curmudgen

I agree 100% with Larry on this one. We need all the access we can get. Access equals more opportunity and less pressure. The way the road was blocked it was almost the same as if there had been a locked gate on public lands, which we would all generally oppose. Opening the road is much better than another likely scenario, that is, that the Forest Service would use the roughness of the road as it existed as an excuse to close it at some future date, then to designate it a roadless area and, finally, to make the whole area a wilderness because it had become "roadless". Increased access to our public lands is one of those issues where we need to get together and not be so tied up in our self interest that we rail against actions that may provide a benefit to hunters as a whole. Jack.

We all need to try to stop this gutting of the Heritage Fund, which, incidentally is the creation of the voters and not the governor nor the legislature. Unfortunately, the same idiots who are have run the legislature for the last twenty some odd years are the ones who have the power to fix it. They are the ones who have cut taxes and increased spending and have brought us to the position we are seeing now. They now have us where they want us with no money to pay the bills. They now have what they consider to be good excuses to close our state parks, ruin our schools, make it impossible for any but the rich to attend state universities and, now, to try to eliminate the Heritage Fund, which they have always opposed because it was passed by the people and not by the legislature for the benefit of the lobbyists who buy them off. Of course they say it was the recession which created the problem, but the truth is that they created the scenario for this perfect storm by their taxing and spending policies during the previous years of plenty without any planning or preparation for this famine. I would like to kick them all out and start over, but the I expect the incumbents will have the money they need spread the lies they need to get reelected and continue to wreck our state. Jack

I have an old Redfield on one of my guns, but I don't see the point. Maybe it'll sell a few scopes because of the nostalgia factor, but they won't be the same and, even if they were, I'm sure Leupold and other manufacturers make better scopes now than they made way back when. It's like Winchester rifles. It's just a name someone bought, but the product is not the same. Jack

Maybe we need to develop a DNA database and add DNA testing to the requirements for big buck recognition. Jack

Governor Brewer has named John Harris to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to replace Bob Hernbrode whose term is expiring. John was the concensus favorite candidate at a public forum held by the Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife a couple of months ago. The board of the Sportsmen submitted his name ond one other to the Governor for consideration. All that remains is confirmation by the State Senate. I wholeheartedly support him and believe he will do a good job. You can view his resume at: arizonasportsmenforwildlife.org. Jack

I thought it was cool last year when I got a lion and a deer within 30 yards of each other and saw another lion in January when bowhunting with my son, but this year and last year I've seen fewer deer than ever where I hunt and don't think it's cool at all that lion numbers are so high in the area. The rancher and other hunters who hunt in there also report a large increase the last few years in the number of lions they've seen. I'm convinced that the crash in deer numbers is directly attributable to the increase in lions, although I give this drought some of the blame. I say we should always carry a lion tag and use it when the opportuity presents itself. Look at the article in this month's American Hunter for further reasons to control predators. Jack

I remember last year when Peterson's magazine or some other sponsor put on a show about whitetail hunting and all they were able to get for their effort was edited down to half an hour of a hunter in a blind watching mostly does come in to a water hole. What we do is unique in the hunting world and is not easy to do or to film. We should just be thankful that all those hunters back east sitting in their blinds haven't discovered the challenge and fun we have and moved out here to compete for the tags that are available. It's almost time. I am getting axious. Let the fun begin. Jack

What surprised me about this article is that it comes almost a year after the shortages became a hot topic among those of us who have been affected by them. Jack

June, I think The Thing is across I-10 from 32, unless the Dragoon Rd. is the boundary. To answer your question: I had the early hunt and one of my sons had the late Nov. hunt, but we were hunting pretty much alone and had no Ranger. Jack

Once I was sitting on a ridge near Safford glassing the opposite ridge for javelina when I noticed the tops of some electric poles that were visible above the ridge I was glassing. As I glassed the ridge I saw one of the poles slowly topple over. I thought that was strange but it became even stranger a while later when I saw another of the poles take a fall. My curiosity got the better of me so I went to where I could see into the canyon where the poles were located. What I saw was two guys with a chainsaw cutting down the poles so they could steal the copper wire to sell it for scrap. Town was only 10 miles away and I had no cell phone so I drove in to the nearest business with a phone and called the sheriff. A deputy came out, picked me up and had me guide him to the scene of the crime. Unusual, but as I was the county prosecutor he knew me and was ok with me going along with him. The thieves were caught and prosecuted. Jack

Jimmer, I had a .243 cal. Model 600 Mohawk for years. It shot tight groups and had a decent trigger. I cut the stock length down to fit the kids and they all got their first few deer with it. My recollection is that, although it was short, it was not light as the stubby barrel was quite heavy. Probably about 7 1/2 to 8 lbs without sights. Jack

Catclaw is right. You must have notice before you can be charged with trespass, but the notice may be verbal, so if you are asked to leave you must do so. Jack

Y'all might as well quit now. There ain't no Coues deer in 32. Only mountain lions and hills too rough to climb. Better luck in another unit next year. Jack

I have a Lansky sharpener, but with the normal stones not the diamond stones. Do you feel the diamond stones do a better job of sharpening and retouching your knives over the deluxe stones? I find the diamond stone faster for the first 15 degree cut. Jack

For what it's worth, I've been using the Lansky system, upgraded with a couple of diamond stones, for many years with great success. For my shop and hunting knives I use the 15 degree angle for the initial cut and finish with 20 degrees. I do my kithen knives similarly about once a year with touchups as needed. The Gatco setup is similar, but with larger stones, which is probably better for most knives. The even, consistent edge is great and holds up to a lot of use. I read the article referred to in a previous posting and learned a few new things. Based on my limited experience, the basic ideas expressed are right on. Maintaining a consistent angle is the key and the Lansky and Gatco systems, and others mentioned, assure that result. Jack