hart2heart
Active Member
Just returned from my yearly Deer hunting trip in Colorado nothing out of the ordinary set up base camp drive up the mountain and pack in for a few days. The weather was good everything seemed fine. What was to await me was a different story. I drove up to an area around Eagle Colorado. I was hunting at about 10.000 feet for Elk and Deer if they were around.
I got about 3 miles in spotting and stocking and in what seemed like minutes I noticed some weather approaching from the south. Knowing that Colorado can dump a ton of snow on you in a very short amount of time I paid close attention to the sky as I eyed areas to set up a quick camp if need be. While glassing the quakies I noticed a small movement on the edge of the dark timber. I'll be dammed if a nice four point stuck his head out. I reached for my range finder and unfortunately alerted the buck. I ranged him at about 400 yrds and he started to move out just before he reached the dark timber I sent one badaboom hit him right through the back. I skinned, boned and packed up my meat. The weather came in fast and furious I suddenly found myself in a furious lightning storm worried about walking with my rifle as a mobile lightning rod I placed my gun under a tree away from me and tucked in under some thick trees. I had parked some miles away from where I was and was thinking seriously about getting out of there. The lightning storm turned into a fierce snow storm I said screw it I 'm out of here. I slapped on my back pack retrieved my rifle and started down off the ridge thank god for Garmin I had my truck and base camp on way points and I followed the little arrow. My pack was heavy but out of worry I did not stop. When I wanted to rest I leaned up against a tree. I was worried about trying to stand up again if I took my back pack off. The snow was blowing horizontal by this time it took a good four hours to get back to my truck it felt like four days. When I arrived there was over a foot of snow on the ground I could not even see where the meadow ended and the where the road began. If it were not for a quad desperately making his way back to camp I would not have know where the hell the road was. I cannot express the importance of good gear.
A good GPS I prefer Garmin with a local Topo map card is a must.
Under armor, gortex and thinsulate are a must
As far as back Pack Badlands 2800 is very strong I packed over 120 lbs with that pack.
I do not like wearing packs for boots Redwing Irish setter makes a heavy thinsulate 250 keeps you dry and are water proof.
Nikon makes a great range finder inexpensive and accurate
I prefer shooting a 7 WSM with 180 Berger's and there is nothing like a Night force 3.5 to 15 for durability and accuracy their glass is pretty good too.
And most of all Keep your Cool It is panic that will do you in.
Happy Hunting
Shoot straight and be safe.
Hart 2 Heart
I got about 3 miles in spotting and stocking and in what seemed like minutes I noticed some weather approaching from the south. Knowing that Colorado can dump a ton of snow on you in a very short amount of time I paid close attention to the sky as I eyed areas to set up a quick camp if need be. While glassing the quakies I noticed a small movement on the edge of the dark timber. I'll be dammed if a nice four point stuck his head out. I reached for my range finder and unfortunately alerted the buck. I ranged him at about 400 yrds and he started to move out just before he reached the dark timber I sent one badaboom hit him right through the back. I skinned, boned and packed up my meat. The weather came in fast and furious I suddenly found myself in a furious lightning storm worried about walking with my rifle as a mobile lightning rod I placed my gun under a tree away from me and tucked in under some thick trees. I had parked some miles away from where I was and was thinking seriously about getting out of there. The lightning storm turned into a fierce snow storm I said screw it I 'm out of here. I slapped on my back pack retrieved my rifle and started down off the ridge thank god for Garmin I had my truck and base camp on way points and I followed the little arrow. My pack was heavy but out of worry I did not stop. When I wanted to rest I leaned up against a tree. I was worried about trying to stand up again if I took my back pack off. The snow was blowing horizontal by this time it took a good four hours to get back to my truck it felt like four days. When I arrived there was over a foot of snow on the ground I could not even see where the meadow ended and the where the road began. If it were not for a quad desperately making his way back to camp I would not have know where the hell the road was. I cannot express the importance of good gear.
A good GPS I prefer Garmin with a local Topo map card is a must.
Under armor, gortex and thinsulate are a must
As far as back Pack Badlands 2800 is very strong I packed over 120 lbs with that pack.
I do not like wearing packs for boots Redwing Irish setter makes a heavy thinsulate 250 keeps you dry and are water proof.
Nikon makes a great range finder inexpensive and accurate
I prefer shooting a 7 WSM with 180 Berger's and there is nothing like a Night force 3.5 to 15 for durability and accuracy their glass is pretty good too.
And most of all Keep your Cool It is panic that will do you in.
Happy Hunting
Shoot straight and be safe.
Hart 2 Heart
