IA Born

We collect them for the Mojave desert tortoises we're working on a recovery project with. Its fun to be back in the desert once in a while and I love prickly pear jelly and, especially lemonade! Word of advice, though. Keep using the bucket for transportation! About 16 or so years ago, a good buddy of mine stopped to pick some fruit with his now ex-wife on their way to a camping trip. For whatever reason, he decided to put the fruits in his lap and didn't get all of the glochids out of the fruits. I'll let you figure out his level of discomfort!

We were in the market to replace my 2005 Ram 1500 and I wanted a 2500 for the ground clearance along. I was dead set on a 2017 PW until I started reading the tow ratings of a 2500 Bighorn 6.4L and the PW. With the PW, I was only gaining about 200 lbs of towing capacity over what I wanted. I don't tow a great deal and nothing huge, but I also couldn't justify all the bells and whistles (albeit awesome) that the PW had since I just don't go into those kinds of places in a vehicle anymore. I ended up ordering a 2018 Laramie with the 6.4L Hemi and Off Road Package. Its supposed to be here next week or the week after!

My daughter's 7-08 used to love RL15 with Barnes 140gr TTSX until I had it reworked. Now it hates RL15, but loves IMR4895 (40.3gr) and does well with IMR4064. I'd have to get the 4064 data, but it was 97% max charge based on the Barnes Manual data for 140gr TTSX. My son's 7-08 also seems to hate RL15 with the 140gr TTSX, but does pretty good with 44.2gr H380 (95%max) and 45.1 gr H380 (97%max). I still need to test loads using both IMR 4064 and 4895, though. Out of four powders that Barnes recommends for their 140gr TTSX, one has to work great! I'm also selling two unopened 1-lb bottles and one half used 1-lb bottle of RL 15 since neither of my kids' rifles like it and I stocked up back when my daughter's did.

Great. Now I'm hungry for a bologna sandwhich...with Miracle Whip!

RL 22 is SPF. It looks like I'll be down in the valley Oct 6-8 for a soccer tournament in Gilbert/Chandler area. There's a chance of one of us driving through the valley Labor Day weekend and a quick meet right off Interstate could work.

Our daughter has played for the 04 girls for 8 years now and our son just started playing for the 07 boys. I was hoping someone might be coming up for one of the two tournaments in Sept!

And all was free because it was under warranty.

Bump. Original deal didn't happen, unless we can figure out how to meet up in October, which is the next time I'll be down in the valley for soccer.

A couple of years ago, I bought a 1 lb canister of RL22 to test loads on one of my rifles. I finally tested it this weekend and that rifle doesn't like it. Can has had exactly nine rounds worth of 25-06 case used, so the canister is practically new. Since I'm not going to use it, I figure someone else may need/want it and I'm not a powder hoarder for powders I can't use. $20 and its yours. I'm in Flagstaff, but may very well be at Cabela's next Saturday morning if you want to meet me there. Will for sure be driving through the valley on my way to Casa Grande and back Aug 11 and 13.

The first one I shot was a 160lb sow. I asked about bacon, but it can't happen. I had the loins done into chops and all the rest done into breakfast sausage. My wife couldn't wait for me to get another one. I shot two more right at about 70-100lbs, and had both breakfast sausage and mild Italian sausage done. It was great.

Mine was almost 7 years ago for the second time sending it in, but I remember it being quick, all things considered. Four weeks, maybe? Don't hold me to that, though.

Same here. Sent them the same Conquest twice for two completely different issues and its great now.

Lance beat me to it. I was going to say .280 or .280AI. In a couple of years, when my currently 9-year old son is big enough for a full-size rifle, I'm probably going to have my .25-06 turned into a .280AI to be his "one rifle for everything for life" rifle. Some days, I hate my gunsmith for putting that in my head, but others, I'm excited to do this. I even have my wife convinced its a great idea!

If not Hunts for Heros, Outdoor Experience 4 All does great things with kids fighting cancer and other illnesses. I've worked with Eddy and Ty before and they are great guys running a great operation. Or just bring Isaac over and we'll talk to him together!

There is an Orvis store in Scottsdale. Sweet! A piece of redemption next time I'm down there for a soccer tournament!

I have a 25-06 I'm about ready to throw down the chute! I have a Rem 700 and I've tried IMR4831, MagPro, and, now, RL 22 with Barnes 100gr TSX (only hunt with Barnes) and I can't get the stupid thing to group worth a darn, but the IMR4831 loads and MagPro were both fired off clean barrels. Of course, I haven't monkeyed with seating depths beyond going with the standard 0.050" that Barnes recommends starting with. Barnes' manual lists H1000 for the 90gr, but not the 100gr. Will H1000 work with the 100gr? I just picked up some H1000 for another rifle (6.5WSM), so I can try that. Otherwise, I'll pick up some RL 19 or try again with the MagPro and a fouled barrel At the same time, my gunsmith up here is talking me into converting that rifle to a .280AI to give to my son when he outgrows his current youth model in a couple of years.

Where is the shooting range in Casa Grande? I'll be in Casa Grande this weekend with my daughter as she tries out for AZ ODP for soccer. Her tryouts are Saturday morning from 9-11 and then we're free until Sunday morning. After reading this thread, We thought we might take her rifle to practice more at 200-300 yds. My steel target stand won't fit in the back of our 4Runner. Is there somewhere down there, we can rent a steel target set up?

I buy almost all of my line through Orvis online, but I know Rio makes good line, too. Whatever line you get, make sure it has a welded loop at the end for attaching leaders. It makes life so much easier to change leaders, especially after you've gotten your 5th wind knot in 4 casts and the leader is beyond fixing! I don't know what's where down in the valley or your area, but Sportsman's Warehouse has a good selection of line, leader, tippet, and flies. So does Bass Pro and Cabela's. Of course, if these guys know the local shops to hit, even better!

One of my best friends back in Iowa is selling his gently used Badlands Cinder -10 degree bag if you're interested. He's a great guy and is willing to ship. I can see if he still has it if you're interested. https://www.iowawhitetail.com/forum/threads/badlands-cinder-10-degree-sleeping-bag-long.56142/

I fell in love with this hunt when I took my daughter up 3 years ago this coming October and then the next October a year later. She tagged out opening afternoon both hunts and it was literally deer everywhere. If you get busted on a stalk, give it 15-20 minutes and you'll be in deer again. My son has said he wants this hunt for his first deer tag and I have no problem. Its an absolutely great confidence builder for a first-time hunter. You can always throw the .22s in and squirrel hunt after you've filled your deer tag. Due to some shifting (increasing) responsibilities at work, I may very well be up working over the weekend of the youth hunt. If so, I hope to run into and congratulate many of you and talk conservation!

A couple of weeks ago, we flew back to Iowa to finally bury my mom's ashes in the same plot as my dad in the Veteran's Section of our hometown cemetery. Being buried with my dad was mom's final wish and it took some time and paperwork to make it happen. Almost every time we'd go back to visit, we'd take off fishing some of the farm ponds I grew up fishing and mom loved that I exposed my wife and kids to what I grew up with. We decided to carry on that tradition one more time and met up with my cousin who has access to more and better ponds than I do now. Catching a bass on topwater with my fly rod has been a bucket item list for a while, so I researched bass fishing using a 5-wt, bought some good bass bugs and 2x and 3x leaders and we flew back to Iowa. Everybody caught bass that night and everyone had fun, despite the high humidity. This pond is set up with a small dock and a paddleboat, which the kids absolutely love. I'm now addicted to fly rod bassin' and am researching the right 7 wt set up! In all, I caught six or seven bass from about half-pound to 3+ pounds. I lost three fish that were easily 4-pounders, including one right at my feet as I was bending over to pick it up. Watching it swim off with my fly was heartbreaking! After losing that popper, I switched to a frog pattern and it was even more fun. On two occasions, I hooked two fish and let my kids experience the fight and they both enjoyed catching bass on the fly.

I ponied up the money for a 7E Flatline map three years ago for my daughter's first elk hunt. Best $40 I've spent on maps. So much so, that I now own four Flatline Maps that I've paid for!

I rarely ever post my dirty laundry, and I hate bringing outfitter businesses to public light in a bad way, but this situation has me beyond mad (family friendly choice of words). After you read this, feel free to tell me if I'm missing something, if I'm in the wrong, if I'm overreacting, or need to just suck it up and quit crying. A couple of months ago, I convinced my wife to take off and do some flyfishing on the San Juan River over in New Mexico while our kids were at summer camp down near Prescott. We don't have any family in Arizona that can watch our kids and the nearest person we trust them with is 2.5 hours away and just as busy, so coordinating a weekend away for us is a huge undertaking. Kids at camp for two weeks is the perfect scenario for us. I'd heard nothing but good things about fishing with Fisheads, so I booked a 3-night, 2-day fishing trip for me and my wife right before the July 4 weekend, while our kids were at summer camp. A week ago today, when the Goodwin Fire erupted down south of Prescott, AZ, threatening our kids' camp. We had to cancel our trip because of a mandatory evacuation notice to get all kids out of camp on the day we were supposed to leave (June 29). We called and told our story and pleaded our case, knowing that we were within the 2-week cancellation period, per their policy. To be fair, they were nice enough to not charge us for our room and said they wouldn't make any profit, but they had to pay their guides for the booked trip and, therefore charge us $250/day. Again, I plead our case of extenuating circumstances and that we had nobody to watch our kids. We tried to rebook for our next available weekend, which isn't until October due to teaching hunter ed, flying back to Iowa to finally bury my mom, soccer commitments, Taekwando commitments, elk hunt, etc. (you get the picture). The manager was adamant that wouldn't book that far out, again citing their unwavering policy. I again explained that we had no choice and that our kids' lives were in danger and the manager said she understood, but cited the cancellation policy again and told me that the owner was unwavering, albeit understanding, apparently. Then she had the nerve to tell me that paying their guides so they could feed their kids was just as important as us getting our kids out of harm's way. I told her that its apparent that they are really only concerned about money and that the compassion she expressed in the first part of our phone call only went so far and had a limit. Making sure their guides got paid so their guides could feed their kids was way more important than our kids' lives. The manager told me we'd be refunded if they were able to fill those slots in our absence, but its the sheer lack of humanity and understanding of what has, perhaps, been the scariest thing I've had to deal with as a father. Even the former wildland firefighter in me couldn't stay calm and not worry about my kids' lives. The manager even told me that their cancellation policy was one of the most lenient in the area; however, I found an outfit today that states clearly that cancellations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. That outfil will get my money in the future. I will never book with Fisheads and a few friends of mine have already said they'll never go there, based solely on this experience. Based on advice from a friend, I called Cabela's tonight, told them my story, and put a hold on the $500 payment while the charges are being disupted. I realize I may lose the dispute and, ultimately, pay the $500, but it will now be up to 90 days before they see their money, if they get it. Am I being petty or childish here or am I justified in being extremely upset in how this was handled? I calmly explained that this wasn't my first rodeo booking a fishing trip and I fully understood the reasoning behind their cancellation policy, but it was the total lack of empathy for what I consider to be among the most extenuating of extenuating circumstances that upset me. Good, bad, or indifferent, thanks for at least letting me rant and get this off my chest. Now I can more calmly figure out when I can book a trip this early fall with Blue Sky Fly Fishing Co.!

I'm anxious to make that call to Cabela's tomorrow morning. I don't expect the sheep tag charge, but it sure would be nice. I'm more excited to hear that my daughter got another buck tag this fall! One thing I've learned is that, as much as I love chasing things for myself, I'd much rather chase things for/with my kids!

I'm totally scratching my head at the idea of giving up $10,000 in deposits so someone could go with another outfitter. If I had made other plans and wanted to go with another outfit, I'd have no room to complain about anything, especially if there was a non-refundable deposit I (and I get and understand non-refundable deposit). But then, I wouldn't put myself in a situation where I decided to go with someone else after booking a trip, unless there were crazy circumstances like one of the guides/owners was a murderer/rapist/pedophile, etc. But then, I've learned lessons about doing homework and research about references over the years. In the end, lawyer or not, I have no desire to go that route. I posted up my case and view and asked for honest input. Whether or not they were the answers I wanted, they almost all ended up being the answers I needed. I've had a private discussion with a man I highly respect and, throughout it all, I've found the peace I wanted and needed. I played my cards, the chips will fall where they will, and God will ultimately handle this for me. My kids are safe and back at camp as of Monday morning having a blast. Though I'm not a firefighter anymore, I have many good friends still working who will always watch out for me and my family because they know I will do the same for them. I have no regrets and appreciate all of the input and insight (especially you, Phil!). On top of all that, it rained in Flagstaff today! May God bless each and every one of you and your families.