This makes me furious. For the umpteenth time, the public associates these utter and absolute assholes with hunters. We need to do everything we can to eradicate these assclowns from our midst, and we all need to lobby for harsher punishments. A baby bighorn?? Seriously? I’m so mad I can barely type. Friggin scum. ~Desert Rat

Read the full article here: Information Sought

APACHE JUNCTION, AZ - State authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for help in finding whoever is responsible for the illegal killing of a baby bighorn sheep near the Phoenix suburb of Apache Junction.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department got a call on Aug. 24 from a citizen that a bighorn sheep lamb had been hit by a car along Highway 88, also known as the Apache Trail.

Game and Fish investigators found the animal hadn’t been hit by a car, but was illegally shot.

Read the full artiicle at the link above.

4×4 Recovery Device Firm launches brand new Corporate Image

Pillowtrack Ltd, the popular 4×4 Recovery device company has been re-branded with a fresh new
look under their new name LiftTrax (www.LiftTrax.com
)
LiftTrax is the ultimate gadget for anyone with a Truck, 4×4 or AWD vehicle. A drive-on device for
when your vehicle gets stuck in sand, mud or other difficult terrain, this ingenious device rolls out of
a small carrying bag and inflates to become mobile traction. Developed by 4×4 Enthusiasts Dan Hermann and Eyal Benjamin who are both engineers by trade, LiftTrax can take the weight of a 4 tonne (8800lb)! vehicle and roll up into a small carry bag.

A fraction of the size and weight of metal or plastic boards used by off road vehicle owners to get
unstuck, LiftTrax are a compact insurance policy against getting held back by Mother Nature. In addition, while other off road gadgets only work in specific scenarios such as mud, sand or rocks, LiftTrax are multi-purpose as, with their built in flexibility, they mould themselves to the shape or texture of the different terrain or obstacle.

Another distinct advantage of LiftTrax is that they don’t just provide stuck vehicles with traction, they simultaneously lift the vehicle as well. Boasting twice the bursting pressure of the commonly known exhaust jack , LiftTrax raise the beached vehicle up and allow it to drive away. Inventor Dan Hermann says “It’s an all-in-one device that is compact enough to keep in your vehicle at all times but big and tough enough to get you out of some really sticky situations.” “People are finding LiftTrax useful everywhere. From off-roaders in the Australian outback to Hunters and Fisherman in the United States; it’s a must-have for all outdoor enthusiasts”

LiftTrax are usually sold in pairs and are available from reputable outdoor equipment stores or
online at www.LiftTrax.com.

The Poacher Chronicles Unveils New Line of Apparel

Political correctness, while it may be prominent in DC, will not be found on the Poacher Chronicles Outdoor Radio Show, which airs the 4th Sunday every month streamed LIVE around the globe on www.xplortheoutdoors.com. “Poachers are what they are, thieves plain and simple and we’re going to expose them whenever and where ever we can in over 43 states and Canada”, explains Jim Solomon, the creator and host of the show.

This is why Solomon has come out with new apparel designed by Rodney Holmes of Wolf Creative Services that tells it like it is. Two new product designs will hit the market in the next 30 days and already there is a buzz behind the growing anti-poaching movement and the message that the shirts convey.

Members of The Anti-Poaching Posse, an elite group of individuals in the industry, will be listed on the back of each shirt not only to show their support, but also to relay a message to the rest of the industry. “There is no middle of the road when it comes to poaching, Solomon explains, either you are for it and a poacher, or you are against it and should let your voice be heard”.

Posse members can be found on www.poacherchronicles.com. We welcome anyone who is willing and brave enough to join the posse and take on poaching where it hurts by exposing poachers on the only anti-poaching radio show in the United States, “The Poacher Chronicles”.

The Poacher Chronicles was created by Jim Solomon over 12 years ago beginning as the” Bad Boys Poaching Report” with in the state of Arizona. It has evolved into “The Poacher Chronicles” just 4 short years ago. During the course of one hour, convicted poachers are listed by name, their fines, revocations, forfeitures and the evidence that led up to their arrest, in over 43 states and 8 Canadian Provinces will be exposed.

Only members of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact or the International Association of Natural Resources Crime stoppers IANRC are asked to participate.
By purchasing the apparel you are not only supporting the Anti-Poaching movement but a portion of the sales goes to the International Association of Natural resources Crime stoppers, to buy body armor for game wardens.

As Solomon says, “You don’t want your 15 minutes of fame on this program.” A quote that stuck with the show from Rob Young with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (Retired)

Media contact:
Jim Solomon
jim@xplortheoutdoors.com

Seriously - up to the minute news from the outdoor industry and 2nd Amendment issues

Camo Underground

Visit it. Bookmark it. Return daily.

Nominations sought for 2010 Commission Awards

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is soliciting nominations for the 2010 Commission Awards to recognize Arizonans who have contributed significantly to the welfare of the state’s wildlife and the mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Categories for nomination include Award of Excellence, Youth Environmentalist of the Year, Outdoor Writer of the Year, Media of the Year, Conservation Organization of the Year, Conservationist of the Year, Natural Resource Professional of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Educator of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Advocate of the Year, and License Dealer of the Year. Descriptions of each category are on the nomination form.

To download a nomination form, click here.

Nominations may include individuals, organizations, clubs, foundations or government agencies. Arizona Game and Fish Department employees are not eligible for nomination.

Return the nomination form and all supplemental materials to: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Attn: Marty Fabritz - DOHQ, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086. Forms can also be faxed to (623) 236-7299 or e-mailed to Mfabritz@azgfd.gov.

The submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2010.

Winners of the 2010 awards will be honored at the Meet the Commission banquet in Phoenix on January 15, 2011.

For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/commission_awards.shtml.

Public sees bighorns-a-plenty at two viewing workshops

Another awesome event - kudos to AZGFD! ~DesertRat

Standing majestically along a ridgeline, or bent down at the Colorado River’s edge, the Black Mountains desert bighorn sheep made for a memorable experience for nearly 100 members of the public.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Region III office in Kingman hosted two bighorn sheep workshops on July 30-31 and Aug. 6-7 for the attendees, who were drawn at random from approximately 150 applications.

Following a Friday night classroom presentation on bighorn sheep, participants were taken on a four-hour boat trip from Willow Beach to the Hoover Dam to view these majestic animals in their native habitat. More than 90 bighorns were seen over the two weekends, many of which were bending down for a drink at the river’s edge.

Mocarski said as the population becomes urbanized, the disconnect people have with nature has increased, and it’s important to provide people with education and to get them outside to see these animals in their native habitat.

“These workshops, and others conducted by Game and Fish, provide an opportunity for people to learn about wildlife and the issues the animals and the department face, and to get outside and see what the outdoors has to offer.”

The classroom segment provided information on bighorn sheep biology, predation, disease, habitat, and efforts to prevent continued habitat fragmentation, as well as an overview of the activities of the Game and Fish Department.

Along with the bighorn workshops, Game and Fish offers watchable wildlife opportunities involving bald eagles, elk, California condors, and hummingbirds in various regions. There are also numerous birding festivals around the state. These types of opportunities for the public are made possible by the Heritage Fund, which was passed by voters in 1990 to help further wildlife conservation efforts in the state through Arizona Lottery ticket sales

“There’s no shortage of opportunities for people to see and learn about wildlife,” Mocarski said. “I’d really like to see more people join us on these workshops rather than sitting in front of a television. You’ll learn a lot more getting out than sitting down.”

Highlights from the August commission meeting

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission met on Aug. 6-7 at the Game and Fish headquarters in Phoenix. The commission took the following actions:

* Removed the slot limit on Roosevelt Lake starting Aug. 17 (for more details on this and the next two items below, click here);
* Set the Spring 2011 hunts;
* Set the 2010-11 waterfowl and snipe seasons;
* Approved the hunt permit-tag application schedule for the spring hunts;
* Approved the department continuing with negotiations to purchase the Horseshoe Ranch in Yavapai County along the Agua Fria River;
* Heard and processed revocation/civil assessment cases for violations of wildlife laws;
* OK’d a two-year agreement with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to translocate Merriam’s turkeys from Arizona to Utah;
* Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Reclamation to be a cooperating agency for the nonnative fish control below Glen Canyon Dam.
* Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Reclamation to be a cooperating agency for the high-flow experimental protocol for releases from Glen Canyon Dam Environmental Assessment.
* Approved an agreement with Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department to permit a section of the Maricopa County Trail System to traverse a portion of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility.
* Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Eloy regarding hunting with firearms within city limits.
* Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Marana regarding hunting with firearms within city limits.
* Approved a memorandum of understanding with Iberdrola Renewables to cooperate on mutually beneficial wildlife projects.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission makes rules and regulations for managing, conserving, and protecting wildlife and fisheries resources, and for safe and regulated watercraft and off-highway vehicle operations for the benefit of the citizens of Arizona. The commission is composed of five members appointed by the governor pursuant to ARS 38-211. The commission appoints the director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the director serves as secretary to the commission. No more than one commissioner may be from any one county, and no more than three may be from the same political party. Each commissioner serves a five-year term, staggered. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission.

Game and Fish offices will be closed on Aug. 20 furlough day

Game and Fish customers are reminded that the department’s Phoenix headquarters and regional offices in Pinetop, Flagstaff, Kingman, Yuma, Tucson and Mesa will be closed on Friday, Aug. 20, as part of the State of Arizona’s mandated unpaid furlough days for state employees.

The department will conduct law enforcement activities that day and the Operation Game Thief program will be active. Wildlife violations can be reported by calling 1-800-352-0700 or online at www.azgfd.gov/thief.

Those department wildlife areas that are normally staffed will be closed. Fish hatcheries will be staffed to ensure the health of hatchery fish but will not be open to the public. The Ben Avery Shooting Facility will be open during normal range hours.

As part of the state’s budget-balancing efforts, state employees are required to take six unpaid furlough days over each of the next two fiscal years under a schedule set by the Arizona Department of Administration.

Other furlough days on which department offices will be closed in 2010 are Sept. 17, Nov. 26, and Dec. 23.

Elk viewing workshop scheduled for Flagstaff

Would you like to experience the sound of a bull elk bugling or see a cow elk keeping a watchful eye on her calf? The Arizona Game and Fish Department and Mormon Lake Lodge invite you to attend an elk viewing workshop on Aug. 21. The workshop includes a presentation and a field trip to watch elk in their natural habitat near Mormon Lake.

Mormon Lake is unique as it is only one of two natural lakes found in Arizona. During the early fall, hundreds of elk can be observed at the site and along Lake Mary Road.

“This workshop is a great way for people of all ages to come enjoy the state’s wildlife treasures,” says Arizona Game and Fish Department Public Information Officer Shelly Shepherd. “Game and Fish is providing wildlife watching events throughout the state to encourage people to get outdoors and learn about wildlife and their important habitats.”

Game and Fish’s wildlife viewing events are supported by the Heritage Fund, a voter-passed initiative that was started in 1990 to further wildlife conservation efforts in the state through Arizona Lottery ticket sales.

The workshop will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21. Participants will attend a presentation, located in the Kachina Room at Mormon Lake Lodge, and then will be escorted on a field trip. The field trip location will be determined that day based on where the elk are seen.

Spotting scopes will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, water, snacks, and to wear appropriate clothing.

Anyone interested in registering for the workshop will need to contact the Flagstaff Game and Fish office at (928) 774-5045 before 3 p.m. on Aug. 19. All Game and Fish offices will be closed on Friday, Aug. 20 due to a mandatory state furlough day.

To find Mormon Lake Lodge: travel south on Lake Mary Road to the second Mormon Lake Road turnoff, go past the lake overlook, about 25 miles from Flagstaff. Follow Mormon Lake Road about 1.5 miles to the lodge.

Up to $2,500 reward offered in mule deer poaching near Tacna

YUMA, Ariz. - The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for the illegal killing of an adult 4×4 mule deer buck east of Tacna in Game Management Unit 41 in southwestern Arizona.

Game and Fish officers believe the incident occurred between Aug. 1-9 near a popular hunting area known as Texas Hill. The deer hunting season in that area was closed at the time.

“The buck was shot, possibly through the neck, with an unknown caliber firearm and just left to waste in the desert,” said Richard Myers, law enforcement specialist for the Game and Fish Yuma region. “The shooter may have been out on a joyride at night and was startled by another vehicle, since only one shot was taken and no meat was removed from the carcass.”

Myers added that poachers aren’t hunters, and the public shouldn’t confuse the two.

“Poachers who commit these illegal acts not only steal from the resource, they steal from the residents of Arizona,” he said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Operation Game Thief hotline toll-free at (800) 352-0700. Caller identities may remain confidential upon request. You can also report online at www.azgfd.gov/thief.

Damn, I hate poachers. Citizens and agencies alike can help fight poaching. Visit the Poacher Chronicles to learn more. ~DesertRat

Remington® set to introduce HyperSonic Steel™

The World’s Fastest Waterfowl Shotshell. Featuring the New Xelerator® Wad Technology

Madison, NC – Few things are more challenging than hitting fast moving, high flying waterfowl. To meet this challenge, Remington is proud to introduce the fastest velocity, highest downrange pattern energies ever produced in the history of steel waterfowl loads; the revolutionary new HyperSonic Steel™. To put it simply, waterfowl hunters now have the fastest, hardest-hitting, steel shot shell in the world, resulting in shorter leads to help hunters be more successful.

At the heart of the new HyperSonic Steel™ load is the patent pending Xelerator® Wad. The newly designed wad features a unique Ignition Chamber which allows higher velocity with safe pressures.
How does the Xelerator® Wad work? The primer ignites a small portion of the powder charge captured in the “Ignition Chamber”, this captive charge accelerates the wad and payload forward until the remainder of the powder charge is ignited. The increased volume behind the wad allows for the remainder of the propellant to burn, driving the shot to 1700 fps without causing excessive pressure – all in just a fraction of a millisecond.

With the HyperSonic Steel™ producing velocities at 1700fps, the lead on flying ducks is shortened by 8-inches at 40 yards which gives the hunter a higher success rate and less crippling with fewer shots. Now waterfowl hunters have a load with the highest steel pattern energy ever produced; up to 16% greater energy than current steel high velocity loads, with longer-range lethality in 10 load choices. “ At 1700 fps HyperSonic Steel™ is the most innovative and exciting shotshell developed in decades. It will change the way that we hunt waterfowl”. Kevin Cross, Remington Research Engineer - Ammunition.

Features for the New HyperSonic Steel Waterfowl Loads
• Patent Pending Xelerator Ignition Chamber Technology
o Allows Highest Velocity with Safe Pressures
• The “World’s FASTEST” Waterfowl Loads Available
• Highest Steel Pattern Energy, 16% Greater Energy
• Longer-Range Lethality
• Industry-Leading 1700 fps Velocity – All Loads
o Shortens Leads by 11% (8 Inches at 40 Yards) About a Duck’s Body Length
• Higher Success Rate – Fewer Shots Required
• For the same shot size- Same On-Game Lead in Every Load

Note to non-hunting public - hunters don’t do this. Brain-dead thieving pieces of fecal matter do. ~DesertRat

Up to $6,000 reward offered in Rocky Mountain bighorn ram poaching near Alpine

PINETOP, Ariz. — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public’s help in finding the individual or individuals responsible for the illegal killing of a Rocky Mountain bighorn ram in the Black River area, west of Alpine, during the July 4 weekend.

The wild sheep was illegally shot and killed in Game Management Unit 1 in eastern Arizona, adjacent to Forest Road 249.

“This mature ram was commonly seen, photographed and enjoyed by many visitors to the area,” says Tyler Richins, wildlife manager in Unit 1. “It was needlessly killed and left to waste with nothing removed from the carcass.”

“This isn’t the action of a hunter,” says Richins. “This is a criminal act of stealing wildlife assets and resources from the people of Arizona.”

This crime is further compounded by the fact that this ram was part of the Black River bighorn herd, which, although having a stable population, has not been increasing in number for the last several years.

“Removing this older age-class ram from the population may influence the department’s recommendations for future bighorn sheep hunting permits in this area. Bighorn sheep permits are highly sought after by sportsmen, who are a primary funding source for wildlife conservation,” notes Richins.

The department received more than 300 applications for the single permit that was authorized in this area last spring.