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Showing posts with label Antelope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Antelope. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

AZ Elk and Antelope Draw Results

The results are out and so am I - out of luck that is! I did not draw and no one in my family drew. It looks like I'll need to head out of state once again this fall, unless the draw gods shine on me later this year with a sheep tag...

Check your results at http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/draw.shtml

Friday, March 11, 2011

The Best Binoculars

I have been lucky enough to use binoculars in the field from the “Big Three” of optics manufactures—Leica, Swarovski, and Zeiss. Each has helped me find big game animals and each has led me to the end of at least one successful hunt. They have all been 10-power and, of course, were all tripod-mountable. So which is the best? Some of you might think my answer is a cop-out, but here it is: they all are!

Each has certain features that I like better than the others, but even with the hundreds of hours that I have spent glassing, I am hard-pressed to see much difference in quality between them. For example, the Zeiss Victory RF 10x45s I used last year on my New Mexico antelope hunt has an integral rangefinder. I have not used the Leica Geovid with its integral rangefinder in the field much, but the Zeiss RF has the rangefinder activation button on the “right” side, especially for those of us who are right-handed. In addition, they add their rangefinder to their top binocular model, whereas the Leica rangefinder used to only be available in a lower model. Leica now offers the Geovid in their HD version that compares in quality to the Zeiss, but I have only looked through it at trade shows. Of course, Swarovski has yet to offer a rangefinding binocular.

The new Swarovski SLC 10x42 HD binoculars seem to have a little better color rendition and light transmission than the others, but its all relative. I primarily used the new Swarovskis on my Wyoming mule deer hunt last year where the high elevation and cool, clear air made the glassing easier. I used the Zeiss in New Mexico where it was hot with lots of flat light. My Leicas are over 10 years old so while the clarity and focus are still top-notch, the new advancements in coatings on the newer binoculars have helped immensely.

Typically, the Leicas feel the best in my hands and up to my face, but everyone’s face and hands are a little different. As long as you are using top-shelf binoculars, the ergonomics might just be the most important factor. Assuming you can see really well through all of them, the thing that will keep you looking through them is how they feel. If you can get comfortable with the eyepieces stuck to your face all day, and the controls are easy for you to manipulate then you will glass longer. The longer you glass, the better chance you will have at finding the animal of your dreams.

Luckily, I’m in a unique position where I don’t have to choose just one. Depending on when and where I hunt, I can use them all. If you have to choose just one, I suggest you go somewhere and look through all three. If you can see a distinct difference in quality, more power to you… buy that one! If you can’t see much difference, don’t spend your time trying to find a difference; spend your time getting a feel for each one, and then buy the one that feels the best. You might even try closing your eyes and having the salesman hand you a different binocular to feel in your hands and up to your face. You can try to guess which brand it is, but more importantly, analyze it for its ergonomics. Once you’re out in the field, it won’t matter what you could have seen from the other two—they won’t be there! The performance level between the different brands is so close that I can't say one is better than the other; they are each just a little different.

One final note: Glassing effectively obviously requires skill, but it also requires confidence. Each time you sit down behind your glass, you should expect to find what you’re looking for. Part of that confidence comes from your inherent satisfaction with your purchase. If you think the Zeiss is the best and you use that confidence to find game, who cares what your buddies think? You’re the one looking through the binoculars, not them! Get the “Big Three” binocular you like the best, and then go find some critters!


I used my Leica 10x42s to locate this Kansas whitetail at first light. I watched him until he bedded and then stalked in close, crawling the last 100 yards or so. He got up from his bed and walked towards me. I shot him with a T/C Omega muzzleloader in “self defense” at 17 yards.


This New Mexico antelope fell from my shot of 267 yards. I know how far away he was because I had just ranged him with the excellent Zeiss Victory 10x45 RF binoculars.


I didn’t need binoculars when I finished this Wyoming buck at about 20 yards, but used the Swarovski SLC 10x42 HD to locate the bedded buck the day before.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Gear Review: Christensen Arms

A few years ago I completed a rifle project. Originally, I had a Winchester Model 70 in .300 WIN with the BOSS system and a Ruger M77 .25-06. Each was long and heavy and I wanted to replace them with lightweight rifles. In addition, I wanted two rifles chambered in calibers adequate for taking elk at reasonable hunting ranges so when my wife and I hunted together we would each have a rifle.

My quest led me to Christensen Arms. They use a unique process to lighten rifles by removing much of the steel from the outside of the barrel and replacing it with many layers of carbon fiber. The carbon fiber is stronger, stiffer, and lighter than steel. After visiting their facility and talking over my plans with John Mogle, I decided to let them apply their barrel treatment to my Model 70, and then ordered what they now call their Carbon One Extreme in .270 WSM. After getting back my Model 70, I sent it off to Bell & Carlson for a custom stock.

Both rifles shoot great and are a joy to carry. They each feel a little different in my hands but the Bell & Carlson stock on the .300 and the Christensen stock on the .270 compliment each rifle perfectly. Since getting the rifles, I have hunted more with the .270 than the .300, but have been very successful with both. The one time my wife an I hunted together was in Kansas—she carried the .270 and shot her first deer, and then minutes later I used the .300 on great 9-point whitetail.

If you are looking for a quality rifle that is lightweight, easy to shoot, and easy to carry, check out Christensen Arms. In addition to their awesome bolt-action rifles, they also now make lightweight AR-15s and a 1911 pistol.


Christensen Arms Carbon One Extreme .270 WSM - WY Mule Deer


Christensen Arms Carbon One Extreme .270 WSM - NM Antelope


Christensen Arms Barrel Wrap and Bell & Carlson Stock .300 WIN - CO Mule Deer


Christensen Arms Carbon One Extreme .270 WSM - AZ WMAT Black Bear


Christensen Arms Barrel Wrap and Bell & Carlson Stock .300 WIN - KS Whitetail


Christensen Arms Carbon One Extreme .270 WSM - KS Whitetail (Nichole's first deer!)

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Wild Game Cooking: Javelina & Antelope Kabobs

Most people dislike javelina and don’t care much for antelope, but this easy recipe makes both of them taste great! I used a marinade that is my ‘ol stand-by for wild game, and then skewered the meat with red peppers, mushrooms, and onions, topped it with a pesto cream sauce, and served it with lemon pasta. My mom and step-dad were in town; neither had any idea what to expect and both were pleasantly surprised. Try it - I bet you'll like it too!

Trent’s Secret Wild Game Marinade
1-2 pounds Wild Game Meat (cubed or steaks)
1 cup Teriyaki Sauce
1/4 cup Soy Sauce
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 cup Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Honey
2 teaspoons Garlic Salt
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 teaspoon Basil
Salt & Pepper to taste

Variations:
2 tablespoons Sesame Oil
1 tablespoon Asian Red Chili Sauce

Mix all ingredients and pour into a plastic container. Add wild game meat and poke repeatedly on both sides with a fork to tenderize and allow penetration of marinade. Cover and place in refrigerator for 6-8 hours or overnight.

HINT: When cooking wild game, always cook it to one temperature lower than you cook beef (example: if you enjoy beef medium, cook wild game to medium rare). Basically, cook wild game to the lowest temperature you can possibly stand. It will retain more moisture, feel more tender, and taste less "gamey."


Javelina Kabobs on the left, Antelope Kabobs on the right. Be sure to cook wild game as rare as you can stand it!


The kabobs topped with pesto cream sauce, served next to lemon pasta, and paired with a nice cabernet sauvignon.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Loperoni 2010

What in the world is a loperoni? Well, my friend Rick tends to make up all kinds of new names and nicknames for just about everything we chase. For example, a pheasant is a “phesantry,” an elk is an “elakaloe,” and an antelope is a “loperoni.” So in honor of Rick, I thought I would tell you a couple loperoni stories from last year…

Antelope epitomize the wide-open spaces of the American West. Their tawny backs contrast with their white bellies, with multiple stripes along their necks. The yellow coloring allows them to blend into their grassy surroundings, but their white belly and butt often stand out, especially when glassed from afar. The bucks also have a dark black throat patch, and since some females also have horns, the throat patch is the best way to distinguish bucks from does. They occur in huntable numbers in nearly every western state and I have hunted them in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. In a given year I apply in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. In 2010, I was part of five different antelope hunts.

ARIZONA
The first took place in Arizona. (No, I wasn’t the lucky one! I have yet to draw an antelope tag in Arizona, but have 18 points going into this year’s draw.) My brother Erik drew a tag in a premier unit, and since Arizona is arguably the best place to shoot a huge speedgoat, he contacted arguably the best antelope guide, Tony Grimmett, owner of Pronghorn Guide Service. Tony and his crew had been watching a few big goats in his unit for many years. One in particular, FX, was a contender for the Commissioner’s tagholder in both 2009 and 2010.

Towards the end of the first day of the hunt, I glassed behind us on top of a long mesa and spotted a doe and a buck with my Swarovski 15x56 binoculars. I quickly pointed them out to Tony and he instantly recognized FX. As another friend of ours, Michael Sisk, and I kept watch, Tony and Erik headed down a long valley. They calmly climbed the edge of the mesa, but due to the undulation of the terrain, they had to backtrack and move up one of the small cuts bisecting the mesa. Michael and I watched as Erik took a rest on Tony’s tripod, and then heard the echo of his shot, but we could not see the buck from our vantage point. Once we made it down to them, we all walked up on the buck—and what a buck he was! With only 15-1/8” and 14-4/8”horns, his mass was well, massive! According to the SCI scoresheet, his bases each measured 7-0/8”, his 1st quarter measurements were 7-6/8” and 7-5/8”, and his prongs measured 6-5/8” and 6-6/8”. In all, he grossed 88-4/8” SCI and netted 87-4/8” B&C. He was one of the biggest antelope killed in Arizona last year.


At just 15” long, FX proves that when it comes to scoring antelope, it’s all about the mass!


Nothing beats hunting antelope with friends and family. From left: Tony Grimmett (Pronghorn Guide Service), Trent Swanson, Michael Sisk, and Erik Swanson.

NEW MEXICO
The next week, I met up with Barton Dobbs of Zeiss Sport Optics for a New Mexico antelope hunt. We hunted the T4 ranch with Scott Bidegain, whose family has ranched the land since the early 1900’s. Also in camp were Scott’s father-in-law and ex-Oakland Raider, Randy McClanahan, and a first-time hunter, Cody Bassett. Cody was accompanied by his father Jeremy.

On day one, Scott, Barton, and I found a buck that Barton nicknamed Curly for the distinctive shape of his horns. Barton gave me first dibbs and I was tempted to use them on Curly, but it was still early in the hunt. Throughout the morning, we found a bunch more antelope, but none as good as Curly. Around lunchtime we met up with Randy, Jeremy, and Cody just as a nice buck pranced toward us. Jeremy got out of the pickup and calmly dropped the buck with one shot, like it was his tenth antelope not his first. After a lengthy photo session, we separated, but didn’t get far before we heard two shots. Randy had his buck down so we went back to take more photos.


Cody Bassett made a great shot on his first antelope with the help of his dad Jeremy.


Randy McClanahan found his buck in the same area Cody found his.

We moved on and found a buck that had the classic look and shape of a mature antelope, but he just didn’t have wall appeal or much size. After reaching the top of one of the many steep mesas, I set up the tripod-mounted binoculars, and began to glass for other antelope. It wasn’t long before I located a great buck with the Zeiss 10-45 RF binoculars. A quick look through the 65mm Diascope FL confirmed what I saw through the binoculars. We moved closer and snuck over a hill to look down at the buck as he tended his does. The rangefinding binoculars read 267 yards so I cranked up my scope to 14x, found a comfortable shooting position with the SnipePod, and slowly pressed the trigger. A second shot put the buck down for good.


I used great optics from Zeiss, a Christensen Arms rifle, and the help of Barton Dobbs (left) and Scott Bidegain (middle) on my New Mexico hunt.

With three bucks in the freezer, the second day allowed us to concentrate on finding a buck for Barton. He chose to go after Curly and we found him at first light. He moved off with a herd of does, but we got in front of him. As we walked closer, he chased a smaller buck right by us, and then stopped within rifle range. Barton shot, Curly dropped, but then jumped up and ran off. He finally stopped in the middle of a large mesquite flat where we were able to sneak over the top of a mesa. Barton and Scott crawled to the edge and Barton made a great finishing shot from a prone position.


Scott and Barton crawled to the edge of a steep mesa to make the shot on Curly.


Antelope hunting requires great optics, and Barton utilized some of the best from Zeiss in his hunt for Curly.

With Barton’s shot, Loperoni 2010 came to an end. I watched my brother shoot the antelope of a lifetime, helped a young hunter shoot his first big game animal, met some great new friends, explored new country, used some awesome optics, and came home with a cooler full of tasty meat. Antelope provide one of the easiest, low-stress, most fun hunts in the West. They are plentiful in many areas, easy to draw tags for in many states, the weather is usually nice, and you typically see a lot of animals. My loperoni hunts in 2010 fit that description perfectly, even if Rick's nickname for them is a little silly!

P.S. If you get Western Hunter Magazine, check out the full story of my New Mexico hunt and a recap of all the great Zeiss optics I used in Volume 9 Issue 4.