Braxton and I just came off a hunt we’ll never forget. We were chasing blacktails in southern, OR, with Mike Lee of Southern Oregon Blacktails. Like many folks in the Pac. NW, we love our blacktail hunting, and since entering the world of TV, discovered that the weather and open country of southern OR is much more camera-friendly than where our family has hunted them for generations in the Willamette Valley.
This was our first long range blacktail hunt, and the pieces started coming together when Trijicon developed their TARS (Tactical Advanced Rifle Scope). Though designed for the military–which Trijicon has been specializi
ng in for more than 30 years–we thought there would be a hunting application for this precision optic.
The scope was mounted on a custom .338 Edge built by master gunsmith, Curt Mendenhall, of Sutherlin, OR. Shooting handloaded 300 grain Nosler AccuBon
ds, the gun was zeroed at 300 yards and shooting comfortably to 1,300 yards. The first group we shot at 710 yards measured 1.5”.
One of the reasons we chose to hunt with Mike Lee, in addition to his ability to find big blacktails, was the fact he is way more versed in long range shooting than us. When it came time 
to shoot, Mike’s experienced greatly helped both Braxton and I connect.
The first two days of the season were great for hunting…poor for long range shooting and filming. We found deer, and six bears, but due to high winds and driving rains, the conditions were not ideal for shooting.
Early in the week the weather lifted. From atop the ridges we hunted, we’d been seeing many deer at lower elevations, in the oak trees; this year was a banner one for acorn production in the NW. Eventually we dropped in elevation, finding the bigger bucks.
At first light one morning we were in position and had three big bucks moving our direction, just inside 800 yards. As we settled in to shoot, they slipped behind some brush. Three hours later we found ourselves glassing from the opposite ridge, and eventually found the bucks.
When a mature 3×3 broke from the trio and went to feeding on acorns, Mike and I set up. At 965 yards, the shot hit the mark, taking out the top corner of the buck’s heart. I instantly became even more impressed with the setup we were shooting, and Mike’s long range knowledge.
Later that afternoon, Braxton and Mike put the stalk on two bucks, including a nice 4×4. But before Braxton could close the deal at 300 yards, the bucks were up and moving. Thirty minutes before sunset we eventually spotted the 4×4 feeding under an oak tree. We watched him for a few minutes, then moved in to shooting position. That’s when the buck bedded down.
Closing to 430 yards–as close as we could get given the lay of the land–the buck offered the perfect shot angle and Braxton anchored him on the spot. Hugs were exchanged, and two 4 1/2 year old blacktails were down, the first big game animals, I believe, taken with the TARS for international TV.
I’ve watched long range shooting shows on TV the past few years, and honestly didn’t think much of them. But when Trijicon developed the TARS, I knew I’d be delving into this specialized shooting method sooner rather than later. What I discovered is how much of a science it truly is, and how addicting it can be.
The teamwork involved, from building shooting charts to doping the wind, securing the gun in sandbags prior to taking a shot, monitoring temperatures, adjusting turrets, marking the shot, and much more, made it more precise and intense than I ever imagined. It’s not just a “slip into the gun and pull the trigger” deal, not if you want to fully comprehend and appreciate what this hunting style is all about.
Honestly, when it was all over, I was afraid to tell Mike what I truly thought about it. “It’s a lot like…” I started in, then paused. “Bowhunting, it’s like bowhunting!” Mike chimed in. That was it, exactly what ran through my mind. The attention to detail, the constant working of the mind, the precision shooting and form involved, along with the practice, all made it comparable to any bowhunt I’d been on, and both Mike and I have taken more than a few record class animals over the years with our bows.
The days of work that went in to learning about this style of hunting, and confidently shooting the gun at long range under hunting conditions (far different than on the range), all culminated in two tags being filled. And the best part, the acorn-fattened bucks will be great eating for the whole family.
I know some people may not agree with long range hunting, but making my living in the outdoors, and seeing the progression this hunting style continues to make, I think it’s safe to say it’s here to stay. Honestly, I didn’t fully understand the challenges and detailed scenarios this approach would warrant until I dove into it. Now I’m beginning to know the unique hurdles, frustrations and rewards long range hunting offers, and that’s all part of the hunt.
As with any form of legal hunting, I ask those non-believers of long range shooting to please not judge it until you try it. You may or may not like it or agree with it, but at least try it before openly judging it. Like rifle hunters degrading archers, archers nocking down crossbow hunters, keep in mind that it’s all legal (in respective parts of the country) and that we’re all on the same team with the same goal of putting meat in the freezer. We all share the passion of the hunt, no matter what the tool being used to take an animal…and believe me, no matter how we hunt, we are the minority in America and under the microscope. Bottom line, we’ve all got to stick together and support one another. Hunting is not a competition, it’s a right we’re fortunate to have, a blessed way to spend time in nature with family and friends, and a means of putting the best eating meat I know of on the table.
What’s next? Given all the bear we were seeing (12 in five days), and now that our deer tags are filled, Braxton and I would like to head back down with Mike. Bear is some of our favorite eating meat, and as fat as they are from the massive acorn crop, you can bet they’ll taste as good as it gets.
The cream contains aciclovir that works to stop treat the virus. One of the most well known is Kamagra. What consumers talk about real viagra for sale or generic viagra for sale? It’s active ingredient is Sildenafil. The definition of sexual dysfunction the persistent impossibility to achieve an hard-on to the orgasm, exerts an estimated more then twenty millions men in the America alone. Anyone with sexual disorders need professional help. Certain treatments will include couples therapy. Several remedies may add to sex drive difficulties, so its vital to ineract with your physician so that the prescription can be tailored to your needs. Keep reading for a list of medications that may cause health problems and what you can do to put an end to potential side effects.