IA Born

We've got the Commissioner's tags already for the 2017-2018 365 day hunt!

I know the feeling! I'm starting to think I have a chance with 19 points this year, but I'm trying to stay grounded in reality!

Bump

Question for those of you more knowledgeable than I in the rings department. I recently decided to upgrade my daughter's scope now that she's more serious about hunting. I'm going to be getting her a 30mm tube scope (Vortex Viper if it matters), so I bought new Dual Dove Tail rings for it. I bought the 30mm medium rings, thinking the height would be similar to the 1" medium rings I've always used. I had everything cerakoted for her as part of her upgrade/"being a good kid" present and, as I was mounting the rings last night, I put the original 1" scope in there just to see how it would look with the blue titanium cerakote (it looked awesome, btw). That's when I noticed that the Leuopold 30mm medium DD rings are shorter than her old 1" DD rings. Both the objective and occular bells on the scope were touching the barrel and receiver, respectively. I thought maybe Leupold screwed up and packaged low rings in a medium package, but when I looked at a pair at Sportsman's during lunch, they are definitely shorter. I picked up the 30mm DD rings at Sportsman's took them home to test them before cerakoting them (I do learn sometimes) and the objective bell sits just high enough, but the magnification dial on the ocular barely scratches the top of the receiver. Why are 30mm and 1" DD rings so different in height? I'm a complete rookie with 30mm-tube scopes, so bare with me. Are the objectives and oculars on 30mm scopes that much smaller that you don't need the extra height? I'm not a rocket scientist, but a 50mm objective is a 50mm objective, no matter the main tube diameter. Is there a difference in the ocular bells of a 30mm vs 1" tube scope? What am I missing? Am I just going to have to get the 30mm Super High DD rings? Thanks! P.S. I'm about to post a killer deal on a set of blue titanium 30mm Leupold DD rings in the classifieds. Can't return them since they've been cerakoted! D'oh!

Thanks, Mattys! I'm obviously ignorant to 30mm scopes since I've been using 1" scopes my whole life. I think the take away message from your post is to quit using the old 1" scope to try and figure out clearance on 30mm rings! I ordered her new scope this morning. Old and new are Vortex, so I'm hoping there will be consistency across engineering! I'll be using the scope to get the shortest rings I can possibly get for the very reason you mention! This will be my learning curve so I can get it figured out better for the next 30mm scope!

In the process of ordering new rings for my daughter's soon-to-be-new 30mm scope, I ordered the medium height 30mm rings, thinking they were the same height as the 1" DD medium rings she currently has. I didn't think to compare them side by side. I had them cerakoted to match the barrel and action as part of her upgrade. As I was installing them last night, I went to put the old 1" scope in them just to see what the blue titanium cerakote looks like with the black scope. That's when I noticed the huge height difference. There is no way these medium height 30mm rings are going to work unless there is something I'm missing regarding 30mm scopes (quite possible). Of course, because I had them cerakoted, I can't return them. I'm pretty sure Cabela's might notice the difference. My error is your gain if you're interested in blue titanium rings or are willing to have them done into another color. This is what they look like on a rifle: https://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/gallery/detail/17808/Cerakote-custom-mix-of-h185-blue-titanium-with-h146-graphite-black/ $25 takes them.

I've been bitten by more kingsnakes than any other species of snakes I've handled. And, yes, its a kingsnake. Ask any pet owner, yeah they will bite. And when they bite, they hold on and chew their way forward.

I've been bitten by more kingsnakes than any other species of snakes I've handled. And, yes, its a kingsnake. I do not have your experience here but have experienced the exact opposite. Racers on the other hand... Maticophis (racers/whipsnakes) and kingsnakes are the top two that have drawn the most blood from me. I have several colleagues/friends who have been bitten by kingsnakes.

I've been bitten by more kingsnakes than any other species of snakes I've handled. And, yes, its a kingsnake.

This is exactly why we emphasize wildlife identification in the hunter ed classes I teach. When I teach the wildlife conservation/management section and then talk about wildlife ID, I show a couple of pics of muleys and whitetail standing side by side so they can see that both species inhabit the same areas. I share a couple of stories of guys I know who have made the honest mistake of shooting the wrong one because, when smaller, they can look alike, especially where they cohabitate. One of them, even the AGFD LEO had a hard time telling them apart and let the guy go with a written warning because he turned himself in. This one could have been prevented by simply taking the time to know the difference. I'm sure someone will turn them in and I foresee a monetary fine on this one.

She's 12 and working on helluva career as a goalie! You should see her keeper jersey! I love those times!

Thanks, all! Birthdays have always been tough for me because I spent most of them trying to keep my dad together due to major PTSD-related issues surrounding Oct 22, 1967 in Vietnam. I quit celebrating and acknowledging them when I was about 12 or 13 because keeping my dad alive was more important to me. I'm still prone to horrible anxiety attacks this time of year. Yesterday was my first birthday without my mom, which made it tougher, but I got to spend it with my kids, watching my daughter play a tough game of soccer. The calls and texts from my wife in between flights and rental cars on her business trip certainly helped, too. And then I see this today. Thank you!!

When that first snowfall hits here in Flag, there will be plenty of people up north, and they drive just as horrible. Every single weekend until the ski slopes close. Its just as bad. We were driving north from a soccer tournament and saw the aftermath of the semi wreck. I was very thankful that we were heading north and not south. I genuinely felt bad for those stuck southbound. Then, just south of Flagstaff, there was another one, with a truck laying on its side in the median. It didn't look good. I touched the Rosary Beads my wife has hanging from her review mirror and said a quick "Thank you!" for our safety.

If only! That would go great with my 1918 Springfield 1903! Good luck with the sale. I've been able to hold an original (no replacements) 1911 from earlier than yours and they are SWEET!!

Its fake. The part where it mentions a guy from U.S. Fish and Wildlife service is only part of what threw it for me. I can guarantee that the USFWS does not have that authority. And, as a hunter ed instructor and biologist for USFWS, I would have heard about this long ago from both USFWS and AGFD. As false as false can be.

Grey Leer 700 tonneau cover for 2002 Dodge Dakota with 5'3" bed. I"m pretty sure this fits multiple years of Dakotas Latch needs fixed and rear weather shield needs replaced, but in otherwise great condition and fully functional. $200 obo. You pick up. Will help remove it when you buy it. I may have it in the Valley when we drive down for soccer (Tempe Sports Complex) Oct 22-23. I have the original receipt from when my parents put it on their truck back in 2002. $700 brand new back then. Looks like their $1100+ now, from I could research. Asking $200 OBO.

Working in wildlife management for so long still hasn't numbed me to this stuff. I honestly never get tired of seeing this stuff, as cruel as it may seem to some. Thanks for sharing!

Actually the first hunt is 7days long the second hunt is 7days then after the second hunt everyone drawn for that hunt gets to hunt the remainder of the hunt, normally two more weeks. Now I'm not a turkey hunting expert by any means but in general the hens are laying on their eggs by the first week of May. Hens can have up to three nest attempts if earlier nests fail. I don"t believe it matters at what elevation you hunt. Here is a picture of a young man I mentored last years youth hunt (a week prior to the opener) at over 9000 ft elevation. Personally I like the later hunts the older bigger gobblers are easier to call in because they are not with their hens. Good luck which ever season you choose. " Now I'm not a turkey hunting expert by any means..." I call BS on this statement! hmmm you don't seem to recall to well our last turkey hunt the only thing shot was a vehicle but that is another story for another time. I recall it very well! I still watch the video of Syd working your box call! I'm about to order her one of her own for Christmas, too! As for the vehicle thing, we still shake our heads and giggle a little. I wish you could have seen the look on your face when you told me what happened!

Actually the first hunt is 7days long the second hunt is 7days then after the second hunt everyone drawn for that hunt gets to hunt the remainder of the hunt, normally two more weeks. Now I'm not a turkey hunting expert by any means but in general the hens are laying on their eggs by the first week of May. Hens can have up to three nest attempts if earlier nests fail. I don"t believe it matters at what elevation you hunt. Here is a picture of a young man I mentored last years youth hunt (a week prior to the opener) at over 9000 ft elevation. Personally I like the later hunts the older bigger gobblers are easier to call in because they are not with their hens. Good luck which ever season you choose. " Now I'm not a turkey hunting expert by any means..." I call BS on this statement! But, yes, I agree with Bill. I like the early season because they are less pressured and not as call shy, but I love the later part for why Bill likes it.

I'm just now seeing this after getting back into the swing of life after my long trip to Iowa and back. This makes me smile a much needed smile! Congrats on your harvest and filling the freezer, Mike! You are spot on with your priorities being your son's football game. Lord knows I've blown off my share of other things in life that I truly love to be at my kids' events! As for your beard making you look like a garden gnome. I say no way. It actually makes you better looking! Congrats, Mike!!!

Same here. My daughter has had that hunt the last two years (her first two), and now she has a buck tag. From last year, after tagging her second doe on the afternoon of opening day: "Don't get me wrong dad; I love this hunt and its been a great experience, but I'm ready to chase some antlers!" How do you say no to that? Good luck to all you parents taking your kids up there this weekend! I love seeing kids out hunting, but I'll always have a soft spot for girls hunting with their dads!

Bringing this back up. We have about 50 tickets left and quail season is just around the corner!

Our local Northern Arizona Chapter of the NWTF will be selling raffle tickets at Sportsman's Warehouse in Flagstaff this weekend. We will have chapter members there from 9-2/3 Saturday the 10th and from 10-3/4 Sunday the 11th. NWTF is corporate partners with Ram so there will be a Ram or two there, too. I will be there from 10-12:30 Sunday. We are raffling off a Tristar Setter O/U 20 gauge with a 26" barrel. Tickets are $20 each and we're only selling 100. We will draw the winner once all 100 tickets are sold. If you are out and about in Flagstaff or are elk hunting one of the local units and tag out early, come on over and grab some tickets!

Congrats on a great bull!

Half-Rios...