Fair Chase - Fall 2018 by Boone and Crockett Club

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 6

FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE PRESIDENT | The Problem with Pigs

CAPITOL COMMENTS | Where is the Balance?

ACCURATE HUNTER | On the Move!

LOADS FOR NORTH AMERICAN HEAVIES

THE NUTRIENT MIGRANTS: HOW CLIMATE AND HABITAT SHAPE WHERE CARIBOU GO

THE OFFICI A L PUBLICATION OF THE BOONE A ND CROCK ETT CLUB

Volume 34 n Number 3 n Fall 2018

18. Loads for North American Heavies

26. The Nutrient Migrants

Craig Boddington

Wayne van Zwoll

Lindsay VanSomeren, Keith Oster, David Gustine and Perry Barboza

THE NEED FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND POLICY

Andrew Lane Smith

Robert D. Brown

SCIENCE BLASTS | Understanding the Decline in Elk Recruitment in the West John F. Organ 46

EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION LEADERS

2018 Boone and Crockett University Programs Retreat Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch

HUNT RIGHT; HUNT FAIR CHASE | A False Product

TRAILBLAZER SPOTLIGHT | Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance

IN THE NEWS | Boone and Crockett Club Supports House Farm Bill

WILDERNESS WARRIOR SOCIETY

DIY - FIND YOUR PATH, ADVENTURE AWAITS

BEYOND THE SCORE| Wow

CAN THE ANTIS LEARN ANYTHING FROM FAIR CHASE?

TROPHY TALK | For the Record

GENERATION NEXT | 30th Awards Youth Trophy List

RECENTLY ACCEPTED TROPHIES AND TROPHY PHOTO GALLERY 30 th Awards Program Entries

62. WOW!

Barren ground caribou in velvet taken in central Alaska. © Donald M. Jones @BooneAndCrockettClub #BooneAndCrockettClub

Steven Williams

THE DRIVERS OF WILD PIG RANGE EXPANSION AND GOVERNMENTAL RESPONSES

60. DIY

B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr.

32. The Drivers of Wild Pig Range Expansion and Governmental Responses

Doug Painter

R. Terrell McCombs

Justin Spring

Brent Arrant

Keith Balfourd

Justin Spring

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Photos from the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch

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ABOUT THE BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB MISSION STATEMENT

It is the mission of the Boone and Crockett Club to promote the conservation and management of wildlife, especially big game, and its habitat, to preserve and encourage hunting and to maintain the highest ethical standards of fair chase and sportsmanship in North America. VISIONS FOR THE CLUB n

We envision a future in which the Boone and Crockett Club continues to be an internationally-recognized leader in conservation, especially in research, education, and the demonstration of sustainable conservation practices. A future in which the Club continues its legacy as a key leader in national conservation policy. A future in which the Club continues to be North America’s leader in big game records keeping as a conservation tool. A future in which the Club’s members continue to be respected and commended for their individual and collective contributions to conservation. A future in which the Club’s leadership and management continue as examples of excellence, and programs remain balanced with financial capability. A future in which the Club’s activities continue to be highly-focused and effective, and as a result, natural resources sharing, wildlife populations, habitats, and recreational hunting opportunities continue to improve through, and beyond the 21st century.

VISIONS FOR WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION n

We envision a future in which wildlife and its habitat, in all their natural diversity, are managed and conserved throughout North America. A future in which hunting continues to be enjoyed under rules of fair chase, sportsmanship, and ethical respect for the land. A future in which all users of natural resources respect the rights of others in the spirit of sharing. A future in which the value and conservation of private land habitat is respected and supported. A future in which North Americans are committed to the principle that their use of resources must be sustainable both for themselves and future generations. A future in which hunting opportunities exist for all desiring to participate.

Club President – B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr. Secretary – Mary Webster Treasurer – Marshall J. Collins, Jr. Executive Vice President – Administration James F. Arnold Executive Vice President – Conservation Timothy C. Brady Vice President of Administration James L. Cummins Vice President of Big Game Records Eldon L. “Buck” Buckner Vice President of Conservation Anthony J. Caligiuri Vice President of Communications CJ Buck Foundation President – R. Terrell McCombs Class of 2018 Paul V. Phillips Class of 2019 A.C. Smid Class of 2020 John P. Evans

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Editor-in-Chief – Doug Painter Managing Editor – Karlie Slayer Conservation and History Editor Steven Williams Research and Education Editors John F. Organ William F. Porter Hunting and Ethics Editor Mark Streissguth Assistant Editors Keith Balfourd CJ Buck Kendall Hoxsey Kyle M. Lehr Marc Mondavi Jack Reneau Tony A. Schoonen Justin Spring Julie L. Tripp Editorial Contributors Brent Arrant Keith Balfourd Perry Barboza Craig Boddington Robert D. Brown David Gustine B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr. R. Terrell McCombs John F. Organ Keith Oster Doug Painter Andrew Lane Smith Justin Spring Steven Williams Lindsay VanSomeren Wayne van Zwoll Photographic Contributors Donald M. Jones Mark Mesenko

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 1077-3274) 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

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

FAIR CHASE PRODUCTION STAFF

FOUNDATION

Foundation President – R. Terrell McCombs Secretary – John P. Schreiner Treasurer – C. Martin Wood III Vice President – John P. Evans Vice President – Paul M. Zelisko Class of 2018 Gary W. Dietrich B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr. Ned S. Holmes Tom L. Lewis Paul M. Zelisko Class of 2019 John P. Evans Steve J. Hageman R. Terrell McCombs John P. Schreiner C. Martin Wood III Class of 2020 Remo R. Pizzagalli Edward B. Rasmuson Benjamin A. Strickling III John A. Tomke Jeffrey A. Watkins

NATIONAL ADVERTISING Danny Noonan Danny@Boone-Crockett.org Phone: (406)542-1888 ext. 205

B&C STAFF

Chief of Staff – Tony A. Schoonen Director of Big Game Records – Justin Spring Director of Publications – Julie L. Tripp Director of Marketing – Keith Balfourd Sales Manager – Danny Noonan Office Manager – Sandy Poston Controller – Abra Loran Assistant Controller – Debbie Kochel Assistant Director of Big Game Records– Kyle M. Lehr Development Program Manager – Jodi Bishop Digital Strategies Manager – Mark Mesenko Creative Services Manager – Karlie Slayer TRM Ranch Manager – Mike Briggs Conservation Education Programs Manager – Luke Coccoli Shipping and Administrative Support Specialist – Amy Hutchison Customer Service/Receptionist – TJ Gould

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FROM THE EDITOR club; far more likely, a late-season outing on public land, a hardscrabble hunt where two birds might well be considered an above-average day. Whatever the story of their hunt, what stood out in this photo, what caused me to stop and take a closer look, was the smile on each of these hunter’s faces. No one had to say, “cheese” to prompt these grins. These were smiles that came from deep within, from men happy to have spent a day with one another, shotgun in hand, walking through the stubble and hoping to bust up a rooster or two along the way. It was easy to imagine that the “boys” in this group had, perhaps, moved out of state a few years ago but were now back at the family home for Thanksgiving. They’d grown up hunting with dad, but now, this annual “Turkey Day” hunt was what kept this family tradition alive. You can bet that they would serve the two pheasants for a dinner over the holiday weekend. The family would hold hands and dad would say grace. Then the kidding would begin.

Hunters rate spending time with family and friends as, far and away, the single most-valuable return from their hunting experience. 6

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I imagine that dad would make the point that, considering he’s by far the best shot in the family, it was truly amazing that these two roosters were shot by the boys. The boys would counter that dad was perhaps getting a step or two slower. Aunt Emma would find a shot pellet in her serving and declare, “I guess this proves you boys actually went out and shot these birds!” Good laughs. Good times. Great memories. If you look at hunting studies and surveys over the years, three key aspects ring true. First, hunters rate spending time with family and friends as, far and away, the single most-valuable return from their hunting experience. Second, and moving up on the list in recent years, is bringing home game for the family table. And always near the top, is the satisfaction hunters express in having made a good and fair-chase effort, whether the hunt was successful or not. As we head out this season, let’s keep the above in mind. Sure, that picture of you

Doug Painter EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

and that big bull elk is still going to be the centerpiece of your “album.” In a time, however, when the visuals of our hunt may well include a broader posting on social media, let’s also remember Paul Harvey’s famous phrase, “and now, for the rest of the story.” That “rest” may well include a photo of Uncle Joe lashing an elk quarter to his pack frame. It might be a back strap sizzling in a cast-iron skillet over the campfire. It could be the family or hunting buddies, all standing together with big smiles all around. You get the picture. We have a great story to tell. Let’s not forget to tell it. Hope to see you down the trail. n

Some photos do more than simply depict a scene; they manage to capture a moment, one that sparks an emotion in us and causes us to stop and ponder for a while. I was leafing through the pages of a m i d- 9 0 s hu nt i n g magazine—pulled from a box of memorabilia that I had meant to throw out—when just such a photo caught my eye and my imagination. In a sense, the photo was quite ordinary: Three hunters, one of them likely in his mid- to late-40s and the other two in their early 20s, standing together in a corn stubble field with shotguns resting on their shoulders and posing for that classic end-ofthe-day shot. The hunters, judging by the age differential, were likely dad and his grown boys. There was light snow cover on the ground, and I could tell by the way these hunters were bundled up that it had been a cold and windy day. Two of the hunters held a single pheasant each. Hardly, one would think, the end of the day at a high-end pheasant

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THE PROBLEM WITH PIGS In a world increasingly afflicted by the consequences of invasive species, wildlife professionals and enthusiasts should pay close attention to a particularly damaging invader: wild pigs. Also called feral swine or wild hogs, wild pigs pose significant threats to ecosystems, human health, livestock health and public property. For instance, these animals destroy habitats for native species and carry a variety of bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases that can be transmitted to humans, cattle, dogs, and domestic pigs. Disease threats to cattle are particularly severe, as they can cause weight loss, infertility, death, and associated declines in cattle production and market productivity, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Animal and Plant Health Inspection

Service (APHIS). Annually, wild pigs cause $190 million in damages to agricultural crops, according to data from an international invasive species symposium sponsored by APHIS in 2007. That translates to a cost for the U.S. economy of approximately $1.5 billion; more recent estimates put that figure closer to $2.4 billion. Numbering between 5 and 8 million animals in at least 35 states (Figure 1), wild pigs are opportunistic omnivores that consume many types of animal and plant material available in the wild. For instance, wild pigs raid the nests of northern bobwhite, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service, and other ground-nesting species. In Texas, wildlife researchers have observed wild pigs invading nests and consuming eggs of wild turkeys,

FROM THE PRESIDENT

a socioeconomically important game species. Depredation of small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and mollusks by wild pigs has also been documented. Still other researchers have found that wild pigs reduce water quality, cause soil erosion, damage roads, root up pastures, and interfere with forest regeneration, among other impacts that are environmentally and socioeconomically harmful. Clearly, the stakes are high when it comes to wild pigs. But what can we do to manage them? This is a perennially difficult question, given the adaptability, high reproductive rates, and range expansion of these animals. Recently, researchers have developed a cost-effective, humane tool for wild pig management: toxic bait. Micro-encapsulated sodium nitrite (NaNO2) delivered with

B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr. PRESIDENT

peanut paste, an attractant, is currently undergoing extensive testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to APHIS 2018. When consumed in high doses over short time periods, sodium nitrate interferes with the oxygen-transporting ability of blood, causing wild pigs to die in three hours or less. Scientists are currently developing ways to deliver sodium nitrate to wild pigs alone, thereby preventing ingestion by non-target animals and exposure to humans and the environment. Preliminary tests have shown 95 percent effectiveness in eliminating wild pigs (Snow et al. 2017), demonstrating the promise of

Clearly, the stakes are high when it comes to wild pigs. But what can we do to manage them? This is a perennially difficult question, given the adaptability, high reproductive rates, and range expansion of these animals. LEARN MORE: n

Figure 1: Sightings of wild pigs in the United States demonstrating range expansion between 1982 (blue) and 2015 (red).

MAP COURTESY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. SOURCE: W W W.QDMA.COM/FERAL-HOGS-SPREADING-CAN-HELP-STOP/

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Read more about wild pig from Andrew Lane Smith, Boone and Crockett Club Fellow and Mississippi State University Extension Associate on page 32.

toxicants for managing these harmful invaders. As the implementation of pig-specific toxicants is being fine-tuned, we should pause to ask ourselves: how are wild pigs moving in the first place? In addition to natural movements, humans are transporting wild pigs across state lines for sport hunting. In this issue, we hear from wild pig expert Andrew Lane Smith, Boone and Crockett Club Fellow and Mississippi State University Extension Associate. Smith’s article explores the social and cultural drivers and political and legal implications of wild pig range expansion. This key policy research has positioned the Club to make meaningful impacts on wild pig policy and management in the United States. For the 2018 Farm Bill, the Club worked closely with the U. S . Ho u s e of

Representatives—especially Mike Conaway, (R-Texas) the House Agriculture Committee chairman—to dedicate $100 million to wild pig management and control. As wild pigs continue to expand their range throughout the country and damage ecosystems and economies, I encourage you to learn more about these harmful invaders and embrace opportunities to help slow their spread. Being from Texas and having hunted extensively in South Texas, I am all too familiar with wild pigs. Some estimates place them at four million animals in Texas alone. As the most prolific large mammal on Earth, they have virtually no enemies other than humans; they breed prolifically with up to two litters per year with an average of six piglets per litter, and sows are sexually mature

at six months. I have personally observed sows with up to 13 piglets. Professional Member Dr. Bruce Leopold has stated that in a given population 70 percent would have to be removed annually just to maintain a stable population. Trust me, this is impossible through fair chase hunting, so as described above, other methods of control are being explored. Although wild pigs are great fun to hunt, I was amazed to learn from Andrew Smith that sport hunting is one of the primary reasons for their growing and spreading numbers. As the saying goes in Texas, you either have a ranch with wild pigs or one that will soon have them. n

As the most prolific large mammal on Earth, they have virtually no enemies other than humans; they breed prolifically with up to two litters per year with an average of six piglets per litter, and sows are sexually mzature at six months.

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The Boone and Crockett Club asks that you please thank our Trailblazers with your patronage. FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8

WHERE IS THE BALANCE? Eighteen months into the new administration, I am at a loss. Not a loss of hope but a loss of understanding. We face many conservation issues in this country. So far, I have not seen much progress in addressing these issues. Recently, the Department of Interior promised a pivot toward conservation. I want to believe that is true and await action to support that stated intent. Though it is not my desire or inclination to generate controversy, I have decided to write what many in my profession are now only willing to speak about privately. My current thoughts and perceptions are not intended to offend but are widely shared by many in my profession and thus deserve acknowledgment. The challenges confronting the Interior Department are staggering. Managing 500 million acres—20 percent of the nation’s land surface—is a formidable task. Providing stewardship of Native American lands, education, and health is monumental. Addressing the needs for energy production on public lands and waters while maintaining adequate habitat for our nation’s fish and wildlife is a balancing act where ultimately there are winners and losers. Protecting the nation’s most iconic landscapes, our national parks and wildlife refuges, is a tall order. All of these complex challenges and many more are the responsibility of the Department of Interior. The department’s mission is, “The Department of the Interior protects and manages the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and 10 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities.” To date, the Interior Department has acknowledged that much of its activity has been focused on the important effort of providing energy for the nation. Streamlining regulations and rules, opening tracts of land for drilling-permit applications, and providing the energy industry with an influential voice at Interior has been largely successful. But how does that square with the mission? How have development and conservation been balanced? An example is the 11-state landscape-scale sagegrouse management plans. These plans were years in the making. The collaboration among federal and state agencies, private landowners, industry, and conservationists was unprecedented. Shortcomings in the plans have been identified, but surgical changes were recommended rather than larger changes. In the first few months of this administration, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) opened its sage-grouse management plans for review. Examination of plans are always appropriate; however, this effort seemed premature and destined for inevitable changes. As a result, BLM recently opened large tracts of sage-grouse habitat, which were previously slated for protection, in Wyoming and other states for potential leasing. Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have amended or are in the process of amending

CAPITOL COMMENTS

environmental regulations and rules that were years in the making and which have had years of experience in administration and enforcement. The National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act originated in the 1970s. They have been amended through time. Each of the acts and the subsequent regulations have reflected prevailing attitudes with respect to the necessity of environmental protection and conservation. Are they perfect in current form? Of course not. However, it appears from the outside that attempts are being made to dramatically change these laws and regulations. For example, a recent Interior decision to interpret “incidental take” as described in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, has countered decades of interpretation and prosecutorial discretion. Many professionals are asking, “Why, and why now?”. With all the challenges facing fish and wildlife, with the public values associated with conservation, and with the contributions these resources afford our national economy, well-being, and quality of life, why the sudden change of opinion on decades of legal interpretation and conservation progress? Reduced budget requests demonstrated a declining support for science functions at EPA, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Geological Survey. Has anyone considered whether our science capability match our science needs? Concurrently, Interior has committed to a complicated and comprehensive reorganization. The primary intent of the reorganization makes good sense: better

Steven Williams, Ph.D. B&C PROFESSIONAL MEMBER PRESIDENT Wildlife Management Institute

agency coordination and reduced administrative expenses. However, in the absence of additional information with respect to the reorganization plan and its overall expense, there is no evidence that the intent will be accomplished. This is all occurring without nominated or confirmed leadership at the Fish and Wildlife Service, Park Service or Bureau of Land Management. Taken alone, each effort of the administration may seem appropriate with respect to energy development. However, taken together, they seem to indicate that conservation has taken a back seat to development. Secretary Ryan Zinke recently held a meeting of leading national conservation organizations where he talked of a grand pivot toward conservation. All of us in the room applauded that direction, and many have offered assistance. But we need actions, not just words. Based on the secretary’s announcement, I hope I have a better understanding and comfort level of where Interior is headed. The Boone and Crocket Club, regular, professional and Associates alike would be wise to consider the concerns of fish and wildlife professionals to help Interior pivot and broaden its focus on conservation. n

WE WILL Our creed is simple. Exert the same effort in giving back to the outdoors as we do in our pursuits. We Will lead in protecting our natural resources, inspiring our youth to get outdoors, motivating others to observe safe and ethical conduct in the outdoors and honoring the hard work and dedication it takes to perform at our best.

REMI WARREN

UA H U N T. C O M

@UAHUNT

WE WILL

PROTECT �� INSPIRE �� CHAMPION �� HONOR

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“BE SURE OF YOUR SHOT. Nothing is more expensive

than regret.” – FRED BEAR

I’ve seen several big elk shot with .338s and can’t recall any escaping. A six-point bull that took a 210-grain Nosler Partition in the chest at 80 yards collapsed on the spot. So did one quartering off at three times that range. Another, hard-hit at 200 steps, stayed afoot long enough for my client to launch another well-aimed 250-grain Partition. I once bailed off a horse to fire at an elk trotting through slash 100 yards away. My Power Point drove through the heart to the off shoulder. The bull folded within few yards, dead on his feet.

PG. 18 LOADS FOR NORTH AMERICAN HEAVIES BY WAYNE C. VAN ZWOLL

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A message brought to you by

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CRAIG BODDINGTON PROFESSIONAL MEMBER Photos Courtesy of Author

ACCURATE HUNTER ON THE MOVE!

Jack Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor often wrote about taking running shots and had no fear of them. An Arizona native, he practiced on running jackrabbits and desert quail, both good teachers.

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This is the “two-headed running moose” target used for the shooting test in Sweden. The target runs on a track, so its shot from left to right and right to left. At 100 meters a hold just under the “bell” will hit the vital zone—but a smooth swing is essential.

There is a rumor out

there that Jack O’Connor wasn’t particularly good at punching holes in paper. I never saw Professor O’Connor shoot so can neither confirm nor deny, but I find this highly unlikely. In the years between the world wars, there wasn’t nearly as much big game hunting available as there is today, and—like many serious riflemen of his day—in his younger years, O’Connor was active in high-power competition. To my knowledge, he was not a benchrest guy, so it’s possible he didn’t care much about shooting teeny, tiny groups. On the other hand, he loved shooting running jackrabbits in his Arizona desert. Also, and this is important, O’Connor was an accomplished shotgunner. He spent a lot of time hunting desert quail— tough shooting, because you’re always walking, half out of breath and on uneven footing when the birds get up.

O’Connor wrote that a game animal “was just as big moving as standing still.” His books include many anecdotes of shooting running game. I suspect he was pretty good at it! There is an alternate viewpoint. I hunted many times with gunwriter John Wootters, both big game and birds. Wootters was a fine rifleman and also quite handy with a scattergun. Wootters once remarked that he wished hunting rifles had “cutoff switches” that would prevent the rifle from firing if the target was moving. He figured that would save a lot of wounded animals. This is not an isolated ethical stance. A few years ago, one of the major outdoor television networks instituted a rule that they would no longer air shots taken at moving animals. Personally, I lean more toward the O’Connor school of thought. Ethical hunting dictates that any shot at game should only be taken when the hunter is reasonably certain of a hit in the vital zone. A hope and a prayer “Hail-Mary” shot doesn’t cut it, regardless of circumstances. However, I think it’s unreasonable to limit oneself to stationary shots altogether; it always depends on the circumstances and on the shooter’s experience and expertise. The chest area of a big game animal is a fairly large target, and it stays just as big moving as standing still. At one time the “deer drive” was the most common tactic for hunting whitetails, and the shots would always be at moving animals. Today hunting from stands is the most

common technique, and stand-hunting is more likely to yield a more or less stationary shot. In many parts of Europe the organized drive is the preferred and sometimes only hunting method. Same deal, most shots will be at moving animals, often moving fast. Experienced European hunters are often better than Americans at shooting moving game. In part, this is because they’ve done more of it, but also because most European ranges incorporate moving targets, generally on a track, giving the opportunity to practice. On hunts in both Finland and Sweden, a shooting test is required to be issued a hunting license; you have to demonstrate that you can hit a “running moose” target—in the vital zone. This is unfamiliar territory for Americans, and it’s daunting when you step to the line for the first time. It isn’t really that difficult; experienced local hunters will suggest the proper lead to get you started. It’s fairly easy to get the hang of it; as with shotgunning, the most important thing is to keep the rifle swinging smoothly. Unfortunately running targets are rare on American ranges, so it’s difficult to get practice with a rifle. There are do-it-yourself options, such as rolling tires downhill—very labor intensive! O’Connor’s running jackrabbits probably offered the world’s best practice. My old friend Chub Eastman also loved shooting running jackrabbits. Chub was one of the best hands with a rifle I ever knew, and he was also superb with a shotgun, a veteran trapshooter. FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 15

Honestly, I think shooting clay targets, any discipline—and bird hunting—offers some of the very best practice for shooting moving game with a rifle. It’s pretty much the same deal, swinging smoothly and establishing the lead. When I grew up, my native Kansas didn’t yet have a modern deer season, so I did a lot of shotgunning long before I turned to rifles. Perhaps because of this background I’ve never been afraid of moving shots, and I’ve usually been successful at them—but nobody bats a thousand! Any shot, moving or stationary, can be missed, but no shot should be taken unless you’re sure. And even then, there will be misses. Moving shots are more difficult, and there are limitations. You are not as steady, and as with shotgunning, most shots at moving targets will be unsupported. Moving shots can be taken from some rested or supported position, but there’s a risk of getting tied up with the rest, which would prevent a smooth swing. Then there’s the obvious: As with a shotgun pattern, you have to aim where the target will be when the bullet arrives. This is obv iously based on combination of target speed, angle, and bullet speed. Computer programs will yield exact lead based on target speed, but that’s not particularly useful because, in practice, it becomes art rather than science. It is almost impossible to judge target speed, and on moving game, what may appear broadside usually isn’t. Bullet speed usually isn’t a major factor; the difference has to be fairly dramatic to notice a difference in lead from one cartridge to another. However, on a “running moose” target in Finland, I did some runs with a 7mm magnum, then experimented with the much 16 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

slower 9.3x62. In a clinical situation like that, consistent target speed at 100 meters, I needed visibly more lead with the slower cartridge. Shooting running hogs with a .45-70, I figured out quickly that I needed a whole lot more lead than with a cartridge nearly twice as fast like a .270! The same is true for the many hunters who use shotgun slugs and muzzleloaders, both much slower than most centerfire rifle cartridges. There is a huge difference in difficulty between hitting an animal that’s running and an animal that’s walking slowly. In the latter case, honestly, I tend to expect the animal will probably stop, so I usually hesitate. Sometimes, of course, I’ve been wrong; the animal doesn’t stop! A running animal is much less likely to stop, but whether it’s a shot opportunity or not depends on the situation—and your confidence level. Without question the risk of a wounding shot is much higher, so for me a running shot better be close! Exactly how close depends on a lot of factors—preferably within a hundred yards, but quartering shots are easier than broadside, requiring much less visible lead. Considering the animal is already running, the real challenge is having no time to mess around. You have to instantly evaluate both the animal and the shot, take it or leave it. Often the correct decision is to leave it, and seek another opportunity. However, running shots, especially at closer ranges, are not at all impossible. So, I believe there are times when the correct decision is to raise the rifle, work the action or slip the safety while it’s coming up, get the rifle moving, get it a little bit ahead, and press the trigger. After the shot, you’ll soon learn if you made the right decision! n

TOP: Chub Eastman recovering a jackrabbit. Eastman was a great marksman with a rifle, and he loved to shoot running jackrabbits. There can be no better practice for shooting at moving game with a rifle. MIDDLE: Extremely slow cartridges and shotgun slugs require noticeably more lead. This boar was running hard downhill; I swung the shotgun a bit ahead of his nose. This is a Barbary wild boar, taken in Tunisia where rifles are not allowed. BOTTOM: This running boar target was set up on a range in Texas. Though common on ranges in Europe, running game targets are uncommon in America. That’s unfortunate, because this is great practice.

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Loads for

WAYNE C. VAN ZWOLL

North American Heavies Most big game is shot in or near cover, where traditional rounds with long, heavy bullets still excel.

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B&C PROFESSIONAL MEMBER Photos Courtesy of Author

The .375 H&H, born in 1912, belongs in any lineup of big game cartridges. This rifle is a Weatherby.

Deer rifles once killed tougher game. Hunters now pack more muscle. What do you really need? Three elk galloped through the

lodgepoles crowding the field of my 3x Leupold. I triggered the Model 70 as the reticle passed a shoulder. The bull nosed in, then rose and staggered forward. Again he endured a two-ton swat from my .338, wilting at the third shot.

A necked-up .308, Winchester’s compact but potent .358 arrived in 1955. A 250-grain load soon died.

Later, bulls would fall to single hits from my .30-30 and .32 Special, loads with half the muscle of the .338. If there’s a universal bullet-energy threshold for killing elk, it’s elusive! Arbitrarily lumping cartridges in game-labeled categories is perilous. James Jordan downed the biggest whitetail of a century with a .25-20, which most hunters would consider marginal for deer, even under ideal conditions. Doug Burris shot his top-listed mule deer with a .264 Winchester Magnum, its bullet packing six times the smash of the .25-20. Excessive force? Half a century had passed between these two kills—decades that largely replaced iron sights with scopes and Jordan’s lever-action carbine with Burris’ Sako bolt rifle. Hunters were shooting farther in 1972 than in 1914, expecting more from their bullets. Definitions of “deer rifle” changed with the times. The same is true of rifles and cartridges for tougher game: elk, moose, and the big bears. Current rosters of popular loads lack many once carried by trappers, miners, ranchers and homesteaders shooting for meat and in defense of life and property. FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 19

Teddy Roosevelt’s first big game rifle, an 1876 Winchester in .45-75, had less muscle than a .30-30.

When members of the Corps of Discovery failed to stop grizzly bears with black powder rifles at the dawn of the 19th century, Meriwether Lewis forbid further engagements without backup. But other men would have to learn for themselves. In his book, Thirty Years of Army Life on the Border, Colonel R.B. Marcy described how, after missing a grizzly bear with his rifle, he dispatched cavalrymen with Colt Navy revolvers. They got within a few paces of the bear and fired “10 or 12 shots” to no visible effect. A better-armed soldier managed to down the animal with his .44 Dragoon. A post-mortem showed none of the 36-caliber balls had driven “deeper than about an inch into the flesh.” Teddy Roosevelt was a bit better served with his first rifle, an 1876 Winchester bought when he was 22. The .45-75’s 350-grain bullet left at 1,380 fps. Its 1,480 foot-pounds fell well shy of a .30-30’s punch. Decades later, near Slave Lake, Alberta, trapper Bella Twin would have been delighted for such a rifle. Choosing to hide in bushes when she saw an enormous grizzly approach, she decided to fire as the bear passed within a few feet. The .22 rimfire bullet from her single-shot Cooey Ace 1 dropped the bruin. Then one of the top-10 grizzlies on Boone and Crockett’s list, that bear still ranks 28th! Cap-and-ball revolvers and single-shot .22s have lost their shine for shooting big bears. Ditto the .220

Wilson Arrow. Also called the Wotkyns-Wilson Arrow, this 1940s wildcat is die-formed from .220 Swift cases with a steeper 30-degree shoulder to reduce brass stretch. Its 45-grain bullets clock the same as from the Swift. While the Arrow would hardly pass muster as a “stopping” load, it was all a seal hunter had when he suddenly came upon a big Alaska brown bear. Unwilling to disengage, the beast rose to its full height. Fearing he’d lose in a foot race, the fellow “poked the rifle at the bear’s head and pulled the trigger.” His bullet zipped between teeth and disintegrated in the brain. Farther south, a sheepherder chasing a grizzly from his flock by moonlight with a .30-30 couldn’t place bullets as precisely. By the time he’d emptied his Winchester’s magazine and was shoving in more rounds, the bear had turned its attention on him! It dropped at his feet after the 14th shot. By the early 1950s, hunters in Alaska’s signature bear country were choosing loads that even now seem practical—the .30-06 with 220-grain bullets, for example. The .348 Winchester and the wildcat .450 Alaskan on .348 brass served lever-rifle buffs in Winchester’s M71. The .300 and .375 H&H Magnums held sway too. Smaller bores got less fanfare, though belted 7mm wildcats gave good account. The 7mm Mashburn downed tough game worldwide in the hands of Field & Stream Shooting Editor Warren

These .30-06 loads show a wide range of bullets. The 220-grain round-nose (left) is, alas, all but gone.

With stout 300-grain bullets, the .375 H&H is a favorite of brown bear guides, and serves ably in Africa.

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Page. The limitations of the .270 and kin had much to do with the bullets of the day. “The few times I’ve had to kill a brownie head-on with my .270,” wrote one hunter, “I’ve [needed] three or four shots, [plus] a head or chest shot from the side.” From a defensive viewpoint, added another, “you don’t get many side shots.” The .300 H&H, or Super .30, was the magnum between its 1925 debut and Weatherby’s blown-out version in 1945. Because it required an action longer than any built around the .30-06, the .300 H&H sold modestly until it appeared as a charter chambering in Winchester’s Model 70 in 1937. A decade later Remington gave it an even more affordable home in the Model 721. Enthusiasts used it on elk, moose and big bears, and liked it. Writers of the 1940s and ‘50s, like Clyde Ormond, put its 180- and 220-grain loads on the “A-list” for the biggest North American game. Round bullet noses were still in style, and the high sectional density of 220s exiting at 2,620 fps ensured deep penetration. A long shot at tough animals was just inside iron-sight range,

a nd t he t su na m i of sharp-shouldered .300s was yet to come. By the late ‘50s, hunters were speculating about a .300 Winchester. In 1961 the .308 Norma would meet their assumptions. Weatherby’s .300 got a market boost after the debut of his Mark V rifle in 1957. The next year, hunters were blessed with Winchester’s .338 Magnum, in a 25-inch-barreled M70 called the Alaskan. Almost certainly, the .338 owes its genesis to Charlie O’Neil of OKH fame. O’Neil, with Elmer Keith and Don Hopkins, copyrighted their brand in the late 1930s, with the advent of .285, .333 and .334 OKH cartridges. The .285 and .333 were based on .30-06 brass, with no changes besides neck diameter. The .334 was a .300 H&H necked up (or a .375 necked down) and given a sharp shoulder. The first .333 and .334 OKH rounds used .333-diameter bullets imported from England, where they served Jeffery’s .333. Later Fred Barnes made 250- and 300-grain bullets for the OKHs, and Speer a 275-grain. In 1949 Don Hopkins and his wife Marge started hunting in Africa. Don

Wayne shot his first elk with a handloaded 180-grain Speer bullet from a 98 Mauser in .300 H&H.

The .338 Magnum arrived in 1958, two years after Winchester’s first short belted magnum, the .458.

Introduced in 1925, the .300 H&H or “Super .30” gained market traction in Winchester’s M70, 1937.

FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 21

wanted a .33 with the muscle of the .334 but on a case to fit .30-06-length actions. The .333 OKH Belted resulted. Its 2.50-inch hull foreshadowed that of Winchester’s .338, though it retained the steep H&H case taper. Idaho shooting writer Bob Hagel used a rifle in .333 OKH Belted and “killed many, many head of North American game.” By the time Winchester fielded a .33 magnum, a shift to .338-diameter bullets was on the boards even in wildcat circles. (The OKH team made the change, coming up with the .338/06.) The rimmed .33 Winchester, announced in 1902 for the 1886 rifle, had fired 200-grain .338 bullets. Why follow the Brits? The .338 Winchester Magnum had less body taper than its H&H parents and a 25-degree shoulder. It sent 200-grain Power Points at 2,900 fps, 250-grain Silvertips at 2,700 fps. Its 4,000 foot-pounds almost matched the pop of the .375 H&H. A 300-grain .338 load at 2,450 fps succumbed to a market sweet on fast bullets.

For his 1972 hunt, Ted Kelly chose a Browning rifle in .338 Winchester. A blizzard delayed bush travel and confined Kelly and his guide to their 6x8 tent on an Alaska glacier; but they persevered. When Kelly got his shot, “I [saw] water spray off the bear. He went down flat, but bounced right back up and charged us. My second shot knocked him down again, but he was back on his feet [instantly].” Ditto after a third hit. The fourth dropped him in a swale, where “he began slamming the ground [sending] roots and mud flying 30 feet into the air.” In its 1977 records book, B&C ranked Kelly’s grizzly 14th of 235 entries. Winchester’s .338 doesn’t allow dozing during recoil. Early on, its violence no doubt turned some hunters away. But the magnum era had just begun. The .338 has since gained traction at market—as much among elk and moose hunters and safari-bound riflemen as among those after big Alaskan bears.

Browning revived Winchester’s 71 with beautiful and accurate replicas from Japan’s Miroku factory.

22 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

A growing selection of .33 bullets and factory loads has favored it. Federal “High Energy” .338 ammo appeared with 225-grain Trophy Bonded bullets at 2,940 fps, 250-grain Nosler Partitions at 2,800, adding 100 fps to the round’s initial chart speeds. Hornady countered with Heavy Magnum loads. Surveys I took in the 1990s showed the .338 is one of the five most popular cartridges among elk hunters. I’ve seen several big elk shot with .338s and can’t recall any escaping. A six-point bull that took a 210-grain Nosler Partition in the chest at 80 yards collapsed on the spot. So did one quartering off at three times that range. Another, hard-hit at 200 steps, stayed afoot long enough for my client to launch another well-aimed 250-grain Partition. I once bailed off a horse to fire at an elk trotting through slash 100 yards away. My Power Point drove through the heart to the off shoulder. The bull folded within a few yards, dead on his feet.

For a buffalo hunt in Australia, I chose an iron-sighted .338, though my outfitter had urged a .375. Sneaking up on a huge bull, I loosed a Barnes X-Bullet through the front ribs. In a second, the beast was on its back, hooves in the air. Later in thick cover, I crept close to another buffalo. My bullet penetrated to the far shoulder, smashing into the massive knuckle so hard that the bone, thick as a truck axle, snapped several inches from its terminus! The bull rocketed through short yards of jungle, then plowed to a stop. Weatherby’s elegant, full-length .340 Magnum came four years after Winchester’s .338. Loaded by Norma, it trumps the .338 by 200 fps, shooting as flat as a .270 with bullets of nearly twice the weight. At 100 yards, the .340 packs as much energy as the .338 at the muzzle. An elk I shot with a Mark V was quartering off in snowy timber when my Partition struck. The bull vanished as if jerked to earth.

Winchester replaced its 1886 with the 71 in 1935. This fine but costly lever rifle was dropped in ‘57.

In 1963 Winchester announced what would become one of the most popular cartridges for North American big game. The .300 Winchester Magnum didn’t appear in the expected form of a necked-down .338. Based on H&H brass, it had a shorter neck and a slightly longer case than 2 ½-inch belted magnums like the .338. Booting 180-grain bullets at over 3,000 fps, it outpaces the .300 H&H by 150 fps. Friskiest loads bring a ton of energy past 400 yards. Its versatility and chambering in affordable, lightweight rifles have given the .300 Winchester the “all-around” status once reserved for the .30-06. Since the ‘60s we’ve been inundated by squat, rimless magnums and belted and rimless magnums the size of syringes. Some strike me as usef ul—the .30-06-length Dakotas on .404 Jeffery brass, the .300 Remington SAUM, the .33806 A-Square and .338 Federal. The .300 and .338 Ruger Compact Magnums are efficient,

comfortable to shoot. I adore John Lazzeroni’s short-action 8.59 Galaxy, on par ballistically with the .340 Weatherby. Hornady’s .300 and .338 Marlin Express give lever rifles the punch lost when Winchester dropped the Model 71 .348 in 1957. Like the .348 (its true diameter), .35-caliber (.358) cartridges get less love than they deserve. My short list of standouts include the .35 Whelen, a necked-up .3006 wildcat adopted by Remington in 1987. I’ve used it on moose and elk and like it very much. Its 250-grain factory load, alas, has vanished, leaving only a 200-grain softpoint at 2,650. You’ll get equal muscle from the belted, short-action .350 Remington Magnum announced with the Model 600 Magnum bolt rifle in 1965. The 600 and 660 Remingtons were dropped in 1971 and have something of a cult following now. About 150 fps shy of the Whelen and .350 Magnum, the .358 Winchester on the .308 case arrived in 1955 in Winchester’s Model

70 Featherweight. Like the similar but later .338 Federal, it’s a champ in lightweight rifles. A Browning BLR in .358 is the go-to “moose and mountain rifle” for one of my correspondents in Alaska. With a 2 ½x Leupold in Talley rings, it weighs just 5 ¾ pounds! Handloads nudge 250-grain bullets toward 2,400 fps. A .35 with real reach is Norma’s .358 Magnum, essentially a .338 Winchster that kicks 250-grain bullets a tad faster. At 300 yards a bull elk The .338 Marlin Express adds reach to wilted instantly to a lever guns. A GreyBull scope on this chest hit with a Marlin helped Wayne hit this plate with six increasingly distant shots, 250-grain Swift prone, from 100 to 600 yards! A-Frame from my re-barreled Mauser. The .358 Norma shares relative obscurity with another excellent round, the 9.3x62. Developed in 1905 by Berlin gunmaker Otto Bock, it drives 286-grain .366-diameter bullets at 2,400 fps. In

The 9.3x62 (right, introduced 1905), excels with 250- to 286-grain bullets. More punch than a .30-06!

One Swift A-Frame from a CZ 550 in 9.3x62 downed his British Columbia moose in heavy cover. FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 23

About bullets…. While ordinary softpoints have taken kilotons of heavy game over the decades, bullets that plow deep and retain their integrity during upset excel—bullets like the Nosler Partition and AccuBond, Swift A-Frame, Federal Trophy Bonded and Norma Oryx, and the lead-free Barnes TSX and Hornady GMX. Weight retention has challenged engineers as velocities have risen and sectional densities have fallen. Sectional density (SD)—a bullet’s weight in pounds divided by the square of its diameter in inches—affects flight and terminal action. The high SDs of heavy bullets trade high starting speed for better speed retention and penetration. Bullets with highest SDs have round noses to pack maximum weight within length limits imposed by the rifle. Blunt missiles satisfied hunters firing over iron sights; now shooters insist on pointed noses, whose profiles more obviously contribute to high ballistic coefficient. Some fine, heavy game bullets (220-grain .30s, 275-grain .338s) have vanished, ignored by riflemen with visions of—and optics for—quarter-mile shots. Up close, a spitzer bullet has nothing on a heavier round-nose. Besides bringing more momentum to the task, the blunt bullet is traveling slower. Neither bullet will have lost much of its exit speed at, say, 75 yards. The more violent impact of the faster bullet means less predictable upset and penetration. Early bullets at 2,300 to 2,500 fps killed well partly because they trundled reliably through muscle and bone to carve deep, straight channels. That result is still available to hunters who dismiss as unnecessary a pointed nose. For most shots at game, it is.

colonial Africa this cartridge proved so popular—and lethal—that in some places it’s still permitted for dangerous game in the face of regulations specifying a .375 bore. A pal who shot dozens of elephants took all but one with a 9.3x62. I’ve used it on moose, mountain goat and in Africa on gemsbok and eland. Norma and Hornady loads, with rifles from CZ, Ruger, Sauer, Mauser and other makers, have recently shone a light on the 9.3x62. Not that these .30s, .33s, .35s and the 9.3x62 trump all other options for elk, moose and big bears. But they tender an enticing mix of bullet weight and velocity with manageable recoil. (Okay; so does the .375 H&H!) Smaller bores limit bullet weight to under 180 grains; bigger bores doom their heavier bullets to steep arcs. “Super-magnums” like the .338-378 Weatherby maul you without adding practical benefit. Consider that at

100 yards a .30-06 packs as much energy as a .300 Winchester at 250. Our penchant for more power seems to me a result of our reliance on longer shots. Whatever your choice of load, bullet placement matters. An animal’s life is between its shoulders. A shot there, and follow-ups if the animal doesn’t drop, ensure a happy ending to your hunt. Unless, of course, you’re using a Colt Navy or a Cooey Ace 1. n

Justly popular, the .300 Winchester was introduced in 1963. The new 200-grain load is a dandy!

Best bullets? Bonded lead-core .30s, .33s and .35s that expand like this and drive to the far shoulder!

Popular in Africa for over a century, Germany’s 9.3x62 handily drops tough antelope like hartebeest. 24 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

Guns for

Conservation

A dynamic way to support the Boone and Crockett Club

“Donated by B&C Member Terry Fricks, this Jack O’Connor tribute riﬂe is now available at $20,000.

The Boone and Crockett Club is fortunate to serve a membership that shares a profound dedication to the mission. Now it is a pleasure to introduce Guns For Conservation, a program that creates a great way to contribute to the Boone and Crockett Club.

Guns For Conservation provides you with the opportunity to support the Club through the donation of ﬁrearms, sporting collectibles, wildlife art and hunting books. The program is both simple and ﬂexible, allowing contributions to be made at any time, scheduled over time or formally integrated into the estate planning process.

Funds raised from the Guns For Conservation program are placed in the Boone and Crockett Club Foundation endowment where the principal remains intact, and the annual interest income is then dedicated to vital conservation programs.

The Club has chosen to work with our friends at Sportsman’s Legacy to ensure that every aspect of the program will be handled legally and professionally. Market valuations will be carefully prepared and items will be properly presented on the national stage to ensure they return full value.

Support the Boone and Crockett Club by contributing:

Firearms Sporting Collectibles Wildlife Art Books & Accessories

For additional information regarding the Guns For Conservation program or to discuss a contribution, please contact Jodi Bishop at Jodi@boone-crockett.org or 406/542-1888. FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 25

the nutrient migrants: how Climate and habitat shape where Caribou Go 26 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

BY LINDSAY VANSOMEREN KEITH OSTER, DAVID GUSTINE AND PERRY BARBOZA Photos Courtesy of Authors

Caribou bulls foraging along the river in denali national park.

“Where are the caribou?”

That’s the million-dollar question for hunting barren ground caribou in the arctic. Hunters seek big males, but managers and researchers are really focused on females and their calves that grow to become trophy bulls and strong mothers.

In the fall hunting season, big males move with females and young into wintering ranges away from the coast. But during the summer, females move much further north than males to calve on the coast. And as it turns out, females have different nutritional needs that may drive them to go to different places than the males— factors which may affect the ability of caribou herds to persist in the arctic.

FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 27

THESE HOOVES ARE MADE FOR WALKING

What would you do if you were trying to fill up your gas tank, but each gas station only let you partially fill up your tank? Obviously you’d try to find some rhyme and reason to the madness, and if certain gas stations let you fill your tank up more, you’d head for those prime spots, even if you might have to travel a bit further. That’s the same rationale behind one theory about why caribou migrate such long distances and space themselves out differently. Females, driven by differing nutritional needs, spend more time on the coastal plains near the Arctic Ocean compared to their more inland-friendly mates. In particular, females Richardson’s willow range.

NOT ALL SHRUBS ARE THE SAME. Some species of shrubs, like Richardson’s willow (top), indeed contain a lot of protein. But other shrubs, like dwarf birch (bottom) contained so little protein and so many toxins and other noxious chemicals that caribou might actually lose protein in the process of digesting it.

Dwarf birch range. 28 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

need more protein than males. Sure, males still need protein to build their gigantic muscles (as any bodybuilder can appreciate), but they don’t have to use protein to build a brand-new calf and then produce enough milk to support it after it’s born. These activities also require a lot of minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus. It’s these nutritional differences that some of the first wildlife scientists in Alaska speculated could cause the differences in migration patterns we see between males and females. It’s also why we decided to test this question once and for all— how do minerals and protein change within the ranges of arctic caribou herds, and does that match up with where we see the caribou going?

THE TUNDRA: NOT JUST ONE BIG SWAMP

When you look out over the tundra, it’s easy to think that it’s just one giant swampy field all the way to the coast. But in fact, if you dig down and look at the differences between the plants and where they’re located, you can see that there’s actually a lot of variation. It’s this variation that makes all the difference. For example, people used to assume that all shrubs were the same. When people measured how much protein was in the shrubs, they always came out with a uniform answer: lots of protein. From this perspective, shrubs looked like a protein goldmine. However, when we looked at how much of that protein was actually available to the animal, the results were astounding. Some species of

shrubs, like Richardson’s willow (Salix richardsonii), did indeed contain a lot of protein. But other shrubs, like dwarf birch (Betula nana) contained so little protein and so many toxins and other noxious chemicals that caribou might actually lose protein in the process of digesting it, much like a protein sponge. This presents a much more nuanced picture and means that shrubby areas of the tundra (like those found inland) may not be as great for females looking to pack on protein as we once thought. In fact, when we looked at the best areas for protein gain, we found that the coast was without a doubt the place to be for females with a calf in tow. By staying on the coast, females could continue packing on extra protein for 17 days longer than if they had stayed

inland with the males. This was mostly because the coastal plain was full of sedges and other plants that had low—but consistent, and toxin-free—amounts of protein. Females may be able to get more protein by only eating certain shrub species inland, but this isn’t a guarantee. By heading to the coast where there’s fewer toxic shrubs, they’re playing a safe hand. MINERALS MAY ALSO DRIVE MOVEMENTS

Another thing we found was that minerals varied across the range—sometimes tremendously. Two of the biggest examples were sodium and phosphorus, which we found in higher concentrations near the coast. The influences of the salt water in these areas creates a sort of de-facto salt lick that caribou can use.

These minerals are especially important because they help regulate fluids in the body and build bones—something very important to females putting out lots of milk for growing calves. One of the odd aspects of minerals is that they sometimes interact with each other or are found in wildly different concentrations in different parts of the range or at different times of the year. For example, both calcium and phosphorus are really important for antler growth and reproduction. But, too much of one of these nutrients will limit absorption of the other, and so caribou need to walk a fine line of balance. This is difficult to do because calcium and phosphorus levels change over time: in growing plants, phosphorus generally decreases over the season while calcium

generally increases. It’s like trying to stay upright while walking along a seesaw mounted on a boat deck in the middle of the ocean. Another poignant example is sodium, which caribou desperately need after long winters of foraging on inland lichens. Without access to their coastal sources of salt in spring, caribou could become sodium depleted due to the high concentrations of potassium in new plant growth. These examples highlight just how difficult it is for caribou to get just the right amount of each mineral. A caribou might spend time in one area trying to beef up its stores of one mineral, for example, only to have another one become deficient in the process, and so it might need to move to another area entirely.

It’s a careful balancing act that’s impossible to get 100 percent right, but the closer they’re able to get, the better their chances of maintaining a healthy body that can deal with whatever challenges nature (or civilization) throws at it. DO NUTRIENTS EXPLAIN ALL CARIBOU MOVEMENT?

We found that for caribou looking to meet their nutritional requirements, they generally are found exactly where they need to be. Females head to the coast to get much-needed protein and minerals, while males can pack on more muscle and fat for the fall rut by staying further inland. However, this may not be the only reason driving caribou to migrate such long

ABOVE: Caribou might be able to adapt to increasing development, as David Gustine observed they have done in the Prudhoe Bay oil fields, but this tolerance depends on other demands and doesn’t appear to be the same in every location. LEFT: Lindsay Van Someren working on the North Slope along the Dalton Highway.

brooks mountain range

FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 29

distances. Because of the close proximity to the ocean, the coastal plains are far windier and may provide a much-needed reprieve from pesky mosquitoes and parasitic flies for calves and their mothers. In Alaska, the coastal plains are also far away from the mountains—and the predators who live in them. Indeed, calf survival rates for caribou herds who birth their calves on the coastal plains are often much higher than their inland relatives. These are also possible explanations for caribou migration. But one thing we do know from our research is this: the coastal plains are incredibly important for female caribou and their offspring. Without the coastal plains, individual female

Keith Oster servicing a weather station.

caribou may have a harder time meeting their nutritional requirements, and this effect could scale up and negatively affect the population as a whole. WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ARCTIC CARIBOU RANGES?

We do know that the composition of the landscape is changing in the arctic. Toxic shrubs like Betula nana are increasing in abundance and slowly moving northward, which may make it harder for females to get enough protein to grow calves over the coming decades. Proposals to develop oil and mineral extraction is increasing in the Arctic as sea channels are staying open

longer each year. Although caribou might be able to adapt to increasing development as they have done in the Prudhoe Bay oil fields, this tolerance depends on other demands and doesn’t appear to be the same in every location. In addition, even if caribou females and their calves shun the developed areas (and the high-quality forage in them), it’s possible that they can compensate by eating more and/or finding other high-quality patches of forage. In good summers, this may be a viable strategy; but in bad summers, it may not be possible and the population may suffer declines, as we saw with the decline in some caribou herds after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991. Obviously a lot of questions still remain. Will the caribou tolerate development? If not, will they be able

to compensate in other areas? How much of a buffer do they have to tolerate development if they do move to other areas? How big of a decline would they suffer if they can’t compensate? At what point is the population no longer viable? How can we quantify this better? Businesses that operate in the arctic have a long history of employing economists, accountants and other “number-crunchers” to assess the viability of commercial operations. But it’s only recently that we’ve started to do the same sort of analyses of profits and losses in body mass of mothers and calves to assess the viability of caribou populations in the Arctic. Neither business nor biology is certain, but with better numbers, we can help reduce that uncertainty so that both can better coexist. n

western arctic caribou.

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The Drivers of Wild Pig Range Expansion and Governmental Responses

In today’s society, biological invasions

32 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

are becoming increasingly commonplace with more than 50,000 species here in the U.S. alone. Among academics and natural resource professionals, invasive species are considered one of—if not the—greatest conservation and management challenges of the 21st century. With the ecological consequences being equivalent to the impacts of earlier conservation issues such as unsustainable harvest, habitat destruction, or pollution, invasive species disrupt a variety of critical services and functions, in both our natural and human-made environments.

ANDREW LANE SMITH BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB FELLOW MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION ASSOCIATE

Most wild pig issues are typically associated with ecological and economic impacts, but there are also a variety of social, cultural, and legal implications. In fact, the very fabric of the wild pig dilemma is a social problem for which we have been seeking biological solutions.

While invasions can sometimes be a natural process of dispersal and range expansion, there is one particularly destructive invader that has arrived and expanded its range by other means. Ranking among the top 100 of the world’s worst invaders, wild pigs are a species that have become increasingly familiar with many of us over the past decade or so as they have continued to expand their range across most areas of the U.S. However, many of the impacts resulting from their invasion are largely the byproduct of human activity. Wild pigs are recognized as the second most harvested “big game” species in North America behind whitetail deer. This national popularity, coupled with their high reproductive rates and plastic (adaptable) behavior, has secured wild pigs a continental distribution. This is largely the result from thousands of years of co-evolution between humans and pigs, as we have transplanted them nearly everywhere we have moved and colonized. That simple fact clearly demonstrates humans have a deep, underlying predisposition to transport

pigs to new areas for various purposes, whether for sustenance, sport or profit. However, when that same process becomes incentivized, it significantly expedites their spread, and consequently, their impacts. This is precisely what we have seen occur during the previous 10-15 years, as wild pigs have shifted from mostly a means of sustenance in the public eye, to a highly popular (and therefore valuable) big game commodity. Along with rapidly growing populations of both people and wild pigs, this shift in demand to a recreational species has generated various industries and services, commercializing this detrimental invader. Products of that event have been an increase in wild pig sport hunting, a competitive commercial environment, and an unparalleled threat to our nation’s wildlife and other natural resources. While our research was not the first to conclude this vast range expansion was anthropogenic (human-influenced) in origin, it provided support by considering and examining the non-ecological reasons wild pig populations

FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 33

model legislation that is better aligned with their overall objectives on wild pig population management. Moreover, we wanted to guide states into a more uniform system of policy decision making regarding the transportation and release of the species, among other factors that greatly contribute to their spread. However, not all states share the same objectives. Despite their negative impacts, some states have embraced the ecological footprint of wild pigs for the various economic benefits they generate, such as the revenues from license and tag sales. However, it is also in these areas where high population densities are common and where eradication may no longer be a feasible or realistic goal, leaving their agencies to look for alternative means to compensate for damages. Even so, some state-level decision making remains remiss in passing meaningful legislation to preclude the intraand interstate movement of wild pigs. This makes it difficult for neighboring states that may be attempting to manage the species and are continuously fighting clandestine, illegal transportation along their borders. For instance, in California and Tennessee, wild pig populations exploded when they were designated as a state-listed

game species. Subsequently, Oregon and Kentucky continue to have reintroductions in some of these focal areas and are forced to continue allocating resources to manage the spillover and mitigate emerging impacts. Where the results of some research have likened the population growth and range expansion of wild pigs to various ecological or landscape factors such as climate, habitat, and agriculture, our results showed that spread may be more tied to the social and cultural drivers of a region (e.g., wild pig hunting culture, management approaches). Although it is likely that a combination of these factors contribute to their spread, the

underlying processes driving this accelerated expansion are social, cultural and sometimes political in origin. This confirmation allows key policymakers to position themselves to limit the spread of wild pigs by addressing controversial topics such as the continuous permitting of live transportation and release, or provisions that encourage commerce of this degenerative species. Finally, and most fundamentally, we hope to prompt state governments to abandon the primitive philosophy of reactive policy regarding wild pig management in the U.S., and adopt a more proactive and comprehensive stance at the municipal, state, and federal levels. n Wild pigs are recognized as the second most harvested “big game” species in North America behind whitetail deer.

have become so well-established in some areas of the country, and if specific regulatory policies were influencing those trends. Most wild pig issues are typically associated with ecological and economic impacts, but there are also a variety of social, cultural, and legal implications. In fact, the very fabric of the wild pig dilemma is a social problem for which we have been seeking biological solutions. For instance, it is scientifically accepted that wild pigs: 1) are the most widely distributed mammal species in the world, 2) their proliferation throughout the U.S. is the result of humans continuously transporting them to augment hunting opportunity, and 3) they pose a significant threat to our native species and ecosystems, many of which may be endangered or in some state of concern. However, there are still states that permit the live transport, import, and/or release of wild pigs in the U.S. Such legislative action (or inaction) has proven to be completely incompatible with the objective of reducing range expansion and thus, their economic and ecological impacts. Our analysis of state legislative efforts rationalizes many of these wild pig issues and decisions, and helps states consider, develop, and

BOONE AND CROCKETT FELLOW PROFILE

Andrew Smith of Greenville, Mississippi, a small town in the Mississippi River Delta, is a passionate conservationist who enjoys writing, history, traditional archery, and fly-fishing. He received his B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Mississippi State University in 2014 where he worked as an ecological technician on a variety of projects with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and others. After graduation, Mr. Smith began to seek out his interests in biological invasions and natural resources/conservation policy, where he was then recruited by Dr. Bruce D. Leopold and the Boone and Crockett Club to investigate the effectiveness of policy and legislation to control wild pig populations in the United States. Mr. Smith is a full-time Extension Associate for Mississippi State’s Center for Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts, where he provides programmatic support to the director, writing and publishing on key invasive species of Mississippi, the southeast, and the U.S. During this time he has worked closely with species such as Asian carp and wild pigs on a variety of projects with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

34 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 35

Toasting the Conservation Legacy of the North American Sportsman Introducing Boone and Crockett Club Whiskies

“Today’s sportsmen should take great pride in knowing that hunting and fishing have become irreplaceable mechanisms for conservation. We’re offering our whiskeys as a celebration of this fact. They will make a great gift for landowners, friends, family, and fellow hunters and anglers. The Club promotes fair chase hunting and conservation along with enjoying the outdoors responsibly. We encourage everyone to drink responsibly as well.” – Ben B. Hollingsworth Jr., president of the Boone and Crockett Club

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A N E XC E RP T FRO M N O R T H A ME RI C A N W ILDLIFE P O LI CY A N D L AW | PA R T 1

We selected the sculpture of the Greek Goddess Diana for the cover of North American Wildlife Law and Policy. The sculpture was produced in 1925 by Paul Manship (18851966). Diana is best known as the goddess of the hunt and is also revered as goddess of the woods, the moon, and wild animals.

Â© istockphoto.com/duncan1890

38 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

The Need for Wildlife Conservation and Policy

basic understanding of wildlife law and policy is essential knowledge for anyone who aspires to be a conservationist or to work in wildlife management and other natural resource fields. Now, for the first time, you will have all the information you need in one comprehensive volume.

Since its founding in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club has been a major force for laws and policies to secure the future of North America’s wildlife and wild places. The Club’s contributions run like indelible threads throughout the fabric of North America’s conservation history. It is most fitting that this comprehensive treatise was conceived and published by the Boone and Crockett Club. We are pleased to announce this new book, North American Wildlife Policy and Law, is now available. Below is the first excerpt in a multi-part series that will give readers a deeper understanding about the subject and the need to help educate current and future hunter-conservationists. There’s not much need to convince readers of this book about the need for conservation. The literature is replete with examples of wanton destruction of our country’s natural resources by early pioneers (Brown and Wurman 2009). Even Native Americans are believed to have decimated large game populations in some areas, such as Yellowstone (Mann 2005). Eastern forests were cut over for the nation’s ship-building industry, and market hunting and trapping at one time nearly exterminated eastern deer (Odocoileus virginianus spp.), beaver (Castor canadensis), and

waterfowl populations as well as western bison (Bison bison) and other species. The development of conservation laws and policies has been an attempt to stem the tide of overuse of our wildlife resources, protect what was left, and restore much of the damage that has been done. One might ask, “How did we get in such a mess to need these laws and policies in the first place?” Prior to the European “discovery” of North America (some might call it the “European invasion”), and with the few exceptions noted above, Native Americans lived off of the abundance of native flora and

Robert D. Brown

fauna, with some agriculture. Early European settlers saw a land with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of grassland, timber, and wildlife. As the East became more populated, new settlers naturally moved West, spurred on by a widely accepted philosophy known as Manifest Destiny—to tame the savage land and extend democracy “from sea to shining sea.” This led to the Louisiana Purchase, the war with Mexico, the appropriation of land occupied by Native Americans, expulsion of the British from the Pacific Northwest, and eventually the purchase of Alaska (Heidler and Heidler 2015). This expansion and its concomitant utilization of new natural resources led to prosperity and success of the settlements, but it naturally also led to conflicts. If land belongs to everyone, it belongs to no one. Thus it is the rational economic incentive of each individual to graze as many

cattle as possible or to cut all the timber available, because if you don’t, someone else will. In later years this was defined as “the tragedy of the commons” (Hardin 1968). A legal structure was developed so that settlers could own, and thus control and manage, their own lands, with some land set aside for the government to manage. Again due to overexploitation, there was an additional but separate need to protect and conserve the water that flowed through private and public lands in streams and rivers, the deer and other fauna that migrated over multiple properties, and eventually the birds that flew over those properties. Eventually the new Americans saw the need for common ownership of those resources and through a series of laws developed what we now know as the Public Trust Doctrine or the North American Model of Conservation (Bachelor et al. 2010). FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 39

In more recent decades, as our human population has grown along with increased consumption per capita, even greater strains have been placed on our natural resources. We see that

As the East became more populated, new settlers naturally moved West, spurred on by a widely accepted philosophy known as Manifest Destiny—to tame the savage land and extend democracy “from sea to shining sea.” water, timber, soil, clean air, plants, wildlife, freshwater and ocean fisheries, and arable land are not an inexhaustible supply in North America. Despite the Public Trust Doctrine, we continue to have threats from overuse, competition for resources, pollution, and climate change. Conservation of our natural resources is not just an option—it is necessary for our continued survival. As you will see in other chapters of this text, society

has agreed upon a complex of myriad laws and policies to protect, conserve, and restore our natural resources. The term “public policies” refers to sets of laws, rules, mandates, regulations, and funding priorities established by the government through the political process. It is simply what the government does or does not do about an identified problem. In the United States these policies must fit within our Constitution. We need policies and laws to regulate society, to protect people, to enforce rights, and to solve conflicts. Laws and policies deter people from behaving in a manner that negatively affects the quality of life of other people. Common and possibly oversimplified examples are traffic laws. We have speed limits and stop signs to protect us from harming ourselves and each other. The point is: “I trust myself to drive safely and responsibly, but I don’t trust you.” Likewise, I trust myself not to shoot too many ducks, catch too many fish, trash the local park, or pollute the local stream—but I don’t trust you or others to do the same. In addition, I want to enjoy Yosemite and Yellowstone, I want to preserve the bison and the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus),

and I want to be able to breathe clean air—but you and I cannot fund or guarantee those things ourselves. Thus we have government policies, hopefully with appropriate funding, which lead to laws and regulations and even international treaties. As one might expect, however, not all of us agree on priorities for conservation policies. Some of us like to hunt and fish, whereas others find those activities abhorrent. Some of us enjoy the quiet and solitude of the great outdoors, whereas others prefer all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. As Jack Ward Thomas (personal communication), former chief of the United States Forest Service, once said, “We all need to exploit our natural resources to survive.” While true, commercial use of publicly owned resources inevitably leads to conflicts over mining, energy exploration, timber harvesting, commercial fishing, cattle grazing, and commercial development on public lands. In addition, times and attitudes change, making existing public policies out of date with modern science or public opinion or both. Our national forests were first established to ensure a permanent wood supply. Now, however, much of the public prefers those

lands to be used as wilderness areas or for public recreation. Likewise, rules that prohibit forest management practices, such as prescribed burning, which might harm individuals of an endangered species, often put the entire species at risk from catastrophic fires. In the United States particularly, the ability of any person or organization to sue another or to sue the government further complicates the situation. Nonetheless, the history of conservation policies in North America is largely one of positive and long-term results. I propose to examine three of those policies in the next several issues of Fair Chase magazine.

Literature Cited

Bachelor, G. R., M. C. Bambery, L. Bies, T. Decker, S. Dyke, D. Guynn, M. McEnroe, M. O’Brien, J. F. Organ, S. J. Riley, and G. Roehm. 2010. The Public Trust Doctrine: implications for wildlife management and conservation in the United States and Canada. Technical Review 10-1. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Brown, R. D., and L. H. Wurman. 2009. A brief history of wildlife conservation and research in North America. Boone and Crockett Club, Missoula, Montana, USA. Heidler, D. S., and J. T. Heidler. 2015. Manifest Destiny. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica. com/event/Manifest-Destiny. Accessed 1 February 2017. Hardin, G. 1968. The tragedy of the commons. Science 162(3859):1248–1292. Mann, C. C. 2005. 1491: new revelations of the Americas before Columbus. Knopf, New York, New York, USA.

A basic understanding of wildlife law and policy is essential knowledge for anyone interested in wildlife management and other natural resource fields. Now, for the first time, conservationists, professionals, and students have all the information they need in one comprehensive volume...

North American Wildlife Policy and Law from the Boone and Crockett Club EDITED BY : Bruce D. Leopold, Winifred B. Kessler, and James L. Cummins

For more information and to order your copy

Visit www.boone-crockett.org/NAWPL Be sure to use discount code SUM18TR1887 to receive your 20% discount! Or call B&C headquarters toll-free at 888/840-4868 to order by phone. Available in hard cover ($95) or as an eBook ($80). 40 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

B IRD GRI N

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SO C I E T Y

The Boone and Crockett Club George Bird Grinnell Society welcomes those individuals who wish to support our conservation programs through purely philanthropic, tax deductible gifts of $2,500 or more. Funds raised from the George Bird Grinnell Society are placed in the Boone and Crockett Club Foundation endowment where the principal remains intact. The annual interest income generated is then dedicated to vital conservation programs. Special recognition is given via Club publications and in the visitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gallery at Boone and Crockett Club Headquarters in Missoula, Montana, and with a custom plaque. After your initial gift of $2,500; gifts of $500 or more to the Boone and Crockett Club Foundation endowment will accumulate toward new contribution levels.

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Boone and Crockett Club

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H U N T R IGH T ; H U N T FA I R C H A S E

North American sportsmen were the original conservationists and are credited with the most successful wildlife recovery and conservation system in the history of mankind. Pubic stewardship works because those closest to our natural resources have taken responsibility for these resources. HuntFairChase.com is intended to celebrate these successes, as well as be a resource for all hunters.

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UNDERSTANDING THE DECLINE IN ELK RECRUITMENT IN THE WEST In the Spring 2015 issue of Fair Chase (“A Little Help From Our Friends”), I wrote about the Western Elk Research Collaborative and the promise it held for a greater understanding of elk population dynamics across the northwestern United States. To recap, this study involved seven state fish and wildlife agencies (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming), two U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) cooperative research units (Montana and Wyoming), the USGS National Wildlife Health Center, four universities (University of Montana, University of Wyoming, Yale University, University of British Columbia), and Yellowstone National Park. The beauty of this study is that it assembled data from seven states and 101 elk management units collected over a period of 22 years (1989–2010), allowing for more robust analyses over time, space, and weather conditions, that could provide greater understanding than if the data were analyzed at the individual state or management unit level. Recently, initial results were published in the Journal of Wildlife Management (“Factors Inf luencing Elk Recruitment Across Ecotypes in the Western United States”; DOI 10.1002/jwmg.21438). This paper was coauthored by 18 wildlife scientists and

44 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

managers representing a multijurisdictional, multiagency collaboration at a scale seldom seen in big game studies. The authors used the accumulated data to test seven predictions proceeding from four hypotheses related to elk recruitment. The hypotheses and predictions tested were: MATERNAL BODY CONDITION CARRYOVER HYPOTHESIS n

As precipitation the previous summer increases, age ratios (number of juvenile elk per 100 adult female elk) will increase. As winter severity the previous year increases, age ratios will decrease.

CALF SURVIVAL HYPOTHESIS n

As winter severity increases, age ratios will decrease. As precipitation the current summer increases, age ratios will increase.

PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY HYPOTHESIS n

As average cumulative forage productivity of a unit increases, age ratios will increase. As anomalies in cumulative forage productivity increase, age ratios will increase.

PREDATION HYPOTHESIS n

As the number of predator species increase, age ratios will decrease.

SCIENCE BLASTS

The results showed support for the primary productivity hypothesis on winter range only and support for the predation hypothesis. There was weak support for a negative effect of previous winter precipitation (age ratios decrease as winter severity the previous year increases), and for early summer precipitation having a positive effect at low values of summer precipitation (age ratios will increase as current summer precipitation increases). There was no support for the predictions that increases in previous summer precipitation increases age ratios, and increases in winter severity decreases age ratios. The results demonstrated a decline in recruitment of juvenile elk across a large area of western North America during the period for which data were collected. This has been noted at smaller scales across the region, but this study is the first synthesis demonstrating that the pattern exists over a broad area with 74 of 101 elk management units showing declines. Average declines amounted to nearly one calf per 100 females

JOHN F. ORGAN B&C PROFESSIONAL MEMBER Director of the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units

every two years over a 22-year study period. The results suggest that these declines may be related to long-term changes in precipitation patterns, forage conditions, the recovery of wolves and grizzly bears, and the interactions among these factors. It could also include factors such as density dependence (more animals on the range resulting in less forage per individual) that were not evaluated. Let’s tease out these results. The relationship between the amount of forage and the nutritional value is complicated. As the amount of forage increases, the digestibility decreases, which is why many elk, mule deer, and pronghorn herds migrate from lower elevation winter ranges to higher elevation summer ranges. Dr. Matt Kauffman, leader of the USGS Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and one of the coauthors of this study, has termed this “surfing the green wave” where the animals will follow the emergence of plants,

The authors suggest that wildlife managers interested in improving elk recruitment consider the combined effects of habitat and predators on processes influencing population dynamics.

Western Elk Research Collaborative (WERC) was the original idea of Pete Zager, a wildlife biologist now retired with Idaho Department of Fish and Game. His thought was that states have lots of data on elk that are nonetheless limited individually in terms of the timeframes studied and their geographic extent (spatial and temporal scope)—what could we do if the states pooled those data? This magically coincided with the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program’s (Coop Units) strategic push to develop transboundary, multi-unit/multi-state projects. Research wildlife biologists Mike Mitchell and Matt Kauffman at the Montana and Wyoming Coop Units began working with elk biologists in seven western states. WERC has since been tremendously fruitful. From a management perspective, the northwestern states have likely never communicated or collaborated more with each other. All the state participants in WERC cite this as one of the best outcomes of this effort. Log into the Associates Community to read the entire article along with past Science Blast columns.

lions, and coyotes ubiquitous across the study area, the presence of an established wolf population was associated with an average reduction of five calves per 100 females. Adding grizzly bears produced an additional reduction of seven calves per 100 females. The authors stress that these are average effects estimated over a long time period at a broad geographic scale and may not be representative at an individual herd level. Comparing the effects of environmental factors and large carnivore communities provides insights to the relative importance of habitat, climate, and large carnivores. The effects of wolves alone that was observed was relatively small (5 calves/100 females) compared to forage productivity (15 calves/100 females), but if wolves and grizzlies were both present, the decline in productivity was equal to the change across the entire range of variability in

forage productivity observed by the authors. Wolves and grizzlies were only present in the northern mountain ecotype of the study area, and these results should not be assumed to occur in the southern mountain and shrubsteppe ecotypes should wolves and grizzlies expand there. These more southern systems characterized by high productivity will likely be more impacted by changes in weather and forage productivity. The authors suggest that wildlife managers interested in improving elk recruitment consider the combined effects of habitat and predators on processes influencing population dynamics. Specifically, proactively managing harvest or vegetation productivity to compensate for reduction in elk recruitment caused by large carnivores in the northern mountain areas; on southern winter ranges managing for forage resources.

As with any good study, the authors identified a number of other research questions that emerged that should be pursued to increase our understanding of the population dynamics of this magnificent big game species, such as changes in forest condition that could affect understory forage. I anticipate more results from this study will be forthcoming, which will help wildlife managers across the west ensure a sustainable elk resource for future generations. Thanks to Dr. Mike Mitchell, leader of the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit for keeping me informed on the progress of this benchmark study. n

feeding on them when they are young and most nutritious (they emerge later in higher elevations). So, just because an area may exhibit higher forage productivity in the summer does not mean it is beneficial to elk from a nutritional standpoint—at least from the scale the authors were able to measure forage. Winter ranges tend to lose most of the highly digestible forbs and grasses due to senescence. The nutritional quality of the plants that remain tend to equalize, therefore, more is better. The more forage there is on winter range is beneficial. Total winter precipitation the previous year had a strong negative relationship with recruitment. Adult female elk coming out of a hard winter are in poorer body condition, which can affect embryo development and calf fitness the following year. The authors found that in addition to the populations of black bears, mountain

FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 45

EDUCATING THE

NEXT GENERATION OF

B&C UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS

CONSERVATION LEADERS The Boone and Crockett Club University Program is designed to provide science-based knowledge from seasoned wildlife professionals and educators to college graduates in the wildlife field to better prepare the graduates for the responsible and wise management of wildlife in the future.

FROM:

2018 Boone and Crockett University Programs Retreat Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch

The second annual Boone and Crockett Club University Programs Retreat was held on June 8-10, 2018, at the Boone and Crockett Club Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch, in Dupuyer, Montana. The intent of the retreat was to bring together University Program (UP) leaders, Club members and university administrators to participate in a strategic planning process. During this two-day retreat specific goals were discussed: n

Identify organizational structures and processes that can effectively strengthen relationships between the members of the Club and the leaders of its program. Identify a set of performance metrics that can be used to evaluate program accomplishments, promote growth and communicate program successes. Construct a practical vision for University Programs.

There was general agreement that the mission of the University Programs is well-aligned with the Club and that the Club is well-served by the diversity of approaches to research, instruction and outreach among the universities. Club oversight committees are valuable and would benefit from greater

engagement with university administrators as well as program leaders. Performance metrics could be strengthened by focusing on process measures as well as product measures. Strategic planning produced a rich set of ideas for development of a comprehensive action plan that will focus on three priority areas: (1) a common set of objectives and goals across programs, (2) increased collaboration and communication among programs, the Club and external organizations, and (3) stabilization of existing programs and sustained financial viability. A point person for each focal area was identified and tasked with moving forward with action items identified during the strategic planning process. Attracting bright young people and the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top wildlife universities to our cause are signs that our vision is getting good traction. Still, we need to keep our eye on the ultimate goalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;placing effective advocates at the decision-making table in the next generation. We all know that 20 years from now the challenges facing wildlife conservation and our hunting heritage will be enormous. The Boone and Crockett Club stands as the major conservation organization preparing those future leaders and scientists, those who will advocate for all we hold dear. n Michigan State professor Bill Porter addresses the group during the retreat. The Elmer E. Rasmuson Wildlife Conservation Center (RWCC) is a 5,500-square-foot building that hosts education, research, and demonstration programs that take place at TRM Ranch. RWCC can sleep up to 30 guests, feed 60 people from the commercial kitchen, and seat 60 to 104 in the main conference room. The lab/classroom is setup for 30 students to work on field related activities. There is also a dining area, and outdoor deck surrounding the west end of the conference room perimeter. The building was constructed to blend into the surrounding landscape and have a high energy efficient rating due to the high winds and inclement winter weather. RWCC takes advantage of the surrounding vistas and prevailing strong winds. The building is used year round by students, teachers, and others.

46 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

The group, including University Program professors, Club members, university administrators, and B&C staff took advantage of the scenery with early morning hikes and evening fishing.

LEARN MORE: TRMR & RWCC Each year hundreds of students (ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade) and teachers visit the Elmer E. Rasmuson Wildlife Conservation Center and the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch. These workshops and field trips provide a new perspective that will help foster a passion for science and discovery and a commitment to care for the wildlife in the natural world. The TRM Ranch is also the host for MOHAB—Montana High Adventure Base—the nation’s premiere wilderness expedition training and instruction program serving the High Adventure needs of Boy Scouts and Venturers worldwide. MOHAB’s uniqueness is defined by its remote location, wilderness character, and multi-sport expedition travel. MOHAB training programs are designed to give scouts the skills and training necessary while at Basecamp that will prepare them to lead their own safe and successful wilderness expedition. The ranch also has a Watchable Wildlife Trail that is open to the public all year with the exception of hunting season. The ranch participates in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Park’s block management program which provides hunting opportunities on private lands. The public hunting program at the TRM Ranch is operated by the ranch manager.

Read stories about other students’ and campers’ experiences at the TRM Ranch and learn more about the history of the ranch by logging into the Associates Community online and reading past issues Fair Chase. FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 47

Â©DONALD M. JONES

48 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

A message brought to you by

We owe it to future generations to keep

alive the noble and beautiful creatures

which by their presence add such distinctive character to the American wilderness. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; THEODORE ROOSEVELT

FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 49

A FALSE PRODUCT

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While the story of the exact origins of the expression “the real McCoy” vary, most people instinctively know it means “the real thing” or “the genuine article.” Our society tends to value the real thing over a fake, although imitation has earned a place in commerce. Take a synthetic cubic zirconia “diamond” for example. People who cannot afford or do not want the real thing do have an option, without diminishing the value of a natural diamond. But commerce in wildlife is a different story. The hunting community today faces a challenge with the false product of farmraised, genetically-manipulated whitetail deer and elk. Privatized herds of deer and elk are being artificially grown to produce antler dimensions well beyond the capacities of nature. This is not for science or research or the betterment of the species. It’s for ego, status and commerce. This raises many interesting and troubling questions: n

Does this intense manipulation add value or devalue the real thing? Just because we can engineer deer and elk, should we? What does this say about the direction the hunting community is taking itself, or being led? Is this defining the value we place on nature, these species, and the opportunity to hunt?

What are the implications of re-classifying these animals as private livestock and not wildlife, so they would fall under the jurisdiction of state departments of agriculture instead of fish and game? Is less oversight and regulation a legitimate concern? If it’s livestock, is it still hunting? Shouldn’t we take action given the solid connection between shipping this “product” around the country and the spread of CWD to both captive and wild herds? The public is being led to believe this is hunting today. Shouldn’t we be disassociating this industry and its false products from hunting?

They’re all good questions that we should be prepared to answer. To begin with, the traditions of hunting were forged in the wild and with wild game. So were the traditions of fair chase, and the “no guarantees” nature of hunting. These traditions are diametrically opposed to the “put-and-take” operations of game farms and shooting preserves, where a customer can, in many places, choose a specific animal and pay by the antler inch. These operations virtually guarantee success, many backed by a no kill-no pay scheme. Although all are under high fence, their names—Wilderness Lodge,

High Adventure Ranch, and Autumn Wind—suggest a wild experience, presumably because it is a more powerful draw for customers. So what’s wrong with a false product and these businesses? And what of their customers? Do they have any culpability in this game? This industry has a long list of prepared statements to silence its critics, including: n

We are providing a desired service to willing customers and some people just don’t have enough time or the physical capability to go on a “real” hunt. Our deer and elk are better cared for than animals living in the wild, and we are merely allowing people to hunt the way they choose without judgment. We offer a great opportunity to mentor and introduce young hunters to hunting and we host a lot of disabled veterans. What’s wrong with people wanting big bucks and bulls?

This may all seem like harmless free enterprise, but we really haven’t seen the big hammer fall yet, at least in this country. Much of the public and the media are unable to discern the differences between game farm shooting operations and fair chase hunting, and they have proven more likely to take issue with all forms of hunting rather

than sort out the good from the bad. For example, there recently was a global, public uproar over captive bred lion shooting in Africa that inevitably cast a wider net over the acceptability of all African hunting. Subtract “lion” and insert “deer” and the same thing can happen in North America. The takeaway is that commercial interests are deciding the public image and fate of hunting for us. For now, it’s legal, but many states are re-thinking the matter. As fair chase sportsmen, the best thing we can do is not continue to look the other way but do everything we can to keep wildlife as an untamed expression of the natural world, elevate the experience of a wild, free-ranging hunt, and distance this industry and its false products from the hunting practiced by the majority of sportsmen. There is a reason why you never see a mount of a farm-raised deer or elk with its ear tag. Is because there is still tremendous value in the real McCoy? Let’s hope so. n

Hunt Right

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Trailblazer Spotlight Trailblazers in Conservation represents a level of commitment from industry partners and others that support the mutual interests of science-informed wildlife management and conservation, and hunter ethics and advocacy.

WHEN ALL DOESN’T GO ACCORDING TO PLAN IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES ON YOUR HUNT.

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TrailblAzer CONSERVATION

As sportsmen, we travel. That’s one

of the compelling aspects of hunting. Seeing new country, putting a foot on new ground, experiencing new ecosystems, climates, cultures, traditions, and of course the variety of wild game found “over there.” And over there doesn’t always mean a passport. It can mean a road trip loaded with gear.

Our hunting experiences also put us into difficult if not precarious situations. Whether it’s planes getting smaller as you go, 4x4s over rough country, horseback, or on foot in places that can be unforgiving even if you are on your toes, accidents can and do happen. Enter Ripcord, a travel insurance company for sportsmen. “There is a growing awareness among hunters that when they travel, bad things can happen,” said Redpoint Resolutions co-founder and Vice President Tom Bochnowski. “In those cases, they need immediate access to medical and security professionals who can move them from point A to point B in real time.” This was the idea behind Redpoint Resolutions’ tailored product for hunters and adventurers: Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance. Hunting trips can be expensive, and so can medical emergencies. As a result, Redpoint, led by special operations veterans and wilderness medicine physicians, has rolled out a comprehensive travel insurance plan that includes coverage for a trip cancellation, interruption, emergency medical expense, as well as a bulletproof plan for wilderness rescue. With most travel insurance policies, they will only reimburse for evacuations deemed medically necessary by a foreign attending physician. The insurance company will not organize the evacuation or have medical professionals overseeing your care or assisting you at your bedside if necessary. And they definitely will not rescue you from a remote location. Plus, most travel insurance policies exclude hunting and fishing activities. From canceled hunts to

PARTNER

TrailblAzer BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB

CONSERVATION

PARTNER

broken legs to rescues from rebel soldiers’ attacks and everything in between, the stories and testimonials are endless. Ask the co-host of the Sportsman Channel’s Cabela’s Instinct: Expedition Series, Mark Peterson, about the value of a Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance policy. He and his TV crew were traveling in the far reaches of northern Alaska when he had a serious accident. “I bent over to pick up my spotting scope and we hit a rock in the river that put the airboat to a complete stop. It sent me flying head first into the glass window, breaking it with my head,” Peterson said. With their Iridium satellite phone, the crew contacted the number on their Ripcord cards to reach the 24/7 operations center of Redpoint Resolutions. Redpoint confirmed the team’s grid coordinates and deployed a rescue helicopter. The helicopter arrived in the darkness, and Peterson was taken to the best trauma unit in Alaska. Fortunately, tests revealed no catastrophic injuries.

RIPCORD’S CLIENTS HUNT AROUND THE WORLD, AND IT HAS SAVED HUNTERS IN ALL KINDS OF EMERGENCIES, FROM FINANCIAL LOSS TO GUNFIRE IN THE AFRICAN BUSH. FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 53

“To the amazing people at Ripcord, you can bet I’ll be a member for the rest of my life,” Peterson said. “You got me from the middle of nowhere to the best hospital in Alaska in a couple hours and kept my wife and family updated the whole way.” Ripcord’s clients hunt around the world, and it has saved hunters in all kinds of emergencies, from financial loss to gunfire in the African bush. In Wyoming, a Ripcord client was at a remote camp by Mountain Creek, Wyoming, when a wandering grizzly bear spooked one of the horses in his group, kicking the client in the leg. Redpoint worked with the outfitter to dispatch a helicopter to bring him to the hospital. In the Central African Republic, a Colorado man came under fire from rebel soldiers from the Lord’s Resistance Army. He texted Redpoint from his satellite device, and Redpoint sent a ground team of security personnel to meet him as he escaped and then flew him out of the country via a landing strip in the bush. Similarly, with financial crises: A Texas man cancelled his planned trip to Africa after his mother’s death. Ripcord fully reimbursed his insured trip costs ($12,000) for him and his son. A North Carolina couple were preparing for a Uganda safari in six weeks when the wife became very sick. They had to cancel their trip. Ripcord reimbursed the couple approximately $8,000.

“THERE IS A GROWING AWARENESS AMONG HUNTERS THAT WHEN THEY TRAVEL, BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN.”

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“Travelers don’t want to read all of the fine print or examine different levels of coverage to know if they would be protected in an emergency,” said Bochnowski. “What they want is to enjoy their hunt or vacation and know that Ripcord has their back.” COMMITMENTS

The special ops veterans, physicians and sportsmen at Ripcord bring a unique perspective to their service. They understand both what can happen while traveling and the importance of hunting as an irreplaceable mechanism for conservation worldwide. The company has shown a commitment to conservation efforts in North America and around the world, joining the likes of Conservation Force and the Boone and Crockett Club to protect habitat in the U.S. as well as participating in fundraising efforts to battle poaching in Africa. “At Ripcord, we’re a proud partner of the Boone and Crockett Club and the legacy of men like Roosevelt, Grinnell, and Hornaday,” Bochnowski explained. “Like the Club’s namesakes, Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett, these men were the long-hunters, adventurers, explorers and sportsmen with a passion for the chase that led them to an appreciation for wild places and wild things. Being able to be a part of that and get our customers there and back with peace of mind is what keeps us in the game.” n

RIPCORD RESCUE TRAVEL INSURANCE IS THE ONE-STOP INTEGRATED TRAVEL PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR HUNTERS.

EXPERIENCED HUNTERS CHOOSE RIPCORD

“Ripcord is the real deal and is a must on every hunt. I put my trust in their team of special operations veterans and medical professionals when I’m hunting, and so should you.”

“I made the switch to Ripcord because they truly do what they say. You need a rescue provider you can rely on, and their travel insurance is the best a hunter can get.”

“We called Ripcord and in a matter of hours we were out of the bush and I was sitting in the hospital in Anchorage getting every test done imaginable. Thank God for Ripcord.”

- JIM SHOCKEY

- LARRY WEISHUHN

- MARK PETERSON

RIPCORD IS THE OFFICIAL RESCUE TRAVEL INSURANCE PROVIDER FOR THE BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB “Ripcord has become the go-to adventure travel insurance provider and has saved many hunters’ lives. We fully recommend the company to all of our members.” - Keith Balfourd Boone and Crockett Club Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ is powered by Redpoint Resolutions, owned and operated by physicians and special operations veterans.

RIPCORD RESCUE TRAVEL INSURANCE | +1 (415) 481-0600 WWW.RIPCORDRESCUETRAVELINSURANCE.COM/BOONECROCKETT | SUM FAIRFAIR CHASE CH AS E | FAL MER L 2 0 1 8 55

BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB SUPPORTS HOUSE FARM BILL MAY 15, 2018

The Boone and Crockett Club worked closely with the U.S. House of Representatives, specifically the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, K. Michael Conaway (TX-11), on the Conservation and Forestry titles of the Farm Bill. The House Agriculture Committee approved a bill earlier this year that is beneficial to conservation and forestry in America. “The Club has been closely involved with the Farm Bill since the early 1990s,” said James L. Cummins, co-chairman of the Boone and Crockett Club’s Conservation Policy Committee. “We are pleased this new bill focuses conservation to key forest, grassland, wetland and other wildlife habitats. This is a direct result of Chairman Conaway, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-4), other members of the Committee and their staffs’ hard work. We greatly appreciate the common-sense, balanced approach these great members of Congress were able to achieve.” “The Farm Bill is one of the largest single sources of conservation spending in the federal budget and it represents the single largest federal investment in private-lands conservation, so it is easy to see why it is so important,” stated Paul Phillips, also a co-chairman of the Club’s Conservation Policy Committee. With more than 74 percent of the land in the United States in private ownership, the Club places much emphasis on the conservation of private lands. In the Conservation Title, the Club worked to continue the highly successful Wetland Reserve Easement, which has been essential in helping restore 56 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

wetlands habitat. One success story has been the recovery of black bear populations in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. The Club also worked to ensure that incentives for wildlife habitat improvement were increased, specifically in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and that funds were dedicated to the control of feral hogs, an invasive species that are destroying millions of acres of habitat for native species. Phillips said, “We’re especially pleased with the inclusions of forest management reforms that have been plaguing the U.S. Forest Service. Our forests have fallen into unhealthy condition affecting a diversity of resources, including big game populations. Less game affects hunter success rates, leading to a decrease in participation. Fewer people hunting mean a decrease in license sales, which equates to less money for state fish and wildlife agency operations. This is especially true with mule deer and elk in the West and white-tailed deer in the East.” Congressman Westerman—the only professional forester in the Congress— worked tirelessly on forest reform legislation and many of his provisions are included in the bill. “We greatly appreciate his depth of knowledge and passion to return our treasured national forests to healthier conditions for all Americans,” said Cummins. “I have been working on the Farm Bill for 27 years and this is the best bill the House has ever passed for the betterment of conservation and the improvement of our nation’s forests. They are to be congratulated.” n

UPDATE: DAINES’ FARM BILL EFFORTS A WIN FOR CONSERVATION JULY 02, 2018

The Boone and Crockett Club today praised Montana Senator Steve Daines for his efforts in ensuring critical conservation measures were included in the latest version of the Farm Bill. “Legislation is intended to address needs,” noted Ben Hollingsworth, Jr., president of the Boone and Crockett Club. “Good legislation comes from those who take a boots-on-theground approach with the intent of doing the greatest good for the greatest number. Senator Daines has contributed both through the provisions being included in the new Farm Bill.” The first Farm Bill was passed by Congress during the Great Depression in 1933. It is the primary agricultural and food production policy tool of the federal government that is reauthorized every five years. The bill is also a significant piece of environmental conservation legislation. The current bill, the Agricultural Act of 2017, would have expired in 2018 but was just reauthorized by the House and then the Senate this past week. The new Farm Bill contains many provisions to address specific needs. Three of these that Senator Daines has diligently supported include: n

Increasing the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) wildlife practices from 5 percent to 10 percent of the funding, which adds $3 billion a year to assist landowners in planning, installing, or maintaining practices that enhance water quality and wildlife habitat, or reduce soil erosion and sedimentation. This wildlife practice, originally termed the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), was conceptualized by members of the Boone and Crockett Club in 1996. WHIP was combined with EQIP in the 2014 Farm Bill.

Expanding the Good Neighbor Authority allowing the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to enter into cooperative agreements with states to perform forest, rangeland and watershed restoration projects on federal and non-federal lands.

Authorizing $50 million over the life of the bill until 2023 to maintain level funding for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP), which is a competitive grant program that provides state and tribal governments with funds to increase public access to private lands for hunting and fishing.

“Our policy team in Washington D.C., and here in Montana, worked closely with Senator Daines evaluating where the shortfalls have been for the people who grow our food and steward our lands against the increasing demands being placed on the environment in general,” Hollingsworth, Jr. concluded. “He’s proven to be a champion for farmers, ranchers, sportsmen, wildlife, and the environment.” n

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WILDERNESS WARRIOR SOCIETY In 1887 Theodore Roosevelt formed a coalition of gentlemen hunters in order to establish the foundation for the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest wildlife conservation system. Knowing that he could not accomplish this daunting task alone, he invited men of science, business, industry, politics, and public service to join him in forming the Boone and Crockett Club. The results of their commitment and what would ultimately become their conservation legacy is now the highly acclaimed, North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. We still cannot do it alone. We need your help. Please join us in the Wilderness Warrior Society (WWS). It is named after Doug Brinkleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic book about Theodore Roosevelt and his Crusade for America and was launched in 2011 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Boone and Crockett Club. The W WS is our premier giving society that was created as a mission-critical way to secure a future for

FROM THE FOUNDATION

the Club. Contributions are therefore 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. This way you can establish a legacy that will grow and last for generations. With your gift of $125,000 or more, you will be honored by being named a member of the Wilderness Warrior Society. You will be presented with your own numbered limited edition bronze of Theodore Roosevelt on horseback, a distinctive and unique Hickey-Freeman blazer with WWS sterling silver buttons, and an exclusive reception at the annual meeting each year to recognize and honor the special generosity toward wildlife conservation exhibited by WWS members. Please consider pledging to become a member of the Wilderness Warrior Society today! n

R. Terrell McCombs PRESIDENT BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB FOUNDATION

Theodore Roosevelt knew he could not accomplish this daunting task alone.

THERE ARE NOW 31 MEMBERS OF THE WILDERNESS WARRIOR SOCIETY Trevor L. Ahlberg James F. Arnold Rene R. Barrientos Marc A. Brinkmeyer Marshall J. Collins Jr. William A. Demmer Gary W. Dietrich John P. Evans Steve J. Hageman George C. Hixon * B.B. Hollingsworth Jr.

Ned S. Holmes N. Eric Johanson Tom L. Lewis Jimmy John Liautaud R. Terrell McCombs John L. Morris Michael J. Opitz Jack S. Parker * Paul V. Phillips Remo R. Pizzagalli Thomas D. Price

Edward B. Rasmuson T. Garrick Steele Morrison Stevens Sr. Benjamin A. Strickling III Ben B. Wallace Mary L. Webster C. Martin Wood III Leonard H. Wurman M.D. Paul M. Zelisko

2017 Annual Meeting, Savannah, Georgia

*deceased

Contact Terrell McCombs at 210/818-8363 for more details. 58 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

A Little Extra Income Never Hurts... Especially when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guaranteed. New rates mean higher payouts, too, when you turn cash or appreciated assets into a Charitable Gift Annuity. Your generous donation will help the Boone and Crockett Club Foundation honor its commitments to wise natural resource management, conservation research and education, hunter ethics and big game records keeping. Additional benefits for you include an immediate federal income tax deduction and partially tax-free income as well as capital gains and estate tax savings. Plus, with a Charitable Gift Annuity, you will not need to go panning for gold.

For more information, please contact: Winton C. Smith, J.D.

Boone and Crockett Club Foundation

(901)301-9275 winton@wintonsmith.com

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JUSTIN SPRING

your pa d th in

B&C PROFESSIONAL MEMBER DIRECTOR OF BIG GAME RECORDS Photos Courtesy of Author

DIY n t u r e awa

I don’t really know where the

passion came from, but it has always burned deep within me. I was fortunate enough at a young age to be exposed to hunting and the outdoors, but it was never a rite of passage or a desire of approval from the men in the family that drove me to hunt harder. By the time I was 14, I was hunting more than anyone in my family ever had. Ducks, blacktail deer, Roosevelt’s elk, black bear, quail, grouse. I played numerous sports in high school and even into college, though they were time fillers. At 6 foot 1 and 235 pounds, people assumed I would play high school football. But when the soccer coach let me know we wouldn’t be doing daily doubles going into fall season to allow more time with family and to enjoy the summer, it translated into time to hunt bear and scout for archery elk—my decision to play soccer was solidified. While I wasn’t a top recruit by any means, I had the opportunity to play soccer at schools across the country. My visits to these schools were all somewhat similar: they would room me with a current player, and we would check out the scene of the school. The one that stuck out was in Northern Wisconsin, and it wasn’t the academics or the facilities that hooked me. It was the fact that the school lay less than a mile from Lake Superior. Chequamegon National Forest was just beyond a bike ride away, and the edges of the roads were literally covered with whitetails pushed by a recent snowfall. I don’t remember the actual numbers we saw, but the totals were well into the triple digits. They had a solid wildlife program and obviously an abundance of wildlife in close proximity. I started college in the fall of 2001, and for the first time I was thrust into a faction of hunting with no clue how to find success. Spotting and stalking whitetail does with tactics I had used in Oregon for mule deer quickly proved fruitless. When a friend invited me to hunt a shotgun-only area with him at Thanksgiving 60 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

North Americans are beyond fortunate in our ability to experience native wildlife and wild places.

in the southern part of the state, I quickly learned that a slug requires far more lead than a rifle to dispatch a wounded deer on the move. This was just one of many lessons I would file away for future years. It took some time and some assistance from folks to figure out the northern whitetail woods, but by the time I graduated, we regularly found success. We were, in fact, supplying a large number of students with venison, thanks to a program where local farmers received damage tags to alleviate crop issues. And the harvest levels the state required were very generous. The same type of situation occurred when I moved to Montana in 2008 to take a job with Boone and Crockett Club. The first year I was eligible to apply for elk, I was fortunate enough to draw one of the most coveted elk tags in the state. I spent every weekend and my limited vacation all through archery and then rifle season trying to hunt Montana’s American elk with the tactics I had used my entire childhood in Oregon for Roosevelt’s. Finally in last few days of the season, my

now-wife and I got on a herd of bulls bedded in sparse pines on a north-facing slope. As I sprawled out across the snow and mud covered elk trail we had been following and adjusted the contents of my pack to perfect its height for the 200-yard cross-canyon shot, my wife said that there was a good bull beaded. His left side was a solid heavy 6 point but she couldn’t see what he had on the right. We were both burned out from the season and the day, tired, and in fact, had almost turned back to the truck before finding a quarter Nalgene bottle of water in the bottom of a pack. I am not sure what was in the water, but whatever it was combined with the air from the 10-minute break we took that afternoon and pushed us over the next ridge. This was our last effort before the season ended, and the elk sign we were on was fresh. As soon as she confirmed he was a solid, mature bull, I shifted slightly to the right and took in half a breath heavy with the smell of elk. As my chest rose, the

crosshairs lifted, and when the reticle climbed to the center of the bull’s vitals, I stopped the inhale and began squeezing. At the crack of the rifle, the hillside erupted with bulls. I racked another round, but the mayhem was far too intense to contemplate a follow-up. All the bulls got on a single trail, and one by

ABOVE: The author spotted this elk shed while glassing for bears in Oregon’s Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in the spring of 2017. BELOW: The author’s 2009 first Montana bull taken in Helena National Forest. OPPOSITE: A Thanksgiving Day whitetail taken by the author and his wife during the 2017 season on Lolo National Forest.

FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 61

one I started inspecting each in the scope, looking for any sign of a hit to indicate which of these bulls I had shot at. It seemed like an eternity, but in maybe 20 seconds I found a large mature bull that now clearly revealed a right antler broken off at the junction of his G4. Judging by his size amongst the other bulls and quickly surmising why my wife couldn’t see his right side, I focused in on his shoulder to look for any indication of shot placement—certain this must be my bull just as he began to stumble. While this bull’s score is nowhere near minimum, or even that impressive

to experienced elk hunters, he is my best trophy to date. The wedding ring my wife wears proudly is made from one of the worn ivories from this 8-year-old bull. The two of us broke him down and in two trips had the bull of my dreams in the back of the truck—racing to make it back to the small town we were staying and praying the only gas station was still open on this Thanksgiving night. It fortunately was, and a dinner of toquitos, Chex Mix, and a couple tall boys of Hamm’s rounded out what is one of the most significant days in my hunting career. In today’s world, everybody says “score doesn’t matter,” to which we agree, partially. Score has a piece of the history that facilitated these experiences being around today. The system was never intended to place all the emphasis on a number, but rather use this

information as a tool to gauge conservation successes and failures. It is part of a system that has worked flawlessly and is the reason I can write/edit this series of articles for which this column introduces. North Americans are beyond fortunate in our ability to experience native wildlife and wild places that no other countries in the world provide for the public. Our forefathers in conservation stepped up in creating publically-held national forests, creating a system of scientific wildlife management, and developing a system where this magnificent conservation success story is built on the dollars of hunters. To this end, in the United States we can hunt five species of deer, three species of moose, two species of elk, pronghorn, black bear, barren ground caribou, and mountain lion on public land, unguided, with a relatively small

amount of luck in the draws. When you add in the harder draws of Rocky Mountain goat, desert sheep, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, that totals 17 public lands hunts that you can do on your own, for minimal cost, and the majority of those costs go back into the conservation system that allows you the opportunity to apply. In upcoming issues of Fair Chase magazine, we will break down the following list of different hunts and give you an actual set of costs, research, applications, logistics, and an overview of these publicly accessible areas to show anyone that with a little patience and perseverance, one can have a successful hunt. Each article will profile the species, specifics of access, necessary or unique tactics to hunting the species, and how someone who has actually done this on their own has found success. n

LEFT: Passing on the tradition. The author and his son Gage just before his second birthday preparing for his first pack out in Idaho’s Payette National Forest BOTTOM: On a northern Montana pronghorn hunt the author tests out a recipe on state-land-taken pronghorn that ended up appearing in Boone and Crockett’s Wild Gourmet cookbook.

NEXT UP: ARIZONA COUES’ DEER

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WOW

My infatuation with pronghorns

started at a very early age. My family made a trip to Wyoming in the mid-1960s when I was 10 years old. I kept a daily ledger of all of the wildlife I saw along the way. I still remember the towns of Saratoga, Rawlins and Muddy Gap because of the vast numbers of pronghorns we saw.

I started hunting pronghorns in my home state of Texas in Presidio County when I was 15. After successfully taking a very good buck on that first hunt, I was hooked. Pronghorns became a passion. I spent hours and hours researching the Boone and Crockett records books. My research took me on multiple hunts to Hudspeth County, Texas, and Mora and Colfax counties in New Mexico. My research always showed tremendous results for Carbon and Sweetwater counties in Wyoming. I applied for years for the fabled Red Desert and never had success in annual draws. When Wyoming implemented the preference point system for nonresidents, I knew that I would eventually draw a dream tag. It took nine years before I finally had that coveted tag. In the fall of 2015, I spent three days scouting and four days hunting before I took a beautiful, unusual buck. Fast forward to 2017. Draw results for Wyoming came out in June, and I could not believe that I had drawn a tag in the same unit I did in 2015. My research started with the game warden and then the biologist for the unit. Both were predicting I would not have any trouble finding a mature buck. I continued my research with reviewing my copies of Fair Chase and studying the trends for the Red Desert. I arrived five days early for scouting with my friend Jerrell Coburn. Jerrell had accompanied me on my hunt in 2015. He and his wife Pam have spent a great deal of time in this unit in previous years with their own tags. Once we had camp set up, the scouting began. Five days later we had experienced snow, rain, heat and the ever-present Wyoming wind. We had located several bucks but not that special animal. The afternoon before the hunt was set to begin, we went to relocate our number one buck. I managed to accidentally get within 60 yards of him in the wind and snow. Despite the fact that he was a wide and very good buck, he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t why I came to Wyoming. Opening morning found us back at square one starting in some new country. We were seeing smaller, 64 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

BEYOND THE SCORE

Brent Arrant Photos Courtesy of Author

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.

Once we had camp set up, the scouting began. Five days later we had experienced snow, rain, heat, and the ever-present Wyoming wind. We had located several bucks but not that special animal. FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 65

younger bucks all morning. As lunch approached, we made plans to stop on an elevated area so we could eat and continue to glass the desert. When I exited the pickup to get our lunch out of the ice chest, I saw a buck behind us at over a thousand yards. “Wow, Jerrell, look at this buck!” is all I could say. Suddenly, lunch was forgotten! The winds were blowing up to 45 mph, which made it difficult to judge anything other than he was wide and big. I gathered my rifle, my daypack and took off on a stalk. It did not take long before I had closed the distance to 360 yards. The buck was standing, facing me in sagebrush up to his shoulder. I knew that with the 45 mph crosswinds, this was not a shot I was going to take. After a lengthy staredown, the buck turned broadside, but the sagebrush covered him completely. I sat there and watched a tremendous buck walk away without being able to shoot. I returned to the truck and we began making plans on how to relocate this buck we had named, “Wow.” The day ended without us seeing him again. The weather forecast for the second day of the season called for even stronger winds. We finally found the buck around midmorning. I managed to get into a dry creek bed, and I made quick time getting near where the buck was last seen. I caught the movement of an antelope about 100 yards in front of me

in the same creek bed and was able to verify this was the buck. Things happened quickly from here. Wow caught my scent, even with the gusting 50 mph winds. He spooked and ran out of sight down the creek bed. I took off at a jog to gain some elevation and close the distance. The next time I saw him, he was at 220 yards and facing me. He finally turned broadside with the top of his shoulder and back visible over the sagebrush. I was already sitting with my 7 mm magnum on the Crooked Sticks. I lost sight of him when the gun fired. I gathered my daypack and took off to where he was standing at the shot. The sage was so thick that I was within 20 yards before I saw him. I could only see his small horn—and it was big. I marked his location with the GPS and returned to the truck to get Jerrell, a camera and the game cart. Jerrell was not able to hear the single gunshot in the 50 mph winds. He was not aware I had been successful. After high-fives, we took off to recover the buck. I told the story as we hiked to his location. That evening, we measured the buck for a green score of 89 and an inside spread of 23-7/8 inches! In a few days when we returned to Texas, I dropped Jerrell off at his home. In less than 15 minutes he called me, saying, “I think you have taken the widest buck in the records book.” Sixty days later, after

Brent Arrant with his pronghorn, Wow. This buck was taken in 2017 in Sweetwater County, Wyoming and scores 84-4/8 points.

the drying period and verifying the minimum 15-degree rule for the angle of each horn (see page 139 of How to Score North American Big Game), I had the buck officially scored. The buck had a score of 84-4/8 points. Wow has an official inside spread of 23-7/8 and a

I started hunting pronghorns in my home state of Texas in Presidio County when I was 15. After successfully taking a very good buck on that first hunt, I was hooked. Pronghorns became a passion.

66 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

tip-to-tip of 23-1/8. The largest inside and tip-to-tip spreads in the Records of North American Big Game 14th Edition is 21-7/8 and 21-6/8, respectively. I realize that spread is a supplemental measurement for pronghorns, but it really does add to the “Wow” factor! n

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FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 67

CAN THE ANTIS LEARN ANYTHING FROM FAIR CHASE?

KEITH BALFOURD B&C PROFESSIONAL MEMBER HUNTER AND CONSERVATION ETHICS SUB-COMMITTEE

Good question. For the sake of this column, the word “antis” refers to those who are vocally opposed to hunting. Some may also be animal rights advocates, although not all. If the concept of fair chase is the moral compass that has guided responsible hunting in support of the conservation and management of game species, can it teach others who care about wildlife—or claim to—a thing or two? If actions are based on decisions, and decisions are based on past experiences, a sense of right and wrong, and in the case of wildlife and ecosystems, science, then the answer is, yes. If you’re putting your money where your mouth is and you genuinely care about wildlife—and not just casually or part-time when the mood moves you—then the answer is definitely, yes. Our fair-chase principles are a shining example of what putting the needs of something else (wildlife and the game we hunt) ahead of ourselves looks like. They rest upon a deeply rooted sense of fairness that places a concern for the hunted above the objective, success. This is where self-discipline and self-restraint come into play. This real concern or advocacy is the antithesis of where the end justifies the means, which is rare. In hunting, how we hunt matters, but not just the how. The game itself and the environment should matter 24-7-365. Advocacy for something is just that, advocacy. It’s not a part-time thing. Sportsmen directly benefit from healthy game populations. Our advocacy may be self-serving, but history has proven the model of public benefit is the only thing that saved wildlife in North America from complete destruction in the past, and it keeps wildlife with us in healthy abundance today. There are all forms of advocates for wildlife. Some are the real deal and put their back and their wallet into it. Others are in it to make a buck off the under-informed. Then there are those that have gone vocal anti-hunter, using animal welfare as a backdrop. They must believe they are doing right, but at the end of the day, they are doing more harm than good by trying to end the one activity that actually does something for game species, and by a measurable extension, many other species of wildlife. What drives them? If it truly is a concern for wildlife, they will find like-minded people operating under the principles of fair chase if they look. What drives them is an important part of this conversation. There is such a thing as moral self-licensing. This is a mouthful, but it means people do things out of guilt over something else. As James Swan writes in a recent piece for the NRA Leadership Forum titled, “Understanding Anti-Hunters”: Just what causes a person to ignore science and behave based on moral outrage? According to Bowdoin psychology 68 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

professor Zachary Rothschild and University of Southern Mississippi psychology professor Lucas A. Keefer, people who show anger over moral issues not directly affecting them may actually be emoting in an effort to quell their own guilt about something completely unrelated, as feelings of guilt are a direct threat to one’s self-image that they are a moral person. They found that increased guilt “predicted increased punitiveness toward a third-party harm-doer,” who becomes a target. And, another study found that women today are more likely to feel guilt than men. Rothchild and Keefer conclude that moral outrage is self-serving as much or more than helping a third party—in this case, animals. This is an example of what University of

Kansas social psychologist C. Daniel Bateson calls “moral hypocrisy.” A degree in psychology aside, some people will have emotional qualms over the killing of wildlife under any rules for any purpose or any reason, no matter if for the betterment of a species or people and backed by science. These outliers will likely never come around, which means the antis are more likely to shun fair chase than accept and learn from it. Regardless, we are justified in making the case that sportsmen should be admired and emulated, not vilified for our commitments under the rules of fair chase. The place for this then is not with the antis, but with the 78-percent of the people who still support, or are neutral

toward hunting. In truth, their concerns are our concerns—clean air, clean water, healthy ecosystems, wild places with healthy populations of wild critters—and a system up and running that keeps it this way as much as possible. They can learn from fair chase. As for the moral supremacists and their moral outrage, fair chase undermines their platform. I don’t see them running around proclaiming anytime soon that hunters are principled men and women holding themselves accountable to an ethical standard that extends beyond the law. Moral self-licensing is powerful. All we can do is put our best foot forward and fly the fair chase flag for the broader public to see. n

People who show anger over moral issues not directly affecting them may actually be emoting in an effort to quell their own guilt about something completely unrelated, as feelings of guilt are a direct threat to one’s self-image that they are a moral person.

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FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 69

FOR THE RECORD I hope this column finds you well as we move into another fall and the upcoming seasons—which seem to take forever to arrive and then pass in a blink of an eye. Trophy entries for the 30th Awards Program continue to come in as of this writing, and we are staying extremely busy with entries and Official Measurer (OM) appointments. With four classes scheduled over the spring and summer, one additional possible location, and one more confirmed this fall, our numbers of measurers is definitely increasing. Even with the growing numbers, we are confident the quality of our representatives is as strong as ever. Kyle and I enjoy the opportunity to meet these folks during trainings; their passion for both scoring and conservation is contagious, which we hope carries over into their representation of the organization as a whole. Pictured in this article are the two Missoula courses which were conducted as a joint training for Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett Club as well as our British Columbia workshop from earlier this spring. We have one scheduled for July in New Jersey and will WHAT NOT TO DO: I would like to remind all Official Measurers that it is not acceptable to sign an entry affidavit and then send to the hunter to sign. Historically this signature had to be notarized; however, in an effort to streamline the process, we allow our Official Measurer to act as a notary. In order to serve this function, you must physically witness the hunter sign the entry affidavit.

70 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

TROPHY TALK

wrap up the year in Chatfield, Minnesota at Pope and Young’s Headquarters in October. Many of our measurers have served for many years, and with an upcoming renewal process at the end of this year, we will no doubt lose a few to retirement. If you feel you may be coming to the point where you may want to hang up the tape and cable, please consider mentoring either a newly appointed or prospective new measurer. Your years of experience in dealing with hunters and how to conduct yourself to positively represent the Club is one of the greatest skill sets you could pass along, and we would greatly appreciate you helping new OMs with this process. In terms of the entry process and issues, I would like to remind all Official Measurers that it is not acceptable to sign an entry affidavit and

What NOT to do:

send to the hunter to sign. Historically this signature had to be notarized; however, in an effort to streamline the process, we allow our Official Measurer to act as a notary. In order to serve this function, you must physically witness the hunter sign the entry affidavit. If not, you cannot sign it. Trophies scored at a taxidermist or shows where you may not have contact with the hunter does not alter this requirement. We are driving forward with the database update and again ask for your patience as we work through the bugs of this new system. Please make sure to keep up on both this column and Kyle’s Tales of the Tape newsletter to keep apprised of Records Department happenings as we will have some fairly significant changes to policies—including submitting and renewal—coming up in the very near future.

JUSTIN SPRING B&C PROFESSIONAL MEMBER Director of Big Game Records

We would like to thank our OMs for their efforts in the Associate sign-up push. Remember, we are always available to answer scoring or signup questions. Also let us know if we can help address any other concerns or roadblocks you seem to be hitting regarding the Club or our programs. As a final note, as you most likely saw in Kyle’s newsletter from June 1, the National Collection of Heads and Horns is now open and available to be viewed in Springfield, Missouri. If you happen to be in the area, swing by Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. Better yet, make plans to attend the 30th Big Game Awards to be held in Springfield, August 1-3, 2019. As we did at the last Awards program, all Official

WELCOME NEW OFFICIAL MEASURERS PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA APRIL 14-18, 2018 Arne D. Anderson - Hudson’s Hope, BC Patrick Byrne - 100 Mile House, BC Darren D. Cropley - Prince George, BC Daniel Fournier - Kitimat, BC Sheila Gruenwald - Terrace, BC Josh Hamilton - Fort St. John, BC Oliver Hampson - Pitt Meadows, BC Adam P. Moleski - Prince George, BC Daniel R. Norton - McBride, BC Wade T. Oakley - Cranbrook, BC Michal Opolsky - North Vancouver, BC Paul Rusch - Terrace, BC Terry M. Smith - Kelowna, BC Don Stevenson - Burns Lake, BC Brian J. Swift - Campbell River, BC Albert E. Tisdale - Kamloops, BC Waylon Vipond - Pouce Coupe, BC Ray Wiens - Lower Nicola, BC Aaron Wolff - Fort Steele, BC

PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, APRIL 14-18, 2018

MISSOULA, MONTANA, MAY 4-8, 2018 Charles Adams - Lafayette, TN Benjamin J. Allen - Wallace, ID Mitchel C. Arnold - Littleton, CO Weston L. Baker - Piqua, OH Bruce Capes - Midvale, UT Bernie L. Goebel - Floodwood, MN Ronda A. Goebel - Floodwood, MN Philip A. Herrnberger - Irvine, PA Warren P. Holder - Winterset, IA James E. Holley - Golden, CO Shane R. Liss - Irwin, ID Rose M. Long - Woodland Park, CO Eric Lowery - Johnstown, CO Jeffrey R. Mancuso - Cotopaxi, CO Edward L. McClure - Laurelville, OH Joseph A. McEver - Milledgeville, GA Jon T. McRoberts - Columbia, MO Mark H. Parah - Baldwinsville, NY Steven L. Roberts - Mackay, ID MISSOULA MONTANA, JUNE 15-19, 2018 Mitchell A. Atkinson - Peoria, AZ Nathan R. Cole - McCook, NE Daniel P. Cowley - Farmington, NM Travis L. Cramer - Simon, WV Arthur B.C. Dorminy - Ocilla, GA Mark A. Dovel - Aurora, TX Ronald E. Elkins - Circleville, OH Timothy B. Fisk - Madison, AL Eugene F. Foster - Paonia, CO Larry M. Gorchesky - Cody, WY Wyatt A. Goring - Logan, UT Levy R. Groves - Claresholm, AB Lance W. Hadlock - Vernal, UT Larry E. Hatter - Grangeville, ID Troy Hawkins - Palisade, CO William M. Haynes - Homer, LA Kenneth W. Hollopeter - Valentine, NE R.J. Krajcsovics - Brown’s Mills, NJ Patrick J. Malone - Saratoga, WY Randy B. Morrison - Casper, WY LaRue D. Parr - Dongola, IL Roger J. Peltier - Washington, MA Brad R. Plaga - Newcastle, WY Robert D. Stahl - Pendleton, OR Sou Thao - Florence, MT

MISSOULA, MONTANA, MAY 4-8, 2018

MISSOULA, MONTANA, JUNE 15-19, 2018

FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 71

Measurers are invited to attend to be recognized for their service to the Club as well as help us celebrate the successes of wildlife conservation. These successes can be seen in the quality of displays and by visiting with the hunters holding top entries and the youth hunters we recognize. Not only will you be afforded the opportunity to witnesses the most impressive collection of top entries from the last three years that will ever be assembled, you will have the opportunity to talk to the future hunter-conservationists. An invitation will be coming in the next few months, but we wanted you to get this event on your calendars early. This is our best opportunity to thank our measurers publicly. Currently scheduled there will be an open meeting for Official Measurers where some of the more interesting or challenging entries from the 30th Awards will be reviewed as well as a luncheon where all measurers will be recognized. All attending measurers will receive a small token of our appreciation. At the 29th, it was a custom Montana Silversmiths belt buckle. While nothing is confirmed yet, something similar is in the works for this time around. We will have more on this upcoming event as it approaches, but we sincerely hope you can all make it. You are the backbone of the records program that has been documenting this success since the 1950s. Best of luck this fall! n

Associate Sign-Up Incentive Program Leader Board *As of July 22, 2018

CONGRATS TO OUR TOP PRIZE-WINNERS! Stanley Zirbel – 38 Bucky Ihlenfeldt – 32 Charlie Adams – 19 Ken Witt – 18 Daniel A. Doughty III – 13 Jerry E. Lunde – 9 Philip A. Herrnberger – 8 Mark Miller – 8 Ralph Stayner – 6 Carl Frey – 5 Michael Moline – 5 Jim R. Peterson – 5 Ab England – 4 Roger Kingsley – 4 Chris Lacey – 4

Harrell Wilson – 4 John Bogucki – 3 Mike Golightly – 3 Daniel Hollingsworth – 3 Stacee Kleinsmith – 3 Joe Lacefield – 3 Marvin D. LaRose – 3 Ron Madsen – 3 Toby Montgomery – 3 Robert Novosad – 3 John Ohmer – 3 Tim Rozewski – 3 Gary Wegner – 3 Brent Wilkes – 3

2 ASSOCIATE SIGN-UPS

Ricky D. Addison, Thomas E..Baine, Mark Bara, Don Biggs, Bob Black, Richard A. Bonander, Jason Browning, Buck Buckner, John Busic, Brent Christensen, L. Victor Clark, Chad A. Coburn, Tim Donnelly, Dane K. Eider, Hub Grounds, Arthur F. Hayes, Gilbert Hernandez, John Hooten, Gary R. Howard, Stephen J. Hutton, Bill Nash, Jr., Clay Newcomb, Will Ogden, John Ramsey, Eric M. Rominger, Eric Stanosheck, John Stein, Gerry Wegner, Jim Williams, Jennifer Wood, Robert Wood

1 ASSOCIATE SIGN-UP

Each time an OM signs up a B&C Associate we’ll put a credit by their name. HERE’S THE BREAKDOWN 3 Associates – $25 off any item in the B&C store 5 Associates – Buck Knife 10 Associates – B&C Boyt sling 25 Associates – OM Wool Vest 50 Associates – Sitka Gear (value up to $350)

75 Associates – Yeti cooler and rambler package (value up to $500) 100 Associates – Congratulations! YOU’LL RECEIVE A KIMBER RIFLE! NOTE: Limit to one rifle per year, three rifles per Official Measurer.

72 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

Grant Adkisson, T.K. Atkinson, Mike Barrett, Erik Bartholomew, Steve Boero, Richard Burley, Dean H. Cook, Stephen L. Cook, Scott G. Corley, Brian Dam, Bob Davies, Robert Deis, John J. Detjen, Chad Dillabough, James Dowd, Randal Dufault, Tracy Dunkin, Gary D. English, Mark A. Erspamer, Luke Finney, Kevin Freymiller, Ronnie Gadberry, HP Giger, TJ Gould, Robert Graber, Tony J. Grabowski, Clifford Gray, Len Guldman, Jeffrey Gunnels, Charles Harden, Donald Haseley, Everett Headley, Tim Humes, Richard E. Johndrow, Walter E. Johnson, Derris R. Jones, Mark Jones, Rory Karczewski, Edward Larimer, Clinton Latham, Neil Lawson, Macy Ledbetter, John Legnard, Dean Marguardt, Bria Martin, James W. Martin, Corey Mason, Micah Mauney, James McCloskey, Richard McDrew, Steve McMillen, Gary Mefford, Thomas Milne, Skip Moore, George M. Moore, Corey Neill, Ronald Newman, James Newport, Robert Newton IV, Matt Nilsen, Frank S. Noska, Don Patterson, Don Perrien, Ron G. Pesek, Richard A. Pflanz, John Phillips, Ryan Rauscher, Joe Ream, Ronald S. Richman, Ken J. Rimer, Wayne Rodd, Arnold V. Sandoval, Michael W. Schlegel, Jeffrey L. Schneider, Glen Sellsted, Curtis P. Smiley, Ted Spraker, Ralph C. Stephen, Kelly Stockdale, Darrel Sudduth, Ed Swanson, Stephen C. Swihart, Jr., Jerry L. Tkac, Michael Trujillo, Victor Trujillo, Brent Trumbo, Tony Vidrine, Gary Villnow, Gene A. Wagner, Jr., Lee Wahlund, William Walters, Bill Ward, Brad Zundel

Current Associates! Would you like to give an Official Measurer credit for your renewal? Let them know when it is your time to renew and they will provide their OMID number to include with your renewal so they will receive credit.

FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 73

JACK STEELE PARKER

GENERATION

NEXT FINAL GROSS SCORE SCORE LOCATION

HUNTER

DATE MEASURER

BLACK BEAR 21 1/16

Pine River, MB

Lane B. Kunkel

2016

The Boone and Crockett Club would like to celebrate young hunters who have embraced the outdoor way of life and embody the spirit of fair chase hunting. The following is a list of the most recent big game trophies accepted into Boone and Crockett Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30th Big Game Awards Program, 2016-2018, that have been taken by a youth hunter (16 years or younger). This listing represents only those trophies accepted since the Summer 2018 issue of Fair Chase was published.

J. Plesuk

TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER 175 2/8 184 2/8 160 161 3/8

Dickinson Co., KS Chippewa Co., WI

Matthew P. Lillich Rachel G. Baltuff

2016 2017

T. Bowman J. Hjort

NON-TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER 191 1/8 201

Stephenson Co., IL Tyler D. Thomas

2009

A. Crum

PRONGHORN 86 4/8 86 7/8 Powder Anthony M. Ray 2017 B. Zundel River Co., MT BIGHORN SHEEP 182 7/8 183 5/8 Blaine Co., MT Jace A. Sartain 2017 F. King

Read more about the Jack Steele Parker Generation Next Youth Banquet that took place at the 29th Big Game Awards in the Fall 2016 issue of Fair Chase.

Save The Date!

Springfield, Missouri August 1 - 3, 2019 74 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

THE LARGEST, MOST IMMERSIVE

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artifacts and milestones that celebrate conservation efforts. Visitors will experience the story of conservation from the Native Americans to Lewis and Clark to Teddy Roosevelt and the wildlife management practices championed by hunters and anglers that helped shape the conservation movement.

The wildlife galleries were inspired by Johnny Morris’ lifetime spent in nature and his deep admiration for fellow hunter and angler conservationists like Roosevelt and Audubon. These conservation heroes, through time spent hunting and fishing, grew to appreciate the vital importance of wildlife habitats and management. The creation of the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium, located in the heart of America, Springfield, Missouri, establishes a destination accessible to tens of millions of people who may never have the opportunity to travel to the great museums in New York or Washington DC. Guests can get closer to record-setting game animals than ever before, stand in awe observing nature’s most striking exotic animal habitats, and discover the origins of the conservation movement with historic

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BP172292 FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 75

RECENTLY ACCEPTED TROPHIES The following pages list the most recent big game trophies accepted into Boone and Crockett Club’s 30th Big Game Awards Program, 2016-2018, which includes entries received between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018. 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 Summer 2018 issue of Fair Chase was published.

B&C Associate Tim D. Hiner took this Alaska-Yukon moose scoring 213-2/8 points, on a hunt near Kotzebue, Alaska, in 2017.

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30 BIG GAME AWARDS TH

LISTING AND PHOTO GALLERY “My son and I spotted this bull first thing out of the tent on the first morning of our hunt. He was crossing the mountain above camp close to a half mile away. We made a cow call as loud as possible and the bull stopped and turned toward us. We made a second call and he came in a straight line for us. Walking down the mountain we had a clear view of his antlers and we judged him a shooter. After hanging up in a patch of timber then again in some willows we finally enticed him with soft cow calls into shooting range within an hour.”

TOP TO BOTTOM

BEAR & COUGAR FINAL SCORE

LOCATION

HUNTER

BLACK BEAR - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 23-10/16 22 4/16 22 3/16 21 14/16 21 9/16 21 7/16 21 6/16 21 5/16 21 3/16 21 3/16 21 3/16 21 2/16 21 1/16 21 21 20 5/16 20 4/16 20 4/16 20 3/16 20 2/16 20 2/16 20 2/16 20 1/16 20 1/16 20

Chippewa Co., WI Catron Co., NM Kanabec Co., MN Venango Co., PA Pike Co., PA Garfield Co., CO Roseau Co., MN Jackson Co., WI Menominee Co., MI Sussex Co., NJ Bayfield Co., WI Price Co., WI Rusk Co., WI Yavapai Co., AZ Storey Co., NV Archuleta Co., CO Pepin Co., WI Adams Co., ID Fraser River, BC Savant Lake, ON Pepin Co., WI Chitek Lake, SK Wabasca River, AB Fergus Co., MT

DATE MEASURER

Chase M. Stoffel 2017 Gene S. Adams 2011 Timothy J. Patterson 2017 Chad A. Wagner 2017 Robert R. Milbrodt 2016 Thomas M. Diesing 2017 Jan W. Johnson 2017 Harold J. Dykstra 2017 Richard W. Kamin 2017 Mark S. Kronyak 2017 Daniel R. Westlund III 2017 James G. Schmittinger 2017 Patrick J. Bertoni 2017 Levi E. Adamson 2017 Justin E. Ables 2017 Kenneth L. Knight 2017 Brent E. King 2016 Jay D. Widner 2017 Jeremy D. Heilskov 2017 Kurt M. Mingerink 2015 Travis King 2016 Gibbons G. Cornwell IV 2017 Mark S. Kronyak 1998 Jake L. Hould 2017

J. Hjort T. Sharp D. Meger D. Bastow R. Kingsley B. Davies R. Dufault S. Zirbel D. Wellman J. McCloskey J. Hjort S. Godfrey G. Wegner R. Tone G. Hernandez E. Earls B. Ihlenfeldt R. Addison K. Freymiller E. DeYoung B. Ihlenfeldt R. Burtis J. McCloskey L. Buhmann

This grizzly bear, scoring 24-5/16 points, was taken by B&C Associate Jacqueline L. Gee while on a hunt near Emsley Creek, British Columbia, in 2017. In 2016, Tammy J. Kahne harvested this 14-10/16-point cougar while on a hunt in Jicarilla Apache Reservation, New Mexico. In 2017, B&C Associate Craig S. Ortego harvested this 376-1/8-point typical American elk while on a hunt in Las Animas County, Colorado.

GRIZZLY BEAR - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 27-13/16 25 10/16 24 5/16 23 11/16 23 10/16

Golsovia River, AK Emsley Creek, BC S. Fork Koyukuk River, AK Peace River, BC

Michael J. Taylor Jacqueline L. Gee Charles R. Cook II

2017 J. Wall 2017 C. Zuckerman 2017 T. Dunkin

Stephen F. Kremmer 2016 T. Milne

ALASKA BROWN BEAR - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 30-12/16 27 6/16 27 1/16 26 8/16

Dog Salmon Daniel N. Osborne River, AK Kodiak Island, AK Scott S. Flood Pavloff Volcano, AK Todd C. Coomes

2017 J. Knevel 2017 M. Miller 2016 J. Busic

COUGAR - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 16-4/16 15 14 12/16 14 10/16 14 9/16 14 8/16

Turner Valley, AB Craig T. Ostermayer Madison Co., MT Mark S. Kronyak Jicarilla Apache Tammy J. Kahne Reservation., NM Gregory Co., SD Clinton M. DeBoer Utah Co., UT Russell L. Jones

2017 D. Loosemore 1995 J. McCloskey 2016 M. Streissguth 2017 M. Mauney 2015 S. Bagley

ELK & MULE DEER FINAL GROSS SCORE SCORE LOCATION

HUNTER

DATE MEASURER

TYPICAL AMERICAN ELK - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 442-5/8 414 2/8 426 3/8 407 6/8 422 7/8 387 7/8 401 4/8 383 5/8 391 4/8 381 4/8 385 7/8 377 388 376 1/8 380 5/8 368 4/8 378 7/8 366 2/8 388 2/8 365 2/8 376 6/8 361 2/8 368 5/8 360 1/8 382 7/8

Box Elder Co., UT Lincoln Co., NE Garfield Co., UT McKinley Co., NM Park Co., WY White Pine Co., NV Las Animas Co., CO Pike Co., KY Grand Co., CO Waterhen Lake, SK Powder River Co., MT Lewis and Clark Co., MT

Spencer T. Garn Dillon J. Mortensen Connor K. Belnap Claude A. Frost Nate S. Clark Craig D. Stevens Craig S. Ortego Jeffrey Cornett Picked Up Ronald J. Thompson James P. Foley, Jr.

2017 2017 2017 2017 2016 2017 2017 2017 2012 2017 2017

T. Mortenson L. Meduna W. Bowles M. Golightly R. Anderson G. Hernandez T. Vidrine D. Weddle G. Glasgow G. Sellsted R. Spring

Brian S. McDaniel

2017 J. Pallister

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NON-TYPICAL AMERICAN ELK - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 478-5/8 423 5/8 395 2/8 390 7/8 389 6/8

432 3/8 399 2/8 424 1/8 397 5/8

Rosebud Co., MT Alba Lake, AB Clearfield Co., PA White Pine Co., NV

Charles R. Anderson Robert J. Lloyd Robert F. Cook Tony M. Martin

2017 2017 2017 2017

O. Opre N. Napora B. Dam J. Capurro

ROOSEVELT’S ELK - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 404-6/8 354 7/8 378 2/8 322 1/8 333 317 324 6/8 306 3/8 312 2/8 302 3/8 316 4/8 300 4/8 305 3/8 299 1/8 305 6/8

Bonanza Lake, BC Kevin L. Countryman Pacific Co., WA Phillip N. Stamp II Klanawa River, BC Jerry M. Baker Gold River, BC Thomas C. Huff Pender Harbour, BC Craig A. McLean Grays Harbor Thomas T. Woods Co., WA Humboldt Co., CA Edward B. Dalton

2017 2017 2017 2017 2016 2017

D. Patterson S. Wilkins J. McEachern D. Patterson B. Ryll S. Wilkins

2017 J. Busic

TULE ELK - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 379 327 1/8 316 2/8 302 4/8 297 6/8

349 4/8 326 2/8 312 6/8 310 5/8

Mendocino Co., CA Colusa Co., CA Colusa Co., CA Solano Co., CA

Cory J. Smith Emily A. Howard Kevin L. Sloop Peter Coelho

2017 2017 2017 2017

L. Wahlund H. Wilson H. Wilson D. Perrien

TYPICAL MULE DEER - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 226-4/8 197 196 6/8 191 5/8 190 7/8 187 3/8 185 1/8 185 1/8 182 5/8 182 181 5/8 180

213 1/8 210 4/8 206 6/8 203 4/8 203 186 4/8 189 4/8 194 7/8 190 2/8 196 196 1/8

Unknown San Juan Co., NM Mohave Co., AZ Lincoln Co., NV Douglas Co., CO Unknown Power Co., ID Camas Co., ID Rosebud Co., MT Campbell Co., WY Cascade Co., MT

Unknown Mike P. Felten Lucas M. Williams Brian A. Gallagher Dillon N. Joslyn Unknown Travis R. Hanks Ryan E. Smith Matthew J. Ewing Robert L. Barlow Charles J. Smith

1900 2017 2017 2016 2017 1900 2017 2010 2017 2017 2017

R. Black R. Madsen M. Zieser V. Trujillo R. Rockwell R. Black T. Peterson R. Hatfield K. Farmer M. Barrett J. Wiggs

NON-TYPICAL MULE DEER - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 355-2/8 253 5/8 245 7/8 235 223 6/8 222 222 219 1/8 218 4/8

267 1/8 256 238 2/8 229 7/8 225 7/8 225 6/8 224 227

Yakima Co., WA Rio Blanco Co., CO Elmore Co., ID Elmore Co., ID Caribou Co., ID Chaplin Lake, SK Dundy Co., NE Boise Co., ID

Paul T. Gann Ernest C. Signs Michael D. Wood Robert Shapel Patrick J. Gibson Nathan B.W. Godick Eric L. Johnson Harvey E. Dietz

2017 1941 1981 1959 2016 2017 2017 1984

J. Wiggs R. Newman G. Bettas R. Hatfield H. Morse A. Long G. Stults R. Hatfield

TYPICAL COLUMBIA BLACKTAIL DEER - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 182-2/8 139 5/8 148 5/8 Trinity Co., CA

Robert Liening

1988 G. Hooper

HUNTER

DATE MEASURER

WHITETAIL DEER FINAL GROSS SCORE SCORE LOCATION

TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 213-5/8

TOP TO BOTTOM:

This non-typical American elk, scoring 390-7/8 points, was taken by B&C Associate Robert F. Cook in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, on a hunt in 2017. B&C Associate Edward B. Dalton was on a hunt in Humboldt County, California, when he harvested this Roosevelt’s elk scoring 299-1/8 points. Dillon N. Joslyn took this typical mule deer, scoring 187-3/8 points, in Douglas County, Colorado, in 2017. He was shooting a .30/06 Springfield. 78 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

188 4/8 205 3/8 186 6/8 203 6/8 185 1/8 200 4/8 184 7/8 199 1/8 182 3/8 208 5/8 180 6/8 187 178 2/8 185 2/8 176 6/8 182 4/8 176 3/8 181 7/8 176 2/8 193 2/8 176 185 175 5/8 185 2/8 175 180 6/8 174 3/8 189 2/8 173 6/8 186 6/8 173 1/8 182 3/8 173 200 7/8 172 7/8 177 172 5/8 183 2/8

Warren Co., OH Timothy A. Wilson 2017 Pine Lake, AB Gerald M. Lawrence 2016 Ellis Co., OK Bryan K. Bayless 2017 Floyd Co., IN Justin D. Bussabarger 2017 Anoka Co., MN Justin W. Palmer 2017 Wayne Co., IN Michael R. Richmond 2017 Iowa Co., WI Michael D. Wichert 2017 Vernon Co., MO Roger L. Hensley 2017 Monona Co., IA Jesse J. Black 2016 Crawford Co., PA Joseph A. Repasky 2017 Last Mountain Landen G. Yantz 2017 Lake, SK Washtenaw Co., MI Cary F. Shear 2017 Crawford Co., WI Todd R. Thiel 2017 Barron Co., WI Douglas A. Shackleton 2017 North Saskatchewan Christopher S. 2016 River, AB Trueman Lake Co., IN Gregory T. Calarie 2017 Comanche Co., OK William J. Nadeau 2017 Red Deer River, AB Bradley J. Petersen 2017 Clinton Co., IN Michael R. Griffith 2017

G. Trent D. Powell G. Moore M. Verble J. Lunde J. Hooten S. Godfrey J. Cussimanio T. Kalsbeck D. Bastow P. Mckenzie B. Nash S. Zirbel K. Rimer J. Clary J. Bogucki G. Moore D. Powell R. Graber

TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER CONTINUED 172 2/8 177 6/8 Knox Co., IL Matthew L. Goedeke 2017 T. Walmsley 172 2/8 179 2/8 Watrous, SK Craig A. Miettinen 2017 B. Johnston 171 7/8 179 5/8 Cut Knife, SK Ryan L. Betemps 2017 D. Pezderic 171 7/8 186 1/8 Shell River, SK Richard M. Bonneau 2017 B. Seidle 171 3/8 184 4/8 Van Buren Co., MI John P. Hatt 2017 D. Merritt 171 2/8 181 7/8 Carroll Co., IN Daryl C. Lytle 2017 R. Graber 171 2/8 177 Osage Co., OK Jeffrey A. Newbold 2017 J. Hendrix 171 1/8 197 1/8 Caldwell Co., MO Jason T. Snodgrass 2017 J. Blystone 170 3/8 172 6/8 Monroe Co., MI Ronald E. Stefko, Jr. 2016 B. Nash 168 6/8 173 3/8 Jasper Co., IN David F. Grove 2017 R. Graber 168 5/8 184 7/8 Henry Co., KY Stephanie L. Bowles 2017 R. Karczewski 168 3/8 180 1/8 Highland Co., OH Tucker N. Watson 2017 G. Trent 167 6/8 183 6/8 Webster Co., MO Tyler P. Green 2017 T. Donnelly 167 2/8 173 4/8 Dearborn Co., IN Chris E. Justice 2015 R. Graber 167 2/8 168 5/8 Pierce Co., WI Michael E. Sanders 2017 J. Brummer 166 7/8 176 6/8 Shelby Co., KY Ryan G.P. Morse 2017 D. Hollingsworth 166 6/8 170 7/8 Waupaca Co., WI Todd D. Hintz 2017 S. Zirbel 166 5/8 180 5/8 Lorain Co., OH Trevor S. Garfield 2017 A. Cramer 166 2/8 172 3/8 Powder River Co., MT Joseph P. Howard 2017 G. Taylor 165 6/8 198 3/8 Pierce Co., WI Samuel J. Johnson 2017 K. Rimer 165 5/8 182 4/8 Calumet Co., WI Joshua L. Otte 2017 S. Zirbel 164 7/8 167 6/8 Houston Co., MN Jeffrey A. Schotten 2017 C. Pierce 164 5/8 172 3/8 Madison Co., KY Larry D. Morgan 2017 D. Weddle 164 5/8 168 7/8 Sheboygan Co., WI Christopher L. Kugler 2017 S. Zirbel 164 1/8 170 Wabash Co., IN Matthew T. West 2017 R. Karczewski 163 5/8 165 6/8 Juneau Co., WI Guy T. Metzger 2017 K. Rimer 163 170 1/8 Cortland Co., NY Brent D. Randall 2017 J. Dowd 162 7/8 195 6/8 Pulaski Co., KY Eric S. Lawhorn 2017 D. Weddle 162 6/8 178 4/8 Cass Co., MI Ronald G. Newcomer 2017 D. Merritt 162 4/8 169 4/8 Clark Co., IN Jeffrey A. Shepherd, Jr. 2017 J. Bogucki 162 4/8 169 4/8 Crawford Co., IN Timothy A. Newton 2017 J. Hooten 162 4/8 166 6/8 Douglas Co., MO Wesley F. Tompkins 2017 T. Donnelly 162 166 3/8 Kewaunee Co., WI John E. Ott 2017 B. Ihlenfeldt 161 6/8 165 4/8 Strafford Co., NH Joseph W. Fillion, Jr. 2017 W. Rodd 161 4/8 168 2/8 Canadian Co., OK Kellie A. Halbert 2017 G. Moore 161 4/8 166 7/8 Kandiyohi Co., MN Brandon A. 2017 K. Fredrickson Schmidt-Spiess 161 4/8 164 4/8 Pettis Co., MO Tyler D. Bredehoeft 2017 D. Hollingsworth 161 165 1/8 Nemaha Co., KS Sidney A. Lee 2017 M. Bara 160 7/8 177 6/8 Berrien Co., MI Randy S. Luthringer 2017 B. Hagy 160 7/8 171 2/8 Kent Co., MI Steven E. Kovacs 2017 B. Novosad 160 6/8 175 3/8 Pendleton Co., KY Steve R. Ammerman 2017 J. Lacefield 160 4/8 169 7/8 Kenora Bay, ON Philip S. Graveline 2017 C. Smiley

TOP TO BOTTOM:

While on a 2016 hunt in Caribou County, Idaho, Patrick J. Gibson took this non-typical mule deer scoring 222 points. He was shooting a 7mm Remington Mag. This typical whitetail, scoring 176 6/8 points, was taken by Roger L. Hensley while hunting in Vernon County, Missouri, in 2017. B&C Associate and Official Measurer Tom Cartwright took this nontypical whitetail deer, scoring 200-3/8 points, in 2014 while hunting in Hughes County, Oklahoma.

NON-TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 333-7/8 245 7/8 255 Logan Co., OK 243 1/8 248 4/8 Mills Co., IA 239 2/8 251 2/8 Lancaster Co., NE 224 3/8 235 4/8 Westmoreland Co., PA 221 4/8 228 4/8 Burke Co., ND 215 2/8 217 Pottawatomie Co., KS 208 5/8 215 2/8 McDonald Co., MO 207 5/8 217 3/8 Osage Co., KS 207 5/8 218 Steuben Co., IN 206 2/8 212 3/8 Switzerland Co., IN 205 7/8 217 3/8 Fayette Co., IL 205 6/8 215 4/8 Monroe Co., IL 205 213 1/8 Clark Co., IN 204 7/8 219 1/8 Perry Co., PA 204 4/8 210 7/8 Becker Co., MN 206 213 Jackson Co., MI 204 1/8 214 3/8 Peoria Co., IL 204 218 Delaware Co., OH 201 3/8 206 6/8 Wayne Co., IN 200 3/8 204 6/8 Hughes Co., OK 199 206 7/8 Butler Co., OH 198 4/8 205 Medina Co., OH 198 2/8 201 7/8 Marion Co., IL 197 3/8 203 1/8 Mercer Co., IL 196 5/8 202 5/8 Cloud Co., KS 195 6/8 199 2/8 Meade Co., KY 195 1/8 199 5/8 Warren Co., OH

John S. Everett Picked Up Jacob T. Gipson Edwin J. Tokarcik

2017 2017 2017 2016

G. Moore M. MacEachern S. Woitaszewski M. Weinzen

Kyle J. Hass Richard J. Lapinsky

2017 J. Plesuk 2017 B. Hagy

Patrick C. Woodruff Travis W. Kurtz Bobbie L. Poynter Brody M. Splain Tyler J. Pietsch Carter M. Pate Travis L. McKim William E. Andrews Daniel D. Meyer Joseph F. Blugerman Steven W. Sprout Christopher A. Hardwick Robert D. Waters Tom Cartwright Aaron S. Harvey Dylan L. Horner Jordan L. Hanks Clifton L. Bradley Casey W. Jones Jason E. Clark James M. Gunn

2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2015 2016

J. Johnson T. Urban W. Novy J. Hooten T. Walmsley T. Walmsley R. Karczewski R. D’Angelo M. Harrison J. Knevel E. Hendricks W. Ogden

2017 2014 2017 2017 2017 2015 2017 2017 2016

T. Wright G. Moore R. Wood A. Cramer T. Micetich M. Asleson G. Moore D. Weddle G. Trent

FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 79

NON-TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER CONTINUED 195 199 Clark Co., IL Craig B. Kramer 2017 T. Walmsley 194 197 7/8 Spencer Co., KY Rodney G. Goodlett 2017 K. Stockdale 193 6/8 201 6/8 Lewis Co., KY Nick F. Ruark 2017 T. Wright 193 4/8 197 7/8 Ingham Co., MI James L. Moyer, Jr. 2017 B. Hagy 191 7/8 196 Callaway Co., MO Brian S. James 2017 D. Hollingsworth 191 7/8 203 7/8 Pepin Co., WI Forrest K. Schneider 2017 W. Bowman 191 6/8 197 7/8 Spink Co., SD Aaron H. Buchholz 2017 K. Lehr 191 4/8 198 Brunswick Co., VA Joshua B. Collins 2017 A. Martel 191 1/8 200 7/8 Greene Co., IL Jesse L. Range 2017 T. Walmsley 190 5/8 199 1/8 Licking Co., OH Derrick W. Holter 2017 A. Cramer 190 3/8 206 Green Co., KY Samuel B. Blakeman 2017 D. Weddle 189 7/8 198 2/8 Gregory Co., SD Thomas J. Prchal 2017 M. Mauney 188 6/8 195 3/8 Fountain Co., IN Keith H. Rouse 2016 R. Graber 188 1/8 193 2/8 Mercer Co., IL Clifton L. Bradley 2014 M. Asleson 187 3/8 199 Fife Lake, SK Christopher L. 2016 A. Deyo Lamontagne 187 2/8 195 7/8 Daviess Co., MO Timothy R. Cobb 2017 D. Hollingsworth 186 6/8 196 5/8 Ontonagon Co., MI Mark G. Rademacher 2017 B. Hagy 186 4/8 194 5/8 Parke Co., IN Chezare D. Wolfe 2017 G. Howard 186 4/8 194 Stephens Co., OK Eric A. Hosek 2017 G. Moore 186 1/8 192 6/8 Jessamine Co., KY Tony W. Drury 2017 J. Lacefield 186 190 6/8 Summit Co., OH Andrew J. Karpel 2017 R. Pepper 185 3/8 199 2/8 Ellsworth Co., KS Charles L. Norris, Jr. 2013 M. Hansen 185 3/8 198 3/8 Isanti Co., MN Jeffrey L. Larson 2017 D. Ohman 185 2/8 188 2/8 Winnebago Co., WI Andrew J. Worm 2017 S. Zirbel

TYPICAL COUES’ WHITETAIL - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 144-1/8 111 1/8

113 7/8 Cochise Co., AZ

Mark S. Kronyak

2013 J. McCloskey

HUNTER

DATE MEASURER

MOOSE AND CARIBOU FINAL GROSS SCORE SCORE LOCATION

CANADA MOOSE - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 242 212 5/8 213 7/8 209 7/8 212 6/8 203 2/8 208 6/8 203 206 5/8 198 2/8 205 1/8 197 2/8 201 7/8 187 3/8 190 6/8 186 4/8 188 185 2/8 192 6/8

Kawdy Plateau, BC Mitch Baker 2017 Teslin Lake, BC Rayel Cooper 2017 Terminus Mt., BC Rob T. Arnaud 2017 Hunters Mt., NS Gerard I. Delorey 2015 Archer Lake, AB Howard D. Edwards 2017 Michlosky Lake, MB Drake E. Litteral 2017 Little Mecatina R. Jones & G.L. 2016 River, NL Murphy Belcourt Creek, BC Bradley D. Belyan 2017 Bear Lake, BC Kalem Taylor 2017

R. Berreth R. Berreth F. King W. Hingley J. Reneau E. Parker J. Anstey R. Gander R. Berreth

ALASKA-YUKON MOOSE - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 266-4/8 224 2/8 221 6/8 219 1/8 217 6/8 214 6/8 213 2/8

230 7/8 225 7/8 222 2/8 220 5/8 225 5/8 215 6/8

Anvil Range, YT White River, YT Yukon River, AK Pelly River, YT Iditarod River, AK Kotzebue, AK

Fred J. Fairfield Frank W. Hnatovic Randal A. Battista Thomas W. Kitzerow Glen M. Souza Tim D. Hiner

2017 2017 2015 2017 2016 2017

C. Rehor D. Waldbillig R. Pepper C. Pierce D. Sanford C. Brent

SHIRAS’ MOOSE - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 205-4/8

TOP TO BOTTOM:

Christoper C. Crooks took this Shiras’ moose, scoring 165-4/8 points, in 2017 while on a hunt Lincoln County, Montana. This woodland caribou, scoring 290-5/8 points, was taken by B&C Associate Randall W. Ellis near Bay du Nord Wilderness Reserve, Newfoundland, in 2016. He was shooting a .300 Winchester Short Mag. In 2017 while on a hunt in Hudspeth County, Texas, B&C Associate Tim W. Shoopman harvested this pronghorn, scoring 81 points. 80 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

166 5/8 165 4/8 161 6/8 154 4/8 152 2/8 149 2/8

170 169 7/8 167 161 4/8 159 2/8 156 4/8

Beaverhead Co., MT Justin T. Chard 2017 Lincoln Co., MT Christopher C. Crooks 2017 Gallatin Co., MT Ryan A. Gummer 2017 Flathead Co., MT William D. Wood 2017 Sublette Co., WY Samson D. Payne 2017 Teton Co., WY Gregory W. Wisener 2017

J. Pallister F. King F. King J. Williams D. Pawlicki D. Waechtler

MOUNTAIN CARIBOU - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 459-3/8 432 3/8 440 5/8 Pony Creek, YT

Picked Up

2016 T. Grabowski

WOODLAND CARIBOU - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 419-5/8 318 5/8 327 3/8 Bay du Nord Tyler S. Ellis Wilderness Res., NL 311 3/8 324 5/8 Red Indian Lake, NL Wanda J. Jones 290 5/8 299 2/8 Bay du Nord Randall W. Ellis Wilderness Res., NL

2016 G. English 2017 M. Miller 2016 G. English

BARREN GROUND CARIBOU - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 477 415 5/8 431 6/8 Oshetna River, AK Daniel J. Alexander 2015 C. Brent 415 1/8 429 2/8 Little Delta River, AK Jeffrey R. Sipe 2017 A. Jubenville

HORNED GAME FINAL GROSS SCORE SCORE LOCATION

HUNTER

409 7/8 419 5/8 Fish Creek, AK

Scott M. Boeding

DATE MEASURER

2016 S. Corley

PRONGHORN - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 96-4/8 85 84 4/8 84 4/8 84 4/8 84 2/8 83 6/8 83 6/8 83 2/8 83 82 4/8 82 81 4/8 81 80 2/8

85 2/8 85 87 7/8 86 2/8 85 3/8 84 1/8 84 2/8 84 2/8 83 7/8 83 4/8 83 4/8 81 6/8 81 5/8 81

Carbon Co., WY William J. McEwen Luna Co., NM Joseph M. Bozzo Sweetwater Co., WY Brent Arrant Toole Co., MT Jacob D. Crow San Miguel Co., NM Douglas R. Myers Cassia Co., ID Brooks B. Hanks Coconino Co., AZ Adam R. Bronson Carbon Co., WY Dee A. Prindle Carbon Co., WY Jon A. Bentley Washoe Co., NV Joel K. Anderson San Miguel Co., NM Kevin C. Reed Washoe Co., NV Brian T. Saathoff Hudspeth Co., TX Tim W. Shoopman Natrona Co., WY Istvan Ujvari

2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2016 2107 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017

M. Duplan R. Madsen T. Caruthers K. Lehr O. Carpenter T. Peterson B. Christensen B. Wilkes M. Dowse L. Clark J. Browning C. Lacey T. Caruthers B. Buhay

BISON - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 136-4/8 127 4/8 129 1/8 Custer Co., SD 119 119 3/8 Teton Co., WY 116 6/8 117 Park Co., MT

Rodney L. Fenske 2017 S. Rauch Ronald R. Platt 2017 W. Hepworth Matthew A. Williams 2017 F. King

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

48 7/8 47 3/8 47 2/8

Punchbowl Cove, AK Travis J. Adams Madison Co., MT Ryan J. Werner Chugach Mts., AK Pat Long

2000 C. Cordes 2016 J. Pallister 2016 R. Walters

MUSK OX - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 129 111 4/8 114 1/8 Cape Bathurst, NT Robert W. Spinks

2017 R. Ratz

BIGHORN SHEEP - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 216-3/8 195 4/8 190 1/8 186 4/8 183 1/8 180 179 6/8 178 1/8 177 177

195 6/8 190 2/8 186 7/8 183 7/8 180 2/8 180 3/8 178 4/8 177 4/8 177 6/8

Blaine Co., MT Fergus Co., MT Grand Co., CO Highwood River, AB Albany Co., WY Teton Co., MT Taos Co., NM Granite Co., MT Missoula Co., MT

Craig D. Freese Thomas J. Madden L. Victor Clark Karly M. Sargent Donny J. Robbins Kurt W. Christensen William W. Tittle Lonnie J. Dale Bernard R. Staggs

2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017

F. King B. Zundel T. Humes D. Patterson T. Atkinson R. Burtis J. Capurro K. Lehr K. Lehr

DESERT SHEEP - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 205-1/8 184 3/8 184 2/8 179 7/8 177 4/8 169 4/8 168 6/8 165 3/8

185 1/8 184 5/8 180 3/8 177 6/8 169 6/8 170 6/8 166

Pima Co., AZ Maricopa Co., AZ Clark Co., NV Hidalgo Co., NM Lincoln Co., NV Chihuahua, MX Churchill Co., NV

Daniel C. Hicks L. Todd Wells Micheal S. Spillman Joseph R. Mannila Justin E. Ables Kevin E. Cross Clinton A. Neer

2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017

P. Dalrymple H. Grounds S. Sanborn E. Rominger G. Hernandez V. Dana T. Humes

DALL’S SHEEP - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 189-6/8 180 7/8 182 Unknown 172 3/8 172 6/8 Chugach Mts., AK 165 4/8 165 5/8 Tok River, AK

Unknown Kevin S. Small James K. Lines

1900 K. Lehr 2016 D. Larsen 2017 J. Pallister

TOP TO BOTTOM:

B&C Associate and Official Measurer L. Victor Clark took this

STONE’S SHEEP - WORLD’S RECORD SCORE 196-6/8 bighorn sheep, scoring 186-4/8 points, in 2017 while hunting in Grand 177 175 5/8 163 4/8 161 7/8 161 5/8 160 1/8

177 4/8 176 163 6/8 162 2/8 162 2/8 160 7/8

Tuchodi Lakes, BC Pelly Mts., YT Tuchodi Lakes, BC Muskwa River, BC Muskwa River, BC Muskwa River, BC

Terry M. Smith 2017 Allen Bolen 2017 Gregory R. St. Amand 2017 Nick A. Robertson 2017 Nick A. Robertson 2015 Nick A. Robertson 2016

B. Ryll D. Smith R. Berreth R. Mann R. Mann R. Mann

County, Colorado. He was shooting a .300 Ultra. This Dall’s sheep, scoring 172-3/8 points, was taken by B&C Associate Kevin S. Small on a hunt in the Chugach Mountains, Alaska, in 2016. He was shooting a 7mm Remington Mag. Michael S. Spillman took this desert sheep, scoring 179-7/8 points, in 2017 while hunting in Clark County, Nevada. He was shooting a .300 Winchester Short Mag. FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 81

CAUGHT ON CAMERA TRAIL CAMERA PHOTOS FROM BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THEODORE ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL RANCH Dupuyer, Montana

82 FA I R CH A S E | FA LL 2 0 1 8

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FAIR CH AS E | FAL L 2 0 1 8 83

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