Average Joe's 2018

[Lostinthewoods]

My Kansas tag showed up today!
I’m starting to get really antsy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sn.outdoors]

The time is flying by, and getting messages from the taxidermist is one of those signs the season is fast approaching. Well, it's been a sign for the last few seasons at least. I've been very blessed.

I still can't believe the hunt ended the way it did. And I can't wait to see him after he gets his finishing touches.

"Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you." ~Mike Rowe

 

[Lostinthewoods]

I blitzed up to Kentucky this weekend to do some scouting with my buddy and to pick up a new toy.

My buddy who drew the KY archery elk cow tag and I went to explore one of the limited entry areas. It was neat seeing their version of “elk country”.

It was a great time and cool place to explore. It’s located right next to a giant WMA that I can hunt while he’s chasing elk. That way if he shoots one then I can get right over to him and help pack out!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lostinthewoods]

The toy I picked up was a steal of a deal on another bow. With all the hunting I do, I decided I wanted another bow so I could have a backup.

Now I have the hard time of figuring out which one will be the primary and backup....

Who knows, maybe I can just switch off between the two


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lostinthewoods]

So it occurred to me today that CJ and I are exactly 90 days from our NM elk opener and I’m so pumped.


I had a 3D shoot today and used the new bow I got last week. I must say I am impressed so far. I can’t wait to see how I do after some more practice with it

This week Florida quotas come out and I am crossing my fingers for a local tag. Here is to hoping


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sn.outdoors]

Being a constant tinkerer, and hard to satisfy when it comes to my gear, I felt as if I "needed" a rifle upgrade. I sold and traded some gear, and was able to scrape together enough money to buy something that wouldn't necessarily be considered an "average joe/working class man" type purchase, but I splurged and bought a Christensen Arms Ridgeline in 7mm Rem Mag. I debated for a while whether or not to go the 300wm route, but chose to stick with a cartridge I'm familiar with and that have a few hundred $$$ worth of components for. That said, I might pick up a 300rum after Berger releases the 245 and everyone else has worked out the kinks.

I have a few bullets I'll be trying. I plan on working them one at a time, then moving to a different one if I'm not be satisfied with the results. Starting with the 180 hunting vld, then 175eldx, 162eldm, and if those don't work I know the 168CH will work. (There isn't a rifle I've loaded for that wasn't able to shoot the classic hunters well). Powders I have are RL26, 7828, 7977, and 8133.

This weekend I loaded up a ladder test of the 180vlds and RL26 covering a 6gr range, as well as 4 middle range rounds to see if the 1:9 twist would stabilize or not.

Last night had perfect conditions to do a test, so I headed out to the desert and was greeted by a double rainbow. "WHAT DOES IT MEAN?"

After a long and boring break-in, I shot a few fouling rounds then the ladder test. My velocities were right where I expected them to be, so I shot the 4 mid-charge rounds w/out the magnetospeed attached, and voila...

Should be a good shooter. Now I just need to fine tune and figure out the load I'm most happy with, but I think I have a pretty good starting point.

"Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you." ~Mike Rowe

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Add another tag to the list!
This is a local quota hunt and should add some fun!

My name gets dropped in another hat with this drawing. In Florida we only can shoot does during a small early archery season. However my name will get dropped in a hat for this rifle tag possibly being turned into a single E/S tag.

I hope it happens! Sounds silly, but it’s a great way to put some meat in the freezer. I’ll have plenty of time to chase bucks with my bow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Looks like I won’t be hunting Iowa this year

I should be good to draw my unit next year though!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lostinthewoods]

I got some pictures yesterday that have my foaming at the mouth.

My 2017 NM antelope is ready and I could not be more excited with how it turned out. It was a neat buck with some cool characteristics and the taxidermist was able to capture them really well.

September can’t get here quick enough. Now I’m excited to chase elk and to pick this up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sn.outdoors]

Well, Idaho draws were released yesterday, and I got "Not Selected" across the board. But my wife drew her 2nd choice elk tag! She got lucky and plucked a late Dec cow tag. I'm pretty excited for the hunt. We will probably be bringing the kids with us again, just like last year's deer hunt. It could get pretty sporty, especially if the weather gets cold, but we'll make it happen.

With the draws out of the way, my plans are just about finalized. I have a 6 week long work trip to Texas starting tomorrow, so summer scouting isn't going to happen. I plan on heading to NM on the way home and hunting barbary sheep for a few days in mid-august. I'm going to hold out for a mature ram, or shoot a big ewe to get mounted as a companion for the one I got last year. Those things are just too cool, and a pair would be awesome to have.

Aug and Sep schedule (ELK):
I'm helping a friend from Wi chase elk in ID 25-26 Aug, and it looks like I'll be hunting elk with a buddy in Eastern Oregon Day 28 Aug to 3 Sep. I'll hunt deer after work near home between then and when I go to NM for the elk hunt down there.

October (Bear, Deer, Barbary re-attempt if needed, ID rifle Elk):
I'm planning on heading up north to try to shoot a bear or two near where I was moose hunting last year. I'm planning on taking a few new hunters up to the mountains for deer in late October, in addition to helping my wife fill her deer tag again down in the desert.

November (ID rifle elk, archery mule deer, WI gun season)
I'm still undecided on what i'm going to do for elk in Idaho, but I'm going to try to buy a quota rifle tag for late Oct/early Nov. If I can't get that tag, I'll have to figure out an OTC hunt somewhere. (there's a potential opportunity that I could archery hunt in ID the weekend of 8/9 Sep, but I won't have much time to get it done). I will buy a second deer tag for ID this year, and I'll hunt every opportunity I get until either the tags are full or the seasons are over. I'm going to go home to WI and hunt the gun season for the first time in 9 years (as well as spend Thanksgiving with the family).

December (Cow elk/late season deer)
The only plans for December are filling my wife's cow tag, and maybe hunting late season deer in ID (assuming I have a tag still).

As always, I have to be flexible, and the schedule will most likely change A LOT. But if all goes well, I might have to buy another freezer. That's a problem I'm willing to deal with.

I'm a little sad I won't be able to do any significant scouting this summer, but I can't wait to get the hunting started!

 

[sn.outdoors]

While I was on my way down to Texas for work, I got a notification that the National Forest in NM was opened back up to the public. So I did what any elk nut would do if given the opportunity... I altered my route a little bit and spent a day scouting.

The first few wallows I checked out were bone dry, and it wasn't giving me any warm fuzzies that the area was going to hold elk this year.

I did pick up 2 sheds to add to the sell pile though, so that's always nice.

After checking 5 other potential water holes and hanging 2 cameras on a moist spot, I headed to my honey hole a few miles away from any roads. Sure enough, there's a solid reason why this spot has produced in the past.

I found a spring that had a steady flow of running water coming straight out of the side of the mountain. There were elk EVERYWHERE in this little remote drainage. I saw two groups of 15+ cows and calves, and even got within 120yds of 6 decent bulls. One of which was a really nice 6x6. Unfortunately I had just put my camera in my pack to protect it from a nasty monsoon that dumped a ton of water on me.

Overall I'd say the scouting trip was a huge success. I hung 4 cameras which should give us a solid idea of what's in the area. Fingers crossed that they're still there come September.

"Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you." ~Mike Rowe

 

[sn.outdoors]

It's going to be really hard to pay attention during the rest of this course I'm in, knowing that my Barbary Sheep is done! The struggle is real.

Once again, Paul and Vince Gallegos, and their team at Imperial did an amazing job, and I can't be more grateful for not just their world class art, but also for being such genuine and honest people. It's always a pleasure talking with them, and, though my bank account disagrees , I can't wait to do business with them again.

"Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you." ~Mike Rowe

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Things have been absolutely crazy the past couple weeks.

Work, school, and lots of yard work. I’m trying to tackle all of the honey-dos before hunting season because, well... the answer is obvious on why.

I’m 47 days away from elk opener. I’ll head out a few days early though because I want to check cameras, get acclimated to the elevation, and relax!

I put in some additional applications for Tennesse and Texas, so cross your fingers on those!

I’ve been training my butt off in the gym, e scouting, and shooting my heart out with my new bow.

It’s funny how every year we get older, but I feel better than I ever have in my life physically and mentally.

I shot a 3D archery shoot yesterday. I wore a weighted pack to get some extra practice in because I’ve shot a deer and elk with my pack on before. You never know! The shoot went well and I ended up taking third.

I had some local friends in my NM unit pull an easy camera for me to see what was on it. (I don’t let anyone know the hard to access spots )

Elk were all over it, but also had some visitors like this.

Needless to say I’m just ready for this year. I’ve got a great elk hunt with CJ, loads of whitetail tags in a few awesome states, some hunts where I get to help other people, and a few other fun things.


It’s going to be such a fun year!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lostinthewoods]

If anyone remembers that buck I was chasing last year and whose sheds I’ve been finding the past few years..... he’s still alive...

I’ll need to wait a few more weeks to get a good read on him, but regardless he’s old and I want him!

He will probably be my biggest focus this year. Even if I have to take from other hunts.

Got these little guys running around too.

It’s going to be a great year!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RyanG505]

hello dudes, good stuff I will be following as usual!

 

[sn.outdoors]

Here's a bit of a sneak peak at what I've been up to the last few days. I'll sift through the thousands of pics I have and get you guys an update after I get home.

And yes, despite my wife's better judgement, I'm keeping the mustache for the hunting season.

"Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you." ~Mike Rowe

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Told my wife 30yrs ago,is just for the season(s)still have it 24yrs later.

 

[sn.outdoors]

Told my wife 30yrs ago,is just for the season(s)still have it 24yrs later.

Haha. That's my plan too. Hopefully she doesn't read this thread.

"Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you." ~Mike Rowe

 

[sn.outdoors]

My plans for the return trip home were modified after finding out a few of my mounts were done at the taxidermist. My audible led me to the mountains to check trail cameras and walk an area I didn't check on the way down.

I ended up picking up a few bonus sheds and bumping into a couple small groups of elk.

"Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you." ~Mike Rowe

 

[sn.outdoors]

I was surprised to find that I had over 18k pics on my trail cameras! 2 of them had elk in front of them almost constantly from the time I put them up to the time I checked them again.

I'll have no shortage of acceptable options when it comes to bulls.

I don't think I could be more excited than what I am after spending 6hrs picking through each photo, and trying to make sense of the elks' patterns. There's really nothing I can do at this point other than make sure I'm ready to go and that my gear is squared away.

"Never follow your passion, but always bring it with you." ~Mike Rowe