CouesPursuit

That was good advice from deserthntr, getting the dog snake trained is a must. Because I wanted to be sure and use live rattlesnakes on my dog, I elected to use a professional for this. I know you said $ is a factor but I used a professional for $60 or so, which came with a free follow up session to verify the dog learned 100% avoidance. If you choose to get some help and not do it yourself, Roger May is member here on CWT, and I know he does snake training. He goes by "maydayretrievers." I'm sure he would help you out. You can preview those books on amazon, I thought Game Dog would be more suitable for you as you seem to hunt both quail and waterfowl but I could be wrong. Best of luck!

I was lucky enough to find this large ram skull while working with the BLM a few years back. It is in rough shape from the sun, any recommendations on anything others have done in the past to keep it intact? It is currently inside on display in the living room, so sun and heat are no longer a problem. Current plan is to leave it as is. I hesitate to do anything to this trophy animal, but I would at least like any opinions if others had luck with something for preservation that wouldn't be invasive to the character of this ram. Appreciate any advice - thanks in advance.

My hunt choices didn't warrant your FREE service but I have to chime in and mention that what you did here was truly awesome man, best of luck and I hope some folks find a way to repay you. The only thing that could make this thread better would be to see or hear of you drinking some free beers out of the deal.

Hunter, when I got started with my lab's waterfowl retrieving I read a few books oriented to hunting waterfowl specifically. I would recommend reading at least 2 gun dog books because one author's/trainer's methods may be more realistic for your contraints (time / $ / etc.) or in general for what you want out of your pup and experience. The first book I read, Water Dog, by Richard Wolters. http://www.amazon.com/Water-Dog-Revolutionary-Training-Method/dp/0525247343/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392129968&sr=8-1&keywords=waterdog Had great info but his methods weren't realistic for me, especially for a first timer. This book's approach is to essentially "finish" a dog in two years, and have that dog be dedicated far more to hunting/retrieving than a member of the family. I did get a TON of valuable information though that I use in combination with the more realistic approach I chose for me and my dog. The second book I read, Training the Hunting Retriever, by Jerome Robinson. http://www.amazon.com/Training-Hunting-Retriever-Jerome-Robinson/dp/1558219366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392130170&sr=8-1&keywords=training+the+hunting+retriever Way better approach for me, it was easier to follow and I felt like I wasn't under some looming deadline if my dog, or more often ME, wasn't getting it. These 2 books probably aren't what your looking for, but the idea is there. Richard Wolters makes a couple others you may want to look into, such as Game Dog - This is written for both waterfowl and upland game birds, sounds like a good fit for you maybe? http://www.amazon.com/Game-Dog-Retriever-Waterfowl-Training/dp/0525939423/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1392130657&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=richard+wotlers I know some folks on here should be able to step in and give you great direction, but I found reading these older books gives a comprehensive look at the whole deal and it's way better than searching and organizing articles on the internet! Youtube videos are great too, but better once you know what you and your dog need to do next or exactly how to go about doing it. Spending time with my dog in the field is one of the most amazing feelings I will never be able to explain. Good luck, Hunter!

A natural oil application of some sort is the kind of info/possibility I was looking for in case I need it down the road. Thanks, wildwoody. Unless it continues to flake badly after being indoors, chances are he sits as is, eventually on a habitat mount. Thanks, Jimmer and all with the leave as-is recommendation.

I will add I have written permission from the WM. It is a legal find. Thanks.

Something like that.. Those Vulture 10x50's give me a noticable headache by mid morning if relentlessly glassing, they start to blend the homogenous country side together after a few hours making it tougher to pick out critters, and sometimes they would strain my eyes enough to make my entire body tired. I often wanted quick power naps to snap out of the funk. Everyone's eyes are different, though this seems to be the trend with friends joining on hunts and using the same pair of glass. And I would rule out it's just my pair because one of my warranties was a full replacement. Hope this helps.

The Vortex Vulture 10x50's were the first pair of binoculars that I purchased for hunting. http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexvulture10x50 I could not look through them for prolonged periods of time and clarity was decent at best. I still have the Vulture 10x50's, as a backup to a backup and they have been broken and warranteed twice by Vortex. One tripod incident and one eye cup slipping incident. Huge +1 to the Vortex warranty. I have a Vortex Diamondback riflescope and my brother has Viper 15x50's, both GREAT products for the money. But wasn't a fan of the Vulture line.

Last Saturday morning, I found my truck broken into and a few valuable items missing. The theif just posted one of my valuable items on craigslist. I have notified Mesa police, and I hope they take action. But, if anyone has been in a similar experience, will they actually help? And how long should I wait before calling them back or taking action myself? My first reaction was to try to something about it myself, because relying on others isn't the way to get stuff done. But, the police getting involved could help get more than just the one item back and put the theif to justice. I would prefer the latter. Any honest help is appreciated, Thanks.

Yup. migr82az. But man that site went to crap. Keep in touch if you stick around the CWT forum!

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.