IA Born

Could be a prairie with those markings which is why I commented about the tail but they are up north. Either way I wouldn't want to get hit by one. Its either a diamondback or a Mojave. Prairies have only been documented near Springerville in AZ. They are thought to be in grasslands in far SE AZ, near the AZ/NM state line, but have never been documented there. Mojaves were my research specimen/project in grad school and you can't always go by the tail markings or color scheme. I've seen plenty of Mohaves that looked just like a diamondback and plenty of diamondbacks that looked like Mojave's. The only way to be 100% on the identification is to look for two large scales touching between the eyes (Mojave) or nine small scales (diamondback), but I don't know too many people willing to get that close! ☺ My first thought was Mojave, though. I would have never known that about the scales.....but I would never have been willing to get that close..........interesting information thanks.... What can I say? I'm always going to be a science geek/nerd first! I've handled, drawn blood from, and collected venom from my share of Mojaves. I've even accidentally (really!) inhaled crystallized neurotoxin (Mojave toxin) during my research days. I don't recommend anyone handle or get that close to a Mojave unless you're absolutely crazy or a highly trained herpetologist (not sure which one of those I'm more of now, but I was both at one point). Be safe!

Could be a prairie with those markings which is why I commented about the tail but they are up north. Either way I wouldn't want to get hit by one. Its either a diamondback or a Mojave. Prairies have only been documented near Springerville in AZ. They are thought to be in grasslands in far SE AZ, near the AZ/NM state line, but have never been documented there. Mojaves were my research specimen/project in grad school and you can't always go by the tail markings or color scheme. I've seen plenty of Mohaves that looked just like a diamondback and plenty of diamondbacks that looked like Mojave's. The only way to be 100% on the identification is to look for two large scales touching between the eyes (Mojave) or nine small scales (diamondback), but I don't know too many people willing to get that close! ☺ My first thought was Mojave, though.

Thanks again, everyone. I truly appreciate it. Mom passed peacefully and comfortably at 2am Friday morning. I was sleeping five feet from her and rarely left her side. Before finally going to bed Thursday night, I kissed her forehead, told her I love her, and then let her know it was ok to go to my dad while I was sleeping. I've had about 25 hours of sleep since waking up last Monday morning and I'm beyond exhausted, but my wife and kids are here with me now and its better. I've been at peace for several days, but I know it will get a little harder when I deliver her celebration of life speech at her funeral service Tuesday morning, per her request. She was the best and my hero.

Thank you all for the continued prayers. My mom's doctor called me this morning to let me know she's gotten worse and there is nothing more he can do. She has asked to be put in Hospice care. My niece is with her now and I will be on a flight out of Flagstaff in two hours. My wife and kids will catch up with me when I know more. I pray for her peace now more than ever.

Dennis is the only guy I use. Coming from a meat cutting background, he was the one I had the best feel from. And he's tied in with Heidi Favour at Signature Taxidermy (also great), not Mt. View Taxidermy. Thank you. Don't know how I screwed that up. Chris over at Mt. View is Steve Favour's son. I can see the mistake being made. Heidi has kept Signature going strong, though!

Dennis is the only guy I use. Coming from a meat cutting background, he was the one I had the best feel from. And he's tied in with Heidi Favour at Signature Taxidermy (also great), not Mt. View Taxidermy.

I'm going to have to read that. I have all of his books and have read all but "Death, Taxes, and Leaky Waders", which I found out was a compilation of his first few books after I bought it. I'll go through them when I have a chance, because I have several of my favorite quotes about life marked in them. I'd loan you my copy, but its autographed and I barely let my wife touch it!

One of my all time favorites is from John Gierach's "Sex, Death, and Fly Fishing" where he is talking about being labeled an expert. "Be damned careful what you say for fear of being believed. If you say you can catch more trout if you fish with your whanger hanging out, somebody will try it." Every time someone refers to me as being an expert on some topic in my profession, I go right to that quote (in my head, of course) and choose my words carefully and wisely! Edited for correct quote.

I don't know how to properly thank all of you, except to keep you all in our prayers and thank God for people like you. The doc called me about an hour and a half ago. Mom's white count is normal and her lungs sound better! She is responding to the antibiotics. He said she looks better, but doesn't really feel better, which is to be expected. Compared to yesterday, he's much more hopeful. She will be at the hospital for the next 9 days receiving IV antibiotics. In his opinion, there is no rush for me to go home, but he will keep me posted and let me know if things change. He also made it very clear that mom is far from out of the woods and things could change at any minute, but to not lose hope. The power of prayer! Again, thank you all so much!

Awesome story, Nick! Congrats on the bull and great back story on the rifle, but still sorry for the tragedy surrounding it. Hope you get your eye situation taken care of soon and make a full recovery!

I started loading my own Barnes in my .30-06 after taking a bite of breakfast sausage from a south Texas doe. Having grown up processing deer with my dad, I expect the occasional broken piece of bone. I bit down on something that felt like that, but it was a piece of bullet lead the size of my pinky fingernail. That was the last time I used non-lead bullets. I've shot several deer and pigs with them and my daughter has shot two north rim does with TTSX from her 7mm-08. I've only ever had one deer drop in its tracks. I've spoken with Barnes a few times about it when I was shopping for what cartridge to get for my daughter, especially after my BIL in Texas said he hated 7mm-08 because he had to shoot a Hawaiian black ram 5 times because it didn't DRT, even though the first shot was in the vitals (he wasn't using Barnes, either). I've not had a deer run more than 100 yards and most are less than that. Every animal I've cleaned had its insides turned to mush and I was surprised at how far the farthest runners made it considering what their insides looked like.

Good luck. You now have my number if you need anything anytime you're up here.

I just had a chance to confirm our plans for tomorrow and was going to offer to come get you and take you out there. I'll pm you my number if you end up needing my help.

not going to say. nothing in the mail yet until I have it in hand I'm not going to believe it. I'm hoping there is a mix up in the printing and mailing and the tag is made out and shipped to me! If that does happen, can I borrow your 15s?

Back on topic, Bill, it looks like you might have your buddy with you. Wife and I talked about it and because its a great opportunity and its you (wife's words), your buddy may be able to miss a day or two of school to come help out. I'll be there for sure, unless something catastrophic comes up.

Excellent post and write up. Barnes is all I use for my hunting loads, including my daughter's rifle. When all of this first came out, the scientist in me wanted more information that included something besides ballistic gel. Ballistic gel doesn't account for what happens when bones are involved. About that time, the Minnesota DNR did an independent study of their own using sheep (euthanized). They used several different types of bullets and even used 12 gauge slugs since slug hunting is all that's allowed in several Midwestern states. The results were the same as what you documented above and what has been found, but it is a great independent study. I called the MN DNR to get a copy of that full report because I lost my original copy. I've got a copy of the 2-page summary, the full report, a peer-reviewed article published in the journal "Human-Wildlife Interactions", and the MN DNR report on non-toxic (non-lead) shot vs regular (lead) shot. if anyone wants them.

Are you enjoying that more or rubbing it in to me every chance you get?? WHEN I win that package tonight, my daughter is going to be extremely happy when I take what I want and give her most of the rest! Oh well guess I'll only get one of the two governors turkey tags this year thanks for selling me the winning card. When they called me last night, I felt bad. I was thinking of all your bad luck this year, so I told them to call you to be the winner. Apparently they got that number wrong and called another person. I tried. And you're welcome for the winning card. I'm pretty sure its the rifle (2nd place), but its still a winner!! And it looks like I'll be able to help on your sheep hunt. The biggest question is whether or not my wife will let your buddy tag along, missing another day of school. And yes, she asked if she could come help you, too!

That's awesome!!! I've learned over the years that size doesn't always matter in fishing. I've watched both of my kids get so excited about fish not much bigger than that and that excitement is what keeps us going. There are days I'd be happy to catch one like that just to say I didn't get skunked! In fact, that's what happened when I took my daughter fly fishing in early June. She thought catching a trout with parr marks was absolutely much more cool than catching a big one!

Are you enjoying that more or rubbing it in to me every chance you get?? WHEN I win that package tonight, my daughter is going to be extremely happy when I take what I want and give her most of the rest! you should know me by now any time I get a chance to rub it in I will. Today is not a good day for me went online only to find the GnF took all my sheep BP away but two. I got nothing. You got me! I will admit that I almost feel sorry for you losing all those BPs!

Are you enjoying that more or rubbing it in to me every chance you get?? WHEN I win that package tonight, my daughter is going to be extremely happy when I take what I want and give her most of the rest!

I know that Warren guy from Pinetop! He said he had a blast!

Kidnap me and take me with you on your way through. That way, nobody at home or work can say "no". I promise no charges will be filed and we'll say it was just a big misunderstanding!

yeah but I would've had to hold his sugar cone for him. Homey hates that game. In all the research and conservation work I've done with snakes, especially rattlesnakes, I've never known them to prefer sugar cones. They're usually a waffle-cone or cup-o-ice cream kind of critter. They are great at wrapping their tails around the waffle cones, so you'd have been ok!

Probably just wanted some ice cream on a hot night, Tim!

Not sure what shop you went to, but you might check with Dark Sky Solutions. I know the owner and he's a great guy. Retired Navy Corpsman and used to run with the SWCCs. He's moving his family to Costa Rica in a year, but I think he still has all of his equipment. I'm hoping to get a rifle from him before he leaves.