IA Born

We have an in-person class scheduled in Flagstaff May 12-15 and registration is open now on the AGFD website. We'll also be offering some field days as well up here.

I got back a little after midnight Sunday morning from Texas chasing turkeys. Last week’s journey started a little over a year ago. I was chatting with a guy that served with dad in Vietnam about his Texas ranch and I asked about Rio Grande turkeys. He has plenty of them and invited me over to hunt. He barely knew dad in Vietnam, but that was because of the circumstances of combat and being in different platoons in a company of 150ish men. I honestly don’t recall dad ever talking about Chuck, but that doesn’t mean anything. I was Opie’s son, and I was family. This is exactly why I love my Charlie Company (C/1/503/173d ABN SEP) family. The drive there took us through Ft. Sumner, NM, so of course we took the side trip to see Billy the Kid's grave. My lovely wife let me start making plans for turkey hunting in Texas this spring and a friend went with me. This trip was even more special because I planned it to be down turkey hunting during the anniversaries that haunt me the most. I’d be turkey hunting on the anniversary of the day that I last spoke to my dad and it was a conversation that didn’t end well. I’d be driving home on the 18th anniversary of the day dad died. Turkey hunting was one of the two things that always brought me and dad together during our frequent rough patches growing up. It’s a big part of why I love turkey hunting so much. I also found out that another one of dad’s Charlie Company buddies and his wife were driving up to see us Friday since they were only two hours away. I’ve been close to John and Evelyn since I first met them in 1995 and I’d be lost without them in my life. Chuck told me stories I’d never heard, and I got to sit and listen to John and Chuck talk about my dad in a way I don’t think I’d ever heard anyone talk before. John kept me close and reminded me who I am and where I came from. My family grew bigger, and I knew dad was smiling down, as was my mom. She’d have loved Chuck and Cheryl and I know she loved John and Evelyn. My buddy and I covered ground and talked turkey all day Thursday, but we came up empty. We did see three live armadillos, though. That was a first for me. Friday morning was different. We finally got into gobblers and worked them for over an hour before finally getting them to commit. At 1045, I finally connected with my first Texas Rio Grande gobbler (after 3 trips to TX) and my first turkey in way too long! It was a surreal feeling and I’m not sure how I held in the tears. I absolutely felt my dad’s presence. I felt completely surrounded by family in that moment. I loved walking back heavy. I loved calling to that other bird for my buddy on the walk back. I wish it would have worked out, but we had to hustle back to meet everyone for lunch. My tom weighed 17 lbs, had 1-inch spurs, and had a 10.5-inch beard. He was a perfect, mature boss tom. One of my favorite parts was that I primarily used a bocote wood pot call that my son, Jacob, made for me, too! My buddy got his tom Friday afternoon, as I was hanging out with my family. Getting my Rio Grande gobbler was having my cake and getting to eat it, too. Being with Chuck, Cheryl, John, and Evelyn was getting to have ice cream with my cake. I found a long-missing piece of my heart and I was able to heal a broken piece of my heart for the first time in 18 years. This journey started as a turkey hunt in Texas, but it ended being so much more than a turkey hunt. It also started what is going to be an epic April turkey season for me this year. I wish I knew why these pics came in sideways. Uggh.

We went in the Ft Sumner "museum" near the grave yard to use the restroom and take a quick look around. There's not much there. We were also only a few hours into a 13.5-hour drive, so we wanted to get on the road.

Another vote for 7mm-08. I love that cartridge for youth, especially when you put a brake on it. I got my daughter an Axis when she was 9. I had a brake put on it to help her skinny frame. I didn't want to drop a ton of money in case she didn't like it, but she's stuck with it. Rather than upgrade to a new rifle, I upgraded the parts along the way. That Axis is before the accutrigger, so I ended up putting a Timney in it, then put a Boyd's thumbhole stock on it for her to shore it up more. I learned from that and bought my son a Savage 11 Trophy Hunter in 7mm-08. It came with the accutrigger and I put a brake on it. Definitely better out of the box than my daughter's Axis. In its defense, though, her Axis has 5 different loads that all shoot sub-moa. That's hard to complain about. My son's does, too. In the end, I agree with PRDATR. As much as I love my daughter's Axis, I think there are better rifles out there for the money.

I need to get my fly rod out to ULM for some pike action!

Scope sold.

Scope is sold!

I've seen them open as early as Good Friday, when Easter was earlier, but they should be mostly open by the youth turkey hunt. A couple of years ago, maybe even last year, too, the CNF roads in 5A were still closed during the youth turkey hunt because of the moisture and road conditions. We're expecting more rain/snow this week, so who knows what that will do to the roads and their opening.

I know. I wanted to ask anyway. BAHAHAHA

Bump.

Still have the cape?

That actually doesn't surprise me. Barrels were swapped on those 1903s all the time. I'd bet money with the cleaning you mention and the right loads, it will be a shooter. I can pretty much guarantee what will happen if my son wins!

Exactly. To speed up the process and cut costs, Remington switched from the previously standard 4-groove barrel to the 2-groove barrel. Those were the Springfield 1903 A-4s that Remington made and were designated as sniper rifles in WWII. Those Remington 2-groove barrels didn't lose anything in accuracy.

Figure I'd bump this back up since the elk draw happened this morning and turkey season is around the corner.

Its time to shift things around in the safe. I have a Simmons AETEC 2.8-10x44 with V-Plex reticle that's been sitting on a rifle and not getting used. I think its been in the field all of five times since I bought it several years ago. It hasn't been in the field since 2007, that's for sure. This is a good scope to start a kid with or for a new hunter on a budget. Its treated me well the few times I've used it and is in great overall condition. Proceeds will go towards my son's build, which will lead to scopes being shifted around, so this one can go. $100 includes Butler Creek caps and shipped to your door. In Flagstaff, but make occasional trips to the valley.

Forgot all about that. It sold fairly quickly way back when and I forgot to mark it as sold.

Bump. Will be traveling to/from White Tank Mountain Park for my son's mountain bike race this weekend. I can bring any of this with me. Arriving Friday and leaving Sunday morning after his race. Can meet you on the way to/from or outside the park Saturday. Turkey loads: 12g= $15 Rings: $20/each Saw and quiver: $15 each

Unless I've been mistaken, In the past the OTC archery javelina hunts in the metro units opened the same weekend along with archery deer. I always saw people posting up getting excited to chase pigs close to home. Did that change this year? I was looking through the regs and am not seeing those units opening up. Or did I miss that part in the regs? My son has been busting his butt with his bow finally and I got us otc deer and javelina tags so we can head out when he's on winter break from school. I know spots in 9 (which is open), but he gets bored sitting water (don't blame him). What am I missing on those metro unit archery pig hunts of the past?

Our NWTF chapter here in Flagstaff is holding our annual Hunting Heritage Banquet again, after taking 2021 off. The banquet will be at the DoubleTree in Flagstaff on Saturday, February 26th. Doors will open to the public at 5pm. You must register and buy your tickets ahead of time. We can never guarantee seating on the day of the banquet. We're limited to 200 tickets sold, so get your while you can! Let me know if you have any questions. https://events.nwtf.org/30020-2022

We have three raffles up right now. The next Lifetime Combo License raffle, $500 in Sportsman's Warehouse Gift Cards, and a Marsupial Bird Bag System w/ Modular Belt. https://www.naznwtf.org/shop

So can I send an email on behalf of my 14yo son or does he need to send the email? The parent in me wants to be the one sending and communicating.

I'm finally remembering to post up the information for the annual NWTF JAKES Essay contest. This is the essay contest that my daughter entered and won last year. I cannot express enough how great of an opportunity it is for our youth! I just wish they would have used Syd's pic for the upcoming essay promotion! All of the information you need is below, but if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Its time for our annual 31-Day Gun Raffle. All proceeds stay in Arizona to be used by NWTF for habitat conservation, youth hunt camps, disabled hunters programs, scholarships, hunter education, etc. We had our tickets sent out late to us this year. The early bird deadline is November 10th, but we sell tickets all the way through the drawing. Tickets 1/$20, 3/$50, and 7/$100. Get yours while you can and get in the early bird drawing by getting your chances before November 10th. https://www.naznwtf.org/shop

Thanks! After I posted this, I texted my buddy on the inside and he pointed out the same. I've never looked at the spring regs close enough for the winter javelina hunts. Learned something new today, so thanks!

We have about 18 tickets left in our stack for the 31-Day Gun giveaway. Get your chances while you can!