2020 in Montana

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Hoobilly
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hoobilly »

Hobbes_mobile wrote: December 28th, 2020, 9:56 pm
hoobilly wrote: December 28th, 2020, 9:32 pm Hope you get one tomorrow before heading back!

Love that topper with the side opening windows
I like it too but I broke one of the lifts off back in the elk season and it doesn't like to stay up in the cold.
Able to get replacement parts for it?
Don't start none, won't be none!

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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

hoobilly wrote: December 28th, 2020, 10:33 pm
Hobbes_mobile wrote: December 28th, 2020, 9:56 pm
hoobilly wrote: December 28th, 2020, 9:32 pm Hope you get one tomorrow before heading back!

Love that topper with the side opening windows
I like it too but I broke one of the lifts off back in the elk season and it doesn't like to stay up in the cold.
Able to get replacement parts for it?
I broke the rivets out of the window so probably a new window but I've not checked. I'd like to have the same on the passenger side instead of the slider that's nearly impossible to open.
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Swampstalk »

Mounted it to a piece of wood from Michael's craft store with stainless wire and stained it.

Had an old Remington 788 .22-250 I bought back in '71 before going in the Navy for $80 new. Shot lots of coyotes with it and my first deer. Got my last 'yote last year at our farm in Oklahoma before the damn Meth heads broke into the house and stole damn near everything. That rifle was sweet, shot 3/4" groups for an inexpensive alternative. Miss that gun!
Don
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

We made it home safe this evening around 7:30 PM.

We made 4 or 5 stands for coyotes today and scored on the second stand after I looked left and a coyote had magically appeared. It was standing straight on and staring at 150 yards. I was able to point it out and Isaac was able to pivot the rifle and bipod to make a clean "bang flop" kill same as the one on Sunday. It was another female and while we didn't weigh this one, I'd guess a hair more than Sunday's. She was also a better looking coyote.

She's laying there in the yellow grass.
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After a couple more set ups we were about to head for home when got lucky and found a badger that was wandering on a hillside. I've never really been too interested in a badger but Isaac had just mentioned the day before that he'd like a badger pelt and the ranchers typically want them killed, so we managed to get within 100 yards and Isaac had his badger. I don't think it's a very big one. It definitely looked bigger before he shot it. Holy heck do they stink!
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by WV Ridge Reaper »

That coyote sure is pretty!!!

First time I seen a badge was walking a slew in KS turkey hunting...Man did that that scare me when I seen it and it seen me...I don’t even get that worked up of rattlesnakes here.


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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hognutz »

Badgers are protected in Wi.. The "Badger" state!
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

They are a non-game species here that can be wacked at anytime.
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hognutz »

I don't have any feelings one way or the other when it comes to whacking them. But I do like our Bucky!! :lol:
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
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When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

Hognutz wrote: December 30th, 2020, 10:42 pm I don't have any feelings one way or the other when it comes to whacking them. But I do like our Bucky!! :lol:
I hope he smells better than this one.
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hognutz »

:lol: :lol: :lol:
What's the stink from? Musk?
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

Hognutz wrote: December 31st, 2020, 8:22 am :lol: :lol: :lol:
What's the stink from? Musk?
I think so because it wasn't a dead animal smell. It wasn't quite like a skunk, but maybe similar to a mink. It was really strong. Isaac could smell it before he got to it. I'd take coyote stench over badger any day if that's how they all smell
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hognutz »

Interesting...
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

Today was the last day of bird season here in Montana and I was invited to hunt with a friend (and my pastor) that has access to some private land. The late season and low pheasant numbers made hunting tough. I was lucky one of the two of us today and had two roosters hold and flush in range. I killed them both. In addition to the roosters, I was fortunate enough to get into some sharpies that were scattered in a grass field and held. I killed three of them.
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I took this photo before killing the second rooster at the end of the day.
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While 2020 is over, I'll add any additional hunting that I do during this 20/21 winter to this thread. My cow tag runs two more weeks and I'll likely hunt coyotes a little more.
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

I live within a half mile or so of a creek bottom. I'm in the county surrounded by quite a few ag fields and pasture but the valley is gradually filling up with homes. The rate seems to be increasing exponentially. There are quite a few whitetails here but they are found on at least 99% private land with no access and this is a weapons restriction area. I would gladly hunt them with a bow but have nowhere to do so. My oldest son did have the opportunity to bowhunt on a place several years ago that will let a few kids hunt. That story can be found here:

https://www.gobblernation.com/phpBB3/vi ... php?t=6321

I often see a herd of does behind my house in the winter around 400 yards away. They are mostly surrounded by houses except the creek and some hay fields lay to the west. (Same rancher that let Isaac shoot his first deer with a bow). I glass them occasionally to look for bucks but normally they are just little guys.

I glassed them at lunch today and spotted this good buck. He's got nice long tines and nice brow tines. His left G2 is forked similar to a MD and his right main beam is broke off just in front of his G3. He's a good mature buck that I'd love to be able to bowhunt.

Here are some photos through my spotting scope. The first one here is the clearest.
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

I don't think I mentioned (maybe on purpose) that I fell on ice twice during our coyote hunt. The snow that I was hunting in during the deer season was mostly gone, but in random places it had melted and froze enough times to be ice. We had a dusting of fresh snow that morning that was just enough to hide the ice. We'd be walking along and step on unexpected ice and do a couple quick dance moves trying to stay upright. I went down pretty hard 10 minutes before Isaac shot the first coyote landing on my left elbow pretty hard. The bolt action 223 that I was carrying didn't hit the ground.....that time. When we got back to the truck we realized that we'd left his bipod laying where we'd taken photos of the coyote. I headed back and unfortunately carried the gun with me reasoning that there was liable to be a coyote standing where we'd been calling. I was trucking along when both feet went out from under me. I went down on my left side harder this time than the first time and I couldn't hang onto the gun. It smacked the ground hard basically landing scope first. I went down fast but it seemed like the gun came off my shoulder and slapped the ground in slow motion. I watched it happening but couldn't stop it. I was again glad that I hadn't bolted a round in but was thinking 'dang I'll have to check zero on that'. Then I looked through it and saw that the scope had rotated around 20 degrees. I carried a shotgun after that and nothing besides the call on more open sets.

Today I adjusted the scope and found that the scope rings weren't as tight as they probably should have been. I reset it then used blue loktite on everything. Afterwards Isaac and I went out to dial it in while it snowed. I used some cheap fmj ammo to get it close then dialed it in further with some hand loads that my dad had loaded for it a few years ago when he gave it to me.

Here is a pretty good three shot group at 100 yards shooting from a chair and resting on a sand bag and folded gun case on my tailgate. I'm not complaining. I adjusted an inch left afterwards and called it good. Hopefully I'll get to put it to work on a coyote soon.
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hoobilly »

Nice shooting!

A badger mount is pretty cool. Been a king time since I’ve seen a live one here in northern Indiana.

That buck is a goodn. But can never get a decent picture through a scope
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

A Phone Scope would be nice but I'd want a better spotter before spending the money on one.
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hognutz »

Nice shooting, Shane! I get tired out just reading about your daily adventures! How nice it is to have a son as a hunting partner and someone to share all the experiences with you!
You are indeed, blessed to have the family that you have!
Mike
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

We gave coyotes a try again yesterday morning within an hour or so from the house. We had time for four sets. I know there are coyotes here but I definitely prefer more broken country farther east. Fun morning but no coyotes were seen.
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It's been a crazy week. My granddaughter started off sick so she stayed home with me mostly because her momma was sick also. Both tested negative for Covid but my wife had to take momma to the ER because she was getting dehydrated and needed an IV. In addition to that fun, Isaac was rear-ended while trying to turn left into work. The guy thankfully saw him at the last second and swerved toward the ditch and just clipped him. It totalled his car that's been so reliable. The granddaughter is over her fever and coughing and her momma seems to be on the mend, but I've now got a nasty cough and my sinuses are a mess. I'd like to put my foot up just about anyone's ass that thought Jan 1 was suddenly going to reset the stupidity in the world right now.
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hognutz »

Other that that, Mrs Lincoln, how was the play?!!!!
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

Hognutz wrote: January 10th, 2021, 11:33 am Other that that, Mrs Lincoln, how was the play?!!!!
:lol:
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hoobilly »

Hognutz wrote: January 10th, 2021, 11:33 am Other that that, Mrs Lincoln, how was the play?!!!!
:LMAO:

It’s not getting any better anytime soon
Don't start none, won't be none!

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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

I guess if I'm going to bitch about everything :mrgreen: I should add that our 6 years old washer is giving me fits. I'm probably going to have to replace the drain pump. Buying a new one may be the best bet.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by soiltester »

Hobbes_mobile wrote: January 10th, 2021, 5:52 pm I guess if I'm going to bitch about everything :mrgreen: I should add that our 6 years old washer is giving me fits. I'm probably going to have to replace the drain pump. Buying a new one may be the best bet.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
Let er' all out .. we can take it and advise you well :thumbup:

I don't scew' with fixin' household appliances cause it isn't worth the down time while you wait for part('s) :roll:

When my sinuses get runnin' now, I start taking Claritin and within a day they start drying up :shock:
Stay on it about a week and see if my mild cold has passed ;)
ever wonder where the white goes when the snow melts??
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Re: 2020 in Montana

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

Sometimes if you don't laugh, you'll beat your head against a wall. :banghead:

The 1 year old furnace that heats the upstairs had a control board go out. It sounds like it's pretty unusual. It's covered under warranty but won't be here until tomorrow. 😀😆😅😂🤣😭
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