My post was simply a response to Mr. Rice?s request for information. TreborKent, you and I can agree that unit 46B is capable of producing a better mean score that 144. However, the facts are what they are. For their sake, I hope that last year?s hunters are proud of their once-in-a-lifetime Arizona rams, and, I'm sure they would take exception to your description of their ?trophies? as a disgrace. I'm sure Mr. Rice has his own standards of success and will hunt his hunt as he sees fit.
As for the illegals and drug traffickers, I'm glad that you have never had issues. I sincerely hope that Mr. Rice has no issues. Last year we saw quite a few fresh tracks (both foot and vehicle) that indicated some level of illegal activity. That said, we actually never saw anyone except hunters and border patrol agents. However, just because you don't encounter trouble doesn't mean that problems don't exist. My words were simply meant as a warning to the wise.
Based on your post, it appears that you have spent some time in the National Monument and surrounding areas. Therefore, you're probably aware of the tragic 2002 shooting death of Park Ranger Kris Eggle in neighboring Organ Pipe National Monument. How about the deaths of the 14 illegal aliens back in May 2001? The issues are real enough that six to eight additional solar-powered rescue beacon signal systems have recently been built, and, more aerial patrols have been initiated. I don't mean to mean to imply that there is a ?bad guy? behind every creosote bush! However, that part of the state is rather remote. Anyone going down there should just be aware of their surroundings.
Here are a few links and quotes I found interesting:
http://www.azstarnet.com/border/20908PERILOUS-FEDSKNEWD.html
A 1999 National Park Service report to Congress told them that "armed confrontations, brandishing weapons and shoot-outs" were occurring "with significant frequency" around four parks on the U.S.-Mexican border.
http://www.azstarnet.com/border/20909PERILOUS-ENVIRONMENT.html Legal visitors to Cabeza Prieta must sign a "hold harmless" form that warns of the hazards of "one of the most extreme environments in North America." Around 2,000 legal visitors sign that permit annually - about how many illegal border crossers passed through the refuge in one week last year.
http://www.yuma.usmc.mil/Services/RANGE/Visitor_.htm INTERNATIONAL BORDER Due to the proximity of the border, illegal alien and drug smuggling activities may occur. Avoid any encounters with individuals suspected of these activities while on the BMGR/CPNWR.
http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/r2/F0ABE3A8-FAF4-4303-83EABEB84BE9211.html
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge has seen increased trafficking of drugs, as well as migrants across remote wilderness areas.
http://www.kvoa.com/stories/4/4132003_3.html 14 stranded illegal immigrants died of dehydration or heat-related injuries in May 2001 on the Cabeza Prieta refuge.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/8/11/160259.shtml The National Park Rangers Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police has issued a list of the 10 most dangerous national parks. Organ Pipe has topped the list each year, "due to numerous incidents involving international drug trafficking, inflow of illegal aliens, and a workforce that is understaffed to safely manage the problem ... The park also reported that drug and alien smugglers had created miles of illegal roads in the park. There are too few rangers to safely handle this workload."
Mark