bwana72

Just my opinion, but I have never based my tip to a guide on it being successful or unsuccessful. I have always based it solely on how hard they worked to get me my animal. One thing that I have always done when I go into a camp is to do everything that I can to help the guides out. That extra effort on my part has always translated into them going that extra mile for me. And I can honestly say that virtually every guide I have ever had has ended up being someone that I considered a friend and in many cases stayed in touch with afterwards. And as far as the amount, if you are happy with your hunt, 10% is pretty much the standard. Hope you have a great trip, and be sure to let us know how it goes.

My 2-cents.... Wolves were brought back for pretty much two reasons. First was that there is definately a need for large predators. We as hunters hate the thought of something else killing "our" deer and "our elk", but the simple fact is that there was in fact a justifyable reason to bring the wolf back to help control populations of prey species like the deer and elk. Especially in and around Yellowstone. The other reason that the wolf was brought back was plain and simply, Nostalgia. People longed to here the call of the wolf as did our fore fathers, and that's cool....except when that "call of the wild" is coming from your backyard and Little Suzie is out there playing in the sand box. Too many people who think with their hearts and not with their heads forgot about reason number one....the wolf is a Large Predator. That, or they simply don't care about the rancher who is losing his livelihood, or a child that has been attacked, it wasn't their kids, and it wasn't their cattle or sheep that were killed. My biggest problem with this issue is that the reintroduction of wolves out west was justified with scientific data. The Fish & Wildlife people were charged with justifying it. But now that they are here, and spreading like wildfire, it isn't about the scientific data anymore. It is about the nostalgia. You have judges that groups like PETA have in their back pockets. These people don't care to see the big picture. Tree huggers go out and hug trees and then go back to their stick built homes. They see a news report of a mountain lion attack on a jogger and snarl that the jogger was the the lions territory. But when it is Their little Poodle being drug away, then suddenly its time to "cry wolf"(pun intended)

Every situation is different. I think you have to "feel them out". You may have done everything perfectly, he just wasn't going to come in. Or, like some of the others said, he may have had you pegged and you didn't know it. Or, a quick snort wheeze may have brought him charging in so hard that he ended up in the treestand with you. If there were a clear set of rules it would be pretty boring.

If you bowhunt at all, hog hunting with dogs was just made for archery gear. But if you plan to carry a gun, I would agree with the other guys, a .30-.30 or a .45-70 would be good choices. Or even a lever gun in a larger pistol caliber like .44 mag. would work great as well. And, if it is a spot and stalk hunt all of the above would work just fine as well. Most shots at hogs are pretty up close and personal.

I think I know that deer...what are the exact GPS coordinates of where that pic was taken so I can be sure ???? :) Awesome deer...good luck !!!

Now I know some of you guys have already put bone on the ground...where are the pics for those of us who's season hasn't begun yet and who are stuck working a job and going to school and trying to keep a wife and kids happy and who couldn't get away for an out of state hunt this year??? Help a brother out !

Bowtech Captain right now.

You could always go to the bank and take out a second mortgage on your home and then go purchase some of the new Titanium Rage broadheads.

Alright....here's how I came to 133". Main beams are nice...they sweep up and forward. I gave them 24" each for a total of 48". G1's I gave 5" each conservatively, for a total of 10". G2's I gave 10" each for a total of 20". G3's 7" each for 14". I gave him an inside spread of 15", and circumference measuremants of 3 1/2, 3 1/3, 3, and 3" per side. Total of 26" for Cir. measurements. Add it all up....133"(conservatively).

Tick Tock Tick Tock......Good Luck Guys !!! Still have a month to wait for Whitetails here in Indiana. Hunt Hard and Shoot Straight !!! Oh....and post pics !!

Guessing roughly a 15" inside spread, I say 133" Gross.

I'm a big fan of the Ripcord rest. I used a Trophy Ridge rest for a few years and switched to the Ripcord last year and have been very happy with it.

Very nice....when do you get to hunt them?

Thanks guys...I think I am going to try the .300 WSM. I have used the .338 Win. Mag to take Elk, Caribou, Black Bear, etc. so I do have alot of confidence in the gun and caliber. But the .300 is super light and shoots great. I have it topped with a new Leupold Vari-X 3 4.5-14X50. And I will definately use a good bullet. Nosler, Berger, or Swift. Thanks for the responses guys, good luck in all of your adventures, and maybe we'll meet up along the trail someday !!

Guys, I just booked a private land hunt in New Mexico for Elk(and Mule Deer). It's not my first hunt for Elk, I hunted with the same outfitter a few years back and killed a nice 6x7. Anyways, I have a Browning A-Bolt chambered in .300 WSM sitting in the gun safe. I am considering using it for this trip. Have any of you used this caliber on Elk, and if so, what were your resluts? The last time I hunted them I used my .338 Win. Mag. Any info woild be much appreciated.