Outdoor Writer

Although I haven't been there for years, I started going to Lobos and camping on the beach in the early 1960s. This a photo of my youngest son, Scott, while he was fishing for sea trout. It was taken on New Year's Day, 1969. His mother told him not to get too close to the water. While fishing there one year with a good friend, I had a seagull pick up my silver Kastmaster and get hooked. It took me about 15 minutes to reel it in and let it loose. And man, was I ever dizzy after turning in circles for that long.

Josh, That's a good looking mount, but when I saw it, I said, "Hey, that's my idea." About 2 months ago, I dropped off a bob and a D-back at Chris Kreuger's -- Krueger Creations -- and we discussed the various options. We finally settled on something that would be almost a clone of your mount. The only difference will be that the bob in mine might have all four feet in the air. I got the idea from watching this video. This is my crawlie critter. It's a bit over 4'.

Nah. I'll leave it up to all you folks to slice, dice, spindle, staple and mutilate. I don't do controversy here anymore.

PHOENIX — A public meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be held Tuesday, March 9 at the Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway in Phoenix. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. with an executive session, followed by the public session. Members of the commission will attend either in person or by telephone conference call. The commission will be briefed on the status of state and federal legislation, including SB1200; game and fish commission; recommendation board. The commission may vote to take a position or provide direction to the department for coordination, action, or proposed changes to legislation or other elective issues related to department responsibilities. The public can either attend the meeting in person in Phoenix or view it over the Web at www.azgfd.gov/commissioncam. Those wishing to submit “blue slips” to present oral comment during the meeting must do so in person at the Phoenix meeting. For a copy of the agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission located under commission agenda.

No problem signing Keith's book. I was happy to do it.

Amanda, Looks like you had a good show! It was good to visit with you again on Sat.

I don't recall the wording from that one, but I note that this one says, "citizens of the state," which was a concern with the last one. I somewhat agree with the commission in regards to the "right." But then again we also have the right to bear arms enumerated in the AZ Constitution, but that doesn't remove the ability to regulate such. The "subject only to regulations prescribed by the legislature" seems to address that. The "regulations prescribed by the legislature" include the powers enumerated to the commission. Also, the last time the commission suggested a statute in lieu of an amendment. But like any other statute in Title 17, it is open to change as the winds blows. As it is right now, the legislature can change anything the commssion may do simply by changing Title 17. In fact, they could eliminate the commission altogether. It's a lot harder to amend the state constitution, however. That said , if I had to guess, I would say the amendment might fail when put on the ballot for the voters to decide.

The devil is in the details. The problem with the bill as written is likely a semantical one because of the wording. In reality, the legislature has been involved in "regulating" wildlife for years under all the LAWS included in Title 17 (everything listed in the booklet as A.R.S. 17-###.##). There's actually a lot more to Title 17 than what is included in the regs, so every hunter would be smart to read the entire statute occasionally . The cost of licenses and tags are an integral part of this process. AND...the possible ban on baiting also would go through the legislature. That's why it has been delayed to date. These laws are generally proposed by the department/commission but must be passed by the state legislature before they can go into effect. Actually, Title 17 spells out everything the department/commission can or cannot do, and the legislature also has the power to change anything in Title 17 on its own. As it now reads, under Title 17, the department/game commission is authorized to set RULES --not LAWS -- without any input from the legislature. Seasons, limits, etc. (everything listed in the booklet as R##-#-##) all come under the Rules rather than the state statutes of Title 17. Here's just a part of the above: A.R.S. 17-231. General powers and duties of the commission A. The commission shall: 1. Make rules and establish services it deems necessary to carry out the provisions and purposes of this title. 2. Establish broad policies and long-range programs for the management, preservation and harvest of wildlife. 3. Establish hunting, trapping and fishing rules and prescribe the manner and methods which may be used in taking wildlife. 4. Be responsible for the enforcement of laws for the protection of wildlife. Thus, if it's ambiguous and can be interpreted to give the legislature ALL the power to set regulations AND the rules, it would be a disaster. But if the wording gets clarified so it doesn't change who sets the rules, the constitutional amendment will change nothing from what it is now. This is the present version with the possible ambiguous wording in red: Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring: 1. Article II, Constitution of Arizona, is proposed to be amended by adding section 36 as follows if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor: START_STATUTE36. Hunting, fishing and harvesting wildlife Section 36. A. The citizens of this state have a right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, including the use of traditional means and methods, subject only to regulations prescribed by the legislature to promote sound wildlife conservation and management. B. Public hunting and fishing are preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. C. This section shall not be construed to modify any provision of common law or statutes relating to trespass or property rights. END_STATUTE 2. The Secretary of State shall submit this proposition to the voters at the next general election as provided by article XXI, Constitution of Arizona.

Well I hope everyone has had a great Christmas season, and Santa was kind to all of you. He treated me well by arriving a bit early and glassing up a couple great Texas bucks for me. And then yesterday he brought more miscellaneous goodies in addition to a super day with my family. So now it's on to a ....

Albuterol inhaler!

SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! I'm probably buying a new vehicle, so I'm selling (or trading it in) my burgundy/red 4x4 Dodge Quad Cab SLT. It's a 1998 short bed with less than 80,000 miles. It had all new brakes, including new front rotors, and a complete tune-up done less than six months ago. The thermostat, main fan/alternator belt and hoses were replaced just over a year ago. All regular oil changes and mechanical work has been done at Performance Dodge in Glendale. There is NOTHING on the truck that doesn't work. The camper shell could use a coat of paint, though, because the clear coat is kaput. Vehicle Highlights Engine: V8 5.2 Liter Transmission: Automatic w/OD Drivetrain: 4WD Air Conditioning (COLD!) AM/FM/Single CD Premium Infiniti Stereo Power Steering Dual Front Air Bags Overhead thermometer/compass SLT Cruise Control Power Windows Power Door Locks w/remote alarm system Class II Towing set-up Tilt Wheel Running Boards Floor mats front and rear Dashmat Custom grill Bug guard/deflector Side window tint Fiberglass Shell (over $1,000 new) with fully carpeted and padded storage/bedliner that converts into a bed with storage underneath. After-market hand-painted pinstriping by Ron Hernandez Oversize Goodyear AT Tires (6 months old) The Bluebook Retail values are: Excellent $7,665 Good $7,215 Fair $6,665 I would put my truck somewhere between Good and Excellent, but closer to the latter. If anyone here is interested, I'll take a FIRM $6,500. Buyer will pay in one installment at time of pickup, no trades. BUT...you need to let me know ASAP, i.e. before I make the deal on a new vehicle. Also, I'll take some photos tomorrow and add them to this thread.

Wasn't sure where to put this, but...stopped by to wish Amanda and all my friends.....

Brent, Some background on the photo: I was crouched down with my feet in the water and used a 20mm lens the morning after the snowfall. Location is about 75 yards down the road from the driveway into the resort I owned at the time north of Vallecito Lake near Durango, CO. The stream is the Vallecito River, which flows from the high-country into the lake. The bridge going over the creek was only about 5' behind me. The mountains in the background are in the southern end of the Weminuche Wilderness Area. We had to endure that view every day from our kitchen window.

Amanda asked me to stop by and make a few suggestions. I assume you're basically interested in nonfiction rather than fictional novels, so... I see Bill already recommended Capstick & Ruark, which would have been on my list, especially if you enjoy reading about Africa. You might want to read a few of Jack O'Connor's books on hunting. Below is a complete list of ALL his books in chronologial order. Some are hard to find, but Amazon and other web sites often have readable used copies. You can probably also find a few in your local library. Also, you can read what he had to say about Coues deer in The Deer Hunter's Book, which was put together by Lamar Underwood. Look for Portrait of a Coues Deer on page 15. ************************************ Conquest: A Novel of the Old West (1930) Boom Town: A Novel of the Southwestern Silver Boom (1938) Game in the Desert (1939) First published by Derrydale Press in a limited edition of 950 numbered copies, this was reprinted in a 1945 trade edition, with a new preface, under the title Hunting in the South West. In 1977, Amwell Press reissued the book in a limited edition of 950 copies. This version reverted to the original title and included a substantial introduction by O'Connor. Hunting in the Rockies (1947) Sporting Guns (1947) The Rifle Book (1949) Hunting With a Binocular (1949) Sportsman's Arms and Ammunition Manual (1952) The Big-Game Rifle (1952) Jack O'Connor's Gun Book (1953) The Outdoor Life Shooting Book (1957) The Complete Book of Rifles and Shotguns (1961) An updated excerpt from this book was later published as 7-Lesson Rifle Shooting Course. The Big Game Animals of North America (1961) Jack O'Connor's Big Game Hunts (1963) Consists of 26 stories reprinted from Outdoor Life. The Shotgun Book (1965) The Art of Hunting Big Game in North America (1967) Horse and Buggy West: A Boyhood on the Last Frontier (1969) Autobiographical. The Complete Book of Shooting (1969) The Hunting Rifle (1970) Rifle and Shotgun Shooting Basics (1970) Sheep and Sheep Hunting (1974) Game in the Desert Revisited (limited edition of 1,000 copies in 1977, trade edition in 1984) The Best of Jack O'Connor (1977) The Hunter's Shooting Guide (1978) Hunting Big Game (1979) The Last Book: Confessions of an Outdoor Gun Editor (1984) Published posthumously, this autobiography is at times scathing in its frankness and fascinating for the insight it offers into the world of outdoor writing. Hunting on Three Continents With Jack O'Connor (1987)

Thought I'd stop by to provide an update on my 36B hunt this coming weekend. My son and I will be staying at the Universal RV park near Arivaca. We'll be in a Fleetwood Sequoia pop-up trailer that's sbout 26' when set up. I'm driving a red/burgundy 1998 4x4 Dodge Ram quadcab with the license plate TONY10. We'lll be leaving Phoenix TG day at about 7 and should arrive at the RV park before noon to set up and maybe do a bit of scouting. We'll likely be roaming the Warsaw Canyon area. So if anyone wants to visit, come on by, or if you see us on the road, beep and wave. This is what the trailer looks like:

Brent, See the PM I just sent you. -TONY

Good deal. If we're not around the RV park, go find my son a buck somewhere and tie it to a tree. But we'll try to be there when you get there. All you need is your personal gear and a sleeping bag/pillow. We'll have coffee, some wine, water and Pepsi or Mountain Dew. If you want something else bring it along. Mike, Thanks.

Just passing thru on my way to 36B. This packing stinks, though. I forgot how much it takes to go hunting since it's been so long since I've drawn a permit. Brent, OK, I have 3 T-bones ready to BBQ the day you're there. Any idea which day? Vegas, Why didn't you tell me earlier that you have a house there? I would have stayed there with you. Prolly see you somewhere.

Bill, Maybe will see you wandering around if you get over to the west side of the unit. I came down with pleurisy a few days ago. Doc attributed to a "weather change." So I'll probably be hanging out and glassing close to the truck wherever we go. And to the rest of you guys (and gals) hunting somewhere for something this weekend, good luck!

TERRY DWELLE, Bismarck, N.D., The Jamestown Sun May 14, 2008 Beginning May 16, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North Dakota Department of Health will conduct a study measuring the risk, if any, of consuming wild game harvested with lead bullets. I appreciate this opportunity to explain the reasons for the study and what we hope to learn as a result. Earlier this year, a local doctor contacted the Department of Health about the discovery of metal fragments in ground venison donated for food pantries across the state. Laboratory testing identified the metal as lead. Because of the seriousness of lead poisoning, especially for children and pregnant women, the departments of Health, Agriculture, and Game and Fish advised food pantries across the state not to distribute or use the donated ground venison. The agencies also suggested that anyone who had concerns about how their venison was cleaned and processed should not serve it to children and may decide whether to eat it themselves. A few weeks later, Minnesota issued a similar advisory based on testing conducted in that state. Basically, the steps that were taken are similar to precautions taken when any food product is found to be contaminated. According to the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, if these lead fragments had been found in beef, the meat would have been recalled. The particles of lead discovered in the ground venison were not distributed evenly throughout the meat. In addition, many of the lead particles were so small that a person biting into the meat wouldn’t notice the metal. However, even microscopic amounts of lead can cause health problems. That’s why our most prudent option was to advise disposal of the meat. Although there is no safe level of lead in blood, the risks are greater for young children and pregnant women. In young children, lead in the blood can cause lower IQs, learning disabilities, stunted growth, kidney damage and even death. In pregnant women, high lead exposure can cause low birth-weight babies, miscarriage and stillbirth. In adults, lead exposure can cause high blood pressure, hearing loss and infertility. In general, children are at higher risk because they absorb more lead than adults do and their developing brain is easily damaged by the lead. Most of the time, however, the effects are subtle and can’t be easily recognized, and most people with elevated levels of lead in their blood probably don’t realize it. Lower IQ, high blood pressure and hearing loss may be blamed on other factors without consideration of lead exposure as a contributing factor. Scientific studies can tell us how much lead is absorbed from sources such as paint or lead dust. What is still unclear is how much of the type of lead discovered in the venison is absorbed by the human body. As I mentioned earlier, the CDC and the Department of Health will conduct a study at several sites across North Dakota beginning May 16 that will attempt to determine whether eating wild game harvested with lead bullets results in increased blood lead levels. The study will test the blood lead levels of 680 people of all ages and will compare blood lead levels of people who eat venison with the lead levels of those who don’t. Analysis of the blood samples and the data collected will take several months; however, we anticipate that preliminary results will be available before the fall hunting season. Because this study will be an important opportunity to help us understand any potential health effects of swallowing lead bullet fragments, I encourage both hunters and non-hunters alike to participate. Testing sites and schedules are available on the Department of Health Web site at www.ndhealth.gov or by calling 701-328-2372. Lead exposure is a serious issue. We are hopeful that this study will help us learn if there are any risks for people who eat wild game killed with lead bullets. We are committed to keeping you, the public, informed about whatever we discover. ***** By JOHN MILLER Associated Press Writer BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho raptor group working to eliminate lead from ammunition released findings Tuesday it said shows that ground venison from 80 percent of deer killed with high-velocity lead bullets contains metal fragments. The Peregrine Fund, based in Boise, and researchers from Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., say it is further evidence people who eat meat from game animals shot with lead bullets risk exposure to the toxic metal. Separately, the North Dakota Health Department and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are planning a study on nearly 700 people who eat meat from wild game harvested with lead bullets, to determine health risks, if any. The suggestion that lead bullets could make venison unsafe for humans has prompted outrage from pro-hunting groups such as Safari Club International, of Somerset, N.J., and the Connecticut-based National Shooting Sports Foundation, a firearms industry group, after North Dakota and Minnesota in March and April instructed food banks there to pull hunter-donated venison from their shelves. "This is one more piece of evidence that points to lead bullets as a source of contamination in our environment," Rick Watson, vice president of The Peregrine Fund, said in a statement ahead of a presentation of the study, which focused on 30 white-tailed deer killed by standard, lead-core, copper-jacketed bullets fired from a high-powered rifle. The Peregrine Fund organized the four-day conference at Boise State University to bolster its stand against lead ammunition, with more than 50 scientific presentations on lead poisoning in wildlife and humans, including research on Inuits in Alaska and Russia who practice subsistence hunting. The study released Tuesday comes after a Peregrine Fund board member, Dr. William Cornatzer, previously did CT scans of about 100 packets of venison that had been donated to food banks by hunters. He found 60 percent had multiple lead fragments. Lawrence Keane, a National Shooting Sports Foundation spokesman, said he hasn't seen the latest study. But he said initial evidence supplied by Cornatzer, a dermatologist and professor at the University of North Dakota medical school, didn't justify a policy change or destruction of venison. Groups, including Safari Club, gave nearly 1 million pounds of venison in 2007 to food banks as part of their humanitarian efforts. "The Peregrine Fund is an advocacy group and has an agenda," said Keane. "We have serious questions with the so-called science by the dermatologist. It's my understanding there's not a single reported case that the CDC is aware of, of anyone having elevated blood lead levels from eating game harvested with lead ammunition." Lead poisoning has been linked to learning disabilities, behavioral problems and, at very high levels, seizures, coma, and death. There is no safe level of lead in blood. North Dakota Department of Health epidemiologists said the agency's planned study with the CDC will investigate whether there are any health risks for people, by attempting to determine whether eating wild game harvested with lead bullets results in increased blood lead levels. "This study is an important opportunity to help us understand whether swallowing lead bullet fragments causes increased levels of lead in the blood," said state Health Officer Terry Dwelle. "We're hopeful that the study will give us information on which we can base any future recommendations." In the study findings released Tuesday, authors, including Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine professor Russell Tucker, found widespread dispersal of metal fragments after taking X-rays of 30 deer shot in Wyoming and processed at 30 different butchers in that state. Ground venison from 80 percent of the deer had metal fragments, and 92 percent of those were lead. In addition, metal fragments were found in some steaks, even though processors normally discard meat near the wound and along the bullet's path. The Peregrine Fund got its start in 1970 with peregrine falcon recovery efforts and now works to restore California condors to northern Arizona's Grand Canyon region. Watson said the group began suspecting a connection between lead poisoning, bullets, venison and humans after researchers and the Arizona Game and Fish Department discovered about 90 percent of 60 condors that now soar over the Grand Canyon and southern Utah were ailing from lead poisoning after eating hunter-killed deer and leftover gut piles. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last year signed a law banning lead bullets from condor habitat in his state, and Arizona wildlife managers have a voluntary program encouraging hunters to replace lead bullets with nontoxic copper ammunition. Condor deaths in Arizona dropped from five after the 2006 hunting season to none in 2007. "We believe that copper bullets will become the ammunition of choice for hunters to benefit themselves, their families, and wildlife," Watson said. ***** By JOHN MILLER ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER BOISE, Idaho -- The potential risk of lead poisoning from high-velocity bullets, whether to carrion-eating condors in the Grand Canyon or to food bank patrons in the Midwest, is the subject of a scientific conference next week. The issue has been heightened since North Dakota and Minnesota officials instructed food bank operators to clear their shelves of venison donated by hunters this year. The move raised complaints from Safari Club International of Somerset, N.J., whose members gave about 316,000 pounds of venison to the needy last year under the group's Sportsmen Against Hunger program, and Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry of Williamsport, Md., which donates more than 282,000 pounds of venison in 27 states annually. The four-day gathering that begins Monday at Boise State University includes more than 50 presentations on issues ranging from lead poisoning among subsistence hunting Inuits in Alaska and Russia, lead levels in ravens in southern Yellowstone National Park, lead found in swans in Western Washington state and the politics of nontoxic ammunition. "You're collecting a huge weight of evidence to infer or perhaps even prove there's a serious health risk, certainly to wildlife, but perhaps even to humans," said Rick Watson, vice president of The Peregrine Fund in Boise, a raptor recovery center that is sponsoring the conference. "That should promote if not actual remediation of the problem, then further research on where there are gaps in that knowledge," Watson said Friday. Lead poisoning has been linked to learning disabilities, behavioral problems and, at very high levels, seizures, coma, and death. Watson said his group realized there might be a connection between lead poisoning, bullets, venison and humans after 1996, the year it began reintroducing rare California condors in northern Arizona. As many as 60 now soar over the Grand Canyon and southern Utah, but researchers and the Arizona Game and Fish Department found the scavengers were ailing from lead poisoning after eating hunter-killed deer and leftover gut piles. In 2006, five condors died of lead poisoning and 90 percent of the rest had signs of exposure. To learn more, Peregrine Fund researchers killed two deer with high-velocity lead ammunition and found that the bullets fragmented on impact, leaving the animals' flesh riddled with hundreds of microscopic lead particles. "In the process of doing that study, we didn't want to waste the deer meat we had shot, so we had it processed," Watson said. "We thought, 'For interest's sake, let's take a look at some of these package to see if there was any lead' - and there was." Skeptical, Dr. William Cornatzer of Bismarck, N.D., a physician, hunter and Peregrine Fund board member, used a CT scan to examine about 100 packets of venison from local food giveaway programs and found 60 percent had multiple lead fragments. "There isn't much to argue," Cornatzer said. "It shows there is this toxic metal in our ground venison that we hunters have been eating for the last 50 years." While no cases of lead poisoning from venison had been reported, his research helped lead to the warning to food banks in North Dakota in March. Days later, Minnesota followed suit after separate tests in that state. Safari Club officials have contend there is no scientific basis for abandoning thousands of pounds of meat that otherwise would go to poor families at a time of rapidly escalating food costs. Gene Rurka, chairman of the group's humanitarian efforts, said dumping venison on the basis of a few anecdotal studies was premature. "I just can't imagine there's that kind of lead intrusion in the meat," Rurka said. "If it's a health issue, certainly, it's a concern, but to go out and say there's one guy who took a sampling of meat, and to use that across the entire program, it is totally unfair." Watson said such skepticism is a key reason for the conference. Among other reports, his group plans to release preliminary findings of a continuing study of packaged venison from 30 deer killed by researchers with high-velocity ammo and processed by 30 butchers in Wyoming. Watson, one of the authors, said the findings so far mirror the conclusions in North Dakota and Minnesota. "We've effectively demonstrated that lead does get into venison, both hamburger and steaks," he said. "It's at levels sufficently high enough to be a concern to people who get those packets. We don't know what risk, but we know they are at some risk."

I have ONE extra $42 ticket for the D'backs/Braves game on Aug. 8, this Fri. It's a great seat -- lower level, a few rows back behind 1st base. My wife and I will be using the other two tickets I have. All three are together. The extra one is available FREE to anyone who wants it. -TONY

Daryl, It was fun and good to meet you. Your should have stayed for the fireworks; they were MUCHO better than Davis' pitching. The 6th inning last night wasn't too much better. CC, Chipper's homer not only left the ballpark fast, but it went VERY far, as well. There was no doubt where it was heading when the bat made contact. -TONY

Daryl, You have been drawn for a D'backs permit in Unit 114, Row 37, Seat 13. The season opens at 6:40 p.m., Fri. Aug. 8th. See the PM I'm sending. And yeah, while we were watching the game last night, I kinda recalculated the pitching rotation. Davis it is. Hope he does better than he did Sunday against LA. -TONY

So?? Are you the designated blocking dummy or what? I'm guessing it's more like the designated driver. Can't you get someone to fill in just that one night? If my calculation is right, Haren should be the pitcher that night. -TONY