For those out there like me who are more the visual type of individual, I am including a few more pictures of the week-long trip into WY. While walking back to the pickup in an area where for many years we have had a tremendous amounts of success, I frequently came across the skeletal remains of several prairie dogs (PDs) left over from previous shoots. Not being an anthropologist, I can't say for sure how long these skulls have been baking and bleaching in the dry WY sun. Suffice it to say at least a year or two.
For those who have frequented PD towns in the past, you often hear the sharp chirp associated with these ground dwelling creatures. Zeroing in on the exact location from where this sounds originate takes a little time, but it can be helpful to identify a small target of opportunity, usually just the upper part of the animal itself or even just the head. A very carefully placed shot from a high-powered rifle will usually completely decapitate the PD, sometimes lifting what remains of the rodent out of the burrow as shown in this picture.
During those times when the WY wind became too much to bear, trout fishing provided a way to escape the seemingly unrelenting wind. Rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout all inhabit the nearby mountain streams, and a few elk sheds were also collected as we trekked into the mountain valleys.
During the PD shoot, my friend was using his recently acquires Ruger Americal Gen II Predator chambered in 204R. This proved to be a very capable setup, nearly equaling the performance of my Cooper M21 chambered in 204R, but admittedly I'm certainly biased. He typically perched his small collapsable shooting table in the bed of the pickup giving him additional elevation versus being setup at ground level. When the wind wasn't blowing too hard, this proved to be a stable platform, but all bets were off once the wind picked up.
As I mentioned in my original post, this trip provided me with the first opportunity to put my recently acquired Caldwell BR Pivot shooting table thru its paces. After several days of "field work" assembling, shooting, and disassembling, I can now say unequivocably this is BY FAR the finest semi-portable shooting table I have ever seen. From its rigid construction and the quality of the materials used, this table performed flawlessly due in no small part to the thought and engineering put into the original design by Rick in OR. If you ever get the chance to put your hands on one, don't hesitate, you won't be sorry.
For those who have frequented PD towns in the past, you often hear the sharp chirp associated with these ground dwelling creatures. Zeroing in on the exact location from where this sounds originate takes a little time, but it can be helpful to identify a small target of opportunity, usually just the upper part of the animal itself or even just the head. A very carefully placed shot from a high-powered rifle will usually completely decapitate the PD, sometimes lifting what remains of the rodent out of the burrow as shown in this picture.
During those times when the WY wind became too much to bear, trout fishing provided a way to escape the seemingly unrelenting wind. Rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout all inhabit the nearby mountain streams, and a few elk sheds were also collected as we trekked into the mountain valleys.
During the PD shoot, my friend was using his recently acquires Ruger Americal Gen II Predator chambered in 204R. This proved to be a very capable setup, nearly equaling the performance of my Cooper M21 chambered in 204R, but admittedly I'm certainly biased. He typically perched his small collapsable shooting table in the bed of the pickup giving him additional elevation versus being setup at ground level. When the wind wasn't blowing too hard, this proved to be a stable platform, but all bets were off once the wind picked up.
As I mentioned in my original post, this trip provided me with the first opportunity to put my recently acquired Caldwell BR Pivot shooting table thru its paces. After several days of "field work" assembling, shooting, and disassembling, I can now say unequivocably this is BY FAR the finest semi-portable shooting table I have ever seen. From its rigid construction and the quality of the materials used, this table performed flawlessly due in no small part to the thought and engineering put into the original design by Rick in OR. If you ever get the chance to put your hands on one, don't hesitate, you won't be sorry.
