IA Born

Amanda is dead on. I don't know that I've ever publicly come out and admitted it on this site, but I work for the USFWS in Arizona. I was in our Tucson office for 3.5 years before moving to our Flagstaff office. I have a very strong, working knowledge of what the ESA is and is not. You'd truly be surprised by what it isn't. I have worked on one listing package and associated critical habitat designation. I have seen the ESA abused by people with agendas and I've seen it abused by people who don't understand it. At any point, I'd be happy to sit down with anyone and have a rational discussion about any aspect of the ESA and what, exactly it can and can't do. In all of my years, one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that people's perspectives change when they realize that there are FWS biologists who have spent their lives hunting, fishing, promoting the continuation of hunting and fishing, and practice/believe in conservation. I've swayed many an ill opinion of "my kind" by using my passion for hunting and fishing in conjunction with my equal passion for conservation. By the way, Amanda, we have several mutual friends! They all speak highly of you!

While I agree with what has been said about there not being a need for critical habitat being designated and that money is better spent working in their core area, critical habitat alone will not close off the public lands from hunting. I did not work on the critical habitat rule/designation, but I'm extremely familiar with what the designation of critical habitat means and DOES NOT mean. Critical habitat already exists in many areas for other species that are truly in need of protection and no access to public land has been lost in over 20+ years. I used to work with the land management agencies in southern Arizona to implement projects where both critical habitat and protected species exist. I have hunted in those same areas. It changes land management, but only slightly and often for the better because the land management agencies are also working to recover the species/habitat so protections can eventually be removed. In all of my years of working in the wildlife management field, there has NEVER been a case of restricted access for any recreational activity (except eagle nesting exclosures) on public lands. AZLance's information has been instrumental in understanding where jaguars are/are not and how many there are down there. Yes, there are at least two and because of the number of trail cams, they are more than fleeting glances. I highly doubt tags will be reduced because of a critical habitat designation. There is no reason that would cause the reduction. Jaguars have been down there eating deer for a few years now and tags haven't been reduced. I also agree that there are too many tags in those areas, but the aim has been, in recent years, hunter opportunity, not herd quality. Tags should be reduced in many areas down there to improve herd quality, but the jaguar or its critical habitat won't be the reason it happens.

X2 on this statement. The Diamond was too heavy for my daughter so I went with a Hoyt Ruckus, but I have no doubt that when my son outgrows his Nuclear Ice, he will stepping up to that Infinite Edge (or whatever model replaces it).

I meant to include pics of my rig in my original post. With my 700 ADL, it went from right around one-inch groups with the factory stock (bedded/floated), Leupold Dual Dovetail bases/rings and a Simmons Aetec Scope with factory trigger set to 2.75lbs to a factory synthetic stock with a Zeiss Conquest and handloads producing .48" 100-yard groups (.81" at 200 yds). I have always loved the Leupold Dual Dovetail bases/rings and have never had a problem with them. A few years ago, I put a McMillan stock on it because I've always wanted one. It didn't really improve the accuracy, but it looks cool! Back then, I chose between the scope or a Timney trigger. Obviously went with the scope and figured the factory trigger at 2.75 lbs was good enough (and it obviously has been). I may or may not go with a Timney or Jewell down the road to drop it down to 2 lbs (or less), but then I'll end up having to do that with all three of my hunting rifles and that will get expensive! Factory Synthetic Stock: With McMillan Stock:

My 2011 Iowa archery buck. Taken Halloween morning after rattling him to just under 20 yards. Scored 144-5/8 as a 10 pt.

Closing the roads in the winter is not uncommon up here to prevent road damage. Not saying that the roads will be damaged with the lack of moisture, but it is standard FS practice. The shooting range out east of town in open and a great place.

That is EXACTLY what it includes and is what we need! Some of the kids are first timers and some have some really heartbreaking stories. You get to mentor them in life and turkey hunting! I see you are here in Flag. If you want to meet up sometime and talk more about it, let me know.

One last bump before the seminar next week!

The Northern Arizona chapter of the NWTF will be hosting another Spring Turkey Hunting & Calling Seminar in Flagstaff at the AZGFD office on Wednesday evening, February 19th from 7-9 PM. No cost. If you plan to attend, let me know and I can add your name to our list so we don't over-book. There is good seating, but it IS limited. We did this last year and it was a success and well received. Our speaker will also offer tips, etc. on hunting in other, nearby states. Bring your maps, etc. and he'll be happy to offer 60+ years of experience. I consider myself a good turkey hunter, but our speaker is phenomenal and will definitely teach you something!

Not much more to add that hasn't been added. I had a factory synthetic stock put on my 700ADL .30-06 and absolutely had it bedded and floated. Factory trigger was adjusted to 2.75 lbs and I have a good Zeiss scope on it. 200 yards groups with my hand-loaded Barnes 165 gr TSX shoot 0.81". Trigger, bed/float, optics, and try handloading, even bumping up to 165 gr or 168 gr and you should be able to reach beyond 600 yards all day long. Many people seem to forget that the .30-06 was the original 1000-yard open sight match competition rifle. Springfield 1903s and M1 Garands are capable of 1000+ yard accuracy (without scopes) all day long in the hands of someone who knows how to work them. Modern rifles set up properly are just as capable! Good luck!

From yesterday afternoon: http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/41105-204-ruger-brass-for-sale-or-trade/

Yep. Have seen them at the West (old) Walmart and Colleen at Pistol Parlor should be able to get you one. Can also order them from Cheaper Than Dirt, but you have to ship to an FFL.

Figured I'd give this another bump up. Still space open.

Couldn't agree more. I was hesitant when I got my latest turkey gun (11-87 Thumbhole) with adjustable rifle sights after using standard beads my whole life. Now I couldn't imagine turkey hunting without them. Mine came with Tru-Glo. I broke one the first time out and they sent me a handful of replacement tubes. I use Remington Wingmaster HD (discontinued now) #4 shot (original Hevi-Shot), but when I run out of those, I will likely switch to #5 shot Hevi Shot. I think #5 shot is the perfect compromise between the number of pellets in #6 shot and the heavy hitting power of #4 shot. If you go with Hevi-shot or another non-lead turkey load, you need to look at a choke tube that will handle it. Most standard choke tubes won't and clearly say that ("Not for use with Hevishot). I have a Cabela's Hevi-Shot extra full turkey choke tube and its great. Way back in the day, when I first started, I used a Rem 1100 with a 30" full choke barrel and Remington Nitro Express #4s. There are so many good turkey loads out there now, its unbelievable.

I will NEVER forget the first time I got to hold my daughter (1st kid) and Stanley and Mocha couldn't be more correct. I cried and cried and cried and didn't want to let her go. She'll be 10 in just over 2 months and I still want to cry sometimes and never let her go! CONGRATULATIONS!!

If memory serves me correctly, I don't think there is a minimum age in New Mexico, but I haven't looked in the regs for a while. I called 2 years ago to see if I could take my daughter turkey hunting at 8. They said I could as long as she had a Hunter Ed course. Of course, she couldn't take the class in AZ until she turned 9...

Ears look a little small to be a kit fox, but I'd say kit fox.

TTT- Whisperlite (Internationale) is still available. Will be down in the valley next weekend (8-9 Feb) and then again (likely) 22-23 Feb.

We have an MSR Whisperlite Shaker Jet and MSR Dragonfly stoves and bottles. Both stoves need new fuel pumps, but are in otherwise excellent condition. They sat forever because we got out of backpacking after the kids were born, hence the fuel pumps falling apart. Both stoves also have at least two fuel bottles each (one big, one small). There could be three bottles each, but I'll have to check. Rather than fix them, we thought we'd sell them and upgrade to newer models. $40 each includes all bottles for each stove. I will be down in the north valley this weekend (Reach 11 Sports Complex; staying at the Drury Inn off Pinnacle Peak/I-17) and can bring everything down if anyone in the valley is interested. Don't have pictures right now because I just thought about posting them since I'll be down there. Can get you pictures or you can see them on REI, etc.

I have a brick of steel cased Russian .22LR I'd be wiling to part with. Bought it for my daughter's single shot, but it won't feed it properly. Haven't tried it in other rifles. Only 5 rounds missing. PM me if you are interested. Two soccer tournaments in Phoenix in February so I'll be down there a couple of times and can bring it.

Last year we had it on the Friday night before our banquet and had a good turnout. This year, we had a tough time coordinating everyone's schedules. For what its worth, there will be a few raffle prizes (free tickets, too)!

Jim Warren from over in Pinetop. He's very involved with NWTF and our chapter, in particular. He's the formal Regional Director for our area, too. Great guy!

That's awesome! Congrats!

An even closer source. But PM me if you want me to let you know what I know, too.

Why are there drive through liquor stores if you're not supposed to drink and drive?