Coach

I'm planning to do the same thing. The Vortex looks to be a good upgrade just based on the clarity and ergonomics. My Nikon 800 is pretty big compared to the newer style, and I've been using it for years so the clarity is only OK. Haven't looked through the Vortex, but so far the reviews have been very good for its price point ($379 MSPR).

We finally got a decent soaking in Lakeside today. The Indians used to say that if it rains when the sun is out, you'll get more tomorrow. I hope they're right.

Late to the party as always. I say July 24th at 2PM. G&F has a thing for Tuesdays, and always after lunch break. LOL.

I'm jealous. Up here in the White Mountains it's been a pretty lack-luster monsoon so far.

BMB = Buy More Bullets. Smart people are canning, jarring, hording. If you don't have an "exit-strategy" you're behind the times. If your existing "exit strategy" involves any bridges between Phx and Payson, or Globe and Show Low, or even Winslow to Show Low...you might want to rethink. We're loaded to our gills up here with EOTW types that don't want or need the hordes from the valley to compete agaist. Don't think for a mintute that they haven't contemplated how to circumvent an unwanted influx of potential competitors for the resources they'd lay down their life to protect.

I have other pictures with flathead dead on the bank months ago with heads as wide as a long-neck beer bottle. I know the dam is need of repair, and I know the tribe has been conflicted over the years about how to treat the lake. Now there's a Casino, golf course, I fear that letting the lake die this time might have been driven by politics more than science. I'm a huge believer in the fact that out of every tragedy, there is opportunity. And I hope and pray that out of this tragedy, a stronger, better managed San Carlos Lake will emerge. But it is going to take some foreward thinkers, a little strategy, and most of all, the recognition that this lake isn't just a pool of water to be used by the farms downstream. If properly managed, with a minimum pool standard in place, San Carlos Lake will continue to serve the water needs downstream, but can also rebound to be the amazing fishery and outdoor destination it has been for so long.

Seems almost everyone I know drew a 3A/3C bull archery tag this year. Those woods are gonna be full of locals.

Dan, I feel your pain. San Carlos Lake has been my favorite lake since I was a teenager. My buddy and I would head up there every spring and catch bass, catfish, crappie - but aside from the fishing, it's just a beautiful lake. When you're out there on the water, looking at all the amazing country on every side, you just know it's a special place. Over the years, guess it's now decades, we've seen the lake drop to levels we wondered if it would survive. Somehow, it always did going on 20+ years, but this time, it just got too low. I have a hard time looking at your pictures. I guess a part of me thought that once again, some miracle would save the lake. This time, it didn't happen. From what I've seen and read, San Carlos Lake has rebounded from events like these in the past, but it takes years, even decades. I hope one day my sons will get to experience that lake the way I did. I pray that the elders have a plan that will bring this lake back to where it once was.

Gonna have to try these out. Enough CWT'ers say they rock, it's worth buying a pack or two.

I don't even remember when they are typically up - seems like I'm usually trying to get some August salt out "just in case" before we know for sure. I only put myself in for 13B and 12AW Late, and don't have many points, so I'm not counting on anything. Put my boys in for 27 youth, but even if they draw I have no idea where to look. Just something close to home.

Nice truck. Would love to have it for one of my boys (or myself) but I've got enough toyota projects hanging around until they are legal to drive. I agree, it won't take more than a day to sell on Craig's List. Bump for a nice truck I'd rather see go to a CWT family than a mall-rat.

Not trying to hi-jack the thread, but since we're talking about getting the iPads into the field, has anyone tried this topo-map app? http://topomapsapp.com/ipad.html I'm definately going to get one of those card readers that goes right into the iPad - what a great idea. Also, what are you guys using to protect your iPad when hiking? I'm afraid of cracking the screen. Is there a hard case for them that doesn't cost too much?

Yep, I'm busted - I figured we were looking for the deer in the middle of the pic - or what sure looks like a deer bedded in the fall-down. Looks like an ear and eye are plainly visible. Never saw the coyote until I knew it was there.

Dang - what a waste...that is just terrible.

IMO, the Knight Long Range Hunter is at the top of its class. I've seen this gun shoot groups at 350-450 yards that would compare with a lot of center-fire rifles. Good to see that they are still being made. I've got the Knight Long Rang Hunter with the Luepold Ultimate Slam scope. With practice, that combination is very effective.

IMO, Knight built some of the best inline muzzle-loaders ever. Unfortunately, they are out of business now so you can only buy them used. They used a good trigger and Green Mountain barrells. If you can pick one up used, I highly recommend them. Shot a coues last year at around 250 yards with a Knight and it was like shooting a center fire.

Dang, hoghntr, sorry to hear about the medical issues. This is a solid product and I'll be watching it closely. I hope you get the chance to hunt more despite the hip problems.

Dang Chef, I was trying to get several pairs of sore feet back to camp, but I saw that big sticker and wanted to come say hello - sure wish I would have. That's a nice Taco, BTW, and a really nice looking family. Glad you were up there. We camped out neer Sheep Corral off the 117, fished Big Lake, did the Baldy hike, checked some salt licks, played a lot of "corn-hole" and whiffle ball when it wasn't raining. I'm kicking myself for not just stopping and introducing myself. Glad you had a nice time up there, we did too. Vowell, that hike is always so much fun. We saw lots of trees that hat recently been scraped down by a bear up on top - maybe the same bear??? We'll be doing it again in a couple weeks but this time going up 94 and down 95, or vice-versa. Got some ashes to spread and good-byes to be said.

Saw you yesterday after we hiked the Baldy trail. Liked the sticker and a nice taco with matching camper shell. You were going in as we were leaving - blue Ford Expedition. Gave you a wave.

Nice blind. My boys and I have shot lots of critters out of one just like it including several turkeys and a nice velvet coues. One of the best investments I ever made. If the price gets rediculously low, I'd love to a have second. I think I paid around $400 new for mine. I wish they had never put that zipper there in the first place...nobody uses it. IMO, that's the only design flaw with that generation of blind, but if you do what most of us do, just keep it zipped up and do the lift/crawl method, it's one of the best ways to hunt. I watched 12 legal bucks walk inside 16 yards from one of these blinds a couple years ago. Shot number 13. IMO, no better blind on the market.

LOL

Thanks for the replies. I've been in contact with Christian and think he's got a super solid product (range snap) - and priced right. Now, I'm kicking myself for not buying the badlands pack last year when it was resonable. $60-$70 bucks seemed a little high for just a binocular holder. Now $130??? Sorry, not THAT good. Maybe it's time they have them made in Korea - or here's an idea, the US? One pouch, some straps, a couple magnets, we could make those, sorry didn't want to get political on this one. My buddy is a badlands distributor. Maybe he has one of the "pre-$70 magnet" models I can pick up.

Wow, Jed. Nice bulls. Bill flashed me that silhouette shot at the end of our all-stars game today in Eager on his phone. Looks like they're growing really nicely considering the lack of rain so far.

I think I see it, but maybe I'm wrong.

Wow - just wow...