The Stembridge 2021 RAM Classic "Warhawk" Build Thread

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From a few weeks ago on opening day, a nice 8-point.

 

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Took a yearling doe this morning. I walked in and settled down in front of a four-trunk tree; about an hour later, I noticed a doe slowing walking up just inside the tree line (about 60-75 yds out), but unfortunately on my right side - I couldn't swing around enough to get a shot.

Sat there and watched her browse a bit, then lay down a bit, then browse some more. All of a sudden, there are 5-6 deer up and browsing around - they had all been laying down together.

I slowly scooted myself around to get a better angle, and every little noise I made would have one or two looking straight at me for as long as a couple minutes (I froze). Then they'd settle down and go back to browsing.

I finally got twisted around enough that I could draw a bead, and the only one I had a clear shot at was laying down. I could clearly see the head, so that's where I aimed. I saw a large puff of breath fog when I shot, but couldn't see the animal anymore and assumed I missed and it had jumped up with the rest when I shot.

After standing up and starting to walk toward where I shot, I realized the rest of the deer were still there… they heard me and were looking right at me, so I froze again. After a minute or two, they decided they didn't like what they saw and all bolted out across the field.

I walked up to where I thought I had shot, but didn't see anything - no blood trail, etc. Walked over to the fence line, then back to the area where I shot. After searching side-to-side a bit, there she was, shot right between the eyes with a .30-06 (took the top of her head off). So no wasted meat and a clean, instant death.

She'll make good eating, for sure.

 

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At our veteran's memorial today (senior lunch and bingo!).

 

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After nearly 44,000 miles, my Geolandar X-AT tires were down to the wear strips, so I dug out my original factory Geolandar ATs (with only 2,500 miles on them) and had them put back on. They don't look as good (don't fill the wheel wells as nicely), but I avoid dropping a grand or so on a new set for now. We have a "snow event" on the way tomorrow and it seemed prudent to have a good set mounted…