CouesPursuit

I will give a bag of a dozen, older but decent-good decoys to the first runner-up. Hoping metau doesn't mind me adding in..

Final Update: The thief has been arrested and is undergoing prosecution. He will serve 1.5-3 years in prison for the "burglary" and based on the video footage/set-up when we bought the stolen item back, he will also be charged with "trafficking in stolen property." Both prosecutions are felonies. I am filing for restitution and although I will not get my other stolen items back, legal justice will be served.

I have followed some of Grady's posts as "7greenheads" on a couple other forums, nothing but positive, kind and informative. Good luck, Grady. And great stuff, metau!

So much this. Even if I am satisfied with my 2 packs I have enjoyed following each recommended item on this thread.

2 of my hunting buddies have the Ox and they swear by it. It's incredibly light for a frame pack.

A distinct alternative to your existing interest.. I have the Badlands Sacrifice (see avatar) for similar uses as you described. It packs out a boned out deer easy with cape and gear. It weighs less than 4lbs and can be packed/cinched up tight for use as day pack, or all of the straps can be loosened opening it up to 3,800 cubic inches for longer trips. It carries both a rifle and bow safely. Lifetime, unconditional warranty. Quiet zippers and buckles. I'm a big fan of Badlands, and if the Sacrifice isn't for you, maybe another product of theirs is worth looking into. My $.02. Good luck!

Thank you all for the comments and kudos!

Minox makes some great glass for the $. They are sturdy and clear, same great warranty as Vortex. http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62173

SRP was just recently flying a contract position in their Enivornmental group, you likely have the skill set. Great opportunity to get in. They are hiring several customer service reps as well. https://www.srp.apply2jobs.com/ProfExt/index.cfm?fuseaction=mExternal.searchJobs Welcome to Arizona!

Thanks! I looked around a bit but I'm not too concerned for it. Adds to the story and he isn't P&Y or anything to score.

Cool site thanks for sharing.

The one's you can get the most scouting done in.

Lesser Canada Goose, my first banded waterfowl. Banded Maricopa County, 2009 - Harvested Maricopa County, 2014 Only speculation of whether this bird was a permanent resident, she was shot in a remote location and did not have callused "park feet" according to the taxidermist.

Lot of guys get creative with a fishing rod and a treble-hooked surface plug.. Just a thought.

Mounting her on full alert, just like she was for the last 40 or so yards the dog and I were after her.. I plan on having her stand guard on my safe. I have a second bird (Drake Pintail) being mounted in flight so the standing pose was a no brainer.

Although I'm always one to look at the silver lining in anything, I'm actually quite happy with the result. -First band period, broke the ice. -I'm an AZ native as well as the goose so that's cool. -I found out that a park-born juvenile had enough "wild" in her that she left the park and golf courses and chose to live in a rugged section of desert river. Lastly, my dog and I shared a 400 yard stalk through rough river rock and cocklebur. He didn't know know there was a goose, he just naturally trusted me that there was a reward at the end (part of the reason I put all 3 shells in the goose as I wanted to make sure he got his reward too). I treated that stalk like it was a coues sitting in the middle of that river, and I've always told myself, if you can hunt coues deer, you can hunt anything!

The Canada goose was an AZ native, a local trophy. It was banded by AZGFD at Vista del Camino park in June '09 with the description "Too young to fly."

There has been an ongoing study and banding effort for geese in Maricopa county based the number of new residents staying behind every year. I'm sure it wasn't at all likely before that effort. When I get the official USGS certificate via email, I will be able to see the bander's info and I will likely pursue some more info from there. I'll share it back here as it's available.. And thank you, Drake is a wonderful dog.

Thanks, lol, snowbird! He was paired. I had elected to continue to shoot all 3 shells into him to make sure he dropped, but I sure am glad I picked the bird on the right!

Similar to its residency status, I'm sure it is speculation at best. But, I suppose I felt comfortable taking the word of an experienced taxidermist and sharing it here. Does it really matter for you, yotebuster? Should I go ahead and edit the post so there is no confusion? Wasn't trying to be rude, just curious. Weird things happen, maybe it was a resident lesser. I've seen them here in ND all summer, usually cripples or juvenile birds that don't make it back to the tundra. Just curious is all. Do you have any pics of the bird? Sorry to jump. But in all seriousness, the taxidermist didn't hesitate to share with excitement that he believed it was a lesser. The bird had a pale breast in respect to the other "greaters" I have taken earlier in the season and it was by far the smallest. The 5 years the bird has been carrying a band tells me it isn't just a juvenile (yes could be a subadult) but both the taxidermist and I felt he was in great body condition and a mature bird. We compared him with other recently mounted geese in the studio and again, he was the smallest in any comparison. They are considered to be one of the most interbred goose species as well, so I should just call him a Canada from here on out, should it matter. My others photos reveal the area more than I would like to share for now, still a week of season left..

Great pintails!

Similar to its residency status, I'm sure it is speculation at best. But, I suppose I felt comfortable taking the word of an experienced taxidermist and sharing it here. Does it really matter for you, yotebuster? Should I go ahead and edit the post so there is no confusion?

I don't want to talk bad about anybody but the help I needed was not there when I needed it and the beat goes on. It's behind me now as far as I'm concerned, I appreciate those who took the time to post positive comments.

Had chills at the kill shot, another great video, Zac!

Easy, tasty and especially good/accepting for the first time duck eater. Duck (preferably dabbler breasts, chunked at 2") Bacon (thick) Teriyaki or other preferred/similar sauce (thick) Pineapple (fresh and chunked) In the field by campfire - 1) Slightly precook the bacon by way of choice, giving it a head start but yet leaving fat to burn. 2) Combine precooked bacon, duck chunks, pineapple chunks and teriyaki sauce in tin foil and wrap it up tightly. Cook on low heat coals about 8-10 minutes a side for a medium cook, adjust to preference. Can be served with rice. At home by BBQ - 1) Marinate duck chunks in Teriyaki or preferred sauce overnight or at least an hour or two. 2) Slightly precook the bacon by way of choice, giving it a head start but yet leaving fat to burn. 3) Wrap duck chunks in precooked bacon. Shishkabob bacon wrapped duck chunks and pineapple and grill on low heat as desired. Can grill with sweet peppers or other shishkabob favorties as well. As long as they didn't have their mind made up before they tried it, I haven't had anyone say they don't enjoy it this way. Hope any testers enjoy it as well.