FrustratedMonk

What about a demo from Euro Optic? Can save some cash and not worry about getting scammed. https://www.eurooptic.com/nightforce-nx8-4-32x50-f2-250-moa-moar-cf2d-like-new-demo-riflescope-c641

Only drew a sandhill crane tag.

IMG_8277.mov This one horned was a stud. Left side was like a boat oar.

No issues submitting the apps and getting charged for them. But I only received a single email receipt (first one) out of all of my applications that I submitted. Unsure if that is going to be an issue or not (do have them saved as PDFs).

From the regs.... “Edible portions of game meat” means, for: Upland game birds, migratory game birds and wild turkey: breast. Bear, bighorn sheep, bison, deer, elk, javelina, mountain lion, and pronghorn antelope: front quarters, hind quarters, loins (backstraps), neck meat, and tenderloins.

Gil's has been good to us: https://gillsautoserviceaz.com

Just got a charge for $45.

Extended circle of friends, both R and NR, all put in for early rifle southern Coues units with a combination of individual and group apps. All that resulting in a single $45 hit. Thankfully there's Mexico but it sucks having to wait until my January hunt. Poop.

Nada for me even for deer (early season deer on the border). Ugh.

Thought it was rolled up into the "Paws, Claws, and Jaws" raffle.

Few points. First, everyone's eyes are different. Second, I only use spotting scopes for confirmations and not for glassing. Third, take a look at the following link for a spotting scope comparison (take with grain of salt): https://backwoodspursuit.com/best-spotting-scope-for-hunting/ Go with the models with fluorite which includes the 55x, 88x, and 99x; the 77x is non-flourite but is very competitive with alpha glass. I've done a lot of comparing my STX 65 with my Kowa 554 in the field across a variety of terrain in AZ. For half the cost and half the weight of the STX 65, the fluorite in the 554 punches well above its weight. The STX 65 is better but not 100% better 100% all of the time. My STX stays home more now that I have the 554 (just to show how good the fluorite is). I was able to compare my 554 with a guide's older STS 65 on Kodiak. To my eyes the 554 was better all around. According to S&S, Swarovski may have recently updated the lenses in the STS. If I did not already have a STX 65 and 95, I'd be all over the 88x or 99x to compliment my 554. CameraLand has a Shot Show deal right now so it could be a great opportunity to get a Kowa at a lower price point.

Not counting glassing Sasabe nor Arivaca road, I saw five total unique BP vehicles over 8 days being down in 36B. Saw 1-2 helicopters but do not know if they were BP or military (lots of military planes which was nice). Does give the impression that BP has been told to stay away (may not be fair but that is just the impression that I got). Not much migrant crossing (why bother the desert for most of them) but quite a bit of "product" is coming north. Saw multiple groups of vehicles and individuals going north "loaded". Did see lots of fresh sign along well manicured smuggling trails (easier to use than some deer/cattle trails). Crazy but some spots looks like they brought in gardening equipment (ex: trimmers). Some very fresh food and beverage containers as well as the lingering scent of humans. Quite a few recently discarded backpacks and clothing (must have used Tide as the colors were nor faded); didn't rummage through them due to concerns (maybe overblown) of fentanyl. Stay vigilant if going down (like always). Probably best to stay in established campgrounds to reduce the risk of accidentally having north-bound traffic bump into your camp in the middle of the night. EDIT: Bring a wind meter. I forgot mine and blew a wind call. Ugh.

Joking, really put in for 44 turkey tags, or you actually drew bison?

Well I know that 20 BPs did not yield a tag. Will try again next year.

Look at EN ratings. Most manufacturers advertise the Lower Limit and not the Comfort temperature rating. For when it gets cold, you'll want a pad with a high R value. After using "lesser" bags I grabbed a Western Mountaineering Antelope for a hunt in AK. It worked like a charm and has continued to work like a charm. Due to how well my Antelope has done, I did grab a WM MegaLite (mostly for AZ use for temperatures over 30). That bag rocks for a lot of AZ and I've taken it down to the low 20s more than once (always with an Xtherm pad). Their Badger is well regarded as well. Quality bags are costly but consider how often you will use it (nights per year) and how many hours per day while hunting (8+ per day). You get far more use out it (per $ spent) than a rifle, scope, etc where you may only take a single shot for an entire hunt.