Red Rabbit

Looks like a good start to a chandelier. RR

The Barnes Bullets' ad "pure copper makes perfect sense" showing a clover leaf group shot through a penny, struck me as ironic. A penny is actually a 99% zinc / 1% copper alloy core that is electroplated with copper. Perhaps the ad would be better suited for the Fusion bullet. As an aside, it is interesting to hold a penny with tongs and place it in the flame of a Bunsen burner to melt the zinc core in the penny. RR

I haven't seen any pictures posted or heard any word. Wonder if they didn't make bail? RR

Heard on this morning's news that a shed hunter near Flag did not return to his vehicle by dark. His partner notified search and rescue, who found him at 3am. With yesterday's cloud cover and snow, it would be easy to become disoriented and lost. Carry that compass, gps, matches, flashlight, etc. RR

I have read a lot of good things about the Ross bows, ie 334. Sportsmans Warehouse carries them. There is a lot of info if you do a search on archerytalk.com RR

Here's some info and evaluations of the no peep: http://www.timberline-archery.com/np.asp http://www.bowhunting.net/evaluation/2003/...ine-NoPeep.html http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=159328

This was in today's Flag Rag, but I'm sure it's no news. The sheer numbers just put a dismal perspective on the traffic. Thanks Scott, Brian and Rich, et al. Border Patrol records upswing of migrants through Sasabe corridor Saturday, March 11, 2006 8:25 AM CST TUCSON (AP) -- U.S. Border Patrol officials are seeing a significant increase in the number of illegal immigrants being smuggled through what's known as the Sasabe corridor southwest of Tucson. Agents in the Tucson station, who are responsible for covering the corridor, have arrested some 37,000 migrants so far during the current fiscal year, which began Oct. 1. Spokesman Gustavo Soto of the patrol's Tucson sector said there were about 25,000 apprehensions recorded for the same period last fiscal year -- nearly 48 percent fewer. Over the past few years, immigrant-smugglers had favored routes farther west -- through the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation, the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument or other desert areas. But since last summer and fall, areas cutting through the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, with its diverse vegetation and shorter distances from the border to well-traveled roads in some instances, have gained currency as smugglers try to evade capture by Border Patrol agents. The corridor, lying in the Altar Valley, stretches north from the tiny border crossing at Sasabe, 65 miles from the Tucson, through the Buenos Aires, a 118,000-acre mosaic of grasslands, wetland, mesquite-covered groves, cottonwoods along streams and some oak and sycamore-lined canyons. The corridor also takes in the small community of Arivaca, while Arizona 286 cuts through the refuge between Sasabe and Three Points, from where smugglers have a 20-mile trip east into Tucson. Arizona is the nation's busiest point for illegal immigrants entering the country from Mexico. The Tucson sector, which encompasses all but about the 50 westernmost miles of the Arizona-Mexico border, accounts for most of the crossings. The Sasabe corridor currently has more arrests than any portion of the Tucson sector this fiscal year, Soto said. The Sasabe Corridor encompasses the southern end of the Baboquivari mountains, near where the Tohono O'odham reservation begins. About 60 miles south of the border, the Mexican town of Altar has become a major staging point for illegal immigrants and smugglers making arrangements to cross into Arizona. On Tuesday, agents from the Tucson station arrested 483 migrants, a 71 percent jump from the 282 apprehensions the station's agents made on the same day last year. But that figure is nowhere near the 4,000 migrants a day estimated to be crossing through the Sasabe-Buenos Aires area by the Rev. Robin Hoover, head of Humane Borders. The humanitarian group maintains water stations in heavily trafficked desert spots to help keep immigrants from dying in the desert. Hoover attributed the high number to being in "peak migration." There was no immediate explanation for the wide variance between Hoover's estimate and Border Patrol figures. The pace of illegal immigration typically picks up significantly during February and March, Soto said. Even so, while last month's 42,000 arrests were the Tucson sector's heaviest during the current fiscal year, the total represented a 7 percent decrease from the 45,000 for the same month in fiscal 2005, Soto said. With the trafficking activity increasing seasonally, illegal immigrants caught in the west desert areas now are being transported to the Border Patrol's Nogales station for quicker processing. They're entered into the agency's electronic identification systems before being sent back to Mexico unless they have a criminal record. This is the second year that all west-desert arrests are being processed at Nogales as a centralized location, rather than being brought first to Tucson, Soto said. The shift uses agents brought in temporarily from other parts of the country with less illegal traffic, allowing more local agents from the Tucson, Casa Grande and Ajo stations to be sent out into the desert areas for patrol, Soto said. With 15 to 20 agents processing arrested immigrants at any time, the Nogales center will be able to handle up to 2,000 in a 24-hour period, he said. On Tuesday, nearly 1,900 people were caught in the entire Tucson sector -- down from 2,100 arrested 12 months earlier, Soto added. There have been 157,000 arrests sectorwide this fiscal year, an 11 percent dip from the 175,000 recorded through the same period 12 months earlier.

The RCBS RockChucker Supreme kit is a good starting kit. You'll want to also get a case trimmer and caliper, in addition to your dies and shell holders RR

Remember, if you happen in Vegas, ya gotta stay in Vegas ...or sumtin like dat. With a doctor, lawyer and several leo's, you certainly can't get into trouble . RR

And the winners are: Youth First- Kristopher McClendon (aznativejr) 87 6/8 Second- Seth Howell (couesnutjr) 85 1/8 Third- Alex Howard (misscoueselk) 62 4/8 Fourth- Taylor Amos 41 4/8 Fifth- Corey Pugliese (cpugsiejr) 28 5/8 US TYPICAL First- Chris Beck (Sun Devil) 113 2/8 Second- Indio 105 6/8 US NONTYPICAL First- Tony Villegas 111 2/8 Second- Mike Butler (coozfever) 102 MEXICO TYPICAL First- Amanda Moors (Coues Whitetail) 110 7/8 Second- Jim Mullins (coosefan) 96 7/8 ARCHERY First- Shane Church 120 6/8 Second- Jeff Hough (arizonahunter) 106 4/8 BEST PHOTO First- Chris Beck (Sun Devil) Second- Scott Adams (Sniper) Thanks to all who entered and sent in their pics and stories. It was great meeting some of you along the way. Would all of you lucky hunters seen here send me your addresses so I may send PRIZES to you. All photo entries can be seen at http://www.coueswhitetail.com/Coues_BUCK_C..._contest_05.htm Doug~Red Rabbit

The prizes were shipped via UPS or USPS today and the winners should be receiving them shortly. The Battle Axe replica and Coues books will be shipped by the prize donators. RR

DesertBull, If you go to shortmags.org, they have the WSM load info from many component/bullet manufacturers in downloadable format. For a manual, I like Nosler #5 A DVD/Video on how to reload would be good fo rone who has no experience or a knowledgable mentor. RR

That's a find that we'll certainly hear and hopefully see more of. Wonder what the WR for a set of sheds scores? RR

Jim, these were taken at the wetlands (ie reclaimed water ponds) between Kachina Village and Forest Highlands. RR

Took some pics towards the SF Peaks this evening.

I hope the clean-up was productive and well-attended. What were the outcomes of the water catchment project, Brown Canyon trail, trash pick-up, commissioner meeting, kids 3-d course? Any pics to share frome those able to attend? RR

Sounds like a good idea. Will play with the seating depth on a load for the 22-250. Also need to make some dummy rounds to send to the gunsmith for a project rifle. RR

Dogman, I can relate to the pleasures of being behind your own dog. I have a German Wire Hair Pointer that I really like to see work and find quail She's only three, so the best years are yet to come. I think she gets more excited hunting than I do. She's got that unbridled passion, like I'm sure your dogs also have. I bet you're glad to see this snow in hopes of cutting a track or two. Doug~RR

There are 5" of snow on the driveway right now in Flag. The snow is light and powdery, not the WET heavy stuff though. The strength of the storm is to come later today/tomorrow and we may get another 20" What a blessing to the flora and fauna of the state's north country. Hope you in Tucson or helping on the cleanup get to unpackage your GoreTex. RR

Yep, I was kinda chuckling all along during this post, knowing who "Dogman" is. It is sometimes difficult to write or read what is truly meant in a post due to lack of verbal inflection or precise wording. RR

Why open sights? A low powered scope for short range would be better than open sights for your nephews' use. Rem makes the Managed Recoil ammo for the 270 and 30-06 also. RR

This is Casey, Doug is posting these pictures for me. had a good pig hunt, got this Sow on opening morning. oh, i almost forgot about the lion got her this weekend also!. a buddy glassed her up and the stalk was on! to make a long story short, i snuck up behind her and got within 20 feet before i shot! i shot her with my passed grandpas .270!!!! Ernesto, it only took me one shot! can you believe that! it was awesome! i will never forget this! i will post the whole story later today from my computer!!!!

For some rifle small and lightweight for your nephews used on deer and vermin, consider a Ruger compact or Remington Model 7 in 243, 7mm-08 or 308. Remington makes 125 grain Managed Recoil ammo for the 308. If you reload, I'd also consider the 260 Remington. For just yotes and pigs, I'd choose the 22-250 If this rifle is for you, the stock will probably be too long for your nephews, unless you buy an extra stock to cut down for their use. You may also have to reposition the scope to fit them. RR

oops. double tap

I have Leupold Vari-X III 3.5-10s, VXIII 4.5-14 and a Conquest 3.5-10 When sighting in at 100 yards, I find the Conquest to be sharper then the Leupolds against the 1/4" grids on the targets. Most people will say the Conquest is sharper. A trip to Sportsmans to compare them side by side may be in order. Be sure to play with the focus on the eyepieces. My $0.02, but ymmv RR