Kevin

Derek, You are one bad *ss! Congrats on a great deer and more importantally for involving your little bro. Good luck on his ibex hunt, he's got a great guide/mentor(s). Kevin

Yesterday the New Mexico Game and Fish Commission pulled out of the agreement to support the wolf reintroduction program! Kevin Commission suspends Mexican Wolf Reintroduction program By Reyes Mata III/rmata@lcsun-news.com Posted: 06/10/2011 03:49:13 AM MDT LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico State Game Commission voted unanimously today to suspend the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction program in the state. "I would like to suspend it for a while, lets see how it lays out," said Commissioner Thomas "Dick" Salopek. "Both sides have been unhappy about the wolf recovery program. We have been keeping peace between all people. So, you know what, if both sides are unhappy, then let's suspend it and let the federal government do it. I am frustrated at both sides, especially with the federal government." The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department - following the requirements of the federal Endangered Species Act - looks for partners throughout the state to protect endangered species, like the Mexican wolf. The New Mexico State Game Commission has been a partner to protect the Mexican wolf since 1999. Today's regular meeting, which for the first time this year was in Las Cruces, sought to gather public opinion to help guide the state's wolf protection policy. About 50 Mexican wolves are spread over New Mexico and Arizona. Dan Williams, public information officer for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish - a partner in coordinating the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Program - said it was a "balanced" public comment session. "But we will no longer be participating in the Mexican Wolf reintroduction program," he said. "It's an argument that's been going on since 1999." June 30 will be last day the New Mexico Game and Fish Department participates in the program, he said. The sentiment expressed at the meeting was passionate. "Hunting is under fire from every front," said Tom Klunker, director of the Southwest New Mexico Outfitters. He said the federal Endangered Species Act was used as a way to further a hidden agenda. "It's not about the endangered wolf, or the spotted owl," he said. Environmentalists "use that, very successfully, as a tool to remove humans from the land. They view the wilderness as something aesthetic, like a utopian playground. They want humans out of those areas." Michael J. Robinson, a conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, bristled at that characterization. "That's paranoid ranting," he said. "Animals, like the Mexican wolf, that are on the brink of extinction play an important role in the balance of nature. New Mexicans - both urban and rural - support the recovery of this beautiful, intelligent and social animal. These animals have been gravely persecuted." Carol Fugagli, of Cliff, N.M., said she and her son were recently camping in the Gila Hot Springs when they "heard the mysterious and beautiful" howl of a wolf. "I instantly got chills of excitement and was stunned and filled with the beauty of the sound," she said. "Unfortunately I have not heard the wolf cry again, but I don't want this to be a distant memory for my son. I want him to grow in an environment where there is a full spectrum of biological diversity so he can share similar experiences with his children. "I feel (the wolves) are a highly valued and needed element (of nature). My family does not feel that wolves are a threat to our safety in any way. I don't think humans can pick and choose which animals should or should not be in the wilderness." Reyes Mata III can be reached at (575) 541-5452. http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_18242175?source=most_viewed

Thanks for the input fellers. Kevin

My family is in the market for a fifth wheel trailer. I don't know much about them and am looking for imput from those of you that have them. We have decided that we want a bunkhouse model and from there we're open to suggestions. Are there any specific brands or models to stay away from? Problems you've had with yours? I'd like to stay around 30 ft but would go to 34 if the right deal comes along. Is 34ft to long for mountain roads? Also, do you have a preference for hitches? How important is a swivel and tilt hitch? Any suggestions any of you may have is appreciated! I'll add that I drive a 2006 F350 longbed crewcab with the 6.0 powerstroke and automatic tranny. Kevin

Way to stick with it Derek! Good job on helping your little bro out. He'll remember the time you spend together forever! Kevin

Anyone going to take your kids out this weekend for the youth turkey hunt? We've got county 4H shooting contest in the morning, but will head out asap following that! Should be a windy weekend but were going anyway. Has anybody been out and know if they are gobbling much? Kevin

Trotsky, You can apply with a non-resident; however, you as a resident will be placed in the 10% cap (assuming you or your partner is not a registered outfitter)alloted to non-guided non residents. It really hurts your chances of drawing and doesn't help his. Sometimes its worth it to hunt with a buddy or relative, but it may take several attempts, especially in hard to draw units, to finally draw. Hopefully that helps clarify things for you. Kevin

Scott, 12 degrees huh? If it was like here in Cruces you didn't get much higher than that. We topped out at 16 today. It is currently 2 degrees! Never seen it this cold here. Hope I'm not plumbing this weekend Kevin

I hadn't hunted the January hunt in several years, simply to be honest; I just don't enjoy freezing my tail off anymore. However, it was my hunting partners turn this year to pick our hunt choices and due to being the parent he is, only could fit the January hunts into his families schedule (he has his priorities straight!). As the hunt approached, I found myself dealing with very little time to practice with my recurve due to taking on a different role at work. Increased workload, out of state travel, etc had just not allowed me the time it takes for me to feel confident. To top it off, I developed a severe case of target panic about the first of December. I went from mildly proficient and low confidence to looking for arrows in the orchard behind my target and knew I wouldn't hunt with my Widow. I decided my camera would be my weapon of choice. My brother, BowDoctor, would have none of it. He offered up his sons wheeled contraption, a PSE Dream Season. Although I’d shot and hunted with a compound for many years, I'd never even had a release on my hand until he set me up. With all the new fangled stuff, I still had target panic. However, he had a fix for that he said. Now, if you've ever dealt with target panic you know it usually isn't an overnight fix. He handed me a SCAT JS caliper release that works backward to most caliper releases apparently. You hold the trigger down while drawing and release the trigger to shoot. Thing is, you can adjust it from 0-6 seconds from the time you release the trigger until the actual release of the string. It makes you focus on the target and maintain arm and back tension that is so important to a clean release. Believe me; if you start to drop your arm or creep on the release it will get your attention! I highly recommend it for a training tool; just make sure your dental insurance is good and up to date! I alternated between the SCAT JS and the regular caliper release for the next 3 weeks while shooting and by the time the season rolled around felt confident at short range. Now I know the fact that I completely changed bows, style etc. will rub some of you the wrong way. However, I’ve shot a bow, of some sort, for over 30 years and can honestly say I felt confident in both my ability with the release and compound as well as my decision making if a shot presented itself. I’ve passed up a lot of shots over the years and knew I would again if things weren’t right at the moment of truth. I missed the first 4 days of the season due to other commitments and it turned out to be a good thing, although not being hunting was killing me. It was the first day of a deer hunt I’d ever missed, but it allowed me to practice several times a day since I was already on vacation and I missed the biggest part of the snowstorm that hit southern NM just before the hunt started. My partner hunted daily and was into several good bucks every day so when I arrived he had a good plan. My first day started with a bang! A mile from the truck and almost to our glassing spot a small fork horn presented himself at 40 yards. Too small for Boone and out of my range. In total we saw 7 bucks that day, two that were really good ones but were in an area with 5” of crusted over snow that we couldn’t stalk in. It was a wonderful day glassing and watching the rut in full swing. Day two started out even quicker than day one. Another small buck stood up 25 yards from me as we were walking in. About my max distance, but quartered towards me. I was able to draw and he turned, but “it” just wasn’t there. I let him go. An hour later we witnessed the rut in a way I’ve never seen. Six mature bucks and a couple of small ones with four does that apparently just weren’t quite in the mood. For an hour and a half we watched as the small bucks pestered the does and the big buck chased them off, at a mere 70 yards. 70 yards of open snow covered ground, frozen stiff by 0 degree temps and absolutely no way to close in on so many eyes. As we wondered why the bigger bucks really showed no interest in the does, a buck close to 180” came into view. Within minutes he had bred a doe and began running the other bucks off. I watched where the other bucks went and tried to move in on them with no luck. However, I knew where they went and that I hadn’t spooked them. Day three found two trucks in the area we had been parking so we drove to another area a few miles up the road. We hiked in to another glassing spot and found no deer. Boone decided to hunt back to the truck and pick me up at our original parking spot at dark. I still hunted for the rest of the morning and eventually wound up in the area I’d watched the bucks from the day before bed. The wind was blowing stiffly in my face and I very slowly wound my way around patches of snow and trees. At 30 yards a doe materialized, then several more. They knew something was up but hadn’t figured me out yet. Then, one of the mature bucks from the day before came in sight. I had already nocked an arrow but was fumbling miserably with the string loop and the release. The deer began moving towards me, helping to settle my nerves . The buck passed a mahogany bush and I got drawn. Close enough, broad side and no knowledge of my presence—the shot was off. The buck bounded away from the does and I knelt down to prevent myself from falling down. I replayed the shot through my head knowing I hit higher than I’d intended, but how much I didn’t know. After 30 minutes I crept to the arrow only to find it clean as a whistle! No blood what so ever was visible. I was sure I’d hit the buck! I got in my pack and got the spray bottle of peroxide I use for such occasions out only to find it frozen solid! Dang January hunts! I smelled the arrow, nothing. I followed the tracks to where the buck was when I shot and found a small amount of hair on the snow—hair still attached to skin. The hair was long and dark and I knew I’d skipped it off his back. I began tracking the buck to double check that I’d not drawn blood when I heard a grunt from the direction I’d been going. I knelt down to see under the trees and at 50 yards the buck was nose on the ground coming my way. He had lost his does and was trying to find them again. I double checked with my binoculars that the kicker was there, yes same buck, still coming my way. I hooked up and drew while he went behind a juniper. Still grunting he turned straight to me at what I guessed 40 yards and kept coming. As he rounded another bush he turned broad side, I settled the pin and watched as the arrow knocked him off his feet. He bolted after regaining his feet only to plow through a tree, crashing off the side of the hill. Composure completely gone, I turned on my GPS and phone. I was sure of the hit this time and after a few minutes called Boone to let him know I’d be a while. The deer was somewhere between me and the truck and I wanted him not to come in for fear of spooking the deer. A half our later, I picked up a pink, frothy blood soaked arrow and began the trail. It was what mortally wounded animals do, straight line, easy to follow and short. My buck lay still and in a sunlit patch of snow, just like a pot of gold! I texted Boone a picture and location. While waiting for his arrival, I reflected on what had transpired. Without the encouragement of Boone and my brother I would have burned this tag, something I abhor anyone doing. Without the graciousness of my nephew loaning me his equipment, my camera would have been used more and I undoubtedly would still have enjoyed my time afield with Boone. Without my brothers professional coaching I couldn’t have done it. Without the most understanding and wonderful wife and daughters, I couldn’t spend the time I do in the field. Without a rut crazed buck, ignoring his safety for a once a year fling, I’d of not drawn on another buck this year. It’s just not in me to shoot another deer, even if the wound wasn’t fatal. I regret not being more prepared and practiced, something else I abhor. I will commit myself, I promise that. As Boone put it, "all's well that ends well". I guess. Thanks to a friend of Boones training for the Bataan Death March Commemorative marathon and his willingness to help out, we packed my buck the 2 miles to the truck in one trip. David B, you’re the man! Now for what you've all been waiting for:

Tyler, I'm assuming you checked the breaker that feeds the machine? Does the welder itself have a fuse? Not much help I'm sure but they are pretty simple machines. Good luck. Kevin

Amanda, I'm not an expert by any means, but the summer sausage I have made was with a Hi-Mountain kit from Cabela's. It uses a cure and comes with spices. It works well but is a little bland for my taste. I made six pounds of summer sausage out ot the muley I killed earlier in the month and added some spices (white pepper, garlic salt, etc) and jalapeno and cheese to some of it (hoping it would be hot enough to keep the kids out of and it turned out great (and the kids love it too ) I smoke with a very large homeade smoker that I've modified for low temps for 6 hours (internal temp of 156F) and I'm very proud of the sausage. I intend to explore some other recipes in the future but this one is easy to use and turns out great. Kevin

Just a heads up for any youths that intend to take New Mexico Hunter Education this year: 1. All students must sign up for a CIN number through the Game and Fish Website prior to registration for a class. http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ This is a simple process that you would have to complete prior to appying for a NM hunt anyway. 2. All class registration occurs online; no more waiting in line to register. Once you have a CIN, you can register for a class in any County at your convenience. 3. My team will have classes at the Las Cruces Game and Fish office on the following dates: February 5th and 6th Feburary 26th and 27th March 19th and 20th 4. Other Dona Ana County teams will hold classes March 4,5 and 6th and March 10, 11, and 12th. 5. Other classes will occur when volunteer instructors are available. 6. All of these classes will occur in time for you to recieve your Hunter Ed number for the 2011 application deadline. 7. For classes in other counties, please see the NMG&F website Hunter Ed webpage for dates and times. If you have any questions contact me through this website. Kevin

TJ, That looks like a blast. I haven't caught a bluegill in years. Very tasty little critters. Kevin

Ah, yeah--packin a Muley out will help to want to make you hunt coues again Congrats on a fine buck! Kevin

Jeff, I hear you, some jobs just make it nearly impossible. With an unpredictable schedule like you have it would be pretty hard to commit time to the class. I spent almost 100 nights away from my family last year due primarily to work and then several to hunts. It is something folks have to commit to, just as the fellows that teach in Silver. The average age of that team is well over your age and mine added together Sadly, there is several people in the Silver are that are certified to teach the classes, but haven't had a class this year. I'll not name names! If you decide you have time to commit to the program let me know. I'd be happy to show you the ropes. Kevin

Great buck! Kevin

Jeff, thanks! I enjoy teaching the classes and you are right, there is always more demand than available instructors. My team usually teaches 4-6 classes a year with 40 students per class. That's about all the time we can come up with. I would encourage anyone that can, to become certified instructors and help out. Kevin

Happy Birthday Doug. Hope you have many more and continue to help make this site what it is! Kevin

Good eatin' right there! Kevin

Thanks everyone. Jeff, Boone killed a little buck Sunday morning, he's on call this week so Sunday was it for him. Kevin

I hunted the nanny hunt 3 years ago with a rifle myself and went with my hunting partner on this years nanny hunt. I killed a very small nanny and my partner never had a shot under 400 yards. They are difficult to get close to, especially on certain parts of the mountain. We chose to hunt the more open, less treacherous parts of the mountain to avoid hunting pressure. This area is not terribly condusive to bow hunting, although you might ambush them if you're patient and know their travel habits. What Jamaro says about the mountain is true. I've hunted the east side of the Chiricahua's (if your familaiar with them) for many years and only the Cave creek portion of them rival the Floridas. It's steep, and covered with loose rock. The bluffs, cliffs and outcroppings are "rotten", as in just when you think you have a good hand or foot hold it will give way. I would say 75% of the mountain is inaccessible to your everyday, run of the mill hunter. There is a road (4 wheeler trail) to the top in the center of the mountain but the goats move out of the area soon after the first few rifle shots. The bow hunt follows the rifle seasons so the goats are still pretty spooky. The little Floridas are alot easier to hunt, has a road to the top and gets 80% of the hunting pressure. They are unbelievable animals to watch. I would venture to say that their natural defences are as good, if not better, than anything you've ever hunted. Hunting them with a bow is a tremendous challenge. That said, I've got a friend that has killed two in the last two years with his bow. He is in unbelievable shape, a great hunter and doesn't know the meaning of the word can't. Both of his kills have been under 35 yards and required ropes to recover his goats. PM me if you would like to visit on the phone about it someday. It truly is an adventure and not impossible to do. The draw odds are not bad for the archery hunt which has been expanded to two hunts with 100 tags each next year. Kevin

Scottyboy, Here in NM certain forests allow rock gathering with a permit. Check with the forest. Don't know about state lands. Kevin

Ryan, I had the same dilema this weekend with my 11 year old daughter. We spent several hours sitting a tank that we could glass from. We had some activity with deer and turkeys that helped break up the day, but we also played hangman and tic tac toe in the dirt (she kicked my butt, by the way). I think you be suprised at how well your son will do. Kevin

I've always loved this site and the people on it, even more now seeing the responses to this post! Catfish, I feel for you, I really do, but your Dad did what is best for you. Like Gilaarcher, I was unable to take my oldest daughter out of school for her hunt this week. She had the grades, but lacked the dicipline I expect of her. We were unsuccessful in killing a deer over the weekend but I'd bet the farm next year we'll be hunting the last day of her hunt (today is the last day of her hunt this year and she is in school). Study hard and get your grades up. Kevin

Hey you all, get off his back, it took him four years of me raggin' on him to finally join the site Here is a little more of the story, and eventually Rae's pics. My daughter Julia was one of the other hunters and while we were unable to connect on a buck on her first deer hunt, we enjoyed our time together! We saw several coues bucks, though all of them were spikes. The bigger bucks we had seen while scouting were no where to be found. Julia and I spent the first morning sitting a tank 20 miles from Raelyn, where J and I were able to glass several ridges and watch the tank. It was productive in the sense of seeing critters, but none were legal bucks. Here is a pic of two gobblers that joined one of the spikes and his mom and sister? This buck put on quite a show. He ran the turkeys off like a cutting horse on a calf. Then he chased the does around in circles for 15 minutes. Julia finally couldn't help but laugh out loud and sent the deer to the next county. At 2:00 pm we couldn't take sitting any more so we swapped with one of the other girls and her dad. J and I climbed out to still hunt our way back to the atvs and Mike and Kelsey moved to the tank. When they walked up to the tank a lion and her two cubs were getting a drink! Needles to say the afternoon was unsuccesful in filling a deer tag at the tank. The rest of the weekend went much like the first morning for us. Spikes and does, no legal bucks. We enjoyed teaching our young daughters a little about hunting, some about coues deer and hopefully some about life. Chef, all of these girls can shoot, especially the two older ones. They compete in our local 4H shooting sports club that Bowdoc leads. Whether its rifle, shotgun or muzzleloaders, these girls can flat out shoot. More importantly, they are safe! Here are Raelyn's pictures ] Rae and her 2nd coues buck. Rae and her proud Dad Three generations of deer hunters. Kevin