The Hunting Adventures of Me and Joe by Walt Prothero
I remember being introduced to the writing of Walt Prothero by a good friend and it truly changed my life. I remember waiting for the next copy of Sports Afield and would scour the table of contents page to see if Walt Prothero was being featured. Prothero writes in the most unpretentious manner that it is truly disarming, and before you know it, you feel as if you are sharing a campfire with him while he tells of his favorite hunts.
The Hunting Adventures of Me and Joe is a collection of Prothero’s “best and favorite stories” told in the “me and Joe” style writing that used to fill Field and Stream and Outdoor Life, before the “how-to” and “where-to” articles took over the major publications. All of the stories are from North America and narrate hunting deer, bear, moose, sheep, and many more. If you are an outdoorsman who appreciates the beauty and excitement of big game hunting, Walt Prothero is the author for you.
In all honestly, since I recieved this book last year for Christmas, I have read it twice and I know that it will be read over and over for years to come. Someday, I’m going to grow a gnarly beard like his too. I think it definitely adds to his credentials.
One of the most vital pieces of equipment for the western hunter is the hunting pack. An uncomfortable, poorly constructed pack can be the bane of the outdoorsman’s experience. The name “Eberlestock” is well known in the hunting community as a producer of high quality gear. I had the esteemed opportunity to carry their Eberlestock X2 hunting pack on many journeys into the field and on the water over the past several months.
The Eberlestock X2
First impressions:
Design – The Eberlestock X2 is a top loading pack with a lightweight aluminum frame which makes it capable of comfortably carrying a heavy load in and out of the backcountry. At the same time when it is completely compressed, this pack is a perfect option for a daypack for the bowhunter. When the compression straps are unclipped, the two wings of the pack open up to reveal the main top-loading compartment of the pack. At 1800 cubic inches, I have plenty of room to pack in a sleeping bag and hammock as well as my other necessities for an overnight stay.
The extra long compression straps allow the hunter to utilize the Eberlestock X2’s aluminum frame, and lash a heavy load to the pack in order to get their prize out of the field. I have seen pictures of hunters with a whole elk quarter securely stowed on the X2. Match up the load bearing aluminum frame with a cushy waist belt, and this pack will do some serious hauling.
Eberlestock X2 LoadedFirst clips loosened. I usually have a seat pad or a warm vest clipped in there
Pockets – The Eberlestock X2 an extremely well thought out pocket structure with two easy access pockets on the top roof of the pack. Perfect for storing gear that the outdoorsman needs quickly and quietly. Their are also two roomy pockets on the hip belt which I usually use for my GPS on one side and my digital camera on the other.
The real prize when it comes to pockets are the wing pockets. Unzipping them reveals two hydration compatible pockets complete with hooks to keep the hydration bladder upright and holes to run the hose out and down the shoulder straps. On the inside of these pockets are two open pockets that are plenty big enough to hold a tripod, spotting scope, or, in my case, my safari sneakers. When the compression straps are cinched down, there is no danger of anything tumbling out of these open pockets.
Big side pockets
Water-proof/Quiet – I find it uncommon to find gear that is waterproof and quiet, but Eberlestock builds their packs out of their NT-1 Waterproof Microfleece fabric that is not only waterproof and quiet, but tough as nails.
Javelina Hunting with the Eberlestock X2
Field Use:
I have carried the X2 on many different occasions: fishing small streams, hunting whitetails back east, javelina hunting in and even a couple of days up scouting for Arizona bison. It always takes a little bit of time to organize a new pack and figure out where your essential gear should go, but I was really pleased with how well the pack carried in the field.
Fishing – I wore this on several small stream trips where I was headed back in a little farther than usual. What I noticed on the uneven bed of the stream was that this pack rode very tight and comfortable on my back. Some of these bigger packs have the tendency to ride very bulky and cumbersome, which can make for a long day
Treestand hunting – I am a bit of an over-packer when it comes to hunting in new locations. My philosophy is that I want to take everything I need to the stand so I can sit as long as possible, instead of getting to the stand, freezing my butt off and having to leave early. So, on the hunt back in P.A., I carried the Eberlestock X2 loaded to the brim to the tree and stayed toasty and well fed on those long cold sits in the windy hardwoods.
Eberlestock X2 Hunting Pack
Western Hunting – The Eberlestock X2 pack was built to hunt the West and, although it is extremely versatile to handle many different outdoor scenarios, the X2 really shines in the big sky country of the West. I have strapped the Eberlestock X2 to my back on a couple of different scouting trips and hunts and have been very happy with the performance of the pack. The number one thing I like about the pack is that it rides very flat across my back instead of like many packs which seem to hang on my shoulders and off my back. Another aspect of comfort that Eberlestock built into this pack is the full mesh backing that is separated from the main pack which creates a large air gap. This is essential to hunters in a hot climate or those who spend a good part of their day hiking mountains to find those elusive animals.
Mesh breathable back and thick padded belt
This was the perfect pack to carry while hunting javelina this past season. Depending on the unit that I am hunting, temperatures can start out in the teens and can end up in the 50s and 60s later in the day. Needless to say, a day pack needs to be able to accommodate for plenty of gear, water, and food for a full days hunt, and I felt the X2 meet those needs. I had the opportunity to put a stalk on a herd of javelina and felt great about how the pack rode on my back.
The one negative thing I did notice about this pack is that it does tend to have the slightest creak if the load is not perfectly balanced. Once I took the pack off and readjusted some of the contents, it carried nice and quiet.
Pros:
Comfortable
Waterproof and Quiet
Durable
Aluminum Frame for Heavy Loads
Roomy, well placed pockets
Accommodates Eberlestock’s Bow Buttbucket or Rifle Scabbord
Cons:
Slight creak when not loaded properly
Prognosis: If you are looking for a pack to do it all, the Eberlestock X2 should be at the top of your list. A quality product from a quality company.
* Disclaimer:
The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. The Eberlestock X2 was provided to Arizona Wanderings for the purpose of this review. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.
So, Arizona Wanderings is in the middle of some upgrades. We ran into some issues yesterday but the site is back up and running. Some of the links on the side are still not fully functional, so please bear with me as things get ironed out. I am hoping by this weekend everything should be 100%.
The Backcountry Journal
In the meantime, head on over to The Backcountry Journal and check out the new logo and the great lineup of authors that have contributed to that project. I value all your support and input. Thanks for bearing with me as we work out the kinks.
Well, I didn’t have very high hopes for this season, hunting in a unit that I did not really know too well. Blowing my one opportunity at a pig early in the season was probably not a good place to start either. I hunted one more time this past Saturday in the hope of finding a herd, but the rolling hills and canyons provided the shelter that these javlelina were looking for. Looking at the calendar and weighing the pros and cons of trying to squeeze one more day in makes me think that Saturday was probably the last day in the field for me.
I could be cliche and say that any day in the field is a good day, but there is that nagging thought in the back of my mind telling me I should have been done a week and half ago, if I had been a little bit smarter on my stalk. No matter, I have a couple of hours free this afternoon. I just might dust off the fly rod and chase some carp.
Just some photos from a recent buffalo scouting trip. Cold nighttime temps make it difficult to leave the fire or even want to get out of the tent in the morning, but it sure does make you feel alive. We are blessed with some beautiful country here in Arizona.
The morning sun was just starting to lighten the sky as I tiptoed to the top of the bluff where I was going to set up and glass the surrounding hills. I moved from rock to rock and quietly stood at the very top and was about to put down my bow and pack when I heard movement. As I peaked over the edge of the ledge I was sitting on, I could see a small herd of javelina feeding through the brush. Grunting and browsing through the brush, I slipped down behind them and followed them as the moved through the brush with the wind in their face.
Cactus
For the next hour and a half, I stalked the herd as they moved over the next couple of hills. I passed up several marginal shots in the 20-25 yard range while I waited for something a little bit closer. Something closer never came. Cactus and palo verde trees kept this little herd safe and before I knew it, one of them circled around and winded me. After the sound of pounding hooves subsided, I was left alone with the sound of the wind rustling through the dry desert.
Wooden bows and wild lands
The beauty of shooting a stickbow is that the hunt becomes very intimate and personal, with the hunter being forced to close the distance between himself and his quarry. No looking through a scope over hundreds of yards across a canyon. No sites to rely on. No triggers. Nothing mechanical. Being in that close on a herd of wild animals is truly a thing of beauty and even though I did not loose and arrow, I feel grateful to be a part of the desert and have a front row seat to viewing God’s creation.
A shotgun is one of the most useful tools that an outdoorsman can possess and can be used in a variety of situations. With hundreds of options to choose from a very limited budget to work, I was looking for a shotgun that would be versatile enough to work for turkey, waterfowl, upland birds, and home defense. With everything added up, I felt the best option for myself would be the Remington 870 Pump-action shotgun.
The Remington 870 Express
First impressions:
The Feel – The Remington 870 Express has a sturdy feel in the hand and fits snuggly against the shoulder and cheek. The solid steel receiver fitted with the laminate wood stock has a comfortable weight wether cradled in the crook of the arm, slung over the shoulder, or held in the ready position.
The Look – The Remington 870 Express comes with a matte-finish and a dark stained laminate wood stock and fore-end. With a vent-rib barrel and a Truglo front bead site, the 870 has a no-frills rugged look to it, that I personally appreciate.
Chokes – When I purchased my 870, it came with three different chokes, a modified, improved, and full choke. Depending on the season and my quarry, I can change up my choke in a matter of a minute or two to meet the needs of the field.
The Remington 870 Express
Field Use:
The Sonoran Desert of Arizona is no picnic. I have carried this Remington for the past couple of years on many different quail and dove hunts. The stock and barrel each carry a few deep scratches that are almost unavoidable in the rock and cactus strewn sandbox that I hunt in. My Remington 870 has been a reliable tool that has downed countless birds and is extremely comfortable to shoot with the R3 recoil pad. Bottom line, the Remington 870 is a workhorse that can stand up to the abuse that a firearm will take when used in a desert environment.
I have over 1,000 shells through this gun and in that time I have had maybe 4 jams. It seems to be a common theme for some Remington 870s to jam when using cheaper ammo or when “short stroking” the action, caused when the forend the gun is not pulled all the way back before being ratcheted forward. I have never had a problem with unjamming the gun and it has happened so infrequently that I almost forgot to include it in this review.
The Remington 870 Express is chambered to a 3″ shell and I have had fun patterning it for turkey. Since moving to Arizona, I have been successful taking a Merriams with a bow but am looking forward to this next spring gobbler season, where I can put my 870 to the test. I have no doubt that if I can get a gobbler within range, the 870 will do everything that I ask of it.
Remington 870
Although primarily a hunting tool, my Remington 870 nightlines as a home defense weapon. God forbid I ever encounter a situation where I have to use it as such, there is a strong argument that a shotgun loaded with buckshot is the weapon of choice in the middle of the night when someone is attempting to break into the house. Nothing is more likely to make an intruder rethink their life choices like the sound of a pump-action scattergun chambering a shell in the pitch dark. Needless to say, the Remington 870 is the first thing that I would reach for when something goes bump in the night.
Pros:
Reliability
Affordability
Versatility
Cons:
Occasional jams when ejecting a shell
Cosmetics (Although a nice looking shotgun, their are prettier guns on the market)
Prognosis: The Remington 870 is an American classic that has been around for over 20 years. It is a versatile, reliable, and affordable tool that meets the needs of the everyday hunter.
* Disclaimer:
The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review. My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.
Javelina CountryWild BurrosCloudsPack and ArrowsQuail TracksFlat Tire
Although I did not get drawn for my go-to unit, I bought an over-the-counter javelina tag in a unit closer to town. While quail hunting there over the past couple of years, I have kicked up a couple of herds of pigs and figured I could get lucky. I put some miles under my feet and looked at a bunch of country but could not find the pigs that I know are there somewhere. I made it back to the truck around noon and decided to check out another area a little farther out of the way. Bumping along I heard the unmistakable hissing of escaping air which also deflated my spirit. After getting the spare squared away, I figured without cell service, continuing on would not be in my best interest. So I headed back to town to get my blown tire replaced with hopes of getting back into the field a little later this week. Hopefully, I can get these pigs figured out and get lucky enough to get an arrow off before I head back to school next week.
