cowboys and hunters

with the fall hunting season here I thought a few cowboy hunting stories might be appropriate.  ive been in a lot of trouble over the years fussing with some nimrod about where he is hunting, what he was shooting at and why. ive also met some realy nice people who go to great lengths to make up for the dummies and the arrogant.
     when we first went to the 76 ranch the road leading into the headquarters was also the road that took you into taylor canyon of the graham mountains. that road was open to the world for 50 years with nothing but a cattle guard to cross. after the first year of having hunters in the yard at all hours of the day and nite, picking up their trash and putting up with their rudeness we decided to close off the road with a big ole pipe gate. if folks wanted to hunt behind that gate they needed to contact us for permission. the lands at the gate was all deeded and the forest service thought it a good idea as  the fire danger was high.
   about a month after deer season opened I was with the mrs. at the walmart in safford. as I was bored with strollin up and down each isle I went to the front of the store where most of the men hung out while waittin for their their wives.  as all the benches were loaded I was leanin against the wall when a feller dressed in camo carrying a bag full of ammo boxes and a pistol on his hip took up a space on the wall next to me. seemed to be a fairley likable guy so we kinda struck up a conversation. he asked if I was a cowboy and when I answered yes he ask where. when I told him Bonita, he narrowed his eye and squinted at me. OH! he said your that asshole who locked up the road to taylor canyon!! yep I answered, you must  be the asshole who left his trash in the spring that furnishes my drinking water!!  he stomped away muttering under his breath.
     another time the mrs. and I were putting along a two  track road in the ranch truck when we came upon a empty beer can in the road. I stopped and picked it up and realized it was still cold! this was 8 oclock in the morning!! we went on and in just a ways picked up another, then 4 more as we progressed up the road!! the foot steps turned into a wash that had a good camping area in. I parked and followed the tracks into the wash. there were about 20 Mexican men anywhere from 60 years down to early 20 s. they all stood up, pointed their guns at me glared at me menacingly . I backed out and retreated to the truck. as I got there the game warden drove up. I explained what happened. now this game warden was a cockey feller who took his job quite seriously. he promply marched into camp with his hand on his side arm. in just a few moments he backed out, hand still on his side arm. he called in back up and iand the mrs. went on putten salt out!!