Back!

[Rifletom]

Whew! Back from our "hunt". I put this in "The Lounge Area" as we, well Dennis, didn't bring home the venison. We were up in some spectacular country, but, the lack of deer was rather surprising to us. Not a lot of hunting pressure, very few shots heard[ three!] on opening day. We could not figure it out. We have hunted this area since '82, so know it well. Just no deer!Well, it didn't really matter, we had a blast and did the best a couple of 68 year olds can do. Hiked our butts off! I was along to help Dennis if he were to put a tag on one. Dang! Probably my last go around with deer; will stick to upland birds now. Stuff is cleaned up and put away and now a little planning on some lever action fun. The deserts are cooler, so that's my next adventure. Desert, lever guns and me. Can't friggin' wait! And now for a beer!

[cooperhawk]

Yep, I'm almost 79 and mountain hunting is over for me. I am content to go
to the range with some friends and shoot, drink coffee, and tell stories of
big hunts in the past.

[Mags]

.
Good to see you back safe. Too bad about the hiking around for naught but fun.

Whew! Back from our "hunt". I put this in "The Lounge Area" as we, well Dennis, didn't bring home the venison. We were up in some spectacular country, but, the lack of deer was rather surprising to us. Not a lot of hunting pressure, very few shots heard[ three!] on opening day. We could not figure it out. We have hunted this area since '82, so know it well. Just no deer!Well, it didn't really matter, we had a blast and did the best a couple of 68 year olds can do. Hiked our butts off! I was along to help Dennis if he were to put a tag on one. Dang! Probably my last go around with deer; will stick to upland birds now. Stuff is cleaned up and put away and now a little planning on some lever action fun. The deserts are cooler, so that's my next adventure. Desert, lever guns and me. Can't friggin' wait! And now for a beer!

[BigAl52]

I suppose the Marlin was left behind in Idaho? You could check in to the nutria hunt Los Banos. Open season out there on those swamp rats. Take the levergun up that way shoot some rats

[Mags]

.
But leave the .22 home. It takes a well placed .22 shot to kill a nutria outright. They make an awful bawling sound when wounded. I use my Henry .30-30 now, which might be a bit of overkill, but it's one and done.

I suppose the Marlin was left behind in Idaho? You could check in to the nutria hunt Los Banos. Open season out there on those swamp rats. Take the levergun up that way shoot some rats

[Mistered]

I use my Henry .30-30 now, which might be a bit of overkill, but it's one and done.

I agree.
Larger 'Rodent' type creatures such as the nutria & raccoons are much tougher than say cottontails and squirrels and that is where the .22 needs to be left with.
Even jackrabbits will run off after being hit by a .22.

[Rifletom]

I suppose the Marlin was left behind in Idaho? You could check in to the nutria hunt Los Banos. Open season out there on those swamp rats. Take the levergun up that way shoot some rats

Al, I was in Ca., didn't make it to Idaho, so the .35 is still safe[I think!]. Not familiar with this nutria. What is that exactly?
My friends in Idaho start their deer season on Oct 10. Won't be able to make that one. They'll score.

[BigAl52]

Tom check it out in the hunting section there is a thread there on Nutria with a link to that area.

[Rifletom]

Dang! Those are some big, ugly 'ol rats right there! I agree with Mags: 30-30 and its one and done. Yuck!

[Mistered]

Actually for as ugly as they are they are supposed to be pretty good eating!
In some places in the south they are hunted and cooked up Cajun style!

[Mags]

... and they were brought here to raise for their fur. So ugly, but soft and cuddly.