Outdoor Writer

Juan Tabo opened the first taco stand in 1890 on the corner of what is now Juan Tabo Blvd. and Central Ave. in Albuquerque. Each morning when he opened, he would ring a bell. Folks would hear the bell, ride their horses up to Juan's place and get their tacos without dismounting. Juan's stand was so successful that he licensed others to copy his business model across the West. Each and every one of them included the bell ringing, so the diners waiting for Juan to open each day would say, "There's Juan's taco bell." Thus, the humble beginnings of Juan's efforts grew into that legacy that we now know as the Taco Bell dynasty.

I have a set of books from Time-Life that are all about the old West. Right now they are packed away in a box in one of my closets because I ran out of room on my book shelves. They have faux leather covers with an image to illustrate the topic of each one. A photo of a set on eBay: This is "The Gunfighters." Here's the list of what they include: Title Author Year published The Cowboys William H. Forbis 1973 The Indians Benjamin Capps 1973 The Soldiers David Nevin 1973 The Trailblazers Bil Gilbert 1973 The Railroaders Keith Wheeler 1973 The Forty-Niners William Weber Johnson 1974 The Pioneers Huston Horn 1974 The Gunfighters Paul Trachtman 1974 The Expressmen David Nevin 1974 The Townsmen Keith Wheeler 1975 The Great Chiefs Benjamin Capps 1975 The Rivermen Paul O'Neill 1975 The Texans David Nevin 1975 The Loggers Richard Williams 1976 The Chroniclers Keith Wheeler 1976 The Spanish West William H. Johnson 1976 The Miners Robert Wallace 1976 The Canadians Ogden Tanner 1977 The Frontiersmen Paul O'Neill 1977 The Alaskans Keith Wheeler 1977 The Ranchers Ogden Tanner 1977 The Mexican War David Nevin 1978 The Women Joan Swallow Reiter 1978 The Scouts Keith Wheeler 1978 The Gamblers Robert Wallace 1978 The End and The Myth Paul O'Neill 1979 Master Index 1980

Came across him last week while researching someone else. At one time, he owned a share of the famous Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City.

Luke Short

So what better way is there to find what exactly happens than to consult an expert, right? To that end, I called my friend of 30+ years, John Barclay, who just happened to be a judge for the Northwest Phoenix Justice Court for many years until his retirement in 2000. As such, he sat for many of the cases brought by the AGFD, which feted him with some kind of award and gifts when he retired. When I called, I provided him with a hypothetical poaching incident of a 6x6 elk, taken out of season and shot from a road. Basically, he reiterated what I wrote in my last reply. Any plea agreement would come through the prosecutor's office and be presented to the judge. He has the option to accept or reject it. If the defendant pleads or is found guilty by a judge of one or more charges, he then sets CRIMINAL punishment according to the state's statutes for the various levels of felonies and misdemeanors related to those charges. The punishment could include jail time, a monetary fine and probation or any combination of those. He will also tack on court costs. That's the end of the criminal phase of the case. From there, the game commission takes over and metes out the civil penalties of monetary restitution and license suspension. The guilty party has the option to appear before the commissioner's and speak on his own behalf.

I think Snap got it with Brunckow but not positive.

I thought of him but don't believe he was German. The only other Germans I can come up with are Waltz and Ehrenberg.

Wickenburg

Any plea bargain pertains to the criminal aspects of the case, i.e. that which takes place in the court and is administered by a judge. Sure, he can plea down to a misdemeanor from a felony to cut the criminal aspect of the punishment. But I do not believe the judge can waive or negotiate the civil restitution ($8K) which is set by the game commission, or the license revocation which is administered by the AGFD commissioners after the criminal case is over.

FISHING REPORT Nov. 1, 2019 Arizona Game and Fish Department TIP OF THE WEEK Bass anglers: Jigging spoons is a technique that has picked up and will continue to be an effective way to hook bass in deeper water through the winter. These spoons mimic falling shad. Bass will be feeding relatively heavily until water temperatures fall into the low 50s and bass metabolism slows. This is a great weekend for heading to Willow Springs and Woods Canyon Lake near Payson to catch the aggressive tiger trout. (above) This time of the year, they tend to move in shallow where they can finally be reached by shore anglers. See a recent Payson Roundup article for some ideas. Or check out one of our videos. The final Community Fishing Program channel catfish stocking of the season took place this week at our "core" waters. See the stocking schedule. Trout are scheduled to return to Community waters in a couple weeks. Due to operational issues at Page Springs Fish Hatchery, other scheduled trout stockings statewide are being adjusted. Our goal is to have the hatchery back to operating at full capacity by Dec. 1. For questions or more information, email BFishing@azgfd.gov With falling water temperatures, largemouth bass and flathead catfish have started feeding more heavily in preparation for winter. Top baits during an early morning can include Rat-L-Traps (great for colder weather) in silver, spinnerbaits, and during late mornings, 1/4-ounce Texas rigged brush hogs. The Bartlett Lake water level has dropped six feet during the past week -- be sure to check the SRP Daily Water reports if you're heading to one of our Salt River-chain lakes. Catch of the Week Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@azgfd.gov -- one will be selected for Catch of the Week Colorado River Kenan G. landed this striper while fishing from shore in the Rotary Park area of the Colorado River. He was throwing one of his favorite lures and landed this striper, which weighed in at 24.26 pounds and was 42 3/4 inches. What's been stocked this week ("Catchable" sizes only; water temp in parenthesis if available) Channel catfish: "Core" Community waters. See the stocking schedules 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

GAME AND FISH NEWS Oct. 30, 2019 2020 spring hunt draw results now available PHOENIX — The wait is over for hopeful hunters who applied for a 2020 spring hunt permit-tag. To view draw results for the spring turkey, javelina, bison and bear hunting seasons, applicants should log in to their Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) portal account. Don’t have a free account? Simply click on the “My Account” button in the upper right-hand corner of the www.azgfd.gov home page, then select the “Register” option and fill in the required fields. Draw results also can be accessed by calling AZGFD’s automated telephone system at (602) 942-3000 and pressing “2.” All hunt permit-tags will be mailed by Nov. 29. A total of 50,291 applicants vied for 34,082 total hunt permit-tags issued through AZGFD’s first draw in which applications were only accepted online. For those who were unsuccessful, a list of more than 6,100 leftover hunt permit-tags is expected to be posted next week at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Draw/. AZGFD will begin accepting paper applications for leftover hunt permit-tags Monday, Nov. 18 — by mail only — at 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086, Attn.: Draw/First Come. Leftover hunt permit-tags will be available for purchase on a “first come, first served” basis beginning Monday, Nov. 25, at all department offices. For those who qualify, military hunts may be available at Camp Navajo. Visit https://dema.az.gov/army-national-guard/camp-navajo/garrison-operations/camp-navajo-hunting-information.

I wrote this article on Shipsey's bull for Rocky Mt. Game & Fish magazine in 1998 (before controversy) from phone interviews with Amanda and Bradley Joe. A BULL FOR THE BOOK Copyright by Tony Mandile The recommendation, “If you want a trophy elk, try to get a permit in Arizona,” is quite common nowadays. Over the last decade, the “secret” that Arizona produces big, record-book class elk has become an accepted fact. The Boone & Crockett Club (B&C), Pope & Young Club (P&Y) and Safari Club International (SCI) record books list dozens of bulls from the Grand Canyon State, several of which rank within the “Top 10” in both the typical and non-typical categories. The B&C Records of North American Big Game contains 60 entries from Arizona in the typical and 15 in the non-typical categories. Although several of these trophies -- and others from around the West -- are quite impressive, few come close to the monster Las Vegas, Nev. resident Mike Shipsey killed during the 1997 season on the 1.8 million-acre San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona. Shipsey’s pending entry will likely take over as the reigning official B&C world-record in the non-typical class for a bull taken with a gun. How big is it? First, lets look at some of the top bulls to put Shipsey’s in perspective. The Ninth Edition of the SCI Record Book, published in January 1998, shows the largest Rocky Mountain typical elk as a 6x6 bull killed in 1993 by Jean Luc Mendler near Trinidad, Colorado. It scored 407-6/8. The book lists a 7x8, killed in the White Mountains of Arizona in 1995 by Hyland Erikson, as the number one non-typical elk. Total score -- an impressive 415 points. B&C still lists the 7X8, John Plute bull, taken in 1899 from Dark Canyon, Colorado as it’s typical world-record. It scored 442 3/8 points and is on display in a tiny hardware store/gas station in downtown Crested Butte, Colorado. The main spread was 45 4/8, and the right and left main beams measured 55 5/8 and 59 5/8 respectively. The second largest typical, scoring 441 6/8, hangs in the Jackson Hole Museum. No one knows who killed this 7X8 bull, however. Jumping up to the more modern records of bulls killed this century reveals no surprise; it’s a stunning 7X7 trophy from Arizona’s Gila County -- or more accurately, from the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Killed by James C. Littleton in 1985, this elk scored 421 4/8 points, ranking it #3 in the B&C listings as of the 1995 update. The inside spread was 39 inches, and the main beams measured 55 4/8 and 58 2/8. The CURRENT (emphasized!) B&C world-record non-typical, shot by James R. Berry in 1961, grew up near Gilbert Plains, Manitoba. The 9x9 antlers totaled 447-1/8 and had a spread measurement of 39 7/8 inches. The right beam was 54 1/8 and the left was 52 5/8. Now here’s the scoop on Shipsey’s possible non-typical world record. The inside spread between the main beams was 42 inches, and the right and left main beams measured 61 1/8 and 56 4/8. The gross score was an astounding 502 6/8. After the 15 6/8 in differences were subtracted, the overall score came to an incredible 487 points -- more than yardstick bigger than the above current listed record! And if this bull had been scored as a typical, it still would have added up to an impressive 418 6/8 points. Although Shipsey’s bull is a cut above the best ever, Amanda Moors, the San Carlos reservation’s biologist, knows there could be others, especially with the evidence backing her. “Our management goal on the reservation has leaned more toward quality rather than quantity. We don’t have an overabundance of elk, but because we have very limited hunting pressure and mild weather, our elk get a chance to grow old. We also maintain our cow/bull ratio quite high at 60 bulls for every cows.” “We estimate the population in the Dry Lake unit at about 700 animals, and during our annual aerial surveys, we have observed at least 10 bulls in this area that would top 400 points.” “Our Hilltop herd is a bit smaller at approximately 300 head but has still produced two heads over 400 B&C points. Right now, we think there are at least five or six more 390-plus bulls wandering the Hilltop range.” “Since 1985, we have recorded at least 11 bulls that netted over 400 Boone & Crockett points. One set of sheds that was picked up in 1986 netted 450 6/8 B&C points, and they are the largest of any sheds ever found., But hunters have killed seven of those bulls since 1993.” It was one of these seven that started Mike Shipsey on his quest for the “big one.” In 1997, the San Carlos wildlife department auctioned off one of four non-tribal member bull permits at the Safari Club International Convention. The tag was good for the September season in the Dry Lake elk unit, one of two where non-tribal members may hunt elk. The winning bid came from Washington state resident, Dan Agnew. It cost him $19,500. When the wildlife department ran an ad for qualified guides to assist Agnew on this tribe-sponsored hunt, Donovan Case and his fellow guide, Bradley Joe, became business partners in Associated Guides to answer the call. Agnew later said the tribe made a wise choice. Understanding why is easy. Case and Joe, along with noted Arizona elk hunter John McClendon, provided Agnew with the hunt of a lifetime. He had twice purchased the “governor’s tag” offered by the Arizona Game & Fish Department and had already killed two Arizona bulls in the 390-class over the past 5 years. His 14-yr.-old, 6x6 San Carlos trophy was special, though. The symmetrical typical antlers scored 416 2/8 gross and 401 5/8, placing it high in the state record book. As a non-typical, it would have scored 421 6/8. As soon as word got out, Shipsey took notice. He called and found out there were still non-tribal member tags left for the Dry Lake hunt. After some negotiating over the price, the tribe settled for $20,000. Shipsey also wanted Donovan Case and Bradley Joe as his guides. They were happy to oblige, of course. Nearly half the season had gone by before Shipsey even started his hunt, but it made little difference. Case and Joe had the camp ready to go when he arrived. They began hunting on a Saturday morning, and according to Joe, passed on many good bulls. “We probably saw at least 20 good bulls while we were hunting on Saturday and Sunday. Some of them would have been records, too. But Mike wanted a really big one, so we kept looking.” Case had to leave on Sunday night to go back to work, leaving Joe to guide Shipsey. Having been in camp for several days already, however, Joe decided to go home that night and get cleaned up. He returned at 3 a.m. Monday. After a brief conference, he and Shipsey decided to hunt a different area where Joe had previously scouted it and had heard bugles that he knew came from big bulls. He was right. Before the sun came up, Shipsey and Joe heard several different bulls bugling in one small area. Joe thought three or four were goods ones. “I wanted to look over some of the ones we heard, but it was still too dark. We had to wait at least an hour and a half. Once it got light enough to see, we started sneaking through the woods. “ Joe said he and Shipsey often crawled on their hands and knees. “A few of the bulls we came up on were satellite bulls, so we had to work around them carefully. We finally spotted the big one in a clearing. He was the herd bull and had at least 20 cows with him. But there were satellite bulls all around him. We saw at least four or five that would score 350 or better and at least one that would go 380 or 390. The big one was really heated up to. He was running all over the clearing , trying to protect his cows and keep the other bulls away.” As soon as Joe saw the bull, he knew it was the one Shipsey wanted. “We were about 350 yards away, and he still looked huge compared to other ones around him. I looked at Mike and said, “That’s your bull.” Joe decided against trying to call the bull any closer. He knew doing so with so many bulls in the area would be futile. “The big one was so protective, that no amount of calling would have pulled him away from his harem. We decided to just get a little closer, but as it started getting lighter, the bull started to move his cows into the pines surrounding the meadow. Finally, we were less than 200 yards away, and the bull decided to come out of the trees again. I guess he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss a cow or two. It was a mistake.” “Mike was shooting a Model 70 in .300 Winchester Magnum. The bullet hit the bull right behind the shoulder. He ran about 30 yards into the trees, and then we heard the crash as he fell. I couldn’t see him because there was a big tree in the way, but Mike was 30 yards to my right and could see him from there. But even though he was down, we decided to wait at least a half-hour to be sure. We knew if he got up and started to run in those trees, Mike probably wouldn’t be able to get a good shot at him.” “When we eventually crossed the meadow to the bull, he was stone dead. The 200-gr. softpoint had taken out both lungs and cut the main artery at the top of the heart. Shipsey’s bull was 12 years. old, and the antlers have been scored by an official B&C measurer. But because it’s a possible world-record, nothing will be official until a panel scores it. Regardless, with more than yardstick of inches to waste, the world-record status is almost a foregone conclusion. Using one of the tags reserved for tribal members in the Hilltop unit, Nalani Stevens also killed a world-class bull in 1997. Stevens, has been hunting on the reservation for more than 20 years since marrying guide Homer Stevens. But this was the first elk the resident of Farm Station has killed. On September 12, she hunted with her husband and two brothers-in-law. They had left home at 2 a.m., wanting to get to their hunting area well before daylight. “We had spent most of the morning stalking several bulls and passed up two or three that weren’t as large. Some others we found had either crooked or broken antlers or weren’t too symmetrical. “Homer kept calling as we walked along, but every bull we heard and saw weren’t the one big bull we wanted. Finally at 8:30, with the prime hunting hours past, we stopped to rest. Then just before 9:00, my husband spotted a big bull. It was quite a ways off, so Homer started calling again, trying to lure it closer. When the bull answered, we knew it was the one we wanted.” “Homer and his brothers studied the bull through their binoculars and subsequently came to a consensus that it would score at least 400 points.” “We had followed the bull into the pine trees and were walking quietly when Homer suddenly whispered that the bull was just on the other side of the trees in some brush. At first, I couldn’t find it, but I finally spotted just a small speck of the animal. Moving slowly so as not to spook the elk, I raised my rifle and aimed. The bull was standing at a bit of angle and almost facing away from us. I shot at the shoulder area, but he didn’t even flinch. I fired again.” “This time, the bull jumped, then trotted off to a small rocky area. He left a trail of blood behind. As he continued to move, I fired off a couple more shots. Finally, he slowed down at the top of a hill and went down in a heap.” The 8X6 non-typical antlers scored 413 7/8 and assures that Stevens’ trophy will go down as one of the largest ever taken by a woman anywhere in the country. The bull was 11 years old. In addition to elk, the San Carlos reservation, which is the 4th largest in the state, offers myriad other hunting opportunities for non-tribal members. The terrain covers three distinct zones that includes high desert country, mountain ridges covered with trees and grasses and the ponderosa pine forests in the northeastern part. And the variety of animals is even more varied. A few years ago, the current Pope and Young Club record for Coues deer was killed there. The second largest desert bighorn and third largest Rocky Mt. bighorn from Arizona came off the San Carlos. And if that’s not enough, a mountain lion from there is the pending Arizona record. Once we toss in some black bear that regularly top 500 pounds, excellent quail hunting for three different species and an abundance of javelina in the desert terrain that makes up a large part of the reservation, it’s easy to understand why Amanda Moors feels as she does about the quality hunting available there. “We might not have a lot to offer, but we do have some of the best in the world.” SIDEBAR: In 1998, there will be four non-tribal member tags available to hunt trophy elk on the San Carlos reservation. Two are for the Dry lake Unit and two are for the Hilltop Unit. At press time, the fee for those tags had not been set, but it’s likely they will be at least $20,000 again. The tribe will also offer a total of 15 antlerless elk permits to non-tribal members for $550. For more information on elk or any of the other hunting on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, contact: San Carlos Recreation & Wildlife Department, P.O. Box 97, San Carlos, AZ 85550; phone (520) 475-2343. If you do decide to purchase an elk tag and want Donovan Case and Bradley Joe to lead you to a trophy, contact: Associated Guides, P.O. Box 112, San Carlos, AZ 85550; phone (520) 475-2888. They also guide for other species.

You need to start checking the dates on all these threads you're posting to. This one is 10 years old! 🤦‍♂️

WILDLIFE NEWS Oct. 29, 2019 Halloween decorations may attract wildlife The Halloween season is upon us and those carefully carved pumpkins sitting outside may be attracting some unwanted trick-or-treaters: hungry javelina and other wildlife looking for an easy meal. Read more Bat-ter up! Bat Week celebrates Arizona's creatures of the night Bats get a bad rap. To some, they’re creepy flyers of the night, waiting to swoop from the skies and scare unsuspecting people out for an evening stroll. Little do they know that bats are essential to Arizona’s ecosystems and agricultural economy, eating millions of insects nightly each summer, while others are important pollinators, feeding on nectar, pollen and flowering desert plants. The Arizona Game and Fish Department aims to change that stigma during Bat Week, an international celebration that runs from Oct. 24 to 31 to recognize the important role bats play in nature. Read more Quail outlook: All signs point to better season in 2019-20 Truth be told, Arizona’s quail hunters are also weather wonks — always checking the forecasts, particularly during the winter months, their fingers crossed that the wet stuff is on the way. After all, good doses of timely precipitation that time of year are what give the state’s Gambel’s and scaled quail populations a much-needed boost, which usually points to better hunting in the fall. Read more Dozens of desert tortoises need forever homes For some, a dog or cat will do just fine. But for others who are considering adopting something uniquely Arizona, say hello to your next family member: a captive Sonoran desert tortoise. Read more Arizonans honored by Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) recently recognized three individuals from Arizona, as well as the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), for their dedication to advancing wildlife conservation. The awards were presented at the association’s annual awards ceremony Sept. 24 in St. Paul, Minn. Read more Canyon Coolers offer: 10% discount to you, 10% to help Arizona's wildlife Join Canyon Coolers in supporting the 800-plus species of wildlife that call Arizona home. Now through Nov. 22, click here to automatically apply the discount code “CONSERVE” at CanyonCoolers.com and you’ll get 10 percent off and a free copper tumbler (while supplies last). Plus, Canyon Coolers will donate 10 percent of your total purchase price to the Arizona Game and Fish Department to support wildlife conservation. Read more Wildlife managers seek information about white-tailed doe illegally killed northeast of Superior The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking information regarding the poaching of a white-tailed doe in early October east of Superior in Game Management Unit 24B. The doe was discovered Oct. 6 by a hunter who was out on Forest Road 342 preparing for an upcoming hunt. The doe was lying in Trail Tank, just north of the Silver King SRP power station. Read more Update: Alamo Lake main ramp scheduled to close Nov. 30-mid Dec. Arizona State Parks now plans to close the main boat ramp at Alamo Lake Nov. 30-mid Dec. Dates are subject to change. Read more

So tell us a bit about the hunt. Did you wind up backpacking in? Where about did you hunt?

Right. Already covered that in one of my earlier posts.

Are you talking about the state park website? If so, please post a link to the page.

I've spent the last hour making calls, including the enforcement division of the NMGFD. Its rule for shooting from a boat is as stated in my other reply -- as long as its not moving. But..here's the problem; Navajo Lake is a STATE park, thus has its own rules, including where you can and cannot hunt within the park. I haven't found anything yet among the park rules, but I have a call in for the manager there to get clarification. My GUESS is that it will be illegal if the lake itself is considered state park. So stay tuned for the rest of the story. 😉

With nothing in the laws that state that, the hearsay could be wrong. But...that said I would suggest that the OP contact the enforcement division at NMGFD and get clarification for A -- if it's illegal or not. B -- if it's illegal, which rule covers it.

Do you have a cite for this rule? I did a search all through the regulations and NM 17 statutes and didn't find anything that states that other than the reg that addresses MIGRATORY BIRDS as in: Legal Methods It is legal to use artificial decoys, blinds and dogs. It is illegal to shoot at any protected species from within a motor vehicle, power boat, sailboat or aircraft. Migratory birds may be taken from a motor-driven boat (or other craft with attached motor) or sailboat, provided that craft is resting at anchor, fastened within or alongside a fixed hunting blind or used solely as a means for retrieving killed birds. These are the prohibitions shown for BIG GAME: It is unlawful to: • Recklessly or carelessly handle a firearm. • Hunt while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants, including medical marijuana. • Litter and/or pollute streams, lakes and other waters. • Leave a fire unattended or to improperly handle fire. • Hunt protected species without a license and all applicable permits, tags, stamps or validations, or fail to tag any big game or turkey. • Hunt protected species using licenses, tags, permits, stamps or validations belonging to another individual or take or attempt to take a protected species for another person, except as permitted when assisting a licensed mobility-impaired hunter (pages 15–16). • Kill more than one of the following: elk, pronghorn, Barbary sheep, bighorn sheep, ibex, javelina, oryx, bear or deer during any license year, except as permitted by rule. • Apply for, buy or use more than one license for any species per license year. • Shine spotlights or other artificial lights into areas where big-game species or livestock may be present, while in possession of any sporting arm, except as permitted by rule for raccoon (page 127). • Take or attempt to take game species by the aid of baiting. An area is considered to be baited for 10 days after the removal of the bait. It is also unlawful to take bear by the aid of scent. • Use live protected species as decoys to take or attempt to take game species. • Use electronically or mechanically recorded calling devices, except as permitted for protected furbearers, cougars, bears, javelina and nongame species. • Use tracer ammunition, full-metal jacketed bullets or fully automatic weapons. • Park any motor vehicle or camp within 300 yards of any man-made water hole, water well or watering tank used by wildlife or domestic stock, without the prior consent of the private landowner, private-land lessee, public-land lessee or public-land management agency. • Shoot at protected species or artificial wildlife from a motor vehicle. • Shoot at game on, from or across any paved, graded or maintained public road or within the fenced right-of-way of any paved, graded or maintained public road. • Shoot at, pursue, harass, harry, drive or rally any protected species by any means except while legally hunting. • Use motor-driven vehicles on roads closed under the Habitat Protection Act or other federal regulation. • Hunt or shoot at any animal from an aircraft or drone or cause any non-domesticated animal to move from its place of rest or change its direction of travel. • Hunt from, signal locations of protected species to hunters from or harass game with aircraft; hunt protected species observed from aircraft within 48 hours of observation; or hunt protected species the same day of air travel, except by commercial airline or direct flight to a landing strip. • Discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a dwelling or building (not including abandoned or vacated buildings on public land) without the permission of the owner or lessee. • Take any animal that is protected by law but not listed as a game species and/or any animal that is listed as an endangered or threatened species.

Surprised the beach sign didn't have a No GUNS prohibition.

Been there; done that. It was sometime in the mid-1990s on the Seminole Res. Not sure if they're still doing hunts. GRAND SLAM TOM Copyright by Tony Mandile When I walked out the door of the Miami airport, I suddenly wondered if my compass wasn’t quite pointing to north. I certainly hadn’t planned on a sauna, but that’s exactly how the air felt when I stepped outside. It was hot and humid, quite unlike the cooler weather at 6:30 a.m. earlier that day at Sky Harbor in Phoenix. Looking down at the gun case I was carrying, I smiled, thinking I should have perhaps brought my golf clubs or a tennis racket instead. I knew we had to drive north about 90 miles to the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, but I didn’t expect either the temperature or the humidity to be much different. Hunting turkeys in such condition would indeed be unique. Two hours later, we arrived at the Billie Swamp Safari -- a blend of the modern and the old. The huge complex offers everything from airboat and swamp buggy rides through the Big Cypress Swamp to a restaurant with good food. In between, visitors can spend their money in the souvenir shop, view alligators, snakes and the endangered Florida panther or simply walk around and enjoy the scenery. Guests can also overnight in a unique “chickee,” a sort of open-air hut with a thatched palm roof. The somewhat primitive chickee, lit by only a kerosene lantern, has been the traditional Seminole dwelling for many decades. But the three writers who came to Florida weren’t there to see the tourist sites. Instead, we planned to hunt the 3,000 acres of the reservation that are set aside specifically for that purpose. Although several varieties of exotic game roam the area, we intended to chase the feral hogs and Osceola turkeys that are native to the area. Our host for our three-day stay was Jimmie McDaniel, the director of the Billie Swamp Safari. McDaniel, who worked for the Florida fish and wildlife folks for 31 years doing alligator research and such, lives on the property to make sure everything runs smoothly. And that he did. Of course, when I received the invitation to hunt the Osceola, I jumped at the chance. Over the past 35 years, I had killed many turkeys. Most were the Merriam’s subspecies, but I also nailed a few Rio Grande, two eastern birds and a Goulds. I had never hunted the Osceola variety, however. So this hunt gave me the chance to complete my grand slam on the five subspecies, four of which are common to the United States. The Goulds subspecies, now in the early stages of a reintroduction in Arizona, is primarily a resident of Mexico’s Sierra Madre area. The Osceola got its name from a 19th century Seminole chief who was undefeated in his war against the colonists. He went up against Andrew Jackson, one of America’s finest generals, and handed him the only defeat he suffered in the war with the Indians. The swamps and mosquitoes helped Osceola do this, and hunters must also contend with these when they chase a wily gobbler. Perhaps this explains the Osceola's nickname -- the “swamp turkey.” What’s different about the Osceola? Not much. Though the coloration of the Osceola is much like that of the eastern variety, the former generally is a bit smaller. The bird’s range is basically limited to the central and southern part of the state. This is why many consider the Osceola as the most difficult of all the subspecies to take. A lot of the land in their range is private, and the public land where the birds live gets lots of hunting pressure. On the reservation itself, there is no season and no limit for the tribal members, but it doesn’t appear like the privilege is abused. Instead, the tribe has recognized that it has a resource and now promotes the turkey hunting for nontribal members. The first night I spent at Billie Swamp was a short one because of the two-hour time difference. We had stayed up late, and when the knock on the chickee door came at five a.m. I still wanted to sleep for another two or three hours. But my guide for the day, Gavin Mann, wouldn’t hear of it. So I quickly donned my lightweight camo, grabbed my Browning Citori and latched onto a cup of coffee to drink on the way to the hunting area. It was still dark when we parked next to the modern meat processing plant and climbed aboard a big-tired swamp buggy. As Mann cranked up the engine, he laid out our hunt. “We’re gonna head to the southwest corner. I was there about two days ago and heard several gobbles. So that will be a good place to start.” Mann wasn’t very old, perhaps in his mid to late 20s. But his experiences far outweigh his years. He was born and raised in the area and lives right on the reservation. So he has an intimate knowledge of both the terrain and the birds, having hunted them since he was a youngster. When we arrived at the area we would hunt, he parked the buggy. “We’ll work around the perimeter and hopefully raise a tom before too long.” I just nodded in agreement and popped two shells into the 20 gauge over-&-under. We began walking through the palmettos in search of my gobbler. As we moved along the narrow path, Gavin started using his arsenal of calls. First he used a box call to do a bit of yelping. He then switched to both a slate and diaphragm call. “I like to do the whole bit. Every call has a different sound and style. So the more diversified it is, the more a gobbler will think there are lots of turkeys roaming about.” It was just getting light enough to see well when we heard the first answer. It came from a long way off and from the other side of the high fence that sets off the hunting area from the rest of the reservation. Mann quickly decided there was little chance to pull that particular bird in from so far away. We kept moving. My guide suddenly stopped in his tracks, motioning me to do the same. He cocked his head and pointed to his left. It’s tough to get old and lose one’s hearing; I hadn’t heard a thing. I whispered such to Mann. He again pointed, moved closer to me and whispered, “He can’t be more than 200 yards away, but I think he’s moving toward us. Let’s go this way.” We cut down a narrow path that ran at a 90 degree angle to the one we had been using. A few hundred yards into the woods, we turned back toward our original route. As we neared it, Mann stopped long enough to make a call, then slowly peeked around a large palmetto. I was right next to him. We both saw the turkey at the same time. The gobbler, his red and blue head shinning in the early morning sunlight, was heading toward us on a dead run. He spotted us at about the time we saw him. As he veered to our right, Gavin pointed in the bird’s direction and yelled, “Shoot.” I did, and the tom stopped in its tracks when the No. 4 pellets hit him. Within seconds, the big bird laid perfectly still. Gavin was exuberant. “All right,” he shouted. He raced to the bird, wanting to be sure he didn’t fly off. There was no need to worry. In fact, Gavin was impressed. “You know, when I saw you with a 20 gauge I said to myself, 'Here we go again.' The last two hunters I guided used 20s and wounded birds they never recovered. So I didn’t have too much faith when I saw your gun. But that sucker sure did its job on this bird. To confirm his disbelief, he paced off the distance between the bird and the spot I shot from. It was 46 paces or about 40 yards. The tom weighed 16 pounds and had a 9-inch beard. That afternoon, I used my Knight inline muzzleloader to drop a 175-pound boar with two-inch-long tusks. Although it will make for good eating, completing my Grand Slam on turkey made the whole trip -- including the sauna -- worth it. SIDEBAR Hunts on the Big Cypress Reservation are available year round. The basic cost is $115 per day, which includes a guide. Overnight accomodations and meals are an additional $55 per day. The trophy fee for a turkey is $350, and trophy boar is $260. Meat hogs are also available for a reduced rate, and other exotic game such as fallow, axix or sika deer can be hunted. For more information, contact: Big Cypress Hunting Adventures, HC-61, Box 46, Clewiston, FL 33440; telephone 1-(800)-689-2378.

FISHING REPORT Oct. 25, 2019 Arizona Game and Fish Department TIP OF THE WEEK Bass anglers: On Sunday morning around 8 a.m. in central Arizona (specifically Bartlett) a cold front and some ensuing windy weather is predicted to roll through the area. If you can brave the wind (please be safe), a falling barometer earlier that morning could trigger a nice reaction bite. A similar barometer drop is predicted for around Saturday afternoon in western Arizona at spots such as Lake Havasu. Try jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and top-water lures during sun-up. Go to Texas rigs and dropshots after the sun breaks higher on the horizon. The reaction bite already is good in desert impoundments and should remain good until water temperatures drop (less than around 60 degrees) to the point that cold-blooded bass head to warmer, deeper water and become lethargic feeders. There are some good mobile apps available that show wind alerts, forecasts, report maps and features such as barometer readings. Winter's not far away: Nighttime lows in the desert regions are forecast to drop to around 50 on Monday. Trout love the cold temps. And we'll be stocking rainbows in waters near you through March. The Lower Salt River's already been loaded. See the full winter trout stocking schedule. Apache and Canyon lakes are scheduled to be stocked the first week of November. In the Prescott region, Fain, Goldwater, Yavapai, and Lynx lakes are loaded with trout. It's a great time to touch up on those trout fishing skills before your next trip -- check out a how-to article and see the stocking reports below. Anglers might also be wise to hit Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, Bear Canyon Lake, Knoll Lake, Chevelon Canyon Lake (brown trout should be active) or Black Canyon Lake. In particular, trout fishing should be picking up at Big Lake, Luna Lake, Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, and Show Low Lake. In the Flagstaff/Williams region, Kaibab Lake (pictured above) and Lower Lake Mary are also still fishing well for trout. At Woods Canyon Lake, the store is scheduled to open until Thursday, Oct. 31 -- weather permitting. Fishing should be excellent at Show Low Creek at the Show Low Bluff trailhead and Patterson Ponds, which were both stocked with rainbow trout this week. Brown trout should be active at the Greer Lakes, Chevelon Lake, and the East Fork of the Black River. Alamo Lake electrofishing; boat ramp update Now an update from Alamo Lake: Arizona State Parks now plans to close the main boat ramp at Alamo Lake Nov. 30-mid Dec. Dates are subject to change. Cholla Ramp will remain open and is fully functional. State Parks had planned the closure for Nov. 1-25 to allow for dam repairs. On Oct. 15-17 we conducted an electrofishing survey of Alamo Lake. See video from the first night. These annual surveys are performed to gather data on relative abundance, size, growth of fish, and to detect any large-scale changes in the fish population. All of the fish were collected, weighed, measured, and released unharmed. Catch of the Week Send your fishing reports and photos to BFishing@azgfd.gov -- one will be selected for Catch of the Week Lake Powell Tom H. with a 4.27-pound largemouth caught on Oct. 13 on a top-water lure at Lake Powell. "He was nice and fat, as were all the fish we caught that weekend," Tom wrote. "I put him back in and will hopefully see him next year." What's been stocked this week ("Catchable" sizes only; water temp in parenthesis if available) Rainbow trout: Patterson Ponds (51), Show Low Creek, Green Valley Lakes, Fain Lake (58), Yavapai Lakes (60), Riggs Flat Lake (57). See the stocking schedules 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

Ironic that just last night I also discovered "meat-eater" on Netflix, which I stream through Cox. Didn't watch any but will when I get a chance. Those guys on the oxygen generators sound like mine kind of people; I'm on one 24/7. 🤬

Well don't feel bad. I took an AZ class along with my son in 1969, was a HE instructor here in AZ in the early 1970s and also the chief instructor in Bayfield, Colorado from 1976-79. I would have to go through the routine here to get the point but never did. I did pass the online test several years ago but could never get into a field segment to finish it.