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  1. tomengineer

    Colorado Mule Deer - First Draw Hunt After Years of OTC

    I finally have 5 points in CO. My hunting partners have 4 points a piece. I have GoHunt filtering and have picked out several units in central CO I'm considering for fall of 2025 mule deer(3rd season). These units are intentionally outside of the OTC elk units bc after hunting OTC elk archery...
  2. tomengineer

    Elk Distribution in Rocky Areas

    I'm doing some last minute second guessing on an elk archery hunt coming up September 10-17. I've been reading up on elk behavior during September as it relates to feed and temperature and elevation etc. I'm looking at an area that I hope is less traveled than other areas of the state in...
  3. tomengineer

    Archery Elk Hunting - Media Tactics vs Reality

    I'm heading to CO in September (10-17) and have been consuming every YouTube video, book, podcast etc. I can find to educate myself on elk behavior and elk hunting during that time of the year. I've heard many people recommend covering lots of ground and calling often in order to locate bulls. I...
  4. tomengineer

    Colorado OTC Archery Elk - Hunting in a Group vs. Alone & Number of Tags

    Hello all, It looks like I'll be headed to CO this September 10-17 for the OTC archery season. There will be four of us who have never archery hunted CO before but we have been on three other hunts in Wyoming and Idaho that were all rifle. Knowing the chances of success, and the added...
  5. tomengineer

    NE Wyoming Drought - Pronghorn Behavior

    I saw some posts related to this from the spring but as the season is now almost upon us I was just wondering if anyone had any insight into how this area's drought status might affect pronghorn hunting tactics and behavior. I'm guessing they will potentially be closer to any irrigated...
  6. tomengineer

    Idaho 2020 Recap

    Three of us flew out to central ID October 15th-24th in search of mule deer. We split up, hiked an estimated 80 miles combined over a 6 day hunting period. We saw 80+ does, 8 cow elk, one dead bull elk and 5 bucks, one of which was a shooter (for us). We were not successful although two of us...
  7. tomengineer

    Eastern Black Bear Scent

    I'm here in New York State and we cannot bait bears but can use up to 1.5 ounces of liquid scent. Does anyone know of a product that would be appropriate for this? I have done a decent amount of research and have seen the term "anise spray" thrown around but I'm wondering if anyone would...
  8. tomengineer

    High Country Mule Deer Trip - Lessons Learned

    I'm headed to Idaho this October for an OTC mule deer hunt. A group of three of us will be flying in from the east for a 7 day trip. We will be in central ID in remote but not super remote locations. We have a tipi tent with a titanium wood stove and plan to combination base camp and spike camp...
  9. tomengineer

    Flying with Rifles - Does a 63" rifle case exist?

    I've tried to research this but I think I'm missing something fundamental. I'm flying Delta Airlines this fall into Salt Lake City. Delta lists their checked baggage fees pretty plainly on their website but they list the charge for their oversized bagged as $200 each way. All standard hard sided...
  10. tomengineer

    Optics Best Value and Key Price Points

    Kind of a rambling question here. I’m considering upgrading binoculars for this fall. Hunting binoculars seem to fall in the $250, $500, $1000, $1200, $1500 and $1,800 groups across manufacturers with those being approximate. I’m just wondering what you consider to be the best value dollar...
  11. tomengineer

    Best Western State to Move to

    I’m considering moving the family out west from the east coast. The wife is supportive and wants to go. I’ve only hunted Wyoming Antelope and am hunting Idaho this fall. Interested in Elk and Deer. Just wondering which state/area offers the best resident hunting areas. Thanks in advance.
  12. tomengineer

    Preferred Rifle Carry System

    I’ve got a MR Metcalf pack which has a built in set of straps and a pocket for rifle carry. I have seen hunters use a system that has the rifle come under your armpit. Just wondering if anyone has the pros/cons of these different systems or other methods. I also see MR has a quick release rifle...
  13. tomengineer

    Beautiful Places in the Western US You’ve Hunted

    Not asking for units or success rates or antler scores. I’m asking the general locations you’ve hunted in the west that have been a perfect place and/or time to watch the sun rise or set or spend a week with good friends. Each state has its own flavor. I’m from the east so I can’t even scout...
  14. tomengineer

    Idaho Non-Hunter Joining the Group

    I have looked through the Idaho brochure so I apologize if this is common knowledge. I will be hunting the Idaho general deer season in October 2020. A friend who is not a hunter but a serious hiker and backpacker wants to join and help us spot animals. Does he need hunter's safety? Does he need...
  15. tomengineer

    Worthwhile Western Game Publications

    Hello, As I go through the yearly point buy and see various state fish and game magazine subscriptions offered I was wondering if anyone has found these to be worthwhile purchases. I'm also wondering if there are any conservation organizations such as RMEF that put out magazines or other...
  16. tomengineer

    To Hot Tent or to Bivy?

    I’m planning an Idaho mule deer rifle hunt in south central Idaho this fall. It will be me and two other rookies to backpack hunting. We are considering purchasing a hot tent and stove. We are from the east and plan to hunt 7-10 days a year out west for the foreseeable future. My questions are...
  17. tomengineer

    Paper Map Advantages?

    We all know onX is a pretty powerful tool for mapping routes and planning glassing spots and staying on public land etc. I'm just wondering if anyone finds paper maps to be helpful during planning, map scouting or in the field? I use the National Geographic trail maps here in the Adirondacks...
  18. tomengineer

    Maven S.2 12-27 with optical doubler

    I’m considering purchasing a Maven S.2. 12-27x56 compact spotter. I’m also considering buying the optical doubler they make bringing the overall magnification up to 54 power. I plan to use the doubler only when an animal is spotted to try to judge it. I’m guessing the optical quality of a...
  19. tomengineer

    Practical Hiking Slope/Vertical Gain Limitations While Hunting

    I attempted to use the search function for this as I'm sure it's been asked and answered. I'm hunting Idaho for the first time this fall. The relief is something I've never had the chance to hike before. My question for those more experienced than myself is 1) What is a practical distance to...
  20. tomengineer

    Idaho Mule Deer OTC Success Rates - Real World Experience

    The flight is booked, lodging booked, hunting license purchased, elk control hunt applied for (7% chance), OTC deer tag to be purchased shortly. Now begins my 8 months of second guessing my choice of unit and state. Looking at deer success rates they generally range from 18-25% for majority mule...

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