Bolt action

I'm trying to lead by example, but I was tempted.

I like your spirit, but this could all too easily backfire and do irrepairable damage. I've been saying for years that, while the firearms are protected, the ammo isn't. If the lib's have their way, our guns will be reduced to expensive clubs.

I've been waiting for last night for 8 years. Last night I took my son out for a PM sit in 8A. This was his first time tagging along on a hunt with me. Temps in the low 70's and a light SSE wind. We were settled in by about 4p. I hiked him in to the 2 story box blind i built last year. The canopy is still way too thick for the upper deck to be useful, so we sat in the bottom area. Around 4:30 we saw a nice buck walk (headed North) from the woods, across a small unplanted section, into the corn. About 20 minutes later we saw a smaller buck behind us in the woods walking South. Hard horns on both. By 6:30 he was starting to get antsy and was ready to go. Being a school night, I decided it was probably time to still hunt back to the truck. The walk is about a mile and would take about 45 minutes. So we pack up and follow the tree line along the bottom of the field and then turn North. I'm not sure what we'll see because of we're walking out with the wind more or less at our backs. Well we didn't make it very far when we spot a group deer about 200 yards North of us feeding along the corridor between the corn and the trees. I took the binos out and counted 7 deer. It was 4 bucks, 2 doe and a fawn. The bucks were all 8 pts or better and one of them was by far the biggest deer I've ever seen alive! It had a big old pot belly, the fur was a bit more gray than the others, and the antlers were dark. My son was super excited. We slowly stalked up to see how close we could get. Ultimately we got to within about 40 yards of the does and the bucks were only 75 yards away. Man I wished it was regular season! My son really wanted me to shoot the doe. I passed though. This was at about 7:30 or so. If I shot, had to trail it, then clean it and drag it out.. I wouldn't have made it to the truck until closer to 9.. then would get home closer to 10.. too late for a school night, so we let them walk. Eventually they all fed out of the area, they didn't spook or blow or anything. It was a perfect first hunt for him. He learned lots of valuable lessons about noise, movement, playing the wind, patience, and that a hunt doesn't need to end with a dead deer to be a success. He can't wait to go back out with me. All in all it couldn't have gone much better.

Perfect hunt for my son's first time out. I'll post details when I get a free minutes. Edit: don't get too excited, no dead deer.

Good luck if you're out!

Sounds like fun.

Savage Axis II with the stock weaver scope in .308 shooting 150gr Hornady American Whitetails. I have this one ready to go, sighted an inch low at 75 yds. I also have the new Howa 1500 in 6.5 cr topped with a Nikon Prostaff, but ammo has been hard to come by at a reasonable price for that one. Then there's the .350L that I'd love to take a deer with, but need to get it to the range before I take it in the woods.

I was on the fence about it, but now I'm definitely going to be out on Sunday (maybe Saturday too). My 8 year old has been waffling back and forth with his hunting enthusiasm. Lately though he really wants to go. I'll take every opportunity I get to spend quality time outdoors with him. The early season warmer temps will help with him to since he won't be as cold as if this were later in the season. I'll bring a gun along, but told him that it'll be his call if I shoot anything (assuming deer cooperate).

Does anyone know why the salmon that come out of Ontario look nothing like that picture? The flesh is always a milky white-ish color. Is it based on what they eat?

RIP.. I'm not entirely sure what the monarchy does in today's world. I actually saw an article back in Feb from a news site that was prepping an obit for her. She had some health issue at the time and they were expecting her not to make it through. Apparently someone "published" it prematurely and then quickly removed the article.

1st day here today for my oldest. He was really excited to start 4th grade and get back to school to see his friends. My 2 year old tried to climb on the bus with his brother. It's too bad that their age gap is big enough that they won't be in the school at the same time.

Saw this coming... I hope anyone who needed it was able to get some before gun season comes around.

I bought my son a Savage bolt action as his first. We actually shot it this past weekend. He loves it and is getting a really good feel for how to cycle the bolt, effectively use a scope, etc. The only "issue" with this Savage is that it's not a youth model, so it's a little big for him to hold comfortably at this point.

Nice catch! not a bad looking fish, either...

Just saw this.. rifle cost me $400+tx, sling and scope I already had.. The price was appealing when I first saw it. Then the store dropped it when I went back in. Picked it up at the local DSG. I've found some slammer deals on firearms there over the past few years.

Similar issue here. I have a Traditions Vortex Ultralight. I clean it every time I use it, which is usually under 10 shots per year. Just enough to make sure that the zero hasn't moved. I'll check the bore after a few months and, while the bore is shiny, there is always a fine red dust. So I'll run a patch with remoil through just to keep it clean. I don't have ML experience besides this, so just assumed it was normal. Also, I have a goldenrod in my safe to help with humidity.

I built two elevated pallet blinds. They work great and were cheap to build. One has an open roof, the other has sheet metal. I brushed the one in using fake Christmas trees.

Tonight was the first chance that I had to upload some pics. It's a howa 1500 with a Kratos stock. It has a 22-in barrel and is chambered in 6.5 creedmoor. I have looked and looked but can't find anything on a model that has a cerakote barrel or the muzzle at the end. With that said, this thing shoots. I'm getting sub MOA groups with factory ammo.

I clean all my guns after each time I shoot them. Some cleanings are more thorough than others. If I've shot a lot, or if I see a need, I'll take out the wire brush and patches and scrub and lube them up pretty good. If I only shot a few rounds through, it might just be a bore snake with a little oil on the tail. I never really understood how dirty barrels could lead to improved accuracy. Also, each time I clean them, I give the outside a quick wipe. A dry cloth followed by an oiled cloth.

Another vote for the Rem Accu Tips. That's what I used prior to rifle. Also Lightfields worked well in my guns. Using those two sabots, I only lost a few deer over the years. I think that was more my fault thought for poor shot placement.

Let's see if I remember the setup... Bow: Diamond Provider (single cam) Specs: 29.5" DL; +/- 65 lbs DW Arrow Setup: Victory Decimators with 150gr inserts BH: NAP Killzone 100gr FOC: 12.7% Total weight: 506.65gr (Double checked and made some corrections)

This all brings back memories. I used to fish with my dad and uncle under the falls in the Rochester gorge years ago when snagging was still a thing. Hundreds, maybe thousands of guys from all over the northeast lining the banks shoulder to shoulder. Shouts of "FISH ON!!"... good times. Nowadays I head to Oak Orchard or Sandy Creek.

I'll be out doing some in person recon with with 8 year old. He went camping up in Old Forge last weekend wit my BIL. Apparently there were 5 or 6 doe that came right down to the sites where kids were feeding them bread. He came home telling me how cute they were and how awesome the experience was. If I'm not careful, that may deter him from wanting to go out and shoot one. Haven't decided whether or not I'll bring a gun. I go back and forth between wanting to put one in the freezer and not wanting to scare off big bucks before the rut. I think it's early enough that chances during the rut won't be impacted by this.

Congrats to the good looking couple! I've been to the Harro East numerous times over the years for various events. Nice place in a not so nice section of Downtown.

Was watching one of these on a recent auction. I ended up going in a different direction. Fun little guns though.