CouesWhitetail

Guys, the area is open to lion hunters and no you don't have to stay on trails. If you have your legal lion hunting permits and you are actively hunting, then you are exempt from the closure. This information is directly from AGFD and they have cleared it with the USFS. There is an exemption clause in that closure and your lion hunting permit allows you to be exempt. If you read that link that Lance posted you can find the exemption paragraph. I posted it in another thread as well. If you want to try and go kill a lion you may spot and stalk or call. Maybe try on Sutherland Ridge.

I would love if some sportsmen could go in there and take a toll on the lions! The sheep obviously need our help!

Love it!

Excellent!

Very cool...I always enjoy the artistry that shows in your mounts and backgrounds.

fyi, the boundary of the Pusch Ridge Restricted Hunt Area is found in the fall hunt regs on page 63, note 31. So this is the area where you can't use dogs, but you can use dogs to hunt lions outside this area. And as we all know, lions roam widely so you might just get lucky and get a lion outside that area that still is one which hunts those sheep. cut and paste of the boundary where you can't use dogs (but you can hunt lions without dogs): The Pusch Ridge Hunt Area in Unit 33 is closed to hunting with the aid of dogs. Pusch Ridge Hunt Area in Unit 33 - That portion of Unit 33 beginning at the junction of Forest Trail 98 (Ventana Trail) within Ventana Canyon and the Pusch Ridge Wilderness boundary; westerly then northerly along the Pusch Ridge Wilderness boundary to Forest Trail 6 (Sutherland Trail) at Cargodera Canyon; easterly along Forest Trail 6 (Sutherland Trail) following the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Boundary to Forest Trail 5 (Mt Lemon Trail); southwesterly along Forest Trail 5 (Mt Lemon Trail) to Forest Trail 24 (West Fork Sabino Trail); southeasterly along Forest Trail 24 (West Fork Sabino Trail) to Forest Trail 26 (Cathedral Rock Trail); southwesterly along Forest Trail 26 (Cathedral Rock Trail) to Forest Trail 25 (Esperero Trail); west along Forest Trail 25 (Esperero Trail) to Forest Trail 98 (Ventana Trail) at Ventana Canyon; southeasterly along Forest Trail 98 (Ventana Trail) to the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Boundary.

I actually got some more info about this from AGFD and it turns out that if you have a valid lion hunting permit and are actively hunting, you can go in there and hunt for lions. You can't use dogs, but you could go in there and call for lions or spot and stalk. There is a clause at the end of that page that Lance linked to that allows for exemptions. "Persons exempt from this order include any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty or persons with a permit to authorize the prohibited activity." I bolded the part that allows a hunter with legal permits to go in there and hunt. Again, you can't use dogs in Pusch Ridge Restrictive Hunt Area, but you can go kill lions in there to help the sheep out.

Well, here is a new update on Jim's progress.... Unfortunately the new valve they put in his heart has been leaking and they have to go back in and fix it. He is scheduled for surgery early tomorrow morning. Although he barely made it through the first surgery, they believe that he will not have as much trouble with the 2nd surgery. They will have extra pulmonary and kidney specialists on hand tomorrow to make sure they catch any problems before they become too large. The leaking valve is something they have to fix and they feel he has gotten as strong as he can with this leak going on, so now is the time. Please pray for Jim and his wife as they go through this difficult time!

Very tempting....i am looking for a new jeep But I need good mileage and that probably suffers with all those upgrades....I will probably give you a call though....

Congratulations on your javelina!

I was still giving people time to look over the list to make sure I got all their entries in. Did you and Kathi look it over? Do I have all your entries? The link is in my post just before your latest.

Video works fine Patrick.

Woo-hoo! We will be looking forward to the hunt story

I am glad to see so many men here that are taking their daughters and wife hunting/fishing with them and really enjoying it! One of the things that amazed me when I first started the Women's Javelina Camp four years ago was the number of older ladies that wanted to go hunting (older = >60 years old). When they came to the camp they said they were never invited to go hunting when they were younger or even worse told they were not welcome. So these older ladies were so excited to have a welcoming environment at the women's camp where they could come learn to hunt. The very first lady that killed a javelina at our first camp was one of the older ladies and she told me it was on her bucket list of things to do before she died. How great that we could make her dream come true. In recent times I think it's become more acceptable for women to get out there and hunt. I think our younger generation is enjoying this change in attitude. It's a refreshing thing to see anyone following their passion, whether it's boys or girls. Thanks to all of you who are helping develop passions for the outdoors!

Way to go AZ Ground Pounders and Sam Rose! Nice work!

Congratulations on your archery kill! Glad you didn't have to shoot any of the others that were charging you! Oh and nice tshirt and stickers!

Congratulations Noah!! way to stick with it. 10 yard shot with a 300WSM...wow!

We will be praying for your family.

nice finds! good luck with the cat hunting.

Welcome!

I am curious if anyone attended the recent sportmens open forum to express your opinions to the dept? How did the meeting go?

nice pics!

Nice sheds and interesting side drama! Glad you had fun with the phone call!

Looks great!

Hope the Dr apt goes well TJ and she feels better soon!