I am right there with you @44hunter45. The thought of packing an elk and gear from the back country in my backpack is getting harder and harder to achieve. I am fortunate to have a hunting partner and his son more than willing to help, but I hate to shorten their hunt because of my aging knees...
Used mine on a deer hunt and they worked just fine on the buck I shot during the trip. Also liked having a way to attach my trexing poles together when back at camp or strapped to the pack when not in use. Great product.
As a high school and middle school teacher and coach, I love hearing stories like this. As college NIL deals are already trickling down to the high school level, I fear that these stories are going to be harder and harder to find. Nike just signed a highschool basketball player to a $4 million...
I will second the Taurus TX22. Can't beat it for dependability and price. Not a big Taurus fan, but they got it right with this one. Also comes with a threaded barrel.
I got to 195k before I had one pop out this summer. Had my mechanic do the repair and have added another two thousand miles since the repair and so far so good.
Will be in the back country and out of signal range from after work next Friday till the following Tuesday morning. Helping a buddy with an early season buck tag.