rossislider

Seems about as valid as most of the petions on there. I say go for it. I think I may even tune in for the petition part. I think it is going to be a very entertaining s*** show. Since most are petitioning the same thing on the same grounds, I have to wonder if as the move through, they have to tell people to bring more to the table than the last guy, or just walk away.

A lot of seemingly stupid petitions.

Hmm, interesting. I also find is fascinating how many (IMO) stupid and seeming BS petitions the commission has to go through.

What Dug said.

Nothing here. Still processing. 😕

My recommendation is one of each, and don't stop there. You can't have too many rifles. 😉 That said, these are both fantastic calibers. I may or may not have at least one of each. But if I were starting over, I would probably go with the 7mm Mag first, but only by the slimmest of margins. You can hunt just about anything (big game) in N. America with either. Also, when it comes to big game, there is no such thing as too much rifle, overkill, etc. The only guys who say that are the ones who don't know any better.

In Show Low I like Richard at Hunter's Lair Taxidermy. He is currently working on my son's bull you see in the avatar.

We started using them at the range and when hunting with my kids a few years ago. Great investment! Nice to be able to whisper to the kids and have them hear you. It can be hard and frustrating giving them directions with traditional ear plugs in while trying to not spook the animals.

Here are the pictures and the example I was talking about. First thing I want everyone to understand is that this bison turned out awesome! But we being the perfectionists we are and wanting everyone to get back the best skull possible, want to make sure people know that even on a euro, field care matters. Here is a picture of how the bison was upon arrival. Like I mentioned, they don't tend to fit in coolers, so this skinned skull traveled the long journey home in the back of the truck and got really dried out in the process. You will noticed that after simmering and cleaning, there are several dark purplish areas. This is where the blood dried into the bone and essentially stained the bone At a distance of a few feet or more, you won't likely notice any discoloration. But when you look really close, you can see what those dark spots look like after whitening. They either show a slight residual darkness or turn a shade of yellow. Over the past few years, Draysen and I have tried many methods of whitening and rewhitening multiple times to try and get these darker or yellow spots out. But once the skull is dried out, it seems irreversible. This also happens if left skinned for an extended time in the freezer (freezer burn), but generally it takes several months for that to happen. Most probably wouldn't notice or care. But when you have seen hundreds of euros come in and out the door, you can definitely tell the difference in a freshly done euro versus one that got dried out or left in a freezer for an extended period. I'll share a few tips for getting the cleanest most bone white euro possible from your animal: 1. Keep if moist and cold. Due to past issues with the neighbors, we have agreed to turn away any rotten skulls. Your nose will let you know if it is rotten. If it is, don't worry, we have other euro guys we can refer you to who live far from neighbors. But be advised, some charge an extra fee for dealing with a rotten skull. 2. If it is a small animal, and will fit in a cooler, do it. Skinned or unskinned, if cold, it will keep for many days. 3. If it is a large animal that won't fit in a cooler of freezer (mule deer, elk, bison, etc.), and you can't get it to your euro guy right away, leave the hide on and get it in the shade. We have had skulls brought to us that were a few days old with hide on that were kept out of the sun. They turned out just as white as a skull brought to us within hours of the kill. But if you take the hide off, it will start to dry out immediately. 4. If you must take the hide off, submerge the skinned skull in a pot or bin with cold water. This will keep it fresh for days, as long as the water stays cold. 5. If you are leaving the hide on, it does not need to be submerged as the hide will keep it from drying out, just cover it with ice and blankets and it will stay for days. A couple of years ago my wife had a bull elk hunt up north. After she shot her bull, we stayed up in the mountain for several days. We were able to keep the skull fresh and moist by leaving the hide on, putting it in a big bin from the local Walmart, throwing a few bags of ice on it, and them covering it up with a sleeping bag. When we got home a few days later, the skull was as fresh as the day she shot it. 6. If you get home and can't get it to the euro guy right away, stick it in the freezer. With the hide left on, it will keep in great shape for months, even years. If you have removed the hide, it will start to get freezer burn in your freezer after a few months, but you have a lot of time to get it to the euro guy before this happens. If it is going to be in the freezer (hide off) for an extended period, soak a towel, t-shirt, etc. with water, wrap it around the skull, and freezer it with the wet cloth on it. This will do the same thing the hide would have and preserve it from freezer burn. Sorry to be long winded. Just want to make sure everyone has the best information and knows what to do to have the best "trophy" possible. Please feel free to shoot us any questions.

Finishing this one up right now. The challenge with a bison skull is getting it down here without it drying out once skinned, or rotting if the hide is left on as they tend to not fit in coolers. It is important everyone knows and understands that a skinned and dried out skull WILL show in the final product. It will still turn out great, but some spots won't be as white as others. I will post some pictures using the bison as an example. THIS GOES FOR ALL ANIMALS.

That is my son. Thanks guys for posting it up. Feel free to shoot me a message of call/text either number on the page. He has also changed his FAQs and pricing a little for 2019-2020.

Sounds like a great time. Congrats!

I am referring to it as the COVID-19 (pounds).

I don't know if she has any current litters, but we got our girl from Barb. I know quite a few others who have gotten great pups from her. She has also been a supporter/doner to the AZ Deer Association. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbs-House-of-Labs/1836197220002414

Either will work fine. I personally prefer the 300 WM. If it were my hunt I would probably work up a load using the all copper Barnes LRX 212 grain bullets. LRX over TTSX since it isn't cheap to work up a load and the LRX is the better all around and long range bullet for other hunts. I don't use these in my current loads, but will probably go to them at some point. I know a lot of reloaders that use then with fantastic long range results. https://www.barnesbullets.com/bullets/

This hunt was cancelled this year because of COVID-19. I believe Janet (the lady who runs the program) said all hunters from this past year, who were not allowed to participate, would be invited next year. Not sure if this means they won't be taking a new winner this next year.

I wouldn't plan on anything this spring. Nor would I recommend buying a permit from them. They are likely to sell you one, and then tell you you can't use it after you have paid, but not offer you a refund.

Nice! Kyle Thorn (Cut-N-Strut Taxidermy) is doing a free life-size mount for the first junior hunter to post one up on Facebook and tag him. He is one of the gest bird guys in the state. I haven't seen anyone claim it yet... https://m.facebook.com/groups/1015271831944470?view=permalink&id=1625654517572862

I know several great ones. Some definitely specialize, and are exceptional at specific animals, while others excel at others. Anything in particular you are looking to have done? Also, keep in mind, a bigger name/highly reputable guy might cost a little more. But this site is littered with posts of guys who had stuff ruined, money lost, etc. by small guys who closed up shop and vanished, or ruined stuff. My votes for the top all around guys would go to: Clay Goldman at Mogollon Taxidermy, (Payson, AZ), Fantastic all around taxidermy. IMO, the best deer and elk guy in the state. Only person I am aware of in the state who has the machine to do velvet antlers in house (legit machinery, not injecting of sticking in a freezer for a LONG time). He is currently doing my bull from this past fall. Dale Robertson at Wild Heritage Taxidermy, (Young, AZ), I don't think he is taking new clients at this time. Fantastic all around taxidermy, but he is the best lion and cat guy in the business. I haven't seen ANYONE in the country who can consistently do the quality cat work Dale does. Richard Owens at Hunter's Lair Taxidermy, (Show Low, AZ), Great all around taxidermist and is currently doing my son's bull you see in my avatar picture. For birds, I recommend: Kyle Thorn at Cut-N-Strut Taxidermy, (Surprise, AZ), He used to do all birds, but is trying to focus solely on turkeys these days. He competes with the birds he works on and wins a lot of awards. Sven Eberson Wildlife Wings and Design Taxidermy, (Glendale, AZ). Skull cleaning and Euros: Draysen Hatch at Great Hunter Skullz, (Queen Creek, AZ), I am highly biased here (he is my son and I taught him), but I don't think anyone does a cleaner and whiter skull, and I have seen a lot. There are, of course, many other great ones in the state. I am by no means knocking any others. But I have seen first hand and done business with all of these guys. I have always been extremely impressed with everything I have seen done by them, and could provide personal photos from my family's collection from each of the above mentioned.

Ours was direct deposited early this morning.

I am by no means an expert. But I know enough to know that wind, can be a turkey hunt killer. I'll be following to see what others say, cause the wind has made it brutal on us on more than one occasion. Not saying it can't be done, but it sure makes it a lot harder. But on the flip side, when you finally get a nice calm day after several rough days, it can be epic!

As of last Friday when my fiend called down, it was still on. But it did seem very day to day. My son and I have tags for this weekend, so I will be checking as well.

Serves you right! Karma for you and Devan bidding everything up on me at the auction Saturday night!😂

If you still have all the hardware, I'll take them.

Never thought to try that. I might have to give it a go with our next elk. I'd throw it on the smoker and to about 132 degrees and do a reverse sear. I bet it would be ridiculous.