MT_Sourdough

Yea, I had a chance to talk with him for a few minutes. That's where my info came from. The bottom line from what I gathered, the feds activities in the park are not likely to effect the late bison hunt much. The biggest factor now is the weather. Cooling temps and continued precipitation isn't helping, but that's the biggest factor. I'll be heading up there next Tuesday or Wednesday. Russ is a guide that usually plays a central role in each of the Kaibab Bison hunts. Basically he has blinds, salt licks and cameras set up that he shares with hunters even if they are not paying clients. Generally, he designates hunters to particular blind sites based on his knowledge of where the buffalo are. It works to his favor, because by having an organizing role, he can keep individuals from screwing things up for everybody else. Everybody has a greater chance for success when they work together with these particular hunts. People are amazed that he offers as much of his time and energy to help people, sometimes purely out of the kindness of his heart. On my hunt Russ was not present, but he still allows bison hunters to use his blinds. To help understanding, you gotta know that what happens in Grand Canyon Park borders is the National Park/Feds business and is totally disconnected with the State. Management outside the park on national forest is a states authority, but on the Park it's the Feds. You can almost go as far as to say that the State and Feds are often at odds with each other. The issue here, is the bison we hunt on the Kaibab are living in the boundary of Grand Canyon National Park. The hunt for the bison happens on the National Forest when the bison leave the park's boundary. The fact is, bison have overpopulated the caring capacity of the the North Rim area of the Park, plus lack of water and salt force the bison to leave the park. The Feds objective is to bring the population down to somewhere under 200 total bison. Right now, estimates on total number of bison on the park vary from 500 to 1000. Obviously the Feds want to eliminate hundreds of bison. The problem with federal management, is at a national level, there are many more "stakeholders" and is open to many more levels of litigation. At this point it appears efforts to allow volunteer hunters to play a role is population reduction by allowing hunting in the Park have come to a screeching halt. A corral capture effort will now be used to capture and relocate those bison, but I have not heard much about the destination of relocated bison. Now, if you got all of that, there is a whole 'nuther thing happening with the state in regards to bison. The state is actively forming a new and totally independent herd. Up in the HouseRock Wilderness, the state is introducing pure genetics bison from South Dakota (I think that's where they are coming from). The notion I get, the state wants to offer a bison population that is not under Federal management. There were 6 bison tag holders up there on the start of the current hunt on Friday. By Monday evening, 4 of the 6 tags were filled. I kinda wish it lasted longer as I filled my tag Monday evening.

A Ruger m77 chambered in 30-06 sporting a Leupold 3x9 scope? Heck, that's like a courthouse flag, apple pie and the 4th of July all tied up in one. Good luck with sale.

Man, if a dead horse aint been beat enough, dig it up and resume beatings.

Is the AZGFD still calling if a card is declined? All of a sudden I am having issues with my bank and card. It's not funds related, but the darn chip in my card became defective. I asked them to send me a new card. They went and canceled my card immediately instead of waiting till I got my new one. So I used a different back up card, but for some reason, the bank froze that card when I started using it.

I believe Edge is correct. That's a female mating call I believe. I've heard it a quite a few times and yes, once you know that sound, you'll notice it more often and it will have you looking over your shoulder.

Yea, I had a chance to talk with him for a few minutes. That's where my info came from. The bottom line from what I gathered, the feds activities in the park are not likely to effect the late bison hunt much. The biggest factor now is the weather. Cooling temps and continued precipitation isn't helping, but that's the biggest factor. I'll be heading up there next Tuesday or Wednesday.

BRILLIANT!

We keep the the cost of super point reasonable and I'm Down. Is it a super point each year for each species or is it one super point per year and you choose to which animal you'll apply your superpoint?

For those who do not already know, the state is trying to start a whole new and separate herd in the House Rock Wilderness area. Their effort is to create a herd of pure genetic and fully free range bison that is not in any way connected to the Feds.

We are talking bullet construction in relation to terminal performance and in relation to accuracy. As far as the latter is concerned, I have never heard that all copper shoot more accurately than lead core in general. So many variables, but in general, it's a case by case scenario. A rifle may shoot a particular copper bullet better than any lead core bullets tested while another similar rifle may shoot lead core bullets more accurately. What I am trying to say, is that there is no reason to assume that a solid copper bullet shoots better out of any rifle without testing. On the subject of terminal performance, I suspect it is possible that a 139gr 7mm all copper bullet is constructed too stoutly for a coues deer. People commonly use that bullet with success on elk. I would be willing to bet that a handloaded 110gr Barnes bullet would be a better all copper bullet for coues when using a 7mm/.284 caliber rifle.

Last time I was in 21, there were still plenty of muleys between Cave Creek and Seven Springs.

I just dipped my mountain bike suspension forks with a true timber western viper camo pattern. It turned out all right cuz I wasn't looking for perfection to start with. Next, I'll be doing the frame. With the fork, I used my bathtub, but for the frame the tub wont cut it. I have plans to use a childs swimming pool and see if that works. As I said, I am not expecting a perfect dip. Its obvious there are some tricks to learn to get good at it. If I knew there was somebody here doing hydrodipping, I would have rather gone that rout, but now I am set on a finishing what I have started. If It doesn't work out, I'll contact you.

Just hit it with a coat of clear coat. That should eliminate your adhesive issue and provide a little protection to your paint.

Good Stuff. That's the same elk hunt I have. I'd offer assistance, but the vets get more qualified and capable help than I can offer.

Well, I contacted Russ and he said it is true that they built a catchment/corral, but they haven't finished it yet. They are not likely to get it done this season., at least as far as I understood. That's where things are as far as live capture is concerned. The corral is in an area void of bison at the moment. I would guess, from the conversation. that live capture might be a ways off. Plus, he said, whether they shoot or capture the bison, the numbers removed will not have an impact on the hunt any time soon. He said the weather will be the biggest factor regarding the hunt. Russ said that the park/plateau has already had a few 6 inch snowfalls and animals are moving back and forth towards winter range. Another thing that I will pass along is that Russ would like to hear from people who are going to be cooperating with him on the hunt. He asked for me to text him which hunt/tag I have. He also asked for my phone number and email, because his wife has some information that she'll email. They would like to start coordinating soon, so I suspect that they would want to hear from all those who will cooperate with him for the bison hunt, If somebody wants a number to text him, message me and I'll get you the number.

So, is this something they have already started?

Next epidemic will be obesity and type II diabetes with east coast and Midwest deer

Back in Montana, we'd go to the bar to share tag soup with others choking down the same. Lots of beer and whiskey combined with sharing excuses and stories of past glory usually numbs the pallet. On the other hand, you would know that most of whom you commiserate are there because they were lazy bar folk who have the same excuses every year.

Seriously? The state guys said they questioned whether or not the park hunt would ever happen. Suppose they knew what they were talking about. I am guessing that means things should go as it usually does up there during my hunt. Are they going to move them to Native American Reservations or where? Thanks for the answer.

Jealousy is never pretty, but sometimes it's downright ugly.

Way to go! That is great how you were able to fight through the pain to get the job done. It;s that kind of perseverance that makes our armed forces second to none. I am not surprised that a lot of people returned their tags this year. With point guard, it's easy for people to opt to keep their points for another year. Hunting on a private ranch in Wyoming is truly a special opportunity. Good luck with that.

I knew that was a rattler but I couldn't identify the species, so I didn't say anything. That's one I have never seen. The Arizona Black, I see around Camp Wood/YoLo Ranch area.

When food is super lush, elk poo poo can clump like that.

I haven't been in 8 for over a week, because my truck is getting badly needed attention. Are they sounding off up there?

Yea, I know lot of good guys drink Keystone. I get a little bitter about what I am sure is just a a few bad apples that makes everybody else look bad. For my camp, I bought some Prescott IPAs. Only drank one. In the heat, hoppy beers often miss the spot. Might'a I preferred some cold Keystones then as well.