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So I got super lucky and drew a Mule Deer tag out here in Nevada on my first try. So being that I havent hunted big game in a long long time I have nothing, I have been trying to research on everything and I thought I would ask the good ppl here on CO-AR some of there advise.
I'm pretty sure I have decided on a Savage Model 116 FCSS in 270 win. now I need some good glass for it. Possibly a range finder, pack, knife, and anything else I might need. So what are your recommendations?
I'm a leupold whore, they make awesome scopes and range finders. Start buying camo now cause it is cheap.
I picked up a Simmons range finder and for s beginner model I like it a lot.
Whatever you end up shooting, practice. Don't be like 90% of the hunters out there who sight in with half a box of ammo the week before hunting season starts and save the other half of the box for the season itself. Lots of practice will be more valuable than a range finder.
yea thats why im trying to get as much of this stuff now as i can, longer time to practice and get her good and sited inQuote:
Originally Posted by armstrong001
My family has never once used a range finder.
Starting from scratch with a limited amount of funds it sounds like, so you'll need to get a list of stuff and prioritize the list and get the must haves and the could use stuff if funds are available.
Must haves:
rifle/scope combo.
ammo...not cheap these days
knife
a pack and game bags... to get the meat out
those are really the only things you must have. Might not even need a pack if you can kill a deer near a road.
Depending on you're shooting ability, you might need a range finder, but unless you're planning on taking shots past 300 yards, it's not necassary for sure.
Camo is the last thing you'll need. You're rifle hunting so I'm guessing orange is a requirement?
If you've hunted big game in the past, even a long time ago, it's still the same as it was then. Get back on the bike and enjoy the ride.
Nevada? Need camo SHORTS, Tank top, etc.
and a scope with ranging reticle would be easier than packing alot of extra stuff.
Dont forget something to sharpen the knife if you plan on skinning it in the field, I always sharpen mine before I go out but I still pack one of these
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg
Good choice on the rifle. For a scope I'd recommend a burris with the ballisti-plex reticle. I bought mine for my first rifle/mule deer hunt about 4 years ago. I didn't actually need the ballisti-plex reticle for mule deer, all my deer have been under 200yds but it sure came in handy for antelope this past december at 500+. A range finder is handy but not necessary. Even when one was available I've never used them for hunting, only target shooting.
Sight in and practice practice practice especially at different ranges so you know where your bullet hits.
Congratulations and good luck!
Rangefinders are great, until the battery runs out right before you get a once in a lifetime shot at a unit 10 buck and you end up shooting under it because the damn thing had a body the size of a small elk making it look like it is 200 yards away instead of 350... But since then I buy scopes with mil-dots and practice mil-dot ranging. Also I have noticed that some scopes like the nikon buckmaster can give you a backup guestimate by carefully using the focus to dial in the focal distance. You have to use the same magnification each time just like mil-dot ranging, but using a scope with these features I can usuall be correct within about 5 to 10 yards every time. I would use the rangefinder money to put towards a better scope.
Camo is not very useful for deer in my experience hunting them in western Colorado. You gotta wear orange anyway, and most shots were made on deer that watched me get out of the truck, grab my gear and walk 50 yards from the road all before settling down and taking the shot. I am not a road hunter by any means, but 9 times out of 10 we would be driving back from a morning hunt and spot a heard 150 - 200 yards off the road. Not sure if navada will be the same.
Don't the deer wear Neon in Nevada?
And, no practice from the bench. You will not find a nice level bench in the field. Learn sitting, kneeling and standing. You might even check into shooting sticks.Quote:
Originally Posted by armstrong001
gun/scope and a sling...make SURE you have a damn sling.
AMMO!!!
binoculars...absolute must
good boots and socks are a must.
lightweight but rip stop style pants.
2 packs ( lightweight and 1 pack frame for hauling).
camo clothing
some people but into the scent eliminator but I don't buy into it much based on personal research. wind is the ultimate deciding factor.
gloves (think about the type of weather you will encounter for the type of gloves/clothing you will want)
game bags...to quarter out of bone out your meat. (unless you are close to roads or NV allows vehicles off the beaten path where you could drive up to the deer. mulies will probably be large enough in size where it would be a chore to drag for a decent distance)
GPS
range-finder is good to have
back-up gun and ammo (i always have an extra in the vehicle/camper just in case).
good knife
knife sharpener
rope/paracord
first aid kit
emergency blanket
poncho
headlamp
flashlight x2
batteries
latex gloves for cleaning
anti-bacterial wipes
food/water
water purification tablets/pump
knowledge of the area, best way to civilization in case of emergency
tell somewhere where you are going and when you will be back and your plan
compass
watch
there is more...but I'm a little tipsy now so I'll call it good[Tooth][Pepsi]
I have an entire checklist of stuff I take hunting. varies depending on the type of hunt but pretty much covers anything and everything from big game multi-day trips to upland bird hunting with dogs (got to have stuff to take care of the dogs).
hmmm.. Rifle, bullets, boots, socks, few MRE's, cutco knife, pack frame and a week off work. hunt between food, water and cover. Mule deer are very stupid, all the crap you see on tv is for fools.
A cheap tarp from Home Depot, $2.00 for a plastic painting one, then you can quarter the animal and throw the tarp away when done.
Davis Tent makes some great game bags, http://www.davistent.com/, I think they are about $9.00 a piece, they will shrink after washing, but still hold a whole elk quarter.
Caribou game bags, http://www.biggamebags.com/Home_Page.html, are light but expensive, shop around some dealers have marked them down 50% after hunting season, and $50 for a set is not bad. I bought a set but haven't used them yet.
Gerber saw for pelvis and sternum, works good without puncturing guts.
http://s7d5.scene7.com/s7viewers/dht...ges/spacer.gif
A saw to cut legs at the knee is useful.
Bullets for 270 130 Barnes X, tipped preferable.
thanks for the all the info guys
I'd go with a used Nikon rangefinder, (sorry whitetrash but I had a Leupold range finder and it was crap), For a knife, this year I switched to a havalon scalpel knife, they are relatively inexpensive and no sharpening involved, they are GREAT! I agree with all about practice: you need trigger time! You can even stalk around your house and dryfire at pictures; I did that with my daughter before late elk season last year and when the time came she performed admirably!
[Beer]Quote:
Originally Posted by barney fife
It's all good. We use what is proven in our situations. Range finder is very important, nothing like thinking you're about to take a 250 yard shot and it's actually 375. Shooting sticks are important. I have never been able to shoot an animal in the prone position.