Sam

If any of you are Dbacks fans, you probably know that tickets went on sale today for the Yankees series in June. In order to eligible to by tickets today, you had to be chosen in a lottery. Well, lucky me I was chosen. I wanted to get tickets for the June 22 game for my daughter's birthday. I logged on at 9:00am and was hoping to spend $45 per ticket - no chance to get 4 at this price. So, I went to best available - $65 per ticket came up. More than I wanted to spend, but all you Dad's know that when it comes to your little girl you do things. So, I put in all the required information and hit purchase - and Bamm - I get kicked out because the time expired. I had 2 minutes to do the transaction. I log back in and the next tickets that show up are in the 300s, upper deck. I didn't buy them. I tried for a half hour, no decent tickets came up again. Anyone out there have 3 or 4 extra tickets to the June 22 game? If I can only get 3, my wife will stay home. But, this is a big game to my family - many of my cousins back East have season tickets to the Yankees and my daughters know the rivalry I have with them. Thanks and I'm hoping for a miracle...... Sam

PM Sent

The same thing happened to me on a spring turkey hunt years ago by White Horse lake. The road we were on was a little muddy, but it was easy driving until we hit this one spot. It was a low spot in the road and my Blazer just sunk. We spent hours trying to dig out. Putting branches under the tires, everything we could think of. My buddy hiked out to his truck and got his comealong and hiked back. He wasn't going to take a chance and drive down the road. At that point it was all soup. I always keep a comealong in my truck now. Needless to say, we finally made it back to solid ground just as it was getting dark. This little event took a whole day. So, I can see how the road may have thawed out by time you turned around to come out.

Prayers sent. A few of my friends are on the force......it is always a hard time for them.

I might be worried that they didn't receive your applications. But, I think we are all too anxious about getting drawn (me included) and I really wouldn't worry about it. And I agree about no more negative comments about the GFD. One of the ladies from the draw department called me two years ago about my daughter's application - we fixed it over the phone. Who remembers the days of no computers, no looking at checks on the computer and waiting for pink post cards in the mail?

Can't be true - my checks were cashed before the "mistake notification" deadline. I would have heard about a mistake.

Hope your surgery went well. I'm sure this is a very scary situation to be in. I agree with some of the earlier posts - find some new hunting buddies. There are only a few people who I will hunt with - for both safety reasons and ethical reasons. I'm thankful that I learned at an early age that it is always best to pass up an unsafe or unethical shot......

I didn't notice hunt numbers on mine.

Good to know. Thanks for the reassurance......

The glaciers have been shrinking since the last ice age this land we live in is the product of melted glaciers and there is just as much scientific data showing that world wide we are on a cooling trend .... the science can be manipulated to try to support ones opinion and MAN is just VAIN enough to think that He can have control over the natural processes that have been going since the beginning of time ..... It does not matter what we do... things in mother nature are going to happen and this planet will far outlive our Human race .... We should take care of this planet in the way we would our own homes so we do not live in a wasteland that litters the natural beauty all around us ... but the propaganda of the Green Movement is about $$$$$$$$$ not Saving this earth ..... I am not against doing the right things for the right reasons but until we stop importing 70 percent of consumer goods from other countries such as China or outlawing plastic man made containers I will not buy into this joke of a movement ..... Like I say ADAPT OR DIE !!!!!! I hope it something comes and thins our masses and the strongest that know how to use the land and take care of what mother nature has to offer are here to survive.... You are correct - things in mother nature will happen without man's influence. But, there is no way anyone can deny the negative affect man has had on nature. The Green Movement was started over 40 years ago to shed some light on these issues - not raise money for their own agenda. I admit that some organizations have gotten out of control - but, neither you nor I have to support them. The bottom line is - awareness had to be raised. There are so many Americans who don't give a crap about nature and this was the reason for the Green Movement. BTW, lowering our use of plastic is one way to lower our reliance on other countries - less plastic means we need less oil to make the plastic........and yes, glaciers have been melting for years, but like I respoded to AC Guy, things are a little different now then they were 200 years ago.

There is no doubt that the sun has everything to do with glaciers melting. Why is it suddenly an issue? Because more of the sun's heat is has been trapped closer to the earth's surface because of the burning of fossil fuels. Yes, this is a fact!!! There is no manipulation of data on this one. Believe it or not - this has had an impact. In addition, the snow melt has not been replaced by new snow fall - that is why we are in a drought all over the world. Our water and snow is used up quicker than it is being replaced. And yes the glaciers have been melting without our SUV's. However, if there is a way to lesson the amount of pollution that we are dumping into our atmosphere, ground and water ways, then why not try to improve???? Mother nature is tough - but, how much can she take. I sure the heck would not sit in my garage with my truck running......so, why not try to reduce the number of pollutants going into the environment. One final thought on this subject, then I'm done (I learned long ago, it is very hard to come to common ground when talking about politics or the environment and this could go on for a very long time)........ Maybe Global Warming has been blown out of proportion on purpose, to wake up all these people who thought that the Earth was a dumping ground for all of their waste. Anyway you look at it, there have been stricter environemntal regulations enacted, which have improved our environment.

Science vs Opinion. Within the topic of Global Warming/Climate Change, both are prevalent. Scientists study changes in the environment. Many environmental changes are affected by humans. I think man's presence on Earth has greatly affected many of the changes we see going on in the world. One's opinion on whether these changes are good, bad, or indifferent are just that - -one's opinions. However, it is hard to argue scientific research. Glaciers have gotten smaller, the amount of ice in the Arctic Circle is shrinking, ground water and rivers have diminished drastically, and temperatures have risen. All of this has happened since the industrial revolution. Let's not even talk about how much desert/forest has been destroyed for development. Yes this could be a cycle, but why continue doing things that have proven to damage the environment - which includes you, me and the land we love to hunt on and explore. Science is based on observations, data collection and conclusions. Opinions are based on ?????????

Thanks for the input everyone - I may get a few decoys and try to increase my daughter's chance at a Tom this Spring.

Ok - So, I was very curious about this and asked my wife to log onto our account ( I have no idea how to do that). And, all of our checks had numbers on them, my daughter's even had her name written on top with the number. I can't imagine that they have the draw and the refunds already figured out, so I am hoping the numbers are only used to match up the check with the application and to determine if appropriate funds are available, not to determine who gets a refund......if, the later is true, that means we got shut out on 3 elk draws and 3 antelope draws. Just what I need, one more thing to keep me awake at night.

I agree. The game and fish has a hard enough job as it is. If the time stamp is incorrect check it out...I would have no problem with them at my door. How many times have there been pics on this site when the date was wrong on the pic and someone asked... What about those 3 that killed 2 bighorn ewes and took pic posing with them. They took photo evidence of their crime to show off, and it sealed their fate. I question some of the photos on the G&F site. why shouldnt they. Its like cops. RSEPECT them. They chose a job where nobody likes them... If they show up at my door, they need to have a search warrant or else I'm shutting the door. DB... ...You crack me up!!! I guess the difference with me is I know the WM's ... I'd invite them in and offer "soda or coffee".... they are just doing the job. I'd hope that someone would not slam their door in my face if I drop by to inform them about driveway or home maintenance options.... just trying to do my job ya know. Just cuz they get their paycheck from the State of AZ instead of from a consumer (like I do) does not make them bad guys.... .. I've had the "Knock on the Door" or the "Phone Call"... it does not mean I am guilty of anything.... I have never gotten a citation or anything as result of those "Knocks" or "Calls"...When it happend to me, I was butt hurt about it, then I got to thinkin' about how I was glad they followed up on it cuz they proved that I had not done anything wrong, and the last thing I want is someone being able to point a finger a me... so no harm no foul... Just cuz they chat with you does not mean anything was wrong or anyone is guilty.... just means they are doing their job.... and for most of them it is just a job. I think most of the WMs take their job seriously - just like cops and fireman. The WMs are not only protecting the wildlife, but they are also protecting law abiding outdoorsmen from others who do not repect the laws. In my 30 years of hunting and fishing in AZ, I have never had a negative experience with a WM. I'm glad to see the follow-up.......there is no reason for a guy to get defensive if he hasn't done anything wrong.

Great trip and story!!

Agreed - there are way better things for the governement to spend money on. Should we make a list......Education, teacher salaries, classroom spending, drug war, health care, law enforcement, border battle.....oh did I say education..........

Is it 55 grand per year now to keep someone in jail? Last I heard it was $40,000. Either way it is way too much tax payer money to keep scum alive.

That is great! - Very funny. I should have done something like that when I taught Biology.

Great job - 3 for 3! It is such a good feeling to go home with meat in the cooler.

Alaska for about a month. Moose, Caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly, and black bear - maybe even get over to the Aleutian Islands and find a reindeer. Of course, I would have to catch some salmon and go after a few ptarmigan. And of course, I would have to take my family........it's nice to dream. But, to hunt elk during the rut every couple of years will keep me happy.

15 points for me! My first antelope application was in 1984 or so. I missed a few years in college - which I now regret, so I have less than the max. I hate to tell you this, but my buddy got a unit 9 tag this year - after 31 years of applying!

Very nice bull on a tough hunt. I know a few hunters that went home empty handed. You are lucky to have elk meat in the freezer........

125 and 3/8

With two daughters in the house, I hear Miley Cyrus all the time - not by choice! The last thing playing on a hunting trip would be Miley - actually, I love music - old rock, new rock, reggae, - but it seems like when I hit a dirt road, I always turn the radio off. Some places just aren't meant for music.........