solamente73

My NV rig is an ATN Night Sight HD II 5-20x mounted on a DPMS GII Hunter chambered in 7.62x51. (IIRC, Cabo started with the same or similar ATN.) Over the years, with this rig I’ve taken about 15 pigs at a friend’s place by Port Lavaca, but this post is about my first at my place in NE Texas. My rig: Home sweet home. Feeder is at 180 yards. Bought an ATN OTS-XLT 160 2.5-10x for scanning: Used the thermal to spot the sounder coming in from the far fence line, about 300 yards. White hot worked beautifully. Switched to NV and bang: No NV video because I was fumbling with my first use of the thermal and wanted to get the shot off; should have had shot-activated video on but I was off my game. No thermal shots because I didn’t bother taking any photos - though the packaging was correct, inside was the 1-4x model, so I just returned it to Amazon and will pick up the correct model at the ATN store in Grapevine where I can ensure I get the correct model. Really looking forward to using this set-up through the summer.

Inspired by this thread… using oak… TOASTED English muffins, CRISPY hash browns, grilled pork tender, poached eggs, hollandaise from whoever posted back in 2018 plus cayenne, chipotle, and cheddar (screw the egg whites). Eat immediately after serving with cocktail or spiked coffee of choice.

@dcbc That’s a nice collection. Takes me down memory lane with the firearms I inherited from my father. Keep the 1911 and the A5, regardless if you are offered stupid money. I appreciate you sharing the details and the photos. Every single one of those firearms is/was a memory for someone, and you can’t say that about very many things in life. It’s one of the reasons I love this thread.

I’ve deployed 10 SD card cameras on two properties over the past few years. I don’t mind running cameras to check cards; it forces me to get out and survey the properties. That said, in the near future, I will be deploying a couple of cellular cameras for convenience and security, and I’d like to know what’s going on in real time in certain places. Features to look for depend on for what you want to use the camera. Timelapse is good for just surveying a field, where a short trigger speed is good if you want to capture deer on the run. If in full sun, a solar panel is nice. Video with or without audio, depending on your wants. Should be able to handle 32GB and above SD cards. Visible or invisible IR depending on how skittish/wise your game is. I’ve had the best results with Bushnell and Browning cameras. The best value I’ve found lately is Bushnell’s Prime Low Glow 24MP - I’m running three right now. Decent sale at $86.37 on Amazon. I also like Browning’s Strikeforce Pro XD, but those are more expensive. Both will provide really nice pics during the day, but the Pro XD is superior at night. Battery consumption depends on temp and number of pics taken, settings, etc. I run cameras year-round and probably switch out batteries three times per year. Example pics spoilered:

Ummm… uh… spotted this in DFW: Yes, those are “eyelashes” over the headlamps.

hesrightyouknow.jpg It’s been this way for us for years. That said, even with a CM down the street, I’m often jealous of the quality of meat certain high-end steakhouses can source (may need to up my mail order game). We also like the experience - getting away from kids, the service, apps, sides, not having to cook and clean... and sometimes a bartender who can make a transcendent martini. Plus, since we prefer steak over tiny bites, steakhouses have their place in our date night rotation. I experimented for a while with SV, following tips on shaggy/surly. I just couldn’t get over the “odd” texture SV produced vs. traditional “grilling.” I have no explanation, but my wife and I both noticed it. It didn’t matter the cooking time, so I chalked it up to method. Plus, no smoke flavor compared to cooking over coals. Cook however you like, just don’t overcook. I like fire and smoke. YMMV.

Hangover breakfast. Crinkle fries, leftover smoked brisket chili, fried eggs, cheese, leftover pico.

Snow day? More like chili day. First, smoke a brisket. I like hickory. Then, the magic happens over a few hours. Result? Heaven. Cheddar biscuits on the side. Nom. More snow days, please.

I’m right there with you. Going back to my original post on my elk hunt mission, I’m doing this to follow in the footsteps of my dad and his best friends, who passed last year. The photo below shows my dad (right) and Sonny (left) at their deer camp c.1979. The guy taking the picture was the third. Every step of this journey brings up a great memory.

Thanks! I’m ridiculously excited. My friend is going to hunt, too, and we are going to do 1 guide 2 hunters. He’s adamant that I take the first shot / bull-of-choice. Agree that hunting (and fishing) with good friends reigns supreme. This is a hunt of a lifetime that needs to be shared. It’s going to be a long journey to figure everything out, but this is what I’ve been able to put together in the last few days: Elevation: entrance is ~6500 feet, ridges up to ~9000 feet Month(s): last few days of August / first few days of September; chose this timeframe based on hunt availability and first choice on bulls; should be bugling Rain Gear: I have basic (read: cheap) rain gear and a nice waterfowling jacket. Not sure what might be needed for mountains. Shot Range: 150-250 yards. Wooded areas plus open valleys. I plan to prepare for up to 300. Transportation: as of now, we’re leaning towards driving. The hunt dates are bookended by weekends, and the drive DFW-UT would be beautiful. I have a super crew F-150 with a bed cover that can accept t-bars and cargo baskets, so plenty of room for gear and coolers. Coolers: we have 370 quarts now. I’ll ask the owner what we’ll need to bring meat back, or ship. Trophy: TBD. Ranch can handle it, but I could bring mine back as I’m thinking euro mount. My buddy is thinking shoulder mount, so we might be running out of room at that point. Bullet: TBD but looking at Barnes 180 TDX, Barnes 175 LRX, Nosler 200 AccuBond, Hornady 180 GMX, Hornady 200 ELD-X My buddy doesn’t have a rifle for this hunt, so he’s been looking into it and is leaning towards 7mm and Leupold 14x glass, but he’s really only 4 days into making the decision to take an elk on this expedition, so lots of research ahead for him. Any and all advice/input from anyone greatly appreciated. I’ll chronicle the journey in this thread; I’m sure to learn things that might help others.

Well, hello, gents, it’s been a while. Catching up on the thread, I see that excellent work abounds. I probably gained 10lbs just looking at the pics. A friend came up for the Dallas Safari Club convention last weekend, and he brought these strips from an HEB in Austin. Grilled over lump with a kiss of mesquite. Like butter.

Reporting back. First, thanks to @686 and to @BabaYaga for the help and advice. And thanks to all for all the other kind words. Second, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE DALLAS SAFARI CLUB'S ANNUAL CONVENTION, PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR FOR 2023. Holy shit that was awesome. Almost everything you can imagine; if it can be shot or caught, you can plan it there. Plus gear and guns (integrally suppressed lightweight mountain guns, anyone?). Even stuff for your farm/ranch. 882 companies on the exhibitor list. Plus the, ahem, talent was off the charts; 10s were everywhere, and I'm talking about the attendees. Hot chicks love alpha males, and apparently DSC is where hot chicks go to find alpha males. Third, the mission. I had 19 exhibitors targeted. Express UU Bar happened to be the first I spoke with, as they were right by the entrance. They were booked up with returning clients for the next few years, but Pat was the nicest guy, very knowledgeable, and all-in to help me accomplish the mission. He taught me what I needed to know about my search, referred me to a few exhibitors, and took my info to ask around up there. So, shout out to them. After two days of searching and considering all options/factors, I chose Royal Rut Ranch in Eagle Mountain, UT. I needed a hunt with a very high probability of success on a 300-400 bull elk, and after meeting the owner and his wife, I was sold. I have a close friend who was just coming along for the ride, but after attending DSC with me, he's decided to pull the trigger, too. So, I've officially embarked on the mission to take a trophy bull elk this fall - I mailed the deposit check today. I get to do this in the 30th year of my father's passing, using the rifle he never got to use (fuck cancer), and it will take place over what would have been my father's 94th birthday. I'm so fortunate to be able to honor my father and his friends like this. Let's get to it.

Yes, please.

ISWYDT

You are pushing my thinking, which is awesome; I’ve been wholly focused on destination and rifle when there is so much more to consider. Yeah, destination and timing will partially dictate equipment and clothing, but it’s got to be on the radar. Bean Maine hunting boots and Academy silks might not hold up on this trip, for example. Plus, a new pack is always fun. I use V-Tac padded slings on all my rifles (but I’m willing to learn), and I have decent Vortex and Zeiss glass, but I need a harness. I assume guide will have a rangefinder, but I can pick one up if needed. Good to learn DSC will offer opportunity for serious gear. I’m planning on spending 2 days there at this point. Please keep it coming. These right here. The extended family ranch is 3.5-4 hours away, and dragging my nuclear family (kids are 5 & 7) there is tough. My farm is 1.5 hours from our home, and we can go there almost every weekend. I can make day trips to check on things while using modern technology to conduct business/work and be home for dinner. The fact is that the more accessible (read: closer) the property is, the more you will use it. This matters everywhere and can’t be emphasized enough. If not living there full time, we are visitors, and hopefully guests. And it’s critical to have local resources to help when needed and with which to socialize. csb/ Not long after we bought our farm, against my recommendation, Mrs. Sola (no pics) tried to mow some very dead 5 ft hay with our riding mower instead of the tractor. Hilarity ensued. Well, if you consider a melted mower and grass fire as hilarity. But the local volunteer fire department showed up to save the day. Now we are all friends/acquaintances, and that has been a great avenue into the community. This year I got to ride with the VFD in the local Christmas parade. That was awesome. /csb

Nice ride, and roomy. I actually regret not getting the Mule Pro FXT Ranch edition, if nothing more than for the winch. But mine is bulletproof and gets the job done. Plus I can put the savings into buying suppressors, but that’s for another thread. Yes, I could mount on the inside, But then my kids heads would be hitting them and rifle. Need both front and rear seating room clear. Also, got pics?

I feel you. This might help narrow your search a bit: How many deer are in Texas? White-tailed deer populations listed by region My farm is in the Blackland Prairie region, which has the lowest deer population density in the state at 6% that of Edwards Plateau / Central Texas. And people just shoot whatever they want when they want. I’m extremely fortunate to have as many deer as I’ve seen on camera, especially like those bellow. I’ve decided not to take one this year, hoping against odds one will survive until next year. Need to start killing some pigs, though. Had a big sounder come through, tear up a field, and disappear (pic below is representative).

Ok, that place looks FUN. Only 20 elk, though, and not quite the experience we are looking for (see below). That said, talking with the guys, that would be a fun time for another species. Gonna be a guys’ trip. Great idea, and thank you for reminding me about it. I miss it every year because the craziness of the holidays plus starting up a new year keeps it off my radar much less top of mind. UU Bar is an option and on the list. I’m treating this as my one and only elk hunt. High probability of success on at least a medium rack bull. Definitely guided. Mountains. Outside of Texas. Can allocate 7-10 days. Prices I’m seeing are higher than I expected, but don’t care. I’m open to everything cabin/lodge to tent. Horses or ATV/SxS plus hiking. Help dressing and processing. Though I’m already training for this trip, no desire to hike in and out, backpacking the whole way. DSC is a great idea, and it’s on my calendar. Will report back. Thanks for the help, y’all.

I looked at those and they were very promising. Just for me, though, with my Mule 4010 Trans, it would just take up too much room up front, so I passed. Yes, direct mount. Easy as could be, very sturdy. Just distance the clamps for whatever rifle you’ll be carrying. I originally set out to find a way to carry an AR 30 rd I could quickly access from the driver’s seat. I looked at every possible arrangement: mounted across the A pillars in front, overhead, vertical front floorboard, front seat, driver side B-pillar or C-pillar (but that would be custom), and all the bed solutions out there. For about a month, I’d mock up what solutions I could and went about normal work, envisioning usability and utility. Because of small cab size, I eliminated every option up front. Side mount exposed the weapon to brush, etc. and inhibited ingress/egress. So, I had to go with bed mount, and those clamps were easy to use and didn’t take up much space when I needed it in the bed. One drawback is that the rifle is exposed to the elements. I’m usually not out in the rain, but I do have to bring it in at night so it’s not impacted by unexpected rain or heavy morning dew (insert joke here). A solution for that would be a hard gun case and maybe a 10 round magazine, but more of a PITA to access quickly.

NSD1 has everything borked

What CHIEF recommends is solid, but I need all four seats - YMMV. Works well in a 6 seater for sure. I thought about overhead, but I’m too tall for comfort. Had to go with bed mount. Works reasonably well - I just glass the field before going through. If I see anything of concern, I get out the rifle. Quick enough access for me. https://www.kolpin.com/en-us/shop/accessories/gun-transport-carriers/rhino-grips/ratcheting/ratcheting-rhino-grip/?pfm=Browse

Earned my divemaster certification at UT in the 90s. Used to help teach students out at Lake Travis - Windy Point. Holla to the SCUBA Club and Starnes Island. I’ve been fortunate to dive many places. Did a lot of mud diving state-side, but of course the action is in the salt. Key Largo, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, St. Thomas, Bonaire, Curacao, Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Fiji, Mo’orea, Bora-Bora, Maui, Big Island, Eilat, Sharm El Sheikh. Wreck diving and wall diving rule. Have spent the last several years having kids, hunting, fishing, farming. Once the boys are old enough, look out, I’m taking them to depth. Can’t wait. Whale sharks...Truk... liveaboard... Those I think are on my bucket list. GBR wouldn’t suck as part of an Australia/NZ trip. Love the stories in this thread. Keep at it. Nothing beats a 5 dive day (2 in AM, 2 in PM, 1 night) followed by fresh seafood and an ice cold local beer (or rum drink).

Not sure where else to ask, so asking here. Would appreciate any recommendations. When my father retired, his staff presented him with a Weatherby Mark V chambered in .300 Weatherby Magnum, complete with a Zeiss scope. The plan was for him to go elk hunting with it. Sadly, cancer took him before he ever shot it. Fast-forward 29 years. Along the way, I had the rifle reworked by a master gunsmith to restore it from when I was young and unable to keep it stored properly. See pic below. My objective is to hunt a bull elk in fall 2022 using that rifle. My initial thought is a guided hunt in New Mexico or Colorado, but I’m open. Don’t want to have to do a lottery - looking for a guaranteed hunt, so I assume private land. Two hunters. Budget not an issue. Thanks in advance for any and all insight.