Arizona Jackrabbit

[sixshot]

Recently spent another winter in Arizona, 4 months of 70-80 degree fun in the sun. Lots of things to do in the high desert around Wickenburg.
I shoot 2 pistol matches a week, cast bullets, ride 4 wheelers in the desert & take lots of pictures. On one of the rides during the course of the day we spotted a coyote, several Jacks, lots of quail & a Road Runner...Beep, Beep! I popped one of the Jacks with my 8 shot 327 maggie but didn't want to walk up the hill through the cactus & rock to retreive it, mainly because of snakes. I can't hear them! I'm amazed how many coyotes there are here, they are small, nothing like our coyotes up home but there's lots of them.
On a later ride we again saw lots of game including 2 muleys, a few hawks, quail, another Road Runner....Beep, Beep! Also ran over a snake with the 4 wheeler but it got in a hole before we could check it out closer. Towards the end of the day I saw 3-4 big Jacks & finally one gave me a shot, shooting offhand at about 35 yds my Ruger Bisley 41 maggie & 18 grs of 2400 really punched his ticket, lots of damage from that 230 gr. Keith slug. Some dis -believers think that slug would just pencil through & the bunny would heal up in a few days, doesn't work that way. A Texas Jack might recover but not an Arizona or Idaho Jack!
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/6shot_01131/100_3653_zps319ef2fd.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/6shot_01131/100_3653_zps319ef2fd.jpg.html)

Saguaro Cactus, there are many thousands of these in the desert, I've been told that it takes 30 years for them to develop the "arms", maybe thats why Fermin hasn't developed a neck yet....
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/6shot_01132/100_3650_zpsf12f041e.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/6shot_01132/100_3650_zpsf12f041e.jpg.html)

These old cabins are a popular destination on 4 wheelers, the story goes that they were once in a western movie, nobody knew which movie, I thought maybe it was Mucho Garza Rides Again...
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/6shot_01133/100_3643_zpsa21ff252.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/6shot_01133/100_3643_zpsa21ff252.jpg.html)

There are many deep, rugged canyons in the area, easy to get turned around if you're not familar with the roads & trails. Many of these dry stream beds were once stage coach routes. Very little water in this country but it was refreshing when we did to not see a Utah fisherman!
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/6shot_01134/100_3647_zps778c6a84.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/6shot_01134/100_3647_zps778c6a84.jpg.html)

Dick

[UBER7MM]

Dick,
.
Snakes and scorpions are the biggest problem there. Sounds like your well armed. Carry lots of water.
.
Be careful!

[Djones]

My in laws winter in AZ too. Sounds like a good place to escape the long winters. I think I could get used to riding around the desert, shooting matches and casting boolits.

Thank you for sharing a great story.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

Thanks for sharing and the nice pictures....Jim

[Idaho Mule]

Looks like you had a great time sixshot, thanks for sharing. JW

[runfiverun]

so when ya comin home?
the rock chucks are starting to pop out here and there, I have got two so far this year.
both with home made bullets.
the snow is off the gun range but not off the mountain tops just yet, and the rivers are still running high but are starting to clear up.

[sixshot]

Lamar, I've been home for a few days now, it snowed the first 4 days we were here. Rock Chucks are on the menu this week if the dang wind will quit blowing my hat off. Me & my 327 maggie are going to do some pain tests!

Dick

[Sheriff]

Dick, while you're out gunning for 'chucks' check the rivers and creeks for clearity. I'm in bad need of a fly fishing trip.........

[sixshot]

Sheriff, I haven't been out much but the word is there is a lot of snow pack in the upper Snake River drainage & there will be a lot of runoff. If that happens it will be June before the creeks clear up enough to wet a fly. The biggest problem here is the skeeters, some of them are bigger than the fish! 2-3 years ago me & Ken O'Neill stopped along a small stream to wring out a couple of sixguns & we had them going in our mouth, we jumped back in his SUV & killed skeeters all the way back to town, bad! I'll give you a heads up when the waters clear.

Dick

[Certaindeaf]

.my Ruger Bisley 41 maggie & 18 grs of 2400 really punched his ticket, lots of damage from that 230 gr. Keith slug. Some dis -believers think that slug would just pencil through & the bunny would heal up in a few days, doesn't work that way. A Texas Jack might recover but not an Arizona or Idaho Jack!.
Excellent and much appreciated post. Ah, the sun and fun.. good for you!
You are absolutely right about the terminal effects of a SWC and many people do not understand/realize how effective they are.

[dougader]

I always enjoy your posts, pics and stories, Dick. Thanks for sharing!

I am lucky recipient of some of Dick's Arizona-cast boolits! I can't wait to get out and shoot some.

[LAH]

Sounds like where I need to be, snowing here today.

[luvtn]

Wow Dick, you ruined one of that rabbit's hams! :). What kind of a holster rig are you using in the jack picture?
luvtn

[sixshot]

Luvtn, that shoulder rig is called the Northwest Hunter & its made by the master himself, Mike Barranti. Its fully adjustable & fits close to the body, I've packed this one all over the country hunting & its as good as it gets. I also have one for my 10" Ruger 44 maggie that gets a lot of use. They had a nice wide, padded shoulder strap that really makes a difference. Here's a better photo of it.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/6shot_01139/100_1558_zps455bfc11.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/6shot_01139/100_1558_zps455bfc11.jpg.html)

This is the Northwest Hunter for my 10 1/2" guns.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/6shot_01140/100_1623_zps351db130.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/6shot_01140/100_1623_zps351db130.jpg.html)

Dick

[goofyoldfart]

SixGun---that's one heck of a shot on that deer. Good for you. God Bless to you and yours.:D
Goofy aka Godfrey

[Larry Gibson]

Sixshot

You get down Arizona way next winter give me a shout. Have gun, will travel (have jeep and PU). Or you could slip over this way or we can meet in between?

Larry Gibson

[sixshot]

Larry, will do, I've been wanting to see that area for quite a while & have kept putting it off. I'm sure we could have a great visit.

Dick

[Larry Gibson]

Looking forward to it.

Larry Gibson

[historicfirearms]

Sixshot, great pictures and thanks for sharing. We are getting ready to move to Prescott from Michigan. The winters have finally gotten to us, tired of spending half the year cooped up inside.

[sixshot]

Be sure to look up Rob Leahy (Simply Rugged Holsters) when you get there, great guy, & he might tell you where there's a Jackrabbit!

Dick

[dougader]

If my job interview goes well on Monday, we may be heading down that way... just across the border from Larry in AZ.

[snappy]

Lamar, I've been home for a few days now, it snowed the first 4 days we were here.

Dick

Sounds like you went from shoveling gravel in AZ straight into shoveling snow in ID!! :mrgreen: Glad you guys got back home to the Grandkids safely Dick. Regards-