I used to do quite a bit of backpacking in the summer as a means of getting into high and remote areas that held large rockchuck and ground squirrel populations. I haven't done this in a while but I am going to start up again. It is an absolute blast and I recommend it to anyone who lives in an area where this is legal. I used to carry a scoped Ruger 10/22 or a synthetic stocked Ruger M77 in .223. Has or does anyone else do this for the sole purpose of varmint hunting? I am just curious.

Yup, but it's for predator hunting during the fur season. Backpack or mountain bike or combination of the two.

And I'm generally sleeping during the day and hunting at night.

There are areas with no motorized vehicle access that are bobcat factories so walking or biking in are the only options.

quote:

Originally posted by Skinner.:
Yup, but it's for predator hunting during the fur season. Backpack or mountain bike or combination of the two.

And I'm generally sleeping during the day and hunting at night.

There are areas with no motorized vehicle access that are bobcat factories so walking or biking in are the only options.

I have done this by carrying a TC Contender. It is a good time.

Oh Ya, some of my favorite hunts of the year are by backpack into the high country of CO for marmots. I carry a Kimber Montana in .243 shooting 58 gr. bullets at 3800 fps. Hell on 'hogs, and sub-moa accuracy. Am currently looking at a Remington XP 100 that I can carry on my Harley and combine a little bike riding with my hunting. My girlfriend is getting her hunter saftey card so she can go too.

I don't think I've ever seen a serious varmint hunter who could get farther than 10 feet away from his pickup....

You do what you gotta do according to the law. My favorite areas do not allow hunting out of a vehicle or the use of lights of more than 9 volts, nor can a light be mounted on the rifle, handheld with self contained batteries only. So cruising in the 4wd with a 2 million candlepower facemelting spotlight ain't allowed.

However, a guy can find ways to make things work. Like packing/biking into areas no one else goes to.

And using legal equipment modified to work quite well.

For a spotlight I use a HotSpot Cordless/Rechargeable 300,000CP Spot Light
that has a "custom" strap that fits around my left hand so I can hold it and the forend of the rifle to kill kitty.

It's lightweight and extra batteries are lightweight and cheap. I get about 40 minutes of continuous light per battery.