As far as best time to hunt the stand for pigs I would recomend early in the stand at least 30 min before daylight and if you can take being in the blind all day stay as late as possible until 11am or noon.  Alot depends on what kind of bait your are hunting to draw them in.  As far as cover scent goes, we find vanilla works really good, so we spray inside the blind with vanilla and ourseleves.  I am a firm believer that optimal time for shooting pigs is late in the evening right before it gets dark and even better if you have a hog light or spot light stay in the blind after dark for your best chances or shooting some pork chops!!!

BH,

I've you're going to go with a .257" diameter bullet I'd go with the .25-06 - its flatter shooting and has more commercial loads available for it.  I shoot a .308 (before that a .25-06 for about 20 years) and if the Leverrevolution .308's performance is anything like the .308 Win its a hard round to beat unless you want flat shooting past 400-500 yards (7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, Weatherby Mags, etc).  As far as its suitability for varmints, if all you're trying to do put one away within about 300 yards it'll do great.  The pelt might not look like much, but the animal will get pegged.

If you want to go that route and can only get one gun the .25-06 is a good choice.  Its flat shooting and can down a whitetail out to 300 yards, maybe more.  Had one for 20 years and loved it.  However, I'd watch the bullet construction when taking hogs. 

I know this always stirs-up controversy, but me personally I think a .243 is too small for deer.  They'll drop when shot in the right place with one, but even in the best of worlds that's not always going to happen.  I've seen a couple walk away after getting shot with a .243 and had the 'enjoyment' of tracking them...and not finding either. 

Jim,

My buddy Richardo Yanez and myself own tract 59 in Myers Canyon Tract 8 in Paint Mare is right behind us. We bought our property last October so this was our first season out there. Richardo shot a very healthy 10 pointer and I shot a 14 pointer though it was missing a rear leg and was rather lean. We hunted mostly every weekend and also noticed that the deer being rather spooky as you mentioned. We did not notice too many hunters this season in Myers Canyon.

Did you see any nice bucks this year? As for us other than the ones we shot we saw a nice 12 pointer and a nic e mule buck and another whitetail buck at distance. Are there a lot of hunters in Paint Mare? Its seems most of the shooting was coming from that area. What has been your experience with the Game Wardens in Paint Mare. As for us they seem to drop by when ever they want asking if we have heard anybody shooting. Seems to be there standare questiong.

Thanks,

Doug Ewers

I would use 180gr. bullets for closer ranges,like in the woods.the 150gr. bullets tend to tear adeer up to bad within a 100 yards.  try shooting both bullets at 100 yard targets  you'll be suprised how close they are in elevation. save your 150's for open country

As I have said in previous posts I have checked many times on the "ten acre" rule, and can find nothing in writing that states this as a law. I have asked several of my friends who are game wardens and they have heard about this but aren't aware of any such law in writing. What Klaus says about shooting over property lines is correct though, that is in fact a law. So, Klaus, in my humble opinion Happy Hunting. The closest thing I have found is Senate Bill 734. Which only covers property annexed inside the city limits.

WOW....sounds a little intimidating, but exciting!  I'm going back out this weekend, so I'm anxious to try your suggestions.  I just hope my bladder can withstand the length of time you guys are telling me...LOL.  Again, thanks for any/all advice.  I appreciate it.  Hopefully I will see something worth shooting.