Heat

You poor thing!

Ya there was some great deals on there but man they went fast! I had my eye on one of them but the CEO (me) didn't get the OK from the CFO (Mrs.) until it was too late. Of course when I got the OK the one I was after was sold. Story of my life. I'm hoping something similar might pop up later in the month but I doubt it. I'm keeping my eyes open anyways.

Sorry! Words can't describe the kind of bond between a man and his dog.

Way to go!

Curious what kind of deals you get? I work for DOI which is on the list.

The quote "the devil is in the details" really comes to mind here!

I agree wholeheartedly about bad dogs having bad owners! Here's a good example for you. I was walking my Labrador retriever around the block the other day and one of the people on the next street over went inside and brought his pit bull outside as I was coming down the street with my dog. The only reason he would do this is to try and instigate a dogfight. Luckily I saw the dog before mine did and we did a quick U turn. Some people are complete idiots, that's for sure!

OK kinda like the one about hunting/glassing/hiking too close but here goes... If you choose to camp within 50 yards of my camp out of the 100's maybe 1000's of available campsites in the Forest, you might be a d-bag!

OK Folks, I have 4 points going into the deer draw in 2014. I am an archery hunter first and foremost. Would you go for an Archery Only Unit 12 tag, Archery Only Unit 3A/3C tag, or keep building points for the Strip? I have some experience hunting the Kaibab, but don't make it up there enough to really have it wired yet. I have never hunted 3A/3C but know for a fact that it is home to many good mule deer bucks. Which unit would you choose and why? I have property in 3C and it is half the driving distance from where I live in Yuma making that unit much more likely to scout before season. That is a huge advantage to 3C for sure! Hard to beat the shear numbers of the Kaibab though. Tough decision. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you would like to share them. Thanks, Nick

Unless I hit the lotto so i can hire a guide or someone who has a lot of experience in the unit who wants to give me all their hot spots, I doubt I will put in for the Strip 13A or 13B. It takes me 11 hours to drive there, depending where I go on the Strip. I probably would rather hunt a unit with more numbers of deer rather than top trophy quality. With a brand new baby coming in May, I know I won't be able to get up there much if at all to scout. I wouldn't feel like I would be able to do one of those hunts justice in the situation I'm in. That's why I didn't put a lot of emphasis on those units in my question above. I also have no desire to hunt with a rifle and banking more points will do me no good from here out to draw 3C or the Kaibab. So I guess most people have little desire to hunt 3C or it is a secret knowbody wants let out so they aren't talking here. Chances are this is where I will apply. If anybody has anything to share regarding 3C I'm all ears. Nick

Wife and I went to San Diego last week also! Be prepared for some great music. I'll just come right out and say, don't hold your breath waiting for "I Cross My Heart". Not going to happen. Played pretty much everything else I know though, and then some! Nick

You're on a roll! That is one gnarly looking pig! Congrats again!

Most broadheads today are manufactured to tolerances that should allow for good flight from a well tuned bow. One thing that is rarely mentioned is arrow build in relationship to broadhead flight. The biggest part of having an arrow tuned correctly is making sure the insert is mounted square to the end of the arrow. Sometimes the insert is not seated flush and the point will not spin true. An arrow squaring device used after cutting will correct any problems. Another good practice is to cut from both ends of the arrow since any bend is usually located near the ends of the shafts. Correct head weight in relationship to Front of Center will also help with good broadhead flight. Finally, big 5" vanes or high profile 2" vanes fletched helical usually get best performance with broadheads. Tuning your bow to shoot with broadheads is a whole 'nother ballgame. I recommend the Easton Tuning Guide as a reference. All that being said, I highly recommend Magnus Broadheads with their lifetime replacement guarantee! They'll fly right with your field tips if you've done your part tuning and shooting. I have had good success with the 3 blade Snuffer SS.

A Federal duck stamp is still required to hunt ducks regardless of when you bought your 2014 license.

What an adventure! Nice trophies also. Thanks for sharing!

Great start! Hopefully you can follow up this excellent first post with many more!

Cool pics! Congrats on your javelina!

Besides their return policy, re-sale value is excellent just in case you feel the need to part with it (see Kifaru Trading Post). Forgot to mention that. You really can't go wrong with whatever you choose; all their stuff is excellent!

I understand the sticker shock of the packs. I bought an Express for my first Kifaru. Decided to upgrade when the second generation packs came out. I currently have a Late Season and a Duplex Frame and Cargo Panel. I use a small pod and a Longhunter Lid with the Duplex for day hikes and either a Grab It (light) or the Cargo Panel (heavy duty) to strap stuff to the frame. My Late Season if more of a do all pack but the Duplex Frame is as comfortable or possibly more comfortable than the Late Season. Kifaru builds packs with lots of options. Some of their packs are more of the save weight, use one big bag arrangement. Other packs like the Timberline you mentioned have more pockets to arrange your items. The large bags are good for stuffing meat and capes inside. The Duplex frame is great if you carry odd shaped loads and need extra support of the framesheet. Bikini can do the same with lighter frame materials and higher cost. External frame is also good if you want a big bag for longer overnight trips and a smaller bag for shorter day trips or a Cargo Panel arrangement for more awkward items like treestands. The nice thing about a panel loader is you can also use stuff sacks or dry bags to substitute for a backpack on the frame for cost and weight savings. Again, tons of options. Timberline 2 is a great do it all sized pack. I would go for the Duplex Timberline if I was only buying one pack, so that I could remove it and use the lid only for weight savings on day hikes or to easily strap stuff to the back of the frame. Aron Snyder from Kifaru is a great product rep and could answer just about any question you have about all the options. I live in Yuma but would be happy to let you try either pack if you are interested. PM me if you might be interested in some sort of shipping arrangement or you happen to be in the area sometime. Maybe someone in Tucson could let you try theirs?

Wayne Carlton's Cat Paws or Sneaky Feet. Not sure where to buy them anymore but they work pretty well when the leaves are like rice crispies, you know...snap, crackle, pop!

Sea Nymph makes a stout little boat guys! I've got a 16 also. Someone needs this!

If there is one thing I hate more than a liar, it's a thief! I wish you the best recovering your belongings. I hope they are caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!

I had that tag a few years ago and considered it for this year. I chose to hunt in Unit 16A and had very little luck finding the pigs that year. We happened to see 3 right off the side of the road we turned off near Wikieup, but couldn't get a shot. There are herds of Javelina in these units but the western part of the state does not have as high of a concentration of pigs per square mile on average like you might see in the SE and Central parts of the state. You will probably have your best shot in Unit 16A or 42. Maybe 39 if you have a honey hole. They seem to be either more spread out in the deserts or concentrated in small areas along the Gila River bottom. Tough hunt, good luck! As a side note, I will probably be trying my luck on the Mohawk Valley hunt area in 41 with a non-permit tag. These pigs are quite nocturnal and a real challenge to hunt living in that thick, nasty salt cedar, but with a pregnant wife and an expired kitchen pass it's about the best I can do living in Yuma. PM me if you might be interested in giving that part of the unit a shot. Good Luck, Nick

It's the rut, get after it!

Here's a boot I would highly recommend: http://www.chippewaboots.com/footwear/field/classic/20076/ I have a pair of the 6" Classic Apache Lacers and they may be the best boots I've ever worn. Tough, comfortable, light, great traction, long wearing. Full grain leather, Made with Pride in the USA! I wear them everywhere, from mowing the lawn, to the office, hunting, to Church, whatever! I killed my elk this year wearing these. Other boots I wear on a regular basis are a pair of Justin wide toe, roper heel cowboy boots and I also wear some Redwing Chukka "shoe" boots. If you've ever met a guy from Yuma, he probably has a pair of these Redwings I'm talking about. I've never seen anyone else but guys from Yuma, Imperial County CA, and maybe Salinas wearing these boots. They are awesome for guys that get sticky stuff on their soles: http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-shoe/595-red-wing-shoes/595-red-wing-mens-chukka-brown My go to hunting boots are Zamberlans but that is a whole 'nother thread! I highly recommend buying leather boots Made in USA. Boots are one of the few products that you can still buy at a reasonable price that is still made here. Please help keep it that way by spending the few extra bucks on a quality American boot!