IA Born

My life story, but you never know!

I posed the Zeiss vs Swaro 15s question about a year ago and got a mixed bag of answers. I was looking at those two because of my pro deals with both brands. I don't have a Leica pro deal or they would have been in the running. Zeiss was a better price but, in the end, I went with Swaros because I'd used friends' in the field. No regrets at all.

Congrats to you both. I took my daughter on the early youth hunt up there two years in a row and they are, by far, my favorite hunting trips. I can't wait to get my son up there after he turns ten a year from this month! Congrats again!

That's probably it. I'd have to go home to confirm on mine, but all the way down into the third spot is where it should be so you can have full motion of the bolt. You might have to do some work on the stock right there to get the lever all the way down.

I was actually surprised to see that many Peaks Hunts. I was talking to a friend at AGFD at last spring's youth tag and there was talk about either removing them completely or cutting it down to two cow hunts. This is all because the last several years of this particular hunt have done what USFS and AGFD wanted, which was to cut the elk population down after it exploded up to 10x normal levels after the Schultz Fire. The elk population got so high that they were exceeding the carrying capacity and not letting the natural regeneration post-fire to proceed. Elk are great animals, but they can be absolute heck on a landscape and these particular ones were contributing to the major erosion issues that have been happening. These hunts were originally intended to be short-term hunts, anyway, using hunters as the management tool to reduce an overpopulated herd. Frankly, I was surprised to see four cow hunts up there, but not surprised to see the number of tags cut. I think leaving the four hunts was AGFD's compromise to allow hunter opportunity. Had they followed good science and management principals, everyone would have been in an uproar over lost hunting opportunity.

TTT since Vowell was asking the other day.

Exactly!

Marco Polo ram at 14,000 feet in the Kyrgyzstan is on my bucket list! Sweet and congrats!

It's a little too much for my 9-year old son, though. With the money from this, I can get him a decent, yet simpler scope, especially using my pro deal! I have a Zeiss 3.5-10×50 MC for sale. The ad is in here, down a few pages. I'm on my phone, or I'd paste the link here for you. Great scope in great condition. Only been on two hunts and had been a safe queen since about 2010.

Selling the scope that came on my son's new rifle. Its a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 with BDC. I wanted the rifle, but not the scope since I had a good Vortex ready for him, but it was a package deal. I was going to mount it on his .22 for him, but realized the BDC reticle is too much/too busy for a .22. I don't really have any other need for it or justification to keep it. Its never been in the field or even the range. No shots fired from rifle yet. I don't have a picture of the actual scope yet, but I can get one. It comes with the weaver-style rings and bases, though, since I don't use that style. I will get updated pics up tonight after work, but the pic below is from Nikon's website. I don't have the Nikon scope box since it came mounted on the rifle, but I think I have an extra scope box from another scope to ship it in. If not, I'll box it up good in something else. Asking $150 obo for scope and rings. Willing to ship, but trips to the Valley are known to happen (mtg at AGFD on Dec 3 for sure). Will get actual pics tonight.

Scope is SPF. That didn't last long. Now if I can just get my Zeiss sold!

I'd take it so my son and I can load for my M1 Garand, now that he loves doing that with me. But I'd feel better working out a trade or paying you.

I could see it for a 22 mag, but for a 22lr? Are you going to make me rethink my choice?

When I searched what I thought was a fair price for a brand new, albeit mounted, scope, I forgot about the rings and bases until I was typing the rest. I don't really have a need for them, so you can either sell them or give them to a friend who can use them or we can talk. Its still a fair price for a new scope. I've posted updated pics, too. Let me know.

If you're taking the 535 off of 89A, it can be tricky and rough in spots if the weather gets wet. A better way would be to take Woody Mt Road (231) to the junction with 538. 231 is almost always in good condition. Some of the back roads can be pretty tricky with moisture, but you are usually good with a camper within 1/2- to 1-mile from the 231. Of course, if the weather stays on the current course, all roads should be pretty good throughout the unit.

I just realized that you'll have someone else to help you haul your elk out now! Just kidding, buddy. I'll be there!

Congrats, Mike!! I don't miss the diaper days, but I do miss the smell of my kids when they were that young. Another hunting buddy on the way!!

No worries. Figured it was a long shot, but had to try. That's why I'm unloading my Zeiss!

Out of curiosity, why are you selling it? Also out of curiosity, are you interested in trading for another scope? I have a Zeiss 3.5-10x50 that I have listed for that exact price and that scope is what I want to switch my Zeiss for.

Great story and awesome buck for Taylor! Congratulations! This was my favorite quote: "Looking back as I write this, this taught me that even though I hold out for mature animals, kids just want to get an opportunity. So I am really glad I told her, "If he stops, put one in him". " I've always taught my daughter that its her hunt and her tag. In my mind, I'm trying hard to find her the best I can, just like you. That attitude right there is how we get them to keep coming back! And now you've got me thinking of putting my daughter in for that hunt!

We saw it at the 0945 showing on opening day (Nov 4). We rarely go to the movie theater anymore, but this is one I wanted to see on the big screen. Absolutely amazing story.

The Hatch Act only prevents you from lobbying on duty or using your official capacity to advance an agenda. I'm pretty sure you still have your rights of assembly and speech on your own time and acting in your own capacity. Every election cycle, we get the official Hatch Act reminders and it always reads that we cannot lobby for or against any piece of legislation and its always been explained to me that it applies to outside of duty hours. I could be wrong (would love to be), but its a grey area I've avoided. You give up certain civil liberties as a trade off for a secure job and good pay/benefits. Besides, I have my other sources that do enough lobbying for me!

You and me both, Steve! There's always the chance as the Commissioner's tag we raffle! You and me both, Steve! There's always the chance as the Commissioner's tag we raffle! HAHAHAHA there's always a chance you'll win the optics package in the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle too hahahahaha tell me when to stop laughing. I hate you. I'd make a joke about shooting a hole in your jeep, but that's was only funny once! I know some good Coues spots down there in addition to several spots that have tons of turkeys, but most hunters don't venture to, so when you get those tags, we can talk! It is funny now but not at the time. We waited until we were eating breakfast to giggle! Maybe 21 points will get me the tag in 2018! Maybe...

Can anyone one here recommend a respectable coin/precious metals dealer down in the valley? As my wife and I have been going through family stuff after my mom died, we are coming across more and more commemorative silver coins that my dad apparently impulse bought. Some of them are mint silver (real silver) dollars and some of them are 0.9999 troy ounce silver coins. We'd like to talk to someone who can tell us what we have and what our options are with them. I have zero trust in the place up here in Flagstaff. Thanks!

Exactly what I was just thinking after reading the OPs last post.