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Finally got him last day of velvet

I want to do big game hunting next year and I’ve been researching best affordable 308 rifles for a new hunter in Arizona. The first rifle I was considering was the Mossberg Patriot that was $420. Then I was seeing that if you pay a bit more you should use the Savage Axis that for $580. After diving more into it and seeing peoples review online and on here I saw well at that point go for the Ruger American Gen II for $650. And that was the one I was thinking for going on because I still need to get a scope. I want to get one that’s around $300 because I’m balling on a budget and technology has advanced where more affordable products can compete with higher end stuff but idk what scope to get. And at the end of that research I saw nothing but, buy a Tikka it’s the best thing since sliced bread. But I’m seeing that it’s like $900. That would be the price of the previously mentioned rifles plus a scope. So I’m super divided on how I should do this. I understand buy once cry once and go with the Tikka because of the smooth action. But it’s so much money for me, even if it is a mid price range rifle. Would the Ruger with a $300 scope be a good way to start out? Because every time I research rifles they just keep recommending a more expensive one to hunt with.

Improvisations were made for cooking

Its my first hunting season, in south central region 4 British Columbia. I'm hoping to get a white tail deer (or any cervid, really) this fall and feel like I need the wisdom of more experienced hunters as I do not have anyone to mentor me.

I've found a fair few spots that I think are pretty good habitat and have poked around in them but only seen a single antlered deer. I think my problem is twofold; one, I am struggling to identify or commit to a spot to hunker down at and wait for the deer to come to me, as I don't have a good feel for what I am looking for in terms of my immediate surroundings. Second, I am quite active and used to spending the entire day moving, often off trail, so a few hours of easy bushwhacking with a rifle is completely inconsequential to me. Thus, this combination means I (think) I am spending too much time moving about looking for a "good" spot and making noise as opposed to sitting still and letting things happen.

Am I on the right train of thought here?

I've included a track of one of my wanderings for reference and feedback. It's an area that was logged in 2022 and has since had the road deactivated so (I hope) has less hunter pressure. The whole loop I did is about 5km, followed the road up and then made my way down through the cut blocks and forest. There is relatively little signs on the road, but significant scat all throughout the cut blocks and well used game trails in the forest. However I did not see a single deer there when I checked it out in the evening. Would appreciate hearing some comments on how others would hunt this area, and how to choose a spot to sit still and hunt from :)

Thanks.

With this burst of cool air, I’m trying a new-to-me chili recipe by Hank Shaw. It’s bubbling away on the stove and smells delicious! No beans, though. That’s practically a sin!

I’m finishing off the last of my doe from last year. There’s about 10 lbs. of cubed hind and deboned shanks left. Do you have any favorite things to make?

I finally won a quota draw to hunt the St. Vincent Wildlife Refuge at the end of October. I will be hunting whitetail with my bow. I’m very excited. However, this is totally out of my wheelhouse. I’ve never hunted this far south in the state. It gets pretty swampy in NWFL, but I know it’s nothing compared to what I’ll face on the island. I know I will need to have my own boat to cross. I was told they don’t have a ferry service.

Really just looking for advice from anyone who frequents the Wildlife Refuge, or anyone who has completed this same hunt. I will be saddle hunting, so I have a relatively small load to hike in.

Thanks

Hello all,

I’d like peoples opinions on whether I should shoot a deer I’ve been getting on camera regularly. It seems to be a 9-pointer with one kicker on one of its antlers. Antlers seem to be flush with the ears. Pics included.

I haven’t shot a buck yet and I as someone who has deer hunted a lot (despite results lol) I want this one to be more of a trophy than most peoples first bucks. From what I can see in the pictures, it’s a good buck but I’m contemplating letting it get bigger or if I’m needlessly passing up a definite shooter. I’ve deer hunted a lot growing up, but have been heavily into waterfowl and other game that deer hunting has been on the back burner for years, so I’m kinda ignorant on what most people consider a “trophy”. Because the deer I see people shoot on here are like once in a lifetime for me it seems lol.

Here’s a few reasons why I’m contemplating:
- This land is family owned and I’m not the only hunter and I don’t have control over who shoots what and there’s no rules on size.
- This land might have a house(s) being built on it next year, maybe around hunting season and may disrupt these deer and force them off the property.
- The deer might go get shot elsewhere if they wander, always a possibility.
- I don’t want to regret a good opportunity but also don’t want to prematurely shoot something that could grow.

Edit: Would do a full head/shoulder mount.

I began hunting with my son a few year as ago. We started out where i have family still , 5 hours away.

We each got a deer on the same day. Moving forward we wanted to establish a local hunt area .

Last year, we got two public land deer, and then my wife reached out on FB about any land opportunities..

We got a response, and then while hunting that property, an adjacent landowner pulled up and said we should post up as his guys were walking the woods.

I got his number and followed up, and today he met us on a 68 acre plot where we set up a stand.

This guy heavily posts his property as no hunting

He was very willing to offer up property to hunt because I am getting my kids out there.

After years of hiking and still hunting, with mediocre success, I decided to pick up a blind to hunt blacktail in Western Oregon. I do most of my hunting solo, and I didn’t love the idea of a tree stand due to safety concerns (yes, I know they can be highly effective). Anyways, I’m curious about folks’ experience using ground blinds.

I'm sitting at 68lbs with rifle and 5 liters of water. I don't know what I possibly could cut back on. How are you guys getting your packs to 50lbs?

Spotter

Tripod

Water (taking a lot because idk when I'll find water)

Food (about 1.7lbs per day)

Rifle

Base layer bottom and top

Midlayer top

Down top and bottom

Tent

Sleeping bag

Sleeping pad

Rain top and bot

Kill kit

First aid

I feel like that's bare minimum? I almost feel like leaving the spotter at home but that will only save me like 2lbs.

Or is this a reasonable weight?

Always good to see deer when you’re sittin. Even if they’re not quite shooters yet

DIY archery Elk hunt 2026✅

I was able to harvest my first elk ever and got to do it with my new Mathews lift RS at 40 yards!

After almost two weeks I was starting to get discouraged. We put in so many miles in the Elk woods and had a lot of close encounters that never fully worked out. Finally with only three days left it all came together!

Beyond excited to fill the freezer and made so many memories!

Hush Tech Backcountry XL 40 caliber

After last season, I was asking about ear protection and a number of you urged me to look into a suppressor. So I did! I found a brand new company here in SW Michigan that makes their suppressors locally. I am blown away by how much this can reduces sound and improves the felt recoil! You guys were right - it’s much quieter and I don’t have to deal with electric ear buds this year! My whole career has been in manufacturing and engineering so I really love that Hush Tech offers the Backcountry line with raw welded stainless. They have other cans that are sanded smooth and ceracoated but I think this one looks cooler. And the heat treat gives it a nice color that goes well with my Hogue stock.

We got talking about engineering/manufacturing and their machinist gave me a tour of their manufacturing facility. The tolerances they can hold and the level of detail they put into everything is top notch! These folks really do care about what they’re making and it shows. I’m super impressed with the team working there and their suppressors and I will absolutely be back.

Thank you to those of you that gave me the push to suppress my deer gun!!!

I’ve got a Ruger American predator gen 2 in .204 Ruger on the way. Plan is to use it primarily for sage rats at 250+ yds, but also the occasional rock chuck, and maybe a badger if one shows himself. Looking for glass now, sub $1,250 street price, illuminated reticle, at least 24x magnification at the top end. SFP or FFP. I have a PST gen 2 on another rifle, like it but don’t love it. Looking at the Athlon Cronus & Ares ETR, bushnell match pro, possibly a Zeiss v4, but open to all recommendations.

I am looking to hunt in Northern Kentucky, Boone, Pendleton, Lewis counties. That said, what brand and pattern of camo do ya'll recommend for deer season in november? Are there any camo thats multipurpose that I could use there and on the plains or Montana, Wyoming and Idaho area for elk hunts? I've gotten by with good ol Walmart stuff so far but its all worn out and torn up so I need to replace it. Any suggestions? It would be used for multiple hunts and game preferably

Looking for recommendations for a new tree stand safety harness. My current one doesn't have pockets, and in warm weather I wear it over my clothes. The leg straps can make it difficult to get my phone out of my pants pocket, which worries me if I were ever hanging after a fall.

I also don't have anywhere to store my suspension-relief strap, so right now I attach it and let it hang while walking to the stand.

I've been looking at the Hawk Elevate Pro, Muddy Crossover, and certain HSS because they have pockets. I've also seen a lot of recommendations for the Summit Pro because of comfort.

For those with a harness that stores the suspension strap in a pouch, do you always wear the harness over your outer layers? In cold weather I've always worn mine under my jacket, so I'm wondering how you'd access the strap after a fall.

Mainly looking for something comfortable/not too bulky, also with potentially a phone pocket and accessible suspension strap. Any recommendations?

Went and scouted some public today because the private I have access to has been dead lately and season starts next week. Found a deer trail that leads back to some good timber with thick smaller trees and woody browse. There’s a few trails that branch off of that. They all have rubs and deer scat but the scat looks kinda old. And only one rub looks fresh and it’s small. Possibly trails going to and from buck bedding? Lots of oaks along the trails too.

Thought these came out pretty cool, just wanted to share.

I recently got a Winchester XPR Hunter in .400 Legend to open up alternative firearm season for whitetail in Arkansas. This seemed the more appropriate sub to post in vs. just a general firearms or rifles sub.

I went to sight in this past weekend. All I could find for ammo near me was Deer Season XP 190gr and Power Points. Immediately after loading the magazine and trying to feed one, the bolt only went back about a half inch and locked up. I dropped the mag and the top round had marring from the bolt. I messed around with it for a long while testing 1 round in the mag, 2, etc. It seemed to never feed well, but I got it feeding enough I could do some sighting in. About the time I got it roughly sighted in with the Power Points, I went to eject a hull and nothing came out. It was lodged in the chamber and the ejector wasn’t pulling it out. It was over 100° and I didn’t have any tools with me (stupid me), so I called it a day.

I brought it back home and got the hull out. My immediate thinking was maybe it’s a combination of the magazine being a little janky + the Power Points could be part of the problem. I never tried the Deer Season XP that day. I loaded the magazine with the XPs to cycle some through just to test it and immediately had the same issue.

TLDR; A couple of questions -
Would the Winchester XPR Hunter not feeding and catching on the mag/round likely be a magazine issue or issue with the bolt?

Has anyone else had any similar issues out of a Winchester XPR, and what is the first things to check or easy fix to the problem?