nateNAU

Rattler no 2 for the year here in flagstaff. Another hopi. Crazy how many are out. The only rattle snake ive ever seen up here before this year was about 25 years ago and this year I'm at 2 in less than a week. Be careful elk hunting next week.

It was between Wupatki and Sunset Crater.

Was out dove hunting today and saw this guy just outside flagstaff. I am thinking a prarie rattlesnake or a hopi rattlesnake but not sure.

My son was Liam. He had a red chiefs hat on all weekend.

I want to thank you and all the volunteers that put these classes on. My son just finished up the class in flagstaff and I was very impressed with the dedication and hard work of all the instructors. A way better class than the one I took 30 years ago. Also a shout out to the sponsors who gave great prizes to all the kids. AZ G&F, Bull basin archery and many others.

I took the kids to lynx Creek in Prescott yesterday to do some gold panning. Just about stepped on this AZ black. Very docile and not aggressive at all. Had a bunch of rattles but was fairly small so I'm thinking maybe a female. I gave another AZ black a hair cut with a 44 mag a few years ago that was very aggressive while hiking into one of my bear spots. The one I shot was jet black when I shot it but after a few hours the diamond pattern started to show.

I think demand has cooled across a lot of markets that use antlers. The dog chew market has so many people doing it that the prices are very competitive with not much margins anymore. I know a lot go to China and I wonder if the tariffs are going to slow their buying. I buy a couple hundred lbs every month for custom gun grips so I am looking forward an easing in prices.

Great, thank you!

Are there any other classes planned for Flagstaff this year?

The old vaquero had the larger frame and cylinder size as the post 62ish Blackhawks and super Blackhawks. The change in frame size all had to do with the advent of the 44 mag cartridge.The new vaqueros went back to the 57-62 sized Blackhawk frame and cylinder size to give a more colt SAA feel and weight. The only exception is new vaqueros in 44 mag still use the large frame, so either way, new or old vaquero, this is a large frame. The introduction of the vaquero was post 3 screw and transfer bar conversion, so all vaqueros regardless of new or old have 2 pins and a transfer bar. For anyone interested, the vaquero always demanded a premium over say a standard Blackhawk as they always had nicer features such as a steel ejector housing and grip frame. For the asking price this is a screaming deal.

Yup, and the shitters full.

They are still packing last year's head gear. How the heck can anyone predict what next year will bring.

11m first archery bull hunt

Exactly right. I love hunting them and get kind of stir crazy from lack of things to do in the spring so I always try and get 2 tags.

Was lucky enough to catch a lone javelina working through some cedars this morning. Had both kids with me again.