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I did my first euro mount with some tips that the late hoghntr gave me I think it looks good. sorry for turned pictures and I don't know why the antlers got darker

Like others it started in July w a 2100 $ hit and goof up from AZGFD, but I got the refund later. Who cares I was going sheep hunting. Scouting started right away and I spent over 30 days scouting in the summer heat and leading up to the hunt. Several target rams we’re seen but as sheep hunting goes they move off in September making it hard to relocate them. Opening day came quick and I spent 8 hard grinding days trying to locate target rams with my close friends. Day 8 we spotted a group of 7 rams and this old desert warrior was a new ram I have not seen before. We’re did he come from ? A quick stalk and some videoing is the rams before the shot my lifetime tag was filled. This ram will probably be the biggest taken in that unit. Rough score 179.5 net 177.5. On cloud 9. I can’t thank my buddies enough for grinding it out with me.

I think he got 6 free sandwiches for that.

I don’t know him personally, but it seems like overall he has always had a pretty good reputation. Also, hasn’t the G&F had it out for him for a while because of his archery success in SE AZ, to the point where they greatly reduced the otc seasons in those areas? I think there’s some history and they may have been putting in the extra work to nail him for whatever they could. Typical of government agencies these days, go after those who question and/or challenge you. IMO the punishment is much harsher than the “crime”

December and January are different hunt years so if it was closed opening weekend of Dec it should open back up in Jan.

I'll cerakote it.

I don’t think the commission was as worried about possible forgetfulness as they are about guides intentionally avoiding the FS permit process. Which is important. If it’s true he had done this before, was warned and then did it again (and plastered it all over the internet) as the regulating agency AZGF is likely to give a good long listen to another government agency who they work together with on a number of issues. If the FS LEO asked for stiff punishment because of intent, it’s not surprising the dept listened. If I remember correctly Steve Ward was one of the most vocal opponents of the bait ban several years ago. I don’t know if I would buy into the dept having anything against his success, they are just managing a resource. The seasons were reduced in units where success was high and triggered the pre-determined steps outlined in the guidelines.

You really think 1000 guys running around 13b trying to be the first one to kill one of the 50 bucks allotted is a good idea? That would be a horrible hunt and experience

I've been deducting my unfilled tags from my income. (above statement is intended to be humorous and is not to be taken seriously or as an admission of guilt)

This seemed like a decent deal on FB I found... https://www.facebook.com/groups/AZPhotographySwipSwap/permalink/1881633592224454/?sale_post_id=1881633592224454

I think it's funny the guy that gets brought up is Steve ward and his forgetting to fill out a guide report (who gives af?) but the no name guy charged with running a criminal syndicate and convicted of like 8 illegal takes and illegal possessions at the same meeting isn't mentioned. Seems a lot of people only care about rule breakers or poaching if it's someone that's "hunting famous" or a guide.

I think some of us are mature enough to judge guides and outfitters based on personal encounters and a case by case basis.

This sucks. I've met Steve on a handful of occasions. Really nice guy and great family. If true, I hope this is some sort of simple error or oversight that can be corrected.

Sounds a lot like our hunt went!

I was being generous. Had no idea NAU was such a FB power house

Could have been an honest mistake ,if so you should not lose your privileges for 5 years

Never met Steve or hunted with him. I hope the penalty matches the crime- to revoke someone's lively hood for 5 years is very long time.

Not true. Mandatory reporting on deer harvests are being utilized as we speak in other states. You put actual data in. You get actual data out. I get the algorithms argument. But it’s time to start counting.

Here are some more pics. This guy had over 106inches of mass. The last pic is my ram standing next to a mid 160s

Yes, Hoping it's the Crank sensor $75 or the Knock Sensor $35 plus coolant. With 4 O2 sensors, I'd be playing Whack A Mole to guess which bank it was. I will crawl under her and check those connections before the auto parts guys start greeting me by my first name when I walk in. I may be too late for that though 🙂 Thanks for all the tips!

AZ's population going from 1.5 million to 8 million+ and growing is a dang shame. AZ is the only western state in our vicinity that does not have a draw for archery deer. OTC deer is toast, if not now soon.

It was just minus the $ sign so not as easy to catch it with the cut and paste white background. Even harder to see the older we get.

Here is a pic of the crew and family.

More pics to come.