Red Rabbit

"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

Dave, I have not been around Suzuki ATVs enough to give you a valid opinion. Doug~RR

Dave, Kelley Blue Book gives ATV values in the motorcycle section. http://www.kbb.com/kbb/Motorcycles/Default...nkId=hp_mc_text Doug~RR

Bill, Sounds like a fun hunt in the making. I can't help you with personal experience, but can just add blessings for an enjoyable hunt. Doug~RR

One of hte Slik Carbon Pros, like the 614, may suit your needs. lightweight for when you pack in. http://www.thkphoto.com/products/slik/slik-cfs6-b.html

Jim White also makes a panning attachment useful with pistol grips. It's shown in the link to the CWT.com bookstore I posted above. RR

Jim White's head is top notch. http://www.coueswhitetail.com/bookstore/tripods_adaptor.htm For tripods, I have the Velbon Chaser EFL4 (new model is the Sherpa). Like the sturdiness and adjustable leg angles. Tried the Slik Sprint Mini to save weight in the pack, but found the legs to flex too much. Got the Velbon LUXi from Doug at Camera Land in NY, and it is lighter than my Velbon and the legs are stiffer than the Slik Sprint. Many like the carbon tripod from Outdoorsmans http://outdoorsmans.com/tripod.html Have you considered the Swaro 15x56 bino? RR

One set of prizes is being shipped to me today, so the winners should have their prizes shipped the latter part of next week after I receive this last set. Some prizes will also be shipped be the donor. Thanks. Doug~RR

What I noticed is that both last year and this year, the archers did exceedingly well with respect to the rifle hunters. Doug~RR

DB- According to their website, June 29-July1 http://www.sunriseskipark.com/3-d%20shootout%202006.shtml What a great place for a shoot. I went to the Sunrise shoot last year for the first time (Flagstaff Archers have had a july 4th shoot for eons), and really enjoyed the courses. Area is much better than Williams, Fort Tuthill or Mormon Lake, imo. I'm glad ABA made the move, but not liking the conflict with the Clints Well shoot, another enjoyable shoot. RR

With the 45mm objective on the 15x45, I would be concernd about the 3mm exit pupil and brightness at dawn and dusk. I'd opt for the Minox 15x58, $699 Minox vs $629 Conquest thru Doug RR