stanley

Great summary Doug! At the ADA meeting the other night, your exact point of waiting until the joint study is completed to make any change was brought-up. Leonard basically explained that based on the current variables (fawn recruitment, buck/doe ratio, average hunter success, etc.) that the Kiabab herd is increasing fairly quickly. He said that the department's position is that based on the above mentioned variables, that even with the increase in doe tags, the herd would continue to grow. He said that the department wants to try to ensure the herd grows slowly/methodically so they can monitor the impact on the winter range as opposed to letting the herd get too big to quick (in their opinion....) before taking any action. Regarding the specific point of waiting until the study is complete, their position is that as long as you can control the variables that the study will not be compromised (which from a logical perspective, I agree....). This is going to be a tough one everybody! My peers at the ADA did a great job of lobbying last year for the reduction, and hopefully we can make an impact this time as well. My gut tells me that at best, we'll end-up somewhere in the middle of the 800-100 tags. S.

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing! My son & I are headed-up to the Kiabab for the late hunt in two weeks. Can't wait!!! S.

Anyone heading-out after turkeys this weekend? We have the late Kiabab hunt, and I can't wait!!! Good luck to all of the juniors going-out this weekend!!! S.

Great topic Jim! My boys and I have been out a few times over the past couple of months. They're using the same single shot .22 that I used 30 years ago (YIKES! ). Always a good time! S.

Great write-up Doug! Should help some of the folks who are trying to decide whether to make the purchase or not. Thanks!! S.

Spectacular story! Thanks for sharing!!! S.

This is an interesting topic. Maybe Jim H. will jump-in here when he sees it.... When I was hunting last November, I camped-out with the WM for the unit we were hunting in. One evening we were talking a bit about buck to doe ratios. I don't remember what his specific targets were for his unit, but one thing that interested me was that he said he manages the coues different than the muleys from a buck to doe perspective. He said that this is primarily because they rut & breed differently. Something like the muleys were more 'harrem' driven, trying to round-up does and then keep other bucks away, where the coues tended to be a bit more nomatic in their approach to breeding. Reminds me of some guys I know..... Like I said, interesting topic... S.

I picked-up a gently used Ruger M77 .243 a year or so ago. It's not really considered a 'youth model', but is compact enough for my 9 year old to shoot it with a rest, and my 12 year old handles it fine. Might check-out the Rugers... Good luck! S.

Good Lord! It's posts like that which make me truly sorry that I'm going to be out of town during this year's banquet! Sounds like it's going to be a fun crowd, and I'm always up for some fun! Best regards on your bidding folks! Remember, bid early & often!!! It's for a good cause.... S. PS: I'm with you Christian!

Not hunting, but still lots of fun! Utah camping last summer - 2006

All of these pictures are VERY cool!!! Thanks for sharing everyone! S.

I agree Amanda, that pic definitely has a 'remember the simple days' type of a feel to it. Great pic for sure Keith! Jeff, I figured you would have Riley's pics posted here. Two great bucks & a lifetime of memories! S.

I put my son in for one of the junior elk hunts and it came back with sabra primp. Funny stuff....

And finally this year's javelina. 2007 Got skunked on the elk draws this year, but hopefully we'll be hunting some deer or maybe elk in a neighboring state. Good luck to all your kids all! S.

Then came last year's javelina. His first pig. We're expecting it back from the taxidermist in the next month or so! Erik's first javelina - 2006

Oh man..... anyone who knows me knows that I'd respond here. Outstanding pictures all. Those are memories for a lifetime for sure!!!!!!! Many have already seen these pics as well, but what the heck... 2005 Junior Deer (doe hunt on the Kiabab) Erik's first deer. Seven tags & six deer killed. Lots of happy kids that weekend! (Of course the real Kiabab fans, me included, are glad that they cut the number of doe tags after that year....)

So when leaving my house this morning I looked up at the sky and became VERY concerned! Instead of bright blue sky, I see these strange gray things floating all about. There was actually some water falling out of some of them. Does anyone know what is happening? I'm not sure, but I think I kind of like it. Do you think the coues & quail will be able to stand this H2o coming from above??? S. PS: Good luck on your credit card hits everyone!!!!!!!

Well it's official, no elk tags for myself of my boys this year. Don't really care much for myself, but I'm pretty dissapointed that my boys won't get to hunt junior cows. Anyone know of any decent junior cow elk (or bulls.....) hunting opportunities in the neighboring states? Thanks, S.

Oh yea, now I remember..... CLOUDS!!! I almost forgot what those things were! Getting pounded here in North Central Phx this evening. Hopefully this rain will wash away some of that 'brown cloud' for a bit! Enjoy the weather folks! S.

Are you crazy or Krazy??? (Sorry, I couldn't resist....) Conspiracy theories may abound, but I have it from a pretty good source that there was definitely NOT 40% fewer apps this year. Seriously, do you really think that 40% of the elk krazy folks out there would let a few $$ get in their way of a potential elk tag? Try it this way; Anyone who DIDN'T put in for elk due to the increase, please stand-up and make yourself known! I'll bet I get quite a lot of silence in response to that statement. No.... there were just as many applicants as in previous years. Good luck all! S.

Well, you're all bumming me out a little. Thanks alot!!!! Don't care much about myself, but I would sure like to see my two boys get Junior elk tags. No credit card action yet though, so the elk hunting outlook may be bleak in the Johnsen house again this year. Sincere congrats to all of you that seem to have drawn tags though! S.

Very cool Christian! Keep em' coming.... S.

Outstanding! Congrats on the hunts success. Nothing like being out there with the family.... S. PS: Good pics. Helpful hint in the future is to use your flash for the pics if possible, even in the day-light. Really helps to brighten things-up and get rid of the 'ball cap shadows' on the faces. Thanks for sharing!!

I'll be there with my kids as usual; flipping burgers & dogs on the grill! Hope to see a couple of familiar faces, and maybe meet some new folks. S.

Cool pics! Congrats to everyone this season! BIG THANKS to Doug for running this thing & to those who dontated!!! S.