Lv2hnt

Great to see a CWT member be at the right place at the right time, and then get it done. Highest of props to the Lord for creating such an awesome animal!!!

There are several of you CWTers who are eager to get this story out and help promote the Hunts for Heroes program. That's great. Let's do it in an organized manner. Since Hunts for Heroes is a part of the Arizona Elk Society, let AES take the reins first on getting the story out about this hunt. CWT's involvement will be duly noted, be assured of that --- this hunt's success would not have happened without those who showed up from CWT! Going forward, input from all of you is welcome --- there are many outlets to be pursued. Feel free to contact me anytime. Look this coming week here on CWT for follow-up on Neil's hunt --- maybe even a way for you to get involved ...

This is Neil's story, not mine. Very happy to be able to help pull things together. He's now on his way up to see Clay Goldman in Payson to figure out the details on a shoulder mount. We just got back from checking Neil's ram in at the Mesa G&F branch. Pleasantly surprised at what we learned. The ram was born right there in the unit (not a transplant) and was 6-1/2 years old. Horn length 34 2/8 in. both sides. Bases 15 and 15 1/8 in. Gross score: 169 3/8, net 167 6/8. Heck of a ram for that age! FYI, the pic of the mountain in daylight omitted a large canyon directly below our glassing position. Neil and the mountain crew had already started down off the mountain by headlamp when I took the night-time pic (Neil's shot was taken from a bit higher than where the lights appear). The glassing pic was taken as we were cussing/discussing the 2 mature rams right before packs were shouldered for the stalk ... Also wanted to give a shout-out to Mike Miller of Southwestern Processing in Queen Creek for graciously donating the entire meat packaging of Neil's ram --- thanks again, Mike!!! (Mike has done a great job processing wild game for years --- please consider him the next time you fill a big game tag!)

Just, and mean JUST, had the solo 37B desert sheep tag donated to us (PLEASE, let's avoid comments about why, etc.) and found a qualified injured vet for the hunt. Three nice rams were spotted earlier before the last storm. Only FOUR (4) days left to get a ram killed --- who has time available to come help glass, run the camp, whatever? Call me: (480)760-3868. MEGA thanks!

carpcody: Plz text me your phone #; I wrote it down, but not sure where on my sheets --- argh! (CRAZY afternoon, as you realize) ... AZBULLHUNTER: Plz call me in the morning (Wed); I've talked to both Brian & RJ ... (480)760-3868

I've talked to most of you who've posted on this thread. I'm going over tonight to orig tag holder's buddy to go over Google Earth and where sheep were seen earlier. Have talked to vet who is a 30-year-old Marine who encountered some explosives that did a number on his hands. Those of you who want to help out, bring good optics and your atv, utv, s/s. All help welcome --- call me for details (480)760-3868. Once in a lifetime experience!

Some nice rams were glassed up before the last storm - just need to find them again ...

See the post under Bighorn Sheep Hunting!!!

Doug, thanks for sharing your awesome pics all year long! Christmas blessings to you too ...

Is anyone traveling to/through Yuma on Interstate 8 (maybe on the way to San Diego) in the next week to 10 days? I've got a small Christmas package that needs to get to a hunting buddy that I just don't trust to USPS or the other major delivery companies. No, it's not a firearm , but it does hold high sentimental value. He lives less than a mile off the interstate as you come into Yuma. I live on the Chandler/Gilbert border --- can bring it to you. Thanks in advance (I hope)!

Shane: PM sent ...

I think I've got it worked out okay. Thx to everyone on CWT for being a great community!

Someone who's a known CWT member, yes. Item won't have value to anyone but my buddy ...

Had a fox scramble down a tall ponderosa pine in front of me up on the Rim years ago. Had been up there raiding a large bird's nest ...

Both green and red lights work well at not spooking animals at night. My old headlamp w/ a green light option still works, but can't compete w/ the newer LEDs for brightness. Sam's Club currently has a good deal on a 2-pack of Bushnell headlamps w/ red light option for $14.99 (AAA batteries included). Really bright (3 white light options plus the red) --- like them a lot (1 for my pack, other for my truck) ...

Something else to consider ... Generally speaking, female lions are much more territorial (approx. 25 sq. miles) than males (maybe 100 sq. miles). You kill a female, it may take up to a year before another female moves into that now-vacated area. You kill a tom, that lion could have been anywhere he historically traversed within his expansive wanderings (other toms will soon cross into that area now void of opposition). Like coyotes, lions are here to stay. Your hunting passion (deer vs. hounds) will help determine how you feel about lion numbers in the field ... P.S. I pray things never get to the point where wolves replace lions in the discussion!

If there is a bigger one out there, guys would be talking by now. Curly is just making himself scarce ...

Let me state this right off --- I'm no sheep "expert." I've never seen The Ghost myself, 'tho others I know have over the years. As has been mentioned, he hasn't been seen in the last year in areas in the U.S. he has previously roamed (no proof I know of that he's died, but it's possible). It's suspected he has never respected our nation's southern border. "Flat Top" is a ram I hunted (and called by another name) in 2013 --- he should be 12 years old now. 3 hunters are left to tag out in that unit (unless one of them killed today). DEFINITELY not either of the rams talked about in this thread. The unit's other well-known Class IV ram, "Brute," was found dead of natural causes earlier this year. From what I've heard, as of now the huge ram mentioned in this thread, "Curly," has eluded the special tag holder and his guide(s). I would think he'd turn up again next summer if a lucky hunter, human or feline, doesn't seal his fate before then. It's not unusual for rams in our state to seem to disappear, whether due to extreme topography or their own whimsy (rams seemingly don't know themselves what they're likely to do or go 5 minutes before they do it). Nothing like our desert bighorn sheep --- VERY special animals!!!

Can't say I agree with all that's been posted on this thread. Those who live near the area in question understand what I'm saying ...

I've used the 6-man w/ the upgraded aluminum poles --- one AWESOME tent!!!

Sending pm!

THAT'S getting it done --- congrats! Great bull (and smile)!

I got to spend time with Randy Newberg last year for a week in northern New Mexico. There's NO bigger advocate for keeping public lands public than Randy. Pay attention to his words --- then communicate with your elected officials!!!

A lot of you are members of the Arizona Elk Society, have attended the annual AES banquet, have helped on AES work projects, have puchased AES raffle tickets --- ALL awesome involvement. Thank you! Here's a chance to get involved in a way that goes way beyond the AES! Within the Ariz. G&F Tag Surrender set-up, last year the AES initiated a new program focused on ARIZONA veterans who have sustained combat related disabilities: "Hunts for Heroes." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlJCs_eT7jM While I, like many of you, have been involved with conservation groups for a couple decades, this is a program that has touched my soul. So much so that I've just come on board as a coordinator. Here's the thing. Though we've conducted many hunts already this year for previously wounded vets, we have immediate need of help for elk hunts that are right around the corner! Specifically: Nov. 25 - Dec. 1 (4 rifle bull tags, all in different northern Ariz. units) Dec. 2 - Dec. 8 (4 rifle cow tags in 2 different units) These hunts are set up as 3-4 day hunts (not the entire hunt period). The veteran is responsible for his/her own hunting license --- pretty much everything else is supplied for the hunt. It's important that the program has remained focused on the hunting/healing experience, not on tagging the biggest trophy possible. SO, if you have ever wondered how you could give back to those who have given so much serving in our military, here's a chance to do so, and in something you already love to do!!! (You don't need to be a current member of AES to participate.) Help is needed in setting up/tearing down camp, cooking/camp related, glassing, steering hunters in on game. You DON'T need a guide's license, just experience. Guides who find themselves available are especially welcome! Our goals are to give these wounded veterans a comfortable quality experience --- an opportunity to learn about and enjoy the outdoors and the hunt and hopefully to harvest an animal to help feed their family. I (we) do really need your help NOW. My personal cell number: (480)760-3868. --- Lv2hnt (Tom Wagner in Gilbert) And a SPECIAL shout-out to Amanda for supporting Hunts for Heroes!!! https://www.arizonaelksociety.org/hunts-for-heroes

Computer is back up and running at hyper-speed! Most of our current tags have hunts set up for them --- mega thanks to those of you here on CWT who've gotten on board! BUT, we still have need for help with 2 Unit 8 rifle bull tags (Nov. 25 - Dec. 1)!!! Note: this is the ONLY hunt not finalized at this time. Two (2) vets (hunting separately) will be sharing camp at the same time. Past experience shows vets have bonded in a special way in a similar set-up. The actual dates the hunts will take place depends on dates the vets and helpers can fit it into their calendars. If you're breathing, there is a spot for you to help out!