CouesPursuit

Your very welcome Adam, and sorry to hijack the post KidBowHunter! Good luck fishing with your dad, do it as much as you can, they are by far the most vivid and best memories I have with mine!

Should be similar to every year, the water orders typically switch from the Verde to the Salt sometime between April 15th and May 1st. The exact dates depend on several factors, but the release should always switch before June 1st at the latest. Also, an update on the Horseshoe release. As of 1:30pm today the dam is open, with no set closing date, and they may even leave it open to fill Bartlett.

I would avoid that area too. Basically anything on the west side of beeline got hammered the last few days. Horseshoe was set to retain water for the next 2 months as they are doing work on the dam, however with the sustained flows of 19,000 cfs coming into the lake right now, they are going to have to open up the valve and water will be flowing ~3000 cfs out of horseshoe into bartlett sometime in the next week. Going to be nasty down there for a few weeks thereafter. The attached image is current as of this post.

I was in Show Low this last weekend and it did not get hit very hard with precip, mostly wind. The weather is going to be great up there next week, Silver Creek was a great recommendation.

Oak Creek had flows over 9000 cfs yesterday. Maybe some others would disagree, but that's a lot for the fish to adjust back from in just one week, IMO. I'd look elsewhere based on your timing, otherwise Oak Creek is a good deal if you can find the secluded areas.

Bump For those that don't know, at least up until the front this week, fishing, especially crappie, has been excellent at Alamo recently. I haven't been but had some buddies sending me pictures of some great catch days. Lots of folks that help with event clean up for a few hours and fish quite a bit the same day. Check it out!

ok, one stupid question and one only partially stupid 1s. says it's a video game, use our own bow with standard field tips? 2ps. says $40 for 4 weeks, when I select a time slot, say 3/5/15 from 7:30-9:00, do I go four consecutive weeks in the same time slot starting on 3/5/15? Thanks.

Maricopa County Flood Control Map: http://alert.fcd.maricopa.gov/php/metrop24.php Arizona USGS Gauges: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/rt ADOT Valley Webcams: http://www.az511.gov/adot/files/cameras/ I10 - E of 43 Ave has flooded vehicles

TTT with additional resources Arizona RAWS (Remote Automatic Weather Stations) http://www.raws.dri.edu/wraws/azF.html National Weather Service - AHPS (Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service) http://water.weather.gov/precip/ National Climatic Data Center https://gis.ncdc.noaa.gov/map/viewer/#app=cdo&cfg=obs&theme=ghcn

This is probably overkill to add to a turkey scouting post but owell, here it is, and it was cool to dig through some of my old crap anyway. I couldn't find my "Final" draft but this is a near-complete draft of a literature review I wrote back in 2009. Has some valuable resources at a minimum. Abstract: In this literature review I present wild turkey (Meleagris gallapavo) habitat selection with emphasis on the structure needed for healthy populations. Merriam’s turkey (Meleagris gallapavo merriami) in the southwest US generally use the tallest and largest trees for roost sites illustrating a key habitat preference. JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 00(0):000-000 Keywords: Canopy Cover, Gould’s Turkey, Habitat, Meleagris gallapavo, Merriams Turkey, Southwest, Roost, Wild Turkey The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallapavo) in Southwest North American prefer mature forest types including ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), pinyon-pine (Pinus edulis), juniper (Juniperus spp.) and live oaks (Quercus sp.). Merriam’s turkey (Meleagris gallapavo merriami) are most abundant in the southwest but Gould’s (Meleagris gallapavo mexicana) and Rio-Grande turkey populations (Meleagris gallapavo intermedia) also exist. Wild turkey have been extensively studied in native and expanding ranges due to recreational interest for hunting and wildlife viewing (Hoffman 1991). Studies prior to 1990 were primarily on female turkeys and investigated physical features of habitat such as roosting sites, nesting areas and foraging habits (Hoffman 1991). Recent studies include more information on male activities, movement and habitat preference as well. Wild turkey shift seasonally through different habitat types where roosting sites were documented. Research supports turkeys inhabit denser forests in the winter season where more roosting sites are located. In the summer, turkey preferred higher elevations with more open fields for foraging, but roosting trees were in lower numbers. Forest fire suppression has played a role in the decline of turkey populations. Alteration of the natural disturbance regimes in pyric ponderosa pine forest create large quantities of forest fuels that later burn excessively damaging both soil and key habitat components such as roost sites. Therefore the lack of fire has resulted in either a scarcity of suitable roost trees or swollen forests that support fewer meadows and other open feeding areas (Boeker and Scott 1969). Overgrazing of livestock and logging also have decreased northern Arizona turkey populations (Martin et al. 2005). Recent management efforts for turkey focus in restoring overgrown ponderosa pine forests that have accumulated large quantities of forest fuels from poor habitat management (Martin et al 2005). This type of ponderosa pine adaptive management in northern Arizona allows for biologists to manipulate forests to create optimal turkey habitat. The objective of this manuscript is to describe turkey habitat in the southwest and specific attributes on these sites. I reviewed peer reviewed literature and incorporated findings and generated new management approaches, which may benefit not only turkeys but many species. STUDY AREA AND METHODS Hoffman (1991) evaluated male Merriam’s turkey movements, roosting activities and other home range characteristics in south-central Colorado during the spring of 1986, 1988, and 1989. Turkeys were trapped in Longs, Sowbelly and Martinez canyons southwest of Trinidad, CO. Hoffman (1968) observed both behavior and roosting tree characteristics in 9 winter and 10 summer roosting sites in south-central Colorado. Key winter and summer sites were determined from sign ID and interviewing landowners. Characteristics of 149 trees on winter sites and 61 roosting trees on summer sites were measured, and included elevation, slope, tree height, and diameter at breast height (DBH) of each roost. Boeker and Scott (1969) first studied Merriam’s turkey roosting tree sites in central Arizona. Measurements were taken on 158 used and 42 unused ponderosa pine trees. Characteristics included height, dbh, distance from ground to first branch, age inferring slope, aspect as well as distance from permanent water sources. Boeker and Scott (1977) later studied the response of Merriam’s turkey to Pinyon-juniper control after restoration efforts on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation and parts of Navajo and northern Gila counties, Arizona. Roadside surveys were conducted from an automobile along established routes but were restricted to summer surveys due to the inaccessibility to roads after winter snowfall. Martin et al. (2005) observed Merriam’s turkey responses in northern Arizona restoration sites that had been prescribed burned and thinned in an adaptive management project. The Uinkaret Mountains contained both treated and untreated areas of ponderosa pine and live oaks adjacent to one another. Turkey habitat use was monitored and recorded by identifying numbers of scats and feathers below trees. Murie (1946) reported on Merriam’s turkey on San Carlos Indian Reservation in Arizona by interviewing hunters and analyzing crops of harvested turkeys to determine food habits. RESULTS Adult males moved 5.3 +/- 3.8 (SD) km from winter ranges to spring breeding areas. Subadult males moved farther (8.7 + 3.1 km, P = 0.03) and occupied larger (12.3 + 4.9 km2, P < 0.01) home ranges than adults (Hoffman 1991). The median distance between morning and evening roosts used on the same day was 1,074 m for adults and 996 m for subadults. Distances increased between consecutive roost sites during the hunting season compared to preseason and postseason periods. Subadults returned to the same roosts more often (29%) than adults (19% [Hoffman 1991]). Overmature ponderosa pine trees were preferred for roosting sites (Hoffman 1968). Roost location sites averaged 18% slope at 7,600 - 8,300 ft elevation in the winter and 8,100 - 10,300 ft in the summer. Old growth Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and white fir (Abies concolor) were used if they were the largest trees in the area. Merriam’s turkey groups roosted 3-11 trees near an edge or natural clearing or open ridge (Hoffman 1968). Average roost tree DBH and height were 21.5 inches and 70 ft. in the winter and 22.5 inches and 65 ft. in height in the summer with an average age of 163 years. Boeker and Scott (1969) found merriams turkeys used a greater range in Arizona where an average of 13 trees were used per site. Ground cover was sparse except for juniper invasion in lower elevation sites. Roost sites in Arizona were on gentler slopes (5%) usually faced east or northeast. Turkeys usually flew into roost trees from the uphill side and 10 of 12 roost sites < ½ mile of permanent water sources. All roosts were < 500 yards away from an open meadow the size of an acre or larger (Boeker and Scott 1969). Boeker and Scott (1977) found a 64% reduction in turkey populations following a pinyon-juniper control program that isolated roost sites 300 m or more from cover. The most drastic reduction occurred in summer areas of pinyon-juniper habitat when 3% of the 32% returned to the sites post treatment. Turkeys used open meadows among forested areas as feeding sites but seldom ranged > 45 yards from escape cover. Martin et al. (2005) relocated 91 of the 120 turkey roost sites described historically by Moeller et al. in 1985. Trees not relocated were in areas where: 1) There were significant size in tree stands believed to be suitable roost sites or, 2) Sites without large trunks that showed no historical roost tree characteristics and use by turkey. Through the study 76 new roost sites were located and 24 existed in treatment stands. All roost sites correlated with mature ponderosa pine trees with a mean age of 263 years, Ponderosa pine 100 years older than others found in the study by Hoffman (1968). Murie (1946) found that turkey habitat use had strong correlation with ponderosa pine, oaks and juniper trees at elevations greater than 6,000 feet. In one winter study two flocks of Merriam’s turkey were observed in habitat less than 4,000 feet in elevation where oak, juniper and cottonwood trees were present. Food supply at lower elevations was less abundant. The number of crops and droppings examined was insufficient to conclude full information on food habits in the area. 37 species of plants were identified as food source in the crops. DISCUSSION Home range size indicated male Merriam’s turkey used larger spring home ranges than females (Hoffman 1991). Mobility of males was increased by the onset of hunting season but since most of the study was on private property it was considered an insignificant factor. Since May is the hen’s most receptive period of the year, hen availability for males could stimulate more traveling for successful breeding. Hoffman (1968) found that turkeys entered their roost from 19 minutes before and 3 minutes after sunset showing a direct correlation to temperature. The colder the temperature the sooner the turkeys went to roost. The flocks studied however always left the roost sight before sunrise regardless of weather conditions. The tallest and largest dbh trees were used for roosts indicating a basic need for height and sturdiness. The distinct preference for ponderosa pine trees may be explained because of the large open canopies with large lateral branches. Roost sites usually had an adjacent clearing or field illustrating the need for easy take off and landing during undesirable conditions. Pinyon pine seed is a preferred food for turkeys although it cannot be depended on as an annual food source (Boeker and Scott 1977). Turkeys used the treated areas less after the pinyon-juniper control program showing a decrease in habitat preference. The lack in suitable roost trees in the summer habitat range was probably responsible for reduction in use (Boeker and Scott 1977), which concurs with other studies done by Hoffman (1968) and Boeker and Scott (1969). Amount of precipitation in study years could have also effected seed production of pinyon pine further reducing habitat use. Through various studies examined in this paper it is apparent to believe ponderosa pine and other large trees are suitable habitat for turkey. Large tracts of grassland were always present indicating one other key habitat preference. Murie (1946) documented data outside of this general trend with populations using habitat at 4,000 feet in elevation. Conclusions may predict that one particular winter had below average temperatures and lower elevations were more comfortable for turkey in regards to thermoregulation. There was a documented, inadequate food supply (Murie 1946). The scratching of oaks by turkeys indicated acorn foraging and was verified by scat analysis. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Timber harvest could be a useful tool for adaptive management but in all cases treatment procedures should never remove the largest trees in an area. In summer periods the habitat in the turkeys upper most elevations should be first for treatment. After careful review I would say it would be most beneficial to clear small fields 1/10 to 3/10 an acre in size near the largest trees stands in an area leaving a distance of 50 yards or less for escape cover. Research supports wild turkeys are most dependent on open area fields for foraging with adequate escape cover. All nest and forage habitat must have a close proximity to roost sites within 1000 yards. Management practice should incorporate the knowledge that turkey seasonally migrate. Management activities should have proper consideration to time of year and terrain type generating as little disturbance on turkeys as possible. I believe using GIS models is essential to rebuild turkey habitat in degraded areas. By modeling types of trees and percentage of cover, areas with the highest roosting potential can be identified for the best results or certain terrain may be ruled out completely if adequate roosting sites are not found. The general theme of turkey breeding potential and survivability displays the immediate need for proper roosting sites and adjacent fields for feeding. LITERATURE CITED Gustafson, E. J., G. R. Parker, and S. E. Backs. 1994. Evaluating Spatial Pattern of Wildlife Habitat: A Case Study of the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallapavo). American Midland Naturalist 131(1):24-33. Hoffman, D. M. 1968. Roosting Sites and Habits of Merriam’s Turkeys in Colorado. Journal of Wildlife Mangement 32(4):859-866 Hoffman, R.W. 1991. Spring Movements, Roosting Activites, and Home-Range Characteristics of Male Merriam’s Wild Turkey. The Southwestern Naturalist 36(3):332-337. Martin, S.L., T.C. Theimer, and P.Z. Fule. 2005. Ponderosa Pine Restoration and Turkey Roost Site Use in Northern Arizona. Wildlife Society Bulletin 33(3):859-864. Mock, K.E., T.C. Theimer, B.F. Wakeling, O.L. Rhodes Jr., D.L. Greenberg, and P. Kern. 2001. Verifying the Origins of a Reintroduced Population of Gould’s Wild Turkey. Journal of Wildlife Management 65(4):871-879. Murie, A. 1946. The Merriam Turkey on the San Carlos Indian Reservation. Journal of Wildlife Management 10(4):329-333. Scott, V.E. and E.L. Boeker. 1969. Roost Tree Characteristics for Merriam’s Turkey. Journal of Wildlife Management 33(1):121-124 Scott, V.E. and E.L. Boeker. 1977. Responses of Merriam’s Turkey to Pinyon-Juniper Control. Journal of Range Management 30(3):220-223. Arizona Habitat Hoffman.pdf CO Hoffman.pdf Goulds Turkey SW.pdf Habitat PJ Turkeys.pdf N Az PP Turkeys.pdf Roost Turkey Trees.pdf San Carlos Turkeys.pdf

Drove a lot this weekend, best I saw was Forest Lakes, was one huge puddle with some snow mixed in when I drove through yesterday. Everything was flowing and full.

Dang, and I thought my little ram sheath and one ram deadhead find was good!! Very nice.

Very impressive, great job on two dandy bucks!

OP - Buddy and I are in the a similar boat, learning a ton in a few short outings. How are you progressing the last month? All - Thanks for some good advice, I'm wondering how you experienced guys might handle a particular situation - The Context: Yesterday, we had a great looking/dominant horse come straight into a pig in distress call sequence, followed shortly by a single yote 200 yards cross/downwind, he/she started to bugger off slowly and diagonally away after either winding us or seeing the horse. The Question: Do you take a shot on that slowly moving coyote at that distance and potentially miss (I did), leaving him alive and educated? Or do you shoot every chance you get? Thanks! Buddy and I feel that shooting and missing is the worst thing we can do as it keeps an educated dog in a good calling area but you can't kill 'em if you don't choot 'em so...

Happy Birthday, Adam!

Beautiful, co-workers are going to wonder why there are tears in my eyes. Extra bone and love for the pup tonight, and if the wife is sound asleep heck I'll probably let him on the bed too.

Blue is State Trust Yellow is BLM Looks like it depends where you're at.

Completely agree. Just because you want to sit in the climber doesn't mean you have to use the climber to get up the tree. My climber is so much more comfortable than my hang on's. Comfort = Time @ 20' high = Opportunity I like to be at least 20' as stated above, guy's back east think we're nuts, I think we (kinda) have to be. Lots of topics on this site about controlling scent and how to deal with swirling wind - I am convinced there are just times when things will not work out to sit a particular tree at a particular time. That's why I like a climber, takes just a couple minutes to relocate and keep hunting. I pick out and prepare at least 2 trees opposite of each other around the proverbial 'x.' After learning more since my last post in this thread, now when I am fully committed to a spot, I spend the time to put a hang on stand in my favorite tree - then you can go up and down 100% silent, but if the wind or situation dictates the tree just isn't right, I keep my climber nearby and ready to go to the next best tree option, hunting again in minutes. Specifically for but likely not limited to Coues deer, you can't just climb higher and think the scent will then go over them if the wind isn't right. I've gone way higher than I feel comfortable trying just that, to no avail, and I won't do so anymore. Keep the wind right, be patient, good things will come.

Similar situation at my house except my neighbor removed the pile of crap that the dog was using to try to get over the wall, now he can only get his snout over and he doesn't do it as much.

Just saying on the blood on the hands part, dog could needlessly hurt someone or something else.

Definitely agree. May be an interesting discussion, home protection firearm details and why. My point was there are better options than a pistol. Anyway, I hope Josh, me or anyone I know, ever have to euthanize a dog in defense with a gun, period. Animal control sounds like another good idea. Hopefully the hill just gets shoveled soon and he can stay cool with his neighbor.

Beautiful dogs, longshooter. Josh, if I were you, first thing's first. Get the hill removed. Conflicts with neighbors stink and I would avoid them at all cost, but this cannot wait. Show up with a pair of gloves on and ask him to put down the pipe and xbox controller, and shovel the hill quick. If he doesn't comply tell him in a nice manner that you will be out enjoying your yard with your firearm until the hill is removed, and that at this point you will be sharing the issue of liability with the homeowner. I also thought video was a good idea, and document the dates, times and notices of the issue with the renter just to be prepared. Lastly, if you don't have a 12 gauge, borrow one until the situation is resolved. Bird shot out of a shotgun won't go through walls and significantly reduces the chance of innocent bystander injury. Not to mention it's difficult to miss. 357, can't say the same. Good luck this is a stupid situation you shouldn't have to be in the first place. Breed of dog is irrelevant.

So who's doing the taxidermy work for you?? j/k - stud bucks, congratulations!

Here are 2 good options if you have an entire weekend. 1- In February, one of my favorite trips used to be to Hawley lake in the White Mountains for Brown trout. For whatever reason IMO in Feb they are most susceptible to bite and there is opportunity at catching 20+" fish. I've heard they may be spawning but most literature says they spawn in the fall. At any rate, I've had success bait fishing with a couple split shots and a 20" leader tipped with a meal worm and a kernel of corn, yes both. Check the legality of using a treble hook on the reservation but best way to rig this is meal worm across 2/3 of the treble hook and 2 kernels of corn over 1/3 of the treble hook. My favorite Brown trout casting lures are Blue Fox spinners. This is my favorite pattern but most any would work. Several kids could stay entertained in the highlighted north shore area. 2- In March-April, crappie and bass start firing up with the warmer temps. If I was leading a trip with a few boys, looking for a good hang out and potential at catching a lot of fish, consider an overnight trip to Roosevelt, Alamo, or Bartlett Lakes. This is where I was asking if you had access to small watercraft. But, I would get set up with a 12v deep cycle battery and a couple 'crappie' lights. They have both submersible (often green) and floating (mostly white) lights, I use both but the floating white lights work just fine and are cheap. I still use a couple of these $10 night blasters that are literally as old as me. Setting it up right as it gets dark, get those lights connected to a battery in the kayak/small watercraft, and use some ingenuity to anchor it a casting distance away from the shoreline. Ideally the water should be at least 10' deep and less than 25' but the max doesn't really matter. Here is a screen shot of a place on the Tonto end of Roosevelt lake I caught several last year, something like this is good. Within an hour or so, hopefully you start to witness a food chain - Lights attract plankton, which attract balls of threadfin shad, finally attracting crappie, largemouth, yellow bass, and catfish. You should be able to witness predator fish darting in and out of the light. You can cast just about any lure that resembles a baitfish, in but especially just outside the lights. The best bait is a minnow on a small aberdeen hook with a split shot and a slip bobber. You can go through several dozen minnows on a good night or you can waste a dozen watching the constellations move. I've really only touched the surface so let me know if you are interested and have any questions. I do several "night stalks" a year in my boat, especially in May/June. Something to be said about beating the heat and being under the stars this time of year. Some nights are unbelievable with the fishing. I'll document my process one night this spring and make a thread.

I'll be able to type a good recommendation tomorrow but last question, access to a small watercraft?