stanley

+1 on Stihl. I bought one new at Arizona Lawn King in Phx last fall when I got a wood stove for my tent. Told them I just wanted one to a few times per year when hunting/camping. Picked-up a nice 16" model that is PLENTY for my needs for under $150. S.

Umm..... I'm confused? You CAN get arrested for entering the contry illegally. What am I missing? S.

Free and open market. Supply and demand at play, and keep in mind that it is entertainment. Makes no sense to compare their salaries to soldiers or other heros, IMO. My answer to your question is that just like anyone in any field, they are worth the salary that people (team owners in this case) are willing to pay. It is up to the ones who pay their salaries to determine if they are worth it or not. Public opinion does not matter when it comes to assigning worth. If the free market will bear the salaries, then yes they are worth it (from a simple business / supply-demand) perspective. S.

I'm definitely no expert, but a few things I would watch-out for are eye relief on the scope set-up for the rifle he is shooting (how close does he place his eye to the scope). Maybe sure he tells you that he is seeing the entire pictures, and not just partial view through the scope. Next, I would have him be sure he is aware and keeps a snug hold on the rifle. Finally, plenty of time at the range to practice! Have fun and good luck!! S. PS: I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've been around LOTS of kids shooting over the years and have only seen ONE get 'scoped'. He had not received good instruction ahead of time.

Interesting...... Did they give you the tags after they were done? If so, some kind of acknowledgment of that may help the value. Also a trophy pic of the bear(s) would be cool to go along with it. Are you looking to sell it, or just get a feel for potential value? I would do a Google search on appraisers. Maybe try to find one that specializes in Racing or NASCAR type of memoriabilia? S.

Awesome! Used to spend lots of days and nights on the upper Salt as a teenager! Love catfishing! S.

Grew-up there..... That river bottom gets choked with mesquite and other stuff. Hopefully they get a handle on it..... S.

Wow! Looks like a great time, and those are VERY awesome pics (great memories....)! Thanks for sharing with the site! S.

I did some work in Manila a few years ago. Traveled there a few times in the space of a year or two. My driver's car broke down one afternoon and I decided to take the Jeepney back to Makati. What an idiot!!! It was my first time and I just figured I would get on one that was going in the right direction. Next thing I knew I was WAY off course and no where near the hotel! CRAZY traffic in that town!! S.

I'm not sure. My volunteering was limited to being 'gopher', cook, organizing, and general helper type of duties.... Was never a certified instructor. My guess is that there is quite a regimental program, likely including shadowing current instructors and becoming an expert (come to think of it, if someone is having a hard time even finding time to get to a single class, they likely would not find the time to go through the whole certification thing.... JMO....). AZslim should be able to answer, if he sees this. S.

Times have changed, I suppose..... I grew-up in Kearny before there was an on-line option (or even the internet to get information from). Not sure how my dad managed it because it was a long time ago and I don't remember it that well. I do remember though, driving one evening per week for a number of weeks all the way to Phoenix to go to the classes (that was before the 60 freeway too so it was NOT a quick trip.... lol) I'm sure it wasn't easy on my dad, but we managed.... I've volunteered with the G&F on several things, and have helped-out with some of the weekend classes. There are never too many volunteers, so I definitely think it would be a great thing for you to look into maybe getting some kind of a grass-roots volunteer effort going in your local area to help out. Sincere good luck to all folks (and especially kids) in finding a training class! S. PS: Do you really have to go all the way to Thatcher? With a little planning, surely there is a class in Tucson, which is nowhere near 2 1/2 hours away???

I figured out a trick a while back that works on tailgaters! When someone is riding my bumper, I pull over and let them go by! No more tailgater! Arizona, California, Utah, where ever.... It works every single time! S.

Maybe it's just a choice of words thing, but for me the answer to your question is not necessarily. 'Should' they make it as convenient as possible for as many people as possible? Sure/yes(That's of course, one of the reasons they rolled-out the on-line option....). Should they make it easy and convenient for every single person in the state? Obviously the answer to that is that it is not possible. They will of course to the best they can to satisfy as many folks as they can, but you can't make it 'easy' for everyone. +1 to what azslim said too. S.

All outstanding shots, Doug!!! Really like that first one, in particular! Thanks a bunch for sharing! S.

I would say a definite YES to the first three suggestions. Never done the fourth idea, so cannot offer an opinion on that. I think you're on the right track. Get the meat skinned and away from the guts ASAP. Hang what you can't pack with you in some shady trees, covered with good game bags or pillow cases. Make sure it stays DRY! If there is threat of thunderstorm while it will be hanging, I recommend you tent it with a small tarp or keep it dry anyway you can while it is hanging awaiting retrieval! If it gets wet and the weather conditions are right, it would be VERY easy to have flies lay eggs and you won't see the damage until it is too late (and gross ). Not too tough to keep the meat in good conditions if you follow the basics (which you seem to already understand....). Good luck! S.

So you've been there too?? I have been traveling and working in India for years, and everytime I go back I am reminded of the madness on the roads. Simply can't explain it to someone who hasn't experienced it. The interesting part though, is that think Indian drivers are quite good. It's the traffic laws and 'norms' of the road there that are CRAZY!! I've often told my friends over there that if you took a bunch of American drivers and put them on the roads of Mumbai (or any other city in India) that there would be total and complete gridlock! As crazy as it is, somehow the drivers there keep things moving. S.

Here's a link to a short discussion on this topic..... Doesn't really give much more info regarding what it really means though. http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/58165-a-threat-to-gun-blogs-websites/ IMO, it will absolutely never happen (making 'gun talk' illegal...). There is really just no way it would happen, for many reasons..... S.

Yep, I had seen that episode originally about a year ago (I think I posted it here....). I posted a message to Pulse Factor's Facebook page at the time, warning & scolding them..... Apparently they really don't care. S.

Yes! Been through it four times (myself in 79', then three kids in the last 10 years). I learned a little more each time. Always time well spent, and good bonding with each of my kids. Small opportunities..... S. PS: Youth Outdoors Unlimited do an GREAT job with their classes!!! I recommend you look them up!

Will never happen. Absolutely NO practical way it could be enforced. S.

You might want to check it out (now that you're finished with your degree.... Congrats on that, BTW!!!!! ). At the risk of getting skewered here, I will say that I have scoured their misson statement and the programs of Sandy Hook Project and I can't find anything that screams or hints at anything to do with 2nd Ammendment rights at all. Seems like their programs are focused on mental health and safety. I'm not saying that I'm going to run right out and donate to their cause (I have other places I choose to put my charity/donation money.....), but I will say that I don't think it's a bad idea to support the things that they specifically spell out in their programs. S.

This topic was posted before....... Do a quick search on "McGraw" here in the forums. All kinds of comments to browse through in the original thread. Like many threads, the comments eventually got way off track of the original intent. BTW, have you researched anything about Sandy Hook Promise? S.

Outstanding, Nick! Glad you had a great time! S.

Ummm..... OK. It will be crowded up there, no doubt, Nick. Keep a patient & positive attitude, and HAVE FUN! Nothing like getting the family out for a little camping to kick the summer off, IMO. Explore a little and you can find great places to camp with solitude away from the lakes for peace and quiet, then go to the water for a little fishing and kid's crawdad time here and there. Good times can be had! S.

I agree that these days, moderation is in short supply when it comes to buying .22LR rounds (no pun intended.....). When folks find them, they tend to buy all they can. Some retailers have been limiting the numbers folks can purchase. I think the the retailer wants to do that, it is their prerogrative. Their business is their business to run. NO moderation/limits by the government should be done though, IMO. BTW, the Sandy Hook tragedy had nothing to do with this at all. Demand and prices started to rise way before that. S.