GodIsGood

We had a scary moment because a friend of mine drove up to help towards the end of the first week... we were running and gunning a morning bull that was chuckling and glunking nearby. We had 4-wheeled into a rough area the night before and slept in my SUV... some jerk on a quad drove right up to our trucks - then drove and parked about 25yrds away and started to stalk the same bull I was. Now he couldnt KNOW we were on that bull, but it would have been a reasonable assumption for a courteous hunter [hard to find these days], but parking so close to our vehicles was just ridiculous! I was ahead of their efforts and the bull wasnt interested in cow calls anyway... but my buddy who was throwing out occasional calls was also carrying a Montana decoy. The fella who was also stalking the bull actually came to full draw on my buddy before my friend threw down the decoy and motioned for him to piss off. I think if I use that technique in the future I would have that person AT LEAST have some florescent orange/pink marker tape dangling on his hat or the top of the decoy.

You guys stay safe out there defending our communities! There's a lot of us who are super grateful for your service!!!

Thanks Tracy, but do you remember their screen names here? I think Reagan said he was "Tines", but doesnt spend as much time on the board as Ryan. Hoping they were able to put their Sargent on a bull.

After an AWFUL start to my 5B-N archery bull hunt I contacted Amanda for help. She gave me a few ideas including getting help from a professional guide. With almost NO notice and just back to Tucson from a successful 5B-S client hunt, Jake from Timberland Outfitters answered my distress call. I shared with Jake what a disaster my first week had been and he agreed to help me for a very reasonable fee. He sought and received his spouse's permission to come to my rescue [mind you they have a 2week old new born at home!], repacked his gear and drove from Tucson to meet me in the middle of the woods - exactly on time and target. He brought with him a capable and reliable 4x4 truck as well as a quad to cover as much country as possible in our limited time together. Jake and Timberland had used a mountain top in 5BN to glass and pattern a high concentration of elk activity moving between 5BN & South. Jake knew the cows were not in full estrus and he asked about the prior week's activities and reviewed my map notes. He advised me about his ideas and plans - and plotted a course of action in short order [i only had a 3days left to hunt]. We visited a waterhole that Jake had glassed that had LOTS of sign, including the only tank I had seen that had wallows. This tank was almost totally exposed and situated on the end of a huge meadow, with regular vehicle traffic on two sides. Jake's intuition and resourcefulness was RIGHT ON TARGET! He felt that because everyone else had overlooked this tank thinking it was too exposed - he saw opportunity! Although the tank was nearly devoid of any foliage and no one had every tried to build a blind on it - that didnt stop Jake. He got out his shovel and dug a pit blind that we brushed-in. Late that afternoon as the bulls began to light-up, we heard a bugle southwest of our location in 5BS, and a few minutes later that bull was sounding a "charge!" with his cows across the meadow. Jake had given me prior instruction about what to do, then reminded me quickly and quietly about what was about to transpire. My heart POUNDED as this beautiful 320+ bull came to drink and wallow... Jake tried to keep me calm and quietly whispered both instructions and encouragement "you can do this Kurt, I know you can", "focus on the pin... he's 55yards... put the pin on him and get it done, you can do this!". For all his professionalism, instinct and encouragement - my shot was off and off badly! The bull had decided to wallow immediately when he got to the tank and that gave me only an butt-end shot while I shook at full draw. LORD WAS IT EXCITING THOUGH!!! Just like on TV! Afterward Jake took the attention away from my obvious failure to close - to focus on how fantastic that whole experience was! He was still encouraging me and kept saying that we would have other opportunities and we should saver that memory - which I always will! I used one of Lance's tips the following evening at the same hole to call in a bull that was hovering outside the meadow as shooting light expired. They told me in early rut times - cow calling and bugling can be counter-productive, but for some reason the bulls responded to the thrashing of trees - and it worked!!! A spiked BOLTED into the waterhole within 2 minutes of me thrashing the larger branches inside my blind. I was delighted to pay people who have vastly more knowledge and closing techniques than I do! Jake was professional. predictable, resourceful and understood that I wasn't paying for an elk - I was paying for someone to enhance a memory! Several times during our short time together he'd say "Hey Kurt, this is your hunt - lets make it an adventure you'll remember". Although he wasnt with me on the last evening of my hunt - Jake's intuition and closing techniques paid off and I only have my poor marksmanship to blame for not bringing home a bull. As the last night kicked off, Jake suggested I run 'n gun the first bull that sounded off in the vicinity of the waterhole - which I did. That bull was not interested in any tree thrashing or cow calls and actually took me far from the blind. When I realized that I was WAY out of position to get into the blind before "happy hour", I hauled butt to get back to the tank. As I neared the meadow I glassed to ensure I didnt spook any in-coming targets and low 'n behold - there was a line of cows at the opposite end of the meadow looking backwards for their boss's permission to charge the tank. With little-to-no cover that meant I had to stay low and move slow to go from bush-to-bush before they got there. It was too late! They ran full bore to quench their thirst. Among his many teaching opportunities - Jake had taken a few minutes to explain a closing technique where-in you allow the animals to get all the way into the tank and settled, then approach stealthy behind the tanks dirt banks - which I did. I had already dropped my pack and was belly-crawling with my bow - when the herd entered the tank, and just like Jake taught me, I crept up the backside of the bank and peaked over to see a handsome bull getting his first drink. They were so focused on their thirst and the Montana decoy that made them more comfortable - I had ample time to range-find the bull [63yrds], draw on him twice before he gave me a good broadside shot... then I flung my arrow. It sunk deep into his chest and I stopped him just out side the tank with cow calls. I glassed him saw my arrow I got a thrill I will never FORGET - thanks to Jake and Timberland! There wasnt enough time nor immediately noticeable blood to pursue that night, but I was convinced I would have my bull in the morning. I was wrong. Regretfully I tracked a deep red blood trickle for 1/2 mile before it completely stopped and the bull rejoined his cows and conducted more rutting activities that same night. I was in contact with Game and Fish and Jake all day via phone on the best ideas to find my bull and hiked probably 10 miles hoping to find his bod under a tree... but thems with more experience tell me I clearly missed lung and may have hit his liver. I hope and pray he lives - or at least plants lots of seeds before he expires - but the hunt was by no means a failure - THANKS UTTERLY TO JAKE AND TIMBERLAND OUTFITTERS. You see it is not just about being marched into the woods and placed in front of an animal opportunity... there are teaching moments and sharing of ideas and experiences, allowing you to feel you are a part of the adventure! There's an element of managing a client's expectations that matters most to type-A people like me - otherwise we'd hunt at a petting zoo! If I cant be in charge - then you had better be more capable me and show me the proper respect of advising me about what is happening. Unlike my archery efforts - Jake and Timberland were EXACTLY ON TARGET and they get my full endorsement and thanks for all they did to salvage what was shaping up to be a very forget-able experience. Thank you as well Amanda for putting me in touch with them! If anyone wants to speak with me to validate what I am saying, send me a PM or Jake and Lance may give my number to anyone who is looking for a professional guide with an intimate knowledge of both and animals and people [like me]. Kurt Larson Glendale Arizona

Colder climates call for bolder tactics: This dog was baited or called into a tannerite target then dispatched CLICK TO WATCH:

I would be MOST impressed if there was a customer service department so moved to contact the registered owner - if that owner actually registered the product... I rarely do unless I have warranty concerns. your post on one or more boards or even craigslist - is sufficient due dillegance in my mind. I found a camera on a sweet tank in 5bn - held to a tree with only a bungie. I posed and waved for the camera... but I doubt the camera will remain on that tree for very long.

this rare albino coati was caught on film attacking a man who was wearing body armor

sorry you didnt whack the buck you wanted - but a bigger one may be lurking close by! For this exact reason - i am a firm believer in 'affordable' ground blinds. I have two matrix hub-style blinds and they have served me well. Also, when you find them on sale or secondhand, they can be had for around $80-100. They provide scent blocking, decent windows, and good shelter from the elements... we sat-out a white-out snow storm in one last fall. I call them 'affordable' because I can afford to lose $80 to some tool in the woods... but I am not willing to lose either a $400 blind or a 100+ buck. just sayin'

Good job Jared! Gonna need an even bigger man-cave with two killa's in the family!

bump for clarified and available landowners tag

Rory at EMAIL RORY My friend Rory has a New Mexico Archery Elk Tag in Unit 10, Early Sept. He values it at $1000 or Trade. Email Rory directly if interested. For more information about Landowner tag sales, please call the Special Hunts Office at (505) 476-8087.

thank you all for input! Great shot placement info RR! Bowsniper lent me his .270 along with some managed recoil remington ammo like RR suggested. We are gonna set up some targets in the suck and walk around with shooting sticks as if actually on a stalk and see which rifle he is more comfortable with. I will let y'all know in case it is useful for other younglings! GiG

My boy Grant went on his first turkey hunt in Unit 8. Anyway, we only had Saturday and Sunday to hunt [for now], and roosted an awesome flock of birds - but after the fly down and the gobblers were beginning to make their way towards Grant and me... a friggin' yote comes trotting between us and the Toms stopped coming our way. We conversed and later pursued them-thar birds for about 2hours and took a mid day siesta. Later that afternoon me and G went to cover more ground and low and behold - we found a small flock including some beards - and actually saw them b4 they saw us! But we were in the middle of a shrub-less meadow with 120yrds betweenst us and the birds. All I could think to do was lay down in the tall grass, set my boy up prone with his shotgun atop my backpack in the direction of the birds. Laying in the grass we were well concealed and I had ample time to set up two decoys a few yrds away from G... and I belly-crawled about 10 yards away and behind him. I started to call [still a rookie], but it wasnt 5 minutes when a BIG and blond yote came hard charging towards the decoys and my son! I didnt want to bust the birds, but I've heard not-so-good stories about close encounters with yotes and didnt want my son hurt or freaked out - so as the yote slowed and started jumping higher to see thru the grass - I yelled to my son that he had coyote company and to blast him! Grant wheeled his great grampa's old .20G Remington and blasted that yote in the vitals with one shot about 12yrds - not a far shot but the dog was moving and it is G's official first kill - so I am as proud and as thankful as ANY dad EVER! Me and G relaxing in the sun: Boy meets yote: Who's the big dog now?! I hope it was the same dog that busted our birds that morning!

You might recall that John Hinckley was a seriously deranged young man who shot President Reagan in the early 1980's. Hinckley was absolutely obsessed with movie star Jodie Foster, extremely jealous, and in his twisted mind, loved Jodie Foster to the point that to make himself well known to her, he attempted to assassinate President Reagan. There is speculation Hinckley may soon be released as having been rehabilitated. Consequently, you may appreciate the following letter from Nancy Reagan to John Hinckly: ******************************************************************************** ********************* To: John Hinckley From: Mrs. Nancy Reagan My family and I wanted to drop you a short note to tell you how pleased we are with the great strides you are making in your recovery. In our fine country's spirit of understanding and forgiveness, we want you to know there is a nonpartisan consensus of compassion and forgiveness throughout. The Reagan family and I want you to know that no grudge is borne against you for shooting President Reagan. We, above all, are aware of how the mental stress and pain could have driven you to such an act of desperation. We are confident that you will soon make a complete recovery and return to your family to join the world again as a healthy and productive young man. Best wishes, Nancy Reagan & Family P.S. While you have been incarcerated, Barack Obama has been banging Jodie Foster like a screen door in a tornado. You might want to look into that.

The one in the back is an HK-91 version known as Precision Target Rifle

I was 17 and shot a forkie carp with a 300 h&h mag using 200g hollow points... hit him in the right hind quarter and exited out the opposite front left quarter leaving a hole you shoot baskets thru. butcher was not impressed :unsure:

How does your girlfriend's dad feel about adopting a 46yr old son?

I ventilated one of these in 2006 and a second in 2007... gave one to my taxidermist for a discount and had the other mounted. i will tell you that they are Bruce-Willis die hards and are emboldened to turn on you when they are in a troop and feel cornered. Docile and kinda stupid if you ask me - but a bitchin creature all the same!

PM sent, I own a transmission shop and have several CWT references as well as specific benefits for CWT members Kurt 602.524.2332

Bump for an AWESOME ccw gun! I NEVER leave home without mine, and they get great reviews... better built than the Keltec P3AT's! Ruger LCP Review

Super-Duty gun safe dolly with 2-axis support wheels for effortless 45degree moving. Only $50/day with security deposit. FOLDED UP & READY FOR TRANSPORT: DEPLOYED WITH 45DEGREE STABILIZER SUPPORT: SERIOUS STRESS TEST! DEAD WHALE WEIGHT!!! Kurt 602.524.2332

Looking for an old wore-out saddle to use a decoration in a cabin. The older and more wore-out the better. Lemme know what you have and what you want for it! Thanks! GiG

Good looking pups!

was told it was sold