az4life

Thought you guys might like to see these pics. This is a friend of a friend (Steve) who spent 8 days mountain lion hunting and finally bagged a nice one last week. This is a great lion! I understand it was a guided hunt with dogs around Josh's neck of the woods. Enjoy.

Sorry to hear about your loss amanda. thieves just plain Suck. Tucson has a lot of that sort of activity from reading the local paper online. Proximit to the border is touted as a large part of the problem. Unfortunately these sort of crimes take a low priority and are rarely solved Thus we all pay higher insurance and have less faith in our fellow man. I agree, it is unlikely thye will show up at your home but just in case, you might want to put up one of those signs in your driveway. Y'know the one... "Owner Guarding this property with a shotgun 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. You can guess the day off." Maybe it is Time to get a TAZER alarm. Zaps anyone who gets in without a key!

OH MY GOSH! Unbelievable! Is the plan to take the stuff and dump it on the Mexican side of the border? It is truly amazing that more has not been shown on the damage the illegals do to the natural habitat and environment! Please take lots of pictures!

Whooooeeeee Some nice pictures. I assume you have cropped and re-formatted them right? Otherwise I want to know what the set up is that will move to follwo the deer. Thanks for sharing!

The main range is good out to 200 for about 10 of the center benches. The long range 200 yds plus, is not really available to the general public from what I have seen. It seems like it is managed by another group and only open on a couple days of the week and if you go, I think you ahve to be escorted by one of the club members. I want to say it was something like the Annie Oakley sure shots or something like that . That is what I recall anyway, so I take my LONG range shots out in the desert or while scouting. Seems like I asked about it several years ago and have not ever been out there when it was open since that time. I was out there last Friday and there was a big Muzzleloader outing and event going on. Darn Cool Stuff! Anyway, if you go to the AZGFD website and the Ben Avery link, you get their phone # and you can call for details. It really s a great range and the fee is only 5 bucks for all day! Ammo will surely cost more than that.

USO is only interested in how thye cna make money from non resident hunters. They quote numbers that probably have some truth, but SKEW they way they report them to achieve their own goals. These #$&*&! Jerks are the Scum of the outfitting community. They sure have nerve. It's not like anyone lives as a resident of every state! Our founding fathers wanted strong states rights, with a guiding presence in the federal government. USO is trying to pervert that to their own purpose. I have no desire to ever meet one of these scumbags as I would likely not be able to hold back. Then I would pay for my actions, since USO is full of lawyahs who are without soulds or concience. USO, Ultimate Scumbag Outdoorsmen.

Mark Just curious, are you related to Lawrence Montoya who works with USO?

Allen Good points, It is sort of like the finger in the dike. No matter which hole you plug there are others you cannot. Until managers have FULL CONTROL (impossible) of all factors, there are always unpredictable variables. dodger2 Sorry, The O.T. comments in my last post were not directed at anyone in particular. They SHOULD indeed be painful to listen to for any educator trying to do the right thing without giving excuses. While there are individual exceptions to most "group findings" the ending scores and totals show the big picture. It is hard to argue with the facts. Any educator who took personal offense, probably fits into the group that cares. Educators who feel that they cannot make a difference without first having more money, (again) probably fit into the other group. Nuf Said

Rimhunter, Don't take it the wrong way, as I am not trying to argue, but just putting out an opinion. I have read that story previously, and re-read it again today. I think the comparison of drought / predator impact is consideerably Skewed and here is part of the reason why. In any game management plan, depredation through natural (predators) and managed (hunters) are carefully considered and balanced with variable non controlled factors such as weather. My impression is the study in 3bar was to see what impact would be made if one key element was removed from the natural environment. The easiest variable was the predators so they were removed. Sure the survival rate will go up considering a healthy lion can take a deer sized animal every 7-10 days. The weather was the same on either side of the fence so the "inside" group would naturally have a higher survival rate without predators and VERY VERY LIMITED Hunting pressure. Another part of the study then documents the impact on a high density population on vegetation. The best way to achieve the higher density, was to remove the predators and give it some time. Studies are often informative and enlightening, however in such a study as this, one of the the biggest surprises was it took so many years to get to the current density. Maybe the drought slowed it down? IMHO Nature already has a balanced plan. When we decide to interfere, in the name of progress we create an imbalance. then we try to "study" the problem and fix it. Another example of the "don't touch it, you'll break it" or "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule.

When I had my wallet stolen, I was told they did not share the fraud alerts so I had to call all 3 of them. In this case it sounds like they improved the system. They share everything else, why not share a fraud alert? Billrquimby What a story! It goes along with the capper to your AZ big 10. Once in a lifetime! Sounds like you are a true hunter, to go out after being all casted up. Belated congratulations! Good luck azpackhorse! Looks like we will be indoors this wet weekend, so maybe a trip to the sportsmans warehouse or take in a movie!

Okay I voted! It took almost 10 minutes though! I had to figure out how to allow cookies for that site. I always leave the cookies off for different sites that I do not frequent, so If I start getting spammed, I will forward them to you. Hee Hee Good Luck

Identity theft is REALLY UGLY. I suggest you contact all 3 of the Credit bureaus today! Call them and ask them to put a fraud alert on your identity. It is free an it will last for 6 months. They will not do credit checks for companies to issue credit to "you" or anyone using your name without first contacting you. Doesn't hurt your score but simply lets you know that someone applied for credit in your name. Experian Equifax Trans Union Easy to Google them to get the web addresses. Good Luck!

Speaking of Money... here is another 2 cents worth. Re read the post on the funding figures (up a few posts). The AZGFD does A LOT with the meager budget they have. Our state is not a puny little state like Rhode Island, or Connecticut! We have a huge amount of land, waterways, fish and game to manage. I cannot blame the AZGFD for much wrong except mis-handling the USO (TAULMAN) situation. The fact that the Game Permits are down, fishing has gotten bad in some places is (IMHO) mostly due to the nearly 10 year drought we have had. They cannot make it rain, so yes the game permit #s will be down. Seems to me They have generally acted responsibly by reducing the tags yearly to prevent devastation of wildlife. Sure I hate to see the #s reduce yearly, but maybe it will get better next year with the rain we got this season! What I loathe is the sate funded schools who come to the table asking for more money every year Higher pay, for smaller class sizes, more days off (in service days) and NEVER EVER have they been held accountable for their poor performance with students graduating who cannot read, write or do simple math. Institute a test (AIMS) and keep pushing it back for at least 6 years since they cannot meet their own standards! The system protects these union members and rewards them for continued poor performance. Hundreds of school districts in AZ, (some with 1 school and less than 20 students). Beurocratic Pork at it's worst. AZGFD has been responsible with their funding from what I can see. Until they spend $4,000.00 for campground toilet seats, or portable ashtrays, they it will be hard to find wasted funds or mismangement on a large scale.

That truly does suck! I think if they are caught, you should be able to extract your "pound of flesh...." I hope it was insured Good luck

Amanda, Great news on the Javelina. She does look like a large one! I read your 1st post about using a pistol and looked a the gun then did a double take. It does look like a mini rifle. Great pictures and the green is pretty unreal. Thanks for the pics.

Diamondbackaz Some good Points on the higher price for longer hunts. The Benefit of a longer hunt probably should be paid for. I sort of Hate to say it since I love those late season hunts, but you can make a case that it is a "premium" hunt This option would allow more hunters in the field by forcing some into the early shorter hunts and could generate additional revenue for the folks who choose the longer hunts. Hunters who cannot afford a higher priced tag for a longer hunt, probably could not afford the extra costs involved with a longer hunt either. I still would like to se a preference or discount for hunters who su. pport the sport in other ways than buying a lic. and tag. Good Post!

I do not expect the tag fees to cover the cost of managing the game hunts by units. The tag fee is a simple premium fee above the license fees paid. License fees account for much more of the AZGFD budget and pays the salaries of the Officers and other employees as well as the overhead and administration. the last year available was 2002-2003 but the data says the following (in part) made up the dept revenue. My #s rounded off for simplicity. $20 Million - License Fees $20 Million - Game & Fish Fund $20 Million - Federal Funds $ 5 Million - Tag Fees $ 2 Million - Watercraft License $10 Million - Heritage Fund Yea yea I know, we are only talking "small potatoes" in the Scheme of Government finances, but someone once said, " 2 million here and 5 million there, pretty soon we are talking about real money! After reviewing the #s quickly, it is impressive the AZGFD does so much with so little. Still I say a measured increase for all tag fees is warranted if the general licenses hold the line on price! But stick it to the Taulmans first.

double post....

Diamondbackaz Indulge me on this: You posted, I think I understand your point, anyone who can afford to pay more money should have better odds? Taulman will sure be happy about that! I guess continuing with that logic, the more you pay, the better chance you should have? Opening up all the tags up to the highest bidder might be just around the corner! You might even be outbid! Anything you want can be bought I guess. We all saw that with the OJ trial. I just Don't know how a premium "preffered fee" will fit in with the AZGFD mandate that no one should have an unfair advantage (opportunity) for drawing resident or non resident, and I will extend it to wealthy, middle class or poor. I definitely do agree! The tag is one of the cheapest parts of the hunting experience. AZ has been reasonable for residents and non for a long time. A measured increase is due but the measrement should not be using Taullman or Bill Gates finances. Maybe my point was lost in my ranting. Too late for another REALLY long post. OOPS (did I just hear a collective sigh of relief?) Off to the bunker! Later

Wetmule the fact is, Hunting is already a sport which excludes a great many due to the high costs. Included in the price of the tag is not the only "cost" associated with a hunt. When a citizen decides to pursue a traditional way of life in terms of hunting, it involves a lot more. The trip, to the hunting area, involves a Vehicle(s) offroad transportation, Fuel, Equipment, Optics, Packs, Rifle or bow, ammunition, hours upon hours and days upon days of scouting, and hiking, Cameras, Maps, technology, layers of clothing, Camping gear such as tents, trailers, Food and drinks and tons more supplies. Add that all up and what we have is already a sport that is not for the "average" guy". We must consider all the costs, not just the tag in considering if the impact a few more dollars will have on the average hunter. So hunting fees might go up... Where will increased tag fees fit in your budget? Consider...Add up your regular taxes (SSI, Fed , State, Taxes) plus Insurance premiums for life, health, dental, Auto, Home coverage, Mortgage, Or rent, Car payments, Food, clothing, and education. After all that, tack on a 8-10% sales tax on everything you buy or rent, plus taxes on Gasoline, Electricity, Water, Sewer, Telephone, Alcohol, Cigarretes, trash pickup, Natural Gas, Hotel and car rental surcharges, and the decent paycheck you thought you had is now cut down to very little left for savings or extravagant things like a hunting tag. So, maybe Another 10-20 bucks won't make that much difference on a deer tag. But with all the other charges that are increased because it "won't make that much difference" we might be approaching a breaking point for the populous. Okay, I ranted, and I vented, and I am sure a lot of others feel the pinch of government collections. Just have to wonder how long we will allow it to continue. Is the breaking point coming?

Take your wet weather gear for Thursday - Saturday as we are supposed to have another gully washer. Good Luck

Round the campfire one night we had some fun at the expense of one of our regular hunting buddies. He reminds me of the moochie guy in the Pizza hut commercial. Y'know, the guy they call "Who invited the I will pay you tomorrow guy"... Anyway, when "moochie" is around you can count on his hand being out for a freebie. We knew this would happen as it always did so we had some pre-popped popcorn in a paper bag that we were passing around. He saw we had a bag and thought it was popcorn cause we were all eating it. As expected, He jumped in pretty quick grabbing the bag. Well anyway as he reaches his hand into the bag, we were just dying trying to keep straight faces. What he did not know is we swapped the bag and he was reaching into a bag full of cigarette butts and ashes! We thought he would feel the difference and take his hand out of the bag covered in soot and that would be the end of it. Funny ending we thought... but he did us one better. He Grabbed a big handfull and like a Kuboto front loader, he dumped it all in his open mouth! YUUUCK>>>>> He took about 3 bites and he knew something was not right. He Looked at is hand and actually tasted his "popcorn" and he realized he had been had! He Started spitting and washing his mouth out with a couple nearby beer bottles and sodas ( not his either) and He was SO mad. Come to think of it, that was the last year moochie hunted with us. The only way he might have been madder would be if he grabbed that pee bottle couesaddict was talking about. Needless to say he was after everyone for the duration of the hunt. Do not recall what the payback was but I have to say it was nothing compared to his undoing. Got another one about a guy that used to mooch Skoal from a friend of mine. Another time though...

As an AZ native, (yes there are a few of us) I agree that the rain is going to be great for the hunting and everything in general. The forecast is a wet (el Nino) year. and that may help contain wildfires. Here in AZ we can never have enough rain! Definitly will be p;utting in for Elk and Deer this year to hopefully cash in on the antler growth aspect of the weather. Building up my colsd, wet gear also as this could be the one year in 20 that you need it.!

Sounds like Doug did some homework for all of us. I would have to say the deciding factor for me would be the slightly reduced hunting pressure. I would have to say I would be in favor of such a change in this example. CWD members take note that the AZGFD is seeking quality input from our mebership. Hopefully ti will be the start of a routine.

FFD, I agree. The increased fees (if they jump a lot) will discourage out of state relatives and friends from just putting in and tying that to a visit. Waht better reason to visit with family. or friends, than a reasonably priced hunt? Beginning of the end....