1uglydude

I need to load up some reduced loads for some kids who need to practice with full-sized rifles for upcoming hunts. I have some sweet loads developed using Trailboss, but I am now critically low. I'm hoping that someone might have some that they are willing to part with. One of the 9oz cans should get me through the practice sessions.

I hate to break it to you but there are several jaguars roaming southern AZ, not just 1. I know that at one point AZG&F had 5 collared. I know the guys that chase lions down there with dogs have treed many but purposely don't post picture of it nor talk much of it. AZ does not want any land in Southern AZ deemed habitat for jaguars. If the feds recognize it as natural habitat for a roaming jaguar then it becomes a non-huntable protected area and we're screwed. This is actually not correct. I made a similar post a while back when the critical habitat rule was first published. As I said then, I rarely talk about my job because I know there is so much ant-Fed sentiment on here, but I work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Arizona (northern AZ). I also spend most of my free time hunting and fishing and teaching my kids about hunting, fishing, and conservation. I try hard to use my status as both an endangered species biologist and hunter to educate folks about what Federal protections really mean. AGFD has not had 5 jaguars collared. We'd have been briefed on that and it would have been a big deal. There was one collared. Its entirely possible that there are multiple jaguars running around southern Arizona and they haven't been brought to the attention of AGFD or FWS. But if lion hunters are treeing them incidentally to their normal lion-hunting activities, they will not get in trouble for harassing an endangered species. If that were the case, you'd have heard about Warner Glenn and Jack Childs getting in trouble for treeing the three (2 in AZ, 1 in NM) jaguars they have treed over the years. They didn't get in any trouble and have been great conservation partners over the years. Unless a FWS Special Agent can prove that a jaguar was intentionally treed, the FWS can't and won't prosecute. We're really not bad to work with, I promise. As for habitat becoming non-huntable if it becomes federally protected, that's not true either. I guarantee you that 1000s of hunters in AZ hunt in land designated as critical habitat for some species protected by the FWS and they've been doing it for decades. A critical habitat designation simply means that that particular habitat is deemed essential for the recovery and conservation of the species, but does not, in any way, stop private land owners or, in this case, hunters from doing ANYTHING. All it means is that Federal land management agencies have to come talk to the FWS about their projects and how those projects can still be carried out, but in a way that ensures habitat remains intact. I hunt in critical habitat all the time when I'm off duty. Again, it has NO BEARING on hunters. I'm not posting this to start an anti-Fed debate or discussion. I'm simply trying to do part of what the American People pay me to do every day and educate folks as to what the ESA does and doesn't do. Anytime anyone wants to sit down and look at the ESA and talk about what it can and, more importantly CAN'T do, I'm happy to help out. Like I said before, once you take the time to listen and learn, you'll find out that (for the most part), biologists from the FWS, especially those who hunt/fish or understand hunitng/fishing, are great to work with. And to the original post, that's definitely a bobcat. Patrick Jr. nailed it on the head as to why. I appreciate you posting and clearing up what I had been told. I might have cut some corners of the specifics but the way it was explain to me by the AZG&F biologist who just retired this year was at one point in time we as a state were in possible jeopardy of losing huntable land due to the feds determining that a portion of Southern AZ was part of the jaguar's natural habitat. This is how it was explained to 100 hunters at a local predator hunters meeting back when the macho B incident occurred. He also told us that macho B was not the only jaguar they were keeping track of. I personally know of a very successful and well-known houndsman whose dogs have treed many jaguars. I sold him some confinement cages and we sat and spoke at length. They pull the dogs off and the jaguar is free to go. Those dogs can't tell the difference between a bobcat, lion, or jaguar. They give chase to any and all. Once the animal is IDs I'm sure they back off. I am positive they want no bad PR. These are they type of civil discussions I absolutely love. Hunters have never been in jeopardy of losing huntable land. The reality is that southern Arizona is, in fact, part of the jaguar's natural habitat. It has been (as has most of the state) since before white settlers came here. One thing that doesn't get made public is that there are some issues which cause great consternation between FWS and AGFD. I'm not surprised that it was explained as you describe it. I have a bunch of good friends and colleagues at AGFD and I have a good working relationship with many others there. But on some issues, there is bad blood between our offices. To be fair, its not all on AGFD's shoulders. We have our share of biologists who are difficult to work with and just as close-minded. In reality, AGFD does not understand how the ESA works as well as they think they do, overall. There are some there who absolutely get it, though. But, again, we have individuals (emphasis on individuals, not the agency) who abuse the ESA, too, and assert authority they don't have. Macho B was not the only jaguar being kept track of in Arizona at that time, that's for sure, but he was the only one collared. The Macho B incident brought much unwanted attention to both agencies. That's about all I can discuss about Macho B at this time. As for critical habitat and jaguars, I have my personal opinions that do not necessarily represent the FWS' official position on the matter. I can also tell you that I'm not the only one. Its tough when you (collectively as an agency) are told to do something by a Federal judge who has no understanding of biology. We originally produced a "not prudent" determination for jaguar critical habitat, but a District Court judge threw it out and forced us to write what you see. Critical habitat is there, we didn't back off the determination, but, again, it has no bearing on anyone's hunting, hiking, fishing, or camping activities on Federal land. You are also correct in that lion dogs can't tell the difference between cat species, which is why we will never prosecute a houndsman for treeing a jaguar or ocelot. They are out conducting lawful activities and not intentionally breaking any Federal laws. The houndsman I've spoken with absolutely don't want bad PR and most of them are excited to see a jaguar. And from my experiences, yes, they back off once they know what they have. Great pics, by the way! Again, great discussion and I hope you find it sincere that I take my job working for the American People very seriously! how do you know that though? i dont know anything about it of course, but im the type of guy that doesnt want to give an inch in case they decide to take a mile. i mean, wouldnt it just be fodder for anti's to use against hunters? ...and if you won't take the word from IA Born as a federal agent, take it from a former environmental litigator who represented many clients dealing with ESA issues. I know...I know...a fed or a lawyer...pretty slim pickings. Critical habitat designations can make it harder to push through new development....or maintain existing development....but I don't see it specifically targeting hunting or similar uses.

No.

That's an inconsistency in their system. I noticed that when I filled out an application for myself or anyone else who purchased a 2014 license in 2013 as part of the spring draw, the license field did not automatically populate. But, when I added one of my friends and by brother in law to an application, their's did populate. The only difference is they purchased their licenses in 2014 as part of the elk/pronghorn draw.

I've always called it stick cholla.

Peyote

He said that he can't use sabots in CO. The Thor bullets worked okay for me, and I liked that they were lead free. I use sabots here.

Three points will guaranty you any pig tag you want in the bonus pass. I used to buy my wife points every year (but won't be doing it anymore now that it's $13 per point) because we could cash them in every so often and guaranty three guys whatever tag they wanted. At one point she was up to 8 pig points. If it's not an app service, then it's someone doing it as a joke, just to be able to say that he's doing it.

...wild burros and horses too.

I have it saved on my desktop. Send me a PM with your email address.

Except that in EVERY single online draw they have always provided a confirmation email in addition to the receipt you described. If they have stopped providing the email, then that is something new. My guess is that it is a glitch of some sort related to the new payment processing system. Their contract with the old vendor expired after the elk draw and the Department was supposed to develop their own in-house system in time for this draw. That's probably why it took so long for the online option to go live this time around.

Reloader 17? If that's what you mean then site sponsor Healy Arms has a bunch of RL 17 at their store in Chandler if you know someone traveling through. I also saw it at Pistol Parlour and Sportsmans in Mesa last week.

Did you get confirmation emails?No emails. I did make sure to print off my receipts. Brian I printed them off too, but the lack of an email is a bit disconcerting.

Did you get confirmation emails?

Mine went through and I got charged for the application fees, but I didn't get a confirmation email. Not sure what is up with that.

Trying to figure how many times 1 goes into 500? :-)

It appears to be up now.

It appears to be up now.

Thanks for meeting me half way. Now I just need to decide whether I want to preserve or enjoy. My earliest shooting memories are of using my uncle's Nylon 66, so I have always had a soft spot for them.

I want one. Where are you located?

Stage II and elevated fire restrictions have been issued for Prescott National Forest and Tonto National Forest. The following activities will be prohibited in these forests as of May 23: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building Possessing, using or discharging fireworks or pyrotechnic device Discharging a firearm, except during a lawful hunt Using explosives Operating chainsaws or equipment with internal combustion engines between the hours of 1 p.m. and 1 a.m. Using internal or external combustion engines without properly installed, approved, working spark arrestors Welding and use of acetylene or other torches with open flame Using or operating motor vehicles off forest system roads, except when parking within 10 feet of a road where there is no brush or vegetation, or overnight parking in developed campgrounds and trailheads Operating chainsaws or equipment with internal combustion engines between the hours of 1 p.m. and 1 a.m I would love to meet the idiot that came up with this one. What difference does it make what time it is? I would assume that it has something to do with the amount of dew on the ground or amount of humidity typically present at those times.

In more worried about the fire in Oak Creek Canyon. We could easily lose Sycamore.

It depends on their PR department. Sometimes it will be preceded by a news release a day or two before. Two years ago, which is probably the year Couestracker is referring to, it hit the news the night before they closed it. I remember because I had several bears patterned for my archery bear tag and had my truck loaded and ready for the next morning. When I was finally able to go back in a month later I saw that on the day the forest closed I had three bears come to water before noon! For what it's worth, the first day of a closure is almost always Friday. I highly doubt they will close it before the holiday weekend, but wouldn't be surprised if they close it before the next weekend.

New Mexico will refund your license if you don't draw if you check the box on your application. Nevada will too, but if you ask for the refund you don't get the bonus point. Again, the more licenses you sell, the more Pittman money you can get through the Feds.

I can't seem to get the link to paste on this page, but if you read AZCentral today you will see that the Town of Gilbert is proposing to ask Game and Fish to change Water Ranch Lake to artificial flies and lures only with a single barbless hook. Certain special interests are behind this move because they claim that discarded fishing line and fishing tackle on the shore and under the surface of the water are killing turtles and shorebirds. The Regional office was consulted about the proposal and they informed the Gilbert Parks Department that any such change would mean REMOVAL of the lake from the community fishing program and an END to Department-funded fish stocking. Even with that information, the Parks and Rec department is moving forward with the proposal and it will be before the Town Council next Thursday. For reasons I would rather discuss in private, I cannot spearhead public opposition against this proposal. I would, however, like to work behind the scenes to help a group of similarly-concerned parents to do so. A few important points that need to be heard in public: 1 - Water Ranch is the only community fishing water in north Gilbert. 2 - Water Ranch is the only nearby community fishing water that has a natural shoreline (we go to other parks and my daughter asks why we are fishing in a swimming pool with concrete edges). 3- Water Ranch allows kids to fish in a semi-natural setting. There are no jungle gyms or swing sets to distract them. They can focus on learning to fish and acquiring patience. 4- There are already littering laws that cover the discarding of used line and tackle. Those laws are not being enforced. Who will enforce the artificial rule? No one. The litter will still be there, and there will be less of it only because there will be very few fish in the lake. 5- It is very hard to teach very young kids to fish using artificial flies and lures. My three year old isn't going to enjoy watching me waive a fly-rod around in the hopes that I can find a catfish aggressive enough to hit a streamer. 6- If Gilbert wants to keep the rural community feel, then we need opportunities like those available at Water Ranch for our kids. Anyway, I could keep going on and on with a list. Please send me a PM if you're interested in speaking out. The Town Council meeting is NEXT THURSDAY.