Outdoor Writer

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.

Vekol

Man, I must really be getting senile in my old age. I thought your hunt was coming up. 🤦‍♂️ Anyway, it sounds like you had a blast. It can get addictive that way. I wish I could still be out there chasing critters, but it's not to be.

Years before that he was elected as a city constable. and did that for 3 years for the becoming the marshal.

I'm surprised his birthday isn't widely celebrated with a city holiday since he was the first Hispanic to hold an elected public office in Phx.

Birth place confusion is probably because CA wasn't a state when he was born but still part of Mexico. He was supposedly born in 1849, a year before CA became a state.

If you told me yesterday when you were here at the house, I forgot already. What unit is your hunt? Oh, and it is was good meeting you. Thanks for the "lift." 👍

It had me guessing a bit because he was actually born in Mexico, not CA where he did grow up, however.

Gárfias

Good job, Dad. 👍

Nice fish. That's one species I've never fished for over all the years.

GAME AND FISH NEWS Oct. 17, 2019 Quail outlook: All signs point to better season in 2019-20 Winter moisture improves overall brood survival PHOENIX — 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. Case in point: Winter 2018. “Unlike the past few years, when hatch dates were spread out over the spring and summer, strong winter precipitation patterns this last winter should have concentrated hatch dates for quail clutches,” said Johnathan O’Dell, small game biologist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “More quail chicks on the ground at the same time usually correlates to better overall brood survival and more birds in coveys in the fall. Spring call counts around the state were up 125 percent from the 10-year average, so Gambel’s numbers and harvest should be better than last year’s numbers.” Translation: Expect to find a few more birds to chase when the 2019-20 season opens Friday, Oct. 18. While there will be a few hot spots out there, O’Dell said hunters should prepare to put in the work to find them. “Anecdotal reports from hunters in recent years suggest that quail numbers and coveys vary by location, so it would be worthwhile to do some scouting,” he said. “Even with one good year of production — and hopefully more to come — statewide numbers will expectedly be lower than historical numbers, but hunting Gambel’s this fall should still be exciting.” Meanwhile, hunters should note that the season for Mearns’ quail doesn’t begin until Dec. 6. It’s summer rainfall that plays a key role in nesting success and population numbers of this species. After a spotty and relatively weak monsoon across southern Arizona, these birds are likely to be abundant only in pockets that received sufficient precipitation this summer. A valid Arizona hunting or combination hunt and fish license is required for all hunters 10 and older. Those hunters under 10 must either have a valid hunting or combination hunt and fish license, or be accompanied by an adult who possesses a valid hunting or combination hunt and fish license. Licenses can be purchased online or at license dealers statewide. A youth combination hunt and fish license (ages 10 to 17) is $5. The general bag limit is 15 quail per day in the aggregate, of which no more than eight may be Mearns’ quail (when the Mearns’ season opens Dec. 6). 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 the 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. More quail-hunting information can be found on the department’s website at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/. Another resource for both new and experienced hunters alike is “An Introduction to Hunting Arizona’s Small Game.” Written by Randall D. Babb, the 196-page, full-color book covers where and how to hunt small game birds (like quail), squirrels, rabbits, ducks and geese. It also includes how to prepare and cook your harvest, with illustrations and recipes. The book can be ordered for $16.95 at www.azgfd.gov/publications. Finally, hunters should check out O’Dell’s techniques for field-dressing quail at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gRwZAcWzzk.

GAME AND FISH NEWS Oct. 21, 2019 Final notice: Thursday is last day to update credit card information for 2020 spring draw Applicants also can purchase PointGuard to protect bonus points PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) reminds hunters who applied for 2020 spring hunt permit-tags that 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Thursday, Oct. 24, is the deadline to update credit card or debit card account information. The same deadline applies for purchasing PointGuard, which ensures that if a successful applicant is unable to participate in a hunt for any reason, the accumulated bonus points that were expended to draw that hunt permit-tag will be reinstated. The cost is $5 for each species. Applicants are encouraged to keep their credit card and debit card account information current. If payment is declined at the time of the draw, the application will not be drawn. The department no longer calls applicants to obtain payment on drawn applications where credit cards or debit cards have failed. Note: If the same credit card or debit card has been used to cover fees associated with more than one application, notify the appropriate financial institution that multiple charges could be processed simultaneously by AZGFD. No action is needed if the credit card or debit card used at the time of application is still in good standing. Otherwise, applicants who have been issued a new credit card or debit card, a new expiration date, or had a change to their card’s number, should visit draw.azgfd.gov/. Scroll down the page, select “Update Credit Card” and follow the prompts. Note: It is important to update payment information for each species for which an application has been submitted. Meanwhile, applicants can purchase PointGuard as part of their online application through 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Thursday, Oct. 24, provided they have created a free AZGFD portal account. It’s quick and easy. Visit accounts.azgfd.com/Account/Register and complete the required fields. Draw results will be posted to portal accounts. For more information, call the department at (602) 942-3000

This Strange Buck Was a Throwback to Extinct Whitetail Ancestors

Cool. Thanks.

And...of what is now Grand Ave... originally his route to get grain to Wickenberg.