Kevin

None here in Cruces It has been cloudy, cool and humid all day though. Makes me want to get to the hills. Kevin

I really like the GT weight system to tune my arrows. I shoot 58 lbs at 29" with GT 55-75, 125 grain broadhead with 75 grains of brass up front and 20 at the rear. They'll bareshaft perfectly out to 30 yards. Kevin

Adam, Sorry for the delay, I've been out of town. I can't find my Gila map that I keep in my office so I don't have any trail numbers handy. I'll get back to you on that. Jeff pretty well summed it up about the Cliff Dwellings. You can have some great trips from there but its a fair ways to the headwaters from there and it is much more crowded than the headwaters. I would suggest going in either at Willow Creek or Sandy Point. If you want to do a loop start at Willow Creek. You don't want to climb back up to Sandy Point, believe me! If you will have two cars (you mentioned two couples) I'd recommend parking one at Willow Creek and one at Snow Lake. I'd take the trail from Willow Creek to Iron Creek and fish up stream from the trail for Gila trout one day. Then continue through Turkey Feather Pass to the head of the West fork. You can fish up or down the West fork. The you could either climb out of the West fork (I'll get trail numbers) where Turkeyfeather canyon meet the West fork (easier climb) or go down the West fork to the trail that goes out to Lilly Park (brutal climb the first mile). Either way you would cross the mesa between the West and Middle fork and fish back up the Middle fork to Snow Lake. I would recommend at least 3 nights for this trip but it is a great trip for what it seems like you want. Kevin

I've spent some time in the "headwaters". The Gila has 3 forks so your description is to vague to know where your looking at. Any one of the forks are worth backpacking as are the tributaries into the West fork. Give me more of an idea of what you are wanting and I'll help you out if I know the country. Kevin

TAM, your're right, there are two sides of every coin. However, should the Department "pony up" to buy a system to handle two days a year (application deadline and drawing results) where traffic is multitudes higher or should we as the customers figure out that in the 5 years or so the system has been around that it will undoubtably crash on those two days? I'd prefer my tax dollars be spent on something that would be more useful than a two day use. I doubt Amanda, or any other web site manager for that matter, would spend the money it would take to handle an additional 1.5 million hits for two days a year when the server she currently uses handles the other 363 days efficiently. I agree that the G&F could do a lot of things better, and I rarely defend them. However, I'm old school when it comes to placing some responsibility on the user. Afterall, its not a right but, a priveledge to apply for hunts in the first place. Kevin

They have done this nearly everytime since the online application have been available. There were people calling the commisioners because it was unfair. Others couldn't remember their passwords. I agree with you guys, they should stick to their guns and teach folks a lesson. But, as in most of society, G&F is affraid to get sued or to offend someone. Of course the extra application fees they'll get by extending it won't be turned down either. You know what's scarier? Within 2 years all applications will be online. Their system can't handle the rush on the last day now, imagine what it will be like when all applicants have to be done online. Kevin

Well Catclaw, you got your wish. I just got word that the deadline was extended to the 17th at 5:00 so you have another couple weeks. Kevin

Wait until the last minute huh? I know it has been slow today but hadn't heard of anybody having problems for 3 days. I double checked all of my apps Monday with no delays. As far as not extending it, why should they? The online system has been active since January, to me 3 months is plenty of time. Good luck getting them in--just keep trying. Kevin

I don't know Tommy, without pictures it sounds like just another fish story to me Kevin

Looks like we're losing our store. Like a lot of you, I've had a heck of a time for the past 6 months getting anything I was looking for. Stuart Utgaard, the Chairman and CEO of Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings, today announced that the company is taking two major actions to improve liquidity. 1. 23 stores are being liquidated to reduce bank debt. 2. 15 stores are being sold to UFA Co-op. • Aurora, CO • Coon Rapids, MN • DePere, WI • Henderson, NV • Lafayette, IN • Las Cruces, NM • Las Vegas, NV • Legacy, TX • Memphis, TN • Nampa, ID • New Berlin, WI • Oklahoma City, OK • Pittsburgh, PA • Pocatello, ID • Roanoke, VA • Rogers, AR • Round Rock, TX • St. Cloud, MN • Sioux Falls, SD • Southaven, MS • Visalia, CA • Wichita, KS • Woodbury, MN • Bend, OR • Bozeman, MT • Burlington, WA • Coeur d’Alene, ID • Fargo, ND • Federal Way, WA • Helena, MT • Kennewick, WA • Lacey, WA • Missoula, MT • Portland, OR • Salem, OR • Silverdale, WA • Spokane, WA • Vancouver, WA It is hoped that these actions will enable the firm to go forward as a viable entity with approximately 2,300 employees. Sportsman's Warehouse is a leading outdoor retailer of sporting goods headquartered in Midvale, Utah. Kevin

I just wanted to get this out there in case any of you may be interested in becoming a NM Hunter Ed instructor. Most areas of the State are short on instructors so we could use some new volunteers. Kevin ADMINISTRATION & ORIENTATION WORKSHOP New Mexico Depar tment of Game & Fish Hunter Education Program This workshop is required for all new Hunter Education Instructors & will familiarize you with the Program’s Policies, Procedures and Lesson Plans. For current Instructors, this workshop is a great refresher and is highly recommended if you have not had an A&O in a few years. Forms and procedures may have changed since you attended last and this course will keep you updated on the Program. Remember, this workshop counts towards your continuing education hours to maintain your active status. **A registration packet will be mailed to you once you have registered. There is some required reading and a review that must be completed prior to attending the workshop. The reading and review will prepare you for the class session on Saturday.** When: March 7th, 2009 Time: 8am– 5pm, Saturday Where: Las Cruces Game & Fish Office 2715 Northrise Dr. Las Cruces, NM **To register for this workshop call 1-800-228-6643.** This is to ensure enough materials for everyone! Registration Deadline: Wednesday, March 4th

I do my own and your results aren't too far off based on what I got out of mine this year. He was a typical sized (body wise) 3x3. I didn't weigh him before quartering him. I used the "rib roll" method Lance posted and trimmed the meat off the bones from tail to ear butts. My results, 9 2lb packages of wrapped meat and 2.5 lbs of dried jerky. Kevin

No, they are doing fine. Estimates of around 2,800 on WSMR last year, which is closer to what the biological staff want (fewer or none would be fine with most of them). With more they compete with antelope and deer and expand more readily off of WSMR, which G&F don't want. WSMR originally didn't want them expanding to the surrounding mountain ranges because they were unhuntable there due to security issues (Top Secret clearance for many areas in the mountains). There are now "badged hunts" on certain areas in the mountains and other secure areas where some one with security clearance or their hunter can hunt to reduce the population. Kevin

Some really good info provided so far. Jim mentions rain and snow as being determining factors in not waiting on a gut shot and I'll add another weather factor for any shot. Most of us probably realize by paying attention to the clouds that it might rain or snow and adjust our determing factors for making a shot, ie. shorter range than we would typically be confident in or maybe even not hunting at all because of the chances of losing the trail if it does rain. I've been involved twice with trailing an animal that was shot when there was a heavy frost on the ground. The first was a good lung shot and the blood trail was visible from where the shot was taken. We waited about half an hour for the deer to die and began trailing what we anticipated as an easy followup. Problem was, that during our half hour wait, the frost melted off and with it went 99% of the blood trail. We were lucky in the fact that the shot was good and the buck only made it about 100 yards. By following his tracks and finding smears of blood on the unfrosted sides of leaves we found him. The second was a high shot, just under the spine and further foward than it should have been. Although, from my previous experience with the frost, I decided to give the buck some time and backed out. I knew the going would be tough when we started the trail but felt the deer wouldn't cover as much ground if not pressured. We spent several hours on hands and knees to cover less than 100 yards that morning. The ground was rocky and no tracks could be found but in the crevacass of those rocks we were able to find what was left of the blood by spraying peroxide on suspect color. We eventually found the buck bedded and alert but too hurt to get up. A follow up shot finished him on the spot. I still feel if we had pushed on before the frost melted we would have bumped him before he was too sick to flee and we never would have found him. My point is, if in doubt, always wait if weather conditions allow and learn to make informed decisions. Also, don't start on a blood trail with the attitude that you'll never find this animal! Just as important, don't be over confident and miss a detail that might be the difference between success and failure. That includes rushing a trail because you know it was a perfect shot. I think any of us that have bowhunted very long have found an animal at the end of a a trail and was suprised the shot wasn't where we thought it was. Two other points before I hang up. For the best blood trails, always shoot shaving sharp broadheads. I don't care what brand you shoot, mechanical or fixed, make sure they are sharp. Many brands that advertise as being "razor sharp" are far from "hunting sharp" in my opinion. If you shoot heads with replaceable blades, have some on hand to swap out. Wetness and vibration from day to day hunting will take the edge off quickly. Learn to touch up your heads daily while recounting your days experiences to your buddies or in your head before you turn in. Secondly, take a Bowhunter ed class even if you have several years of experience. You probably will learn something new and if not, you can provide insight to less experienced hunters in the group. They will certainly benefit from discussions just like this one. Good topic Coues and Sheep! Kevin

Actually, the upfront money does not apply to oryx and there is not set a set-aside for them, ibex or Bighorn. Kevin

The odds are posted on the NMDG&F website: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/recreation/hunting/index.htm Look on the right side column--available in PDF or xls. Good luck drawing a tag, it's not as bad odds as you think. Kevin

So I Hunt, by "hand full" do you mean big grip or recoil? The recoil isn't much different than my Mod 19 .357. The frame is slightly larger too but my wife shoots it one handed with no problems. Kevin

You are right about being hard to come by. I looked for one for years before I finally settled for a mod 58. Obviously I wanted the 41 but really wish it was stainless. Very nice handgun! Kevin

I began hunting with a recurve 3 years ago after 20 with training wheels. I'm having a blast and killed my first buck with it in September. Kevin

I wanted to share pictures from our family outing this weekend and brag a little on my wife. She had hunted elk twice before unsuccessfully due to terrible weather (blizzards and temps in the single digits), and inexperience on both our parts. Those of you that have introduced kids or adults to hunting know that experience (or the lack thereof) goes a long ways in success. She didn't grow up in a hunting family and only became interested in hunting after we had two daughters. Even though it wasn't mandatory, she completed a hunter ed program and started putting in for hunts. We hunt birds together and practice shooting together while teaching the kids the basics of firearm safety and shooting skills. In the 7 years since she became a hunter she has become a good shot, picked up some tracking and stalking skills and we have enoyed our time together. Fast forward to this years hunt. My wife drew a December offrange oryx tag this year, her first opportunity to hunt them and only the third hunt she has drawn. We had been out a time or two for quick hunts and had not been able to hunt them effectively with the two rugrats trailing behind but decided late Sunday afternoon to give it a shot since the area I like to hunt is less than an hour drive from the house. I have had 2 offrange tags and found an area that oryx frequent and most other hunters tend to avoid. I figured we'd check it out since we only had a few hours before dark and were planning on spending the last week and a half of the hunt hunting since we were both off work. So, a Sunday drive turned into my wifes first successfull hunt! An hour after we left the house we found a fresh set of tracks crossing a road and with kids in tow began tracking what I figured for a bull through the mesquite dunes. Within 200 yards we found where he had been bedded and knew we were right behind him. I asked my wife to be ready for a quick shot because when we found him he may be aware of our presence since it was pretty obvious we had just got him up. We snuck up (as much as you can sneak with a 6 and 9 year old) to a high dune where I peaked over and glassed the bull up 150 yards from us. He was watching his back trail but hadn't seen us yet. All that was visible was his ears and horns so we eased around the dune and tried to get set up on him. In the process he moved out in a typical oryx escape run looking like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. My wife shouldered her rifle and I whistled to try to stop him. I worked as he stopped to check out the noise. BOOM!, without hesitation Kate sqeezed off. I heard the bullet thud but he was off to the races and out of sight amongst the dunes and into the setting sun. We watched, her through her scope and the girls and I with our binoculars, but couldn't see much through the glare. Finally I spotted him about 400 yards out standing on a dune with his head hanging. Shortly he bedded and we snuck in to 30 yards before we could see him. Kate, although completely overtaken with the "fever", finished him off. The caping and pack job lasted late into the night but the kids were troopers and slept in after a long exciting night. He measures 33 1/2" and is going on the wall. I've taken 3 oryx but never with the kids along and this one, by far, made the best memories!

Josh has become part of his business. A turd! Congrats on the buck. Kevin

There be 5888 beans in that there jar! Kevin PS What is the geographic range of the plant? Don't recall running across it anywhere and that flower should sure stick out.

Does anyone on here load for the 41 Mag.? I'm looking for a tried and true load for general purpose ammo out of my Mod 58 S&W. Any insight would be much appreciated. Kevin

On its way... Kevin

Many of you know that the Director of New Mexico Game and Fish was cited and plead guilty to a game violation last fall. Months after a vote of no confidence from the Department he finally has stepped down. Here is an excerpt I recieved from the Department. "Director Thompson announced his resignation today to assume a new position with the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. His resignation will be effective at of the close of business Friday, November 14th. Governor Richardson has appointed former career employee Tod Stevenson to fill the Director’s position." Kevin