Nice! I've killed over a dozen black bears and I have yet to kill a color phase. All of mine are jet black with about 50% having a white blaze on their chest. I'd really like to find a nice color phase like yours, though.
I'll just add that on range also includes unit 28 which is the McGregor training area. Anything in NM outside WSMR and McGregor are considered off range for oryx.
Last month I got a call from Utah DWR asking if I wanted a turned-in tag for my first choice antelope unit. The answer was a quick resounding "absolutely!"
Several sources told me I should expect a good buck, mid 70", but you just might turn up a smoker. I thought to myself, ehhh that'll work...
For the most part, yes. For instance, all of the guidelite MT frames will take all of the bags designed for that frame.
They also have conversion kits to fit older bags and frames to newer models.
I think you've got it nailed here according to how NMDFG explained last year's rounding changes to me. If the fraction between outfitted and NR pool is the same, the remaining tag goes to the next name drawn from either category.
I'm pretty excited about this one. My Muskox is finally home. I had Major Wildlife Studios in Las Cruces mount him up on a floor pedestal. He's definitely a conversation starter.
Here is the story I posted last year about my bull...
I agree. When you really need a pack for hard use, you have to evaluate the trade-offs. I came to the same conclusion with the Kuiu. It was light for sure, but it couldn't handle the heavy stuff and the meat hauling setup is essentially worthless. It was fine as a 40lb max day pack, but...
I've seen dozens of coastal and interior AK black bears hit the dirt and I've never seen a legit 20+" skull in any of them. Some were close while green, but they didn't make it after drying.
My AK taxidermist has seen and handled hundreds if not thousands over the last decade and can count on...