Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Tonto AZ camp and shoot... GTC memorial Feb 23-25

Yes, I have them. I'll work with Dennis and bring what ever is needed, and in my possession.

Miles, have not heard you chiming in... Are you going to be able to make it this year ?


Jeff

Trip is planned. I will be there around noon Friday.

I just communicated with Miles. His schedule is still uncertain. He says he will let us know when the time gets closer. He is hoping to make it.

David Price please look closely that is an elk. Wow great job guys.

I will be riding shot gun with David Price. looking forward to a fun shoot. Oh can't wait for the elk.

Thanks for all the work done by so many people on behalf of Greg and Campfire friends.

Niki and I have slogged back to a more normal life and have reservations at Punkin Center motel. Should arrive Friday evening.

Very much looking forward to seeing friends and the shooting of multiple bulls.

Jim - this is FANTASTIC news. We have missed you and Niki a bunch - it has been way too long. The bull shooting has been pretty good, but it's bound to get better with you among us. You'll probably meet a few fine critter that have shown up since you drifted off. Hope you arrive in time for dinner on Friday - we'll be watching for you.

Howdy to the Campfire gang. I will be there this year, but Michael will not. He has a competition that weekend. I will be bringing an old friend with me if he stays healthy enough. I'm sure he will enjoy everyone's comany and vice versa. We will be in my motorhome this year, if anybody needs to borrow a tent, i have 2 available. A 10x10 and a 10x13. Both are easy up tents. Just let me know and I will bring them.
Looking forward to seeing everyone again and meeting the newcomers. I will bring a BP muzzle loader for the salute. (Although it is a modern inline). If anyone needs something that they don't want to travel with and I can pick it up for you on my way in let me know and I will get it.
I thinks it going to be another great weekend of shooting , bs-ing and eating all the great food.

Great to hear Joe - looking forward to seeing you again and meeting your buddy.

Is there any logic to choosing ranges outside what many of can shoot that have zero access to public land? My range runs to 100 yards, no more so 150 or ??? is tough. What is the basis for the shoots?

Ed - good questions. One thing we have learned through these many gatherings is that it is way better to be able to run the shooting activities at or very near the campsite. We've managed to do otherwise a few times early on, but it was messy and not near as enjoyable.

The location in Tonto basin is flat enough in general to enable decent spots for campers/tents for the number that normally attend and a good common area for eating, spreading bull, etc., - but the surroundings are hilly so, to shoot at that site, we are pretty much limited to 150 yards. For the summer event up in the forest at Armijo Springs, we can reach out to 300 yards from the camp site.

Why do we shoot some events at more than 100 yards? We do this to provide variety of shooting activity not enabled elsewhere and, because some of these guys are very good shooters, we do it to create good challenges. Yes, some folks are at a disadvantage in some cases due to dearth of longer range practice sites, lack of time to practice, less sophisticated equipment than others, diminished eyesight, etc., etc. Always happens. Two summers ago we ran a very short range contest - a big game shoot complete with a fast charging elephant, and shot only with big bore rifles and heavy bullets/loads. The range got down to less than 10 feet. I think we did not allow scopes. It was successful, but some guys were at a disadvantage because they did not own such a rifle and had to use someone else's if they wanted to join in, some had never shot a big bore heavy rifle at a moving target, and some simply didn't want to deal with that level of recoil energy. But - we all had fun - including the spectators and that fast running guy that pulled the targets. We'll probably use an ATV the next time - if there is a next time.

With regard to distances, we reason that the three 150 yard shoots aren't very much more challenging than a 100 yard shoot - some folks may need to adjust sights once in camp, and there is plenty of time/opportunity for that. An exception may be the .22LR shoot at 150 yds. That one is a bit of a wild card - and if there is any wind of note, high-dollar equipment/ammo and previous practice can prove inconsequential. So, for anyone there is always hope.

The 30 yard rimfire shoot may seem much easier, but then it is not from a bench rest and scopes are not allowed - some of our eyes are so lousy that we can't score well with open or iron sights. I guess it all evens out. We try to put all emphasis on enjoyment and friendly competition - thus camaraderie. From experience, we know that you are an excellent shooter. For one, I feel certain that you will enjoy it. Hope this is responsive.

Appreciate the reply Paul. On another note, I have a NIB Oehler M35P that I just don't see myself using. If anyone attending the event is interested at $375 I will bring it along.

https://oehler-research.com/model-35p/

Ed - someone may be interested. Does yours include the printer, three Skyscreen III detectors, the four-foot rail and two folding stands, all in a hard case?

Yep.

Three weeks out.

For new attendees, if you would like for me to review your travel route I can confirm the best way once you enter AZ, I just need to know what highway or freeway and direction of travel.

Some folks will be there earlier in the week, can those people confirm that here, I hope to go up thursday morning if work allows.

Kent

I'm hoping to be in Tuesday or so...will probably have Scott F. in tow...

Kent, I hope to be in by Thursday afternoon - will bring Maddy and an RV trailer for the first time and need to get spotted before dark. Should we plan to bring some extra food for the pot due to early arrival?

Almost forgot this - it has been noted that we should try to have a hanging or posted lantern or two located where we gather for the evening. I don't own such a rig. Can anyone bring one - or two?
Thanks. P

If I'm there thursday I will have food for thur night and friday morning. Also Butcher Hook has great food and a bar/store/gas station a few miles south of camp for those early arrivals.

I have lanterns and will bring some.

Kent