IA Born

As much as I try to avoid them, I figured I'd jump on the bandwagon this one time. Where am I? Or where am I not?

Exactly! I'm sitting in my office on opening morning for the first time since 2011. I hate it. I have a ton of stuff to get done and I can't get motivated. I hate my friends that didn't get drawn so I can help and I hate my friends that got drawn, but didn't need my help!

West Fork of the Black!

Tomorrow will be the first day since 2012 that I've sat in my office on the opening day of archery elk season. I've either had my own tags or been helping someone. I'm not going to enjoy coming into work tomorrow. My boss and I were talking about it yesterday. She said she fully expects to not see me tomorrow if I get an offer to head out!

I've been a German shepherd guy my whole life and will never be without one (or two). I used to hate cats with a passion and then my wife talked me into rescuing a kitten that had been dumped in the desert at 6 weeks old. That kitten had such an attitude and chip on her shoulders, I couldn't help but fall for her. She was aptly named Spazz because she used to wait in the doorway of a room in our apartment and ambush our ankles/legs as we walked by. She's also held her own against four total German shepherds, including being best buds with our old female. A couple of years ago, our new young male and newly adopted female decided to gang up on her and come in from different angles. Both of those big, tough GSDs ran out of the room with their tails tucked between their legs and a "WTF just happened?" look on their faces. Both cats and dogs bring something special to the family in our house, but I'll never be without my GSDs. And I never get tired of seeing that video, PRDATR! Some dogs just need their butts whipped!

it's the old Grand Canyon Airport Always have to be technical, Tim!

This is exactly right. We teach this exact scenario in Hunter Ed. You have a legal right to track the animal, but you have to prove you shot it in your unit first. That's where you contact the WM for your unit before heading into the neighboring unit with your firearm or bow.

Great story and Go Jacks!! Congrats on a great buck!

My answer was better!

Trees, an old chimney, and a couple of buildings.

We try to do the same in Flagstaff!

I believe in the power of prayer and, over the years here on CW, I have learned that I am not alone and people that don't know each other will offer genuine prayer in difficult times. As hard as it is for me to reach out and ask for help, I don't know what else to do right now. My mom started her 2nd round of fighting lung cancer a few months ago. 2.5 years ago, we were told she wouldn't win her first battle, but she stayed strong and determined. We've had some great conversations and laughs, as well as some cries, in the last 2.5 years. She's been in the hospital in my home town for just over a week now and its not looking good. The cancer came back more aggressive, including on an adrenal gland, and the chemo has really taken its toll on her body this time. Her white count is extremely high and her immune system is very depressed. I finally spoke to the doctor directly and he has her on a strong antibiotic for her lungs and he wants to give her 24 hours before I make a decision to fly home. I will know more tomorrow afternoon (Aug 3rd), but I may be flying home Thursday to help make her comfortable and be with her. I truly hope and pray that I'm wrong, but we've been down this road before and she did tell me last week that her body was tired and she was ready for it to be over. I've told her from the first day that I would not be selfish and I would respect and support whatever decision she makes. I pray for her recovery, but I also pray that, if its God's will, her pain be over quickly and her suffering is no more. I pray that she finds peace; that we all find peace. As I said before, I have learned to believe in the power of prayer and I am asking you, if you have time, to pray for a recovery or her peace.

A friend who used to do research in Alaska once told me he only ever carried a .357. I told him I didn't think that was enough gun to stop a grizzly. He said it wasn't for the grizzly. It was to shoot his friend in the leg so he could make a clean getaway! I'm still not sure if he was joking.

I'll see your bet and raise you a "No Goulds tag even with 19 points"! Oy vey! Wow- 19 points and still waiting on a goulds tag. Looks like I'm in a lot longer wait than I expected with 9 points.Just got to get lucky. I've drawn goulds three times. Brian Exactly! Which is why I hate this guy even though I've never met him! I had two friends who both got drawn in the Pinalenos the same year and they both had 2 points each. I had 11 points. I've accepted the notion that, when it comes to Goulds tags in AZ, I can fall into a barrel of boobs and still come out sucking my thumb! LMAO!!!!! Brian And, in reality, I can't hate on you too much because you have an awesome first name!

I'll see your bet and raise you a "No Goulds tag even with 19 points"! Oy vey! Wow- 19 points and still waiting on a goulds tag. Looks like I'm in a lot longer wait than I expected with 9 points. Just got to get lucky. I've drawn goulds three times. Brian Exactly! Which is why I hate this guy even though I've never met him! I had two friends who both got drawn in the Pinalenos the same year and they both had 2 points each. I had 11 points. I've accepted the notion that, when it comes to Goulds tags in AZ, I can fall into a barrel of boobs and still come out sucking my thumb!

I'll see your bet and raise you a "No Goulds tag even with 19 points"! Oy vey!

I'm two years younger than you coach and I've spent most of my life battling PTSD from the war my dad brought home. Because of that, I've spent most of my life in your shoes praying that God will stop the nightmares, give me another day, another reason to keep trying, and an idea of a higher purpose in my life. My wife and kids are great and I know they are part of that plan. Two and a half weeks ago, I lost my mom to cancer and, 12.5 years after my dad died, I'm without parents at way too young of an age and not much else in the way of blood family left that I'm close to. I've spent the last two weeks trying to make sense of my new "normal". The difference this time around is that I know some of my previous prayers have been answered. Most of those answers revolve around my family and the promise I made my mom that I will be ok and continue to live my life to its fullest. I made my peace with God a long time ago that He can have me whenever He wants and I can go with no regrets. I get extremely frustrated and depressed when I see people (coworkers) getting praise and accolades for having poor ethics and doing things wrong by the American People we work for while I bust my butt and hold myself to the highest ethical standard possible and get rewarded by doing more of other people's work for them on top of my own workload. I don't drink much anymore (if at all), but I'd be willing to crack a cold one open with you and chat if you are ever in Flagstaff and need that chat.

I like "that dude"! I've been called a helluva lot worse! Scales between the eyes is the best, 100% way to know the difference, especially since tail patterns don't always line up like the books say they should. That doesn't look like a diamondback or a mojave (with a "j"). That looks like a viridis (Crotalus nuntius; Hopi rattlesnake) from the NE part of the state, like Arizona Griz suggests.

I lost feeling in my nose for three hours that day and it was tingly like when you're leg falls asleep. I had recurring outbreaks of that feeling off and on for almost 10 years! I know enough about venom to know I don't want it in my body more than that and that was too much!

Could be a prairie with those markings which is why I commented about the tail but they are up north. Either way I wouldn't want to get hit by one. Its either a diamondback or a Mojave. Prairies have only been documented near Springerville in AZ. They are thought to be in grasslands in far SE AZ, near the AZ/NM state line, but have never been documented there. Mojaves were my research specimen/project in grad school and you can't always go by the tail markings or color scheme. I've seen plenty of Mohaves that looked just like a diamondback and plenty of diamondbacks that looked like Mojave's. The only way to be 100% on the identification is to look for two large scales touching between the eyes (Mojave) or nine small scales (diamondback), but I don't know too many people willing to get that close! ☺ My first thought was Mojave, though. I would have never known that about the scales.....but I would never have been willing to get that close..........interesting information thanks.... What can I say? I'm always going to be a science geek/nerd first! I've handled, drawn blood from, and collected venom from my share of Mojaves. I've even accidentally (really!) inhaled crystallized neurotoxin (Mojave toxin) during my research days. I don't recommend anyone handle or get that close to a Mojave unless you're absolutely crazy or a highly trained herpetologist (not sure which one of those I'm more of now, but I was both at one point). Be safe!

Could be a prairie with those markings which is why I commented about the tail but they are up north. Either way I wouldn't want to get hit by one. Its either a diamondback or a Mojave. Prairies have only been documented near Springerville in AZ. They are thought to be in grasslands in far SE AZ, near the AZ/NM state line, but have never been documented there. Mojaves were my research specimen/project in grad school and you can't always go by the tail markings or color scheme. I've seen plenty of Mohaves that looked just like a diamondback and plenty of diamondbacks that looked like Mojave's. The only way to be 100% on the identification is to look for two large scales touching between the eyes (Mojave) or nine small scales (diamondback), but I don't know too many people willing to get that close! ☺ My first thought was Mojave, though.

Thanks again, everyone. I truly appreciate it. Mom passed peacefully and comfortably at 2am Friday morning. I was sleeping five feet from her and rarely left her side. Before finally going to bed Thursday night, I kissed her forehead, told her I love her, and then let her know it was ok to go to my dad while I was sleeping. I've had about 25 hours of sleep since waking up last Monday morning and I'm beyond exhausted, but my wife and kids are here with me now and its better. I've been at peace for several days, but I know it will get a little harder when I deliver her celebration of life speech at her funeral service Tuesday morning, per her request. She was the best and my hero.

Thank you all for the continued prayers. My mom's doctor called me this morning to let me know she's gotten worse and there is nothing more he can do. She has asked to be put in Hospice care. My niece is with her now and I will be on a flight out of Flagstaff in two hours. My wife and kids will catch up with me when I know more. I pray for her peace now more than ever.

Dennis is the only guy I use. Coming from a meat cutting background, he was the one I had the best feel from. And he's tied in with Heidi Favour at Signature Taxidermy (also great), not Mt. View Taxidermy. Thank you. Don't know how I screwed that up. Chris over at Mt. View is Steve Favour's son. I can see the mistake being made. Heidi has kept Signature going strong, though!

Dennis is the only guy I use. Coming from a meat cutting background, he was the one I had the best feel from. And he's tied in with Heidi Favour at Signature Taxidermy (also great), not Mt. View Taxidermy.