Swivelhead

Dear interested and affect parties, I am writing to inform you that on June 10, 2016, the Tonto National Forest released a Draft Record of Decision selecting a modified version of Alternative C for Travel Management Planning. A draft decision on the Travel Management Final Environmental Impact Statement is important because it changes the way motor vehicle use will be managed on the Tonto National Forest to comply with the 2005 Final Travel Management Rule. (For more information about Travel Management Planning, go to: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fsbdev3_018761) The Final Travel Management Rule requires motor vehicles to be restricted to designated roads, trails, and areas as shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). The selected alternative, with modifications, restricts off-road motor vehicle use; and designates: Approximately 3,700 miles of roads and motorized trails open to the public; Eight OHV areas where travel off designated system roads and motorized trails is permitted; Three additional permit zones; Motor vehicle use solely for retrieving legally harvested elk and bear for all hunts up to 1 mile on both sides of all designated roads and motorized trails; Motor vehicle use for dispersed camping on approximately 91 miles of full-sized motorized trails that access nearly 2,750 inventoried existing dispersed camping sites; and The use of motorized vehicles off of designated system roads and motorized trails to aid in the collection of permitted personal fuelwood within the designated fuelwood cutting areas. I realize that my draft decision will not please every member of the public; however, I believe it strikes a reasonable balance that is responsive to the vast majority of public input I received, and is the best solution to achieve the multiple use mandate that is part of the Forest Service mission. As emphasized in the Final Travel Management Rule, my draft decision is not the end of planning for management of motor vehicle use on the Tonto National Forest, but the beginning. Considering the draft decision includes the cumulative input of thousands of comments on nearly 5,000 miles of road, it is likely there will be errors and changes needed due to changing conditions. We may also find out that some of the rules could result in unforeseen circumstances in some locations. It is important that the reader understand that the point of this decision is to provide a starting point for management of motor vehicle use on the Tonto National Forest in compliance with the Final Travel Management Rule. I fully commit to additional motorized route planning and making changes to motorized use management through the National Environmental Policy Act to continue improvement of Forest access, motorized recreation, and the protection of Forest resources for current and future generations. The Draft Record of Decision and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Tonto National Forest Travel Management Project are now available online at: http://data.ecosystem-management.org/nepaweb/fs-usda-pop.php?project=28967. Compact discs with this information are available on request by contacting Anne Thomas, Travel Management Team Lead, at 602-225-5213 or via e-mail at mariannethomas@fs.fed.us. Objections must be submitted within 45 days following the publication of this legal notice in the Arizona Capitol Times, the Tonto National Forest paper of record. The date of this legal notice is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframes provided by any other source. It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure evidence of timely receipt (§218.9). Objections, including attachments, must be submitted to the reviewing officer: Calvin Joyner, Regional Forester, 333 Broadway Boulevard SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87102; (505) 842-3173 (fax). Objections may be submitted via mail, FAX, or delivered during business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Electronic objections, in common formats (.doc, .pdf, .rtf, .txt), may be submitted to: objections-southwestern-tonto@fs.fed.us with subject: Travel Management Draft ROD. At a minimum, an objection must include the following (§218.8(d)): (1) Objector's name and address as defined in §218.2, with a telephone number, if available. (2) Signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for electronic mail may be filed with the objection). (3) When multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector as defined in §218.2. Verification of the identity of the lead objector must be provided upon request or the reviewing officer will designate a lead objector as provided in §218.5(d). (4) The name of the proposed project, the name and title of the responsible official, and the name(s) of the national forest(s) and/or ranger district(s) on which the proposed project will be implemented. (5) A description of those aspects of the proposed project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed project; if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider. (6) A statement that demonstrates the connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection, unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the designated opportunity for comment (see §218.8©). Sincerely, NEIL BOSWORTH Tonto National Forest Supervisor

Even high end spotters @ higher magnification require a larger objective size to maintain a reasonably resolvable image. IMO, 65mm is the starting point for spotters. Plenty of lightweight 65mm scopes available, the real issue is bulk. A 65mm will take up more space in the pack.

The Cherry Creek road will be closed as currently written. A substantial amount of the road is within the wilderness boundary. The power line road from Sunflower to Bartlett Dam will be closed as a 600 yard section of that road is within the Mazatzal wilderness.

Woke me up. Went outside to take a look around. Noticed the ionization trail but only a small part. Did not put it together till I heard it on the news. Awesome for those who witnessed it, count yourself lucky. I've seen a few brilliant meteors in my day but never one with sonic booms.

This ^ A coastal AK black bear hunt will require a boat at your disposal in order to stay mobile. Tides are insane and must be monitored, leaving a boat unattended is unwise. Lot of fun and plenty of bears when I went in 2007.

Prayers sent my friend.

Assuming permit surrender stays as presented, the only way I see it NOT triggering point accumulation/sharing schemes would be to limit surrender to individual applicants. i. e. Point Guard only available for applications with one applicant. Could be G&F is "banking" on these schemes to increase revenue. Disposition of surrendered permits will be interesting. Hope G&F does the right thing and offers the permit to "next in line".

Anybody ever charter with Fiesta Sportfishing in Cabo San Lucas? Any other recommendations?

Looks like a blast. Lot of variety in your catch which is always a plus. You did well.

Wow. I'd strongly recommend against 8 people on 1 boat. But I guess if you just want a boat ride with your ladies reeling in fish do whatever you want. I'd probably not go fishing I've got another boat lined up for serious fishing. This is a boat ride with some close friends, if we're gonna burn fuel, might as well troll. Always cool to see fish in a spread. I'll be a good time.

Need a 40+ foot boat as we'll have 8 people. More of a boat ride than a fishing day but we will be fishing. Figure to let the women pull on the fish if we get bit.

Beautiful bird. Goulds are the bomb.

Story is likely copyrighted. We'll see it in a publication at some point. Awesome ram.

Cause class IV rams (sheep we should shoot) make up about 2% of the population.

Anybody know when G&F usually uploads BP reports to their website? Been watching for the 16 spring and 16 elk/lope reports.

AZG&F missed an opportunity to have a positive influence on the event. A rider orientation presented by G&F prior to the ride would have given AZG&F way better press.

I'd recommend Swaro 15's made after 2006. You want the swarodur/swarobright version. Should sell used for $1300-$1500. Make sure they are covered by the USA "no fault" warranty. Zeiss 15 X 56 Conquests are very good too. CWT classified prices seem to be $1100 - $1200 although I paid $1300 for mine.

Sharing information within a circle of friends is substantially different than posting "starting points" on the web. Open discussion concerning technique, preparation, etc. is a non issue.

Anxiously waiting for the BP reports for the 2016 lope draw. Figure 2018 will be my year to "choose" my lope tag. Assessing point creep will be interesting.

I'll enter next years draw with 24 lope points. My brother drew a 5B rifle tag w/19 points, he's jacked. We'll have a good time.

Zeiss Conquests have sold on this site for $1100 - $1200. That's a great deal on good optics. I paid more. Zeiss Conquest have a no fault warranty beyond the original purchaser. Have not looked through the Meopta (yet).

Didn't draw a darn thing so tonight, AZG&F gets both barrels. lol What do you all think about AZG&F withholding available draw results from bonafide applicants who choose not to have an account with AZG&F? Why are the bureaucrats, holed up in their compound out on Carefree highway, bent on coercing us to submit to their wishes? The coercion is subtle but unmistakable, what are they after?

The club concept AZG&F has recently implemented sticks in my craw. I think the whole thing is baloney. Just who the heck do they think pays the bills for the department? Sent them my thoughts: As a hunter & fisherman, I already spend a substantial amount of money purchasing permits, licenses, etc. annually. I have a couple issues with being shaken down for another $25 for the "I support wildlife" revenue scheme. #1. The AZ access map: Providing outdoorsmen with (up till now) free mapping defining land ownership boundaries reduces conflict for outdoorsmen, LEO's and landowners. I truly believe this portion of the Access map should be available to all at no cost. #2. I'd like to think "I support wildlife" is aimed at non-consumptive outdoor users who are currently experiencing a free ride on the back's of consumptive outdoor users. Consider extending the benefits of this new program (no magazine subscription) to anybody who has a current hunting or fishing license. Your thoughts?

360+

Stanley & elkaholic, I too attended the meeting at dept headquarters a few years back. For whatever reason the dept. really wants this Portal to fly.