It’s Time! As daylight begins it’s earthly turn toward fall, scientists say, the tiny pineal gland in the whitetail bucks brain signals with hormones to end blood flow to the velvet on antlers. And the beginning of a bucks increasing desire to fight off other bucks and mate with a receptive doe.
For the buck …the rut has begun.
As blood dries up in deer antlers, the velvet dries and begins to peel off and the antler hardens as the weeks progress to October. Bucks join in rubbing off remaining velvet and seek other bachelor bucks to joust with. Just weeks away, does will come into estrus and may be receptive for mating.
Years back in mid October, I was bowhunting in Pennsylvania, I was in my treestand and below me does were feeding in late afternoon. Suddenly, an impressive plump 8 point bucks shows up, his fur glistened in the afternoon sun.
The does, not yet receptive seem nervous. He steps among them smelling the air. He approaches one young doe from the rear but she hops forward and away.
He follows.
She mingles with other does and again he follows. Feeling harassed she darts away weaving among other deer. What a show, I thought as the chase was on.
I grunted from my stand hoping against hope the buck might come close. He was so focused on that doe, that I could’ve blown a trumpet, and he’d never hear it.
Again she weaved and lurched left. Like a cutting horse on a cattle ranch …he wheeled left on his haunches, front legs in the air to reposition and cut off her path. The panicked doe lurched right, again the buck wheeled again to cut off her exit.
I became frustrated not being able to take a shot, I grunted from my stand hoping for them to head my way. Crazy as it seems, the doe ran into thick brush under my stand, weaving easily through tangled brush. The buck followed but due to heavy brush his antlers got hung up.
I thought, Here’s my chance. I came to full draw, my heart pounding. I looked for an opening. The bucks chest, quartering toward me, was covered in overhanging branches. Still looking for a hole to thread my arrow, the buck looked up and saw me move. Still at full draw the buck backed out of the tangle.
I had no shot, thus I let down my draw.
The little doe now a hundred yards ahead in the hard woods. The buck slipped to my left and entered into the hardwood, still in pursuit. My hunt ended but the scene I encountered plays over and over in my mind. I was pleased that I did not attempt a shot. The angle was wrong, and the brush would have likely deflected the arrow. Pleased with my decision, I watched that handsome buck melt into the forest. Pleased that I let him walk to hunt him again.
There are hunting crossbows today for every budget. Most come as a package with arrows, scopes and quiver. High dollar value (say over $2000-$3000) hunting crossbows often have the best of the attributes below but do you really need this quality in a hunting crossbow? You decide.
Attributes that I believe are essential are:
Hunting Speed/Accuracy
Weight/Balance/Handling
Cocking/De-cocking Features
Scope
Quality
Cost
Human nature being what it is, we all want the best.
But “the best” comes at a price. Being cost conscious and practical, my first crossbow was a recurve style Grizzly from Excalibur. Cost years back was around $400 or so.
It worked well but you had to cock/de-cock it with a rope cock device. Speed 300 fps with a 400g arrow. It was a great hunting crossbow for the cost.
But being older, and had a slight back issue, caused me to look for a crossbow with a silent cocking crank device. Yes, my TenPoint Turbo Crossbow costs more but was well worth it.
I replaced the scope with a Oracle X Laser range finding scope. I love it but it is not really needed for shots out to 40 yards if you already own a rangefinder.
It is fun to shoot out past 50 yards with the Oracle. Bench rested, it shoots 2 inch groups at 60 yards. It would be great for moose or elk hunting as neither are prone to “jump the string” and arrow energy is around 100 ft-lbs. at 60 yards. I like Swhacker broadheads on my crossbow arrows. They fly like field points and open to over 2 inches inside the game animal and exit.
Love my crossbow as an older hunter. I have built and shot longbows, recurves and owned many compounds but my older body has a tougher time with them these days. The crossbow is a blessing to keep me deer hunting in archery season.
I always wanted to build an American Indian Tipi, must be the kid in me! Here is my latest tipi below.
I bought some stenciling of the sun and of bear, deer buffalo and of forest trees as base trim. It can sleep three adults though It is set up with cots for two.
Getting the poles and material seemed out of reach until …I found a youtube on building one out a painters canvas drop-cloth.
Today you can purchase painters canvas drop-cloth to make a tipi. Amazon has a 9×12 2 pack for $35 dollars.
The biggest issue was to get long poles to support the canvas cover.
Below is a youtube on putting up a tipi, not mine.
I had some small pine trees that were standing but very dead and dry on my property, hence my back yard pine forest delivered for me.
I use my tipi in late summer when no rain is expected. I also added very cool rope lighting in my tipi at night. Great fun!
My build is for fun but prices for items do add up. I joined two 9 ft x 12 ft canvas drop clothes with several large 2 inch stainless safety pins bought on Amazon.
Cutting out a tipi arch template was done in my back yard with a pair of sharp scissors on the drop-cloth. Inside the tipi I ran a small diameter rope and 4 ft x 16 ft sheet around the inner perimeter as a barrier to wind and rain. Battery flashlights and lanterns serve for lighting. Accoutrements includes a feather dream catcher inside. For safety, just keep the fire outside the tipi.
I bought this TenPoint crossbow in April of 2022 and I paid $1200 for it, new. Is it still accurate? You bet! Shooting 2 to 3 inch groups past 75 yards. Sure some crossbows can shoot tighter groups, but for hunting game my crossbow is terrific. Minimum energy for penetration on deer is said to be 25 ft-lbs. My crossbows terminal energy at 40 yards is 105 ft-lbs.
Last spring, before an Alberta black bear hunt, I had it inspected, cables and a few parts replaced and got a better quiver and a hard case. All screws were retorqued. Nice.
I also replaced the OEM scope with a new Oracle X Laser Range finding scope, cost $699.
This crossbow is shooting 350 fps with 425 grain arrows. I have harvested 2 black bears, both one shot kills and a 300 lb. Russian Boar with a second arrow using Swhackers, all with full penetration and 2 1/2 inch exit wounds.
In my opinion, this 350 to 400 fps arrow speed and energy is all I need for black bear, deer, elk and moose and allows me more retrieval options in pulling arrows from a target or 3D animal. Faster speeds, in my opinion well above 400 fps make capturing practice arrows a tough target pull and can damage vanes and knocks if the arrow is embedded.
If you want a target to handle up to 500 fps target butt, buy a BIGshot Target with a weather cover. Why a weather cover? A wet soaked target will not release your arrow easily. I use a mega size trash bag to protect mine. Works great!
And for really big boned game, like moose and buffalo, hunters can use heavier arrows in the 500 to 600 grain area can increase penetration, though I have no penetration issues with my 425g setup with Swhackers for deer and black bear, I would increase arrow weight for moose and buffalo.
If your crossbow has not been serviced or inspected after 2 years of use, perhaps now is the time in summer to get your bow inspected and serviced.
Much of my adult deer hunting life has been solo. I liked it that way. I rarely felt alone. I felt like the predator that I am. Seeing, hearing, smelling and understanding sign.
But having my youngest son with me in the woods is a delight to share the wild. Son Jason with my grand kids here on a NH hunt. No deer taken but great fun.
This November we will deer hunt in northern Maine in mid November. I am getting older and having him with me helps if either of us connect with a buck. Dragging out a big buck is hard work.
My method in snow is to first find fresh deer tracks in good deer areas not far off logging roads.
Deer that are not heavily pushed are likely to show themselves in early and late daylight e.g. crepuscular.
I think my son thinks similarly but staying warm and having some food and warm drink like coffee or soup makes it very enjoyable.
This adventure fishing trip was in the planning phase for quite some time.
It is part of my bucket list, maybe yours too.
My fishing goal was to catch a large halibut that locals call a “barn door”. Being a senior, I had to work out at the gym to prepare for catching big fish.
I arrived in Anchorage, Alaska from Boston. In the picture, Delta was on final approach to the runway.
Many of us stayed overnight at the Puffin Inn, seen below. They sent an airport shuttle to pick me up. Nice!
First night hotel
Below, this terrific Alaska Bus Company and driver Ian drove us to the lodge … perhaps near 150 miles.
Great views out of the large bus windows.
Alaska Bus Company drove us to lodge in Sterling, Ak – Nice Bus and Driver Ian
Adam and Ed give thumbs up for the drive to lodge
Below, our bus stopped at Three Bears Convenience stores for snacks and potty breaks …great roadside stores.
I bought a souvenir Alaska vehicle license plate for my man-cave.
We stopped for snacks and potty breaks a these great roadside convenience stores. Here we stopped at the town of Coopers Landing,
We arrive at the Great Alaska Adventure Lodge below. The lodge is very impressive as were the terrific lodge staff.
They aim to please and did so every day.
Entrance to the Great Alaska Adventure Lodge. First Class!
Below is my lodge-room, no tv, was on purpose. This is a get-a-way. Complete with a full bathroom for each guest. And room service for making your bed and room care.
My Bedroom for the week. Wow! Can you say comfortable!
The lodge is situated on the shore of the famous Kenai River, where we can fish for salmon and enjoy peace and quiet along the river. Can you say spectacular!
Behind the lodge is the picturesque Kenai River – Salmon fishing on the shore.
Below, we had our own great adventure bus and driver to drive us to each adventure fishing trip. Charlie our driver was terrific.
our lodge adventure transportation. Nice!
Moose on the loose. We saw several.
Moose Crossing-we saw several moose and calf’s along the roadside
Sights like this mountain below were amazingly common as we were shuttled to adventures. I believe this is one of the three volcanoes in Alaska. All of them are officially considered active.
On the road – a volcano looms large. Minor quakes are normal.
We fished in Homer Alaska too, but the best ocean adventure for me was in Seward, Alaska. You will see why shortly… Below, we boarded the Tia Rose for our 2 1/2 hour ride to our fishing area.
Boat “Tia Rose” at the Seward Dock
Seward has more wildlife and closer to mountain shorelines than Homer. See the sea otter I photo’d below. No Orca’s seen.
Both videos below are from John catching then landing the largest barn door halibut of the trip. We did not weigh our fish.
Look at that rod bend!
I caught the second largest barn door too but was so busy catching it that it was not on video.
The good thing here was that the ocean bottom here was only 70 feet. Often it is like 200 or 300 feet.
Below video, Nat’s daughter Alyra reels in a nice halibut.
Chris reels in a nice one.
Below, Jamie showing her big halibut.
Nice Fish Jamie!
This halibut close-up on the deck, is keeping an eye, …or two, on us. What big eyes they have.
Experts say halibut start their life vertically with an eye on each side. As they grow, their eyes migrate to the darker side and then swim flat on the ocean bottom. Most all large halibut are females called “barn doors” and smaller ones are males called “chickens”.
Halibut are prized as a food fish costing 30 dollars per pound or more.
Fast Facts from Alaska Fish and Game
Size Length to over 8 feet, weight to over 500 lb
Lifespan 55 years (males and females)
Distribution/Range California to the Bering Sea, west to the Sea of Japan
Remarks Both eyes on the right (upper side), with rare exceptions
Other Names Large halibut are “barn doors,” small halibut are “chickens.”
Below, Adam wearing his GoPro hooked a ling cod, not in season, and threw him back.
All the rods are put away below, the Kenai mountains off in the distance.
We each caught two rock fish, great fight for a smaller fish.
Jamie and husband Scott with all our catch.
Scott and Jamie with our Catch
Nat and Alyra with all our catch.
Nat and daughter Alyra with our Seward Catch
Lady friends with all our catch. Great fishing ladies!
Lady friends with our Seward Cat
John, John and Ed showing off all our catch. I gave a thumbs up!
Ed with his “barn door” halibut. This barn door is what I hoped to catch on this Alaska adventure. Success never felt so good. I was in the gym for three months to prepare for the fish fight of my life. Good thing I did! Not bad for my senior body!
Ed and John show off their big ones.
Below is our Kasilof Drift Boat Launch.
Nat caught one sockeye, nice fish, and lost a king salmon.
Male and female loons below
Loons on the Kasilof River
Bald Eagle I photo’d on shores of Kasilof River. Such a majestic symbol of the USA.
One of my best adventures is the Fly-in to Big River Lake where ocean salmon just arrived to spawn. Below is our float plane, a De Haviland Otter Turbo. It seats six.
Fly-in to Big River Lake with De Haviland Otter- Seats 6
Loading packs and lunch in the float plane.
Just Landed at Big River Lake
Breath taking Mountain view at Big River Lake at the base of Mount Redoubt an active volcano
Dock At Big River Lake Lodge
We all caught three salmon here but saw no brown bears.
We take off the De Haviland and tour the local Big River Glacier on the way back.
This was my last Alaska adventure trip of 2026. Now I prepare to fly home with our frozen fish. I ended the trip with 41 pounds of delicious frozen vacuum sealed halibut, 4 rockfish, salmon and some codfish.
Below is our bus, complete with baggage and many boxes of frozen fish as we depart the lodge.
I enjoyed this Alaska adventure fishing trip. I bought this T-shirt at the airport. Eat Organic with Moose meat cuts shown. Photo on my porch and back yard in New Hampshire.
IMR 4198 is an excellent mainstay powder for the 45-70. I shot this powder today but loads just under max. All grouped ok at 1 to 1.5 inches at 50 yds. 250g MonoFlex grouped best at 1 inch and SD was 5.3.
Three Shot groups taken at 50 yds with Ruger Marlin 45-70 SBL 19 inch Barrel : Hornady Manual used 22 inch barrel.
Note for comparison: A 175g 7mm bullet traveling at 3000fps has a momentum of 10.37 kg.m/s. Identical to this load. Hmmm!
Hornady 300g FNHP
Load 46g manual says 2000 fps
Avg Vel.1900.5 fps Diff manual vs actual 100 fps
SD 34.1
Muzzle Energy 2438 ft-lb
Bullet Momentum 11.26 kg·m/s
Hornady 350g RNFP
Load 43g Manual says 1800 fps
Avg Vel 1761 Diff manual vs actual 39 fps
SD 9.4
Muzzle Energy 2445 ft-lb
Bullet Momentum 12.17 kg·m/s
I shot a 400g FP and found the MV at 1413 fps. Momentum was 11.16 kg·m/s. Lower than the 350g due to significant velocity differences. To equal the 350g momentum, the 400g bullet needs a velocity of 1550 fps.
Thus, the 350g appears better at penetration than the 400g at 1413 fps and the 350g has a flatter trajectory.
Conclusion: 250g MonoFlex with 47g is best load of these. The 350g Load comes in second. The 300g load was worst. The 300g loads need work to find best loads with different powder.
I do like the MonoFlex all copper said to retain 95% of weight and won’t over mushroom on deer.
On bear, it looks like the 350g Round Nose Flat Point would be a great black bear round with minimal mushrooming and great momentum/penetration
Thank goodness for youtube video testing of bullets like 300g vs 350g vs 400g and penetration. I am new to the 45-70, so seeing the penetration and mushrooms for hard-cast vs jacketed and hollow point vs flat point is very telling.
Hard cast lead bullets are made from a mixture of lead, antimony, and tin, resulting in a harder bullet that offers deeper penetration and less deformation upon impact.
I typically like bullets to mushroom for thin skinned game like deer but in the case of bears, I like penetration and less mushrooming. Why is that?
Primarily I want penetration on bears for an exit wound/blood trail shooting them end to end.
I like Hornady 250, 300 for deer size game and 350g and 400g flat points for bears. You never know when a 300 pound black bear or even larger shows up at a bait. I believe the 45-70 is great wild hog medicine up close as well. Having the ability to lever fast shots is essential around ornery game is a real plus.
For longer range elk and moose, I will stick to bolt rifles like my 7mm Rem Mag or my .375 Ruger. I did take a small bear with the 7mm at 30 yards but felt it better utilized at longer range.
What does Strong Action mean when it comes to Lever Rifles such as the new Ruger made Marlin 1895?
Strong action means 40,000 c.u.p. (copper unit of pressure). Some reloading manuals such as Barnes® et al, use 43,000 psi as a marker for pressure. To check your rifle cartridge for either psi or cup pressure see below.
In 1873 the standard 45-70 Government cartridge used a 45 caliber 405g bullet with 70 grains of black powder…hence the name 45-70. I consider the 400g bullet as big, however these vintage rifle barrels and actions like the trap door or Sharps were no where near capable of todays modern 45-70 pressures.
Many of todays 45-70 lever rifles can handle bullets over 500 grains as long as they don’t exceed COL cartridge overall length and have a cannelure for a roll crimp to fit the 45-70 lever rifles. As an example, see
And because of strong actions, these big bullets can achieve velocities approaching and in some cases exceed 2000 fps. Like getting hit by a fast train.
These heavy bullets provide a key ingredient. Penetration! Alaskan guides sometimes use the 45-70 lever actions as back-up for close dangerous game encounters such as brown and grizzly bears.
It is momentum, a product of mass (bullet weight) and velocity which creates unparalleled penetration. And it is the damage done by the bullet as it passes through tissue. Bullet speed aids greatly in radial damage as well.
Some use the Marlin on African safari with great success.
I prefer a controlled feed bolt action with my M77 .375 Ruger like I did with my recent American buffalo hunt, or larger like the 416 Rigby or 416 Ruger for really big dangerous game such as cape buffalo.
I use a recoil taming shoulder harness when practicing on the bench.
Standing free hand, these big rifles rock your whole body thus absorbing the more tolerable heavy recoil.
It is a wild ride that keeps me coming back for more adventure.
Since purchasing my new Marlin 1895 45-70 SBL lever rifle a month or so ago, I searched on line for cost effective 300g bullets to practice with. Below are images of these ACME Hi-Tek coated bullets I tested at moderate velocities using Viht. N- 130 powder at 50 yards.
What surprised me was my Garmin chrono data from my first 6 shots I took with 40 grains of Vihtavuori N-130 powder. Shot Avg 1577.9 fps but the Standard Deviation was an unbelievable 4.0 fps. Wow!
Cost is $26 for a box of 100. Very inexpensive. Shipping will vary. For me shipping was 12 dollars. Cost works out to 38 cents a shot. And they load well and my brass crimp holds them secure. Very nice indeed.
I called ACME to shared my exciting experience above. Further, that I was unsure how fast/slow to shoot them. They are designed to be a hard cast and will not mushroom and are used in cowboy shoots and target at moderate speeds. They don’t have a gas check, thus speeds need to be moderate.
Keep bullet velocity on the lower end to reduce lead barrel fouling. Fast bullets without a gas check mean lead fouling and a hard to clean barrel.
See www.acmebullet.com for more details or place an order…
I replaced the scope with a Oracle X Laser range finding scope. I love it but it is not really needed for shots out to 40 yards if you already own a rangefinder. 
