Whitetail/Elk/Black Bear hunt possible...
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 5:30 pm
So it looks like I'm eligible for Idaho's reduced rate non-res license due to my VA rating. It turns a non-resident hunting license fee from $$$Stupid to $120 for the three tags I have listed in the title. Combine that with the land that I have up there, with very close (100yd) proximity to hundreds of thousands of acres of public land that are fairly remote, I think that I'm going to make a little trip this fall.
It doesn't look like weather should play much of a factor in the mid-late October timeframe, though of course I'll go prepared for it. I'm planning on wearing MARPAT with proper undergarments underneath. Because of PA's 1 million hunters, fluorescent orange was the name of the game. I have a blaze orange/camo parka, which I'll bring, but I don't have a camo one. I do have a Generation I ECWCS parka as well. I'm rather pissed at Mystery Ranch, since I found that they're not selling their packs separately from their frames anymore. I already have a frame. I'm supposed to call them on Monday and see if they have any packs in inventory. I've wanted to get their Crew Cab for quite awhile, and now I could use it to haul quarters out if I have to, assuming that they still have some around. Fingers crossed!
I have a few rifles to choose from. I'm torn between taking my .270, which has a cheaper Nikon scope on it, and buying a low profile mount for my M1A SOCOM to fit an Aimpoint. I think that I'd like the option of having an illuminated recticle, considering that my best opportunities may be during dawn and dusk. I also like having the semi-auto ability and detachable mags since those big brown things we like to talk about are present, along with wolves. Sidearm will be carried in my HPG Kit Bag, with my S&W 325 with a Surefire light attached. Once I decide which rifle is going, I'll lay in some serious practice in many positions in the coming two months.
Planning on a stalk/still hunt, no treestands. I have a whitetail grunt call here *somewhere*. I'll also buy a Harris QD bipod for whichever rifle I take.
So what do I need to know, other than if I shoot something I'm stuck carrying it a damn long way? I'm familiar with hunting whitetail, but that's about it. I may have the chance to scout it a month before the season opens.
It doesn't look like weather should play much of a factor in the mid-late October timeframe, though of course I'll go prepared for it. I'm planning on wearing MARPAT with proper undergarments underneath. Because of PA's 1 million hunters, fluorescent orange was the name of the game. I have a blaze orange/camo parka, which I'll bring, but I don't have a camo one. I do have a Generation I ECWCS parka as well. I'm rather pissed at Mystery Ranch, since I found that they're not selling their packs separately from their frames anymore. I already have a frame. I'm supposed to call them on Monday and see if they have any packs in inventory. I've wanted to get their Crew Cab for quite awhile, and now I could use it to haul quarters out if I have to, assuming that they still have some around. Fingers crossed!
I have a few rifles to choose from. I'm torn between taking my .270, which has a cheaper Nikon scope on it, and buying a low profile mount for my M1A SOCOM to fit an Aimpoint. I think that I'd like the option of having an illuminated recticle, considering that my best opportunities may be during dawn and dusk. I also like having the semi-auto ability and detachable mags since those big brown things we like to talk about are present, along with wolves. Sidearm will be carried in my HPG Kit Bag, with my S&W 325 with a Surefire light attached. Once I decide which rifle is going, I'll lay in some serious practice in many positions in the coming two months.
Planning on a stalk/still hunt, no treestands. I have a whitetail grunt call here *somewhere*. I'll also buy a Harris QD bipod for whichever rifle I take.
So what do I need to know, other than if I shoot something I'm stuck carrying it a damn long way? I'm familiar with hunting whitetail, but that's about it. I may have the chance to scout it a month before the season opens.