Outdoor Writer

That's a dandy. The front fork on the left is especially impressive.

Which one is you, Steve?

Bill Williams Mountain Men. For many years while my kids were growing up in the 1960-70s, we took them to the annual rodeo parade in Phx. the BWM would ride from Williams to Phx and participate in the parade. Always a big crowd favorite.

Don't recognize him, Lee. He must have confused me with someone else. 🤷‍♂️

Not that I can find. I imagine the best thing would be to call the OGT line and request a call-back for case #19-003719 .

Very nice buck. Way to get it done, Draysen. 👍 It sure seems worthy of a shoulder mount to me. But what do I know. 🤷‍♂️

Nice!! 👍

GAME AND FISH NEWS Dec. 13, 2019 Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald eagle breeding season kicks off, leads to restrictions Outdoor recreationists, pilots and drone operators asked to avoid bald eagle nest areas Arizona’s bald eagles are back and they will soon be working on the next generation of eagles at breeding sites statewide. To assist with the state’s continued bald eagle population growth, the Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages outdoor recreationists, aircraft pilots, drone operators and motorized paragliders to do their part by not disturbing the state’s 89 eagle breeding areas. As such, some portions of public land and water areas will be temporarily closed to help protect these majestic animals to ensure even more young eagles take to the skies this spring. “Arizona’s bald eagles are busy preparing their nest for what’s hoped to be a productive breeding season,” said Kenneth “Tuk” Jacobson, AZGFD bald eagle management coordinator. “The birds nest, forage and roost at rivers and lakes that are also popular recreation spots. That’s why we must be vigilant to help protect the birds to ensure their populations statewide continue to flourish. That success wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of outdoor recreationists who respect the closures during the breeding season.” During the 2019 breeding season, 71 young hatched and 63 reached the important milestone of their first flight, known as fledging. To further protect the eagles, various land and wildlife management agencies will also close areas around breeding locations, including near popular recreation sites. Pilots are reminded to maintain the FAA-recommended 2,000-foot above ground level advisory when flying over bald eagle habitat, while drones and paragliders are asked to avoid the areas completely. Bald eagles are sensitive to even short durations of low-flying aircraft activity near their nests and just a few minutes of disturbance can lead to a nesting failure. AZGFD’s bald eagle management efforts are supported by the Heritage Fund, an initiative passed more than 20 years ago to provide for wildlife education and conservation through Arizona lottery ticket sales. AIRSPACE ADVISORY Statewide The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established a 2000-foot above ground level (AGL) advisory along the Salt and Verde river drainages and lakes such as Lake Pleasant, Roosevelt Lake and Alamo Lake. These areas are designated on the Phoenix Sectional Aeronautical map and also include Alamo Lake, Ashurst Lake, Greer Lakes, Crescent Lake, Luna Lake, Show Low Lake, Chevelon Canyon Lake, Woods Canyon Lake, Lake Mary, Dogtown Reservoir, White Horse Lake and the Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuge. Special brochures for pilots regarding this advisory can be obtained by calling the Arizona Department of Transportation or the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Terrestrial Wildlife branch at (623) 236-7506. SEASONAL CLOSURES Verde River A closure for the Verde River below Sycamore Canyon Wilderness is not planned this year unless the eagle pair resumes nesting. Verde River below Sycamore Canyon Wilderness may be closed to foot and vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 15. Floating through is allowed, but contact the Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District office for more information at (928) 203-7500 or (928) 203-2900. Verde River near Chasm Creek is closed to foot and vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed. Contact Prescott National Forest Verde Ranger District (928) 567-4121. Verde River near Cold Water Creek, allows watercraft to float through but no stopping on the river or landing is allowed Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact Prescott National Forest Verde Ranger District at (928) 567-4121. Verde River upstream of the East Verde confluence is closed to vehicle and foot entry from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing is allowed. Contact the Tonto National Forest Cave Creek Ranger District at (480) 595-3300. Verde River near Mule Shoe Bend allows watercraft to float through but no stopping in the river or landing is allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the Tonto National Forest Cave Creek Ranger District at (480) 595-3300. Verde River below Bartlett Dam is closed to foot or vehicle entry from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing is allowed. Contact the Tonto National Forest Cave Creek Ranger District at (480) 595-3300. Verde River at the Needle Rock Recreation area is closed to foot and vehicle entry on the east and portions of the west side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed, but no stopping in the river or landing on the east side of the river is allowed. Contact the Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300. Tonto Creek Tonto Creek from Gisela to 76 Ranch is closed to vehicle, foot entry, and floating through from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the Tonto National Forest Tonto Basin Ranger District at (928) 467-3200. Tonto Creek inlet to Roosevelt Lake is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1,000 feet of the nest on land and to watercraft within 300 feet on water from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the Tonto National Forest Tonto Basin Ranger District at (602) 225-5395. Salt River Salt River from Horseshoe Bend to Redmond Flat allows watercraft to float through, but no stopping in the river or landing is allowed from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the Tonto National Forest Globe Ranger District at (928) 402-6200. Salt River near Meddler Point is closed to vehicle and foot entry within 1,000 feet of the nest on land and to watercraft within 300 feet on water from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the Tonto National Forest Tonto Basin Ranger at District (602) 225-5395. Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam is closed to vehicle or foot entry on the south side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed. Contact the Tonto National Forest Mesa Ranger District at (480) 610-3300. Salt River near Goldfield-Kerr Fire Station is closed to foot and vehicle entry on the north side of the river from Dec. 1 to June 30. Floating through is allowed. Contact the Tonto National Forest Mesa Ranger District at (480) 610-3300. Crescent Lake A portion of the west side is closed to all entry from March 1 through Aug. 31. Contact the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Springerville Ranger District at (928) 333-6200. Greer Lakes (Tunnel and River) (not enacted unless pair moves nesting location) - Portions of the lakes may be closed to watercraft and a portion of the shoreline may be closed to foot entry from March 1 through July 31. Contact the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Springerville Ranger District at (928) 333-6200. Horseshoe Lake Depending on the nesting location, a portion of the lake may be closed from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (623) 236-7506. Lake Pleasant No vehicle, watercraft or foot entry is allowed into a portion of the Lower Agua Fria Arm from Dec. 15 to June 15. Contact Maricopa County Parks and Recreation at (928) 501-1710. Luna Lake The north side of Luna Lake is closed to vehicle and foot traffic from Jan. 1 to June 15. Contact Apache National Forest Alpine Ranger District at (928) 339-5000. Lynx Lake A portion of the lake’s east side is closed to vehicle and foot traffic from Dec. 1 to June 30. Contact the Prescott National Forest Bradshaw Ranger District at (928) 443-8000. Show Low Lake A portion of the lake may be closed to watercraft and a portion of the shoreline may be closed to foot entry from March 1 through Aug. 31. Contact the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Lakeside Ranger District at (928) 368-2100. White Horse Lake A portion of the shoreline may be closed to foot entry from March 1 to Aug. 31. Contact the Kaibab National Forest Williams Ranger District at (928) 635-5600. Woods Canyon Lake A portion of the lake may be closed to watercraft and a portion of the shoreline is closed to foot entry from March 1 through Aug. 31. Contact the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Black Mesa Ranger District at (928) 535-7300. TIPS FOR VISITING EAGLE AREAS If you are visiting bald eagle country, an advance call to the local land management agency, such as the local U.S. Forest Service district office, or the Arizona Game and Fish Department may help to plan your trip to avoid disturbing bald eagles. By following these simple guidelines, we can all help ensure that our living wildlife legacy will last for generations to come: Enjoy bald eagles from outside the closures, which are marked with signs and/or buoys. Watch from a distance using a spotting scope, binoculars or telephoto camera lens. Anyone approached by a nestwatcher and asked to cease an activity or leave a closed area should comply. A few good places to see bald eagles without disturbing them (during December and January) are at Lake Mary and Mormon Lake near Flagstaff, on the Verde Canyon Train in Clarkdale or Roosevelt Lake. Bald eagles protecting an active nest will let you know if you are too close. If a bald eagle is vocalizing and circling the area frantically, you are too close and need to leave the area quickly. Bald eagles incubating eggs or brooding small young should never be off the nest for more than 15 minutes. Help from anglers is especially needed. Fishing line and tackle have killed two nestlings and been found in two-thirds of all bald eagle nests in the state. Every year biologists remove these lethal hazards from nests and/or entangled nestlings. Discard any fishing line properly in specially-marked recycling containers or at fishing stores. Also, use fresh line that isn’t old and brittle. Use the correct test line for the fish you are trying to catch. Also, do not cut the line when an undesirable fish is caught and return it to the water with the hook and line attached. Duck hunters should scout out their hunting area to ensure that bald eagles are not nesting nearby. You can help bald eagle research and recovery efforts by reporting any harassment or shooting of bald eagles. Call the Arizona Game and Fish Operation Game Thief Hotline at (800) 352-0700 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement at (480) 967-7900.

FISHING REPORT Dec. 13, 2019 Arizona Game and Fish Department TIP OF THE WEEK With rising water levels at Bartlett Lake (1,766 feet) and Roosevelt Lake (2,125), our artificial habitat sites will be at more appropriate depths for potential crappie schools to target. See maps for Roosevelt and Bartlett. A reminder that we’re looking for volunteers on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3-4, and Saturday Jan. 11 to install used Christmas trees at Bartlett Lake that will help ensure robust fish populations at this Tonto National Forest impoundment. We’ll be starting at 8:30 a.m. each day from the yellow cliffs boat ramp. Just bring a pair of gloves and help conserve sport-fishing opportunities for future generations. Contact Bryant Dickens at 623-236-7593 if you have any questions. This coming week, we're bringing 4 tons of fun in the form of 8,200 pounds of rainbow trout to waters statewide. Here's a list of where you can plan to find some great holiday-time trout fishing the week of Dec. 16. Stay tuned to next week's Reel Deal report for confirmed stockings as some of these are subject to change due to factors such as water quality and weather. These stockings will take place during two select days: Statewide: Verde River, Goldwater, Watson Lake Community "core" waters (except Cortez due to golden algae). See the schedule of "core" waters. Expansion waters: McQueen, Freestone, Water Ranch, El Dorado, Greenfield, Fain, Yavapai, Dave White Pond, Pacana Pond. Trout anglers can check out the latest trout stocking schedule. The Lower Salt River, pictured above from this week, is a great winter trout fishing spot and is being stocked with trout through the winter. Try the Phon D. Sutton and Granite Reef recreation sites. Some high country lakes are starting to ice over: we consider all such ice in Arizona unsafe. Get to your favorite high country trout hole before things really freeze. For bass fishing in lower elevations, water temperatures have dropped enough to send high populations of bass into deeper water where the water temperature is higher. Be sure to have a bait in the water when the sun comes out and there's a spat of warmer weather. This can be a good time of the year to jig spoons in deep water for yellow bass at Salt River-chain lakes Apache, Canyon and Saguaro. Catch of the Week Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@azgfd.gov -- one will be selected for Catch of the Week Lake Mead Joe, from Alaska, caught this 18-inch striper - his first striper -- at Temple Bar on Nov. 20. What's been stocked this week ("Catchable" sizes only; water temp in parenthesis if available) Rainbow trout: Parker Canyon Lake (Dec. 4). Thank you, anglers! Arizona fishing opportunities wouldn’t be possible without the Sport Fish Restoration Program. It was created through the Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950 (Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act) and the Wallop-Breaux amendments of 1984. Through a federal excise tax paid by manufacturers on fishing gear and motorboat fuels, it provides grant funds for fishery conservation, boating access, and aquatic education. Save time, buy online Grab a license online (that helps conserve all species of wildlife, not to mention provides funding that goes back into fishing opportunities) and go "Fish AZ". SEE MORE REPORTS

R12-4-318 Seasons for Lawfully Taking Wild Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles 7. A “muzzleloader” season may use one or more of the following methods or devices if authorized under R124-304 as lawful for the species hunted: a. Muzzleloading rifles or muzzleloading handguns, b. Bows and arrows, and c. Crossbows or bows to be drawn and held with an assisting device. “Muzzleloading handgun” means a firearm intended to be fired from the hand, incapable of firing fixed ammunition, and loaded with black powder or synthetic black powder and a single projectile. “Muzzleloading rifle” means a firearm intended to be fired from the shoulder, incapable of firing fixed ammunition, having a single barrel, and loaded through the muzzle with black powder or synthetic black powder and a single projectile. “Muzzleloading shotgun” means a firearm intended to be fired from the shoulder, incapable of firing fixed ammunition, having a single or double smooth barrel and loaded through the muzzle with black powder or synthetic black powder and using ball shot as a projectile.

GAME AND FISH NEWS Dec. 11, 2019 AZGFD delivers on promise to provide quicker draw results PHOENIX — It started decades ago with names being scribbled on small pieces of paper, inserted into empty capsules and then deposited into a container from which the lucky few would be drawn, often by a youngster chosen from the crowd in the State Capitol Annex Building. Over the years, actual paper applications would be dumped into a raffle ticket drum and given a spin under the guidance of law enforcement officials — and under the watchful eye of hopeful hunters who would be packed into the annex building’s rotunda. Eventually, applications could be mailed or dropped off at any department office throughout the state. Then, beginning in 2012, a commitment was made to move forward and venture into the world of doing business online. My, how far the application process for hunt permit-tags issued through the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s random draws has come over time. Game and Fish continually strives to deliver online products and services that better serve its customers. A major goal was recently achieved when the department, using several process improvement tools within the Arizona Management System (AMS) that Gov. Doug Ducey has brought to state government, was able to reduce the amount of time and manpower required to process applications. The state’s hunters, who only a few years ago waited 40, 50, even 65 days to receive draw results, now are getting the news in 25 days or less. Case in point: A record 392,658 total applicants vied for hunt permit-tags in last year’s three big game draws (pronghorn and elk, fall, and spring). Those applicants learned whether or not they would be participating in a hunt in a record 24 days for both the pronghorn and elk, and fall draws. The news only gets better. In the recently concluded 2020 spring draw for turkey, javelina, bison and bear — the first draw in which the department transitioned to a totally paperless application process — applicants were able to obtain their results by phone or through their portal account in a record 22 days. “The department has worked long and hard to reduce the amount of time it takes for hunters to get draw results,” said Jennifer Stewart, customer service branch chief. “That was so important to us from a customer service standpoint. We understood the anxiety that comes with having to wait, often for weeks, to get results.” The department already is gearing up for the next draw. In early January, the application service will become available for elk and pronghorn hunters. The largest of the three annual draws saw a record 178,323 total applicants contend for 26,190 hunt permit-tags back in early 2019. That’s just a few more applications than would fit into a raffle ticket drum.

Perhaps an area marker by some agency to be seen from the air?

You might want to post this in the forum section for javelina. This section is for help using the forum itself.

I have a black Kifaru Spike Camp that I'll be selling. Internal frame made for me at 5'8' and 140 lbs. At 2300 CI, its mostly a day pack but comes with the cargo shelf, the gunbearer attachment and some small misc. pouches. I'm thinking I might have a water bladder for it but haven't found it yet. 😄 It's an old pack age wise, but it's brand new use wise with all the original paper work. It's never been in the field; used indoors for photos only. I lost those pics to a randomware attack but this is one I found on the web. I'll be taking new ones of mine for listing here & on eBay. I'm in Glendale at 67th and Camelback if you want to try/buy it.

Two super bucks. Way to get it done guys. 👍

Dandy buck. 👍 I love the high antlered whitetails.

RF went to Sahuaro High School in Tucson.

Robert Fisher?

Great bull. 👍

Weird time of year for a turkey season.

GAME AND FISH NEWS Dec. 4, 2019 Mearns' quail season opens Friday PHOENIX — The wait is over for hunters eager to get out and stomp around the often steep and rocky terrain of southeastern Arizona in search of Mearns’ quail. The season begins Friday, Dec. 6, and runs through Feb. 9, 2020. The season for Gambel’s, scaled and California quail has been underway since Oct. 18 and also closes Feb. 9, 2020. A valid Arizona hunting or combination license is required for all hunters 10 and older. All youth hunters 10 to 17 can purchase a youth combination license for only $5. Those hunters under 10 must be accompanied by an adult who possesses a valid hunting or combination license. Licenses can be purchased online at azgfd.com/license/, or from license dealers statewide. The general bag limit is 15 quail per day in the aggregate, of which no more than eight may be Mearns’ quail. The general possession limit is 45 quail in the aggregate after opening day, of which no more than 15 Gambel’s, scaled or California quail in the aggregate may be taken in any one day. After Friday’s opening of the Mearns’ season, the 45-quail possession limit may include 24 Mearns’ quail, of which no more than eight may be taken in any one day. For more information, visit www.azgfd.com/hunting/species/smallgame/quail/.

FISHING REPORT Dec. 6, 2019 Arizona Game and Fish Department TIP OF THE WEEK Water temperatures are falling as overnight lows in desert regions are forecast to be dipping into the low-40s by Monday. If you're bass fishing in desert impoundments, a good strategy might be throwing crankbaits during mornings and closer to midday switching to smaller plastic baits (Roboworms or baby brush hogs) on Texas rigs or dropshots in 15-25 feet of water. Fish with slow presentations. As mentioned, we're adjusting our trout stockings due to operational issues at our Page Springs Fish Hatchery. Stockings from Page Springs have been halted, yet we've been purchasing fish from out-of-state vendors to ensure most waters scheduled to be stocked do indeed receive trout. Read more. Canyon, Apache and Saguaro lakes are scheduled to be stocked with trout in January. See the latest trout stocking schedule. Great opportunities for anglers also remain in Community Fishing Program waters -- some were stocked this week with rainbow trout. Finally, we're stocking 1,500 fingerling Gila trout from the Mora National Fish Hatchery (N.M.) into Watson Lake, and another 2,000 at Lynx Lake in Prescott. Volunteers needed in January for Bartlett Lake Christmas tree habitat installments Start 2020 off right and help us drop Christmas trees into Bartlett Lake. We’re looking for volunteers on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3-4, and Saturday Jan. 11 to install these used Christmas trees that will help ensure robust fish populations at this Tonto National Forest impoundment. We’ll be starting at 8:30 a.m. each day from the yellow cliffs boat ramp. Just bring a pair of gloves and help conserve sport-fishing opportunities for future generations! Contact Bryant Dickens at 623-236-7593 if you have any questions. Silver Creek Fish Hatchery to close Wednesday We will be closing to the public the Silver Creek Fish Hatchery, located in Show Low, on Wednesday, Dec. 11. This closure is necessary for public safety and to allow for replacement of a culvert. For more information, contact the hatchery at 928-537-7513. Catch of the Week Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@azgfd.gov -- one will be selected for Catch of the Week Festival Fields Pond (Avondale) This 2-year-old girl caught her first fish, a rainbow trout, during Saturday's grand re-opening event at Festival Fields Pond in Avondale. Festival Fields (first picture) is the newest addition to our Community Fishing Program. What's been stocked this week Rainbow trout: "Core" Community waters. Upcoming Family Fishing Event Saturday -- Youth Fishing Festival, 8 a.m.-noon, Discovery Ponds (Game and Fish booth will be located between the two ponds), 2214 E. Pecos Rd. Gilbert. This family event is co-sponsored by the Town of Gilbert and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. AZGFD Sport Fishing Education Program staff and volunteer instructors will be on hand to provide loaner rods for the first 100 participants who don’t have their own rod, as well as bait, fishing information and instruction. Come on out and bring the whole family. The event is open to all ages. For more information please contact the Sport Fishing Education Program at (623) 236-7240. Attention future participants of the Youth Fishing Festival 2019 Fishing licenses will be required to attend/participate in this year’s event and will be checked throughout the morning. Thank you, anglers! Arizona fishing opportunities wouldn’t be possible without the Sport Fish Restoration Program. It was created through the Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950 (Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act) and the Wallop-Breaux amendments of 1984. Through a federal excise tax paid by manufacturers on fishing gear and motorboat fuels, it provides grant funds for fishery conservation, boating access, and aquatic education. Save time, buy online Grab a license online (that helps conserve all species of wildlife, not to mention provides funding that goes back into fishing opportunities) and go "Fish AZ". SEE MORE REPORTS

Well done, sir. 👍

Been there -- done that. I was actually able to drive across the river in the same place they waded across.

Killed my very first near Elfrida in 1964 with a 30/30 Marlin 336 Texan w/Weaver 4X on it. See below.