In some parts of Wyoming the wind is always blowing. In fact they claim that it averages 13 miles @ hour.

So how do you correct for windage? Simple - you either shoot into the wind or with the wind. Here is a hunting story about a Wyoming hunt. Lets see if you can figure out who he is. You should know him.

1998 Wyoming Antelope hunt

Here is the hunt report for the week of 10-5-98. Two of us hunted in Southeast Wyoming for pronghorn antelope. We had two tags each, one was any antelope and one was doe / fawn only.

This report is to cover the success / failure of equipment used in field conditions, and any new ideas. Not necessarily the hunt or location.

The horrible weather was hard on both the game and us. It was a benefit to locating the Antelope as they were bedded out of the wind in the canyons. This allowed us to locate larger groups then we would have otherwise found. In good weather they are scattered about the plains and ranch pastures in smaller groups. The winds were continuos 15-25 mph, with gusts over 50 mph. It was 28 to 30 degrees at night and in the upper 30's during the day. The snow was falling parallel to the ground and hurt your face to look into the wind. We really needed goggles to hunt while facing the wind. Several opportunities were lost due to my eyes watering while trying to see through the scope. Cross wind shots were skipped completely. Only shots into the wind or with the wind were taken.

The first morning I shot a really good buck in a small draw. It was blocked from the wind at 286 yards. I was using a model 70 stainless classic in 30.06 with a 3-9X40 VariXII scope. The handloaded ammunition was using 60 grains of IMR4831 and Swift 165 grain bullets. I know this is over kill for antelope but I chose the same ammo I use for all my other hunting with this rifle due to its exceptional performance. The Swift bullets were used as a product evaluation. I must say they "evaluated" quite well on this trip. They are soft enough to fully expand at the velocity of the 30.06 even at the almost 300 yard distance. The exit wound was about one inch in diameter. A Nosler partition's exit wound on the same animal would have been much smaller. Internal destruction of antelope was complete. The only bones hit were ribs. This antelope shook upon impact and took only one or possibly two steps before falling dead. Antelope number two shot with my rifle (by the other hunter) was shot at 176 yards, with the same load. It was shot through the shoulders, the exit wound was 2"+. Complete internal destruction and broken bones and bone fragments were in the exit hole. Dropped on the shot. It was also a great buck. Number three, my second one, a doe was shot with the same rifle and load. It was 297 yards. Exit wound was much like the second one, however only one shoulder was hit. Bone fragments were in exit wound. Diameter of wound was close to 3". This one also dropped on the shot. There was also an exit hole on the entry side from a small piece of bone. Antelope number 4, his second antelope was shot with a 300 Weatherby. The hunter chose to use this for better wind bucking ability. This large doe was shot at 157 yards. With a 180 grain Hornady handload, it was a neck shot. Entry wound could hardly be seen. Exit was 5-7" in diameter and about a pound of meat was blown out of the exit. Of course this one also dropped on the shot. It was determined the 300 Weatherby was too much gun for Antelope when hit in the neck. Probably too much gun for antelope hit anywhere in the body.

The Swift bonded bullets may be the finest bullets ever made for modern firearms. This means a lot coming from a confirmed Nosler partition user. I will continue shooting these until they are gone and provide field reports. Both black bears shot earlier this year were dropped on the shot. Both had major structural damage and large exit wounds 1-1/2" or more. Including the bone pulp in the exit. One big buck deer was also taken and dumped right where it was standing at 225 yards. Six big game animals have been shot with these recently. Only one remained on its feet, and that was for a couple seconds. In my opinion right now and admittedly is still early in testing, the swift expands like a ballistic tip that will remain intact and make an exceptional exit wound. This is from a 30.06 using the 165 grain bullets at 2900 fps. If I can do this 5 to 10 more times I will probably never use anything else in this rifle for big game hunting. They also shoot to the exact point of impact as the Hornady and Nosler Partitions of the same weight. This makes them a practical hunting bullet because practice rounds are inexpensive standard bullets. Ballistic tips hit about 2-3 inches higher at 100 yards.

All distances were measured with a Bushnell lytespeed 400 rangefinder. It worked well to 300 yards even in the blowing snow. It is far less functional than the lytespeed 800 model though. Only the last antelope shot was ranged before the shot. It also happened to be the one with the big gun and at the shortest range. The range finder is not easily used in real hunting conditions when you're alone. When used from a stand you could set up a perimeter of ranged landmarks telling you when game comes into range. To try and use it before you shoot and also judge a trophy with binoculars is just too much to accomplish while alone, at least for me while antelope hunting. It is entertaining to know the exact distance your shooting though, even if it is after the shot. The Butler creek scope caps were great but, you need to check your scope lenses often in a wet, or snowy climate. It is common to get the lenses covered in snow or water and then close your covers. When you pop them open to use the scope, you're only going to see a blur. Just remember they are only water tight when closed. I usually put in a small piece of paper towel to absorb any water, then close them with the paper towel inside. I also used an old foam earplug in the end of my barrel to keep out the water and or dust. This worked out perfectly with no resistance to bullet departure. I would not do this if it were cold enough to freeze. We both used Danner Canadians that are the best hunting boots I have ever owned. I use Leica 10X40 glasses they are the best! We both used Cabelas saddlecloth goretex pants. He used the matching coat I used the Cabelas fleece goretex parka. All were in Timber ghost pattern, a real shame it is no longer offered. That is the best all around camo I have ever seen, (or not seen). I have glassed over my daughter and my hunting partner at 300-500 yards while they were in plain view without seeing them while wearing this pattern. They have missed seeing me also while I was using this camo pattern. These clothes were completely functional and show a lot of thought in the design. The fleece jacket is quite and completely broke the wind. I would highly recommend them. Wyoming law requires an orange hat or jacket / vest. I choose the Cabela's fleece orange hat. It has fold down earflaps that I used the entire time. It would be nice if it had an adjustable headband to correct the fit. It would also be nice to have the front of your clothes in your choice of camo so while stalking to the game you are better hidden. The back of your clothes could be orange so you could be seen from behind and meet the legal requirements. I think I will use some Velcro or snaps on the back of my jacket to attach an orange square of the legal dimensions. This will leave the front in full camo. The "Snipepod" by Kramer design is the greatest shooting aid I have ever used. It is responsible for our shooting success in the heavy wind. The Motorola distance DPS radios worked very well. In this open treeless country they could go 5 to 6 miles. I know this because the main ranch we had permission to hunt was 5 miles long and two miles wide. They worked end to end, and even a little further when we were on adjoining ranches. The charge lasted us for 3 days with intermittent use. My partners Redfield glasses worked okay although they are not as good as the Leica's or Leupolds Wind Rivers. My Redfield spotting scope is about the same quality as his glasses. I rate it average. In the wind it was hard to use the spotting scope even with the tripod. We brought a video camera with but never used it, the weather was too bad. I would suggest a pair of clear safety glasses, and sunglasses when hunting Wyoming antelope. The wind is bad and the snow, rain, or dust in your eyes will be a real problem. I have always used paste wax on my rifles instead of oil or grease. This is great for the coast but too sticky for real dusty conditions. My action was really dirty from the blowing dust. I am grateful for the loose fit of the bolt. A tight fitting action like a Saur, Browning, or Sako, might have been more difficult to cycle when packed with dust and grit. I agree they feel smooth as silk when clean, but are so tightly assembled they tend to be effected by dirt much more than the Winchester. They don't disassemble as easily for cleaning either. One more interesting note, in this open country with the heavy wind, you can hardly hear your muzzle blast. I Barely heard my partner's gun go off from only several yards away. When you're shooting, it is about as loud as when wearing earplugs.

I hope some of you can benefit from this report. I welcome your hunt reports to be posted here. If you layout a similar style explaining the use and performance of your gear, or outfitter, I will post it here on my site. I don't care to edit a lot of writing so make sure the grammar and spelling is correct before you submit it. When I get too many I will start rotating them first in first out.

Jim

They say it blows in Wyoming while it sucks in Utah! Jim Carmichel maybe? sure-shot

In Wyoming, when the wind stops blowing, people fall over.

Sure-shot:

Nice guess - but - nope, pardner it isn't Carmichael.

Here's another hint. " Osteo "

He posts here. Lots of people know him.

Denton:

Darn, is that what happens to those drifters? I just thought they couldn't hold their rotgut.

Kendall

This is the last clue as to the author of the article. If you buckaroos don't get it this time, we will just have to move on.

http://www.customosteo.com/

You can open the "articles" link to find the Wyoming antelope hunt story.

"Osteo" refers to the "Customosteo" service. Beetles clean skulls and bones.

Kendall Dace

The author was our own:

J.J. Hack - Jim Hackewicz.

Now here's a bear adventure that is sure to get bear hunters " fired up ".

South East Alaska Bear Hunting Adventures

How would you like to bear hunt Alaska's Inside Passage from a boat cruising through the wildlife rich Islands of Alaska? You could be cruising the remote shorelines through some of the most beautiful places in all of Alaska. Instead of looking out the window of a cabin, tent or other base camp when you wake up in the morning you could be looking across the ocean seeing whales, sea lions, sea otters, Killer whales, and dozens if not hundreds of bald eagles. So many Eagles in fact when your fishing from shore you have to be careful where you lay down your fish, as the eagles will swoop down and carry them away!

This is arguably the most scenic and beautiful hunting you will ever experience. It is certainly much different then any other hunting I have ever done. You want excitement too? How about taking the skiff to shore and slowly stalking up a small winding creek. In the evening we go looking for the big old mature bears feeding on the thousands, I should say millions of salmon swimming up stream splashing all the way in the shallow water. Walking a mile or three up stream you will see hundreds of half-eaten salmon carcasses and bear tracks around every bend in the creek. Finding a spot to sit and wait for the evening hunt is often difficult because every place along the stream looks so good. Right at dark when the big guys come out to feed they could show up 10 feet away from where you're sitting! Once in a while you will see, or hear a battle between two bears over the "good fishing spot". These battles echo through the thick jungle like canopy of the coastal coniferous forests.

David and I have had bears walk by within "touching" distance. Hearing them breathing when slowly walking past you puts getting within shooting distance into a whole new perspective. These bears are not tame or "easy" they just don't see many human beings in their lifetime. If the wind is right and you have the nerve to sit very still they might walk right over you. The fall hunts can be some of the most exhilarating and entertaining black or brown bear hunts you will ever experience. Especially the hike out to the boat after dark!

It is not unusual to see several bears a day during the spring hunts. These are far more relaxing hunts that will allow you to see and judge bears feeding on the various shoreline grasses and plants. When a good bear is spotted a stalk is planned and attempted. Once you get within range, size and hide quality are inspected for a final decision. If it is determined to be small or rubbed you head back to the boat and look for another. Cruising the shore will allow you to see all of the typical Alaskan wildlife. From the marine mammals, to bears, wolves, wolverines, deer, goats, and moose. The spring hunts are very relaxing and laid back. There will be plenty of time to use your video camera to take movies and photos. Be prepared though, they will never be able to show your family and friends what you really experienced.

Southeast Alaska is probably the most unique area in North America to hunt big game.

Imagine cruising the shoreline hunting for bears while off in the distance the princess cruise ship is going by. On board hundreds of tourists with no idea of how beautiful and remote these islands are because they can't get off and investigate like you are! Spending time on the ocean and hunting this amazing habitat really is a trip to remember. I have hunted all my life in several countries for some great species, but Southeast Alaska has a special attraction to me. Even though I have spent so much time hunting there it's one of the places I miss the most when I leave.

If you're serious about hunting big bears with a great guide send me an Email. This is more then just a hunt sitting over a stinking bait and waiting and waiting and waiting for a bear to show up. This is the scenic hunting adventure of a lifetime in a very unique habitat. I have known David for years now and he is an excellent judge of trophies and loves to hunt as much as I do. The perfect combination to have a great hunt. There are a few openings left for the spring black bear season in 2000. The brown bear hunts are already booked. Get a buddy and make plans now. It is $2500.00 each for two hunters (2X1) This includes everything but your license and tag. Email me as soon as possible to get this booked or if you have any questions about this hunt.

�1998-2000 Custom Osteo
All Rights Reserved
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By the way, as regards bears; a dogs nose/sense of smell is awesome. A bloodhound can track someone days after the trail was made. But biologists claim - A BEARS SENSE OF SMELL IS 100 TIMES BETTER THAN A DOGS!

Kendall Dace