IA Born

Just bought the winning ticket, plus two more for good measure!

Thanks, buddy! I'll run it by my daughter and see what she wants to do. Thanks, all!

That's good to know. I guess I thought people still fly fished the walk in area. We have spinning gear, but my fly rod is calling and she's eager to break hers in. Good stuff to think about! Thanks!

With all of the soccer expenses of late, taxidermy bill, and upcoming fundraising banquet, hiring a guide isn't an option right now. Thanks.

That's absolutely awesome, Tim! I've looked at old pics when I go back home and it floods me with all kinds of memories! Those pics always remind me why I do what I do, both personally and professionally, and drives me to have those same memories with and for my kids! Next time I'm back in Iowa, I may have to grab a photo album or two. You'll laugh your butt off at that goofy-looking kid!

Way back when I lived in Tucson, I used to do the HAM hunt in 30B. I don't remember the exact directions, but we had decent luck finding pigs on the east side of the Mule Mountains in some of those canyons that are on State Trust Land off the High Lonesome Road. I can't remember which roads we took, specifically now, because it was over 10 years ago, but I remember heading west off High Loneseome Road. We'd camp down low and then glass opposite slopes in canyons tucked up in there. If I can think of the exact roads, I'll let you know, but I'm pretty sure I can remember some canyon names. I'll PM you those.

I will do my best to save my necessary shopping until Saturday after Hunter Ed so I can get 3 (winning) tickets for that rifle! Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt!

Bump to move these last two jackets/parkas. Willing to trade for 15x56 Swaros, too.

Ironically, my daughter and I are going to be in the north part of the Valley Saturday for her soccer tournament. Unfortunately, we don't know her game schedule, so we can't commit to coming. I hope it turns out well for you guys!

One of my all-time favorites from about 5 years ago. My dogs lead me through/around a nasty mess and we walked right into this tip stuck in the ground. I couldn't get our female to lay down, but Thor was happy to oblige. It was three years ago next week that we lost him to cancer and I still smile when I look at "The Thor Tip"! My first fresh brown elk antler ever.

From one of my contacts back in Iowa: "I believe my Rhino blind is the best blind I've ever owned. I have had one issue on a bad stitch in a strap. I believe it was a production line issue for a certain number of blinds consecutively. It was no big deal, fixed it myself. But as far as height, shooting either types of weapons, durability and keeping the rain out I really like it. It is a very roomy, tough blind with multiple types of windows. Here is a link: http://www.rhinoblinds.com/rhino-blind-xp-101.aspx"

It is sold pendig meeting with hoghntr and exchanging everything. We are working out the logistics of meeting up next time I'm in the Valley (2weeks). Mike has tons of good credit with me, so I'm countingvit as sold unless Mike changes his mind. Another friend texted me asking for it, so he's secondcin line. You'll be third and I'll definitely keep you posted. Thanks!

Saturday will go down as one of my most favorite days of dad-ness ever! My 11-year old daughter,Sydney, and I got up early to get ready for her youth pheasant hunt down at the High Desert Hunt Club. This is the youth hunt sponsored by AGFD for hunter ed students that are selected from their instructors and entered into a pool. The year Syd took the class, she was actually nominated (I wasn't her instructor), but not selected. Last March, during the live auction at our NWTF banquet up here, I bought her one of the slots that our NTWF State Chapter buys every year. We spent the night in a quaint little motel in Cordes Jct and arrived at the club at 0530. After the briefing and safety part, she received some excellent coaching at the trap range. She walked up there so confidently and the instructor told her she had great form. Of course, she didn't give me any credit for prior coaching! After some great pointers, she started busting clays consistently, turning heads up and down the range! As we were getting lined up and ready to be taken to our respective hunting fields, we had a chance to crank the radio and jam out to Elton John and Kiki Dee followed by Culture Club (Karma Chameleon). Don't judge, she absolutely loves 80s music, it was her hunt, and we had folks in other vehicles laughing. Then I got to watch my daughter work hard and harvest her first rooster pheasant! Watching from the edge of the field, I was so excited that I jumped so hard with my hands in the air, forgetting I had my binoculars around my neck and got smacked in the face (worth it). Seeing fist pumps and high fives from 100 yards away was awesome! We pulled over on the way back to the club to take another picture because she wanted her shotgun with her in a picture. As we were driving back again, another great Elton John song came on and we were jamming again. After lunch and regrouping at the hunt club, we took off for Tempe to catch up with her team (already chalked up a morning victory) for a 4:30 game. Syd slept the entire drive, waking up rejuvenated. She didn't have a ton of pressure at the net, but still kept a clean sheet when she was in there. She got some field time and had a beautiful assist on another girl's goal. The team walked away with a 2-1 victory! A little Jamba Juice supper made the drive home in the dark even better. It didn't take too long for her to crash on the drive home. During lunch today or sometime tomorrow, we get to take her pheasant to the taxidermist to get ready to take its place on the wall next to my first bird! Discussions these last two days have revolved around more bird hunting, getting a bird dog, and getting more pheasants! If you ever have the chance to take your kids on this hunt, I highly recommend it! Busting Clays Before the Hunt. Eager Anticipation Jamming Out Pre-Hunt Interview with Her Mentor Working the Birds (Syd on Far Right) Dog On Point Success With her Mentor, Dog Handler, and Dog Back at the Truck Heading to Tempe for Soccer Victory Stop at Jamba Juice

Just gotta make sure my little leprechaun boy can handle it:-) I'm telling you, if he's truly a leprechaun, I want in on that pot o' gold! Or a bowl of Lucky Charms...I LOVE Lucky Charms!

Stay tuned! I posted this up on Iowawhitetail.com, where a bunch of my friends roam (like you guys here!). Like here, most of these guys are great and helpful. I can point out the good ones from the bad ones after enough years on IW. I'll check with others, too. http://www.iowawhitetail.com/forum/showthread.php?p=608430#post608430

Bow is SPF to Mike (hoghntr), but said if it didn't work out, he'd sell it to another friend who texted me privately after Mike did. You guys rock!

I have a Double Bull Dark Horse that is from the early days of Primos taking over. I absolutely love it, although I don't use it as much as I should. The only issues I've ever had with it were related to the shoulder straps breaking loose. Primos sent me new bags both times. I have some friends back in Iowa that are die hard ground blind users and I can ask them for their opinions if you would like. Just let me know. Some of those friends who have had issues with hubs and rods breaking in newer models also had excellent customer service from Primos, for whatever that's worth to you.

If Mike backs out, you're welcome to get it now for her, 6ANut Brian! Just hang it in her room above her crib/toddler bed/bed (whatever she's in now) so she can admire it and get even more ready when the time comes in about 4 years!

Very sorry to hear about your father. I've been there and it royally sucks. The time with your kids is what its all about and yes, those memories and times, will ease the pain (not remove it, though). I hold on tight to my kids when we hunt and fish for that very reason. To find success without filling a tag is the ultimate life lesson and congrats to you all for finding that! And LOVE the pics!

Say the word and its yours to refuse, Mike!

Bump. All but two small-regular jackets sold. Small-reg jackets/parkas for sale. $50/each or package deal for both.

I was searching high and low for the Vortex Strikefire II, but it was backordered forever back then. Dwayne (MatthewQuigley on here) talked me into the Nikon P-223 3x32 model. I've taken it out once and love it. I've yet to put to the test of the first line being 200 yds with the next two being 400 and 600, respectively, but I look forward to it. I have a few friends back in the Midwest who have the P-223 in 4-12x40 and 3-9x40 and they swear up and down by them. Cabela's has the P-223 line on sale right now, too.

I was in 6th grade and had just walked into my classroom after an early morning appointment to get my cast off. I remember seeing the solemn faces and I'll never forget the look on my teacher's face. If I've never said it before, Tim, thanks for your service!

i have a pretty strict policy of keeping nonnatives and not releasing them back, rainbow or browns, unless I'm at my limit or special regs require it. Browns are aggressive and damaging to all kinds of native aquatic species. 10-12" browns are good to eat, to me, and I'd rather eat them than rainbows. They are so fun to catch on a fly rod that its tempting to release them for another adventure, though.

I probably know the answer to this question, but I'm going to ask it any way. I'm working on convincing my wife to let me get 15x56s. My heart was set on Swaros until I did a quick check and saw the pro deal I get on Zeiss. I'm a fan of both Swaro and Zeiss optics. I have 10x42 ELs and two Zeiss scopes on rifles. Is there a huge difference in the quality of Zeiss Conquest 15x56 binos and Swaro SLC 15x56 binos? The price difference is huge and I can justify one more easily than the other with my wife, but if Swaros are the better choice, quality-wise, so be it. Thanks!