Steven Rinella (Meateater) uses it pretty frequently, and a lot of guys here are trying to channel his spirit. Check out some of the threads with pics, there's usually at least one reply that says something along the lines of "that's a dandy of a buck!"
Lotta guys here use the term dandy more than any other adjective to describe animals. Doesn't bother me, just makes me laugh a little - you never hear it used outside of the hunting community. Is it fair to assume that if I also adopt Steven Rinella's vernacular I'll become a dandy hunter like...
Check out Expert Voice for military prodeals. Big Agnes make great high quality lightweight gear and gives military a nice discount.
I save weight by not bringing a new pair of socks and baselayers every day. If you get wool socks/baselayers you can rotate two pair (hang one inside out in...
Where on the website are you guys finding your conservation tags to print them out? I've looked around, I can see the tags I've bought, but I can't find a pic of my conservation tag to print. I know I bought one. It didn't show up with my stamps in the mail either.
I've taken mine on a couple backpacking trips now, along with 5-6 hikes up and down and up and down a hill behind my house. Love the way the fit is adjustable, definitely makes the weight lighter than other packs I've used. I definitely agree re: number of straps being excessive. Sometimes it...
Also, when do you stop being an "all around new hunter"? Taking an animal every year since 13 sounds like you've at least leveled up from all around new!
Like many guys have said, 45-50 is a good weight to train for the backpacking portion of the hunt.
Since your question was specifically regarding packing out an elk though, I'd think about it in terms of how much an elk weighs. Obviously depends on a lot of factors (bone in quarters or bone...
Big Agnes makes good stuff, and they stand by their products, so I'm a big fan.
I think most people are recommend whatever tent they have, so I'll refrain from adding my $.02 there. I will say on the tent though, I'm a big fan of carrying a one size bigger tent than you need (ex: buying a 2...
Another +1 for Big Agnes, great company!!
Check out the Copper Hotel. Having the big vestibule is clutch if you get stuck in bad weather and have to spend an extended period of time in your tent. The 3 man copper hotel still weighs in well under 5#.
I've submitted 4 form 4's with the SS Kiosks. Super easy, and it's great because it saves your finger prints, so if you decide to buy additional suppressors in the future, you won't have go through that process again. The process to do an additional form 4 once they have your information is...
How do you keep everything dry though if it's raining/the ground is wet? I've seen the tarps before but I never understand how you would go about organizing and keeping stuff dry (no floor to use) if it's raining, especially if there's a breeze.