Outdoor Writer

In the early 1970s I managed sporting good departments -- first for the JC Penny's at Tower Plaza and later for the new Woolco at Cave Creek and T-Bird. In both places, we sold the dove and quail loads for $1.99.

Assumption maybe? He might not even be hunting in AZ. for Coues. 😉

Rise and shine: Dove season opens Sunday morning GAME AND FISH NEWS Aug. 30, 2019 Rise and shine: Dove season opens Sunday morning PHOENIX — It’s not easy to roll out of bed at 0-dark-thirty, unless it’s for something really important — like the opening of the dove season. So before backing out of the driveway Sunday morning and heading to that secret spot that attracts birds like a magnet, hunters might want to rub the sand out of their eyes and go over that pre-hunt checklist one last time: Eye and ear protection. Don’t leave home without it. Period. Plenty of drinking water (especially if hunting with dogs), hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and food-storage bags and ice chest to store harvested birds. While it’s not legally required, wearing a little orange makes it easier to be seen by other hunters in the predawn hours. A valid Arizona hunting license and migratory bird stamp. All hunters 18 and older must be in possession of both while in the field. There’s still time to go online and purchase a combo hunt and fish license that will be valid for the next 365 days — and for only $20 more (for state residents) than the price of an individual hunting or fishing license. Visit https://www.azgfd.gov/license/. Youth hunters (10 to 17) only need a youth combo hunt and fish license for $5. Those under 10 don’t need a hunting license when accompanied by a licensed adult (two children per adult). The daily bag limit is 15 total doves (mourning and white-winged), of which no more than 10 can be white-winged. The possession limit is 45 total doves after opening day, of which no more than 30 can be white-winged. There are no daily bag or possession limits on invasive Eurasian collared-doves. Note: A fully feathered wing must be left attached to each dove for identification purposes until a hunter reaches his or her permanent residence or where the game meat will be consumed. The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds dove hunters to review the "2019-2020 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations," which are posted online at www.azgfd.gov/dove. Also, watch a video that demonstrates two techniques for field-dressing doves at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DDRZGPzJDI. The department also has rolled out a new webpage for those who might be new to dove hunting. Visit www.azgfd.com/hunting/species/smallgame/dovebeginners/. Dove hunters play an important role in conservation. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) funds are comprised of excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment (including 11 percent on ammunition), the benefit of which comes right back to Arizona for habitat improvements, construction and maintenance of shooting ranges, boating access facilities and more.

And another.. just out of the nest...

Here's some help for those who get excited over the feathered rats....😉

I've never been a "how much does it score" type. Thus, I would shoot it without hesitation just for its uniqueness. I killed the 3x3 buck below in Colorado because of its symmetry and the unusual little devil points in front of the main beams.

Geez, I need to touch bases with Robbie. He built my 300 WM for me and also spiffed up my M70 .264 a few years back. I really regret that I'll likely sell both of them not to far in the future.

This is direct from Title 17: (d) Accepts compensation in any form commensurate with the market value in this state for guiding services in exchange for aiding, assisting, directing, leading or instructing a person in the field to locate and take wildlife.

Two things... Many years ago, there was a rule where we could apply for certain tags only every three years. That meant hundreds of hunters had to sit out. By using computer models, they determined doing that had a miniscule effect on the odds of being drawn. Now I'm only guessing on this part, but I'd bet fewer than 50-75 people for ALL species will take part in letting someone piggyback on their points to get drawn. As to "no points are used," that's not quite true. Although the one with the most points will turn his permit in, the one with the lower point total has burned his, thus taking him down to zero (or one with loyalty) for future draws. So in effect, that helps the odds for anyone who has more than two points in the next draw he enters. And of course, the person with the bunch of points has used up his first opportunity to turn in a permit without losing points. And if he gets drawn again, it's more than likely he will use the permit rather than turn it in AND lose his points.

Well...I was thinking of putting them out there for bids, but I don't want to upset Casey. 😉

Yup, correcto. So if the guy with 10 applies with me and my 19 elk points, he winds with 15 and the average of the two for that application --total 16 numbers spit out by the computer.

Although I now have a senior lifetime license, I did that for many years and now because of medical issues, I'm done hunting. So I'm sitting on 18 points for antelope, 19 for elk, 24 for bison, 6 for deer ad 4 for sheep.

He was referring to turning in the permit while still retaining points. And that is correct. Then once he turns in that permit, he gets the points back and can use then to help someone else one more time, which in this case results in the loss of all the points. In both instances, the cost of the permit is not refunded. From then on, accumulating points begins anew.

In the late 1960s, three of us were sleeping on the beach on a fishing trip we did near Puerto Lobos in Sonora. In the middle of the night, a fox bit a now deceased friend of mine in the neck. He managed to grab the fox and strangle it. We immediately packed up and headed back to AZ with the fox's head on ice. It turned out to be rabid, so my buddy had to go through the shot routine.

The press release actually said those two things can help spread CWD, mostly through direct contact. They aren't the sole source. Plus, those are the two things that the prions attack the most. In order for them to be infected, though, the prions have to be introduced into the animal in some way. CWD prions have been found in urine, blood, feces and saliva of infected deer and elk, and it's usually one of those that passes the prions from one critter to the next. I recall also reading a while back that they're researching whether ticks or mosquitoes might be spreading CWD. Not sure where that is at, however. As for the velvet antlers, they normally contain blood. But then so does boned out meat. So that leaves the question of why ban one and not the other?

Yeah, I know. That was in response to yotebuster's "when we start looking for it" comment.

AGFD tested more than 1,000 deer and elk in 2018.

GAME AND FISH NEWS Aug. 22, 2019 AZGFD asks hunters to help keep Chronic Wasting Disease at bay Arizona remains CWD-free due to surveillance efforts PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking hunters to continue doing their part to help keep Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a neurodegenerative wildlife disease that is fatal to deer and elk, at bay. With the start of big game hunts right around the corner, all successful deer and elk hunters are encouraged to bring the head of their harvested animal — especially bucks and bulls — to any department office statewide between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The preferred method for delivery is to place the head in a heavy-duty plastic trash bag, and keep it cool and out of the sun. The department also requests hunters to provide accurate hunter information (name, telephone number), as well as hunt information (hunt number, game management unit in which the animal was harvested, state and hunting license number). This information is crucial should a positive CWD sample occur. Department officials did not find any cases of CWD in the 1,200-plus deer (mule and white-tailed) and elk that were harvested by hunters and voluntarily submitted for testing in 2018. Game and Fish has been testing for the presence of the disease in Arizona since 1998. While CWD has been found in the neighboring states of Utah, New Mexico and Colorado, the disease has not been detected in Arizona. CWD has not been documented to cause disease in people. CWD is transmitted and spread by animal movement and direct contact, which means the illegal importation of a cervid carcass or parts with brain or spinal column tissue of an infected animal could introduce the disease into Arizona. To that point, an individual is only allowed to possess, transport or import the following portions of cervids lawfully taken in another state or country: Meat that is boneless or has been commercially butchered and packaged Finished taxidermy mounts Skulls that are mounted or clean skulls/skull plates without any meat or soft tissue Antlers that are hard-horned or velvet antlers that have been taxidermied Hides without any meat or soft tissue Teeth without any tissue attached For information about importation of harvested animals in other states, please contact that state’s wildlife management agency. For more information about CWD, visit the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance website at http://cwd-info.org/. It may take longer than a year before an infected animal develops symptoms of CWD, which can include drastic weight loss (wasting), stumbling, listlessness and other neurological symptoms. CWD can affect animals of all ages, although it’s most frequently noticed in older animals. CWD is fatal, and there are no treatments or vaccines. All hunters are advised not to shoot, handle or consume any animal that is exhibiting abnormal behavior or appears to be sick. Wear latex or rubber gloves when field dressing deer or elk. All hunters are asked to call the department at 1-(800)-352-0700 if they see or harvest an animal that appears to be sick.

FROM AGFD: Aug. 21, 2019 Wildfire will affect some deer, bear hunts in Prescott National Forest Closure area includes portion of Game Management Unit 17B PHOENIX — The Sheridan Fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Prescott in the Prescott National Forest, is forcing the closure of an area within the forest’s Chino Valley Ranger District. The closure will affect those hunters who are planning to hunt deer and bear in parts of Game Management Unit 17B. The archery-only nonpermit-tag season for deer and general season for bear in that unit begins Friday, Aug. 23. The closure near Camp Wood Road is for the protection of the public and to allow U.S. Forest Service personnel to effectively manage the lightning-caused wildfire, which has burned almost 3,500 acres. Areas outside of the closures will remain open to hunting. A map of the closure area, along with the full Public Safety Closure Order, is available on the Prescott National Forest website. A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. today (Aug. 21) at Prescott High School’s Ruth Street Theater, 1050 Ruth St., in Prescott. For more information, call (928) 777-2200.

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For a bit of a change, try searing them quickly with a bit of olive oil in a very hot pan (no more than 30 sec. per side) and then add them and simmer about 15 min. in a basil marinara sauce to top off your macaroni of choice.

THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN SOLD ALREADY. I have a Bogen 3431 leg set with a 3265 head that I'll be listing, but I'm in Glendale.

What is the pay range for an "entry level position?"

I believe that 130 1/8" P&Y buck is Sergio Orozco's, which is on the cover of HOW TO HUNT COUES DEER. The story of how he killed it is in the TALES chapter.

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