Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Tonto Arizona gathering 2017...

I arrived at camp late this afternoon (they send in the Marines first,right?) to find that Miles Patton beat me by a day or two. There is no one else within a mile of our camp right now.

The dirt road in is in excellent shape, better than last year, except for the rough last 200 yards, about the same as last year. Anybody showing up in a Corvette will have to park and walk in the last 200 yards.

Miles Patton was so glad to have some company that he heated up some excellent stew for our dinner while I got situated and settled in. We got acquainted over dinner and a cold beer.

Right now, at almost 10:00 pm the sky is clear under a full moon. The temperature is 60 degrees, the moonlight is almost bright enough to shoot by, and the coyotes are starting to make their presence known.

Safe travels everyone, the campsite is claimed for the Campfire group, and the welcoming committee is in place. I am looking forward to greeting some old friends and meeting some new ones.

I have a 12 x 24 canopy plus a pop up, same one we used at Quemado lake when we were in the parking lot.

Kent

Forecast has now lowered rain chance to max 50% from 8PM Sat through most of the day Sunday.

Doug, Gabe and I should be there early this afternoon.

Thanks for the reports guys - good stuff.

nifty250 - looks like you and Miles have everything ready in camp. Interesting that Miles served you that stew - it was made with coyote meat left over from last summer's gathering up this way. How are you feeling today?

That's bad news with the last 200 yards of road - will not be bringing my old Corvette as planned.

Is Darby there yet - can't seem to find him on his cell phone.

i have been otherwise directed to some extent, missed cccc's comment.
i plan to attend if for no other time at least saturday.
I have another adoptee golden retriever among other things.
very abused dog that have been dealing with this week.
the only thing that concerns me is not being there on friday and the addiction i have to krp's fish.
and to be honest onset of oldage itis.
i was thinking it was next week.

Michael and I will be up there Friday night sometime. I am going shopping tonight and tomorrow in case anybody forgot anything just let me know and I will try to pick it up for you. (bottled water, salt, pepper, blah blah blah)

How many kids will be there besides Michael? Do I need to bring a 20ga youth shot gun for them? I plan on bringing a few like last year so you guys can shoot whatever is comfortable for you and my slinger.

I will check back periodically to see if anyone needs anything before I head out.

Steak and fish is saturday night, AZmex food friday night.

Kent

Heading out first thing tomorrow morning. I threw in a couple of shotguns and some shells, and I will contribute some cash to whomever brings the clay pigeons.

Cccc,

Miles said he ran out of the coyote meat for the stew, but he upgraded to raccoon, and he is saving some for you, Paul. Yum, yum.

Dave Price and his crew are here now and all set up.

Roadrunner, you could bring a lopping shear and a camp saw to help clear shooting lanes and around campsites, unless someone else has already said they are bringing some. Miles has been beating the thorn bushes back with his cane and hitting cactus spines with his arm on the backstroke. He says a little blood adds flavor to the stew.

We are fixing to have some more stew right now to go with the cold beer.

All is well while we await reinforcements.

I will bring a lopper and a saw, unless someone tells me not to bother...

You guys have fun!! Travel safe going and returning!

I'll be leaving 5-ish am Sat from the far west valley. Let me know if there's something needed last minute I could pick up tonite.

The map looks pretty clear. Does the dirt road have a number sign?

Dang, missing this for the second year.

You folks have a good time...

The road into camp is on the west side, exactly opposite the south exit road from Punkin Center. We think the road number is 409.

We just finished an excellent dinner, prepared by KRP (Kent) of antelope tacos. The meat was indirectly provided by Ken Howell, in that the antelope was taken by DARBY (Joe D. ) using Ken Howell's custom rifle in 220 Howell, with a 75 gr. bullet at about 3400 fps.

After dinner we enjoyed an Amarulla toast to Ken Howell and to Bigbuck215 (Ivan) and to some other Campfire friends that can't be with us this year.

'

its 409, if you are coming in from the beeline side, in punkin center start looking on your fight rd will be there just past a little ridge. believe it is marked.

Hey, thanks for the toast! I felt that way up here.

You Gentlemen Rock! I wish I could have made it, maybe for the antelope tacos alone. I sit here instead, between assignments.

Yesterday afternoon and this morning sunrise.

Looks like the start of a beautiful day.

Howdy, y'all.