I joined this site because I hoped it would be what 24 Hour Campfire was 20 years ago.
I even ponied up to join LRH team.
In my 64 years behind the handgun, rifle, shotgun and bow, hunting pretty much everything in the lower 48 and competing in many match events, I have accumulated a bit of experience.
I am also a certified Curmudgeon. Don't put up with fools too well, especially those that have never worn the uniform not hunted (and been hunted by) the most dangerous game.
Sadly I was wrong. The site owner is here, as there, a pawn of a cadre of "men" who are in complete charge of the site. If you cross them or confront them with inconvenient facts, (A 338 RUM cannot be made to have the same recoil energy as a 243) you are subject to name called, veiled threats and calls for banning.
PC is also in full force here. When the judgement of a hunter wounding an Elk with a bow, following it into dense cover and getting killed is questioned ---- well you are a "meanie" and should get the "ban hammer".
Members here also seem to have a complete inability to confront the negative aspects of long range hunting. Never mentioned nor considered are the difficulties of killing an animal at long ranges. All we see are the good outcomes.
In my 64 years of hunting I lost one animal. A bowshot deer, found several days later. I still think about what I should have done.
By way of example, hear the story of a hunt in 2017 (I was only 75).
After 17 years I drew a resident Sheep tag here in WY.
A lot of research connected me with an excellent outfitter. We all met up at his base camp. Five of us, 2 30s something Elk Hunters, 2 40s something Mulie hunters and me.
The first clue was when the Mulie hunters required an extra packhorse to carry in their 200 pounds of Pelican cases.
After the 6 hour ride on Mountain horses ( I own a 16 hand 1/4 horse and ride a lot) we arrived at the tent camp in the Federal Wilderness.
After getting settled, we all gathered for a brief and lunch. The discussion, as always, turned to background and equipment.
The Elk hunters had quality bolt guns and optics and had hunted all over NA. My equipment, Benelli R1 300 WM, Nightforce 2.5-10x32, shoot 1 moa to 400, was regarded with interest by the Elk hunters and disdain by the Mulie boys.
The Mulie hunters 200 pounds of equipment consisted of two 12 pound 300 custom 300 WM with multi 1000 $ scopes and every piece of equipment under the sun. They told us what experts they were back in the MidWest at banging steel out to 1000 off benches and bipods and planned the same on this Mulie buck.
So the hunt commenced. The Elk hunters passed on several bulls that were too small. They finally connected on a fine 5X6 at 275 yards.
I went off with the outfiitter, on horses, up to where where Bighorns live. After days of glassing and passing up many rams.
we finally spotted a "shooter" at well over 1000 yards. Then we began "Hunting". Using terrain and cover we got to 280 yards. Resting over my day packed I killed my ram. (photo below).
Meanwhile the Mulie hunters had gone off (needing 4 horses) with an experienced guide to set up on a known Mule Deer route. As the guide later described, they could have set up at 400 yards but insisted on being at 700. After deploying all their technology they waited. That afternoon (after the famous WY winds came up) a decent buck appeared walking across a snow cover slide. Hunter #1 sent 5 downrange, with his pal spotting and never touched a hair until the buck, unalarmed, walked into the black timber.
The next day (the last) back to the same spot (in the dark). It was #2s turn. After day break (no wind) a good buck appeared and bedded down in the open. Same game plan and after only 5 shots the buck was hit and killed.
After hearing the story from his guide, the outfitter decided, after one experience he was done with long range hunters.
As one old timer I knew here in WY told me: "son you a'int hunting Elk till' you can smell em.".
Photo 2 below was an Elk killed at 18 paces with a 61 caliber Baker flintlock. (Sharpe's Rifles). I could smell him. The cover was an absolute jungle. The guide and I did not follow up until: I reloaded, handed the guide my S&W 329 and waited 30 minutes. When I found the Elk (he went 20 yards with a .610" hole thru both lungs), the guide and I stood 10 yards away on the side facing his back, head downhill with the 44 mag trained on him while the guide threw large rocks at him. He was dead.
I enjoy the forums, have bought several items from the classified, tried to help based on my experience.
That may not be enough if you twist the wrong tails.
Be interesting to see if this post survives the day won't it ?
Best wishes to all.
View attachment 212363
View attachment 212364
