IA Born

I bought one mid-elk hunt three years ago after getting ruthlessly swarmed. I'll never hunt without one and am contemplating getting the lantern for camping. I live in Flag at 7,000' and have never had a problem with mine working. When we're hanging out on the deck in the backyard, I often get mine fired up instead of the citronella candles. I use it for sits and I have it on and clipped to my pack when I opt for still hunting through the woods and it still works. Great investment!

Definitely a juvenile western diamondback. And thanks for bringing to light our NWR regs/rules!

That is a great idea! Thanks!!

I took my bow for a walk tonight to where I hunted Friday morning and actually found my GPS in the last place I remember having it! On the way home I went full draw on a 150s buck, too! Thanks everyone!

Unfortunately, no. But thanks for thinking of me!

Wasn't there, but thanks for thinking of me, 5Guys!

We took our daughter camping at 2 months old and never looked back. Its all she knew for the longest time. When she was 5, I took her on a "hunt' with me during archery season. We walked almost a mile (took about 30 minutes) into a tank, holding hands most of the way. We sat there about 10 minutes before she got bored and we walked back to camp on an elk trail. I made it all about her and wanted her to enjoy the experience. A couple of months later, I took her hunting with me in south Texas. We saw deer, pigs, javelina, cool tropical birds, etc. I was able to shoot a feral pig and harvest a big mature doe with her there and she loved every minute. She started joining me on archery javelina hunts and watched me get my first one from the next ridge. When she'd join me, I changed my style completely so that she enjoys every minute (junk food, frequent rests, slower walking, etc.). Same with fishing. All about her and nothing about me. Easy/early successes are key. Teaching them that a tag not filled doesn't mean the hunt wasn't successful is extremely important. The youth hunts are great. The youth doe hunt is awesome for confidence. My daughter is 11 now and wants to be involved in everything as long as it doesn't overlap with her competitive soccer games. Even then, she's torn! I guess the short answer is, like others have said, get them involved in every aspect of your hobbies and start now! I didn't start my son as early and its been more difficult. I finally convinced him to join me sitting on a tank Friday evening and, although we didn't see any deer or elk (until we drove home) he had a blast and can't wait to go again. His favorite part: the "light saber" (stick) fights we had using dead oak branches that were smaller than a pencil. All. About. Them!

I wasn't in a ground blind. Pretty sure I lost it while walking. It was either on the road from that tank to my truck or on the ridge/slope to the east. Thanks for checking!

Just be happy something showed up on x-ray! I know I am when I'm in your shoes!

Excellent. Just donated and texted you, Mike!

Sorry, I've been offline and out of the state for all last week. The first place winner was from Sedona and I'm sure he chose the turkey tag. I know him and wouldn't be surprised if he donates it to his daughter. The 2nd place winner was from Tucson (I think he's from Tucson) and he's very active in the NWTF and AES. Thank you to all who supported this cause!

The AZ NWTF State Chapter and all associated local chapters are selling raffle tickets for an AGFD Commissioner's Turkey Tag. All of the information is below. If you are in Flagstaff or surrounding area and are interested, tickets (playing cards actually) are $20 each. Only ten decks of cards are being sold, so you have a 1/520 chance at a year-long hunt for ANY of Arizona's three turkey subspecies (including Gould's). If you are interested, PM me and we'll work out the details. Below are the bullet points from a flier: · YEAR LONG ARIZONA TURKEY TAG (AUG. 15, 2015-AUG. 14, 2016) · GOOD FOR EITHER GOULD’S, MERRIAM’S, or Rio Grande Turkey · GOOD IN ANY OPEN UNIT AS PRESCRIBED BY COMMISSION ORDER · WINNER MAY PRESCRIBE TO WHOM THE TAG IS ISSUED · 2ND PRIZE IS A SAVAGE AXIS XP .308 RIFLE W/3X9 SCOPE · ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS TAG GO TO AZGFD FOR TURKEY MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH · GOULD’S TURKEY IS THE MOST DIFFICULT TURKEY TAG TO DRAW IN THE U.S. (FOUND ONLY IN SE ARIZONA AND SW NEW MEXICO) · ROYAL SLAM FOR WILD TURKEY INCLUDES THE EASTERN, OSCEOLA, RIO GRANDE, MERRIAM’S, AND GOULD’S TURKEY

Sold!

One more bump before draw results are posted...

2008 Kawasaki Brute Force V-Twin 650 4x4. Fully loaded and has Warn winch. Only 842 miles/187 hours. Bought it from a buddy in Utah last February. We are second owner and it has a clean title. Has sat in garage since we bought it and only driven through neighborhood a couple of times. Fully street legal (mirrors, horn, license plate bracket). Fully serviced before we bought it. In great shape, but we realized we’d rather have a SxS UTV for the whole family. Loading ramps and ATV Cover included. Cross posted. $4900 or reasonable offer.

Bag is SPF!

Just caught what you were talking about. It was a LONG day yesterday and my head wasn't on straight. I was referring to how much they retail for, but forgot to include our asking price. Fixed that above. Asking $450 or reasonable offer. And yes, we're trying to recoup some of the money we spent, while getting someone a good deal on a great system, hence the "or reasonable offer." We need more than $350, though.

I definitely wish I could justify an Acog! The more I think about it, the more I think I'd like to look through yours if its not too much trouble sometime. I may be in the Valley this weeknd and will try to stop by Sportsman's or Cabela's if time allows. Thanks!

I recently picked up a DPMS A4 and am looking for a decent scope for the top (flat top). I want to put a tactical-style optic on it rather than a long-range scope. I had my mind set on a Vortex Strikefire II, but I noticed the Nikon P-223 3x32. That has me thinking about a minor magnification (3x or 4x) vs 1x magnification in the Strikefire. I have a budget of about $200. I can get the Strikefire and then get the 3x magnifier down the road, but that Nikon caught my eye and derailed my train of thought. My other AR is an A1 that is an exact replica of what my dad carried in Vietnam (inherited it after he died), so I'm new to the newer style ARs (new to me, anyway). I can shoot tight groups with that Colt A1 at 100 yards with its factory sights, but red dot/tactical optics on ARs are a fairly new concept to me. Any thoughts on a decent tactical style scope for an AR that's in that $200 range?

Now you're having me sold on the Strikefire! Just when I thought I knew what I was up to. I don't have sites on mine (yet), but I do like how the Strikefire cowitnesses with that option. Your offer is extremely generous and appreciated. There is a chance we'll be down in the valley this weekend shopping for school supplies/clothes and soccer stuff. If plans change or we firm up plans soon, I'll shoot you a message. At a minimum, I may just take a look. Thanks! Also Brian!

I just wanted to thank you all that bought cards from me. I just mailed all of the money and cards from our chapter up here in Flagstaff down to the AZ State Chapter folks. Good luck to all of you that bought cards and I truly hope one of you wins...2nd place because I want me or my daughter to get the tag! Seriously though, thank you!

I signed up for it, along with creating an account for my daughter, last spring when they switched it over to that system. I completely forgot about it until this thread. I just logged back in (after remembering my password) and it doesn't show my license, my Dept ID, or my bonus points. I may have to call them and inquire. I'm like elkaholic, I don't use it for anything, which should be obvious by not remembering my password or that it existed!

A very good point I was just talking to another buddy with. I typically don't shoot with both eyes open, but then I've never shot in close up situations that could warrant it. I just read my op again and realized I wasn't as clear as I should have been. I was all set to have the Strikefire because of learning 3-gun style and improving my fast acquisition skills, but I also want to give my daughter (and me) an option to hunt javelina with it. That's where the idea of a bit of magnification comes in. Reading your post and 6ANut's post has me back to thinking Strikefire II. If I can do everything I intend to do, including not more than 200 yd shooting, with a Strikefire, I may swing back that route. Thanks for the perspectives so far!

Thanks, Dwayne! I meant to ask about what mounts if I go that route. The Strikefire includes them, but it looks like the Nikon mounts are separate. Just got your text, too. You may have made my mind up for me just like that! HA! Thanks!

Great pics! I need to head back there with my family!