my bear from the alaska hunt
#109355
05/24/2012 2:58 AM
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tradmark
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: tradmark]
#109356
05/24/2012 3:00 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
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tradmark
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this guy was about 6 1/2 feet long or so, i'd guess somewhere over 300lbs. i'm a slim trim 270 in the photo. we all shot bears around the same size. this one's fur is rough and so it's a skull mount and jewelry for the girls from the claws. it was a great hunt!
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: tradmark]
#109357
05/24/2012 3:05 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 138
zac0419
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Great trophy. Can you give some more details? Spot and stalk? Gun? Load?
Zac CO
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: zac0419]
#109358
05/24/2012 3:29 AM
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Joined: Apr 2008
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cottonstalk
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Pooh-Bah
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Nice head on that one trad.Is that a color patch on it's rump or was it between coats?(shedding out bad)Nice claws,any aging done?
"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence,try orderin' someone else's dog around" unknown cowboy
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: zac0419]
#109359
05/24/2012 3:34 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
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Great pics and great bear! Congratulations. Great trophy. Can you give some more details? Spot and stalk? Gun? Load? Exactly my questions also. What sight...factory irons?
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#109361
05/24/2012 3:47 AM
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tradmark
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yeah the bear was rubbed out badly, the different colored spots are where the hair was really really thin. he'd been in alot of fights as was bleeding from a couple spots as well.
i used the federal 250 gr barnes xbp load which runs about 1600 fps or so out of the short barreled gun. used the factory irons with freedom's fiber optic front sight. it was a spot and stalk, i stalked him about 500 yards and then he started coming up the beach to me. i hid behind some vegetation and when he got about 45 yards away the wind shifted and he spun and started to leave. as he had likely never smelled a human before i kicked some rocks and he turned around jaws snapping and drooling. i really didn't want him running off and so as soon as he got sideways when he was turning again i hit him with a high shoulder shot and he crumpled, shot went thru both shoulders and the spine quit high up. he was turning as i was shooting. our guide had told us we had better hit em till they drop and better drop them on the beach, if they make the trees they likely won't be found. i'll post a pic of that stuff, it's a rain forest and just a mess. so at that point i fired off another round and realized how excited i was when it hit the rocks just under the bears chest. i settled in and pumped a round through the base of the chest traveled thru the chest cavity and up the spine into the neck settling against the base of the skull and that was that. bullets performed perfectly, opened to an inch with 4 razor sharp petals and just absolutely wrecked internals and spine. this bears spine was like that of the bull elk i've shot. much thicker than i expected. would've passed thru with a solid but i wanted as much damage as possible right then and there and i found the bullet in the hide on the opposite side so it expanded to an inch, went thru 2 shoulder bones and the spine and dropped the bear on the spot. we all did that and chose various expandables and they all worked well i've yet to be disappointed in the barnes xbp loads thus far. as they were black bear i chose a mild load. when i go for brown bear i'll use something like double taps load that'll run another 300 or so fps faster and follow it with a solid.
Last edited by tradmark; 05/24/2012 3:49 AM.
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: tradmark]
#109362
05/24/2012 3:49 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,020
tradmark
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gun was a 4 3/4" FA 83 in 454 casull.
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: tradmark]
#109364
05/24/2012 4:36 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,057
Gary
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I've said it before - hell of a good bear and the largest of the 4 we killed.
You can't wait any longer. Join the NRA and start writing your Congressmen and Senators.
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: tradmark]
#109366
05/24/2012 4:48 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,655
wapitirod
Shootist
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nice bear, congratulations!
I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. John Wayne-The Shootist
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: wapitirod]
#109367
05/24/2012 5:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,399
Vance in AK.
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Pooh-Bah
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Great bear Mark!!! Congrats. Also really cool that you did it with a short barrel & irons.
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: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Vance in AK.]
#109368
05/24/2012 5:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 138
zac0419
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Also really cool that you did it with a short barrel & irons. +1 Very cool.
Zac CO
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: zac0419]
#109369
05/24/2012 5:48 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
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That is so cool! Congrats!!!
Ernie the Un-Tactical
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Ernie]
#109370
05/24/2012 11:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
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Absolutely awesome, Mark!! Thank you for the details! I really like that you used iron sights. I just went back to my roots (so to speak with iron sights on a couple of my revolvers and am enjoying it. Nice work, great bear!!!! Congratulations!!
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Whitworth]
#109373
05/24/2012 11:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359
SChunter
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Congrats Mark! Big ol noggin on that bear!
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: SChunter]
#109374
05/24/2012 12:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
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Congrats! That's an awesome handgun trophy!
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: KRal]
#109376
05/24/2012 1:31 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331
TCTex.
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Oh that is NICE!!!!!!!!!!
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: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Vance in AK.]
#109383
05/24/2012 2:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 685
Boartuff
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~BT~
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Boartuff]
#109389
05/24/2012 3:44 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 493
wyote
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What an experience that would be. Congrats on a great bear!
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: wyote]
#109391
05/24/2012 4:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 808
minnesotahunter
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Exelent!!
Thanks for the story. Looks like the trip of a lifetime.
Good job.
MN
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: minnesotahunter]
#109392
05/24/2012 4:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730
Mark Hampton
old hand
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old hand
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Congrats! Nice bear and great experience. Good job.
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Mark Hampton]
#109400
05/24/2012 5:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,101
Bearbait in NM
old hand
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old hand
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Fantastic bear and report. I espcially appreciate the report on your bullet performance. The "outdated" 454, with a bullet that does not cost a buck apiece. very refreshing.
Craig
Northern born and Southern bred
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Bearbait in NM]
#109401
05/24/2012 5:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
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I just got through looking at the pictures Gary posted in the Bragging Borad and I officially curse the both of you for whetting my appetite to hunt Alaska sooner rather than later.....damn you!
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Whitworth]
#109403
05/24/2012 5:26 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,378
Darrell H
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Great bear and great report tradmark, congratulations! Like some other folks have stated, I am impressed that you hunted with a 4 3/4" iron sighted revolver. Did you carry another weapon "just in case" the iron sighted revolver shot didn't present itself?
At any rate, it is one thing to hunt in your backyard with an iron sighted handgun. To hop on a plane, travel to Alaska and hunt with one...well, my hat's off to you sir!
Congrats again!!!!
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Darrell H]
#109409
05/24/2012 5:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
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Great bear and great report tradmark, congratulations! Like some of the other folks have stated, I am impressed that you hunted with a 4 3/4" iron sighted revolver. Did you carry another weapon "just in case" the iron sighted revolver shot didn't present itself?
At any rate, it is one thing to hunt in your backyard with an iron sighted handgun. To hop on a plane, travel to Alaska and hunt with one...well, my hat's off to you sir!
Congrats again!!!! I've got to say that there is something liberating about iron sights. I recently rediscovered them and I am enjoying the fact that there is no optic mounted to the top of the revolver. Again, nice work, Mark!
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Whitworth]
#109413
05/24/2012 6:12 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,331
TCTex.
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They each have their place! I will not put sights on my either of my SHB's in 44 Mag nor my Ruger MKII competition 22's...
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: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: TCTex.]
#109414
05/24/2012 6:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
Shootist
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Shootist
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It's nice to be able to wear a revolver on your belt, draw and shoot. It's liberating.
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Whitworth]
#109419
05/24/2012 6:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,655
wapitirod
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yep, I got a big kick out of taking my blacktail last year with an iron sighted gun. That gun now wears a red dot as my eyes seem to be getting worse and I'm have a harder time with open sights on both handguns and rifles.
I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them. John Wayne-The Shootist
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: wapitirod]
#109420
05/24/2012 7:10 PM
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tradmark
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thanks guys, i love iron sights, the only other gun i brought was a night sighted SRH which is my hog gun due to the sights and it was more of a camp protection gun. i practice with that lil' FA out to over a hundred yards regularly so i was confident in whatever shot would present itself though i will say the scoped guns worked real well for the other guys, gary and tj made excellent shots at over a hundred yards and were able to not only hit the bears but plug in multiple shots at even further ranges to keep the bears from making the tree line. i practice off hand almost exclusively and sight my guns in that way as well so i'm not as good per se at 150 or more yards as with a scoped gun but i get off pretty rapid shots and don't lose shots due to not being able to get set up quickly which i didn't like when i used scoped revolvers. i just don't shoot them real well and until my eyes go south will prolly stick with iron sights. however, like i said, the scoped guns worked great with all the other guys but they're much better with a scope than i am.
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: tradmark]
#109422
05/24/2012 7:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
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Mark, PM heading your way.....
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Whitworth]
#109424
05/24/2012 7:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,861
Franchise
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Mark, you took a real nice bear! Sounds like the 250 gr. Barnes did a wonderful job. Congrats again my friend!!
The Eyes are Useless, When The Mind Is Blind
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Franchise]
#109429
05/24/2012 9:53 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 626
tracker77
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Thats a great bear! Congrats on your success! That big ol head will make a fine skull mount. Thanks for sharing your story and pics trad.
Do not take your greatness to the graveyard!!
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: tracker77]
#109451
05/25/2012 2:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715
jamesfromjersey
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Oh yea....thats a big boy. I know you guys had a great hunt...
Life member-NRA-SCI Member-HHI #2900-HHASA #067 Colt-Ruger-Freedom Arms-and S&W Collector Assoc.s "I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want" "Handgun hunters HAVE to be good"
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: jamesfromjersey]
#109465
05/25/2012 3:47 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,057
Gary
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You can't wait any longer. Join the NRA and start writing your Congressmen and Senators.
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Gary]
#109466
05/25/2012 3:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
Shootist
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That looks like a lot of fun. Congrat's to all on the successes!
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: tradmark]
#109469
05/25/2012 8:59 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,097
jwp475
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old hand
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Nice Bear, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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Re: my bear from the alaska hunt
[Re: Vance in AK.]
#109721
05/28/2012 7:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,642
BBwheelgunner
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as I said in the other post:
Many have said it well before me but, great bears, great pictures, and great hunt. I was anxious to see how you guys fared, and you all did more than well... congratulations. I know who to ask questions to if I ever get to book a hunt like yours.
p.s. I, like many others here, am jealous and hope to get the chance at a true great adventure hunt like you guys had. congratulations again
"If you are going to go through all the trouble to put a hole in something, why not make it a big one?"
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