New Long Ranger .308 Owner

[JEBar]

That said, the days when I can carry on my back everything I need for a weeks DIY hunt are getting short.

But I want to do it a few more times before I simply can't any more. And I want to do it with a levergun!!!

well understood on the getting short .... unfortunately, age and medical issues have pretty much ended such hunts for me .... I've only been on one elk hunt in Colorado and most certainly treasure those memories .... now days I'm pretty much limited to hunting very near a four wheel drive vehicle or ATV

[2fewdaysafield]

I'm not too far behind you JEBar. It shocks me how I've gone from a "healthy young buck" to tired and worn in just 9 years. Now hiking 10 miles into the "back-country" in the West with 50 pounds on my back would take me the better part of two days or more. Not so long ago I used to do 15-18 miles per day on the AT carrying 40 pounds. And I suspect the rate of decline will only continue to increase. I just want a couple of more trips into the "back-country" with a tent, levergun and sleeping bag. It's up to me to make it happen. And if it doesn't, it won't be because I didn't try like hell. Wouldn't it be a kick in the ash if I could take a muley or elk on a DIY hunt way up in the "back country"!!! DAMMITALL!!!! I'm going to try. Their is no life without GOALS.

[JEBar]

I'm not too far behind you JEBar. It shocks me how I've gone from a "healthy young buck" to tired and worn in just 9 years.

ago for it .... years ago I walked every inch of the Appalachian Trail in NC .... no clue how heavy the pack was, we took what we needed and didn't even think about weighing it .... now at 70, having had heart surgery within the last few months and an appointment tomorrow with an orthopedic surgeon about a bad knee, my interest far exceeds my ability .... I'd love to once again see a bull elk in the cross hairs of a scope but this time one mounted on our Henry 45-70

[Pottsy]

2Few...Awesome story. I would love to go on a trip like that one day. I have a 1 year old son and a 3 year old daughter and I dream about taking epic trips like that with them one day. Hell man, I'd carry your pack to go on that trip ; )

[2fewdaysafield]

2Few...Awesome story. I would love to go on a trip like that one day. I have a 1 year old son and a 3 year old daughter and I dream about taking epic trips like that with them one day. Hell man, I'd carry your pack to go on that trip ; )

Thanks Pottsy! DIY hunts out West are not impossible. I've been studying up on it and it actually can be done on a beer budget. (no offense, but with 2 kids and a wife if you were wealthy you would be doing it every year). So I guess you are a poor man like me. I really want to do this a few more times before I'm just too damned old. TONS of public land out west. The trick is finding an area with easy tag access in an area that has good public land access and plenty of game. Not easy. Especially because I am not so smart with computers. If you really want to do this and are willing to work with me on the research then let's DO IT! Wyoming is what I am familiar with--area 26A. Plenty of antelope and fair amount of muleys. But Co is easy on tags but hard to not get overrun by other hunters in 4X4s and ATVs. But those guys still tend to stay fairly close to their trucks. Co might be good if we went way back up into the back country. But then we'd have to pack out anything we killed. 40 pounds hiking in and probably 2 trips each to pack out each animal.

If you are seriously interested in a DIY Western hunt, let me know and let's work together. Your "younger genertion" computer skill would be a HUGE benefit.

Best....2few

[Pottsy]

Hey 2Few... I would love to say I am in right now, but a trip like that isn't gonna fly with my wife right now. Definitely keep me in mind down the road, and I would love to go on a Western hunt sometime in the next couple of years. My kids are young, 3 and 1, so they aren't quite hunting buddies yet, but I hope they will be one day : ). I've gotta spend my disposable income on some more pressing things right now, so my hunting will have to stay local for right now... However, I definitely plan to go on some hunts up north and out west down the road at some point. I appreciate the offer though.

[2fewdaysafield]

Sure thing Pottsy. It's going to be 2018 at the earliest before I can do it anyway.