crotalus

Very nice!! Must of been great to experience that brawl; did it sound like a couple cars going at it? Thanx for the pics. Ernest

Jim, Congrats on a well written and well researched book. Nothing but "kudos" on this one, it's a must have for anyone interested in deer of the Southwest. Get yours while they last!!! Ernest

Wooow!!! looks like you all had an awesome time. Big congrats on the success. Mind me asking what unit you hunted? Those lions sure took a hit by the sounds of it. Ernest

Sorry if this is a repeat of a previous posting but I'm trying to decide between a Kifaru Spike Camp w/cargo chair and a Bandlands 2200 or 2800 pack. Both appear to be comparable but the price difference is ~$200 more for the Kifaru. They'll be used to pack for the up coming deer season. Any opinions would be apprecited. Thanx in advance. Ernest

Okay, I "pulled the pin" on the BL2200. Took it back, un-used, brand new and exchanged it for a Just One 104. Absolutely no buyers remorse on this bad boy. Stanley I agree... "Just One" from now on

Major kudos to the Adams family!!! This posting makes my heart glad to see such a blessing and how beautiful the memories will be for many years to come. Major congrats to you all. Cannot wait to get my boy(he's five) going on the hunt. Thanx for a wonderful post and for taking the time out of your busy schedule to enrich us all . Ernest

Sigh... so many opinions and all on the mark. Thanx all. Man it's hard to decide. I chose the BL2200 and I really like it but I sure wish I could have seen the Eberlestock Just One. The BL2200 is a super pack and all but I'm worried about the dust and space. May have to take it back( it's not used, still hanging on my chair) and buy the Eberlestock Just One Better yet maybe I can convince my wife I need two $$$ packs. Thanx again for all yer input. Ernest

I can't get enough of that pic! It's fricken hilarious! Got to love it. I even downloaded it to save when I need a good laugh. I recognized "Coosefan" but not the truck.

Sweet tort, Becker. BEWARE looks can be deceiving, they're actually quite stealthy . They are known to carry "numb-chucks" and assorted switchblades under the shell. Can attack unprovoked when cornered or handled. Known for going straight for the 'nads Should only be handled by trained mental health professionals.

Some really sweet pics posted by everyone! Some really great critters out there. "hunt4horns" I'd probably pray real hard that I could get help soon . But in all seriousness, one of the reasons no one should go out alone is because of such incidents as you describe. If you have to, just be careful of where you put yer hands and legs. No one should be "a-scared" of them rattlers cuz chances that you'll run into one is not great and chances that you'll be bite is even less. Think of how many times you've gone out and how many times you saw a snake and a poisonous one to boot. We all remember the scary incidents because they make us poop ourselves. If I were ever bit two miles from the truck I would get on the cell phone ASAP; if that is not possible remember that "time is tissue" when it comes to treating snakebites. One of the most important things to do if bitten is to remain calm (I know... ). What you want is not to move the venom by pumping it all over yer body. So the call is yers to make but I would never go out alone in an area known to be heavy in the rattler. By the time you reach a vehicle two miles away you will have probably been in shock and in to much pain to continue. So that is where yer buddy comes in handy. Get his/her scared butt running for help and wait. Better than pumping all that venom through yer body. Here are a few pics more for the collection : One really pissed off wbd still not happy Has anyone every seen one of these bad boys, they will put a hurt on you as well. Az Blister Beetle

Man oh man this is a cool thread. Coosefan, what a story! Glad you made it, the hay vs pellets question was a hilarious. Although probably not at the time. The fact you had to wait so long for antivenom means you proabably got bit about the time Wythe and CroFab stocks were way done, say about five or six years ago. I didn't assume you got bit in the hand, I knew . Around these parts of the world the demographics of a snake-bite "victim" is : under 30 yo, white and bit in the hand...sometimes drunk. Now the funny thing is south of the border almost all the bites are below the waist , I think it's because we Mexicans are too chicken to handle the snakes and are usually running away . Other than the obvious tissue damage have you noticed any long last effect? Like linkering pain, tingling, et. I couldn't agree with everyone else about snakes giving us the creeps but they truely are beneficial to the ecosystem. Unprovoked attacks are just as Coosefan describes them, I'm truely really sorry to hear when a person dies from a snake bite. Now about close calls, last year during the November hunt I ran up on a HUGE diamondback. Scared the heck out of me since it buzzed me and I could not find it. Finally noticed this snake right behind me to my left. I was on really rocky terrain so I carefully turned around to give it the once over. It was over four feet long and thick as a log...really impressive. Well as I leand toward to get a "better" view, I fell off some rocks and fell straight toward the snake. Fell two feet from its body , just about pooped myself, only thing between me and the snake was my Pole Cat. Man I moved ever so gently as to not get bite then proceeded to shake like a wet dog. Now Gila's are truely amazing! One warning is that they are faster than they look/act. Thanx for all the cool pics again and the stories. I have some I will post if the thread is still hot. Ernest

Just dropping a note to show there are still some top rate people left in this great state of ours. Yesterday, I had a maroon Dodge 4x4 truck drive up to my house and out comes a guy who proceeds to knock on my door. Wondering who it is, I answer and the gentlman says "Hi, are you Ernest?", yup I reply, "I've got something that belongs to you, thought you might want it." He pulls out my December WT tag that the USPS manages to deliver to the wrong address, they where only off by a couple of miles. Super guy, great ethic and he went over 5 miles to deliver my tag. Many, many kudos to him. First rate in my book! Not very many people left like him, present company excluded of course. Ernest

Holy smokes !!! Scottyboy that is some petroglyph collection. I recognized the last pic, but the round rocks I have no idea where that is. That is one nice looking Gila, was he aggressive? What time of the day was it? BTW, did ya know that in Az it is illegal to handle Gila monsters? Thanx fer sharing. Stay safe out there. Ernest

Great pics !!! As you can tell I love rattlesnakes (crotalus) and venomous critters in general. Aye Coosefan, how about a story to go with the rattlesnake bite? Any pictures of your hand? Snakes in general are harmless but will protect themselves. Ya know rattlesnakes are only dangerous if you happen to "mess" with them. As a general rule they will avoid us like the plague but will become very intimidating if you happen on one. NeoLaquchi, that is one nice snake. If it's an Az Black, it sure is out of its range. Thanx again for all the really cool pics. Ernest

I second the comment by, "azpackhourse". I went into the shop on a recommendation of a buddy. What an experience. I vowed never to go back to that place. Someone needs to give these guys a lesson in customer service... sorry to hear about your experience and that I didn't speak up . Ernest

Sweet replys.... . Negative on the beer, he moved to fast. I did think of it after he left... to late. Oh wait I don't drink beer maybe a cool glass of iced tea or water would of been in order. Now about the other lost tags, my Bull elk and antelope tags still have not shown up yet either. "outstanding" is absolutely correct !

Wow! there's easily over $300.00 worth of lures there! Super find!

Hummm... any other opinions? I was 'bout to purchase one but after I read the thread I think I will hold off until convinced otherwise. Thanx for the heads up, hope we can get some more HO's.

Cannot say enough good things about the "natural gear" camo. Comfortable, ideal for the SW and truely affordable. It blends well with anything in the desert. No high priced commissions on these bad boys.

There are no deer in 30B... . In fact every warning given in the regs are true! sent ya a PM azcamohead. Ernest

I'll be hunting December WT unit 30B.

Man, what a let down. Looks like next week fer sure. What did we do before the internet and phone system... I hate the wait but it will build character.

Doug, welcome aboard! Do you have this product available :Bower Digital Slide Duplicator. It would be for an HP945 digital cam. You can PM me with the info and pricing. Thanx. Ernest

WOW !!!! I was beginning to wonder about ya, glad to see you're back... especially when posting all those great muleys. Good to have ya rattling more than antlers in Az.... remember it's a "DRY HEAT". Ernest

WOW! Those are some sweet photos Dodger2. Glad you had an enjoyable trip, thanx for sharing. Ernest