Dick

You guys know that I didn't shoot, I just hang around and sell shirts and BS! But I will say this, the major complaint was the wind but everyone agreed that it was better than the snow at Sunrise last year! Desert Archers has had the Rumble in the Rocks several times before but around 60 competitive shooters was normal plus their non-competitive, so taking into account the fact that last weekend they had 211 competitive shooters we have to give them a huge compliment on what they put together. Not only was the shoot great but the opportunity to just hang out, camp, eat and have a beer or two together, without ever leaving the shoot site was awesome! I have some great photos of shooters on course #1 that I will post later! If you weren't there, you'll see what you missed! The folks at the Triple T did a heck of a job with breakfast, lunch and steak dinners! They hope we are back there next year and so does the ABA! Thanks to everyone for your great support. REMEMBER: The third leg is May 2-3, Sponsored by the Apache Bowhunters in Globe. Hope to see you all there! There will be a printable mail in registration form on the ABA website ASAP! Dick

Drew 7E Bull and 18B Antelope!

I'm ready for all three! Ironic as this sounds, I signed up for Social Security about 9 this morning. Got through to Game and Fish about 10 this morning and found that I had drawn Bull Elk and Antelope! This will be one of those days I will remember for the rest of my life for sure. God is AWESOME!

In a way it isn't funny because of the loss of property but on the other hand, it is hilarious reading! I lost a fifth wheeler to a fire a few years back on my way Javelina hunting, burned to the frame right there on I-10. I caught it soon enough that I was able to get inside, close my eyes, hold my breath and start throwing things out the door. Which was all my hunting clothes, my bow and arrows, binos,tripod and video camera. My wife joins me on most of my hunts, I told her I got all the important stuff but her clothes and make up were still in there! When the DPS and Fire Department showed I was video taping the fire, DPS was a little surprised at that but there wasn't any thing else to do. Next day I had to take my wife shopping first thing, then I killed a pig that afternoon and we came back to Phoenix. One of our more memorable hunting trips but I don't want another one like it!

tjhunt2, Sent you a PM. Dick

This is why your photo caught my interest. These are Arizona Walleye. My wife and I love to fish these guys and eating is the best!

For a link to the ON-LINE REGISTRATION

Okay Bill, you got my interest up? Is this a desert lake in Arizona or New Mexico? We may have something in common. Dick

Hey Nathan, Congratulations, a dream come true for sure. Thanks for sharing it on the ABA site also. Dick

To the best of my knowledge, we only had one person shoot them in the 1st leg. There were no issues that we are aware of. The IBO nor ASA has made any ruling at this time that would restrict the use of fobs therefore, we are following their lead on this one. So, at this time they are being allowed. Dick

Doug, I will get this posted to the other sites also. I fixed that broken link, thanks for bringing it to my attention and thanks for the positve comments on the website. We will continue to work at keeping it as current as possible. camping/motels The above link also provides some brief but interesting history on Texas Canyon and the Triangle T Ranch. Dick

motels/camping Dallas, I found this site while doing some searching for motels and camping. Maybe it will help. Dick

Scores from 1st Leg "Cactus Classic" Dallas, you guys put on a heck of a shoot and everything including the weather went great! The scores are posted on the ABA website (above link) Heres a picture of part of the crowd!

Thank you Amanda for making such a great site available! Dick

A record number of shooters, around 120 showed up this past Sunday at Usery to shoot the Warm up. That is a great turn out for a fun shoot. Pre-registration numbers are way up for the 1st leg also so all indications are that it should be a great shoot. Hope to see you all there! 1st Leg of the Western States Triple Crown hosted by: “USERY MOUNTAIN ARCHERS” On-line or printable registration at www.arizonabowhunters.org Walk-up registration is available on Friday, February 20, 2009 from noon to 5:00 p.m. Contact: Robert Campos 480-983-8683 February 21-22, 2009 The 4th Annual "Cactus Classic" Usery Mountain Archers PO Box 448 Apache Junction, AZ 85217 40 Competitive Targets - 15 Fun Targets

Usery Mountain Archers Presents First Leg Warm-Up 40 target 3-D Archery Shoot February 15th 2009 At Usery Mountain Park located 6 miles North of US 60 on Ellsworth Rd. There is a $6.00 per-car load park entry fee Registration: Sunrise to 10:30am All cards must be in by 2:00pm There will be registration available for the First Leg !! Fees for the warm-up shoot Adults… 18 & over. $15.00 Young adults 15-17 $10.00 Youth……….12-14 $10.00 Cubs…………9-11 Free Pee Wee..8 & under Free $6.00 Per Car entry fee into Usery Park For more information Contact E-mail Umacarchery@netscape.com

Wow, I give Amanda a lot of credit, this site management stuff is a lot of work. I have a few pictures of deer up on the ABA site if any of you are interested in checking it out. Let me know what you think of the format! Dick

We have rebuilt the ABA Website recently and could use some fresh pictures. Several of you guys have posted stuff on here that you should be proud of and we would love to help show the world what Arizona Bowhunters can do! We would need your name, month and year of harvest, send in JPG format and we can do the rest. ABA Website

Paul, Mission accomplished! We sent a couple e-mails back and forth before your trip to Arizona. Congratulations, I am glad it worked out SOooo well for you! How about emailing me a photo for the ABA website. Someday I maybe could return the favor for CBA! Dick

Steve, That is very worth sending! Nice Bull and good photo! Thanks

Thanks Mike, I should have a new photo album up on the site in a couple days, we have room for a lot of photos! Thanks

The 1st leg of the Western States Triple Crown is being held February 21-22 at Usery Mtn.Park. To make it easier for everyone, Usery is offering On-line registration this year, there is a link on the ABA website. A new twist has been added to the Triple Crown, there are actually four shoots, the Cactus Classic at Usery Mtn. Park (Feb 21-22), The Rumble in the Rocks at Triangle T Guest Ranch hosted by Desert Archers of Tucson (April 4-5), the Pinal Gathering at Globe hosted by Apache Bowhunters (May 2-3) and the Bowhunter Happening at Sunrise Ski Resort(July 25-26). You can shoot all four shoots and take a Mulligan (throw out your lowest score) or if something should come up, you could miss one shoot and still be qualified for the Triple Crown. The Rules and shoot information are on the ABA website. Keep in mind the BHH is the one mandatory shoot to qualify for the Triple Crown. For registration and information

Blessings and Thanks!

Mark posted: Then there was the commission meeting where Dick King (the most diplomatic and polite person I know) was told by a commissioner to "sit down and shut up!" It wasn't quite that bad Mark, Amanda had posted the video of that Game and Fish meeting, not sure that it is still available. But, I asked to have permission to respond to something that had been said and I was told "NO". But I had already had well over my allotted 3 minutes of time at the podium. Not trying to defend anyone, just want to keep the facts straight.