Outdoor Writer

Just drop down to the area burned by the Bridger-Knoll fire. Find a high spot and glass. You'll find plenty of does there. -TONY

Gino, Here's the pertinent info. -TONY R12-4-216 Crossbow Permit A. For the purposes of this Section, "crossbow permit" means a document issued by the Department that authorizes the permit holder to use a crossbow during an archery-only season, as prescribed under R12-4-318. B. A crossbow permit is valid only when the designated animal for the archery-only season may otherwise be taken by crossbow under R12-4-304 (see end of this message). Possession of a crossbow permit does not waive any other requirement for method of take or licensing. C. An applicant for a crossbow permit shall apply on an application form available from any Department office. The applicant shall provide all of the following information on the application form: 1. The applicant’s name, Department identification number, mailing address, and telephone number; and 2. A statement from an M.D., doctor of medicine, with a valid license to practice issued by any state, or a D.O., doctor of osteopathic medicine, with a valid license to practice issued by any state, that affirms the applicant has a permanent disability of at least 90% impairment of function of one arm and provides the physician's typed or printed name, business address, and signature. D. All information and documentation provided by an applicant for a crossbow permit is subject to verification by the Department. E. The Department shall provide written notice to an applicant whose application for a crossbow permit is denied. The applicant may appeal the denial to the Commission as prescribed in A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6, Article 10. F. A crossbow permit is valid as long as the criteria for obtaining the permit are met, unless the Commission revokes the permit. G. When acting under the authority of a crossbow permit, the crossbow permit holder shall possess the permit, and shall exhibit it upon request to any peace officer. H. A crossbow permit holder shall not transfer the permit to another individual or allow another individual to use the permit. I. After a hearing and upon sufficient cause showing, the Commission shall revoke the crossbow permit of a crossbow permit holder who transfers the permit to another individual or allows another individual to use the permit. An individual whose crossbow permit is revoked by the Commission may petition the Commission for rehearing in accordance with R12-4-607. *** This from R12-4-304 - Legal moethods to take specific game: 6. To take elk: a. Centerfire rifles; b. Muzzleloading rifles; c. All other rifles using black powder or synthetic black powder; d. Centerfire handguns; e. Handguns using black powder or synthetic black powder; f. Shotguns shooting slugs; g. Bows with a standard pull of 40 or more pounds, using arrows with broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges; and h. For individuals holding a crossbow permit issued under R12-4-216, crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, using bolts with a minimum length of 16 inches and broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges.

Mark, Good meeting you yesterday. Hope you kill a big one with your new rilfe. -TONY

Just came across this exercise several weeks ago suggested for older adults, to build muscle strength in the arms and shoulders. It seems so easy, so I thought I'd pass it on to some of my friends. The article suggested doing it three days a week. Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5-lb potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day, you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato sacks. Then try 50-lb potato sacks and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I'm at this level). After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each of the sacks. -TONY

They ain't Coues deer, but here are two examples of using many of the photo techniques Doug talks about. -TONY

As an aside, everyone who plans to enter the contest should read Doug's super synopsis on taking good "hero" pix after the kill. -TONY

TLH, I thought the same thing as soon as I read Josh's message! -TONY

Okay, some of you will find this post will contain some contradiction to it because what I recommend is not exactly what I did. In this particular case, I think it was handled well and the game folks made the right decision by saying just let Nature takes its course. Of course, it's difficult to know what actually caused the calf's broken leg, but an assumption can be made that it was also a natural occurrence, i.e not caused by man. It is also possible -- though not real likely -- that calf might indeed survive and perhaps live the rest of its life on three legs. It wouldn't be the first or the last critter to do so. I have seen at least two deer that seemingly got along just find that way, albeit they certainly couldn't travel as fast as if they had four good legs. Now for the hypocritical part: I owned a resort outside of Durango, Colo. and guided hunters there during the mid-1970s. After one combo elk/deer season was over, I had a two-day break and one afternoon decided to try filling my deer tag not too far from where I lived. I had walked in about a mile when I came across a heavy and fresh trail of blood. Thinking someone else had wounded a deer -- the ONLY season opened in that area at the time -- I followed the blood trail. About 300 yards later I kicked up a cow elk that was lying between several cedar trees. As she ran off uphill, she fell repeatedly, and I could see the blood still streaming from high on her dangling right rear leg. The next time she stopped, I put a 140 gr. bullet into the back of her neck. Obviously, I knew the consequences of what I had done but was prepared to face them anyway. After I field-dressed and quartered the cow, I hung the meat in a tree and headed back to my truck. When I got home I called the local game warden, who I knew well. I was his only Hunter Ed instructor in the area, and I often rode with him on summer horseback patrols in the Weminuche Wilderness high country. I explained what had happened, and I recall his words to this day. "I'll put the horses in the trailer and come pick you up in the morning. We can go get it and drop the meat off at the school." And so we did. BUT...when we returned to the truck and had loaded the quarters in the back end, Gene took out his knife and proceeded to cut the tenderloins out and stuck them in a plastic bag. He handed it to me and said, "Take these home for your troubles." So now you know the rest of the story, but... Here in AZ, I doubt I would do the same thing now in the same situation, mostly because of different circumstances. Gene knew me, and he also knew I wasn't a poacher or that I would even mistakenly shoot an elk during deer season. And the obvious wound, though I could have certainly inflicted it, was evidence enough for him. That might not be the case with a game warden elsewhere. The moral: leave injured game to its own fate unless you have a legal tag to hang on it or have excess money to possibly pay the fine. -TONY

Hey! All you folks who drew those Oct. and Nov. tags might as well toss them in the trash. There ain't no deer around during those months; they're still in Colorado , where they spend their summers. They don't come back here until Dec. 12 -- just in time for late season. -TONY

Doug, Count on me to supply another copy of HOW TO HUNT COUES DEER, signed by Duwane and me. -TONY

Mark, Sent an email and a PM here. -TONY

THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD Brand new, never-fired Remington 700 Titanium in 7mm SAUM in original boxes. Comes complete with three full boxes of Remington 140-gr. PSP Core-Lokt ammo. First $950 takes it all, if picked up in Glendale, AZ. If shipping is necessary, there will be an additional $25 charge, and I will require shipping it to someone with a current FFL . Price is FIRM! -TONY

Ron, Thanks. I watched it again, and I think you're right. Of course, he's somewhat older since the last time I saw him about 15 years ago, and it appears he's also lost some weight, especially in the face. The camo face paint and hat doesn't help either. I might give him a call since I haven't spoken to him for about two years. -TONY

I don't think so. I've known Dwight since the early 1980s when he worked as an editor for a magazine I wrote for back then. Unless he has changed drastically, it sure doesn't look like him. -TONY

BTT

Dave, Hey, an education never hurt anyone. -TONY

The $500 is not too bad for a rut hunt. Is that a marginal area, thus the reason for the huge price difference? -TONY

From YOUR messages, it sounds like you drew your tag for the Navajo Res. and NOT Camp Navajo, right? What's the cost of non-tribal permit there now? -TONY

Dave, Good point, but...the downside of that is the legislature can come back at any time and change a law it puts forth for a ballot vote, i.e. a year from now it can send the funds elsewhere. And if I recall, they can do that in-house rather than going through another referendum vote. That isn't the case with an initiative, however. Once it becomes rule of law by a vote of the people, the "hands off" rule in regards to the legislature and governor kicks in. I'm guessing this is the reason for the sand-kicking attitude. -TONY

Seems to be a bit of confusion here between Camp Navajo and the Navajo Reservation, no? -TONY

Dave, Curious; Why would a referendum be better than an initiative??? -TONY

Boy, have I got a deal for you. I have most of the items Doug listed in his reply, but the press is an RCBS Jr. with primer catcher and auto primer feeder circa 1968 in perfect shape. I also have the RCBS powder measure with stand, a Lyman/Ohaus M5 scale (not electronic), Forster case trimmer, gauges, deburring tool, loading blocks, all sorts of shell holders, extra primer decapping pins and assorted other goodies, including primers, bullets, etc. Have a couple sets of rifle dies, too, but not sure what calibers you need. Everything is in almost new shape and perfect setup to get started with. We can negotiate a smoking deal for the works if you want. Where do you live? -TONY

M77, Other than a few typos and misspellings, which I assume are here only, it's a nice job. -TONY

No wonder you get misinformation. That main number basically puts you in touch with a bunch of gals who don't have a clue. You don't need an "inside" contact to talk to knowledgeable folks at G&F. When you call, just be SPECIFIC and ask for the department -- i.e. big-game branch, fisheries, etc, -- that can best answer your questions or just ask to talk with a public information officer in I&E. Both Rory Aikens and Tom Cadden are good resources for accurate info. And of course, it's always best to NOT start off with something like, "I know you guys don't have a clue about game management and are only concerned about making more money for new trucks, but can you answer a question for me?" -TONY

Only my guess, but I would probably say you'd be in a real gray area if it was done immediately before or during the bear season. When I talked to Wakling this morning, I asked him what would happen if all baiting for deer was made illegal and someone sat over a salt block a rancher had left for his cattle. He said that it would be a judgement call by the wildlife officer as to citing the individual. But he also said it would be a tough prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the hunter had placed the block in the location. -TONY