Outdoor Writer

Okay, here's the incident about Davey Allison & the same model Mossberg shotgun mentioned in your ad .... More than 30 years ago (mid to late 1980s), Buckmasters held an annual deer hunt at the Sportsman's Lodge in Alabama. I was fortunate to be invited to three of the Buckmaster Classics. The attendees were a mix of celebrities who were mostly pro sports types, outdoor writers, locals and several Buckmaster contest winners. One of the sports guys who attended every year was noted NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Davey Allison. One year I was teamed up with Davey, Craig Boddington, Jim Varney (Ernest Saves. Christmas, etc.) & two locals for the "olympics" that was held annually. Then the next year, Davey & I bunked together in the same room and became friends and sometimes talked on the phone later. Now fast forward to Nov. 1992 and the PYROIL 500K at Phoenix International Raceway My oldest son's pal, Jimmie, from Durango, CO was in town that week, so I called Davey. He left three comped pit passes at the PIR office for me. We were in the pits just prior to the start of the race when I noticed Davey walking alone in front of the pits on his way for the driver introductions. I asked Keith & Jimmie if they wanted his autograph on their programs. Even thought they were both about 30 then, they were glad to get it. So we headed toward Davey. After we did our preliminary "hellos" and handshakes, he started to sign the programs. In the meantime, he asked me if I heard about our mutual friend Ben Lee dying in car wreck a short time before. He said the wreck happened in the exact same place Lee's daughter had died in a different accident a couple years earlier. As he started telling me a story about a turkey hunt he & Lee had done just prior to his death, a rather large crowd, also wanting autographs, started gathering around us. While he continued signing autographs, he went on with the tale.... Lee had recently bought one of the Mossberg Ultramags and wanted Davey to use it on their hunt, which he did. They were all set up with Lee doing the calling a few yards behind Davey. A gobbler suddenly appeared. Davey shot and only wounded the bird. Lee began yelling for him to shoot again. Davey yelled, "I can't see him! You shoot him." When he shot the first time, he wasn't expecting the shotgun to kick like it did. It drove his right thumb into his nose, breaking it and causing his eyes to water badly. Lee finished off the bird, and they headed to the nearest hospital to get Davey's nose rearranged. At this point in telling us the story, Davey is cracking up, and so are we. The crowd started really jostling us, so we bade goodbye and got away from it. Davey won the race that day; a few months later, he was killed when he crashed his helicopter at Tallladega Speedway. Here's a memory from his crew chief, Larry McReynolds. The bold part is about how he was when telling us the tale while still signing autographs for the crowd. "Davey was the most focused individual I've ever been around and he was focused on whatever he was doing. If we went up in the lounge of the truck and he was eating lunch, I was wasting my time trying to talk to him while he was eating lunch because his focus at that minute was eating that lunch. If he was talking to a friend about a fishing or hunting trip, I was wasting my time standing there until he got done telling his hunting or fishing tale because that's what he was focused on. "Yeah, I used to get so frustrated because it's like, 'Man, we need to talk about our race car. I don't care about deer or fish or what you're eating for lunch, we need to talk.' But, when he turned his attention to our conversation or driving that race car or working on that race car, you couldn't have asked for a more focused individual, just like all the other things that he did. "Davey was a very positive individual and he was a great role model. I think I still today try to live off of his role model because I know when he got killed, the thing that drove me and that whole race team, and it was a small race team then, was the fact of how strong a person Davey Allison was." Now you know the rest of the story..........

And be prepared for a divorce. 🤣 Shooting 3" mags w/steel shot out of my 20 ga. Citori without a recoil pad on a goose hunt in Illinois was plenty enough for this little dude. even with my heavy coat on. By the end of the third day, my shoulder & arm were a very coloroful painting of varius blacks, blues, purples, reds, yellows and reds. The only other time that happened to me was on a dove hunt near Navajoa in Mexico. On that one, I used the outfitter's 12 ga. Citori and put about 100 'cartuchos' through it each of the three days we hunted in shirtsleeves. On the third day, I folded a towel as a pad and taped it to my shoulder with duct tape. It still hurt. 🤬

Okay, folks, this is meant to be a fun thread where someone posts a somewhat goofy or unusual photo to be captioned by the masses. It doesn't have to be YOUR photo, but try to keep them outdoor-oriented, i.e. hunting, fishing, camping, wildlife, etc. I'll start it off with .....

Hey Fauci, you told me the vaccine wouldn't have any major side effects.

I'm not much into car races either. My son Keith has always been an avid fan of NASCAR but not so much with the others like Indy types or Formula 1. Jimmie was also a fan. So that's why I had Davey get me the pit passes. Davey's death was sad for a lot of folks. The way he died was ironic, considering his occupation and how he tempted fate every time he climbed into #28 and hurtled around a track at more than 200 mph. Several years later at Daytona, such a fate claimed Dale Earnhardt Sr, who was also an attendee at the Buckmaster Classics. He was a lot older than Davey was at the time of his death, however. Dale was 49 & Davey was only 32, basically just about reaching the top of the sport with lots of gas still in his tank, so to speak. If you decide to test drive the 835 with full load 3.5s, remember this story and be ready. 😂Insert other media

GAME AND FISH NEWS Feb. 5, 2021 Arizona's general quail season closes Sunday, Feb. 7 PHOENIX — Arizona hunters have one more weekend to get out in the field and pursue the state’s three main species of quail — Gambel’s, scaled and Mearns’. The season ends Sunday, Feb. 7. 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, of which no more than 15 Gambel’s, scaled or California quail in the aggregate may be taken in any one day. The 45-quail possession limit may include 24 Mearns’ quail, of which no more than eight may be taken in any one day. 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 www.azgfd.com/license/, or from license dealers statewide. All hunters play an important role in conservation. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program (WSFR) funds consist 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, shooting ranges, boating access and more. Before heading out, watch this short video showing two methods Arizona Game and Fish Department biologist Johnathan O'Dell uses to field-dress quail. For more information about hunting quail in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.com/hunting/species/smallgame/quail/.

Get out there and use them up!

For future reference, this is where one can find ALL of the state LAWS in ARS Title 17. The commission RULES, however, are mostly found in the regulation booklet that contians the deer hunting seasons, etc.

Right. 🙄

There's nothing "vague" about it: A.R.S. 17-101 20. “Take” means pursuing, shooting, hunting, fishing, trapping, killing, capturing, snaring or netting wildlife or placing or using any net or other device or trap in a manner that may result in capturing or killing wildlife.

GAME AND FISH NEWS Feb. 5, 2021 Don't delay: Applications for 2021 pronghorn, elk hunts due by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday PHOENIX — The deadline is only days away to submit applications to hunt elk and pronghorn in 2021. Applications must be received by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) by 11:59 p.m. (Arizona time) Tuesday, Feb. 9. To apply, visit www.azgfd.gov/hunting/draw and click on “Apply for the Draw." It is not necessary to access your AZGFD portal account to apply for a hunt. All applicants, including youth (ages 10-17), must have a valid Arizona hunting or combination hunt and fish license to apply for a hunt. That license must be valid through deadline day, Feb. 9. Visit www.azgfd.com/license/, click on "Buy a License Online," then click on “Purchase a License,” and then use the “Continue as a Guest” option. NOTE: To be able to continue as a guest, be sure to click on the “accept” button to enable cookies. Before starting the application, have the following information available: Department ID number or Portal Customer ID number. This is a must to submit an application. The ID number is located on a hunting or combination hunt and fish license, if purchased online. Customer service representatives also can provide assistance by calling 602-942-3000 or by emailing customer@azgfd.gov. Know where you want to hunt. It’s important to have your four-digit hunt number(s) pre-determined (not game management units). For an overview of the application service, including license requirements, applying for bonus points and payment information, see Page 8 of the “2021 Pronghorn and Elk Hunt Draw Information” booklet. Printed booklets are available at all license dealers statewide.

It was. 😎 See "The rest of the story for Edge" thread in the Campfire section.

Might need a FB membership to view. That's close!

GAME AND FISH NEWS Feb. 4, 2021 Arizona Game and Fish Department Tonto National Forest to lift Bush Fire closure order PHOENIX — Good news for hunters and other outdoor recreationists: The Tonto National Forest will lift the Bush Post-Fire Flooding Public Safety Closure Order effective Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at 8 a.m. Last-minute quail hunters and upcoming javelina hunters will be able to access a significant portion of Unit 22 that was closed due to the order. The general quail season ends Feb. 7, HAM (Handgun, Archery, Muzzleloader) hunts for javelina in Unit 22 are Feb. 5-15, and general hunts for javelina in Unit 22 are Feb. 19-25. Outdoor recreationists are reminded that off-highway vehicle (OHV) travel is limited to roads, trails, routes or areas that are opened as indicated in rules and regulations by the land management agency. For more information, call the Mesa District Ranger Station at (480) 610-3300 or the Tonto Basin Ranger Station at (602) 225-5395, or follow the Tonto National Forest on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates. Read the Forest Service news release.

Reminds me of the Travis McGee character in the John McDonald novels. He owned a 1936 Rolls Royce that was converted into a PU. I'd bet the farm the topic of this thread is headed to the southern border.

And my 8th place 6815 has been demoted to 19th place now.

I aced it. The leader has 6967 pts., but I'm in 41st place with a score of 6618! DUH! 😕 EDIT: I just did it a 2nd time and moved to 8th place with a 6815. It's apparently timed, but I sure can't figure how anyone could have done it faster than I did the 2nd time around. 🤷‍♂️

You'll probably need to be a FB member to view this. It's hilarious. Bernie with Sanford & Son

Fishing Report Buy a license February 2021 Arizona Game and Fish Department Saguaro Lake project uses recycled Christmas trees to create fish habitat, improve angling Did you know that discarded Christmas trees can be recycled to create fish habitat and provide better angling opportunities? Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) staff and volunteers gathered at Saguaro Lake on Jan. 9 to be part of this project. The trees were provided by the City of Mesa, which allowed AZGFD to take them from a drop-off location for discarded trees. The volunteers tied cinder blocks to the trees, loaded them onto a pontoon boat, and sank them in various pre-determined locations on the lake. Over time, reservoirs lose quality fish habitat through decomposition of the natural vegetation that was flooded, particularly where water levels fluctuate significantly. Five of the large reservoirs in central Arizona—Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon, Saguaro and Bartlett—are all more than 70 years old and can lack sufficient hiding cover for spawning and for the growth and survival of young fish. The submerged Christmas trees also provide a surface for microscopic animals to grow, which attracts bait fish and in turn the predatory fish for anglers to target. In 2014, the department embarked on a program to improve fisheries habitat in these reservoirs and restore the fisheries to their former glory days. Some projects have used Christmas trees for habitat, while others, such as recent projects at Roosevelt and Bartlett lakes, have used artificial habitat structures. This is the first time that the Christmas Tree Habitat Project has taken place at Saguaro Lake. AZGFD received a grant this year from the National Fish Habitat Partnership, which enabled the purchase of cinder blocks and rope. The department also works with angling groups and with the Tonto National Forest, the land management agency for the five reservoirs. Fox 10 joined the workers on this particular day and broadcast a nice story about the project (see the video). Photos above courtesy of Denise Cavero-Hann. 2021-22 Fishing Regulations have a new look The 2021 and 2022 Fishing Regulations booklet is available at all license dealers and online. The cover of the booklet looks a bit different than past publications. We asked FishAZ Facebook group members to comment with their favorite AZ fishing photo for a chance to be featured on the cover. The photos appearing on the cover were chosen from more than 200 submitted. They showcase the areas and species that make Arizona special. Recent stockings Week of 1/25 to 1/29/2021 Central waters: Saguaro Lake. North Central waters: Fain Lake, Verde River - middle. Southeastern waters: Parker Canyon Lake. Community Fishing Program waters: Phoenix area - Chaparral Lake, Copper Sky Lake, Cortez Lake, Desert Breeze Lake, Desert West Lake, Encanto Lake, Evelyn Hallman Pond, Kiwanis Lake, Pacana Pond, Paloma Lake, Papago Ponds), Pioneer Lake, Red Mountain Lake, Rio Vista Pond, Riverview Lake, Steel Indian School Park, Surprise Lake, Veteran’s Oasis Lake. Tucson area - Silverbell Park, Kennedy Lake, Sahuarita Lake, Lakeside Lake. Prescott area – Yavapai Lakes. Casa Grande area - Dave White Regional Park Pond. Payson area - Green Valley Lakes. Yuma area - Council Avenue Pond, Fortuna Pond, Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex (PAAC) Pond, Yuma West Wetlands Pond. Week of 1/18 to 1/22/2021 Central & North Central waters: Dead Horse Lake. Southeastern waters: Dankworth Pond, Roper Lake. NOTE: To see the 2020-21 trout stocking schedule for state waters and the January through March Community Fishing Program stocking schedule, visit https://www.azgfd.com/fishing/stockschedule. Need help deciding where to fish this winter? The Winter 2021 Fishing Forecast and the Fish & Boat AZ map may help Wondering where to go or what to expect at different Arizona waters? Check out our seasonal fishing forecasts. These provide a general overview of the waters and what might be expected during the different seasons. The Winter 2021 forecast is currently posted at: https://www.azgfd.com/fishing/forecast/. To access our Fish & Boat AZ Map, visit https://fishandboataz.azgfd.com/. Albino trout stocking Arizona Game and Fish photographer George Andrejko took these photos of albino trout recently being stocked at one of the Community Fishing Program lakes.. Reports The weather has moderated since last week's winter storms. The forecast for the remainder of this week and the weekend is for mostly sunny skies. Desert temperatures will generally range from highs in the low to mid 70s to lows in the mid 40s, with windy conditions in western Arizona on Thursday and Friday. High country temperatures will generally be in the mid 40s to low 50s during the day, with overnight lows dropping to the high teens to mid 20s. A recent report from Dead Horse Lake indicated anglers were having some success catching smaller trout. Was last stocked the third week of January. Reports at Lake Pleasant indicate decent fishing for stripers and largemouth bass. For stripers, anchovies work well along with small swimbaits, A rigs, and spinnerbaits. For largemouth bass, use small swimbaits or jerkbaits. Drop shot rigs have also been working. The natural worm colors are working well for anglers, especially when the water is clear. At Alamo Lake, a report from a couple of weeks ago said bass are schooled up deep. Anglers were having some success with spoons, deep-diving cranks, Yamamoto hula grub on a 3/4 oz head, and Alabama rigs. Crappie fishing was good. Report courtesy Tai Au, professional bass angler, via Arizona State Parks. Reports of decent bass fishing at Bartlett Lake. Most are in the 10- to 15-inch range, but there are some larger (3- to 4-pound) fish to be had. A report from Lake Havasu in early January said striper fishing remained good near schools of shad, and large schools of shad had been congregating at the south end of the lake near Havasu Springs and Site 6. The most productive striper lures were Bass Assassin or Keitech swimbaits rigged on a lead jighead, or Alabama Rigs with two hooks (AZGFD regulation). Troll or cast near shad schools during early morning hours. Fishing with live shad as bait was still producing quality-sized stripers from 2.5 to 12 pounds. Use a 4-foot throw net (the largest legal size) or a snag hook to catch shad to use as live bait. Anglers using shad or red-colored swimbaits and crankbaits have been successful with Havasu’s smallmouth bass. Redear sunfish were schooling in deeper water in 25 to 40 feet of water off main lake points. Report courtesy of John Galbraith, Bass Tackle Master, via Arizona State Parks. At Roper Lake, a recent report indicated trout fishing is still considered good. The albino trout have been a nice addition. Garlic-scented prepared dough baits like Berkley PowerBait and nightcrawlers seem to be working well. Small spinners like Rooster Tails and Panther Martins have also been working. Bass fishing has been slow, but keep in mind this relatively small lake warms up quickly in the spring and they should spawn sooner than larger lakes in Arizona. Report courtesy of Park Ranger Michael DeLeon, Arizona State Parks. For Lake Powell, see Wayne Gustaveson's report. For Lees Ferry, see report from Lees Ferry Anglers. Remember to see our winter fishing forecast for different regions of the state. Angler posts For each edition of the Fishing Report, we'll select some photos and reports submitted by members of the angling public either through the Fish AZ Facebook Group or through the bfishing@azgfd.gov email address. If you'd like your photo/report considered for publication here, please indicate the species, place, date, name (we only publish first name and last initial), and any other information you'd like to provide. For more photos (including new photos each day), visit the Fish AZ Facebook Group. Wyatt R. recently caught this nice-sized bluegill. Jonathan T. reported, "My little cousin outfished me today. But I was so happy to see him smile and got excited when that pole pulled down!" CV M. was rewarded for braving the cold with this nice catch! Anglers are reminded they should always check ice conditions before fishing on an ice-covered lake. Sal R. caught this 4.25-pound largemouth bass at Roosevelt Lake on his 16th birthday. Jim N. said bass fishing on Lake Pleasant was very good a few weeks ago. Roboworms, Carolina rigged on light tackle provided fish up to 8 pounds. Got an 18-inch white bass on grubs/jigheads. Caught crappie on small swimbaits (Mister Twister), shads were best. Proud dad, Steve W., shared with the Fish AZ group these precious photos of his 9-year-old son, who caught two fish within 20 minutes. Good job, buddy! Lester P., who hadn’t fished in years, was motivated by the Fish AZ group to break out the old tackle. He did and caught a 15-inch trout at Gilbert Regional Park. . Ariana O. caught these four at Pioneer Lake. Friday fish fry, here we come!

Remind me to tell you a humorous story sometime about stock car driver Davey Allison & noted turkey hunter Ben Lee, both of whom are now dead, and this model shotgun.

Oh poor Del.

Right. So all these guides who had bought & wrote off the trail cameras will be subject to arrest if the cameras are banned in the future without ANY PROOF they were actually used in the field to take game. As I said earlier, absurd & inane. You throw crap abainst the wall and hope some of it sticks. And yes, taxes are sometimes used to arrest & prosecute but not in the way you suggest. Tax evasion is a well-used charge in that regards. Don't give up your day job to practice law.