T H E O FFI CI A L PU B L I C AT I O N O F H O US TO N S A FA R I CLU B • FA L L 2 016
The Legend
Lodge 717.352.9200 Robert Koontz 717.816.0893 info@GsellsWhitetails.com Fayetteville, Pennsylvania
SNEAK PEEK OF OUR 2016 BUCKS In velvet and still growing!
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 3
TABLE of
CONTENTS
FEATURES
FALL 2016
18
18 NORTH TO ALASKA
By Michael Ambrose
24 A WONDERFUL WINTER HUNT IN QUEBEC
By John Pepper
32 AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS:
THE FUTURE ROLE OF SPORTSMEN & WOMEN
By Andy Treharne
38 BUILDING A COALITION
By Shane Mahoney
40 THE CONNECTING LINK
By Bonnie Reynolds McKinney
48 VENISON: HOT & FAST
By Scott Leysath
52 YELLOW ROSE:
A JOURNEY IN CRAFT DISTILLING
By Heather Doughty
58 A DIFFERENT KIND OF WHITETAIL…
A DIFFERENT KIND OF HUNT
24
By David Wetzel
62 THE TASHINGA INITIATIVE
By Lynne Taylor
68 THE CHILL OF THE HUNT
By Andrew Merritt
74 2017 HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB PRESIDENT’S RIFLE
76 HSC WARRIOR HUNT:
A STORY OF MANY GIFTS
By Gary Ploch
80 DAN L. DUNCAN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS 84 NORTH AMERICAN TRAVELS:
ADVENTURE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD
By the Travel Advisors of West University Travel
cover artwork:
“Cliffhanger” By John Seerey-Lester, oil, 20" x 16" Carried by Native Visions Galleries, www.NativeVisions.com
4 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
52
58
68
UPCOMING EVENTS OCTOBER 5 Monthly Meeting at Norris Conference Center with 2016 HSC Hunter of the Year, John Colglazier NOVEMBER 2 Monthly Meeting at Norris Conference Center with Ivan Carter
48 32
40
DECEMBER 14 HSC Christmas Party at Howl At The Moon JANUARY 13–15, 2017 Annual Convention and Worldwide Hunting Expo at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 5
OUR MISSION Preserving the
sport of hunting through
education,
conservation and the
protection of
hunters’ rights.
6 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
2016–2017 HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB OFFICERS Mark King, President Scott Scheinin, MD, President Elect Kevin Ormston, Immediate Past President Deb Cunningham, Vice President Jeff Birmingham, Vice President John Pepper, Treasurer Jerry Henderson, Secretary
HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB DIRECTORS 2015–2017 Linda Cunningham Harold Inman Mitzy McCorvey Shaun Nelson Matt Pyle 2016–2018 Monica Williamson John Bowers JD Burrows Darrell Kainer HEADQUARTERS STAFF Joe Betar, Executive Director Carla Nielsen, Marketing & Publications Manager Abby Rapp, Events & Membership Manager Melissa McDonald, Office Manager Vic Williams, Editorial Consultant Twist Creative Group / Keith Conforti, Design Consultant Alliance Printing and Graphics Hunter’s Horn is published quarterly by Houston Safari Club 9432 Katy Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, Texas 77055 713.623.8844 (p) 713.623.8866 (f) info@houstonsafariclub.org www.houstonsafariclub.org © Copyright 2016 Houston Safari Club
Houston Safari Club welcomes contributing articles, photos and research. Houston Safari Club reserves the right to edit submissions for spelling, grammar, clarity, organization and punctuation and to abridge length. Houston Safari Club reserves the right not to publish submissions. Content may not be repurposed without the express written consent of the author and publisher. Please submit materials with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you wish materials to be returned. Houston Safari Club is not responsible for lost or unsolicited submissions. Digital submissions are preferred. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to Houston Safari Club, its members, employees or affiliates.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MARK KING, HSC PRESIDENT
I
am honored and humbled to be writing this as Houston Safari Club’s newest President. I am also extremely excited about the course we are charting for 2016–2017. We are fortunate to have a fantastic group of newly elected Officers and Directors and I am looking forward to working with them over the next year. The HSC staff, led by Executive Director Joe Betar, have been working extremely hard for our membership and I am proud to have these folks on our team. The Scholarship Committee will continue working to support our excellent scholarship candidates in their educational endeavors. The recipients and graduates of HSC’s scholarship program remain the best example of what HSC can do. We have moved the monthly meeting venue to the Norris Conference Center at Town and Country and are looking forward to our unique lineup of speakers and presenters. We have instituted some changes in our monthly meeting format and anticipate increased turnout and member participation. We will continue to host important conservation presenters, yet we will also mix in some fun and entertaining speakers with a more casual atmosphere. Preparations for “Into the Wild” are already well underway, with a dedicated army of volunteers reenergized and fully in the throes of planning a tremendous celebration.
Next year will mark the club’s 45th anniversary, so be prepared for some outstanding live and silent auction items, great fun, good company and lots of laughs with our Saturday evening headliner, Jason Hewlett. Convention Chairman JD Burrows leads a tremendous group of volunteers this year towards one common goal — to make “Into the Wild” HSC’s best convention ever. Each year we strive to improve the Houston Safari Club experience for our members, our volunteers, our sponsors, our donors and our exhibitors. No matter what category you fall into, you play a vital role in the success of our club. We need each and every one of you. Without your continued support, Houston Safari Club simply could not do what we do. Our passion for hunting, our love of the outdoors and our desire to maintain our hunting heritage is what binds us all. I look forward to continuing on the path set by those before me; including prudent stewardship of our resources and grant funding, perpetuating our mission as well as continuing to build on what has become one of the most successful and storied scholarship programs of its kind. Sincerely, Mark King HSC President
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 7
HOUS T ON S A FA R I C L U B
OFFICER S
Mark King, President
Kevin Ormston, Immediate Past President
Jeff Birmingham, Vice President
John Pepper, Treasurer
8 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
Scott Scheinin, MD, President-Elect
Deb Cunningham, Vice President
Jerry Henderson, Secretary
HOUS T ON S A FA R I C L U B
DIR E C T OR S
Linda Cunningham, 2015–17
Harold Inman, 2015–17
Mitzy McCorvey, 2015–17
Shaun Nelson, 2015–17
Matt Pyle, 2015–17
JD Burrows, 2016–18
John Bowers, 2016–18
Darrell Kainer, 2016–18
Monica Williamson, 2016–18
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 9
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR‘S MESSAGE JOE BETAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
H
appy Fall to all! Many of you are planning for a tremendous hunting season in North America. Whether it is whitetail in Texas or waterfowl in Canada, the hunting season forecast looks to be a good one. The memories you will create with family and friends are certain to be one of the best parts of your adventures. Please be sure to share your stories and photos with us as we always encourage you to put your experiences on paper for a story in the Hunter’s Horn. Speaking of Hunter’s Horn, just a reminder that now is the time to place an “Appreciation Ad” for your favorite outfitter to say thanks for a great experience. Please contact the office to place your ad before the October 31 deadline. We wish you safe and successful journeys! The HSC staff and committees are busy at work preparing for your 2017 annual Convention, to be held January 13–15, 2017 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, The Woodlands, TX. The 2017 live auctions will be available for online bidding beginning in November. We are always looking for more volunteers for our largest annual fundraiser. Just a reminder that over 85% of the funds HSC raises goes directly back into conservation grants, scholarships, youth education and veterans programs. Look for more announcements to come. For more information, please visit the website for everything HSC Convention at houstonsafariclub.org/convention/. We are pleased to announce the HSC Convention will be moving to the George R. Brown Convention Center in 2018. We will have almost three times the exhibit space than we do currently. Evening festivities will be held at the Hilton of the Americas. This area is undergoing a tremendous revitalization, with a new facade for the convention center and the current streets begin converted to a plaza filled with new shops, restaurants and gathering places. It will definitely be a new destination point for Houston. The HSC Scholarship Committee, led by Gary Rose, Deb Cunningham, Ralph Cunningham and Darrell Kainer, awarded the annual Dan L. Duncan scholarships recently. Many qualified candidates presented applications this year and the competition was very tough. Many of our scholarship recipients have gone on to become key opinion leaders in the conservation world and we look for more of the same from this year’s class. The recipients were formally presented at the September HSC monthly meeting. Look for more information on the recipients in the Convention issue of Hunter’s Horn.
10 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
HSC is pleased to announce new staff members! Abby Rapp is the Events & Membership Manager. Please contact her for any questions regarding membership, HSC events or Convention. Carla Nielsen is your Marketing & Publications Manager. Her responsibilities include all HSC marketing, merchandise and publications. Melissa McDonald is the Office Manager, running the day to day operations and bookkeeping. The HSC staff has been very busy with several major projects sure to improve your organization and experience. Our first monthly meeting at the Red Oak Ballroom was a big success. Over 100 people were in attendance and we even had to set up extra tables. We encourage you to attend these meetings and meet your fellow members. Come check out the new location and take advantage of the new courtesy pricing for your nonmember guests (of course, we encourage you to have them sign up as members at the meeting). We have been implementing a platform upgrade for the membership system (MemberClicks). The new interface is more attractive and the functionality is greatly improved. The upgrade provides a singular place where you can join or renew membership, register for events, reserve a Convention booth and so much more. HSC merchandise will now be available any time, online as we work to launch the new HSCGEAR.com online store. Look for more exciting announcements about these projects and others. HSC President Mark King and I will be making our annual trip to Washington, DC for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation event. While there, we will be meeting with lawmakers and policy makers to discuss the state of wildlife conservation, air transport of game animals and more. We will provide a report on our meetings in the near future. We hope you enjoy this edition of your Hunter’s Horn. Just a reminder — you can also download Hunter’s Horn to your computer or mobile device. Look for the announcement we send out via email for each issue. On a parting note, I encourage you be an active member of Houston Safari Club. If you’re not sure how, please call me and we can find a place where you can make a difference. And bring your friends and family along to join HSC. Yours in Conservation,
Joe Betar Executive Director
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CHAIRMAN‘S MESSAGE JD BURROWS, HSC DIRECTOR, 2017 HSC CONVENTION CHAIRMAN, 2016 GRANTS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
W
ell friends, our 2017 Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention “Into the Wild” is taking great shape. Our team of volunteers and dedicated office staff have a good start on entertainment, table sales, auction items and raffles. Interest from our exhibitors has been wonderful! Many long time vendors and plenty of new exhibitors will guarantee an exciting Convention. A few changes to the expo layout upstairs should help traffic flow and allow both exhibitors and attendees a better experience over the weekend. I would like to take a quick minute to thank our Convention sponsors that have stepped up to support HSC and our mission of Conservation, Education, and Hunters’ Rights. A special thank you to long-time sponsors Enterprise Products, Conroe Taxidermy, and the NRA Women’s Leadership Forum. A special welcome to new sponsors Wildlife Partners LLC, Heritage Land Bank, and Safari Specialty Importers, among others. We have locked in our entertainment for the Convention with Lone Star Bluegrass Band, Duck Soup and Jason Hewlett. You might remember Lone Star Bluegrass from our Gazelles luncheon last year. We are lucky to have them back again this year for our Friday evening festivities. Our Gazelles committee, led by chairwomen Anna Morrison, Mitzy McCorvey, Angie Burrows and Julianne King, have been working hard to make the luncheon a memorable event by bringing back the “oldies” with Austin band, Duck Soup. Saturday’s gala should prove to be a fun time with featured entertainer Jason Hewlett. A multitalented comedian, impersonator and singer, Jason is sure to keep us laughing through the night as we watch what he can “do with his face.” Our Live and Silent Auction Chairs, Darrell
12 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
Kainer and Mike Ambrose, are gathering some tremendous items. Remember bid high and bid often! Our Arts Chair, John Pepper, has selected the Houston Safari Club Artist of the Year. I am excited to announce Mopho Gande, a fellow Zimbabwean, has received the honor. Mopho is an amazing sculptor, who creates beautiful wildlife sculptures out of Leadwood. We’ve made some improvements to give the members and exhibitors a better experience at this Convention. We have selected Greater Giving as our auction payment vendor to speed up checkout. Ed Phillips and his team are excited to join us once again as our auctioneer. Our registration desk will be able to handle walk-up visitors, exhibitors and member questions simultaneously. Gene Human and the rest of our Firearms Committee have acquired a number of very interesting calibers and weapons systems including some rifles with beautiful woodwork, a couple of tactical rifles, and a few special items for the ladies. Remember, this is our 45th anniversary, and our 2017 Convention and Hunting Expo is set to be a blast. Please invite your friends, and join us on January 13–15, 2017, as we celebrate wildlife, wild places, and the sporting lifestyle. If you would like to help, please invite your friends and volunteer. The investments you make in the Houston Safari Club will pay huge dividends for you, our scholarship recipients, wildlife, and those involved in our passion for conservation. JD Burrows HSC Director, 2017 HSC Convention Chairman, 2016 Grants Committee Chairman
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FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 13
HSC LIFE MEMBERS Bob Abernathy John Abraham Richard Alexander M.D. Shannon Alston Michael Ambrose Anne Avara Dannine Avara Jacob Avara Skip Avara Cope Bailey Camp Bailey Kenneth Bailey Ray Bailey* Freddie Bailey Jr. Jack Barksdale L. Irvin Barnhart* Wendy Barnhart James Bell Lyndel Berry Tony Bessette Charlotte Betar Joe Betar James Biggerstaff Craig Boddington Werner Boeer Jay Bonano E. Tay Bond Greg Bond Pete Bonora Jeri Booth Frederick Anthony Box James Braus J. Downey Bridgwater Jack Brittingham Joe Bruno Robert Burke Matt Burke Grady Burris Quint Burris Byron Burris II Prentiss Burt Daniel Yturria Butler Turner Butts Don Byrne C. Jack Cagle Dennis Cain Thomas E. Cain Jr. Rick Callison Alex Campbell Bill Carter Ivan Carter Paul Carter Ben Case Barbara Cavender Lewis Preston Cavner
14 HUNTER'S HORN FALL 2016
Chris Caywood Tracey Cearley Alan Cegielski James Clark Steve Clark Craig Clendenin Stephen Coale Randall Coleman Russell Coleman Joe Collett Dwayne Collier Frank Comiskey Kevin Comiskey Alan Cooke Dian Cooper Rocky Cooper George Councill Steve Crawford Kenneth Crockett Gary Crouch Deb Cunningham Ford Cunningham Linda Cunningham Ralph S. Cunningham Ralph Daigle Mandy Daigle Joe Davis Armando De Leon IV Laurent Delagrange Armando DeLeon III Charlie Desautels Elliot Desautels Jennifer Desautels Perry Dillon Randy Donato Barry Donoho Tim Doucet M.D. James H. “Red” Duke* Jan E. Duncan Scott Daniel Duncan Bruce C. Edwards Robert N. Elkins Walton “Butch” Eller Susan Ellerbeck* Gary E. Ellison Will Ellison Shaun Essery Travis Findley Charlene Floyd Tommy Fogle Randy Fowler Nathan Foyil Bobby Frederick Aaron Freeman Warren Gallant
Scott Garrett Tanya Garrett Zachary Garrett Paul Geiger Frank T. Giacalone Gary Glesby Carl Godfrey William Gouldin Sandra Green Kevin Gregory Edward Guinn Dodd Hackman Clayton Hagerman Cory Hall James Halley Greg Harvey Charles Head Jr. Jerry M. Henderson Mark R. Herfort Heinert Hertling Robert Hibbert II Greg Hill Steven Hill Edward L. Hoffman William Holder III Bill Honza Gene Human Tanya Hurlburt Terry Hurlburt Harold Inman Keith Itzel John J. Jackson III Jack Jensen M.D. W.A. Jentsch Jr. Clay Johnson Todd Johnson Robert D. Jones III Harris Junell Darrell Kainer David Kalich Susan Kalich Kirk Kanady Gaye Kelsey John Kelsey Julianne King Mark King Robert Kneppler Philip Koehne George Kollitides Tommy Kolwes Phil Koonce George Kopecky Keith Lake Wayne LaPierre Joel Pat Latham
HSC LIFE MEMBERS Kyle Lehne Richard Leibman John Lindholm, Jr. Tom Lipar Bryant Littlefield Mark Livesay Ricardo Longoria Ricardo Tomas Longoria Doug Luger Paige Manard John C. Martin James L. Masten Chad Matherne Wyatt McBride Tony W. McCorvey Mitzy McCorvey Ed McCrory III Vickie McMillan Travis McWilliams Gerald Meinecke Lewis Metzger Greg Mills Brook Minx Howard Monsour Forrest Montealegre Paul F. Montealegre G.L. Jerry Moore Reed Morian Tommy E. Morrison Ron Mostyn Dustin Mykyte Shannon Nash Bob Nee se Rob Neilson Scott Nelson William Newlin Rudy Nix Lt. Col. Oliver North K. Knox Nunnally Carol O’Day Kerry O’Day Charles Onstead Kevin Ormston Neal Overstreet John Painter Michael Park Michael D. Parr Steve Pate Trevor Penny John Pepper Melanie Pepper Timothy J. Peter Bryce Phillips Carson Phillips Dusty Phillips
Wilson H. (Woody) Phillips Jr. Thomas Powell Kevin Poynter Andrew Pratt Kymberly Pratt Charles Prince Jr. Sharon Propes Carlos Ramirez Lawrence Rearick William Reed Sr. Dr. Gayle M. Rettig Keith Riggs John Robberson Larry Robinson Mike Robinson Chuck Rod Robert J. Rod Stephen Rogers William J. Rohrbach William Roosevelt Gary Rose Mark Rose Jerry Rubenstein Chris Ruhman Gerald Russell Byron G. Sadler Sandra Sadler Michael Sample Scott Santana Scott Scheinin Robert Scherer Wade Schindewolf Wayne Sheets John Shelby Richard Shepherd Jason Shrieve William Simmons Austin Simpson Autumn Simpson Barret Simpson Becky Simpson Jacob Simpson Jody Simpson Michael Simpson Mike Simpson Travis Simpson Tristan Simpson Weston Simpson Sam Skipper Steve Smith Jason Smith Tom Snyder Dr. Norman Speer Larry Stifflemire Mark Ducros Stouse
Randy Strickland H. Allen Stuart Greg Stube David Swan Dr. Lloyd B. Swiedom Sally Swiedom Peter Tam Larry Tatom Terry Taylor Mark Terpstra Heidi Thomas Robert Thomas J.B. Tinney John Tobin Pete Trammell Ted Trout* Hal Tryon Don Turner Phillip Veale Thom Venus Amanda Vick William T. Vick Juan Villaveces Glenn Vincent Pierre Carl Vorster Joshua Walker Greg Walla Rob Walsh John Waltz Dana Weber Rick Weber Larry L. Weishuhn Brian Welker Denise Welker Robert Wells Lawrence West Matt West Bruce Whitmire Bill Wilkinson* Steve Willenborg Ron Willenborg Gregory Williamson Alan Winslette Robby Winstead Kurt Wiseman John Wood Bill Woodall Patricia Woods J.D. Woods Jr. Debi Young Preston Young Brian Zaitz
*deceased
FALL 2016 HUNTER'S HORN 15
HOUS T ON S A FA R I C L U B
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16 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Lindsay Fraser Jeffrey Hiller Marina Lamprecht Jacob Luna Gisel Mireles Terry Nixson David O’Hara Emeric Pepper Ashley Peralez Kevin Roberts Mark Rose Chance Sanford Stephen Schnitzer Marco Serna Carrie Shaw Jason Shaw Amy Smith Kevin Tucker Werner von Seydlitz-Kurzbach Drew Ward Victoria Welker
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FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 17
NORTH
Alask 18 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
to
ka
BY MICHAEL AMBROSE
S
eptember of 2015 found me once again returning to the largest state in the union for my third attempt on moose and brown bear. Travelling North America to hunt has
been a mixed bag, unlike my travelling to other more distant and remote destinations. Success on the other continents of the world has far surpassed that I have had on the one I call home. I have taken two great bears and a lovely caribou from Alaska, and British Columbia treated me well one season with a great black bear, but in general, I have, more often than not, come home empty handed. Alaska offers very unpredictable weather; I have experienced everything from 85-degree sunshine in spring bear season, to rain and foggedin weather preventing us from even reach our spike camp, only to be surpassed by the times the weather prevented our return when we were finished or out of hunting days. I believe it is the difficulties of the terrain and unpredictability of the weather which makes the attraction of Alaskan success on some of the greatest trophies in the world irresistible to many of us. FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 19
NORTH TO ALSKA : BY MICHAEL AMBROSE
Base camp cook tent.
Moose spike camp.
Base camp housing.
20 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
Never having seen a shoot-able moose or brown bear in four previous trips made me choose the outfitter who has provided me with my most recent successes in the state, Capt. Phil Byrd of Arctic North Guides, and try to see if the “third time charm” thing would work for both species on a combohunt. Phil routed me from Houston via Anchorage and King Salmon on the peninsula before chartering me to base camp in Game Management Area 19. Base camp was a well-established mixture of tented sleeping facilities, a semi-permanent wood framed kitchen and dining hall, a permanent building with shower facilities and also one for the owner complete with satellite communications for phone and internet coverage. A constant running spring served as the cooler box and the long drop toilet reminded us that we were still in the wild. There were three hunting parties in the field when I arrived and another to arrive the next day while pilots Tony and Phil, flying a Cub and Super Cub, respectively, serviced the spike camps, rotated hunters, recovered game and furnished resupply to the field. The weather was wet and rainy this fall and a low mist hung over the valley and mountains every morning, limiting the flying time to afternoon and evening sorties. The original plan was for Phil to be my guide as well as pilot once everyone else was in spike camp and hunting. The weather played havoc with the flying time and things took longer than anticipated, and on day four, one of the hunters had taken both his brown bear and moose and was looking to head home early. Phil got me out to swap with this hunter and paired me with guide Rich Macatee of Montana. He had been guiding most of the month and had already taken three brown bears and one moose for his clients. The terrain is very rough with large rolling hills and mountains, swamps and alder filled-creek crossings, tussocks and all of nature’s obstacles Alaska has to offer. We started our hunting on my day five as we could not venture out on the day I flew and a 10:00 a.m. start seemed rather humane. We headed for the next big hill a couple miles away, and then another, and another while glassing for bears and moose. The going was tough and about 7:00 p.m. we decided to turn around and head back to camp. I move a great deal slower than my 31-year younger guide yet I managed to somehow walk by him when he pulled over to glass a hillside. As he yelled at me and I noticed my mistake, he spotted a bull moose lying in an alder patch. We looked over this big boy and decided he was in excess of 60 inches and we would try to get closer for another look and possibly a shot. By 8:30 that evening and in my first serious alder patch I learned why Alaska hunting is so tough. The alders were much higher than we expected and hoped, and it was impossible to get close to this bull. We tried cow calling and raking but he had no interest in our efforts; the urge for female companionship or a territorial fight was not on the mind of this bull. By 9:30 that evening we got to where the bull was, but he, of course, had long since left. The hard trek home had us crossing a swamp and several alder patches and creek crossings and finally up a very steep mountain for the final few miles home. A number of rest stops were required by me and I learned why Alaska is so big. When questioning Rich about our direction or distance remaining, his reply was limited to either “500 yards” or “half of a mile.” We reached spike camp at 3:00 a.m. and I had no energy left but was well aware we had travelled multiple
The author and his 68.5" trophy taken at 10 yards.
half-miles. The toughest day I’ve had since day one of hell week in Seal Team training in the Navy. We hunted nearer to home the next day and saw a couple of cow moose and a brown bear sow with two cubs and several black bears. We decided that to get far enough away and cover enough country we should pack and plan to spend the night in the field under some spruce trees instead of trying to make it back to camp at the end of a long day. Day three found us returning to camp as we spotted only brown bear sows and cubs, and had only gone a few miles away, again described as about half of a mile. Day four had us heading for a valley Rich wanted to revisit from a previous hunt. We got an early start and after reaching this area some three hours later we spotted moose in distant meadow, four or five miles away. This is, of course, now my estimation of the distance as I was no longer asking Rich, who obviously suffered from a depth perception issue. We decided to make our way to the meadow and hoped we could reach there by late afternoon when the moose may once again show up to feed. There were two bulls and three cows, and as the rut was getting stronger, Rich felt confident we could find them again close by their breakfast feeding area. Again the terrain gave us some tough travelling conditions and I had now learned that when looking for a route, red-colored terrain was good and yellow was bad. Alders are obviously yellow and they are to be avoided whenever possible, but this being Alaska cannot be avoided very often. By 5:00 p.m. we thought we were close to the meadow which had contained the moose
The bull was raking very hard now and coming on very fast. Rich had him very upset, thinking someone was in this territory challenging him. we had spotted hours before. We found a suitable place to set camp for the night and then headed to the meadow to see if could locate them. We found a place to set up, but after about an hour Rich asked me to take a walk and look something over. This is when he discovered we had made a large circle in entering this area via the timber and we were, indeed, in the wrong place. “We have a couple hours left before dark,” Rich said, “so let’s get to where we should be, find a camp site and maybe see if those moose show up in the morning.” We discussed it for a bit longer and then Rich said, “well, you know things always happen for a reason, so let’s head over this way and go shoot us a moose.” That would be ideal, I thought, not believing there was any chance of that outcome, but looking forward to some well-earned downtime. About an hour later, as we were making our way through the alders in the spruce forest, Rich gave me the sign to be quiet. We then heard the raking. We had been making enough noise to attract the attention of a bull in the forest. “Get ready,” said Rich, and he started raking to attract the bull. Another answer from the bull and you could hear him FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 21
The amazing natural colors of Alaska in late summer. above:
left:
Guide, Rich Manatee, and the trophy.
below:
22 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
Oakley packing out the horns.
NORTH TO ALSKA : BY MICHAEL AMBROSE
This was one heck of, if not the most exciting hunt, as well as the most physically demanding, I have ever been on. Charging buffalo and elephant have nothing on this moose trying to defend his territory. moving. The wind was bad and the bull was trying to circle to wind us but Rich kept moving us in an upwind direction while raking the trees and aspens to keep the bull’s attention. I finally caught a glimpse of the bull’s paddles about 70 yards distant but he quickly disappeared into the under growth. We moved quickly forward with Rich staying well behind me and as the forest closed in I could hear but not see either the bull or Rich and had very limited visibility in this thicker part of the forest. The bull was raking very hard now and coming on very fast; Rich had him very upset, thinking someone was in this territory challenging him. I was ready with my .330 Win Mag shouldered, hearing the bull closing fast and seeing the trees and bush moving when the bull broke from cover a mere 10 yards in front of me. All I could see in the scope was brown, he was so close, so a quick glimpse over the scope reassured me I was taking proper aim. As the bull turned to face me, still advancing and swinging his head from side to side, I squeezed the trigger and down he went. I placed an insurance shot into the Bull and the celebration began. He proved to be a 681/2 inch bull scoring 527 6/8 SCI with huge palms and long, thick brow tines, a real monster, and he was beyond any expectations I had. This was one heck of, if not the most exciting hunt, as well as the most physically demanding, I have ever been on. Charging buffalo and elephant have nothing on this moose trying to defend his territory. I will tell you that after this I was no longer mad at the brown bears and decided I would head home early after the recovery was complete. Rich and I slept like logs that evening within a few yards of our moose while the spruce trees kept us totally dry from a drizzling rain. We woke in the morning to commence the quartering and preparation for recovery of the animal. By 3:00 p.m. we had completed our work and made our way to a mountain top about a mile and a half away where the plane could land. Soon Tony and Phil arrived with Oakley and Maliki, the packers. Rich remained to show the boys where the moose was to begin packing it out and Phil returned me to base camp. The next day found Rich arriving after breaking down our spike camp and the following day finally saw my moose and the packers showing up. Some 800-plus pounds of meat, six man days for what turned out to be three packers and three plane trips to get everything out of the field. Bring your best game and have some patience when you hunt these behemoths of the north as they will test you in every way possible, and you too will learn that, once he’s down the true meaning of, “Now the real work begins.” A big thanks to Phil and Rich, a top quality outfitter and friend and an excellent companion and guide. ★
Rich, Tony, outfitter Phyl Byrd, and the bounty of protein.
Guide, Rich Manatee, and the trophy.
Transporting the horns on the cub requires an excellent pilot.
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A Wonderful Winter Hunt in Quebec BY JOHN PEPPER
A
lthough my brain said not to do it, I dug into the golden-glazed, rose-infused crème brulée anyway. It was a typical dessert
following yet another perfectly prepared meal presented by Frederic, the French chef at Laurentian Wildlife Estates. My wife, Melanie, and I had purchased Laurentian’s red stag hunt donation at the 2014 Houston Safari Club Convention. But, a broken leg during a Dall Sheep hunt and business obligations had delayed our visit until November 2015, which also happened to be the last hunt of the season for Laurentian. If we had any idea that the property, lodging and, of course, the culinary preparation was what we were experiencing, we would have tried a lot harder to get here sooner! FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 25
‘A guest that goes to bed after a great meal and wonderful wines presented in a warm ambiance, is a happy guest!’ We were all certainly happy guests that evening as we headed for bed.
top:
John and Mel “roughing it” in Quebec.
bottom:
Rack of elk, not your typical camp meal.
opposite page:
John and Scott ready for the day ahead.
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Laurentian Wildlife Estate is a first-class estate hunting operation with an imposing, impressive lodge, an attentive staff and experienced guides. Laurentian’s manager, Alistair Greenfield, has done a great job in putting together a truly world-class estate hunting experience for his hunting as well as his non-hunting guests. After losing my battle with the crème brulée we decided it was time to head for our comfortable room — it would be an early wake-up call for our first hunt the next morning. We were joined on our hunt by two delightful Canadian couples which was a particular treat for Melanie — she’s usually the only woman in camp and having two other women joining us, even if they were new found friends, was an unexpected surprise. Additionally, the other two ladies would be hunting, which was tough on Melanie. She insisted that this was to be my hunt and so this would be the very first hunt in our twentyfive years of hunting together that she wouldn’t be pulling the trigger. I frankly doubted that she could watch everyone else hunting without having to make at least a feeble attempt at her own stag, but she actually controlled herself very well. Having her with me on my hunt was a great help as well as great fun. We awoke to a cold morning and snow showers, but fortunately no wind. Our guide, Scott, soon had us loaded up on his electric Ranger and we were off. Laurentian hunts three separate estate areas, each averaging 500 acres or as they say in Canada, 200 hectares. As we headed into our hunting area, it was quickly apparent that we’d be hunting in one of those “good news/bad news” situations. Good News: the leaves had all long ago fallen from the dense forest of trees so we could see for more than a couple yards, a big problem during the main hunting season. Bad News: Stalking over the dry, frozen leaves was like walking on Rice Krispies. Add in the fact this was the last hunt of the season with a lot less animals than when the season began and with stags and elk that had made it this far because they were the smart, cagey and downright sneaky ones, this hunt was going to be more difficult than I’d originally thought. Despite the odds against us, we almost immediately spotted antlers moving in a thick patch of small firs. It wasn’t much but enough for Scott to encourage us to slowly move in for a closer look. The next time the antlers moved it was as if the entire thicket moved – it was a red stag and a very good one at that. Here it was only thirty minutes into our very first morning at Laurentian and I was in almost perfect shooting position to take exactly what I had traveled to Quebec to take. “He’ll go about 450,” whispered Scott. “He’s definitely a good one to use as a base for judging what we see if we don’t take him — he’s pretty much in the middle of what we have.” I’m a big believer in the old adage, “One in the hand is always better than two in the bush.” But it was early on the first hunt on the first day and
A WONDERFUL WINTER HUNT IN QUEBEC : BY JOHN PEPPER I really didn’t have a good idea of what size, mass and character that the other stags may offer and frankly, a 450 stag was at the high end of my price range. We quietly backed out of the fir thicket, making a mental note of the stag’s location, just in case we might need that proverbial “Ace in the hole” later in the hunt. Little did I know then that I should have listened to my inner voice “One in the hand…”. We were soon back at the lodge where we were pleasantly surprised with an absolutely over-the-top brunch: smoked salmon, an assortment of locally sourced double and triple cream cheeses with fresh baked croissants, poached eggs, red deer maple sausage and poutine — a Quebec favorite consisting of potatoes, cheese and caramelized onions. After a morning in the snow and cold, the wonderful brunch was not only warming but filling as well. If this was roughing it, we all agreed that roughing it “Laurentian style” is how we wanted to rough it in the future. Our relaxation around the roaring fire came to an end much too soon, as it was time to head out for the afternoon hunt. A quick look outside proved that it hadn’t warmed up any — if anything the snow showers had picked up. The afternoon hunt was a complete washout with no one even catching a glimpse of a red stag or elk. It was quickly becoming clear to us all that the critters that had made it this long into the season were still there for a reason — they knew exactly what we were there for and they were doing a darn good job keeping a low profile. Dinner that evening was even more spectacular than the impressive brunch. Property-sourced wild mushroom bisque followed by red deer lasagna and double chocolate mousse pie had all of us wondering why in the world we’d thought that we’d be staying at a “hunting camp.” To really top off the meal, Alistair retrieved a wonderful Burgundy from Laurentian’s wine cellar. Andre, one of Laurentian’s owners, is a true wine connoisseur
who actually owns a vineyard in Burgundy. His elegant true-to-their terroir (wine speak for “representative of where they’re grown”) burgundies were the perfect compliment to Chef Vlad’s dinner. So far the lodge, staff and cuisine were not anything like we were used to on our hunting trips — as Melanie offered, “This definitely isn’t the Cameroon rain forest!” The long day in the cold and way too much dinner soon had us all heading for bed — we knew tomorrow would be another long, cold day in the Quebec forest. The second day was much like the first. Stalking was difficult in the cold but drier weather — each step seemingly crunched louder than the previous, sending out an early-warning signal to any red stag or elk in the area. No one saw much and certainly nothing of note. But our depressed mental states due to the difficult stalking conditions were quickly softened by the incredible and frankly, much anticipated meals and drink awaiting us in the warm lodge. Chef Frederic’s brunches continued to impress with tables loaded with quiches, wild game sausage, locally-butchered bacon and of course regional favorites such as pheasant pie. For dinner, Alistair would once again head for the Estate’s wine cellar and present us with a different Burgundy from Andre’s collection. It was becoming very obvious that one aspect of hunting that Laurentian definitely gets is “A guest that goes to bed after a great meal and wonderful wines presented in a warm ambiance, is a happy guest!” We were all certainly happy guests that evening as we headed for bed. The third day was much like the first two. Stalking was tough as the weather stayed cold with intermittent snow showers. The red stag and elk continued to win the war of wits and although everyone kept at it, it was beginning to be a little discouraging not seeing much to get excited about. In fairness to Laurentian, I did see two very nice elk on the third afternoon hunt. But I was hunting red stag having taken more elk over the years than I needed, so both of these guys got a free pass. I felt sorry for our companions Shaun and Patty that were looking for just an elk — either of these elk I passed on would have filled their tags and put a happy face on both of them! Those voices in my head about “One in the hand…” started to play over and over with increasing frequency as this next to last day went by. Despite the lack of success by our hunting party, Laurentian knew how to perk up our spirits with great meals in an ambiance that continued to impress. Foie gras in a cocoa reduction with grouse game pie, rack of red stag with lobster mushroom gravy and apricot tart with homemade vanilla ice cream did a lot to soothe our cold feet and diminishing hunt expectations. Chatting around the large fireplace with a glass of Andre’s fine Burgundy quickly had us dozing off — it was yet another short evening as we headed for bed knowing that tomorrow was our last day to collect our trophy. The morning of our last hunt seemed to fly by as we stalked around, up and over every hill in our hunting area. A good snow had fallen during the evening and continued to fall throughout the morning. This was an unexpected surprise because it not only muffled what had been our noisy stalking the previous two days but also provided some tracks to follow. Scott decided that there was a set of tracks that were fresh enough for us to follow — a positive sign that had certainly been in short supply the previous couple of days. However, as the morning hunt was winding down and we were apparently no closer to our quarry FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 27
John and 510 red stag.
When I saw Melanie’s ecstatic reaction at seeing the stag, I knew that this was indeed a great way to end an absolutely great hunting experience. than when we started, those voices in my head began again, “One in the hand…” It was not looking good. As we crossed a large meadow, Scott mentioned that we really needed to head back to the lodge for brunch as we were already a little late. However, as with all good guides and PHs he has that sixth sense that told him that perhaps this meadow was just a little different. He told Alex, the apprentice guide that was with us that last morning, to head back to the Ranger and to meet us at the end of the trail that lead out of our meadow to the base of the large hill on the far side. Scott and I took off at a quick clip across the meadow and down the draw on the far side so we could glass the opposing hill. As we crossed the bottom of the large hill, we both stopped at the same time as we simultaneously saw the stag halfway up the hill. Scott didn’t need to say anything other than “Take him,” as I rushed to the nearest tree working the Blaser’s bolt and taking off the safety. It couldn’t have been more than ten or twelve seconds before the first shot hit the stag hard. I learned a long time that if (1) you have a large animal (2) it’s still in sight and (3) you still have ammo, you keep shooting. I did all three of the above. Although the first shot probably would have done the job, we’ll never know as three shots were in him as I emptied the magazine. The stag wobbled a couple steps and fell out of sight. Once again in the 28 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
closing minutes of the last hunt, we did it. Scott’s sixth sense had paid off and the stag was in the bag! The climb up the hill didn’t take nearly as long as it had the day before and we quickly found the stag laying in a hollow about ten yards from where he’d dropped out of sight. We knew he was a good one but only after we picked up his antlers did the reality set in — he was huge! Scott suggested, “He’ll do at least 500!” I gulped since I’d passed on a 450 stag and now here I’d gone and done it — a 500+ Red Stag! But as I looked more closely at this royal animal I realized just how fortunate I was to have been given the opportunity to take him — he was very mature being one of the older stags in the area. In fact according to Scott and Alistair, this particular stag was one that they had been trying to take for the last two years! Would he have made another brutal Quebec winter? We’ll never know. But he was beautiful and he was finally, mine. There’s a saying that “When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.” We’d been coming up with lemons the previous three days and I wasn’t going to let anything take away from this great stag. When I saw Melanie’s ecstatic reaction at seeing the stag, I knew that this was indeed a great way to end an absolutely great hunting experience. Unfortunately, our four hunting companions didn’t fare as well. No one else managed a shot despite their hard work and that by the Laurentian staff. Sure they were disappointed. But we had all been treated to a truly world class ambiance by a first class staff in a truly beautiful setting. As we said our good byes, both Melanie and I knew that we were truly blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy the overall outdoor experience offered by Laurentian Wildlife Estates with the other two couples we were lucky enough to enjoy it with. We will be back and next time, it’ll be Melanie’s turn! ★
2015 HIGHLIGHTS
Potential #1 with bow green score 596 SCI
570
Potential #1 with crossbow green score 558 SCI non typ
455
507
594 Potential #1 green score 519 SCI typ
538
506
Mont-Tremblant, Québec, Canada | 819 687-9111 | info@laurentianwildlife.com | laurentianwildlife.com FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 29
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Be The Right Club Today!
Big Easy Ranch is a Sporting Club like no other. Situated on 1300 pristinely maintained wooded acres. Come experience our trophy deer hunting, upland bird hunting, duck hunting and clay shooting. Between hunts play our championship par 3 course designed by Chet Williams or take a lesson from Hal Sutton, 14 time PGA Champion, at the academy.
2400 BRUNES HILL ROAD, COLUMBUS, TEXAS 78934
979 733-8635 WWW.BIGEASYRANCH.COM FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 31
AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS:
The Future Role of Sportsmen & Women
A
s the nation celebrates the 100 th anniversary of the National Park Service (NPS) this year, many of America’s sportsmen and women will visit our country’s most treasured landscapes before the fall of winter. For the ability to explore iconic places like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Zion and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, we can thank visionary conservationists such as avid hunters Theodore Roosevelt, Aldo Leopold, Stephen Mather and J.N. “Ding” Darling for the having the foresight to establish the institutions that continue to serve as the foundation of our nation’s conservation system. As many sportsmen and women are well aware, hunters have a complex relationship with the NPS. The NPS was established during a darker time when many wildlife populations were in decline and before the passage of many states’ game and fish laws. The desire to combat commercial hunting and widespread, wanton destruction of species motivated conservation leaders and Congress to designate National Parks as areas where wildlife could find refuge from exploitation. As foundational conservation laws such as the Lacey Act, the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act began to take hold, many wildlife populations recovered throughout the 20th Century, largely thanks to the support of sportsmen and women that continues to this day. However, unlike the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands that many hunters and anglers depend on for access to the outdoors, according to the laws passed by Congress, NPS lands 32 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
remain closed to hunting unless the activity has been specifically authorized in particular areas by the Legislative Branch. Despite unchanged NPS policies regulating hunting, the agency’s culture greatly shifted throughout the second half of the 20th Century. Since publication of the Leopold Report in 1963, the NPS began to favor a “hands off” approach that seeks to restore National Park System landscapes to naturally regulated conditions similar to those that existed prior to European settlement, many wildlife management techniques used on other public and private lands (including hunting) are unavailable, sometimes having negative implications for wildlife and natural resource health. As local populations of ungulate species including bison, elk and deer went unmanaged on NPS lands that are closed to hunting activity, this approach ultimately led to poor resource health in some areas as the result of unnatural migration patterns, damaged vegetation and poor calf and fawn recruitment. Although the NPS began to address many of these dramatic impacts to National Parks by adopting active management strategies in the early 1990s, the use of hunting to reduce ungulate populations remains outside the scope of these efforts. Recognizing the tremendously positive track record of huntersupported management of these species, many sportsmen and women might suggest that the use of hunting as a management tool is the obvious solution to these problems. In many cases, they would be correct. However, if one thing has become clear over the previous decades, it’s that the political will to allow traditional
BY ANDY TREHARNE, FEDERAL LAND POLICY DIRECTOR, CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN’S FOUNDATION
hunting in National Parks, where it has been largely prohibited since 1916, does not exist, either within NPS nor does it occur in Congress where the authority lies. Although sportsmen and women can and should continue to advocate for the inclusion of hunting in the NPS management toolbox, it’s also incumbent upon us as conservationists to work on behalf of deer, elk and bison within the confines of the existing system until things change. With this in mind, the NPS recently released a report detailing the agency’s positive experiences working alongside state fish and wildlife agencies and public volunteers to address overpopulated elk concentrations in Rocky Mountain and Theodore Roosevelt National Parks. Entitled, “Elk Management in the National Park Service — Two Case Studies in the Use of Public Volunteers,” the report noted among other findings, that sportsmen and women who volunteered to reduce these elk populations through culling operations co-managed by state agencies and the NPS, turned out to be a tremendous resource for these National Parks. While we are far from loading up the truck and heading out to hunt with friends and family in our nation’s pristine National Parks, we should appreciate that the NPS may be on track to viewing sportsmen and women as a partner in the shared goals of wildlife conservation and protecting our National Park resources. As we work within the existing system while pursuing grander ambitions, we should think back to one of the National Park System’s foremost advocates, Theodore Roosevelt, who once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”★ FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 33
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BUILDING
a COALITION
– above:
BY SHANE MAHONEY
A group of conservationists including Roosevelt, Pinchot, and Muir, stand before California‘s “Grizzly Giant,” circa 1903.
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T
he sad and often perverse slaughter of wildlife that marked the European colonization of North America remains one of the great examples of how selfish purpose has the capacity to impoverish both nature and society.
Fortunately, the great innovation we term “conservation” was itself an outcome of this unfettered onslaught and exemplifies how the spur of crisis can raise both a nation’s conscience and its resolve to progress. Indeed, the fading thunder of the once innumerable bison still echoes in our consciousness. It persists as a shadowed reality that settles upon our debates surrounding the future of wildlife on this continent today. The great transformation that marked the rise of conservationist thinking in North America was fashioned by individuals who cared deeply about the natural resources of Canada and the USA. Their efforts, launched against improbable odds, led to the system of laws, policies, conventions, and institutions we recognize today as the North American System (Model) of Wildlife Conservation. This is the only fully integrated continental system of conservation in the world and its spectacular and sustained recovery of wildlife is unsurpassed. Its success bears witness to the power of a citizenry whose motivations to protect wildlife and their cherished hunting and wilderness traditions could not be denied. There can be no doubt that this system has been convincingly led and significantly maintained by individuals and organizations in support of sustainable wildlife use, but it was from the beginning joined by a much wider coalition of interests that included legions of non-hunters, as well. The early commitments of women’s organizations to halt the slaughter of shore-birds and the legendary wilderness advocacy of John Muir can never be dismissed nor denied. Nor must we ever forget the tireless devotion of dedicated hunters like Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell to the conservation of songbirds and a wide range of other non-game species. In their love of all nature, these advocates were united, though certainly many differences of opinion existed and intense debates and disagreements over specific issues were inevitable. Over time, this original coalition has become fractured, leading, in my opinion, to a weakening of the conservation movement. It has become almost fashionable to align oneself with a narrower view of what matters in conservation, a narrower view of what is worth fighting for. Far too often this decision has been considered and encouraged along the fault line of hunting, as though it is somehow inevitable that we must disagree over this founding tradition and that no inclusive coalition for wildlife is possible because of hunting. This is ridiculous on so many fronts that it boggles the mind to even take it seriously. For it is incontrovertible that the vast majority of North American citizens support fair chase, legal hunting, thus offering no social majority context for conservationists of any stripe to regard hunting as the celebrated and unavoidable cause of dissent. On the contrary, this support for hunting shows that there is every reason to believe and accept a broad social agreement on
the legitimacy of hunting, and to use this as a basis for coalition building, not as an excuse for inevitable dissent. Furthermore, the efforts of the hunter-naturalists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century in providing both the philosophical and legislative foundations for the recovery of diverse wildlife is beyond challenge, and has a deep and vibrant literature in its support. And, beyond question, it was the hunter-naturalist ilk of Leopold and company in the 1930s who laid the scientific foundation for wildlife management and conservation policy.
The great transformation that marked the rise of conservationist thinking in North America was fashioned by individuals who cared deeply about the natural resources of Canada and the United States of America. If all this weren’t enough, there is the irrefutable truth that hunter dollars directly and indirectly pay for the majority of state-run wildlife conservation programs and have consistently done so for over half a century. So why is this divide over hunting presented as a barrier to building a broader coalition? Is there real validity to this much-discussed chasm? Is it only one side of the divide that promotes this? Or do both sides promote this idea and encourage it as a barrier to cooperative engagement on the larger conservation issues of our time? I know from personal experience that some would point to a (contrived) historical narrative, suggesting that this divide was a deliberate construct decreed by the wilderness advocate John Muir of Sierra Club fame and the sustainable use/hunting advocates like Boone and Crockett Club — best represented by Theodore Roosevelt — and is thus a longstanding reality. The truth of the matter, however, is that history does not support this narrative. Muir and Roosevelt had differences of opinion, certainly, but they were also very much admirers and supporters of one another in many regards. (The real division that came between Muir and the sustainable use community is well documented. It was over domestic livestock grazing on federal lands, not hunting.) So why do we find it so difficult to form a broader coalition on FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 37
BUILDING A COALITION : BY SHANE MAHONEY
Harriet Hemenway who, with Minna Hall, is credited with helping both to abolish the 19th century plume trade and establish the National Audubon Society. Photo courtesy Mass Audubon Society. left:
Portrait of Harriet Hemenway by John Singer Sargent. below:
The early commitments of women’s organizations to halt the slaughter of shorebirds and the legendary wilderness advocacy of John Muir can never be dismissed nor denied. conservation? Is hunting really the barrier it is portrayed to be? Or is it just a distraction, designed to take the eyes and minds of people off the real issue? Is it possible that on both sides of the aisle we are afraid of a broad coalition? Is it just remotely possible that many players in the conservation arena find it both convenient and advantageous to force an artificial divide upon the broad mass of potential recruits and membership by offering them a choice that will confer a sense of allegiance and fraternity? Are we afraid of a broad coalition because we fear our individual influence may then be diminished? Well, who can really say? But just in case the hunting public and our hunting organizations are afraid of this, I would offer the following personal observations. We have nothing to fear. We are strong and can become even stronger. The coalition will be formed; the movement in its direction is already underway. Hunters will lead, follow, or become irrelevant. So we need to take the lead, become the tip of the conservation spear and once again welcome all those who care for wildlife, helping them to understand hunting or to accept its contribution, even while they remain less than totally comfortable with it. We must be the leaders, the conveners, the broad-minded, the confidant, the welcoming, the statesmen 38 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
and women of conservation. We must lead the next conservation revolution. To do less will be to choose the narrow view and the self-righteous and self-congratulatory path that has never been the way or motivation of the true hunter. We began the conservation revolution over a century ago by being inclusive. Let us not abandon the great history nor diminish the hopeful path we have forged. Let us recover our idealism, for the sake of wildlife, our nations, and ourselves. ★ Born and raised in Newfoundland, Shane Mahoney is a leading international authority on wildlife conservation. A rare combination of scientist, hunter, angler, historian and philosopher, he brings a unique perspective to wildlife issues that has motivated and inspired audiences around the world.
PROUD SPONSOR OF
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Connecting
40 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
link
El Carmen Land & Conservation Co. llc BY BONNIE REYNOLDS McKINNEY, WILDLIFE COORDINATOR
R
oughly seventy miles southeast of Marathon, Texas, down along the border in a wild stretch of land where Mexico and Texas are separated by the narrow streambed of the Rio Grande, lies
a strategic parcel of land that has great significance in the borderlands world of local and transboundary conservation. However, this was not recognized until many years down the road in the colorful history of this land. Old maps record “Stillwell Crossing” along the Rio Grande and “Stillwell Canyon,” both names are from the legendary Stillwell family that ranched in the area and in adjacent Coahuila, Mexico.
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Sierra del Carmen, Mexico (B. McKinney)
Over the years many herds of cattle forded at Stillwell Crossing going in both directions across the border, later candelilla plants for wax making operations crossed in this area, and still later fluorspar mined in Mexico was crossed here and shipped north to Marathon. Camp Mercer was established along the Rio Grande corridor in the early 1900s as a military outpost. The first telephone line in the Big Bend Region went through the ranch and the large canyon on the west side joining Big Bend National Park was aptly named “Telephone Canyon.” The country was hard: rough canyons, rocky cliffs, sparsely vegetated desert mountains and no natural surface waters except the Rio Grande, intense desert heat, howling winds in winter and a long ways from nowhere. The Ulice Adams family purchased the land and began ranching activities in the late 1920s, running large herds of goats, cattle and horses, and farming small patches of land along the Rio Grande corridor. They also ran candelilla wax operations, and much later operated a commercial native plant nursery selling plants in the U.S. as well as on an international level. During the 1990s wild burros were becoming a problem, and burro roundups and ropings became a popular event on the ranch. In a recent conversation with former owner David Adams he said, “the burro population burgeoned, both from stock on the ranch as well as trespass burros from Mexico, and the damage they did to the land was terrible.” Ultimately he sold the ranch in 2003 and the new owner purchased the ranch as an investment for later resale. Just across the border in the famous Sierra del Carmen’s of
Protecting a vital ecological corridor between Texas and Mexico (B. McKinney)
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Mexico, Cemex — a global cement and building materials company with interests in over 50 countries, and a history of being involved in conservation efforts world-wide — accepted a tremendous challenge to restore the lands and native wildlife of one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in North America. The El Carmen Project in Mexico began in 2000 and today encompasses roughly 400,000 acres of lands with habitats ranging from the riparian corridor along the Rio Grande, low desert and yucca-sotol grasslands, upward into pine-oak woodlands, culminating in pine-fir forests at elevations over 9,000 feet. The area now supports restored lands and wildlife species such as desert bighorn, pronghorn, elk and mule deer and provides protection for native species such as the American black bear that was nearly extirpated in Mexico, as well as many rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. The area has been managed with a landscape scale approach. The Carmen Project in Mexico has worked cooperatively with agencies in Mexico and the United States, particularly Texas on transboundary conservation issues and programs for a number of years. The Carmen Mountains in Mexico are a massive chain perched at the edge of the Mexican highlands, and run from the south to the north actually crossing the border into western Texas on the western edge of Adams Ranch joining the Caballo del Muerto range in Texas. In 2007, Cemex Inc. (Houston, TX) realized the importance and strategic location of this property and with Josiah Austin (rancher and conservationist, Arizona) and Valer Clark (Cuenca los Ojos Foundation, Arizona and Sonora, Mexico), they formed the El Carmen Land & Conservation Co., purchasing the Adams Ranch with the mission statement: “To restore the lands and native wildlife of a lower desert ecosystem, and protect vital dispersal corridors for wildlife and birds on a local and transboundary level, with the long term goal of having the area serve as a demonstration and research property that can eventually be used as a model for lower Chihuahuan Desert conservation.” The lands within the ECLCC are the vital link in the chain connecting the natural biological and ecological corridor that links western Texas and northern Coahuila, Mexico. This corridor has been documented being used by black bear as a natural dispersal route for both immigration and emigration. Black bears are listed as endangered in Mexico and state “threatened” in Texas. This corridor also represents an important travel route for desert bighorn sheep, which over
Dispersal corridor for large mammals (B. McKinney)
The Rio Grande (B. McKinney)
left:
Over-utilized lands (B. McKinney)
above:
a period of time could establish new satellite populations thus insuring genetic diversity in herds for both countries. The corridor is also documented as a main migration route for birds in both spring and fall. The ECLCC lies in a very strategic area, the western boundary is shared with Big Bend National Park at the mouth of Boquillas Canyon, and the eastern and north boundary are shared with the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, and contains six miles of Rio Grande frontage, which is a part of the federally designated “Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River.” A general management plan for the area was developed and implemented, and all deeded acres of the property are under a conservation easement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation in Dallas. Priority projects were identified as habitat enhancement, erosion control, riparian floodplain recovery, supplementing low populations of native wildlife, enhancing game bird, songbird and migratory bird habitat, protection of native plant communities, documenting the presence/absence of native flora and fauna, and continuing cooperative work with various state and federal agencies as well as private landowners and NGOs. Early projects were the removal of all domestic livestock and wild burros, which were direct competitors with native wildlife for food and water sources. Resting the lands to allow regeneration of native grasses and forbs, and implementing erosion control methods to curtail the loss of topsoil and seed banks. Water sources were scarce and water developments were a top priority. One source was located on the north end of the property; the next permanent water source was over five miles away at the Rio Grande. This area contains some of the lowest, hottest, and driest land in the lower Big Bend Region — there are no springs, creeks or seeps. Wildlife and birds had long stretches of country that was totally void of water when dirt tanks were dry. Boots on the ground work began, and by 2008 changes were becoming apparent, and through the generosity of local ranchers a total of 61 mule deer does were transplanted to the ECLCC through the TPWD, Triple T Program (Trap, Transport, Transplant) to supplement the low population numbers. A very important meeting occurred at the ECLCC in 2008, a Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) was signed between the ECLCC, TPWD, The Texas Bighorn Society (TBS), Mexico El Carmen Project, and Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), this MOA served to cement the partnership to further reintroduction of desert bighorns in the area and work together for transboundary bighorn sheep conservation.
Regeneration of lands (B. McKinney)
Another significant partnership was with the USFWS on a Private Lands Agreement Project to reseed highly eroded areas with native grasses and forbs to benefit both migratory and resident birds. Rainfall in 2009 and 2010 was abundant and the country was responding well. ECLCC partnered with the USFWS, USGS, TPWD and other agencies and hundreds of thousands of the federally endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnows were experimentally released along the river corridor in an effort to reestablish the extirpated population in historic habitat. In collaboration with the USDA, in an effort to eradicate the exotic salt cedar plants along the river corridor which were impeding growth of native vegetation and in effect clogging the river channel in some areas, was undertaken using natural biological control in the form of salt cedar leaf beetles. This project has worked remarkably well and now stands of native willows are lining the banks, providing nest sites for birds. Late August 2010 started a downward spiral with a relentless drought that literally ravaged the west Texas landscape, so much so that native plant communities died, wildlife numbers dropped, resident birds were practically non-existent, and water sources rapidly dwindled to nothing. One of the hardest hit areas in west Texas was the ECLCC and adjacent Black Gap WMA (TPWD). In 2011 a total of 3/10 of an inch of rain fell for the year at the ECLCC. Finally, 2013 brought rain, not enough to recover the damage but a start to the recovery process. Work continued on the land, particularly water developments which were the life blood for wildlife and birds in the desert.
Wildlife friendly drinker (B. McKinney)
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 43
Transplanted Gambel’s quail (D. Wetzel)
top:
Small guzzler targeting desert quail (B. McKinney)
above:
Wildlife guzzler in higher elevations (B.P. McKinney)
left:
below: Mule Deer with radio collars funded by Houston Safari Club (B. Broyles)
44 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
In 2013, ECLCC partnered with TPWD to conduct a fouryear project on the experimental transplant of Gambel’s quail to former historic habitat on the ECLCC. To date this project has been a great success with the past two years producing large numbers of young that have dispersed along the Rio Grande corridor on both sides of the river. Scaled quail did not fare well during the extended drought and population numbers were extremely low; more waters evenly spaced over the landscape were needed and supplemental quail blocks to boost nutrition. Gambel’s quail are tied closely to the floodplain, whereas the scaled quail is a desert bird preferring the open spaces and venturing upward to the higher yucca-sotol plant communities. Water was needed in other areas and this brought in some great conservation partners with boots on the ground conservation work in the past several years. The Texas Bighorn Society took the lead with ECLCC in building five traditional wildlife water guzzlers in the high country down to mid-elevation targeting desert bighorn sheep. They were followed by Dallas Safari Club and The Wichita Falls Chapter of the Quail Coalition providing funding for six small guzzlers in the low desert country targeting scaled and Gambel’s quail. The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) stepped in as a partner and built two Nevada-style wildlife guzzlers, followed again by Dallas Safari Club and MDF sponsoring two more guzzlers, one for ECLCC and one on the adjacent Black Gap WMA (TPWD) targeting mule deer. Water guzzlers for wildlife often target one particular species for example desert bighorn sheep, however every species found in the area benefits from the water source. For several years ECLCC and TPWD had planned on partnering to supplement the mule deer population on both the ECLCC and Black Gap WMA. Again conservation partners stepped in; local ranchers and Elephant Mountain WMA donated mule deer. A new partner, The Houston Safari Club, stepped in, providing needed funding for mule deer radio telemetry collars, vital for the research component of the mule deer project. The Mule Deer Foundation, as well as USDA Wildlife Services and Borderlands Research Institute, also made significant contributions and services to the project.
above: right:
A few of the many volunteers (D. Parks)
Managing for all species on a landscape scale (B. McKinney)
Strong partnerships with volunteers spending their weekends doing boots on the ground work produce a high yield, in this case jump starting a drought depressed low desert area that is vital not only on a local but transboundary level. This type of conservation work gives everyone a part in making a one of a kind conservation project that is critical to land and native wildlife. Daily work continues on the ECLCC and will for many more years because recovery of lands and wildlife is not a quick fix, it takes time, money and sweat equity — but the benefits are priceless. The borderlands of the southwestern United States and Mexico are unique and a challenge, and in the long run are a shared environment. Everyone has known for many years that wildlife and birds know no borders, and as science has advanced we know that flow in gene pools are absolutely necessary for the healthy continuation of species. We have untold numbers of species that move across borders whether local or transboundary; birds, bats, insects, all migrate every year and local species such as black bear, desert bighorn, mule deer, even lizards disperse normally as populations grow, as well as species that make seasonal movements such as bears moving to the lower elevations for prickly pear fruits then back to the higher country in the fall for acorns to build winter fat. Contiguous lands are necessary to prevent habitat fragmentation and provide safe corridors; even birds that fly over need places to stop for resting and feeding. The ECLCC is unique because it connects a documented vital dispersal and migration corridor between two countries, therefore being important on both a local and transboundary level. The habitat requirements have to be in place, and in the case of transboundary movement, these requirements must be met in two countries. The ECLCC is moving forward at a rapid place to insure that all these requirements are being addressed with the best possible land and wildlife management. The area roughly encompasses 20,000-plus acres of deeded and leased lands, a small area in relation to the large El Carmen Project in Mexico, and in Texas the Big Bend National Park and the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, but nevertheless one of the most important components of the several millions of acres under some type of
conservation program in this area of west Texas because it contains the vital link in the chain that connects the corridor on a local and, more importantly, a transboundary level. Continued conservation efforts in this area will build high quality habitat that provides safe travel avenues, cover, food, and in the desert the precious commodity of available permanent water sources. El Carmen Land and Conservation Co. is proud of the partnerships with the many different organizations that have been forged over the past few years. Many people from different walks of life work together toward the same goal of long-term, sustainable conservation of land and wildlife, and protection of a vital ecological corridor in a wild stretch of country down on the Rio Grande. Many thanks for sharing our vision and helping make it a reality to The Texas Bighorn Society, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, United States Fish & Wildlife Service, Houston Safari Club, Dallas Safari Club, The Mule Deer Foundation and its various chapters, Wichita Falls Chapter of the Quail Coalition, The Wild Sheep Foundation, USDA Wildlife Services, Borderlands Research Institute, Sul Ross State University and Tarleton University (students), and the private ranchers in the area who have donated mule deer for translocation. A huge thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who drove many miles, not just across the state of Texas but from New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Mexico and even one New Yorker, to spend a weekend building wildlife water guzzlers in the desert. Boots on the ground conservation has made all involved a part of this huge undertaking, so much so that many of you call and email when you see rain down at the border on a radar screen. Thank you all and yes, there will be more work projects in the future! ★ CONTACT INFORMATION Bonnie Reynolds McKinney, Wildlife Coordinator El Carmen Land & Conservation Co. LLC c/o P.O. Box 420608 Del Rio, Texas 78842-0608 eMail: bonnie2mckinney@gmail.com Cell: 830-719-0857 ECLCC: 432-376-2245 04 376-2248 (leave a message)
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 45
An Evening to Remember BY MELANIE PEPPER
“S
old — $32,500 to Keith and Alice Mosing,” the excited auctioneer exclaimed as the gavel fell! The sold-out ballroom let loose a loud and long-standing ovation in appreciation of the Mosings’ generous support for the NRA. The auctioneer happened to be my husband, John, who was more than adequately assisted by none other than former Texas Governor Rick Perry. Okay, although John was technically the auctioneer, it was Governor Perry who not only stole the show but also made this auction successful and memorable. He was the driving force behind the “overthe-top” bid for first choice of the two LaRue Tactical Company (“LaRue”) PreatOBR .260 REM rifles that were fully equipped with a Burris Tactical Scope, Silencerco Radius Range Finder, LaRue TranQilos Suppressor and ten boxes of ammunition. A truly wonderful and generous donation by Mark LaRue to benefit the NRA. But John and Governor Perry weren’t finished yet — not by a long shot. John asked Keith Mosing which of the rifles he wanted — the one emblazoned with the HSC logo or the one with the Seal of the Governor of Texas? When the Mosings said, “I want them both and Governor Perry, I’m giving one of them to you,” the ballroom again burst into applause. When the excitement had died down, Governor Perry gave the Mosings a truly heartfelt thank you; his appreciation of their generosity was obvious and truly sincere. The Governor then had John re-open the bidding for the second rifle — the one generously given to the Governor and then just as generously, given back to HSC to re-auction. The runners-up to the Mosing’s winning bid are long time HSC Life Members Tony and Mitzy McCorvey. John offered them the first bid, which they took without hesitation — there being no further bids, it was once again John exclaiming “Sold, Tony and Mitzy McCorvey
46 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
for $30,000!” As the crowd rose to their feet in appreciation of what they had just witnessed, Governor Perry asked both winning bidders to the stage to be recognized. LtCol. Oliver North, the featured speaker of the evening, joined Governor Perry, the Mosings and the McCorveys for a welldeserved photo op and standing ovation. The energy in the ballroom that evening was still evident as LtCol. North was introduced by HSC President Kevin Ormston. LtCol. North, a decorated war veteran and one of the most ardent supporters of our Armed Forces took the stage. He was the real reason that HSC’s June Monthly meeting was sold out and so eagerly anticipated. And LtCol. North did not disappoint. His love of country, respect for the service of our military in harm’s way and deep appreciation of our veterans — especially our Wounded Warriors was uplifting and inspiring. There was no one in the ballroom that evening who wasn’t moved by Lt. Col. North’s passionate presentation. The standing ovation he received was proof enough that his remarks had hit home. In fact, thirty minutes after Lt. Col. North had concluded and the meeting adjourned, the ballroom was still half full of enthusiastic and frankly, very happy members. A well-respected HSC member remarked to me, “How often do over half of the folks at a fundraiser or HSC Meeting stick around — just don’t want to leave?” There’s probably no better testament to the HSC’s June Monthly Meeting than that remark! The remarkable auction and LtCol. North’s inspirational presentation weren’t the only highlights. Thanks to the generosity of Sandra and Byron Sadler, veterans
from “Paralyzed Veterans of America” and “Impact a Hero” were present as well. During the photo session prior to the LtCol.’s presentation, you could hear conversations about tours of duty in hostile environments or combat but, more importantly, you could hear their over-riding love of country. The respect and admiration our veterans and LtCol. North had for each other was unmistakable. That evening HSC also unanimously elected its 2016–17 Officers: Mark King, President; Scott Schenein, President Elect; Jeff Birmingham, Vice President; Jerry Henderson, Secretary; and John Pepper, Treasurer. The elections were followed by NRA CFO, Treasurer and HSC Life Member Woody Phillips, who stressed the importance of the Fall elections, as the next President will potentially choose as many as three Supreme Court Justices! The existence of the Second Amendment as we know it could vanish and our rights as hunter/conservationists could be seriously threatened. He then presented three commercials that NRA plans to rollout for the 2016 elections, each of which was enthusiastically received. HSC President Kevin Ormston then presented Woody Phillips HSC’s check in the amount of $15,000 in support of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action and the very commercials we had just enjoyed. Yes, June 2, 2016, was a great evening to be a HSC member! ★
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry served as an enthusiastic auctioneer.
above:
Left to right John Pepper, HSC Treasurer, Woody Phillips, NRA Treasurer and CFO, Joe Betar, HSC Executive Director, Kevin Ormston, HSC Past President. group photo at right :
Left to right (standing) Jay (Marines) and Carrie Shaw, Matt Pyle (Army), Jack (Marines) and Laurel Goodroe, Paul Gardner (Marines, wheelchair) and his service dog. Jack (Marines) and Laurel Goodroe, Governor Rick Perry (Air Force), Carrie and Jay (Marines) Shaw, and unidentified guest. Seated: Paul Gardner (Marines) and Steve Holbert (Marines) from Paralyzed Veterans of America. group photo at bottom:
Left to right: Mark LaRue, owner LaRue Tactical, LtCol Oliver North, Keith and Alice Mosing, former Governor Rick Perry, Mitzy and Tony McCorvey.
Keynote speaker LtCol Oliver North, USMC (Ret.)
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 47
Venison Hot and Fast BY SCOTT LEYSATH THE SPORTING CHEF
48 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
venison hot and fast
A
nyone who has tried to gnaw through a venison shoulder steak understands that all parts of the animal are not created equal. Shoulder muscles get a good workout so they’re tough and sinewy. Same thing with shanks, necks, and some of the lesser hindquarter cuts. The less-used muscles that
just go along for the ride are the loins (backstraps) and tenderloins. They don’t do much work and, in turn, are the tenderest parts of an animal. These are the parts that are best cooked hot, fast, and less cooked. For some home cooks, there are only a couple of ways to prepare deer meat. Roasts are cooked in a slow-cooker with vegetables and some kind of liquid. The more tender cuts are often cut into bitesized morsels, marinated, wrapped in bacon, jalapenos, and other ingredients to tame the wild taste. It’s been my experience that many of the same people have never tried a medium-rare deer or elk steak. They just can’t imagine what it’s like to take a bite of something that hasn’t been cooked until there is no hint of color other than gray. A little pink is considered “raw.” I’ve managed to coax many lifelong well-done meat eaters into trying a taste of medium-rare game and the majority have marveled at how much more tender, and less gamey, it is than when overcooked. I’ve also had people ask me about what I do with my venison steaks and roasts after I boil them. Really, boil? There’s a decent chance that someone reading this column has been taught that the first step to cooking venison is to boil them. It isn’t and shouldn’t be. I remember staying at an Idaho lodge after a Hell’s Canyon chukar hunt several years ago. Dinner included a
CRISPY VENISON STIR FRY
If you have ever wondered why stir-fried meat in Asian restaurants are often crunchy on the outside, it’s because it is first dusted in cornstarch and fried in hot oil. Go easy on the oil, about 1/4-inch will do. Serves four.
platter of overcooked venison steaks. The lodge cook informed us that the “secret” to getting the gamey taste out of venison is to boil them in salt water. This should be a well-guarded secret that is sealed in concrete. I suppose that boiling a venison shoulder or neck roast won’t do too much harm since they are going to be cooked at low temperature for several hours. But a venison steak? Please, no. When it comes to cooking the choice cuts of any antlered animal, I much prefer to do so in a hot skillet or over a hot grill. I like it well-browned on the outside and medium-rare in the center. Contrary to what they tell you on TV cooking shows, searing the outside of meat doesn’t “seal in the juices,” but it does make it taste better. Rub a backstrap with olive oil and seasoning, slap it on a grill and, after all sides are brown, it’s done. Let it rest for a few minutes and slice into 1/2-inch thick medallions. It is neither tough nor gamey, assuming that it was properly handled from field to freezer. One of my favorite methods to prepare venison is stir-frying. The preparation time far exceeds actual cooking time. By
ingredients
Peanut or vegetable oil 1 pound venison, cut into 1-inch cubes 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces 2 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces 11/2 cups carrot, thinly sliced 1 cup bell pepper, cut into strips 11/2 cups broccoli florets 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
the time the meat hits the sizzling hot wok or skillet, you and your guests are only minutes away from enjoying a delicious dinner. I’ve discovered that even those folks who shy away from eating wild game will enjoy a dish like sweet and sour venison. Oh sure, I night not tell them that it’s venison until they’re just about done. My wife, who prefers domestic meats over wild, has been fooled many times, yet she still insists that venison is gamey. She didn’t think it was gamey when she wolfed down a plate full of venison Bulgogi that she thought was beef. Marinating bite-sized pieces of deer meat prior to quickly cooking should enhance, not disguise, the flavor of the meat when cooked. The aforementioned Korean Bulgogi that my wife wouldn’t have eaten if I had told her it was venison adds sweet and salty flavor to lean venison medallions. It is cooked quickly and served over a bed of steamed rice or pasta. If you’d like your stir-fried venison to have a crispy coating like they do in Asian restaurants, simply dust the meat in flour or cornstarch and flash-cook it quickly in hot oil.
preparation
1. Heat about 1/4-inch of oil over medium-high heat in a wok or large skillet. In a plastic bag, combine cornstarch, salt and pepper. Add venison to the bag and shake to coat evenly. Remove venison and shake off excess cornstarch mixture. Add to the hot skillet, a few pieces at a time, until evenly browned. Once browned, remove from pan and keep warm. 2. Add celery, carrot, onion, bell pepper and broccoli and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add soy sauce and sesame oil and cook for 1 minute. Return reserved venison to the pan and stir-fry for 1 minute or until hot. Top with sesame seeds.
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 49
venison hot and fast VENISON BULGOGI
Bulgogi is a Korean barbecue preparation that adds flavor to any game meat. When using tougher cuts of venison, first trim away any sinew, silverskin or gristle. Cut the trimmed meat into 2-inch chunks and lightly pound with a mallet or heavy skillet to break down the connective tissues for more tender venison when cooked. Serves three to four. ingredients
1 pound venison medallions, about 2 cups, firmly-packed 1/3 cup soy sauce 21/2 tablespoons brown sugar 1/3 cup green onion, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon fresh (or pickled) ginger, peeled and minced 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil (Asian type) 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil 2 cups mushrooms, sliced 2 cups chopped kale or any sturdy dark greens Warm, steamed rice
preparation
1. In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce with next 7 ingredients. Add venison and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 6 hours or more. 2. Remove venison from marinade. Reserve marinade. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Cook venison until evenly browned on all sides, but be careful not to overcook. Remove medallions from skillet as they are browned. 3. Add mushrooms and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add reserved marinade and bring to a boil. Add kale and cook for 1 minute. Return venison to the pan and heat to warm 4. To serve, mound warm rice on plates or in bowls. Spoon meat mixture over.
SPICY PINEAPPLE VENISON STIR FRY
Sweet pineapple adds balance to this subtly spicy dish. Before slicing, place venison in the freezer so that it can be thinly sliced across the grain. Serves four. ingredients
2 tablespoons peanut oil 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, thinly sliced 4 cloves garlic, minced 3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 pound thinly-sliced venison (about 2 cups) 11/2 cups bell pepper, any color, cut into thin strips 2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced 1/2 cup pineapple juice 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha or any hot sauce 1/4 cup rice vinegar 2 tablespoons apricot preserves 2 cups cubed fresh pineapple, cut into 1 to 2-inch chunks 50 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
preparation
1. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ginger, garlic and green onions to hot oil and cook for 30 seconds. Add venison and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove venison from pan. 2. Add peppers and mushrooms and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients except pineapple chunks and bring to boil. Return meat to pan. Stir in pineapple and serve immediately
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FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 51
BY HEATHER DOUGHTY
A
t the start of the third millennium, there were only 50 craft distillers in the United States. Today, the craft distilling category has over 800 distilleries across the nation. So, just what is distilling?
In simple terms, distilling is the art of separating liquids by their boiling point. This has been achieved by various contortions of a boiling pot with tubing leading to a collection pot. While Aristotle recorded observing vapors from wine, historians generally recognize that distilling wasn’t known until the 1st century. Early stills, also known as alembics, were very crude and made from materials such as clay, wood, glass and metal. They often reached their boiling point by the use of wood fires and consisted of a pot that held the material to be boiled and a tube angled downward from the top for the boiled vapors to flow that connected to another pot for storing the cooled vapors. Water was often used to cool the vapors coming down the tube. Through the years, the distilling of alcohol has evolved but there are two facts: 52 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
alcohol boils at 172 degrees Fahrenheit, while water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. As the liquid is heated, the lighter materials are discarded until the temperature reaches 172 degrees where the alcohol is boiled and then kept. When the temperature begins to rise above 172 degrees, the process is stopped and the remaining liquid is discarded. These two facts have allowed people throughout the ages to use very crude stills to produce drinking alcohol. Today, a craft distillery is a legal operation that is most commonly defined as, “one that produces less than 750,000 proof gallons per year.” A proof gallon is defined as one gallon of alcohol at 50% alcohol by volume. The idea of a craft distillery in Houston, Texas began on an August evening in 2010 as Ryan Baird and Troy Smith, next
door neighbors, enjoyed a cold beer and thought out loud about the lack of fulfillment they experienced in their current jobs. Baird was in semiconductor technology and Smith in automotive services. The idea of building a local distillery seemed like a good challenge so they set out to see if they were right. Baird began looking into the legalities and logistics of building a distillery in the city limits, while Smith enjoyed the process of transforming ethanol into something that wasn’t too smoky with just the right amount of caramel and vanilla on the tongue, and offering a smooth finish. They now call it “Outlaw Bourbon.”
A Journey in Craft Distilling
Many people believe they have been to a craft distillery because they have been to large Kentucky distilleries. As James
“The idea of a craft distillery in Houston began on an August evening in 2010 as Ryan Baird and Troy Smith enjoyed a cold beer … building a local distillery seemed like a good challenge so they set out to see if they were right.” Rodewald, author of American Spirit: companies, it was the help of family and An Exploration of the Craft Distilling friends that got them through the early Revolution states, “People think they’re days. Each label was applied by hand visiting craft distilleries, but they aren’t.” and every bottle was hand-corked. The The craft distilleries usually start with a three guys were able to produce enough dream and an old family recipe. Outlaw Bourbon, Straight Rye Whiskey As the dream continued for Baird and and Blended Whiskey that they found Smith, they quickly determined they themselves on the shelves of local retail needed some financial expertise to com- outlets, bars, and restaurants by 2012. pete with the likes of the large producers. Yep, they were actually doing it! They say With a strong background in finance, executing on an idea is the difference beRandy Whitaker was the last ingredient tween the doers and the dreamers. needed for the emergence of Yellow Rose As Yellow Rose Distilling gained a Distilling, LLC. The three founders were soon spending hot days and late nights in their original location in Tomball, Texas producing the first-ever Yellow Rose Bourbon, Straight Rye Whiskey, and a Blended Whiskey. Baird, Smith, and Whitaker distilled their first batches in a small copper still purchased in Portugal, now prominently displayed in the tasting room in Houston, Texas. Like most start-up The founders of Yellow Rose Distilling.
footing in the spirits market it became clear they needed more space and better equipment to meet the growing demand. The Founders had a vision to make the distillery something they could share with the public while growing the company. They wanted to offer tours and host private events in addition to distilling whiskey and they wanted it to all happen centrally, in the Houston city limits. Craft distilling was a new concept for Houston. The search for just the right place that was centrally located and conformed to the city’s guidelines with regard to proximity of schools and churches began. The buildout of their current location on North Post Oak took longer, cost more than projected, and introduced them to more permitting than you can imagine. With perseverance, the three guys soon had a shiny, new 600-gallon pot still, mash tun, vodka column, and two fermenters. Once t he w a rehouse was f u l l of FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 53
YELLOW ROSE: A JOURNEY IN CRAFT DISTILLING : BY HEATHER DOUGHTY whiskey-soaked barrels and cases of alcohol too numerous to count, it was time for the grand opening. On September 19, 2014, Houston, Texas was introduced to its first distillery. The doors opened at 11 a.m. and over 500 of Yellow Rose’s most curious fans flooded the distillery. It was a grand day indeed.
Craft Distilling Is an Adventure
Large distilleries are focused on product consistency. When a customer opens a bottle of Crown Royal or Jack Daniels they expect it to taste like the previous bottle they opened. Because a craft distillery making small batches, the variations in grain, aging temperature and char of the barrels makes each bottle an adventure. The variations are more akin to opening a bottle of wine. The root of wine is the grape but you have subtle variations that make each bottle unique. With each batch of Yellow Rose, careful attention is paid to every detail ensuring the same nose, palate, and finish with each bottle.
Craft distilling in Texas has grown along with distilling across the United States. There are around 50 to 60 people making a go at it with a variety of spirits in Texas. “This leads to great opportunities right here in Texas to taste some unique craft products,” says Ryan Baird of Yellow Rose. As with Texas tradition, the choices are many for Texas-made distilled products. There are several distilleries producing spirits throughout the state. Railean’s in San Leon makes a good rum and blue agave, Dripping Springs delivers on gin, and Paula’s Texas Spirits is offering great premium liqueurs. Yellow Rose Distilling continues to create new firsts for Houston. The fall of 2016 will see the introduction of Houston’s only locally produced single malt whiskey. The Yellow Rose brand as a whole will also have an upscale new look. Baird, Smith, and Whitaker felt it was the right time to implement the change as their extensive marketing efforts have landed them on retail shelves across 12 U.S. states, Canada, and in the European market.
Bring the Craft Distilling Adventure to Others
To date, Yellow Rose Distilling has been interviewed by every local television station at least once, hosted radio shows, won fists-full of awards at spirit competitions, entertained personalities from the music industry, the NBA, MLB, and the NFL. In addition to all that hoopla, Yellow Rose Distilling loves to offer its whiskey-permeated four walls to the public. Renting the distillery for private events such as entertaining clients, making presentations or team-building socials is something they do almost better than making spirits! Each event is tailored to the need of the client with catering, tours, bourbon and whiskey samples, and craft cocktails making the occasion one not soon forgotten. For more information on Yellow Rose Distilling or for tour times, please visit www.yellowrosedistilling.com or contact events@yellowrosedistilling.com to book your next event. ★
top left:
Tour guide Renee sampling.
Tour guest enjoy sampling Yellow Rose spirits as their final tour stop. above:
Private events allow guest to enjoy dinner and cocktails among our whiskysoaked barrels. left:
54 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
夀⸀伀⸀ 刀愀渀挀栀 䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀 椀猀 氀漀挀愀琀攀搀 椀渀 夀⸀伀⸀ 刀愀渀挀栀 䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀 椀猀 氀漀挀愀琀攀搀 椀渀 夀⸀伀⸀ 刀愀渀挀栀 䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀 椀猀 氀漀挀愀琀攀搀 椀渀 䴀漀甀渀琀愀椀渀 䠀漀洀攀Ⰰ 吀堀 愀渀搀 漀昀昀攀爀猀 瘀椀猀椀琀漀爀猀 愀 䴀漀甀渀琀愀椀渀 䠀漀洀攀Ⰰ 吀堀 愀渀搀 漀昀昀攀爀猀 瘀椀猀椀琀漀爀猀 愀 䴀漀甀渀琀愀椀渀 䠀漀洀攀Ⰰ 吀堀 愀渀搀 漀昀昀攀爀猀 瘀椀猀椀琀漀爀猀 愀 琀爀甀攀 眀椀氀搀氀椀昀攀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 栀甀渀琀椀渀最 琀爀甀攀 眀椀氀搀氀椀昀攀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 栀甀渀琀椀渀最 琀爀甀攀 眀椀氀搀氀椀昀攀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀 琀栀爀漀甀最栀 栀甀渀琀椀渀最 攀砀瀀攀搀椀琀椀漀渀猀Ⰰ 琀漀甀爀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 漀琀栀攀爀 漀甀琀搀漀漀爀 攀砀瀀攀搀椀琀椀漀渀猀Ⰰ 琀漀甀爀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 漀琀栀攀爀 漀甀琀搀漀漀爀 攀砀瀀攀搀椀琀椀漀渀猀Ⰰ 琀漀甀爀猀Ⰰ 愀渀搀 漀琀栀攀爀 漀甀琀搀漀漀爀 愀挀琀椀瘀椀琀椀攀猀⸀ 愀挀琀椀瘀椀琀椀攀猀⸀ 愀挀琀椀瘀椀琀椀攀猀⸀ 夀伀 刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀 夀伀 刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀 夀伀 刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀 夀伀 刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀 䠀甀渀琀椀渀最 夀伀 刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀 䠀甀渀琀椀渀最 夀伀 刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀 䠀甀渀琀椀渀最 䀀礀漀爀愀渀挀栀栀焀 䀀礀漀爀愀渀挀栀栀焀 䀀礀漀爀愀渀挀栀栀焀
倀氀攀愀猀攀 樀漀椀渀 礀漀甀爀 䠀匀䌀 昀爀椀攀渀搀猀 䈀礀爀漀渀 倀氀攀愀猀攀 樀漀椀渀 礀漀甀爀 䠀匀䌀 昀爀椀攀渀搀猀 䈀礀爀漀渀 倀氀攀愀猀攀 樀漀椀渀 礀漀甀爀 䠀匀䌀 昀爀椀攀渀搀猀 䈀礀爀漀渀 愀渀搀 匀愀渀搀爀愀 匀愀搀氀攀爀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 渀攀眀 漀眀渀攀爀猀 愀渀搀 匀愀渀搀爀愀 匀愀搀氀攀爀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 渀攀眀 漀眀渀攀爀猀 愀渀搀 匀愀渀搀爀愀 匀愀搀氀攀爀Ⰰ 琀栀攀 渀攀眀 漀眀渀攀爀猀 愀渀搀 洀愀渀愀最椀渀最 瀀愀爀琀渀攀爀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 夀⸀伀⸀ 愀渀搀 洀愀渀愀最椀渀最 瀀愀爀琀渀攀爀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 夀⸀伀⸀ 愀渀搀 洀愀渀愀最椀渀最 瀀愀爀琀渀攀爀猀 漀昀 琀栀攀 夀⸀伀⸀ 刀愀渀挀栀 䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀Ⰰ 昀漀爀 礀漀甀爀 渀攀砀琀 刀愀渀挀栀 䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀Ⰰ 昀漀爀 礀漀甀爀 渀攀砀琀 刀愀渀挀栀 䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀Ⰰ 昀漀爀 礀漀甀爀 渀攀砀琀 栀甀渀琀 漀爀 昀愀洀椀氀礀 漀甀琀椀渀最⸀ 栀甀渀琀 漀爀 昀愀洀椀氀礀 漀甀琀椀渀最⸀ 栀甀渀琀 漀爀 昀愀洀椀氀礀 漀甀琀椀渀最⸀
㠀㌀ ⸀㘀㐀 ⸀㌀㈀㈀㈀⼀㠀㐀㐀⸀㠀㌀㔀⸀㌀㈀㈀㈀ 㠀㌀ ⸀㘀㐀 ⸀㌀㈀㈀㈀⼀㠀㐀㐀⸀㠀㌀㔀⸀㌀㈀㈀㈀ 㠀㌀ ⸀㘀㐀 ⸀㌀㈀㈀㈀⼀㠀㐀㐀⸀㠀㌀㔀⸀㌀㈀㈀㈀ 眀眀眀⸀夀伀刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀⸀挀漀洀 眀眀眀⸀夀伀刀愀渀挀栀䠀攀愀搀焀甀愀爀琀攀爀猀⸀挀漀洀
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 55
A DIFFERENT KIND OF WHITETAIL… A DIFFERENT KIND OF HUNT BY DAVID WETZEL
56 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
A
full day of hard hiking down some steep and treacherous mountainsides had left my legs a bit wobbly, and a bum knee and ankle hollering for a break, but we reached the truck with enough daylight left to explore the upper reaches of one more canyon before sunset in the spectacular Carmen Mountains of Coahuila, Mexico. As luck would have it, a promising old buck showed up about 600 yards out, running up a steep-sided draw in the far reaches Mariposa Canyon. We jumped out and set up a spotting scope to get a better look at him and determined he was worth a closer look, so I straightened out rapidly stiffening legs, grabbed my gun and gear and we headed up the steep hillside between us and where he was last seen, trying to close the distance. After huffing and puffing my way to about 250 yards from where he disappeared, and setting up the spotting scope again, he was nowhere to be found. The lay of the draw pretty much assured us he was still there, but he had vanished into a tiny strip of brush, and with only minutes of shooting light left we began to discuss returning in the morning for another look. Just then, he popped out into view and I cradled my gun in the shooting sticks my guide Hugo had brought, and determined there was still light enough for a safe shot… This was not whitetail hunting as I have known it for more than four decades! I grew up hunting skittish whitetails from tree stands in the Missouri Ozarks. After moving to Texas and getting on hunting leases in country dominated by mesquites and a few live oak motts, I refined an existing passion for still hunting, and sometimes just backing into some cedar brush overlooking a favorite draw or trail for a sit. And trips to the Midwest croplands of Kansas and Missouri later on to chase some of the monster bucks that inhabit that country where drives and box blinds are the preferred hunting method did nothing to prepare me for hunting the elusive and unique “Cola Blanca” of the Carmens! These diminutive relatives of the northern whitetail are a breed apart. For starters they favor the high country of the scattered mountain ranges they inhabit, beginning their territory at about 6,500 foot elevations, up above the mule deer that share this rugged landscape, and continuing on into the dense conifer
forests topping out at elevations exceeding 9,000 feet. Judging these smaller cousins of the whitetails of my experience was challenging as well, as even the largest specimens would fail to meet minimum requirements for B&C record books on their northern relatives. But I just couldn’t get over how unique this hunt was, and how privileged I felt to partake of the experience. I was hunting with Sierra Del Carmen Outfitting on the 400,000-plus acre El Carmen Project in northern Mexico at the end of January, 2016. I have worked with El Carmen’s General Manager, Mr. Billy Pat McKinney, for a number of years on conservation projects involving desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, and even a restoration project with Gambels quail and some guzzler projects with his “better half,” Bonnie McKinney, on the sister project on the US side of the border, the El Carmen Land & Conservation Company. Collectively these projects represent one of the most ambitious and
successful landscape scale conservation projects in North America. Initiated and funded by the CEMEX Corporation beginning in the year 2000, they have successfully restored bighorns, mule deer, pronghorns, elk, Gambels quail, and even the Rio Grande silvery minnow to the properties where they work, providing a much-needed boost to numerous other native wildlife species in the process and significant long-term protections to the supporting ecosystems, all as part of the master plan. Hunting these lands that had been used and abused for many decades, with their greatly diminished wildlife populations decimated by drought and subsistence, is a recent development, and I was one of the lucky few provided an opportunity to do so in modern times. The hunt I was on is considered a “conservation” hunt being developed as an alternative means of sustainably funding the extensive work underway on the project currently, and that planned for the future. This added a great deal of meaning
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 57
A DIFFERENT KIND OF WHITETAIL…A DIFFERENT KIND OF HUNT : BY DAVID WETZEL
The magnificent Carmen Mountains of Coahuila, Mexico form the heart of El Carmen.
to me given my past involvement, and I believe represents an extremely graphic example of how hunting really is conservation when done correctly. My trip began with a figurative step back in time as we crossed the US/Mexico border at Boquillas at the southern end of Big Bend National Park in a rowboat paddled by one of the locals to the backdrop of a Mariachi song sung by the “Crossing Master” on the other shore. This seemingly triggered the arrival of another local resident trailing mules to carry potential customers up the hill to the local cantina and a town that looked to be right out of an old western movie. Minimal time checking in with customs on both sides of the river had jolted me back to the present briefly, but as we began the 30 kilometer ride down a dusty dirt road following a trio of skinny old hounds chasing a rusty pickup load of cattle en route to our destination, it was impossible not to slide back into a mindset no doubt similar to that felt by that icon of desert hunting Jack O’Connor as he hunted this country, and these deer, many decades ago. We entered the property with the stunning
Examples of a couple of the magnificent Cola Blancas from El Carmen.
58 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
visual backdrop of the impressive Carmen Mountains forcing a smile to my face and pumping excitement into my veins. I had visited El Carmen once previously, and already knew that the accommodations were first class with a staff that treats you royally and exhibits a rare passion for the work they are doing. And I had worked with some of them on guzzler projects and deer transplants in the US making it feel like I was hunting with family. We arrived and finished lunch with time for an evening run up into the mountains, and were rewarded with the sighting of a huge buck skylined on a distant ridge ensuring an excitement level that made sleep nearly impossible. Our first full day of hunting saw us back at the site of the previous days big buck sighting, and although several smaller bucks and does were in the area, we chose to head on into higher country where a light snow and heavy frost had transformed the dense forest into a chilly winter wonderland. We spotted numerous deer amid the sign of bears and mountain lions that share this mountain paradise, and I marveled at the dense
vegetation native to these “sky islands” in the Chihuahuan Desert including towering pine, ancient alligator junipers, madrone, and even a few aspen in places. Evaluating the antlers of Carmen Mountain whitetail bucks is tricky, but we passed up several nice specimens during the course of the rest of the day looking for that special “monster” resembling the giant non-typical taken here in 2013, or the even larger pick-up they had shown me gracing the walls of “La Cueva” (The Cave), their newly completed lounge and dining facility where meals and after hours story telling are hosted. I was enthralled with the possibilities presented by the robust Cola Blanca population these mountains held, and determined to enjoy every moment of the chase. We spent the second day exploring more country in a high-racked truck and were treated to sightings of numerous whitetails, mule deer, abundant coveys of blue quail, and even a few bighorn sheep. After a treacherous trek past an old silver mine we even came upon an ancient rock blind overlooking a narrow gulch where drivers no doubt pushed the ancestors of the deer I was hunting into ambush by the earliest inhabitants of this region. Probably the Lipani Indians, or perhaps the Comanche who came later. We were “forced” to eat steak that night as I had not done my part in bringing home fresh meat for the table, but our chef Lute set a table fit for a king, (or in my case an overweight, wannabe vaquero), and formulated plans to hunt the way I like, on foot, through the rugged country where we had seen the big buck earlier when we set out in the morning. Leaving before sunrise, we exited the vehicle high up on the los Cojos trail near the top of Vista Hermosa Canyon at the edge of the brush line separating
A DIFFERENT KIND OF WHITETAIL…A DIFFERENT KIND OF HUNT : BY DAVID WETZEL
My trip began with a figurative step back in time as we crossed the US/Mexico border at Boquillas… in a rowboat paddled by one of the locals to the backdrop of a Mariachi song sung by the “Crossing Master” on the other shore. the heavily forested mountain top from the more open rocky ridges below. Almost immediately we began seeing deer, and much to my surprise these deer acted almost as if they had never seen a human before, and it’s possible some of them hadn’t. We stalked and glassed numerous nice bucks through the course of the day, weaving our way through breathtaking ridgeline vistas and narrow, steep-sided canyons including some that at times brought into question my ability to remain upright. We stopped for lunch and a brief siesta on a remote ridge with two bucks bedded within a hundred yards of us on one side, and three does placidly grazing the valley bottom below only a little further away. Country that our quarry (and my guides) traversed with ease slowed me considerably, but our pace fit well with the hunting style necessary to pick apart this broken country and to spot the deer that
blended in so well. Nonetheless, although I was sorely tempted on several occasions, we didn’t find quite the deer I was looking for on the trip down to lower elevations. It did, however, leave me grinning from ear to ear and probably my guides somewhat relieved that they didn’t have to quarter and draw me to get me off the mountain. I was also in the perfect frame of mind to pull the trigger on the old buck that appeared just as the sun set on us minutes later at the head of Mariposa Canyon. He may not have been quite the caliber of trophy I was searching for, but he was exactly the deer I wanted, a mature old buck (6–7 years) with gnarly bases and heavy beams, and will be a prized addition to my trophy room proudly representing one of the highlights of a lifetime spent hunting far and wide. At least until I return to this magical place to hunt again for one of his bigger relatives…
A traditional Mexican barbacoa breakfast.
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Typical habitat for the high country loving Carmen Mountain Whitetails.
One of a complex of Indian dwellings dating back 5000 years or more.
Evenings were spent around the fire pit on the rooftop patio of La Cueva overlooking the incredible Carmen Mountains.
60 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
With a little time to kill the next couple of days we returned to exploring more of this incredible landscape and scheming on ways to move conservation efforts here forward and keep them in place far into the future. In a nod to understanding the history of El Carmen, and to help visualize its future, Jonas, one of my guides and himself part Indian, took me to some old Indian caves in a remote corner of the property and showed me artifacts from their inhabitance here dating back roughly 5,000 years. This included the remains of an old sandal woven from the native sotol plant that was a staple of their existence, fire scorched walls around old fire pits, and rocked-in doorways no doubt put in place to keep them safe from the bears and lions during their sleep. I also coopted a custom started by a sheep hunter who had hunted El Carmen earlier, and returned a portion of my kill to the old Indian rock blind we had found to show a measure of respect for the animal, and the incredible operation that made my hunt here possible. We added a sunset toast of fine tequila to the ceremony brought by my amigo Mr. Alejandro Espinosa, the Conservation Director of CEMEX. My final dinner at El Carmen was the icing on the cake as we enjoyed fine wine, Cola Blanca tenderloin medallions, and enough expertly prepared side dishes to make this old fat boy sleep like a baby for the first time since I arrived. Before leaving on my last day they had one more surprise in store for me. I had seen the preparations coming together the night before, and I must admit I was a bit skeptical as a traditional Mexican “barbacoa” was put together by mi amígos. A fire was built in a deep pit, and freshly cut and roasted agave leaves were wrapped tightly around a cow’s head and wired in place. As the fire reduced down to coals, it was placed in the pit and covered tightly to cook overnight. For breakfast it was unwrapped with much anticipation by all the staff, and using fresh tortillas as our only tool, we pulled off some of the most flavorful and tender beef you can imagine! It was truly a fitting end to the adventure of a lifetime in “Old Mexico.” Very limited opportunities exist to hunt El Carmen, but if you are interested in a whitetail hunt like no other, in a place like no other, you can contact Billy Pat at (830) 719-0858 and add your name to the list! I promise you will not be disappointed! ★
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 61
The Tashinga Initiative
62 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
Houston Safari Club Supporting the Establishment of an Anti-Poaching Command Centre, Lower Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe BY LYNNE TAYLOR
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 63
THE TASHINGA INITIATIVE : BY LYNNE TAYLOR
Aerial view of Lower Zambezi Valley’s Nyakasikana Antipoaching Base showing building in progress.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE…
A ranger, part of a specialized, rapid response anti-poaching unit, sits on a bench inside the cool operations command room of the Nyakasikana Anti-Poaching Base, able to pay full attention to his commander and the operational requirements being laid out to him. There is an incursion into the Hurungwe Safari Area by a gang of poachers and already two elephant carcasses have been found, faces horribly slashed with their tusks removed. The ranger and his unit leave their new base, fully rested, having enjoyed ablutions with running water and having eaten a meal cooked in a hygienic environment in one of the base’s new kitchenettes. Other than a ration of mealie meal (crushed maize) and dried meat in his pack, he is not likely to eat a good meal again until he returns after a hopefully successful followup mission in response to this incursion. Importantly, the unit is equipped with charged radios, charged cell phones, and a GPS, also with charged batteries. He climbs into a newly issued 4x4 deployment vehicle, his expression showing focus, determination and hopeful anticipation of a successful outcome from this mission. His self-respect grows; his sense of his own value to his superiors is heightened. The very thought of returning to his new, secure environment, his barrack room, modern ablutions with showers and flush toilets where he is able to eat, read, rest, converse in wholesome and conducive surroundings encourages him to continue his arduous work, despite his poor and very late pay. He is determined to prove effective and efficient in his operations, and to submit positive results to his SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) database manager on his return. Most of all, he looks forward to a time when through his, 64 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
and others, continued rapid responses by anti-poaching units, no poacher dares to enter the Lower Zambezi Valley armed with AK47s or .458s or .303s to steal, to kill, to plunder the rich resources that are the lifeblood of this area, providing livelihoods for so many, the nest egg for the future of photographic and safari hunting tourism. The ranger has an uncomfortable flashback to the days before the anti-poaching base was built — living out of a flimsy pup tent, sharing limited ablutions with many other rangers, enduring harsh environmental conditions with heat, cold, rain and stinging insects, but still expected to guard the nation’s wildlife against the tidal wave of poaching that is currently sweeping through Africa. He finds that he is shaking his head in disbelief at those “hard old days.”
WHY THERE ARE NO LONGER THOSE “HARD OLD DAYS…”
Responding to a funding proposal from Tashinga Initiative Trust, a wildlife protection organization that implements conservation projects in the state protected areas of the middle and Lower Zambezi Valley, Houston Safari Club donated a whopping $12,500 towards the establishment of a new ranger anti-poaching base. The base is situated centrally in the Lower Zambezi Valley enabling ranger anti-poaching units to respond rapidly to poaching incursions. The area which will benefit from the base comprises the Hurungwe, Sapi, Chewore and Dande safari areas and Mana Pools National Park. Here, poaching for elephant ivory by wildlife criminals has intensified over the past few years. Tashinga Initiative, with financial assistance and help in kind from its partners and donors worldwide, is determined to provide the needed support to halt this attrition.
THE TASHINGA INITIATIVE : BY LYNNE TAYLOR WHERE WE ARE PRESENTLY…
I am lying on my stretcher-bed inside my tent, snug under three blankets, in the Zambezi Valley’s midwinter cold night air. I am awake because a hyena is sniffing the perimeter of my tent. I lie still, but my breathing quickens for sure. It moves off and I listen to its cackles and laughter as it lopes down the river bed. Later in the night, an elephant feeds around the camp, and only its contented breathing and the snapping of branches lets me know it is there. My trusty old Land Rover with 533,333 kms on the clock is parked close by — I am glad my husband, Russell, suggested this, because when a lion’s form is silhouetted against the bright night sky walking close past my tent, there is refuge should I need it and this has happened on several occasions. My head is full of excitement at the coming dawn and what we can achieve in the next twelve hours at the site of the new and rapidly growing anti-poaching base. My team consists of two specialist contractors and our camp cook/manager who are all camped close by and a nine-man semi-skilled labor team who run their own happy camp. We all eat meals cooked over the fire. Tashinga Initiative’s old Land Cruiser, bought second hand from a hunting safari operator, is the team vehicle for all project implementations, also able to tow a home-built trailer perfect for our heavy equipment, and building materials. As with the rangers, unperturbed by heat, rain, tsetse fly, mopane bees, African bees, stinging insects, cold, wind and dust this team has been faithful to their task. As soon as I raise funds, I commence the process of preparation and implementing as much as we can towards the final completion of this vital anti-poaching base. Such has been the case with Houston Safari Club’s donation towards building construction needs in this case state-of-the-art plumbing, the base’s perimeter security fence, a solar energizing system for lighting in the base and for meeting the vital, all-important labor costs. Camping out in the wild is a humbling, treasured and exciting experience, especially in the context of achieving completion of a vital project in the process. Yesterday morning and last night, we were alerted by a very unusual call of an animal passing by — it was a cheetah, a rare sighting indeed. Lions are present and call every single night — we are certainly camped in the home range of a lone female who is a frequent visitor, and despite the frequency of my camping, I am as enthralled as I ever was on hearing her roars, grunts, and panting. Preparing with a keen attention for each and every implementation phase is a key requirement, with no detail unattended. The 30-ton truck delivering a load of our materials arrives after a two-day journey to reach here – the excitement in the air is palpable because this means so much progress can be made in the coming days. Our small store’s tent is full of dry and limited fresh food at the beginning of this phase, a satisfying feeling when there are 13 of us to be fed every day. So far we have established two fully fitted and working ablution blocks, two rangers’ barrack rooms, one operations command room, two kitchenettes, one community hall, and one storeroom which is a converted container. The fence has been completed during this phase, and the entire barracks will have access to solar powered energy. The all-important parade ground surface will be sealed with a mixture of clay and cement, as well the small car park, strategically positioned behind the base due to the strong prevailing wind which can blow far too
The immense value of Zambezi’s Lower Valley in Zimbabwe is untold, in reality, with 80% of this region set aside as safari hunting areas.
Zimbabwean Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Ranger— determined, dedicated and focused.
The tent and my office—simple and effective—for all implementation for Tashinga’s projects.
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 65
THE TASHINGA INITIATIVE : BY LYNNE TAYLOR
The author in a familiar old home, Matusadona National Parks.
The tusks that tell the story of this elephant’s survival of in the Zambezi Valley. above:
A look at the anti-poaching base including completed lighting systems for the buildings, and the perimeter fence for additional security. below:
66 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
much dust! Our different teams communicate with each other using VHF radios, as we work on the water provision, solar, fencing and building components of the base. A ranger anti-poaching unit last week had contact with armed poachers. Not only was the poacher equipped with a brand new .458, but also had 10 brand new rounds on him. He had already killed at least two elephants, and three tusks were recovered. This particular ranger anti-poaching unit is becoming more successful. Added to this growing confidence, as they see the base being developed knowing that it is specifically to enhance their efforts, bringing daily living relief and comfort to them. The ranger unit has no intention of giving up. The immense value of Zambezi’s Lower Valley in Zimbabwe is untold, in reality, with 80% of this region set aside as safari hunting areas. The areas are also very well patrolled through the presence of safari hunters accompanied by their PHs, providing a presence on the ground through a large part of the year. Safari operators continue with anti-poaching support, food, fuel, equipment, and the all vital provision of transportation, where the local wildlife authority’s vehicle situation is dire and at a standstill. The participation of local communities and proceeds from the hunting has helped to keep the integrity of these areas intact, despite the poaching, limited management, financial resources and support from the national wildlife agency. Otherwise, a serious toll on wildlife numbers would have taken place. I type this narrative from my Land Rover, so I can plug into my inverter using the cigarette lighter socket — it all works perfectly. As I look through the windscreen onto a group of rain trees that stand proud and strong, providing shade for the base, I know that as a global conservation community, we can surely protect this extraordinary vast and wild landscape, bringing back animals, heightening protection of all species of fauna and flora in what we call Zimbabwe’s Lower Zambezi Valley. “Tashinga,” loosely translated from the local Shona language, means “despite everything, by all means, and with a brave heart, we will persevere and win through.” In other words, we believe in resilience. ★ The Tashinga Initiative TRUST is a Registered Non-Profit Organization. To contact them call 263.772.348671 or e-mail lynne@thetashingainitiative.org.
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 67
theCHILLof theHUNT
68 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
SURVIVING A COLD-WEATHER HUNTING TRIP
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BY ANDREW MERRITT
and cold weather limits the time spent away from
nticipation and opportunity. That’s what a late-season hunt is all about. The game is fewer and farther
between, having been pushed by hunters all season, bedding and feeding areas. For the clever hunter, it’s a great time to set up in an isolated area and have the field to yourself. For the hunter whose season hasn’t been up to snuff, it’s one last chance to bag something worth bragging about. The advent of fall brings plenty of unique hunting opportunities throughout North America, from the northernmost edges of Alaska deep into the Canadian wilderness. But the cold that keeps the game hidden will affect you, too. A trip to the hunting grounds when daylight and warmth are at a premium can become a complicated and even dangerous activity. The perils of cold-weather hunting are many, from life-threatening conditions like frostbite and hypothermia, down to simply coming up empty because cold fingers don’t want to draw the bowstring or pull the trigger when you need them to. A late-season hunt in cold climates is about more than just wearing a hat and coat and bringing an extra thermos of coffee. Having the right knowledge and resources for cold-weather hunting can mean the difference between bagging that late-season deer and missing out, but it can also be the difference between life and death. Carl Cowan is an operations supervisor at Global Rescue, and has extensive experience working in medical operations, ushering members from injury and illness in the field to health and comfort at home. He sat down with us to talk about what you need to know and do to ensure a successful — and safe — late-season hunt.
The wear-withal to survive
Shelter is paramount if a cold-weather hunt goes late into the day or weather rolls in.
It all starts with the right preparation, and the first step is the correct clothing. “Anytime that you’re going to be going out in cold weather, layers are the key,” Cowan says. “Everybody should always start with some sort of moisture-wicking base layer. Regardless of whether you’re in a blind or you’re out on a boat, or you’re out walking around, at some point you’re going to engage in a level of activity that’s going to make you sweat. If you sweat, you need to get that moisture away from your skin, and preferably evaporating out and not into your clothes, so that you don’t lose the effectiveness of whatever other layers you’ve got on. Wool is great, but there are also some really great synthetic moisture-wicking fabrics out there as well. But I always tell everybody, ‘base layer, base layer, base layer.’ That’s Number 1.” “On top of that, some sort of mid-layer that would just be your FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 69
THE CHILL OF THE HUNT : BY ANDREW MERRITT wear for the day, something that’s going to keep the heat that you’re generating, so the base layer is keeping that moisture from saturating the rest of your clothing, and the mid-layer is actually facilitating that first line of insulation.” There are two things your top layer needs when you’re heading out into the chill: Insulation and waterproofing. The insulation in your jacket can come from synthetic or natural fibers. Synthetic material is water resistant, making it good for wet or humid conditions, and is measured in grams; look for a jacket in the 100–200g range for winter hunts. The other option is goose down, which far outperforms most synthetic material when it comes to warmth and doesn’t add as much weight. The sacrifice with goose down is its lack of water resistance compared to synthetics. A waterproof shell over all of that insulation is crucial to keeping you dry, which in turn is crucial to keeping you warm. The hands and feet are often the first spots on the body to be affected by the cold, so there’s a delicate balance between keeping them warm enough while not sacrificing the sensation and dexterity needed for hiking, moving and operating rifles and bows. Feet are especially sensitive because they are both a source of heat and an area easily affected by the cold. Finding the right footwear isn’t as easy as putting on a pair of boots that mostly fit. As the day goes on feet swell, and some hunters even take their boots off to promote circulation and bring warmth back to their toes.
70 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
“As far as footwear and feet go, good foot care starts with good socks,” Cowan says. “Again, I’m a big fan of wool. Wool socks keep that moisture wicked away, and keep your feet from getting frost nipped or frostbitten, depending on how cold it is. Footwear, I think, is sort of in the eye of the beholder. If it’s cold enough that you have to consider how tight you are lacing up your boots, maybe you need to consider different boots. But if it’s below freezing, insulated boots are absolutely recommended.” The gloves you wear have to provide warmth while also allowing for movement. Here, Cowan says, is another area where each hunter should find his or her own preference. “There are tons of really great choices out there for general outdoor activity, and some stuff that’s geared specifically toward the hunting community,” Cowan says. “Like footwear, user mileage may vary, but there are plenty of options out there for both organic and synthetic fabrics that sportspeople can use while they’re out there engaged in hunting activities.” Finally, your head. While the old wisdom that says we lose most of our body heat through our head isn’t actually true (heat is pretty evenly distributed across the body), it’s still important to find the right solutions for your head and face. Obviously you need to be able to see and breathe, so a combination of a hat made of wool or fleece and a facemask is your best bet. That’s especially true if your hunt involves staying downwind of the game – by definition,
you’ll be facing into the wind, and your nose, lips and ears are particularly vulnerable to the cold.
Eat to hunt
What you put on the outside of your body is crucial in cold-weather activity, of course, but so is what you put inside your body. The right nutrition before and during a hunt is vital to ensuring all of your fancy cold-weather gear isn’t wrapped around a shivering body devoid of energy. “Stay away from things that contain sugars, that give you that burst of energy, but then come with a significant lag or crash afterward,” Cowan says. “What you want are long proteins, carbohydrates, things that are going to take the body a little bit longer than just a little bit of glucose — nuts, dried fruit, dried meats, jerkies — that won’t require much packing space.” A big breakfast might be a part of your hunt tradition, but your nutrition for the day definitely shouldn’t end there. If you’re planning a trek out into the wilderness, it’s important to plan your food accordingly. Water is equally important. While it’s a no-brainer to stay hydrated in hot temperatures, dehydration is a real danger in the cold. You may not sweat as much or feel thirsty, but that doesn’t change the fundamental fact that your body needs a steady supply of water. “You should always have some water with you. Make sure you’ve got enough food and water, even if you just think you’re going to be out on a day hike,” Cowan says. “If you’re out in the backcountry, or deep
THE CHILL OF THE HUNT : BY ANDREW MERRITT
A hunt in the snowy wilderness carries all manner of excitement, but dangers come with the cold. opposite page:
Sitting in a blind for hours on end can make it difficult to keep blood and warmth circulating through your body. right:
If you are lost or injured on the hunt, a fire will be crucial to providing warmth and visibility while you figure out your next step. above:
into the bush or the woods, you should prepare for being there out on your own for 24 hours at least. So enough water to get through the day, enough dried food to sustain you, especially if the sun goes down and you’re out after dark.”
Don’t go it alone
The call of the untamed and isolated wilderness is undeniable, and the idea of being out on your own with nothing but your wits and weapon to protect you is the stuff of great novels. The reality, however, is that the more remote your destination, the more you need a way to find help — and be found — if something goes wrong. The options for this can be anything from a simple cell phone to a satellite phone or tracking and messaging device, and it’s important to judge your communications gear based on where you’re headed. “If you aren’t near major landmarks or major population centers or major roads, a cell phone, some form of satellite radio, and some longer-distance communication device such as a satellite phone or locator beacon are appropriate, but that for me is determined by where I’m going,” Cowan says. “If I’m just going to my local forest or something like that, it’s not such a concern, but if I’m going deep out for a hunt somewhere into new and remote territory, then a satellite phone or a satellite tracking and messaging device of some sort is advisable.”
Let’s do this
OK, so you’re packed with the right gear,
food and technology, and you’re headed out into the field for an afternoon’s hunt. You’re looking for some late-season luck, and it’s going to require sitting in one place as the chill sets in and tests your ability to stay focused. The key, Cowan says, is to not get cold in the first place. “It’s also prudent to make use of, for example, hand warmers or foot warmer packets if you have those. If you have a hunting wrap or hunting blanket, a space blanket, you don’t want to make too much noise but if you can keep yourself from getting a chill, if your body doesn’t have to work as hard to stay warm, the better off you’re going to be,” Cowan says. Whenever possible, move around even just a little to generate warmth. Ideally, a short walk will keep blood from pooling, but if you’re trying to maintain stillness in a blind while waiting for game, something as simple as pushing one fist into the other hand and then vice versa can get blood — and warmth — flowing.
Once bitten …
The two most obvious dangers involved in cold-weather activity are hypothermia and frostbite, and both can be deadly. Hypothermia happens fast — faster than you’re imagining. There are several factors that play into how quickly your body will dip below the 95-degree threshold that marks the start of hypothermia, including alcohol or drug use, medical conditions, and age. Submersion in water escalates the danger exponentially.
“Be mindful of inadvertently ending up in a body of water, especially if the temperature’s under 50 degrees,” Cowan says. Certain images come to mind when you think of frostbite. None of them are pretty. But fingers, toes, noses and other vulnerable areas don’t just go from healthy to frostbitten in an instant. There are indicators to let you know that you need to do something before irreversible damage sets in. The first stage of frostbite is known as frostnip, and it’s a treatable condition that also serves as a warning that your body is in trouble. “If you have an exposed piece of skin and it hurts, that’s your body telling you, ‘hey, this isn’t great for me.’ So do what you can to protect, especially those exposed bits of skin like your nose, your ears, fingertips, be mindful of your toes. Good insulation, using heat packs, using wraps, wool caps for your head, will go a long way to prevent frostnip.” Skin exposed to temperatures under 15 degrees can show signs of frostbite within 30 minutes. Sub-zero temperatures can inflict frostbite in less than 10 minutes.
Dealing with injuries
Frostbite is hardly the only injury you could face out in the field. Trekking around the backcountry, especially in icy or frost-covered areas, means a heightened risk of falls that can turn a hunting expedition into a life-or-death ordeal. While a sprained ankle in civilization is just an annoyance and maybe a trip to the doctor’s office, in FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 71
THE CHILL OF THE HUNT : BY ANDREW MERRITT
Even in sub-freezing temperatures, hiking will make you sweat, which means you need good layering and plenty of water.
the wintry wilderness it could cause far more serious problems. Anything more severe than that, and you’re looking at the end of your hunt and the beginning of something far more dramatic. A more severe injury like a broken leg brings all kinds of complications in the cold. Decreased blood flow due to colder air is exacerbated by the injury, which can lead to shock. That’s how a broken bone or open wound becomes a life-threatening condition. “In those situations, time becomes a factor. Staying warm and not losing whatever existing warmth and body temperature you have is really going to save your life in those conditions,” Cowan says. “So make sure you always have an emergency blanket, even if you’re not using it while you’re in a blind or actively on the hunt, something that you can deploy if you are injured to maintain body heat, and not more quickly develop shock, that’s very important. Staying hydrated is also important — it’ll help you with temperature regulation, your body will not have to work quite as hard to maintain homeostasis. And if you’re really worried about being injured, especially if you’re going someplace in the backcountry, just make sure somebody knows where you are. The better idea of where you are, the easier it is for search organizations to find you.” This is another area where good preparation is going to pay off. “For simple scrapes and cuts, normal wound management and cleaning procedures apply. If you have access to a little bit of mild soap and some water, clean it out, dry it very well, bandage it appropriately and then cover it back up so you don’t lose 72 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
too much heat through that area. With larger injuries like broken bones or major lacerations, bleeding control is paramount, up to and including the use of tourniquets if it’s an uncontrolled hemorrhage, and then just body temperature management. Get that space blanket or sleeping bag out, make sure you do whatever you can do to maintain temperature. “If you’re worried about how long it’s going to take to find you, try to start a fire. If you’re going to be way out in the backcountry, you should have a small survival kit: a shovel, fire-starting tools, a flintstrike setup of some sort, matches, extra water, and again that blanket or sleeping bag. Those things, while you’re stuck in one place waiting for someone to come, will make or break it.” Head injuries are complicated enough in a controlled setting. Out in the frigid wilderness, the challenge is heightened, and the way to deal with it is to have help. Potential concussion victims should be kept warm, but also awake, which anyone who has huddled under a warm blanket on a cold night can tell you isn’t easy to do. “Keeping them awake so that you can assess their mental status is important,” Cowan says. “It’s just engaging them, and making sure that they’re answering appropriately. If there’s any concern as to whether or not somebody has a concussion, and you’ve established that they’ve sustained a head injury, you should already have contacted emergency services and have somebody on the way. Keep them warm, engaged and talking so that they can be appropriately assessed in a medical facility for a potential head injury. “
Ultimately, the most important equipment you carry with you on a cold-weather hunt is what’s between your ears. “Common sense rules the day. If you’re running out of food or water, go home. Don’t think that you’re just going to make it out there in your T-shirt and some jeans if the sun’s going down. Don’t risk getting lost. And try not to wind up in a body of water.”
What happens if you are injured on the hunt?
A hunt in the chill of the late season has its thrills, but it also has its hazards. If something goes wrong on your trip, your objective will quickly turn from harvesting that one last prize to simply getting yourself home. Global Rescue offers field rescue, medical advisory and evacuation services that guarantee a safe end to your hunt no matter what happens. In addition to the gear, clothing and supplies you pack for your hunt, you should also have a Global Rescue membership, because the best places to hunt are usually the worst places to have an emergency. ★ Global Rescue has provided hunters with field rescue, medical advisory and evacuation services since 2004, with more than 10,000 missions completed. Before your next hunt – especially one that takes you into cold wilderness – you should consider a Global Rescue membership as part of your survival plan. Global Rescue www.GlobalRescue.com Member Services 617-459-4200 memberservices@globalrescue.com
Prairie Mountain Wildlife Studio prairiemountain@goldenwest.net www.prairiemountainwildlife.com Cell 605.490.2711 | Fax 605.985.5213
Brush Country Studios office@brushcountrystudios.com www.brushcountrystudios.com Cell 713.202.8956 | 281.256.0742
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 73
2017 Houston Safari Club President’s Rifle O
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Gun making is an age old craft, indeed an art. Krieghoff has been engineering firearms since 1886… 5
1. Krieghoff’s attention to detail is unsurpassed. 2. Tools of the trade. 3. Master wood craftsman Ralf Sommer in Ulm, Germany. 4. Houston Safari Club logo. 5. New Vienna Scroll pattern that will be featured on the rifle.
74 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
nce again Krieghoff has teamed up with the Houston Safari Club to present the 2017 HSC President’s Rif le. For the upcoming Convention, we have selected the well-known Classic “Big Five” Double Rifle with a new look. The gun being crafted will display the widely recognized HSC logo with a majestic elephant featured on the receiver, but will also display the new Vienna Scroll engraving that has never been featured on the classic model. This rifle will combine the legendary performance of Krieghoff engineering with the elegance of a unique engraving to produce a one-of-a-kind masterpiece for the 2017 Houston Safari Club President’s Rifle. Everyone has a different drive or motivation to engage in big game hunting. The thrill is a mixture of emotions and involves the use of all of your senses. Your eyes will embrace images of exotic landscapes, the beauty of tumbling waterfalls and lofty mountains, while your ears tune into the sounds of the native inhabitants that have generously granted you access to their kingdom. Your prey may pick up your scent before you have them in sight, but as you grip your Classic “Big Five” double rifle in your hands, rest assured that you will taste success. Anyone who understands the practical aspects of hunting knows what to expect from the technical features of a hunting gun. Any hunting scenario demands full concentration. Being ready to fire immediately and maintaining utmost safety are mere fractions of a second apart. The gun‘s handling must, therefore, be straightforward and intuitive – never distractive. These requirements are absolutely vital and call for a sophisticated technical solution. Pair these impressive features with the elegance and craftsmanship of Krieghoff gun making as well as the new Vienna Scroll engraving pattern on a Classic “Big Five” Double Rifle and you have a true masterpiece. Gun making is an age old craft, indeed an art. Krieghoff has been engineering firearms since 1886 and continues to develop the finest firearms worldwide. The Classic “Big Five” is endowed with the graceful but powerful lines of the classic English double rifle, but it is set apart by a trio of design features that make it absolutely unique among double guns and give it a level of versatility and reliability that is unsurpassed. We will continue to follow and report on this impressive, bespoke rifle as it progresses through the different stages of manufacturing and is delivered to its final destination at the Houston Safari Club Annual Convention and Hunting Expo in January 2017. Please contact the Houston Safari Club for the opportunity to own this one-of-a-kind masterpiece. www.krieghoff.com ★
The ultimate guide in your hunt for Ranch Property View properties at www.farmandranch.com
Get a free one-year subscription! Use promo code: Safari FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 75
HSC WARRIOR HUNT
A STORY OF MANY GIFTS STORY & PHOTOS BY GARY PLOCH, STUMBERG PATIO RANCH
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avid and Susan LN Kalich have been sharing and hosting Houston Safari Club-sponsored
youth hunts and warrior hunts with The Patio Ranch for many years. They returned to the ranch the weekend of November 6-8, 2015, for another long-anticipated hunt with a group
of four military veterans directed to the Houston Safari Club and the Patio Ranch by Combat Marine Outdoors. In addition to David and Susan, a great support group was on hand to share the weekend. 76 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
Opposite page: Back row L to R: Ray, Daniel, Justin, Jason, Gary Front row L to R: Michael, Jack, Ed, Susan, Alex, David Far left: Jack Goodloe Stumberg Ram Left: Jason Shaw Fallow Doe
Gene and Barbara were providing the meal service with great table fare for all involved; they cook for the enjoyment and it really shows in their presentation and exuberance as they made sure that no one left the table unsatisfied. Their lighthearted attitude put all in the group at ease. Alex and Chris (themselves military veterans) were present to share their experiences and to assist as hosts for the group; they are on hand for the joy of sharing stories and meeting fellow veterans with stories to tell. The ranch staff (Daniel, Ray, and Michael), acting as guides, were looking forward to another great hunting experience and the camaraderie with these special guests. Eric Stumberg was at the ranch to welcome these special guests and to host the guests for the Stumberg family at The Patio Ranch. The Stumberg family has a long history of close ties to the military in San Antonio through Eric’s father, Mr. Louis Stumberg; and Eric brings a wonderful understanding of that bond and long history in his interactions with these special warriors. Friday afternoon started with everyone being quartered in the historic main lodge and guest house. Although built in the 1930s, selective upgrades in the early 2000s (central air, modern bathrooms, new electrical, modern kitchen appliances, etc.) left the historical aspects of the lodge intact while offering guests comfortable accommodations. Gene and Barbara provided refreshing drinks and afternoon snacks to curb some healthy appetites while the guests were welcomed, introductions were made and a brief history of the ranch was given. Eric Stumberg related plans for the hunt in regard to the available animals, type of hunting, and selection of different hunting areas.
With all participants refreshed and energized by the anticipation of hunting to come, the group loaded into the trucks and drove the short distance to a firearm practice range. This practice at the range prior to the hunt is an important component of every hunting experience. For the ranch staff, it determines the accuracy of the firearm to be used as well as the hunter’s shooting and firearm safety skills. Any adjustments required to the windage or elevation of the scope can be made in a controlled setting. This accuracy check also increases the probability of hunter success and lessens the possibility of wounding an animal. Most of all, practicing shooting is a fun sport; all of the shooters and hosts had fun. Good-natured kidding and competition for bragging rights bonded this group of hunters while the ranch staff was able to take away some valuable lessons in regard to shooting a firearm from these experienced veterans. The first class training given to the U.S. military was evident in this group. With such a memorable exercise to start the hunt, all knew that this would be a time that would never be forgotten. Although very little hunting light remained all four hunters went into the
field to search for their selected animals. Eric (or Ed as he preferred) was the first to spot his quarry. With the wind in his face as well as the weakly lit western sky, Ed stalked down the hill to find a rest for a good, steady shot. With three bulls standing in close proximity, great care was needed to make sure the right bull was targeted as well and that the other bulls were not in the line of fire. In addition, looking into the sunset presented the ethical question as to whether the visibility was adequate for a good kill shot and if the minimal remaining light would fail before the shot could be taken. A safe window for a clear shot opened and Ed fired; the bull ran down the hill a short distance, fell to the ground and was still. The hunting party approached, gave thanks for the blessing of this hunt and paid respect to the magnificent barasingha bull. Ed would have a great story to tell as well as a large amount of meat to fill his freezer thanks to the bounty of this earth. Photos were taken and the hunting party was able to enjoy the twilight and coolness of this fall evening. With no target animals spotted by the other hunters, all returned to the main lodge for a great evening meal and
This practice at the range prior to the hunt is an important component of every hunting experience. For the ranch staff, it determines the accuracy of the firearm to be used as well as the hunter’s shooting and firearm safety skills. FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 77
HSC WARRIOR HUNT : BY GARY PLOCH the start of some amazing story-sharing sessions. There were discussions of the hunting heritage shared by so many of the warriors, staff and hosts. Many common views were expressed as reasons for the joy of hunting: the physical and mental challenge of finding the quarry, the fellowship with friends and family, the beauty of the land and animals encountered, being able to provide meat for their tables, and the peace felt while participating in this great pastime. All agreed that they were still influenced by great horns or antlers, but the reasons listed earlier were of more importance and a balance was essential to keep a good perspective on the hunt. Everyone arose before the crack of dawn with the other three hunters eager to search for their quarry and to use the great shooting skills displayed by all yesterday at the rifle range. The energy and expectations for the day were reflected in the animated talking and storytelling on this early morning. By all indications, this would be an exciting, event-filled, and productive day. Ray (the guide) had taken Jack out to hunt for a very wild Stumberg ram. The large bachelor herds of rams are difficult to approach as there is always one or more wary sets of eyes that watch while the rest of the herd is feeding. Most of the morning was filled with some frustration as the sheep would always discover the hunters’ approach and move away from them each time before a shot could be made. But, both Ray and Jack knew that is part of hunting. As the mid-day was approaching, Ray and Jack were finally able to hide their approach from the herd of wary rams and get within a reasonable shooting range. Although the body of this type of sheep is not very large, Jack felt comfortable with the shot being presented. He settled, calmed his heart and fired. The ram fell to the ground. Jack had made a tremendous long-range shot…somewhere between 200-400 yards (the range related is dependent on the narrator of the story.) Again, thanks were given for the opportunity to walk in this wondrous world of the Texas Hill Country and for this thrilling hunt. If his picture is any indication, the experience thrilled both guide and hunter. In addition, Ray was now able to brag on his hunters’ shooting skills. Later in the day, Jack had the opportunity to hunt for another animal to add more meat to his freezer. Ray and Jack traveled to the 600-acre pasture to search 78 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
Jack Goodloe with Fallow Doe
for some surplus fallow does that needed to be harvested to lower the population numbers and relieve some grazing pressure on the pasture. The beauty of this pasture with the stands of native grasses interspersed with single large oaks or oak mottes decorates the landscape in mosaic patterns. Driving in the pasture is a great way to view this landscape; however, walking through this tall grass is a more pleasant alternative to the drive. Shortly after entering the pasture, a group of grazing does was spotted. Jack and Ray were able to close the distance on an unsuspecting doe to about 150 yards by a stalk through this tall cover; any closer and the hunters would have risked alerting the group to their presence. Careful to avoid the taller grass and limbs, Jack was able to find a clear sight line to the one doe. Jack’s superb marksmanship awarded him with a good store of meat for his larder. Again, one shot and one animal. Way to go, Jack! Justin had originally set his sights on harvesting an axis buck. However, after a Friday evening and Saturday morning with no sightings to pursue in the axis category, and on the advice of his guide, Justin decided to switch his target animal to a barasingha. Michael (his guide) was
able to locate one of the bulls they were seeking. Due to the open terrain, the herd of barasingha bulls spotted the approach of the hunters. The herd moved, as one group, for a good distance downhill and through some windfall trees before stopping to assess if they were safe. Already in a shooting position, Justin was ready when the bulls stopped running. Before the bulls could decide if they would be safer with more distance between himself and the hunter, Justin readied himself for a shot. This distance may have proven to be an adequate buffer from a hunter with average shooting skills, but Justin was well above average. Just as we saw with Jack, a calm before the shot could be seen coming over Justin. A non-moving target is all it took for this marksman to take a good barasingha bull at a long distance. The great bull ran a short way and fell. When Justin approached the downed bull, he realized that his freezer would be stocked for many months with the meat from this large, magnificent animal. A few words of thanksgiving were said over this special animal before heading in for the evening to field dress and care for the trophy. What a great way to close a day in this wondrous Texas Hill Country. Jason had been determined to get a
HSC WARRIOR HUNT : BY GARY PLOCH blackbuck antelope when the hunt started, but the bucks always seemed to be where Jason was not. They would often be visible at over 400 yards, but none within a reasonable range. Even with the excellent marksmanship of these men, blackbuck males are under 100 pounds and do not present a very large target. In addition, the antelope have a tendency to move when uncertain of the surroundings. Being open plains animals, their eyesight is very keen and a truck driving within a quarter mile has a tendency to start their motion. After a non-productive morning hunt, Jason’s guide (Daniel) recommended that the focus of Jason’s hunt should be another type of animal. The decision was made to attempt stalking an animal in the 600-acre pasture. Many acres of beautiful pasture was walked and viewed by Jason and Daniel, but a reasonable target never presented itself before the sun set. One consolation was the beauty of the evening sky and the opportunity to walk on the grass covered earth carpeting this beautiful scenery. Saturday evening brought a great celebration to the lodge with the success of the hunt and the great time enjoyed together. A superb meal was served by Gene and Barbara with many short hunting stories related over the fine fare. The group adjourned to the great room with plenty of seating to relax, which enabled many life stories and events to be told by the warriors and hosts. Alex and Chris (as veterans themselves) shared some of their memories and experiences to help in our understanding of life in the
Justin Purviance Management Barasingha Bull
These men were heroes in the eyes of all present at the ranch this weekend. However, these heroes walking among us did not seem to think they belonged in that category. military services. As fantastic as some of the stories seemed, we knew that there was very little fiction or exaggeration involved. The experiences shared brought more understanding to everyone present of the trials and uncontrollable events that unfold in war-torn areas where these warriors had traveled. The ranch staff and hosts were all forever touched by these amazing stories. The excitement of the day and the long time since the early morning rise put many of the group to bed earlier than normal. We also knew that tomorrow would bring one more opportunity for Jason to add some wonderful, healthy meat to his freezer for the upcoming winter season as well as possible second trophy opportunities for the other three warriors. Sunday morning brought Jason out to hunt one final time in the early dawn. With all of Jason’s and Daniel’s effort to find an animal to harvest, Jason had not been presented an opportunity to harvest an animal on Friday or Saturday. He had a strong will to bring home some fresh meat to augment his freezer stores. Also, Daniel had a strong resolve to help Jason with his goal. The two hunters started
on a search for a fallow doe in the large 600-acre pasture. There were a number of excess does that needed to be harvested for the ranch management plan. A group was finally sighted within range. The tall grass increased the shot difficulty as Jason had to rise above the grass to have an unobstructed shot at the does. A pair of shooting sticks, patience, great marksmanship and a steady, experienced hand of this hunter enabled a successful conclusion to the final hunt; their determination and relentless hunting ultimately resulted in the harvest of a fallow doe for Jason to take home. These men were heroes in the eyes of all present at the ranch this weekend. However, these heroes walking among us did not seem to think they belonged in that category. Each of these four men was humble and honored to be able to serve the United States. It seemed that they carried memories and experiences that only they will ever know about. With men and women of this caliber protecting our country, we know that “Old Glory” will forever fly proudly over our great nation. Whether hunter, guest or ranch staff, everyone present received some very special gifts: lifelong memories to pass on to family, friends and acquaintances; the fellowship and sharing of experiences with good people; the opportunity to say “Thank You” to some of the warriors that have sacrificed much to defend our nation, our freedom and way of life. Let us be ever mindful and thankful, especially at this time of year, for this great nation that is the United States of America and those that have given so much! Join in proudly thanking these warriors and congratulating them on their successful hunts. With all of the gifts given and received this weekend, there will hopefully forever be countless memories to relive and relate by every participant. Each and every one of us present during this weekend are now rich in experiences so that we can for many years share with others and “… tell a different hunting story!” ★ FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 79
DAN L. DUNCAN
SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship Report: White-Tailed Deer BY LINDSEY M. PHILLIPS
U
nlike most wildlife students and professionals, I did not know at a young age that I wanted to pursue a career in wildlife. Although I grew up on a family farm where hunting, fishing, and working outside was an everyday part of my life, working with wildlife for my career was the farthest thing from my mind. Honestly, I did not even know that it was a possible career. It wasn’t until I attended an incoming student visitation day at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama that I knew that I was hooked onto, and was meant to go into, the wildlife profession. The thoughts of working with rare, endangered, and charismatic wildlife species and the landscape they inhabit fascinated me, and thanks to the generous support of my family, friends, and organizations such as the Houston Safari Club, I have been able to do just that! My master’s project at Texas A&M University-Kingsville has allowed me to study the large and charismatic white-tailed deer. I have had the privilege of working with the prestigious Dr. Timothy Fulbright, Dr. David Hewitt, and De. Charlie DeYoung on the large-scale, long- term Comanche-Faith Deer Research Project. The research for this project is conducted on two ranches, the Faith Ranch and the Comanche Ranch, just outside of the small southern Texas town of Carrizo Springs. Phase I of the project was started in 2004. The main goal of Phase I was to determine if the addition of supplemental feed to a white-tailed deer’s diet caused any alterations to various aspects of whitetailed deer ecology, such as antler development, reproduction, body growth, and habitat use, as white-tailed deer density increased. This was done by creating six 200 acre enclosures on each of the two study ranches. These enclosures were stocked with native white-tailed deer at varying densities, with half of the enclosures being provided supplemental feed and half without supplemental feed. Based on the results from Phase I, Phase II was designed and started in 2013. In Phase II, white-tailed deer densities were dramatically increased from Phase I. Since supplemental feed is so widely used by landowners and land managers across much of south Texas, Phase II was designed 80 HUNTER’S HORN FALL 2016
to provide supplemental feed to all of the research enclosures at different rates. This was done so that we could not only test the impacts of increasing white-tailed deer density with one supplemental feeder, but also to test the impacts of increasing white-tailed deer and supplemental feeder densities together at a ratio of 20 white-tailed deer to one supplemental feeder. There are several students currently on the project, so many different aspects of white-tailed deer ecology are being studied in Phase II, including antler development, body growth, movement, behavior, survival, and habitat use. Throughout my time on the project, I have studied the impacts of varying white-tailed deer and supplemental feeder densities on the woody vegetation. Although my time of collecting project data has concluded, future students will continue collecting the same data so that the end result will be a large multi-year dataset. It is a well-known fact that white-tailed deer utilize the vegetation around them for forage, especially the woody vegetation that is used for browsing. Just as well- known is the fact that as white-tailed deer numbers increase across the landscape, the impacts from white-tailed deer browsing on the woody plants are magnified. However, there are many different ideas behind what adding supplemental feed to the environment can do to alter the woody plant use by white-tailed deer. Many land managers add supplemental feed to the landscape because they believe that the additional food source will minimize the impacts of white-tailed deer browsing on the woody plants due to the white-tailed deer being satiated on supplemental feed, while other land managers believe that adding supplemental feed to the landscape can actually compound the negative impacts of white-tailed deer browsing on the woody plants due to the additional food source concentrating the white-tailed deer herds in small areas around the supplemental feeders. Whether the addition of supplemental feed to the landscape positively or negatively affects the woody plants, the fact is that adding supplemental feed to a whitetailed deer’s diet will likely alter their interactions with the environment. Some scientific research predicts that as supplemental feed is added
DAN L. DUNCAN
to a white-tailed deer’s diet, the white-tailed deer will be able to spend more time selectively browsing upon extremely nutritious and highly palatable plant species due to the white-tailed deer being completely satiated on supplemental feed. If this was occurring across the landscape, we would expect to see a decrease in the amount of high quality, highly palatable woody vegetation and an increase in the amount of low quality, unpalatable woody vegetation. Other theories suggest that as supplemental feed is added to a white-tailed deer’s diet, the white-tailed deer will be able to spend more time selectively browsing upon extremely poor quality and unpalatable plant species due to the white-tailed deer needing more roughage in their diet to counterbalance the buildup of acid that can occur in their stomachs due to a diet consisting of high amounts of supplemental feed. If this was occurring, we would expect to see a decrease in the amount of poor quality, unpalatable vegetation and an increase in the amount of high quality, palatable vegetation on the landscape. Woody plants of south Texas are extremely well adapted to their semiarid environment and have evolved alongside browsing from large herbivores for decades. As such, it has been suggested that these woody plants have developed alternative growth measures to be able to survive under high browsing pressure. One of these alternative growth measures is the idea of compensatory growth. This idea states that when woody plants are placed under high browsing pressure, they would actually increase their vegetative growth in an effort to
SCHOLARSHIP
counterbalance the removal of the vegetative material that is occurring through browsing. This can be a very positive cyclic idea under the appropriate white-tailed deer density, meaning that as the white-tailed deer browse upon the woody plants to receive their needed nutrients, the woody plants are able to put on more vegetative material to make up for what is being removed by the white-tailed deer, which in turn creates even more vegetative material for the white-tailed deer to browse upon and more vegetative material for the plant to use for photosynthesis. It is extremely important for us to understand what these exact impacts are of increasing white-tailed deer and supplemental feeder densities are on the landscape. If we can truly understand what these impacts are on the environment, we can accurately create management plans that will provide landowners with the ability to create the most optimal and healthy landscape and white-tailed deer herds that their land can support. My research and the continued research of the Comanche-Faith Deer Research Project hopes to provide landowners, land managers, and wildlife professionals with the most up-to-date information possible for managing south Texas white-tailed deer herds and their habitat. It is thanks to donors like you, the Houston Safari Club and the Dan L. Duncan Scholarship, that passionate graduate students like myself are able to focus on contributing to this wonderful world of wildlife research without worrying about our tuition payments. From the bottom of my heart, thank you! ★
DAN L. DUNCAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Support the future of wildlife biology and game management Houston Safari Club is home to one of the largest scholarship programs of its kind. Every year HSC, in conjunction with its charitable arm, the American Conservation and Education Society (ACES), proudly awards scholarships to the students currently involves in the study of Wildlife Management and/or Range Management. Since the program's inception in 1999, over 350 scholarships have been awarded to well-deserving students, totaling more than 1.5 million dollars. Your sponsorship is crucial to raise the funds needed to support this program. For more information, contact the HSC office at 713.623.8844, or visit the HSC website at www.houstonsafariclub.org.
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DAN L. DUNCAN
SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship Report: Wild Turkeys BY BRANDON MITCHELL
L
There is no greater reward than the outdoor experience and teaching my boys the lessons I learned and giving them the same opportunities I had as a child and more.
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ike many of us, I was fortunate to have grown up spending time in nature. To my brothers and I, our dad was the great outdoorsman and the one we looked to teach us his skills. He was the typical shift working family guy but had always grown up on the coast and loved to fish and hunt. When we would get to see our father, we always knew we were in for an adventure of some kind. We were always excited to see what he had in store for us. Whether it was fishing and camping in the cabin on Halls bayou or walking through the boggy marsh to duck hunt on Moses Lake, we were ready for anything. In the spirit of full disclosure, my father is a wildlife biologist. Some might say that I have had the unique opportunity as a child of having a father who is an outdoor enthusiast and wildlife biologist. The latter was not always the case. You see, my father didn’t attend college until he was thirty. Before that he worked plant jobs and just loved the outdoors. Starting off at a small college in south Houston he worked his way through Texas A&M University studying wildlife and fisheries science and continued his graduate work at Sul Ross State University researching winter food habits and den ecology of black bears in the Chisos Mountains. Up until this point I had spent a good part of my life in the outdoors, but I had not been learning about the outdoors from an educational and conservational standpoint. Having the opportunity to help my father with his graduate work was a very unique experience for me. Up until then, I had never imagined I would get to assist with bear captures or help collect data from bear dens (which often involved miles of mountain hiking to do so). My trips to Big Bend where the seeds planted years ago, waiting for the desert rain to cue them to grow. A few years went by after graduating before my father landed a job with Texas Parks and Wildlife in Terrell County, just west of Del Rio, which sent us back
into the Trans-Pecos wild. This was one of the best times of my life. We did not get to fish often, just the occasional trip back to the coast, but we were making up for that with extra hunting. There are two hunts from my time in Sanderson that stick with me through the years. The first was a Mouflon ram that I chased for two days through rugged canyons and unforgiving terrain. In the end, be it by luck or fate, I successfully harvested the ram and learned many valuable lessons about hunting. That ram sits shoulder mounted on my wall as a daily reminder that the things we want do not come easy but they are always worth the chase. The second hunt is special in the way that it relates to my graduate studies. This is where I started to really gain my own interest in learning about wildlife. It was my first wild turkey hunt. I remember thinking to myself that this must be a hoax of sorts. There was no way a bird known for living in the forest could be living out here in the expanses of the Chihuahuan Desert. This was what would seem to be too hostile of a place for a large bird to live. It turns out that the only roosting cover available for a turkey in the desert is either a power line or the scattered salt cedar mottes that delineate the ravines. In either case, it makes locating the birds much easier. The experience from that trip stayed with me through the years. When I was close to wrapping up my undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University in Kingsville a project opened up that was undeniably the perfect opportunity for me. The position would be studying roosting habits of Rio Grande wild turkeys in south Texas. I jumped at the opportunity and was given the project while still an undergraduate and was able to start conducting my research a semester before graduating. Just as the case in the Trans-Pecos, roosting opportunities in areas of south Texas can be limited due to lack of traditional roosting trees such as hackberry and live oak. This has
DAN L. DUNCAN
forced turkeys to utilize many non-traditional structures such as power lines, deer blinds, and even buildings for roosting. In an effort to help supplement roosting habitat, many ranch owners had previously constructed roost sites and placed them in areas where turkeys frequent in an attempt to provide additional locations to roost. The focus of my study has been to follow the turkeys’ seasonal movements and monitor use of both natural roost sites and non-traditional constructed roost sites. In most cases, the design and placement of constructed roost varies depending on the land manager’s beliefs on the best method and location on their particular ranch. This has provided me a large sample size of both successful and unsuccessful roost designs to analyze and determine which works best to suit a turkey’s roosting needs and which areas are best suited to place them. I am wrapping up my second year of field studies this summer and look to be graduated mid-2017. After graduating, I will be working on
SCHOLARSHIP
a private ranch in the Victoria area. Like me, the landowner shares a passion for birds. Waterfowl hunting and wetland development are the priorities on the property. This position will also allow me to continue volunteering my time and service to bringing new hunters into the sport and teaching them the lessons and values of conservation. This is my dream job. I have always enjoyed working outside and getting my hands dirty. The last few years of my life have truly been a blessing for my family and me. I have a wonderful wife Laura Leigh and two beautiful sons Mason and Ethan. The Houston Safari Club and the Dan L. Duncan memory scholarship have helped me pay my tuition and supplement the cost of attending school while raising a family. With this assistance, I have come that much closer to realizing my goals of completing graduate school and becoming a private lands biologist. There is no greater reward than the outdoor experience and teaching my boys the lessons I learned and giving them the same
opportunities I had as a child and more. Through the duration of my college education I have come a long way, learned extensively, and developed my passion for the outdoor through education. I look forward to passing that education along to all the future generations. Sincerely, Brandon Mitchell
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North America Travels Adventure in Our Own Backyard
BY THE TRAVEL ADVISORS OF WEST UNIVERSITY TRAVEL
W
hile the allure of
far-off destinations
drives most travelers, some-
times the best travel can be
found closest to home. From its
glorious coastlines to its majestic mountains, North America
is home to some of the world’s
most beautiful destinations, all
within our backyard. This year, stow your passport and consider
taking a domestic trip.
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EXPERIENCE THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT IN SANTA FE
New Mexico’s curious arts capital is a mix of culture and Wild West cavalier; the blocky adobe architecture houses a refined restaurant scene, and festivals like the International Folk Art Market are juxtaposed against the Santa Fe Opera’s showings of Don Giovanni and Romeo et Juliette. While in town, fill up on forward-thinking Southwestern cuisine at Eloisa, then spend a couple hours wandering through the various art galleries and shops. For a central location for exploration, stay at the 58-room Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi adjacent to the Santa Fe Plaza or experience The Inn of the Five Graces, a Relais & Chateaux property in historic Downtown Santa Fe. foodie hint: Check out Restaurant Martin, headed by the Iron Chef Martin Rios, for a menu that is progressive American and features lots of regional flavors. Santa Fe Inn at Five Graces
PARK CITY PERKS
With over 7,300 acres of skiable terrain, Park City, Utah is now the largest ski resort in the United States. Beyond winter’s downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, tubing, and snowshoeing, you can find abundant pursuits from spring through fall: hiking, biking, world-class fly fishing, and spectacular golf. So much activity can work up an appetite, and this former mining village has the perfect remedy in its après-ski offerings at The Farm and the world’s only ski-in distillery, High West Distillery & Saloon. For an exceptional stay, a funicular delivers you up the mountain for a dramatic entrance to The St. Regis Deer Valley, tucked inside an exclusive gated community. Guests can take advantage of an athletic club, split-level infinity pool, spa, and on-site equipment rental. And after a long day on the slopes, settle into a chaise lounge on the ski beach with a cocktail. For a family trip, Montage Deer Valley is a great option — the hotel features a pub with bowling alleys, dart boards, pool tables and video games, a kids’ club, indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, a sledding run, a 35,0000 square-foot spa and an outdoor skating rink. foodie hint: Check out Mariposa, the Zagat rated No. 1 restaurant in Deer Valley.
Montage Deer Valley Winter
SNOW GLOBE SOJOURN
Located within Banff National Park, Lake Louise freezes beneath the Upper Victoria Glacier to form one of the prettiest alfresco skating surfaces on the planet. Skaters carve arcs into the ice, while spectators sip hot chocolate beside cozy fires. Those averse to skating can instead prearrange rental of snowshoes and cross-country ski gear, or bundle up on a sleigh ride across the fresh snow. The best skiers congregate at the annual Lake Louise Alpine Ski World Cup, but ski enthusiasts can enjoy the same runs as the professionals all year long. With its plethora of winter activities, Banff National Park’s 2,564 square miles can lure travelers outdoors for hours, but the 554-room Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers just as many reasons to stow your mittens and relax. Swiss and Austrian guides established the ski culture here in 1909, so it’s fitting to dine on the European alpine menu of fondue and schnitzel at the resort’s Walliser Stube. Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise
THE AMERICAN SAFARI
In Montana, western Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, a budding network of exclusive and ecologically conscious lodges is catching the attention of wildlife and adventure lovers. While it’s not exactly the Serengeti, the experience is remarkably similar with great food, local culture, and game spotting. Lush reserves and vast ranches like The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch are perfect options for a rustic adventure with a New World sort of luxury. For a unique and, dare we say, educational experience, plan a trip to Gateway Canyons Resort. The brainchild of Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks, the resort was created to nourish guests’ curiosity through the art of discovery and adventure within a naturally intriguing environment. Discover galaxies under one of the darkest night skies on the planet, ride horses through ponderosa pine forests and view dinosaur relics and Native American rock paintings.
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BEACHFRONT BASE CAMP
Polo, croquet, art fairs and daily brunches characterize the posh playground on Palm Beach. The perfect place to see-and-be-seen, this sliver of an island 90 minutes north of Miami is a testament to its legacy of Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, Astors, and the like, with its Gilded Age architecture and unparalleled shopping. Set amidst 140 acres of picturesque oceanfront property in the heart of Palm Beach, the 540-room Breakers is a paradise for couples, families, and special gatherings. Enjoy peoplewatching at the sprawling private beach, with a team of attendants to fetch towels and angle umbrellas, but save your Saturday morning for lessons at the National Croquet Center. If your December calendar is free, plan your visit during the annual Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival. Enjoy special tasting menus and guest chef collaborations, then head over to The Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach which serves as home base for chef and sommelier, cooking classes, poolside grill parties and volleyball and karaoke battles.
NAPA VALLEY
Northern California is the perfect destination for travelers who want to go to Provence or Tuscany, but find themselves short on time. Sit down with a master sommelier just hours after departing San Francisco, take a walking tour of an artisan cheese farm, and visit wine country up-and-comers like Memento Mori, Azur Wines, and Upstart Crow. Wineries dot Napa Valley’s northern end, where the lovely town of Calistoga beckons with rustic charm and relaxing hot springs. The region isn’t just for wine enthusiasts, either. There is excellent shopping at quirky stores like Napa’s Liken Boutique, and beautiful hiking in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. After a day exploring, rest your head at the 89-room Solage Calistoga, with its cottagestyle studios, vaulted ceilings, and outdoor patios. And the next morning, grab a pair of complimentary bikes from the concierge and cycle to nearby Frank Family Vineyards for a tasting and tour of the historic winery.
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Vacation with Multiple Generations
One of the perks of traveling in the United States is that it’s easier to invite the family along, and the key to multigenerational travel is choosing a destination with enough space and activities for everyone. A great option: Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in beautiful Cape Cod. Settle the family into the Mother Goode house, with its three bedrooms and ample living space, then enjoy the resort’s extraordinary beaches, boating and water sports, and championship golf. For camping in style, head instead to Montana’s Resort at Paws Up. With luxury tents and cabins, the resort is the perfect compromise of rustic adventure and comfort. Whether you are taking a weekend trip to Austin, Texas or planning a family vacation to Alaska, our advisors can give you helpful insight and special perks. Contact us at info@westutravel.com to speak to one of our knowledgeable travel advisors who will provide stress and hassle free consultation, advice and planning for your North American Travel Adventure — an adventure in our own backyard! ★
FALL 2016 HUNTER’S HORN 87
Family is why we do it all. John Bowers CLU LUTCF ChFC LTCP, Agent 1650 Highway 6, Suite 450 Sugar Land, TX 77478 Bus: 281-242-4800 john@johnbowersclu.com
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