Going on vacation....

[SidecarFlip]

I need a vacation (as evidenced by my less than hospitable posts lately).

Off to Corona New Mexico on wednesday (arriving friday morning) for a week stay on a 24,000 acre cattle ranch hunting mule deer.

Taking my Savage 11 Lightweight Hunter in 308 Winchester with a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 SFP shooting Federal Gold Medal 168 grain Sierra SMK's and my Savage 11-111 Long Range Hunter in .338 Lapua with a Vortex Viper PST 6.5-24x50 SFP shooting HSM 250 grain HPBT with Lapua brass and Vitavouri propellant at 93 grains.

The 308 is good for 600 yards or less, th 338 is good for 600-1500+ yards.

3 of us are going and each of us have a low density buck license with tresspass permit. The hunt will be guided by a professional guide, all meals provided as well as lodging. Really looking forward to the Mexican cusine (have extra TP packed).

My wife gets a much needed vacation (away from me) and I get to replenish the freezer.

[mikecwik]

i hope you have one heck of a time brother!

[SidecarFlip]

With all the gun crap circulating and now the relection of a proven anti- firearm President in a lame duck, do anything term, I fear that any hunting trip may be my last.

I have much consternation as to what Obama has in store concerning the Second Amendment and how he plans to implement his agenda, now that he has free reign.

I keep looking for the day when I get a knock on the door and a government represntative asks me for all my guns because they are now illegal to possess and of course what my answer to him will be. Actions always speak louder than words.

[vicegrip]

Have fun! I need one too, but it'll have to wait.

I wouldn't worry too much about that other stuff.
My gut tells me that the world's big guys have started
a snowball rolling down a very big hill. Further that
they have lost controll of it, and are scratch'n their a$$es.

Live large, live honest, live smart. Be ready to run tight-reefed.
vg

[usmcpop]

Low density buck license? I guess it wouldn't be much sport shooting the really dense ones.

Blast a Bambi for me and enjoy.

[SidecarFlip]

In NM, the permits are issued in 'low density' and 'high density' and priced accordingly. Usually a high density permit entails buying a preference point like in Wyoming, Montana or Idaho along with the license. It's not cheap but most of the license fees go back to the state DNR fund to perpetuate and further hunting and hunting and related revenue is important to landowners and the states themselves.

Because we are non residents, we also are required to pay a 'trespass fee' to the landowner, in this case $1000.00 per hunter. The landowner allows hunting and receives income, much like we receive income from row cropping here in Michigan. The land out there isn't very productive except for grazing of cattle so the fee supplements the landowners income.

All in all, considering that we are hunting a very desireable area (for large Mule Deer), have unlimited access to 24,000 acres with no other hunters plus guides, lodging and amentities provided, $3,000.00 per hunter is a pretty cheap date. I don't expect a Holiday Inn with evening massages and a well stocked bar. I was told to bring a sleeping bag so it's probably a ranch bunk house with a one holer out back.....

If we were doing Montana Elk or Dahl sheep in BC, the cost would be at least 6K per hunter, sleeping in a wall tent on a cot and packing in, on horses or mules. My wife is looking at going to Scotland for a Stag hunt and that's a $9,000.00 per hunter trip with no air fare.

Outta here on Wednesday morning. Will be a Mexican Thanksgiving for us.

[ozarkie]

If you're hunting mulies in NM, be prepared for some long shots...and it looks like at least you've got the hardware!


Have a great time!!

[SidecarFlip]

If you're hunting mulies in NM, be prepared for some long shots...and it looks like at least you've got the hardware!


Have a great time!!

I'm going to try. I'll sure miss my wife's cooking. I'm not at all into Mexican food but I guess I will be 'cause I have no choice.

I have the hardware for sure. The 338 I have in the military model is the one that holds the worlds record for the longest confirmed kill. 1.25 miles. I have the sporter edition which is lighter with the same action and a lighter barrel and no picatinny rails or handgrip. It's still a tank with a scope, coming in at 13 pounds. I like my rifles about 8 with a loaded magazine, right where the 308 is. That 5 pounds will kick your butt at 10,000 feet.

Turns out, one of the posters on th long rang forum I'm on, is the Albequerque NM Sherriff and he's hunted the same area we are going to and has offered his assistance if we need any. He told me via PM that I could expect som long range shots, over 800 yards if I wanted to but most would be in th 100-300 yard range.

He said there is an abundance of havy bodied mulies there but few with large racks. Sounds like the freezer is getting a load.

[ozarkie]

BTW, it ain't all Mexican food down there (but it IS good there). The have bacon 'n eggs too!!!

Just remember...you can't eat the rack!!

[Blacksmith]

I don't expect a Holiday Inn with evening massages and a well stocked bar. I was told to bring a sleeping bag so it's probably a ranch bunk house with a one holer out back.....

I'm so tired of business travel and staying in the plastic palaces (Holiday Inns. et. al.) that a bunkhouse would be real, and a welcome change. If it is a one holer out back and it gets cold there, make sure you keep the toilet seat in the heated bunkhouse when not in use. Don't ask me how I know to do that.

[usmcpop]

I'm so tired of business travel and staying in the plastic palaces (Holiday Inns. et. al.) that a bunkhouse would be real, and a welcome change. If it is a one holer out back and it gets cold there, make sure you keep the toilet seat in the heated bunkhouse when not in use. Don't ask me how I know to do that.

I once stayed in a hotel in Thailand out by the Lao border. There was such a big hole in the window screen that I had to stuff a whole roll of toilet paper in it. The ceiling fan was so out of balance, I moved the bed away so I wouldn't get decapitated at night if the thing ripped out of the ceiling. I wedged the only chair under the doorknob so I might have a few seconds to respond. The hotel owners parked their Mercedes in the lobby at night before shutting the steel rolling doors. But the price was right, maybe $5. a night. I can't recall. It did look better than the place across the street.

[SidecarFlip]

Just has a cell phone conversation with the Albequerque Sherriff (he's on the other forum I'm on and sent me his number if I nneded anything. He told me if we needed any assistance or had any issues just give him a call, I don't believ we will. It's a might cold out there right now but it's supposed to warm into the 50's during the day and 20-30 at night.

I think it will be a bunk house in as much as its a working cattle ranch. Fine with me.

[Sparky45]

So, how'd the hunt go? And be sure to include pictures, else it didn't happen.

[usmcpop]

Get a night-scope and hunt around Detroit.

[Blacksmith]

Get a night-scope and hunt around Detroit.

That's just not right pops.