IA Born

This could be one of my favorite threads of all time!

My wife and I both had last Friday (Good Friday) off, so we dropped the kids off at school and took off shed hunting. About 45 minutes into the hike, I looked down to see a "branch antler" sticking up. After verifying that it was, indeed a juniper branch, I happened to look farther downhill and saw a definite fresh brown antler! After four long years of looking and only finding 1-3 year old antlers or broken pieces, I finally found my first fresh brown elk antler, complete with some blood on the base. Pup had to check it out, too. We searched for the match, but came up empty. We ended up hiking a little over seven miles for the day, dropping in and out of/crossing a couple of canyons and walking some very unforgiving, rocky mesas, but this was the only one we found on the hike. Back at the truck, with two tired dogs. As we were driving back home along the Forest Road, my wife yelled at me to stop because she saw a branch that looked like an antler, 40 yards off the road. I looked across her and without my binos, knew we had brown number two for the day. The ironic part is that, because of where it was, we drove past it on the way in and it was on my side! It was a small 4-point side from a raghorn, but its still a great find! This was an awesome Good Friday! Our total haul for the day.

That's both awesome and funny because it definitely wasn't there on Good Friday! Give me a shout if you ever need a partner up here!

Nice find, Christian!

What he said! I put my daughter in for general hunts for the exact same reason. As a Hunter Ed instructor, I've talked to too many parents who's kids lost interest in hunting because they had to wait 3-5 years to get a youth elk tag. I put my daughter in for a general tag last year for her first elk hunt and had my absolute best year of hunting ever. Just like lance says, I had so much pressure and anxiety (all self-imposed). She didn't fill her tag, but found her success in other avenues and we grew much closer! Good luck! Now we're just waiting to see which one of got the elk tag this year (my money is on her)!!

Its that time of year again. The youth turkey hunt is coming up (17 April is opening day) and the Mingus Mountain Longbeards Chapter of the NWTF is hosting their annual youth camp. I've attached the flier below for the details and contact information to either volunteer as a mentor or register your kids. Unfortunately, due to my daughter's crazy soccer schedule, I will not be able to volunteer as a mentor this year and I know the camp really needs mentors. Please consider this! Tim Denny's contact information is in there or I can email you the word docs for volunteering and/or the registration form for bringing your youth hunter and family. 2015 YOUTH CAMP INFO.pdf

Thanks for all of the input, guys! I've been super busy so I'm just now reading through everything. And to those of you who PMd me, THANKS!! I need to look at some maps and try to get my bearings in those areas since I've never been there. Much appreciated!

Sounds good. Hope your hunt was awesome!

All- I just found out about this event late last week, so sorry for the short notice. If you are in Flagstaff or the surrounding area, Planet Dodge will be hosting the Sportsman's Warehouse Outdoor Film Festival this Wednesday, April 1 (since the Flagstaff Sportsman's is under construction). I will be manning a table/booth for the local NWTF chapter and I understand RMEF and Mule Deer Foundation should have tables/booths also. From the NWTF perspective, we will have our current raffle tickets available (31-Day Gun Raffle and Commissioner's Turkey Tag). More information is in the attached flier. Hope to see some of you out there!

That's awesome! I got an email back from my State Chapter rep and he said stubs wouldn't be mailed. You all would have to trust that your tickets ar being entered into the drawing. Pleasant surprise to read this! Thanks again for buying tickets and supporting the NWTF!

Good and fair questions. I have an email into the RD and State Chapter to find out. I've never used the website for ordering, so I simply don't know that process. I always mail the stubs to those who buy from me. As soon as I hear back, I'll let I you know.

Decoys are SPF! Thanks everyone!

I have a Carry-Lite Pretty Boy turkey decoy set up that I've decided to sell. Comes with strutter and hen. I've repainted mine to look more like a red-head tom (painted over most of the white) and can get pics of the actual decoy tonight. Its been used lightly for 3 seasons (about 3 days each season) and in excellent condition. Nothing wrong with it, just changing my set up. $60 for the set. In Flagstaff and not driving through the Valley anytime before turkey season. UPDATED WITH ACTUAL PICS Set (hen used one season for 1.5 days) Strutter Wings and Head Detail Strutter Head Detail

Let's stay in touch, based on what happens with 1uglydude. I've got the same hunt on the north rim, so we'd have to figure something out (but that's a small hurdle). I'm taking my daughter to 6B for the opening morning of the youth hunt since she's got a soccer tournament that weekend and has to miss the youth camp.

If things fall through with 1uglydude, you'll have next option. I have to be fair to him since he contacted me first. Hope you understand. What 6B hunt do you have?

Yep, I forgot about the NWTF booth at the Expo. I'm tied up or I'd be there at the NWTF booth, too. I don't know how many decks are left. I know the Tucson chapter sold two decks crazy quick. We have plenty of cards left in the deck for our Northern Arizona (Flagstaff) Chapter.

I won't be there, but I'll PM you how we can make it work. Check your PMs

Buyer would have to pay shipping. Right now, I'm waiting to hear about a local pick up from 1uglydude (PMs sent), but if it falls through and you're willing to pay shipping, I'll box that big thing up. Updated above with pics of my actual decoy, repainted to look more realistic.

Sounds good. Let me know. I'll try and get pics of the actual deke with the paint job up tonight.

Was it a February or late January field day? I don't remember a February field day, but I helped with a January class and we had a couple of online kids in there. Just curious because I like to stay in touch with and encourage former students! Good luck to your daughter and consider taking her to the youth turkey camp down by Happy Jack. Its free (including all meals)! I won't be there mentoring this year, unfortunately, but its a great time. Yes, it was the Late Jan. I believe. My wife was accompany with daughter as I provided support for them. Thank you for your support and help with everyone's kids. We are considering the Turkey Camp for sure. I will let you know how this goes. I remember you guys! Your daughter did awesome! Good luck!

Bump back up. Plenty of tickets left here in Flagstaff!

Was it a February or late January field day? I don't remember a February field day, but I helped with a January class and we had a couple of online kids in there. Just curious because I like to stay in touch with and encourage former students! Good luck to your daughter and consider taking her to the youth turkey camp down by Happy Jack. Its free (including all meals)! I won't be there mentoring this year, unfortunately, but its a great time.

When did she go through the HE class in Flagstaff?

Excellent! Thanks for the support!

No problem! Hopefully this lonk works: http://www.nwtfarizona.org/31-day-gun-raffle.html