IA Born

Sorry, been gone and distracted quite a bit. The lifetime license sold out a long time ago. I don't recall who won it. Our raffle coordinator never removed that from the website. The turkey vest has a limit of 30 cards and the SW gift cards and Marsupial bird bag have limits of 100 each. We have a ways to go on them, but need to get them pushed and sold out, so we can get to something else. Please help spread the word of the raffles going on!

Another vote for the InReach mini. I don't have it, but I've done the research and two of my friends have it. One stayed in daily communication as he was solo backpacking the AZT this spring. My other friend had to use is SOS function when a guy in their elk hunting party broke his leg several miles deep in the Colorado wilderness last fall. My wife has used an InReach to send "I'm ok" texts when volunteering with our fish monitoring crew deep in the Lower Colorado River up from the confluence in the Grand Canyon. Definitely worth the money.

Bump. Will be in Scottsdale this Thurs-Sat and can bring stuff

Looks like they have it set for July 23rd, starting at 0730 at the Northern Arizona Shooting Range just east of Flagstaff. Not sure of my availability, but it will likely be posted on AGFD website after July 4. I could be wrong on that. It could be earlier, depending on how AGFD runs their posting timeline. I know new classes are always posted on a Tuesday. It will likely be limited to 18 slots due to the limited number of instructors available, though, so keep a sharp eye out and get registered quickly.

Update sent out to HE Instructors this morning regarding the need for field days: "We have been granted an extension on the Hunter Education Deferral for this fall and next springs youth hunts. This should take the pressure off and help us get back to normal operations by the end of the year. HE Deferral - (applies to all youth with big game tags) is in place which defers the completion of the online field day: To ensure youth ages 10 through 13 who have big game tags for upcoming hunts are able to participate in that hunt, AZGFD will allow them to defer completion of the required, in-person portion of Hunter Education until we resume normal operations."

One of our instructors is trying to plan and organize an online field day in Flagstaff for online students post-deer draw. He's looking at either July 18 or 23. I'm on the bubble for helping on the 23rd (my only possible day). Be advised, though, we typically ask parents that bring their kids to stay behind in the shade during the walk-through/non-shooting portions (parents aren't allowed on the shooting range, anyway). We've found it eliminates parents badgering and pressuring their kids for correct/wrong answers and lets the kids be fully engaged without fear of what a parent/grandparent will do say. We have at least two instructors for every 10 students, per policy. If the parent is a registered student, then the above doesn't apply and we encourage parents to take the class with their kids for the very reason you mention. Let me know if I can help you with anything on the class up here, assuming it happens.

Oops. That's what I get for multitasking. Updated above, but $25 for the boots.

The Hunter Ed Advisory Committee has a meeting tomorrow night with AGFD HE staff. This is a great question to ask since it's been clear as mud lately. I'll make sure and ask. I know we'll be putting on regular online field days in Flagstaff this summer, so stay up on the website for updates.

My kids have outgrown all of their youth stuff now. Time to find a good home for another youth. Both youth XL and in excellent condition. In Flagstaff, but will be near Cabela's this Thursday (May 12). $20 each and will ship at buyer's cost. NWTF JAKES turkey vest Upland Game Vest

Vests are SPF

Bump. I'll be near the airport June 8 and in Scottsdale for a family trip June 23-25

Bump. I'll be near the airport June 8 and in Scottsdale for a family trip June 23-25

Bump

I live in Flag and need to get out chasing pike at ULM, especially with my 9wt fly rod. Any spots better than others?

Cleaning out more gear that hasn't been used in a while and won't be used in the near future. Might as well offer it up to someone who can use it. The Wyoming Saw is the only thing used more than lightly, but I only got about a quarter through my daughter's elk before I lost my patience, packed it up and went a different route. Quiver has never seen the field, only range time and backyards. I don't remember the brand of the quiver, but its a 3-arrrow off my daughter's old bow. I'm too lazy and busy to look up how much I paid for everything, so all items are $15 each plus shipping, unless you're in Flagstaff and can meet up. 3-Arrow Quiver Wyoming Saw

TTT. I'll be in Glendale May 12 and can meet up near the area/stadium.

Flagstaff class is half-full (30 seats total) and most of them are from outside of Flagstaff.

Time to thin out the kids' camo again since it no longer fits or is not being used. Rain gear and hoodie are in excellent condition and either barely used (hoodie, t-shirts, UA top, beanies) or never used (rain gear). Don't want to piece it out. Asking $80 for everything, including shipping from Flagstaff. All sizes youth.

Clothes are sold!

My guess is they will be too big for you.

Bump and price drop. Realized, after catching up on sleep that I was a little high on the price. $80 for everything, including shipping. Will be in Glendale area, at the arena for a concert with my wife May 12 and can deliver.

PMd you...21 seats left as of this morning.

Let me know if you're planning to register for our class in Flagstaff.

We have an in-person class scheduled in Flagstaff May 12-15 and registration is open now on the AGFD website. We'll also be offering some field days as well up here.

I got back a little after midnight Sunday morning from Texas chasing turkeys. Last week’s journey started a little over a year ago. I was chatting with a guy that served with dad in Vietnam about his Texas ranch and I asked about Rio Grande turkeys. He has plenty of them and invited me over to hunt. He barely knew dad in Vietnam, but that was because of the circumstances of combat and being in different platoons in a company of 150ish men. I honestly don’t recall dad ever talking about Chuck, but that doesn’t mean anything. I was Opie’s son, and I was family. This is exactly why I love my Charlie Company (C/1/503/173d ABN SEP) family. The drive there took us through Ft. Sumner, NM, so of course we took the side trip to see Billy the Kid's grave. My lovely wife let me start making plans for turkey hunting in Texas this spring and a friend went with me. This trip was even more special because I planned it to be down turkey hunting during the anniversaries that haunt me the most. I’d be turkey hunting on the anniversary of the day that I last spoke to my dad and it was a conversation that didn’t end well. I’d be driving home on the 18th anniversary of the day dad died. Turkey hunting was one of the two things that always brought me and dad together during our frequent rough patches growing up. It’s a big part of why I love turkey hunting so much. I also found out that another one of dad’s Charlie Company buddies and his wife were driving up to see us Friday since they were only two hours away. I’ve been close to John and Evelyn since I first met them in 1995 and I’d be lost without them in my life. Chuck told me stories I’d never heard, and I got to sit and listen to John and Chuck talk about my dad in a way I don’t think I’d ever heard anyone talk before. John kept me close and reminded me who I am and where I came from. My family grew bigger, and I knew dad was smiling down, as was my mom. She’d have loved Chuck and Cheryl and I know she loved John and Evelyn. My buddy and I covered ground and talked turkey all day Thursday, but we came up empty. We did see three live armadillos, though. That was a first for me. Friday morning was different. We finally got into gobblers and worked them for over an hour before finally getting them to commit. At 1045, I finally connected with my first Texas Rio Grande gobbler (after 3 trips to TX) and my first turkey in way too long! It was a surreal feeling and I’m not sure how I held in the tears. I absolutely felt my dad’s presence. I felt completely surrounded by family in that moment. I loved walking back heavy. I loved calling to that other bird for my buddy on the walk back. I wish it would have worked out, but we had to hustle back to meet everyone for lunch. My tom weighed 17 lbs, had 1-inch spurs, and had a 10.5-inch beard. He was a perfect, mature boss tom. One of my favorite parts was that I primarily used a bocote wood pot call that my son, Jacob, made for me, too! My buddy got his tom Friday afternoon, as I was hanging out with my family. Getting my Rio Grande gobbler was having my cake and getting to eat it, too. Being with Chuck, Cheryl, John, and Evelyn was getting to have ice cream with my cake. I found a long-missing piece of my heart and I was able to heal a broken piece of my heart for the first time in 18 years. This journey started as a turkey hunt in Texas, but it ended being so much more than a turkey hunt. It also started what is going to be an epic April turkey season for me this year. I wish I knew why these pics came in sideways. Uggh.