Chef

Lance, apparently G&F has hired their own IT professionals to handle the draw, this new portal and the current website. It's all in house from here on out. The next draw cycle (spring 2015) will be conducted as usual but the new system should be in place for the 2015 elk/lope draw. This is my understanding also. The AZGFD is just as frustrated with the performance of the current draw process as we are. This is the final year under contract with the company that currently conducts this service for the department. AZGFD is taking things "in house" to address the current situation head on.

The July 1st meeting in Mesa isn't advertised anywhere. The only meeting I see in Mesa is on July 8th at BassPro. Not being listed anywhere, I want to make sure it's an "open" meeting. Thanks. It is common for the department to meet with different conservation groups for presentations such as this. SCG is having a non formal meeting this coming Tuesday and it is SCG's goal to "bring a friend" and spread the word of the meeting. So yes, the public is definitely welcome. Also, bring a friend!

Sweet post! I look forward to your creations and let me know if you need a taste tester. When hunting the desert floors, I seem to regularly grab a mesquite bean and chew on it.

Hyperwrx, Thank you so much for your contributions to this thread. It's great to learn from people such as you that have firsthand experience on the subject. I'm reading your posts going "really?...I never knew!"

You guys are baaaaad. mkay.

Please give us some insight on what went down tonight if you can. If there are any unanswered questions, let us know and we can bring them up next Tuesday. Thanks in advance.

A lot of good points have been brought up in this thread and some good questions too. Allen (coueshunter) was fortunate enough to get the first meeting with Scott Lavin from the department regarding their ideas. As Allen stated, the Sportsmen's Constituent Group will meet with Scott at the Mesa AZGFD branch at 6PM next Tuesday, July 1st. Anyone and everyone can attend. I urge those that can make it, to please show and get first hand info from Scott and tell him what sounds good/bad about their proposal. Good opportunity to ask the right questions.

I wasn't expecting that. Nature sure is interesting!

Loving the play by play. Congrats on a successful trip!

+1 to what edge said on all three counts.

Looks great! For some reason the finished nuggets pic wasn't showing for me this morning. I love it when people share their recipes and techniques for cooking wild game. Especially the more exotic stuff like this. Thanks!

Generally, the off-road and 4x4 community is a good bunch. Conducting trail cleanups and the like throughout the year along popular and high traveled trails. From cleaning up oil spills to removing spray paint graffiti on rocks done by vandals. They realize that parties wreaking havoc on the trails, leaving garbage and burning down trees etc. will ultimately be blamed on them. So they do what they can in order to maintain a clean image. Above all, they try to remain stewards of the land for one main reason, to keep the trails open. The Sportsmens Constituent Group (SCG) has reached out to several local off-road groups with a common goal of doing what we can to restrict and limit road closures. We figure that maintaining an alliance, makes us a more powerful voice against the government limiting land access. There are plenty of people that enjoy the outdoors in different ways than we do. As with our heritage, it only takes a few bad apples to ruin our image.

Enjoy your day!

Have any pictures of the finished bear nuggets? Bet you were too hungry huh!

I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Congratulations are in order. That's a sweet bear to have called in and taken with archery equipment. Just amazing!

Hope you enjoy your day Shelvin! I truly wish you a memorable one!

That rack is just sick!

I'm sorry to hear about your family's tragic loss of your brother. It's so wonderful that you remember him like you do. I hope you see him again someday.

Thank you IA Born for your educating posts on the subjects. This has turned into a very informative and enlightening thread. I greatly appreciate your willingness to post up. Especially with your first hand knowledge and experience on the matter. Thanks for doing what you do and for working alongside us!

Ha! Maybe a little Barry White playing at TJ's this evening?

Love that place! Happy Anniversary!

Fixed! Lol!

x2!!! Happy Birthday!!

Stellar write up. Like TJ, I wasn't getting off the computer until I finished reading your story! Way to document the hunt with so many pictures and I know you'll come back for years and re-read it, over and over. Good job. First off, Congratulations to your Sarah. That's a heck of a monster buck!!! Love the big smiles after it's all said and done. She's following in your footsteps nicely and I know you must be very proud. Secondly, good on you for taking your daughters out with you. I always find it funny how we take the obligatory "asleep in the woods" pictures when we're with the young ones. before you know it, they'll be the ones behind the glass all day. To finish, nice kudos you give to AZG&P crew. You hit the nail on the head when saying that things don't always work out as planned when hiring outfitters. It's nice to see when guides want the big bucks as much as (if not more) than the clients. I've heard nothing but great things about these guys from friends that know what they are talking about. I'm happy to hear they continue to put the hard work in. Thanks for sharing your story, time had passed and I though we had read all about everyone's successes already. Your post sure breaks the "non-hunting season blues" that the forum has been experiencing.

Don't forget to purchase your lifetime hunting license before you leave. I know you'll be back someday, and good for you for taking advantage of a great opportunity to advance your career. Remember to let us know if you'll be getting together before you take off.