Fair Chase Spring 2014 by Boone and Crockett Club

Spring 2014 | $9.95

Search. Find. Buy. CZ 455 Varmint

Item #: 02140 Caliber: 22LR Sights: No Sights

Capacity: 5+1 BBL: 20.5”

• Walnut Stock • Adjustable Trigger • Heavy Barrel • Interchangeable Barrel Capability

CZ 455 Varmint

Item #: 02142 Caliber: 17HMR Sights: No Sights

Capacity: 5+1 BBL: 20.5”

• Walnut Stock • Adjustable Trigger • Heavy Barrel • Interchangeable Barrel Capability

American

Item #: 6905-RUG Caliber: 22-250 Sights: No Sights

Capacity: 4+1 BBL: 22”

• Black Composite Stock • Marksman Adjustable Trigger • Power Bedding • 100% American Made

American

Item #: 6913 Caliber: 223 Sights: No Sights

Capacity: 5+1 BBL: 22”

25 Lightweight Varminter

Item #: 19738 Caliber: 17 Hornet Sights: No Sights

Capacity: 4+1 BBL: 24”

25 Walking Varminter

Item #: 19155-SAV Caliber: 223 Sights: No Sights

• Laminate Stock • AccuTrigger • Scope Bases • Dual Pillar Bedding

• Black Composite Stock • Marksman Adjustable Trigger • Power Bedding • 100% American Made

Capacity: 4+1 BBL: 22”

• Synthetic Stock • AccuTrigger • Scope Bases • Pillar Bedding

93FV

11 Hog Hunter

Capacity: 4+1 Item #: 19662-SAV BBL: 20” Caliber: 308 Sights: Front: Ramp, Rear: LPA Adjustable

Item #: 93200 Caliber: 22M Sights: No Sights

• Synthetic Stock • AccuTrigger • 5/8-24 Threaded Barrel

Capacity: 5+1 BBL: 21”

• Synthetic Stock • AccuTrigger • Scope Bases • Heavy Barrel

Dimension

Item #: 8411 Caliber: 223 Sights: No Sights

Capacity: 3+1 BBL: 22”

• Synthetic Stock with ARMORSOFT Grip Panels • Adjustable Trigger • Optional Caliber Change Kit Available

Venture

Item #: 5563 Caliber: 308 Sights: No Sights

Capacity: 3+1 BBL: 22”

• Synthetic Stock with Hogue Traction Panels • Adjustable Trigger • 5R Rifling

Get Your Instant Quote at www.galleryofguns.com All firearms purchased from GalleryofGuns.com are covered by

the Davidson’s GuaranteeD® Lifetime Replacement Warranty.

Barren Ground Caribou in Central Alaska North of the Alaskan Range. © Donald M. Jones

Volume 29

Number 1

Spring 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS The more wild game becomes part of the fabric of North American culture, the more effective our efforts will be in ensuring the right to hunt.

From the Editor | In this Issue...................................................................................Mark B. Steffen

From the President | The Societal Impact of Wild Game as Food ............ William A. Demmer Eating Wild to Eat Well ............. By Steve Williams, Jordan Burroughs, and Katherine Julian

10 Capitol Comments | In with the New? .......................................................... Steven Williams P.14

14 THE WESTERN BIG GAME RIFLE ........................................................Wayne van Zwoll 20 UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL .........................................................................Chuck Adams

P.20

24 .308 WINCHESTER .........................................................................................Craig Boddington 26 HONORING B&C’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY...................................... Steve Mealey

P.24

P.30

P.34

30 A HUNT ETHIC.............................................................................................Jack Ward Thomas 34 CHASING THE WORLD’S LARGEST SHEEP Altai Argali - In the Russia-Mongolia Transboundary Zone................................. James P. Gibbs

42 BEST OF 2013 | Field Photos.............................................. Sponsored by Swarovksi Optik 46 Rhino Conservation Isn’t Just About Rhinos.................................................... Ben Carter

P.42

52 Knowledge Base | Hunters in a Warming World............................................. Winifred B. Kessler 54 B&C Professor’s Corner | Partnership Gone Wild........................................ Jordan Burroughs

P.46

P.54

56 Member Adventure | George Bird Grinnell - Conservationist, Author.......... Theodore J. Holsten 58 Wild Gourmet | Duck with Green Picholine Olives................ Daniel Boulud and Melissa Clark 60 Trophy Talk | New World’s Record Alaska-Yukon Moose ..................................... Jack Reneau

P.56

62 Beyond The Score | State-by-State Breakdown Sponsored by onX maps ..........................................................................................................Justin E. Spring

P.58

68 Recently Accepted Trophies | 29th Awards Program Entries.

74 Trophy Photo Gallery.............................. Sponsored by Realtree Xtra Green P.60

P.62

the Last word

How Matters | Why Dad? . . ................................................................. Daniel A. Pedrotti, Jr.

FROM THE EDITOR In this Issue The Boone and within our pages recently that hunting is Crockett Club runs both a right and a privilege. Oh, what great hard and runs deep— fun philosophy at the highest levels can prove 126 years of to be! For me, hunting on my Kansas ranch hunter-conservation. is a right I dare anyone to try to extract. But Today’s Club leadership climbing the Wyoming mountains looking Mark B. Steffen led by Bill Demmer, for bighorns while clutching a permit it took EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Morrie Stevens, Tim 15 years to secure is a privilege. Assistant Chairman B&C Brady, and Ben Editor Keith Balfourd recently summed up Publications Committee Hollingsworth is the distinction quite eloquently: “Is hunting operating at a level not a right or a privilege? Which it is, is an seen in over a century! And while it is important discussion to have. I’ve heard it absolutely a group effort consummated by argued both ways, and with conviction. If an entire organization, these gentlemen we go strictly by definition, then hunting is have brought a level of wisdom and a a privilege because a privilege is something humble commitment to servant that can be taken away. A right, on the other leadership that ultimately benefits every hand, cannot be lost.” citizen of our country and this North Jack Ward Thomas continued in his American continent. My undying respect article stating, “In the United States, the and appreciation I extend to them. right to keep and bear arms is constitutionally As editor of Fair Chase, I welcome you assured. While many may need arms to hunt, to the spring issue. From cover to cover, you hunting is not guaranteed under our will feel the depth of this organization. Be it constitution. Hunting is left uncovered as a chasing critters, chasing policy, or chasing privilege to be repeatedly earned—year after knowledge, it is all here, presented by the year—by those who hunt. In any democracy, finest minds in the conservation community. privileges are maintained at the will or At first glance, one might wonder whether sufferance of the people at large.” we have lost sight of our target with articles In the final analysis, hunting is both. concerning Asia and Africa. Not so. James Individually and spiritually, hunting is a right. Gibbs article on Argali conservation takes Societally, however, it is a privilege. If this is me back in time to the late 1800s when our true, then the future of hunting depends on continent’s habitat and wildlife were in great how hunting is viewed by the majority of the peril. Hostile politics on one side of the citizenry—most of whom do not hunt and mountain, the pain of scraping out a meager are easy prey for misinformation about existence on the other makes for excellent hunting. It would be best then not to get too reading with many lessons entwined. hung up on hunting being a right and As for the Dallas Safari Club’s black dismissing the options of others. We’re rhino saga, every hunter needs to know this outnumbered. story! Science-based conservation in the A quick reminder of last issue’s article crosshairs of animal rights activist terrorism. “Disinterested Science” is the perfect lead in From this chaos, the hunter-conservation to Wini Kessler’s and Steve Mealey’s community must develop a plan of action. contributions which refer heavily to “global My particular favorite is “Fair Chase warming” and “climate change”. Could there Hunting,” by the legendary Jack Ward be more polarizing terms in today’s English Thomas, past chief of the U.S. Forest Service language? Is this science, fact, theory, a scare who also served as the University of Montana tactic, an agenda driven tool, politics, or all B&C Professor where he the above? Yes, it is. What it is regularly contributed to Fair NOT is a part of the Boone and & C B Chase. These submissions Crockett Club’s Strategic Plan. remain the gold standard over Supporting, protecting, and a broad range of topics from advancing the sportsmen-led forestry to ethics. Reprint North American Model of requests continue to roll in at Wildlife Conservation is front the headquarters for these and center! That’s where the O N LI NE masterpieces. Between Jack and real traction can be found. n Dan Pedrotti Jr., we have Find out more presented contrasting evidence about the topics in Fair Chase online.

4 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

FAIR CHASE PRODUCTION STAFF Editor-in-Chief & Publications Chairman Mark B. Steffen Managing Editor Karlie Slayer Conservation and History Editor Steven Williams Research and Education Editor Winifred B. Kessler Hunting and Ethics Editor Mark Streissguth Assistant Editors Keith Balfourd Jim Bequette CJ Buck Marc Mondavi Jack Reneau Tony A. Schoonen Julie L. Tripp Editorial Contributors Chuck Adams Craig Boddington Jordan P. Burroughs Ben Carter William A. Demmer James P. Gibbs Theodore J. Holsten Katherine Julian Winifred B. Kessler Stephen P. Mealey Marc Mondavi Daniel A. Pedrotti, Jr. Jack Reneau Justin Spring Jack Ward Thomas Steven Williams Wayne van Zwoll Photographic Contributors Tony Bynum Joel Issacs Donald M. Jones Fair Chase is published quarterly by the Boone and Crockett Club and distributed to its Members and Associates. Material in this magazine may be freely quoted and/or reprinted in other publications and media, so long as proper credit is given to Fair Chase. The only exception applies to articles that are reprinted in Fair Chase from other magazines, in which case, the Club does not hold the reprint rights. The opinions expressed by the contributors of articles are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Boone and Crockett Club. Fair Chase (ISSN 1077-4627) is published for $35 per year by the Boone and Crockett Club, 250 Station Drive, Missoula, MT 59801. Periodical postage is paid in Missoula, Montana, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Fair Chase, Boone and Crockett Club, 250 Station Drive, Missoula, MT 59801 Phone: (406) 542-1888 Fax: (406) 542-0784

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

Bernard + Associates, 767 Mill St. Reno, NV 89502 jeff@bernardandassociates.com Phone: (775) 323-6828

B&C STAFF Chief of Staff – Tony A. Schoonen Director of Big Game Records – Jack Reneau Director of Publications – Julie L. Tripp Director of Marketing – Keith Balfourd Office Manager – Sandy Poston Controller – Jan Krueger TRM Ranch Manager – Mike Briggs Assistant Director of Big Game Records – Justin Spring Development Program Manager – Jodi Bishop Assistant Controller – Abra Loran Associates Program Manager/Graphic Designer – Karlie Slayer Customer Service – Amy Hutchison Records Dept. Assistant – Wendy Nickelson Conservation Education Programs Manager – Luke Coccoli

FROM THE PRESIDENT The Societal Impact of Wild Game as Food Hunting and fishing have been part of my life since I could hold a rifle or a fishing rod. There was something William A. Demmer glorious as a kid in building a fire on a PRESIDENT Boone and Crockett Club lakefront beach, frying up a fresh-caught batch of fish and sharing the experience with your fishing buddies. That same appreciation for venison came a little later. I was once invited for a surprise fall meal at a friend’s house in East Lansing Michigan. My friend, Rex Schlaybaugh, with whom I’ve shared many subsequent hunting and fishing experiences, is best described by Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac’s essay on the minimalist sportsman: He is the hunter or fisherman who challenges himself with just enough equipment to take down or catch his prey. His primary tools are instinct, knowledge of the prey, its habitat and its behavior. Rex is also a wonderful cook, and the meal that he prepared awakened me to the joy of a well-prepared wild game meal. Our feast that evening consisted of fried brook trout caught the previous spring, justripened beefsteak tomatoes, crusty bread and venison backstrap scallops that Rex sautéed over melted butter and garlic in a cast-iron

skillet. I’ve reflected on that feast many times over the past 42 years. My wife Linda will tell you that I am comfortable in the kitchen and can produce some excellent meals. Wild game preparation, though, had not been a priority of mine to refine. That was the case until I had the opportunity to spend two weeks in my maternal grandfather’s country of birth, Sweden. I had been invited as the Boone and Crockett’s executive vice president of

moose herd of approximately 500,000. The timber industry controls most of the land in the northern half of the country as timber and engineered wood products have been a key Swedish export for many years. Managing moose who chomp on young pine samplings is critical to the health of the industry, and it seems that managing the moose herd to a population of 500,000 is the desired quota. The Swedish Hunting Association (SWA), in cooperation with the timber industry, has divided northern Sweden into 20 to 30-square-mile hunting leases where teams of eight hunters per lease take to the forests to harvest their moose. Moose venison in Sweden is highly desirable both for the domestic table and for many restaurants. A successful season for an eight-man hunting team might mean up to three moose being harvested, which provides not only enough meat for each member’s larder but additional meat that can be sold to the market and potentially pay for their hunting lease expenses. The more that I learned about Swedish attitudes regarding the consumption of wild game, the more I thought about the positive impact that greater appreciation and enjoyment of wild game consumption could have on the future of hunting in North America. In Sweden, a country of 10 million people, there are approximately 800,000 hunters, not unlike the population and hunting demographics of my home state of Michigan. As in Michigan, the hunter is in the minority of the population, and we owe the right to pursue our passion to the will of the majority. In Sweden, studies continue to show that over 80 percent of the population supports the right to hunt if the meat from the wing or hoof goes to the plate but only 50 percent

The more that I learned about Swedish attitudes regarding the consumption of wild game, the more I thought about the positive impact that greater appreciation and enjoyment of wild game consumption could have on the future of hunting in North America.

©WWW.ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ PUM_EVA

Managing moose who chomp on young pine samplings in Sweden is critical to the health of the timber industry.

6 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

conservation to speak with and share ideas with the Swedish Hunting Association, a hunting organization that predates the Boone and Crockett Club by more than 50 years. My friend and Michigan State University professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Dr. Shawn Riley, had received a year’s Fulbright Scholarship for the study of Sweden’s moose management. Along with Shawn, I was given the privilege to participate in a moose hunt and spent three days in a traditional Swedish moose camp. Sweden, a country with a land mass that is three times the size of Michigan, has the challenge to manage and maintain a

supports trophy hunting. I shared that bit of knowledge with the then Director of the Michigan DNR, Rebecca Humphries. She shared with me that her Michigan DNR studies showed almost the same thing, that 80 percent of the people support hunting for food while only 50 percent support trophy hunting. After three terrific days in moose camp, our hunting association host took us on a visit to a SWA facility. There are six states in Sweden, and each state has a hunting association facility to manage hunting training seminars, license requirements, coordinate conservation challenges, etc. A major feature in each association facility is a gourmet kitchen that would make Emerill Lagasse jealous. Regular wild-game cooking classes are provided to the public. Wonderful cookbooks are offered for sale that display the proper handling of game—from the field through the fabrication process to the creation of fabulous meals. The Boone and Crockett Club mission statement challenges the Club to work toward a goal of securing the right to hunt for this and all future generations. A critical part of the right to hunt is to keep the majority of the body politic in favor of hunting. It seems pretty obvious to me that the more wild game becomes part of the fabric of North American culture, the more effective our efforts will be in ensuring the right to hunt. Our Boone and Crockett Extension Specialist Jordan Burroughs has taken a big step forward for conservation by partnering with Erin McDonough, director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. These two conservation specialists have created a dynamic new wild game food program called “Gourmet Gone Wild.” The program has been designed to present to young professionals the flavor and health benefits of consuming wild game. Gourmet Gone Wild incorporates an executive chef, who with the organization’s skills of Jordan and Erin, prepares wild game meals including wild-harvested fish, fowl, and hoofed protein for regionally assembled groups of young professionals. The ultimate hope of this program is to inspire these young professionals to not only develop an appreciation of the benefits of wild game consumption but to inspire these people into the stream, forest, and field for the experience of harvesting their own gourmet meal! I want to thank Steve Williams, Katherine Julian, and Jordan Burroughs for their collaboration on the following article. It is Jordan’s fervent belief that hunting will connect us to our food, connect us to a place and to nature, allow us to live and eat as our bodies have adapted, and to connect us to each other. n This deer was harvested in the Hunting for Sustainability course in Wisconsin. Participants also learned how to properly butcher and handle game meat. (ABOVE) PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL WATT

BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOUNDED IN 1887 BY THEODORE ROOSEVELT

CLUB Club President William A. Demmer Secretary Tom L. Lewis Treasurer Marshall J. Collins, Jr. Executive Vice President – Administration Timothy C. Brady Executive Vice President – Conservation Morrison Stevens, Sr. Vice President of Administration James F. Arnold Vice President of Big Game Records Eldon L. “Buck” Buckner Vice President of Conservation Stephen P. Mealey Vice President of Communications Marc C. Mondavi Foundation President B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr. Class of 2014 James Cummins Class of 2015 CJ Buck Class of 2016 Ned S. Holmes FOUNDATION Foundation President B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr. Secretary Tom L. Lewis Treasurer C. Martin Wood III Vice President James J. Shinners Vice President John A. Tomke Class of 2014 Remo R. Pizzagalli Edward B. Rasmuson James J. Shinners John A. Tomke Leonard J. Vallender Class of 2015 Gary W. Dietrich B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr. Ned S. Holmes Tom L. Lewis Paul M. Zelisko Class of 2016 John P. Evans Steve J. Hageman R. Terrell McCombs Earl L. Sherron, Jr. C. Martin Wood III

Fair FairChase ChaseSpring Spring2014 2014

Eating Wild to Eat Well: How an Interest in Healthy, Sustainable, Wild Protein is Bringing New Audiences to the Hunter’s Table By Steve Williams, Jordan Burroughs, and Katherine Julian

Food plays a central role in our quality of life, and in fact, perpetuates life on earth. Over thousands of years, our relationship with our food has changed from one in which individuals had to gather/harvest/ grow their own food in order to survive, to one in which much of this process is done for us, leaving us with little knowledge of how food moves from field and pasture to fork and plate. For some, this missing information is welcome–we don’t need or may not want to know how chickens lived before they became our chicken tenders, or how and with what our strawberries were fertilized–as long as food arrives looking fresh and ready to purchase at a clean and convenient supermarket. For others, this knowledge gap represents a widening and troubling disconnect between our food, our land, and our communities. How do we re-engage with food, the land, and our communities? The interest in eating foods grown and produced closer to home is described by a rising social movement, the local food or “locavore” movement. Basic tenets of the local food movement suggest that by eating locally produced food, one can reduce the negative environmental impacts of food transportation, support sustainable economies by keeping money in the community, and build community ties as consumers interact more directly with the people who grow and harvest their food. It is an expansion of the farmer’s market concept, except it adds homegrown gardens and securing food by oneself. An increasing number of urbanites, exurbanites, and

suburbanites are addressing the disconnect between land and food by raising backyard chickens, growing and canning their own food, acquiring memberships to local food cooperatives and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and even becoming hunters themselves. While hunting once required native tribes to travel great distances with migrating animal herds, today, paradoxically, human development (suburban landscapes in particular) provides an opportunity for families to hunt and eat game acquired closer to home. Although little empirical research has been conducted to understand how many adults are engaged in hunting through an interest in local, sustainable wild protein, about 10 percent of state wildlife managers are crediting the locavore movement for having an influence on rising participation in hunting. For the first time since the 1980s (a point when hunting participation started to decline), 28 states experienced increased participation, as evidenced by resident license sales between 2006 and 2011. These results, published in a 2013 report by the American Sportfishing Association and Responsive Management, come as a boon when wildlife managers and conservation-minded, nongovernmental organizations are increasingly concerned about funding wildlife conservation activities. In addition to the 10 percent of state wildlife agency managers whose states observed increases in hunting participation, 42 percent attributed increases in participation to their youth hunter recruitment and retention programs, 39 percent credited marketing campaigns, and

32 percent reported that they felt their adult hunter recruitment and retention programs were making a difference. While many adult hunter recruitment efforts have not been fully evaluated, adults’ interest in hunting and their motivation to hunt for food has been documented by popular media over the last three years with an explosion of articles this year. Additional research is needed to determine the full range of motivations that bring new adult hunters to the table, but at least preliminarily, it appears that acquiring local, healthy, sustainable, free-range protein may be a gateway motivation to support and participate in hunting. Responsive Management reported that 35 percent of hunters surveyed in a 2013 study indicated their primary motivation for hunting was to secure meat, up from 22 percent in 2006. In an open-ended question posed during the study, 68 percent identified obtaining local, natural or “green” food as an influence in their decision to go hunting. Some new adult hunters who grew up in urban or suburban areas did not have immediate family members who hunted, did not have opportunities to go hunting as a youth, and for many, became interested in hunting due to an interest in wild game as a food source. Some of these new hunters are motivated to hunt by their desire to take personal responsibility for the meat they are eating and are intrigued by their newfound access and ability to try new and unique wild proteins not typically found at the corner market. In addition, hunters are motivated by the health benefits associated with harvesting and consuming wild game.

EXAMPLES OF THE DIVERSITY OF ARTICLES AND BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THIS TOPIC INCLUDE: The Mindful Carnivore by Tovar Cerulli Call of the Mild by Lily Raff MacCaulou Girl Hunter by Georgia Pellegrini The Scavenger’s Guide to Haute Cuisine by Steven Rinella The Beginner’s Guide to Hunting Deer for Food by Jackson Landers

Oprah Magazine “The Case for Responsible Meat Eating,” by Steven Rinella

8 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

Slate.com “Hipsters Who Hunt: More liberals are shooting their own supper,” by Emma Marris The New York Times “The Urban Deerslayer,” by Sean Patrick Farrell

How do we re-engage with food, the land, and our communities? What are state wildlife agencies doing to introduce this new audience to hunting and conservation? Recruiting new adult hunters has become a growing priority for many wildlife agencies. Adult hunterrecruitment courses centered on wild game as a sustainable food source are beginning to occur across the country. Many of these programs include wild game tasting during each session as well as a mentored hunt. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) teaches adult learn-to-hunt programs and also sponsors a community college course (Hunting for Sustainability) for adults who want to learn to hunt. Hunt, Fish, Eat is another food-centric adult hunter-education program offered by the Indiana DNR. Michigan DNR, along with Michigan State University, the Boone and Crockett Club, and others started the Gourmet Gone Wild program to introduce local, healthy, sustainably harvested wild game to young professionals. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department partnered with Central Market Cooking Schools to develop Wild in the Kitchen, featuring wild fish- and gamecooking demonstrations and hands-on game-cooking classes. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife offers game butchery classes in collaboration with the Portland Meat Collective. Cornell Cooperative Extension hosts workshops on wild game and fish preparation (e.g., venison canning, jerkymaking) and is also working on a nutritional analysis of select fish and game. These are only a few examples of the innovative ways agencies and partners are reaching out to this new demographic. To truly embrace this new demographic, we may need to address policy measures to expand locavore involvement in hunting by reaching out to these new adult hunters. State fish and wildlife agencies should embrace new-to-hunting adults’ interest in hunting for sustainable wild protein as a means of controlling overabundant wild game populations as well as increasing public support and conservation funding. For example, overabundant populations of deer and geese challenge agencies, especially in urban and suburban areas. Motor vehicle accidents, vegetation damage, and public health concerns could be addressed by controlled hunting

opportunities inviting locavores as participants and agency political supporters. Numerous states educate new hunters with respect to hunting, field dressing, butchering, and food preparation techniques. These activities are not instinctive and must be passed from one individual to another. Separate and customized hunter education classes that focus on the different motivations and learning styles of older would-be hunters would provide a meaningful learning experience among similar-aged participants. These classes should be tailored to address hunting’s social issues in order to provide participants with knowledge of hunters’ roles and responsibilities in wildlife conservation. Expanded mentored hunting opportunities for new adult hunters would address the critical social support for hunting—as the saying goes, “it takes one to make one.” Finally, the Hunters Feeding the Hungry programs that have been established in many states provide an excellent means of reducing overabundant populations while providing healthy and necessary protein to disadvantaged individuals. Social acceptance of hunting is directly tied to the consumption of harvested game animals. There is no more important connection between humans and land than the food and water that land provides us for sustenance. We should celebrate hunting as a means to secure sustainable food for our families, our friends, and ourselves. We should cherish the public stewardship of our fish and wildlife resources not only for their food value but also for the spiritual and aesthetic values they provide us. We must also pass down the tradition and heritage associated with Thanksgiving—providing thanks for the blessings of natural and sustainable food that allowed our forefathers and ourselves to appreciate and live in this incredibly rich world. n TOP TO BOTTOM: Katherine Julian

harvested her first deer through Wisconsin’s Learn to Hunt Program with support from landowner Rodney VanBeek (seen here with Katherine and her deer). She also learned how to process and package the meat. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL WATT AND WILLIAM FETZER

Fair Chase Spring 2014

CAPITOL COMMENTS In with the New? Adequate conservation funding has always been the most important priority for our profession. Relying Steven Williams, Ph.D. on current funding PROFESSIONAL MEMBER models, most devised in Boone and Crockett Club the distant past, to PRESIDENT address future Wildlife Management conservation challenges Institute is problematic and illadvised at best. Successful organizations and professions routinely question the status quo to improve their performance. Science by its very nature is a well-designed series of challenges to assumptions and widely held beliefs. This process is how the resource management profession has learned and evolved. In light of these truths, I would like to challenge us to rethink one of the oldest and best-known conservation funding sources—the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). However, before I propose what a future LWCF model might entail, we must celebrate the history and tremendous contributions the program has provided conservation nationwide. The LWCF program was conceived through the work of the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission, which after three years of study, produced a report in 1961 that recommended: comprehensive state- and federal-level planning for outdoor recreation, establishing the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation within the Department of Interior, and establishing a funding program for grants to the states and funds for expanding the federal estate. In 1964, Congress passed a bill that was signed into law creating what we now know as the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Congress originally authorized LWCF at a level of $100 million. This authorization level was raised throughout the early years of LWCF as Congress recognized the need and incorporated a portion of Outer Continental Shelf leasing revenue into the LWCF funding source. Funding was ultimately authorized at $900 million in 1977 and remains at that level to date. To my knowledge, only once in 1998 did appropriations ever reach that authorized level. In fact, since the authorization of LWCF, Congress has under-appropriated,

that is shortchanged, the program by more than $17 billion. Available LWCF dollars were appropriated to the Department of Interior (primarily for the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service) and Department of Agriculture (for the Forest Service). A portion of these funds was allocated to states, and other funds were made available for federal land planning and acquisition. Early allocations to states were instrumental in recreation planning and ultimately acquisition of recreational lands that would be held in perpetuity for the public. A companion program for LWCF was established in 1978,

operated or managed due to the lack of operation and maintenance funds. In my state and federal experience, this is a difficult charge to counter. State park agencies complain about the lack of funding for state projects. State fish and wildlife agencies complain about the difficulty in securing LWCF funds. Few current members of Congress enthusiastically champion LWCF. I suspect that they may be more interested in a fund that is of their own design rather than one that was established before many of them were even born. What if Congress would establish a new comprehensive, conservation fund? We could start with a frame of reference based on the 50 years of positive and negative outcomes of LWCF. We should recommend an expanded energy royalty base (off-shore, wind, solar, coal, oil and gas, etc.— the “all-of-theabove approach”). The new funding source should be established as a trust fund that is based on an established percentage of each revenue source. In addition to the land acquisition aspects of LWCF, we should incorporate dedicated state and federal funding levels for such things as operation and maintenance; species in need of conservation (apportioned through the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account); urban parks, refuge and recreation; historical preservation; and water quality and quantity infrastructure enhancements. If we continue to rely on the current LWCF funding model, we are doomed to experience the lack of appropriated funding, plus the controversy and criticism that LWCF has—fairly or unfairly—garnered in the past. We need a bold and powerful new vision for a conservation funding system that expands the outcomes of conservation programs. I appreciate the political complexity and difficulty of replacing LWCF with a new comprehensive, conservation funding source. However, I also see little benefit to pursuing a path that is leading us essentially nowhere—a path that does not confront conservation challenges of the present and future. n

If we continue to rely on the current Land and Water Conservation Fund funding model, we are doomed to experience the lack of appropriated funding, plus the controversy and criticism that it has—fairly or unfairly— garnered in the past.

10 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program, which provided funds to local governments to acquire and develop outdoor recreation facilities in urban areas. LWCF has provided funds for tens of thousands of projects at local, state, and federal levels. Some of this nation’s most treasured landscapes, national parks, and national wildlife refuges have benefited from LWCF appropriations. The acquisition of these lands have provided outdoor recreation sites and facilities to be developed in every state in the nation. An unqualified success— unless we recognize the missed opportunities, controversies, and improvements in the funding model. The proportion of stateside LWCF has diminished significantly since the early 1980s, and in some recent years it has been essentially zeroed out. Criticisms of LWCF are varied in nature and source. The LWCF focus on land acquisition provides red meat for those that claim the federal estate is currently too large and cannot be effectively

Fair FairChase ChaseWinter Spring 2013 2014 n 11

©TONY BYNUM PHOTOGRAPHY

Pioneers of C

12 nn Fair 12 FairChase ChaseSpring Spring2014 2014

Conservation.

™

Our Legacy for Generations. Those who cherish hunting, for themselves and for future generations, understand that hunting is a privilege to be recognized, cherished, and maintained by today’s hunters through deeds to benefit wildlife and through establishment and adherence to standards of fair chase. Those who cherish the hunting tradition must therefore, always, strive to “see ourselves as others see us.” The future of hunting and wildlife conservation hangs in the balance.

pg 30. A HUNT ETHIC by Jack Ward Thomas

Fair Chase Spring 2014

Parkman used a Hawken; T.R. favored a lever rifle. These days, bolt guns trump all…. Right?

Winchester’s 1886, designed by John Browning, was the first truly potent lever rifle for the West.

What matters to most hunters is satisfaction at hunt’s end. You can’t guarantee a kill, but you can choose your rifle and cartridge! 14 nnFair 14 FairChase ChaseSpring Spring 2014 2014

The

Western Big Game Rifle By Wayne C. van Zwoll B&C Professional Member

Photos courtesy of Author

Last fall I ran into a fellow toting a rifle in .338 Lapua. It had the profile and accoutrements for service in a sniper’s nest, including a scope with power enough for astronomy. He seemed overequipped. Was he? Hunting is more fun with a favorite rifle. If his is a space gun that costs more than a new kitchen and hurls bullets with 12 times the muzzle energy of a .45 ACP (adaptive carbine platform), bully for him. Send five times the thump of a .30-30 to 200 yards? That’s okay too. I’m not the mule packing his iron up the hill. A couple of miles across that prairie, I’d just shot a buck at 23 paces. My lightweight Ruger in 6.5 Creedmoor had excessive reach, its Trijicon sight at 3x, triple the power I’d needed. Big game rifles these days—especially in the wide-open West— are getting heavier. Scoped, with bipod and other add-ons, some bring to mind products from International Harvester. I’m a sucker for slim steel, figured walnut, simple scopes and leather slings—rifles nimble in the hand. But the trend is toward heavier artillery, more power in chamber and glass. Hunters seem to be shooting farther, walking less. Truly, spotting game at distance comes with no imperative to shoot. Even rocket-powered bullets and reticles with a spider-web of intersections can’t ensure hits unless you dope wind and arc accurately and hold the rifle still. Then you must press the trigger without disturbing that rifle the least bit. That’s not an easy sequence without bench and bag. Errors matter less when you cut yardage. Close is also where you feel like a hunter, not a shooter. Gaping landscapes of the West have long challenged riflemen sneaking toward game. You could say the first western hunting rifle hailed from St. Louis. Among tradesmen drawn there to equip trappers and pioneers probing the frontier was gunmaker Jacob Hawkins. In 1822 Jake’s brother Samuel shuttered his Ohio gun shop to join him. Changing their surname to the original Dutch “Hawken,” they built rifles. A typical Hawken rifle had a short, stiff, octagonal 50-caliber

barrel and weighed 10 pounds. Its halfstock was of maple, without patch box. Flint ignition prevailed until 1840 or so. The Hawkens often attached double-set triggers. During the Rendezvous era (two decades) Hawken plains rifles defined the type and earned great favor among frontiersmen. Their celebrity came in part from soft iron barrels that retained bullet lube, so resisted fouling. Slow rifling twist threw patched balls accurately. Francis Parkman told of using a Hawken to kill a pronghorn at 204 paces and watching another hunter drop a bison at nearly 300. While charge weights typically ran 150 to 215 grains, Hawkens were known for handling a wide range of loads. These rifles commonly rode across saddles, which cratered the stocks at the balance point. Parkman noted that horsemen “carry three or four bullets in the mouth; the powder is poured down the muzzle of the piece, the bullet dropped in after it, the stock struck hard upon the pommel of the saddle, (but) should the blow on the pommel fail to send the bullet home, or should the latter, in the act of aiming, start from its place and roll toward the muzzle, the gun would probably burst.” The Hawken remained popular long after the advent of repeaters. In 1862, German immigrant J.P. Gemmer bought the business. Samuel Hawken outlived Bridger, Carson and other famous customers. He died in 1884, age 92. Gemmer closed the shop in 1915 and died four years later. As self-contained cartridges emerged, dropping-block Sharps rifles and the Remington Rolling Block replaced the Hawken. Young John Browning designed and built two single-shot breech-loaders. One caught the attention of Winchester president Thomas Bennett, who bought all rights. The rifle became Winchester’s 1885. Browning next sold Winchester a lever action with sliding vertical lugs. The Model 1886 was stronger than Winchester 1866, 1873 and 1876 lever actions, progeny of the Hunt and the Henry. The 1886 appeared in many configurations. WCF chamberings included .38-56, .40-65, .40-70, .40-82, .45-70, .45-90. It also came in .50-100-450 and .50-110. In 1902 the .33 Winchester was added, driving 200-grain bullets 2,200 fps. It rode with the 1886 until 1936, when the M71 .348 put both out to pasture. Theodore Roosevelt liked the 1886. In September 1887, a Deluxe ‘86 in .45-90 became the fifth special-order rifle delivered to

Fair FairChase ChaseSpring Spring2014 2014

What magic the magnum? One fall day in 1949 John Holzwarth and his son were working on their Granby, Colorado, ranch, when suddenly the boy spied a huge bull elk pulling mouthfuls of alfalfa from a haystack. John grabbed his .30-06 and shot the bull. The antlers weathered for a decade before getting scored at 391! Holzwarth could as well have killed that bull with a .270 or a .300 Savage. The ’06 has an edge on both. But now even this powerful, versatile round is fending off fast-stepping magnums. Bullets that add 10 percent to .270 and .30-06 velocities add yards to your reach, but only if you hold in the right place and trigger the rifle without moving it. Shots beyond the practical limit of a .30-06 demand fine marksmanship. The effective range of any bullet matters less than the ability of the rifleman turning it loose. If conditions are tough or the rifle quivers, your reach shrinks dramatically. An accurate rifle firing a bullet with a chalk-line path offers little advantage when circumstances limit your ability to ensure a center hit with the first bullet at 200 yards. Or 50. Roy Weatherby’s fast-stepping .270 Magnum in a syntheticstocked Mark V got this British Columbia billy.

16 nnFair 16 FairChase ChaseSpring Spring 2014 2014

T.R. (Three months later he would spearhead formation of the Boone and Crockett Club.) This rifle had a 28-inch half-round, halfoctagon barrel, a half magazine. The checkered pistol-grip stock wore a shotgun butt. Roosevelt called it his “tennis match rifle,” reportedly paid for by winnings on the court. With it he downed more than 100 animals. In 2012, Boone and Crockett’s 125th anniversary, Turnbull Manufacturing built two replicas of this exquisite 1886. Roosevelt soon latched onto a new rifle. Winchester’s Model 1895 was the first successful lever gun with a box magazine. Announced in 1896, the ’95 came in .30-40 Krag, .38-72-275 and .40-72-330. In 1898 the .303 British came aboard, joined between 1903 and 1908 by the .35 and .405 Winchester, the .30-03 and .30-06. Roosevelt adored the .405, despite its hard recoil. It “did admirably with lions, giraffes, elands and smaller game” on safari. Incidentally, an 1895 in .30-40 Krag was almost surely the rifle John Plute used to kill a Colorado elk that topped Boone and Crockett charts for a century. The 1895 Winchester antedated Arthur Savages’ famous lever action. This hammerless repeater garnered patents in 1892, when Arthur was 35. The first lever rifle with a coil mainspring, it featured an ingenious spool magazine and a buttstock held by a through-bolt. The Model 1895 rifle followed, in .303 Savage. Its 190-grain bullet at over 2,000 fps was a ballistic rock star at the time. W.T. Hornaday wrote of moose hunting “with one of your incomparable .303 rifles. I shot the moose at a distance of 350 yards.” The Savage rif le couldn’t accommodate the .30-06 and .405, but was lighter and sleeker than the 1895 Winchester—and outlasted it by six decades! Savage’s Model 99 became hugely popular in western game fields. Its flat receiver suits it well to scabbards.

Meanwhile, the Krag-Jorgensen had given way to the 1903 Springfield, the .30-40 Krag yielding to the more potent .30-03—a brief introduction to the .30-06. Subsequently, millions of soldiers learned to shoot with bolt-action rifles. After the world wars, as these and short magazine Lee Enfields and Mausers appeared by the cracker barrel on the surplus market, hunters chopped them to build sporters. In the West, saddle guns would capitulate to rifles with greater reach. Bolt actions arrived before smokeless powder. Winchester and Remington had them in the early 1880s; but shooters didn’t respond. In 1924, still chasing a viable turnbolt, Winchester fielded the Model 54. It had the Springfield’s coned breech, Charles Newton’s ejector, Paul Mauser’s extractor. The stock borrowed from Sedgely sporters. A nickel-steel barrel bottled pressure from the hot new .270 Winchester. Alas, the Depression eviscerated Winchester; it dissolved in February 1929. Late in ’31, Franklin Olin’s Western Cartridge Company bought all Winchester assets. Young John Olin kept the 54 alive but delayed its successor, as hunters were still in soup lines. The first Model 70s left the shipping dock early in 1937. Retailing at that time for $61.25, this Winchester would become “the rifleman’s rifle.” Over the next quarter century it proliferated in hunting camps throughout the West. Until its overhaul in 1964, nearly every popular cartridge appeared as a chambering. The long receiver gobbled even the .300 and .375 H&H. Remington had sketchy success with bolt rifles until 1921, when it introduced the handsome 30S, derived from the 1917 Enfield built for the Great War. The 30S was replaced in 1926 by the 30 Express. This rifle, in .30-06 (also .25, .30, .32 and .35 Remington) cocked on opening. A slim stock and 22-inch barrel

Winchester’s Model 70 arrived in 1937. This South Dakota hunter carries a current Featherweight.

kept weight to 7-¼ pounds. It sold for $45.75. In 1941 Oliver Loomis and A.H. Lowe came up with Remington’s Model 720 High Power Rifle, in .30-06, .270 and .257 Roberts. After a production run of just 4,000, Remington shifted focus to military ordnance. After the war, Mike Walker and Homer Young handed Remington a less costly alternative. The 721 and short-action 722 arrived in 1948. The recoil lug was a steel washer clamped between the barrel shoulder and a receiver of cylindrical tubing. Twin lugs were brazed to the bolt. A clip-ring extractor and plunger ejector in a recessed face made possible the storied three rings of steel around the case head. Bored to .270 and .30-06, the 721 listed for $79.95. The 722 in .257 Roberts and .300 Savage cost $5 less. Beginning in 1949, the 721 chambered the .300 H&H Magnum. Other popular rounds followed. High grade A and B rifles gave way in 1955 to ADL and BDL designations. The Spartan appearance of the 721/722 prompted a refined version, the Model 725, from Wayne Leek and Charlie Campbell. In 1962 Remington announced a new rifle. The Model 700 borrowed heavily from the 721/722. A trimmed tang, swept bolt handle with checkered knob and alloy (not stamped steel) bottom metal distinguished the 700. The stock had a higher comb for scope use. Mike Walker gave the 700 fast lock time (3.2 milliseconds). The 700 ADL with pressed pointpattern checkering retailed for $114.95; the BDL with pressed fleur-de-lis panels, $139.95. A long list of chamberings included the hot new 7mm Remington Magnum (magnum 700s cost $15 more). Wyoming outfitter Les Bowman hailed the flat arc and lethal bite of this belted 7, but also its modest recoil. Myriad M700 chamberings have appeared since. In 1958, Savage Arms added a bolt rifle to its line. Though the Model 99 lever action was selling well, the sea change toward turn bolts was hard to miss. Like Remington’s 721/722, Savage’s Model 110 was an economical rifle to build. It was initially priced at, yes, $110. Far from New England’s “Gun Valley,” Roy Weatherby opened his first Los Angeles retail store in the wake of WWII. By 1945 he’d developed several fast-stepping wildcat rounds. They were based on the .300 H&H hull blown out to reduce taper and form radiused shoulders. Weatherby built custom rifles for them and hawked their lethal effect at distance. The pressures of Weatherby cartridges and magnums they inspired added steam to the bolt-rifle movement—as did concurrent evolution of sturdy, fog-proof optical sights. Low bolt lift to clear scopes

soon became requisite, limiting use of raw military actions. The 1957 introduction of Weatherby’s Mark V rifle to handle even bigger cartridges brought an angular look—now signature Weatherby. But other makers have since adopted it. The Mark V also became a statussymbol choice of the celebrities that Weatherby courted with his brilliant marketing. Hunters enamored of the rifle were as readily wooed by its power and reach. Late to the bolt-action game was Sturm, Ruger’s Model 77. Introduced in 1968, this rifle came on the heels of the company’s elegant No. 1, a single-shot with the profile of the British Farquharson. The 77 faced stiff competition in Remington’s 700 but was well

engineered, attractive, and skillfully marketed. A sequel, the 77 Mk II, appeared in 1989. Two decades later, cosmetic refinements gave us the 77 Hawkeye. By then magnum chamberings accounted for a huge slice of bolt-rifle sales among all manufacturers. High-octane cartridges got another boost from wildcatter Rocky Gibbs, who moved to Idaho from California during a March blizzard in 1955 and carved out a 500-yard range on 35 acres near Viola. Gibbs developed a stable of wildcats on the .30-06 hull. Unlike Parker Ackley’s “Improved” rounds, the Gibbs cartridges had a shorter neck than the parent case; forming cases required making a false shoulder. Fair Chase Spring 2014

ABOVE: Wayne used Ruger’s No. 1 International in .303 to kill this buck at 220 yards. A delightful rifle!

A lightweight, iron-sighted carbine limits shot distance but eases your burden in steep places.

Such shenanigans surely caught the eye of Winchester and Remington. When Winchester came to the magnum party, it was with an unlikely dish: the .458 Magnum. Its .30-06-length case made sense, but unless you had elephants in your tomatoes, the 500grain bullet didn’t. Winchester followed with a .338 and a .264 on the same abbreviated .300 H&H case. Alas, the .264 got tagged as a barrel-burner. The .338 had more muscle than most hunters needed, and it kicked hard. Winchester’s .300 arrived in 1963. A response to Remington’s belted 7mm, it was slightly longer, with a shorter neck. While this .30 held more powder than Norma’s .308 Magnum, then just three years old, .30-06-length actions limited the .300 Winchester’s useful capacity by requiring deep bullet seating. Long, distinguished tenure in the West had given the .30-06 and .270 a huge following, but in the 1970s and ‘80s many riflemen converted to short-belted magnums. In a 1990 survey I took of 1,000 elk hunters, the 7mm Remington Magnum trumped the .270 in popularity and crowded the .30-06. The .300 Winchester roared to fourth place. Among rifles, the Remington 700 and Winchester 70 finished in a dead heat, Ruger’s 77 a strong third. There was no question lever actions had seen their best days. Only three hunters reported using Marlin 336s, just two toted Winchester’s iconic 94, eleven favored Savage 99s, but even the 1903 Springfield tallied more! Boone and Crockett files showing rifles used to take records-class game echo my survey results. Recent tallies show 18 percent of hunters fired a .300 Magnum, 12

Sign of our times: This H-S Precision .300 with Zeiss scope is a top-of-the line outfit for the West. 18 nnFair 18 FairChase ChaseSpring Spring 2014 2014

The

Western Big Game

Rifle

percent a .270, and the .30-06 and 7mm Magnum each figured in 11 percent of the kills. An obvious caveat: B&C lumped all .30 magnums under one heading. The .300 Winchester probably tops that list, but the .300 WSM is increasingly popular. The .300 Weatherby has many fans. Several powerful wildcats are .300 magnums. Yes, the 7mm Remington also shares its slot. The 7mm Weatherby is rare, though, and 7mm wildcats, like the Mashburn, rarer still. Surprisingly, bows and crossbows took 16 percent of B&C trophies in the Club’s 27th Awards Period, but mainly in whitetail, black bear and cougar lists. For western species, most hunters preferred a .300 or 7mm Magnum, a .270, or a .30-06. Trends in rifles and ammunition are securely linked. Indeed, the question, “Which rifles do you like?” is answered as often with cartridge names! The bolt-action tide shows no sign of receding. Niche rifles like the Ruger No. 1s and early lever actions that warm my heart pop up only occasionally in the West. Despite its billing as “the modern sporting rifle,” the AR-15 in its various forms remains a modern sporting rifle. I’ve noticed few afield, albeit recent sales are truly off the chart. Sized for the .308, it’s a heavy rifle. Even .223-scale versions hang awkwardly from your shoulder. But a hunting rifle is a personal tool. And the most effective pick isn’t always the most satisfying. n

VX-6 AT 2x

VX-6 AT 12x

The VX®-6 is undeniably as good as it gets. Our exclusive Quantum Optical System® delivers stunning optical clarity (up to 98% light transmission), powerful 6:1 zoom ratio, and ballistically matched CDS ® dials. Available in illuminated and non-illuminated models. To learn more about the VX-6, visit leupold.com.

UNSURPASSED QUALITY. UNCOMPROMISING STANDARDS. UNMATCHED PERFORMANCE. THIS IS WHO WE ARE.™ U.S.A. ★ DESIGNED

★

MACHINED

★

ASSEMBLED

Fair Chase Spring 2014

UP CLOS E AND PERSONAL

KNOW

BIG GAME

ANATOM By Chuck Adams

B&C Professional Member Photos courtesy of Author

“Half a buck is better than none,” a shirttail relative of mine was fond of saying when I was a kid. “If I can see hair, I’m going to shoot!”

This particular character, God rest his soul, was a notoriously poor shot on game. More often than not, if he hit a deer at all, he nailed it in a bad spot. The smallish Columbia blacktails in my native northern California usually went down with any solid hit from a large-caliber rifle, and my relative carried a .300 Weatherby. He often lost one or both hams or the backstraps of a deer, but he usually ended up with half the meat. Mission accomplished. This sloppy approach to shooting always bothered me, even before I was old enough to tote anything larger than a BB gun. I figured, from an early age, that you should get close enough and aim precisely enough to cleanly drop your target. There are enough variables in hunting without whanging away in the general direction of a critter. No matter how far you shoot, you should know where to aim and have the ability to place your projectile on target. If you lack the confidence to nail the vital zone, you should try to get closer. Not all North American species can be dropped as easily as a 140-pound blacktail deer. In any event, a poor hit usually ruins precious meat. You owe straight shooting to the animal, and you owe it to yourself. The first step in dropping big game is knowing the size and location of the vital heart/lung zone. If you don’t know specifics about your target, how can you possibly hit it on purpose? A fuzzy knowledge of big game anatomy can create several problems. One is misplaced outrage at other hunters. For example, I once had a notoriously cantankerous bowhunter take me to task

20 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

for shooting an Alaska-Yukon moose through both lungs at 38 yards away. This guy was a part-time writer and seminar speaker, and routinely boasted about shooting whitetail deer from 20 or 25 yards. His complaint about me was bogus by his own standards, because an average bull moose has a lethal target zone more than twice as large as a whitetail’s 8-inch vital chest. Mathematically, in terms of target size and hit percentage, a 20-yard whitetail shot equals a 50-yard moose shot. I doubt the guy had ever seen a moose up close and personal to realize just how big old Bullwinkle really is. Here’s another more serious problem with uncertainty about animal anatomy. One gun-hunting acquaintance of mine admitted that he “pulled to the middle of animals” and let fly. “The lungs stretch halfway back in the body, don’t they?” he continued. He had obviously never autopsied the game he shot and probably thought that paunch material blown through the meat was something every bullet caused no matter what the point of impact. Myths about big game anatomy abound. I began hearing one of these early in my bowhunting life, and I still hear it occasionally today. “I don’t shoot straight down at deer from a tree stand,” one guy told me not long ago. “The vital zone is too narrow and too hard to hit from above.” Several years ago, I shot a nine-point whitetail in November. It was bitterly cold, and the gutted deer froze solid overnight on the meat pole. I cranked up my chainsaw the next morning, braved minus-25-degree weather, and cut that buck in half just behind the shoulder. My suspicions were confirmed. The chest cavity measured exactly 8 vertical inches between spine and brisket, and 8-1/4 horizontal inches between the inside of the ribs. I took photos with a ruler to prove the point.

Shooting practice on a 3-D deer target will sharpen a bowhunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skill to hit the vital chest.

MY! If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know where the vitals are on an animal like this black bear, how will you know where to aim?

Fair Chase Spring 2014

LEFT: Chuck’s massive mule deer turned broadside and presented more than 10 inches of vertical chest cavity. You should know the size of the heart/lung zone in every big game species you hunt. RIGHT: Chuck shot this big black bear with one shot through both lungs. It ran less than 50 yards and dropped.

No matter what the shooting angle, the inside chest of a deer and most other North American species measures almost exactly the same in cross-section. Precise location of the chest cavity is a different matter. A friend of mine had always been a master at shooting elk, deer, and pronghorns. But then he traveled to Africa to fulfill a lifelong dream. Nobody told him that many animals on the Dark Continent have heart/lung zones farther forward than those in North America. He gut-shot a wildebeest and a giraffe the first day of the hunt. Both bullet placements would have drilled the boiler room on any North American critter. Thanks to skilled trackers, my pal recovered the animals and quickly learned to aim along the backline of the foreleg instead of several inches behind it. You should know the average size of the vitals in every species you plan to hunt with gun or bow. For example, most whitetail bucks have a heart/lung cavity 8 to 9 inches from top to bottom. A mule deer’s chest cavity measures a bit more, usually 9 to 11 inches deep. A bull elk’s vital chest measures 15 to 16 inches deep. In every case, this vital zone comprises about 60 percent of total body depth, with 30 percent being spine tissue above the chest and 10 percent being brisket tissue below. As an example, consider the American elk. A broadside bull presents a profile approximately 28 inches deep just 22 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

behind the shoulder—7-1/2 inches of meat and bone above the chest cavity, three inches of meat and bone below the cavity, and about one inch of hide and hair above and below. The center of the vital zone is slightly below center in the animal, and as in most North American big game, the rear of the chest cavity extends several inches behind the backline of the foreleg. There is a wealth of information available about big game anatomy in books and on the Internet. As a bowhunter, I especially like the anatomy guides for various species published by the National Bowhunter Education Foundation. Some state game departments like Alaska’s also offer big game anatomy diagrams free of charge. If you Google “big game anatomy”, you can instantly view heart/lung and skeletal structures of common North American critters like deer, elk, and bear. Diagrams are great, but actual shooting practice is better. With a rifle, you can quickly determine how far you can actually hit a deer’s 8-inch chest cavity or an elk’s 15-inch vital zone. Tape a white paper plate on a cardboard box and do some shooting in the field. Relaxed target shooting is one thing, and real field shooting is another. The late, great Jack O’Connor often wrote that most riflemen cannot consistently drop deer-sized game beyond 200 yards. A “wiggle factor” takes over when you are cold, tired, or excited

and forced to blaze away from an off-hand or sitting position. Shooters can improve their field performance in many simple ways. A slight adjustment of trigger pull on a rifle can lead to crisp, superior shots. Using an autoalignment bow sight like the popular IQ Sight with Retina Lock Dot can help to prevent hits to left or right in the heat of the shooting action. Bowhunters are well advised to practice on 3-D foam targets that realistically duplicate the size and shape of deer. My favorite is the GlenDel Buck target, available in three sizes to match the stature of deer weighing 200, 250, or 300 pounds. All GlenDel Bucks feature a unique rotating foam cube in the kill zone with heart, lungs, and liver lightly etched in the surface. One side of this cube shows the vitals when a deer is viewed broadside at ground level. Another side shows vital location on a quartering deer, and a third side shows vital location when viewed broadside from an elevated stand. This is a terrific teaching tool for hunting archers, and the GlenDel’s durable layered foam design withstands thousands of arrow impacts for years of trouble-free shooting. You should learn the size, shape, and placement of a game animal’s heart/lung zone before you hunt. Then and only then can you decide where to aim and how far to shoot when a deer, elk, or bear appears. n

Fair Chase Spring 2014

B O D DI N G T O N’S CA R T R I D G E

REVIEW

.308 WINCHESTER:

BY CRAIG BODDINGTON

B&C Professional Member Photos courtesy of Author

In this business of choosing (and writing about) hunting

cartridges, it is almost impossible to be impartial. We all have our favorites, and none of us can either use or love all cartridges equally. So I will say right up front that I personally prefer the .30-06 to the .308 Winchester. This is partly based on familiarity: I’ve used the .30-06 a great deal more. It is also based partly on practicality: I am mostly a bolt-action guy, and I’m left-handed. The majority of (the relatively few) left-hand bolt actions are .30-06 length, so one might as well use a cartridge that fills the action! Also speaking practically, the .30-06 is faster and carries more energy.

The Browning BAR is one of few semiautos ever made in left-hand action. This BAR in .308 wasn’t a tackdriver, but many semiautos are.

24 nn Fair 24 FairChase ChaseSpring Spring 2014 2014

However, an increasing number of hunters prefer the .308. They aren’t wrong. In terms of velocity and resultant energy, the .308 is about 96 percent of the .30-06. This is not damning with faint praise when it’s understood that, at 2.015 inches the .308 case is nearly half an inch (.479- inch) shorter than the 2.494-inch .30-06 case. That’s roughly a 20 percent reduction in case length (meaning ammo bulk and weight) for only a 4 percent reduction in performance. So it’s obvious that the .308 does what it does while burning less powder. Cases that are shorter and wider are more efficient, and the .308 is more efficient than the .30-06. Burning efficiency is conducive to accuracy, so while quality of barrel, assembly, and ammo are probably more important to accuracy than case design, all things being equal the .308 is more accurate than the .30-06. Some rifles will prove this, others will make a lie of it—but on an all-time average, I do believe it to be an irrefutable truth. It is also an irrefutable

LEFT: A great Columbia blacktail, taken with a Winchester Model 88 in .308 Winchester. The .308 is a marvelous cartridge for modern lever-actions with boxmagazine feed. MIDDLE: Nevadan Jim Jurad used Boddington’s father’s old Model 70 Featherweight to take this Kansas whitetail. This is just about the only rifle Bud Boddington ever hunted with, and it served him well from pronghorn to moose. RIGHT: I used a Turnbull TAR10 to take a Kansas whitetail in 2012. The “AR” action is extremely popular today, and for big game hunting the .308 chambering offers by far the most versatility.

truth that the .308 produces less recoil than the .30-06. This would be the case even if the velocities were equal, because the formula for deriving foot-pounds of recoil includes the weight of the powder charge along with the bullet (together called the ejecta). From the hunter’s perspective, it’s really pretty simple: The .308 will do everything the .30-06 will do. Period. Aside from, possibly in some rifles a bit more accuracy, the primary advantage is that the .308 fits into more compact actions and also fits into more types of actions. Semiautos that will handle .30-06-length cartridges are rare, but there are plenty of .308-length semiautos. Lever actions the same—great old-timers like the Savage Model 99 and the Winchester Model 88 in .308 Winchester are incredibly versatile platforms. Short-action bolt guns designed for the .308-length case are lighter and handier, and because of its inherent efficiency, it does somewhat better in shorter barrels than longer cartridges. Introduced by Winchester in 1952, the .308 is very simply based on a shortened .30-06 case. The primary intention was to create a shorter military cartridge that would be more easily housed in semi- and fullyautomatic military arms. This came to pass in 1955 when we adopted the M14. Today the cartridge is not as common in infantry rifles as the 5.56mm, but it remains a world standard machine gun cartridge. The military designation is 7.62x51mm NATO, which is absolutely and completely interchangeable with the .308. Over the years as new and better propellants have been developed, .308 velocities have been gradually upgraded. This is even truer of the .30-06, since it’s been around nearly a half-century longer,

but the gap between the two is very narrow. Today “standard velocities” for the .308 are 2,820 feet per second (fps) for a 150-grain bullet; 2,700 fps for a 165-grain bullet; and 2,620 fps for a 180-grain bullet. Standard velocities for the .30-06 are: 150-grain, 2,910 fps; 165-grain, 2,800 fps; 180-grain, 2,700 fps. Loads from some companies are faster, while others are slower. The gap remains about the same across the board—80 to 90 fps in these standard weights. Eventually case capacity tells, so the .30-06 starts to pull away with heavier bullets. But realistically, our hunting bullets are so good today that there is limited utility for bullets much over 180 grains for anything likely to be hunted with a .30 caliber. Although I have never become a staunch .308 fan, it’s just about the only cartridge my dad ever used, and I still have his Model 70 Featherweight. He used it to hunt pronghorn, mule deer, whitetail, elk, black bear, moose, and so forth! The cartridge probably doesn’t shoot flat enough to be ideal for mountain game or pronghorn, but the same can be said of the .30-06. Likewise, it’s very marginal for our biggest bears. But there isn’t much in North America that you can’t do with a .308 Winchester. It’s a great deer cartridge, plenty adequate for elk and black bear, just fine for moose. And a whole lot more. Like the .30-06, it is actually aided by relatively mild velocity. Bullet performance can be expected to be consistent and routinely outstanding, and it doesn’t need the more expensive super-premium bullets to strut its stuff. As a hunting cartridge, it probably isn’t quite as popular as the .30-06, but as a shooting cartridge—thanks to the current popularity of semiautomatics—it has become

one of our top-selling cartridges. My greatest regret in the rifle world is that lever actions like the Savage 99 and Winchester 88 are no longer available; they are perfect platforms for the .308. But Browning’s BLR in that chambering is a slick, handy, and versatile package, and these days a lot of people are hunting with .308s on the AR-10 and similar modern sporting platforms. I’ve done it myself, and why not? With the .308 it doesn’t really matter what action or model one chooses. The cartridge will get the job done! n LEFT: .308 Winchester RIGHT: .30-06 Springfield The .30-06 is not only the .308’s parent case; it is also the cartridge that the .308 is best compared against. Despite its much shorter case, the .308 offers about 96 percent the performance of the ‘06.

Fair FairChase ChaseSpring Spring2014 2014

HONORING THE BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY March 27, 2013 Writing this introduction is one of the most important things I’ve been asked to do in my tenure with the Boone and Crockett Club. Part of human nature is to focus on the now and the future—and to forget the past. It is my belief that the success of the Boone and Crockett Club, in large part, is that our founders were pretty smart people. They understood what could be accomplished when you had clearly defined, limited goals based on what was necessary and feasible to achieve. The following keynote address was delivered in March 2013 by Honorary Life Member and Vice President of Conservation Steve Mealey at the Club’s dinner honoring the Club’s 125th Anniversary held at the 78th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources conference in Arlington, Virginia. Steve’s remarks updated his keynote at the 1989 Black Tie Dinner in Chicago. The theme a quarter century ago was Club conservation policy: past, present and future. The 1989 speech sparked the Club’s renewed commitment to national conservation policy leadership. Steve addressed the same theme in March with special emphasis on recent successes and future challenges in conservation policy. It’s clear that after 125 years, we have much to celebrate but much yet to do to maintain the Club’s great conservation policy legacy. Roosevelt, Grinnell, et. al. gave us a wonderful template. Their vision is as applicable today, perhaps more so, than it was 125 years ago. Steve was able to capture and synthesize the original Club vision and ideas in his previous speech 24 years ago, as well as apply it to our many challenges we face today. As you read this, I hope it challenges you to think about and research what B&C stands for. Robert Model Past President of the Boone and Crockett Club 26 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

In December 1887, the Honorable Theodore Roosevelt, then a member of the New York Assembly, proposed at a dinner in his New York City home the formation of a club of American hunting riflemen, to be called the Boone and Crockett Club. The suggestion was warmly welcomed by the dozen or so present including Elliot and J. West Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell. The objectives of the Club were later stated: to promote manly sport with the rifle; to promote travel and exploration in the wild and unknown; to work for the preservation of the large game of this country and to further legislation for that purpose; to promote the natural history of the various wild animals; and to exchange ideas on hunting, travel, exploration, hunting rifles and haunts of game animals. In 1913, Grinnell summarized the Club’s proudest achievements, which included: Preservation of Yellowstone National Park; Successful operation of the 100 million acre forest reserve (National Forest) system; Founding the New York Zoological Society (Wildlife Conservation Society); An 1897 New York law forbidding the hunting of deer in the water or with dogs in the Adirondacks; A 1902 law to protect Alaska game; The establishment of national game refuges; Establishment of Glacier National Park; And beginnings of parks and game reservations in Canada. An impressive set of accomplishments in the Club’s first 25 years! This evening we celebrate the Club’s 125th Anniversary and its conservation legacy, which includes a major role in winning “round one” of America’s conservation battle: the struggle to save wildlife. Grinnell listed many of the Club’s contributions. There were many others we know so well. This 19th and 20th Century success in restoring American game species gave birth to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation—perhaps the world’s most effective concept for wildlife conservation. “Round two” in the conservation battle emerged in the past two decades and it will be a tougher struggle—requiring a new vision and strategy. The first reality to be faced is its global dimension: 9 billion plus humans by 2050—2 billion more than today. Sustainable development is a key response defined as paths of social, economic, and political progress to meet needs of the present without compromising the ability to meet the needs of future generations. Practical, working definitions for sustainability in the global commons will be necessary including those for global change (including temperature and chemistry), deforestation and soil erosion, biodiversity, and endangered species. Round Two’s national dimension includes human population growth projected to expand to 400 million by 2050—an increase of nearly 100 million. Most resources will be scarcer relative to demand. The primary challenge of Round Two will be more difficult than simple resource protection and management in an undersubscribed system, which were the key challenges of Round One. Today’s primary problem is to preserve environmental and wildlife quality in a global system increasingly oversubscribed. Conservation must occur in context with global economic growth and keep environmental transformation within safe limits. As the slack will be out of the system we will be operating on the margins of human and resource tolerances. Some response options include a description of safe environmental limits; and, using national and international partnerships to make the case for sustainable growth, sharing, and wise resource use.

I want to share my assessment of the Club’s effectiveness since its Centennial in engaging Round Two; and some “urgent business” that needs more attention in carrying out the Round Two campaign.

AWCP work. In preparation for that conference, they published Strengthening America’s Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities addressing eight issues confronting wildlife conservation and hunting heritage including the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation; climate change and wildlife effects; access to public and private lands; and hunter education, recruitment, and retention. The current Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, and other entities, are working hard to implement different pieces of the plan. These accomplishments are a good start in winning Round Two. Looking ahead, the magnitude and urgency of the task of effectively engaging the current round in the conservation battle is both intimidating and humbling as the list of unfinished business grows at the same time that no tasks can be checked off as completed.

SCORECARD: 1988-PRESENT The Club deserves high marks for using partnerships to tackle Round Two’s challenges. We are proud of the founding of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) in a meeting held at our Missoula headquarters in 2000. Since then AWCP, with nearly 50 partner organizations, have leveraged the strength of 6 million hunterconservationists to advance the interests of wildlife, habitat, and hunting heritage. For each new administration, the AWCP have offered Wildlife for the 21st Century: Recommendations to the President, listing policy priorities for wildlife, hunters and hunting. During the period, hundreds of “signon” letters have been sent to Congress and the administration representing the views of AWCP and the hunting community on key URGENT BUSINESS policy issues. Trusting, personal relationships I believe there are four issues of between AWCP and top Administration importance to wildlife and hunting that officials and members of Congress have demand increased attention by the Club and advanced the interests of wildlife, hunters its partners. I believe that unless these issues and hunting. The relationships with Interior are effectively addressed, other important Secretary Gale Norton, her assistants Rebecca issues could become less relevant. These Watson, and Melissa Simpson; Interior issues are ecologically outdated federal Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, his assistants environmental policy and law, climate change Mitch Butler and Kaush Arha, and CEQ and habitat health, energy/wildlife Chairman James Connaughton, his assistants coordination, and gun violence. David Anderson and Greg Schildwachter seem most notable. Most are professional Ecologically Outdated Federal Environmental members of the Club. Schildwachter and Arha Policy and Law were B&C Scholars and Fellows at the The Club should champion the University of Montana. Results include: development of frameworks for adaptive creation of the Sporting Conservation environmental policy and law that recognize Council; Executive Order 13443: Facilitation ecological change as a process and ecological of Hunting Heritage and Wildlife integrity and resilience as goals. This would Conservation; the 2008 White House update the ecological context of current Conference on North American Wildlife outdated laws including the Endangered Policy; and, the Ten-Year Action Plan for Species Act (ESA) and the Clean Water Implementing the Conference outcomes. Act (CWA) that among other problems We are grateful to secretaries Vilsack permit or require “static” management in and Salazar and their assistants as well as “dynamic” ecosystems. Secretary nominee Jewell for For instance, in the continuing the Sporting Pacific Northwest, the B&C Conservation Council in the Northwest Forest Plan (NFP) expanded form of the for federal lands preserves old Wildlife and Hunting forests in unmanaged (“static”) Heritage Conservation reserves for ESA-protected Council. The Council Northern Spotted Owls continues its efforts to (NSO). As a result, creation O implement the Ten-Year of early seral habitat necessary N LI NE Action Plan for the White for deer and elk and many Read Wildlife for House Conference—an other dependent species in the the 21st Century: excellent example of the Cascades of Oregon has Recommendations non-partisan nature of the declined approximately 90 to the President

percent annually since 1993 and is currently at a low point showing a significant decline in biological diversity. One effect is that blacktail deer harvest and associated hunters have declined dramatically. In 2011 Oregon deer hunters were at the lowest level (166,829) since records keeping began in 1952. Through loss of deer and elk populations and habitat and the resulting loss of hunters and license fees to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and its increasing difficulty in carrying out its public trust role, the NFP is weakening the institution of wildlife management in Oregon. It’s powerful irony that federal protection primarily for one species through unmanaged, “static” reserves that often can and should be managed, is undermining the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation that has restored wildlife to Oregon and America. The NFP often acts as a barrier to active management in fireprone forest landscapes in need of restoration to reduce the risks of uncharacteristic wildfires, which can and have destroyed NSO habitat and other old-forest values. I propose a Boone and Crockett Club Center for Adaptive Environmental Policy and Law. The Center would have the task of developing frameworks for adaptive environmental policy and law that recognize ecological change as a process and ecological integrity and resilience as goals. As in the examples, current federal environmental laws, regulations or policy often emphasize or enable preserving the status quo (i.e., establishing static or unmanaged conservation reserves in dynamic ecosystems) and present barriers to management actions necessary in rapidly changing ecosystems to maintain ecosystem integrity and resilience and longterm adaptability. Frameworks for adaptive environmental policy and law would build on principles of adaptive management. Structures would promote tactical flexibility while managers focus on long-term sustainability addressing the needs, for example, of endangered species, clean water, clean air, and healthy forests and rangelands. The intent is to overcome judicial constraints of current case law based on environmental laws enabling static ecosystems. Climate Change and Habitat Health Elk and deer populations and habitat are declining in the West mostly because of deteriorating forest and rangeland habitats; a condition accelerated by climate change. Forest and rangeland habitat restoration should be among the Club’s highest priorities. Key tools are: improved woody biomass markets, permanent and expanded Fair Chase Spring 2014

The Art of the Gun Magnificent Colts Two-Volume Book Set

Classic Cloth Edition Limited to 5000 Sets

$375

Deluxe Leather-Bound Edition Signed, Numbered & Limited to 500 Sets

$2900

Call to order today...

(866) 520-2001 or visit our website at

28 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

stewardship contracting and good neighbor policy, comparative risk assessment, and continued elk and deer research. May 20th, 2009 the Club established its climate change policy that advocates to: Fund habitat mitigation and wildlife population adaptation; Accelerate conservation and restoration of forests and rangelands to sequester carbon and prevent uncharacteristic wildfires; Invest in energy conservation and technologies that reduce emissions; and, Maintain affordable energy sources thereby ensuring that private land fragmentation does not result from higher input costs. Since 2009 the following climate change-related information emerged: The most recent decade was the nation’s hottest on record and the warming trend is projected to continue; In the western U.S., 115 million acres of federal forest and rangeland are at high risk of uncharacteristic wildfire damaging key ecosystem components. Mega fires in excess of 100,000 acres—are now occurring throughout the West where the most intense fires may have eliminated ponderosa pine forests and habitat; As fire and fuel loads in western forests and rangelands increase, habitat for elk and deer is decreasing and restoration of both habitat and carbon balance requires reduction of uncharacteristic wildfire risk. The Club should support activities related to federal forest and rangeland habitat restoration. This includes supporting improved woody biomass markets and Stewardship Contracting. Club advocacy for comparative risk assessments in federal agency decision-making and for continued elk and deer research at the Starkey Project is imperative. Energy/Wildlife Coordination Federal agencies should cooperate with state fish and wildlife agencies to meet state wildlife population goals and objectives on federal lands especially related to energy projects. A draft Club energy/wildlife coordination policy recognizes that domestic energy sources, fuel and power, have and are rising dramatically. Public lands are being increasingly used to site new energy production. To make the most of these developments for conservation, a new federal/ state agency coordination paradigm is recommended that should assure that wildlife, habitat, and hunting are sustained. Accordingly, in energy projects the BLM and U.S. Forest Service should cooperate with state wildlife and fish agencies to develop and help meet state target population goals for

important game species on affected lands. If followed, this new paradigm should assure the full compatibility of wildlife, habitat, hunting and energy development. Gun Violence The Club should champion a national “Family Watch” gun safety campaign that would be aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill/disturbed. The power of America’s families should be utilized in a campaign with the main message: “Families keep mentally disturbed members away from guns” would follow the model of the “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk” initiative. Families would be warned/informed of the risks associated with armed mentally ill or disturbed family members and encouraged to make guns unavailable to them, or seek help in doing so. A family-based gun safety initiative would be inexpensive, could be launched immediately, and could unite Americans— many of whom are now deeply divided—in a campaign to halt the continuation of a national tragedy. Important results would be: Maintaining the right of Americans to keep and bear arms; Continue contributions from the sales of firearms and ammunition to wildlife conservation and hunting; and, Starting to make a difference in avoiding “gun violence” catastrophes. We cannot risk another mass tragedy—especially when a simple, practical means employing the love and wisdom of America’s families is available. Just 125 years ago a mere dozen of our spiritual forefathers sat around a dinner table in New York and committed to the successful battle in round one of America’s struggles in conservation. Now we, their successors, surely equally capable and talented, are sharing a meal near the nation’s capital and considering the challenges of the next great round in America’s conservation quest. Those dozen, lacked no confidence in their commitment and ability to meet the challenges of their times. I know that we too will continue the Club’s great legacy of meeting the conservation challenges of our own times. n

Sustaining Ambition. “Money is a reality of sustaining an ambitious organization; the heart for the work is still the main ingredient of success.” Essentially, it all boils down to commitment. Careers are built upon it. Campaigns are won with it. Relationships are nourished by it. Great conservation organizations don’t just spring from the imagination; they are carefully assembled through each successive generation. Commitment and the wise stewardship of money are the most effective tools in this process. Your 401(k) beneficiary designation gift will help the Boone and Crockett Club continue its ethic of sustaining wildlife and habitats.

“My will initially included a specific bequest to the Boone and Crockett Club Foundation. In order to maximize this gift, my wife Patt and I decided to change the method to a 401(k) beneficiary designation. It was very simple. All we needed to do was change the name of the beneficiary to the Foundation. Our gift completely avoids both income tax and estate tax, and the double savings has helped us to increase the size of our gift to the Foundation.” — Ben Wallace

29th President of the Boone and Crockett Club

For more information, please contact: Winton C. Smith, J.D. 1-800-727-1040 wsmith@wintonsmith.com Fair Chase Spring 2014

By Jack Ward Thomas, Ph.D. B&C Emeritus Member Chief Emeritus, US Forest Service Professor Emeritus, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Montana

Boone and Crockett member Aldo Leopold, considered

the father of wildlife management, coined the term “Land Ethic” based on his observations of the need to manage the land and the wildlife living on it as a biotic community—one in which man is a part. He concluded that simply managing one species within an ecosystem and forsaking all others was ultimately destructive to the community. He further believed that whether the responsibility of government (public land) or the individual (private land), an overall land ethic had to drive what is right and for the greater good. He provided us with this litmus test: “Examine each question in terms of what is ethically and aesthetically right, as well as what is economically expedient. A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.” -Aldo Leopold Leopold may have set us on course of a Land Ethic, but knowing man was the fulcrum, and because of our inevitable use of natural resources, including hunting, he also pointed us to a “Hunt Ethic”—a parallel path to his Land Ethic. “Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching—even when doing the wrong thing is legal.”

©JOEL ISSACS

- Aldo Leopold

30 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

The concept of an ethical code of conduct and the need for it was discussed at the very first meeting of the Boone and Crockett Club in 1887, long before Leopold’s time. Theodore Roosevelt and the other founding fathers of the Club believed strongly in wise and prudent use of natural resources. Club member George Bird Grinnell would later call this practice conservation. The commercial market hunting industry at the time was not deemed anything remotely close to conservation. It had no code, no honor, no ethic, gave no regard for the wildlife resources of the future, nor what the public thought about hunting. It was the opinion of Club members that if what remained of our wildlife, especially big game, were to survive, commercial market-hunting had to be eliminated. The Club further believed that legitimate sportsmen needed something to distance the traditions of hunting from commercial market gunning. At the time an increasingly angered public was wrongfully lumping for-market slaughter and legitimate hunting together. Since the killing of wildlife for profit in the most efficient and economical way possible had no code, one was provided by the Club for legitimate sportsmen to follow. The name given was “fair chase.”

Those who cherish hunting—for themselves and for future generations—understand that hunting is a privilege to be recognized, cherished, and maintained by today’s hunters through deeds to benefit wildlife and through establishment and adherence to standards of fair chase.

FAIR CHASE–WHAT AND WHY

Fair chase is the mantra of the Boone and Crockett Club. It is also the title of its quarterly publication and the reason why many sportsmen join the Club. Furthermore, fair chase provides the ethical undergirding that guides the legitimacy of hunting in North America and elsewhere in the world. Ethics—the discipline of dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation—requires definition when determining principles of conduct. It has been wisely noted that intelligent discourse requires defining terms. The word fair has many meanings and uses in the English language, i.e., fair weather, fair skin, a fair amount of time, fair ball. It is a common belief that when paired with chase, the literal definition of fair chase is being used—treatment that does not favor one over the other. This is to say hunting is fair. It is not. Fair as in fair chase does not imply hunting is fair in that the engagement treats each participant equally, or that each has agreed to an equal set of rules. In hunting, the prey hasn’t agreed to anything, nor does it have an equal, or nearly any, chance to kill the human hunter. The best prey can do is escape the hunter. Rather, the concept of fair chase is based on the alternative definition “of pleasing appearance; desirable; reputable; free from blemish; tolerable; legitimate.” Hunting carried out for pleasure defines the sportsman; one who lives up to the ideals—i.e., the ethical constructs— underlying hunting activities. Chase is the pursuit of an animal with a chance of catching/killing it. A chaser is one who hunts. Therefore, fair chase occurs when hunting is pursued in a reputable manner. That definition begs elaboration as to what is reputable. The Boone and Crockett Club advocates fair chase as an essential underlying foundation for hunting in modern

society. How, then, does one know when fair chase has been achieved? The concept of inner restraint is indispensable, yet inadequate in addressing moral issues. It is essential to develop an ethic of virtue wherein positive qualities are developed and, then, reinforced. In ethical hunting, those restraints and virtues can be expressed through constraints upon all actions involved in hunting. The Boone and Crockett Club believes that fair chase exists when actions involved in hunting pass successfully through four filters: (1) complies with applicable laws and regulations, (2) occurs within the bounds of behavior prescribed by hunting organization(s) or a group to which one belongs, (3) matches with personal standards including the reasons why an individual hunts and considering individual skills and capabilities, and (4) The action does not facilitate negative criticism toward hunting in general from those who do not hunt. If a hunt meets all four standards, it can be considered fair chase. The hunter can be judged by self, peers, and others as having met those standards. If not, adverse consequences of non-adherence may differ at each level. Non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations can and should result in

punishment such as fines, incarceration, and/ or loss of hunting privileges. Violations of organizational or group standards can result in social disapproval ranging from castigation to dismissal from such a group. Failure to meet personal standards comes to rest on the conscience and self-esteem of the individual. Crossing the line and fostering an overall negative public perception of hunting is an affect that is oftentimes hard to measure but manifests itself in the form of public protests, disparaging print and television editorials, negative teachings at our schools, and passed ballot initiatives, to name a few. Such violations are the responsibility of all sportsmen to police swiftly and hard. Filters one and two are societal constructs and relatively straightforward— spelled out rules or standards with which to comply. Filter three, development and adherence to individual standards, depend to a large extent, on the individual’s honest evaluation of skills and compliance with those standards. It is critical that the individual honestly evaluates and considers personal skills and abilities in developing personalized standards. The goal is to deliver essentially instant death and to minimize suffering to prey. Filter four is the end game, the purpose; why we should care about how, and what ethical choices mean to the bigger picture of the continuance of hunting and the conservation achieved from hunting. It is incumbent upon the hunter to develop and practice skills in marksmanship. Then, in the case of big game hunting, the hunter gets within a distance of the prey that will ensure a killing shot and, then, shoots straight using adequate weaponry to ensure an immediate death, or at least a quick and assured recovery. Shots are taken only within distances the hunter has demonstrated the ability to consistently deliver the bullet/arrow on target. It is best, Fair Chase Spring 2014

by far, if the targeted animal is standing or lying versus moving—especially running— when the shot is loosed. There should be adequate light and light-enough wind to allow accurate shooting and, if necessary, the tracking and dispatching of wounded prey. If any are in doubt, fair chase (ethical) hunters let the opportunity pass. If the animal is wounded, it is essential to pursue and dispatch the animal quickly and learn from the experience as to not be repeated. In the final analysis, fair chase hunting is an ethical construct that defines what is good or bad in the process by outlining moral duties and obligations expressed as standards of conduct. Commitment to fair chase hunting is intended to have a three-fold impact. It is, first, essential to the hunter’s personal moral health and self-respect, as hunting should entail more—much more— than killing. Second, in a democratic society, the majority of the citizenry must be supportive, or at least tolerant, of hunting if it is to continue to be supported and considered acceptable. Third, hunters must be considered, and recognized as, primary contributors to and proponents for the overall welfare of all wildlife—especially game animals—and their habitats. When the general public considers hunting to be less than fair—i.e., less than “desirable, reputable, tolerable, and legitimate”—hunting and hunters will lose their support for and/or tolerance of hunting. That will bring hunters and hunting under

increasing attack. It is important for hunters to understand that they are a distinct minority and a slowly declining percentage of the overall growing population. The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation declares that wildlife belongs to all people—of which hunters are but part. Native non-migratory wildlife are managed under the auspices of the states while migratory wildlife and species declared to be “threatened or endangered” are the responsibility of the federal government. In the United States, while the right to keep and bear arms is constitutionally assured, hunting is a privilege to be repeatedly earned—year after year—by those who hunt. It is well for hunters to remember that in a democracy, privileges, which include hunting, are maintained at the will or sufferance of the people at large. Adherence to the principles of fair chase by the vast majority of hunters—and the castigation of those who do not adhere to those principles—is critical to sustaining such public support and/or tolerance for hunting. That depends on (1) development, statement, and adherence to fair chase standards in hunting; (2) development and support of federal, state, and private programs that benefit wildlife; (3) establishment and support of private sector organizations that strive to benefit wildlife; and (4) embracing and promulgating ideals of fair chase hunting. Fair chase hunters are made—not born—as ethics transfer. If hunting is to

©WWW.ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ JILLLANG

It is critical that the individual honestly evaluates and considers personal skills and abilities in developing personalized standards.

32 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

Greg Grupenhof took this typical whitetail deer while hunting in Warren County, Ohio in 2009.

continue as a viable part of our culture, it is essential that new hunters replace the old on a continuing basis. Recruits to the ranks of hunter-conservationists must be educated and cultivated to appreciate and adhere to the principles of fair chase and as to their responsibilities to assure proper treatment and management of wildlife—both game and other species. That begs the question of just how fair chase relates to the Boone and Crockett Club’s program for measuring and recognizing outstanding big game trophies (antlers and horns). Compliance with the Club’s records program for measuring and honoring trophies of North American big game species is inclusive with the concept of fair chase—but with additional filter(s) to be considered. For example, trophies taken from within highfenced enclosures are precluded from consideration for inclusion in the Club’s records books for trophy heads and horns even if the four filters that define fair chase have been met. Why? In this case, other factors come into play. For example, it is purposeful to exclude such trophies from inclusion in the Club’s record books because of the potential enhancement of trophy quality of antlers and horns that can and do take place within enclosures through selective breeding; controlled quantity and quality of dietary supplements; delaying harvest until antler growth/form has approached maximal trophy potential; and other potential manipulations to maximize animal size and antlers and horns. The inclusion of manipulated, unnatural trophies into a data set that is intended for use in future wild- or natural-condition wildlife management decisions and policy, renders this data set tainted and unuseful. In the final analysis, the statement of, and adherence to, the ethic of fair chase hunting is a lens through which ethical hunters can see and judge their actions and the actions of others. In democratic societies, the future of hunting depends on how the activity is viewed by the majority of the citizenry—most of whom do not hunt, will likely never hunt, and are easy prey for misinformation about hunting. It is well then for ethical hunters to harken to the plea by the Scottish poet Robert Burns and act

A HUNT

ETHIC

accordingly: Oh wad some power the giftie gie us To see ourselves as other see us! It wad frae monie a blunder free us An’ foolish notion. Those who cherish hunting, for themselves and for future generations, understand that hunting is a privilege to be recognized, cherished, and maintained by today’s hunters through deeds to benefit wildlife and through establishment and adherence to standards of fair chase. Those who cherish the hunting tradition must therefore, always, strive to “see ourselves as others see us.” The future of hunting and wildlife conservation hangs in the balance. n Duane M. Vinger took this bighorn sheep in 2010, in Fergus County, Montana.

Fair chase hunters are made—not born—as ethics transfer. If hunting is to continue as a viable part of our culture, it is essential that new hunters replace the old on a continuing basis. Recruits to the ranks of hunter-conservationists must be educated and cultivated to appreciate and adhere to the principles of fair chase and as to their responsibilities to assure proper treatment and management of wildlife— both game and other species. Fair Chase Spring 2014

Chasing the World’s

Altai Argali Largest

Sheep

In the Russia-Mongolia

By James P. Gibbs Director of the Roosevelt Wild Life Station and Professor at the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry Photos courtesy of Author

Our day begins with swigs from a large plastic jug covered with pats of yak dung; while labeled as anti-freeze, it actually contains freshly fermented mare’s milk.

Transboundary Zone

Dawn arrives auspiciously in this remote valley in the

Bayan-Ölgii Province of extreme western Mongolia. It is early August 2013 and the night brought snow, sleet, and lightning all at the same time. But the large tent remained upright this time, and inside, our crew of eight is dry and slumbering soundly. The savory smell of smoke from argal—sun-dried yak dung that children gather into baskets from where the animals congregate at night around the yurts—wafts on the breeze. Our day begins with swigs from a large plastic jug covered with pats of yak dung; while labeled as anti-freeze, it actually contains freshly fermented mare’s milk. This gift was dropped off in the faint dawn light by a local herder happy to see visitors to this remote region. We are camped at the base of a large ridge system known as Sailyugem Ridge on the Russian side and Sikkemhin Range on the Mongolian side, stretching along the MongoliaRussia border. This very ridge system was once celebrated as the best wild sheep hunting grounds in all of central Asia by Demidoff and Carruthers writing in the early 1900s. Solitary concrete monuments protruding here and there from the ridge tops mark the border itself. On this vast open landscape, every few days we spot well-armed border guards, moving in pairs on horseback among their isolated outposts. They are looking for the few who try to sneak overland, mostly unscrupulous animal traffickers with snow leopard pelts and saker falcons from Mongolia bound for the Russian market and beyond. The only regular migrant along this remote border zone requires no special permission to cross: Altai argali (Ovis ammon ammon L.), the largest wild sheep in the world.

Argali range where grassland gives way to scree and snowfields. The chill air up here is of startling clarity. Sound carries eerily at these high elevations; even a stone dislodged by an ibex far across a valley can be heard if the wind is slight.

34 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

Magnificent Migrants

The Altai subspecies of argali, which can weigh over 425 pounds, is prominent among the five generally-recognized sheep species on Earth. Two species, Dall’s sheep and bighorn sheep, are native to North America. Dall’s rams top out at 200 pounds and large bighorn rams, with some spectacular exceptions, tip the scales at around 300 pounds. Altai argali ranged over a vast swath of mountain-steppe habitats until 200-250 years ago. Today they are restricted to western Mongolia, the Khangai range in eastern Kazakhstan, and southeastern Altai Republic and southwestern Tuva Republic of Russia. Numbering 6,000-8,000 in the 1970s, the Altai argali have declined to 4,200-4,500 animals today. The population we are studying remains a critical nucleus of the entire subspecies. Most members of this population crisscross the Russia-Mongolia border every year to survive. In winter the argali generally situate themselves on the southern (Mongolian) side of the ridge system on windblown slopes where snow cover is less and they can dig through to access forage. Temperatures regularly dip to below minus 40°F. In spring the argali linger long enough on the Mongolian side to drop their lambs and then shift back into Russia, essentially pushed out by the arrival of herders and their livestock moving up from wintering ranges in lowland plains. Grass growth is sparse and thus forage competition, especially on the Mongolian side, is intense. Among the typical Mongolian livestock, only camels eat distinctly different forage. Sheep, goats, horses, yaks, and cattle have largely the same food preferences as argali. Livestock herds have grown enormously in Mongolia, driven by expanding global markets for wool and cashmere. Mongolia has 40 head of livestock for each of its two million people, but lacks a national grazing policy. The pressures on Mongolia’s grasslands and wild sheep are immense.

In spring the argali linger long enough on the Mongolian side to drop their lambs and then shift back into Russia, essentially pushed out by the arrival of herders and their livestock moving up from wintering ranges in lowland plains.

Scouring the High Country

We spend four weeks on the Mongolian side, assessing rangeland condition for livestock and argali, before heading back toward the Russian border. Bumping along the muddy rutted road, we meet our dear colleague, Sergei Spitsyn, a biologist from the Altaisky

Fair Chase Spring 2014

State Nature Reserve. We are here to assist Sergei with the semiannual count of transboundary argali, this time in the same mountains but on the Russian side. To count argali in summer you must go where they are—up! Argali range where grassland gives way to scree and snowfields. The chill air up here is of startling clarity. Sound carries eerily at these high elevations; even a stone dislodged by an ibex far across a valley can be heard if the wind is slight. The most effective method for counting argali is simply to cover as much ground as your legs and lungs will permit, scaling the high ridges and descending their slopes during daily walks of 20 to 30 kilometers. We often surprise Siberian ibex, which are extremely abundant in this area, but argali only once or twice a day. There is often a critical moment between first observation of an argali group and their detection of you. This yields a fleeting opportunity to photograph the group and thereby get accurate data on group composition and size. Seconds later the animals explode into action and tumble from view over the nearest edge. Fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters would serve very well for surveying argali in this open and sunny landscape. But the Russian government provides barely enough funds for Sergei’s salary. Every year we scratch around for small grants to pay for food, spare parts, and fuel for Sergei to complete these surveys. Until the Russian government starts taking argali conservation seriously, oldfashioned walking surveys subsidized by international wildlife conservationists will be the key to tracking this core argali population. Alternative methods do exist. One can climb to a carefully-chosen promontory, lie flat, and scan the vast landscape for hours, eyes straining through high-powered binoculars or a spotting scope. A million boulder-like forms may require inspection before one transforms itself, first into a solitary argali, and then to a surrounding group. The method is tedious but rewarding. 36 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

Few thrills compare with observing a long, clean line of ewes and lambs threading over a rocky crest, or a cluster of as many as 100 argali resting together in the sunny lee of a distant slope. I recall a particularly long and dispiriting morning of spitting-cold rain and seeing very little. I sought a sheltered spot for a snack and then resumed my methodical scanning of the surrounding mountainsides. Nothing. Fifteen minutes later my binoculars locked onto four heads poking out of a patch of shrub birch far lower on the adjacent slope than I would ever expect argali to be. Each had massive horns. They had been watching me intently all this time. Judging from their horn curl, which reached three-quarters of a circle, these males were likely six or seven years old. That makes them atgar har in local terms, meaning black rams massive enough to be part of the rut. Horns of rams older than eight years come full circle or more; the horn tips are at eye level and can reach over five feet in curl length. Such males attain a dark body color and visible light saddle and are known as shaazgay alag, which stands for “speckled like a magpie.” Locals also refer to blue rams (two to three years with horn curl about one-quarter of a circle) and yellow rams (four to five years with a half-circle curl of horn). After a few minutes these massive atgar har began moving slowly upslope, gingerly scaling the scree. When provoked these animals are capable of exploding upwards with their long thin legs

and compact bodies, but this group gently ascended 500 meters and then disappeared. Upslope was some of the best argali habitat remaining on the planet, the famed Mount Chernaya. This large plateau of moist grassland is interspersed with many wet areas where the animals can find forage and water easily. The Perils of Poaching

In principle, one might consider Russia to be a haven for Altai argali given their status as a rare, endangered, and strictly protected species. Yet an incident in January 2009 is revealing the true state of affairs. A helicopter carrying senior Russian government officials crashed into Mount Chernaya, killing seven passengers. Many local Altai people, strongly animist, believed this to be the work of spirits angered by this and many other recent intrusions by outsiders into their sacred homeland. The more damning explanation is that the helicopter was engaged in aerial hunting when it went down. Photographs of the crash site show carcasses of argali among the helicopter wreckage, including one with a knife stuck in its haunch. Hunting argali, one of Russia’s rarest animals, is punishable by up to two years in prison. But helicopter poaching of argali is an open secret in Altai. Many high-level poachers feel confident that no

criminal investigation will ever be opened against them because convictions are rare; when helicopters are used, it is rarely possible to determine which animal was killed by whom. Such was the case in the 2009 incident. One crash survivor, the Deputy Governor of Altai Republic, did not deny argali poaching had occurred but, according to media accounts, he blamed the act on those who died. The case presented by the defense prevailed. Fortunately there is a dedicated cadre of wildlife protectors on the Russian side, mostly local guys who participate in regional wildlife brigades organized by the Russian unit of World Wildlife Fund with significant outside support from sources such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Altai Project (Earth Island Institute). But the brigade’s work is like searching for needles in haystacks. Patrols can only cover a tiny fraction of an area, two or three times a year. Fighting Back for Argali

Poachers might only enter an area once every few months, but they must pass certain pinch points such as mountain passes or camping shelters. In collaboration with Wildlife Intel, a small Canadian tech

company, our team has developed technology to monitor pinch points. Assembled from off-the-shelf components, these small electronic devices are solar-powered, concealable, and capable of monitoring these pinch points 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The technology detects when humans pass and then sends a real-time alert to antipoaching teams via satellite phone. Enduring clouds of voracious mosquitos, we have spent many days digging holes in trails to install the metal detection devices at key locations. We have hiked through snow to reach crude cabins for the installation of temperature-change sensors, capable of detecting occupants. The units have triggered arrests and depressed poacher activity through a general deterrent effect: the locals believe that the technology is behind every tree and rock in the region, and stay away for fear of being caught. The technology has certainly helped the region’s snow leopards, vulnerable to snaring by poor local poachers. It has been less helpful to argali, which continue to be poached from helicopters. And new threats are emerging, such as fence construction along extensive sections of the border that impede argali escaping wolves and human poachers.

Because of poaching, Altai argali numbers on both sides of the border are very low but apparently stabilized. The Russian government recently designated significant portions of their side of the Sailyugem Range as a formal National Park and the Mongolian side has long designated their side as Siilkhemiin Nuruu National Park. But strict protected status has not succeeded in expanding argali numbers because funding, resources, and trained personnel are insufficient to carry out even basic protection activities. These are merely “paper parks.” Managed trophy hunting involving local communities could generate direct benefits for argali conservation, but it is difficult to initiate such programs with so few animals to work with. Moreover, trophy hunting of argali remains a contentious issue on the Mongolian side where it can be permitted, primarily because resources from past trophy hunting ventures did not substantially flow to local people or to argali conservation. As well, local people generally revere argali and regard hunting as the cause of argali declines.

One can climb to a carefully-chosen promontory, lie flat, and scan the vast landscape for hours, eyes straining through high-powered binoculars or a spotting scope. A million boulder-like forms may require inspection before one transforms itself, first into a solitary argali, and then to a surrounding group. The method is tedious but rewarding.

Fair Chase Spring 2014

A New Conservation Approach

Despite its potential to help local people and argali, licensed trophy hunting on the Russian side will not gain traction anytime soon due to legal obstacles. Therefore we are collaborating with The Altai Project to initiate another means to try to make argali conservation pay: ecotourism based on citizen science. Visitors pay for the opportunity to participate in argali population surveys, experiencing a challenging adventure while helping to generate valuable scientific data. The involvement of visiting foreigners also helps bring legitimacy in the eyes of local people to the cause of argali conservation within Russia. Locals are also involved in food provisioning, guiding, and logistics; they receive income from guests and a small surcharge flows back to argali conservation. This partnership has hosted citizen science groups in the last two years. One participant in 2013 had the rare privilege of securing the first photograph of a snow leopard in Altai Republic, Russia. So far this plan is working well, despite the logistical difficulties of bringing foreigners into border areas. We expect to launch another expedition in summer 2014 (for details, see WildAltai.org). We at the Roosevelt Wild Life Station are privileged to contribute to Altai argali conservation in this remote corner of the world. To complete their annual cycle along the Russia-Mongolia border, Altai argali currently cross a knife-edge of geography and a gamut of threats to their existence. It’s a wonder they have held on at all. The political uncertainties of the region make it difficult to predict what the future will bring, but Altai argali are worth fighting for. There still remain some 500-1,000 animals in this small area, enough to restore a significant population given the right conditions. Outside groups play a critical role in filling the void left by central governments lacking the will (Russia) or resources (Mongolia) to implement argali conservation. We cannot complete the work, but neither are we free to desist from it. Sergei Spitsyn, our main collaborator, exemplifies the spirit that motivates us. With enormous effort and at considerable personal risk, Sergei spends up to nine months each year roaming these landscapes to survey snow leopards and argali. We share his goal to ensure that these magnificent animals can continue to complete their transboundary migration in what were once the finest sheep hunting grounds in all of central Asia. n James P. Gibbs is the Director of the Roosevelt Wild Life Station and Professor at the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) in Syracuse, New York. He is also Vice Chair of the Altai (Siberia) Assistance Project and currently serving as “Wise Sage” for the Republic of Ecuador advising on conservation science in the Galapagos Islands. Gibbs has degrees in Wildlife Management (B.S., University of Maine, 1986), Biological Sciences (M.A., University of Missouri, 1988) and Forestry and Environmental Studies (Ph.D. Yale, 1995).

ABOVE: Trail camera photos of argali and Siberian ibex. In summer, we often surprise Siberian ibex, which are extremely abundant in this area. Argali we only encounter once or twice a day, usually either groups of 5-10 ewes with their lambs or male-only groups.

38 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

Sergei Spitsyn, our main collaborator, exemplifies the spirit that motivates us. With enormous effort and at considerable personal risk, Sergei spends up to nine months each year roaming these landscapes to survey snow leopards and argali.

DUST PROOF O-RING FULL LENGTH GASKET STAINLESS STEEL BALL BEARING WHEELS (ON SELECT MODELS) PADLOCK COMPATIBLE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE

COLLAPSIBLE, COMFORT GRIP HANDLES ALL STEEL POWDER COATED DRAW LATCHES STEEL HINGE PINS FULLY STACKABLE

H-SERIES TRAVEL CASES PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE

STAINLESS STEEL BALL BEARING WHEELS

DUST PROOF O-RING FULL LENGTH GASKET

FOR ALL OF YOUR SPORTING TRAVEL NEEDS, VISIT US AT WWW.BOYTHARNESS.COM Fair Chase Spring 2014

Now Availa bl

Deadeye Outfitters’ B&C Merchandise

shop.deadeyeoutfitters.com Hunt Fair Chase Decals

A Gift for You!

Show off these B&C window decals on your car, gun case, or wherever people will see it. There are four options sure to showcase your passion for whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, and sheep.

Show your support for B&C by signing up your fellow hunter-conservationist as an Associate.

These are custom cut transparent vinyl stickers that are silkscreen printed and extremely durable for all weather conditions. Each decal is about 3.75” wide.

For signing up a Sponsor or Sportsman Associate you will receive a wildlife photography gift card set*. Gift subscriptions must be purchased by phone.

ITEM CODES: WHITETAIL | DECWT

MULE DEER | DECMD

ELK | DECEK

$5.00 EACH | SHIPPING AND HANDLING INCLUDED

SHEEP | DECSH

This set of 8 greeting cards is also available for purchase*. ITEM CODE: WCARD | $10.00 *while supplies last

Call 888/840-4868 to order, or order online www.Boone-Crockett.org 40 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

SPE CI A L OF F E R E X T ENDE D F OR B&C A SSOCI AT E S! LESS THAN 300 COPIES OF THE 28TH AWARDs BOOK ARE LEFT! Order your copy of B&C’s 28th Big Game Awards Book and receive a free 28th Big Game Awards Trophy Display Guide while supplies last – a 100-page

B&W booklet featuring score charts of the top 95 trophies! The 28th Big Game Awards Book includes the complete listing of over 4,900 trophies accepted in the 28th Awards Program! Don’t delay, order your copy of the 28th Big Game Awards Book today before they are sold out. You owe it to yourself and your family to preserve your hunting legacy by putting a copy of the book on your shelf. Your purchase will also help fund the Club’s mission-based work such as our hunting ethics and conservation education programs. Plus, if you order today you’ll get the Trophy Display Guide for FREE! ITEM CODE: BR28 | $39.95 Offer valid until May 1, 2014, or while supplies last. The Trophy Display booklet is valued at $7.50. Offer only applies to new orders for the 28th Big Game Awards book – 1 Display Guide for each book ordered.

Whitetail Distribution Map The Boone and Crockett Club maintains the records of native, freeranging North American big game as a vital conservation record in assessing the success of wildlife management programs. The data used to produce this map includes whitetail deer entries accepted by the Club from 1830 through 2011. This full-size poster features a color map of the U.S. highlighting the top trophy-producing counties for each state. It also includes color portrait photographs of the current World’s Records along with a complete list ranking states and provinces with a corresponding map of North America.

CLEARANCE!

B&C World’s Record Poster True B&C Memorabilia! This item is already 7 years old! When they’re gone they’re gone. ITEM CODE: BPWDM | $5.95 Originally $14.95

n Measures 24 x 36 inches n Suitable for framing n Not folded, ships in a poster tube

ITEM CODE: BPWDM | $11.95

Call 888/840-4868 to order, or order online www.Boone-Crockett.org Fair Chase Spring 2014

BEST OF 2013 The Boone and Crockett Club has a tradition of honoring trophies and the fair chase hunts that produce them, including photographs from the field. Fair Chase is proud to present the results of our fifth annual trophy field photo competition. All trophies that were accepted in 2013 were eligible and automatically entered into the contest. Within these pages, you’ll find the top photographs selected by the Fair Chase editors and staff.

From a list of finalists, each judge was asked to select their 20 favorite photographs as well as their top pick and provide feedback to share with the readers. Each pick received one point and the top picks received five points. All of these images are fine examples of quality field photographs. Judging field photos is a subjective task as beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

We hope you enjoy and pick up a few tips for the next time you’re in the field.

FIRST o . T r u mb B r e n t V h e e p | 16 9 -6/8 S o D e s e r t Is la n d , M e x ic C a r m e n 012 2 O c t ob er

Li ghti ng , cl ar ity, la nd sc ap e, re sp ec tf ul po se . - SW

By Doug Painter Reprinted NOTE: All field photographs from courtesy acceptedof Sporting Classics magazine trophies entered in 2013 are eligible

Th is hu nt er an d phot og ra ph er to ok fu ll ad va nt ag e of th e su rr ou nd in gs , an d he lo ok s genu in el y ex cite d. - A L

WINNERS RECEIVE 42 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

November/December 2013 Photos courtesy of B&C Archives

FIRST PRIZE STM 65 HD

SECOND PRIZE EL 10x42 WB

THIRD PRIZE Z3 3-9x36

SECOND

Read more Press Releases from B&C

The Club applauds the government of the Republic of Namibia, their biologists, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (which agreed to cooperate with a qualified hunter on trophy importation), and DSC for their strong actions for the future of black rhinos. Fair Chase Spring 2014

THE BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB

hunt

Pioneers

The Boone and Crockett Club views the guiding and outfitting industry as an integral part of the overall conservation community. This is why the Club has created its Outfitter and Guide Sponsorship program to welcome more of these partners to its Mission. TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS.

AS AN OUTFITTER AND GUIDE SPONSOR YOU’LL RECEIVE A copy of the most current B&C record book for your camp or lodge. n Listing and link on the Club’s website as a B&C Outfitter/Guide Sponsor. n One-year subscription to Fair Chase magazine. n Four additional copies of Fair Chase for your camp. These will be miscellaneous back issues sent one time. n The opportunity to purchase extra Fair Chase copies at a discount. n An Outfitter and Guide Sponsor decal for your vehicle. n The Tenets of Fair Chase poster to hang in your camp or lodge. n B&C score charts and field judging PDFs to post on your website or print and distribute to clients. n B&C Associate materials for your camp or lodge. n Free access to Trophy Search, B&C’s complete database. (A $50 value) n Access to the Associates Community online. n Access to the Club’s online scoring calculator. n

Renew today as a Sponsor Associate!

Be one of the first 100 Sponsor Associates in 2014 to receive this limited edition sticker!

Your $100 donation goes to support the Club’s ongoing efforts to insure that, not only is wildlife and wildlife habitat given the attention it deserves, but our sporting heritage is preserved for future generations. You will also be entered in a drawing for one of these prizes:

Great Rams III by Robert M. Anderson B&C Scoped Rifle Case Buck Knife

ANNUAL SPONSORSHIP - $300 888-840-HUNT | www.Boone-Crockett.org 48 nn Fair 48 FairChase ChaseSpring Spring2014 2014

Fair Chase Spring 2014

©TONY BYNUM PHOTOGRAPHY

Where Huntin

50 nn Fair 50 FairChase ChaseSpring Spring 2014 2014

ing Happens,

Conservation Happens.

â&#x201E;˘

I believe this partnership (Gourmet Gone Wild) between MSU Extension, the Michigan DNR, and the Boone and Crockett Club is uniquely qualified and positioned to achieve important outcomes for wildlife and conservation. These include increasing public support and engagement in hunting and conservation-related activities; informing the broader public about the economic, environmental, and social benefits of sustainable use; and promoting sustainability of natural resources into the future. pg 54. B&C PROFESSORSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CORNER by Jordan Pusateri Burroughs

Fair FairChase ChaseSpring Spring2014 2014 n 51

KNOWLEDGE BASE Hunters in a Warming World Scientists in diverse fields are hard at work investigating climate change. For hunters and other conservathe question Winifred B. Kessler tionists, revolves around wildPROFESSIONAL MEMBER life populations and Boone and Crockett Club the habitats that sustain them. Conservation organizations have a major stake in policies and strategies relating to climate change and have stepped up in leadership roles. The Boone and Crockett Club’s position statement on climate change approved in 2009 reflects what has always been the Club’s strength: an emphasis on policy (see sidebar). The Wildlife Management Institute shouldered several key roles, including leadership for the Sportsmen’s Climate Change Advisory Group and publication of the book, Season’s End: Global Warming’s Threat to Hunting and Fishing (published by the Bipartisan Policy Center, 2008). In 2004, The Wildlife Society, the premier organization for wildlife science and management, completed a comprehensive review of the research relating to climate change and wildlife. The resulting publication, Global Climate Change and Wildlife in North America (Technical Review 04-2) can be downloaded at wildlife.org. A brand new report by the National Wildlife Federation, Nowhere to Run: Big Game in a Warming World, hits directly on the questions that matter to hunterconservationists. For each of the major big game species in North America, it outlines the evidence on how populations are responding to climate-related change and what these trends portend for hunting. While focusing on key game populations, the report affirms hunting as the economic engine for wildlife management in America; thus any threat to hunting is a threat to conservation overall. The full report may be downloaded at nwf.org. When you live in nature and in the north, the effects of climate change are already obvious and affecting lives. My last decade as an employed professional, spent in Alaska, was deeply involved in issues concerning subsistence hunting and fishing. It was a real eye-opener to learn from whale hunters that the traditional methods used by countless generations involving the use of small boats to follow leads in the ice were no 52 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

longer viable. The ice was gone, plain and hectares (about 45 million acres) of British simple. Alaskan hunters described many Columbia’s forests. One thing is sure: the examples of how changing environmental forest landscapes around here look nothing conditions were invalidating long-used like they did just 20 years ago, and rural methods and necessitating adaptation. families are having to adjust. Moose hunting I’ve often thought about how different is way down, but deer and elk offer new the perceptions must be for those who live possibilities for filling the freezer. Trappers further south, especially in cities and report that martens have grown scarce, but landscapes heavily shaped and controlled by weasel catches are way up. Sheep-producing human activity and where change may not families are figuring out how to cope with be in evidence. Certainly there is no shortage cougar predation in addition to their longof information and images of how things are time adversaries, the wolves and coyotes. changing elsewhere. But living in and Such experiences affirm that global experiencing a changing ecosystem is quite warming is not about gradual change as in a different thing than reading about it. “Hmmm, the winters don’t feel quite as cold Two decades ago my family acquired as they used to.” Rather, it’s like being in the our forested land in north-central British middle of an unfolding drama as one thing Columbia. For as long as the locals could triggers change in another, and another, and remember this was “moose country,” that so on throughout the ecosystem. Or as John species a mainstay of rural diets and the Muir said about nature, “everything is hitched guiding industry. As the new millennium to everything else.” n commenced, we observed that huge swaths of the surrounding forests were turning bright red, followed by gray a year later INTRODUCTION TO THE as trees died in the millions. BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB’S Many dropped on their own, POSITION STATEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE and others were felled in AND WILDLIFE massive salvage operations. The landscape quickly As a leader in conservation for more than 125 changed from dense, dark years, the Club has supported far-reaching woods to more open forests. conservation policy. In this tradition, the Club Within five years deer and seeks a climate change policy that protects and builds on America’s investment in wildlife and elk had moved in, establishing habitat, addresses forest and rangeland health, populations sufficient enough and maintains a strong economy, while reducing for managers to implement greenhouse gases. Therefore, while the Club has hunting seasons. First-ever not endorsed specific climate change legislation, reports of cougar activity the following principles must underlie any final soon followed. legislation. In principle, climate change policy What accounts for should: such rapid change? The n Fund habitat mitigation and wildlife population scientists attribute it to adaptation; warmer winters; specifically, n Accelerate conservation and restoration of the absence of prolonged forests and rangelands (including grasslands periods of severe cold that and native prairie) to sequester carbon and used to be typical. One effect prevent uncharacteristic was to change the survival wildfires; B&C and reproductive biology of a n Invest in energy tiny insect, the mountain conservation and pine beetle. An unstoppable technologies that reduce beetle epidemic raged emissions into the through British Columbia atmosphere; and and flowed over a Rocky n Maintain affordable O Mountain pass into Alberta. energy sources; ensure N LI NE According to government’s that private land Read the fragmentation does not 2012 estimate, the epidemic entire Climate result from higher had spread to 18.1 million input costs.

Change Position statement

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU FISH FOR. WITH BASS PRO, YOU MIGHT CATCH IT.

ONLINE BASSPRO.COM FISH TREMBLE IN FEAR.

WhEn you log on WEll, not REAlly. But if thEy knEW WhAt you WERE Buying, thEy Would!

CATALOG 1-800-BASS PRO THE FIRST TIME

do you REmEmBER you opEnEd A BAss pRo shops® cAtAlog? of couRsE you do. And noW it’s BEttER thAn EvER!

IN STORE 66 LOCATIONS WE ARE likE A mAgnEt foR thE

BEST ANGLERS ON THE PLANET.

BP140599

But don’t folloW thEm ARound tRying to sEE WhAt thEy’RE Buying. thAt’s kindA cREEpy.

Scan to

find out more

Fair Chase Spring 2014

B&C PROFESSORS’ CORNER Partnership Gone Wild: Introducing the First B&C Wildlife Extension Specialist In 1914, the Boone and Crockett Club’s 27th year, the Smith-Lever Act created a nationwide extension system administered by Jordan Pusateri the nation’s land-grant Burroughs universities. Its PROFESSIONAL MEMBER purpose included Boone & Crockett Wildlife learning, discovery, Extension Specialist, Michigan State University engagement, and the transfer of university research into practice—activities long endorsed by the Boone and Crockett Club. Motivated by this common purpose, the Boone and Crockett Club partnered with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Division and in 2010 created the nation’s first Boone and Crockett Club Wildlife Extension Specialist position. This is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Boone and Crockett Club, a major land-grant university, and a state natural resource management agency. The partnership builds on the land-grant tradition of delivering useful, sciencebased information to those who implement wildlife conservation at the local, state, and national levels. It supports the grander goal of ensuring that citizens can continue to enjoy America’s rich wildlife heritage and the socioeconomic benefits that well-managed wildlife resources bring to local communities and our nation. Gourmet Gone Wild is a partnership program of the Boone and Crockett Club, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, and Michigan United Conservation Clubs. Funding for the program has been generously provided by the Hal and Jean Glassen Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust. gourmetgonewild.org

Learn more about Michigan State University and our other B&C University Programs

54 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

B&C

N LI NE

My own interest in working on the people-side of wildlife management developed during my years as a graduate student at MSU studying whitetail deer. After radio collaring and tracking about 150 newborn and adult deer across southwest Michigan, we documented one of the lowest annual fawn mortality rates (23 percent) in the nation. Aside from the delight of novel findings and working outdoors for nine months of every year, the best part of my research was sharing the research results with local landowners, farmers, wildlife agency biologists, hunters, and anyone else who would listen. I was intrigued to think how these people might use my results to improve management of habitats and deer populations in their areas. Might the DNR increase the number of antlerless deer licenses, and if so, would hunters respond by killing more does? Would landowners manage their properties differently and perhaps curtail the practice of feeding deer? I envisioned that in my dream job, I’d work to transfer knowledge and build bridges between scientists and the many people who implement wildlife management and conservation practices on the ground. Sometimes dreams come true! Soon after graduation I was offered a position under a jointly funded partnership between MSU Extension and the Michigan DNR, as a

wildlife outreach specialist within the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University. Fast-forward 10 years, and today I am humbled and inspired to be the first Boone and Crockett Wildlife Extension Specialist, helping carry out the vision created a century ago. One aspect of that vision is working to increase public support for hunting and conservation by recruiting new adult hunters and hunter supporters. That’s why we launched Gourmet Gone Wild® (GGW), an innovative program designed to build on people’s growing interest in local and unique foods and sustainable living (popularly termed the “foodie” and “locavore” movements). GGW reaches out to inform citizens about the values of hunting and fishing, including the nutritional and culinary benefits of wild fish and game. Groups of young professionals are invited to GGW events to sample professionally prepared wild fish and game dishes paired with local wine and beer. While noshing, participants learn about the health benefits of eating local and the roles of hunters and anglers in conserving our natural resources. One highlight of GGW events is a cooking demonstration by our professional chef, who showcases wild game as a local, healthy, and delicious cuisine that easily rivals non-game options when properly prepared. Participants are invited to attend

Groups of young professionals are invited to sample professionally prepared wild fish and game dishes while learning about the health benefits of eating local and the roles of hunters and anglers in conserving our natural resources.

Gourmet Gone Wild-er (GGW-er) events to try their hand at hunting, shooting, or fishing. Some GGW-er events take participants directly into the field or stream to harvest game or fish. Others consist of workshops that give individuals the basic tools and confidence they need to get started in harvesting nature’s bounty. Future plans include partnering with farmers’ markets to offer game-cooking classes, helping the Boone and Crockett Club with its first-ever Wild Gourmet Cookbook, and reaching out to other interested states to expand the program nationally. I believe this partnership between MSU Extension, the Michigan DNR, and the Boone and Crockett Club is uniquely qualified and positioned to achieve important outcomes for wildlife and conservation. These include increasing public support and engagement in hunting and conservationrelated activities; informing the broader public about the economic, environmental, and social benefits of sustainable use; and promoting sustainability of natural resources into the future. Future Fair Chase articles will share the work we’re doing to connect youth with the joys of being in the wild, streamline adult hunter-recruitment policies and programs in Michigan (see the President’s Column in this issue), and communicate the importance of our natural resources to local communities by highlighting public lands as anchor points for community prosperity. It’s all about reaching out, connecting, sharing my passion for wildlife, and promoting our hunting and conservation ethics. A dream career for sure! n

Workshops are developed that give individuals the basic tools and confidence they need to get started in harvesting nature’s bounty.

Fair Chase Spring 2014

MEMBER ADVENTURES THE ACORN SERIES - GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL - CONSERVATIONIST, AUTHOR In 1897 the third book in the B&C Acorn Series, Trail and Campfire, was published. It continued Theodore J. Holsten to feature personal adventures by Club EMERITUS MEMBER Boone and Crockett Club members. Under the heading “Bear Traits” were writings by three members. George Bird Grinnell was one of these authors. Grinnell has long been considered to be the “Father of American Conservation” as well as the leading authority on Indian culture. He was editor of Forest and Stream Publishing Company when he teamed up with Theodore Roosevelt in 1887 to form the Boone and Crockett Club. Here is what he wrote about “A Berry Picker.” The Member Adventures series will continue to feature highlight and excerpts from Boone and Crockett publications written by our adventurous members.

“It was on a little river flowing into the head of a British Columbia inlet that I saw my first bear—a black one. We had laboriously poled our canoe for a mile or two up the rushing river, and had landed on a gravel bar to survey the mountain sides for white goats, when around a point a little below us on the other side of the stream walked a moderate sized bear. It was August, and the ripe salmon berries hung thick on bushes which grew in the edge of the forest on the cut bank beneath which the river flowed. These berries occupied all the bear’s attention, and he did not notice the men who stood in plain sight on the other side of the stream. He walked slowly along from bush to bush, raising his head and wrapping his tongue around the branches, and then stripping off berries and leaves alike by a downward pull. When he had cleared the lower branches, he stood on his hind feet, and pulling down the higher branches with his forepaws, he stripped them in the same way. All his motions were deliberate, and the way in which he gathered the food with mouth and tongue reminded me of a cow pulling apples from a low-growing tree. I watched him with great interest until he had approached within perhaps seventyfive yards of where we stood. Then, fearing that he would smell us, I fired at the white spot in his breast, and, as the smoke lifted, had a dissolving view of his hips as they disappeared in the undergrowth. When we had pushed across the river in the canoe, we found blood on the weeds where he had vanished, and a little further in the forest came upon the bear, comfortably curled up on his side with his paws over his nose. Once in Montana, at a much greater distance, I saw an old bear and two cubs picking huckleberries in a little mountain valley. They walked busily about from bush to bush and seemed to gather the berries one by one, though the distance was too great for me to be sure as to this. The Indians tell me that when the service berries are ripe, the bears “ ride” down the taller bushes by their weight, pressing the stems down under the chest, the two forelegs being on either side of the stem. I have seen quite stout service berry trees that had evidently been borne down in precisely this way.” n

©WWW.ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/BYSHNEV

B&C

56 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

LI N

Check out the other e-books in our Acorn Series

The Wilderness Warrior Society is the Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier major gifts society. It was launched in 2011 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Boone and Crockett Club. With your gift of $125,000 or more, you will be honored by being named a founding member of the Wilderness Warrior Society. You will be presented with your own numbered limited edition bronze of Theodore Roosevelt on horseback, a custom Hickey Freeman Blazer, as well as other custom gifts to recognize and honor you for your contribution. Funds raised from Wilderness Warrior contributions are placed in the Boone and Crockett Club Foundation endowment where the principal remains intact, and the annual interest income generated provides permanent funding for vital conservation programs. We now have twenty members of the Society, which at $125,000 each translates to $2.5 million for the endowment. It has been a huge success by any measure but we will continue to grow the Society with a goal of 25 members or more. Please join us in this grand effort on such a significant occasion. Contact the Boone and Crockett Club today to find out how you can become a founding member of the Wilderness Warrior Society.

ABOVE: Boone and Crockett President, William A. Demmer, and Members Gary W. Dietrich and Morrison Stevens, Sr.

MEMBERS OF THE WILDERNESS WARRIOR SOCIETY Trevor L. Ahlberg James F. Arnold Rene R. Barrientos Marshall J. Collins Jr. William A. Demmer Gary W. Dietrich John P. Evans Steve J. Hageman B.B. Hollingsworth Jr. Ned S. Holmes Tom L. Lewis Jack S. Parker* Remo R. Pizzagalli Thomas D. Price Edward B. Rasmuson Morrison Stevens Sr. Ben B. Wallace C. Martin Wood III Paul M. Zelisko R. Terrell McCombs * Deceased

Contact Ben Hollingsworth at 713/840-1508 for more details. Boone and Crockett Club | www.boone-crockett.org

250 Station Drive, Missoula, MT 59801 | 406/542-1888

Fair Chase Spring 2014

Recipes from the Club’s Upcoming Cookbook Wild Gourmet — Due out Fall 2014!

Naturally Healthy Game, Fish, and Fowl Recipes for Everyday Chefs

The recipes compiled in our upcoming cookbook Wild Gourmet include the preparation and cooking of all types of game from North America, including small game such as rabbit, pheasant, to geese and ducks and large game such as deer, elk, and bear. The pursuit, capture, and taking of game has been passed down for generations and shared by family and friends. In fact, I was a teenager when I was first introduced to hunting by a close friend. It was my friend and his father that taught me hunter safety, honorable pursuit of game, hunter ethics, the respect and connection with the wilderness. I have learned through the years of hunting and my experience across the world that the sport exceeds beyond shooting. It is not only a means to legally regulate the animal populations, but it allows us as humans to live off the land. I find the meals I have shared with family, friends, and new acquaintances are filled with memories surrounding a healthy and organic lifestyle. We have a stronger connection to the animals we pursued and took. I continue to share my love for hunting with my four daughters and wife. Most meals in my household consist of the meat we shoot. That is one of the reasons this publishing project is so important to me. Please enjoy this issue’s featured recipe “Duck with Green Picholine Olives” provided by contributing chef Daniel Boulud.

Wild Gourmet will feature over 60 recipes for all types of wild game, fish, and fowl. Also Included is a pull-out poster detailing meat cuts, butchering information, and cooking techniques. Wild Gourmet - Hardcover RETAIL $34.95 Stay tuned for details!

58 ■ Fair Chase Spring 2014

Meet the Chef Daniel Boulud

©Thomas

Schauer

Duck with Green Picholine Olives Daniel Boulud and Melissa Clark

Adapted from Braise: A Journey Through International Cuisine Makes 4 servings Ingredients 4 to 6 Duck legs (about 3 pounds) Coarse sea salt or kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 Carrots, peeled and chopped 1/4 Pound sliced bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces 2 Small onions, peeled, trimmed, and chopped 2 Small turnips, peeled and diced 1/2 Cup green picholine olives, pitted 2 Sprigs fresh thyme 1 Bay leaf 2 Cups chicken stock or low-sodium canned broth

Daniel Boulud is Chef-Owner of several award-winning restaurants and the Feast & Fêtes catering company. While he hails from Lyon, France, it is in New York that he has truly mastered the dining scene and is today considered one of America’s leading culinary authorities. Raised on his family’s farm in the village of St. Pierre de Chandieu, the chef remains inspired by the rhythm of the seasons and menus driven by ﬁ ne ingredients. Since arriving in the US in 1982, Boulud has become renowned for the contemporary appeal he adds to soulful cooking rooted in French tradition. Daniel Boulud’s New York City restaurants include DANIEL, a three Michelin star Relais & Châteaux member; the elegant one Michelin star Café Boulud with its adjacent Bar Pleiades; the more casual db Bistro Moderne; Bar Boulud and DBGB Kitchen and Bar. His Manhattan destinations on the Upper West Side include, Boulud Sud and Épicerie Boulud. Beyond Manhattan, the chef has opened other restaurants in Florida, Nevada (2014), and Washington D.C. (2014), as well as internationally in Beijing, Singapore, Canada, and London. Boulud’s culinary accolades include James Beard Foundation awards for “Outstanding Restaurant,” “Outstanding Restaurateur,” “Best Chef, New York City” and “Outstanding Chef of the Year.” In addition, he has been named “Chef of the Year” by the Culinary Institute of America and Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by the French government. Restaurant DANIEL is ranked eighth among Restaurant Magazine’s “World’s 50 Best Restaurants.” The Chef’s culinary style is reﬂected in his eight cookbooks, including the most recent DANIEL: My French Cuisine (Grand Central Publishing, 2013) and his “After Hours with Daniel” television series.

1. The night before you plan to serve the dish, place a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. Season the duck with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a medium cast-iron pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the duck legs and sear until golden brown on all sides, 7 to 10 minutes. 3. Transfer the duck to a platter. Pour oﬀ the excess fat from the pot. Return the duck to the pot along with the bacon and cook, stirring, over medium-high heat for 5 to 6 minutes. Spoon out any fat out of the pot. Add the carrots, onions, turnips, olives, thyme, and bay leaf, and pour in the stock. Transfer the pot to the oven and braise, covered, for 2 hours, until the duck is tender. Chill overnight. 4. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Remove the layer of fat from the top of the sauce and heat the duck in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove the thyme sprigs and the bay leaf and serve. Fair FairChase ChaseSpring Winter2014 2013■ ■59 3

TROPHY TALK New World’s Record Alaska-Yukon Moose Special Judges Panel with Heinz Naef’s New World’s Record Boone and Crockett From Left to Right: Richard T. Hale, B&C’s Records Committee chair; Robert Club is extremely Hanson, B&C Regular Member; L. Victor Clark, B&C Lifetime Associate and Official pleased to announce a Measurer; and Eldon L. “Buck” Buckner, B&C Vice President of Big Game Records. new World’s Record Alaska-Yukon moose. A Special Judges Panel Jack Reneau convened on January DIRECTOR 24, 2014, during the Big Game Records Wild Sheep Foundation convention in Reno, Nevada, to certify the new World’s Record—an Alaska-Yukon moose that was taken only five months ago and accepted in the 29th Awards Program on December 24th. The new World’s Record moose was BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB OFFICIAL SCORING SYSTEM FOR NORTH AMERICAN BIG GAME TROPHIES taken by Heinz Naef along the Yukon River, MOOsE Yukon Territory, on September 25, 2013, while hunting for meat with eight friends, r r including his son Brian. Naef’s bull scores r 263-5/8 points, which is two inches larger than the previous World’s Record (261-5/8 points) taken by John A. Crouse in 1994 near Fortymile River, Alaska. Naef harvested this bull with an old .303 British Enfield with The SJP open sights after a brief cat-and-mouse stalk Scorechart This SJP consisted through the trees. Richard T. Hale, B&C’s Records of Official Measurers Committee chair who served on the panel, who have served SEE OTHER SIdE FOR SCORING INSTRuCTIONS said, “A World’s Record moose is by definition on previous Final Awards Program large. The thing that stood out about Mr. Neaf’s moose is that it fit Boone and Judges Panels. Crockett’s system exactly. Each feature maximized the score. It has everything the system was designed to * reward.” The greatest spread alone was 75-5/8 inches wide, which is 3-5/8 inches wider than the standard carpenter’s ruler used by Official Measurers to take spread measurements. If it wasn’t for the 6-inch sliding-brass ruler at one end, or if the rack had been a few inches wider, the judges would have had to figure out another method for I, ________________________________________________, certify that I have measured this trophy on _____01/24/2014______ taking the greatest spread! at ____Reno Sparks Convention Center_______________________________Reno__________________Nevada______________ Special Judges Panels (SJPs), which were initiated by the Club in 2000, are convened with the express purpose of verifying and announcing potential new World’s Records submitted during a Triennial Awards Program. Prior to that, potential World’s Records * had to wait until the end of an Awards Program Entry Period, which could mean three to four years for some trophies, to be certified. By then, the potential World’s Record was old news, and people had forgotten about it. By convening a Special Judges Panel as soon as ALASKA-YUKON MOOSE possible after a potential new World’s Record is taken, the trophy immediately receives the recognition it so rightly deserves. FORMER WORLD’S RECORDS You may recall my column in the last issue of Fair Chase when Score Location of Kill Hunter Year I said moose are among some of the most difficult trophies to score 261-5/8 Fortymile River, AK John A. Crouse 1994 accurately in spite of the fact that only nine measurements are taken and the points counted. Thus, panel members were pleased that the 255 McGrath, AK Kenneth Best 1978 original scorer’s measurements for this remarkable trophy were nearly 251 Mt. Susitna, AK Bert Klineburger 1961 the same as theirs with a couple of exceptions. 250-3/8 Kenai Peninsula, AK Dyton A. Gilliland 1947 First, the Judges ruled that one point on the left antler, which 240-7/8 Kenai Peninsula, AK A.S. Reed 1900 the original measurer did not count as a point, actually qualified as a ®

(ChECK ONE):

MiNiMUM sCOREs AWARdS ALL-TIME

Canada

185

195

Alaska-Yukon

210

224

Shiras

140

155

Measurement on Back of Palm B

PALM

CROSS SECTION

Measure Palm Length and Width from Edge to Edge

detail of Point Measurement

ABNORMAL POINTS

Right Antler

NuMBER OF POINTS

A. Greatest Spread

75-5/8

Left Antler

TOTAL TO B

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Right Antler

Left Antler

difference

23-6/8

17-5/8

6-1/8

B. Number of Abnormal Points on Both Antlers

C. Number of Normal Points d. Width of Palm

E. Length of Palm Including Brow Palm

50-7/8

F. Circumference of Beam at Smallest Place

TOTALS

Add TOGETHER:

SuBTRACT:

Greatest Spread

75-5/8

Column 1

102-1/8

Exact Locality Where Killed:

Trophy Owner (Legal Name): Trophy Owner’s Address:

8-5/8

County:

State/Prov: YT

Telephone #:

94-4/8

272-2/8

263-5/8

3/8

8-5/8

date Killed: 9/25/13

Subtotal

Column 3

1/8

8-7/8

94-4/8

Hunter (Legal Name): Heinz Naef

Column 2

FINAL SCORE

Yukon River

8-4/8

102-1/8

Trophy Owner’s Email:

Guide’s Name:

Remarks (Mention Any Abnormalities or unique Qualities):

PRINT NAME

MM/dd/YYYY

STREET AddRESS

CITY

STATE/PROvINCE

and that these measurements and data are, to the best of my knowledge and belief, made in accordance with the instructions given.

Witness: _______________________________________________ Signature: ________________________________________________ B&C OFFICIAL MEASuRER

Geographic location (lake, mountain, river, etc.) required for trophies taken in Canada and Alaska.

Mail To: Boone and Crockett Club

Boone and Crockett Club© Official Measurer I.D. Number

250 Station drive, Missoula, MT 59801

(406) 542-1888

www.booneandcrockettclub.com

No part of this scoring system may be altered in any way. No part of this score chart may be altered or copied without express written permission from the Boone and Crockett Club. A score chart is not authenticated until signed and dated by a certified Boone and Crockett Club Official Measurer. No scores are official Boone and Crockett scores until verified and the trophy is accepted by the Boone and Crockett Club. All trophy entries into the Boone and Crockett Club’s Awards Programs are subject to verification.

60 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

BOOK REVIEW normal point. Secondly, one of the projections on the right antler that was counted as abnormal by the original measurer was actually a normal point. Instead of being a point off the top of another normal point on the outside edge, the Judges ruled that the edge of the palm actually “rolled” upwards, so it was a normal point. This ruling also affected the location where the palm width was taken. The palm width rose from 18-3/8 points to 23-6/8 points. This didn’t raise the score any because the width of the left palm is 17-5/8 points. I would like to take this opportunity to thank B&C Official Measurer Clint Walker for scoring this trophy and all he did to see that this magnificent bull received the recognition it deserves. While Official Measurers do not normally make house calls to score a trophy, Clint drove 300 miles from Whitehorse to Dawson City to score Naef’s bull. Clint said that there were over 40 people, including two Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in attendance to watch the scoring take place. He said that translates to over 3 percent of the population of Dawson City and the surrounding area. Clint reported that the room erupted with deafening cheers of congratulations for Naef when he announced that his entry score exceeded the previous World’s Record. Clint also told them the score would have to be verified by a B&C Special Judges Panel n

WHITETAIL RECORD BOOK OF NEW YORK STATE, 17TH EDITION

Measurement Differences Instead of being a point off the top of another normal point on the outside edge, the Judges ruled that the edge of the palm actually “rolled” upwards, so it was a normal point.

Normal Points

The 30th anniversary issue of New York State Big Buck Club’s Whitetail Record Book of New York State, 17th Edition, is now available. This edition includes listings for 7,398 trophy deer and 436 trophy bears in 13 categories, including 586 new entries taken during the last two years. This edition also includes 518 photographs (478 in color) of New York’s finest big game trophies ever taken. There are listings of the top 10 typical and top three non-typical entries in each county for gun and bow, as well as a list of the top 20 counties for total deer entries in New York State. To order a copy, send a check for $24 (postage included) to NYSBBC, Record Book Sales Office, 54 Meadowview Dr., Schaghticoke, NY 12154. BOOK REVIEW NOTICE

There are many state, provincial, and private organizations publishing local records books that use Boone and Crockett Club’s copyrighted scoring system with permission of the Club. Since there is no single reference source for these books, and because there are many hunters who collect them, we will review them as time and space permit. Only those books that use the Boone and Club’s copyrighted scoring system and terminology will be considered for review. Please note that the Boone and Crockett Club cannot vouch for the accuracy of the data contained in these books. Some of the books may include trophies that were not scored by certified Boone and Crockett Club Official Measurers. If there is a question about the status of a trophy listed in any of these books, the Boone and Crockett Club’s records books/ archives are the final reference source to settle any and all discrepancies.

The new World’s Record moose was taken by Heinz Naef along the Yukon River, Yukon Territory, on September 25, 2013.

A World’s Record moose is by definition large. The thing that stood out about Mr. Neaf’s moose is that it had everything that the Boone and Crockett system was designed to reward in a mature bull and each feature maximized the score.

Fair Chase Spring 2014

JUSTIN E. SPRING | ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BIG GAME RECORDS

For those of you trying to chase as many different recognized species as possible in North America I am following up my last column and continue to break down state-by-state species and opportunities available to the hunter. I will concentrate on hunts that don’t require the assistance of an outfitter or guide or purchasing a high-dollar tag. CALIFORNIA

California, in my opinion, has horrible non-resident odds in its general draw. The state only allows one non-resident tag each for elk, antelope, and sheep. If you could predict which hunt would be drawn first, that would be the one to apply for since as soon as one non-resident is drawn, it’s over for all other non-residents for that species. This doesn’t necessarily mean that a non-resident will pull on that first hunt, but you can see how miniscule your chances are of drawing as a non-resident, especially if you happen to pick a tag that is further down the list. The computer sorts everyone by points, then the draw is executed for that species. You could have more points than all other resident applicants but will not be drawn if one non-resident has more points than you

once that tag quota has been met. Let’s assume that hunt 300 (the lowest hunt number for elk and with very little public access, according to the regulations) is the first assigned, the Siskiyou bull hunt. Last year there were 20 tags, meaning 75 percent, or 15, go to point-holders first. That means that if a non-resident hunter has max points (maybe the applicant was a California resident with max points and then moved out of state), and is drawn, no other nonresident hunter can draw anywhere in the state. If you have max points, pick the tag you think will be drawn first and cross your fingers. If you don’t have max points, you can apply for a fundraising tag where no points are considered. Figure out what you want to hunt, and put all your extra money into those chances which are just under 6 bucks a chance—or buy a landowner tag. Now that I have told you why you will likely never draw, consider that California is the only state with tule elk, it is the No. 2 location for Roosevelt’s elk entries, and while it doesn’t have a ton of American elk, the ones there can get very large. The state’s antelope do occasionally hit book; there are 62 in the records, though the state has never produced a 90-inch goat. California desert sheep are great as well, coming in as the No. 4 location behind Arizona, Nevada, and Old Mexico. Species to concentrate on with the draw odds in mind are bear and blacktail, whose tags are generally over the counter. California leads in blacktail entries with 753, nearly 300 ahead of the No. 2 location. The northwestern part of the

Tule Elk Location: Colusa County, CA Hunter: Todd A. Robillard Year: 2005 Score: 331

WORLD’S RECORD Pronghorn Location: Coconino County, AZ Hunter: Dylan M. Woods Year: 2000 Score: 95

62 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

state is where the blacktails are, and there is plenty of both public and timber company lands that can be hunted. Many private ranches offer excellent quality hunts as well. In terms of bears, we have 155 entries with the No. 5 black bear of all time being from California with a score of 23-3/16. California recently banned dogs for bear hunts, so if spot-and-stalk is your thing, a few years from now California could become a top spot-andstalk state for big bruins. ARIZONA

You should be applying for Arizona, especially since you no longer float the tag fee if applying online. You must put up the full tag price, which is refunded if not drawn. There are only three other states in the Lower 48 (Utah, Montana, Wyoming) with a freerange bison herd, though the tag fee of over $5,000 prevents my name from being in on that. Arizona’s elk are legendary; in fact it has over twice as many 400-plus bulls in the book than the next closest state. With 57 bulls exceeding 400, if big elk are your thing… the $160 required license to apply and the $650 tag fee might be justified. The antelope will run you $565; the deer tag $315. If you don’t apply online you still have to float the fee. Arizona’s draw is on a unique schedule; there are spring hunts, fall hunts, and two separate deadlines for pronghorn,

POWERED BY This column is dedicated to the system that supports the public hunting of public wildlife for all fair chase sportsmen, and the stories and trophies that are the result. Theodore Roosevelt strongly believed that self-reliance and pursuing the strenuous activities of hunting and wilderness exploration was the best way to keep man connected to nature. We score trophies, but every hunt is to some extent a way of measuring ourselves.

elk, and deer. The pronghorn and elk applications must be in by February, mark your calendars for next year; for deer you have until June. Arizona has a 10 percent non-resident cap on tags but only 20 percent of tags go specifically to top point-holders, meaning you have a chance for any tag your first year of applying. Arizona deer are worldclass whether you want a Coues’ deer or mule deer. The Kaibab Plateau is arguably the most famous big buck area in the United States, though a look at the records reveals only seven typicals and another seven non-typicals from Arizona listed in the top-100 mule deer. Coues’ deer is a different story. Coues’ deer are only found in two U.S. states and Mexico, and Arizona is by far the highest producing. Arizona is listed as the kill location for 324 of our 556 typical Coues’ entries, while New Mexico only has 34. Certain units do excel, but for the most part, apply for a later December tag and hunt the grey ghosts in the rut. On the first day of our first trip down to the southwest, my wife took an excellent buck which stretched the tape to the mid-80s. Not wanting to be outdone, I enjoyed a tag sandwich, though learned more about hunting in those five days than I did in the last 10 years. This is unique country where optics and patience is king. Hours behind high-powered optics would result in deer being spotted. We hunted public land where there were other hunters, but there were deer as well, and I would recommend everyone try this out—you may get hooked. Arizona antelope are worth a shot as well—seven of the top-10 ranked antelope have come from Arizona, including the two current World’s Records (tie). NEW MEXICO

Go guided or go home! Not really, but in terms of odds this isn’t that far off. New Mexico has some great elk, antelope, and mule deer, but with the tag allocation for non-residents totaling 16 percent and only 6 percent going to unguided nonresidents, your chances are slim. The state also requires you to float the tag fee at the time of application. With no point system in place, it is not impossible, but check your budget—you must buy a license, so with the state sitting on the

fees, it can be a deal-breaker. The deadline this year is March 19. If you draw an antelope tag, you are guaranteed a ranch to hunt, but the quality of the ranch is not guaranteed. Landowner tags are an option, but for deer and pronghorn you must stay on the deeded land according to the regulations, even though the landowner may lease public land for grazing. The regulations also say the landowner controls the hunting rights on this public ground. Elk tags are a little different. In New Mexico’s program, if a landowner allows access to his land, your tag may also be valid on public lands. Information can be found on the website. Don’t forget that some of the tribal lands in New Mexico offer tags and don’t necessarily require a guide. New Mexico recently opened some sheep units that had been closed, so be prepared to see the sheep ranking changing over the next few years. Don’t overlook New Mexico as a bear hunting location, either. While the state doesn’t have any top entries, book trophies are taken, with the best being 21-15/16, taken in Rio Arriba County in 2007. If I really wanted to hunt New Mexico, I would research outfitters. They need their clients to draw so they will help with your application. I have had friends draw New Mexico elk and kill bulls unguided so it is a possibility, but in terms of draw odds Mohave and lack of points, New Mexico is toward the bottom of my priority list in application season.

Typical Coues’ Whitetail Location: Hidalgo County, NM Hunter: Roger A. Roan Year: 2007 Score: 114

Coconino Navajo

Apache

Yavapai

ARIZONA AMERICAN ELK COUNTY

ENTRIES

Coconino

Apache

Navajo

Gila

Graham

Yavapai

Mohave

Greenlee

Gila

La Paz

Greenlee

Maricopa Graham

Pinal

Yuma

Pima Cochise Santa Cruz

Note: Arizona has 15 additional entries with unknown or incomplete location data

Fair Chase Spring 2014

Shiras’ Moose Location: Stevens County, WA Hunter: Marc W. Babiar Year: 2005 Score: 183-6/8

Columbia Blacktail Deer Location: Jackson County, OR Hunter: Dusty S. McGrorty Year: 2011 Score: 164-1/8

Cougar Location: Idaho County, ID Hunter: Daniel R. Helterline Year: 2001 Score: 15-7/16

For value and quality, this is the best trophy hunt you can apply for. OREGON

VERMONT, MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE

If you want to chase all categories, Canada moose is a must and truthfully one of the easiest and cheapest draws you can apply for. The three states that offer nonresident Canada moose tags are Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. It is under $50 to apply for each state, unless you want to purchase numerous chances—which you can do in Maine, and you actually stand a very good chance. I have only been applying for a few years and was selected as an alternate in 2011, though the tag offered was not feasible to hunt as it was the same year as my wedding and buying our first home. In Maine you want a northern unit where harvest success is very high—90 percent for some areas. All these states have produced book bulls with Maine in the lead at 120. Maine allows residents to purchase numerous opportunities, and while the non-resident quota is in place, you can buy your way into the classification for 10 years of applications for less than most western states charge you for a license. The tags aren’t cheap but far more affordable than many western elk or even some deer licenses coming in at the $500-range.

Canada Moose Location: Aroostook County, ME Hunter: David Such Year: 2011 Score: 207-1/8

64 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

I always apply for Oregon, but it is not for trophy quality. That is where I grew up, my family is still there, and I love hunting blacktails. While the trophy quality of Oregon’s big game is not equal to its many neighbors, there are over-the-counter Roosevelt’s and blacktail tags. And the fact that I buy a license and can apply for bighorn sheep, antelope, deer, elk, and bear for a small application fee per species is a plus. An Oregon antelope tag will take you a long time to draw, but don’t be enticed by the archery tag that is guaranteed; that could be the hardest archery antelope hunt in the country. You may kill a book goat in some of the units, but for the 15-plus years it will take to build up the points for the top units, I would not recommend Oregon as a trophy antelope state. Oregon had both California and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep tags available to non-residents, but this year’s regulations show that non-resident tags are only offered for California bighorns. It is a once in a lifetime tag, along with its mountain goats, which

historically have not been open to nonresidents, but this year one tag will be available to an out-of-stater. Oregon has very large goats, and it was where I took my bookqualifying billy in 2008 before moving to Montana. For the extra few dollars, this is worth throwing in for. Oregon offers plenty of mule deer opportunities, though usually a 160s is a shooter on opening day in many units. The majority of the state is open to over-the-counter archery opportunities for both elk and deer. It has a deer unit that is one of the hardest tags to draw with a rifle, but a guaranteed archery tag if you put in. The catch is you have to use traditional equipment. In terms of elk, Oregon has both American and Roosevelt’s. While the occasional bull is entered from the eastern part of the state where American elk are found, low 300s is a wall hanger in most locations. Roosevelt’s elk can be hunted every year in Oregon with a rifle or a bow, but there are draw and general units, so check the regulations. As logging has been greatly reduced on federal and state land because of endangered species issues, many of the historic, big-producing elk units are seeing major declines. Your biggest concern for a west side Roosevelt’s hunt with an over-the-counter archery tag is fire danger. A dry year means all the private timber companies will have their lands closed to access. Be sure to check harvest statistics; though Oregon has lots of bulls and lots of deer, it also has lots of hunters. One other interesting offering is Oregon is the only state

Bighorn Sheep Location: Fergus County, MT Hunter: Toni L. Sannon Year: 2008 Score: 204-2/8

IDAHO

where a Columbia whitetail is available. The Club does not have a category as their numbers and range do not warrant one, but they can be hunted. Oregon is not a major producer of book bears, but in some areas three bears a year is attainable with a spring and two fall opportunities available with an over-thecounter tags. Cougar tags are over-the-counter as well; the season is open year-round in most units, and it will cost you less than $15 as a non-resident. I wouldn’t plan a hunt for them but if you go for deer or elk, have a tag in your pocket. For blacktails, the tag is “western deer rifle” and if you get nasty weather at the end of the season you may get some rutting activity, and big bucks will show themselves. Your other option is late season muzzleloader or archery, which allow you to hunt in November where, if it’s raining and nasty, blacktails will be out chasing does. WASHINGTON

Washington’s draw deadline is May 22. There are many similarities to Oregon in terms of general tags, late rut hunts, and plenty of opportunities, though not a ton of trophy quality in most areas for deer and elk. There are Roosevelt’s and blacktails that are killed and submitted every year. I am not saying there aren’t eastern units that have potential either; the state put out a 436-4/8 non-typical elk in 2008. The other things to keep an eye on: moose and sheep. While I have heard the big rams have all been killed in the state’s best units, the southeastern area shows some very impressive score-at-age numbers for bighorns. While Washington only has 28 accepted sheep entries, seven of them exceed 190 inches.

We have received score charts on 69 Shiras’ moose from Washington. Oddly, it is the only western state that has no huntable pronghorns. Regarding mountain goats, the state has produced 82 submissions—which, for the number of tags available, is quite impressive. The drawback is the nonrefundable charge of $110-per-species for the trophy species of moose, sheep, and goat, though you don’t have to purchase the actual $1,600 license until you are drawn. Washington does have a point system, and for me, this is a trophy-only application state. I feel the deer and elk tags are overpriced for quality, unless you want a whitetail in the northeast part of the state which is generally over-the-counter. If I were to place a bet on the next location for a 200-inch typical whitetail to show up, it would be the area of northwestern Montana, northern Idaho, or northeastern Washington—all over-the-counter tags for the last few years.

Idaho is a must-apply state. In terms of trophy production, it doesn’t show as impressively as Colorado for mule deer. Though there are huge mule deer killed, and recent changes classifying certain units as trophy and limiting tags is starting to produce. On a fairly easy draw with only three days to hunt we saw a handful of bucks on public land without any cooperation of the weather. I didn’t kill the biggest buck in the unit but still took a fine 3x4 muley with a trident front fork the last day of the hunt. A good friend drew a late rut hunt and killed a mule deer which nearly hit the 200-inch mark. Idaho has no point system, but a unique draw system allows you to apply for moose or goat or sheep or deer, elk, and antelope (group). No shotgun approach here; pick what you want and go for it. This structure results in the highest odds of any state for a trophy species draw. While Idaho does produce the occasional book mountain goat—24 to date—and has decent sheep—52 accepted to date—it is not a “bomber” state. Though if just hunting a goat or sheep is your goal, there is no doubt this is where you should be looking. Shiras’ moose is a different story. With an impressive 209 Shiras’ moose accepted, this is a top destination with great draw odds.

COMBINED TYPICAL AND NON-TYPICAL MULE DEER ENTRIES IN B&C’S RECORDS PROGRAM 1987-1992

1993-1998

1999-2004

2005-2010

Colorado

141

163

New Mexico

Wyoming

Utah

Nevada

Arizona

Idaho

Montana

Oregon

Washington

California

Fair Chase Spring 2014

728 bighorn rams that exceed 175. If you want an opportunity at 200 inches, there is no better place right now than the Missouri River Breaks—though there is not a unit in Montana where 170 inches is not attainable. You have to float the tag fee ($755) for this trophy species, but if a book ram is what you are after, there is no doubt this is the place to be. Mountain goats are available, and with the Crazy Mountains unit allowing 50-plus tags each year, this state can produce some goats but trophy quality is not always the greatest. Montana has had 86 goats find their way into the records book. Shiras’ moose is tough, as only a few units are open to non-resident hunters, but at 203 entries from the Big Sky country, the potential for a trophy Shiras’ is there. May 1 is your cutoff for the trophy species. Montana also has antelope available, though the deadline does not come until June. The units with higher tag numbers generally don’t support much trophy quality, though 80-plus inch goats do occur, and with bonus points instead of a preference point system, this can be a good option for a decent antelope. While I covered Montana’s deer and elk in the last issue and the draw deadline was March 15, over the counter tags have been available all the way through the season for a Nonresident Combo License the last few years and as you can see, nearly all of Montana has put out book caliber bulls.

Desert Sheep Location: Nye County, NV Hunter: Joseph L. Maslach Year: 2008 Score: 182-2/8

Big bulls are still being taken, and with a little research this could be the best Shiras’ hunt out there, though again there is a drawback. For the trophy species, Idaho makes you float the fee, and it is over $2,000. If you do the deer, elk, and antelope group, you buy a license ($154) and pay a small application fee. You need to make sure you purchase your tag by the deadline in August if you’re drawn, or they will redraw. The tags vary in cost but are comparable to most western states. Idaho is a great elk state as well. The southeast area has some huge bulls in the desert but long odds. I have friends who have quality archery elk hunting in general units year-in and year-out. There are areas where historic populations are down, though Idaho has a tremendous hunt drawing information page that gives you harvest statistics and everything you need to cater a trip to your desire. I live fairly close to the Idaho line and apply every year, so if I don’t draw I can always buy a general license for elk, whitetail, or mule deer, depending on what my friends over there have planned. Luckily I can take advantage of my license and generally can put some meat in the freezer and antlers on the wall.

MONTANA AMERICAN ELK COUNTY

ENTRIES

Park

Gallatin

Beaverhead

Lewis and Clark

Madison

Sanders

Fergus

Granite

Petroleum

Powder River

Big Horn

Powell

Flathead

Jefferson

Missoula

Yellowstone

Cascade

Garfield

Teton

Broadwater

Lincoln

Meagher

Ravalli

Rosebud

Sweet Grass

Blaine

Custer

Glacier

Golden Valley

Hill

Mineral

Musselshell

Stillwater

Phillips

Silver Bow

Treasure

Valley

66 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

NEVADA

For non-residents, Nevada is the best state to apply for big game. The way this state’s system works is that your bonus points square, so the more you apply, the greater your odds, and you can pull in year one.

MONTANA (TROPHY SPECIES)

If you apply for sheep anywhere you should apply in Montana. The state boasts Glacier

Lincoln

Toole

Daniels

Hill

Liberty

Flathead

Blaine

Pondera

Sanders

Roosevelt

Phillips Chouteau

Teton

Lake

Valley

Sheridan

Richland McCone

Mineral

Cascade

Fergus

Lewis and Clark

Missoula

Judith Basin

Powell

Petroleum

Garfield

Dawson Prairie Wibaux

Meagher

Granite

Musselshell Wheatland Golden Valley

Broadwater Ravalli

Deer Lodge

Jefferson

Treasure Rosebud

Silver Bow Gallatin

Fallon

Yellowstone

Sweet Grass Stillwater Park

Carter

Big Horn

Madison Beaverhead

Custer

Powder River Carbon

With 90 accepted elk, 122 accepted mule deer, 283 pronghorns, 20 bighorns, and 245 desert bighorns in the books, to me, it’s a no brainer. If you want to hunt as many species as you can in a lifetime, especially if a budget is of concern, this is where you will chase your desert bighorn. Nevada charges you $142 for a license plus a small application fee for each species. Don’t be alarmed when applying for an archery tag when it says “traditional,” as most all current archery equipment is referred to in Nevada as traditional archery. The Nevada Department of Wildlife has great info about each unit, including access, on its website. Some research is needed but there is a great value-to-quality for anyone that decides to apply here. There are units of varying degrees of difficulty to draw as well as trophy quality tags, but there is a little of something for everyone. This year the deadline is in mid April. UTAH

This is a tough one; it has very long odds, but great trophy potential. You have the potential of drawing the most challenging free-ranging bison hunt. It is Utah where the current World’s Record non-typical elk was taken. The state has desert and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goats, some of the best trophy mule deer hunting in the world, decent numbers of pronghorns, and an impressive growing population of Shiras’ moose, along with lions and bears available. Give this state a long, hard look. That said, there are other options as well if the general draw scares you off. Every year at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo, the state offers up to 200 tags at $5 each. Many of these are bear, turkey, and lion tags that really don’t warrant a trip to Utah for me, but some of them are reserved for nonresidents only, though you must attend the Expo to apply. This is a point state, so set your sights on a

hunt and start the process—$80 a year plus an application fee per species doesn’t sting too badly. Unfortunately, Utah offers a very high number of permits through auctions. While these funds do go to conservation, they pull from the available quota for those trying to draw. Utah’s deadline is an early one—March. COLORADO

Colorado is a straight preference-point state; if you don’t have the points, you are out of luck. If you are looking for one of the top units for muleys and don’t already have a handful of points, you missed the party. The state dominates the mule deer category with 706 typical entries accepted and 273 non-typical entries. These numbers are beyond impressive, and they all didn’t come from top units. Colorado is on my list of places to try, but it also requires the most legwork of any location with as many units as there are, a preference-point system, and me not having much experience in the state, I am fairly blind. If you want an elk, go to Colorado. I was looking through statistics recently, and a unit with a 63 percent chance of drawing put out an impressive success rate of nearly 30 percent with archery equipment. This is unheard of for a fairly easy-to-draw unit. Colorado also has goats, moose, and sheep in addition to some great antelope and whitetail hunting out in the flats. From what I have heard though, the eastern part of the state is a little more difficult than the mountains for access unless you are guided. Shiras’ hunting is coming on strong, and the state also has desert bighorns. Colorado by

all accounts is an opportunity state with the potential of harvesting a jaw-dropper mule deer or elk—but far from guaranteed. With numerous rifle seasons, muzzleloader seasons, archery seasons, and a menu of species that rivals any other state, this is another one you should probably be in on. Start early with your legwork, though—the deadline is April 1. I intended to apply last year but pushed it too close. I didn’t have time to look into what I wanted to do and didn’t want to end up with a mediocre unit too early by applying before I was fully educated. You do have to float the fees though, so an elk is nearly $600, a non-resident deer comes in the same as a pronghorn around $365. A moose will set you back around $2,000, which is the same as mountain goat and bighorn sheep. For some reason the desert sheep application is only $1,300. Colorado does not accept electronic applications from non-residents for moose, sheep, or mountain goat, so all the expensive applications must be submitted by paper. The state has produced 67 book bighorns, 4 deserts, 77 Shiras’ moose, and 16 book mountain goats. n WORLD’S RECORD Non-Typical American Elk Location: Piute County, UT Hunter: Denny Austad Year: 2008 Score: 478-5/8 Typical Mule Deer Location: Eagle County, CO Hunter: Mike Duplan Year: 2006 Score: 208-1/8

Fair Chase Spring 2014

The following pages list the most recent big game trophies accepted into the Boone and Crockett Club’s 29th Big Game Awards Program, 2013-2015, which includes entries received between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015. All of the field photos in this section are from entries that are listed in this issue and are shown in bold green text.

This listing represents only those trophies accepted since the Winter 2013 issue of Fair Chase was published.

ABOVE Randall J. Lutter took this grizzly bear, scoring 25-1/16 points, near the Shaktoolik River, Alaska, in 2011. BELOW Bradley A. Penas harvested this non-typical American elk with his .270 Winchester in Kittson County, Minnesota, in 2013. The bull scores 419 points and is the largest hunter-taken elk in Minnesota.

BEAR & COUGAR FINAL SCORE

LOCATION

HUNTER

DATE MEASURER

BLACK BEAR - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 23-10/16 22 7/16 Greene Co., NY Anthony L. Ugarte 2011 22 3/16 Raleigh Lake, ON Jeff M. Roberson 2012 22 1/16 Peace River, BC Robin Routledge 2012 21 15/16 Hyde Co., NC Glenn D. Meadows 2012 21 12/16 Chippewa Co., WI Noelle K. Voigt 2012 21 10/16 Lycoming Co., PA Brock C. Koch 2012 21 10/16 Tyrrell Co., NC William J. Quinn 2011 21 10/16 Washington Co., NC Benjamin N. Thompson 2011 21 9/16 Valleyview, AB Curtis E. Carrington 2012 21 8/16 Marinette Co., WI Jason W. Wilz 2005 21 7/16 Centennial Lake, ON Henri A. Lapensee 2012 21 6/16 Monongalia Co., WV Kenneth M. Blosser 2012 21 5/16 Pike Co., PA James R. Weisbrod 2012 21 4/16 Mifflin Co., PA Alec R. Smith 2012 21 3/16 Whatcom Co., WA Troy C. Chilcote 2011 21 2/16 Okanogan Co., WA James E. Barnhart 2012 21 2/16 Daniel’s Harbour, NL Rocky M. Caravan 2012 21 1/16 Lunenburg Co., VA Danny R. Lacks II 2012 21 Buffalo Narrows, SK Dennis J. Wirth 2012 20 14/16 Juneau Co., WI Benjamin J. Oleson 2011 20 12/16 Clark Co., WI Picked Up 2012 20 12/16 Washington Co., ID Steve W. Becken 2013 20 9/16 Iron Co., WI Douglas D. Lytle 2012 20 9/16 Napa Co., CA Joseph E. Rago 2012 20 9/16 Otter Lake, QC Michel Surprenant 2013 20 7/16 Sussex Co., NJ John A. Giaccio 2012 20 6/16 Northumberland John R. Reidinger, Jr. 2007 Co., PA 20 4/16 Rusk Co., WI Scott A. Huebner 2012 20 4/16 Tazewell Co., VA Jason C. Stiltner 2012 20 3/16 Converse Co., WY Kenneth R. Taylor 2013 20 3/16 Ministikwan Harold W. Smith 2013 Lake, SK 20 3/16 Pelican Cove, SK Dwayne W. Ginther 2013 20 3/16 Whitmore Lake, MB Isaiah H. Ritter 2013 20 3/16 Windham Bay, AK Thomas R. 2013 Hoopingarner 20 3/16 Sublette Co., WY Cody M. Pierantoni 2013 20 2/16 Coal Branch, NB Roger W. Allain 2012 20 1/16 Gila Co., AZ James R. Malloy 2012

F. Giuliani M. Crocker D. Turchanski B. Garcarz T. Beissel D. Lynch J. Turner K. Knight S. Baier P. Gauthier R. Teal S. Rauch D. Lynch R. D’Angelo K. Vaughn K. Vaughn C. Banfield W. Knox L. Buck J. Ramsey E. Randall R. Addison G. Villnow R. McDrew A. Beaudry J. Messeroll G. Wagner S. Zirbel C. Lawson B. Dampman E. Earls D. Pezderic J. Bogucki G. Hempey E. Boley M. Bowling M. Zieser

GRIZZLY BEAR - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 27-13/16 25 14/16 North Pole, AK Michael A. Buron 25 1/16 Shaktoolik River, AK Randall J. Lutter 24 7/16 Sukunka River, BC James L. Grant 23 12/16 Porcupine River, AK Christopher C. Scudder 23 6/16 Ninemile Island, AK Arnold Miesner

2012 2011 1997 2012

R. Boutang W. Novy B. Churchill T. Spraker

2012 R. Boutang

ALASKA BROWN BEAR - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 30 12/16 28 1/16 26 15/16 26 5/16 26 1/16

Kodiak Island, AK Steve A. Diveley Twentymile David C. Dressel River, AK Mulchatna River, AK Clay A. Brown Whitewater Bay, AK Richard B. Carlsen

2013 C. Brent 2013 D. Widby 2013 D. Widby 2013 B. Scarnegie

COUGAR - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 16-4/16 15 6/16 15 5/16 15 4/16 15 3/16 15 1/16 15

68 nn Fair FairChase ChaseSpring Spring2014 2014

Edson, AB Johnson Co., WY Teller Co., CO Daggett Co., UT Glacier Co., MT Carbon Co., UT

William C. Dudley John A. Hepp Riley A. Fall Michael M. Braniff Lee M. Goss Lacey J. Bennett

2012 2013 2012 2011 2012 2013

J. Brown S. Godfrey G. Adkisson R. Deis L. Coccoli R. Hall

RECENTLY ACCEPTED TROPHIES COUGAR CONTINUED 15 14 15/16 14 13/16 14 13/16 14 10/16 14 9/16

Monte Lake, BC Robert W. Shatzko McKinley Co., NM Steven G. Anderson Boundary Co., ID Joel C. Villnow Washakie Co., WY Randall W. Ellis Taos Co., NM Taylor J. Neher Montezuma Co., CO Cody D. Kropp

2012 2012 2013 2013 2012 2012

R. Petrie R. Madsen G. Villnow R. Rippentrop G. Moore P. Gauthier

ELK & MULE DEER

FINAL GROSS SCORE SCORE LOCATION

HUNTER

DATE MEASURER

TYPICAL AMERICAN ELK - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 442-5/8 399 5/8 380 7/8 377 375 1/8 366 7/8 363 4/8

408 1/8 393 382 384 3/8 371 1/8 368 7/8

White Pine Co., NV Apache Co., AZ Sanpete Co., UT Summit Co., UT Colfax Co., NM White Pine Co., NV

Guy Martin John H. North Jared D. Young Daniel W. Jablonski Richard A. Gohmert Jerrilynn Morrill

2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2011

S. Sanborn T. Smail K. Leo M. Heeg H. Gore S. Sanborn

NON-TYPICAL AMERICAN ELK - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 478-5/8 419 401

431 6/8 Kittson Co., MN 410 4/8 Tooele Co., UT

Bradley A. Penas Kyle C. Krause

2013 R. Dufault 2012 W. Phifer

ROOSEVELT’S ELK - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 404-4/8 346 2/8 342 7/8 340 335 4/8 302 5/8 300 4/8 287 1/8

351 3/8 349 1/8 348 2/8 355 1/8 325 308 6/8 295 1/8

Port Hardy, BC Humboldt Co., CA Nimpkish River, BC Ucona River, BC Douglas Co., OR Nahmint Lake, BC Humboldt Co., CA

Tracy L. Noll 2012 Jeral C. Johnson 2012 Greg Sawchuck 2012 Picked Up 2012 Robert W. Duhadaway 2012 Murray J. Kent 2012 Jack J. Scott 2010

F. Pringle G. Hooper K. Brunt F. Pringle L. Hansen F. Pringle S. Hooper

Sheldon D. Bosio was on a 2010 hunt in Grand County, Colorado, when he harvested this typical mule deer, scoring 192 points. He was shooting his .280 Remington.

Share your field photos with us! Follow: @BooneandCrockettClub Tag: #booneandcrockettclub

TYPICAL MULE DEER - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 226-4/8 196 6/8 194 3/8 193 6/8 192 5/8 192 192 191 5/8 190 6/8 190 6/8 188 1/8 187 2/8 186 1/8 184 4/8 181 4/8 180 6/8 180 5/8

203 3/8 203 3/8 199 1/8 196 5/8 202 211 7/8 196 7/8 214 2/8 198 5/8 190 4/8 191 2/8 190 7/8 191 4/8 184 1/8 193 1/8 190 1/8

Rio Arriba Co., NM Lana Vigil Sonora, MX John D. Teeter Carbon Co., WY Craig A. Nielsen Mohave Co., AZ Michael T. Kinney Grand Co., CO Sheldon D. Bosio Sonora, MX Ron W. Mostyn Kiskatinaw River, BC Terrance O. Ferron Sonora, MX Jon C. Warren Ravalli Co., MT Robert M. Gingerich Lincoln Co., WY Larry E. Lewis Crook Co., WY Picked Up Dundy Co., NE Jared S. Crouse Garfield Co., CO Paul F. Weckman Conejos Co., CO Kirk A. Sowards Conejos Co., CO Kristie L. Duran Rio Grande Co., CO Ivan D. Dixon

2012 2013 2012 2012 2010 2013 2010 2013 2012 2012 2011 2012 2007 2012 2012 2012

T. Watts E. Fuchs R. Hall W. Bowles D. Troy H. Saye T. Cody S. Boero R. Spring S. Hill R. Selner B. Wiese M. Mauney J. Olson J. Olson G. Moore

269 7/8 249 2/8 239 4/8 231 7/8 227 7/8 223 4/8

Unknown Moffat Co., CO Elko Co., NV Fremont Co., WY Brewster Co., TX Unknown

Unknown 1960 Jack E. Fertado 2011 Ulrich H. Zuberbuhler 1944 Tyler J. Jamerman 2012 Robert E. Kutscher 2012 Unknown 2013

R. Selner R. Selner R. Selner B. Wilkes J. Stein R. Selner

TYPICAL COLUMBIA BLACKTAIL - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 182-2/8 146 1/8 144 133 4/8 132 5/8 127 3/8 125

150 5/8 150 1/8 137 2/8 137 5/8 136 3/8 128 2/8

Lane Co., OR Shasta Co., CA Humboldt Co., CA Clallam Co., WA Pierce Co., WA Harrison Lake, BC

Timothy J. Jones Daniel E. Bailey Nicholas L. Biestul Patrick Q. Jacobsen Robert J. Byam Brett R. Irving

2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012

G. Childers S. Hooper G. Hooper D. Sanford K. Vaughn A. Berreth

NON-TYPICAL COLUMBIA BLACKTAIL - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 208 1/8 1168 4/8 175 3/8 Trinity Co., CA 161 3/8 165 2/8 Jackson Co., OR 156 1/8 161 7/8 Siskiyou Co., CA

Earl Hampton Daniel L. Allison Stephen P. Daniels

1114 3/8 119 5/8 Coffman Cove, AK Picked Up 100 1/8 118 4/8 Brown Cove, AK Walt Payne

2013 M. Nilsen 1988 M. Nilsen

WHITETAIL DEER

NON-TYPICAL MULE DEER - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 355-2/8 263 5/8 239 1/8 236 2/8 225 7/8 223 2/8 220 5/8

TYPICAL SITKA BLACKTAIL DEER - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 134

1945 R. Addison 1974 K. Dana 2008 K. Evanow

FINAL GROSS SCORE SCORE LOCATION

HUNTER

DATE MEASURER

TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 213-5/8 188 191 6/8 183 7/8 195 3/8 179 5/8 189 6/8 177 4/8 190 2/8 177 1/8 192 4/8 177 1/8 195 4/8 176 2/8 183 3/8 176 2/8 186 5/8 176 2/8 188 173 5/8 178 3/8 173 3/8 185 6/8 173 2/8 184 3/8 172 4/8 175 7/8 172 4/8 178 4/8 171 7/8 193 7/8 171 5/8 177 6/8

Warren Co., OH Justin R. Pandorf 2012 Allen Co., IN Robert Dollar 1990 Vernon Co., WI Shane P. Paulowske 2012 Hunt Co., TX Steven M. Jackson 2012 Trempealeau Co., WI James M. Canar 2012 Wicomico Co., MD Wade K. Polk 2012 Adams Co., IL Spencer R. Trautvetter 2012 Franklin Co., IN Mark E. Drew 2012 Live Oak Co., TX W. Frank McCreight 2012 Lee Co., GA David M. Campbell 2012 Minnedosa, MB Kevin J. Noordenbos 2012 Richland Co., WI Kirk M. Stibbe 2012 Fayette Co., PA Ty A. Schaefer 2012 Swift Current Tyler B. Binner 2012 Creek, SK Michigan Unknown 1930 Lamar Co., AL W. Darrell Pennington 2013

T. Schlater D. Boland D. Bathke L. Kirby C. Rotering W. Jones T. Walmsley J. Hooten M. Hellickson S. McDonald D. Wilson E. Randall G. Block J. Clary D. Boland K. Pugh

Fair Chase Spring 2014

RECENTLY ACCEPTED TROPHIES TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER CONTINUED

ABOVE Kim M. Cummings was on a 2011 hunt in Madison County, Montana, when he took this Shiras’ moose with his 7mm Remington Mag. The bull scores 140-3/8 points. BELOW While bowhunting David M. Campbell anchored this typical whitetail deer in Lee County, Georgia, in 2012. The buck scores 173-5/8 points.

171 4/8 178 4/8 Ottawa Co., OK Jamie A. Rush 2012 S. Cox 171 2/8 174 1/8 Pierce Co., WI Robert L. Kyle, Sr. 1967 K. Zimmerman 171 1/8 188 King Co., TX William H. Blake 2012 T. Caruthers 171 194 6/8 Barber Co., KS Robert A. Johnson 2012 O. Carpenter 171 175 7/8 Green Co., KY Gobel E. Young 1992 D. Weddle 171 190 5/8 Guthrie Co., IA Kurt R. Weineneth 2012 J. Ream 170 7/8 184 4/8 Chelan, SK Derek J. Stainbrook 2012 K. Kozij 170 6/8 178 5/8 Trempealeau Co., WI Chad A. Eckman 2012 S. Ashley 170 4/8 179 2/8 Vernon Co., MO Jared E. Sloniker 2010 J. Cussimanio 170 4/8 184 Winona Co., MN Steven T. Boyer 2012 D. Meger 170 2/8 194 Clearwater Co., MN David S. Tuchscherer 2012 C. Pierce 170 2/8 177 2/8 La Salle Co., TX Gregory W. Wessels 2013 J. Arnold 170 177 6/8 Beaver Co., PA Patrick A. Powers 2013 G. Block 169 3/8 187 Dodge Co., WI Michael W. Kamp 2012 E. Randall 168 3/8 185 7/8 Moniteau Co., MO Timothy T. Herron 2012 L. Redel 168 1/8 171 6/8 Giles Co., VA Dennis K. Tawney 2012 J. Baker 168 1/8 186 2/8 Madison Co., KY Charles J. Perdue 2012 D. Weddle 167 2/8 173 6/8 Hancock Co., IN Kris A. Kindler 2012 R. White 166 7/8 173 5/8 Todd Co., MN James P. Riski 2011 M. Harrison 166 7/8 168 7/8 Winona Co., MN Brian L. Holm 2012 C. Pierce 166 4/8 186 5/8 Pottawatomie Wayne E. Blankley, Jr. 2012 R. Bergloff Co., KS 165 4/8 179 Coles Island, NB Norman J. Arsenault 2004 W. Hanson 164 5/8 192 2/8 Somerset Co., MD John L. Goldsborough 2012 W. Johnson 164 1/8 179 5/8 Van Buren Co., IA Kevin W. Anderson 2012 C. Graybill 163 7/8 173 3/8 Issaquena Co., MS Mollie M. 2012 G. Wilson VanDevender 163 6/8 180 6/8 St. Croix Co., WI Daniel J. Keilen 2010 J. Lunde 163 3/8 165 2/8 Bremer Co., IA Jerry H. Meyer 2012 J. Nordman 163 2/8 181 7/8 Smith Falls, ON Gabriel Champagne 2012 A. Beaudry 162 7/8 173 4/8 Pepin Co., WI William R. Bowman 2012 C. Pierce 162 7/8 170 1/8 Portage Co., WI John P. Pumper 2008 T. Heil 162 4/8 166 4/8 Portage Co., OH Alan L. Buterbaugh 2012 R. Perrine 162 2/8 166 7/8 Brown Co., IL Joshua H. Baker 2012 T. Edwards 162 168 Outagamie Co., WI Timothy J. Schuler 2012 J. Lunde 161 7/8 172 6/8 Hidalgo Co., TX Nicholas B. Runnels 2012 M. Bartoskewitz 161 7/8 172 1/8 Wicomico Co., MD Brian K. Ramey 2012 W. Jones 161 6/8 168 Jefferson Co., OH Frank J. Gallant 2012 R. Pepper 161 6/8 168 3/8 Ralls Co., MO Rickey L. McAuley 2012 J. Mraz 161 4/8 177 4/8 Washakie Co., WY L.L. Bud Skaar 2008 J. Mankin 161 3/8 187 6/8 Carroll Co., OH Samuel E. Wasson 2012 M. Kaufmann 161 3/8 173 5/8 Leslie Co., KY Samantha Turner 2012 D. Weddle 161 3/8 167 6/8 Marinette Co., WI Thomas J. Toepfer 2012 E. Randall 161 2/8 182 Grant Co., IN Kyle M. Guerin 2012 T. Wright 161 1/8 166 Osage Co., KS John F. Venier 2012 R. Pepper 161 1/8 171 5/8 Jackfish Lake, SK William J. Sabatose 2012 B. Seidle 161 178 Halifax Co., VA Justin J. Olson 2012 R. Mayer 160 7/8 167 2/8 Meigs Co., OH Hannah L. Ridenour 2012 J. Satterfield 160 6/8 168 2/8 Clark Co., WI Perry L. Jensen 2012 T. Heil 160 4/8 170 3/8 Daviess Co., KY Kevin A. Coon 2012 K. Morphew 160 4/8 164 2/8 Grayson Co., KY Connie Willoughby 2012 W. Cooper 160 3/8 164 2/8 Lincoln Co., MO Bradley K. Stroder 2012 J. Detjen 160 3/8 165 Richland Co., WI Alex R. Fruit 2006 E. Randall 160 2/8 169 5/8 McLean Co., KY Michael Koch 2012 W. Cooper 160 1/8 177 5/8 Henderson Co., KY Drew P. Chaney 2011 D. Belwood

NON-TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 333-7/8 250 3/8 258 3/8 Pope Co., IL 222 6/8 226 4/8 Republic Co., KS 220 4/8 226 4/8 Touchwood Lake, AB 220 1/8 240 2/8 Peoria Co., IL 216 219 1/8 Grandview, MB 211 5/8 217 6/8 Stearns Co., MN 209 5/8 227 6/8 Palo Pinto Co., TX 209 2/8 220 3/8 Dane Co., WI 208 4/8 219 2/8 Marshall Co., IL 205 6/8 212 7/8 Edgar Co., IL 205 3/8 216 2/8 Hartcourt, NB 205 1/8 212 6/8 Okfuskee Co., OK 203 4/8 226 6/8 Edwards Co., KS 203 2/8 208 1/8 Cavalier Co., ND 199 2/8 208 6/8 Benton Co., MS 198 3/8 210 4/8 Nicollet Co., MN

70 nn Fair 70 FairChase ChaseSpring Spring2014 2014

David B. Gjelsvik Thomas L. Hamel Paul J. Plaquin

2013 R. Flynn 2012 R. Bergloff 2012 D. Harrison

William R. Ullrich 2012 M. Staser Andrew W. 2012 D. Wilson Melnychenko Kirby A. Krajsa 2000 S. Grabow David G. Robertson 2012 K. Witt Ty C. Thronson 2012 S. Godfrey Dick E. Ooykaas 2012 R. Rae Picked Up 2010 D. Good Henry L. Allain 1985 W. Hanson Dillon D. Simpson 2012 T. Cartwright Kevin D. Severy 2012 M. Mauney Leland G. Balsdon 2012 R. Dufault Kyle Simpson 2012 R. Dillard Dalton J. Demarais 2012 D. Boland

NON-TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER CONTINUED 198 3/8 202 4/8 Vigo Co., IN Tersh S. Scamihorn 2012 R. White 198 2/8 205 Uvalde Co., TX Mark D. Cooper 2012 F. Fanizzi 198 1/8 206 Walworth Co., WI Jeffery A. Reynolds 2012 W. Resch 197 2/8 207 Copiah Co., MS Picked Up 2009 G. Wilson 196 2/8 205 3/8 Comanche Co., OK Brian K. Kinsey 2012 G. Moore 196 1/8 201 3/8 Wayne Co., IL Samuel H. Settle 2012 D. Hollingsworth 195 7/8 201 Empress, AB Trent J. Skappak 2012 C. Dillabough 195 4/8 198 6/8 Stafford Co., KS Mark L. Sanderson 2012 L. Kirby 194 4/8 201 6/8 Eau Claire Co., WI Gary L. Holstein 2012 J. Hjort 193 199 6/8 Inwood, MB R. Glen Nichol 2006 D. Wilson 192 7/8 199 6/8 Rose Prairie, BC Sean M. Davidson 2011 R. Petrie 189 5/8 193 Washburn Co., WI Hubert E. Smith 2012 L. Zimmerman 188 6/8 195 6/8 Whitesand River, SK Neil Poppenheim 2012 B. Mitchell 188 3/8 197 5/8 Summit Co., OH Alisha M. Perkins 2012 S. Swihart 187 6/8 191 5/8 Osage Co., KS Charles F. Wilde 2012 L. Lueckenhoff 186 6/8 192 7/8 Hocking Co., OH Mark H. McGrath 2009 R. Davis 186 2/8 195 1/8 Shawano Co., WI Douglas G. Breyer 2012 T. Heil 185 6/8 195 3/8 Richland Co., WI Picked Up 2012 K. Zimmerman 185 4/8 189 2/8 Lawrence Co., OH Greg A. Crawford 2012 G. Surber 185 3/8 188 5/8 Grant Co., WI Trever W. Wetter 2012 A. Crum 185 2/8 187 2/8 Waupaca Co., WI Jonathan M. Faulks 2012 J. Lunde 185 1/8 188 1/8 Bryan Co., OK Luke A. Craige 2012 R. Beagles 185 1/8 190 Franklin Co., KY Jimmy T. Allison 2012 N. Minch

TYPICAL COUES’ WHITETAIL - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 144-1/8 106 7/8 111 4/8 Sonora, MX 101 6/8 109 2/8 Pima Co., AZ

LeRoy P. Hampton Jesse L. Puffer

2013 D. Smith 2012 M. Zieser

MOOSE & CARIBOU FINAL GROSS SCORE SCORE LOCATION

HUNTER

DATE MEASURER

CANADA MOOSE - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 242 203 208 3/8 Colt Lake, BC Austin A. Reed 2012 R. Jones 201 2/8 209 Fort McMurray, AB Daniel H Fraser 1998 F. Pringle 195 4/8 203 2/8 Somerset Co., ME Christopher W. Bean 2012 J. Arsenault

ALASKA-YUKON MOOSE - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 263-5/8 263 5/8 272 2/8 Yukon River, YT Heinz Naef 2013 C. Walker 228 7/8 232 3/8 Becharof Lake, AK Paul R. Steadman 1991 L. Schemenauer 222 3/8 240 1/8 Andreafsky Robert R. King 2012 J. Tkac River, AK

SHIRAS’ MOOSE - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 205-4/8 175 2/8 159 2/8 158 7/8 140 3/8

178 4/8 165 3/8 164 141 5/8

Summit Co., UT Glacier Co., MT Grand Co., CO Madison Co., MT

Gerald S. Laurino Tony A. Sinclair, Sr. Robert M. Tatro Kim M. Cummings

2012 2011 2012 2011

W. Bowles L. Coccoli K. Travnicek B. Zundel

MOUNTAIN CARIBOU - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 459 3/8 365 7/8 380 5/8 Rapid River, BC

Brad R. Plaga

2012 J. Lesser

WOODLAND CARIBOU - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 419-5/8 294 7/8 310 6/8 Burnt Pond, NL 267 7/8 291 7/8 Sam’s Pond, NL

Nicholas J. Skoutelas 2012 T. Smail Thomas D. Lundgren 2012 M. Dowse

NON-TYPICAL COUES’ WHITETAIL - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 196 2/8 127 4/8 130 2/8 Sonora, MX 123 6/8 126 7/8 Chihuahua, MX

Larry L. Weishuhn Thomas T. Parker

2012 O. Opre 2013 H. Grounds

BARREN GROUND CARIBOU - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 477 3421 3/8 432 2/8 Bear Lake, AK

OUR REMARKABLE NEW 4-14x56 SHV™. IT’S EVERYTHING YOU EXPECT FROM NIGHTFORCE.

AND LESS.

Paul S. Adamson

2012 C. Cook

Side parallax control, 25 yd to ∞ Illuminated or non-illuminated reticles Capped, finger-changeable .250 MOA windage and elevation adjustments SHV™ = ShooterHunterVarminter™ designed for the widest possible range of shooting and hunting applications

Starting at $995*, it’s the most affordable—and one of the most versatile—riflescopes we’ve ever built.

The 4-14 x 56 SHV™ will outperform any riflescope in its price range. And frankly, many that cost much, much more. If price is all that has kept you from enjoying legendary Nightforce performance and quality, your wait is over.

336 Hazen Lane • Orofino, ID 83544 • 208.476.9814 NightforceOptics.com

21814

All we cut were costs, not corners. We did it by limiting the options, simplifying the controls, and using a less complex manufacturing process…not by reducing the quality of its components. The SHV™ is 100% Nightforce.

*Pricing subject to change without notice

Fair Chase Spring 2014

RECENTLY ACCEPTED TROPHIES BARREN GROUND CARIBOU CONTINUED 418 7/8 424 4/8 King Salmon, AK

Picked Up

1984 R. Detloff

HUNTER

DATE MEASURER

HORNED GAME

FINAL GROSS SCORE SCORE LOCATION

PRONGHORN - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 95

ABOVE This pronghorn, scoring 88-2/8 points, was taken by William J. Dunbar on a 2010 hunt in Coconino County, Arizona. BELOW Greg Sawchuck harvested this desert sheep, scoring 168-2/8 points, with his .300 Winchester Short Mag. in Clark County, Nevada, in 2009.

96 4/8 91 2/8 88 2/8 83 2/8 83 83 83 82 6/8 82 82 82

97 1/8 92 4/8 88 6/8 84 3/8 83 7/8 83 5/8 83 4/8 83 82 4/8 84 83 4/8

Socorro Co., NM Mike Gallo 2013 Carbon Co., WY Eli A. Grimmett 2009 Coconino Co., AZ William J. Dunbar 2010 Washoe Co., NV Natalie A. Stumbaugh 2012 Apache Co., AZ Fred S. Harper 1990 Natrona Co., WY Shawn T. Hanneman 2011 Sweetwater Co., WY James K. Liden 2012 Lassen Co., CA Jeffrey S. Plecque 2012 Coconino Co., AZ Deborah K. Wesch 2012 Harney Co., OR Roger E. Glerup 2013 Natrona Co., WY Curtis K. Wade 2012

R. Stayner R. Stayner R. Stayner T. Humes R. Stayner J. Mortensen M. Duplan H. Tonkin A. Moors T. Schillinger J. Mankin

BISON - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 136-4/8 129 130 1/8 Grand Co., UT 122 6/8 123 7/8 Teton Co., WY 120 4/8 121 2/8 Custer Co., SD

Emmett C. Cesspooch 2013 R. Hall David C. White 2011 R. Anderson Mark E. Beaudin 2012 P. Barwick

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 57-4/8 49 2/8 48 6/8 47

49 3/8 49 1/8 47 4/8

Weber Co., UT Ketchikan, AK Endicott Arm, AK

Ronald P. Mika 2011 S. Bagley Wayne A. Johansen 2010 K. Vaughn Clark D. Hurst 2012 J. Pallister

MUSK OX - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 129 116 112 107 105 2/8

116 6/8 113 5/8 109 2/8 105 5/8

Smoking Hills, NT Kugluktuk, NU Nunivak Island, AK Nunivak Island, AK

Gregory G. Sutley F. Jeffrey Peterson Paul G. Ferucci J. Mike Monnin

2011 2013 2013 1999

D. Watson B. Penske F. Noska J. Utter

BIGHORN SHEEP - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 208-3/8 200 2/8 190 4/8 187 4/8 186 5/8 184 3/8 180 4/8 180 1/8 177 4/8

200 2/8 191 1/8 188 187 1/8 184 3/8 181 1/8 181 3/8 178

Spences Bridge, BC Ravalli Co., MT Fergus Co., MT Blaine Co., MT Blaine Co., MT Las Animas Co., CO Powell Co., MT Sheep River, AB

Picked Up Bradley D. Hall Robert M. Burns Andrew J. Dincau Annette K. Smith Richard P. Needham Alex P. Zemljak Kevin W. Gilmore

1960 2013 2012 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012

K. Brunt J. Reneau F. King F. King J. Pallister T. Archibeque R. Selner C. Dillabough

DESERT SHEEP - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 205-1/8 184 6/8 177 3/8 177 175 5/8 174 3/8 172 5/8 171 2/8 171 169 5/8 169 2/8 168 5/8 168 2/8 166 4/8

185 2/8 177 5/8 177 2/8 176 176 4/8 172 7/8 172 171 7/8 170 1/8 169 5/8 170 168 6/8 166 5/8

Baja Calif. Sur, MX Tiburon Island, MX Clark Co., NV Sonora, MX Cochise Co., AZ Sierra Co., NM Tiburon Island, MX Maricopa Co., AZ Sierra Co., NM Clark Co., NV Sonora, MX Clark Co., NV Clark Co., NV

A. C. Smid 2013 Joanne E. Sibley 2013 David R. Merkley 2012 Everett B. Pannkuk, Jr. 2013 Steven C. Sipes 2013 Douglas A. Warfle 2012 Steven L. Tippmann 2013 Richard MacMillan 2010 Lacy J. Harber 2012 Chris Lacey 2012 Billy I. Dippel, Jr. 2012 Greg Sawchuck 2009 Jon L. Whipple 2012

V. Bleich D. Eider R. Hall J. Allen R. Selner M. Heeg L. Hansen R. Stayner N. Lawson L. Clark J. Baker R. Stayner J. Capurro

STONE’S SHEEP - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 196 6/8 167 6/8 168 2/8 Schooler Creek, BC Robert E. Durrett III 2013 P. Bruhs

72 nn Fair 72 FairChase ChaseSpring Spring2014 2014

Recognize this knife? BU CK 0

11 U.S.A.

an American icon

Our 110 Folding Hunter is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and we want you to celebrate with us!! Join our party and enter to win great prizes!

ENTER OUR buck 110 SWEEPSTAKES! Grand Prize! 2014 Chevy Silverado 4x4 www.chevrolet.com

Photo represents make and model only.

2ND Prize! Lazer Z X-Series Riding Lawn Mower

3rd Prize!

Fishing Escape to Costa Rica!

www.exmark.com

4th Prize!

Guided Whitetail Hunt in North Idaho!

5th Prize! Custom PSE Bow!

ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP FOR 2! Nov. 2015 stay in the Crocodile Bay Resort & film a fishing excursion with Mark Davis of the TV show: Pennâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Big Water Adventures!

www.crocodilebay.com | www.bigwateradventures.com

ALL EXPENSE PAID hunting trip at Boulder Creek Outfitters in White Bird, Idaho! Fall 2015. www.bouldercreekoutfitters.com

And many Buck knives! Monthly prizes too! Supporting Sponsors:

www.pse-archery.com

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Purchase does not increase chances of winning. Must be legal resident of U.S., D.C. or Canada (excluding Quebec), age 18 or older and have a valid driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license or government issued I.D. Sweepstakes ends 11/1/2014 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. Maximum one entry per person per entry method per day. See complete official rules for eligibility, prize details, alternative method of entry and conditions of participation at www.BuckKnives110.com. Maximum (5) grand prize awards available (1st prize ARV: $40,000, 2nd prize ARV: $15,000, 3rd prize ARV: $5,000, 4th prize ARV: $7,500, 5th prize ARV: $1,350). Odds of winning a grand prize based upon total number of eligible entries received from all entry methods combined. Canadian residents must correctly answer skill-testing question to win any prize. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Buck Knives, 660 S. Lochsa Street, Post Falls, ID 83854.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BUCKKNIVES | 660 S. Lochsa St. | Post Falls, ID 83854 | 800-326-2825 | www.buckknives.com

The trophies in the field photos on the following pages have all been accepted in Boone and Crockett Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 29th Big Game Awards Program.

74 n Fair Chase Spring Fall 2011 Spring 2014 2014

TOP ROW

In 2012, Greg Sawchuck harvested this 340 point Rooseveltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elk while on a hunt near the Nimpkish River in British Columbia. Perry L. Jensen harvested this typical whitetail deer scoring 160-6/8 points with his crossbow, in 2012, while hunting in Clark County, Wisconsin. Thomas F. Lumsden took this Alaska-Yukon moose scoring 215 points while hunting near Skwentna, Alaska, during the 2012 season. He was shooting a .300 Ultra Mag.

MIDDLE ROW

Robert M. Burns was shooting his .30-06 Springfield in Fergus County, Montana, during the 2012 season, when he harvested this bighorn sheep, scoring 187-4/8 points. Jon C. Warren took this typical mule deer, scoring 190-6/8 points, in 2013 while hunting in Sonora, Mexico. This black bear, scoring 20-3/16 points, was taken by Kenneth R. Taylor while hunting in Converse County, Wyoming, in 2013.

BOTTOM ROW

This musk ox, scoring 116 points, was taken by Gregory G. Stuley with his 7mm Remington Mag. He was hunting near Smoking Hills, Northwest Territories, during the 2011 season.

FEATURE PHOTO

Professional member Larry L. Weishuhn was on a hunt in Sonora, Mexico, during the 2012 season when he took this non-typical Couesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; whitetail deer scoring 127-4/8. He was shooting a .3006 Springfield.

Fair FairChase ChaseSpring Spring2014 2014

FEATURE PHOTO

Robert E. Durrett III was hunting near Schooler Creek, British Columbia, in 2013, when he took this Stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sheep, scoring 167-6/8 points.

76 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

TOP ROW

This woodland caribou was taken by Nicholas J. Skoutelas, while hunting near Burnt Pond, Newfoundland, during the 2012 season. This bull scores 298 points. In 2009, Eli A. Grimmett harvested this 91-2/8-inch pronghorn while hunting in Carbon County, Wyoming. He was shooting his 7mm Remington Mag. LeRoy P. Hampton took this typical Couesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; whitetail deer, scoring 106-7/8 points, with his .300 Winchester Short Mag. while on a 2013 hunt in Sonora, Mexico. Joanne E. Sibley was hunting on Tiburon Island, Mexico, in 2013 when she harvested this desert sheep scoring 177-3/8 points. She was shooting her 7mm Remington Mag.

MIDDLE ROW

Steve A. Diveley was hunting on Kodiak Island, Alaska, in 2013 when he took this Alaska brown bear scoring 28-1/16 points. Jared S. Crouse was on a hunt in Dundy County, Nebraska, in 2012, when he harvested this typical mule deer scoring 186-1/8 points. Mark E. Beaudin took this bison, scoring 120-4/8 points, in 2012 while hunting in Custer County, South Dakota. This pronghorn, scoring 82-6/8 points, was taken by Jeffrey S. Plecque. He was hunting in Lassen County, California, during the 2012 season. He was shooting his .270 Winchester Short Mag.

BOTTOM ROW

Mark D. Cooper was bowhunting, in Uvalde County, Texas, in 2012 when he harvested this non-typical whitetail deer scoring 198-2/8 points. While on a 2012 hunt near Endicott Arm, Alaska, Clark D. Hurst took this 47-point Rocky Mountain goat.

Fair Chase Spring 2014

The

78 n Fair Chase Spring 2014

By Daniel A. Pedrotti Jr. B&C REGULAR MEMBER

CHAIR Hunter Ethics Sub-Committee

Why Dad? Distilling the complexity of fair chase ethics down to a set of guidelines is a valuable and effective way to convey the behavioral expectations of our hunt credo. The tenets of fair chase are the scale against which we can each measure our actions so that we know we are on the right end of the ethical hunter continuum. A distinguished and longstanding member of B&C (and one of my favorite Club personalities), Jack Ward Thomas, did a great job with this principle earlier in this issue. Jack is exceptionally capable of presenting a complex discussion or concept and breaking it down into bite-sized pieces that everyone can understand. This is particularly important in the discussion of hunting ethics because his writing allows everyone to understand precisely the same message without confusion or dilution. He has reinforced the idea, explained the merits of it, and provided a simple set of rules or standards to which we all should adhere. In the case of hunting ethics, the express purpose of defining and codifying them is to simplify the message in order to expedite and expand the adoption process. The point here is that good hunting ethics practiced by a few does little to bring about the intended result. The same behavior, exhibited by many, will not only achieve the goal, it could encourage exponential adoption and increase the longevity of the prescribed behavior. While this is the correct set of guidelines, there is a deeper, even more compelling factor we all need to own. We each need to carefully consider and answer the question, “Why?” When my brother and I were growing up, we learned more about the stuff of life during time spent in the deer blind. Between telling us to be still and look outside the blind “because no one ever saw a deer in the blind,” our dad would answer pretty much any question we had. But no matter how well Dad answered the question, my brother Mike always—always—asked, “Why, Dad?” There is something magical about sitting quietly, watching intensely for any movement for hours on end, that transformed the crude, homemade deer blind into our chamber of philosophical reflection and discussion. What I do not remember is my dad shortchanging his answer with “because I said so.” So when I read Jack’s article, I could hear my 6-year-old brother asking, “Why, Jack?”

The game animal is

worthy of our investment and we are better of time and effort, for having pursued it.

Last Word

HOW MATTERS

As the big brother, and because Jack is not in the deer blind with us, it is up to me to address Mike’s question, and I hope you will appreciate where this ends up. The answer lies in our relationship with the wild animals and the wild places in which they live and thrive. I submit we have a primitive, natural, DNA-level connection to nature and this relationship is derived out of our predecessor’s reliance on the protein, skins, and tools nature provided. Taking care of the source of so many life-sustaining essentials was necessary for survival. Understanding that what was good for the animals was good for us, and recognizing this relationship fostered reverence and respect. It is this reverence and respect that underpins the rules of the chase. And, while we are no longer even remotely reliant on the protein, skins, or tools, we bear the responsibility of our forefathers and we instinctively revere the wild animals and wild places. I submit that this elevates us and that our relationship with our quarry, codified as fair chase, keeps us on a higher plain and requires us to approach the hunt with integrity and dignity. If we don’t accept the notion that we have a responsibility to the wild animals and wild places they roam, the hunt is shallow and meaningless and ultimately indefensible. We honor the wild animals and wild places by our conduct. We feel a kinship at some level toward our quarry. Their plight is our plight. The game animal is worthy of our investment of time and effort, and we are better for having pursued it. We learn about nature and ourselves at the same time. We better understand our place in the natural hierarchy, and we are humbled by it. It is a primitive experience when unaided by overwhelming manmade influences, and in this state, it is dignified. This is well and proper, and it rises to the esteem we have for nature as a whole—particularly the game animals that provide so much in return. Once we have this inside us, we are not only motivated to follow the guidelines, we are enlightened enough to bring others to the truth. When we can adequately speak our heart about the relationship we enjoy with the beasts and their surroundings, then we can share what is really important about fair chase in a way that transcends the code. Ultimately, the code itself is less important because we will measure our decisions afield against what we know and feel in our hearts. We will not concern ourselves with what others think, say, or do. We are hunters, not collectors. Ours is a challenging and uncertain effort, and we are satisfied with the trade. We behave with reverence, integrity, and respect towards our quarry, and we are better for it. n

BY ONXMAPS GIVES YOU INSTANT COLOR CODED LAND OWNERSHIP MAPS FOR:

GPS SMART DEVICES COMPUTERS Determine public land type (including BLM, State Lands, Wildlife Areas, US Forest Service, Tribal Land, US Fish and Wildlife, and more); find little-known seldom-hunted public land View private land owner names and property boundaries (PLAT data); easily request access and navigate private lands Identify hunting units, 24K topo, satellite imagery, section lines/#s, roads & trails, etc. WATCH TO LEARN MORE!

HuntingGPSmaps.com

KIMBER MOUNTAIN RIFLES. Unequaled accuracy, dependability & light weight.

The lightest production hunting rifles ever offered, Mountain Ascent™ (top) and Montana™ models weigh as little as 4 pounds, 13 ounces. They are chambered in 13 proven calibers.

Mountain Ascent rifles have custom touches like fluted bolt handle, bolt body and barrel; plus a hollow bolt knob. This cuts weight without compromising accuracy.

Mountain Ascent models feature a muzzle brake to reduce felt recoil. A cap to protect threads if the brake is removed and matte black ring mounts are also included.

Kimber® mountain rifles combine classic features in a light weight, stainless steel and Kevlar/carbon fiber package that guarantees performance. Actions offer the unequaled dependability of controlled-round feeding and extraction, and safety levers are the positive 3-position wing. Match grade barrels, chambers and triggers ensure accuracy. The new Mountain Ascent models go even farther. Fluting on the barrel, bolt body and bolt handle cuts additional weight, and a removable muzzle break cuts recoil. Stocks even wear Gore™ Optifade™ Open Country Concealment. Weigh the options, then visit a Kimber Master Dealer to pick up your next rifle.

Kimber mountain rifles have premium Kevlar/carbon fiber stocks with both pillar and glass bedding to lock in accuracy regardless of hard use or conditions.

T H E C H O I C E O F A M E R I C A’ S B E S T

kimberamerica.com (888) 243-4522

Kimber offers nearly 200 purpose-built pistols and rifles to meet any need. ©2012, Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Information and specifications are for reference only and subject to change without notice.