Huntin' "Thoughts"....

For this past 4 days we have (only) been in the high 80's- low 90's with early mornings actually pleasant. High 60's-Low 70's has proved to be an immense delight after 2 months of "feel-like" 100-111 degrees.
Point being: I'm startin' to get that "huntin' thinkin" goin' on! I have a gun & knife show near the woods on the weekend of October 21-22 and that is aggravating my condition as well! So I was wondering:
...........How's about you'ze guys! My necks staring to swell and I'm ready to make some scrapes in the backyard!
I though we could all "hunt-vent" a little. What do ya' think? I will show photos of a brand-new "old" RMK which I am going to proceed to "blood-break"in this season!
HINT: It was made...on a very "VERY" limited number back in the late 80's...but long-since stopped!
More-to-come,
Stay Sharp,
Capt. Chris

I was fortunate to draw an Idaho late, November 24-December 10, cow elk permit. At 79, it's probably my last elk hunt. Also, while years ago before the infestation of wolves and increase in mountain lions, this cow elk tag would have been a gimme, like off my deck. But we haven't seen a single elk since early spring, so we shall see. Wish me luck.

Pap

I'm guessing a Crider Special or early Stanaback Special

Pappy, I really liked the pictures you posted in the past. It would have been easy to fill your tag then! Good luck. Hopefully you score and draw a rag for next year. Too young to quit right now!
Shoot870p

I think Billy may be correct on the Crider.
Shoot870p

Pap,
Come on,you're just a kid. I know of a woman up by my cabin in Maine that hunted deer right up to age 94. She used to pedal her bicycle with her Winchester Model 94 in the side scabbard (The 94 was chamber for 32 WCF (32 Win Spl) octoganal bbl....take down)

She would set up her ground blind,harvest her deer field dress it and pedal back into town. I asked her,Jeanette, how do you get that big deer back in town? Her answer was That is why God created great grandsons!!!

So you see,Pap, you have plenty of hunts left in you!!!!

Wayne

I believe you should use the world's BEST #21!!!

I don't get it James...???
Capt. Chris

You must have a 21 that he likes / wants ?!?!

...but he responded to Wayne?? I see no relative reason>..???
Best, Capt. Chris
PS: My new user is "not" one of my Criders..."NOR" a Model #21...CCS

Don’t know Cap ??

“Maybe” a Bearcamp Special for your new user?? WAG

Cap is in the Rut!

Bow hunting next month. Sea Ducks in Maine in November. Rifle in November. Muzzle Loader in December. 25-5 trapper has been around the world in many hunts and as long as I am able to hunt will always be on my side.

Shoot straight and Happy Hunting!

Tom Flynn

My next guess would be a Model 27 Trailblazer before it was
called a 27 and Trailblazer

I'm thinking a Glade's Hunter
just for old times sake.

Pap

Still my old favorite is one of my first Randall Knives,an old style Model 8 but I also use a Model 21 as I really don't need any big knives.

Wayne

This 1 ...

RamKing,
That is a mighty fine looking Model 21. Looks like it has a bit of character,

I have a special memories for my Old Style Model 8. I used it to field dress the first pheasant my dog,Luvvy,flushed as pup.

That Model 8 was the 2nd Randall knive I had purchased and the wait was just about 3 months so you know that goes back a long ways.

Wayne

I am going to say a Griffin Drop Point Hunter.

I have 'em...& love em'...but that ain't it!
Stay Sharp,
Capt. Chris

Well maybe a 3-4" or a 3-5" with a #6 grind.

My second guess is a.........

Ward Gay


Pap

model 6 steak knife optioned out at a time when you were allowed to do that.

I was thinking about that too, Pappy.
Shoot870p

Maybe too fancy?

That’s nice David. Very nice.
Shoot870p

My next guess.
Thick blade Model 14 from the early 80's

Maybe a #3-5" or a #7-5"...........

would the mystery knife have a crown stag handle and alot of spacers?

Maybe a Triathlete to clip in the pocket as a spare???

IN all hoesty,a 10-3 can pretty much handle all my needs.

Wayne

I'm "workin' in the shop" today. If I have a little time, I'll shoot a couple of quick pics for "The Reveal". Great knife...only 50 ever forged!
Stay Sharp,
Capt. Chris

Not to get "too" hung up on just the RMK....What caliber and game are y'all using and hunting? I'm going for Bama whitetail, hogs and (perhaps) a pheasant shoot thrown in to boot!
Shotgun with be a Beretta #301, 12 gauge...or a Browning Citori in 20. Both of these guys have been real good to me, including top dog at last year's shoot. I highly recommend them.
Rifles? I have more than I need but I recently had Jimmy McCullough build me a 257 Roberts, which I'll get "broke-in" this upcoming season. It will be a great rifle and it will be available for guests, women and younger hunters. It's mild report and recoil has to be experienced and can't be properly described. When I hunted in Florida a 1937 (Pre War) Winchester Model #70, in Roberts, was my go-to...all the time!
For more serious work I own "4"....(That's right: 4) 30-06 caliber hunting rifles...3 bolt guns and a Belgium, Grade II Browning BAR. Great medicine for whatever you're hunting.
I also acquired an old Sako "Vixen" sporter in triple deuce which I'll sight in and doe hunt with a bit. Absolute pristine condition and I've never had a 222 Remington that wouldn't group seriously tight ones!
OK: What about you folks? Let me hear it!
Stay Sharp, Capt. Chris
PS: A 150+ point Bama whitetail with my "Hill Country" in '06...CCS

Tell it Cap
No Brag Just Fact

The .257 Roberts would definitely be my choice for up to 200 yards, any shots taken over that, then I pick the Sako 30-06 150gr Nosler Partition or Remington Core-Loc.

Pap

BLR .308

One of my biggest regrets was getting rid of my Browning BLR in 358 Winchester. I just couldn't cozy-up to the larger "groups" it shot, compared to other rifles I own...but in 308 that's a great rig!
Thanks, Capt. Chris

Cap,

Whitetail guns-

In North Country brush my 30-06 Colt Sauer walnut stock with Schmidt & Bender Klassik 3-12 x 50

In fields my .300WSM Tika T3 carbon wrapped St, Stl. barrel and SG carbon stock NZ Schmidt & Bender Polar 4-16 x 56

All handloads.

Happy Hunting!

Tom Flynn

Capt
I think/guess the knife you are going to use is a drop point hunter.

Caliber and game?

Pheasant and occasionally chukar I use both 20 & 12 gauge based on the terrain. 24" barreled 20 in the thicker stuff otherwise it's the 12, both Benelli semi auto.

Coyote and other vermin it's mostly 17 Rem, occasionally the AR in 223 when the need arises.

Whitetail it's either the 7mm08 model 7, 6.8 SPC (not too impressed with that one), or the 300 RUM Sendero. Overkill for sure up here in WI, but with many shots either side of 300 yards none of em ever took another step using the 300.

Not anything nearly as nice as some of your chosen weapons, but they get the job done.

RMK wise, my model 25 is my hunting season carry. Unless I have a different custom on my belt, but that's a subject for another subforum.

Cool thread Capt, thanks for starting it

Whitetail: 7mm08 Remington 700 with a Christian Carbon Wrapped Barrel and bedded in a McMillian M40 Stock that's shoots 10 shot 3/4" groups at 100 yards.

Shotgun: A 20ga Browing Superposed

Remington Model 700 in 243, Timney trigger, B&C Stock, HW Precision barrel, Vortex scope. 5 shots at 100 yds

Rod,

Good shooting, that is a dead deer!

Tom Flynn

Capt,
Now a days,nothing fancy for me. It is just squirrels and rabbits so my basic piece is an old Savage Model 24 22lr/410 O/U or a Benjamin Discovery PCP 22 air rifle.

Back,just a couple of years ago,for quail down in South Georgia it was the Darne SXS 12 ga.

However,I do have a possible plan to come down to your neck of the woods for an Iguana hunt with the air rifle and combine that with some snakehead fishing.

Wayne

Thank you Tom. I don’t hunt deer anymore. Now coyotes, that is a different story.

Recently, I had a friend help me trouble shoot a Semi 1919a4 I bought back from a sale I made 12 years ago.
After spending 4 hours with me and providing some replacement parts, I asked if I could pay him.
He said no, but anticipating this response, I brought 200 rounds of 308 already linked for his full auto Browning.
He agreed he could always use ammunition.
He was heading to a relatives place in Texas where the hogs have ruined a lot of his land.
They were setting up the full auto and thought they might be eliminating some real pests.
His set-up is a lot like the one I had back in my full auto belt fed days.

Nice! That is awesome for sure.
Shoot870p

David,
Now that would take care of some of those Texas feral hogs for sure!!!

Wayne

Sadly, it doesn't look as though I'm going to get as much hunting in this year as I had wished. Dr's visit yesterday predicates:
* Port side knee replacement
* Left shoulder physical therapy (at the least)
Both of the above probably ain't gonna' have me real spiffy for most of hunting season. I'm not happy about it either...
Best, Capt. Chris

Wear a knee bracelet until hunting is over, then get it replaced. Get a steroid shot in your shoulder, they work.

Pap

Capt,
One teaspoon of unflavored Knox gelatin each morning will take care of the knee problem.

Some exercises for the shoulder and you are good to go.

By late spring maybe I will come down your way to do a cast & blast.

That is go fishing for snakehead fish and Iguana hunting.

Wayne

Wayne--

Iguana hunting?

What is the typical range, and how far do you have to lead in order to connect?

Larry

Wayne,
My knee has needed replacing for over 3 decades and it's finally to the point that it cannot be ignored. High school football injury started it. Dirt bike pile up, running hair scrambles screwed it. Partial frag grenade ingredients in it as well.
I am now "out 23 1/2 degrees" and it has been bone-on-bone for longer than I can remember. Believe me: It needs replacin'.
Thanks, Capt. Chris

I went through a replacement for another reason.

Another doctor asked me if I can walk on it, and what I thought.

I told him to keep his natural knees as long as possible.

Don't think I will be hiking the Canyon again.

Of course, the ortho doctors tell patients who have trouble and who are reluctant to get surgery that they will know when they are ready.

Sounds like the Captain is ready.

Larry

Capt
I was bone on bone for years. Hiking in Nepal, Asia and South America, were a pain in the a.. err, knee.
I had my knee replaced in 2019 and it is the best thing that I have had done, as far as helping stay fit. Cycling, knee wise, is a breeze and zero problems walking.
Just do every darn exercise the PT says, no matter how you feel. I was back cycling in a month after the operation.

Capt,
Wow! I guess you do need a replacement. Gosh!! You are almost as banged up as me!!!!

Well,do what you think is best. Maybe the sooner the better.

By the sway,any iguanas and snakehead fish in your area?
I may plan a train trip down your way in the spring.

Train trip? I won't fly as TSA and I really do not play well together.

Wayne

Grandson Hayden Elmore, on my daughter's side, harvested this monster 6x8 bull elk, and 2xdays later got this nice mule deer. He used his Model 3-5" Stag SS on both. He's 20 years old and is quite the hunter.

Pap

Very nice, Pappy.
Shoot870p

Pappy,
Wow! Nice harvest!!

James,
'Iguanas are pretty much stationary so no need to lead them for the shot.

Rifle of choice is usually a PCP air rifle about 22+ caliber supressed. These hunts are pretty much in populated areas.

As far as I know,no hunting license is needed down in FL for Iguanas but I think the proper proceedure is to call the loacal PD to let them know what area you will be in.

Wayne

I am finally mostly healed up now and will be able to go into the woods next week on a weekly squirrel/coyote safari.

Squirrels season opened Sept. 1st (coyotes are all year round) so I missed a couple of months of the season.

Wayne

Wayne
Glad to hear you are healed up and ready to go into the forest again for even more rehab. Nothing like a walk in the woods to get a boost. This time of year no worries about ticks or skeeter either.

Pap

Pap,
No skeeters for sure but ticks are year round. I had Lyme Disease a couple of times (keep going back for more).

I have two state forests near by that I hunt in,one,11 miles away is 11.000 acres and the other is behind the outdoor range just 5 miles from me and that is 349 acres.

That one is the best kept secret in the state. I have hunted that for over 50 years and have seen about 6 other hunters.

A few years ago,a bow hunter harvested a 305 lb white tailed buck there. Haul that out of the woods and it is uphill both ways!!!

Wayne

I'm re-visiting this cool old thread this morning. I've "still" not done my knee. I have had 2 DR' visits and, just yesterday, a 1.2 hour MRI!!
2 of my 3 skin cancers (The 2 worst ones) have been cut out & I'm healin' up pretty good. Now then...
In 2 hours time I'll be headed up to Bama...&...as promised am going to take our "mystery knife" aboard!
I'll show a few photos of the "now" before it gets all bloodied-up! Can you folks tell what's unique about it?
The brown-stitched Model #25 sheath will be my "user" sheath and it's quite vintage as well...
Stay Sharp, Capt. Chris
PS: Sorry for the crappy pics but it was all hand-held and done in-a-rush! (Did I mention I'm getting ready to go to Bama?)...CCS

Capt,
Super nice knife!!

Good luck and safe travels on your trip.

For gosh sakes,don't do anything silly and get yourself hurt!!!

Ummm,that knife....can I have it???

Wayne

Capt

What is unique, is the blade is not stainless!!

I may not be correct, but I have the rest of 2024 to guess something correctly.

I think Rod may be correct. It is stainless but not stamped as such?
Shoot870p

There were a few carbon Stanabacks back in the early days.

Well dang!
Shoot870p

You don't see a lot of these with BOTH compass and thong hole.

This example is one of only 50, forged in carbon steel (Swedish Tool Steel, at the time)! They're hard to come by, to say the least.
I got back a couple of days ago with no eventful skinning chores done as I was "buck-hunting" and only saw 2 "shooters" (for me anyway) and they were marginal. I will make my final trek the later part of next week....to be continued...
Stay Sharp,
Capt. Chris

Capt,
I hope that you have better success 2nd time around.

Wayne

nothing wrong with seeing 2 hooters! OH never mind; didn't see the s

Just got a call from the Captain.He has to get the doe he killed
to the processor and get all the blood cleaned off him.Tomorrow
through monday he said he was hunting for a big antlered wall hanger.

I wish the Captain the best of luck.

Hopefully when he returns,there will be some photos.

Wayne

I'm wondering what model Randall he used to skin it.He carries
more than one Randall with him.

Billy,
Doesn't everyone???

Wayne

Wayne
Yep..I had a memory laspe

Wayne
Yep..I had a memory lapse

Billy,
Those memory lapses happen to everyone. Now.............what were we talking about>

I see you were in 'Nam for Tet. I was out of 'Nam by '66 so did not see it.

Wayne

Wayne
I was not in Nam.We talked about this before.I was in DC from
April to August 1968.Was with 503rd MP Battalion out of FT Bragg.
MLK and Bobby Kennedy situation,

Billy,
Interesting. I forgot about no 'Nam but if you were at Ft.Bragg

Airborne MP?? I went through Ft.Benning in Oct '64.

Getting back to Randall knives,my first Randall I purchased in 'Nam from a GI coming back home. It was a Model 1 (what else?)

It wasn't until about 30 years later I started to acquire more Randall knives and later at BLADE Show meet with the Captain and other fine folks in the Randall Knife community.

Wayne

503rd was not Airborne

503rd Infantry Regiment vs. 503rd MP Battalion.

Too many "503rd"s

It amazing how many different brands of knives I saw being used in 'Nam. Of course,a Randall was the choice of many but I saw my fair share of Buck Specials.

When folks return from the service and if they choose to do outdoor pursuits,usually they choose a knife made by the company that made the knife they used in the military.

Wayne

Watch out for the sly ones!

Rob,
That's a good one!!!

A number of times hunters have approached downed game thinking they were down,but got a sudden surprise when they got close!!!

Eyes open and glassed over....dead,eyes closed....not so much.

Wayne

SSP

Michael
That is a very nice SSP.

Thank-You Rod, one of my preferred model Randall's. Purchased from Perry, many moons ago

...."&"...It's CARBON! Nice one Mike!
Oh...& everyone: I'm Baaack! Saw many deer, to include 4 nice 3 1/2 year olds with nice racks...just too young and in need of another year or 2.
Took a couple of more does (We have tooo many), "BUT"...temperatures 11 degrees one morning and 12 degrees another meant no butchering at the hunting camp as the water was turned of to the cleaning shed to prevent pipes bursting...so...to the processor they went.
Great time with good folks and I am finished for this year. The lovely Elizabeth is looking at a right shoulder replacement and rotator cuff repair, "both" on her right shoulder...& she's right-handed! I'll be on medical jury duty for the 2-3 months!
..."&"...after that, I'm looking at surgery on my "left" shoulder!
FYI...
Stay Sharp,
Capt. Chris

Capt,
Glad to hear that you had a good hunt. You can always count on the weather not co-operating.

Hope all goes well with the medical procedures for you and the wife.

Wayne

Well,squirrel season closes the last day of February here so I will put away my old Savage Model 24 22lr/410 O/U and break out my Stevens Single shot 16 ga for the coyotes.

Coyote season here is all year long,no limit.

Any coyote hunters here.

Wayne

Coyotes and wolves; I keep an eye out for them all day, every day. I have the Savage 24 in 222 Remington and 20 GA, also makes for a good turkey gun. Do you use an electric call for coyotes?

Pap

Pap,
I use an OLT rabbit distress call and a squirrel distress call. No electronic stuff.

State forest regs prohibit any caliber larger than 22 mag in rifles and for shotguns no slugs or shot larger than #2.

My go to for the coyotes is a 16 ga Stevens single shot rescued from a dumpster many years ago. Shot size that I use is #4 and with the modified (shortened bbl) and other upgrades I gave it, it is really light.

Touch off a round and you know something "had occurred" Patterns quite tight out to 40 yards.

Do you hand load for that 222???

Wayne

No, don't load anymore. Still have my old Rockchucker setup, but none of the family ever expressed an interest in reloading, so it sits boxed up in the basement. I don't shoot the 222 enough to warrant reloading.

Pap

I knew a guy who hunted coyotes and he used a 244 Remington ackley improved for it.

I've done a bit in the past, haven't had the time lately, with 17 Rem or 223. 17 Rem and 30 grain Bergers, when they used to make em, did the job extremely well. 20 grain V max and woodchucks are quite fun too...

Jerry,
One person that I know of in my state uses a 17 HMR.

One shot kills. Videos show him shooting the shot and the coyote drops right there!!!

Coyotes in my area are fairly heavy about 60+ pounds

A good number of posters on phone poles around here about missing Fidos and Fluffies indicate a lot of coyote activity.

Wayne

I recently put in for a raffle sponsored by the Knight of Columbus,Juneau,Alaska for a buffalo hunt on Kodiak Island.

Slim chance of winning but just in case,I am prepping my Shiloh Sharps 1874 rifle in 45/2.1/61/525 for it.

Translation on the caliber 45/70/61 grain Black Powder 525 grain cast bullet

The rifle is quite heavy so recoil is no real issue.

I was able to purchase the rifle through Shiloh Sharps pretty much off the rack 15 years ago.

I was lucky considering that there is a 2+ year wait usually for a Shiloh Sharps.

Wayne

That sounds like a very cool old tiney rifle, and just the ticket for a Buffalo. What sights do you have on it?

Pap

Pap,
My Shiloh Sharps is of modern construction made in 2008.

I have a globe front sight on it's bbl and a Lyman #2 tang sight for the rear.

I went to the range yesterday and it was dialed right in with the 525 grain loads.

I keep the bore seasoned with Bore-Butter and do not use any petroleum based cleaning solvents.

Because it is quite heavy,I use shooting sticks to keep it (and me) steady.

Wayne

At my aging eyesight, I need a peep sight on non scope rifles. Sounds like a really cool rifle. Hope you draw.

Pap

Sounds like a great rifle for sure. I like them but do not have any single shots.

The Shiloh Sharps exudes quality. Everything made right there in Big Timber,MT.

At the outdoor range on Saturday,it was dialed right in with the 525 grain loads.

Wayne