Recent content by Ryan

I had one 20 plus years ago that went out of zero too many times, way out. So, while I wouldn't be surprised if newer are better, once bitten twice shy. For me Leupold and Vortex have never failed.

Outside of common PG, for me, is a respectable elephant. That said, my financial priorities are elsewhere. So unless my 90-ish uncle is richer and more giving than I think, it isn't happening for me.

Saw this old comic today, figured it'd be appreciated here.

Concerning plains game, aside from kudu, were I to pick one species to encompass Africa it is the zebra. A requirement of my first trip.

As a guy who's been infatuated with knives far more than rifles and bows, I will say, pass along a good tool. I have personally handmade a few I would be proud to pass along to my nephews or nieces (I am a certified Uncle, not father), and I own a few from other makers I truly appreciate and...

All good. Just figured with a hard max budget he didn't want any surprises. Good hunting

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but does that $5k include taxidermy and shipping? If not, I'd go with zebra, impala, warthog, springbok, blesbok. Smaller if that is the total budget.

I've got one in stainless steel. it went to South Africa last time as my EDC. Also goes in my hunting pack as the back-up just in case knife.

Well, this gets me thinking I need to see if our local Cabela's restocked their gun library gonna have to stop on by.

There's a company in Alaska that taps birch and makes syrup. A friend who's from Maine and tapped maples for making enough for the family thought he might try birch up here. Well, right up until he asked the folks at that company what the ratio of birch sap to syrup was. They told him 100:1...

There was a set of repros in a gun shop here in Anchorage for years that looked pretty dern good.

And like knives your options for a spacer are impressive. Wood is easy and accessible, but if you want to get creative check out a knife maker supply. Plenty online such as Jantz.

Actually, look into knife making videos. It's going to be very similar to making a hidden tang knife. Just need a spacer of some kind that the bottle opener is fit into and then glue both into the tusk with a good epoxy. Once dry, shape the spacer to the tusk.

I do not regret my Euro or skull mount you see above. If I went back and took another I would do that again.

40" is just a rule of thumb for a big one that would go into the record books. Like a 55" kudu or 60" Alaska moose. Now whether that is the end all beat all reason for taking an animal is up to you. MY requirement was an mature bull with good hard bosses and I got what I was hoping for. It's...