5x5 Elk:

Hello,
Last month I finished an elk hunt in the mountains near Park City, Utah with Big Mountain Outfitters.  Here's my elk story:

We were hunting in the mountains across the valley from Park City, Utah, at about 8,000 feet. I used the .300 RCM in stainless/synthetic and a 150 grain Hornady GMX bullet. Both were good choices, given the weather and the size of the animal, and the amount of climbing we did. After 2-1/2 days of climbing up and down mountains, really vigorous climbing, I finally said I was too tired to do it anymore that afternoon – we had climbed up and down for 9-1/2 hours straight that day - and asked where they took their old, out-of-shape clients who like to smoke. None of that described me, but I said I'd be happy to climb again tomorrow, but just not anymore that afternoon; I was exhausted. The guides laughed and my guide took me over to a pasture down at 6,000 feet that the Elk often come to at sunset.

After an hour of waiting and squirming, with another hour + still to wait for sunset and the elk to start moving, both the guide and I decided we probably couldn't sit still much longer. He started calling and bugling, and soon a Boone & Crockett class porcupine wandered in, to within one yard! He got so close I was actually scared of getting stabbed when he finally saw me. But he finally trundled off, and the calling continued and brought a response from a bull elk. A loud response! And we could hear him coming. Within about 10 more minutes of calling, he busted through the pin oaks and came to halt 19 yards from us. He looked right at us and snorted loudly. I had trouble getting an answer out of the guide on whether to shoot him or not, and finally the guide replied that he was only a 5x5. That was good enough for me, and I put one through the boiler room! The guide was hesitant because he really wanted me to have a big 6x6, and we had seen a monster earlier in the day (and about 2,000 feet higher in the mountain!) that he thought would score 350. I was happy though. I like a good, representative animal and I don't need to set any records. Plus, now I have a good reason to come back and try again.

The mountains were spectacular and I felt pretty good about keeping up with the vertical hiking. I learned my "waterproof" gear was not as advertised. But I had enough layers on and we moved hard enough that I never got too cold. Often I was soaked, but couldn't tell whether it was the rain and snow or just from exercise. The guys on the trip with me, and the guides, were all a great group and we had a good time. It was a great hunt.

Best regards,
Mike

Summer Travels:

For this installment of Message from Mike, we asked Mike to provide us with an update of some of his summer travels. Here is a summation of some of those activities:

Retail Promotions
One of the activities I really enjoy is working "Ruger Days" promotions at great retailers. It gives me a chance to meet you and hear your ideas and get feedback about Ruger firearms. And I have a lot of fun selling too, and I always learn a lot, both about Rugers and about other brands. It's all a part of our Voice of the Customer program to hear and understand what you would like from Ruger.

Recently I gave a dinner speech for guests of Larry's Pistol and Pawn in Huntsville, Alabama, and then worked the counters for two days. You can tell I like my work! And look closely; that's Larry with the big smile in the background behind our three LCR customers; I know he was having fun too.

Hunting in Africa
We try to get out and talk to real users of Ruger firearms whenever we can. And we try to experience different kinds of shooting whenever we can, whether it's shooting trap, participating in IDPA competitions, cowboy action shooting, taking advanced classes at the range, hunting, or experiencing any of the other shooting disciplines. I believe it makes us better listeners, when we can start to relate to what you're talking about with your shooting experiences.

Here's a snapshot of the Ruger management team in mid-August, returning from a week of plains game hunting in Africa. Everyone had a great time, and everyone came back with a much better appreciation of this type of hunting, and all the demands it places on a rifle. We met other hunters, and got a lot of feedback from the PHs too (a PH is the acronym for a professional hunter, or licensed hunting guide in Africa).

(From L to R): Kevin Reid, VP and General Counsel; Steve Maynard, VP Engineering; Mike Fifer; Tom Sullivan, VP New Hampshire Operations; Mark Lang, Group VP; Chris Killoy, VP Sales & Marketing

Leopard Hunt in Namibia:

Greetings,
I recently returned from a leopard hunt in Namibia with Corne Kruger of Omujeve Safaris. I used a 300 Ruger Compact Magnum with Hornady's 150 grain GMX bullet. This cat had been eating local cattle and he weighed more than 150 lbs.

We were hunting with hounds and it was really, really exciting. When we found his prints, the hounds started howling and we knew we had a fresh track. The leopard is more than a match for the hounds, but runs from them rather than engage in an unnecessary fight. But when he runs, he tires more quickly than the hounds and eventually has to either fight or climb a tree or go into a cave to get away from them. This leopard chose a tree, and that's were we found him at sunrise. Can you pick out the leopard? Quickly? Before he jumps out of the tree?

We have zoomed in this photo to make it easier to find him, but I had trouble picking him out, and then had to take an 85-yard shot freehand. And you don't want a wounded leopard - they often attack when wounded. That was one of the hardest shots I've ever had to take with all the pressure and excitement. You've only got a couple of seconds to find the leopard, get set up, and then take a shot that has to be as perfect as possible for everyone's safety. And the leopard is looking right at you and growling fiercely - in fact, much louder than the hounds can bark. It really gets your heart pumping!

Keep shooting,
Mike

Introduction:

Dear Ruger Customer,
Here is your chance to participate directly in our Voice of the Customer program. You can use the form to the right to communicate directly with me and let me know what ideas you have for new products and improvements at Ruger. I promise I will read every email sent to me this way. I get so many, however, that I cannot answer them or I wouldn’t get anything else done. But I have read every one so far and I really appreciate hearing from you. I share them with other people at Ruger too; we have received many good ideas - frankly more than we can engineer in a lifetime - and we want to keep them coming. We’re listening to you, and we’ll use your best ideas.

Thanks for your support,
Mike