Guys, I bought one of the beta test models.
Works great. Easy setup and takedown.
No spark or smoking issues.
Belly design held up very well. Whole design seemed very stout.
Door pops right off with an upward tap from a stick. Used a doubled up glove to reset the door after hot loading...
Off topic but worth a mention.
Dutch oven cooking is easy.
Get some good logs rolling around lunch time to create coals.
Put it in by 3pm with plenty of liquid and it will be ready by 7pm. I usually amp up the fire after I get back to camp and drink a beer or two while it gets the final...
It’s getting to be that whitetail hunting is more enjoyable. Big deer camp with friends, dutch oven cooking a roast, warm wall tent, good wine, lots of animals to see. Less work for more benefits.
Maybe it’s the cow herd reduction, or more hunters educating the bulls in archery, or hotter weather, or Artemis is just unhappy with us mortals.
It was 60 degrees and sunny the first five days. Lots of horse trailers at the trailhead too.
Hard to explain.
No luck this year on north slope. It was bizarre. There was boatloads of sign everywhere in the now dead timber (beetle kill) at 10,500 feet but nothing would come into our calls. Tried watching the meadows and even the alpine openings above. Only saw cows. Things sure have changed from the...
Make sure rail tight.
Mount ring bases loosely and see if scope fits where you want it (fore to aft). Adjust bases and torque base to spec.
Put scope into bases. I spend considerable time making absolutely sure it’s level (no can’t) and far enough back to easily see in low power while...
Hammer the cardio and legs through the day before we drive out on Tuesday. Hike in Friday. 3 or 4 days of recovery is perfect before the big push. Stretch really good before bed on the travel and acclimation days. Minimal alcohol; but lots of carbs, water, sleep and ibuprofen.
Generally, we hunt near each other but not together.
But if together, whoever has gone the longest without scoring is my rule of thumb, or the new guy if applicable. There is real joy in getting a guy his first elk. We all split the meat up anyway.
Obviously if a guy can’t make the shot...