stanley

Very awesome pics, Doug! A guy who works for me is actually a Hot Air Balloon pilot. He often flies in this event, but didn't make it this year. He flies in 4-6 events per year, and often comes back with some great pics! Thanks for sharing! S.

VERY cool! I loved the 'run & gun' quail hunting too!!!! Thanks for sharing! S.

+1 on bloodydecks...... Check last year's reports if possible to see what is realistic in April. Good luck and take some Dramamine!!! S.

AWESOME!!! Congrats to Josh! There is nothing like hunting with kids! Thanks for sharing with the site! S.

Nice pics, Amanda! Nice to see a few flowers out there, given the slight rain we've had this year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a Spring storm or two to hopefully bolster the Gambel's popoulation this fall..... Again, great pics! Love the pic of the two little ones! S.

Love the pics and write-up, Amanda! Very bummed that I could not be there this year! Such a great bunch of folks. Glad that all the mentors were there to help, and glad that Woody and crew didn't dissapoint! Thanks for sharing! S.

As has been said, it was nice to see some old and new faces at the meeting last night. Unfortunately, I showed-up a bit late for the meal before hand and hence didn't really get a chance to personally meet many folks. I agree with the comments made that the meeting was fairly productive with plenty of room/time for all to voice their opinions. I appreciate the cordial and professional nature of John and the rest of the board. I also appreciated many of the comments from the attendees. Several folks were clearly more prepared than I was to comment, and I think that was a good thing. Unfortunately, I'm not ready to re-embrace the ADA yet. I was very frustrated that the board was not prepared to make an 'official' positional stand on ASZFW. (Those that were there likely heard the frustration in my voice....) While most of the board members expressed individually that they didn't agree with what happened, they were not willing as a group to put out an official statement renouncing their support of AZSFW and the bill. The response was that they wanted to get input from their membership prior to finalizing that position. I thought that was what last night's meeting was for??? In addition, I have a problem with them wanting to get input from their membership prior to renouncing the support, because the fact is they did NOT get input from their membership PRIOR to supporting AZSFW in the first place. Just seemed like a cop-out to me. Finally, I heard Pete C. use the reasoning that 'giving up these 300ish auction/conservation tag' is better than continuing to loose 2000 deer tags per year. As I thought about it on the way home, it smelled like great hypocrisy to me. I was part of the ADA board for a few years, and I continually heard the vibe that the ADA wanted LESS tags issued. So which is it??? Does the ADA want more tags, or less? The other problem I had with last night's meeting was that I felt the general vibe was that the ADA was continually defending the situation through the night. I saw John and Pete continuing to defend the bill/AZSFW. Maybe it was just me, but that was the vibe I was left with. Given the positive posts on last night's meeting, I hope that I am not coming across as a nay-sayer or too negative. Just my personal observations...... I will continue to support hunting through my own pet projects (youth camps, hunter education, trash clean-ups, etc....), but I just don't feel like I can support the ADA financially or otherwise at this point until they officially take a different position on this issue. S.

Pole dance???? Now THAT is funny!!!! :lol: In all seriousness though, I've never really had a problem with the center pole either. Makes for a nice high ceiling in the tent. S. PS: Keep your daughters off the pole, guys!!!

+1 for the Alaknak! I have a 12x12. Love it. Relatively light and easy to pack/haul. SUPER easy to set-up and take down (That is now my kid's job when we camp..... ). The biggest complaint that I've seen/heard on the Alaknak is that it doesn' t breathe like canvas. I experience condensation on cold nights/mornings. FYI...... S.

Plenty of bigotry and hypocrisy on all sides of the political scene, for sure..... If he really threatened his ex-boyfriend, then shame on him. Likely a witch hunt, but who knows.... He seems like he's a good sherriff and public servant though and that's what should count, IMO. S.

Yep, I'm with you! Unfortunately, due to family comittments I could not make it there this year. Last year was a blast though, and I'm sure they had a good time this weekend. I want to see a post with stories & pics!! S.

I'm planning on being there, Allen! I haven't been to an ADA meeting in a couple of years, but this one is VERY important IMO..... Just to be clear, this meeting is specifically to address the bill that was proposed and to clarify ADA's position on the bill & AZSFW, I think. Is that your understanding? S.

VERY cool!!!!! So glad that she had a good hunt! No greater happiness than hunting with the little ones!! Thanks for sharing with the site! S.

I find it interesting that there are some who are "demanding" a position of the ADA.Lance has specified that he has never been a member...and yet he "demands" a position. Really? The process that any organization should follow is to carefully review their policies as well as their support on a continuing basis. I have invited folks to attend our meeting, but instead it appears that we (ADA) have to state our position first and then you "Might" come to our meeting. For the record, the ADA will not be pulling out of the AZSFWC. That group had no dog in the HB2072 fight and it would not be wise to remove ourselves from that group. There are 13 other groups that have not pulled out and some are waiting to hear more before a determination is made. As far as the AZSFW is concerned, that group has done what I consider to be some good solid work on behalf of sportsmen over the years. Your opinion may be different... that is your right. When the board has had an opportunity to listen to all the people who want to speak, and heard the response from the AZSFW, then and only then should we as a board make a decision. The tactics that have been utilized from the select group on the CWT have been more bullying than anything else. Most of the readers have no idea what work the ADA does. I am responding at a request from Amanda regarding the "demands". Show up on Tuesday. make a point and then see where the ADA goes from there. JK So Bryan Waitman, Can you tell us all, does the ADA still support the AZSFW and their lobbyist? I think it would be helpful to know this before the meeting?? Really? Look like a pretty big dog ($6187) to me. Board of Directors on the AZSFWC: President/Chairman - Jim Unmacht Secretary/Treasurer - Alan Hamberlin Director - Eddy Corona Director - Joe Del Re Director - Floyd Green Director - Charlie Kelly Director - John Koleszar Director - Jerry Nelson Director - Mark Nuessle Director - Art Pearce Director - Brian Pinney Director - Shane Stewart Director - Gary Stinson Director - Robert Thomas The AZ Secretary of State keeps records on all political contributions. This is from the Jerry Weiers 2012 political committee. The same Jerry Weiers who proposed HB2072. These contributions totalling over $6000 were all made on December 16, 2011. 3 weeks before this emergency bill was created/made public. Coincidence? Maybe some of these names look familiar? CORONA, EDWARD 12/16/2011 $100.00 DENHAM, CHRISTOPHER 12/16/2011 $250.00 Evenson, Jared 12/16/2011 $424.00 GILSTRAP, HAYS 12/16/2011 $200.00 GREEN, FLOYD 12/16/2011 $400.00 HAMBERLIN, ALAN 12/16/2011 $174.00 HAMBERLIN, DEBORAH 12/16/2011 $424.00 Hamberlin, Ryan 12/16/2011 $424.00 HICKMAN, BILL 12/16/2011 $200.00 HICKMAN, CLINTON 12/16/2011 $200.00 HICKMAN, GLENN 12/16/2011 $200.00 HICKMAN, LISA 12/16/2011 $200.00 HICKMAN SILVA, SHARMAN 12/16/2011 $200.00 HULM, TODD 12/16/2011 $50.00 Katz, Andy 12/16/2011 $424.00 KELLY, CHARLES 12/16/2011 $150.00 KING, RHONDA 12/16/2011 $35.00 KINNEY, DONNA 12/16/2011 $424.00 KOLESZAR, JOHN 12/16/2011 $100.00 MAGURA, JACK 12/16/2011 $410.00 MARVIN, J.W. 12/16/2011 $100.00 Mings, Brian 12/16/2011 $424.00 NELSON, KAREN 12/16/2011 $50.00 Pearce, Arthur 12/16/2011 $424.00 Stinson, L Gary 12/16/2011 $50.00 Thomas, Bob 12/16/2011 $50.00 UNMACHT, JAMES 12/16/2011 $100.00 I removed addresses and occupations $6187 to buy off a politician for millions in tags every year for perpetuity. Quite resourceful! I wonder if they will get their money back, or demand performance? Did you ask for you $100 back? I must say, it looks kind of strange and/or VERY coincedental that all of those parties happened to donate on the exact same day. Maybe that is just the date that the donations were officially recorded, but non the less, it is pretty obvious..... KRP, thanks for posting the pics reminding folks what the ADA does for kids. For anyone who has worked a youth camp, there is really nothing better, IMO..... S.

Wow! Some of you guys have some LONG tenure on me! My grandpa imigrated to the US (legally..... ) from Norway in the early 1900's, and dad migrated from Missouri to AZ after WW2 as a young engineer/geologist. Only a single generation native here, but proud to be raising my kids in the great state of AZ! S.

Thanks for posting the story for Pete, Doug! Nice re-cap of an apparently amazing hunt! What a great buck and what a great smile on Jackson's face!! :) Said it before, and I'll say it again. There is absolutely NOTHING like hunting with kids! S.

Happy B-day AZ, indeed!!! Out of curiosity, who is a native of the state. I am! Proud to say that I'm the native son of an AZ copper miner! (Born and raised in Kearny!) Any other natives out there? S.

Yep, I used it too! Submitted my application for archery elk, and the kids for junior hunts yesterday. I agree that it was pretty easy. Also nice that it auto-fills name/address based on your birthday/hunter-id. I know that for some, the idea of 'on-line apps' a bit controversial but I personally like it very much! Good luck to all!!!!! S.

WOW! Awesome first (or ANY) succesful elk hunt! Backstrap party, indeed!!! Thanks for sharing with the site! S.

I missed this thread when originally posted, but I'll vouch for it now. I lost my soft-case for my Swaro 15X56's while archery hunting in the fall of 2010. (Truth be told, I used the soft case for a 'butt pad' while glassing, then left it on the rock when I walked away..... Pinon/Juniper country and I never was able to find the tree I was sitting next to, so they were lost to the deer hunting gods....) That being said, I went into Outdoorsmans last summer inquiring about a replacement case for my Swaros. I found this one made by Alaska Guide, and bought it. I purchased the Olive color, as opposed to camo. It's been a good case. I was basically looking for a case to provide some cushion/protection for my binos since I lost the original soft case. Seems like a well built 'after market' product, and I've been happy with it. S.

I have the Just One, plus the extra duffle. Awesome for multi-day backpacking. Also have one of the Gunrunners for day use. Both are great. One of the things I like the most is the rifle scabbard. I'm a huge Eberlestock fan. Never had the need to contact them for customer service yet, but counting on it if/when I need it. S.

Is it sold yet? Where do you reside??? S.

That is one of the most AWESOME 'dog' pics that I have ever seen on this site! LOVE IT! I fell in love with Vizsla's many years ago, and hence tend to lean that way. You might have just turned me though..... Thanks for sharing the pic! Trotsky, good luck finding a pup. Looks like you have a couple of good leads! S.

Awesome Amanda! Looks like a good one! As you know, I had a pop-up for several years and the kids & I got some good use out of it! Doug brought-up a good question. You can get a little extra clearance with the axles flipped. Joeeden also brought-up a VERY good point. Those little suckers really chew the tires up! Check your tires regularly, and carry spares! They are pretty cheap to buy, and you will be happier in the long run (especially on long trips) if you have more than a single spare. A few years ago, I found myself with TWO blow-outs/flats on the way home from our annual Utah camping trip. Luckily, the second one happened just outside of Flagstaff so I was able to run into town for a replacement! Finally, I found over time that it was nice to be up off of the ground (with a gas stove inside for warmth!), but storage and 'move around/dressing' space can be limited in a pop-up. When the kids and I would go on long trips, I took to putting-up a 4 man dome tent right next to the pop-up to use as a changing/clothing area. Seemed like with four of us in the trailer (even though it was a large Coleman) it just got really crowded with all of our gear, etc. Either way, I'm sure you two will enjoy it! Best, S.

AWESOME!!!! VERY AWESOME!! Two great lions! That first one is a brute!!! Thanks for sharing! S.