IA Born

Absolutely. In my haste to hit the road for spring break and get caught up at work today, I forgot to include that and the link. When I can get to a computer, I'll get that link. Thanks!

Bump this back up since spring break is over the early bird deadline is approaching in 3 weeks. I've had a couple of inquiries so far.

We finally got out for our first romp across the range Friday to see if any elk have dropped in an area yet. We covered 5.5 miles and only came home with two pieces of bone, but had a great time. To see my kids cover that kind of ground and not wear out until the end (mostly my son), was awesome. About a mile into the trip, my 7-year old son found his first ever shed, a 2-3 year-old muley fork. He was excited as ever. I think my wife may have found it first, but directed him to it as he was "complaining" that he "never gets to find one first". This is only his second real trip in 2 years, so its funny that he's complaining, but the look on his face when I got there was awesome! He almost slept with it Friday night! We watched a couple of cow elk feed 200-250 yards across the meadow from us and it was cool to watch them watch us back as we were directly upwind of them. We made our way to another stock tank in the area looking at ingress and egress routes along the fences, but found nothing. As my luck always seems to go, I did find an old broken "tip" (drop?) on one of the banks. I always seem to find the older, broken pieces and not the fresh browns! Our daughter was bummed that she didn't find anything, but we had a chance to talk about all of the good that was going on around us that day and choosing to move forward with the good and not dwell on the negatives. Among the good to point out was a phone call from my mom while we were hiking letting me know that the cancer spot that returned was somehow shrinking on its own (no treatments yet). The other big piece of good news was that my credit card had been hit Friday morning by AGFD, indicating that one of us has an elk tag for this coming fall! My money is on her again. She admitted that she hopes its her and not me, but she'll be happy for me if its me. I told her I truly hope its her because last year was my favorite elk hunt ever. These next couple of weeks of waiting for results are going to be long!!! We should be heading out next weekend to look for more bone because our daughter really wants to find one of her own! If anyone is heading out around the Flagstaff area and wants/needs some company, let me know. I still haven't found a fresh brown antler in all my looking, but I really want to get her on some antlers first.

Not much more to say that hasn't been said. I have buddies back home in Iowa that use blinds exclusively, especially for archery hunting. They set them up that morning or that afternoon right in the middle of a cut corn/bean field or pasture and shoot turkeys 5 yards in front of them. Turkeys don't care about that. I've used them and love them, but I'm like Big Browns in that I'm more of a mobile hunter and like to cover ground. I can set mine up and take it down fairly quickly, but I don't like lugging an extra 17 lbs with me. They are great when you have youth who can't sit still, though.

Awesome pics. I love those snake pics and that bee with pollen is amazing! Your daughter's smile is very contagious, too!

I can usually find it in Flagstaff. I can pick you up a can and drop it off one of these times when I'm driving through. Just say the word...

I'm in the same boat as you with 3 preference points in Iowa and waiting to hear about elk and pronghorn. I grew up in central Iowa and I have family farms that I have exclusive access to when I go back. I can't recommend any outfitters, but I can tell you that there are still several farmers/landowners who will allow you to hunt if you knock on their door and ask nicely for permission. You can also get onto Iowawhitetail.com and ask some questions about the zone you're planning on hunting. Those guys will know which outfitters to ask and which ones to avoid. Most of the guys there are cool and welcoming, but beware that some can be jerks when they don't need to be. Also, there are several public areas that, if you're willing to hike in a bit, you can get away from crowds. Good luck!

Our organizer asked me to give it an other bump. We're up to 14 or 15 registered, including a couple of returners from last year. There's still time to register and plenty of room!

Once again, our local Northern Arizona Chapter of the NWTF is sponsoring a turkey hunting and calling seminar. This will be on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at the AGFD office in Flagstaff (Lake Mary Road). It is a free seminar and a great way to learn about hunting and calling turkeys. Unfortunately, I will be out of town that day, but you can contact Jim Warren directly, PM me, or reply here (need your name and # attending) to reserve your spot. Contact information for Jim (awesome turkey hunter) and other seminar information is in the attached flier. This is one week before our annual banquet (March 7). Flagstaff Turkey Hunting Seminar Flyer_2015.doc

Truer words never spoken! I'm in Flagstaff, too. My form sucks so you don't want me to teach you, but I'm happy to talk sometime. Check out Northern Arizona Flycasters (http://www.nazflycasters.org/). I've still never gotten involved since I've lived here, but I've heard nothing but good about them. My supervisor is active with them and she speaks highly.

Believe it or not, I've never fished the Ferry...and I live 2 hours from it. Its on my list, I just don't know the access and places. I'd be up for a trip to the Ferry or the Juan! Of course, that's as long as I have the time off and my wife is ok with it. I won't lie, if mama ain't happy, nobody's happy...that and I respect her enough to ask ahead of time!

TTT. I will be at Reach 11 Sports Complex on 21 February.

I have a NWTF Commemorative Browning Buck Mark .22 LR pistol. This was the 2007 Pistol of the Year and I won it at the NWTF banquet that year in Tucson. It has been sitting in my safe ever since and has never been fired other than the two proof fires from the factory. Its been a safe queen its whole life and my wife has convinced me to offer it up for sale so I can fund something that I'll use. It comes with the original box, magazine, manual, lock (and keys), and I can dig the proof shells out of my safe (I know they're in there somewhere). A quick search has them listed from $550-$800, with most like this in the $600-$700 range. I'm asking $650, but will entertain reasonable offers, although I'm in no hurry to sell it so no low-ball offers please. Buyer must sign bill of sale. No trades at this time. Trips to the valley are in and out with soccer, but half-way meets can work.

I realized recently that I did hardly any, if any at all, fishing in 2014 and I usually get at least one weekend of small-stream fly fishing in. I'm planning for a busy hunting season in 2015, again, but I will be making more time for fishing, especially fly fishing. I've convinced my wife to take off for the Juan for the last half of spring break this year. I'm sure that's the only trip it will take to ensure future trips! I can't wait to be standing side by side with my 10-year old daughter with her new fly rod and waders ripping lips on the Juan. One 17-19" bow or brown and she'll be flying high! Thanks for the Monday morning motivation!

I wasn't the lead for the telemetry study, just a lacky. But it was a great time! I've done a couple of presentations on my work over the years, but nothing big. Its been years since I've done any research. Now I'm neck deep in other conservation work. I still chase herps when I can, though!

Yep, Chiricahuas. Was on a research permit, so I got to help install transmitters in the little buggers! Here's one from the Huchcuas all tucked up I studied the venom and evolution of venom in scutes for my actual MS, but I was into all kinds of venom studies. It was the Mojave toxin and lack of in some areas that sparked my interest. Here's a pdf of my one and only publication to lull you to sleep at night. Wooldridge et al_2001 Mojave Toxin.pdf

Excellent post and one of my favorite subjects! The subject of my MS work at UETP: Crotalus scutulatus (Mojave) Another all-time favorite (your moniker): And a personal favorite pic that my wife took of a Ridge-nosed:

Saturday, March 7 will be the 27th annual Northern Arizona Chapter NWTF Hunting Heritage Banquet in Flagstaff. The flier with location, time, and ticket prices is attached below. PM me with any questions or you can call the contact on the flier. If I wasn't out of town for training the two weeks before the banquet, I'd be listed as the primary contact. Thanks for looking and hope to see some of you there. Banquet Flier 2015.pdf

Bump for a good seminar. We currently have 8 registered, so there is plenty of room!

Both boxes are spoken for. If anything falls through in the next couple of weeks, I'll bump it up. Thanks!

I have a full box each of once-fired Winchester Supreme brass for .243 WSM and .270 WSM. I keep moving these two boxes around on my my reloading bench and, for whatever reason, I hit my breaking point this weekend. I'm not even sure how I came to have them. I don't own a rifle chambered for either and don't see myself getting one; therefore, I don't need them. So here's the deal. I will be down in the west valley this weekend (31st) for a soccer game. My daughter has a game at the Camelback Park, which is near Camelback and Dysart. If you want/need either box, you can come pick them up from me between 0930-1015 Saturday morning or I can meet you somewhere off the 101/17 (going north of 101) after her game and lunch or on our way to eat. If you want to make me a reasonable offer for either box, that's fine. If not, I'm content helping out someone who genuinely needs these and/or you can make a donation to Amanda. The only catch is my limited availability due to the day trip and desire to get back to my family up here in Flagstaff after the soccer game. At the same time, I will be in the valley again for two soccer games on 7 February. Our first game is at 1030 in the far SE (Higley and E. Williams Field Rd) and our second game is at 1440 at the CCV complex up by Happy Valley Rd and 67th Ave. You'll have to work around game times because I don't answer my phone during games and can't go too far out of our way to/from games.

I'd have gladly helped you pack that sucker out! .243 WSSM and .270 WSM they are. Both appear to be spoken for!

I should have clarified that the cost is double if I've ever helped anyone pack out an elk! I will verify my haste and fat fingers that they are, in fact, both WSSM. Thanks for asking about that, Mike! Its been a long day of meetings and phone calls.

I'll second the Hoyt Ruckus. My daughter will be 11 in April and she's been shooting a Ruckus since she was 8. She's pulling 32.5 lbs and that will go up as soon as we adjust her draw length. Its a solid bow, very lightweight, and easy to work with. Bowtech is apparently coming out with a new line to replace the Infinite Edge, so you might look into that when they are out, if they aren't already. Or look into a closeout on the Infinite Edge.

Great buck! Your dad emailed me a couple of pics this morning. Congrats!!