Red Rabbit

News media reporting has been less than informative, imo. The fire progession map on inciweb has not been updated in 3 days and the other map shown is even older. Here is a google earth map linked on inciweb that seems more current. http://inciweb.org/incident/2262/ On the right side of the page under "related incident links", click on "Fire Data on Google Earth" When the link opens, look under the continental US map and click on "Fire Detections: Current" to open up the google map. You can zoom in on the Wallow Fire and see the sire spots. Looks like the fire is going north of Crescent Lake, up Escudilla Mtn, and edging west onto the WMAT.

http://inciweb.org/incident/2262/ Also. the "fire Perimeter" on the right side of the page will show it on Google Earth.

Most of the forest around Flag has been extensively thinned, making for excessive visiblity/lack of cover. I would scout the west side of the unit, south of the airport, and along Walnut Canyon. Hope the FS does not do a controlled burn during the hunt in your chosen area.

I saw this posted elsewhere. No verification if it is true. "It is known that the fire was started by a couple that had hiked in to the confluence of the S and N forks of Bear Wallow creek. This was beautiful country, it isn't now. They had a campfire and left it unattended to go on a day hike. Looking back toward their camp from elevation they saw flames and dense smoke. They had left their two dogs tied to a tree. When they got back their camp, everything, including the 2 dogs had been engulfed."

http://inciweb.org/incident/2262/

WOW! Prayers for his continued full recovery.

With the 40 MPH winds the last weekend, I cannot fathom having a campfire. BUT, I just heard on the news that Coconino FS responded to 18 small wildfires and 12 abandoned campfires over the weekend. There is a couple hundred acre fire now near Sunset Crater, and yesterday we had a 10 acre fire just 2 miles directly downwind of Kachina Village in Pumphouse Wash.

The thread post on the tripod is 1/4". The 700rc2 uses 3/8". You will neeed to get a 1/4 to 3/8 bushing adapter. Jim White has these, as do most camera stores. http://www.adorama.com/JD80009.html

Wooly Worms seem to be a staple fly. I have had best results with all black or black and grizzly, or with peacock herl body, but now prefer the Wooly Bugger. I did not see one listed for sale on a quick gooogle search like the one you showed in the pic.

Jason, My old FS map shows a spur off the 132D road going to the backside of the lake, but I think it may be closed as I have never seen any vehicles on the south/backside of ULM. Current map does not show the spur. One can boat across and camp on the south shore though. Doug~RR

Here are some websites that can be bookmarked to get infomation about wlidfires in AZ http://inciweb.org/state/3/ http://www.wildlandfire.com/hotlist/forumdisplay.php?f=22 http://www.azfireinfo.az.gov/

What is their accuracy now? Do you want to keep the same chamberings? If you want to change, what game and distances will the rifle(s) be used? What make and model is the 257WBY? If you are not going to rebarrel, you might start with a trigger job on the Rem700, recrown the barrel and do bedding job.

What other states do you apply in, or does AZ offer enough for you to satisfy your hunting desires? If you apply in other states, which state, species and why? Are there states/species that you have quit applying in? Why? From my perspective: NM- I used to apply for elk in NM, and drew a 16 archery bull tag years ago and had a very enjoyable hunt. But when NM raised the tags price to $700+, my school-teacher budget opted me out. I have had a few NM coues hunts in 23, but figure that I can hunt coues in AZ for $200 less while I am waiting to draw another December tag. With a new 2% NR law proposed in NM, I may try this year for antelope before the law possibly goes into effect. UT- I have had 2 southern general deer hunts and will apply again this year, although the sea of orange is dense. I have also hunted archery deer in northern Utah. After drawing an antelope tag in UT in 2002, I quit applying as the #BP required to draw again was high, and the requirement in order to apply of buying a hunting license that one may possibly not use if not drawn. WY- Had a great antelope hunt last year and will apply again. It may be a few years between draws but I can wait. Antelope is the only species I have applied for in WY- probably due to distance. CO- Used to archery hunt for elk and deer before the school year started. That changed when deer went to a draw, and as did the unit in which I hunted elk. I have been on one rifle bull hunt, but the number of hunters made the hunt very dissatisfying and frustrating. I have not applied for a draw hunt in CO, all the prior hunts were OTC. AZ- One can hunt coues, javelina, archery mule deer, turkey every year, not to mention quail and small game, while waiting to draw elk, antelope, sheep, Dec Coues. Plenty of hunts for one's self and with friends to use up vacation time and weekends. Not to mention other activities besides hunting (like family, fishing and photography) that require time. Doug~RR

Casey, i'm sorry to hear of your friend. Prayers sent for him. Doug~RR

Blessings to you, your wife, and Hunter. You need to buy you...err i mean Hunter, a new rifle or shotgun every year for when he is ready to shoot and hunt. Doug~RR

Use the 2010 hunt number1084 to see if you would fall into the 20% bonus pass http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/documents/2010FallDraw-BonusPointReport-BonusPassbyHuntNumber.pdf If not, here are the overall odds per bonus point group http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/documents/2010FallDraw-BonusPointReport-1-2PassbyHuntNumber.pdf Looks like last year was about a 47% chance

Looks like another "human" caused fire is threatening property and altering Mearns, Coues and Goulds habitat near Parker Canyon Lake http://inciweb.org/incident/2241/ http://www.wildlandfire.com/hotlist/showthread.php?t=18599

Any year one has an AZ antelope tag is a great year. Some think antelope horns grow better in drier years. Have a great hunt if you have a tag.

My outlook for Mearns is very gloomy this year. The very low bird numbers last year do not bode well for the population this fall.

In 2010 I was fortunate to draw a Goulds permit. Had a good time hunting with SunDevil and Scoutm. Here is the hunt story from last year: http://forums.coueswhitetail.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18486&st=0&p=199040&hl=goulds&fromsearch=1entry199040 I picked up the mount a few months ago that was done by Sven Eberson of Wildlife Wings Taxidermy in Glendale. I wanted to do something different mount in a semi-strut, gobbling from the roost on an interesting piece of wood that was found in the canyon where the turkey was killed. Went with a freeze dried head as the tiny hairs and snoodle are more realistic than a plastic head, imo. (pardon the quick/sloppy cloning on the lower left wall in the top photo)

Looks like an enjoyable time was had, along with a well-presented dinner.

School's almost out and the summer heat may drive one to Slide Rock to wear out a pair of britches. It has been decades since I slid down the channel, but I beat the crowds early this morning. Some more photos are posted in the gallery. http://dougkoepsel.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sedona/11290567_MCtS6#1300910517_NswgqhK Welcome to the summer fun. Doug~RR

Good morning from Wupatki National Monument. Decided to catch the sunrise after the 3 days of rain and snow while hoping for some clouds in the sky and snow on the peaks this morning. On the drive home, an antelope buck ran across the road. Looked to be mid 70s but short in the prongs.

To fit the 700RC2, you will have to use the 3/8" thread on the reversible mounting plate of the tripod. The reversible 1/4 - 3/8 plate is a nice feature of this Slik tripod. Some tripods like the Velbon only have the 1/4" stud and one then needs to get the bushing thread adapter for the head.

That is almost half price as new they are $190. That deal and the 700rc2 would be a good combo within your budget.