31 replies to this topic

[Joyrider]

Does anyone have anything remotely hunting related to discuss...?

 

Some possible suggestions....

Anyone into winter camping?  I've never tried it...

I was planning on going out for my first Coyote hunt of the year (late!) with my 204 tomorrow, but it looks like the weather will kill that off...  :-(  Do you guys have dedicated guns (like my 204) or do you use your deer rifle (or something else...?)  

I am taking the trapping course on 4-Apr.  Anyone else from NSH going to be there?  I was dumb when I picked the date, I didn't realize it was a long weekend.  Doh!  I am really looking forward to it!  I don't know much about trapping, I am hoping to get some good ideas for coyote & bear in particular.

 

I had my beagle out a couple of weekends ago.  He's a great pet, but at best "so-so" as a hunter.  Great day in the woods but no bunnies.  It was the Sat before the snow so no tracks to see - maybe there just wasn't any around....  (wishful thinking)

I picked up a new chopping axe the other day.  So far I really like it!
(https://www.amazon.c...0?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Ok, that's all I've got.  Any of those topics of interest...?  Anything else?

Rob

[682bubba]

I take my 243 or 10ga out for coyotes i was out a couple of times nothing came to the calls now the snow is to deep for me and the bike so i'm hoping the snow is gone before the end of march to get out.

[Tyson10gauge]

For yotes I love my 10 gauge along with my 22-250 , used to winter camp many moons ago , absolute joy it was , made weekend and ice fished at same time , sometimes cutting or chopping thru 30 inches of ice , drive out one of the ole cars or trucks to the ice hole , lmao .

For trapping course Rob , study that book constantly as often as you can , theres a lot to it , listen to those teaching and take notes thru the course , its a good 8-11 hour day easy , so take lunch

As for my axes I love my Estwig 14 inch with leather grip and leather sheath , it was gift about 28 yrs ago , brought back from a Florida flea market , it cost at that time $10 brand new, deal of a steel . Plus ive got its big brother for felling if needed , always with me in the bush the small hatchet , keeps a edge like no other .
Nice axe you picked out , hope it holds good edge for you .

I might go in the morning for yotes b4 storms they are on the move , plus its breading season so might luck out early morn.

[nomad]

I've got a .204 but I haven't had a chance to get out yet. Mine is a heavy bugger. Thinking I might get another in a much lighter platform. Afterall, who needs weight in a .204 lol?

[louisbear]

Winter camping you say. Try building a Quinzee snow shelter in your backyard. Find the instructions on the internet that use the sea urchin method( sticks of the same length) used to determine thickness of the wall. Once you have mastered your building skills, head out early to your favourite location and start your construction early in the day so the snow gets a chance to settle and pack before you hollow out your overnight shelter. As long as you are ok with just being able to sit up in your shelter and the weather conditions are good these are a neat way spend a winters night. These shelters are meant to be used as a survival shelter. If you have some land and are thinking of a more permanent winter camp a canvas/cotton outfitters tent with a stove ring is the way to go. Make a wooded platform for sleeping mats and you can spend the entire winter outside! Or if just a weekender you can take your nylon low profile, steep sided tent, dig down and pack the snow, ground tarp and pack snow around the base. Winter camping is fun as long as it is cold. Wet snow or rain will ruin a winter camping trip.
Cold feet at night is what I hated about Winter camping in cold temps of minus 20 to 30 C. I found a spare pair of dry Sorel boot liners were the cats aze for use on your feet inside your minus 40 below rated sleeping bag.
Lots of gear choices and ideas on Winter camping. It is a good activity to combine with ice fishing, moose hunting, or extended snow machine trips. Enjoy!

[3macs1]

What I have left for dedicated coyotes guns are an early 80's 700 BDL Varmint heavy barrel in 223 with a vintage bushnell 4-12x scope, a brand new vintage 7600 pump in 243 that I got the sling mount on like 25 years ago ( yep I have a scope and mounts  )and that was it and a rem sp-10 10ga 30 " that I have an extra 23" barrel for when yote hunting. Sold off some others but these will die with me even if it has been 16 years since I hunted them 

Cheers

This is the 7600 243 for yotes ( shop was closing and I bought three that day in 243 two a bit older with the fleur de lie pattern all NIB )

[Tripple D]

Just got back from hunting.
Hunted all over the house for my I pad.
My wife had it down stairs in her salon.

[3macs1]

Just got back from hunting.
Hunted all over the house for my I pad.
My wife had it down stairs in her salon.

Good one 3D 

[superslickie]

As a former scout and scout leader, ive done my share of winter camping. I tend to agree on the cold feet at 5am but ive found a wool blanket folded opposite the zipper with a flannel liner my best sleep. If you want to borrow an old scout field book im sure i could find a few here
Dont hunt yotes as bunny season is still going, if we can go with the snow. Tomorrow morning 7am decision on if we're going, my hounds have not been running in 2weeks. Maggie needs to go for a long run in deep snow to burn all her extra energy.
I did my trappers course about 10yrs ago so i could harvest an extra bear, did just that for a few years before work picked up.

[3macs1]

As far as axes. I have one of these on my large belt that was always with me hunting and fishing. Was my dad's so guessing 50's vintage and a small buck axe in the backpack same as this one guessing 40 years old now

[682bubba]

I just finished my custom damascus hunting knife next im doing a damascus hatchett for myself what shape weight and size of axe,hatchet do you guys recommend.

[3macs1]

I just finished my custom damascus hunting knife next im doing a damascus hatchett for myself what shape weight and size of axe,hatchet do you guys recommend.

IF me I would use an estwing for a pattern. hard to beat one of those IMO

 Cheers

[louisbear]

As far as axes. I have one of these on my large belt that was always with me hunting and fishing. Was my dad's so guessing 50's vintage and a small buck axe in the backpack same as this one guessing 40 years old now

I always kept a long handled heavy headed axe in my truck and one in the butcher box.
In my day pack I carry a big buck knife and a quality folding saw. I find a folding saw a very versatile tool for bush work and camping.

[louisbear]

I just finished my custom damascus hunting knife next im doing a damascus hatchett for myself what shape weight and size of axe,hatchet do you guys recommend.

That sounds like a neat hobby you got going there. I always wanted to make a knife. I read about people making them by grinding down old files but not the same as what you are doing. Cool

[3macs1]

I always kept a long handled heavy headed axe in my truck and one in the butcher box.
In my day pack I carry a big buck knife and a quality folding saw. I find a folding saw a very versatile tool for bush work and camping.

Yep the old buck 119 is on the same belt for me as the axe and I do have a folding saw in the pack but honestly mine is crap. I forget what make it is gerber I think but plastic and junk

 I was going to get one of the wyoming ones like a friend had in the leather case but never did now that works just fine

Cheers

[682bubba]

That sounds like a neat hobby you got going there. I always wanted to make a knife. I read about people making them by grinding down old files but not the same as what you are doing. Cool

Making damascus from raw stock is a different animal all together but i made alot our of truck/car springs.

[682bubba]

IF me I would use an estwing for a pattern. hard to beat one of those IMO

 Cheers

I like old patterns i'm thinking trade axe or bearded the modern ones don't appeal to me.

[3macs1]

I like old patterns i'm thinking trade axe or bearded the modern ones don't appeal to me.

Well if you want real old I know someone close to you with real ancient axes hanging around some 12" wide that may be able to help:)

 I will have to look up what those types you mention look like

 

Just looked. Nope I have no bearded but have some that look like this trade one somewhere. If you want bearded I know a vintage tool collector in River B that I think may be able to help you. He had a ton of vintage axes when I was there last ( 2 years ago ) and will sell stuff

[3macs1]

Most of the small ones look like these I have. No idea what name they are 

 

or if you want a double head quite few of those kicking around  . Then we could call you Paul B

 

 

l

[3macs1]

I like old patterns i'm thinking trade axe or bearded the modern ones don't appeal to me.

I can see now why after I look at some. Real nice samples out there