IA Born

I've been bitten by more kingsnakes than any other species of snakes I've handled. And, yes, its a kingsnake. Ask any pet owner, yeah they will bite. And when they bite, they hold on and chew their way forward.

I've been bitten by more kingsnakes than any other species of snakes I've handled. And, yes, its a kingsnake. I do not have your experience here but have experienced the exact opposite. Racers on the other hand... Maticophis (racers/whipsnakes) and kingsnakes are the top two that have drawn the most blood from me. I have several colleagues/friends who have been bitten by kingsnakes.

I've been bitten by more kingsnakes than any other species of snakes I've handled. And, yes, its a kingsnake.

This is exactly why we emphasize wildlife identification in the hunter ed classes I teach. When I teach the wildlife conservation/management section and then talk about wildlife ID, I show a couple of pics of muleys and whitetail standing side by side so they can see that both species inhabit the same areas. I share a couple of stories of guys I know who have made the honest mistake of shooting the wrong one because, when smaller, they can look alike, especially where they cohabitate. One of them, even the AGFD LEO had a hard time telling them apart and let the guy go with a written warning because he turned himself in. This one could have been prevented by simply taking the time to know the difference. I'm sure someone will turn them in and I foresee a monetary fine on this one.

She's 12 and working on helluva career as a goalie! You should see her keeper jersey! I love those times!

Thanks, all! Birthdays have always been tough for me because I spent most of them trying to keep my dad together due to major PTSD-related issues surrounding Oct 22, 1967 in Vietnam. I quit celebrating and acknowledging them when I was about 12 or 13 because keeping my dad alive was more important to me. I'm still prone to horrible anxiety attacks this time of year. Yesterday was my first birthday without my mom, which made it tougher, but I got to spend it with my kids, watching my daughter play a tough game of soccer. The calls and texts from my wife in between flights and rental cars on her business trip certainly helped, too. And then I see this today. Thank you!!

When that first snowfall hits here in Flag, there will be plenty of people up north, and they drive just as horrible. Every single weekend until the ski slopes close. Its just as bad. We were driving north from a soccer tournament and saw the aftermath of the semi wreck. I was very thankful that we were heading north and not south. I genuinely felt bad for those stuck southbound. Then, just south of Flagstaff, there was another one, with a truck laying on its side in the median. It didn't look good. I touched the Rosary Beads my wife has hanging from her review mirror and said a quick "Thank you!" for our safety.

If only! That would go great with my 1918 Springfield 1903! Good luck with the sale. I've been able to hold an original (no replacements) 1911 from earlier than yours and they are SWEET!!

Its fake. The part where it mentions a guy from U.S. Fish and Wildlife service is only part of what threw it for me. I can guarantee that the USFWS does not have that authority. And, as a hunter ed instructor and biologist for USFWS, I would have heard about this long ago from both USFWS and AGFD. As false as false can be.

Grey Leer 700 tonneau cover for 2002 Dodge Dakota with 5'3" bed. I"m pretty sure this fits multiple years of Dakotas Latch needs fixed and rear weather shield needs replaced, but in otherwise great condition and fully functional. $200 obo. You pick up. Will help remove it when you buy it. I may have it in the Valley when we drive down for soccer (Tempe Sports Complex) Oct 22-23. I have the original receipt from when my parents put it on their truck back in 2002. $700 brand new back then. Looks like their $1100+ now, from I could research. Asking $200 OBO.

Working in wildlife management for so long still hasn't numbed me to this stuff. I honestly never get tired of seeing this stuff, as cruel as it may seem to some. Thanks for sharing!

Actually the first hunt is 7days long the second hunt is 7days then after the second hunt everyone drawn for that hunt gets to hunt the remainder of the hunt, normally two more weeks. Now I'm not a turkey hunting expert by any means but in general the hens are laying on their eggs by the first week of May. Hens can have up to three nest attempts if earlier nests fail. I don"t believe it matters at what elevation you hunt. Here is a picture of a young man I mentored last years youth hunt (a week prior to the opener) at over 9000 ft elevation. Personally I like the later hunts the older bigger gobblers are easier to call in because they are not with their hens. Good luck which ever season you choose. " Now I'm not a turkey hunting expert by any means..." I call BS on this statement! hmmm you don't seem to recall to well our last turkey hunt the only thing shot was a vehicle but that is another story for another time. I recall it very well! I still watch the video of Syd working your box call! I'm about to order her one of her own for Christmas, too! As for the vehicle thing, we still shake our heads and giggle a little. I wish you could have seen the look on your face when you told me what happened!

Actually the first hunt is 7days long the second hunt is 7days then after the second hunt everyone drawn for that hunt gets to hunt the remainder of the hunt, normally two more weeks. Now I'm not a turkey hunting expert by any means but in general the hens are laying on their eggs by the first week of May. Hens can have up to three nest attempts if earlier nests fail. I don"t believe it matters at what elevation you hunt. Here is a picture of a young man I mentored last years youth hunt (a week prior to the opener) at over 9000 ft elevation. Personally I like the later hunts the older bigger gobblers are easier to call in because they are not with their hens. Good luck which ever season you choose. " Now I'm not a turkey hunting expert by any means..." I call BS on this statement! But, yes, I agree with Bill. I like the early season because they are less pressured and not as call shy, but I love the later part for why Bill likes it.

I'm just now seeing this after getting back into the swing of life after my long trip to Iowa and back. This makes me smile a much needed smile! Congrats on your harvest and filling the freezer, Mike! You are spot on with your priorities being your son's football game. Lord knows I've blown off my share of other things in life that I truly love to be at my kids' events! As for your beard making you look like a garden gnome. I say no way. It actually makes you better looking! Congrats, Mike!!!

Same here. My daughter has had that hunt the last two years (her first two), and now she has a buck tag. From last year, after tagging her second doe on the afternoon of opening day: "Don't get me wrong dad; I love this hunt and its been a great experience, but I'm ready to chase some antlers!" How do you say no to that? Good luck to all you parents taking your kids up there this weekend! I love seeing kids out hunting, but I'll always have a soft spot for girls hunting with their dads!

Bringing this back up. We have about 50 tickets left and quail season is just around the corner!

Our local Northern Arizona Chapter of the NWTF will be selling raffle tickets at Sportsman's Warehouse in Flagstaff this weekend. We will have chapter members there from 9-2/3 Saturday the 10th and from 10-3/4 Sunday the 11th. NWTF is corporate partners with Ram so there will be a Ram or two there, too. I will be there from 10-12:30 Sunday. We are raffling off a Tristar Setter O/U 20 gauge with a 26" barrel. Tickets are $20 each and we're only selling 100. We will draw the winner once all 100 tickets are sold. If you are out and about in Flagstaff or are elk hunting one of the local units and tag out early, come on over and grab some tickets!

Congrats on a great bull!

Half-Rios...

Yep, any Goulds tag is a good tag. I know most Goulds units well and will put you in some good spots away from crowds if you get drawn. If you get drawn before me, though, I'll kick you in the junk before telling you the good spots!

Unfortunately Mike, we can't set up for on line sales because of how few tickets we have. Its more of a hassle than its worth. You can send me money, though!

Our Northern Arizona Chapter NWTF is raffling off a Tristar Setter O/U 20 gauge with a 26" barrel. It has 3" chambers and 5 chokes. Tickets are $20 each and we're only selling 100. We've sold 42 so far, so we have 58 left to sell. We will draw the winner once all 100 tickets are sold. Unfortunately, we are not set up yet to sell tickets online, but we are working on that for future raffles to make it easier. If you are interested, pm me for details on where to send a check (made out to "NWTF")! All proceeds from this raffle go towards our high school scholarship fund, the youth turkey camp near Happy Jack, and various habitat improvement projects.

Its that time of year when the AZ State Chapter of the NWTF offers its 31-Day Gun Raffle. All proceeds from this raffle go towards the NWTF youth program (camps, youth pheasant hunt, JAKES memberships, youth days, etc.). The raffle will start on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24th and run through December 24th. Tickets are 1/$20, 3/$50, and 7/$100. This is the second year that Sportsman's Warehouse is helping sponsor this raffle. If you don't like what you are drawn for, you can get full in-store credit for another firearm or anything else you might like. If you purchase your tickets before November 10th, you are entered into an early bird drawing for a chance at a great Browning Yukon Gold 23 gun safe. A flyer is posted below for you to see what all is being given away and how to get your tickets. The raffle is being structured differently internally this year. As an incentive for chapters to sell tickets, each chapter that sells 300 tickets will get rewarded with credit to go towards purchasing things for their fundraising banquets, youth camps, habitat improvement projects, etc. If you buy your tickets because of this post, please consider helping our chapter up here, unless you are affiliated with another chapter. If you buy directly through Fred Deneke (contact below), you can tell him you heard about it from me with the Northern Arizona Chapter. Online sales will get split between chapters. You can also get your tickets directly through me, by sending me a check made out to "NWTF" and include your name and a phone number. I will get all tickets submitted in time for the early bird that arrive on time. Promise. While I really want to see our chapter get its credit, buying your tickets and helping support our youth programs is my first and foremost priority! Flyer with Guns and Ticket Purchase Info: 2016 NWTF 31-Gun Raffle Flyer.pdf

I realized earlier this morning that I made my 1000th post. I don't know why, but I started thinking about that post a while back about someone else and their 1000th post and this was all I could think of as far as my tenure on CW! Rossislider probably said it best: I spend too much time on this site. I still don't like the fact that I'm sitting in my office instead of chasing bugles today, though.

I'm smarter than I look! And that statement makes for an awesome 1000th post! I'm somebody now!