On Thursday morning, Randy and I got up early and head over to the Chevron next to the Casino to get our predator hunting licenses and then head out to get in a couple of stands on our way to the eggshoot.

We made two stands, on the way, but had no takers. We then stopped at the Wildlife office to get our lion tags and lion hunting licenses and then went on out to the eggshoot location so Randy could take a couple of practice shots. I was surprized how cold it was, and was glad I had thrown my coveralls in the truck as an after thought before leaving Randy's house.

Leon and a few others guys were already starting to gather when we got there.

Randy uncased his .17 Rem and proceeded to break a 200 egg on his first shot, and put it up. Unfortunately, the wind had really picked up by the time the actual shoot started.

A few of the guys who where not actually entered took a few pokes at the the 200 yard eggs as did I. I was a lot closer to the eggs than I would have thought, but with 4 shots I hadn't broke an egg, so I decided to keep my money in my pocket. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />



Mike Milli taking a practice shot with his 6x45 (I think that is what it was). From left to right: MJM, shameless, Mike Case, Jiminaz, MIvarmint, and Nikonut.



Old Turtle took a few too. I'm not too sure about that camo job. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif" alt="" />



Shameless is spotting while Onefoot takes a few practice shots. Rod Haydel and Judd Cooney are watching, and some unamed wusses are sitting in the jeep with the heater running. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />



pdbuster, Philbilly, and Crapshot visit a little while RagnCajn sits shivering in the truck waiting.

As it got closer to time, the guys really started to pile in and started registering.



MJM and nmleon took handled the registrations, while Redfrog and yotenighthunter look on.

21 shooter registered, but only 6 hit their egg at the 200 yard mark. The wind had picked up to 15-20 miles an hour on Mike Milli's wind gauge and was blowing from left to right.

Only 2 shooter hit their egg at 300 yards.
As it got closer to time, the guys really started to pile in and started registering.



JasonElpaso commands the firing line while Jim and MJM take their shots. Both hit the eggs on the first shot of the shoot off, but only MJM hit the second, so it was MJM in first, and Jim in second.

After first and second was decided, the 4 who didn't hit at 300 moved back to 200 to decide a 3rd place winner. Yotenighthunter was the only one of the 4 to hit the egg this time, but by now it was raining and sleeting.

By now, everone was ready to head out and do some hunting or head for a warm spot to get something to eat.

Jason Elpaso, and myself headed out to make a few stands before dark. This was my first time to meet Jason, and he is a heck of a guy. We turned off of hwy 70 to try a few spot before it got dark. Jason has sherman tank that looks a lot like a dodge 4x4, and we needed it to get up some of those hills that we went over. We made 3 stands with no takers, and when we got back to the truck after the 3rd stand, I realized I had lost my cell phone. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I walked back where we had set up, but couldn't find it, so we headed back the second stand. It had rained Monday and Tuesday, so it was easy to follow our tracks, but still I didn't find my phone. I was sure I had it after the first stand, but we went back their to look anyway. Nope, not there. It had to be back at that third stand. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gif" alt="" />

By this time we are running out of daylight, and the chance to get in another stand are gone. I'm sure Jason is thinking I'm some kind of loser (no pun intended), but he agreed to head back to that 3rd stand for another look.

Sure enough, Jason was able to find my phone where I had dropped it when we crossed a steep gully. Thanks Jason. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif" alt="" />

It was dark by now, so we head back to the Casino and hit the buffet, and then headed over to Redfrog's room for more visiting.

Vol. III will be the events of Friday, my first day to be dedicated completely to calling. Stay tuned.

Sean, that was actually my .25 WSSM that I was checking out. I found out, the hard way, that if you are taking ammunition in your checked baggage, it had better be in some form of case made for carrying ammunition! I made the mistake of putting my fresh hand-loads into a zip-lock bag, and TSA decided they needed it more than I did. All I had left for my .25 WSSM was a handful of mixed loads, and good ammo for my 6 x 45.

I too lost something while hunting. I have had this Benchmade knife for about 10 years, but 1/2 a day in the brush got it for good. I must have hooked the pocket clip on some of those nasty, thorn-covered bushes that are so plentiful in the area.

When I left Globe, there was a 100 degree difference between Phoenix and home. That is the weather I grew up in, and yet I was FREEZING at the egg shoot. Sean was dressed so well that when I sat right beside him at the dinner table, I didn't even recognize him! I still feel stupid about that.....

Yeppers it was cold and some rain, along with the wind blowing. I egg shoot was a grea idea from Leon, and I had a lot of fun.
I had a great time calling with yellowhammer. I will say this I never had to track a cell phone before I thought it was kind of funny but I could see how frustrating it was for yellowhammer.
I enjoyed being able to hunt with you and hope I can do it again sometime.

Mike, don't feel bad. I was kind of bundled up at the egg shoot. My southern blood is thin, and needed to conserve the heat. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I hate to hear about your knife. I'm sure you will make some indian very happy, or maybe a quail hunter.

Jason, loosing my phone wasn't the really frustrating part. Loosing the time to get in another stand was, along with trying to make a good impression. Next time, I'll try not to loose anything.

I forgot that after supper we all headed for the banquet hall to get our badges and hear from the reservation folks.



Jason El Paso and MJM help pass out the badges.

From front to back is shameless, Dtech, Old Turtle, Crapshoot and SWNMHUNTER.

We also had some door prize drawing to give away calls, DVS's and a few other things.



Dakotah had taken his first 2 coyotes earlier in the day using Crapshoot's 221 fireball, and was presented with a couple of nice calls.

After some partnerships were arranged for Friday mornings hunts, we retired to Redfrog's room.