I owe friend Jake Hartwick a bit of an apology. Jake sent me a copy of his new DVD quite some time ago, after I had agreed to review it. I watched it fairly quickly, sent him off a few initial comments – comments that were entirely positive. Then, I guess – life happened. This weekend I watched the DVD again, for the 3rd time, so that I could finally write the review it deserved.
The DVD is titled “Song of Africa – Episode One; Zululand”. This DVD is filmed in HD, and it is a super first effort by Jake Hartwick and Robin Berg. The movie features Jake and first-time-to Africa hunter Randy Archbold. This is Jake’s second visit. The movie takes place entirely in South Africa, with the hunt hosted by Tim Rudman of Trophy Hunters Africa along with his staff, and a devilish little dog. This is more than a hunting video. With minimal gore, I would be comfortable showing it to my non-hunting (but open minded!) friends and family.
You will see some awesome scenery. You’ll get a peek at life inside a Zulu village. You’ll follow Jake as he makes a quick stalk on a stunning nyala. You’ll see Randy take a perfect impala, and then put the creep on a big old Cape Buffalo in brush so thick it’s a wonder he got a shot off. If you’re looking for a “whack em and stack em” video that is a compilation of kill shots and bubbas “high-fivin”, this won’t be for you. Rather, think “NatGeo with hunting scenes”. The addition of African culture into this DVD really enhanced it for me.
This DVD is interesting and entertaining. Videography is top notch, and the score is well-done. music when there should be, voices when there should be, silence when appropriate. One of my pet peeves when reviewing videos is volume. I hate continuously messing with the volume; turning it up because I can’t hear dialogue, turning it down when the music starts blasting. I don’t think I touched the volume button on the remote a single time.
This really is a great effort by these guys. I think the “Africa seed” that has been planted deep in my brain for ages has just sprung a little green shoot. Little “what-if” scenarios are starting to flicker around in my skull.
To view more reviews, contact Jake or buy this video, visit the Song of Africa website. I’m very much looking forward to their next effort!
The old URL was hard to remember, I think so I asked Steve (network owner and web-dude) to add another. So encourage all of your friends to visit Desert Rat Outdoors.
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Friday, Feb. 5, at the Game and Fish Department headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway in Phoenix (1.5 miles west of I-17).
Items on the one-day agenda include:
An update on the current status of the remainder of the department’s 2010 budget and of the 2011 budget.
Consideration of approval of the Master Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the commission and the U.S. Forest Service Southwest Regional Office to replace the existing MOU.
Consideration of approval of a state land use permit with the Arizona State Land Department for the purpose of statewide wildlife water improvements on state trust lands.
A presentation on the current status of the Species and Habitat Conservation Guide (SHCG) and the Geospatial Planning Tool.
Consideration of approval of a Notice of Docket Opening and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for one new rule and several rule amendments (see last article in this newsletter for more details).
A briefing on the department’s involvement in Mexican wolf reintroduction in Arizona and New Mexico and related recovery and conservation issues.
Updates on state and federal legislation, state and federal lands issues and activities, information/education/wildlife recreation activities, and shooting sports/shooting range activities.
Hearings on license revocations for violation of Game and Fish codes and civil assessments for the illegal taking and/or possession of wildlife.
The public can view the meeting any of three ways: (1) attending the meeting in person in Phoenix; (2) viewing it via video stream at any of five Game and Fish regional offices (Flagstaff is unavailable at this time due to office construction); or, (3) viewing it over the Web at www.azgfd.gov/commissioncam.
Those wishing to submit “blue slips” to present oral comment during the meeting must do so either at the Phoenix meeting or at the regional Game and Fish offices (again, Flagstaff will be unavailable). For office addresses, visit www.azgfd.gov/offices.
Time is running out to get one of the limited spring javelina tags remaining before the last two hunting seasons close for the year. The hunt permit-tags are available for purchase in person at any of the seven Arizona Game and Fish offices.
“As the desert begins to green up from the recent rain and snowfall, javelina should be a little easier to spot in your binoculars due to the contrasting colors,” said Big Game Program Manager, Jim Hinkle. “The moist soil can also improve your ability to stalk quietly within range.”
The next open javelina hunt is the HAM season (handgun, archery or muzzleloader). It runs from Feb. 5-14, offering two full weekends to hunt. There are more than 700 tags still available and hunters have a choice of more than 15 different units in which to hunt (availability subject to change).
For rifle hunters, more than 1,000 tags remain for the general season, open from Feb. 19-25. There are more than a dozen open hunting areas to choose from for these tags (availability subject to change).
“With all the water available, javelina should be well distributed; however, they won’t need to cover as much territory when feeding, and they may get their fill early. Hunters will need to be in glassing position by first light to spot animals moving through corridors and feeding,” added Hinkle.
A 2010 general hunting license ($32.25 resident) and a javelina hunt-permit tag ($28.75 resident) are required. Young hunters ages 10-13 must have completed a certified hunter education course to hunt javelina and other big game animals.
When picking up your hunting tag at your local Game and Fish office, grab a copy of the January-February 2010 issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. Inside you will find a helpful article titled, “I See Pigs” that will get you prepared for your hunt with tips about the habits and habitats of javelina. If you find the award-winning, full-color magazine helpful, an annual subscription of six issues is just $8.50. To subscribe, visit www.azgfd.gov/magazine.
Regardless of how your hunt turns out, Hinkle adds, “Now is a great time to get outside with friends or family and experience the desert. Animals you will most likely encounter include quail, rabbits, coyotes, deer and birds. After these good seasonal rains, the air is crisp, and wildlife and fauna come to life. ”
For a list of available spring javelina hunts, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw under “View List of Leftover 2010 Spring Hunts for Turkey, Javelina and Bear.”
This is serious, serious stuff. I encourage all Arizonans to stay on top of this issue, contact your legislators, and do what you can to spread the word. ~DesertRat
The Heritage Fund: What its loss will mean to Arizona
Feb. 1, 2010
Public invited to Game and Fish presentation and webcast on Feb. 2
The Arizona Game and Fish Department will host a public presentation and live webcast tomorrow evening (Tuesday, Feb. 2) to discuss the potential ramifications to Arizona from a proposed elimination of the Heritage Fund.
In mid-January the Governor’s office released a budget plan that proposes to permanently eliminate the department’s voter-approved Heritage Fund and redirect all Arizona State Lottery revenue to the state’s general fund. That proposal has been sent for consideration by the Legislature.
“Adoption of this proposal could have significant impacts on Arizona’s land use and growth that will be vital for the state’s economic recovery, as well as affecting outdoor recreationists and the future well being of the state’s wildlife,” said Deputy Director Bob Broscheid. “We acknowledge the difficulties the state faces in addressing the budget situation, but we owe it to the public to inform and educate on what this could mean to them.”
Arizona Game and Fish is a “business-model” agency reliant wholly on non-tax dollars. It is critical that the customers who pay the bills in this “user pay, user benefit” model understand the potential statewide economic effects that could result from a permanent elimination of Heritage funding. Those effects potentially include constraints on land use that could affect our state’s economic recovery.
The approximately 30-minute presentation will start at 6 p.m. at the department’s Phoenix office at 5000 W. Carefree Highway (1.5 miles west of I-17). The public is invited to attend the presentation or view it live over the Internet at www.azgfd.gov/webcast.
The seminar, presented by Broscheid, will cover the history of the Heritage Fund, what it’s used for, how it benefits wildlife, its many success stories, and the impacts to wildlife, land access and Arizona citizens if the fund is lost.
After the presentation, an interactive question-and-answer session with the public will take place. Online viewers can submit questions for consideration via an e-mail link at www.azgfd.gov/webcast.
Passed as an initiative in 1990 by an overwhelming 2-1 bipartisan ratio of Arizona voters, the Heritage Fund provides up to $10 million each year from lottery ticket sales for the conservation and protection of the state’s wildlife and natural areas. The Arizona Game and Fish Department receives no general tax revenue and the Heritage Fund is one of the department’s primary funding sources. The Heritage Fund makes a difference in communities across Arizona and benefits all citizens
The Feb. 9 application deadline to submit elk and pronghorn hunt applications is rapidly approaching – don’t procrastinate any longer.
Applications must be submitted to the Arizona Game and Fish Department by U.S. mail to P.O. Box 74020, Phoenix, AZ 85087-1052 or hand-delivered to any department office by Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 by 7 p.m. (MST) – postmarks do not count.
There is no online application service available.
The regulations for Arizona’s 2010 elk and pronghorn antelope seasons are available at hunting and fishing license dealers throughout the state, at all Game and Fish offices, or online at www.azgfd.gov/draw.
Hunters are reminded a 2010 hunting license is required to apply.
To learn more about the big game draw lottery process, bonus points, and available leftover spring hunting permits, visit www.azgfd.gov/draw.
Donate an outdoor magazine for military stationed overseas:
You can give a piece of the outdoors to the men and women stationed overseas with our U.S. military by dropping off your current or old outdoor magazines at any Arizona Game and Fish Department office.
The Outdoor Experience 4 All is conducting another magazine drive for the troops to follow up on last fall’s successful effort. There will be magazine collection points at all Game and Fish Department offices through the elk and antelope draw deadline on Feb. 9. There are locations in Phoenix, Mesa, Flagstaff, Pinetop, Kingman, Tucson and Yuma. For addresses, visit www.azgfd.gov/offices.
Once collected, the donated magazines will be added to care packages prepared by Blue Star Mom’s to send “a little bit of home to our sons and daughters” overseas. Last fall’s effort resulted in nearly 5,000 magazines being shipped to the troops.
The Red Cross will be at the Mesa regional office conducting a blood drive on deadline day, Feb. 9. There are 48 slots between 12:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. If you would like to give blood, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE with sponsor code OE4A to make an appointment. The Mesa office is located at 7200 E. University Drive.
This came up a couple of years ago. I didn’t agree then, I don’t agree now. I’m not so sure hunting should be a “right”. Rather, I see it better as a privilege. The problem with making it a right is that it is then harder to take away – think poachers, for example. I know the intent is to ward off the anti’s, but I am not so sure it is the right approach.~DesertRat
Rep. Jerry Weiers, R-Glendale, has proposed House Concurrent Resolution 2008.
It states that citizens would have a right to “hunt, fish and harvest wildlife” and make public hunting and fishing the “preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.”
If supported by the Legislature, the resolution would put a proposed constitutional amendment on an upcoming ballot for the voters to consider. If approved by voters, it would become Arizona’s 36th right. The state’s 35 constitutional rights include the right to petition and assemble, right to bear arms and the right to a trial by jury.
Ten states include hunting and fishing rights in their constitutions.
In Arizona, a similar bill failed two years ago. It was opposed by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and environmental groups.
National Rifle Association lobbyist Matt Dogali said this time, the group is working with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and other groups with a vested interest to find wording everyone can support. But he said that while the wording will likely change, the overall intent will not.
My daughter will be 12 this week. She is an awesome kid, and has always enjoyed going hunting with me. Last year she drew her first big game (javelina) tag. You can read the story of that hunt HERE
This year, friend John wanted to try again. You can read my version of this year’s hunt story over at the AHT Forums.
Here is Mikaela’s version of this year’s story, mostly unedited. I know I’m biased, but she’s twelve. She spins quite a tale. Please welcome my Guest Blogger this week, Mikaela MacFarlane. ~DesertRat
The Sunset Sow
By Mikaela MacFarlane
Hunting with my dad is always a wonderful experience, and I really enjoy going with him. We always have fun, no matter what comes back in our game bag. The bag came home empty, until Jan. 24, 2010.
The day before, Jan 23, was a freezing day filled with long hikes and glassing for as long as 3 hours straight. I met some experienced pig hunters in that outing, yet I had my doubts. After all, was this MacFarlane Curse hereditary? We did spot pigs that day; however by the time we got to the said pigs’ whereabouts, they were long gone. We hiked another mile and a half to a road, where we were picked up and enjoyed lunch. I was kind of feeling sick, but I didn’t want to give up quite yet. So we ate around 3:45, and then set out for a new spot where we glassed for another hour and a half with no success. Finally, we decided to head home and get a well deserved rest.
The next day, we lost a few of our hunting experts with plans they were obligated to stay home with. However, we still had two of our hunters, and two was enough. Within an hour we spotted five or six pigs, closer than the day before, and the excitement on top of the hill began to build. Me, dad, and Josh set out for a pig, and John remained on the hill to keep an eye on our pigs. We hiked for about half an hour before we caught our first close up on the pigs. Our first view was of two pigs feeding together, but they moved before we could set up The Claw™ for my accurate and ethical shot at a pig. After moving for about fifteen minutes, we came across a beautiful sow about 70 yards away from where we were set up.
Despite the fact that it was an almost perfect shot, I began whispering, “I can’t do this.” Dad became a little frustrated, but when he realized what I meant, he eased up. The rifle wasn’t steady enough. I didn’t want the pig to suffer. So waiting a minute, Josh steadied the rifle so it barely moved. I waited. The sow finally turned broadside and I regained my confidence. I shot. The sow staggered into the bush it was eating and died there. I took two more reassuring shots to make sure she was in no pain and dead. After five minutes, we then proceeded down the hill, and found our gorgeous pig lying in a jojoba bush, with a gash in her side. After further discussion, we discovered my first shot was directly in the lung. The second one was through her but father back. The third was a graze, along her side.
We took a few photos and then we (Dad) began to gut our beautiful pig. The teeth on her were absolutely stunning! I have never seen teeth bigger than hers, anywhere. Trashing her insides, Josh carried our pig, and we made our way up the steep hill. After a few minutes, and I got to thinking, “I’m not a murder. Why did I kill that poor sow? What if she had kids?” Josh had sent a text message and I was constantly getting “congrats” from everyone. Those made me feel worse in a way. Dad’s word for this hunt, “slay” didn’t help either. I needed to see Mom. I knew she would understand. Tears rolling down my cheeks, I tried going up as fast as I can. Staggering, I collapsed onto a rock, and resting, Dad reassured me that I could take as much time as I needed to get up the hill. I was impatient to go home, so I snapped, “I just want to go home!” Thinking that I just wanted to sit there because I didn’t want to walk up the hill or down to the road, he became impatient. So he offered to take my gun. We argued, and then I shouted, “Fine. Take it.” He did, and now I realize why he was upset. Seeing that it wasn’t about me being lazy, he constantly asked, “What’s wrong? Are you ok?” I usually didn’t answer, and when I did it was with, “Nothing. I’m fine.” Eventually, he got back to talking about our hunt.
Finally reaching John’s truck, he gave me his congratulations; we loaded the sow into the truck, and headed to me and Dad’s. We thanked the men again, and headed for home. Almost as soon as we took off, I started crying and explained, “I didn’t feel right killing the sow. I’m not a murderer. What if she had piglets?” Dad calmly explained that it was better for the population, and that it hurt her less than dying naturally, or by being killed by a mountain lion. He continued by saying that animals don’t think like we do, and they don’t process pain like we do. When we shoot a pig, they don’t think, “Oh no! I’m getting shot! What about my kids? What about my husband Billy Pig? What will I do?” Rather, they think, “Run! Fight!” Then blackness.
After this pep talk and a bit of rest, I thought about it, and became excited again. Chorizo and a nice skull to remember this day! Also, to honor the beautiful sow that gave its life for me. Dad and Josh talked about me naming it. After thinking about it, I came up with the perfect name for her. We were near Sunset Point, so I whispered, before going to sleep, “Sunset Sow.”
I have been having some e-mail conversations with Sparky from M2D Camo. They have an awesome looking product, and I am looking forward to learning more about their product, and their company! Look for more information on M2D in the days ahead – photos, product profiles, and an interview with Sparky!
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