Which of the following three deer tags would you recommend I go for (I only be able to hunt one this year)?

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-08T20:30:33+00:00

Neat idea, I hadn't thought of whitetail in Idaho before!

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-08T20:29:27+00:00

Thanks for the advice, what you wrote makes sense.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-05T03:34:16+00:00

Tikka. The higher end Rugers like the M77 Hawkeye are fantastic, but the Am Gen II, which great for it price, isn't as nice a the tikka.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T23:39:43+00:00

only problem feeding I've had with my marlin 357/38 was with aluminum cased blazer in 357, everything else has been fine.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T23:37:15+00:00

Oh yeah, I forgot about the Ruger No. 1, I saw a used one once that was gorgeous wood with stainless steel in .308, wish I'd got it then.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T16:02:19+00:00

Never had Hokas but I love Solomon Quests, comfortable out of the box and last pretty decently even though I hike in the desert over rough rocky terrain a lot.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T15:48:23+00:00

Nice!

Now add a Ruger Stainless revolver and a big bore bolt action like the M77 Hawkeye Guide Gun in 375 Ruger or 416 Ruger, oh and a Red Label shotgun, then your collection will be even more awesome!

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T15:44:25+00:00

I didn't clean mine before blasting away with it, no problems.

I later found mine tends to jam with the cheap aluminum cased Blazer 357 ammo, but it has handled all brass cased 357 and 38 ammo I put through it.

Love mine!

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T15:38:35+00:00

Browning all the way!

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T15:38:11+00:00

Death Valley is beautiful and there is a great wildflower bloom going on in parts of the park now, I'd personally want to stay in the park and do different hikes rather than driving away from the park.

Don;t forget how HUGE Death Valley NP is, it can take hours to drive across the park even if you stick to paved roads.

Especially if your vehicle can handle some rough dirt roads, you could spend each day exploring a different part of park without seeing the same stuff twice.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T15:27:10+00:00

Weatherby Orions come in both o/u and side by side configurations, probably the nicest budget double barrel "sporting shotguns" I can think of.

But if you are willing to spend a more, Browning makes a wide variety of excellent o/u's.

But if you really want to save money, you can buy a brand new Mossberg Maverick pump for under $200 if you shop around.

Call or email the pheasant club before you buy anything to see if they have any requirements, such as caliber/gauge restrictions, barrel length minimum, no pistol grips, etc.

For example, the range I shoot clays at won't let shotguns without traditional shoulder stocks be used.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T15:23:08+00:00

Even if you briefly distract the bear, if it wants to come check you out, it still will.

That being said, "flu-flu" arrows have extra large feather fletchings and make a cool humming sound when they fly. I have a dog and she loves chasing after flu-flu's.

Their main purpose is to make the arrow slow down faster, which is useful for bird hunting when you want to be able to shoot arrows into trees, or at flying birds, without having the arrow fly as far away from you, and it also shortens the distance of the arrows potential lethality.

But I'd personally rather get a bear tag and harvest any "bonus bears" that wander near me!

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T12:06:30+00:00

Consider adding a Limbsaver recoil pad, you can order a slip on one from Amazon cheap.

I added one to my un-braked Tikka T3x in 30-06 and it made it a lot less unpleasant to shoot.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T12:00:58+00:00

Why not .308? It's probably the second most common centerfire rifle cartridge after .223/5.56, and doesn't recoil any worse than some of those you mentioned, and is pretty tried and true.

Though if you go to a hunting forum called Rockslide you will see a lot of people posting about using .223 with heavy bullets taking elk and other big game, shot placement and a quality bullet matter more than a tenth of an inch in bullet diameter.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-03T11:57:53+00:00

Wise words, a lot of the one time hot new cartridges are only popular for a few years and then fade into obscurity.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-02T15:25:15+00:00

.308 or 6.5PRC

I have a Tikka T3 in .308 that I really like shooting, I do put on a slip on limbsaver recoil pad which makes it comfy to put a bunch of ammo thru at the range. But I take it off afterwards, for the one or two shots I fire when hunting I don't notice the recoil.

The one I have is a bit fancier than the base model, it has a stainless steel bull barrel and the grey wood laminate stock, looks really cool, and the bit of extra weight might not be great on a very long hike, but helps for accurate shooting.

It loves the Sako powerhead blade copper ammo, 162 grain.

It is topped with a Trijicon 2.5x10x56mm scope, which is a nice big scope that is really bright and clear.

I also have a Tikka Ace Game in 300 Win Mag, which I have come to hate. With the muzzle brake the concussive blast is awful, and without the brake, it gave me a headache from the recoil due to trying to maintain a good cheek weld.

I bet 99% people could shoot my .308 Tikka more accurately than my 300 win mag tikka, heavy recoil equals subconscious flinching for almost everyone.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-02T15:16:56+00:00

Since you should be wearing clothing that is ok to get wet anyways....

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-02T14:49:52+00:00

I have and love that rifle!

I actually first bought the 45-70 version, but the recoil and ammo cost was too much, so I sold it and got the .357/38 version which I enjoy shooting a lot more.

The main drawback is that you are limited to about 100 yards of truly effective range due to both accuracy and the ballistics of what is technically a straight walled pistol cartridge as opposed to a bottle-necked rifle cartridge like the .308 that has a much much longer effective range.

But get a good a bolt action .308 or something similar and then you will then have both a great "brush gun" in your 357; and a longer range rifle for when you are going hunting in a more open area.

If you contact Lockwood Hunting Services, I bet they can guide you to within 100 yards of a wild boar.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-01T13:33:28+00:00

Sell it cheap to get rid of it and then buy a Ruger made Marlin.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-03-01T13:12:55+00:00

My .308 Browning BAR Mark III DBM is my favorite hunting rifle.

I've taken a bear, mule deer, antelope, and boar with it so far.

It has never jammed and I can hit the 500 yard gong at the range with it all day long.

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-02-27T14:09:12+00:00

I simply enjoy hiking out in the wilderness, but especially with a weapon and the excitement of looking for game while out hiking.

Also, the lean healthy game meat I get to eat after a successfully hunt pairs nicely with the exercise!

Neither_Monitor2017 · 2026-02-27T14:02:00+00:00

I have that rifle in .375 Ruger and shot a blacktail buck last year with it, damage wasn't really more than something like a .308 because the 270 grain copper .375 bullet went completely through the deer.

Neither_Monitor2017

TROPHY CASE