standman

I shoot five days a week, 30-50 arrows a day, alternating each day between my compound and recurve. Brian

Thanks for the birthday wishes. Brian

It's closed because of high fire danger with the extreme dry conditions that exist. It will reopen as soon we get a few good drenchings from the monsoons. Usually by mid to late July it will reopen. Brian

As far as I can see on the Apache-Sitgreaves website that area is still open. Here is their website for more information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf Brian

Just so you know a lot of 3c in the Rodeo- Chediski fire area north of the 300 rd is closed due to fire danger and will not reopen until the rains come. Here is the link to the map. http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5372845.pdf The 300rd is the southern border on this map. Brian

It's different in that in 20% bonus pass with sheep it is 20% of the total amount of sheep tags instead of 20% of each units tags. So as history has shown the more popular "trophy" sheep units usually all go to the max point holders. Like unit 22, all three tags usually go in the 20% max bonus pass so there are no tags available for the remaining 1-2 bonus pass. However it is not guaranteed to happen this way but usually does. Brian

I shoot through the mesh all the time with my slick tricks with no problem. Just pick a window and practice a few shoots to make sure. I shoot clear to 40 yards through the mesh with no affect on the arrow. Brian

Looks like on their website you can purchase Rez permits online. http://www.wmatoutdoors.org/ Brian

My family was one of the first settlers of Lakeside and my dad tells me stories of those days when life was simpler up here. As a kid he would hitch hike between Lakeside and Show Low with most times not a car would come by. The road was dirt by the way. So was the road from Pinetop to Eagar and Show Low to Heber. Rainbow Lake was a favorite duck hunting spot. Now you can't hardly get to the waters edge without trespassing on someone's property. The theater and hospital was in McNary. Amazing how things have changed, even in my lifetime. Were no longer small communities. Brian

Shoot what you want and have a good time. That is all that matters. Don't put to much pressure on yourself to kill and enjoy the experience. I have the same tag as you, and I drew it 5 years ago and had the time of my life. Never killed one, my choice as I called 27 bulls into 40 yards or less and passed them. But I've killed 13 archery elk and wanted to be picky. Won't be near as picky this year though. It will be a learning experience for you so enjoy it. Brian

Awesome post Don! Congrats on the goulds. One of these days Don you'll get your chance at them. I've drawn goulds tags twice so it's not that hard. Lol. . Beautiful birds. Brian

Oh heck ya TJ. My dad and I love catching big bluegills during the spawn. It is an absolute blast. Looks like an absolute blast. Brian

Dang it man, that's a long day for one fish. Sorry they didn't bite better. I have one advantage over most people when I'm fishing, my last name is Fish so I already know how to eat, sleep and act like a fish. So that usually gives me one fin, I mean one leg up on most people :-) Brian

My dad and I hit San Carlos Lake this morning hoping to get into some spawning crappie. Man did we ever get into them. We slayed them! Fish were stacked in the shallows. We caught all of them on 1/32 oz road runners with 2" grubs. Most of the fish were caught right against the shoreline. We caught 50 this morning. Very few people on the water and just a beautiful day. No wind, overcast, and warm. A great way to end a great couple days. Lots of crappie and a 3A/3C archery bull tag. Here are a few pics. Have a little video too that I have to put together that I may share a little later too. Here is a link to a short video clip: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v84/standman/?action=view&current=SanCarlosFishing.mp4 Brian

That is just very cool ! Brian

My dad and I hit San Carlos Lake this morning trying to get on some more crappie action. We were not disappointed. We caught our limits (50) by 10 am. We found them in the shallows, and they were stacked in there. We caught the fish on 1/16 oz jigheads with Black/Blue/Chartreuese and Acid Rain grubs. We caught some of the biggest male crappies that we have ever caught. I also got on video a couple blue harons that caught crappies and had them for breakfast. We have seen several do this before and they are always a good sign to watch when looking for crappies in the shallows. They'll give away a crappies location quite often. Here is the link to the video: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v84/standman/?action=view&current=BlueHerons.mp4 In the video, of the second blue heron, check out the size of the dead catfish on the bank. He is giant. Brian

Thanks everyone for the comments. This is probably close to the tenth time we've seen the herons do this. Several times we actually saw them catch the fish which is pretty neat. It's amazing that they can get that wide of a fish down their throat. It was a fun trip. Thanks again. Brian

Going to do both.

Real nice fish! I'm headed back there tomorrow. Brian

Awesome job on the toms! Congrats to both boys! The smiles says it all! Brian

Awesome ! Congrats on the bird! Brian

So who is getting excited for the upcoming turkey season. With the junior hunts starting this weekend the fun will begin. I look forward to spring turkey season as much as any other hunt during the year. I didn't draw the rio or goulds tag I wanted, but I did draw a Navajo tag that starts a week from Saturday. So who will be going where? Good luck to everyone! Brian

Very Cool everyone. Glad to see people going to so many different places. Here is a few pics to get the blood pumping. If anyone else has some pics, post them up to. Brian My two Az goulds turkeys: A unit 1 tom: A unit 3C tom: And a unit 27 tom:

The fishing in the shallows has been nonexistent since the storm. They haven't moved back in yet. Trolling has been pretty good the past few days. Brian

I wonder who that would be? Matt, let's get all the facts before everyone wants to throw me under the bus. It's been 24 yrs sraight and only because I play the odds. My unit was a 99% draw last year for archery bull, and I ended up with my second choice cow, and many years it was 100%. It's not luck it's just wanting to hunt what everyone else doesn't want. It's not hard to figure out. I'm 17 for 23 so far and I'll continue to take what ya'll don't want. TJ Amen TJ! I bet when the time comes when you are not able to go elk hunting anymore that you don't say I wish I could of hunted and drew more tags instead of waiting 10-15 years between tags and only hunted elk 2-3 times in my life. I had a streak of 12 in a row, three archery bull tags and the rest archery cow tags when I was a little younger. Then I decided I only wanted an early good tag, drew two tags in 12 years. Last year I decided I would rather hunt more that wait, so now I'm on a new streak of two bull tags in a row. :-) Brian