Snapshot

My longest shot on an animal is only 425 yards, as I could not get closer. Like TLH said, sometimes a canyon will not allow you to get closer, so either shoot or not. The familiarity I have with my customized 30-06 allows me to shoot well beyond my capability if I chose to, however, I don't like ranges much over 400 yards. The slighest twitch, flinch or puff of wind can mean the difference between a clean kill or an animal that may suffer and not get recovered. It all comes down to ability in stalking or shooting. Or in the case(y) of some people you just might shoot the antlers off by mistake!

Make sure you don't land on that 20 lb. bass they got swimming around in there!

If anyone is interested we could have it at my place in Sahuarita, 5 miles west of Houghton/Corona De Tucson. I have 4 acres in a rural area with plenty of parking and room to spread out. For those of you that have a Quad, we could start the party early and I could take you out into the Northern portion of the Santa Rita's (34A) and show you some nice spots, we could ride out right from my house out the backtrail, and then come back for a good BBQ, cold drinks and some fun,music, horseshoes, archery targets, I have a big screen TV for those with hunting pictures or video you would like to share. We could also have door prizes or anything that would be interesting and entertaining. It would have to be later in June, but if interested let me know and we could set something up. Just a thought! I will supply the food (depending on how many people) , and snacks, you bring whatever libation you desire. P.S - For any out of towners - I have an extra room in the house, an RV with a couple of beds or you can bring your own camper,, tent or whatever as I have alot of room out here, or there is also a motel 15 minutes away in Green Valley.

Thats funny right there! As Bill Engvall puts it "here's your sign"

I have the Cabela's knee high snake boots, they are comfortable and keep cactus and shin daggers from penetrating, but they do get warm.

Sorry to hear about your friend. I am transplant from Minnesota myself.

Not the same deer, but I have seen that tree before!

I have no problem with the magazine and I am all for it. but I would like you to define which of us you think is a loser ? All of us or, is it someone in particular? If some people don't like it, they don't have to buy it or read it, some of us just joke around with what is posted on certain topics, and some people are clueless, but most of us are mature and intelligent enough to not disrespect other members ,and or, their opinions by calling names, especially when hiding behind a fictional profile I look forward to the first issue, and have a nice day!

Absolutely! Get over a ridge or three away from the roads and you can get away from at least 80% of the buffoons, oops, I mean road hunters.

You forgot to mention not to tell anyone that Arizona has some of the best Elk hunting in the West, sssssshhhhhhh!

Nada thing! I will wait and see if I get a New Mexico Archery Elk tag. I am hoping for my Arizona unit 27 deer tag this year have not been drawn for my first or second choice deer since 2003.

I shoot the Easton A/C/C and with broadheads they are pushing $22.00 each. I cringe every time I miss ! $200.00 a dozen, thats too much for me.

Just as someone else said, the hunters that bought over the counter tags before, and don't apply for the new draw units are just going to hunt other units and make them more crowded. I am a two season hunter archery/rifle and I like the opportunity to hunt both, however, I don't hunt the archery units that have gone to draw. If the units in question that have gone to a draw benefit both the deer and the hunter it could be a good thing. I like all of the new rifle season formats, but I feel that our herds (mule deer especially) need to rebound awhile longer before G&F starts to add more permits. I think it might take 2-3 years to find out what effect these new hunting formats and increased opportunity have on the deer herds? Time will tell.

Serious ground shrinkage?

Vey nice bucks.!

Got my refunds today. I would gladly give them quadruple the amount of refund for a tag this year, maybe the New Mexico draw will be good to me, then I will end up paying quadruple.

By April 30th, or sooner. Last year I downloaded them on April 27th.

My limited turkey hunting experience is up in unit 27 where PJ and ponderosa play a big part on habitat, I was curious as to what habitat they prefer most in the Santa Rita's, so when I look around maybe I can find some birds and get some pic's for the collection. You are right about the oaks, There is alot more oaks than PJ in the Santa Ritas, at least on the North end of things, and once you get to the Ponderosa things are getting steep pretty quickly.

What elevation are you guys typically seeing these birds at? Is it down in the PJ or above the Ponderosa level? Just curious!

I spend a fair amount of time in the Northern end of the Santa Ritas, since I live in Sahuarita, but I have yet to see a turkey. In September 2006, I saw a very large bear in the cactus less than a mile from Helvetia. What part of the unit did he see the birds?

I am extremely paranoid of snake encounters. I have had many close calls over the years, including a rattler that struck and missed my hand by two inches. Always look under that last board in the wood pile before you pick it up. I have knee high snake boots for the warm weather. If you want to see me jump three feet in the air and do a back flip to get out of the way, lay a stick on the trail that looks like a snake.

You all have some very nice trophies and photos. Thanks for sharing !

This was last Septembers trophy. A few of my others are on film and need to be scanned. Some of my best trophys are hunts where I did not even bag an animal.

I will just bring Rosie O'Donnel with me!

Hey Tony, I liked that Monica Liewinski button that you posted. I was thinking of having that printed on a t-shirt and showing up to a Hillary Clinton rally, or maybe just send it to her as a gift !