Coach

It's still like 2.65 or so up here on the mountain.

Wow, that is terrible news. TJ & Peg will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sorry I don't have any pictures. While doing some canyoneering around Moab last year, a guide pointed out an interesting plant species. I don't recall what it was but it basically looks like dirt that has been frozen giving it an upward/downward structure. Apparently, these plants can be thousands of years old are a key component of cycling oxygen into the soil, making other plant life possible. I thought he referred to it as diatomaceous earth, but that is apparently the remains of hard-shelled algae. Anybody know what this is? edited, I found a picture.

We hit it a long time ago. But there are still plenty of elk, coues, muleys, goulds, merriams, javis, 'yotes, lions, bears, bobcats, foxes, coatis, p-dogs, ducks, geese and quail to keep us busy if we hunt hard and know the seasons and laws. Say what you want about AZ, but with almost the entire state designated public land, and with hunting seasons that literally span the whole year, there really isn't an argument that outdoorsmen and women don't have ample opportunity to get out and enjoy the state. That's not even scratching the surface of prospecting, 4-wheeling, canyoneering and other things you can do 365 days a year on millions of square acres of public land.

9 out of 10 times I stay out of these threads. The minute someone says merry X-mas I get defensive. Taking Christ out of Christmas is to me, like spitting on the grave of soldiers.

Great deadhead, Clay.

I'm a little particular when it comes to boots. Being well equipped from optics to packs, to the right gun/load - it seems never ending. But boots, that's literally where the rubber hits the dirt and you can't do much without taking care of your feet and ankles. I usually wear Cabela's boots because they have always been great for me. My current boots are the Meindl Perfekt Hunter. Great boots, but they are wearing faster than my old Mountain Hunters, also from Cabelas. So, I'm looking for my next pair of boots and trying to look for the very best ones. I'm looking at Asolo, Kenetrek and now Scarpa. For the record, I bought a pair of scarpa Mojito "approach" shoes, and these are definitely some of the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. The other thing Scarpa offers that Kenetrek and all the rest don't is they are in European sizes. For me that's a big deal because I'm actually a 12 1/2. 12s are usually too short, 13's a little loose. And nobody in America seems to think that 1/2 sizes should go beyond 11. So I'm looking at these: http://www.amazon.com/Scarpa-Mens-Kinesis-Hiking-Ebony/dp/B005LCOZDK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417741267&sr=8-2&keywords=scarpa+boots And they've got great reviews. Anyone out there tried them yet?

I'm sure the devils enjoyed the game on TV. After getting spanked at home with no bowl chances, that is.

Nice job. What a great looking buck and being out there huntin' with Dad has to be icing on the cake. Thanks for sharing.

Prayers sent. Best wishes, Ernesto!

Can't believe I missed this. Bummer.

My perfekt hunters are on about their 5th year, and probably will last another 5+ years. And while I'm a little hard on boots, I use Obenauf's to keep them in good shape. The majority of wear is along the bottom third of the boot. The reinforced rubber/kevlar along the bottom has been beaten through by miles of hard hiking and now the leather is exposed and stretching out a bit.

I think we can all imagine the meeting where graphs showed that adding more tags during non-rut hunts meant more proceeds for the state and more opportunity for sportsmen. It was an easy sale - "Everybody wins". Problem is, like so many things that look alluring, the bad, ugly side doesn't show up until later. At which time "I told you so" doesn't mean squat.

Only in California. They'll have special protection laws for cockroaches before they fix their gang problems. Been there, gotten my truck stolen from the Sea World parking lot, only to turn up in Tijuana when they ran out of diesel. Interesting thing about CA, they've got a huge conservative population - the ones who built businesses and prospered in the real-estate boom. Then the Berkley and SF nuts took over their politics.

Not sure how I missed this thread. Wow, Creed. That is a BEAUTIFUL buck right there. Huge congrats!

Hunts - Mexico deer hunts, TX hog hunts (can probably get those donated). That kind of thing. Gear is great, but winning the chance to go on a really cool hunt is pretty universal, IMO.

That's friggin awesome. You guys just gave this man an amazing gift. My hat's off to you!

Thanks 4Falls. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me. I was able to take a huge bodied, small racked old 6x6. They did just what I expected they would and I was presented a good shot, but he decided to die in the bottom of the deepest, most nasty canyon I could dream up. It took my oldest son and I about 6 hours to quarter, bone and pack out. It was straight up in every direction with rolling rocks and dead blow downs from the fire. Hardest pack out of my life, and I've had a couple tough ones. But we got it done, so now I can say I've taken bulls with rifle, bow and muzzle loader. Ironically, the bow and muzzy were easy compared to this. In the spirit of this thread, my 165 Accubonds did NOT perform well at all. This elk should have been dead 200 yards from the road. If I ever shoot a bull elk with a rifle again I'll be shooting something heavier.

I have a Cabela's Hawken .50 cal flint lock with a stripped-out vent/touch hole that I would like to have repaired. Anyone know of gunsmiths who work on these?

Thanks guys. I just ordered a 1/4 28 touch hole liner, but I might move up to 5/32.

And there is this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMQCFqgAGyM

Here's to those who give thanks on this day to a higher power. To being grateful for what we have, hoping to improve conditions for those who have less, and using what we have to make the world better for others. I am truly thankful for road and destiny placed before me. For my failings, if they are a lesson to be taught -- or my blessings if they are a lesson in humility.

Never hunted bull elk with a gun but in a few hours I'll be trying because I screwed up my app and got my second choice - late rifle 3A/3C. Was supposed to be archery 3A/3C. I've got a plan, but it has to pay out in the first 45 minutes of light, or I'll be quail hunting near Roosevelt by the afternoon.

Very awesome! But I'm still rooting for the cats. Gotta support my alma mater.

I use technology in all my hunts - from google earth and GPS to high end optics. I've learned more from getting out and hiking, studying game trails, watching clouds for weather patterns and how animals respond to dropping or rising atmospheric pressure than I have from tech tools. The problem is, when technology replaces woodsmanship. I find my most rewarding hunts are those when I get to a place I don't know, have a look around and start trying to think like the animal I'm hunting. Where does it sleep, where does it eat, where does it find water and where does it go when pressure increases? If I could pay to have all those questions answered without learning the answers on my own, I'd question why I was there in the first place.