Sam

Congratulations!! I too have made the decision that if I do not get an early bull tag in AZ I will be going to Alaska this year to hunt moose.

As our minds drift into thoughts of drawing that early bull tag or antelope tag, I have an opinion type question to ask everyone. It involves the storing of guns in a gun safe. How many of you guys store your guns with the action open? I have heard that this is the best way to store a gun because it takes tension off of the trigger.......any thoughts? Is it really necessary to keep the bolt or action open?

Who would pay more money for an elk tag, if Game and Fish agreed to give out fewer permits? I would!! And yes, I would wait longer for a tag too, which is fine. If revenue is behind the number of permits allocated, why not just try to generate the same amount of revenue by increasing the permit cost vs giving out more permits. Thinking back over my last 30 plus years of hunting in AZ, I enjoyed many quality elk hunts were I never saw another person. Now, we have hunts to were we have to dodge bullets. Specifically units 5A, 5B, 3C, 9, 10 and unit 1. I know some of these units have decreased tag numbers this year, but there are still way too many tags. Let's not even start about all the Coues permits for the 30s and the 4 hunts each year.......

Hmmm.....I doubt that my comment will "mess it up" for anyone. I have no problem with competition and taking my chance on being drawn. Like every public service industry in AZ, the Game and Fish Department can use more funding. I did not mean to literally "dodge a bullet". I figured most people on this site would not take it literally. I just think there are too many permits in certain areas, thus too many people. I agree that the elk heard has increased in Arizona, but I do not believe the increase in the heard justifies the number of permits that are allocated for certain hunts. Show me how many more elk are in unit 5A that justified the permits going from 75 bull permits in 2002 to 339 last year - this is a joke and there is no reason for such a large increase in tags. Well, I guess there is according to the AZGFD - the reason is to manage this unit as a trophy unit in the future.

I agree, more people will be applying due to not having to write a check. It will be interesting to see how many more applicants there are. Yeah, we will all need more luck this year!

Way to go! My daughter is getting my next tag. She has been on a youth hunt for elk, deer and turkey and has come home empty handed. Funny, I was more disapointed than her. I think any deer is a prize.

After 16 years of marriage, I have missed many Thanksgiving dinners and a few Easter dinners. But not Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Even with a late whitetail tag, I come back for a few days. Mainly because I do most of the cooking! See picture below of our tradition Italian Christmas Eve meal - 7 fishes. No eel this year, but: linguine & clams, baccala (salted cod), smelts, calimari, smoked salmon (by my buddy in Alaska), shrimp, orange slices & anchovies (alici). Quail hunting on Tuesday!

So nice to see this type of view of the Canyon - thanks for the pictures. I was lucky enough to co-lead a science rafting trip a few years ago - 12 high school seniors. Great experience. I have also hiked most of the trails leading in and out of the Canyon floor - but these pictures are amazing. Everyone needs to spend some quality time at the Canyon at least once. Me, on the other hand, I need to go up a few times a year......

Hate to tell you this - most hippies don't smoke Meth. Pot maybe, but Meth no way. Still a bold move by some jerk.

Here is a link to the latest release of wolves - 80 miles south of Douglas. Now we have to worry about Coyotes and Wolves crossing the border....... http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/NewsMedia/Mexican-authorities-release-Mexican-wolves-in-Sonora.shtml

Check with the school districts. Pull up their websites. There is alot of turn over. Granted the pay is not great, but the benefits are pretty good. I've got 18 years as a teacher and counselor and haven't had a raise in quite a few years. But classified staff - custodians, electricians, plumbers, grounds guys, they seem to get regular raises.

Sad - I was in 6A on the fall turkey hunt and me and my kids spent part of one day cleaning trash from some joker's old camp site. Looked like they too tried to burn all their old trash. Not to mention the numerous beer and soda cans we picked up. I just don't get it - I wish I could give out tickets for littering.

Our 18 month lab has gone on 1 deer hunt and 1 turkey hunt. While my daughter and I hunt, my wife and other daughter stay at camp with her. She is great company for them and they enjoy going on more hunts because they feel safer at camp. Even though we all know a lab is more apt to lick you to death than bite you .

The On Line application Process is back for the Spring draw. I was curious as to what everyone thinks about it.

Lots of emotions ran through my mind as I read. Excitement for you, your brother and Dad for being successful of your hunt and staying with it after two very unfortunate events. Anger that two individuals could steal someone's elk. Sadness for the future of hunting. I too am not all that old, 43, but the good "old days" seem to be coming out of my mouth quite often. Not only in regards to hunting ethics, but in regards to society as a whole. Not sure what to think about the future, but everyone reading your post will have a little bit more morality instilled in them. Oh yea, also a little jealousy, I wish I had an elk tag this year:).

For quite a few years, we rented sea kayaks in San Diego every summer - made by Malibu. I thought they were great for touring around the Bay and for flat water. This past summer, we purchased two inflatable Kayaks by Sea Eagle. Not the best model out there, but, for $200 it is a nice set up. The paddles aren't the greatest, I'm looking for others. It has two skids so it floats pretty true and it moves quicker than a hard sided kayak. For transportation, it is so much easier than driving long distances with a hard sided kayak on the roof. And, it was less than half the cost of a used hard sided kayak. I think a sit on top model with a skirt is the way to go.

What a nice outing. Great pictures too. I think my lab Lacey would spend the morning trying to chew the boots off.

Here's a great recipe for dove, quail, rabbit and squirrel. Mix salt, pepper an flour. Roll birds in the flour, coat all sides. Saute in olive oil until brown on all sides, about 20 minutes. Remove birds from pan, but save drippings. Place birds in a glass baking dish. Then add the following to the saute pan and slowly mix with drippings - can of cream of mushroom soup, one can of milk and one can of beer. Scrape drippings as the liquids are being heated. Then pour liquid over the birds. Cover and bake on 350 for about 45 minutes to an hour. This is best served with brown or wild rice and fresh Italian bread for dipping in the sauce. You will love this. I also make chicken this way once in a while. Enjoy.

Pulled into Blue parking lot around 6:45 with my daughter. Behind a white pick up with sticker in back window and Wildlife conservation plate. Thought I would see you in the parking lot, but you went straight and we turned south toward the stadium.

My daughter is using a .270 instead of the .243. I bought a youth stock from Remington for my BDL and it fits her well after I cut the stock. I may have to get another youth stock next year and leave it at the factory size. I would rather spend another $90 than have the wood stock scratched up and I don't think she will outgrow it. She uses reduced recoil bullets (100grain) made by Remington and the recoil is actually less than a .243. In a few years I figure she can shoot regular bullets and have a more versatile rifle.

Deer in 3C and Turkey in 6A.

July 22nd at 9:00am

This is tragic - both for the woman and the bear. I have spent many a summer up in Pinetop and have never had the desire to walk my dog at 11:45pm. Not the best time for a walk. Yes the bear was aggressive, typically they run, unless they are very hungry, thirsty or startled in the middle of the night. Too bad he couldn't have been relocated - even though that often doesn't work.

I have had Pirelli Scorpion All Terrains on my Toyota for the last 12 years. First set lasted about 60,000. My current set has just about had it with about 50,000 miles on them. Thinking of getting the same ones before the fall.

I was hoping for a bull tag but will happily except my 22n archery cow tag. 23 straight! TJ Wow! Good for you. I can't get over the fact that you have been drawn for 23 straight years.