2025 NRL Hunter

[schmidty3]

I was there. I thought it ran pretty well. Everything flowed well. And was straightforward. It just wasn't that complicated.

The freestone was a mess though. It definitely needed much more signage. The given maps were not great. And they way they broke it into quadrants with different numbers of targets was confusing and caused log jams.

 

[KY_coop]

I shot skills so got a little guidance looking for that ram. It was still hard to find! I somehow mis ranged that target and was shooting at its feet. Finding the targets was by far the hardest thing to learn this past weekend. A little more practice building a good position and I think I'll do alot better in the next one. I believe I finished with 70 points.

 

[schmidty3]

I shot skills so got a little guidance looking for that ram. It was still hard to find! I somehow mis ranged that target and was shooting at its feet. Finding the targets was by far the hardest thing to learn this past weekend. A little more practice building a good position and I think I'll do alot better in the next one. I believe I finished with 70 points.

I found it in the binos. But then it took me awhile to find it again in the scope. Pretty sure I just saw the vital plate at first.

Then after the match walking back I took a look and about couldn't find it. That was a devious target.

 

[dirtytough]

Got signed up for the Cody match. If anyone has an Iowa spot they aren't going to use I would be interested in it.

 

[charliebravo77]

I also shot the OK match (Kurts86's teammate) this past weekend and generally had many of the same observations. You might have seen me fall flat on my face and get a stage DQ, which while I was mad about it happening, it is what it is and we were there to learn and not win prizes. That said, going back and re-reading the rules I'm not sure I agree that it was worthy of anything but being told to restart the stage (we didn't even make it to the sighting pin). The rifle was attached to my pack, I fell face first and rolled slightly to the right to keep it pointed downrange and not towards anyone, no mag inserted, bolt back, safety on, chamber flag inserted, but whatever.

My biggest observations are that the match director seem to really enjoy hiding targets and combined with the first day's flat, overcast lighting conditions it made for a hell of a challenge that often resulted in running out of time or skipping targets. Our actual shooting wasn't really an issue, even with my ~9.8lb entire rifle setup that got put on a scale just as a formality.

I tend to think I/we have above average shooting and glassing abilities but the combination of the ticking clock, stationary critters and different type of pressure vs hunting was very quickly a humbling set of constraints. Show me an otter that sits still longer than 15 seconds or a sheep that doesn't give a tail or ear flick for 5.5 straight minutes.

Being able to very quickly build a shooting position in rocky and brushy terrain is also something that is hard to practice if you don't live somewhere that has ample public land or you have a suitable private range. Living in Chicagoland my choices are very limited for that and from a shooting perspective that was my biggest downfall and area for improvement. These shortcomings made themselves apparent in the stages with vital zone hits required (I'm looking at you, Tom Turkey) or where there were 4 positions and I didn't take the time to get into a good position, use whatever combination of bipod, bag, tripods were best and broke off a shot without really settling in. They were usually hit the steel, often just missing the vital plate by a very small margin.

As reflected on already, we made the mistake of not understanding the gamer aspect of this format and weren't strategic with our time usage until a few stages in when we better understood the flow of a team stage approach even despite watching a handful of YouTube videos of teams previously.

Besides tripping and falling, the only other major mistakes I made were making a dyslexic wind call and holding left instead of right or vice versa once and then getting the range and elevation correction mixed up in my head - range was like 440 yards and elevation correction was 2.5 mils but i dialed 4.5 mils likely getting the 4 from the range in my head.

As far as stage/match flow, I agree the brief could have been day 1 and you could weigh and get PF at stages. Just place a Xero randomly on 3 stages (or 3 Xeros on one stage with 4 positions) and get the average of the 3. It'd be a tiny bit of math and data recording vs 3 shots in a row but I think it'd still be more efficient (particularly for those traveling from out of the area) than having to do it the day before.

I'll definitely shoot another NRL hunter match soon if I can swing it, probably in skills, though TBD I guess.

 

[schmidty3]

I also shot the OK match (Kurts86's teammate) this past weekend and generally had many of the same observations. You might have seen me fall flat on my face and get a stage DQ, which while I was mad about it happening, it is what it is and we were there to learn and not win prizes. That said, going back and re-reading the rules I'm not sure I agree that it was worthy of anything but being told to restart the stage (we didn't even make it to the sighting pin). The rifle was attached to my pack, I fell face first and rolled slightly to the right to keep it pointed downrange and not towards anyone, no mag inserted, bolt back, safety on, chamber flag inserted, but whatever.

My biggest observations are that the match director seem to really enjoy hiding targets and combined with the first day's flat, overcast lighting conditions it made for a hell of a challenge that often resulted in running out of time or skipping targets. Our actual shooting wasn't really an issue, even with my ~9.8lb entire rifle setup that got put on a scale just as a formality.

I tend to think I/we have above average shooting and glassing abilities but the combination of the ticking clock, stationary critters and different type of pressure vs hunting was very quickly a humbling set of constraints. Show me an otter that sits still longer than 15 seconds or a sheep that doesn't give a tail or ear flick for 5.5 straight minutes.

Being able to very quickly build a shooting position in rocky and brushy terrain is also something that is hard to practice if you don't live somewhere that has ample public land or you have a suitable private range. Living in Chicagoland my choices are very limited for that and from a shooting perspective that was my biggest downfall and area for improvement. These shortcomings made themselves apparent in the stages with vital zone hits required (I'm looking at you, Tom Turkey) or where there were 4 positions and I didn't take the time to get into a good position, use whatever combination of bipod, bag, tripods were best and broke off a shot without really settling in. They were usually hit the steel, often just missing the vital plate by a very small margin.

As reflected on already, we made the mistake of not understanding the gamer aspect of this format and weren't strategic with our time usage until a few stages in when we better understood the flow of a team stage approach even despite watching a handful of YouTube videos of teams previously.

Besides tripping and falling, the only other major mistakes I made were making a dyslexic wind call and holding left instead of right or vice versa once and then getting the range and elevation correction mixed up in my head - range was like 440 yards and elevation correction was 2.5 mils but i dialed 4.5 mils likely getting the 4 from the range in my head.

As far as stage/match flow, I agree the brief could have been day 1 and you could weigh and get PF at stages. Just place a Xero randomly on 3 stages (or 3 Xeros on one stage with 4 positions) and get the average of the 3. It'd be a tiny bit of math and data recording vs 3 shots in a row but I think it'd still be more efficient (particularly for those traveling from out of the area) than having to do it the day before.

I'll definitely shoot another NRL hunter match soon if I can swing it, probably in skills, though TBD I guess.

I'm pretty sure I had stage 16 cleared in 2 minutes. That turkey was pretty easy, and the wolf was right there. You really didn't even have to dial to hit the wolf. Just hold top of the back.

I think a lot of people would've been better off simplifying what they are doing and just shot off of a pack with a rear bag. It worked great for me. Maybe that bites me next match but we will see.

 

[Okie_Poke]

I also shot the OK match. My first one and I shot in Skills division. It was humbling, to say the least. As others have said, the hard part was finding targets and managing gear/building positions on the clock. The shooting sure seemed like the easy part. Also, my scope lost zero dramatically---twice---thanks to tipping over on a rock when set down on the bipod. That cost me 0s on a total of five stages over two days. Also, I don't think I ever found all four targets on any of the 4 target/1 position stages. I definitely need to get my mind to slow down and think deliberately while on the clock.

I'm not critical of the match or the fact it's a game and people are gaming it. You get out what you put in. If you want to practice hunting skills, then bring your hunting gear and shoot Skills if you suck at finding targets (me). If you want to compete playing the game, play the game.

I'm super impressed by the guy who didn't use a tripod and just shot off his pack all day, placing well in OH.

I never used a tripod. And only used my tall harris bipod two or three times. If I could go low prone I shot off of my pack with a rear bag. My outside perspective is that dealing with legs is too inefficient, especially when each position could cause you to have to adjust.

This is an interesting idea, following the KISS principle. I ran a Harris 6-9 for the bipod but probably could have used my pack for prone positions. One of the (several) things that made me slow was deploying my tripod every time (except that one time when I should have used it or my pack as rear support!). I practiced it but I had to unscrew two legs to glass from my knees, so it was a time-suck on every stage. That, and using a range finding monuclar separate from my binos. I was not smooth at that (or much of anything else, tbh).

Shooting was hardly ever the problem. Time management, finding targets, and knowing when to cut bait on the target you couldn't find was.

Yep.

I was shooting a stock tikka ctr in a bravo chassis and silencer. Landed at 14.5#.

Stock Bergara HMR at 14 1/4. Not my usual hunting rig but the only rifle I own currently wearing an ffp scope. Ran it on 12x most of time.

That ram with the vital zone at 800 was a doozie. Most people never saw it. Took me too long and I ended up rushing the first target. Started shooting with a minute 30 left. Got the deer kn the 2nd, and somehow landed a first round hit on that ram, then ran out of time on the move. I think the average score on that stage was a 2 or less. Alwine got a 4.

I don't think anyone in my squad even saw that ram. I got 2 points on that stage (1 first round hit on the deer).

If a man just cut bait. Took his time and shot the deer. Skipped the ram. And took his time and shot the deer again. He would've tied the highest score in the stage. Then had time to look for the ram.

This became my mantra on any stage with four targets in particular. Glass for two minutes and then just shoot whatever you've found. Some points are better than timing out with no or fewer points because you glassed too long. Was harder to do than say, though.

All that to say.... I disagree a bit. Doing all that on the clock and increasing efficiency.....I really wouldn't want to be getting shot at by me at this point. I'm a way better hunter (efficient shooter) after just 2 matches.

I thought it was useful, and I want to shoot another for sure. I definetly learned a lot. The clock is a real stresser, and practicing against a stresser matters. The only "gear" I want to add is: (i) a talking timer (so I can cut bait at 2 minutes on glassing), and (ii) a buckle to get my gamechanger bag unclipped from my pack faster. It kept hanging up on the carabiner, which was highly annoying. Otherwise, I just want to practice with what I have. Will almost surely shoot in Skills again.

 

[schmidty3]

I also shot the OK match. My first one and I shot in Skills division. It was humbling, to say the least. As others have said, the hard part was finding targets and managing gear/building positions on the clock. The shooting sure seemed like the easy part. Also, my scope lost zero dramatically---twice---thanks to tipping over on a rock when set down on the bipod. That cost me 0s on a total of five stages over two days. Also, I don't think I ever found all four targets on any of the 4 target/1 position stages. I definitely need to get my mind to slow down and think deliberately while on the clock.

I'm not critical of the match or the fact it's a game and people are gaming it. You get out what you put in. If you want to practice hunting skills, then bring your hunting gear and shoot Skills if you suck at finding targets (me). If you want to compete playing the game, play the game.

I'm super impressed by the guy who didn't use a tripod and just shot off his pack all day, placing well in OH.

This is an interesting idea, following the KISS principle. I ran a Harris 6-9 for the bipod but probably could have used my pack for prone positions. One of the (several) things that made me slow was deploying my tripod every time (except that one time when I needed it as rear support!). I practiced it but I had to unscrew two legs to glass from my knees, so it was a time-suck on every stage. That, and using a range finding monuclar separate from my binos. I was not smooth at that (or much of anything else, tbh).

Yep.

Stock Bergara HMR at 14 1/4. Not my usual hunting rig but the only rifle I own currently wearing an ffp scope. Ran it on 12x most of time.

I don't think anyone in my squad even saw that ram. I got 2 points on that stage (1 first round hit on the deer).

This became my mantra on any stage with four targets in particular. Glass for two minutes and then just shoot whatever you've found. Some points are better than timing out with no or fewer points because you glassed too long. Was harder to do than say, though.

I thought it was useful, and I want to shoot another for sure. I definetly learned a lot. The clock is a real stresser, and practicing against a stresser matters. The only "gear" I want to add is: (i) a talking timer (so I can cut bait at 2 minutes on glassing), and (ii) a buckle to get my gamechanger bag unclipped from my pack faster. It kept hanging up on the carabiner, which was highly annoying. Otherwise, I just want to practice with what I have. Will almost surely shoot in Skills again.

Im sub moa off of my pack. Thats how i rest during load development/zeroing. none of the targets were sub moa. I glassed off of it too. plop my pack down upright and put my shooting bag on top. Glass and range with that. Im not glassing mule deer at 2 miles, i dont need perfect stability.

Off of a bipod you have to worry about loading into it properly (bouncing on recoil or whatever), and more importantly getting the legs even on all of that uneven terrain.

I even stood my pack up vertically on that 865 yard boar and rested the gun over it for the shot. it was shakey, and i missed the first shot, got the 2nd. But had i took the time to setup a tripod i wouldve timed out.

Ive got the tall harris bipods (double pull if you will). They are too high for a flat prone position. But i only used it on a few shots that had junk in the way. 2 shots on the antelope at ~300. the 4 coyotes. The deer/ram. I need to upgrade that to the one that can swivel. got to really fight it to get my gun level.

I do need to upgrade my tripod game. Need to get some arca rails going and a clamp. I do have a hog saddle type clamp. but it would be nice to have arca across the board so i could clamp in my binos too....maybe even put an arca on my rangefinder. Although my new revic br4 worked fantastic.

i think im going to put the lid on my reckoning for the next shoot and stuff a camping pillow or something in there and use that as a glassing pad/gun rest.

 

[schmidty3]

I also shot the OK match. My first one and I shot in Skills division. It was humbling, to say the least. As others have said, the hard part was finding targets and managing gear/building positions on the clock. The shooting sure seemed like the easy part. Also, my scope lost zero dramatically---twice---thanks to tipping over on a rock when set down on the bipod. That cost me 0s on a total of five stages over two days. Also, I don't think I ever found all four targets on any of the 4 target/1 position stages. I definitely need to get my mind to slow down and think deliberately while on the clock.

I'm not critical of the match or the fact it's a game and people are gaming it. You get out what you put in. If you want to practice hunting skills, then bring your hunting gear and shoot Skills if you suck at finding targets (me). If you want to compete playing the game, play the game.

I'm super impressed by the guy who didn't use a tripod and just shot off his pack all day, placing well in OH.

This is an interesting idea, following the KISS principle. I ran a Harris 6-9 for the bipod but probably could have used my pack for prone positions. One of the (several) things that made me slow was deploying my tripod every time (except that one time when I should have used it or my pack as rear support!). I practiced it but I had to unscrew two legs to glass from my knees, so it was a time-suck on every stage. That, and using a range finding monuclar separate from my binos. I was not smooth at that (or much of anything else, tbh).

Yep.

Stock Bergara HMR at 14 1/4. Not my usual hunting rig but the only rifle I own currently wearing an ffp scope. Ran it on 12x most of time.

I don't think anyone in my squad even saw that ram. I got 2 points on that stage (1 first round hit on the deer).

This became my mantra on any stage with four targets in particular. Glass for two minutes and then just shoot whatever you've found. Some points are better than timing out with no or fewer points because you glassed too long. Was harder to do than say, though.

I thought it was useful, and I want to shoot another for sure. I definetly learned a lot. The clock is a real stresser, and practicing against a stresser matters. The only "gear" I want to add is: (i) a talking timer (so I can cut bait at 2 minutes on glassing), and (ii) a buckle to get my gamechanger bag unclipped from my pack faster. It kept hanging up on the carabiner, which was highly annoying. Otherwise, I just want to practice with what I have. Will almost surely shoot in Skills again.

Also...I figured out how to program my garmin watch and made a "workout" that gave me counts at 2 minutes, 1 minute left, and 30 seconds left. Worked great and I didn't have to buy anything else.

 

[Bluumoon]

Just going to drop this here.

If you are into NRL, I suspect you’d enjoy what we put together

B

Post in thread '"Mountain Rifle Challenge" May 10'

Friday at 8:11 PM

I may do that depending, but it’s not a terrible drive.

Cheap flights straight into Cortez from Pheonix are a thing too, Denver air. Not sure how they handle rifles on prop planes though

• Bluumoon

• 

 

[6.5x284]

Also...I figured out how to program my garmin watch and made a "workout" that gave me counts at 2 minutes, 1 minute left, and 30 seconds left. Worked great and I didn't have to buy anything else.

That is a great idea. I need to google how to do that and see if mine can do that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[schmidty3]

This might be a tough combo....

 

[kharb22]

Shot the Oregon match. It was a rough pack in and out each day. The Unknown Munitions crew shot skills in front of us. Good bunch of dudes. But the GM is a little weak and tapped out and didn't shoot day 2.

 

[dirtytough]

Shot the Oregon match. It was a rough pack in and out each day. The Unknown Munitions crew shot skills in front of us. Good bunch of dudes. But the GM is a little weak and tapped out and didn't shoot day 2.

I heard it was a slog in the mud on the way in and out.

 

[wpeach1912]

I heard it was a slog in the mud on the way in and out.

It was muddy for sure, but you could usually walk around it. It was only like 300 ft up and 200 down. Good boots and gaiters were important though

 

[lintond]

I heard it was a slog in the mud on the way in and out.

It was a little muddy but IMO it was perfect simulation of real hunting conditions for spring bear or late season.

This was my first match and I’m hooked! I shot way better then I anticipated given the pressure of find, range, engage on the clock. Really hopeful I can go to Madras to give it another whirl this year.

I can confirm you can successfully run 6CM out of a 10 rd 300WM AICS mag. That was a conversation starter on 1/4 the stages with ROs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ChrisAU]

Georgia match this past weekend at Arena in Blakely was fun but very tough. Wind ate a lot of peoples lunch, including mine.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I shot the Oregon match this weekend as well.

The problem with the hiking is that it slows everything down way too much. And it's never a good thing when people don't want to come back and shoot the second day.

I didn't have any issues personally with hiking in and out but I do this for fun and slogging over a mile through mud just to get to the course of fire is not fun.

Overall, I enjoyed the match, was disappointed with my shooting (dropped 23 points and finished 18th overall), and have a couple things I need to work on.

Looking forward to Arbuckle in a couple of weeks.

 

[kharb22]

The problem with the hiking is that it slows everything down way too much. And it's never a good thing when people don't want to come back and shoot the second day.

I didn't have any issues personally with hiking in and out but I do this for fun and slogging over a mile through mud just to get to the course of fire is not fun.

I agree with the slowing it down. It would have helped if there were better signage giving directions to stages. Also, they needed better logistics to get shooters from stage 18 to 1. Saturday they had SxS shuttling shooters back to 1. Sunday I couldn't get a ride to save my life. Lol. Beautiful venue, and could be great with a little more work and some better planning. I also agree with it not being a good thing when people don't come back to shoot day 2. We want to keep people coming back and having fun, and day 2 of this match definitely wasn't fun for me either. Tired, sore and soaked.

 

[Juan_ID]

I too shot the Oregon match, it’s a bummer people left because of the hike or weather but they also need to know what they’re signing up for. Weather is an unpredictable variable that no one can plan around and a shuttle to get from stage to stage is a nice bonus but is not something that anyone should have counted on based on the match description. Nowhere does it say a shuttle would be running to get you from one stage to another, granted we did get picked up Saturday morning when we were probably just over half way to our stage but I would not have been upset if they passed us by for whatever reason.

All that to say if you say you do this for fun and didn’t find the entire thing fun then maybe it really isn’t for fun… I was smiling the entire time (except for when I dropped too many points on a couple stages) but that had nothing to do with the physicality or mud or rain etc. Without a doubt it could have “flowed” better in more ways than one but for it being Nate’s first match I have no doubt it will get better as he continues. I wanna see NRLhunter grow just as much as anyone but people leaving early when they should have read the match description (or counting on things not mentioned) is not the fault of the MD.
Quick question for anyone who didn’t have fun, what would have made it more fun given we can’t control the weather or conditions?

• Physical conditioning will enhance your experience and performance. 
• Physical Activity: Competitors should be prepared for extensive walking, as the course layout requires traversing rugged terrain and potentially long distances between stages.
  • Base Layer: Moisture-wicking fabric to keep you dry. 
  • Footwear: Sturdy, comfortable hiking boots suitable for variable terrain. 
  • Weather Considerations: March in Eastern Oregon can be unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from 30°F to 60°F. Participants should prepare for a mix of sunshine and possible rain or snow. We recommend dressing in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions including: 
  • Outer Layer: Waterproof and wind-resistant jacket.