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Most broadheads today are manufactured to tolerances that should allow for good flight from a well tuned bow. One thing that is rarely mentioned is arrow build in relationship to broadhead flight. The biggest part of having an arrow tuned correctly is making sure the insert is mounted square to the end of the arrow. Sometimes the insert is not seated flush and the point will not spin true. An arrow squaring device used after cutting will correct any problems. Another good practice is to cut from both ends of the arrow since any bend is usually located near the ends of the shafts. Correct head weight in relationship to Front of Center will also help with good broadhead flight. Finally, big 5" vanes or high profile 2" vanes fletched helical usually get best performance with broadheads. Tuning your bow to shoot with broadheads is a whole 'nother ballgame. I recommend the Easton Tuning Guide as a reference. All that being said, I highly recommend Magnus Broadheads with their lifetime replacement guarantee! They'll fly right with your field tips if you've done your part tuning and shooting. I have had good success with the 3 blade Snuffer SS.

A Federal duck stamp is still required to hunt ducks regardless of when you bought your 2014 license.

What an adventure! Nice trophies also. Thanks for sharing!

Great start! Hopefully you can follow up this excellent first post with many more!

Cool pics! Congrats on your javelina!

Besides their return policy, re-sale value is excellent just in case you feel the need to part with it (see Kifaru Trading Post). Forgot to mention that. You really can't go wrong with whatever you choose; all their stuff is excellent!

I understand the sticker shock of the packs. I bought an Express for my first Kifaru. Decided to upgrade when the second generation packs came out. I currently have a Late Season and a Duplex Frame and Cargo Panel. I use a small pod and a Longhunter Lid with the Duplex for day hikes and either a Grab It (light) or the Cargo Panel (heavy duty) to strap stuff to the frame. My Late Season if more of a do all pack but the Duplex Frame is as comfortable or possibly more comfortable than the Late Season. Kifaru builds packs with lots of options. Some of their packs are more of the save weight, use one big bag arrangement. Other packs like the Timberline you mentioned have more pockets to arrange your items. The large bags are good for stuffing meat and capes inside. The Duplex frame is great if you carry odd shaped loads and need extra support of the framesheet. Bikini can do the same with lighter frame materials and higher cost. External frame is also good if you want a big bag for longer overnight trips and a smaller bag for shorter day trips or a Cargo Panel arrangement for more awkward items like treestands. The nice thing about a panel loader is you can also use stuff sacks or dry bags to substitute for a backpack on the frame for cost and weight savings. Again, tons of options. Timberline 2 is a great do it all sized pack. I would go for the Duplex Timberline if I was only buying one pack, so that I could remove it and use the lid only for weight savings on day hikes or to easily strap stuff to the back of the frame. Aron Snyder from Kifaru is a great product rep and could answer just about any question you have about all the options. I live in Yuma but would be happy to let you try either pack if you are interested. PM me if you might be interested in some sort of shipping arrangement or you happen to be in the area sometime. Maybe someone in Tucson could let you try theirs?

Wayne Carlton's Cat Paws or Sneaky Feet. Not sure where to buy them anymore but they work pretty well when the leaves are like rice crispies, you know...snap, crackle, pop!

Sea Nymph makes a stout little boat guys! I've got a 16 also. Someone needs this!

If there is one thing I hate more than a liar, it's a thief! I wish you the best recovering your belongings. I hope they are caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!

I had that tag a few years ago and considered it for this year. I chose to hunt in Unit 16A and had very little luck finding the pigs that year. We happened to see 3 right off the side of the road we turned off near Wikieup, but couldn't get a shot. There are herds of Javelina in these units but the western part of the state does not have as high of a concentration of pigs per square mile on average like you might see in the SE and Central parts of the state. You will probably have your best shot in Unit 16A or 42. Maybe 39 if you have a honey hole. They seem to be either more spread out in the deserts or concentrated in small areas along the Gila River bottom. Tough hunt, good luck! As a side note, I will probably be trying my luck on the Mohawk Valley hunt area in 41 with a non-permit tag. These pigs are quite nocturnal and a real challenge to hunt living in that thick, nasty salt cedar, but with a pregnant wife and an expired kitchen pass it's about the best I can do living in Yuma. PM me if you might be interested in giving that part of the unit a shot. Good Luck, Nick

It's the rut, get after it!

Here's a boot I would highly recommend: http://www.chippewaboots.com/footwear/field/classic/20076/ I have a pair of the 6" Classic Apache Lacers and they may be the best boots I've ever worn. Tough, comfortable, light, great traction, long wearing. Full grain leather, Made with Pride in the USA! I wear them everywhere, from mowing the lawn, to the office, hunting, to Church, whatever! I killed my elk this year wearing these. Other boots I wear on a regular basis are a pair of Justin wide toe, roper heel cowboy boots and I also wear some Redwing Chukka "shoe" boots. If you've ever met a guy from Yuma, he probably has a pair of these Redwings I'm talking about. I've never seen anyone else but guys from Yuma, Imperial County CA, and maybe Salinas wearing these boots. They are awesome for guys that get sticky stuff on their soles: http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/595-red-wing-shoes/595-red-wing-mens-chukka-brown My go to hunting boots are Zamberlans but that is a whole 'nother thread! I highly recommend buying leather boots Made in USA. Boots are one of the few products that you can still buy at a reasonable price that is still made here. Please help keep it that way by spending the few extra bucks on a quality American boot!

Congratulations!

Lightweight tent and sleeping bag combo can turn a cold miserable night into a real comfortable lounge. Small camp stove, food, extra pairs of socks underwear, baby wipes for sure! If you really want go in style, try a tipi style tent with a woodstove. You can dry your clothes and cook over a good woodstove, even a small one. Nice to be able to stand and put your trousers on in the morning too. I'm getting too old to put my pants on lying down like some fat chick trying to squeeze in her skinny jeans!

Congratulations Jim! The Lord works does his work in mysterious ways sometimes. Rejoice in His blessings! Good for you and the Mrs. brother! Nick

Congratulations on your javi! I have taken a couple of bigger critters with my bow, but still haven't gotten a pesky javi! Good job staying with it! Hopefully this is just a first of many successes with your bow.

I used to love 6B when there was only 80 bull and 80 cow tags. Then it went to 100 each. Still a good hunt but not like when there are fewer tags. Someone must really want to hunt with 155 bull tags plus 75 cow tags. 6B is no longer a quality hunt. Kinda hard to find an archery bull hunt that's not packed with hunters these days I guess, unless you want to deal with draw odds less than 5%. And to think there was a time when rifle hunts were harder to draw then archery hunts! Boy those were the good ol days!

Redwing, Chippewa, or Justins. Just be sure to buy something Made in USA!

FYI, these pics are from 2010.

Blazer or AAE Max Hunter

Walk back tuning consists of shooting at one spot on the target from various yardages using the same point of aim (20 yard pin for example). Shoot the same spot from 20 through 50 yards or so. Tuning issues will show a slight diagonal spread, usually getting further from center the farther back you go. Make minute adjustments to your rest until your arrows are lining up vertically with as little horizontal spread as possible. All this assumes decent consistent form while shooting. Hope this helps!

Got a phone call from Jim Ammons last night informing me that the Governor has selected him for the vacant Commission seat. The Governor picked a good one guys! Congratulations Jim! If you want to see Mr. Ammons in action look in the TLO Buffalo hunts. Jake posted a video of his Kaibab Bison hunt. Jim is a true outdoorsman and all around great guy. He has achieved a Grand Slam of NA wild sheep and I believe may only need a Lion to have a Big 10 in Arizona.

I just came across these pics I took scouting for my hunt and recall this thread. Here are some pics of "George" when he was alive before the 2010 hunt. That's the name the mine caretaker gave to his "pet" ram. I shot these photos at 30 yards or so. I believe this is the ram the young man harvested. Maybe his guide might see this and share with the young man.

Oh boy! What a perfect time to draw. Better luck next time! Though I love the photo and looks like a great buck. He'll be back!