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Hard to be picky on the last day  Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | ||
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Hey, you got it done! I bet that was a fun trip. ~Ann   | |||
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Nice shot Mike. Nothing like a buck on the rocks huh? Good for you. George "Gun Control is NOT about Guns' "It's about Control!!" Join the NRA today!" LM: NRA, DAV, George L. Dwight | |||
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Nice! On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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Those are pretty deer. Congratulations. Looks like the drag to the water was easy.  | |||
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i was wonderin where you been. I thought you'd have pics of your Elk up by now, then you go sneak this trip in. | |||
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Always wanted to hunt those little rascals. There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t. – John Green, author | |||
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Good job, Mike. Sitka is the only one I'm missing for NA deer and likely will remain so now. Tony Mandile - Author "How To Hunt Coues Deer" | |||
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Some things I learned about my Sitka Blacktail hunt on Kodiak. Some of them may be obvious to the more experienced. By the way my deer was taken on the last day, when we were more focused on salmon fishing. So the following applies to the days we were dropped on the beach unguided. Early in the season when there is little to no snow and prior to the rut, the deer will generally be up higher. You will need to be physically fit to be successful. You don’t need to be a tri-athlete, but remember you are hunting on an island which is essentially a mountain sticking out of the water. Most of the beaches are narrow and within 25-75 yards you will be headed up hill. The brush in many places can be quite thick. There are no hiking trails per se. There are of course game trails many are "faint", but remember deer require a lot less space to maneuver in brush than humans. There are open areas of grass and lighter brush that has gone dormant and that can be walked over. However, even these areas of grass and dormant brush can be lumpy and soggy while walking up or down hill so it can more strenuous than most hiking. Two adult males will of course be able to drag a deer over most of the terrain. But remember, dragging a deer even 1 1/2 miles over uneven brushy terrain can be quite the chore and you could easily be that far from your drop-off/pick-up point. If you are hunting early in the season, if snows are late in arriving, or if one of the hunting partners is younger or of lesser strength; I strongly recommend bring a pack frame and being proficient at boning out or quartering your deer. Alaska Fish and Game has some of the most stringent regulations regarding the recovery of game meat so you need to take all edible meat. You can check your pack frame as luggage. The airlines can bag it like they do car seats. Later in the season when snows have arrived and the rut or pre-rut has usually started, the deer will generally be down lower and closer to the beach. While you will still need to be able to manage uphill terrain; the hunting is easier and many deer (according to locals) are shot on or close to the beach, and the snow as well as the proximity of the deer to the beach is much more conducive to an easy recovery. Gear recommendations: 1) Pack frame or internal frame pack capable of carrying a boned out or two deer quarters simultaneously for at least one of the members of the party in the field. The other should have at least a large day pack that can carry out back straps, neck meat etc. This is almost a requirement for early season hunts. 2) Drag strap 3) 2 VHF radios with a 7-10 mile range (leave 1 with your transporter) or 1 Marine band VHF radio with a 7-10 mile range. 4) If wearing leather boots, waterproof them before your trip or wear pack (rubber lowers) or muck type boots 5) A minimum of 32 ounces of water per person in the field. Even in the cold temps, I went thru more water than I expected. 6) A couple of large contractor’s clean up plastic bags. They are great,lightweight waterproof ground covers. 7) Collapsible walking staff and or shooting sticks that can also be used as a walking staff. 8) Lightweight rubber or synthetic gloves to wear while field dressing deer. More than just latex these are to keep your hands from getting too cold but give pretty good dexterity. 9) A GPS with track capability. Established trails were pretty much non-existent where we hunted and the thick cover made finding our way back a little too challenging at times. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue. What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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This was also posted on the AK Forum and Jake Jefferson chimed in with good info. Never drag a deer on Kodiak Island. 1) A pain because of the brush/terrain 2) You are leaving and generating a huge scent trail telling every bear in the area - lunch is this way. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue. What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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Good job! Guns and hunting | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting American Big Game Hunting Sitka Blacktail Hunt on Kodiak Island
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