Little Creek Calls

Cole at CMC Skulls makes regular trips to the valley. It's also possible to ship the heads FedEx, although I don't know how the rack might affect that.I bought a scabbard off Cole over the summer and he brought it down on a family visit. Cole at CMC has always done great work for me and like stated him or his family comes to town often and can usually pick up and deliver. My first time using him he met me half way on short notice to pick up a deer head. His brother delivered it to me when it was finished. Used him several times since and always have had great service for pick up and delivery.

According to the regulations the credit card update deadline was yesterday the 5th. They should start hitting cards the first part of next week. hopefully it is my turn to hunt Goulds.

3 or 4 boxes? That would last me 30-40 turkey hunts. I originally bought two boxes of 10 shells each. After 3 hunts and 3 birds, I still have 17 left. Turkey hunting isn't like dove hunting. I try to hunt two or three states each year and most other states I hunt allow you to shoot two birds. Also on the Arizona youth hunt I usually let the youth I hunt with use my gun and ammo. I also check my sights each year before doing any turkey hunting (my sights are fully adjustable and not the normal shotgun bead). I find myself using around 1 box of 10 shells each year.

I don't have any experience with jebs chokes but if you can get tighter patterns shooting Winchester longbeard without switching to a heavy shot tungsten blend shells you will pay for $100 choke in savings after 3 or 4 boxes of shells. Just be aware the manufacture of the gun and barrel length also contribute to the pattern. Different guns will not pattern the same using the same shot and choke. In the next couple months I plan on doing some range test with Winchester longbeard in 12 gauge 3 1/2" shells in #5 & #6. I will not be using a jebs choke but I will let you know what I find. I am looking into a less expensive alternative to the tungsten blend that I am currently using and getting great results with.

Anyone else hunting Crane this weekend? I am going with my dad and a friend and this will be our first time to hunt Sandhill Crane. I am really looking forward to it. Hopefully its a fun trip and becomes an annual tradition.

I have read several different ways to prepare and cook them, what is your favorite?

I don't have anything scheduled yet but I am sure I will have at least one or two. They will be held the end of March or first part of April just before the spring turkey hunts.

It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed having them in the shop. We worked on a mesquite glass call. I was surprised at all the different camera angles he got that I never would have thought of. David from game fish really seemed to be an artist with the camera. I can't wait to see the finished show. He said it would be on next year some time and he would let me know.

I am not sure when it will air, i assume next year sometime. I will keep you updated.

My mistake the Game and fish website says the 12th so maybe not for another week unless they are going by the date in the regulations.

In looking at the map it looks like there is quite a few areas to hunt on Maui. Most areas are open year round for pigs and goats. Some areas are only open on weekends. There is also one archery only area. The daily bag limit is 2 goats and 2 pigs per day. If you are after pigs look for any wild fruit or nut trees like guava mango papaya or mac nut. You might also check with any fruit or nut orchards, i sure they would love for you to help control the population of pigs. For birds check with the state for seasons. I have never seen so many different types of game birds in my life in large numbers. With no predators they are not to skittish and fun to hunt. Here is a link to the big game maps. http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/huntered/files/2013/05/MammalHuntingRegs_Chap123.pdf

To hunt in Hawaii you need to send them your hunter safety card and they will issue you a exemption number (since you didn't take the course in HI) and that will allow you to get a hunting license and permits (hunter safety is required). This needs to be done before you go or you will not be able to hunt. You also need to check in your firearm with the local police department when you get there. I have not hunted on Maui but have hunted multiple times on the Big Island. On the Big Island there is no need for a guide or outfitter because there are plenty of public hunting areas loaded with birds and animals to hunt. All you need to do is sign in and out of the hunting check stations. Licence is around $90 and most permits are no charge. Just make sure what you are wanting to hunt is in season when you are planning your trip.

That looks like an Apache trout on the north fork of the White River. I enjoy fishing upstream from that crossing.

7MM WSM

I think you are talking about this thread. http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/58672-chiggers/

I am really curious at what distances everyone is successfully shooting Coues deer. You hear or read lots of stories and it seems that the distance is getting farther each year. Just wanted to take a poll and get more of a feel for what is actually happening.

Well the Turkey Banquets are coming to an end for the year. I sent my last donation call yesterday to the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter for the Banquet Saturday night in Sierra Vista. I will not be able to attend this year but I hope my name is called when they draw for the state Turkey tag. The call is an Arizona Walnut pot with a black anodized aluminum calling surface. The striker has a Pecan head with Bacote dowel.

Here are a couple calls I just dropped off for the Valley Longbeard’s Banquet this Saturday night in Phoenix. The first is a Glass call in an Claro Walnut pot with an Apple Bubinga striker. The box Call is Mesquite body with Ash lid and base plate. I will be attending and hope to see some of you there.

I was told that there are still tickets available. Come and celebrate the 20th annual banquet for the Valley Longbeard's and help support the NWTF and wild turkey. Saturday July 25th doors open at 5PM dinner starts at 6PM LOCATION: Hilton Phoenix Airport Hotel 2435 S. 47th Street Phoenix, AZ 85034 For Information & Reservations contact: Rich Williams 602-881-7292, Howard Frampton 602-692-2911, or Scott Snarey 602-996-4679

lower blue river

Looks good. Who did the mount for you?

I have a $30 off a $150 purchase at sportsman's warehouse coupon if you want it (no expiration).

What size are the neoprene feet in the Simms waders?

I have never encountered them in Arizona but have in Missouri and they are not fun. In looking around on the internet about chiggers found some interesting things about them. A common myth about chiggers is that they burrow into and remain inside the skin. This is not true. Chiggers insert their feeding structures into the skin and inject enzymes that cause destruction of host tissue. Hardening of the surrounding skin results in the formation of a feeding tube called a stylostome. Chigger larvae then feed upon the destroyed tissue. If they are not disturbed (which is rarely the case because they cause substantial itching) they may feed through the stylostome for a few days. The itch is due to the presence of the stylostome and usually is most intense within 1-2 days after the bite. Many home remedies for chigger bites are based upon the incorrect belief that chiggers burrow into and remain in the skin. Nail polish, alcohol, and bleach have been applied to the bites to attempt to get rid of the chiggers by "suffocating" or killing the chiggers. But because the chiggers are not present in the skin, these methods are not effective. Chiggers do not bite at colder temperatures below 60 F. Chiggers also are not found in areas hotter than 99 F.

They are like ticks and DEET products work to repel them.