WMK

Thanks JVS

Ladies and gentleman (I use that term loosely) , It would be considered poaching to shoot one of Santa's riendeer on Christmas eve. I know you may shoot "any Deer" but, since Santa comes at night it would be illegal. Not to mention that Santa won't bring you any presents for a long time. My family and I wish you and yours (and our troops) a happy holiday.

This was sent to me by my old 1st Sergeant. It has nothing to do with hunting but, like him and my fellow soldiers who have "been there, done that", I would do it all over again for each and every American and at this time the people of Iraq. During the holiday season please give thanks to our troops. The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, standing watch over me, my wife and my child. "What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light. Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam', And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. "I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall." "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?" It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son." Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us. GOD Bless our military and the United States of America!

Two or three years ago an Elk hunter from PA shot a guide in the Gila Mtns. in NM. How'd it happen? He was watching the guide through his scope, weapon off safe and finger on the trigger. I believe ALL hunter should go though a Hunters Safety course no matter how old they are or how long they been hunting. Fourteen years ago, when I got stationed in GA, at the age of 27, I HAD to take a Hunters Safety course to be able to hunt. At the time I had been hunting for 17 years and had a thorough knowledge of hunting safety.

Another pad you should consider is called "Shooter's Friend". Cabela's has them for about $20. I have one on all my rifles and just love it.

Crotalus you my enjoy this: "George Carlin Views on New Orleans" "Been sitting here with my butt in a wad, wanting to speak out about the bullshit going on in New Orleans. For the people of New Orleans... First we would like to say, Sorry for your loss. With that said, Let's go through a few hurricane rules: (Unlike an earthquake, we know it's coming) #1. A mandatory evacuation means just that...Get the heck out. Don't blame the Government after they tell you to go. If they hadn't said anything, I can see the argument. They said get out... if you didn't, it's your fault, not theirs. (We don't want to hear it, even if you don't have a car, you can get out.) #2. If there is an emergency, stock up on water and non-perishables. If you didn't do this, it's not the Government's fault you're starving. #2a. If you run out of food and water, find a store that has some. (Remember, shoes, TV's, DVD's and CD's are not edible. Leave them alone.) #2b. If the local store has been looted of food or water, leave your neighbor's TV and stereo alone. (See #2a) They worked hard to get their stuff. Just because they were smart enough to leave during a mandatory evacuation, doesn't give you the right to take their stuff...it's theirs, not yours. #3. If someone comes in to help you, don't shoot at them and then complain no one is helping you. I'm not getting shot to help save some dumbass who didn't leave when told to do so. #4. If you are in your house that is completely under water, your belongings are probably too far gone for anyone to want them. If someone does want them, let them have them and hopefully they'll die in the filth. Just leave! (It's New Orleans, find a voodoo warrior and put a curse on them.) #5. My tax money should not pay to rebuild a 2 million dollar house, a sports stadium or a floating casino. Also, my tax money shouldn't go to rebuild a city that is under sea level. You wouldn't build your house on quicksand would you? You want to live below sea-level, do your country some good and join the Navy. #6. Regardless of what the Poverty Pimps Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton want you to believe, The US Government didn't create the Hurricane as a way to eradicate the black people of New Orleans; (Neither did Russia as a way to destroy America). The US Government didn't cause global warming that caused the hurricane (We've been coming out of an ice age for over a million years). #7. The government isn't responsible for giving you anything. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave, but you gotta work for what you want. McDonalds and Wal-Mart are always hiring, get a dang job and stop spooning off the people who are actually working for a living. President Kennedy said it best... "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Thank you for allowing me to rant. George Carlin

I'll be holding out for a 4x4 muley in NM (11-14 Nov) and 100 inches or better for the first three days I'll hunt in AZ (15-20 Nov). Then I'll shoot any legal buck. . Good Luck to you all and BE SAFE!

Congrats on the Oryx. I got mine on 9 Oct in the San Andres Mt. on base. It horns were only 32" BUT it is a good looking animal. This is the second Oryx I've gotten. The first one was off post. Shiras, off post is a little more difficult however, if you glass and cover (drive) alot of area you will find them. During the week days seem to be better 'cause there is as many people out there looking for them.

I have a Muledeer hunt in NM area 16, 11-15 Nov and leave directly from there to 31 AZ for Coues. By the way, I just got back from connecting on a Oryx on Whitesand Missle Range . Not big but, a good looking one. You are not allowed to take pictures on the range so I don't have any but, My dad (lives in Prescott) took pictures when we got back to camp. I'll post them when I get them.

I have a Nov tag in 31. Please let me know if you score.

Ditto! However, you could help all of us with this problem Firstcoueswas80! Why don't you send us a few photo's of the Blonde!!!

AMEN!!!!!!!

I drove from NM last Wednesday and scouted the unit 31. At 8pm I drove through Tapia's land. The gate was open. I camped that night, scouted during the day and left that area Thursday afternoon with no trouble. Can't say if I was lucky or what. what got me was that both roads in Black Canyon were blocked by other land owners.

Kahles with TDS. I have one on my Kimber Mountain 300 WSM and love it. The other scope I would suggest is a Burris with Ballistic Plex crosshairs. I have one on my Win. 7MM Mag. These scopes make you more accurate at long ranges as long as you know the distance (the most important factor in long range shooting).

Shiras, The Muledeer you're taking about are the one's near the ski area which provides Cross-Country Ski lessons outside of Red River. Not only can you not hunt that area (private property) but, the bunny huggers up their feed those animal. Two years ago while Cross-country skiing there, I was 25 yards from a 5x5 with 4 does. They have no fear because they have never been hunted and never will.