Nebraska Sandhills

I think that I'd be safe in saying that about 98% of Americans probably find no allure in the Nebraska Sandhills. Rolling hills of sand topped by weeds for the most part. Evergreen bushes seem to be just about the only thing that grows well, should it have opportunity to grab foot. In the middle of nowhere there's a line of oaks and cottonwoods giving away any water to be found in the area. As I stated earlier: miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles.

To me the Sandhills are a place of refuge, comfort if you will. Early mornings show dew covered landscapes only to bring back the sheer magnitude of space as the sun slowly rises and the shadows recede to bring the day. Most would think that barren land relates to barren wildlife yet wildlife flourishes at every corner. From Mule and Whitetail Deer to Mountain Lion with the breadth of upland game and waterfowl between, the land slowly comes alive late afternoon. Out of nowhere a hunters paradise.

I've been lucky enough through my contacts to have gained access to a northwestern ranch near the panhandle, 3600 acres of ranch land, shared with few. The landowner, a 78 year old gentleman with Parkinson's and Cancer was more than hospitable and so it was, another hunting trip was born!

If you read between the lines in early posts you'll easily see that I've invited my hunting buddy Rich to join me out west, 3 years in a row now. My plan to take him began while sitting in his basement looking at his mounts on the wall. As with any hunter the trophy sits prominent. I asked him to tell me the story about his mounts and a friendship was formed. It has been no secret between Rich and I that I am out to put him on the biggest buck he's ever shot, defining biggest as in rack size.

We've been to Nebraska twice now, missed one opportunity, noted another before sun up and now look forward to hunting by far the best piece of property for achieving that goal that we've hunted to date. Although I tend to the hunting fires throughout the entire year, this year is different. I am actually giddy about the upcoming opportunity. Not only did I acquire a set of Remington CDL Stainless Fluted Rifles in .270wsm and .300wsm this year I also acquired my first (second and third) Leopold Vari-X3 scope(s). Atop the .300wsm sits a 4.5 x 14-50mm silver Leopold with fine duplex reticles, soon to be sighted in at 200 yards. New Rifle, new Scope, new Land and a new year! Who wouldn't be giddy about that?

With all that I have to smile about for the next 198 days, 18 hours and 35 minutes it came up in conversation that Rich would like to invite someone along with us this fall. At the time that the subject was broached I had lost access to over 2000 acres and was struggling to find land to achieve my ultimate goal, so I just kind of blew it off. Once confirmed that we had gained access to not one ranch but four, the subject was gently brought up again by Rich. Upon going just a little further in our conversation it became clear to me that Rich wanted to bring a long time work partner of his who also has become a new found friend to me.

Being born and bred in the heart of the Husker Nation I'm having a hard time bringing a Mizzou fan out with us but I think I can make it the week without bringing last year's game up, I said: I think!

So, with my long time friend Ben, new found best hunting buddy Rich and our friend Gary in tow this looks to be an exciting week out west. The motel reservations are set, the trip out and back is planned down to the hour I need to leave. The rifle is cleaned and oiled and readied for a trip to the range and the scope is centered and bore sighted to a street light about a half mile away.

Yet another fall season, yet another opportunity and yet another story to soon share with my friends.

Now that's Remington Country!