huntswnm

Thanks Tommy, Yeah, that wall came out great. I have a meeting with the USFS tomorrow morning to get our next project lined out. Hopefully some of the pictures are ready and I can get some posted on here. Jeff

ALL, Just to let you know that the USFS will be doing some work on a spring in Whitewater Creek in the Burro Mountains, just north of the Burro Mountain Homestead. This is a project that was started a couple of years ago with the cooperation of the USFS, NM G&F Habitat Stamp Money (I think), and the Gila Gobblers chapter of the NWTF with money raised by the banquets. I will be out there mid-morning sometime to help, and am looking for others who may be interested in doing some volunteer work. I am unsure how much work there is to do, however I do know that they will be finishing a rock retaining wall as well as some other dirt work. Thanks, Jeff

I don't know of anything right off hand. This project has been in the works for almost 3 years just trying to get through the paperwork of the USFS. We have one other project South of Trout Creek to do some tank work, but don't know what the status is on it. Jeff

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Hey guys, Tommy, actually had to pull up a topo map to see where it is in relation to Sugarloaf. The easiest way to put it is if you have come to the Homestead road you went a little too far. Just East of the Homestead road, on top of the hill is a road that goes off to the North. It follows the ridgeline for quite a ways before going off into the canyon to the West. At the bottom of that canyon is where the work is being done. Yes Tommy, it is just South of Sugarloaf, however I don't think it is the one shown on the map. This particular tank/spring is in the drainage just to the West of the one shown on the map. I believe the F.S. may be doing work from this spring down towards Sugarloaf. Anyway, if anyone is interested in going and want to follow me we can meet at HWY 90 & Burro Mt. Road at about 9:00 am. I am getting off work that morning at 8:00. F.S. should have all the equipment and supplies, may just need water, snacks, etc. Don't know exactly when F.S. will be out there but I am sure we can find something to do to pass the time Jeff

Jason, I guess that would be some good information to relay huh! It will be this Saturday, August 4th. I just found out myself today that it was going on otherwise there would have been more advanced notice. Jeff

Cool, maybe I will get to hunt something this year then. Thanks for the heads up Jason. Jeff

Hey man, No problem. The toughest part every year is advertising. Other than the sporting goods stores, etc. its mostly word of mouth. Wally World here has never been real open to us advertising around their sporting goods section, where 90% of the hunters here go at some point or another. Thanks Jeff

It has been advertised. Posters around town and on the radio the last couple of weeks. I believe that Larry Lightner has written about it in the paper as well. Mostly we use word of mouth from the people who have gone in previous years. Last year I had a table set up at the Mangus Bowmens two-day shoot and was represented at most of their one days as well. Next year we will remember to use this site as a advertising spot!! Thanks Jeff

Jason, Louie, Thanks guys for promoting this event. As you guys know, this is the 4th year for this banquet to take place in Grant County. I am not sure if I will be able to make it, at work today and don't know if I can get the time off or not. However, the few people that have put this together have worked very hard and I am sure it will turn out to be a great time for all! Louie, are you ready to chair it up next year?? Thanks again for everything, and keeping it going. Sincerely, Jeff

I have a Moultrie digital trail cam that I bought at Wally World last year. I like the way it is working but I had question about a solar charger for it. Can anyone tell me what I need to be looking for and how to hook it up, if it is possible? Would one of the small solar chargers from wal-mart work by just hooking the charger cables straight to the 6V battery?? Thanks Jeff

Thanks rimhunter, that is what I was wondering if you could do or not. Which size for the camera's? Probably the smallest one? Jeff

When did NM offer bonus points? I have been a resident all my life, all of 28 years, and can't remember bonus points? As far as the three hunts I have heard that they based that on some of the hunter surveys. That most people marked that they hunted 5-6 days out of the 15 day hunt so they figured shorter hunts would work better for people? The outfitters I think also played a big part in that. Most outfitters offer a 5 day Elk hunt so this would help them. As far as either sex tags they had been that way for many years for all archery hunts in the 16's and 15, 13, 23, 24, etc. up until a couple of years ago when they tried the mature bull tags in the 16's. I am sure there are many opinions both for and against the 5X side or better rule and that could be a topic debate in itself. I believe that in the end in comes down to one thing, and one thing only..............................MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jeff

Well, hopefully this works. These are some pics my camera picked up earlier this year. Sorry so dark, any way to lighten? This boy was just loosing his velvet! Again, a little dark? This pic was taken in middle of October. You can't tell but behind the doe is a small fawn that still has very distinct spots. A very late birth? Maybe proof of a late rut last year?

Thanks guys. Tommy, I will be hunting with my recurve, so we will see what happens. Jeff

Kevin, I haven't ever tried rattling so this will be a learning experince for me as well. Jason, Yeah!! I sure that thing would work great, although 75' might be a little high for a stand Jeff

Tommy, With as cold as it is staying, I am sure the snow will stick around as well. More coming on Saturday too. Good luck to you, looking forward to your story and pics! Later, Jeff

Scott, Those are some great pictures. Man, that is one heck of a set up as well. I have a pair of Swaro's 10X42's on lay-away and I thought those were expensive !! Good luck to you this year. Jeff

For any pics, send me an email and I will reply with pics. I am not very good with comps!! Unless someone who I sent them to can post them. Thanks Jeff smoke616@yahoo.com

'72 Toyota Landcruiser for sale. It was built for and competed in (not by me) rock crawling events as well as mudd bogging. Lifted about 6-8", big tires, Ford 302 V-8, Needs some work but runs well. Located in SW NM. Please email if interested and make reasonable offer. Jeff smoke616@yahoo.com

Here in NM it is legal to pick up sheds, however, intact skulls cannot be picked up without first contacting NM G&F. The officer is supposed to go with you and determine cause of death, if possible. Here however, no matter the cause of death, it is considered state property and more than likely you will have to purchase the skull from the state at a cost you and the officer agree on. There is really no process that defines how much a 70" coues skull or a 380" elk skull should be worth. I can see the reason behind it, to hopefully cut down on poaching, but realistically there is no way that this is an effective way of decreasing poaching. The only thing that I can think of that they can get you on is if for instance they have a reason to enter your home, shop, shed, etc. and see skulls with antlers lying around. Could they ask to see proof of "ownership" such as either a licensce or paper work showing you took it through the proper channels,,,,,,I don't know. Jeff

Tommy, Jason, Well, like they say, can't have them all. Those tags have got to be shared!! I've been doing some shed hunting out there, can't wait!! Jeff

No elk for me this year, although I did draw the January Burros Coues hunt!!! That makes up for no elk I suppose. Jeff

Scott, Congrats to your boys, that should be a great hunt. Jeff

Andy, I do not know Zeb personally, although I do know his brother Eric. I believe that Zeb is working for the Phoenix Fire Department in Arizona. Eric is here and works out of the local Forest Servie office as a biologist. Jeff