bradne

Good luck finding homes for these dogs. I have had heelers in the past and love them. Unfortunatley my last heeler passed away a coupld of months ago and I am not quite ready to get another. I was always amazed at how loyal and intelligent heelers are.

As one that works for BP and has been involved in the hiring process (on both sides), let me point out a couple of items. From what it appears, the job offer that is being talked about here is NOT a govt. job. It is working for a contractor. This means that the agency (DHS) has given the company the contract to transport detainees to various locations. The contractor is reposnsible for meeting certain hiring guidlines such as Equal Opportunity, fair wages etc... which are set by law. The employee is not considered a civil servant and thus does not qualify for any federal retirement or other benefits, this may be provided by the employer (contractor) if they desire (just like any other civilian employer). Many of the people on this board are in the construction industry etc..., this is just like working for a contractor building a govt building or some other govt project, you are not a govt employee and the hiring process is simply through the contractor. This is (to a point) true. Federal Law enforcement officers (and federal fire fighters) have mandatory retirement at age 57 (federal law) in order to have the minimum 20 years to retire, you must have been hired before you turn 37. It should be noted that not everyone in the federal govt wearing a firearm is considered a law enforcement officer, however BP is. Of course this is not applicable here since the job in question is not a govt job and the mandatory age does not apply. Also partialy true. A couple of years ago, BP recieved congressional permission to temporarily grant age waivers to applicants in order to bolster the ranks. The specific purpose of this was to target the military personnel that were retiring after 20 years of military service. Since the minimum age a person could have to retire from the military was 38 (after entering service at 18), they were ineligable to enter federal law enforcement. (see above). Retired military were obviously very attractive to BP since they were more mature, had some life expericence and were in good physical condition. This was target for military personnel but other applicants up to 40 were accepted during that time. All of this was temporary since the BP met the hiring push and although still hiring at this time they are not accepting any new applications right now since there is a huge backlog. I imagine that the age waiver will be repealed pretty soon, if not already.

Since Trail Camera Theft is always a hot topic here, here is a story in Louisiana where someone was actually caught and it appears they are being prosecuted for the theft as well as trespassing. link Suspected thief claims he was protecting animals Posted: Dec 11, 2009 8:23 AM MST Updated: Dec 18, 2009 3:24 AM MST DENHAM SPRINGS, LA (WAFB) - A land owner used a decoy camera to help catch a man suspected of stealing other digital game surveillance cameras from his property in Livingston Parish. After his arrest, the man reportedly told detectives he took it to stop the owner from hunting in the area. Dustin Archibald, 21, of Denham Springs surrendered to Livingston Parish sheriff's deputies on Thursday. According to investigators, he was photographed around noon the previous day "taking the bait." When presented with the photograph (See Below), which deputies said clearly shows him with the camera in his hand, Archibald allegedly told them he was not stealing the camera but taking it so the property owner would not hunt the deer in the area. Detectives added the incriminating photo also shows Archibald's dog and a "No Trespassing" sign in the background. Deputies said the problem began in November when four cameras were stolen from the victim's property near Denham Springs. He decided to set up a decoy and place another surveillance camera in position to snap pictures of any potential thieves. The land owner called the sheriff's office and showed them the photograph of the suspect. Archibald was identified as the culprit and turned himself in to authorities. He was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on one count of criminal trespassing and one count of theft. His bond was set at $10,500.

Excelent Job to AZGFD. I think we all know how difficult it is for these guys to solve these poaching cases. It takes a lot of investigation and a lot of luck. Unfortunately the odds seem be on side of the dirtbags that do these types of crimes. I am glad that the licenses are now revoked for lifetime (at least for one).

Congratulations. I also live in Hereford and am in the Huachuacas on a pretty regular basis. The fact that you found any bucks at all is impressive. The deer population in the Huachuacas is pretty low in my opinion. The ongoing drought along with the high hunter pressure plus all of the illegal activity has had a horrible impact. The population on the fort is significantly better. From your screen name and the fact you are going to deploy, I assume you are active duty on the fort. If you ever get a chance, you may try and get an on-base tag and have a real nice hunt.

Check your PMs for my contact number. I have an 86 Toyota 4x4 that I am trying to sell. I will actually be in Silver City tomorrow and if you are serious, I will put it on the trailer and bring it with me.

Increasing the no shooting area to a 1/2 mile will probably do nothing. You already said that you figured the shooter was about 200 yards away. He already is ignoring the 1/4 mile so I am sure he will ignore the 1/2 mile also (or just does not know). (Notice I do not call these people hunters but rather shooters, hunters have better safety habits) I would go ahead and get with G&F and ask that no shooting signs be put up. It never hurts to ask. I was speaking with one of the G&F higher ups a few weeks ago and he told me that most of their budget comes from license sales and that they do not have as much cutbacks as the rest of the state agencies (Maybe someone could confirm that). I would also inquire with Forest Service, they may also be willing to post signs. If your buddy has not filed a police report, he needs to. Maybe someone saw a vehicle and remembers it or someone called in a shot being fired from a vehicle. He may get lucky. He also needs needs to talk to the neighbors. Sometimes nosy neighbors are nice to have around. Also, as mentioned before making the house more visible is not a bad idea, a lot of houses have a lot of brush and trees around it and people sometimes have absolutely no idea a house is even in the area. This also helps keep the fire danger lower.

Never heard of anything like that. Sounds like someone that does not like hunters hunting over a watering hole. I would consider a homemade sign on public land as litter.

I'll trade you straigt across for a 86 Toyota Pickup and you can have the joy of doing all of the same stuff to it. I will even deliver it. If I didn't already have a toyota that I was trying to sell (although not as nice as your 4runner), I would seriously look at yours. There is nothing like a good quality yota and yours looks good. Someone needs to jump on this 4runner.

It is IFS, as Jon in Tucson said, it was the first year Toyota did the IFS instead of the solid front axle. I honestly hate to give this truck up. It was my daily driver/hunting rig for over ten years. My wife refused to ride in it (she has no appreciation for fine vehicles) plus I needed something my two kids and wife could ride in so I bought a new extended cab Tacoma. Of course I bought it two months before the cash for clunkers came around but it is probably for the best. I would rather someone use this truck instead of it being crushed.

I have an 86 Toyota 4x4 pickup. 22r motor, 5 speed manual Located in Hereford (south end of Sierra Vista) $2500.00. Here is a link to the Craigslist ad. http://sierravista.craigslist.org/cto/1379907541.html

It is very rare that I discuss my occupation on the internet, but this subject hits VERY close to home. I am a BP agent that works in the areas of concern. I will be the first to say that while it is extremely unlikely that you will be bothered by illegals or drug mules, you do not know for sure. Remember, the people that are going through the areas want to do so as fast as possble without being noticed. I personally never venture into unpopulated areas without a pistol, however I also don't go into Phoenix without my pistol (which I consider just as dangerous) If you do encounter the smugglers or the illegals note the area (GPS is great) and if you have cell phone service call 1-877-USBP-HELP. The faster you call, the better. This is the general number, if you know the station that is assigned to the area you are hunting, I would suggest obtaining the number to that station so you can call that station direct. If you call the station direct, the info will be sent to the agents faster and more accurate. If you call the central number things tend to get askew. The more people it has to go through before it gets to the field, the less accurate the info is. Below is a link to all of the stations in Tucson Sector. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security...or_az/stations/ If you do see aliens or smugglers, do not approach them. If you are hidden, (glassing, blind etc..) just let them pass by. The biggest impact that the smugglers and illegals have on the area is the trash. I (as well as many members on this site) can go to places several acres in size that are knee deep in garbage. The deer populations have grown more scarce and the bear populations have increased with the increase in trash to eat. That being said, I do make the aliens pick up their garbage when I find them in one of those areas, however due to the sheer numbers it is impossible to keep up. I wish that we were allowed to have chaingangs of aliens in the mountains picking up garbage, but that idea is not popular with the heads of DHS and I am sure the ACLU would have objections . I would not let the situation deter anyone from hunting or doing anything else in the area, just use caution. On the plus side, while I do like to sit on ridges glassing for illegals, I tend to (accidently) see deer. I have seen a few nice ones this year so all hope is not lost.

My Mother has the same problem. My Dad says he is woke up every morning about 5:30 by my mother yelling out the bathroom window at the deer grazing on her landscaping. The four foot tall fence around the house is nothing more than a mere inconvenience to a mule deer.

Interesting Site. I grew up in Silver City but have not lived there in almost 20 years. My parents live there still and every time I go over I see plenty of deer. In fact my Mother hit one in her car (actually it hit her) about 2:00 in the afternoon about two months ago. The deer seem to be thriving. I have not been in the Indian Hills area in many years but I do not remember the deer being to numerous. It seems like the entire area need some thinning out. I hope you guys are successful.

I have an older (1974 I believe) Alaskan Camper. It would make somone an awesome hunting camper. It is an eight foot model, but many people put them on shortbed trucks and just let the last two feet hang over the tailgate. I bought it at an estate sale a couple of years ago with the intention of haveing the ultiamte off road RV, but I have not done anything with it in two years and the wife says she is tired of looking at it. I placed it on cragslist also so you can go there and see the pictures. http://sierravista.craigslist.org/rvs/1321855805.html I am asking 400 on craigslist, but would probably do a little better for the CW community. It is usable now with a working fridge and stove, but needs a coat of paint and some weatherstripping and trim work. If interested send me an email at nebrady@q.com and I will get back with you. It is located in Hereford (about 10 minutes south of Sierra Vista). SOLD!! Thanks for looking

As someone who has recovered many many of these stolen trucks, I will tell you that they are probably the most commonly used stolen vehicle I encounter. I guess that era of Fords does not have the chiped keys and also there is something about them that makes them easier than other makes and models to steal. Plus I would guess that most of those that are stolen are 4x4s. They can carry a lot of people or drugs and are a dime a dozen on the road to blend in. Bottom line, Buy a Chevy!! (I just threw that in becuase I am a chevy guy) Of course I say that but I had my Chevy pickup stolen (or attempted to) in San Diego many years ago. Ironically, I cannot remember the last time I recovered a stolen Dodge.

I very rarely reply to any of these, but this one I feel I should. As someone above mentioned, the project last week by Big Lake had a large turn out. I actually planned to go up and help, but recieved an email telling me that they already had enough volunteers. At first I was a little dissapointed, but I also realize that it takes a lot of logistics to organize and maintain a group of 100 people. I was asked to go to another project in July, but due to work schedule I cannot make it. I do beleive that, as mentioned before, 90% of the work is done by 10% of the population. A lot of it is location. In the project I mentioned above, I had scheduled myself four days off and was willing to drive several hours to attend this project. I had to make my work schedule a couple of weeks in advance so it takes planning and corrdination with my co workers to make it all work. I am sure that most people are in the same situation. It is difficult to make everything work. Especially for those of us that do not have a monday through friday/ 9-5 work week.

I plan on being up there as long as my work schedule will allow it (I believe it will). Since each and every one of us is a stewart for the lands we use, I belive that this is a great project and will do nothing but improve the country.

I had over 3/4 of an inch of rain at my place in Sierra Vista in the last 24 hours with more forecast for tomorrow.