Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,805
- 6,123
Bear season opens August 1st. I really want to get another bear this year! 
Have a tannery up the road a ways that buys the hides & skulls - I don't need any more of those around the house. I want the hunt, the sausage and the bear backstraps can become absolutely terrific chops!
So - have been shooting once a week or so, sometimes twice a week.
And have been hiking or bicycling about three times a week. Mostly on the mountain bike lately. It's an old, American-made Trek. Just a simple "hardtail" model. Got it 15 - 20 years ago and we've had some grand adventures over the years. Lots of good workouts/rides. Interestingly, I've found that I get close to wildlife quite easily when I'm on the mountain bike. It's quiet, and fast. I've startled the heck out of one bear, and have approached coyotes & deer on it as well.
Took the photo Tuesday on a 16 - 17 mile ride above town. The table was built by my youngest son and his buddies about 10 years ago. They built it of logs, here in our garage at home. Then disassembled it, put the parts in my pickup, then hiked the pieces about 1/2 - 3/4 of a mile to a great lookout point above town. Re-assembled it and there it has provided a great rest spot for hikers & mountain bikers. It needs to be sanded, re-stained and to be tightened down again. That sounds like another good workout day to me!
On my rides, I've been carrying my compact 9mm Kahr in a kydex holster from Gunfighter's. They have some excellent non-traditional holsters, particularly for hunters & hikers. Made just up the road a bit from my home. https://gunfightersinc.com/
The little Kahr is small enough that I can carry it in a pocket of my cycling jersey if I'm on the road bike! And I figure it's "enough" for most threats. Sometimes on the mountain bike though I'll carry my old 357 mag S&W Model 19. That was usually my choice for on the bicycle, until I got the Kahr. Also used to carry a 45 Colt Officer's model on my rides from time to time. It's nice to have a little something when I'm way out in the boonies or even when I roll through some town or out on the open road.
Yesterday we were going to hike up at about 5,000 - 6,000' elevation, the Mission Ridge ski area, and I know there are bears, wolves, cougars & coyotes up there. I had the 44 magnum S&W 629 loaded up with hardcast 250 gr semi-wadcutter handloads. Have been using AA #9 for those loads, which hit about 1250 fps from my 5" revolver. I like that one when I'm in bear country. Photo shows some different, jacketed ammo that I've long since used-up. The 44 is no problem to hike with, but a bit cumbersome for cycling. Still, I have taken it a few times when I knew I'd be someplace where finding a bear was likely.
Years ago I attached an inexpensive nylon "Uncle Mike's" holster to the waistband of my hunting pack. It carries either the 45 1911, or the 44 mag S&W securely. If I'm just hiking, I often don't bother with a rifle, hoping that the handgun will be enough. So far, so good.
But.. The weather started rolling in yesterday, so instead we chose to hike a mere 2,400' hill above the north end of town. We still got soaking wet! Doggone rain found us. Made the trails slick & muddy too. But we got off the trail before the thunderstorm hit. Wow - what a storm it was! We hiked about 5 miles yesterday with quite a bit of climbing. Really enjoyed - even in the cool rain.
Old homestead, well above town:
Am figuring with three hikes or rides every week, and shooting once or twice a week. I should be well set for hunting season. I'll start doing some of my hikes and rides in places where I may hunt...
Regards, Guy
Have a tannery up the road a ways that buys the hides & skulls - I don't need any more of those around the house. I want the hunt, the sausage and the bear backstraps can become absolutely terrific chops! So - have been shooting once a week or so, sometimes twice a week.
And have been hiking or bicycling about three times a week. Mostly on the mountain bike lately. It's an old, American-made Trek. Just a simple "hardtail" model. Got it 15 - 20 years ago and we've had some grand adventures over the years. Lots of good workouts/rides. Interestingly, I've found that I get close to wildlife quite easily when I'm on the mountain bike. It's quiet, and fast. I've startled the heck out of one bear, and have approached coyotes & deer on it as well.
Took the photo Tuesday on a 16 - 17 mile ride above town. The table was built by my youngest son and his buddies about 10 years ago. They built it of logs, here in our garage at home. Then disassembled it, put the parts in my pickup, then hiked the pieces about 1/2 - 3/4 of a mile to a great lookout point above town. Re-assembled it and there it has provided a great rest spot for hikers & mountain bikers. It needs to be sanded, re-stained and to be tightened down again. That sounds like another good workout day to me!
On my rides, I've been carrying my compact 9mm Kahr in a kydex holster from Gunfighter's. They have some excellent non-traditional holsters, particularly for hunters & hikers. Made just up the road a bit from my home. https://gunfightersinc.com/
The little Kahr is small enough that I can carry it in a pocket of my cycling jersey if I'm on the road bike! And I figure it's "enough" for most threats. Sometimes on the mountain bike though I'll carry my old 357 mag S&W Model 19. That was usually my choice for on the bicycle, until I got the Kahr. Also used to carry a 45 Colt Officer's model on my rides from time to time. It's nice to have a little something when I'm way out in the boonies or even when I roll through some town or out on the open road.
Yesterday we were going to hike up at about 5,000 - 6,000' elevation, the Mission Ridge ski area, and I know there are bears, wolves, cougars & coyotes up there. I had the 44 magnum S&W 629 loaded up with hardcast 250 gr semi-wadcutter handloads. Have been using AA #9 for those loads, which hit about 1250 fps from my 5" revolver. I like that one when I'm in bear country. Photo shows some different, jacketed ammo that I've long since used-up. The 44 is no problem to hike with, but a bit cumbersome for cycling. Still, I have taken it a few times when I knew I'd be someplace where finding a bear was likely.
Years ago I attached an inexpensive nylon "Uncle Mike's" holster to the waistband of my hunting pack. It carries either the 45 1911, or the 44 mag S&W securely. If I'm just hiking, I often don't bother with a rifle, hoping that the handgun will be enough. So far, so good.
But.. The weather started rolling in yesterday, so instead we chose to hike a mere 2,400' hill above the north end of town. We still got soaking wet! Doggone rain found us. Made the trails slick & muddy too. But we got off the trail before the thunderstorm hit. Wow - what a storm it was! We hiked about 5 miles yesterday with quite a bit of climbing. Really enjoyed - even in the cool rain.
Old homestead, well above town:
Am figuring with three hikes or rides every week, and shooting once or twice a week. I should be well set for hunting season. I'll start doing some of my hikes and rides in places where I may hunt...
Regards, Guy
