ghost hunter

I agree that G&F employees are under paid. But the money issue, can't be the issue here. G&F is getting a big jump in rates effective next year, followed closely by the sales tax funding. What more do they want? Moving that many elk tags around "Just for the money" isn't gonna do anyone any good.

You can't just ask all the archery elk hunters who DREW a tag. How about all the rest of us? I'll gladly offer them three choices: No, heck No, and No F..'ing Way. I don't know about everyone else, but no one I know, would put in for the late hunt. Might be the first time in history that there will be left over elk tags. Would serve them right.

According to the FS, they have burned 7500 acres. The fire boundaries have gotten into the upper ends of Turkey Creek, John Long and almost down to the old Rucker Lake area. Basically, if you have a topo, take Johnson Peak and draw a circle with a 3 mile radius from Johnson Peak. It looked like the north edge flared back up, cuz I could see a good smoke plume in upper Turkey Creek again. FS says that the fire is 90-95% contained. Its been cold so it can't get too far, too fast.

Tines, You are 100% correct. If you had hunted in 32 you would have added: 100's of people riding quads, people trying to hunt the same ridge you are even though they know you are there, and people driving like maniacs. I'm not a road hunter, but you couldn't even get around without dodging and get put off the road by people driving like idiots. As for the quail hunters, if it was an honest mistake, fine. If they see you hunting and just pile out and start blasting anyway, they are as you say, "idiots with guns". Ghost Hunter

I've only seen one this year. Two weeks ago while quail hunting. It was a black one with yellow stipes. At first I didn't think it was rattler, but when I got closer, there was no doubt. Had to check a rattlesnake poster at work on Monday to learn that it was a Tiger Rattlesnake. First one I'd ever seen. Didn't see any while deer hunting. Good thing. Ghost Hunter

coues84, I like the way you separate Hunters from the rest. I agree, "Hunters" act responsibly, then there are those others; "idiots with tags and guns". They are the ones causing the problems for the rest of us. Ghost Hunter

azdave, I never bothered to ask Mike why he locked up the ranch, but if that happened, I'm sure he got all fired up. I think that your point though is good. Some people think that just because they are away from home and no one will know who they are that they can act up. I'm sure that there are some here that 'talk the talk, but don't walk the walk'. Just picking up spent shotgun shells, aluminum cans, etc, as you scout/hunt is a positive thing. I got two friends to start picking up shotgun shells after they saw me doing it and asked why. Ghost Hunter

Can't imagine that dilemma, no TP and the only paper product in your pocket is that 7E elk tag. What you gonna do?

33, I started out reloading many moons ago. I would buy a kit to get started with. RCBS seems to be the company who has been around the longest. My first press was a Herter's. I haven't seen anything from them for a long time. So I got an RCBS just so I could get dies and shell holders. Just follow the safety rules, read the manuals BEFORE you reload something and you'll do well. It is time consuming, but it is satisfying when you use one of your re-loads to down that big bull. Ghost Hunter

When Pete gave his presentation to the group in Safford, he said that the intial board representation would be made up of people from the major sportsmen and animal groups in the state. They would be replaced by people elected from the current members. As for land owner tags, Pete said flat out that they do not support them. Spoken, yes, written, no. As for govenor's tags, convention tags, 'wealthy tags'. he wasn't as enthusiastic. I really doubt that they would support land owner tags, because those will just 'de-value' the govenor's tags, which they will probably be looking for to help fund this organization when/if it out grows the private and corporate donations that Pete says they have lined up. SFW's credibility is very suspect at this point based on their performance in the other states. If they take off here and they follow suit with the other SFWs, I doubt that any other state in the west will have anything to do with them. From the post above about the meeting, sounds like only those who want to belong are welcome.

GREAT SHOT!!! kill sight photos and story. What more can you ask for? Hey, how about another "guess the score" contest. Since it is one of the smaller subspecies, I'm not sure if it is a world record contender or not? Ghost Hunter

On Wednesday, I saw the gas go from $2.64 to $2.99 in just a couple of hours. It has gone up .20 again since last night. Just came from Tucson. Cheapest I saw was $2.88 but did see one station go up .20 in less than 2 hours. $3.00 is just the beginning. It will go to $3.50 in the next week or so and will be up to about $4.00 buy spring. The only thing that will stop the upward spiral is when the motoring public finally stops buying so much gas. Everyone grumbles, complains, cusses and just buys more. Only after we reach that point where consumption falls and stays down, will the price stablilize. Just my opinion.

I was out last weekend and saw 7-8 fawns. One set was twins. They ranged in size from one who couldn't hardly get around on up. They were neat to watch.

I've used a bow sling for at least the last 15 years and wouldn't go without it. I've had the ones that attach to the bow limbs and haven't seen anything negative about it. Well, there was the one time at a shoot when the wind blew the shoulder strap in front of the arrow just as I let it go and, well that was exciting and scary at the same time. Since then, I make sure the sling stays out of the way when I want to shoot.

Welcome, glad to see another archer. I've tried several broadheads over the years on deer and javies. Wasp fixed blades hold together well. Satelites do 'ok' as long as you don't hit a bone, then the blades fall out. Kolpin was my favorite, but they don't make them anymore. I've shot Vortex and had mixed results. My son got some Crimson Talons last year but we haven't had a chance to 'field test' them yet. Some people like them, others don't. The ones who don't, say they won't tune up well and they can't get them to fly straight. I've also tried some fixed blades made by Eastmans. Found them at Walmart. They flew real straight but haven't hit anything with them yet. Just some info, give your Talons a try and see how they work for you. Good luck

I've always like RMEF for their efforts to save and enhance the elk habitat around the west. Since I live in Arizona, I would certainly like to see most of their effort go here. But now that RFW has come up, I think there is a question that has not been asked. "Is all the time, effort and money that various organizations and sportmens groups have donated in the past only going to used to aid and assist those ranchers when they get Ranching for Wildlife passed?" I certainly hope not!!!! I'll continue working on projects and helping where I can, but it will leave a real sour taste in my mouth if I get to the end and realize all I did was help some greeedy person.

I'm not familiar with all of these, but the ones I recognize right off are: Dobson Livestock & Dobson Estate (from the Dobson Rd in Phx) have holdings in unit 32 on the south end. Cowan Ranch is in unit 30B outside of Tombstone Red Wing Ranch is in unit 29 just east of Apache Pass, south of Bowie. Is Aja Sheep Company, part of those who were reportely proposing the Ranching for Wildlife?

Num, Thank you for attending and posting your observations as to the proceedings. Sounds like we might have got the upper hand this round, but any suggestions as to where to go from here? You reported that Flake got alot of e-mails and phone calls. What was your impression about how those ran; for/against, made a good impression/bad impression? Any speculation as to the committee's point of view now?

Rembrant is correct. If it was a program that G&F could institute, these people would be over there lobbying for it. Since it is not, they are at the legislature trying to get that committee to sponsor it. Just listen to those, well most, of the hunters from New Mexico, Colorado and other states that have it. It only worked well for those on the inner circle, but if you were just an average Joe, you got the short end of the stick. Just as it is with USO, the top three reasons for supporting this is: GREED GREED and yes, GREED Since we all have a computer take a minute or two and send an e-mail to the representatives from your area. There is a list of the ones to contact in another forum on this site. The post is titled "Hunters Beware".

Ernesto, I've got a Bushnell 20X scope that I have taken pixs through both with an adaptor and just shooting it through the eye piece. If you look around, you can find adaptors (not all that expensive) that will let you hook your camera (35mm) right to the spotting scope so that it is now the lense. Really brings things in close, however, you have to use fast film because you will have to set the shutter speed down to compensate for the magnification and lack of light (i.e. 400 film, set it at 100). Takes good pixs, but must be during the day. A side from the need to use it during the daylight, a scope with a camera attached is ackward and will need a good tripod. You will also need to use the self-time feature on the camera to eliminate camera shake. Just FYI, Les

32 Lifer, I sent you an e-mail a couple of days ago. If you didn't get it, let me know. Ghost Hunter

I planned on attending but didn't get off work until 5:30. With a 90 minute drive, it just didn't seem like my late arrival would make much difference. So...what was said or done? Ghost Hunter

I still use the paper apps and mail them the old fashioned way. Guess it's just my way of protesting the 'on-line, $5' application process. I think having to front the money shows how serious you are and I wish Arizona would go back to requiring the money paid first. My .02

I went there for the first time last year and MAN, they were everywhere. Big ones, small ones, you name it, you saw it. It didn't even matter what time of day it was or which way you went, high or low, they were every where! Best place to sit and watch other hunters I ever saw!! The place I went had a sign in book. When I got there at 12 noon on Saturday (missed the opening day), there had already been 84 vehicles sign in since 5pm on Thursday. About 3/4 of them had 3 or more people listed. There was also about 20 camps along the road (9 miles long), almost all of which had atleast 2 vehicles, most had 3 or more. A good time was had by......well ... Sorry to sound so negative, but hunting in that kind of traffic is not my idea of a good time. Honestly, I only heard 2 shots and saw only 1 deer tagged.

Greyghost, Check your personal messages