muskrat

Endangered Black Tail Prairie Dog? You sure? http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/btprairiedog/ You aren't thinking of the Black Footed Ferret?

244 pounds this AM

Very cool. Congratulations!

Wow. I'm 45 and I say it all the time.... I've had more stuff wrong with me since I hit 40, than I did the first forty years of my life. Can't remember the last time I got out of bed and something didn't ache. In all honesty, 50, 60 and beyond scare the heck out of me...

Last year, I was at the heaviest I have ever been at 267. Went on the Dukan Diet and lost about 35 pounds and then my wife went into the hospital. Hard to eat healthy when you're eating at the hospital cafeteria twice a day. Then she got out close to Thanksgiving. I had fallen off the wagon big time and the holidays didn't help. Gained about 20 pounds back. Started in the spring to get back on track. Now I'm back down about 25 from the original 267. Antelope tag has been motivation. Goal is to be at 200 or so. 3 hours of commuting a day makes exercise tough but I try and keep at it. Arthritis, bad knees, etc. aids in demotivation as well, but I know it will improve as weight comes off. Except when I cheat now and then - I'm almost eating no fat and no sugar. Lots of lean protein and veggies. jlg - I have heard great things about MediFast, but it's pretty pricey, isn't it?

Been a banner draw year for me. 33 Late Dec Coues tag

Congratulations - we started the San Tan Chapter in Gilbert Tuesday night!

Hit for deer. With an antelope tag and a Coues tag, maybe this is the year I obliterate the Curse :-)

A bold-faced bump. Hope to see some familiar and/or new faces tomorrow night! Dutch oven apple dumplings on the refreshment table....

Good friend of the group Terry Herndon will be back, talking about all things antelope. Whether you drew a tag, want to draw a tag or maybe even don't hunt at all - here is an opportunity to learn a whole bunch about these amazing animals. Terry will discuss habitat, draw strategy, how to scout, where to find, how to stalk and how to take care of your pronghorn once he is down. Terry will discuss caliber selection and archery tackle also. This might be an interesting session for photographers and your non-hunting friends and neighbors as well. Meeting is July 19th at Gateway Church in Gilbert. Northwest corner of Recker and Elliot. Meetings start promptly at 7:00 PM Light refreshments and meet n greet after Terry's presentation. To learn more about Gateway Outdoors visit www.gatewayoutdoorsaz.com

Awesome gun. I have the long slide

Sure he could have. I don't know the man, not justifying his actions. Was just offering a reason to the masses why he didn't post pics.

5 minutes from me - I might actually make that gathering! Casey - pricey but in line with most high end steakhouses. Best steak I've had behind Ruth's Chris and cheaper than RC. I did a review a couple of years ago: http://www.skinnymoose.com/desertrat/2009/09/26/trophys-steakhouse-a-review/ Mr. Dettler has shot the North American Big Game 29, all with the same rifle I believe (I think a .300 Win Mag but memory is starting to get shaky)

His story is in the August issue of Bowhunter. That's probably why he didn't post up pics. Magazines don't want photos that have already been all over the internet. Just sayin'

Dumba$$es http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/arizona-forest-fire-879543 ULY 2---The largest wildfire burning in Arizona was started during a bachelor party when one shotgun-toting celebrant fired a shell that promises to shoot “100 feet of fire, setting everything in its path ablaze,” The Smoking Gun has learned. The Sunflower Fire--which has burned nearly 18,000 acres of the Tonto National Forest and is not fully contained--began in mid-May after five Arizona men gathered to celebrate the upcoming May 19 nuptials of Bryan Reeder. The group--all in their mid-20s--traveled from Mesa to the Sycamore Creek area for a weekend “campout and bachelor party,” according to court records. On Saturday, May 12, the quintet awoke and “began to target shoot in an area close to their camp,” a United States Forest Service agent reported in a sworn affidavit. About two hours into the target shooting, Craig Shiflet (pictured at right) loaded an “incendiary shotgun shell” into his Remington 12 gauge and fired the round. .......A warning on the Fiocchi 12 gauge round’s packaging made its danger clear: “Shoots 100 feet of fire, setting everything in its path ablaze. Warning: Extreme FIRE HAZARD.”

This month we will have newly appointed Regional Director Terry Herndon stop by and talk about the Mule Deer Foundation! The purpose of the Mule Deer Foundation is to ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. MDF is dedicated to the following goals: To restore, improve and protect mule deer habitat (including land and easement acquisitions) resulting in self-sustaining, healthy, free ranging and huntable deer populations. To encourage and support responsible wildlife management with government agencies, private organizations and landowners. To promote public education and scientific research related to mule deer and wildlife management. To support and encourage responsible and ethical behavior and awareness of issues among those whose actions affect mule deer. To support regulated hunting as a viable component of mule deer and black-tailed deer conservation. To develop programs that focus on recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Come and hear about the projects going on, the benefits of membership, and how to help! Meeting starts promptly at 7:00PM Meet N Greet, light refreshments following the meeting. Gateway Fellowship Church, 60 N Recker Rd., Gilbert, AZ

TJ - it was great to meet you and we sure appreciate you coming. Hope to see you become a "regular" ! Thanks again

Well worth a listen!

And another one that goes to Mission in Gilbert. We love it there.

Since I can't afford to belong to everything, over the years I have "rotated" memberships amongst ADA, ABA, AES, NRA, etc. I'm sure it drives membership committees crazy but I feel like I am spreading my sheckles around, at least. I have also been active as a quasi-Public Information officer for Hunt of a Lifetime AZ for a number of years. After I watched the last stakeholder meeting online (and saw Allen and Terry) I immediately e-mailed the address given for that group and offered to participate as well. I helped create a group called Gateway Outdoors in Gilbert. I have helped occasionally on habitat projects. My family situation is such that it is extremely difficult for me to travel. I try to support these projects by spreading the word via my website, e-mail lists, etc. If I had enough money I would belong to nearly every critter group out there (and go to the banquets!!!) As mentioned, my home situation makes it extremely difficult for me to travel/hunt/participate in projects that are more than an hour or two away from my home. Certainly nothing overnight. That being said, I have a pretty busy website www.desertratoutdoors.com (not as busy as CWT though!) and am a Featured Contributor on www.outdoorhub.com I have been a freelance writer and editor since High School. I have a standing offer to any group needing writing/editing/press release/whatever - to help however I can. I'm also happy to promote causes/events/projects/organizations via my websites. That includes interviews, articles, whatever you need.

I'll take the .270 WSM ammo for 20 bucks if still available.

Sent an email to the one listed indicating I'm willing to serve on a subcommittee, help with editing/writing, etc.

Watching online. Good to see Terry and I think Allen as well....

I don't think the premise of the law is the issue; it's the fact that it only applies to a few units and in addition, "wound" isn't defined. Doesn't take away the responsibility to know the laws, just makes it harder.

I'm hoping that in Unit 21, they stop growing the 1st week of September....