Some have been around since the start, some are new and maybe don't know what got this train rolling.

Well, it was all due to a man named Will Craig. I've put together a small tribute page for Will, so people who are interested can see a bit of how it started and set us on this path:

Will Craig Tribute Page

Thank you. this is the first time I've seen pics to go along with the history of the man.

I wanted to give a shout out to Will's son, Matt Craig (Azwill), for all his help providing us with copies of valued family pictures and info for the tribute page--and his patience for numerous long phone calls with me and answering my incessant questions about PM's founder and its first days.

Matt told me that his dad would be very happy to see what PM has become.

Thanks for taking all the time to help us out on this, Matt. You are a stand up young man and I really appreciate all your help, time and input!

Nice job Stu, I hope that this will become a sticky as I think it important for all of us to know the history and feel the dream.

I think it's a rare and inciteful look into what PM is and WHY.

Everyone needs to see this.

It also explains what the PM Hunt is, and why Will wanted to have it.

Thanks to Matt Craig from me as well!

Barry

Very nice tribute for a deserving man with great vision. I wish I could have met him personally, but his legacy lives on through me and thousands of others that share his passion and fascination with the predator world. Calling and hunting is just a small part of that. Also thanks to everyone in the forefront and behind the scenes that continue to pursue his dream.

Stu - Nicely done. I'd forgotten about the rifle.

Will Craig had a passion for predator hunting and the predator hunter. Those early days were full of hope, after Will passed there were a few financial rough spots too. Without people like Mike Paul, Randy Black, Craig Hamilton and Jason El Paso I don't believe Predator Masters would be here today. So, along with Will and his dream it's nice to remember the efforts and leadership of Mike, Craig, Randy, Jason and the rest of the original moderating staff. I thank you all for your efforts.

Will Craig
Mike Paul
Jason El Paso
Randy Black (? origional I don't remember, hard worker for PM yes)
Craig Hamilton
Randy Watson
Jack Roberts
Randy Buker
Jim Champion
Robb Krause
Critr Gitr
Rich Cronk
Curt
Leonard
Duane@ssu
Bob Connell
Tim Belhel
SteveM
Mike Granger
Wiley E
Bluedeacon
Tasha
I might have missed some, if I've missed you, sorry guys

It's nice to see that Matt helped you out on this. I hope he's doing well. Is Matt still in the Globe area?

I think so. I know he's in AZ. Would like for him to make the hunt this year.

Fixed it for ya.

Stu - I wasn't one of the origional moderators. It was an honor to join the staff in February 2002 along with others.

Edited to add: Stu were you one of the origionals? What about Bobsocal?

Its a nice tribute to the man and why we are all here...Thanks to everyone who made Predator Masters what it is today...

Chad

Thanks guys!

great post!! what happened to Buker????

People go elsewhere as things change in their life, and interests. Buker is one of those that has moved on.

i have been here a long time but i can't remember that far back. i do recognise most the names.
i know a few not metioned that were there in 02 when i started.

What a great read thanks for posting this. Thank you to everyone on here that makes this such a great site .rp

Thank you Mr. Farish; the pictures settled something in my mind that i wasn't even aware was a question. Will Craig's name is mentioned often here with respect and honor and you folks have continued and grown a monument out of a man's dream.

I was able to witness some of the unselfish sacrifice that makes this website such a great place to spend time, at last year's PM Hunt in Globe. And to see Rajn Cajn humbly accept the 'Will Craig Award' was the highlight of a most memorable week. Thanks again for the pictures.

Roy

That all brought back some memories. In some ways it just felt like yesterday though.

Great information. Definitely a worthwhile project.

.

Stu,
You guys did a wonderful job with the tribute to Will. Although I never got to meet him I know we had a special bond because of our love for predator hunting. I am 51 years old, and it is far too young of an age to leave this world. I did have the pleasure of meeting Matt Craig, and his mother at the 3rd annual hunt, and they were very pleased to see that his PM dream was continuing on. I know that Matt, and his mother have to be proud to see that PM is still continuing to be the #1 predator hunting site with so many members. Long live Will's dream, and God bless you all that continue to carry it on.
Trophyhunter

Stu, that was a very nice thing that you did. I hope that all will stop in and pay their respects to the man and men and women who have given so much and to a place that we all call home.

To all that work so hard behind the scenes and work their tails off moderating.....THANK YOU.

gonzaga

Nice tribute to Will. There's a lot of names I haven't seen in quit a while...........

Stu,

I don't post much anymore, so little in fact that I never saw this until now.

Thank you so much for this tribute to Will. A man that will never be forgotten.

Larry

Nice job, that took a lot of work.

Keith

This is very nice I agree..
I have so much more to add to this and a few other Mod that we not added in, I did have a lot of help from Critr Gitr, & Michael J. McCasland in the start we made a great team setting up the 1st Globe PM Hunt

Wow! Cool story. I'm glad I found this. And Will's dream lives on............

Second that, Bad Dawg. I had always wondered the history of how this all got started, so it is nice to see it was born from a truly passionate individual's dream. And it seems to be going strong... RIP Will

One thing of note. I was here from the very beginning as well as the board that lead to Predator Masters. My old brain is a little fuzzy but Jay Nistetter my be able to offer some additional background. If memory serves, it was a progression from The Arizona Predator Posse. I'm fuzzy on the details but Jay can probably offer some insight. This has progressed into more that anyone could have ever imagined. I am very proud to have been involved in it's growth. Will Craig was one of the original and important contributors. He is missed very much.

Sorry, I just can't let this pass.

After Will passed, the moderators (I think there may have been about 30 of us) determined to keep Predator Masters alive. We identified 5 areas which needed leadership, and held elections to fill those positions. I was elected Hunt Chairman.

I contacted the Globe Chamber of Commerce for any useful information. I wrote letters to all motels and rooming establishments for the best deal for our members, selecting one which agreed to give a discount to all our hunters who reserved their rooms in advance.

Then I contacted all the restaurants, for a satisfactory meeting location, selecting one with adequate space and menu. I arranged for us to have exclusive use of a back room for us to gather in each evening, and a major room for our exclusive use for our big meeting the last day.

My wife and I made several trips from Wickenburg to Globe, physically checking out the motel and restaurant, and seeking a satisfactory camping area for those who wanted to camp. We camped in various areas to check the experience. I even contacted the county fairgrounds for some arrangement.

I guess I was some help, but other than discussions about things like the hunt dates, I don't remember anyone else making actual arrangements for the hunt. After all I was Hunt Chairman, and it was my responsibility. To say that I "helped" was a bit insulting.

Sorry for the rant.

critr girt are you nvwalt by some chance?

Guess not. Is nvwalt an alias? (I have never used any other alias, except Tenn Critr in Cowboy Action Shooting.)

I know NVWalt. No they are not one in the same.