azhuntnut

Here is an email I received back in Febuary. David Dear Fellow Sportsmen and Women, The National Rifle Association's decision to support Jennifer Martin's nomination for the Arizona Game and Fish Commission has resulted in unnecessary turmoil. The NRA strongly supported a candidate for the commission, Nancy Lewis, who we felt had the experience, know how, and knowledge to sit on the commission and best represent hunters. The governor nominated Jennifer Martin instead of Lewis, leaving the NRA with three choices: A) narrow-mindedly oppose Martin's nomination, support the nomination, or C) stay neutral. Opposition to a governor's nominee should generally be reserved for those rare occasions when some sort of conflicting ideology is unearthed--such as dogmatic subscription to the animal rights agenda--that could potentially negatively impact hunting or wildlife conservation in Arizona. Yes, staying neutral is always safe, but there are those occasions when it's better to weigh in. After I met with Ms. Martin, I recommended that the NRA support her nomination. She is extremely qualified, competent and we're confident she will represent the best interests of hunters and the rights of gun owners. She is strongly pro hunting and sees hunting as an important, integral part of wildlife management. She strongly believes in expanding the opportunities for the hunter who can't afford $50,000 sheep hunts and $20,000 elk hunts. This is critical to the future of hunting in Arizona, and during my interview she discussed several ways of expanding hunting opportunities in the state. She rejects even the concept of landowner tags, which elite, wealthy hunters would love to see come to Arizona. She supports proactive conservation projects like those that are accomplished by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, FNAWS, DU, Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, The National Wild Turkey Federation and the many other outstanding groups that work tirelessly on behalf of this great state's wildlife. She strongly supports the philosophy that Arizona hunters should come first, before out-of-state hunters. She strongly supports existing shooting ranges and the development of new shooting ranges. This is just a sample of the issues I discussed with Ms. Martin. Coupled with her past employment by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and her clear understanding of the issues it faces today, she will make a great contribution to the commission. The folks who oppose Ms. Martin so vehemently have never stated any real reason to oppose her. They attempt to say that she has no knowledge of the issues. This is utter nonsense. Ms. Martin understands the issues important to hunters and conservationists and if you talk to her yourself you will agree. The leadership of the group opposing her are the same folks that brought you the following political shenanigans: 1) The ?million dollar prop 102 boondoggle?. They spent over $1,000,000 of your money on a failed attempt to pass the wildlife initiative which lost by over 20 percentage points! 2) The Governor's symposium on elk, which was nothing more than a veiled attempt to sell the concept of landowners tags to hunters. Thankfully hunters saw through the smokescreen. 3) They supported the sale and /or lease of all or part of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. Thankfully they failed, but only because the NRA exposed them. 4) They vehemently opposed the Ben Avery Protection Bill in the legislature two years ago and lost without getting even ONE vote. The bill passed unanimously! 5) They support a bill in the current legislative session that would gut the authority of the AZG&FCommission, which creates a new "committee" to control wildlife projects in AZ -- SB1300. It's important to know the process. Nominations to the G&F Commission are just that, nominations. It is NOT an election, and the most popular person doesn't necessarily get the seat. The Governor and the Senate have the right to confirm or reject the nomination. "We the people" can be heard on the nomination and if so desired, we can try to influence the Governor and the Senators. But that's where it ends. Those who oppose Ms. Martin are working overtime to convince you a nominee can be forced on the governor. Even if this group manages to get the votes to deny Martin's confirmation, why would the governor suddenly change her mind and "hand" them the person they want, when the same people just trashed her first choice? Political amateurs like this, who are either ignorant of the process or deliberately misinforming you, could well force a nominee onto the commission who doesn't know anything about hunting and fishing, intent on closing the Ben Avery Shooting Facility and granting landowner permits to everyone who holds a cattle lease. Please support Jennifer Martin and call you senators to let them know you do. You can find out who your senator is by calling 1-800-352-8404. Also, please contact the members of the AZ Senate Natural Resources Committee and tell them you are a hunter and a sportsman or woman who supports Jennifer Martin's nomination. Members of the AZ Senate Natural Resources Committee: Senator Jake Flake, Chairman (Republican) jflake@azleg.state.az.us Senator Robert Blendu, Vice Chairman (Republican) rblendu@azleg.state.az.us Senator Tim Bee, Member (Republican) tbee@azleg.state.az.us Senator Marilyn Jarrett, Member (Republican) mjarrett@azleg.state.az.us Senator Marsha Arzberger, Member (Democrat) marzberg@azleg.state.az.us Senator Robert Cannell, Member (Democrat) rcannell@azleg.state.az.us Senator Rebecca Rios, Member (Democrat) rrios@azleg.state.az.us Please call and email today! Thank you Todd Rathner Member, NRA Board of Directors Chairman, NRA Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Committee

Look at those eyes.

I think this picture was actually just taken this past December. I don't know how close he was, but I am going to have to guess around 40 yards. I'm gonna shoot a liiiiion, I'm gonna shoot a liiiiiion.

I was over on the rez. this weekend with Dan(apache7mm) and we saw a bull without any horns. He was also able to glass up about six sheds in one area that was anywhere from 500-700 yards away with 10x40 binos. I will be over there again in a couple weeks and I am sure I will be tripping over them, but I can't pick them up. David

Todd, You gadiated?

Seeing these pictures really gets me pumped. I am leaving on the 16th for a three day lion hunt on the San Carlos. I am going to try and glass one up or call it in with my Foxpro. Hopefully I will have some pics to post. David

Yes. He will be there selling and signing books. I am sure he would sign yours if you brought in. David

Chuck Adams!? In the RMEF booth!?? I haven't heard about that yet, but I also haven't been to any meetings lately either. David, how did that come about? Do you know what part of the day he'll be there? JIM <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This is classified information. Only members that show up to the meetings are able to obtain clearance to this info. This is part of an email that I received from Ted. ? "As an extra treat, we have Chuck Adams who is a recognized figure with us in are booth throughout the entire weekend". I am sure he will be there on Sat., but I don't know about Friday. David

I will probably be there on the 10th in the RMEF booth. Come on by and say hi. Chuck Adams will be in our booth also on the 11th. David

The fourths and fifths on that bull are amazing. It looks like his main beams are at least 56 inches. If we don't get any rain soon, I don't think we will be seeing bulls close to that in the 2006 season. David

Now I know who outbid me I am going to search hard this year and try to find something of this type of caliber. I would love to find the sheds from my elk. David

Becker, When you showed up at the cowboys house, was he watching Brokeback Mountain with his buddys? I have been drilling holes in mine and installing u-bolts. I then take a length of cable and paint in black along with my locks. I put the cable through the ubolts and lock it to the tree, plus lock the camera itself. Put a few branches between the rope the holds the camera and the trees just to break up the outline. Make sure you put a little bathroom caulking around the holes where you installed the ubolts.

George probably started off as a true hunter, but then took it to the next level and eventually it turned into greed. Jim, It took alot of will power to frame that tag you drew, but it showed everybody that you have some morals. There were some other recognizable names that drew trophy bull tags that decided to use them. I hope there actions have a monetary affect on there careers. I will step down now. David

That reminds me of this past weekend when my 7 1/2 year old boy kept bugging me about shooting my Marlin 1894 .44mag. I told him it was to big and would kick, but you know how boys are. He knelt down on the ground and let her rip. After it knocked him onto his back, all he could say was "WOW thats cool". I wish I had it on video. David

I got hit some years ago at about 60 yards and it stung like a bee. Luckily I was wearing safety glasses. Luckily he was shooting a .28gauge. I think the wounds would have been worse. David

I went and did a quick look through some swaro's, leica, and zeiss today. It is hard to see a difference in these top quality binoculars. I have been reading alot of good things about the zeiss FL's. I still need to take them outside on a cloudy day to make a good decision. I really like reading all the input from the birding forums. These guys really pick them apart. David http://www.birdforum.net/index.php?

This was from my old truck that I traded in 9 months ago. Now I have newer and more expensive tags to contend with. David

Hey Jim, Stop taking all those deer over to Bret. I want to get my elk back sometime this year. David

I got to try alot of new things within this past year. WORKED GREAT Badlands 2800 pack- This is a great pack. I had no problem carrying 40-50lbs of gear upto 10 miles a day on some of my hunts. I even ripped it while it was in the rack of my quad (my fault) and they fixed it with no questions. Danner Pronghorn boots- By far the best boots I have ever owned. They are light and can take a beating. Right towards the end of there warranty period, one of them developed a leak and they sent me a new pair. I am sure mine had at least 60 miles on them. Swarovski ATS 80 spotting scope- This sucker is unbelievable. I have been able to spot more game in the last year than I did in the last five years. Stinger Broadheads- I used these on my elk hunt in September. I wasn't for sure how they would work on a big animal, but I was very happy with the results. They flew like a field point once I got them tuned. Plus I got great penetratiion and a fast humane kill. Hunter Specialties cow elk urine wafers- They smell just like, well you know and cover up human scent very well. I would highly recommend these. And I can't forget my trusty mule my sportsman 500. With almost 3000 miles on the odometer, it carryed almost my entire elk out of the forest and never leaves me stranded. I really can't think of anything that didn't work.

I don't have the binos, but I do own a Swaro spotting scope that is very clear and bright. I am looking to buy some new binos also. Who has the best deal on the EL's right now? They need to be an authorized dealer. David

Is this a trail cam picture? He must be slowly bleeding inside. The bull in the background has a nice rack. David

This was the worst year I have ever had pig hunting. Everytime I went out to my spot where there is a resident pig herd, a quail hunter would be in the area and spook the pigs. It didn't matter if I went on a weekday or weekend, they were always there. I would glass the pigs in the morning and start to make a stalk and then a quail hunter would pop up out of no where and spook them. I did chase a big muley for a couple days, but then all of the sudden the rut stopped and he was gone. I had a sixty yard shot at him one morning, but had a few bushes in the way. He was a nice 4x5 with tall back tines. Have your dad put in for the muzzleloader hunt, he might have a better chance at getting drawn. How has he been doing, any better? Check out the latest Arizona Outdoorsman for my article about my elk I shot in Sept. Have a good one. David

I keep hearing there aren't any deer in unit 33. How have you been Rolando? I haven't heard from you in a while. For those of you who haven't had the chance to hunt with Rolando, you are missing out on a great hunt. He has no problems finding trophy deer and cooking back at camp in great. You won't be sorry making this trade. David

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/lionhunt.html