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Often I head to southwest Colorado and the San Juan Mountains to photograph the aspen colors at the end of September. Last year, I journeyed to the Grand Tetons. This year however, I stayed home and photographed the San Francisco Peaks just outside of Flagstaff. Colors were nice and we were blessed with some snow on the mountain. A complete set of images can be seen on the website too. https://www.plateaulightphotography.com/Landscapes/Arizona-Landscapes/Fall-on-the-Peaks-2018/ Thanks for looking.

You mean the one that’s trying to make it a safer place to be?

Was able to fill my tag opening morning. Woke up to unusually high winds, was not real happy, but it allowed me to close the distance from 450 yds to 288 yds. Also helped a friend fill his tag on Saturday. Filled 2 of 3 tags, tons of people/hunters. Had a nice layer of dust on everything due to Border Patrol was out in full force and the razors, side x’s and everyday idiots haulin a$$.

Back on August 11 I posted an interesting Buck we called “Socks”. We thought it would be interesting to see what he would grow into. This pic was on July 30 Here is “ Socks” yesterday September 15. He grew up in a big way!!!

I was able to go hunt in unit 29 over the weekend and got lucky. Saw lots of bucks, the one I was after gave me the slip in some thick brush but was able to kill this guy before I had to leave. Had a great time.

SOLUTION - BUY ANOTHER GUN SAFE!!!!!!!!! YOUR WELCOME.

I recently acquired a Mossberg 500 20ga that belonged to a friend of the family. My daughter doesn't like the way it fits, we are all set for shotguns, and there is no sentimental value. Its a 28" VR barrel chambered for 2-3/4 and 3" shells. It has pitting on the barrel, a little bit inside the bore, and the butt is scratched from use and poor care before I received it. Action works great and it was used for a kid's high school trap team before he had an accident. I'm working on funding a rifle build for my son and need the cash, so this one is the one to go from the safe. $200. Located in Flagstaff, but trips to the valley happen occasionally. Buyer must fill out Firearms bill of sale and present DL or CCW. To those of you who chimed in on whether or not to keep my grandpa's 1100, thanks. Its staying.

I'm not as active as I used to be on CWT. But I still linger and have always had a tremendous amount of respect for what Amanda built from the beginning. So if I can contribute to her and the rest of you Coues deer fanatics I will! I finally caught up with this buck after he eluded me last year. He's an old buck (and I'm not very smart) so I honestly couldn't be happier. It's always special when you can follow an animal this long. And for those who've done it, it can be very bitter/sweet also. I especially feel that way as I feel like I linger closer to my Coues deer hunting days being numbered. Enjoy.

After my little Kembria drew tag number 100 of 100 tags for her first choice deer hunt this fall, I felt that luck was on our side. We, her big brother Draysen and I, spent a fair amount of time with her over the past few months working on target acquisition in the scope, trigger control, etc. But I would be lying if I didn't admit to being a little nervous about her first big game hunt. Desire wasn't an issue, she has been chomping at the bit for years. But unlike her big brother, I just wasn't sure how she would do. Well, yesterday we loaded up the truck and headed up north. We had a good opening morning plan to head into an area where I have consistently found bucks over the years. For her first hunt I wasn't looking for a big buck, just a decent one that would be within her range. As we rolled into camp (actually my brother-in-law’s family cabin), I got a message from a new buddy letting me know he and a friend were on a tank of a buck, but with no tag themselves, they wanted a kid to shoot it. He sent me some pictures, and my jaw dropped! We made plans to meet up very early this morning to see if we could relocate him. Within the first minutes of glassable light, we got a glimps of him just as he and his buddies were topping out and disappearing over the ridge across from us. Draysen was the first to see why they were fleeing. A group of hunters were walking up the same ridge the bucks were on right in their direction. We made a quick plan to try and get ahead of the bucks, as they were still unaware of our presence. Within 30 minutes we were ahead of them and had them feeding out in front of us at 350 yards. I got Kembria set up on the Claw/Ruger Precision 6.5 Creedmoor combo (the Claw is the original version of the Triclawps) and we continued to watch them feeding in and out of the trees waiting for a good shot. There were five bucks in the group, all well above our original expectations for the hunt. The second biggest buck in the group stepped into the opening broadside, and all of a sudden a group of deer (estimate maybe ten) busted out of the thick trees about 30 yards to our right and bolted. This caught the attention of our bachelor group of deer and I quickly became concerned they were likewise going to bolt. I said to Kembria "See that big buck in the open?" She replied "Yes!" I said, "Shoot him!" Maybe one second later, BOOM!!! Perfect 350 yard lung shot. He wasn't the biggest boy of the group (the bigger one was similar in length to the one she shot, but more mass). Nonetheless, the five of us were beside ourselves with excitement. Not a half bad opening morning buck for a little girl who just turned 10 years old two weeks ago. Pretty great day for this proud pappa! Can't thank our friends G.R. and Tanner enough for the huge assist!

My son and I took off this past weekend for a father-son fly fishing trip to the San Juan while my wife and daughter were on a girls trip. I haven't been to the San Juan in 11 years and its always been bugging me to go back, especially to get my family really into fly fishing. We've all fly fished a couple of small streams here in AZ and Jacob has landed a YOY rainbow w/par marks, but that's it. We got to Abe's about 1pm Friday afternoon, got checked in, license purchased, and some local fly patterns. I was nervous about Jacob wading since he's the skinny kid who has to dance around in the shower to get wet, but he did great. I had a life jacket for him to wear, but the guys at Abe's put us in a spot where he wouldn't need it. When we got there, I asked a guy if we could squeeze in downstream or if he'd prefer we go somewhere else and he graciously offered Jacob his spot. Its nice to see (especially for Jacob) that kind-hearted people are still out there. We started off close together with him upriver of me and me not fishing until I knew he was ok wading, getting his casting game on, and knowing what to look for when a trout takes his fly. He was amazed at all the big trout swimming within a foot of him and he fell into a groove. After an hour or so, the river started clearing, so we moved up to the next good looking spot. I re-rigged his set up, removing the weights so the emergers acted like true emergers and, after 20 about 20 minutes, I hear "I got one!" I coached Jacob on how to use the rod and we were able to net his first real trout on a fly rod. It was a fat 15" bow and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was completely addicted to flyfishing. That was the only fish of the day, but we stayed for the hatch. Jacob said "How about we stay for 30 more minutes." when the hatch started. Three takes and three misses later, an hour had gone by and we finally worked our way back to the truck. He made it clear that he LOVED dry fly fishing! As we were walking back, I turned around to snap a sunset pic, and I saw a 10-year old boy walking with the swagger of a seasoned fly fisherman. Jacob's first real trout: 15" fat bow Kid with swagger (can't get it oriented right) We got up early Saturday morning, had breakfast, and were on the river by 8:25. It didn't take long for Jacob to hook into another bow, then another, and then he had some real fun. He hooked a 15" fat brown and figured out why I've always said I'll take a 15" brown over an 18"-20" bow any time. I managed to finally get on the board with a smaller bow, but I was finally on the board and giving Jacob some competition. We took a quick lunch break and short nap back at the truck and then decided it was time to get back to our spot, hoping someone hadn't come in. During our lunch break, I reemphasized his casting technique to work on because I spent a big part of the morning undoing wind knots and/or changing leaders because the knots were so bad. That worked and his casting came back solid. I noticed several fish rolling subsurface, so I took my weights off and, after missing a few takes, I ended up landing a 15" fatty bow, too. Jacob and I both played that game off and on, after I set him up with the same flies I was using and removing his weights. We stayed until the hatch went off and I managed to land two bows on my brand new TFO 4wt. Jacob missed a couple of more takes, but is definitely loving this new addiction. He asked me several times on the drive home when we're coming back to the San Juan. Yesterday, we finally set up or fly-tying bench and organized our kits. He was off school for a fall break day and he ended up tying four flies, following the instruction book. His elk hair caddis (#12) needs work but its a great start. His beetle, wooly bugger, and nymph were all pretty solid. He's loving this whole fly fishing thing and I'm loving having a fly fishing buddy! 15" brown Lunch Break My 15" bow Jacob's fly tying

I actually did, sliced right through the backside of his neck (cut spinal cord in half). Wasn’t happy with my shooting skills, but it worked.

Final build specs: Lone Peak Fuzion Ti SA DBM 24" Proof Research Sendero 1:7.5" Axisworks Muscle Mag 3 port brake Manners PRS2 in "Tac Swamp" bedded Axisworks DBM w. AI mags Trigger Tech Diamond @ 6oz (yeah, 6oz!!!) Cerakote in Elite Sand Seekins alloy 30mm. 87" medium rings Tangent Theta TT315M 3-15×50 w. Gen 2XR MIL Finished weight of scoped rifle with 5 rd magazine is 9lbs 14oz Starting load work up: Lapua SR brass Fed GM205M 41.0-44.0 H4350 (42.0 @ 3056fps & 44.0 @ 3200 are both ridiculously accurate, everything was actually sub .5" except the cold/clean/new group) 105 Berger Hybrid 2.858" COAL 2.246" CBTO (touching the lands) Range day this morning First 3 shots out of the rifle. Cold/clean/new shot, then 2 more almost touching. Adjusted zero, then....It shoots as good as it looks. Shots 7/8/9 from the rifle. 105 Hybrid @ 3056fps The local inspector had to get a better look at the rifle... I got the 105 Hybrids up to 3200fps with no signs of pressure. Everything was under .5". Had the above group @ .240", and the group @ 3200fps were at .307". All with bullets seated just touching the lands for testing purposes.

Keep it and pass it on , that where belongs..... Just make a new purchase when neccessary, that's my opinion as I have guns from both of my grandpas.

Thanks for the perspectives, fellas. I've been a huge fan of 1100s most of my life, so that, along with it being a 1963 original, are why I'm hesitant to get rid of it. The more my son gets into hunting, the more I think he'll appreciate what that shotgun is. I'll try to get some pics of it this weekend. The action isn't sloppy, but its not as tight as my 1100 from the mid-80s. My guess is that its a result of the original spring being in there and it being 55 years old. I definitely remember my grandpa hunting pheasant with it the few times I went out with him. I think my biggest problem is that, even though I probably spent the most time with my grandpa hunting and fishing, he favored my cousin (uncle's son), who had the same last name and was named, in part, for our grandpa. It always bothered me that he never acknowledged any of my accomplishments or asked me about anything I was doing but, every time we were together, I always had my cousin thrown in my face. I also get what you all are saying about family heirlooms. One of my most-prized shotguns is an H&R Topper 152 single shot .410 that was my paternal grandpa's. He gave it to my dad for me to start hunting with when I was about 10ish. Its the first gun I ever hunted pheasants with. After my grandpa died, my dad's stepmom asked for it back so she could give it to her new husband. Dad reluctantly did, but was so angry and hurt. About 9 years ago, or so, I learned that my dad's sisters were having an estate sale since their stepmom (mom to them) had Alzheimers and her husband died of cancer a year or two prior. I called my dad's oldest of his two younger sisters and asked about that shotgun. She said their younger sister had it, so I called her and plead my case. That phone call didn't go well and my greedy aunt wasn't pleased that I called her. Long story short, I got the shotgun back against dad's younger sister's wishes, thanks to my other aunt. Something along the lines of "You will give him that shotgun. Its his birthright!" I'll figure out another way to finance that rifle build, I guess!

Keep it,the money that it brings will be made up in a couple days work,and you will never be able to buy another gun that he has held.

Keep it , best years they made them was up to 72, then they went to crap. but yt were still good. I dont believe the action is sloppy all 1100's had slop. I have quite a few of them and used them for tournment skeet for 20+ years never had a issue except the oring busting every now and then, even the gas rings re still org. if you went to sell it then decided you wanted another one, your going to be disappointed with anything newer. and the price of good condition ones are pretty high. How bad of condition is it? mind showing pics?, that would make a slight difference in selling it, however you can buy wood for those in really good shape online. forarms are generally the pcs that split cause people tighten the nut way to tight . proper way is to tighten nut till it stops clicking back off 2-3 clicks and your good.

Never sell a gun unless you absolutely have to.

Keep it. I had a somewhat similar experience years back. When my grandfather on my mother's side passed away years back, we were going thru the old barn in Litchfield, MN and came across a very old, rusted out New Aubrey 12G. Mom told me to keep the shotgun (apparently it was my great-grandfather's) and do whatever you want with it. Ended up getting it back here to AZ wondering what the heck I was going to do with it, let it sit? Sell it? Restore it? I chose the latter and took a few months researching it, calling companies on the east coast (Numrich) for parts, etc. Ended up doing a decent job with the restoration and now it has a story to tell.

I have a Kestrel 4500 with bluetooth and AB. I use it LR shooting all the time, and carry it hunting with me too. Let's you know the difference between a 12mph and 14mph wind that will effect drift at 600+ causing a clean hit or a wound. It allowed me two 1st round hits on two coyotes @ 1365 with an 11mph 90° full value wind.

I got to take my 6 year old son and my 9 year old daughter out for squirrels. Thanks for all the help from my previous thread. I nailed 2 and my son got one. First shot and first kill! It was a tough shot and he tried setting up on him about 4 times. Arms getting tired, and bad ammo. Finally when the 22 went off dropped it from 40ft up. I couldn't stop laughing because I couldn't believe he made that shot!!! They really had a blast. My daughter had such a good attitude. When we lost the first one we chased she said happily " well at least we saw one" Ha ha. She got on a couple but couldn't make it happen. But she had a good attitude.

Muskegon River, Michigan Chinook Salmon These bad boys are no joke!

Beautiful rifle!

Thank you for the tips.. I am good with rough terrain. I got in shape over the Summer & am able to trek the woods without any problems. Thank you again!

Citizen canyon, Bullard canyon, Webster canyon. Rough country and low deer density but they’re there. If you can’t access that stuff the country on the south side of the river has deer too

With our President threatening to deploy 5,000 - 7,000 active troops to the border I'm wondering if they will shut down access to NF? I'm in 36B again this year. Has Ruby Road ever been closed? It's been done in Organ Pipe NF and elsewhere I believe. What I have read they are planning to build permanent housing and "30 barriers", whatever that means. Hard to make scouting plans with our President's fondness for unpredictability.