, and apparently have been conditioned to avoid them and "maybe" other humans.

Larry

Larry,
Yep,you are right on that. There are many factors to consider when dealing with charging animals/humans.

Looks like a pretty nice sized bear there!!! Good thing that it's attention span was diverted to the squirrel.

Attention span with wild game seems to be short. Up in Maine,if a moose get aggressive,just hide behind a tree and it pretty much will go on it's way...………..most of the time.

Speaking of sprays,the first time I used the new product MACE in the late 60s,it had no effect on the person. So much for advertisements!!!!

Wayne

So right pappy! Love to hunt behind an old tail cracking pointer!

2018- Elk Colorado 300 win mag Kevlar (2 weeks away)
White tails 250 savage model 7 Kevlar and crossbow
Ducks browning gold!
Knife— always my 26 stag!

In lighter news..... I filled the cow tag on Saturday morning. No bears involved that day, but I bet a few coyotes made their way to the gut pile before not too long. The bulls are bugling so the hunt continues

Got to my spot about twenty minutes to sunrise. Heard distant bugles and then this lone calf mewing notably closer, over the side of a near hill. I stalked a few hundred yards into the sage and set it. Gave myself a minute or two once I chambered the 150gr sleeping pill and ranged her at 288. Set tight on my new pack (mystery ranch- I am obsessed) and took a perfect shot right into the basket. She went maybe thirty yards and fell over. Everything a hunter could ask for.

[img]https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t...amp;oe=5C2F06B4[/img]

Don't forget to use Pappy's elk bugle. It works.

Pap

Congratulations Grant.

Absolutely! Congrats. Can you also get a bull r are you out of the chase now?

Congrats Grant. Such a serious look, Lol. And the knife was?

I do still get to chase bulls and will be back out at it shortly.

I used my Sambar Stag Alaskan for the field dress Warren and when I got her back to the house I actually used the Benchmade Proper that Mr. Caruso gave me at this last blade show

Well those are great choices. Figured an Alskan would be in the mix.

Grant,
Glad to see that you filled your tag as usual.

About how much meat were you able to harvest???

Yep,that gut pile I bet was soon consumed by the 'yotes.

Wolves in the area????


Wayne

Congrats Grant a nice Cow Elk!

Tom Flynn

Great trip to Alaska! Hunted about 5-6 hours by boat from Valdez. Got a Mountain Goat 304 yds. and a Black Bear 376 yds. Plenty of rain and rainbows with only two nice days.

Tom Flynn

Tom,
Super nice job!! What rifle did you use? Load??

Typical of Alaska weather,I am surprised that you did not get snow/sleet mixed in as well.

Wayne

FANTASTIC!

Super job Tom. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

Nice shooting Tom!! Thanks for posting!

Pap

Looks like that was a GREAT trip. Beautiful scenery, and congratulations...

Question please, what handgun are you carrying there, and is the holster custom, or factory? Looks like a great set-up.. Thanks !!!

WOW !!!!

Wayne,

.300 WSM Nosler Trophy Grade 190 gr Accubond Long Range factory ammo; no snow, just floating icebergs on Columbia Bay.

Tom Flynn

Michael,

.500 Smith & Wesson Magnum 4" barrel hand cannon with 500 gr. Hornady Ammo. GALCO Custom Kodiak belly holster with 5 shot cartridge bandolero.

Pulled the gun out twice as bears kept coming out while we were skinning; one at 40 yards and one at 20 yards. Luckily no Browns or Grizz only black bears. More curious than anything.

Tom Flynn

Thank-You Tom, appreciate the info !!

Tom

Great pictures and it looks like a great time. Thanks for sharing.

Rod

Well damn that's a hell of a weapon.......how's the recoil?

Can say my .454 Casull with a 6" barrel is not much fun to shoot. Can't imagine a .500 Smith being fun either from a 4" tube.

I too have a Smith 500 with a 4 inch barrel. It is fun to shoot and it is truly a hand cannon. Worth the excitement of the recoil and leaves the wrist,elbow and sometimes the shoulder wondering what happened. Just saying!
Tom Philumalee
RKCC CM-099
RKS #3081

One reason I switched to a Glock Model #20 in 10mm with 15+1 rounds, plus an extra clip. If a bear is on top of me, I don't want to be concerned with turning a cylinder to fire. Too each their own, but I love mine.

Pap

Thanks Tom.....been wanting to try one.

Of course if it was all I had between me & a bear I doubt I would notice the recoil at the moment!

I would be curious how well a FN 5.7 would do....20 rounds makes a lot of swiss cheese.

Chief,

Kicks like a mule, but it is all business at the other end!

GALCO made a holster for it that is the most comfortable carry you would ever want.

I did shoot the 8 3/8" but I found it to be very front heavy. The 4" is well balanced with rubber grips that soften the blow. It certainly is not a gun for anyone that is recoil sensitive.

Felt very secure in bear country with my little friend.

Tom Flynn

Tom,
I guess when you touch that off,you pretty well that the bull pooped in the buckwheat!!!!

I have a Diamond D,guide holster that I use for my Ruger Alaskan (44 mag). Very comfortable.

Pappy,
It is called a magazine and not a clip!!! Now drop and give me 25!!

Wayne

Wayne
I stand corrected, sir.

Pap

Pap,
OK,all is forgiven!!!

Wayne

Opening Day in TN tomorrow for muzzleloader - good luck to all those heading for the woods.

Missfire!!!

Pap

Boomer,
Where in TN?? Looks like my late daughter's yard!!!!

What will you be using? Archery? Muzzleloader? Rifle?

Wayne

TC Encore muzzleloader today Wayne but have been bowhunting up to this point. Once rifle comes in I usually use a Ruger No.1V in 25-06. I'm about 30 minutes north of Nashville. Rut is just heating up good here, lots of chasing today.

Anyone have any info on the new CVA long range muzzle loader ( like in 300 plus yards!). That is going to be a game changer I believe. Only in .45 caliber though.
Walker

I just looked up a half dozen "You Tube" videos and the absolute "best" groups shown would be where I'd "start"! Not for me, thanks. I shoot a Bad Bull (smokeless powder) muzzleloader with 140 G of IMR 4350! Shoots 1 ragged hole! (Of course, it's cost prohibitive but groups to 300+ yards)!
Hope this helps, Capt. Chris

Holy smokes ( no pun intended) 140 grains powder. A little recoil I guess?
Walker

Do a search on Bad Bull muzzle-loaders. Pretty amazing. The rifle weighs (dry) 10 1/2 pounds.
Best, Capt. Chris

Boomer51,
The 25-06 is one of those great calibers that first was a wildcat then became a factory round.

In your area,are fairly long shots (150 yards) the norm??

In my area,about 50 yards is pretty much tops.

A few years ago,an archer harvested a 305 lb whitetail Buck just a few miles from y home.

Haul that out of the woods and it is uphill both ways!!!

Wayne

Rebuilt my ground blind this year. Looks a little different with the rain umbrella up but didn't have my cell camera this weekend. It's ready to rock.

Looks good. What rifle are you using.

Pap

Model 70, .308

What bullet? I always liked the 165 gr in a 30 caliber.

Pap

Yes 165gr, this year. Getting more black bear in the area. I used 150gr mostly for deer previously. A 300 pound bear was bow shot 2 weeks ago nearby.

I was always partial to the 165 grain Nosler Partition for mule deer, elk , bear and lion. A real all around bullet.

Pap

Going with Barnes this year Pap.

Nothing wrong with a Barnes. I've just never used them but great reputation. Remington Core-Loc is a good choice too. Just depends on ones preference.

Pap

Do doubt Pap. They all work if you do your job.

When I was a hunting guide in Idaho and Montana, I packed a Ruger .243 and only did head shots. Usually it was a put down situation around a 100 yardsor so, where the dude made a bad shot and I finished it off. I have killed a few elk with that 243 lung shots using 120 gr bullets, but not more than 150 yards. You can shoot an elk in the ass with a 458 and it will run 10 miles or shoot an elk with a 22-250 in the head and drop it. All depends on shot placement.

Pap

Pappy,
You are so right on the shot placement.

I hear that some hunters are using heavy jacketed 223 rounds for taking large game. Of course,shot placement is critical and I presume at close range.

I was going to hunting after voting today but it is raining hard. I usually hunt in light rain drizzle but this is now downpouring.


Wayne

Wayne,

I bought a box of these and they are exactly what you're talking about. Haven't yet tried them but maybe late season this year.

With all the choices in calibers and bullet weight available now the only bad choice is to NOT bring enough gun, and to not be capable of shooting accurately the gun you bring. There's no reason to not use enough gun. Even my "little" TC .300 Whisper can fire accurately either a 150 gr. NBT or a 220 gr. SP. The only ass shot that should ever be taken is the Texas Heart Shot. Personally took/made only once & the 50 cal 300 gr launched from my TC Hawken entered just below the "eye" & exited between the shoulder blades, clipping the #2 tine on the right side of a pretty nice 10 point rack. Nice memories while watching a down pour.

I use this for Deer in WI in my AR15 16" midlength.

SDX Barrier/Hunting 70 gr. Barnes TSX

Rob,

Similar solid copper bullet construction. Glad to see you had positive results.

Does anyone use a Winchester Model 94 30-30 anymore?

Pap

Damn Pap you stole my thunder. I was hoping to take this old lady out for a walk in the woods this year.
About four years ago I stopped at a barn sale and got to talking guns and knives with the owner, out comes this '94, serial vintage WW11. Brought it home, took it up the to the range and couldn't hit the paper at 50. Rear sight was all down, don't think it was ever sighted in at all. After a few shots, it's a dandy. What a find and a bargain. On a good day I hope to take it fo a stroll and you never know what happens.
Not very good pictures but all I can do at this time.

I'll add the serial numbers for WW11 guns were just a block of numbers '43-'47. Good records weren't kept during those war years. My gun by the block of numbers was closer to '45-'46.

Follow-up. Interesting rear sight blade. Different profiles for holdovers, IMO.

Interesting, I have a post '64 that I got for cheap, put on a Williams peep sight, and that thing really shoots at 100 yards. Since it isn't a pre 64, I carry it in my Kubota 900 where ever I go around my area, and not worrying about messing up a classic. 150 gr seems to work well and doesn't kick like a 170. Your pre 64 looks amazing and a great get, for sure.

Pap

Recently my close friend was admitted to a nursing home and they took his house and all bank accounts!!

Before the realators got to his house,his daughter and I went there and cleared out all of his valubles.

One of the prizes in his vault was a pre-64 (1956) Winchester 94 virtually unfired.

Let me put it this way,the factory grease was solid in the barrel and the action could not be opened until I put some Kroil on the receiver and let it sit for several hours.

I was able to transfer the gun to another dealer for sale to an acquaintance for just $600. The money then went to my friend's daughter to help pay for the enormous expenses.

I guess you do not come across a find like that very often.

Wayne

Bout a week till opening day. The crew is getting geared up .

Last day for deer hunting for me today. Either sex hunt but waited on a buck, but no luck. I couldn't get too excited about hunting this year. My grandson Hayden has a late cow elk tag for black powder starting around Thanksgiving. I might get to take him out then.

Pap

Trail cam, nice 8.

Yes he is, hope you get him.

Pap

Somehow they seem to know when opening day comes around LOL.

Good luck Warren,

You are right that they somehow know when opening day comes. Where do they all go?

Cool with some snow I hope, for opening day.

Tom Flynn

It snowed here last night Tom about an inch. Yes opening day with a bit of snow would be great. Good luck to you guys as well.

Warren,
That buck looks like it would make a nice trophy. Looks like he weighs in close to 200 lbs so a nice amount of meat for the freezer.

Wayne

Yes he looks to be a pretty healthy animal Wayne. Now I just need to see him again.

Warren,
When he comes by,close your eyes so he won't see you...……….


Always worked for me,but somehow I never bagged a deer!!!!

Wayne

Now that's funny Wayne.

I had a big 8pt. in the yard Friday had real tall tines and about an 18-19in spread. Black powder in in now and rifle comes in Sat.

One down, one to go and then on to doe patrols. TC Encore .50 w/150grs Triple 7 pushing a 250 gr TC Shockwave.

That's a bruiser congratulations.

Wow, very nice one. Love those TC's too!!

Pap

Thanks guys, good luck out there.

That is a beautiful Buck! Way to go.

Very nice Muzz Buck!

Tom Flynn

Boomer,
Now that is very nice!!

Where in TN? My late daughter lived in Cleveland,about 40 miles east of Chatt.

Wayne

Thanks again fellas.
Wayne, I'm between Nashville and Clarksville - I retired from the army at Ft Campbell and stuck around the area. Great hunting on Ft Campbell too if you can handle all the regs - not uncommon for 150"+ bucks to come out of there every season.

Boomer,
A couple of my close friends live in Clarksville. They are retired from the Green Berets.

Deer in my area are about the 150+ pound range but a few years ago,a bow hunter harvested a 305 lb whitetail in a state forest about 6 miles from my house.

Haul that out of the woods and it is uphill......both ways!

That area is probably the best kept secret in the state. I have hunted there 40+ years and have seen maybe a total of six other hunters there.

Wayne

I retired out of 5th Group, Wayne - PM me their names and we'll see if we have some mutual friends. I keep up with several of them and attend the Group reunions every September.

Boomer,
One is now one of the knife editors for BLADE Magazine and his life long friend is also his knife making partner.

I will try that PM stuff.

Getting back to hunting,I will be going out for squirrel and rabbits on Tuesday and Thanksgiving.

No real Thanksgiving dinner for me as I am basically alone being that my wife and daughter passed away in rapid succession.

Roads are now clear and dry after yesterday's "global warming" so it looks basically like some clear sailing for a few days......maybe.

Wayne

Received and returned your PM Wayne.
Good luck with the hunting - rabbits are always good on the menu. Son shot a doe today and we're getting ready to back out for the evening sit.

One of my grandsons who is in the Army just transferred from Washington St. to Georgia and he drove up to Va. to see his mom. Came by and gave me some salmon that he had caught. He went hunting yesterday with muzzle loader and killed a cull buck and a doe. The buck was 5yrs old but had only 7pts and no spread but, it weighed 160 pounds.

Always an accomplishment to kill the old mature bucks - congrats to your grandson Sidney. Big difference from Washington state to Georgia..

Sidney,
Where in GA? Ft.Benning???

I been there...………….once.

Wayne

Not sure Wayne. He is supposed to come by today and I will ask him. His brother also in the Army is stationed in CO. but, is now at Ft. Benning for some training. He is in the 10th. Mountain Division.

Saturday night is always Seafood Fradiavolo in our group. Pictured is 6# of linguini, 9 split lobster tails= 18, 70 jumbo shrimp, 5 dozen scallops, who knows how much clams and mussels, oh and calamari. Put this in perspective, the bowl is at least 24" diameter.

Looks Good! Here it wouldn't have the lobsters .......be oysters & crab claws.

Makes my mouth water and I just ate prime rib. Betting it was delicious beyond description.

Pap

It was Pap. We've been doing this for 5 years now and every year it gets better.

Sid,
If I am not mistaken,the 10th Mountian Divisions main station is up at Ft.Drum in Watertown,NY. Kind of funny being that there is not a hill in sight in that area!!

There are plenty of nice "hills" at Ft. Benning.


Wayne

Fixed close to the same recipe, plus a fresh slab of smoked tuna, six years ago to celebrate the women/mothers in my family, including a few friend’s families. Thirteen hours later (0200) CPR in our local ER,and additional interventions, saved me from my first & only (so far)personal meeting with anaphylactic shock. Looked like Quasimodo, or “Hitch” according to witnesses who’ll talk about it—which doesn’t include my wife.
Man I miss seafood.....all kinds!

Duke,

No leftovers, not for you anyway. Sorry to hear about that. I've heard that happen to others too who had an event like yours. Pack an Epipen.

Wayne he was at Ft. Drum for 3 years. Spent one year in the sand box. Transferred to Co. early this year. I have no idea what kind of training he is going through now. Warren that dish looks so good has lots of the things I love.

Sidney,

You're welcome to join us next year Saturday night NYS opening day. It's worth the trip!

Well deer hunting personified goes like this:
Day 1: Up 4AM, Showers, coffee,bathroom,breakfast choice, coffee, bathroom.
Let's get dressed; multiple layers; utoh another bathroom episode. Takes 2 hours to finally get out the door.
Day2: Some up at 4 AM as is the coffee maker. Several less showers as "I had one last night ". New day, lots of flushing toilets, flatulence, where's my sandwich? Oh was that breakfast?
My favorite is my boot must be leaking because my socks are wet? HUH? So change your socks damnit.
Anyone else feeling the pain?
Day3; Alarm at 4AM, up at 5AM.
Coffee, bathroom, yup you get the drill.
So, how about breakfast? A sea of "green-faces" from the night before.
Another favorite, lactose intolerant. Lmao; he gets apple pie ala-mode after dinner. Set the timer for 10 minutes to watch the fireworks show.
After day 3 they mostly leave except my good friend.
I always said it's not the outcome but the experience.
Nothing could be truer except deer hunting camp.

Sounds like your hunting camp problems are behind you now. Remember no P&P at camp unless individuals bring their own, prunes and peppers. Lol.

Pap

Oh yeah that too Pap, LOL.

Hmmm,sounds like a Chinese Fire Drill to me!!!!!!!!!

Anyway,I hope all went well.

I don't need a deer camp,they are about 50 yards from my back door.

Can't hunt them here as it is pretty much in the city limits.

Wayne

Had a bruiser in the back yard at 8:45 this morning but, just didn't feel like fooling with him. He was only about 35yds. from the back door.

Oh Sidney and you didn't even invite him in for coffee?

Just like squirrels,they are all over the place by the house. I go out into the woods...……………………………………….

Same with deer.

Wayne

Warren,
I am (just now) getting caught up on this thread. Please email me (No "PM's) the serial number of your Model #94. It positively looks "pre-war" to me.
Thanks, Capt. Chris

Done, thank you.

Doe patrol - happiness is a full freezer..
Our region in TN allows 3 x does a day throughout the season. Buck limit was reduced from three to two a couple years ago.

https://www.facebook.com/100000358926353/posts/2036216809733597/

Happy Thanksgiving

Boomer,
She looks like to weigh about 160+ lbs???

Three doe a day? That sounds good.

Here,archers can harvest any amount of doe but when they produce the first buck that ends the season for them.

Did harvest that doe with firearm or bow & arrow??

Wayne

Warren's Model 94 is definitely a pre 64 with the barrel saying 30 WCF.

Pap

My research on several websites says '43-'48. Specific records not kept by year.

Is there a small "w" on the bottom of the frame? I think it may be 1942 or 43. Just a hunch!
For those who have not delved into these old war horses. a "pre-64"...verses a "Pre War" (meaning W.W.II) can usually be determined by the stock as well as some other criteria, to include serial numbers.
Obviously, with Winchester concentrating their efforts in the early 1940's to war-demand weapons, the Model #1894 took a big back seat, rather preference aimed (Get it> "Aimed"?) at M1 Garrands and M1 30 cal. carbines.
Leftover serialized lever guns could have been "finalized" later, to that possibility we just cannot tell. One "stock" option is the stock, especially the forearm. Notice, on Warren's example, the "amount (or length)" of forearm in front of the barrel band. This is typical (in fact "all") of Pre W.W. II #1894's. I would have to dig to show a "Post W.W. II" Model #1894 as still a "Pre-64" example but this section of forearm tip is about "half" the length of Warren's example.
Hope this helps, Capt. Chris

Cap,

No small "w", however there is a small "s" near the trigger.

Although I have no absolute knowledge of the stamp, Warren, it could possibly mean "smokeless powder" capability.
Best, Capt. Chris

Makes sense, thanks Cap.

Warren,
ON the bbl,when did they start putting the "P" proof mark?

Could that be when smokeless powder was being used??

I will have to check on my two Pre 64s to see if they have a letter by the lever floorplate.

Wayne

Wayne,

I think we should start a new thread because we got a little off topic. Cap, please confirm and I would be happy to start one in the correct forum.

This "is" the correct forum, although perhaps not the correct thread.
Capt. Chris

How about new threads like we have on the Randall subject, like Model of the Week. We could start the first one Winchester Model 94, and so on.

Pap

I like it the way it is,otherwise I woud get lost for sure!!!

Wayne

Tri-Fecta in the Finger Lakes!

Nice chilly hunt the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Rifle hunt 300 yard 11-Pointer and then two does with .300 WSM 190 gr Accubond-all the Venison you would want to eat.

Tom Flynn

Nice job Tom. We had a quiet few days. Not many shots around us this year. Farmers had plenty of standing corn locally. Deer were not moving.
We had about 10" of snow Thursday night. Did not see many fresh tracks over the next 5 days.
With all the dairy farms nearby, I think many deer are thinned out all year with nuisance permits.

Nice one Tom.

Pap

Warren,

We had alot of Doe's all day long; the bucks only come out in big numbers after official sunset (we could see for half an hour after the official time). NYS still stands by Official Sunrise to Sunset.

Tom Flynn

Thanks Pap!

Tom
Super nice buck.Can't see the rope burns where you had him tied out.

Nice looking buck Tom, congrats! He's got some good mass on that headgear. We call those conditions blizzard hunting down here..

Tom, mix the burger 50/50 with ground beef Chuck and 20% beef fat. Virtually no gamey flavor. The best.

Pap

Tom that is what I call a good day hunting. Good looking Buck!

WOW!
OUTSTANDING Tom!

Tony

Great Hunt Tom!

Tom,
That is really really nice!!! Super good job. Looks like he weighs in at about 200+ lbs???

Thanksgiving morning I was out in the squirrel woods. Here it was with the wind chill in the minus temps freezing my butt off. Even the squirrels knew better than to be out!!

Rained hard last night (at least not snow again) so after lunch I will be out. Temps are in the mid 30s so it will not be bad at all.

Wayne

Thanks Guys!

Never weighed him I would have guessed 180-190 after the Rut.

Happy Hunting to All!

Tom Flynn

Tom,
Looks like you probably will get maybe 100+ lbs of pure protein from that big buck.

Excellent job!!!

Wayne

Really beautiful buck Tom. Not too many much bigger than him in the woods, whether rack or body. Nice hunt.

Well, I retired in April and this year I finally got to hunt hard and often. Have been seeing lots of deer, but had been hunting this guy for a couple years, and never got a shot. Well he’s now just a 7 point, but 21 inches wide and 160 dressed. That’s big down here. They said 6-7 years old
250/3000 my favorite.

I resized the picture for you.
Now, that's the way to retire

Congrats Marty. Can only imagine what he was like 2 years ago probably in prime. Still a bruiser. Glad you got him and yes happy retirement.

Nice mature buck, congrats!

I love the 250 Savage as well Marty! Congratulations!
Best, Capt. Chris

Marty,

Livin' the dream!

Great dark brown rack on that one; a fine deer.

Tom Flynn

Marty,
The 250/3000 I presume is a Savage Model 99??

Classic and very nice!!

Enjoy your hard earned retirement.

Wayne

Wait till you hear this story. A customer friend of mine was seeing alot of fox activity on his GF's father's property. He sent up a drone to investigate where he thought a fox den had activity. What he found shocked him. The fox had been feeding on a huge dead buck.
The NYS DEC responded and determined the buck likely died from a heart attack.
It turns out this is the 7th largest buck found in NYS dead of natural causes. The deer green scored 199; I forget how many points. Anyway, he gets to keep the deer and is having it mounted. They've been watching this deer on nitetime trail cams for several years. Nobody has ever seen him during the day. What a monster!
The last pic was taken from the drone and that's how they found him.

Wow, that is a monster. Too bad some Hunter didn't get to harvest him.

Pap

Pap,

Jeff said he was estimated somewhere upwards of 300 pounds. Check out one of the nite pics, he was hanging with pretty good company.

Update,

Buck was a 16 point, estimated as 7 years old. Weight estimates somewhere around 300#.

Warren that is some buck!!!

Damn would have loved to have had that one in the cross-hairs.

Tom Flynn

No doubt about it Tom. This one was pretty smart. Sleep all day, up at night.

Hope he spread his genes far & wide

That is the first time I heard of any animal having a heart attack!!!
I am sure that it occurs. But I never heard of it before.

Huge deer,shame that the meat could not be harvested.

Wayne

It was very well fed Fox!

Tom Flynn

"Some" of the meat was harvested...by "critters"!
Nice buck, Capt. Chris

As I was told just the hind leg was chewed upon. It didn't appear that the buck was dead for very long. Even the hide was salvaged.

What a deer for sure.
Walker

That was one great buck for sure. Some of the biggest bucks ever recorded were found dead. Hole-in-the-horn buck comes to mind first and there are many others.

A bit off target. But involves deer.

I might have posted before about the time I found a freshly killed rabbit where his tracks intersected a deer's tracks that I was following in the snow.

Well, here is an instance where a young deer chases down and kills a domestic cat, caught on video.

Deer kills cat
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...lderly-cat.html
Horrifying moment a deer viciously attacks and kills a family's elderly cat
Footage has emerged showing a deer viciously attack a house cat
The 16-year-old cat stood no chance against the deer who pounced on the feline
The deer stomps and throws the cat until it lays lifeless in the grass

Larry

I've heard of Mad Cow, but this is Mad Deer.

Wayne, actually it’s a little model 7 Remington custom shop Kevlar I had built on that 250 savage round over 20 years ago. Classic meets high tech. I love the little 6 pound shorty.
Oh.. damn that deer that died of heart attack is a monster

Marty,
That is a super nice rig!! Do you load your own ammo for it??


If not,is the ammo difficult to locate??

Wayne

Wayne, I’m a reloader. I think you can get ammo online, doubt big box stores carry it. It’s a classic round and was the first commercial 3000 fps.
I get close to 2900 with 100 gr Nosler. It drops deer much better than it should.
Of course, my next favorite is 257 Roberts. I like old stuff....like me

Marty,
If memory serves me correctly,the writer,Col Charles Askins Jr used a Savage Model 99 in that caliber almost exclusively.

The 257 Roberts again,is another classic.

I cannot figure out why the companies "invent" new calibers when the classics do the same job??

Marketing I guess.

Wayne

Both the .257 Roberts and .25-06 were "standardized" by Remington, just 35yrs apart.

I would guess that Remington wanted to get their name on the popular wildcats of the time.

Popular name for size was "quarter- bore". Picked up a .257 WBY a few years ago, a bargain at the time. Still waiting for the right hunt, away from here hopefully.

My all time "want to have" is the .257 Weatherby. I settled on the poor man's version, the 25-06.

Pap

About the same recoil as my .308 Pap. I have mine +1.5" at 100 yds. Flat out shooter to 400 plus without holdover.
Nosler Accubond 110gr would be my go to.

Yep, I like the 120 grain only for the long distance shot. Up to 250 yards, would be the bomb. After that , the 7mm mag with the 165gr Nosler Partition is my choice. 63 grains of 4350, a tack driver.

Pap

120's have a bad rap. They don't group well, mine included.

Pappy,
Nothing wrong with the 25-06. It was "legitimized" back in the 70s if memory serves me correctly.

Wayne

Happy ending?

A mouse with antlers??? Never saw one like that before!!!!

Wayne

Funny.

Pap

I happened to pick the right day to visit with my customer friend. This is the rack from the buck I posted a few weeks ago. Pictures really don't put this in perspective until you handle this beast. It is truly massive. The bases are as large as a soda can. The taxidermist is doing a pedestal mount. Can't wait to see the final mount.

A true monster!!
Pap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H70ybZlB19Y
(worksafe, family safe, promise)

Great looking rack. You could make a couple of fine looking crown stag Smitty's out of that..

Not going to happen. There's not many whitetail handled Randall's out there.

We may be heading off topic and I apologize "but" Burnie Austin had a Model 1 outfitted with a gnarly whitetail crown handle. Point was a letter from Gary stating only one ever done. I had an opportunity...well someone has it and sorry I passed on it.

Point taken - I just meant the size of antler bases would compliment the width of the Smith blade.

Warren,
That is HUGE!!! Wow!!!!

Wayne

Yeah, I had other words as he took it out of large black lawn leaf bag.

Wow what a whitetail! That is what keeps us climbing trees and sitting there for hours & hours & hours LOL.

That is one awesome deer.

Tom Flynn

Without question Tom.

High fence?

Yesterday,I went out squirrel hunting. The first time ever in shirtsleeves (and orange vest/cap) in February.

Was nice to sit in the warm sun. A far cry better than the -22 last week. (and no,I did not go out in -22 degree weather!)

Wayne

My customer friend just got his mount back. World class.
Neck folds are lifelike.

I'll just edit to mention to scroll back in this thread to see additional information. There were many pics.

Beautiful mount.
Walker

WOW!
Wayne

Amen to Walker and Wayne’s comments.

Are you sure it's dead? Great taxidermy work.

Pap

Good one Pap. Final score was 199 5/8.

Warren,

Thanks for sharing, what a bruiser!

Tom Flynn

Tom,

Just saw my friend today. He expects to get the mount from the local Taxidermist soon.
Apparently word has spread over the southern tier of NY. Lots of people are posting pics from night trailcams and after recovery. I just feel blessed to be able to hold the rack myself. Was a cool moment and a once in a lifetime experience.