muskrat

Marshall, better bring your popcorn. John Koleszar is the speaker. I know. I booked him lol

I understand (and appreciate) what the auction-tag bidders can and do contribute to wildlife, in the current way of doing things - through the AZBGSR and the Critter Group Auctions. That being said, I'm a little tired of AZSFW crying about all of the serious issues ahead of us, and spreading the fear. In their potential pool of bidders that would benefit from HB2072, there is nothing stopping those folks from simply donating to one of the various organizations. If they are serious about their passion and commitment to wildlife, just donate. They don't need a scheme. I'm not one of these guys who is against wealth. Someday, I hope to be wealthier than I am now. Part of my plan is to give to charity as much as I possibly can, because it is the right thing to do. Currently, I give to my Church what I can with no expectation to get something out of it. I do it because I want to. I give to other charities also, whenever I can, and as much as I can.Whether or not there is a benefit from all of this auction-tag money to AZGF and the wildlife they look after - this is about tags for the elitists. Nothing more. If it was about saving the elk and deer, the people who could do so would already be pouring the money in to help.

Ding Ding Ding We have a winner. Anti-hunters want all hunting, trapping and fishing abolished. Period. Hunters are consumed by compund vs traditional, modern blackpowder versus cap and ball, baiting versus not, hounds versus not; you name it, we can fight about it. We are all fiddling while Rome is burning.

I wondered if a larger lump sum contribution was divided up equally amongst several people... it is odd

I received a newsletter from (AZSFWC) Ms Gilstrap stating this: I guess I get confused becasue there are statements from AZSFW and AZSFWC and they aren't always the same. I understand they are different organizations with different goals, but aren't many of the players the same?

Wow - we had nearly 200 people show up at our family fishing day! We're riding that momentum and looking forward to another awesome year of speakers. We're having or February meeting this Thursday night, the 16th of February at 7:00PM. Gateway Church at 60 N Recker Rd in Gilbert. Thursday night is more Fishing - Fishing - Fishing! Don McDowell from Shake, Rattle and Troll is going to teach you all you want to know about spring bass fishing - pre spawn, spawn and late spring tactics. Don is a great speaker and will be sure to entertain! We'll also have Mike Day (www.huitesbassclub.com) from the Huites Bass Club, La Estancia, Mexico will talk about fishing opportunities in Mexico. We're a family group so bring your wife and kids too. Free child care available and we have light snacks and a short meet n greet after the meeting. Feel free to bring goodies for the snack table! We're working on a new website too www.gatewayoutdoorsaz.com

Sorry for the late posting! Family Fishing Day FEBRUARY 4, 2012 8am-1pm Gilbert Riparian Preserve - Greenfield and Guadalupe Rd No license needed (AZ Game & Fish sanctioned) No experience required (experienced anglers will assist) Poles & Bait provided (or bring your own) Free hot dogs, chips, cookies, and drinks All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. This event is for everyone! Bring yourself, your family, your neighbors!

Dear friends, members and supporters of Gateway Outdoors, Well, we have nearly a year behind us, and a pretty successful one at that! We’re now ready to get started for a great 2012. Our speaker for January will be YOU! We’d like to know what you, the members want for Guest Speakers and Events in the coming year. Tell us what worked, and what didn't. Let us know how this group can be better for you and your family. We’re going to have an enhanced Meet N Greet (bring your favorite finger foods to share!) and also discuss our needs and aspirations for 2012. We want to reach more people. We need committees and committee chairs to help organize events, fundraising, communications and more. All in all we had a great first year, and now we’re ready to move to the next level and we need your help! So bring a friend, bring a neighbor, bring a family member! We’ll see you at the meeting! January 19th at 7:00PM – Gateway Fellowship Church – 60 N Recker Rd in Gilbert. Feb 4th, Gateway outdoors is hosting a Family Fishing Day @ Gilbert Riparian Preserve. This will be a free day of fishing, and hot dogs for anyone and everyone. More details at this meeting and emails coming soon...

Exactly. Regarding the lack of informed opinions, why is that? It's hard to be informed when your input is not solicited, the legislation is drafted without information being passed to all of the conservation groups, and it is popped up on the Commission. If we're uninformed and rumors are running rampant, that is totally on the shoulders of the people who piloted this project. If it's really good for the wildlife and the majority of the hunting public - then allow us time to read it over, ask questions and provide feedback. Sirs – I am an Arizona Sportsman and a freelance outdoor writer. I have supported many conservation groups in Arizona since I moved here 15 years ago. I do not support this bill. I do not want the efforts of various conservation groups further diluted by the interests of a single entity. Further, I am suspicious of the “emergency” nature of this bill as reflected in the verbiage – the fight against hunters’ interests has been present for decades and the call to action certain may warrant “urgent” action, but certainly not at the expense of sneaking legislation through without full scrutiny and thoughtfulness to ensure the good work of all Arizona conservation groups can continue their course empowered, not relegated to cheerleaders for their varied focuses. I will be contacting my legislators and members of the commission as well. Marshall MacFarlane Queen Creek, AZ

DeWane Tabbot from AZ Game & Fish Dept will be at our monthly meeting to talk about Arizona's Big Game Draw. How do I apply for a big game permit? What does “hunt unit” mean? How can I enhance my draw chances? Why does Arizona do it this way? If you are new to Arizona, don’t understand the draw, or just want more clarity in the big game draw procedure- MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON’T MISS THIS MEETING!!! Dec 15th, 7pm Gateway Community Church in Gilbert - 60 N Recker Rd Bonus - Hoping to have folks from Quail Unlimited at the Meeting. They are in the process of building momentum and nterest in order to create an Arizona Chapter.

For our November meeting, we are super-excited to have Karen Parsley come and talk to our group about BOW – Becoming an Outdoors Woman! Please – if you have a lady in your life that has any interest at all in outdoor pastimes, bring her to the November meeting! Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) introduces women to outdoors skills in an enjoyable, non-threatening environment. Expert instructors teach women skills such as canoeing, camping, using a compass, fly fishing, Dutch oven cooking, archery, and many more. Classes are held during the day, and evenings are filled with fun and entertainment like night hikes, music, and storytellers. There are typically 2-3 sessions per year, usually held in the cool pines. Meals are provided, and participants sleep in cabins. The event starts at noon on Friday and ends at noon on Sunday. We are also excited to have Camo Collections joining us! Camouflage backpacks, duffle bags, luggage, and coolers. Camouflage specialty bags, purses and totes… Camo Collections carries a great line of camo products for men and women (plenty of pink)! They also carry a line of blingin' purses! You will be able to purchase these products at our meeting. http://www.camocollections.com/ Our meeting will be held on November 17th at 7:00PM, Gateway Church in Gilbert – 60 N Recker Rd.

Join us at Gateway Outdoors on October 20th to learn everything you wanted to know about predator hunting fundamentals. Glen Stilson will talk about the Why’s, the How’s and the When’s at our regular meeting held at Gateway Fellowship Church, 60 N Recker Rd in Gilbert at 7:00PM. There is a ton of predator hunting to be had in our great state and hunting predators helps the other critters out as well. Whether you are still waiting for your first predator hunt, or an experienced veteran, we’re confident you’ll take something away from this informative evening. Learn about stand selection, the best weapons and ammunition to take on your hunt and of course a primer on hand and electronic callers. Light refreshments will be served after the meeting, child care provided.

Another great line-up for our September 15th meeting! Mike Miller from Miller’s Southwest Meat Processing will be our featured guest speaker. Mike will be teaching us about the field care of big game. After the shot, the real work begins and how you take care of your game animal is crucial. If you’ve had wild meat that was “gamey”, chances are it wasn’t properly cared for, in the field. Mike will also have advice for dressing your game if you plan to have a taxidermist use the cape for a mount. Gary Drake from the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society will be on hand to talk about this great animal and the important work being done by the ADBSS. This will be another very interesting look at a great Arizona conservation group, of interest for hunters and non-hunters alike. Finally, you’ll get to meet Lance Anthony from Anthony’s Spices out of Chandler. Lance makes world-class BBQ rubs, spices and sauces. Anyone who has a smoker, grill or BBQ pit will want to meet Lance and see his line of high-quality products. Gateway Outdoors is already building a reputation for having quality speakers at every single meeting! These speakers are always informative and everyone comes away having learned something regardless of hunter or non-hunter, or level of proficiency. We have another full agenda so the meeting will start promptly at 7:00PM. Light refreshments served after the meeting. Please help spread the word! Meetings held 3rd Thursday of every month at Gateway Fellowship Church. 60 N Recker Rd in Gilbert.

You won’t want to miss this one! Craig McMullen from Arizona Game & Fish will be on hand to talk about the North American Conservation Model – the fundamental method used to manage wildlife in Arizona. The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation is the world’s most successful. No other continent retains as close to a complete compliment of native wildlife species. While other countries struggle to conserve the little they have left, we enjoy great abundance and diversity of native wildlife. This would be a great topic for non-hunters to listen to as well as it explains the importance of hunting, trapping and fishing in managing wildlife. Dave Kelner from the National Wild Turkey Federation will be on hand as well, to talk about the great work being done by the NWTF. You will be astounded at all they have going on. Turkeys are a great species to hunt for beginners and veterans too and we have more than one species here in Arizona. Finally, you’ll get to meet Cade Smith from The Gun Claw. This great device mounts on your tripod to hold your rifle steady – great for youngsters and those long shots. We have another full agenda so the meeting will start promptly at 7:00 Gateway Fellowship Church 60 N Recker Rd Gilbert, AZ Gateway is a Christian-based but not Christian-exclusive organization for individuals, kids and families interested in hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. Light refreshments and child care are available. Short Meet N Greet after the meeting.

Gateway Outdoors is a family-based, Christian-oriented (but not Christian exclusive!) outdoors group in the east valley. We meet the 3rd Thursday of every month in Gilbert. Wow - we had 45 or so at our June meeting, and hope to do even better this month! We have a busy agenda this month! Terry Herndon from Arizona Outfitter and Guide Service will be talking about antelope hunting - habitat, field judging, and more! Steve Clark from the Arizona Elk Society will be set up to tell us all about the good work done by the AES and the benefits of membership. Finally, our Guest Vendor this month will be Lance Anthony from Anthony's Spices in Chandler. Mmmm. Whether you like to grill, or cook it low n slow, he'll have something for you. We try to start promptly at 7. We are committed to providing a place for folks in the east valley to meet and mingle, network and learn. If you're a Chuch goer, we'll have a five-minute Sportsman's Devotional each meeting; if you're ot a Church-goer, that's why its only 5 minutes! We have a short Meet N Greet with light refreshments at the end of the meeting. Mark your calendars - Third Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM. Gateway Fellowship Church in Gilbert - 60 N Recker Rd, northwest corner of Gilbert and Recker.

Hi all. Gateway Outdoors is a family-based, Christian-oriented (but not Christian exclusive!) outdoors group in the east valley. We meet the 3rd Thursday of every month in Gilbert. We were pleasantly surprised to have 45 people at our first meeting and based on feedback, only expect that number to grow. We have gals and guys, experts to novices in the crowd. Hunters, fishers, outdoor cooks - you name it. If you have little kids - no excuse, we have a couple of teenagers prviding childcare in the back of the hall, keeping the wee ones occupied. Every month we will have a featured Guest Speaker. We will also have a representative from an Arizona Conservation Group attend, as well as a small local vendor (outdoors related) each month. If you represent a Conservation Group and would like to send a representative, please contact me. We have the AES attending July's meeting, and the NWTF attending in August. As an example for vendors, we had Camo Collections from Coolidge there last month, and Anthony's Spices there this month. We are committed to providing a place for folks in the east valley to meet and mingle, network and learn. If you're a Chuch goer, we'll have a five-minute Sportsman's Devotional each meeting; if you're ot a Church-goer, that's why its only 5 minutes! We have a short Meet N Greet with light refreshments at the end of the meeting. We've entered into preliminary discussions with AZGFD about partnering on a major annual event in the east valley. We plan to support groups like HOAL and Outdoor Experiences4All, as well as local community outreach - giving kids and families a chance to experience the outdoors, who may not otherwise have that opportunity. So there you have it. Third Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM. Gateway Fellowship Church in Gilbert - 60 N Recker Rd, northwest corner of Gilbert and Recker. I sincerely hope to see some of you there!

Wasn't sure where to stick this - hope this spot is OK. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have toyed for years with the idea of starting an outdoorsmen's group in the east valley. Coincidentally, the Church I attend has been beating the bushes for men willing to start different types of activity groups. Nothing set in stone yet except an enthusiastic green light from the Church and an offer to support my endeavors. If you live in the east valley and you are interested, shoot me a PM or e-mail. This is a Church-supported group so if you're looking for a group to hang out, smoke cigars, play poker and drink to excess, this probably isn't the outfit for you Not that I am an angel by any means but will adjust my behavior depending on the crowd I am with, out of respect for the other group members

Wow - first meeting had 45 people! Looking forward to July's meeting. Great to see desertbull and some other old friends there as well.

Wow! Gateway Outdoors is excited to have Don McDowell of Shake, Rattle and Troll as our Guest Speaker this Thursday night at 7:00 PM - Gateway Fellowship Church. Everyone welcome! C'mon guys n gals - this is your chance to take part in a great outdoors group unique to the East Valley! http://shakerattleandtroll.com/

Another Reminder - Hoping to see some east valley folks! You don't need to go to Gateway or any Church, for that matter Gateway Outdoors - Meeting Thursday June 16th at 7:00PM Gateway Fellowship Church, Elliot and Recker Goals •To share the joy and experience of shooting, hunting, fishing and other outdoors sports with other Christian Sportsmen •To encourage Christian fellowship opportunities for people who like to hunt and fish •To educate the general public regarding the recreational, economic and population management values of hunting and fishing activities •To provide an opportunity for outdoor experiences to people who might not otherwise have those opportunities

Woo - hooo we finally have a permanent place to meet and are back on track. First meeting will be June 16th at the Gateway Fellowship Church in Gilbert, from 7:00PM - 8:30PM. People from any Church (or no Church!) are welcome to attend! Let me know! Thanks Marshall

For a variety of reasons, the co-organizer and I have put this on hold. We may take another run at it this summer or fall. Thanks everyone for your interest and support.

Praying that Mike's family finds peace in the weeks and months ahead.

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OK, potential big snag. Not enough facility availability at Mission. Looking for a place to hold 30-40 people, 2 nights per month, east valley. This was never planned to be a Mission-only group, if another Church is willing to host us, that's fine. We're also looking at schools and other facilities, but everything incurs costs. Suggestions welcome!