A Lever Action .30-30 Winchester Is Still One of the Best Deer Hunting Rifles

I have not been a hunter. However, I do understand the necessity of hunting to keep animal populations under control do that they don't overrun their food supply.

I have several friends in New Mexico who do hunt deer, elk and other game. Hunting season in New Mexico for deer, for example, is generally from late October through early November. 

In my area, we do have deer and elk populations. Several does got into my inner yard last year. They

tend to go after an apple tree that's in front of my garage. 

I don't know what rifles and calibers are used in New Mexico deer hunting. But, apparently, the .30-30 Winchester in Winchester 94 lever-action rifles are still popular over the years. A 2022 article from Outdoor Life is currently making the rounds online. 

It starts off with:

Over its more than 125-year lifetime, the lever-action .30-30 rifle has arguably killed more whitetail deer than any other single cartridge. And with the cartridge’s popularity still quite high, it’s doubtful it will be unseated in that category any time soon.

Released in 1895, just a year after the popular Model 1894 Winchester lever gun was introduced, the .30-30 Winchester was the first sporting cartridge loaded exclusively with smokeless powder. The original .30-30 Winchester load had a 160-grain round-nosed bullet leaving the muzzle at 1,970 feet per second, a substantial step up from other popular cartridges of the time like the .32-40 Win. (165-grain bullet at 1,450 fps) and .38-55 Win. (255-grain bullet at 1,320 fps).

The cartridge’s speed and power, combined with the lever-action’s capacity and quickness, made it an instant hit as a deer cartridge. Before long, it became a go-to choice for deer hunters.

As major ammunition companies caught on to the .30-30’s popularity, they began manufacturing loads specifically for lever guns—the two most popular were topped with 150-grain and 170-grain round-nosed slugs. The reason for the round nose was obvious—since the gun’s tube magazine held ammunition stacked tip-to-primer, a pointed-nosed bullet denting a primer could lead to an accidental discharge in the magazine. Ironically, that round-tipped ammo led to the cartridge’s fall from grace when longer-range cartridges with pointed tips and superior ballistics hit the market years later.

Yet despite competition from the .308, .30-06, and .270—all fine deer cartridges in their own right—the .30-30 has continued to be popular with many hunters over several generations.

To read more, go here. 

Best 10 Rifle Calibers Every Deer and Elk Hunter Must Know

Above, some Winchester .30-30 ammo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is amazing at how many different calibers of ammunition there are available to hunters or target shooters.

MSN posted a slideshow of the best 10 rifle calibers every deer and elk hunter must know. 

Speaking of elk, I finally saw some elk in our area the other day. We were heading eastbound on Interstate 40 and saw a group of elk near the former Fort Wingate Army Depot in a field. They seem to know that they were safe from hunters there as no hunting is allowed.

MSN begins the slideshow with:

Choosing the right caliber changes how you hunt, how you set up your rifle, and how confident you feel on the mountain. Some cartridges favor flat trajectories, others deliver heavy knockdown power, and a few balance recoil and precision for long shots. Understanding the strengths and limits of the most popular calibers helps you match ammo to game, terrain, and your skill level. Read on to learn what each caliber offers and when you might reach for it in the field.

 To see the slideshow, go here.

Hunting Ain’t What It Used To Be

Above, James scanning the area for a coyote during the
"Great Coyote Hunt" of 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am not a hunter. I do understand the necessity for it, such as thinning out elk and deer herds so they don't overrun their food supply.

The closest thing to hunting was seven years ago when two neighbors and I went out several mornings to shoot a troublesome coyote. Although one neighbor got off a shot, he missed. The coyote took off.

From what I have been reading, the sport of hunting has changed. 

An article in Wyoming's Cowboy State Daily discusses the changes made to hunting and, according to the writer, not for the better.

It begins with:

Hunters of a certain age might wax nostalgic for a simpler time. Back then, hunting tags were readily available at the local store and knocking on a local rancher’s door and politely asking permission to hunt on his land usually worked.

Nowadays, hunters must plow through online page after page of digital regulation books months in advance, just trying to figure out which tags to apply for. And even when they’re successful in drawing their most-desired elk or antelope tags, getting hunting access can be a headache. 

Many private landowners are much more selective about who they allow onto their land, so public land hunting spots get mobbed.

At age 84, Dan Kinneman of Riverton has seen his share of changes on the Wyoming hunting scene.

For years, he was a hunting outfitter in the Dubois area.

He doesn’t like going up that way to hunt anymore. It’s changed too much, and from his perspective, for the worse. 

To read the full article, go here. 

What's the Best Cartridge for Deer Hunting?

Above, a deer who showed up in my yard three weeks ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although I don't do any hunting, deer or otherwise, I have friends who do. Each year, they go out on deer or elk hunts. Being able to do so is by lottery in New Mexico. I have a deer skinning rack in my backyard, left by a previous resident.

So, with that being said, Game & Fish has posted an article listing the best cartridges for deer hunting. 

They begin it with:

Some 35 million strong, the whitetail deer is the world’s most populous big-game animal, pursued annually by about 11 million deer hunters. The deer cartridges we use are important, driving sales and new developments, and influencing shooters and hunters worldwide.

Cleanly taking a deer is rarely a matter of extreme precision. The vital zone is not small. For most of us, shooting distances at deer aren’t far. Properly ventilating your venison is largely a matter of keeping your cool and making one reasonably good shot when the chance arises.

How well you place that shot is far more important than what you’re shooting. That said, it’s important to have confidence in your choice. Around campfires, we argue endlessly and split our hairs, comparing one cartridge to another. There are dozens and dozens of good deer cartridges, old and new. Too many for one article, in fact. Some of us like to thump our deer with larger calibers, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, except as necessary, I will avoid discussion of cartridges with bullet diameters larger than .30. They work well but are not essential for deer.

To read more, go here. 

RVers Beware: Autumn Wildlife Hazards

Above, a bull elk near the Grand Canyon's Trailer Village. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last weekend, while heading out of Ridgway, Colorado in the morning, I saw a deer in a grassy park in Ouray.

Later, while driving towards Silverton, three female deer crossed the road about 50 yards ahead of me.

This is the time of the year that the following article from Do It Yourself RV says wildlife are the most active. For some, it's mating (rutting) season and, for others, it is time for hibernation preparation.

They begin with:

Autumn is a mesmerizing time of year. The vibrant tapestry of leaves offers a visual treat for anyone, especially RVers, who often have a front-row seat to nature’s grand display. However, as the landscape changes, so does the behavior of wildlife. For RVers traveling during the fall season, it’s vital to be cautious of the potential hazards posed by wildlife and take precautions accordingly.

To read the full article, go here.

2023 National Park Entrance Fee-Free Days

Above, a bull elk wanders near Trailer Village at Grand Canyon National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who have not been to a national park or don't want to shell out some cash to enter one, here are the fee-free days for 2023.

From National Park Traveler:

The National Park Service will have five  entrance fee-free days  in 2023 that provide free admittance to all national parks for everyone.

The  free entrance dates for 2023  are:  

• January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day  
• April 22 – First Day of National Park Week  
• August 4 – Great American Outdoors Day  
• September 23 – National Public Lands Day  
• November 11 – Veterans Day  

“National parks are really amazing places and we want everyone to experience them,” said  National Park Service Director Chuck  Sams. “The entrance fee-free days encourage people to discover the beauty, history and inspiration awaiting them in more than 400 national parks throughout the country.” 

To read more, go here. 

Closest National Parks To Twin Falls

Above, a herd of elk in a meadow gather in a meadow at Grand
Teton National Park as a bear was nearby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Three years ago, a friend and I went to Buhl, Idaho to visit a friend who was battling a form of blood cancer (which later turned into leukemia and he passed away the following year). Buhl is not far from Twin Falls. 

After our visit, we headed east into Wyoming to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks since we were, uh, in the "neighborhood". 

The Marietta Daily Journal has posted an article listing the closest national parks to Twin Falls. Besides the aforementioned parks, there are others near Twin Falls to visit.

They begin with:

Approximately 237 million people visited American national parks in 2020, representing a 28% year-over-year decrease attributed to the coronavirus pandemic. Many parks were forced to close to combat the spread of the virus, but that’s not the whole story—when the parks were open, many of them saw record crowds as throngs of people desperate to safely enjoy nature descended onto parks when they reopened.

President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons “unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the country has to offer and showcase the country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Today, the country's 63 national parks contain at least 247 species of endangered or threatened plants and animals, more than 75,000 archaeological sites, and 18,000 miles of trails.

Stacker compiled a list of the closest national parks to Twin Falls. National parks are ranked by closest straight line distance, measured from representative points in Twin Falls, ID Metro Area and each national park. Estimated driving times are from Here and are only available within the lower 48 states. All featured distances and driving times are estimated using representative locations from the center of each metro and national park—for some places within the metro area, the actual distance may be slightly shorter or longer to reach the closest entryway to a park.

Be sure to check with individual parks before you visit to find out about ongoing, pandemic-related safety precautions at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

To see the national parks closest to Twin Falls, go here.

Grand Canyon In Winter "Secret Season"

Above, a bull elk wandering near Trailer Village at the South Rim. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For me, the closest I've been to the Grand Canyon during winter was in the middle of autumn. But one these days, I'll go there during winter.

There's a "secret season" to travel to Grand Canyon National Park in winter.

At least that's according to The Travel.

They wrote:

Imagine looking at an enormous layer cake--300 miles long--alternately bathed in white icing and stunning carrot orange. That's what it's like to visit Arizona's Grand Canyon in winter after a snowfall. It's an experience that everyone should have.

There are other reasons as well to plan a winter trip to this awe-inspiring crevice carved by the Colorado River. For one, hotels are cheaper in down season in Grand Canyon Village and tourists will enjoy cool temperatures (instead of scorching sun). Read on to find out more about visiting the Grand Canyon during the "secret season."

To read more, go here: 

Yellowstone: What To Plan For On Your Family's Trip

Above, an elk cow and her calf in a Yellowstone meadow, photo by Armand Vaquer.

One doesn't have to be a regular reader of this blog to know that during the summer months, Yellowstone National Park is one of the biggest draws for tourists, foreign and domestic.

Anyone who hasn't been there before in their recreational vehicle should do some planning before heading there.

RV.com has posted an article on what to plan for when taking a family vacation to Yellowstone.

They begin it with:

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country. It’s also one of the largest at more than 3,500 square miles. Yellowstone is home to wolves and bears, geysers, and ravines. It’s breathtaking and beautiful—but also untamed and wild. So, before you visit, plan, especially if you plan on visiting with your family. Here are 10 tips for planning your family trip to Yellowstone and how to get the most out of one of the “most” parks in the country.

To read more, go here. 

Grand Teton National Park Essential Ranger Tips

Above, a herd of elk group together in a meadow for safety as a bear was nearby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If a vacation trip this summer includes the state of Wyoming, a visit to Grand Teton National Park should be a part of the itinerary.

It is situated in northwest Wyoming, just below Yellowstone National Park.

If a visit is part of the itinerary, Travel Awaits has "10 essential ranger tips" for visiting the park.

They begin with:

Grand Teton National Park, located in the Rocky Mountains’ Teton Range, has more than 300,000 acres of valleys, mountain meadows, lakes, and rugged mountain peaks – and 200 miles of trails. The park, located in northwest Wyoming south of Yellowstone National Park, is also known for being home to large numbers of bears, elk, bison, mule deer, and pronghorn.

It’s no surprise then that the park is exceptionally popular. Indeed, in 2020, Grand Teton drew 3.3 million visitors — making it the country’s 5th-most-visited national park. Record numbers of people have been visiting the park this year as well. 

Those crowds don’t mean you should forget about visiting Grand Teton, however. In fact, the National Park Service (NPS) recently released its “Top 10 Tips for Visiting Grand Teton National Park” — written by park rangers — to help you plan a memorable vacation even if the park is crowded.

“Grand Teton looks forward to welcoming visitors this summer,” NPS explains. “The 2021 season is BUSY, so make sure to plan ahead, recreate responsibly, and help ensure this iconic landscape may be enjoyed by future generations.”

So let’s get right to it. Here’s what rangers want you to know before you visit Grand Teton National Park.

To read more, go here. 

Melting Snow and Animal Tracks

While putting the trash container on the side of the road for tomorrow's pick up, I noticed a number of different animal tracks in the remaining snow at Barking Spider Acre.

So I took a walk over to take a closer look.

Some were cat and dog tracks (I saw some dogs chasing a cat there the other day). There were some rabbit tracks (we have cottontails and jackrabbits here). Some looked like either deer or elk tracks (we have both in the area). It was hard to tell what they were days old and the melting snow distorted them.

Some photos:

Above, the GOCO Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, remains of snow and Buddy in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a variety of animal tracks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

More Grand Teton Campgrounds Go On Reservation System

Above, a herd of elk gather for safety in a meadow as a bear was spotted nearby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visitors to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming will be able to reserve campsites as the new reservation system is including concession-operated campgrounds in it.

National Parks Traveler reported:

Visitors to Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway in Wyoming will soon be able to reserve campsites in advance at all concession-operated campgrounds. Reservations will go live on Recreation.gov beginning January 26 for the 2021 operating season. All park campgrounds that were first come, first served are moving to this advance reservation system.

The new system responds directly to public requests for a reservation system at park campgrounds, prompting a collaborative effort between the National Park Service, Grand Teton Lodge Company, Signal Mountain Lodge, and Recreation.gov.  Visitors will now have the ability to plan ahead with confidence and know they will have a place to stay and camp when they arrive, improving the visitor experience, and reducing wait times and associated traffic congestion at park campgrounds. The reservation system will streamline the camping process, allowing park visitors to check the availability of sites in real time and receive immediate confirmation.

Visitors wishing to reserve a campsite in the park for the 2021 season at Colter Bay, Gros Ventre, Jenny Lake, Signal Mountain, and Lizard Creek campgrounds will be able to do so by visiting Recreation.gov beginning January 26 at 8 a.m. MST.  On that date, reservations will be available for applicable campgrounds for stays through July 26, 2021, and then on a rolling six-month basis thereafter. Campsite reservations are expected to fill quickly, and visitors are strongly encouraged to plan ahead.

 To read more, go here.

Safely Viewing National Parks Wildlife

Above, a bull elk in Trailer Village at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most of our national parks became such due to their unique geography such as rock formations, volcanic activity, history, plant life and other factors.

The added dividend of each park are seeing the animals who inhabit them. Wildlife comes in all sizes and species. But all should be observed safely for visitors' protection as well as theirs.

Travel Awaits has some tips on safely viewing wildlife in our national parks.

They begin with:

America’s national parks are filled with wonderful wildlife. Bald eagles soar overhead, and prairie dogs burrow underground. Grizzlies lumber through lush green meadows, and herds of bison can cause traffic jams. When encountering one of these amazing creatures, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. But national parks are not petting zoos, and the wildlife is wild. Follow these tips to properly observe the wildlife and keep yourself (and the animals) safe as you share our national parks.

To read more, go here. 

Grand Teton National Park Increasing Special-Use Fees In 2020

Above, elk in a meadow with Jackson Lake and the Grand Tetons in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Grand Teton National Park has announced that special-use permit fees will increase next year.

According to the Post Register:

Grand Teton National Park announced last week that it will be charging more in 2020 for special-use permits on things such as weddings and commercial filming. 

The park said after a review of the special-use permit program and comparing fees collected with operational costs associated with that use, park officials deemed an increase was needed. Operational costs include staff time, maintenance, patrol, monitoring and cleaning associated with a particular special use.

To read more, go here. 

Jackson, Wyoming Town Square

Above, yours truly at the Jackson Town Square. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

The big fight between Philo Beddoe (Clint Eastwood) and Jack Wilson (William Smith) in the 1980 comedy, Any Which Way You Can ended at Jackson, Wyoming's Town Square.

Last week,First Lady Melania Trump paid a visit to Town Square during her visit to Jackson Hole.

Above, another view of Town Square. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last summer, Mitch Geriminsky and I visited Jackson and we both posed for photos under one of the four famous antler arches that are on each corner.

Here's a little history of Town Square from the Jackson Hole Traveler:

The Square's iconic elk antler arches date back to 1953 when local Boy Scouts teamed with the Jackson chapter of Rotary International and a number of community members to erect the very first arch. Three more followed over the next 13 years. The arches feature prominently in untold numbers of vacation photos and even a few Hollywood Westerns. 

The town of Jackson turned 100 in 2014. In typical Wild West fashion, the motivation to incorporate the town in 1914 had a little something to do with a saloon.

Every year, the local Boy Scouts collect antlers that the elk shed between January and April. Many of them are sold at auction to pay for food for the elk in the National Elk Refuge just outside of town.

To read more, go here. 

Why People Keep Trying To Pet Wild Animals?

Above, Yellowstone bison relaxing in a meadow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In recent weeks, I've posted about stupid things some people do while in a national park. One such thing is walking to the mouth of Old Faithful Geyser. Another post was on a Oregon man who went off-roading in a protected area in Crater Lake National Park, damaging rare plant life.

Then, there's stupid people who insist on trying to pet (touch) wild animals.

Condé Nast Travel has posted an article asking, "Who people keep trying to pet animals at Yellowstone National Park?"

Good question!

They start with:

In Yellowstone National Park, bull bison can weigh in at 2,000 pounds and run at 35 mph. Their hooves and horns are lethal, and the animal is so aggressive and dangerous that wolves will only hunt for bison—considered the most difficult prey to kill—in a large pack. 

The park service recommends that visitors stay at least 25 yards away from wild animals like bison and elk, and 100 yards from bears and other carnivores, at all times. Despite this, there have been multiple bison attacks this summer, in Yellowstone and North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park. 

The dangers of human and wild animal contact are well-documented—as is our desire to physcrocically connect with wild animals and capture those encounters for posterity. But for the sake of the wildlife we claim to love, it’s up to humans to hold each other accountable in ending this destructive practice.

To read more, go here. 

Yellowstone Elk Has Learned How To Avoid Wolves and Mountain Lions

Above, elk gathering in a defensive group circle in Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is interesting that the following article appeared in the National Parks Traveler following my trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

It is about how Yellowstone elk have learned how to avoid mountain lions and wolves.

One defense we saw came in Grand Teton National Park. A herd of elk gathered into a giant group circle with their young at the center. A bear was in the vicinity. We watched the gathering of elk from a rise about a half mile away.

The article is an interesting one. It begins with:

Viewed as prey by both wolves and mountain lions, elk in Yellowstone National Park have figured out how best to avoid those predators, according to a new study. 

While the elk aren't always successful, the ability of many elk to dodge the predators on a daily basis explains why elk, mountain lions, and wolves all are "thriving on the Yellowstone landscape," said Dan Stahler, a Yellowstone biologist who participated in the research. 

According to the just-released study, mountain lions prefer to hunt at night in forested areas, whereas wolves usually hunt in the morning and early evening hours on flat, grassy areas of the park's Northern Range.  

"Elk sidestepped both cougars and wolves by selecting for areas outside these high-risk domains, namely forested, rugged areas during daylight when cougars were resting, and grassy, flat areas at night when wolves were snoozing," explained Michel Kohl, the research paper's lead author who now is an assistant professor at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia in Athens.

To read more, go here. 

About Antlers

Above, yours truly at an antler arch in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

For those who are aghast over antlers made into arches, home decorations and other things, having antlers from a deer or elk doesn't mean that they were killed.

From about mid-August to mid-September, deer and elk shed their antlers and people retrieve them for the aforementioned uses. They grow new ones the following spring.

Above, one such use of shed antlers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In fact, in Jackson, Wyoming, the shed antlers are auctioned off after being gathered by the Boy Scouts and other charitable groups. The money raised (around $100,000) goes for feed for elk at the National Elk Preserve near Jackson.

According to our raft trip guide, elk have long since forgotten about migrating to lower areas during winter or unable to due to areas being built up. So the proceeds of the antler auctions go to feeding the elk (and deer).

So, if one is in Jackson, Wyoming and sees something made of antlers, go ahead and buy it and help feed the elk and deer.

Oh, Deer!

We managed to see some deer during the trip up to Jackson, Wyoming.

These were from Grand Teton National Park.

The first is a herd of elk (a species of deer) gathered into a protective circle. Their young are in the center. Whenever a predator (in this case, a bear was seen) is in their vicinity, they gather into a circle.

Above, elk gathering into a protective circle in the meadow in the distance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's a close-up of the elk:

The next photo, a deer buck near a campground's dumpsters.

Above, a deer buck hoping to get a snack at a campground's dumpsters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yellowstone Employee Injured By Cow Elk

Above, elk in Mammoth Hot Springs Village of Yellowstone. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since visitors are beginning to flock to Yellowstone National Park, they should be mindful of the dangers of getting too close to wild animals.

A concessionaire employee was injured by a cow elk today.

KBZK News reported:

A Yellowstone National Park concession employee is recovering Wednesday after she was injured by a cow elk at Mammoth Hot Springs. 

A spokeswoman for Yellowstone National Park, Linda Veress, said the incident took place in the developed area of Mammoth at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. 

The woman was taken to a local hospital by an ambulance, but a park spokesperson declined to comment on her injuries or condition. 

Park officials advise visitors to stay 25 yards away from bison and elk, as elk calves are often bedded near buildings and vehicles.

To read more, go here.