Spring Is Coming Soon
#65633
03/03/2010 6:19 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
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With the season of Spring less than three weeks away, the hunter's heart beats to a new drum: that of...well, for some, Turkey Season. And this is great, but is limited by written laws and a bag limit. (And we would LOVE to see your turkey photos.) And forgive me if I am forgetting any other GAME seasons that come with spring (I know bear in some areas, pics??!!)) But for a lot of hunters, the BIGGER prospect of spring means something else: VARMINTS! Why "BIGGER?" Not to put any type of hunt or game down; the term BIGGER in this post simply means "more, as in none or very liberal bag limits, year around seasons, etc. on varmints as in the rodent variety. I know some of you have already been hitting the "Charlies," way to go!! Here in Colorado, at the lower elevations, ground squirrels (picket pins) and PRAIRIE DOGS are a prime target for the "spring season." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PEz44IOluc&feature=channelI made this video last summer for Gary, but I got out today and drove 90 minutes to a small farm at lower elevation and popped some prairie dogs; and it was wonderful medicine for my mind and soul; Karen even said so! Great cure for cabin fever! Indulge, fellow hunters!
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#65636
03/03/2010 12:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,375
Dan B.
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Spring is coming.....really??!! I've got piles of snow taller than my 4wd F-150. The snow is also piled so high along the road that you can barely see the house. I'm just hoping to NOT need my snow shoes when spring gobbler season arrives.....in MAY!!!
Exodus 20:5-11 Matthew 5:18 Revelation 22:14
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Dan B.]
#65638
03/03/2010 1:16 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 98
silly goose
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 98 |
Just got 4-5 feet up here in the last week, some spots 6ft, but that was a freak, and its staying pretty warm, 40's during the day, so spring is a lot closer than it was a couple months ago.
I went from pow to Boom. I love the BOOM!
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: silly goose]
#65645
03/03/2010 2:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
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Distinguished Master
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Most all of our snow is melted now except where plows piled it up. Upper 50's today PD'ing is in my future
Ernie the Un-Tactical
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Ernie]
#65649
03/03/2010 2:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,375
Dan B.
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PD'ing in the east means "Plow Driving".......I love the snow but your version of PD'ing sounds like a whole lot more fun right now!! I'm ITCHING for a range day.
Exodus 20:5-11 Matthew 5:18 Revelation 22:14
ISPBS--Expert Level
Please don't use e-mail, contact me w/ PM.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Dan B.]
#65651
03/03/2010 2:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,704
Tigger
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Did someone mention CHARLIES!!!
I'm itching to get after them. Last year I got my first one March 17, luck-o-the irish.... maybe. Sure wasn't lucky for the charlie. LOL<LOL
Yesterday I had a trip to Buffalo. There is a flock of turkeys along the Genesee river I have been watching all winter. Looks like 20 give or take. They work the corn fields on the river bottom. They were up by the road in a small stand of white pines yesterday and looked healthy. Spring gobbler is the month of May here.
NRA Life Member
** NEVER! Moon a Werewolf!!**
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Tigger]
#65653
03/03/2010 2:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,375
Dan B.
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I saw one out on G-Hog Day this year....then I saw a fresh roads kill yesterday. Not sure where he came from with the deep snow we have.
Exodus 20:5-11 Matthew 5:18 Revelation 22:14
ISPBS--Expert Level
Please don't use e-mail, contact me w/ PM.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Dan B.]
#65662
03/03/2010 3:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105
Russell
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105 |
No PD's or "Charlies" in the Osage, but I've been giving the coyotes a run since the pastures dried up enough to drive across.
It's not the gun, but the man behind it.
Sheriff Russell Cottle, Ret. USMC; 1967-1970; Vietnam-'68-'69
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Russell]
#65663
03/03/2010 4:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
I will have my son out this Saturday for the youth "Thunder Chicken" season. Hope I can post some pics next week.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: KRal]
#65665
03/03/2010 5:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,375
Dan B.
Distinguished Expert
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"Thunder Chicken" season. ........or.......
Exodus 20:5-11 Matthew 5:18 Revelation 22:14
ISPBS--Expert Level
Please don't use e-mail, contact me w/ PM.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Dan B.]
#65668
03/03/2010 6:47 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
Option #2.....option #1 is rough on the teeth...LOL
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Dan B.]
#65671
03/03/2010 8:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,399
Vance in AK.
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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Posts: 2,399 |
Spring 3 weeks away... What a wonderful thought! We have had a relatively mild winter,but still have at least a month of it left. Snowing right now. About 6 weeks till I can put out bear bait (4-15), but near 2 months before I can realisticaly(sp?) expect to start seeing bears. That's our turkey season I guess....
Vance in AK.
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Vance in AK.]
#65673
03/03/2010 9:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,037
wtroper
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,037 |
I hate to mention it to you fellows up north, but it is 70 degrees here today, sunshine & not much wind. It would be a good day to shoot, but I am stuck in the office ---- Tax Season. Will get a break about April 15.
This time of year for me, bad weather is almost welcomed. Makes it easier to stay hooked to this desk.
It's more important where you hit 'em, than what you hit 'em with.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: wtroper]
#65676
03/03/2010 11:06 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359
SChunter
Shooting Expert
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Shooting Expert
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Turkey season comes in for us the month of April, mid-March in some parts of SC...chasing hogs and dogs until then. but I am stuck in the office ---- Tax Season. Will get a break about April 15.
This time of year for me, bad weather is almost welcomed. Makes it easier to stay hooked to this desk.
WT, I'll be happy to give some of those pretty FA's a workout on your home range until you can get out and shoot for yourself!
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: SChunter]
#65679
03/03/2010 11:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 246
Chris Abbott
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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56 degrees and lots of mud and very little snow left but prairie dogs everywhere and fat to, on the western slope of Colorado. Cant wait to start chasing them down with the new i4 inch 204 ruger.
Guns dont kill people, people kill people.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Chris Abbott]
#65684
03/04/2010 12:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,375
Dan B.
Distinguished Expert
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Exodus 20:5-11 Matthew 5:18 Revelation 22:14
ISPBS--Expert Level
Please don't use e-mail, contact me w/ PM.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Dan B.]
#65685
03/04/2010 12:50 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 493
wyote
addict
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addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 493 |
I got 2 turkey tags in SD. I didn't draw a turkey tag here in the Big Horn Basin, but I can buy a general tag in the Black Hills. So if I fill out early in SD I might get a turkey tag and give that a go.
Bear will open may 1st here, not much chance of getting a black but I'll buy a tag just in case I run across one. There was an article in the Cody paper this week that said some of the bears are already coming out of there dens. Seems a bit early but maybe there as ready for spring as I am.
Then theres the varmints!!!!! Rock chucks are my favorite but picket pins and PD's will get there share of shooting.
Better get the rest of my loading done!
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Dan B.]
#65701
03/04/2010 2:51 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,155
Bob Roach
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,155 |
I am about ready for it to start warming up here in the Missouri Ozarks. Snow is probably over for this year, at least in any quantity. Robins and Buzzards are back, which is a good sign Spring is here. Geese have been flying over, and I have noticed the deer are breaking back up into smaller groups. I had been seeing groups of 6 to 12 out in fields. Turkeys seem to have made it through the Winter ok this year. I have been seeing several. I see one group of probably 40 in a field down by the creek about every day. I have not been seeing very many Coyotes around. With the weather warming up, our Defensive Pistol and Rimfire Bench Rest Matches should perk up again. We have lots of older guys who shoot in them, and most are smart enough to stay home when it is real nasty out. I am in the group who is not all that smart, I make every match, rain or shine. I was at the range yesterday afternoon looking over a spare steel clanger about a foot square we have with no mounting points. I think I will get a stand for it in the works, and get a couple mounting points welded on the back and put it up at 100 yards on the range. Spring is project time.
See You At The Range
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Bob Roach]
#65727
03/05/2010 1:31 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 180
runngun
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member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 180 |
yay for March!!! yes it is the first faint promise that spring is on the way and eventually Ol' Man Winter's Back is broke and all that white stuff WILL go away.
I too got 'chucks and other rodents on the menu!! LOLOL!!
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: runngun]
#65731
03/05/2010 1:42 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 180
runngun
member
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member
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Hey Dan B: You say: "I HATE mud season!!"
But if ya take it as it comes and take it one day at a time then ya know every mud day is one day closer to paradise!
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: runngun]
#65740
03/05/2010 2:41 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 154
Fowler
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member
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Fowler]
#65742
03/05/2010 2:54 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331
TCTex.
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331 |
Nice shots!!
The handguns look even better!!!!!!!!
ummmmm eye candy....
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed lamb Benjamin Franklin
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#65750
03/05/2010 5:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
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Nice, Fowler.
Where's the head on the last one?
Just remember it is a secret place and your life is in danger should you dispell where it is...
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#65820
03/06/2010 2:19 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 154
Fowler
member
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member
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Posts: 154 |
Yea he and I had a talk and he sort of lost head over the whole incident!
And remember where what is?
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Fowler]
#65832
03/06/2010 6:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
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Oooohh... I see... he lost his head.....
Good shootin', buddy.
We need to get out there soon and pop some caps! I want to see your new steel target set-up and blast it!
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#65913
03/07/2010 12:08 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 389
bigbore442001
enthusiast
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enthusiast
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Here in Massachusetts, spring means trout season as well as spring turkey season. Unfortunately for us the turkey hunting is limited to shotgun or archery only. I wish I was able to take a fine gobbler with my TC Contender with the 22 Hornet barrel. To me that would be a great challenge. Calling in a bird and hitting that golf ball sized target with a specialty handgun.
As a teenager I shot many woodchucks in the spring and summer but most of the dairy farms that provided them habitat had gone under. They are now host to cluster housing and other development. Here in Massachusetts we have a season on coyote. The season will close this Monday on March 8th. I wished we could hunt them during the pup season to thin them out but the burro crats think otherwise.
We have a list of what is called unprotected game in Massachusetts that can be hunted year round without any bag limit.
The list is as follows:
OPEN SEASONS The following species may be taken year-round (except during shotgun deer season) by licensed hunters with no daily or seasonal bag limit: English sparrow, flying squirrel, red squirrel, chipmunk, porcupine, skunk, starling, weasel, woodchuck.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Dan B.]
#65920
03/07/2010 2:23 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 178
geojanitor
member
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member
Joined: May 2009
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I saw my first groundhog this week (3/5) driving to work. He was out crawling across the snow; I guess he had all he could take and had cabin fever too. As such, I put the Contender back in the truck when I went to feed on Saturday. As luck would have it I spotted a small brown rock moving across a south facing pasture that had just melted off. I sure hope the "Farm n' ac" is off and spring is on its way. I have and enough this winter and lets not even get started on Mud. I have chains on a four wheel drive tractor and still can't feed in some places.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: geojanitor]
#65960
03/07/2010 8:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,704
Tigger
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
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Posts: 4,704 |
Nice job geo!!!
223 is great medicine for charlies.
NRA Life Member
** NEVER! Moon a Werewolf!!**
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Tigger]
#65972
03/08/2010 12:12 AM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 178
geojanitor
member
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member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 178 |
Thanks Trigger, I have to get ahead while I can. I generally carry the rig shown above and my hunting buddy carries a heavy barreled AR. I'm ahead right now though :-)!!!
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: geojanitor]
#65985
03/08/2010 2:53 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 246
Chris Abbott
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 246 |
Hey geojanitor, What is that shootin stick set up?
Guns dont kill people, people kill people.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Chris Abbott]
#66011
03/08/2010 11:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,375
Dan B.
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
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Hey geojanitor, What is that shootin stick set up? I think that is a Stoney Point.
Exodus 20:5-11 Matthew 5:18 Revelation 22:14
ISPBS--Expert Level
Please don't use e-mail, contact me w/ PM.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Dan B.]
#66078
03/09/2010 2:14 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 180
runngun
member
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member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 180 |
When resting the barrel directly on the sticks does it change the point of impact vs shooting off sand bags or other rests?
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: runngun]
#66317
03/13/2010 2:28 AM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 178
geojanitor
member
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member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 178 |
runngun, Gregg ask me the same thing. I have not noticed a POI shift or accuracy problems. Your mileage may very.
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: geojanitor]
#66331
03/13/2010 7:32 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
Distinguished Master
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A way to test it if it is changing POI or not is to shoot it both ways off of the sticks and the way you originally sighted it in at the farthest distance you would use the sticks. Even if there is some POI change it may not be enough to be an issue at those distances for the game you are hunting. What it ultimately does though is give you confidence of knowing what you and your rig is capable of from varying field rests at your max distances.
Ernie the Un-Tactical
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Ernie]
#66345
03/13/2010 4:25 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105
Russell
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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A way to test it if it is changing POI or not is to shoot it both ways off of the sticks and the way you originally sighted it in at the farthest distance you would use the sticks. Even if there is some POI change it may not be enough to be an issue at those distances for the game you are hunting. What it ultimately does though is give you confidence of knowing what you and your rig is capable of from varying field rests at your max distances. And confidence is the better part of equation.
It's not the gun, but the man behind it.
Sheriff Russell Cottle, Ret. USMC; 1967-1970; Vietnam-'68-'69
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Re: Spring Is Coming Soon
[Re: Russell]
#66350
03/13/2010 6:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
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There is nothing better than tested/field proven confidence that comes from practicing from field positions. Get off of the bench, once you are zeroed and have your load developed!
Ernie the Un-Tactical
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