Sam

I bought a 1987 Coleman tent trailer from a friend of mine today. My daughter has a deer hunt next weekend and my younger daughter has been complaining about tent camping again. Even though I have hunted out of a wall tent for 25 plus years, I figured my wife and daughters may stay with me if I made it more comfortable for them. Anyway, I paid $500 for it and the canvas is perfect. It has hardly been used at all. Actually, the original tags are still on the zippers. He just put new tires, regulator, water pump and propane line. Here's the problem.......he had a blow out last time he used it and damaged the fiberglass in the front of the trailer. There is a hole roughly 9 inches at it's widest spot by about 7 inches. It is a jagged hole that is right on the outer edge of the front panel. I thought of placing a piece of aluminum or sheet metal across the entire front and rivet it to the sides. Any ideas how to repair it? Is their a fiberglass repair kit for a hole this big? Where would I buy it? Thanks for your advice........I would hate to use duct tape, but may have to, we leave Thursday for her hunt.........

I agree, I think they were 2 separate offenses. I had no idea that there were that many people living in the woods. We always talk about how we have to worry about our camps and safety down south, does this mean we now have to start worrying about our camp and safety up north too? Breaking the law is breaking the law. If they poach, what will prevent them from stealing my cooler or lantern or sleeping bag while I am out hunting. And you are so right, if these guys are truly getting food for their family, then shame on them for not taking the whole animal. But, why not shoot a smaller animal. I'm sure they have no way to preserve the meat. Anyway, I play by the rules. I went to college, took out loans and finished a master's degree. I have a job I love - don't get paid much, education is not a wealthy profession. If I can't afford something, I do without.

I just read about two bull elk that were illegally killed in Unit 5A in September. The poachings occurred outside of Clints Wells. I have hunted this area for over 25 years and have spent countless hours in the woods. Like many of you, I sometimes see the same bulls and bucks year after year. When these things happen it is such a tragic event. This always upsets me, this time more than ever - I have a bull tag up there in November. I wish I was up there scouting when this happened and had a chance to get a plate number on one of these scumbags. Anyway, take a look at the article link below and if you saw something suspicious - report it. http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/NewsMedia/...n-Arizona.shtml

What a great family outing. Congratulations on a successful hunt.

116 7/8

Nice story - hoping my 12 year old daughter can harvest her first deer this year. And you are so right, they grow up very fast!

Agreed - get the meat off the bone, keep it clean and out of water (melted ice) use frozen milk jugs, and keep the flies off. Shade and creek beds make a big difference. After a deer or elk has been cooled through, it can be wrapped with a blanket during the day to keep it insulated and keep the cold from escaping the meat. Then unwrap it at night so it can cool even more. In October down south, this will not work. But up north in late October and November, I have done this a number of times. This seems to always age the meat just right, so after 2 or 3 days it is ready to start butchering. Three hours in a pack in 80 or 90 degree weather will spoil the meat. Most packs don't breathe much. Use pillow cases strapped to the outside of the pack or use just a framed pack. Let the meat breathe......

I've seen a decline of deer in unit 27 since the wolves were released up there. They also seem more skittish - if that is possible for a whitetail????

Where is the pic????? I must really be missing something. I can't find the pic and I would love to see it - i need some excitement before my bull hunt! Thanks if someone can point me in the right direction.

I'd saw you have been lucky - congrats!! BTW, I think I have 17 points now for antelope if you want to increase your chances of getting drawn .

The first buck looks every bit of 16" - I think a few more. I'd say it may be close to 90. It really stands out in the herd.......I would not pass it up. Even though I have not had a tag in 20 plus years, this one would do very nicely.

Well, I finally broke down and got another dog. I had German Shorthairs growing up. And more recently, the family had an American Eskimo, which had cancer and we had to put down a few years ago. So, my daughters wanted a lab and we got the one you see below. The first two pics, she is about 9 weeks old. The third pic, was yesterday by the pool, she's now 3 months old. She already loves the water and does well on a leash. She sits and stays pretty well. She has alot of energy, of course, but loves to sleep too. Stays in her crate from 10pm to 5 am. Pretty good. Of course, she is right by bed, so I hear her move around, but doesn't cry until 5am. She is very different from the Shorthairs and Eskimo I have had, so I have a few questions. When do labs stop biting stop? My daughters are going crazy. She often has a very "soft" bit, but that can turn hard very quickly. Any tips to get her to stop? Not much is working. Do we just live with it for a while? Hasn't chewed up anything in the house yet. We distract her with ice, carrots and toys. Will pool water hurt her? She likes to bite at it and drink some when she's on the steps or swimming. What age can I get her used to a cap gun and .22 blanks? She is mellow in the sense that noises do not bother her. Can .22 blanks be used in a 22 LR H and R pistol (break action)?? Thanks for any input you dog owners have. Sam

Glad it wasn't CWD. From the video, it looked bad. Thanks go out to Nitro and Amanda for contacting AZGFD. But, many thanks go to AZGFD for following up so quickly!

I would set my scope to 400 yards. Aim dead on and about 2 to 3 inches behind the shoulder (that is if I wasn't so excited that I forgot to check the wind). 30-06, 180 grain bullet.

Absolutely try to get closer. After all, is that what hunting is all about. Making a connection with your quarry, trying to outsmart it, and then make a clean ethical kill. If the stalk is blown, so be it. We need to think back to the days when all we had were 9 power scopes and no range finders. We relied on our hunting skills, not our high tech equipment. Glad to see most people said no shot.

How about PONDEROSA'S ........ after all we have the largest continuous stand of them - at least, I think we still do as long as that fire north of Flagstaff gets put out soon......

In recent years, most school districts in the valley have adopted an "open enrollment" policy. The district gets more funding for kids who don't live in the boundaries than those that do. So, if the school has room, they'll accept a kid. We accept kids everyday who don't live in our area. I do not agree with this policy because it only increases class size and counselor work load. Not to mention, the majority of these kids are not on track to graduate or have discipline issues. As far as illegals in our schools. I just did a random look at a handful of incoming 9th graders from one of our feeder schools - almost 20 percent of them were born in Mexico. To use a teenager's expression .....WTF. And I work in the Paradise Valley school district. I can't imagine what a Phoenix Union or Glendale Union school looks like.......

I agree - it is a double standard and school administrators never want to rock the boat. These kids have every right to wear a shirt with the US flag on it. I know the principals don't want violence on their campus, but who would cause the violence? I guarantee, it would not be one of the flag wearing kids. I get so tired of having to publish all of our school materials in Spanish. My grandparents didn't have an Italian interpreter every time they visited my parents' school. Everyone needs to get a clue - respect the US or go back to Mexico!

Funny comments, but some are very true. This is my 11th year as a high school counselor, taught 5 years before, and I have seen our education system greatly affected by students that are here illegally. It's amazing how many of these parents and students think we owe them something. If they are getting bad grades, it's because of the teacher. If they can't get into a certain class or into college, it's because of their counselor. If they get in trouble, it's because the AP is prejudice. Parents get mad when I can't drop everything and see them when they walk into my office. But, most of the time I can't find someone to interpret for me. Not to mention the gang violence and larger classes. But, some of these kids from Mexico are awesome individuals who are in the top of their class and are involved in some very worthwhile activities. They are educated and will contribute to society in a positive way. They want to become citizens. So, we can't generalize or stereotype Hispanics or Democrats. I agree that if immigrants are here illegally, they should be sent back to Mexico. And I think it is a joke that CA is boycotting AZ and that the Suns wore Los SUNS jerseys. I've lived in AZ all my life and remember going to games at the Madhouse on McDowell to watch Paul Westfall play in the late 70's. Ten dollar lower level tickets! Now, I'm not so sure. I'm for this bill and I bet you would find alot of Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and Green Party members for this bill also. It has everything to do with one's alliance to the U.S.A. not your political party.

Congratulations to your dad! The write up was exciting to read, wish I could have called one in for my daughter.......

My daughter and I were up in 3C also. We only saw 2 hens and a tom. She didn't have a clear shot at the tom, so did not shoot. It was still exciting for her. One morning we had three different toms respond to my calling, but they never came in. Overall, we saw very little sign. No track around any of the tanks either. This was unusual because in other years, we saw tons of track and big flocks - only three in the flock we saw. We were very surprised. I agree, I think that the winter may have had an impact on the population. We will be hunting another unit next weekend.

Way to go! Thanks for sharing - I can tell you are thankful. My daughter had a chance Sunday morning to get her first turkey, but did not have a clear shot at his head. I am proud of her for not taking a wild shot....there is always next weekend.

Good luck. I'm hoping for clear roads and weather south of Heber. I heard roads are open south of 260, but there is still alot of mud, but not too much snow. Hope the toms are active and active. Any reports from you guys in Heber/Overgaard?

Has anyone used Turkey Decoys during the Spring hunt? If so, what are they made out of? I have seen plastic ones and rubber ones that fold up to make them easier to carry. Toms or hens? I have never used them and was thinking of trying it this Spring. Thanks for your thoughts, Sam

Prayers sent.