IA Born

The Hatch Act only prevents you from lobbying on duty or using your official capacity to advance an agenda. I'm pretty sure you still have your rights of assembly and speech on your own time and acting in your own capacity. Every election cycle, we get the official Hatch Act reminders and it always reads that we cannot lobby for or against any piece of legislation and its always been explained to me that it applies to outside of duty hours. I could be wrong (would love to be), but its a grey area I've avoided. You give up certain civil liberties as a trade off for a secure job and good pay/benefits. Besides, I have my other sources that do enough lobbying for me!

You and me both, Steve! There's always the chance as the Commissioner's tag we raffle! You and me both, Steve! There's always the chance as the Commissioner's tag we raffle! HAHAHAHA there's always a chance you'll win the optics package in the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle too hahahahaha tell me when to stop laughing. I hate you. I'd make a joke about shooting a hole in your jeep, but that's was only funny once! I know some good Coues spots down there in addition to several spots that have tons of turkeys, but most hunters don't venture to, so when you get those tags, we can talk! It is funny now but not at the time. We waited until we were eating breakfast to giggle! Maybe 21 points will get me the tag in 2018! Maybe...

Can anyone one here recommend a respectable coin/precious metals dealer down in the valley? As my wife and I have been going through family stuff after my mom died, we are coming across more and more commemorative silver coins that my dad apparently impulse bought. Some of them are mint silver (real silver) dollars and some of them are 0.9999 troy ounce silver coins. We'd like to talk to someone who can tell us what we have and what our options are with them. I have zero trust in the place up here in Flagstaff. Thanks!

Exactly what I was just thinking after reading the OPs last post.

You and me both, Steve! There's always the chance as the Commissioner's tag we raffle! You and me both, Steve! There's always the chance as the Commissioner's tag we raffle! HAHAHAHA there's always a chance you'll win the optics package in the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle too hahahahaha tell me when to stop laughing. I hate you. I'd make a joke about shooting a hole in your jeep, but that's was only funny once! I know some good Coues spots down there in addition to several spots that have tons of turkeys, but most hunters don't venture to, so when you get those tags, we can talk!

Yes, the bolt release switch should have three positions on it. I have a 1918 Springfield 1903 and if you have the lever in the wrong position, it won't let the bolt come all the way back. They can be stripper clip fed, but its not necessary. And all 1903s were chambered in 30-06 after about 1906 or so. There are earlier versions from 1900-1903 that were 30-40 Krag. If you were in Flagstaff or closer, I'd tell you to bring it over. When you get it functional, it will shoot awesome!

You and me both, Steve! There's always the chance as the Commissioner's tag we raffle!

Thanks, Tim! Some of the coins are commemorative American Eagle Silver Dollars that have, in fact, been stored properly. The rest of the commemorative stuff I'm not expecting much more than the price of the .999% silver they are made of. Everything has been stored properly for tha matter. Thanks! When we get a chance, we'll look him up. We have to get our ducks in a row and figure out everything we have and then we'll move forward.

As expected, I got the Goulds shaft again. Maybe 21 points for next spring will pay off! Maybe.... And my spring is so busy, I can't do the usual 12A leftover turkey tag. I was already making plans to head to Kansas with a buddy for the one free weekend I have, when my wife informed me that our son's confirmation at our Catholic church is that very weekend! AARRGGGHHH!! I got my usual 18B/19A/19B/etc. archery javelina tag and my daughter got the youth 19A javelina tag. She also informed that we're going to the 1/27 youth turkey camp this year instead of the Happy Jack Camp that I normally mentor at. At least I get to turkey hunt with her!

Because of the Federal Hatch Act and my status as a Federal Agent/employee, I cannot lobby my congressmen for anything. On my behalf, PLEASE speak far and wide because, working in Federal land/wildlife management, this is a very real threat now.

I'm going to do my best to stay off of electronics tomorrow and spend the day off work with my family. I'm not sure if I'm taking my kids fishing or rabbit/squirrel hunting yet. Before I do that, I wanted to share a little story of what Veteran's Day means to my family and express a deep, heartfelt gratitude to those who have ever donned the uniform of our country and, especially, those who have seen combat. Veteran's Day was more than Veteran's Day in our house growing up. It was much deeper than that and has had a huge impact on my life and who I am today. On November 11, 1967, my dad and his company (C/1/503rd PIR/173rd Airborne BDE Sep), as part of Task Force Black, walked into an ambush laid out by a battalion of NVA in the area of Dak To, Central Highlands, RVN. As a forward observer for his weapons platoon (mortars), dad was part of the point element that day. It was one of the most fierce firefights of Vietnam and lasted through the next day. Dad was one of the first wounded when a mortar round landed 10 yards in front of them (the first landed 6 feet in front, but was a dud). Dad's company was almost overrun, but for the courage and bravery of their sister company (C/4/503/173) who fought their way through the line on Nov 12. I wont' go into all of the details that I remember from my youth, but dad lost many of his closest friends that day. As he was laying in the wounded group, an NVA soldier threw a grenade in the middle. A young PFC, John A. Barnes III, threw himself on the grenade absorbing the blast. He saved several lives, including dad's. My dad held John in his arms as he died, screaming for his mom. He was later awarded the MOH for his actions and bravery. When it was all said and done, 25 men were killed, 140+ were wounded, 25 were untouched, and 2 are MIA (KIA, body not recovered). Dad was with both of the MIA when they were killed. When it was over, his company commander was reprimanded for cussing out the Colonel in the helo flying above triple canopy trying to direct the firefight. Capt Mac told me a few years ago, before he passed away, that he had no regrets for his actions that day. His men were more important to him than his career. All those years later, my mom, sister, and I took the brunt of his drinking, flashbacks and PTSD beginning on about Nov 8/9 and lasting until about Nov 13. No 8-9 year old boy should ever have to beg his dad to put the gun down and not shoot himself. From about 2nd/3rd grade on, that was my life until I left for college. When my older sister moved out, I took the brunt of it to protect my mom. Every year, we knew it was coming, but couldn't stop it. We just took it. Unlike my sister, I stayed away from drugs and never blamed/resented my dad. I chose to love him unconditionally and help him, no matter the personal cost. Dad died as a result of a PTSD-induced heart attack on April 10, 2004, just 15 days before our oldest (our daughter) was born. It came as no surprise when, 12 years ago this past August, I was officially diagnosed with PTSD. I'm working on my own road to recovery and, while I don't miss those days one dang bit, I miss my dad every single day and I'm proud of what he and his buddies did for our country. He didn't care who you voted for or what you protested. He was proud that he helped ensure you that right. He and his buddies, including his last platoon leader and company commander, helped raise me and taught me true leadership qualities. I always try to be outdoors doing something that was part of my dad and I's bond to honor him and bring some brightness to what was always a dark day. I shot my one and only coues buck on Nov 12, 2005 and it was a great day. If you are a military history buff and want to read about it, here is the book (Dak To) that Edward Murphy wrote. Ed is a good friend of the family, too. https://www.amazon.com/Dak-Americas-Soldiers-Vietnams-Highlands/dp/0891419101 I miss you every day, dad, but I'm glad your war is over. To all of you veterans on here, you have my deepest gratitude and respect. To those of you who have seen combat, you and your families have my undying love. Below are some pics of dad that I have easy access to. His jump school graduation pic. An actual famous pic taken and used on recruiting and war bonds posters. Its how my parents met. Also used in the opening credits of Quantum Leap. During a break in the action during a fire mission (according to the writing on the back). During a fire mission and dad helping train new mortar platoon members. Dad's in the front without a shirt and plugging his ears.

$475

Just saw a whole brick of them in Sportsman's in Flagstaff. I had to do a double take! I can go back in a day or two and see if they are still there for you if you'll pay me back. I didn't need them bad enough to justify buying them at that moment.

TTT

Does anyone on here in the Flagstaff area have a set of scope alignment tools for both one-inch and 30mm rings I could borrow real quick? Or is there an extremely trusting person that might be willing to ship me theirs if they are not using it (promise to have quick turn around and will send $$ to cover your original shipping). I will most likely be getting my own set in the next month or so, but I was hoping someone might let me borrow theirs in the meantime. My daughter's new scope gets here the end of this week and I still need to get the correct rings cerakoted, so there's at little time. I'm more interested in getting (borrowing) the 30mm alignment tools because I have a 1-inch dowel I've always used for 1-inch rings. I have the Wheeler scope levels, so I just need the scope alignment tools. Thanks in advance!

Same here. With my luck, 19 points for turkey still wont' get me my Goulds tag. I've said it before when it comes to me getting my Goulds tag: I could fall into a barrel of boobs and still come out sucking my thumb!

As I was helping my daughter on her first buck tag this year, I had the same rekindling. Its part of what motivated me to upgrade her scope and then sell my Zeiss for a different option on my '06. I may have to hang my bow up for a season and get back behind a rifle. Congrats on a great hunt and finding it again!

Its part of what helps me maintain some faith in humanity! I've always done it on my own after being taught when I was younger, but I've never used professional-type tools. I figure its time to start. This will also be the catalyst to help me convince my wife to let me get my own set of these! And a huge thanks to both Bryce Canyon and Red Rabbit for stepping up and being trusting! Its not something I take lightly!

Don't know if you're set up for reloading, but I load for my '06 and work with TSX (165) and TTSX (168). You are welcome to come use my bench sometime, especially since you are loaning me your scope mounting tools! Great looking rifle, too!

I can meet you tomorrow or Friday if you don't mind. I can work on my son's rifle (all 1") Friday and get it back to you this weekend.

This weekend would work perfectly. Her scope won't get here until Friday and then I have to have her new rings cerakoted (maybe next week at the earliest) after I get the right size. If you're willing to let me borrow it for a week or two, I'll figure out how to pay you back!

Great video! I had the pleasure of meeting Brittany and her kids on the youth deer hunt in 19A. She was helping her family on a cow elk hunt and I was helping my daughter try and fill her first buck tag. We chatted a bit and went on our ways. A while later, she came driving up to tell me about some bucks she glassed. We ended up chasing a different group, but somewhere in there, we exchanged phone numbers (with her husband's approval) and she ended up guiding us into another buck opportunity. It didn't work out, but it was great to meet another compassionate hunter. I got to hear the story of this particular elk hunt, so its great to see the video! Congrats, Brittany and thanks again! I hope our paths cross again and I can thank your husband in person!

Congratulations to you both! My hope is that, in 20 years, my kids are posting the same stuff you are!

Its the cards again! They (State Chapter) gave us our deck of cards early!

We've got the Commissioner's tags already for the 2017-2018 365 day hunt!