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Mark didn't see that I'd posted this to CWT last Friday --- better to have 2 heads-up than none, right? I realize many of you may be out of town as this weekend is the archery deer opener. Keep your eyes open early next week --- we'll figure a way for you help out as well!

If you missed getting your kids to Wapiti Weekend this year, DON'T let it happen next year! Very limited space available --- plan ahead! Your youngsters will LOVE you for it!!! https://www.arizonaelksociety.org/PDF%20Documents/wapitibro.pdf

This was pretty cool - just after I first posted this online Friday morning, I received a phone call from a woman in San Diego. She had just Googled "camouflage clothing donation" and my name and phone # was the first thing that popped up. We talked and she's shipping several kitchen bags full of her husband's camo to us! He's lost quite a bit of weight --- she said 1/2 of them still have the original tags still on them. Way to get things rolling! CMTers, every little bit helps --- all sizes new or gently used camo's, boots, gloves, hats, cold weather clothing, gear. Guaranteed to go to vets, NOT volunteers!

Hey All: Hunts for Heroes, along with Healy Arms, will be holding a hunting clothing drive next weekend at Healy Arms in Tempe! Most of you probably are not aware that 50% of the disabled Arizona vets that Hunts for Heroes takes out hunting (via Az. G&F's tag transfer program) have never hunted big game before. That said, many of these vets are just not adequately prepared when it comes to appropriate clothing and gear needed for their outings. So Arizona Elk Society's Hunts for Heroes program hatched the idea of a "Camo Closet," where we could gather up new and lightly used camouflage and cold weather clothing that hunters and outdoorsmen/women might have at home that is not getting used. We'd be looking for camouflage clothing, of course, but also boots (insulated or not), gloves, knit hats, plus cold weather clothing that could be worn under leafy wear/ghilly suits. So ... I approached Mark Healy about the possibility of his allowing us to hold a hunting clothing drive based out of his store. Mark replied with an immediate thumbs up! Thank you, Mark!!! And here we are --- Who: Hunts for Heroes and Healy Arms What: "Camo Closet" hunting clothing drive > new and lightly used camouflage clothing, boots & access. (packs, knives, optics, game bags, etc. - just not junk) and COLD WEATHER clothing, insulated boots, insulated gloves/knit caps (cold weather stuff doesn't have to be camo). < NOTE: We'll even accept camping gear in great shape, but let's arrange a time other than next weekend to get that to us > When: Saturday, Aug. 26 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Mark has okayed Friday Aug. 25 drop-off for those who can't make it Saturday) Where: Healy Arms / 1809 E. Baseline Rd., Tempe, Az. 85283 (SE corner McClintock/Baseline, 1/2 mile south of Superstition Fwy) Why: These items will be loaned out to H4H vets who are not sufficiently prepared for the hunts they'll be going on. I realize there are those of you who live a ways from Tempe (Tucson, Flagstaff, White Mtns, etc). CWTers in those areas might consolidate your efforts there and then arrange to get your donations to us later. Please contact me --- it'd be great to work with you on that! I'll be outside Healy Arms on Saturday, Aug. 26, with our purple Hunts for Heroes pop-up canopy. Store opens at 10 a.m., but I'll be there at 9:30. While you're there, it would be a great time to step inside and check out Mark's store --- not only is Healy Arms a Hunts for Heroes supporter, they're a CWT sponsor and one of the best places in the Valley to shop for your firearms needs! (Again, you may also drop off your items on Friday if you can't make it there Saturday) Thanks, everybody -- we'll see you next weekend! Tom Cell: (480)760-3868

Will be using one helping on a friend's archery bull hunt next month. I really do like the sound --- the wooden body tones things down, makes for very realistic cow calls ...

http://phoenix.carpediem.cd/events/4300768-2nd-annual-champ-day-at-bass-pro-shops/ Joe (veteran who's hunted with Hunts for Heroes before) and I will be there with our new camouflaged motorized TrackChair. Looking forward to meeting the public and letting them know what we're about and how we're helping get disabled Arizona vets out into Arizona's awesome outdoors --- "Healing through Hunting." Bass Pro in Mesa / Saturday, Aug. 12 (tomorrow) 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Should be back near the White River fly fishing shop. If you're out and about, come by and say "hi!"

northAZarcher: Just sent you a personal message ... call me! Tom

Hunting season is just a few weeks away. Many opportunities for you to volunteer and give back to those disabled Arizona vets who want to get out and experience our hunting heritage (50% of them have never hunted big game before)! Archery, muzzle loader, and rifle hunts could use your help, for antelope, elk, and deer --- in camp and out in the field. You can go to: www.arizonaelksociety.org and scroll down to Hunts for Heroes --- you'll find a sign-up form there. Feel free to call me if you have a question that needs an immediate answer: (480)760-3868. Nothing better than seeing a smiling vet enjoying Arizona's outdoors! --- Tom

Error on going with a bag rated for a bit colder than what you want!

God job, Andrew!

The impact of Hunts for Heroes is expanding beyond just the hunts we put together for disabled Arizona veterans ... Any veterans in Tucson looking for work? Give Nick Swanson (an H4H veteran who's been reaching out to local communities here in Arizona) a call: (480)708-5227. Solid opportunity --- workers needed ASAP! Concrete restoration and preservation (long-term).

I got to meet George at the CHA elk clinic this past evening (class guy) --- I wish him the BEST on his sheep hunt!

A heads-up about this weekend's INDOORS & AIR-CONDITIONED "Get Outdoors Expo" at West World in Scottsdale. NOTE: Free admission for vets and 1st responders! More info at: http://www.azgetoutdoors.com/ I'll be manning a Hunts for Heroes booth both Saturday and Sunday. We'll be sporting our brand new logoed Hunts for Heroes pop-up canopy (it's a knock-out!) and we'll have a full skull reproduction of the desert sheep taken on last December's donated tag (the one CWT members made happen!). Plus we'll have a camo TrackChair we'll be using in the woods this year for those vets who are more severely mobility challenged --- VERY cool!!! Would love to have former H4H vets and volunteers (former and new) join me in the booth to help meet 'n greet the public! Hours are Sat: 10-4, Sunday: 11-3. One-on-one face-to-face interaction makes it real ... call me if your calendar is free to come help spread the word! (480)760-3868.

Also, kids 12 and under get in free. Try using promocode "AzGO2017" for 50% off tickets ...

Stanley: I think the ticket price posted is discounted for advance sales. I would think you'd be able to buy a walk-up ticket, but probably at a higher price (of which I don't have a clue) ...

Signed up last week ...

While I appreciate the above sentiments concerning men and women veterans, Memorial Day is in remembrance of those individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice. Veteran's Day is set aside for all who have served in our nation's military. We need to maintain the distinction --- there is a difference!

Cats baseball and softball are solid again this year --- Bear Down! Territorial Cup is fine and dandy (genuine kudos to those athletes in "non-major" sports), but it's a sorry state of affairs when that's what you brag about ASU athletics. Devils' major sports are a hurtin' big time! And yeah, I know --- Cats football isn't exactly stellar these days. However, 500+ rushing yards last November???

^^^ Yep, Weston (TrueBuilt) does a great job --- fair & trustworthy!

HEY ALL --- Tomorrow (Saturday, May 13) I'm going to man our AES/Hunts for Heroes booth at Payson's annual Wildlife Fair, 9 am - 3 pm at Green Valley Park (1000 W. Country Club Dr., Payson Az 85541). Lots of good information about the Arizona Elk Society (AES) and our Hunts for Heroes program! Stop by if you're in the area --- let's put faces to names ... Be safe, and HAVE FUN out there this weekend!!!

Well, last November's Hunts for Heroes elk unit in Unit 8 did in my trusty Milwaukee-type table. It wasn't the "dusting" of snow, but the temp in the lower 20s that delivered the TKO. It was in great shape (so I thought) with no cracks or anything, but years being stored in the garage finally did a number on the plastic parts. We've got white Lifetime tables for hunt camps, but that small fold-up job comes in handy some times. Anybody have one in good shape they'd consider selling (or maybe even donate)? You can call or text me: (480)760-3868 ... Thanks!

I got to hunt with Randy a couple seasons ago --- he spends more time in a variety of DYI hunts than anyone else I know. He just threw this comparison up on YouTube about water filtration systems you can buy (good info):

Just an FYI --- it was Joe that tagged out on his 1st gobbler, not me. Kudos to Lee and Chris for coming through to help make Joe's hunt a resounding success!!!

Give Jacqueline a call, Moments in Film (in Mesa): (602)550-2574. Talented and reasonable (had her take pics at wedding several years back) ...

This is why Arizona Elk Society's Hunts for Heroes program does what it does for disabled vets here in our state ...