crotalus

Outstanding! Thank you for sharing

+1 on the spider shedding its exoskeleton. Looks like maybe a wolf spider exoskeleton shed

dpr64, how about trying a mule deer hunt in 30B? Area around Tombstone airport and San Pedro river have some populations of mixed species just have to work the tall creosote n cat-claw brush. Nothing real harsh in terms of climbing. Only real issue is limited access but if you ask politely most private land owners would be happy to grant access. Good luck to you this fall. Ernest

Barnes 110gr TTSX, outstanding down range weight retention and awesome groupings from 100yd all the way out to 300+ every time. Hornady Superformance 130 gr SST and Federal Fusion have worked well but it boils down to what your rifle likes to throw down range. Every rifle has its favorite so it's best to determine what that load is. Happy shooting Ernest

Thanks Casey! Nice meeting ya. Hope you score on the elk hunt

Nice finds all the way around, but what's the story with the human skull? Halloween prop vs ancestral Puebloan, can't leave us hanging

Congrats and a very special blessing to you and your new family! So glad to hear such good news

Outstanding, but I have a question on those decorative petroglyphs. Did you make those or have them made. Those are really nice reproductions. Ernest

Holy cow! I was wondering what happen to ya, but I see God has it all under control. Congrats to you both made my evening Jim. Blessing on your new family. Ernest

Sorry to hear about your snake problem. I agree with getting rid of the pack rats and such. If you are feeding the wild birds stop that as well, the seeds and grain attracts squirrels and rats not to mention birds of all type are on the menu for rattlesnakes. As for the chickens, feed them in an enclosed feeder try not to let the feed spread around as well. Stop water sources for any critters except the chickens. Get small gauge wire fencing, e.g., rabbit fence, to block off any holes in the walls around your property. Try not to walk around in the morning and evening hrs when the snakes are most probably active. And finally always wear shoes outside and never move outside in the dark without a light. Remember it is pure myth that rattlesnakes rattle when they are about to strike, they do what ever they want as you have found out, stay safe. Ernest

+1 for Antmo23's and JLW's advice. Can't stress enough that a through cleaning and prep is your best friend. During your cleaning check out the internal organs and basic appearance of your game. If it looks or acted sick don't eat it, period. Here's a really nice link for basic internal pathology of sick rabbit organs: http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/DiseaseInfo/disease-images.php?name=rabbit-hemorrhagic-disease&lang=en A healthy liver is clean, glass like shine no spots and not one ounce of paleness or scaring. Any animal with internal organ that appears like the pictures on the linked page I would not even consider eating. Also, wear gloves when cleaning wild game it's your best beat to remain disease free secondary to proper hygiene of course.

I have done my own skulls and believe me dermestids are probably the best way to go, with some fore warning though. I know CMC and General do some awesome work and have some awesome set ups(I have personally seen General's colonies and it is both impressive and time consuming), you won't go wrong getting advise from them. Maceration works but is nasty and does take some time. It can't hurt to try just be ready for some serious work. At a pizza joint here in Tucson there is a sign that says "great pizza takes time, please be patient...", I feel the same goes for doing your own skulls. Practice makes perfect and it's a lot of hard work. If you have any luck your beetles will survive to maturity and turn into adults; then you can have even more beetles... beware of the stink though. Ernest

Outstanding Jim! Nice pix as usual and one healthy looking "monster" to boot. Thanks for sharing, always lucking out with the reptiles again!

No and No, to both questions from Big Tub... but my great-grandmother used to make some awesome hand cream from deer fat and sulphur. One thousand times better than "corn huskers" or triple antibiotic oinment.

Sergio, it was really nice meeting you brother. I didn't put two and two together until I saw your pictures on your phone, LOL. You've got the dream "job" bro. Many blessings your way and may the Lord comfort you in a special way. Thanx for sharing, I'm still in awe of the sheep. Ernest aka Crotalus

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. Great memories can never be taken away. I love the Chiri's and it pains me to see the HS2 and Wallow fires swallow up huge acres of forest. With Turkey Creek taking a hit, along with Rustler's plus Rucker Canyon gone, it's going to be long sad summer.

Pine Donkey, I can't even begin to try to express how sad and angry this makes me feel. I'm sorry your family and the White Mountains have to be put through this again. I have so many great family memories and hunts in all of the area that is being burnt. We've been going up there several times a year since I was five years old, but never was blessed to get a cabin up there...May God protect you,your family and everyone up there. Ernest

+1 for the skulls, really nice work. Thanx again. Ernest

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That is definately a Black-tailed rattlesnake aka Crotalus molossus and a rather large one to boot. One thing to remember is that all snake skins carry a significant amount of skin stretch when taken off the carcass, having a picture like the atrox next to the backpack is a plus. Arizona Black rattlesnakes are Crotalus cerberus and possibly a subspecies of Crotalus oreganus or Western Rattlesnake, depending on who you talk to. Timber rattlesnakes aka Crotalus horridus does not have a subspecies and found only in the eastern USA. Here's a great website for Arizona's herpetofauna: http://www.reptilesofaz.org/ Thanx for sharing your pix they're nice. Ernest

Congrats on the lion! What was that you ate... please not one of his "nads" . LOL! I apreciate your candor and thanx for sharing your hunt. Ernest

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Holy smokes that guy is huge, lol. Good one, got me. BTW, the Sonoran Desert Toad aka Bufo alvarius can pack a mean punch. Its parotoid glands behind the head and on its legs excrete two highly toxic venoms. One is a potent hallucinogen and the other a very active cardio-toxin/hallucinogen. Believe it or not some "psychonauts" actually extract the venom for their let's say "entertainment". They are voracious and will try to eat anything in front of it, I caught one last summer that I swear weighed in at a cool pound or two. Really cool critters. Can be very deadly to dogs and any other being willing to mess with it. Short link with some more info on this beast: http://www.cfa.arizona.edu/herp/BUAL.html

That's nice, how do you process it. I especially like the color on the teeth. Ernest

Jim, outstanding as usual. Thanx for sharing your coveted knowledge and skills.