rossislider

I have been considering pulling the trigger in some 15x56 SLCs. But this past season, I got to use a friend's 15x56 Zeiss Conquest. I'd say they were the closest thing to the 15x56 SLCs I have used. I went back and forth between the Conquests and my 12x50 ELs in multiple situations. Usually when I do that with other binos, I notice a big difference in clarity and light. But not so much with the Conquests. I was really impressed with Zeiss. I can get the Conquests for substantially less than the SLCs (almost half price) and may very well go that route. I won't be giving up my ELs any time soon. But with all 5 members of the family now hunting, I might be able to justify another high end pair to the lineup. In addition to my 12x50s ELs, we have some 10x42 Vortex Razors and a pair of 10x42 Vortex Diamondbacks (you know, for the kids). I think we need something more high powered next. I do use a Vortex Razor spotter. It definitely doesn't hold a candle to the Swaro 95. But I don't use it that much, and it definitely does the job I need it to for how little I use a spotter.

Here is that message: Many of you know that Mike passed away on Monday. He was a great dad, avid hunter and lover of animals, and my best friend. We are still trying to figure out what all the next steps are so we appreciate all the well wishes. I thank all who have reached out to help and if I did not respond to everyone, I'm sorry. I will try to get back to you. Even though many people will not get to be with sick loved ones because of the pandemic, I was blessed to be with Mike when he went to meet Jesus. He is no longer crippled and in pain but dancing with Jesus. Praise God!

Not much different from Old Mexico.

Yeah, that is the boring stuff. If you can't lose a few fingers or hand lighting it off, it isn't that fun.

Let me repharse that. Somewhere relatively close. Like on the reservation?

Correct me if I am wrong, but the main improvement is a little better edge clarity? Seems like a small improvement for a significant price jump. Swaro may still reign king (I use Swaros and am a fan) but I think they need more than this marginal improvement. This certainly doesn't have me rushing to sell my 12x50 ELs to upgrade. The competition is closing the gap on Swarovski fast.

If anyone here knows and talks to the wife, can they make sure to let her know that there is a big group of guys willing to make sure his kids can still get out hunting? Please keep us posted.

Heartbreaking. I don't have words.

Wow! Mike was definitely a good guy I was glad to know. I know he had a number of health issues, but I thought most were skeletal in nature. Prayers for his family.

The way the back is slanted, it is designed to sit/lean back in, which is not ideal for glassing. If you are sitting up straight glassing, you really aren't going to be using the back.

Here is a picture of how I would set it up for glassing with my tripod. Keep in mind, you are sitting up higher, so your tripod legs will be more extended. With the legs extended, you can get your knees under the tripod and bring it right up to the chair.

No more than any other chair I have used while glassing.

I'm roughly 200 lbs roughly and I had my daughter (11 years old and probably 80-90 pounds) come and jump in my lap. Chair held up no problem.

You might check out the Helinox chairs. The are super packable, only weigh a couple of pounds, and are supposed to support up to 320 pounds. I really like mine. I don't usually take it on pack trips and usually opt for the pad. But I have a couple of times, especially if I think I am going to want to sit a little higher. Always end up glad when I actually do take it. I am 6'4" and currently weigh about 200 (maybe a few more thanks to my work from home COVID-19 eating habits.😥 They aren't cheap. https://helinox.com/collections/chair-one Here are a couple of pictures of mine to give you a better idea of size.

Unfortunately, your experience is not at all uncommon with a handful of big business outfitters here in the state. These types of outfitters build a reputation using a handful top notch guides, paying big finders fees for big animals, getting auction tag hunters, etc. Problem is, unless you have an auction or super draw tag, are someone special, or have big money, you aren't getting the best guides. These outfitters may book 100+ clients every season using the notoriety of the auction tag holders and few big animals their $$$ client/guides killed (their will of course be a few exceptions). You probably only see pictures from 10% of "their" hunter's animals. The average guy is going to be subcontracted out to "Joe Local" while the big business outfitter collects a chunk of the money. They are largely a booking agency. When talking to a guide/outfitter, you MUST insist on the name of the guide you will be hunting with, talk to that guide, and research that guide before the outfitter ever get a penny of your money. Your best bet in most cases is going to hire an outfit that only takes a few clients and uses a small group of their in-house regular guides. Most of the primo units/hunts have a handful of guides that focus on those units/hunts every year. Unless you have big money, I would run from the big business outfits who guide the whole state using 100+ different "guides" that "work for them". Sorry about your last experience, but is sounds like you are doing it right this time. You are definitely going in a good direction with Duwane.

You won't be able to transfer that tag to your brother. AZGFD is very strict about this. Good luck on the hunt(s). Should be fun.

I am going to guess the same place as mine! 🤣🤣🤣😢

For those of you waiting, I got the first part of my order today (I placed two separate orders). Yes, it was me that tore into the two boxes.

I just needed to take a minute to vent to some folks that might share my pain and frustrations. Every draw cycle I submit applications for nine different people for multiple species. These applications are spread across 4 different credit/debit cards to help me in determining who may have drawn what tag prior to the official results coming out. However, since each card has the potential of being charged multiple times for the same or different amounts of money by the same company (AZGFD) multiple times in a matter of seconds. I take the time to contact each card company prior to the draw in an attempt to to make a "spending notification". The goal is to ensure they don't see the multiple charges in quick succession, assume fraud, and deny the charge. The process is annoying and takes way to long each time, but the biggest aggravation is trying to explain to the agent the AZGFD charge process and why they wold be charging my card multiple times in a matter of seconds for the same or different amount of money. They are accustomed to getting spending notifications for international travel, large amounts, etc. But clearly the concept of multiple $15 - $1100 charges in seconds by one company is baffling to them and beyond their systems to handle. Eventually, I get it straightened out, but after each call I know I have to have the same conversation all over again with the next card company. It is really a simple request, yet so complicated for the banking agent... JUST DON'T DENY AND CHARGES FROM THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT!!! Anyway, rant over. I still have two more banks to call.😩 Good luck this Friday.

That's a great story Jack! I enjoyed following along all fall on social media as well. Congratulations to the whole family.

I did a quick trip from the valley up to Payson this morning to pick up my 2019 bull from Clay. The 87 was open both ways. There is about a 13 mile stretch of the northbound that was down to one lane. It has a posted speed limit of 45 where it was down to one lane. Traffic moved well until we got behind a guy crawling along at 25 mph looking at the fire damage. Definitely a lot of damage, Ord was the worst from what we saw. Beautiful green earlier this spring to solid gray.

Actually, this one is my bull. My son's is still at the taxidermist.

Sorry, it got hijacked. The pictures are still at the top.

I found them through Instagram about a year ago. I think Clay said he had worked with them one time before me, but he seems to be doing a lot more with them now. The couple's names are JoDee and David. They used to sell a lot of their furniture in the Ace parking lot in Payson on weekends, but haven't since the whole COVID-19 thing. They prefer to be reached at 928-462-1388.

Clay had a few deer pedestals in the shop he was working on using some more of their stumps. Some with multiple arms for multiple heads. Looked awesome!