IA Born

Great story and pics, Tommy! The only reason I've never shot a jake is because one has never walked in front of me when I had a tag in my pocket!

I've done it before. I think you click on the link to the right, like you would if you are posting a picture from photobucket. I'll log in tomorrow and verify. I have a video of Sydney from her KS hunt I want to share. Its a hoot!

Yes, please! We need mentors! Volunteer form is attached for mentoring. Contact Tim Denny ASAP!! 2017 Volunteer Form 4-11-17.pdf

I'll work on getting the story up later today or tomorrow, but the author of the article above messaged me this morning to let me know the rest of the pictures he submitted for publication are finally with the article at the bottom is "Photos" Governor's Turkey Hunt". You can try this, too: http://www.kansas.com/sports/outdoors/article144953414.html

Looks to be full with a waiting list...http://nwtfarizona.org/2017-youth-turkey-camps/ Correct. Its full with 90 kids and a waiting list.

Syd and I got back to Flag yesterday about 5pm after a long day of traveling. Its 9am Easter Sunday and she's still sleeping. We had an amazing time and she found success in so many ways! I didn't know until we got there that a local outdoor writer was going to do a story on Syd for the Wichita Eagle newspaper. For now, I'm sharing the story that was published in today's Wichita Eagle. Early this week, I'll sit down and tell the entire story (LONG, but good and worth it) with all of my pictures and a couple from the writer, who is now a friend of ours. We have a ton to get done today to get ready for next weekend's youth hunt here, as well as get the house cleaned up and some groceries bought for when my wife and son get back from a quick trip to El Paso to see her ailing mom. And, yes, you read that correctly. Her very first turkey ever was a double-bearded tom! Not only am I jealous, but I have a few friends who are jealous and made no bones about letting Syd know, in a good way, of course! http://www.kansas.com/sports/outdoors/article144772629.html

Its a great time and I hope to meet some more CW folks up there! I'm looking forward to taking my daughter out for her first Merriams, finally, and for her to share her Kansas hunt story with other kids up there! Syd and I got back from her Kansas trip yesterday and we're still spinning. Its 9am and she's still sleeping. You'd better be there! Its about time you quit slacking and start mentoring! Seriously, though, I'm glad you decided to mentor this year!!

My thoughts exactly. I recently mounted a scope on my son's RAR and have yet to get it sighted in, but that rifle shoots lights out with open sights...the few times my son lets me shoot it! I've shot Federal, Winchester, and Remington through it and it groups them all nicely.

x2 for the Flatline Map. I love mine for when my daughter had the Peaks Hunt. Hard to beat and durable.

Thanks, Phil! I'm sitting on a conference call right now and have been getting more texts from Syd's guide. I have to scramble to repack things when I get home. The clothing package includes shirt, pants, gloves, and boots (known), but it also includes a "fancy turkey vest" and the boots are knee-high rubber boots. I've got to take her vest out of the suitcase, now! We may take her current boots out since I'm not as worried about blisters with rubber boots. She can throw in some liner socks to wear under her Smartwools. Also, what Sydney doesn't know, is that her guide has made her a custom slate call made from a turtle shell and a pair of earrings from turkey feathers. She also wants to make Syd a pair of feather earrings out of her own bird! I can say this here, because Syd won't read it until after the hunt! I'm just amazed at, and thank God every day for, the treatment she's getting!

We are packed, checked in to our flight, and ready to head to our hotel near the airport after school/work. I've been getting regular texts/FB messages from both the property manager and Syd's guide for the last week and a half. Yesterday morning, there were 17 mature toms and 17 jakes in one field in front of a blind she'll be in and 7 jakes in another field up close and personal with another blind she'll be using. The forecast is for 40% chance of thunderstorms Thursday and 50% Friday, but the mornings are currently looking favorable. We joked at dinner last night that Syd might get to experience a real Midwestern tornado! I told her we wouldn't sit and watch like we used to do when I was a kid. We'd be smarter this time around! Excited doesn't even describe our emotions right now!

Not much to say that hasn't been said, especially the way kazpiolt25 put it. Most of the good ones have electronic winches for set up/take down, which makes things so much easier. We had a full-size trailer and rarely used it because my truck didn't tow it as well (more about my comfort than the truck) and the main bed was too short for me at 5'11". We switched to a lighter pop-up with big, comfy beds and haven't looked back. Back in 2009, we bought a used 2007 Rockwood Freedom, complete with the ATV rack and beefed suspension. We absolutely love it for hunting and camping. Me, my wife, two kids, and two German shepherds sleep comfortably in it. No shower or cassette toilet, but that wasn't necessarily a priority. I've never used it in the bitter cold, but it heats up nicely with the furnace; however, it bleeds heat quickly. Rough roads have caused some things to jar loose, but most are easily fixable. We're usually only ever in it to sleep and eat breakfast/dinner. I'd recommend a Honda generator to help power it. When its really cold, the battery isn't always enough to run the heater. Getting the Honda eu2000 generator was a great investment.

I'll bet that's the Wendigo's resting spot. Run far, far away!

Our NWTF chapter (Northern Arizona Chapter) will be at Sportsman's Warehouse in Flagstaff this weekend selling raffle tickets for a Weatherby SA-08 Compact 20 gauge shotgun. Tickets are $10 each and only 150 tickets will be sold. 100% of the proceeds will go to the NWTF Youth (JAKES) programs in Arizona (youth turkey hunt, youth pheasant hunt, youth dove hunt, etc.). Our JAKES are our future and we need them just as involved and encouraged as we do our adult members. If you can't make it to Sportsman's to get tickets, please contact me directly to make arrangements to get your tickets! Help us Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. and get our JAKES going strong! You can PM me here or go through our Chapter Facebook page for more information about tickets. https://www.facebook.com/NoAZChapterNWTF/

Excellent! I prefer the early weekend, but they can be on fire later when hens are nesting and lonely toms are still looking.

Yep, but most are filled up with waiting lists right now. If I'm understanding your question correctly, you're wondering about the first or second general season to take them up. The youth OTC tags are not valid during the first or second weekend of the general season. They are valid April 21-28, and then again May 12-25 this year in units 1, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 7, 8, 10, 12A, and 27 (in the regs). If I'm wrong about my interpretation, please correct me. I'd just hate to see you and your boys get in trouble. Good luck!

Call the respective Forests' FMOs or Fuels Specialist. Most of those guys hunt and might share the info. It exists and they would be the first ones to know where it is. Hint: its public information, so they technically have to release it to you.

Bump this back up. We have a strong need for mentors in all three camps. PM me or call Tim Denny, listed on the flyer for the Happy Jack Camp, for information about mentoring. Thanks!

I know the camp forester. I'll email him next week and see what he can do to provide some info. If you have to send me a gentle reminder, don't hesitate.

Knife has gone to an excellent cause. Thanks everyone who contacted me.

Just got a reply from my friend: "AZ Elk Society will hold a camp, I think, at Happy Jack. Tell the person to check the hunt regs to be certain." It should be posted on AGFD's website or in the regs somewhere, but it will be happening.

There almost always is a youth camp for that hunt. I can't imagine RMEF not doing it. I'll email a friend of mine up here who is usually heavily involved and see what he knows. Stay tuned.

Congrats, Phil! I saw these pics on Instagram and didn't connect the dots at first. Good luck on your slam!

Still have it?

Thanks for pointing out what a deal this is! $768 plus sales tax or a transfer fee puts you north of $800 for the pistol only. This pistol is unfired NEW IN BOX! ( I did pull it out of the plastic to inspect it) and includes 5 boxes of quality new manufacture ammunition. $20/box x 5 =$100 I figure I'm giving somebody here $100 in free ammunition for the cost of the pistol. If you don't want the ammo, I'll sell the pistol for $725 and I'll burn up the ammo in one of my other pistols. Thanks! Schmitty That's a great deal on a great pistol! I wish i could! Good luck!