San Carlos negotiations are not dead. I just received a return call from the wildlife biologist there, which I was referred to. He says that they do have a coyote and mountain lion problem, and would like to have us to hunt there to lower those populations.

I explained that in order to get the majority of our hunters to hunt the San Carlos, they would need incentives to entice them to hunt there, rather than on BLM and Ariz State lands. I suggested the following as incentives to attract our members:

1.) Predator and lion hunting fees be waived for our members for a 2-day hunt, Jan. 16 & 17, 2004.

2.) Our members be allowed to use electronic calls on that hunt.

3.) Allow half of our attending hunters, each day, to hunt 26D, the non-hunting area where my previous information indicated very high lion populations. That way, half of our group would hunt each day in the regular hunting areas, and half in the 26D area. That lets each of us hunt one day in 26D (where non-tribal member hunting is not allowed), and still we will hunt the regular hunting areas on the alternate day, helping rid San Carlos of predators there as well as in 26D. It also spreads our hunters out so they won't be stumbling over each other so much.

4.) Any other incentives that San Carlos cares to put forth for our consideration.

Item 1 will have to be taken to the Director for approval.

Item 2 is mute, as electronic calls are now allowed in the San Carlos. This is a change from last year, in an attempt to get rid of some of the troublesome coyotes and lions.

Item 3, if approved by the Director, will have to be taken to the tribal council for approval. That will be near the end of November.

I asked for a lot, and hope to get at least some of it. We probably won't get it all, but it sure would be nice if we do!!!!

Guys, this may well be the predator-hunting opportunity of a lifetime. MAKE YOUR PLANS TO BE THERE!!!!!!

Un-Freakin'-believeable!! This is what I've dreamed about for 3 years. Virgin territory for lions and coyotes. Everybody PRAY that the tribal council agrees.
Wiley E., are ya' listening?

Critr Gitr, You the Man!!!
Thanks for all the hard work you have all ready put in. See ya in Globe.
buzzsaw

Man, this is looking better all the time. Might have to pony up for the hotel room after all. Sure would like to make this deal. Got a lot going on in the Dec/Jan/Feb time frame though...

Robert, How soon did they say when they would get back to ya?

I call dibbs on 26D. first day! LOL

Well at least they will talk to us. Better than the folks in NM.

If I killed a lion I can't even bring it back home. That sucks.........

That's good news Critr. It's nice to see some easy headway with those folks.

Dogboy, lions are cool in CO. If you get one you can hang it on my wall and come visit it any time you want.

I bet you wouldn't mind that NASA, LMAO!!

Hey alright! hope we can get some big cats...

Maybe a week or so on the waiver of fees. Then probably end of the month on the 26D, as it has to go to the tribal council. Of course, if the director vetoes it, we will know that soon, and it won't even go to the council.....

But I figure anything we can get is gravy!

Mom'a just gave me the a'ok, I can't wait.

I'm just a little worried about some things though. My buddy and I just started predator hunting this year. I've done a fair amount of Deer/rabbit hunting, this is the first year he's ever gone.

How's the hunt work? Do we all just go our seperate ways in the morning, and just meet up at night?

Might we get the chance to go out with some vet's and learn a thing or 20?

Like I said we are just about as green as it gets. Bout the closest we ever get to killin a yote, is watching them run across the runway at work....

Hey Critter, Since were asking for the moon, Why not throw in NIGHT HUNTING too! :eek:

Jason will soon be taking hunter apps, sending out email questionaires, and matching up hunters to best possible mix. This includes putting experienced callers ("guides") with inexperienced hunters.

Hey Crapshoot, I wanted concessions, not for them to send the funny wagon......

This sounds like a great deal!! I hope it happens. Count me in.

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

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According to the San Carlos Game and Fish Department it is NOT legal to hunt lions with an electronic call. It is legal to hunt predators with electronics but lions are not classed as predators they fall under the classification as a big game animal. The Council of Elders (or whatever they call themselves) is taking on the question of legalizing electronics for lions but has not come to a decision on the issue yet.