Border Wars

If you haven't seen the tv show Border Wars on the National Geographic channel, you are missing out.  Its is on channel 276 on Direct TV.  It is all about illegal immigration, drug and weapons running.  You get to follow the Border Patrol agents as they go to work everyday!

ISE Show Phoenix

I went to the show today at the Cardinals Stadium and was able to catch the last 30 minutes of Cameron Hanes' seminar.  Then I stayed and watched Randy Ulmer's seminar on "How to Bowhunt Mule deer".  Both were very good.  It was a nice treat to hear these guys speak.

Down vs. Synthetic Insulation

This is a common topic in the skiing and backpacking industry but not so much for hunters. With today’s technology applied to insulation, both options are lightweight and will keep us much warmer than just piling on layer upon layer of fleece and wool. Hopefully you’re not wearing any cotton while hunting the west. Remember: COTTON KILLS! Why do I say that? Cotton does not dry quickly nor does it insulate, and it is heavy. It might suffice for a two hour glassing session close to the truck, but not in the backcountry when you’re depending on your gear for survival.
On a recent hunt in southern Colorado, we spent hours in the early morning glassing for Mule deer bucks. Usually we would climb a hill/mountain to get a good vantage point and then sit and glass. The hike in the darkness was steep and carrying all those optics and tripods resulted in a nice sweat. Getting soaked by sweat and then sitting for hours is a good way to get a chill. To beat this problem, I started cold, leaving the truck wearing just one merino wool base layer. After five minutes, I warmed up and made it comfortably to the top without overheating and having to remove any layers. One problem I have yet to decipher is that wearing a pack almost always results in a sweaty back. There is no way to get enough airflow between you and the pack to completely stay dry. At this time you decide what to put on next to endure the glassing session. You could pull out 2 or 3 or even four more layers from your pack and start layering. This would work, but carrying all those layers adds weight. One down jacket, weighing less than a pound, and packs just a bit larger than a 1qt. bottle; this is the answer. Down, being a lightweight, breathable material, will let my soaked back dry out, and keep me snug all the way. When it’s time to move locations or give chase to that big buck, I simply stuff my jacket in my pack and I’m off. I use a Mountain Hardwear Phantom down jacket when I need reliable warmth in a small, lightweight package in a cold and dry climate.
In a dry environment down does great. However, down does not do well in a moist climate, but synthetic does. Let me explain. When down gets wet, the down clusters (feathers) get matted together and do not trap air between them. This is called “losing your loft”. The greater the loft, the more heat is trapped, resulting in you staying warmer. No loft=no warmth. Synthetic insulation is hydrophobic, meaning water slides right off of it. When my Mont Bell Eldo jacket gets wet, I can literally shake 90% of the moisture out of it and then let it hang dry. Synthetic insulation maintains its loft when wet, trapping air and heat even when soaked.
Down is lighter with a higher level of loft, but fails if it gets wet. Synthetic insulation is heavier, but works well when wet.
Both insulations have their time and place. For most of my backcountry bow hunts in September, when our temps are still mild, my synthetic Eldo jacket gets the job done. It would be a cold night out with that as my only insulation, but I would survive. When the snow starts to fly and temps are routinely in the single digits in the mornings my Phantom down jacket is always with me. In a worst case scenario, it’s like having half of a sleeping bag, and that goes a long way during a cold night out. Whichever insulation you choose, always carry a lightweight Gore-tex jacket as your first line of defense. This crucial layer stops wind, rain, snow and protects your insulating layer from getting soaked. By choosing the proper insulation and a waterproof jacket, you’ll carry less gear and be able to withstand just about anything Mother Nature can throw at us, leaving you ready to go when the weather clears.

Fore!

I think I will stick with hunting and fishing! I played golf with Kenny Perry this last week and literally put people lives in jeopardy including my own. Its not safe to be on the same golf course while I am taking violent cracks at the golf ball. It makes for some funny stories though. It is hard to believe that a game that used to be nice to me is now extremely naughty. It was a fun day playing with the defending Phx Open champ, Jim Clifford and my Dad at the TPC of Scottsdale. Dad actually birdied 16 which was cool. Golf has now become a contact sport for me and requires pads and lots of advil. Here is a picture on the 16th hole at the TPC.

No emails about my golf swing!

There is not a more admirable humble pro golfer than Kenny Perry. He has not changed a bit in the 20 plus years that I have known him. He has had an amazing career earning over 30 million on the PGA tour (8th Career Money List) and still remains a down home guy.

We had fun at the NHRA Arizona Nationals. In the top photo is Kenny, Justin (Kenny's son), driver Justin Humpheys and NHRA legend Bob Glidden.

Kenny was checking out Larry Morgan's drag car.

Off Season Hiking

To keep in shape my wife and I like to hike in the McDowell Mtns which are about a five minute drive from our house.  The desert is sure greening up quickly with all of the rain we have been having.  Elk season is looking very promising for 2010.

Save an Elk

I cracked up so hard the first time I saw this bumper sticker!  Finally a friend from Colorado has sent me a couple.  I happen to be partial to both participants in the sticker so its fairly ironic.

Spring is coming!

My friend, Joe Slaton, shot this incredible video of a flock of 100 or more turkeys.  For more from Joe click here

No Place Like the Arizona Desert

Darr and I spent yesterday glassing for sheep in the Arizona desert.  It was alive for sure and it was obvious that the recent rains had refreshed everything.  It was absolutely gorgeous outside at about 73 degrees.  The green grass was just starting to sprout all over.  We spotted some rams, ewes and lambs.  Darr was using the 32X Kowa Highlanders and I was mainly using the Doctor 40X.  We both have been using big optics for a couple of years and love them.  The Kowa's win the prize for optical quality for sure but the Doc's aren't half bad either.   Visit the Outdoorsmans for more info on big optics.

The Stormy Kromer

I originally saw the Stormy Kromer on the heads of several ranchers and cowboys. I admired the hat for a long time, but never could pull the trigger. Finally, with enough friends bragging about theirs, I went out and bought one. How did I ever live without a Stormy Kromer! For cool to cold weather these hats are the cat’s meow. Made from wool, short brimmed (can shoot a bow with it), optional Gore-Tex lining, and an extra layer to pull down over your ears when the wind starts cutting makes this hat a nice mix of the right stuff. Stormy Kromers are made in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in a town called Ironwood. My new Kromer in Blaze Orange is going to be my go to hat for all my rifle hunts. This hat is also available in Realtree AP camo.

Hen Yelping by Sadler McGraw

Listen to this yelping! Check out Sadler McGraw's You Tube channel for more.

Turkey Calling

Sadler McGraw is one of the best turkey callers in the world. Check out his kee kee at the beginning, best I've heard. Turkey season is coming soon!

Hunting Season with Montbell Gear

All I can say is WOW!  I am very hard on gear and expect the best from not only myself but my gear.  The products that I used from Montbell this year were: UL Thermawrap Jacket, Merino Wool Top and Leggings, US Alpine Down Vest and the Super Stretch Down Hugger #1 Long (15 degree bag).  I used the gear on five coues deer hunts, one sheep hunt and a mule deer hunt.  Not to mention all of the scouting I did for each hunt.  I was impressed with how the jacket and vest were so lightweight yet so warm.  The only thing that happened was that my arm got a little to close to the lantern and I quickly learned how flamable the material on the Thermawarp jacket was.  Nothing that a little bit of duct tape couldn't solve! I look forward to getting a couple of extra sets of  Merino Wool long underwear tops and bottoms in the off season.  Overall I was super impressed with the Montbell products.  Check out these other posts that I did on Montbell.
http://jayscottoutdoors.blogspot.com/2009/11/montbell-sleeping-bag.html
http://jayscottoutdoors.blogspot.com/2009/11/deer-gear-clothing.html
http://jayscottoutdoors.blogspot.com/2009/10/mont-bell-ul-thermawrap-jacket.html

Elk Bugling Footage

Pretty good bugling in this clip from RMEF site!

Rimsza's Mexico Hunt 2

Check out this great video by the Big Buck Slayin' Rimsza clan! Great to see the whole family getting involved and spending quality time together.

Official Score on Desert Sheep

The Desert sheep that Glenn Hall harvested in December was officially scored today.  We had such a great memorable hunt.  The official Boone and Crockett score is 177 inches gross and 176 4/8 net.  This should make the ram the new #3 muzzleloader in the Longhunter Society.  His measurements are: right side, 34 7/8 length of horn, 15 0/8 bases, D2 14 5/8, D3 13 3/8, D4 10 4/8, the left side, 35 1/8 length of horn, 15 1/8, 14 5/8, 13 1/8, 10 5/8.

Congrats to Glenn Hall and family on such a wonderful ram!  Thanks for letting me be a part of the experience.

Once in a Blue Moon

Shooting Range

By Darr Colburn
I took my two boys Parker (Age 8) and Paul (Age 4) to Ben Avery shooting range for a little target practice.  The boys shot the Ruger 10/22 and the Remington .204.  Both these guns are very fun to shoot and have little to no recoil.  If you have not shot a .204 yet you are missing out.  This gun shoots a 40 grain bullet over 3800 feet per second and is perfect for kids.  The Remington .204 has the look and feel of a big game rifle without the recoil.  Enjoy the clip.

Hoyt in the House

The Hoyt website has a pretty cool video series called "Hoyt in the House"
They show you several Hoyt prostaffers homes and properties, including Randy Ulmer, Michael Waddell, Fred Eichler, Cameron Hanes and more. To check it out click here.

Casey Brooks AZ Elk

Check out this great bull that my friend, Casey Brooks, harvested last year.  Casey has killed more elk and more big elk than anyone I know.  I think he is over 52 bulls with his bow and a bunch of them are over 400 inches including two over 430+.  Check out the Hoyt site to see more of Casey giant trophies.