Flatlander

I could use one of those. If it works I will take it.

I assume that the last line of your comment is not directed at me since I stated that This far no state has the right recipe for dealing with the Feds. Honestly, the only recourse might be for the states and sportsmen to lawyer up and sue the Feds before they transplant wolves. If we can tie them up in court and get judges to issue injunctions against transplanting more wolves until the suits are resolved it would by us time to work on legislation. But without changes in statute nothing will stop the mighty Feds. In the meantime SSS. Remember no one has ever been prosecuted for shooting a Mexican gray wolf.

You should be busy that's for sure

How's that working for ID? Over 1,000 wolves in the state and record low elk herds. This far no state has found a successful recipe for combatting the Feds.

Why is it that so many of you harbor such negative feelings about the dept's involvement in the re-introduction? Re-introduction was not an AZGFD initiative, it was crammed down our throats by a bunch of federal hippies hiding behind the Endangered Species Act. If the dept gives the Feds a middle finger, the sportsmen in this state will get 0 representation in the recovery effort. Yes I understand that the Feds are not doing a lot of listening but blaming AZGFD for wolves is like blaming Jeff Flake for Obamacare.

This sis how our system works. You probably saw a big discount or adjustment to that amount (60%+ On my insurance) before they paid their portions. The insurance companies require providers to give them "discounts" to be in their network. So the healthcare companies jack up the price of their services to be able to give the insurance companies their discounts. This is how a vile of scorpion antivenin that costs $100 on the street in MX ends up costing $75,000 in the US. Markup on markup on markup.

I would! Gotta be number 5 of 6 in the state depending on the year. Ok so here is the simple math for everyone who is saying unit 9 and 23 or bust. After the 2014 draw there were 105 people with >18 bonus points for elk. In units 9 and 23 there are a total of 45 tags, that means 9 tags go to the bonus pass. It is safe to say that the vast majority of those 105 people are waiting on units 9 and 23 (otherwise they would not have that number of bonus points). At that rate it will be 11-12 years before you reach the bonus pass. Or you could cash in those 18 unsuccessful applications for one of the top 10 public land elk hunts in the country, have a hunt with only a handful of permits, very few archery tags, has one of the most consistent ruts in the state, lots of roadless country, is very glass friendly, depending on where you live it is very easy and close for scouting and produces quality animals every single year. Once you have that tag you could draw 2-3 archery tags during the 11-12 years you would have spent waiting for one 5 day hunt in 9 or 23. Whatever caliber of bull you want to take, I promise you it is available in unit 22. This unit is one of the better kept secrets in the state. Any way I digress. In regards to unit 1; if you are willing to wait until 2016 when the ML hunt is there, you are probably in luck. This year 18 bp was enough for a resident to draw the ML tag. So in 2016 with 19 bp, you should be good. For the rifle hunt you are still on the cusp and it could take several years to clear out the folks who are ahead of or in the same boat as you. Good luck, and if you get to feeling sorry for yourself I will be happy to swap points with you

I would not hesitate to drop 18 BP on 22N.

Early rifle for sure. In 2013 18 BP would have been 100% on 3A/3C, 4B, 22N. It would have been close on 7W. Of those choices 22N is the no brainer in my mind. Even with point creep you should be good for that hunt again, I would probably do 23N 1st choice and 22N 2nd. However next year the ML hunt is in unit 27, which could be attractive and 18 BP got the job done last time that tag was offered. With creep you will be on the brink, that would be a good 1 st choice also. Good luck, I wish I was in your shoes.

Worth the wait!!! Congratulations on a fantastic achievement and unforgettable experience. You guys are awesome.

Haha I didn't think anyone would even remember this. The trip to NM was great; ate lots of chile, rode the tram, had dinner and a BBQ with some friends but the kicker was realizing that we could live in the east mountain area on 3+ acres for less than a tract home here. We found a house we loved. We came home decided we were going and all of a sudden it hit is like a ton of bricks, this was just not the right move for us. I really can't say why, we were being offered some dang good $ to go, but it just didn't feel right. Guess I am a Zonie for life.

I had back to back dec tags in that unit back in the day when they were tough to get (only 50 in those days). I ate one tag and shot my first buck, a two point with eye guards on the second hunt. We saw a ton of bucks and I missed two good ones on that first hunt. Went back with an Oct tag in 2010 and shot my first 80" + buck. We saw plenty of deer and several good bucks. Those December hunts were where I first fell in love with Couse hunting. It's going to be great. Enjoy every minute.

The biggest drawback to the bighorn safes from Costco is the smell. My buddy has one that's 2 yrs old and it's still got a serious stank . . . Oh yeah and they are Chinese, that was actually my biggest beef.

I bought at the safe store. Found a year old model and then made him an offer he couldn't refuse. I was surprised at the deal he was able to make. Included delivery and warranty. I will say this, buy bigger than you think you need.

You have taken some outstanding bucks Coach. What a fun trip down memory lane.

That is a good one. Nice work and congrats to your wife.

Didn't you read the posts? Just drive the roads at the top of the peaks . . . 190" deer taken every year.

I found the Leupold Ultimate Slam SABR reticle on Brownell's a few months back for 189. It was silver but that didn't bother me. Great scope.

My Grandfather was a mechanic for the park service so my Dad and his brothers grew up in the park. I have many fond memories of summers there and going to college in the area. TJ if you ever decide to go and need a tour guide list say the word.

Beautiful. This used to be my home and a part of my soul stayed when we left there. Thanks for posting.

I have only met Stanley a couple times but I can tell you from those meetings the guy is no sucker. Seems to me he understands the value of his time and figures paying secondary markup on ammo is a better investment than camping out with the people of wal mart on a Friday morning (cause you know he probably has a JOB). The guy earned money, chose to spend it and didn't bother to ask any of his friends for a handout or favor. Props to him. Can we go back to posting scouting picks and asking people where we should hunt this fall since we are all so strapped for cash we can't afford 22 ammo or application fees, much less gas to go scouting. (Nevermind the $2 grand worth of glass around my neck).

Did you refer to coues as a trout? Sort of. It was intended more as an analogy than literally but either way . . .

Well that must be a relief

TJ there is more meat on a 40 lb carp than on a 7 lb trout but I don't think many folks would be making that trade! Coues > Donkey Deer Just looking at it objectively; 190" is the B&C min. for mule deer and 120" is well in excess of the 110" minimum for the gray ghost!

What an awesome opportunity. Great work guys if I didn't desperately need to get another day of antelope scouting I would be all over this.