IA Born

Yes! We just found out this morning, that she'll be bringing a gun home with her from Kansas, although we won't know what until we get there! She was excited! I'm sure she screamed a little when she read that text in class. I may have to serve her "time after school" for her on that one! I'm sure there will be more stuff as we find out more, but who knows! Thanks, Phil! She really poured her heart into that essay. Its funny to think she did it at the last minute after realizing that the depression from my mom's passing and her soccer injury were consuming her. She's back playing soccer this week and on cloud 9! And I can get you those Goulds raffle cards anytime you want! As for the rest of you yahoos, remember that she's going to read this eventually. She's already on the bubble about her buddy, Bill, being a weirdo but she doesn't need proof the rest of you are!

CRAP!! I missed that. Thanks! I definitely will remove that!

I spoke to both NWTF HQ and the Kansas Governor's One Shot Turkey Hunt coordinator yesterday. It went from a surreal concept to very real and very exciting! NWTF gave me the ok to share her essay and, after checking with her, so did Sydney. It turns out that her essay will not be published, but she is encouraged (kind of expected) to write an essay after the hunt and it will be published in the JAKES Country magazine. She'll probably be used for next year's promotion, too. The KS coordinator called Sydney directly yesterday afternoon and they had a great chat. Flights are booked for both the convention trip and the KS hunt. I'm waiting on the paperwork and more of the details of what all she gets out of this, but I know that there is a local sponsor in KS who needs her clothing size because every winner gets outfitted from head to toe in a set of custom camouflage clothing! She will have her license and both turkey tags waiting for her when we get there on April 12th. Yesterday's phone calls turned this surreal idea into a very real (yet still slightly surreal) plan. Here is the essay that she submitted. I read it again last night...twice. She makes me so proud with her perspectives on life and hunting. We hope you enjoy it! JAKES Kansas Essay.pdf

You'll probably get varying answers on this one. I'm pretty sure, though, that ammo must be kept separate from the firearm. The airline you're flying with should have that specific issue on their website. I've never traveled with them combined because I mostly fly American and, the last time I traveled with a firearm, that was the rule. I've never stored the bolt stored separately, though. With bolt guns, I remember taking the bolt out, though, and leaving it next to the rifle. With everything except bolt guns, I leave the actions open so there is no question. Magazines have always been left out, but next to the rifle or pistol. I'd consider keeping your rangefinder and kestrel in your carry on so that you know right where it is and your minimizing loss of gear if your checked bags get rerouted.

As soon as I know more and am allowed to share the essay, I will. I know it will be published in the JAKES Country magazine after her hunt and AGFD is already asking me for it. I'm not even sure if my own agency is going to want to run with this, especially since USFWS makes a huge deal of promoting both hunting and getting kids outdoors! As for my own hunt, I knew I was trying real hard to pound a square peg through a round hole to make it work. My wife showed me the calendar and the one long weekend I was planning for is the same weekend our son gets his confirmation and first Communion in our Catholic Church. I kinda need/oughta be there for that! Between his confirmation, our daughter's birthday in late April, and my niece back in Iowa getting married in early May (obliged to go after my mom/her grandma passed), my free time was already about dead. The funny thing is that the only other time I've missed a turkey hunt since 2002 is the April that my daughter was born (2004). One common theme: her! Wouldn't change it, though!

I hope that if I'm ever in a similar situation and have to bail on a camp, its someone like you who comes along, and not a different personality. I would do the same thing if I were in your shoes!

I don't have the regs in front of me, but I'm pretty sure they have to be 10 before the hunt ends, not before it starts. If they turn 10 during the hunt, they should be legal to start hunting during the hunt as soon as they turn 10. I could be wrong, but I'm sure I've heard AGFD discuss this at our Hunter Ed classes we put on up here. Looks like you are correct. They can apply and get drawn, and then hunt in an open season as soon as they turn 10, even if it is the last day of the hunt, but not before they turn 10. For BPs only, they have to be 10 by the application deadline date. Straight out of the 2017 Elk regs. No one under the age of 14 may hunt big game without having completed a Hunter Education Course. No one under age 10 may hunt big game in Arizona. To hunt big game, anyone 10 to 13 years of age must have in their possession a valid combination hunt and fish license, a valid Hunter Education Course completion card, plus any required permit tags or nonpermit-tags. Obtaining a Bonus Point Only To apply for a bonus point only, the individual must be 10 years old by the deadline date as specified in the hunt permit- tag application schedule on page 7. ​ If only I could get my wife to admit that so readily!

If you're at the Friday morning breakfast, you'll definitely see at least her! Let's make plans to meet up at some point, though!

I received the official email yesterday and found out NWTF is flying us (me and her) out to the National Convention (giving us travel expense up to...) in February to recognize Sydney and present her accomplishment on stage at Friday morning's Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. breakfast. I have to call today to get everything squared up, but it looks like we're going to spend Friday night there, too (hotel on us that night) and enjoy the convention on Friday and then come home Saturday. I realized with all of this travel (convention and hunt), that I will be eating quite a bit of my annual leave. It doesn't look like I'll be turkey hunting in 2017 since I won't have the time off, but its totally worth it. Watching my kids succeed in life is the top of my bucket list! To say she's excited is an understatement!

I'll have her send it over to when she gets a chance. She's finally going back to soccer tonight (limited duty), which is also exciting, but I'll have her send it to you as soon as she can. I know it will be published in the NWTF magazines, especially the JAKES Country!

I don't have the regs in front of me, but I'm pretty sure they have to be 10 before the hunt ends, not before it starts. If they turn 10 during the hunt, they should be legal to start hunting during the hunt as soon as they turn 10. I could be wrong, but I'm sure I've heard AGFD discuss this at our Hunter Ed classes we put on up here.

I'll find out when I get the call and start making arrangements, but I know Syd won't care. She's excited to get her first bird, finally, after having hunts busted by snow storms, soccer tournaments, and being sick all three of the last opening weekends of her youth hunts, and then having uncooperative birds in other tries.

This may be a stupid question, but I'm going to ask for insight, anyway. To preface why this is probably stupid, I've never used a bipod on a rifle of mine. I've avoided them because 1) I wasn't sure how to make them work with a sling; and 2) I've always found a way to make do with a solid rest because that's how I was taught. Admittedly, I've never looked at a bipod to see how a sling will still attach, but I know they can still be attached. Now, as I'm working on redoing my daughter's rifle to help her, especially as we work on shooting longer distances, I'm thinking a bipod is the right thing. I have a Primos Gen 2 Trigger Stick tripod (18-38") for when she's sitting and/or kneeling and she likes it. I'm thinking that a bipod and shooting prone (whenever possible) would be a better long-term solution for steadying her. So, with that, what bipods and heights do you recommend, especially ones that won't break the bank and will be easier to justify to my wife! I've seen that they have all kinds of height ranges. I'm assuming a 9"-13" bipod is too high for prone, especially for a teenage girl. From the research I've done over the years, just testing the waters a little, Harris and Caldwell seem to have the best reviews. And I've thought about the Triclawps adapter, too. Thanks!

I'm with you. A while back, one of my supervisors was telling me about a podcast related to some crazy subject, suggesting I listen to it. I told her I didn't even own an iPod, so I wasn't sure how I could listen to a podcast. The look and response I received shows how much I know about what a podcast is. When I first moved to Arizona, I pronounced it "Coos" just like everyone else, then I learned the real pronunciation of Elliot Coues' name. I started pronouncing it correctly because 1) out of respect for the man; 2) I'm a biologist/taxonomist; 3) my last name is hard enough to pronounce for many people, so I figured I'd give him that much more respect (I want people to know my last name 100 years after I'm gone); and 4) I'm one of those that will purposely go against the "norm" because I have authority issues. Having said that, I crack up every time I see "the name debate", but its good to see people so passionate about something. In the last year or so, I've gotten lazy and started saying "Coos" again. I could care less how someone pronounces it and I certainly wouldn't make someone sit in the back of my truck or not take them hunting because of it. That, in my humble opinion, is being too judgmental, especially when we're supposed to be on the same side (hunting/conservation). With my biology/taxonomy/wildlife management background, I'd be a lonely, lonely man if I got buthurt every time somebody pronounced something wrong or used the wrong common names (like "timber rattlesnakes" in Arizona). I've even learned to refer to javelina as "pigs"...but I do get a little defensive when people try to tell me they are rodents. It always takes me back to the time when one of my dad's army buddy's girlfriends proceeded to tell me that she had a "chicken hawk" flying all over her ranch. She knew (adamantly) that it was a chicken hawk because every time it swooped over, her chickens acted crazy. All I could do was nod my head and say something like "They're effective predators; that's for sure!"

ordered And if you're hunting over DSD hens, I'm hunting with you! I went with the Avian X hens because I couldn't justify the price of DSDs to my wife. I have several friends back in Iowa who use nothing but DSDs! Good luck and have fun!

I think most people have an FFL lined up, but I know my recent purchase had stipulations like "...contact seller within 5 days..." and "...make payment and arrangements within 10 days..." or something like that. I've also seen where there is a drop down menu to pick an FFL from that is near you. I don't have any recommendations for the Valley, so I can't help you there. Here in Flag, I could hook you up.

Not much to add that hasn't been said. Recently bought a pistol through Gunbroker and used a buddy here in Flag for the FFL. Was extremely pleased with the results and would do it again in a heartbeat! And, yes, go with sellers with good feedback reviews!

If you're spending the money on DSDs, you might as well spend the money on either a DSD jake or the Avian X Jake you mention. I have that Avian X jake and its AWESOME!

I was thinking the same thing and was going to offer up my wish list to choose from! "Mother's Day 1983 Love, Clark"

All youth camps will coincide with the youth hunt. All three camps will be April 20-23, 2017. I normally volunteer and mentor at the Happy Jack Camp, but a friend who mentors at the 1/27 Camp invited my daughter over to hunt his favorite spots. Hard to beat that, so we're heading over there this spring. I'll take her out and then mentor others after she's filled her tag. Awesome! That means I can hunt New Mexico AND help at the Youth Camp next spring. Thanks IA born for the dates! No problem! I'm looking at hunting NM, too, but have a very limited window of availability. If you need a hunting partner over there and dates line up, let me know!

All youth camps will coincide with the youth hunt. All three camps will be April 20-23, 2017. I normally volunteer and mentor at the Happy Jack Camp, but a friend who mentors at the 1/27 Camp invited my daughter over to hunt his favorite spots. Hard to beat that, so we're heading over there this spring. I'll take her out and then mentor others after she's filled her tag.

I thought you were going to put them under my tree! This isn't the raffle that I bought tickets for on Nov 29, is it?

Not to hijack the thread, but does someone know someone here in Flagstaff that can do an appraisal? A friend of mine has a Winchester 1873, manufactured in 1896 that she got from her dad when he passed away. She'd like to get it appraised and I told her I would help her. I have seen a couple of pics, but not the rifle in person, so I can't say what caliber it is and she's not gun savvy (yet).

Say when... I did. Always good chatting with you!

Started my daughter off with a Cricket when she was 7. It was cool, but I regret it, now. She outgrew it so fast. Definitely look for the Rascal. We can talk more during the archery javelina hunt in 19A or when you help us on the youth javelina hunt in 19A!