Re: Deer Hunter Classic Para Pc
Vida Hubbert
The ever-present tinge of salt clung to the night air, and as dawn neared, the breeze increased slightly to meet the coming sun. I could just start to make out my hands holding the rifle in the monochromatic gray, and like countless hunts before, I knew the time was close. A minute passed, and I could discern my feet standing on a small platform of wood perched a few feet off the ground. Like a European shooting stand, the platform was just high enough to see over the low brush stretching out in all directions. The scene was more reminiscent of South Texas than what I had envisioned for Hawaii.
Starting to feel a bit dejected over my luck, I caught movement off to my right. There, in one of the few open patches, a lone axis doe stood, ears up, surveying her surroundings before contemplating her next move. This hunt was as much about meat as it was antlers, so I quickly raised my rifle and put a bullet behind her shoulder. Bucking, she took off through the brush that erupted in a crescendo of brown hides, white spots, leaps, and heel kicks as bucks, does, and yearlings made their escape. I stood in awe, not attempting to raise the rifle for a second shot, just appreciating the sheer density of the deer on this modern-day Treasure Island.
Then, sensing something was amiss, the buck paused in his feeding. He lifted his head, and I could clearly see his jaw line and a bit of his neck. It was far from an ideal shot, but at 50 yards with the aid of shooting sticks, it was doable. The crosshairs bobbed in the breeze more than I would have liked, but when they settled momentarily at the juncture of head and spine, I squeezed off the shot. The buck dropped instantly out of sight, being rendered from living organism to dinner.
On our last night in paradise, the sun set over Manele Bay as the wood in our fire burned from yellow flame to coal and the fresh axis tenderloins were slapped onto the hot grill. Sizzle mixed with smell as Jon topped off our glasses of good Argentinian Malbec. I was hooked. I doubt all of Hawaii is this good, but Lanai surely is the stuff dreams are made of. Now if I could just talk Mr. Ellison into letting me live in his guesthouse, find a friend with a brightly painted helicopter, and a brace of Dobermans named Zeus and Apollo, I might just give up the writing game, hang out my P.I. shingle, and stay permanently.
With two tags punched and only one hunter remaining, the pressure is on Rafe Nielsen of Browning to follow up on Joe Ferronato and Shawn Skipper's success. Intent on using every minute of hunting light that Alaska's long days have to offer, Nielsen attempts to close out the trip on a high note. Will he be able to follow in Ferronato's footsteps and tag out a great Alaskan grizzly bear, completing a feat thought nearly impossible?
Heading into day two of the hunt, the group has high hopes for another success. Continue the Big North adventure with Joe Ferronato, Rafe Nielsen, and Shawn Skipper as they attempt the impressive feat of each notching a tag on an Alaskan grizzly bear. Explore the Browning and Leupold tools this trio utilizes during the hunt and discover if Ferronato can follow Skipper's early success in wild grizzly bear country.
Travel along with Joe Ferronato to Alaska's remote Tundra to hunt grizzly bears with Leupold's Shawn Skipper and Browning's Rafe Nielsen. Experience the journey from Oregon to Alaska, the plane ride into the Tundra, setting up camp, and the first sightings of bears. The group's goal? To hunt three majestic grizzly bears all within a week. Will the group be able to accomplish this daunting task?
Stag Arms continues to cater to the hunter crowd with purpose-built AR and bolt-action rifles. The new Pursuit AR Pro incorporations find leather into the cheek pieces, as well as a leather wrap on the handguard that not only looks great, but also protects the hand from the cold steel and helps deaden the sounds when resting the handguard on a blind or stand rail. It is available in .223 Wylde, as well as .350 Legend for the dedicated deer hunter in straight-wall-only states.
Known for premium-grade ARs and AR parts, Aero Precision recently entered the bolt-action rifle market with their Solus action. This year, they've upgraded the Solus Hunter model, shaving weight with a new split 20 MOA rail and fluted bolt body. The Solus action is mated to a premium, match-grade barrel that is a fluted, stainless sporter contour sheathed in carbon fiber. The whole package is then set into an adjustable AG Composite stock to create the ultimate big-game rifle for the western hunter.
The original X-Bolt rifle from Browning was introduced in 2008, and became an instant classic. For 2024, Browning is upgrading the design with new manufacturing methods and new features. The X-Bolt 2 Speed rifle is fitted with the company's new Vari-Tech stock, which is adjustable for both comb height and length of pull, plus features interchangeable pistol-grip modules for a true fit personalize to the hunter and shooter.
Kevin Reese of Pulsar educates us on the difference between thermal optics, night vision and all the terms surrounding the growing popularity of hunting and shooting in no- and low-light conditions. Pulsar leads the category of thermal optics, and provides a wide-array of optical options for hunters.
Digital Editor Dale Evans talks with Weatherby's Marketing Manager Tyler Grethen about the all-new Model 307. The Model 307 incorporates Weatherby's newest bolt-action rifle platform with a 2-Lug, fully cylindrical action that is compatible with a multitude of aftermarket accessories. This shooter-friendly platform will be at home on the shooting range or the most extreme hunts you can take it on.
David is joined by R.J. Contorno of Savage Arms, who highlights the newest addition to the popular 110 line of bolt-action rifles. The Trail Hunter is fitted into an overmolded Hogue stock that sports classic lines and sure-grip feel throughout. Like all 110 actions, this Trail Hunter features Savage's proven Accutrigger, which just celebrated its 20-year anniversary.
Controlled-expansion bullets offer great accuracy along with deadly down-range performance, and Federal's Terminal Ascent bullets are some of the best. The Terminal Ascent line now features the brand-new 7mm PRC which will prove to deliver devastating terminal performance on a variety of game across North America.
CZ's marketing director and I discuss the merits of CZ's top-of-the-line competition pistol, the Shadow 2. Building upon the iconic, full-size CZ 75 9mm pistol, the Shadow 2 is factory-fitted with all the bells and whistles that today's competitive shooters expect. Why pay more when the Shadow 2 offers-up speed, accuracy and dependability at a very attractive price point.
Hunters and shooters looking for a single-gun solution for hunting, predator control and plinking should consider the Franchi Momentum All-Terrain Elite. With a short barrel, sporterized design and AR-style drop magazine, the All-Terrain Elite blends all the best attributes of scout and ranch rifles into one reliable platform.
While this round will kill deer, is exceptionally accurate, and has almost no recoil, I cannot recommend it for deer hunting. The bullets are just a little too light and not constructed heavily enough to hold together for clean consistent kills.
Henley McIntosh, a cousin of mine, loves this round and has killed several deer with it. But again, due to the light bullets in most factory ammo, I would only recommend it in the hands of a competent marksman.
A wonderful caliber for deer but hardly anyone in my circle of friends even mentioned it. A good friend of mine who passed away a few years ago loved this caliber for its accuracy and lack of recoil. Limited supply of readily available factory ammo is a shortfall.
Another old classic that seems to be getting passed by these days has great accuracy, light recoil, and great long-range capabilities. Trish Bishop has tried different calibers but keeps coming back to her 25-06.
Jon Allen of Nighthawk Tactical Solutions uses the Grendel on hogs and is planning to deer hunt with it this year. Jon says accuracy (which I must back him up on), almost no recoil, as well as dramatic kills have him excited about this caliber. My granddaughter Maddi is already eyeing my bolt-action Grendel. The growing supply of ammunition, and choices of types of bullets and the ability to use AR style rifles as well as bolt guns are all positives for the Grendel.
I must mention the 264 out of respect to my friend Dexter Evans, as it is the only caliber he recognizes. As far as I know, the Remington Sendero SF II is the only production rifle currently available, and factory ammo is limited.
This long-time favorite was mentioned by several folks. The 270 has been available as a factory round since 1925 and is showing no signs of letting up. Extremely accurate, incredible kills, long-range capabilities, manageable recoil, incredible variety, and ready availability of factory ammunition are on its long list of attributes. It is available in bolt action, pump, semi-auto and even lever action rifles.
The 30-30 was one of the most popular calibers around years ago and it is still hanging in there. However, based on my small sample of local hunters, not nearly as many folks use it now. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Brad Turner is still a fan though. Col. Turner stated that where he hunts 100 yards is a long shot and the 30-30 still drops them in their tracks!
The 308 is one of the most popular calibers around, and there are plenty of reasons. Accuracy, long-range capabilities, good knock-down, manageable recoil, an incredible array of choice for factory loaded ammo as well as an almost endless list of components for the hand loader are just a few. The 308 is available in bolt, pump, lever, and single shot as well semi-auto rifles. Sheriff Kelly Shouse quickly replied 308 when asked what his favorite deer caliber was, an answer that was echoed by his son Hunter, as well as Benny Gabbard and his son Ben. Several others mentioned it as their second choice.
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