New to this forum but just came back from a PD hunt in SE Montana. Had a good time and got to shoot a lot. But it is a 2 day drive from Nampa Idaho to there. I'm hitting 80 in a few weeks and would like to find an outfitter nearer to me for hunting. So I'm asking you folks if there is an outfitter you have used that was honest and good to work with. I would like lodging, meals, a guide, and up to 1000 yards of range to shoot in. 3-400 rounds a day would be nice to figure on.
A little history I guess - spent 8 years in the Marines with a 14 month tour of Vietnam as a radio operator/FO. Got broke at one time and spent 3 years in the guard as an 11B40. Even got activated for a spell and went to Ft. Lewis to help setup an advanced infantry school for new Lts. I started hunting at age 5 or 6 with a 22 killing birds for my grandpa that were eating his grain. Yeah a dairy farm that my cousin still hay farms that space. I have only owned one factory box of hunting ammo. 30-30 for a deer hunt in Silver City, Idaho at age 12. From there I was given a Lee Loader, the kind you use a hammer to work, and basic instructions on its use. I've improved on that setup.
My son and I shot long range matches in the Northwest for many years but a nasty divorce for him and cancer for me slowed down our weekly trips. That and a nasty lack of reloading material. I own several rifles and handguns simply because I love them. My current varminter is a Ruger M77 in 220 Swift. It's a tack driver with sub 1/2 moa accuracy. I've recently built a 223 AR that has proven its worth on this last hunt. Hit a baby at 425 yards using holdover and Kentucky windage. For longer stuff I have a 308 that my son used in sniper matches. One of the last rifles George Veiss built. I hit one dog at 680 and his neighbor at 700 yards the first day. That was fun. I was hoping for 1000 yards but it didn't happen.
So that's a brief on me. I've laid in the dirt, ate mud, and endured every hardship known, including being targeted seriously by folks paid to kill me, and really enjoyed the luxery of a guided hunt. So my request is as above. And I thank you in advance for any assistance in my search. My son is going with me this next trip - makes me smile -
Steve
A little history I guess - spent 8 years in the Marines with a 14 month tour of Vietnam as a radio operator/FO. Got broke at one time and spent 3 years in the guard as an 11B40. Even got activated for a spell and went to Ft. Lewis to help setup an advanced infantry school for new Lts. I started hunting at age 5 or 6 with a 22 killing birds for my grandpa that were eating his grain. Yeah a dairy farm that my cousin still hay farms that space. I have only owned one factory box of hunting ammo. 30-30 for a deer hunt in Silver City, Idaho at age 12. From there I was given a Lee Loader, the kind you use a hammer to work, and basic instructions on its use. I've improved on that setup.
My son and I shot long range matches in the Northwest for many years but a nasty divorce for him and cancer for me slowed down our weekly trips. That and a nasty lack of reloading material. I own several rifles and handguns simply because I love them. My current varminter is a Ruger M77 in 220 Swift. It's a tack driver with sub 1/2 moa accuracy. I've recently built a 223 AR that has proven its worth on this last hunt. Hit a baby at 425 yards using holdover and Kentucky windage. For longer stuff I have a 308 that my son used in sniper matches. One of the last rifles George Veiss built. I hit one dog at 680 and his neighbor at 700 yards the first day. That was fun. I was hoping for 1000 yards but it didn't happen.
So that's a brief on me. I've laid in the dirt, ate mud, and endured every hardship known, including being targeted seriously by folks paid to kill me, and really enjoyed the luxery of a guided hunt. So my request is as above. And I thank you in advance for any assistance in my search. My son is going with me this next trip - makes me smile -
Steve
