IA Born

My daughter and a friend of the family got drawn together for their first elk tag. First time applying, too. Not a junior's hunt, though. Like others, I knew the odds of the youth tags were stacked against them so I put them in for general cow tags. Needless to say, I've got two VERY excited kids on my hands! We haven't even gotten the tag in the mail, but I'm already feeling the pressure to get them on elk and tagged out!

AWESOME!! PM Sent! THANK YOU!!

Check out the Happy Jack Youth Turkey Camp. http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/46837-2014-juniors-turkey-hunting-camp-happy-jack/ There will be mentors and others there that know the area. I will be there as a mentor, but I will have another kid with an OTC tag or I'd volunteer to take you and your kid out to 6A.

Thanks, jaymzth007! Definitely keep me posted! I told his parents not to order anything yet, pending these awesome offers!

That would be awesome. Thanks!

Promotive ROCKS!

Keep in mind that if you draw a tag and she doesn't you can transfer it to her. I gave my deer tag to my daughter last year and took her on her first deer hunt. We didn't get one but we got pretty close to some does and she had a blast. The only problem with that is because of her crazy soccer schedule, if I'm going to elk hunt, I'm limited to early archery only. If I draw and she doesn't, she can't use my tag. She's good with her bow and has been pulling 34 pounds for quite a while, but I'm not ready to let her elk hunt with a bow yet. As for deer, I've been holding out for a Strip tag. I can't apply for that with her hunting desires because if we both get drawn, given the hunt she wants, one of us will get screwed out of a hunt. I may not be ready to let her hunt elk with a bow, but I have no problem getting her an archery deer tag (she's expressed the desire) and sitting on a tank with her in my blind. No matter what, she'll be deer hunting this fall and she knows it.

My daughter turns 10 next month and for the first time in my life, I'm not worried about whether or not I get drawn. Yes, deep down, I hope I do, but if only one of us is to get drawn, I truly hope she gets the elk tag and deer tag. Looking ahead at her deer hunting opportunities and what we've talked about and what she wants, I will probably buy a bonus point for myself and rely on my archery deer tag. I've talked to a friend about leftover Coues tags, which really interest me again, but that's only if it doesn't interfere with my daughter's hunts. I guess the short answer to the original question is my archery deer tag is my backup plan with the possibility of a leftover Coues tag. If she doesn't get a deer tag, we may skip on down to south Texas for her to shoot a deer and, hopefully, a hog with my brother-in-law or another friend or two down there!

Two days before my archery elk hunt in 2012, I did something stupid while loading gear and felt a huge POP in my left shoulder. I knew it wasn't good, but I was leaving for my hunt no matter what. I had waited too long for that tag. I spent all two weeks out hunting, thinking I would get tagged out earlier and into the doc. I called towards the end of my hunt to make an appointment and it was another two weeks before I could see him. Turns out, I tore some ligaments in my A-C joint. It was supposed to heal on its own if I put my bow down and let it rest for 6-8 weeks (4 weeks in by appointment). Of course, my wife talked me into installing laminate flooring ourselves and with 2 weeks left in my 8 week recovery, just as everything was finally feeling great, I set myself clear back. I ended up having multiple cortisone shots and the doc told me surgery was my only long term solution. With turkey season and fire season approaching in 2013, I told him there was no convenient time. In March, I tried to shoot my bow after the last cortisone shot had worn off and it put me in tears. I went on my turkey hunt and in early May went to see my doc/surgeon with my tail between my legs. Of course, he wanted to do surgery immediately, but I had a family trip to Florida that included fishing over July 4 holiday. I put fishing with my family ahead of my surgery. In hindsight (always 20/20), it was DUMB! I had surgery July 11. I was very fortunate in that there was no rotator cuff damage. It was irritated, but not seriously damaged. I spent 2.5 months doing physical therapy and was able to draw my bow again on Thanksgiving day without dropping the poundage and without pain. Had I done the surgery earlier, I would have been recovered faster and been able to pick up my kids and hug them sooner. 5 months without being able to pick up my kids was way too long. Good luck and listen closely this time! It may end up being a slower recovery than you'd like, but it will be worth it all!

You just described why we turkey hunt; why we keep going back even though it seems futile. I've loved my "close encounters" as much as I've enjoyed filling my tag. Great story!

I have not had to deal with Cannon's warranty department, for which I'm very thankful. Not because their warranty department is bad, but because I've had no issues (knock on wood). Back when I bought it, Cannon was relatively unheard of, but the reviews were all good. Its entirely possible that things have changed since then.

I have a Cannon safe with an electronic key pad. I think I've changed the battery once or (maybe) twice in 11 years with it. Never had a problem. Back when I bought it, Cannon had the best warranty on the market. Warranty is the bigger factor me; more so than fire rating. The average fire department is not going to get your house fire put out in less time than the fire rating offers in most cases. If you have a warranty issue, most safe companies are going to charge you (~$250) to ship the safe back to them to fix or replace and then charge you again to ship it back to you (another ~$250). Cannon covers ALL shipping costs on warranty issues. That was the biggest selling point for me 11 years ago. I am also looking into a new safe and I haven't seen anyone that matches that warranty option. Liberty is a good safe, but I don't know if their warranty is on par with Cannon. I know my next safe will be another Cannon, though.

Amanda is dead on. I don't know that I've ever publicly come out and admitted it on this site, but I work for the USFWS in Arizona. I was in our Tucson office for 3.5 years before moving to our Flagstaff office. I have a very strong, working knowledge of what the ESA is and is not. You'd truly be surprised by what it isn't. I have worked on one listing package and associated critical habitat designation. I have seen the ESA abused by people with agendas and I've seen it abused by people who don't understand it. At any point, I'd be happy to sit down with anyone and have a rational discussion about any aspect of the ESA and what, exactly it can and can't do. In all of my years, one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that people's perspectives change when they realize that there are FWS biologists who have spent their lives hunting, fishing, promoting the continuation of hunting and fishing, and practice/believe in conservation. I've swayed many an ill opinion of "my kind" by using my passion for hunting and fishing in conjunction with my equal passion for conservation. By the way, Amanda, we have several mutual friends! They all speak highly of you!

While I agree with what has been said about there not being a need for critical habitat being designated and that money is better spent working in their core area, critical habitat alone will not close off the public lands from hunting. I did not work on the critical habitat rule/designation, but I'm extremely familiar with what the designation of critical habitat means and DOES NOT mean. Critical habitat already exists in many areas for other species that are truly in need of protection and no access to public land has been lost in over 20+ years. I used to work with the land management agencies in southern Arizona to implement projects where both critical habitat and protected species exist. I have hunted in those same areas. It changes land management, but only slightly and often for the better because the land management agencies are also working to recover the species/habitat so protections can eventually be removed. In all of my years of working in the wildlife management field, there has NEVER been a case of restricted access for any recreational activity (except eagle nesting exclosures) on public lands. AZLance's information has been instrumental in understanding where jaguars are/are not and how many there are down there. Yes, there are at least two and because of the number of trail cams, they are more than fleeting glances. I highly doubt tags will be reduced because of a critical habitat designation. There is no reason that would cause the reduction. Jaguars have been down there eating deer for a few years now and tags haven't been reduced. I also agree that there are too many tags in those areas, but the aim has been, in recent years, hunter opportunity, not herd quality. Tags should be reduced in many areas down there to improve herd quality, but the jaguar or its critical habitat won't be the reason it happens.

X2 on this statement. The Diamond was too heavy for my daughter so I went with a Hoyt Ruckus, but I have no doubt that when my son outgrows his Nuclear Ice, he will stepping up to that Infinite Edge (or whatever model replaces it).

I meant to include pics of my rig in my original post. With my 700 ADL, it went from right around one-inch groups with the factory stock (bedded/floated), Leupold Dual Dovetail bases/rings and a Simmons Aetec Scope with factory trigger set to 2.75lbs to a factory synthetic stock with a Zeiss Conquest and handloads producing .48" 100-yard groups (.81" at 200 yds). I have always loved the Leupold Dual Dovetail bases/rings and have never had a problem with them. A few years ago, I put a McMillan stock on it because I've always wanted one. It didn't really improve the accuracy, but it looks cool! Back then, I chose between the scope or a Timney trigger. Obviously went with the scope and figured the factory trigger at 2.75 lbs was good enough (and it obviously has been). I may or may not go with a Timney or Jewell down the road to drop it down to 2 lbs (or less), but then I'll end up having to do that with all three of my hunting rifles and that will get expensive! Factory Synthetic Stock: With McMillan Stock:

My 2011 Iowa archery buck. Taken Halloween morning after rattling him to just under 20 yards. Scored 144-5/8 as a 10 pt.

Closing the roads in the winter is not uncommon up here to prevent road damage. Not saying that the roads will be damaged with the lack of moisture, but it is standard FS practice. The shooting range out east of town in open and a great place.

That is EXACTLY what it includes and is what we need! Some of the kids are first timers and some have some really heartbreaking stories. You get to mentor them in life and turkey hunting! I see you are here in Flag. If you want to meet up sometime and talk more about it, let me know.

One last bump before the seminar next week!

The Northern Arizona chapter of the NWTF will be hosting another Spring Turkey Hunting & Calling Seminar in Flagstaff at the AZGFD office on Wednesday evening, February 19th from 7-9 PM. No cost. If you plan to attend, let me know and I can add your name to our list so we don't over-book. There is good seating, but it IS limited. We did this last year and it was a success and well received. Our speaker will also offer tips, etc. on hunting in other, nearby states. Bring your maps, etc. and he'll be happy to offer 60+ years of experience. I consider myself a good turkey hunter, but our speaker is phenomenal and will definitely teach you something!

Not much more to add that hasn't been added. I had a factory synthetic stock put on my 700ADL .30-06 and absolutely had it bedded and floated. Factory trigger was adjusted to 2.75 lbs and I have a good Zeiss scope on it. 200 yards groups with my hand-loaded Barnes 165 gr TSX shoot 0.81". Trigger, bed/float, optics, and try handloading, even bumping up to 165 gr or 168 gr and you should be able to reach beyond 600 yards all day long. Many people seem to forget that the .30-06 was the original 1000-yard open sight match competition rifle. Springfield 1903s and M1 Garands are capable of 1000+ yard accuracy (without scopes) all day long in the hands of someone who knows how to work them. Modern rifles set up properly are just as capable! Good luck!

From yesterday afternoon: http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/41105-204-ruger-brass-for-sale-or-trade/

Yep. Have seen them at the West (old) Walmart and Colleen at Pistol Parlor should be able to get you one. Can also order them from Cheaper Than Dirt, but you have to ship to an FFL.

Figured I'd give this another bump up. Still space open.