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forepaw

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Posts posted by forepaw


  1. 2 hours ago, wildwoody said:

    Yes I do know that, but still not stopping them from adding the $5 and specifically alot it to the projects. But they wouldn't do that. I get it both ways. I could also say if they tightened there belt a little they could save much more the that, but we couldn't do that either. Good place to open a DNR that could care a little more about the animals instead of hunter opportunities. Just me means nuttin.

    Don't forget about the hunter survey from 15 - 20 yrs. ago that was intended to determine management direction of the department for at least the next generation of hunters.  I don't recall the name of the survey, but it was a big deal at the time and considered to be a watershed decision point with respect to what did the hunting community want - a wildlife resource managed for trophy potential (older age class animals, less opportunity), or more opportunity overall?  The vote from all of us hunters was pretty decisively in favor of more opportunity.  Of course this was before anyone could anticipate the trail cam issue, OHV issue, or Arizona's exploding population. 

    Anyway, some of the others on the forum can weigh in a provide more detail but that is my recollection.

     

    • Like 1

  2. 2 hours ago, wildwoody said:

         I care which doesn't matter, the rich get the auction tags and the guides who block off roads and have 30 none hunting gumbies on every point .  I have 28 points for antilope and 25 for Bighorn and will probably never get drawn, but being I'm poor I will keep trying and buying raffle tags I know ill never win. And you really think this money goes to the animals , I say it goes to administration and lawsuits. So in my opinion only Jimmy John and Gallo can donate the money if they love the animals that much, and put in like the rest of us. On that now bring the HATE. Im ready

    No HATE but discussion always good to try to understand a thorny topic.  Remember, the auction tags started in 1984.  It was a different world then, different problems, different values, different recent memory of events that seem ancient history now to many of the younger members.  Computers were rare.  There were no cell phones.  The country was recovering from high interest rates and high unemployment, and other problems thanks to the social and economic programs of the Carter administration.  The war in Vietnam was a recent memory.  The conservation-minded critter groups (mainly ADBSS and a few others) thought that the money brought in by auction would benefit not only the species auctioned, but all wildlife, and would also eventually provide opportunity for all hunters due to habitat improvement, translocation, research on wildlife diseases, better access to public land, etc.  This all turned out to be mostly true, since there were so few tags, they were out of reach of almost all hunters. 

    Fast forward to 2024, and raffles look more attractive as they are available to everyone (residents), and don't require justifying why some ultra-rich person was just allowed to buy one of the most coveted tags in the country, maybe in the world.  This has become socially unacceptable, and there is some justification for that.  The tradeoff is, in return for equal opportunity to acquire a super scarce lifetime tag (which are now more plentiful than ever thanks to the auction system of 40 years ago), we may need to tighten our belts in terms of programs for wildlife (some not all).  It is what it is, and history will refresh our memory.  

    • Like 1

  3. 15 minutes ago, Coues247 said:

    That's exactly why they got rid of them. The north American model of wildlife doesn't allow rich people to have more of a chance to hunt an animal than a poor person. And overall, with raffles there won't be a ton of difference in money made.

    They could have solved this just by limiting auction tags to one purchaser, for one species, every x number of years, or maybe once per lifetime.  As it stands now, it will be gone. 

    The elephant in the room, which no one is mentioning is sure, the raffles come close to the auction amounts, but for how long?  The auction tags would have been a high demand item among wealthy hunters for years to come, but what kind of support will the current gen. Z kids provide?  And the generations coming after, given the financial shape of the country, and looming international uncertainty? 

    Overall not an easy call, but I think it could have been adjusted to allow the auctions to continue in some form.  Let's face it, just because someone is wealthy, and maybe a snob, does not mean they don't value a lifetime tag as much if not more than joe hunter.  There are plenty of citizen hunters, some right on this forum who I believe, don't put in the effort, are marginally ethical, and for whom getting their story and photo on social media is valued as much as the hunt.

    I am hopeful that it will work out.  I think they only focused on two dimensions of a three dimensional problem.

     

     

    • Like 1

  4. On 4/26/2023 at 6:40 PM, CannonBallZ said:

    Yeah, I am somewhat new to shooting. I inherited a savage 99 lever action in .308 with a Leupold 1.5-5x scope. The scope also has an ok ocular lens but the objective lens is the same diameter as the tube which I think is 1". From what I've been told, the rifle was 'modified' or at least had that scope put on it for deer in the mountain village where my grandpa lived(still an odd choice because not 30 minutes from the cabin there is antelope shooting in the plains so a higher magnification would've been smarter in my opinion). I haven't practiced past 100yds with my rifle yet and feel confident at 100 on a "lung" sized piece of steel that I think is 6" in diameter(but thats just me eyeballing it).

    Your rifle and scope combination is GTG.  You have a proven cartridge, and a good all round hunting outfit, but a little trickier to keep clean than a bolt action.  In order to clean a 99 without chingering up the lands on the muzzle, you need to be very careful with your cleaning rod.  You can get a muzzle guide that just fits in the bore, and those help, but if you have any issues with buildup of copper fouling, you will probably need to remove the buttstock and clean from the chamber end.  For a quick pass through after a few rounds, a .30 cal. Boresnake might be good to try. 

    The advice included here with respect to shooting from field positions is sound.  I would add that you might make or buy a set of shooting sticks.  These are very portable, and make all the difference when you are sitting on a hillside trying to line up on a target with knee-high grass or brush.

    One more piece of advice - see if you can find via interlibrary loan the book by Jack O'Connor "The Hunting Rifle".  You may have to buy a copy from Amazon or E-bay, but it has a ton of helpful advice.  Read, read and read some more, and don't let the so-called long range guys impress you or intimidate you with 600+ yard shooting.  That requires a heavy investment in equipment and practice in order to avoid making a poor shot and wounding a fine animal.   

    Last, when you are practicing, take your time, and let the barrel cool between shots.  It is not a target rifle.  Make sure you know where the first round will hit from a cold barrel, using the ammunition you plan to hunt with.  On an undisturbed, unsuspecting animal, the first shot is generally the best one you will get.


  5. 10 minutes ago, n2horns said:

    I started this mess, so EV cars are part of the problem with being taxed at the pump, they are not. They weigh more than my truck, and mess up roads faster and with taxes going up and up, why not look for solutions to help yourself out.

    People avoid emissions by going to different counties, hunting guides the unscrupulous kind seem to do all kinds of harm and nothing really happens to them. But this is all interesting view points to consider and decide what is best for you.

    Vote for Steve Garvey only R running in kalifuknia for Senate, vote early, often and harvest

    Batteries are heavy!


  6. 8 hours ago, yotebuster said:

    What’s reprehensible is taking 40-45 cents of every dollar I earn with little to show for it in return.  

    I couldn't agree more.  The problem is, in many states, we have too many people who are not paying their share.  This shifts the burden to other residents, but also to other US taxpayers in the form of federal funding that could otherwise have been generated locally.

    Nevada has a much fairer system IMO.  There is no personal income tax, but fuel taxes are very high.  Everybody bitches about it, but it causes the pain to be spread to everyone who drives (except for EVs).  And NV has nicer roads and infrastructure, so at least you feel like you are seeing some results for the higher fuel costs.

     


  7. 13 hours ago, n2horns said:

    Has or is anyone registering their vehicles in Montana?  Looking at this from cost reasons.

    This scam has been around for years.  There used to be a website, something like www.taxcheat.com to report these people.  Montana had, or maybe still has, vehicle and business laws that allow folks to start a phony business with nothing but a P.O. box and name, then buy vehicles (mostly high dollar RVs) with no sales tax, and low vehicle registration fees.  Reprehensible.


  8. 1 hour ago, Presmyk said:

    I remember  this conversation  pop up before and the commission  was trying to figure it out. Legal hunting wise what is it  crossbow permit in archery season is it only general or muzzle loader hunts no archery?

    Based on discussion at the last Commission meeting, it appears they are going to allow them but only for CHAMP, and must also have a crossbow permit.


  9. On 1/4/2024 at 12:29 PM, Sneaker said:

    Guys have really whacked them up in my neck of the woods this year apparently, 15s are closed and 16a is almost closed, neither of them even shut down last year through Jan I'm pretty sure. I'm assuming sitting water was pretty deadly with how dry were were up until yesterday.

    Those units can't stand that kind of harvest.  Especially not with 2000 donkeys between Katherine Landing and Hoover Dam.  Generally, it is a treat to even see a mule deer in the 15s.

    Between BLM and Park Service, the land managers are paralyzed in terms of taking action.  Too many career bureaucrats and tree-huggers.  I remember years ago at Grand Canyon NP, when the Chief Ranger discovered he had a backcountry or river ranger who could shoot, and also keep their mouth shut, the instructions were to sneak up the side canyons and kill every donkey they could find.  Death Valley NP the same, though that is mostly in CA (and a little sliver in NV).

    Feral donkeys have a 20% per year rate of reproduction, and no natural enemies.  They are pretty good eating however, as I have been told. 

    AZGFD needs to get moving.  They have too many frivolous programs catering to urbanites.  These folks are not going to pay the bills when the boomers die off or age out of the outdoors.  AZGFD has a lot of smart people, and I am sure they know that the cash cow that they have enjoyed for the past 60 yrs. (the boomers) is now drying up. and the gen. Z, gen. X and millennials do not have the same values, affinity for the land and wildlife, and likelihood of sufficient financial means over their lifetimes to fund outdoor hobbies and volunteer work,  I know there are a lot of good, motivated kids, and parents who are trying to pass on outdoor ethics and values that they learned from previous generations, but overall, I do not see it happening.  If hunting and fishing in AZ is going to survive in any form resembling what we have now, they better be planning to hire a LOT of lawyers.

    I don't know what business model AZGFD is planning on to keep themselves funded at the same level they are now, but I suspect we are in for some real changes in the hunting and fishing community.   

     


  10. https://www.northerntool.com/

    Northern Tool is your friend if you're putting used equipment back together.  Discounts and gift cards available, nothing crazy but at least something.

    Great idea to show use of hand tools and how to refurbish still useable equipment.  Research model #s and parts, cross-reference, learn to use charts, diagrams, read measuring instruments. 

    We need more of that!

     


  11.  . . . a military surplus store, I think the name was Laradas . . .

    I knew of it.  The gunsmith (before it became military surplus) was Larry Beavers.  His name was Larry, wife's name was Ada, thus Larada.  His dad was Del Beavers, who owned Shooter's Haven in Phx. 

    Both were crackerjack gunsmiths.  Drill and tap heat treated receiver, alter bolt handle on mausers and springfields, install low-scope safety, convert to cock on opening, glass bed, trigger jobs of all kinds, recoil pads done right, match condition .45 auto, tune and triggers on Colts and S&W, old-fashioned polish and blue, engine turning bolts, floorplates, etc.  Everything except checkering and engraving.  Highest quality work, but not nearly as well paying as military junk.  Even during the worst days of the Viet Nam war, and everyone sweating the draft, there were Chris Kyle wannabe types - nothing like now though.  We can thank the GWOT and Hollywood for that, among other things.

    You could bring them a .22 rifle or shotgun in a box or bag that someone had taken apart and screwed up, and they would put it back together and it would work like new.

    Larry Beavers was a marketing genius as well as top gunsmith, and later moved the storefront down by Tri-city Mall.  I guess he moved it to Chandler or Gilbert before he finally retired.  


  12. Post from a friend's e-mail who is way more knowledgeable than I am. 
     
    "I know I would like 
    to have any 405 of any kind.  Its the 30-40 Krag case if reloading brass is needed.
    Craig Boddington claimed his daughter used a Ruger 405 to take all the big
    four in Africa no sweat. (no rhino)  Said it was more than he would ever try.
    She claimed that with her no. ones in 7x57 and 405 she would never need another
    gun. Love to have sufficient experience to make that claim."
     

  13. 2 hours ago, PRDATR said:

    I remember one in Tempe. I think it was a slaughter house off Priest? Late 70's.

    Not sure of that one - had been gone from Tempe for awhile by then.  I do remember Livingston's Locker.  Just W. of Mill Ave. near downtown.  I believe the owner or co-owner was Ron Livingston.  Skipped class and brought my javi in one cold February morning for cutting and wrapping.  Still have the receipt somewhere.  I think it cost me $7.50 or something.

     


  14. 48th St. just S. of Washington was the approximate location of the stockyards I believe.  Not sure about the packing plant.  I remember the huge red neon sign, and the aroma when the wind shifted.

    There was a pkg. plant at 72nd Ave. and Southern, Swift Meat Co. at about 91st Ave. and Indian School in Tolleson, one at about McKellips and Stapley (Stone & Randall) in Mesa, a locker plant at Main and Extension (Tucker's Meats and Locker Service) also in Mesa.  I expect there were quite a few others.  All gone now, unfortunately.  There was also a small one at I-17 about 16th St.  Another at 24 St. just S. of I-17, right across from Thunderbird Bank.  It was more of a meat provision outfit - slaughterhouse to restaurant or retailer.

     

     


  15. If anyone is able to break away from hunting, work or etc. the AZGFD Commission meeting is this Fri. at the Carefree Hwy. office.  

    As a member of the public/concerned citizen, you can attend and be recognized at the podium for I believe 3 minutes by first filing out a speaker card.  Ditto if you can get to one of the regional offices  where they link in via skype or zoom.  

    https://www.azgfd.com/about-arizona-game-fish/commission-public-information/about-the-commission/commission-schedule/

    https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/27121205/12.8.23_CommissionAgenda.pdf

     

    • Like 1

  16. 23 hours ago, gonefishn said:

    @forepaw Thanks for the advice she took both the deer and javelina off of shooting sticks so I think she would be most comfortable with that. Any suggestions on muzzleloader, primers, powder and bullet. She is a pretty good shot and I will try to get her in close so I am not too worried about getting a bunch of quick shots off. 

    I am anything but an expert, but from what I have seen, the in-line break action muzzleloaders are pretty easy to use.  I would think a .45 cal. w, sabots and white hot pellets (2 ea. depending on bullet weight), and 209 primers would be a good combo.  You can buy the little tubes to hold everything (except the primers) to make reloading easier when you are out in the wind with freezing fingers.  Hard to go wrong with a Knight or similar.  They seem pretty affordable.  Expect to run a patch through every 1/2 dozen or so shots.  Hope it works out for ya.   


  17. On 10/20/2023 at 5:24 AM, PRDATR said:

    I miss the old days at Usery when there was one rangemaster who was often doing maintenance and the shooters called the line safe or hot.

    All AZ ranges used to be that way.  Ranges in other Western states still are.  AZ hunters and shooters need to wake up to the way AZGFD is mismanaging this state’s shooting range program, and realize your rights to use YOUR shooting ranges are slowly being eroded away.  They are being chipped away by the environmental and public health lobby (both anti-2A), by overly-cautious AZGFD attorneys and shooting sports staff, and by know-it-all safety officers who think they are the last word on guns, shooting, reloading and you-name-it. 

    The commission-owned ranges vary in terms of management and shooter satisfaction.  Some (Mohave Sportsman’s Club) don’t seem too bad.   Some are real problem children.  The Sierra Vista range is run by misfits who think they are the brain trust of shooting in S. AZ but who can’t get along with anyone.  That range is closed more than it’s open.  However, if you are one of the officers, you can bring your buds and your family and use it anytime you want.  How convenient.    AZGFD just looks the other way.

     I grew up in AZ, and remember very well going to the Usery Pass range (now Rio Salado) and having it all to myself – not once but many times.  Years later, there may have been a range officer, but he didn’t bother anyone.  He sure didn’t breathe down your neck like they do now. 

    After an absence of 30+ years for work, what have I found coming back? That AZ has become a nanny-state.  Loss of personal freedom is everywhere. 

    • Like 2
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