Red Rabbit

Several years ago there was a survey done regarding the Kaibab archery deer hunt and whether it should be a draw. More recently, ABA questioned the hunter and harvest numbers, which resulted in the Kaibab archery stamp and the check in for successful hunters the last couple years. Harvest was much lower than estimated. ABA opposed the Kaibab going to a draw as it feared it would spread to a statewide draw. The Kaibab archery season was moved to be concurrent with the archery elk season in an effort to reduce the number of hunters north of the ditch. RR

Spring results are gone, but there is no change to the bonus point numbers for elk and antelope.

First-come applications for leftovers will be accepted starting April 16, according to the regs. If this date holds, we would have to know if we're unsuccessful and have time to mail in the apps well before that date. My guess is that results will be posted by the end of March. Then we can all start shed hunting in the appropriate unit to see what caliber of bull made it through last season an find that honeyhole away from any road. Doug~RR PS Diet Dew is good stuff. It's the Diet Pepsi that argues with the palate.

Carl, I thought McMillan stopped producing the Fibergrains. I noticed that link was associated with a 1996 catalog. It would be nice if it were available again. I don't see it on the current website, though. RR

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Congratulations Chris!!! I don't envy the price of admission, but the show is suposed to be good. What a reason to get a new rifle as that Christiansen definitely won't work . Vinihunt may be able to give you some info. Doug~RR

I received the same pics in an email, Showed a young gal with the deer in a room with the window closed with sheet metal. Said the deer got caught in a fence on the King Ranch. RR

Tommy, have you searched craigslist? Might find more boats if you searched craigslist in Texas. http://phoenix.craigslist.org/boa/ Doug~RR

It ain't just the hunting shows that seem like a waste to me, regular network programming is also. I'm tempted to cancel the satellite and save the $. Think I watch about 90 minutes a week, and best I can say it's just wasted time. RR Update, I just fell into temptation. The corn flickers will go off and be televised without my observation.

BuckNasty, I'd go ahead and get the bow whether you draw or not. I'm sure you've read here that the PSMathoyttech is the best bow made .The 3D shoots during summer are fun and sometimes and eye-opener. Then there's archery deer season during the nice weather of September in the pines. Javies were made for archery gear. Good luck in the elk draw. With the earlier draw, you will have 5 months to practice with a bow, plenty for a dedicated new archer. RR

"Here are the numbers from inside G&F. Total apps this year were 139,138(102,325 elk and 36,813 antelope) last year was 134,088(102,653 elk and 31,435 antelope). " This was posted on azod and MM Hopefully we can get AZ draw results before NM apps are due April 7 RR

The HS stock has the aluminum bedding block. If you do get the Sendero, you might skim bed the action in the block to get a better fit/uniform contact. To me, the stock wrist is slightly too large. You may have larger hands and find it fine. It's a whole lot better stock than the injection molded stocks. The Senderos are generally better shooters than the average Remington. RR

Here's a weather link to keep track of monthly totals around the state. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/psr/DroughtPage.php?data=2007 Looks like the White Mountains did OK in Aug, Sept and Jan, but fell a little behind in Nov and Dec. RR

The specs for the Eberlestock Just One J107 (new this year) is on their website. http://www.eberlestock.com/J107%20Dragonfly.htm Lots of good packs out now, as compared to 15, maybe even 10, years ago. Doug~RR

Here's a consideration for anyone wanting a top quality frame/pack. The NICE frame, Load Carrier and a bag would be good for overniters and hauling out your coues. I used my NICE frame and bag on Kodiak last fall and liked its comfort over the Blacks Creek Alaskan I also have. The CamelBak version are not as expensive as MR directly. Discounted at LAPgear. http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/...02backpacks.txt http://www.camelbak.com/index.cfm http://www.mysteryranch.com/catalog/index....dex&cPath=5 http://www.lapolicegear.com/camyralatapa.html

A friend has a couple Savages and they don't impress me either. For anyone interested, here's approximately the cost of having a rifle put together. Donor action 400 Contoured stainless match barrel 300 True action 200 Thread, chamber & crown barrel 200 McMillan stock 450 pillar bed the action into stock 175 Teflon coat the barreled action 200 ________________________________ Total $1925

Gee Lark, you're taking all of the fun out of building a project. Sure, one could spend just a little on a Savage 270 with Accutrigger and likely get a shooter, and put the extra cash towards a case of ammo and an out of state hunt. (Considering the draw rates in AZ, an out of state hunt would be good) Doug~RR

James, If you want a short action, I would choose the 7mm-08 or 308 instead of the 243 for better performance at 500 yards. I think a better choice would be a 25-06 or 270 on a long action, if you do not want the recoil of a magnum and will only shoot factory ammo. Do you handload? I think this would be the way to get the most accuracy out of a custom rifle, rather than hoping the factory ammo happens to like your gun. If you like wood, you can pillar and glass bed the action, free float the barrel, and seal the entire stock well. Or you can get a stock with an aluminum bedding block by Accurate Innovations. http://www.accurateinnovations.com/index.html RR

I saw that Leupold will be offering some dual magnifaication binoculars in their Gold Ring line for 2007. 7/12x32 and 10/17x42 Click on the "new products" part of the home page http://www.leupold.com/home_flash.htm Just a heads up for those looking for new optics this year. RR

A lot depends on your budget. D'Arcy Echols' Legend rifle is towards the top of the list. Others that come to mind are: Lex Webernick/Rifles Inc http://www.riflesinc.com/index.htm Mel Forbes' NULA http://www.newultralight.com/ Borden Rifles http://www.longshotriflesllc.com/index.html Hill Country Rifles http://www.hillcountryrifles.com/ GA Precision http://www.gaprecision.net/ You can secure a donor action and have a smith true it,and put one together with a quality barrel and stock. Or base it on a trued action like the Stiller Predator, Surgeon or Borden. I just had Kirby Allen in Montana put together my 6.5WSM. I believe Coues7 is doing lots of research for his rifle. Greg Tannel in CO has a good rep as a gunsmith. Lots of good smiths to choose from. http://www.gretanrifles.com/index.asp Chris Matthews of Longshot Rifles http://www.longshotriflesllc.com/index.html Mickey Coleman http://www.colemanrifles.com/

Bret, Did you get a chance to weigh that peccary? Doug~RR

Jim, 35,000 fewer from 86,000 lends credence to the 40% rumor. 35,000/86,000 = 0.407 40.7% I doubt the 40% fewer applications were from those with the top BP. RR

Did not AZ G&F mail out a notice to everyone about the earlier app deadline? IIRC, mine was green in color. RR

Vini, did you just ask Tommy if he was "feeling like a grumpy old man"??? Kinda hafta help me with the translation. RR

I would like to thank those who donated prizes to the coues buck contest. They are: Ajohunter AZpackhorse AZP&Y Bowsniper Cochranj Coueshunter/Buranut Coueselk Coueswhitetail Coosefan Cpugsie Cramerhunts Elkaholic345 Founder HuntScout Outdoorwriter Standman Sundevil Treestandman WLyman Younghunter