IA Born

All good. After getting 4 or 5 comments basically (paraphrasing) telling me we're dumb for getting rid of a vehicle my wife doesn't want, I guess I lost my patience. And I've never been big on wife or mom jokes. Even my closest friends know that's off-limits with me, but you don't know me and I get where you're coming from. Sorry you took the brunt of my frustration and lack of patience. Ironically, "Patience" is my "Word of the Year" for Taekwondo. I needed that reminder. Next time you are in Flagstaff, coffee is on me. Looks like you've been to the Bahamas, so we can swap stories and talk flats fishing.

Unfortunately, I can't put you in touch with any friends with private land, but I can point you to some state owned/public areas near where I used to hunt that are typically loaded with birds!

To be clear, I didn't post this asking for input on whether or not our decision is valid. I posted it to help advertise and, hopefully, sell the vehicle. This reminds me of the times people post that they are looking to buy a specific rifle in a specific cartridge, but everyone else tells them why their rifle is better. I'm not part of the 4Runner cult, nor will I ever be, although I understand people's deep love and devotion to them. Yes, I know they are solid vehicle off-road, but I've got a Ram 2500 that gets us everywhere I need to get when hunting and fishing. We got the 4Runner for other reasons than off-roading (yes, there are other reasons), and now my wife wants to go back to her love of Jeeps. And, yes, my wife means much more to me than any vehicle. This is already more explanation than I really need to provide.

No loss on our end. The 4Runner isn't a hunting rig and isn't getting used for what we originally intended. After 20 years of being together, I know enough to know if my wife wants a Jeep, then she's getting a Jeep.

There are definitely public land options in Kansas. If you want true easterns in KS, you have to go to the far eastern part of the state. There is an intergrade zone of eastern/rio birds in the Wichita area. On top of that, KS reduced the number of tags this seasons due to declining numbers. In units where you could get two OTC tags, you can now only get one. Lots of birds in Iowa, too, with similar public access as KS. Its a draw for NRs in Iowa, but doable,

I always wanted to put it through the ringer, but never got the chance. There were a couple of places this past turkey season where I'd rather have had her 4Runner than my Ram 2500! It handles amazingly in the snow!

Never said she needs a Jeep. Kinda like I don't really need another hunting rifle, but I have one I really want. When my wife has her mind on what she wants, I know enough to say yes dear!

I was out of it when I got home from a hard TKD session last night. Sorry if I came across like a dick in my response. Not knowing I had inadvertently checked the "manual transmission" box of the ad, I had no idea what you were referring to. Thanks to AZBig10 for clarifying. But, yes, she prefers a manual transmission...

Much appreciated on that heads up. Apparently I clicked the wrong button helping her set up the CL ad. Much appreciated!!

The manual is in the glove box of the 4Runner, unless you're asking about the transmission. Its an automatic. I happen to like the looks of this 4Runner, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. She had a badass Wrangler Sahara when we met and got married. Kids changed that. They're older, so she's ready for her Jeep again. Can't complain.

Just posted my wife's 2017 4Runner last night in the classifieds. It has all in the info in the included Craigslist link where we posted it locally here in Flagstaff.

Crap....this is what happens when you try to function immediately after a nap. This should be in the Classifieds. I'll repost it there. My bad!

After cancelling our two week summer vacation for a variety of reasons, we have decided to head to Telluride the end of this month. We've never been there and we're going to be doing some mountain biking and 'sploring. I'm also going to be taking my fly rods and waders (as is my son) so I can spend part of a day or two hitting some local streams/rivers. Any suggestions for where to go throw some flies in the Telluride area without getting too lost? Or suggestions for a local fly shop (or shops) up there that has a solid reputation to get info from? Much appreciated! And if there are good mountain bike trails that aren't crazy technical, that's good info to have, too! Thanks again and make it a great day on purpose!

When I lived in Tucson, pre-Craig's Custom Rifles, I had Randy Lawson at Harry Lawson Custom Guns do all my work. Randy took over his dad's business several years ago and is one of the best, least advertised, around the area. I've heard nothing but good about Craig's Custom Rifles, but can personally vouch for Randy Lawson's work.

That's, in part, because Draysen has a good assistant. The guy can't hike worth a darn, but he can help around the shop pretty good! Great tips, Sean! I gots to admit, though, I kinda like that blood-stained look. It gives the skull some character!

Its that time of year again. We have our deck of cards for your chance to win a Commissioner's Turkey Tag. There are 10 decks statewide, giving a total 540 chances to win a commissioner's turkey tag for the state of Arizona. You have 365 days to hunt, should you win, any turkey in any open unit in Arizona. More specifically, this gives you the chance to hunt the Gould's which is only found in Arizona, New Mexico and Northern Old Mexico. $20 gets you a chance. You do not have to be an Arizona resident but you will have to have a valid hunting license to hunt. Second prize is a Savage Axis .308 w/ 3-9x40 scope. The drawing will be August 1, 2020. If you want a ticket for the raffle, message me. If you want multiple chances, we can make that happen, too.

Bump this up. Still have a few cards left!

I know he's working on one right now. He posted some pics on IG or FB (don't recall) the other day and they looked great!

Definitely Draysen. His dad is goofy as heck, but Draysen takes after his mom, in smarts, looks, and hiking ability. 🤣 Definitely talk to Draysen!

My first reaction was "What the heck were you thinking?!?!", especially in 35A, but then I saw the 21 total points and, yep, you definitely made the right call! 35A is my favorite unit for deer and turkey!

We still have chances left for a Commissioner's Turkey Tag. Get your cards now!

That is correct. We are patiently waiting to hear what they say about next year's applications.

As long as you or your kid are between 12-17 years old, you can still participate. I haven't seen the announcement for the 2020 contest yet, though. Its good to see the announcement because it has the exact requirements. The essay subject changed after my daughter won, so you have to pay attention to details.

We spent opening weekend in and out of toms. My daughter should have been done at 6am Friday morning, but her dad, a supposed turkey hunting veteran, made a rookie (ie, excited dad) mistake. My son was determined to stay the course and today, April 22, 2020, is a day of days. A day I'll long not forget. Jacob decided he wanted another chance at a turkey, so we took off last night packing light for the one night and morning we had available this week. I'm swamped at work, and he's now teaching Taekwondo classes to other kids his age and younger (I love that he's a black belt now). We were in our sleeping bags early and up at 4am this morning. It was cold, but we got dressed, ate breakfast, and made a plan. As we hiked up Plan A canyon, a bird gobbled over in Plan B canyon. We took off cross country, cutting distance and relocating the bird. That bird turned into what we thought were 3, maybe 4 birds up in front of us. A lone gobbler fired off up above them, followed by a gobble down to our left. Good odds, right? I let them know we were there, and simulated two different hens flying down off roost. That's a new tactic for me, but one I'll definitely be incorporating more. One more gobble and the woods went dead quiet. We were about to move somewhere else, so we stood up. I gave one call before we walked out to get the decoys, just to see what would happen. The whole flock gobbled at once 50 yards away. We had to scramble to sit back down! The woods got eerily quiet again, and I was figuring they busted us sitting down. "I can see them!", Jacob whispered. Lessons were learned (Friday morning), so I sat back, patiently waiting for the birds to come in directly in front of us. They didn't come directly in front of us, but in from my hard right. I saw two or three sets of legs and then, 10 or 12 total jakes came strutting in and they lit up when they saw the decoys. I was nervous waiting for one to separate away from the group for Jacob. "Shoot when you've got one separated." I purred one more time, heard the shot, and saw the gobbler on the ground! It was 5: 58am. Jacob had his first turkey on the ground. It was a 12-lb jake with a 4-inch beard, and very worn spurs. The coolest part: I used the slate call he built himself last year to call those birds in! "Dad, can you use my homemade call? It would be so cool for you to call in my bird with a call I made myself!" Tell me with a straight face how you say no to that! We are extremely blessed. 16 years ago right now, my head was spinning after losing my dad on April 10, 2004, while waiting for my daughter to be born (April 25, 2004). Neither of my kids knew their grandpa and he loved turkey hunting and fishing. A good friend up here has become a grandpa-figure to both my kids and he took us to this spot this weekend. He stopped by the house today to see the bird and hear the whole story after we told part of the story via text. Rubberband Man came on SXM as we got to town. Yes, we rolled down the windows, talked about "Stripes", and cranked it! He's addicted to turkey hunting and I'm an extremely proud dad! I wish these pics would post normal! GRRR!

Loved getting that pic last weekend as much as I loved sending you mine this morning. Congrats, fellas!