August 2018 APC P.O. Box 1172 Mesa, AZ 85211 www.arizonapredatorcallers.com Dear APC Members, President s Message By Dennis Slade It is already time for another season to start. I got a little jump start myself, traveling to Africa in July. The place I hunting typically doesn't have many predators but I had the opportunity to travel a few hundred kilometers north to another farm for a few days and they were loaded with jackals and other rascals. Among the animals I was able to harvest there was the elusive African Wildcat. I only had my 458 Winchester so I borrowed a 22 Long Rifle from the farmer so I could hunt the smaller stuff without blowing it up! It was a great experience and the 38 grain Winchester hollow points were the perfect medicine. See the picture on page 2. I was able to participate in some rifle matches in New Mexico last weekend where I was humbled in some matches and managed to squeeze out a win in one, again using a 22 long rifle. Maybe that will be a rifle I use more this year. I look forward to having a great season, having some awesome guest speakers and sharing a few campfires with you. I can't wait to dust off my shotgun and see if I can get some of the new crop of coyotes that are already out there preying on the deer. We have had enough rain this summer to get the forests open in time for the earliest hunts. My congratulations to those of you who may have drawn an antelope or early season elk tag. Don't forget to put an arrow in your quiver or a bullet in your magazine that has Mr. Coyote's name on it. Dennis ARIZONA PREDATOR CALLERS 2017/2018 Board of Directors President: Dennis Slade 928-499-8445 dwslade@gmail.com Vice-President: Jeff Heinze 480-890-2998 jeffheinze@gmail.com Treasurer: Jerry Thorson 602-292-6337 jerry.d.thorson@gmail.com Secretary: Hank Scutoski 602-300-7518 hpski9@gmail.com 1
Dennis Slade with his African Wildcat. August Meeting Program Shotgun Tactics for Predators with Ken Eaton The August 2018 meeting will consist of a presentation by Ken Eaton, 2017-18 Expert Caller of the Year, on hunting predators with a shotgun. This presentation will include tactics, shot loads and close quarters hunting. Not to be missed. The next Arizona Predator Callers meeting is: Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 7:00 PM The meetings are held monthly at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 at 1450 E. Main Street, Mesa. The FOP Lodge is on the north side of Main Street between Stapley and Gilbert Road in Mesa in the strip mall behind the Filiberto s. The meeting is free to APC members and students under 18 and $5.00 for non-members. Refreshments and door prizes are included in the admission price. Board meetings are held the last Monday of the month. Board meetings are held at the Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant in the Bass Pro, 1133 N. Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ 85201 starting at 7:00 PM. All APC members are welcome to attend and participate. 2
George Knox / Ray Evridge Memorial Boot Camp August 10-12, 2018 Spots are filling up fast so register now to reserve your spot. Everything you need to learn & experience to become a successful predator hunter in Arizona Date: Aug 10th, 11th, 12th Location: Vincent Ranch, Unit 4A Novice and Experienced Hunters Welcome. Come learn predator hunting from some of the most successful predator hunters. Would you like to do it in the cool pines? The George Knox Memorial Boot Camp is a learning opportunity put on by Phoenix Varmint Hunters, Arizona Elk Society, Arizona Predator Callers and Arizona Game and Fish Dept.. Cost: Free to all!! Come on out & learn from experienced hunters. Camping: Tents & vehicles welcome at the ranch, Trailers and such need to camp on the National Forest on the way in. There is not room at the ranch for trailers. REGISTRATION: YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER https://register-ed.com/events/view/123603 To volunteer or for more information email: pvcigroup@yahoo.com or pvcigroup@gmail.com Schedule: Aug 10: Friday Night meet & greet dinner at 6:00 pm with camp fire talks at 7:00 pm Aug 11: Saturday will be filled with seminars from talented predator hunters sharing a few secrets and a lot of knowledge and 3 meals served. Breakfast 7:00am, First seminar at 8:00 am. Aug 12: Sunday morning breakfast and recap There will be mentored hunting opportunities for new hunters. Bring your camo, firearm, chair and calls to have an opportunity to go hunting. Meals are provided by the sponsoring groups, special dietary needs will not be provided. You will need to bring your own camping and hunting gear. Directions to Vincent Ranch: Take State Route 87 to Payson / From Payson, take State Route 260 east to the top of the rim / Turn left at the Woods Canyon Lake turnoff onto FR300 (the rim road) FR300 intersects with FR34, at the T turn right onto FR34 /FR34 intersects with FR75 twice, Turn left onto FR75 at the 2nd intersection/ In less than a mile you will see a two-track on the left, turn left and take the road to the ranch 3
May Meeting Highlights President Dennis Slade and Hunt Chairman Dusty Mosier presented the 2017/2018 Caller of the Year awards at the May APC meeting. Congratulations to all of the Award winners. Adam Johnstun, Kara Jensen, Hank Scutoski, Levi Slade and Ken Eaton Ken Eaton holding his plaque for Expert Caller of the Year flanked by Dusty Mosier and Dennis Slade. 4
Hank Scutoski was awarded the Apprentice Caller of the Year. Levi Slade was awarded the Journeyman Caller of the Year Adam Johnstun received the Novice Caller of the Year Award. 5
Kara Jensen was awarded the Sportsman of the Year for her dedication and support of APC. Kara spearheaded the Youth Javalina hunt program, manages the social media and website and attended numerous meetings representing APC. Marv Buck was the lucky raffle prize winner at the May meeting. Raffle prized were supplied by Pinnacle Peak Ace Hardware. 6
New APC Website Announced The Arizona Predator Callers have a new website address that will become active prior to the August APC meeting. The new address is www.arizonapredatorcallers.com. Please take some time and check it out. There is information, announcements, articles, photos and more that can help you keep up to date and assist you in the pursuit of predators. Membership Report: Welcome New Members Dennis Cummins of Green Valley Thanks to Renewing Members Marv Buck, John Harry and Robert Harry Expiring Soon Jeff Serdy, Thomas Blum, Elvin Lightfoot, Caleb Hendrikson, Arther Hawk and Justin Mueller. 2018-2019 APC Calendar of Events Date Topic Speaker or Location Aug 9, 2018 Meeting Shotguns Ken Eaton Aug 10-12, 2018 George Knox Boot Camp Vincent Ranch Sept 13, 2018 Meeting - Coyotes John Arterburn Sept 15, 2018 Club Hunt Jensen Ranch Oct 11, 2018 Meeting Camo and Stands Ken Eaton Oct 13, 2018 Club Novice Hunt Florence Junction Check In Nov 8, 2018 Meeting Bobcats Nov 10, 2018 Club Hunt Florence Junction Check In Dec 13, 2018 Meeting Fur Prep Southwest Fur Harvesters Jan 10, 2019 Meeting - Javelina Kara Jensen, Jeff Heinze, Dennis Slade Jan 24-27, 2019 Junior Javelina Camp Unit 37B Jan? Multi-Club Hunt Feb 14, 2019 Meeting - Lion Hunting Mark Healy Feb 16, 2019 TBD Club Hunt TBD Mar 14, 2019 Meeting - Bear s Dennis Slade Mar 16, 2019 TBD Club Hunt TBD Apr 11, 2019 Meeting Firearms & Equip. Dennis Slade & Jeff Heinze Apr 13, 2019 Adopt-A-Ranch Cleanup Globe Griffin Ranch May 9, 2019 Awards Banquet Please put these dates on your calendar. Events are subject to change. Updates will be made throughout the season. Meetings are always the second Thursday of the month. 7
The Importance of Hunt Records By Dusty Mosier & Hank Scutoski At the end of each season we ask all members to submit their hunt records, even if they haven t harvested any predators. They are due at the April meeting, which this season is April 11, 2019. These records contain important information that s used for several purposes. First, we share the data with Arizona Game & Fish to help with their analysis of predator populations and location. Second, the data is used to determine awards presented at the annual banquet held in May. Third, members are classified by experience (Novice, Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert, Master) using this data. Records indicating no animals harvested help determine the participation rate of our membership. The sharing of data with AZG&F is especially important in the litigious environment created by the anti-hunting crowd. One of their tactics is to insist on the use of the best available scientific data. We ve probably all heard that phrase and probably support it. But it s a double-edged sword. Where there is little data, as is the case with predators, they ask, How can you say you re managing wildlife when you don t know how many there are? Unfortunately, in Arizona it s a fact that G&F has little data on the actual population of bobcats, lions, coyotes, etc. You can help AZG&F gather data by completing your hunt record each season as accurately as possible. On your hunt records please also include information on all predators that you call-in or just see, that you didn t harvest. You cannot get points for this data, but this not harvested data is very valuable information, because it helps AZG&F estimate the total population of predators and not just harvest numbers. At the end of each season the data from your hunt records is entered onto an Excel worksheet for analysis and determination of annual awards and updating of hunter classifications. When the analysis is completed, all names and points are removed from the worksheet and a copy sent to AZG&F. AZ Predator Callers represents only a small portion of the total take of predators but even a relatively small amount of data will assist AZG&F in their effort to apply the best available scientific data. Think of the data as a tool to protect your right to hunt. Here are some pointers that will help ensure consistency in the information recorded on hunt records. 1. The season runs from April 1 to March 31. Only animals legally harvested during this period can be reported. 2. In the GMU (Game Management Unit) column we ask that you record the hunt unit number to help AZG&F determine populations in a given unit. Your fellow members will not be able to find your stand location because hunt units are very large, but if this is a concern we will not reject your hunt record for the lack of a hunt unit. However, please keep in mind the lack of this information deprives AZG&F of valuable information. 3. In the Taken With column we are asking for the caliber or gauge (or archery) of the weapon you used to harvest the animal. 4. In the Called With column we are asking for hand call or electronic call, not the specific sound you used. It s okay to add the sound if you wish for your own records, but tell us if it is a hand or E caller. 5. If you harvest an animal that was not called in (it just walked into view) you can only claim Shooter points, not Caller points. We call this an incidental harvest. 6. If you harvest a fox please include the specific species, gray, kit, or red. This is important information for AZ G&F. 7. There is an Excel version of the hunt record on the APC website if you prefer a typed version. We like it because it s easier to read. 8. Points awarded for each predator species are on the back of the hunt record, and the five hunter classifications are in the By Laws. 9. For Hunter Class ONLY, the species authorized are predators and badgers, and the animal may be taken anywhere in North America. However, only animals harvested in the state of Arizona are considered for the presentation of awards. 10. The first bobcat, lion, or bear taken each season (covers two calendar years) is awarded more points than subsequent animals taken during the same season. See the back of the hunt record. 11. There is a Note column for any additional information you want to record. 12. Remember to put your name, hunter classification, and season on your hunt record. 13. If you are unsure of your hunter classification contact the Hunt Director. 8
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