IA Born

Sandy: I want you to kill every gopher on the course! Carl Spackler: Check me if I'm wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they're gonna lock me up and throw away the key... Sandy: Gophers, ya great git! Not golfers! The little brown furry rodents! Carl Spackler: We can do that... we don't even have to have a reason.

I grew up ice fishing in Iowa. I miss that! My kids were asking me about it the other day. If I could justify it, I'd invest in all new gear! Good luck!

Lmk I wasn't able to talk to my wife last night, but just sent her a text. When she gets back from skiing, I'll talk to her. Lots of other good offers up above, so I understand if you move on one, especially since we haven't committed one way or the other.

What makes it the best story is that it IS, in fact, your story! Congrats! I'll take luck over skill any day. I harvested my biggest buck because luck and not skill. Congrats!!

Congrats on your first javelina with a bow! I reconnected with that passion a week ago tomorrow. Great feeling, isn't it?

Let me see how serious we are about upgrading our 8-year old son from his Nuclear Ice (precursor to Atomic) to an Infinite Edge Pro. He's right at that point of needing a bigger bow and we'd sell the Nuclear Ice to cut the cost of the new one. Its got a new string, whisker biscuit, peep, upgraded sight (original broke), and a slew of youth-sized Carbon Express Warrior arrows. Might even throw in the Tarantula youth soft case since it won't work with an Infinite Edge Pro. No promises, but I'll see if we're ready to take that step.

I almost forgot about that. I love my Grim Reapers. When Clay and I were skinning it, we found a hole above the entry hole (side shown in pic), but only one exit hole. The only thing we can figure out is that the arrow passed through, hit the dirt on the embankment when exiting and pushed back through the entry side nock first!

I'm finally getting a chance to post this up. The last week has been incredibly stressful. Backstory: Last Saturday (9th), during one of my daughter's soccer games, she made a great play at goalie, clearing the ball from the box in the middle of a group of girls. As one of the opposing girls ran by, she intentionally threw an elbow, hitting my daughter perfectly behind the ear and under her concussion headgear. Because it happened away from the play, the refs didn't see, although the sideline ref should have. I've never felt so helpless watching that elbow land and seeing her go down screaming, clutching her head. The girl should have been red carded and thrown out of the game and I made sure the refs and the assistant coach from the opposing team knew my displeasure in what happened. The elbow was hard enough to give her a mild concussion and force her to miss her tournament this weekend. Fortunately, she's recovering well and will be back to playing this week, but it was a horrible thing to watch, knowing the other girl got away with it. Forward a few days. I had one day to hunt this season because of soccer and other craziness in life, but I couldn't go far. 18B is the only unit I really know in that big multi-unit tag. I'd been coordinating meeting up with SWDesertRat since he wanted to scout 19A, where my tag was valid. We've worked together on various projects over the years and I don't know 19A well. Thursday, I looked at the forecast for Friday and it called for a 90% chance of snow up here in Flagstaff, but with less than an inch predicted, most of it coming in the afternoon when I'd be driving back. I was debating on cancelling the hunt because I hate driving up the mountain in snow storms. My wife and I chatted quite a bit and she convinced me to go, emphasizing that I needed this time. I needed a break from the stress and a chance to decompress after Sydney's concussion. I'm so glad I listened to my beautiful wife. I got up early Friday morning and met up with my friend. I don't know this unit very well and he does. At the first spot, I glassed up a herd of javelina over a mile away, but they were moving and too far to catch. Spot number two had no javelina, but I was able to glass up 3 mule deer does just under a mile away. I was already feeling success because I'm really not that good at glassing. I will say that switching to using a tripod with a solid binocular adapter has made a huge difference. We ended up seeing 20 deer for the day, but they were all does. Within 10 minutes of arriving at spot number three, we had a herd of javelina moving 100-150 yards below us. We planned my stalk and it was game on. I remember saying a small prayer as I worked my way in. As I was working across the top of the canyon above the, I could see two in the opening below me. I worked my way around to come in even with and upwind of them, sticking to our plan. When I got to where they were supposed to be, they weren't there! We were able to work out some distant communication (radios weren't working well) and relocate the herd. Eight trotted past me within 20 yards, but wouldn't stop. Three ran across the canyon bottom, 30 yards away, including a huge sow with a red following close behind. I was able to get my range finder on two openings and both were 30 yards. As I was regrouping, two more ran by across the drainage from me. I picked one, waited for it to reach my window, and I was able to make a perfect 30-yard shot and fill my javelina tag at noon on the only day I had available! It turned out to be a good size, mature sow. She ran about 30 yards and I saw her fall under a big juniper tree. I saw all kinds of commotion from the rest of the herd and I started to think she was still moving. Then I heard the death throes from the juniper and I was sure we'd have a successful recovery. A short track job with a little blood lead to a great recovery and several high fives. My friend ended up showing me the gutless method on this sow and what a difference that made, although the pack up out of the canyon and back to the truck was close to brutal. The skull is at the taxidermist and the meat is at my processor's! This is my biggest javelina yet and reminded me why I love the hunt, itself! After all the madness of this week, it felt so good to fill a tag and find that kind of success again. My soul and spirit have been rejuvenated. I have refocused. Thanks again, Clay for the great day!! Javelina or not, it was a successful hunt. Filling my tag was icing on the cake! I'm hoping we can hook up more and keep this going. I'm having fairly good discussions about 15s with my wife, too! The snow storm ended up dumping way more than an inch and had I-40 west of town closed for a bit. By the time I got on the road, I-17 northbound was in good shape from the plows and the de-icing solution. Tomorrow, the kids and I are going to get up and go quail and pheasant hunting on the holiday. Syd is doing much better and is looking forward to getting back to practice Tuesday and playing in next Saturday's game. We were able to work through our soccer club and file a complaint against the girl who elbowed Syd so that there is a record of her behavior on file. That, along with watching Syd recover, has been extremely helpful in lifting our spirits. I'm hoping to get out a couple of times to chase deer before the end of the month and we have Syd'd youth pheasant hunt on January 30th, so we're still in it for this season and looking forward to it all. On top of that, we have to start picking our elk hunts because the regs are out and the online application system will be open soon. Bring on 2016!

I may pick your brain for next year!

I should be available to chase deer Sunday since my wife is taking the kids skiing! Thanks, guys! I really appreciate the prayers and support for my daughter. She's back at practice tonight and should be back at the net in this weekend's game. Even after 5 seasons, I still haven't gotten used to some of what I see. I understand full well that soccer isn't non-contact, but there has to be a line. I try hard to be the better parent. I told her driving home that night that it was ok if she wanted to quit being a goalie. Her response: "Goalie chose me, dad. I'm not quitting!" After three years of tag soup, I'm still flying high on this. It may sound silly to be that excited over a javelina, but it was exactly what I needed in my life at that exact moment!

Im waiting. I never win shoot!! I could be the only one in a 50/50 raffle and i will some how loose. This could be the one. I feel your pain! I bought two tickets this morning and am patiently waiting for my name to NOT show up!

We've had about 2 feet so far in Flagstaff with 3-7" predicted overnight, tonight. And we just found out tomorrow will be snow day #3 for the kids. Forts have been built, the sled run started, and we just bought a new bottle of spiced rum! Black German shepherds look awesome in the snow. The big male (Odin) is our daughter's puppy and he ran all over with her!

Good luck with your banquet! Ours is the following weekend up here.

Thanks for the tips, guys!

I seem to have lost the "Where we're going for spring break" discussion. I pushed for a long weekend on the San Juan, but it looks like we're ging to San Diego. I do, however, have the go-ahead to plan a fishing trip (family trip) for a day! I know there are tons of boats and charters over there from a quick search. Can anyone here make some recommendations for a good, quality outfit that has half-day trips (only option given) and won't break the bank? I know you get what you pay for, but this isn't my first rodeo on booking charters. I want something reasonably priced that will have my kids (11 & 8) on fish, having fun, but not land us on Gilligan's Island. I appreciate any help!

I looked into the San Diego and a 9-10 hour day isn't going to work. I saw the New Seaforth 1/2-day trips, but I'm actually hoping for a smaller boat for just me and my family. I probably wouldn't do well in a big boat setting. Any ideas/recommendations for a smaller boat that is for 4-6 people? Thanks for the input so far, though!

I'd never been fly fishing before until the first time I tried it. I was HOOKED (pun intended!)!! I now have 4 rods of various weights and lengths and have a list of at least 4 more that I "NEED"! Good luck and be prepared for another addiction!

I had another tamale this morning for breakfast! Back to the OP: did you ever get any .22, Str8shot?

Pics or it didn't happen.... It happened, Clay. It happened more times than I care to admit! Merry Christmas!

I absolutely love wearing my Sitka stuff for its comfort. I guess I'd decide what pattern you want and then decide between the 90% or Equinox (not Ascent). You won't regret either one! Merry Christmas!

I just bought 10 lbs of masa at the local store. Let the tamale fun begin in El Paso!

I have both the 90% and Equinox pants. If you're going early season, the Ascent are good. Equinox with layers are good for later, but I'd probably want warmer for a late Nov/Dec hunt in the high country. I wore my Equinox with UA bottoms for my daughter's North Rim doe hunt and they were great.

One of the coolest posts ever!

I bought my favorite Basha's Deli lady a cup of her favorite Starbucks drink this morning when I got my coffee and breakfast burrito on the way to work. She's an awesome person! Merry Christmas to you all, too!

Yah, you might as well give them to GoodWill, I think it'll be a few before he is wearing those sizes. We'll plan on a Flagstaff visit vs. a soccer trip to the valley. Be safe on the road...enjoy them tamales and Mexican comfort food while in El Paso. Sounds good! My problem is that I enjoy the tamales and Mexican comfort food a little too much! Merry Christmas and we'll touch base after the holidays!