Outdoor Writer

The American Medical Association has weighed in on Corona strategy: The Allergists were in favor of scratching it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves. The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve. Meanwhile, Obstetricians felt certain everyone was laboring under a misconception, while the Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted. Pathologists yelled, “Over my dead body!” while the Pediatricians said, “Oh, grow up! The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while the Radiologists could see right through it. Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing and the Internists claimed it would indeed be a bitter pill to swallow. The Plastic Surgeons opined that this proposal would “put a whole new face on the matter. The Veterinarians say, This virus is real I Shih Tzu not!!! The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea. Anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and those lofty Cardiologists didn’t have the heart to say no In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to the turkeys in Washington.

GAME AND FISH NEWS May 22, 2020 Ben Avery Clay Target Center to reopen sporting clays course Wednesday Operational changes include scheduling shooting times online PHOENIX — The targets soon will be flying again on at least one of the sporting clays courses at the Ben Avery Clay Target Center (CTC). For fans of one of the fastest-growing shooting sports, the 15-station “Rattlesnake” course will be available — by online reservation only — beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday, May 27. In the meantime, customers can reserve a shooting time by visiting www.azgfd.gov/scheduleashoot. At this time, CTC and the rest of the ranges are unable to accommodate walk-in customers. Any changes to this policy will be based on reopening guidelines for businesses and customers, as outlined by the Governor’s Office. “We would like to thank all of our customers who have taken advantage of the new reservation system,” said Jonathan McCraw, CTC range manager. “Their cooperation, along with their willingness to embrace new operational changes, has allowed us to move forward and offer sporting clays.” To ensure public health and safety protocols are observed, and to maximize opportunities for all who choose to shoot sporting clays, customers should familiarize themselves with the following: “Rattlesnake” will be the only course to reopen Wednesday. Other courses could follow suit in the future, based on additional reopening guidelines. Start times will be scheduled in 30-minute increments, beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday (for example, 7 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m. . . . ). Shooters should arrive no later than 15 minutes before their scheduled start time (up to five shooters are allowed per reservation). Conversely, shooters who arrive later than 15 minutes after their scheduled start time will have their reservation canceled. Each shooter will receive a shooting card that is preloaded with a total of 100 targets ($26). The used cards can be placed in a drop-off box at Station 15. Note: Gold Cards will not be accepted. There is no time limit. A shooter is finished once all 100 targets have been shot. Shooters can purchase shotgun ammunition, and eye and hearing protection, online when making a reservation online. Staff will be conducting sanitizing procedures throughout the course based on CDC recommendations. To maintain social distancing, safety officers cannot provide personalized instruction. A “zero tolerance” policy will be strictly enforced. Any shooter who operates his or her firearm(s) or acts in an unsafe manner will be required to leave the facility. Note: In another effort to maximize opportunities for all shooters, CTC has made bunker, international skeet and doubles trap available Wednesday through Sunday (they previously were offered Friday through Sunday). Again, visit www.azgfd.gov/scheduleashoot to make a reservation.

A few COVID-19 witticisms... Of all the things I learned in grade school, how to avoid cooties was the last one I expected to use! People keep asking “is coronavirus really that serious?” Listen up! Casinos and churches are closed. When heaven and heck agree on the same thing, it’s probably pretty serious! Now that teachers finally have a chance to use the restroom, there’s no toilet paper. Well Groovy Guys and Groovy Gals of the ‘ 70s… our grandkids just knocked our Blizzard of ’ 78 stories out of the ballpark! Shout out to all the parents who never taught their kids respect and now they’re stuck at home with the little s**ts!!! The longer this goes on the harder it will be to return to a society where pants and bras are required. Cops these days will be like…come out with your hands washed! Day 31 of quarantine…ate all the snacks and food…clothes no longer fit… but I’m still wearing gloves and mask for my protection. Never in my whole life would I imagine my hands would consume more alcohol than my mouth! Ask not what staying home on the couch can do for you, but staying home on the couch can do for your country. Police confront nudist sunbathers over not wearing facemasks amid coronavirus outbreak. Ladies…time to start dating the older dudes. They can get you into the grocery store early. I don’t like the fact that my chances of survival seem to be linked to the common sense of others. I can’t believe I can walk into a store to buy weed, but I have to meet my hairdresser in a dark alley with unmarked bills to get a haircut! Have to say that the Class of 2020 outdid themselves with Senior Skip Day this year! With so many sporting events cancelled, they’re having to televise the World Origami Championship…It’s on Paperview. Everyone is posting memes and talking about coming out of this quarantine with a new skill or side hustle. I’m just sitting here wondering how I never noticed there’s a turd in Saturday. Not to brag, but I haven’t been late for anything for the past 31 days! Sitting at the bar in the kitchen at night. Tried to pick up my wife. She gave me a fake phone number. WTH… It’s been a blessing being home with the wife for three weeks now. We’ve caught up on everything I’ve done wrong for fifteen years. Have you noticed that since beauty salons are closed, selfies are down 68%? Breaking News: Wearing a mask inside your home is now highly recommended. Not so much to prevent coronavirus, but to stop eating.

Nappy.mp4

Me too.

STUDIES HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT REDNECKS HAVE THE LOWEST STRESS RATE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF MOST MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY. IN THIS AGE OF CORONAVIRUS, WE MAY HAVE A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE.

This is a rejuvenated version of the same rifle. I've owned it since it was new, and it's killed everything from javelina to moose.

GAME AND FISH NEWS May 8, 2020 Ben Avery Shooting Facility prepares to reopen with changes New way of scheduling shooting times being implemented PHOENIX — The Ben Avery Shooting Facility (BASF) soon will be open and ready for business, but with some operational changes that will affect customers. To ensure public health and safety protocols are observed, and to maximize opportunities for all recreational shooters, only online reservations will be accepted when BASF reopens at 7 a.m. Wednesday, May 13. The new online reservation system will be available Monday, May 11. At this time, the shooting facility is unable to accommodate walk-in customers on its rifle and pistol ranges, as well as the Clay Target Center (CTC). Any changes will be based on gradual reopening guidelines for businesses and customers, as outlined by the Governor’s Office. “BASF’s implementation of a new online reservation system is two-fold: We want to maximize the shooting opportunities that this world-class facility has to offer, while maintaining common sense health practices,” said Mike Raum, shooting sports branch chief for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Located on 1,650 acres in north Phoenix, BASF is one of the nation’s largest publicly operated shooting facilities. A City of Phoenix “Point of Pride,” the facility has received a five-star rating from the National Association of Shooting Ranges.

Good video. 👍

Caribou hunting is a blast if you're in the right place at the right time. I've got three of the subspecies -- Alaskan Barren Ground, Central Barren Ground (Northwest Terr.) and Mountain (B. Columbia) The one in the middle is the Alaskan. Lower left is the Central. Heading back to the lodge at McKay Lake, NWT.

The devil is in the details. Words have meanings and meanings have words. 😉 Note that I said "we caught," which is different than "we kept." If I recall, we kept about a dozen for us to take home.

ABC15 Arizona 14 hrs · The BLM started construction today on one of the five shooting ranges and said it could open in six months. The Bureau of Land Management's Phoenix District said Monday said it would break ground and begin construction this week on the first of five planned outdoor recreational shooting sites in Arizona. About this website abc15.com Bureau of Land Management plans to build 5 recreational shooting ranges in Arizona

Construction to begin shortly..... https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2020/05/05/first-5-recreational-shooting-sites-begin-construction-blm-phoenix-district-land/3085823001/?fbclid=IwAR0XxlHzKz12Qskfw6AGVwIWnMgxCDGdxonE6gOiS_eIrw5nG-aUIhl5H3o

GAME AND FISH NEWS May 5, 2020 AZGFD accepting applications for 2020 fall hunts Deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, June 9 PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is accepting applications for 2020 hunt permit-tags issued through the draw process for deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall bison and sandhill crane. To apply, visit www.azgfd.gov and click on “Apply for a Draw.” For an overview of the application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 26 of the “2020-21 Arizona Hunting Regulations” booklet. Printed booklets soon will be available at all department offices and license dealers statewide. The deadline for the department to receive all applications is 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, June 9, 2020. Applicants must possess a valid Arizona hunting license to apply for a hunt permit-tag. That license must be valid on the last day of the application period (June 9). A tip: Know your Department ID. This is a must to submit an application. There are three ways to locate a Department ID: Log into your AZGFD portal account, and click on “View Details” under “My AZGFD Dashboard;” check your hunting or combination hunt and fish license if it was purchased online; or call AZGFD at (602) 942-3000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All applicants are encouraged to purchase PointGuard, which allows hunters to surrender their hunt permit-tag(s) for any reason without losing their bonus points. Information: www.azgfd.gov/pointguard.

Here's a good article that explains more of the details. https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/five-recreational-shooting-sites-in-phoenix-area-approved,135325