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Hunting Illustrated Magazine Volume 13, Number 1 www.huntingillustrated.com Subscriptions and Questions 1-435-528-5080 editor@huntingillustrated.com
s n m u l o C
10 18 24 28 32 36 40 6
Fresh Sign — Editorial Staff News, Facts and Fun
Hunting Forecast — Jon Crump
Insight From the Trailhead Guru
The Dueling Duo — Grange & Spomer Conservation Tags
Mule Deer — Steve Alderman
18 Years of the Big Bad Wolf
Elk — Steve Chappell
Elk & Wolves in the West
Predators— Les Johnson The White Coyote
Shooting — John Mogle Unleash the Fury
HUNTING ILLUSTRATED.com
74 76 82 86
Braggin’ Board
Bringing Home the Bacon
Just For Fun
Fun For the Whole Family
Mule Deer Watch — Michael Burrell Not Your Traditional Hero
Nuge Factor — Ted Nugent Opening Day Every Day
s e r u t a Fe î ° 44 48 52 56 60 64 70
Photo Story — David DeAustin Rocky Mountain Athletes
Absaroka King Jim Sessions
The Call of the Yukon Eva Shockey
The Chase
Dean Billington
Quest for the First Wolf Dean Billington
The Greatest Grizzly Tony Abbott
Remi Tracker Kyle Jones
WARNING!
Some of the photos in this magazine portray action performed by professional hunters or riders under controlled circumstances. We encourage safe practices in all outdoor activities. Hunting Illustrated withholds all liability for any damage or injury sustained while duplicating actions in photos.
Cover
Cover photo: Bob Steed Cover story: Tony Abbott Cover product: Fierce Firearms
Winter 2014
7
EDITORIAL Get Your Family Involved!
2
014 has arrived and it is that time of year when about the only available hunting is coyote, rabbit and those hard-to-draw tags that seem to stay just out of grasp. In many states, the odds of drawing a premium elk or deer tag are becoming slimmer every year. With elk numbers shrinking in many states due to the harmful effects of wolves, and deer herds continuous battles with predators and human intrusion on their winter ranges, the supply doesn’t seem to keep up with demand. The odds of drawing premium tags are not going to get much better. What can a hunter do? I think we are seeing the answer to that question now. Recently, there has been a bump in the number of hunters in the United States, especially among women and teenage girls. I suggest if a father wants to go on a good hunt any more, he better increase his odds in the draws. A simple way to do that is to get the non-hunters in your family involved. If you have a family of five and they are all over the age of 12, and let’s say only you and one of your boys hunt, think about the potential increase to your draw odds if you convert the other three members (your family) to hunting. If you don’t have a family, or they all are hunters already, I am sure you know someone who doesn’t hunt. You could make them a deal. If they draw a tag, you get to act as guide. How fun is that? 2014 is the year for missionary work! As hunters, let’s all commit to converting one person to our great sport this year. Whether it’s someone in your family or the guy at your weekly poker game, if they are not shooters, start there. Who wouldn’t like to shoot clay pigeons? After introducing the basic love of shooting, transcend to a pheasant hunt -- who wouldn’t like some well-cooked pheasant – enjoyed with friends and family? The process of introduction can be a total win, win! At that point, we’ve got them; they are now on the path to being hunters. The sky is the limit; expand someone’s interest in becoming not only a bird hunter, but also a big game hunter and even a hard-core DIY backpack type. You never know what you are going to create. Your daughter, who never liked to get her hands dirty, could surprise you one day by not only getting dirty, but by spraying deer or elk urine on herself to cover her scent in the woods. That wife of yours, whose weekends consisted of shopping, may surprise you (like mine did), when she actually speaks up and says she wants to give hunting a try. I missed out on 20 years of good times in the mountains with my wife, because I didn’t speak up first. Invitation is good for the whole sport. Numbers are powerful; if you can get your entire family involved, your summer scouting trips will be shared and, (don’t forget), you can increase your odds in the draws. We can all do it. Let’s be missionaries and convert at least one person to the sport of hunting this year. As brother Ted Nugent says, “It’s all about the spirit of the wild. Once a person tastes it, there really is no turning back.”
Managing Editor: John Mogle Art Director: Matt Mogle Copy Editor: Liz Buebe Field Editors: Courtney Crane, Matt Smith Contributing Editors: Liz Buebe, Josh Jackson Columnists: Steve Alderman,Ted Nugent, Scott Grange, Ron Spomer, Steve Chappell, Les Johnson, Michael Burrell, Eva Shockey, Jon Crump Contributing Writers: Tony Abbott, Dean Billington, Dennis Bryant, Jim Sessions, Kyle Jones Illustrators: Courtney Bjornn, Richard Stubler Advertising: (435) 528-5080 ads@huntingillustrated.com John Mogle Courtney Crane Subscriptions / Questions: (435) 528-5080 Submissions: Send your hunting stories and photos, Picture of the Week / Braggin’ Board Photo Story and Parting Shots to: Hunting Illustrated PO Box 1045 Gunnison, UT 84634 editor@huntingillustrated.com ©2014 Hunting Illustrated LLC PO Box 1045 Gunnison, UT 84634 Hunting Illustrated is published quarterly with additional bonus issue, $24.95 U.S. /$34.95 Outside U.S. Printed in U.S.A.
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The Latest News and Insights
Coywolfs, A Hybrid?
T
A look at a new predatorial threat
he long held belief that coyotes are not a threat to large game has been challenged by a report prepared by J.F. Benson and B.R. Patterson. What appears to be the eastern coyote is actually a hybrid between coyotes and wolves - locally referred to as a coywolf. The coywolf is larger than the western coyote, given its increased ability to hunt larger animals. The writers listed above, used GPS telemetry, genetic analysis, and field investigation as the foundation for their hypothesis. Although predation in Ontario (where the study took place) does not currently represent a threat, other areas in the northeast could be threatened. Delaware, among other northeastern states, has recently made it legal to hunt and kill coyotes for a sixmonth period. On January 8, 2014, James Fisher of The News Journal, reported this change and explained that the Department of Natural Resources has determined that the coyote is not native to Delaware and could be harmful to native populations. The article reaffirms that historically, coyotes preyed mainly on smaller animals and vegetation, steering away from larger animals. However, as evidenced in the Benson/Patterson report, in winter-prone environments, deer, elk and moose are apt to fall prey to coyotes/coywolves, as well. This is due in part to the difficulty faced by larger animals in deep snow. Other factors which have contributed to this change in prey are related to the terrain. For instance, on steep slopes, coywolves have the advantage over larger animals such as elk and moose. Benson and Patterson noted that “two of four moose killed by coyotes and hybrids, were in relatively dense conifer stands such that it appeared the moose were able to fit between the trees, but probably would not have been able to maneuver effectively. Moose generally attempt to fight off predators by facing them and using hooves and (or) antlers (Peterson 1977; Mech and Peterson 2003), so these dense trees may have limited their ability to swing around and face 10
HUNTING ILLUSTRATED.com
coyotes that generally attack the hind quarters.” “It seems unlikely that predation by coyotes and hybrids is cause for conservation concern in central Ontario. Nonetheless, these smaller canids were more capable of killing large ungulates than previously believed. Given our results, it may be prudent for managers of declining populations of moose (e.g., Minnesota; Lenarz et al. 2010) and threatened or endangered caribou populations (e.g., Canada; Boisjoly et al. 2010) to investigate whether coyote predation occurs and determine if it significantly adds to other sources of mortality.” J.F. Benson, B.R. Patterson. Moose (Alces alces) predation by eastern coyotes (Canislatrans) and eastern coyote × eastern wolf (Canislatrans×Canislycaon) hybrids. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 2013; 1 DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2013-0160
5FRESH SIGN5
by Editorial Staff
Fighting for the Second
P
Media’s state-by-state carrier database?
resident Lincoln said that if our country should fall, it would be from within. “Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! [Not] all the armies…with a Bonaparte for a commander could…. If [danger] ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us; it cannot come from abroad.” We are afraid this warning is becoming prophetic, especially by attacks from within to disarm the people. One attempt is the map of gun owners published by The Journal News in New York. In the end, the paper buckled -- an example of the power of concerned citizens combining their voices. This past month, a similar plan was considered by Civitas Media’s one hundred newspapers. A company memo read, “We will attempt to build state-by-state databases that list those who have the right to carry a concealed weapon.” Reacting to the resulting firestorm, the CEO has dismissed this as merely a rejected brainstorm that was misworded in a memo. Another attempt to undermine the 2nd Amendment is the twisting of its language by its opponents. Utah professor, Thomas Huckins, claims, “The framers of the Constitution never intended an individual right to own guns. ‘We the people’ means communally, not individualistically.” Connor Boyack of the Libertas Institute destroys these “linguistic gymnastics.” He points out that this insane logic would mean that the use of “people” through the 1st 4th, 9th, and 10th amendments would therefore not apply to individuals. He then turns to the writers of the Bill of Rights quotes to explain themselves. (Article: “INDIVIDUALS Have the Right to Guns”). Another 2nd Amendment sucker punch is the official United States support of the United Nations (UN) Small Arms treaty. As we explained in this Hunting Illustrated space previously, they have shepherded this process through in secrecy and denial, yet Former UN Ambassador John Bolton said, “There is no doubt that the real agenda here is domestic firearms control.” Our “paranoid” concerns are mocked as we are assured that a treaty can’t trump the constitution and that this treaty must still clear the Senate. Anyone who has been watching the Senate this past decade knows that is the scariest “comfort” of all. Democracy is a responsibility. Concerned citizens fighting back shut down the other 2nd Amendment encroachments above. This must be the case now with the UN treaty. Stand up and act. Send your letter to your senators or join us at Loyal9.org in our campaign to combine all of our voices into a force that can’t be ignored. Click on “Action;” then select “2nd Amendment.”
5FRESH SIGN5
NUMBERS 5,000
Estimated number of wolves in the lower 48 states.
11,200
Estimated number of wolves in Alaska
43,300
Number of wolf tags sold in Idaho for the 2011-2012 season.
60,000+
Estimated number of wolves in Canada
275
DNR’s recommend quota of wolves for 2013-’14 hunting and trapping season
11%
Percentage decrease of wolf population in Idaho in 2012
Winter 2014
11
Indirect Cost of Wolf Impact on Montana Calves How Does It Affect a Rancher’s Bottom Line
I
n January, a district judge denied a request from conservationists who were trying to prevent the trapping and killing of wolves in a protected wilderness area in Idaho. Represented by the non-profit environmental law firm Earthjustice, the group’s premise was based on the key issue of the wolves being in a federally protected area - making the trapping/killing more heinous in their eyes. The judge ruled that since wolves in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming have lost their protected status, eradication of the wolves is not in conflict with the Wilderness Act. The sometimes-heated and seemingly endless battle between conservationists and hunters is sure to continue for some time; however, this battle also involves ranchers and the impact of wolves on their livelihood. Cattle lost to wolf depredation carry an obvious, reimbursable, cost. However, a study conducted by the University of Montana adds another aspect to this battle which has not previously been openly considered or brought to the forefront. Recently, an article published (January, 2014) in the Journal of Agricultural Economics, cites work performed by Derek Kellenberg and Mark Hebblewhite, along with graduate students Joseph Ramler and Carolyn Sime, pertaining to the effect of wolf predation on calf weight. Data for the article was collected from various ranches in western Montana, along with records from the Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The article written by the above-mentioned, “Crying Wolf? A Spatial Analysis of Wolf Location and Depredations on Calf Weight”, makes several interesting suggestions. Although it was found that cattle that were kept on open ranges did not experience a significant reduction in calf weights, it was also determined that ranches directly impacted by wolf depredation did experience a significant weight loss in their calves. The average weight difference between unaffected ranches and ranches with confirmed depredation records, was determined to be 22 lbs. Currently, reimbursement for a cow lost to depredation is approximately $900. According to
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Kellenberg, the indirect cost to ranchers of lower calf weight is not currently being reimbursed, but can be as much as 7.5 times the direct cost of depredation. Other factors, to include husbandry practices and other environmental impacts, have direct correlation to lower calf weight; however, the impact of wolf depredation should also be considered a serious aspect, especially when factoring in the less-obvious financial impact to ranchers. “Ranchers have been saying for years that wolves cause weight loss in cattle, but nobody ever had done any research on the topic,” said Derek Kellenberg. Perhaps, as the seemingly endless battle between conservationists and ranchers and hunters continues, this aspect of wolf reintroduction into Montana, along with other western states, and its financial impact on ranchers and their livelihoods, should also be considered as part of the equation. --Rossi Derek Kellenberg et al. Crying Wolf? A Spatial Analysis of Wolf Location and Depredations on Calf Weight. Journal of Agricultural Economics, January 2014
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GO BALLISTIC
F
7MM-08
irst experimented with by wildcatter’s, the 7mm08 is based on the .308 Winchester case, necked down to 7mm. Remington officially adopted the cartridge in 1980, without any changes to the wildcat name or design. After formal introduction, sales of 7mm08 rifles were modest, but not immensely successful. Not until the mid- to late- 1990’s, when the ultra-lightweight rifle trend began, did the 7mm08 became an item of interest for both hunters and retailers. Since 2000, the 7mm08 has soared in popularity. The cartridge is often promoted by retailers as having light recoil yet high down-range energies while being available in lightweight rifle platforms. The 7mm08 is often promoted as having a flatter trajectory than the parent .308 with less recoil. The .308 is somewhat more flexible when a heavy bullet is needed or wanted for use on large animals. With 140-grain hunting bullets, the 7mm08 is flatter shooting than the .308 loaded with 150-grain hunting bullets, an advantage as a lighter medium-game hunting cartridge when utilizing factoryloaded ammunition. The stoutest bullets in the 7mm08 line of ammunition are the 140-grain Barnes TSX. The 140-grain TSX is undoubtedly a deep-penetrating projectile, able to
take a 1200 lb. animal broadside; such a practice, although, should be considered unethical, due to the small diameter of the wound. Nevertheless, this bullet is the best choice in the 7mm08 for tough game weighing between 200-700 lbs. On lighter, medium game, the TSX is a little too stout for all around work; however, the Barnes readily expands and is ideal for wounding through vitals. The only problem with using this projectile on lighter game is that trauma does not also occur immediately upon impact or during exit wounding. As a result, kills at impact velocities below 2600 fps and especially below 2400 fps can be very slow. If the TSX is to be used on lighter, medium game, bullets should be placed to break major bones and locomotive muscles in order to immediately incapacitate. As for the lightweight rifle trend, the 7mm08 was the most preferred lightweight-rifle chambering for hunters that climbed to the highest, most dangerous peaks in search of game. Today, the larger magnums are becoming more acceptable due to advances in technology and ballistics. Nevertheless, the 7mm08 is a cartridge that serves both youth and adults well, is mild to shoot in suitable platforms and is ideal for a vast range of applications.
Winter 2014
17
Jon Crump
HUNT FORECAST
Insight From the Trailhead Guru
C
hristmas has come and gone; the New Year celebrations are distant memories and the big game hunting seasons have all but ended. One could feel this time of year is empty and boring. However, as I have said before, this is one of the busiest and most exciting times for HuntersTrailhead.com and me. Hunt application time and the anticipation of what hunts might be drawn this year is intoxicating. Between the many clients that use my application service, and completing my own applications, the next six months promise to be fun. For those playing the hunt-drawing game, or considering getting in the game this year, some of the best hunt options in the country require applications in the next several months. States with the earliest application deadlines include Utah and Wyoming (all species), along with Arizona (elk and pronghorn). Arizona’s application period for deer and sheep is in June and will be covered in a later issue. Arizona Arizona is well known for producing some of the biggest
bull elk and buck pronghorn in the country. Arizona does not offer any type of landowner- or outfitter-sponsored hunting permits like most other states; so, if one wants to hunt the giants that roam this desert state, a tag has to be drawn. Arizona begins accepting applications shortly after the first of the year with a deadline usually in the second week of February. Their application and drawing system is a pretty good one; but there is one major kink I wish they would work out of it. Like most other states, Arizona limits the non-resident to a maximum of 10% of available permits in any particular hunt. However, they do not distinguish between the two until that nonresident cap is met. The non-resident cap is often met in the preference phase of the drawing for the most highlysought-after hunts, making all of the non-residents in the lower point levels ineligible before they are even considered for a tag. All of them will earn a point but will have had a 0% chance of drawing. I call this the NonResident Application Black Hole – applications go in, but never come out. That being said, there are still some great hunting opportunities available in Arizona. Early hunts, when bulls are still bugling, are very exciting and usually offer a higher success rate;
“Arizona is well known for producing some of the biggest bull elk and buck pronghorn in the country.”
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Rich and Travis Litton hunted the Wind River Range of central Wyoming. A single point was enough for both to draw their elk tags and with his father at his side, Travis ended his hunt with heavy horned 360 class giant.
however, most hunts falling into the ‘Black Hole’ category are during this early season. Thankfully, most of those same units also offer a late hunt option; elk are no longer bugling and can be tougher to find, but big bulls are still there - you just have to work for them. I would recommend considering one of these later hunts if you do not already hold a large number of points. Units 8, 9 and 10, just south of the Grand Canyon, are always very popular as are 22 and 23, bordering the White Mountain and San Carlos Indian Reservations. When an early season is available on these units, 16 or more points are usually required for a chance to draw; six or fewer may give you a late hunt. Top trophy-quality bulls are frequently taken from all of these units. Look in the same areas in Arizona for topquality pronghorn. The units just south of the Grand Canyon, units 7, 9 and 10, typically produce the best bucks; units 4 and 5, a little further south and east, are also top areas. Utah From here, let’s go straight north and cross the border. Utah was well known for trophy-quality mule deer 15-20 years ago, but had very few mountain goat opportunities and the elk were marginal at best. A bull scoring north of 330 was a giant; however, due to changes in management strategy, bulls scoring in excess of 330 can be found on most limited-entry units and several 380 and better bulls are taken each year. Giant mule deer still exist –
though in fewer number and growing herds of mountain goat offer ever-increasing opportunities. Like Arizona, to hunt the top areas, a drawing is required – though there are a number of landowner and conservation tags that can be purchased. To participate in the drawing, you need to get your application in early; this year, Utah’s deadline is March 6th. Utah’s limited-entry elk hunts are tough to beat anywhere in the country, with the early rifle seasons coinciding with the peak of the rut. The archery hunts start in mid-August and run through mid-September; the muzzleloader season occurs the last week of September. Top-trophy units include the famous San Juan, Beaver, and Fillmore Pahvant areas with the Book Cliffs Roadless and Plateau Boulder units providing slightly better drawing odds, but still great quality. For mule deer, the Henry Mountains is arguably the best unit in the country, with bucks breaking the 200inch mark taken each year. However, a tag to hunt this area is probably tougher to find than that trophy buck itself. Drawing odds frequently run in the less-than-1% range – even for those with 15 or more points. The Henry Mountains unit provides your best option for a giant buck if you are in it for the long haul. The famed Paunsaugunt offers slightly better drawing odds but still holds some great-quality bucks. Bucks breaking that magical 200-inch mark are still taken from this area of southern Utah. Lastly, the Book Cliffs offers some great opportunities with better drawing odds and better-than-average antler quality. The patient hunter on this unit will observe dozens of bucks Early Fall 2012
19
each day with a reasonable chance of finding a buck scoring in excess of 170. Many years ago, when my hunting career was just starting, only a few Utah hunters had the opportunity to hunt mountain goat each season; and what were available, resided in the Wasatch Mountains to the southeast of Salt Lake City. Since that time, the goat population has experienced tremendous growth. New herds have taken hold in the Wasatch, the Beaver range to the south, and the vast Uintas wilderness to the east. All of these areas now hold hunt-able populations, with several other herds establishing and growing. Utah now issues over 100 mountain goat tags each year and any of those units will provide a great goat-hunting experience. The Beaver unit offers easy access with some of the best quality. The Uintas offers a true wilderness experience with great quality as well; however, keep in mind that many of the goats in the Uintas are ten or more miles from the nearest road with most hunting taking place at, and above, 11,000 feet. I would recommend horses and a guide for most of the Uintas hunts. Wyoming Wyoming is the last state I will cover in this issue. Of all the western states, Wyoming is certainly one of my favorites; with huge tracts of accessible public land, healthy populations of almost all big game species with great trophy potential, it is a tough state to beat. To top “Wyoming also boasts a very healthy population of elk with good trophy potential as well.”
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it off, drawing permits for some very good hunts is fairly easy. I had a group of three clients draw mule deer permits with zero points in 2013; all three shot bucks exceeding 180 and one of them was in the mid 220’s. I also had a father/son team draw elk permits with a single point. Their hunt ended with the father taking a much better than average 6x6 and the son exceeding everyone’s expectations with a bull breaking the 360 mark. Both groups expected to draw, as the areas they applied for only required the number of points they had accumulated. With a little research, planning and effort, Wyoming can make most any hunter’s dream hunt a reality. Wyoming continually produces some of the best mule deer, year in and year out. Some areas are extremely difficult to draw; others, like the example given above, can be very easy. Some of the most popular areas include units 101 and 102, along the southern border with Utah and Colorado. These are tough tags to draw but produce some fantastic antlers. Unit 128 is also a great choice, but does have some private land issues for this late season hunt. The late hunt on units 105, 106 and 109, along the northern border with Montana, should also be considered. All of these units offer difficult drawing odds but are worth the effort if you can draw; however, don’t overlook the regional tags. Though there are far more ‘average’ size bucks taken in the regional areas, it is well known that Region G and H also produce some giant mule deer and can be drawn with only a couple points. The deadline to apply for deer will be in mid-March.
Wyoming also boasts a very healthy population of elk with good trophy potential as well. The father/ son team mentioned above drew the general tag and obviously had an exceptional hunt. Many of the bulls taken in general season areas would be considered average; but some very large-antlered bulls are taken as well. I highly recommend this hunt for the hunter not seeking the ‘biggest bull on the mountain’. For those searching for the bigger bulls, consider the units south and east of Yellowstone and along the Utah and Colorado borders. Units 61 and 62 frequently produce better than average bulls; however, due to wilderness restrictions, a non-resident is required to hire a guide to hunt much of these areas. The elk in units 31 and 32 are shared with Colorado and Utah and all three states run their hunts concurrently in this area. Bulls scoring in the mid- to upper-300’s are frequently taken here. Applications are due by the end of January. Regardless of the state, moose and bighorn sheep tags are tough to draw. For those interested in hunting either of these species, Wyoming is a mustapply state. The sheep units along the eastern and southern Yellowstone border provide the best options for non-residents, with units 4 and 5 producing the biggest rams. Units 1 through 4 will require a guide,
again due to wilderness restrictions; but much of unit 5 can be hunted without those services. The trophy-moose hunter needs to apply for unit 38; units 1 and 34, in the Bighorn Mountains, are also good considerations. For better drawing odds, but still fair quality, the units along the western border (units 23-26) are the best options. Applications are due by the end of February. Finally, Wyoming is the pronghorn capital of the world. More pronghorn are roaming the prairies and deserts of this state than most other states combined. Many of the eastern units can be drawn without points every year; however, most of the pronghorn reside on private land. With a little effort, and maybe a trespass fee, landowners can usually be found, who will allow hunters on their land. Please be respectful of their time and property so that the next hunter will be welcomed as well. Tags get tougher to draw farther west, but the quality and amount of public land also increases. Units 62 and 63, near Pathfinder Reservoir in the Red Desert, are top quality units. The deadline to apply will be midMarch. The fun is just beginning as there are tens of thousands of hunting permits to be awarded before summer begins. Hopefully your name will be on one or more of them. Good luck to everyone that applies.
Position your camera to the north or south of your Trophy Rock, otherwise the sun might ruin many of your pictures. Trophy Rock also provides over 60 natural trace minerals to help with antler growth. Enter our trail camera contest at www.trophyrock.com.
Early Fall 2012
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Trophy Rock and Stealth Cam have teamed up to host your amazing trail cam photos! We’re giving away a Stealth Cam trail camera and a gift package from Trophy Rock to the winner of each issue. Send your pics today to: WINNER! mytrailcam@huntingillustrated.com. Rusty Smith Great pics,r eaders! Keep ‘em coming! HUNTING ILLUSTRATED.com
Scott Grange
Ron Spomer
THE DUELING DUO Conservation Tags
How Much Money’s In Your Wallet?
con
By Scott Grange
The real benefits of the auctions
B
y the time folks read this column, the 2014 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City will probably be over. Once again, sportsmen and women from around the country will have placed more money on the ground for wildlife in four days than most state agencies do in a year, or two, or three. And once again, those who believe wildlife management just happens with the pitiful budgets state legislators bestow on wildlife agencies, will cry foul over the fact that this money was generated through the auctioning of trophy big game tags. Let’s take a quick look back forty years ago when I killed my first bull elk. It was a beautiful five point, taken on the North Slope of the Uinta’s and my buddies thought I could walk on water. I believe Utah’s total elk population then was around 7,500. Today, that number hovers around 80,000 and most hunters wouldn’t think twice about killing a measly five-point. Now they expect something in the 320 to 340 category and those who draw limited entry permits seriously believe they will come home with a 400 class bull! Why? Because Utah produces bulls over 400 every year, from public ground, something none of us could have imagined forty years ago. All of us know of one certainty in life - change. For the most part, I hate change and I believe most folks are the same. We get use to things
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the way they are and someone comes along and messes things up. Such is the case with wildlife. Back when our daddies and granddaddies were harvesting 150,000 plus deer a year in Utah, most seemed happy. On top of the millions of acres of public land, folks generally had no problem getting on a sprawling piece of private ground where families celebrated the hunting tradition. Hell, I can still remember my dad talking about their hunt on Deseret Land and Livestock and they didn’t pay a dime to do it! Schools were closed for the deer opener and local churches were nearly void of members the first weekend. Things began to change in the 70’s. Urban sprawl landed on the west, deer herds started to decline and property owners saw a way to help pay the taxes on their land through trespass fees. As a result, more and more hunters were forced onto public lands. Add to the pain, it was becoming less politically correct to hunt, schools were once again in session the Friday before the deer hunt and state wildlife agencies found themselves operating on less budgets every year. It was a train wreck in the making for wildlife. Fast forward to 2014 where big game management in Utah is a resounding success story. World class bucks and bulls are being harvested on public land every year. As many as 200 bighorn sheep will be relocated to start three new herds; two new mountain goat herds were established and bison are being transplanted to augment a recently started herd. In addition, mule deer transplants, something the naysayers said couldn’t be done successfully, have taken place, providing biologists with a treasure chest of data including a true picture of the devastating effects predators have on fawn survival. And let’s not forget about the little fellows. Utah is stocking fish like
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never before, feeding a booming turkey population and will invest another $10 million to restore another 100,000 acres of habitat. If you believe magic like this happens with skimpy, appropriated state budgets, you really have your head somewhere it shouldn’t be. Conservation tags have generated more than $30 million directly, with another $70 million in matching funds going to wildlife management. And let’s not fail to mention what the 200 expo tags contribute to the local economy. A whopping 30,000 people land on Salt Lake City every year to apply for these tags and leave millions in revenue behind. Wildlife management in today’s world is all about money and until someone bellies up to the bar and develops a better way to generate the millions conservation tags have, I see no valid reason to discontinue the program. I guarantee Defenders of Wildlife, the Humane Society and all the other cry baby groups who do nothing for wildlife but flap their jaws, will not.
pro
By Ron Spomer
To the rich go the spoils Mr. Grange is an eloquent spokesperson for the wealthy, but hardly a champion for the common man. Or is he? He’s correct that big-money tag buyers have pumped huge heaps of money into wildlife conservation. Where he gets his figures of millions, I
wildlife is essentially a public resource. It isn’t owned by Fish & Game or even private landowners. Like air and rain, it belongs to all of us. A second big principle is this: we pay for protecting our wildlife resources through the sale of hunting licenses, same price for everyone. And we hire biologists to work for our F&G agencies to establish fair and reasonable rules for letting everyone share equally in a sustainable harvest. Everyone gets an equal crack at a tag and pays the same for it. This takes us back to the population problem. Back in 1960 there were 180 million people in the U.S.A. and pretty much everyone could just buy a deer tag. There were few four lane highways and virtually no malls. Hills were topped by grass, sage or pines, not trophy homes. Valleys were sprinkled with actual working ranches, not resorts and second home developments. If you wanted to hunt, just knock. “Sure. Just close the gates and stay out of the bull pasture.” Knock on a rural door these days (if you can get past the electronically controlled gate) and you’re liable to be chased off, charged $5,000 or subjected to a lecture on animal rights.
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Today there are 310 million folks in this country. About 10 percent of us are supposed to be hunters, so that means we’ve added 3 million more looking for tags. S a d l y, we hunters have not been politically active in preserving open space. We’re losing our hunting opportunities because of it. More malls, more ski resorts and golf courses, more houses and highways. Fewer places to hunt. The federal agencies we hire to manage OUR lands have done a dismal job. Less game because of invasive species. Cheat grass, cedar encroachment, knapweed, star thistle. Feral hogs, horses and cats. (House cats, nonexistent in N.A. before 1492, annually kill 1 to 3 billion birds! Last time I checked, quail were birds.) Grange is correct. State legislatures don’t adequately fund F&G work. Most don’t fund it at all. Monies for F&G comes from hunters. Licenses and tags. Excise taxes on firearms and ammunition and bows and arrows. It’s substantial. But not enough. Not even close. That’s why we have foundations like Rocky Mountain Elk, Wild Sheep, Mule Deer and the like. They raise millions more. But still we can’t keep up with declining habitat. We continue to lose places to hunt as demand for such places climbs. Is it fair that the wealthy should be able to buy their way to the best hunting? Heck no. But if that results in more open land, more habitat and more game... well, it’s pretty tough to argue against them. I’m all for fairness. I’m all for the little guy. But I’m more for wildlife, without which we’re all losers. So how about this idea: all of us, us everyday Joes and Jills who scrimp and save and buy $500 rifles and $200 scopes and $150 binoculars and $15,000 used pickups, how about we agree to pay $100 for a deer tag and $300 for an elk tag? How about we pay our fair share to preserve the wildlife, the open spaces and the lifestyle we love? And than Mr. Grange won’t have to advocate selling tags to the highest bidders. One thing Grange is absolutely right correct about: the antihunters aren’t going to pay for wildlife conservation.
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ILLUSTRATION: COURTNEY BJORNN
don’t know, but I hope they’re accurate. Lord knows wildlife and conservation programs need the money. And a lot more. And I guess most of us non-wealthy commoners prefer the rich pay for it, because every time a F&G agency proposes a puny license increase to offset what they lose every year in rising expenses, state hunters plead poverty and scream bloody murder until the license increase melts away. What blue-collar worker hasn’t gasped upon seeing figures like $400,000 paid for a single bighorn sheep tag sold at auction? Who can compete with that? Face it, the best trophy hunting is enjoyed by the uber wealthy, much as it always has been in settled country. Whether they pay $45,000 for a guided hunt into wilderness, buy a 20,000 acre ranch and lock it up, or purchase a Governor’s tag, the rich buy the best hunting in the world. Kind of like the King in Jolly Old England 500 years ago, eh? Why is this? Because we have too many humans on too small a planet. Really. That’s the big, sad picture. Since we all want everything on a planet that isn’t getting any bigger, we make room by shoving wildlife and wild places right off the globe. Everyone knows this. We try to ignore it as we drive our new 4x4 trucks toward the high country each fall, desperate to find a vestige of the incredible freedoms we used to enjoy in the U.S.A. That’s what we’re really after. Freedom. The kind Grange talks about grandpa having back in the good old days. Sure, our temperaturecontrolled camper trailers, laser rangefinders, $2,000 scopes and $3,000 custom rifles are nice, but what we really want is land wide open for the hunting with nothing on it but bushes and a deer or elk behind each one. And we can’t have that. Actually, grandpa didn’t have it, either. But he had a heck of a lot more freedom than we do. Because back then western hunting was still run on the premise of the North American Model of Wildlife Management. This is the scheme on which our wildlife was not only saved, but restored to surprising abundance. It worked via several principles. One of the biggest is this:
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Matt Smith
PRODUCT WATCH
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T
he search for the perfect pack can be a complicated endeavor. Trying to find a pack that is light enough to use as a daypack, but can still handle the weight of a elk hindquarter, can be a balancing act. Some manufacturers almost eliminate the ability to use the pack as one or the other and sometimes both. The Outdoorsman Optic Hunter bridges the daypack/meat pack gap with ease. It has the lightweight priorities of a great day pack but also can handle heavy loads like meat and multiple-day backpacking. The Optic Hunter achieves this with several key features. First, is the outer frame of the pack. The carbon fiber enforced polypropylene frame is curved and provides rock solid support for heavy loads and also keeps the pack off your back, providing incredible ventilation and comfort. Second, is the strap system. The Optic Hunter uses sensible padding and robust straps that are very stable. Third, is the bag or pack that is available in several solid and camouflage patterns and fabrics. The lid of the pack is well designed to keep water and debris out. The outer pockets are located and sized well and make gear in the pack easily accessible. The pack is designed to be removed for quick access to a skeleton frame pack for heavy loads. Overall this pack is very well made and should be on your list this year when searching for a versatile and high quality hunting pack. www.outdoorsmans.com 26
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Winter 2014
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Steve Alderman
MULE DEER 18 Years of the Big Bad Wolf The Wolf’s Impact on Idaho and its Big Game Population
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ntil its reintroduction on January 14, 1995, no one really knew what would be the impact of bringing back the wolf to Idaho. Many professionals predicted restoration wouldn’t be good for Idaho’s big game populations, but that is as far out on the limb as most people would go. We can now identify some of the impact that has occurred during the last 18 years and its negative effect on Idaho. Reintroduction has
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cost Idaho the loss of complete elk herds, disease, millions of dollars in lost revenue at the Department of Fish and Game, and tens of millions in lost collateral revenue for the State of Idaho and its citizens. During the early years, the impact was uncertain and indefinable; but as the wolf population started to expand and migrate into a larger geographical area, its effect started to be obvious. By 2004, the estimated wolf population was 454 wolves. Elk har-
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vest statistics started to plummet and word got out that Idaho’s elk herds were taking the hardest hit. As a result, in 2009, Idaho saw its first year of allocated non-resident tags not sell out. Initially, this was blamed on the economy, as other states were seeing similar but not as drastic declines in non-resident license sales. However, since 2009, most other states, (except those with wolves), have started to see an increase in non-resident license
Photo: Philip Jackson
This is why Idaho has half the elk it had fifteen years ago. Another casualty of the big bad wolf! Unit 30A in Idaho was once a hot spot for elk and now thats all in the past. Our deer are next!
sales, debunking the theory the decline was economy-caused. Lack of big game in the backcountry has discouraged Idaho’s non-resident hunters from patronizing Idaho. A decade ago, non-resident license and tag sales accounted for 56% of the license revenue for the State of Idaho’s Game Department. Revenue from the sale of licenses accounted for 46% of the Fish and Game’s annual budget. Currently, revenue from Idaho’s non-resident hunters only provides 37% of license revenue. The trend, which cost the Fish and Game $2 millionplus dollars in non-resident license and tag sales in 2009, has continued in a downhill direction, costing the state 3.5 million dollars in 2010, and close to the same for the last two years. Initially, it was thought this dramatic decline was caused by the increase in non-resident license fees in 2009, coupled with the down turn in the economy. Virgil Moore, Idaho Fish and Game Director, noted that Colorado was also experiencing a decrease in license and tag sales due to the economy. What he
didn’t note, was the effect of the 2008 Colorado winter, that required limiting the availability of thousands of deer and elk tags, which would more obviously account for the drop in sales. If you have the game, hunters will come, regardless of a minimal increase in fees. Moore goes on to say, “Idaho has plenty of elk hunting opportunity left.” But it seems to me the non-resident sees Idaho’s hunting opportunities as more of an expensive picnic outing. How about the elk and deer numbers? Idaho had effectively managed their elk and deer populations, until the reintroduction of the wolf; however, a decrease in elk harvests in many of its premier elk zones became evident by 2005. Some elk regions, such as the Lolo Zone, have been completely wiped out. Elk harvest numbers have gone from 2,000 to less than 200 a year, in the period from 1999 to the present. Wolf numbers maxed out and started to level off by 2005 in the Lolo Zone, due to the fact there were no more elk to eat. The majority of Idaho’s elk zones north of the Snake River have seen huge decreases in elk and
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deer numbers with a few exceptions. Some of the units that are the exception, have government trappers keeping the wolf numbers to a minimum. As a result of this intervention, these units have seen an increase in elk numbers over the last five years. Some of the units being managed for trophy deer, have now taken a huge hit due to the over-population of elk. Deer loss and redistribution into other units have turned these once great mule deer units into less than mediocre hunting options. Conversely, the elk hunting in these units is now some of the best in the State. Elk numbers in one of these particular units have gone from 200 elk - 15 years ago, to 1,000 - five years ago; and now the numbers are pushing closer to 2,000 head. Too bad the same can’t be said for the rest of the State, which has seen elk numbers decrease by up to 90% during that same time period. I wouldn’t be going out on a limb by saying Idaho’s elk numbers have decreased by over 50% statewide since 2004. But, that couldn’t have anything to do with the lack of non-resident hunters, could it? Let’s discuss the diseases affecting humans, as well as big game, that have been directly linked to the wolf? This issue is causing major controversy right now in Idaho as hunters are starting to see an increase in problems with the meat and organs of the deer and elk they are harvesting. Echinococcus Granulosus (EG) is a small tape-
Hydatid Cyst in lungs (EG) - A cyst formed as a result of infestation by larvae of the tapeworm Winter 2014
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Muscle tapeworms in deer - Larvae of the tapeworm ‘Taenia Krabbei’ cause muscle tapeworms. Both Echinococcus granulosus (EG) and Taenia Krabbei are spread by wolves and other canines. Both tapeworms need two hosts: a carnivore (e.g., wolf, coyote, dog) and an herbivore (e.g., moose elk, deer). Humans CAN contract EG.
worm (parasite) that lives in the small intestine of candids. EG’s intermediate host during its life cycle is herbivores, such as domestic farm animals, deer, elk, sheep and the occasional human. EG usually presents itself in the form of cysts on the lungs or livers, (and in some cases, both,) of ungulates. This disease spreads from wolves to ungulates by the eggs of the tapeworm. They can be released into the air by a breeze, someone kicking a pile of wolf dung, and/or an ungulate eating grass or forbs infected by the eggs. The human or animal now becomes the intermediate host for the tapeworm. The cycle perpetuates when the wolves eat infected animals. Humans, domestic livestock and big game can and do die from the disease, so its eradication should be a priority of the Game Depart30
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ments when it is found. Idaho currently has many cases of humans that have contracted the disease in the past few years. Val Geist, the leading authority on ungulates in North America, has written a number of letters and articles on the effects of EG and possible solutions to controlling its spread. You can find copies of these letters and more on my website, muledeercountry.com, under the Fish and Game News tab. Taenia Krabbei (TK) is a newly identified tapeworm we have seen in Idaho, in recent years. TK affects the meat of the intermediate host; seen as little white dots in the meat, the larva resemble tomato seeds. The effect of this tapeworm on humans is unknown; and, I’m told, cannot be transmitted to humans. Two of the five deer we harvested this year had Taenia tapeworm, and you won’t catch me eating it. The Game Department personnel say it is safe to eat if
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you cook it thoroughly… but all of them I contacted also declined invites to my house for a deer BBQ. If you harvest an infected animal, you can turn it over to the Game Department; in most cases they will replace or refund your tag. Unfortunately, many cases go undetected as hunters don’t know what they are looking for and many hunters use the gutless method of getting their meat out of the backcountry. I am afraid we will not truly know the full impact of these diseases until it is too late. Russia currently has over 100,000 cases of EG in humans. Are we next? I don’t know about you, but I started carrying surgical gloves in my pack last year. In summary, it is 18 years later, and I don’t think we have seen the pendulum complete its initial arc and start to come back down. We have yet to see the total destruction the wolves have caused over the last two decades. How is this effecting the residents of Idaho? For starters, there is the redistribution of big game statewide and a reduction of half the game animals left to pursue. Isn’t that the main reason we hunt, to see game and pursue it? Secondly, the Idaho Fish and Game is trying to raise the price of the resident license fees in an attempt to offset the loss of non-resident revenue, which is a direct effect of the wolves eating our wildlife. Thirdly, the thought of contracting a potentially deadly disease, all for the sake of sport hunting or providing for the family, puts a dirty taste in my mouth. While we will never know the true number of wolves in Idaho, I think that point is moot. It doesn’t matter. What we need to focus on is how to get rid of them and how to grow our big game herds back to the way they were 15 years ago. We did it once, we can do it again. It looks like it is going to have to start with the sportsmen and women of our great state, because the hired authorities ‘hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil’.
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PHOTO: DOYLE MOSS
Steve Chappell
ELK
Elk & Wolves in the West Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
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olves. Just saying the word evokes emotion in all of us. Say it again and think about how it makes you feel right now? If an elk hunter, there is absolutely no way possible for you to have no opinion. Reintroduced to the west in 1995, when Canadian Gray Wolves were captured in western Alberta and brought to Yellowstone National Park, and shortly thereafter to central Idaho - the west has felt the impact of these apex predators. The wolf has thrived in the American west at the expense of elk populations in all states where wolves have been introduced and have established footholds. I have not had the opportunity to hunt elk in wolf country; however, elk hunters who have, related to me that hunting elk in wolf-infested areas
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has become more challenging. Not only are elk populations shrinking, but the elk have become less vocal; elk have learned through experience that being vocal attracts wolves, like ringing the dinner bell at a western chuck wagon. This makes perfect sense because I have observed year after year that over-pressured elk stop bugling. Elk hunting during the rut is made special and unique because of the vocal aspect of the hunt; when this element of the hunt is reduced, the enjoyment and outcome of the hunt is sure to be affected. I am not a biologist, I am an elk hunter and guide who loves elk and loves what I do. I will preface this article by saying that because of this, I will not write from a neutral point of view. So, mixed with facts and statistics from professional biologists, I will express my
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true feelings, beliefs, and opinions about this highly volatile issue. Now that I have expressed my opinion about the quality of the elk hunting experience and how it is affected by the presence of wolves, let’s talk some hard numbers from biologists regarding wolves and elk. The Facts from Biologists: Studies conducted by wildlife biologists estimate that an area containing 75 wolves results in approximately 1,000 elk being killed per winter. The kill ratios exceed 13 elk per wolf; and keep in mind, this is only during the winter months. A study conducted by the Idaho Game & Fish Department in the Lolo and Sawtooth elk management units from 2005-2009, on the survival of elk calves, is very telling. The average annual survival rate of calves, six months and older, in the Lolo herd was 52%. If we take the 48 calves per 100 that were killed each year by various causes, it was reported that 32 of the 48 deaths each year were attributed to wolf predation. The survival rate of the Sawtooth elk calves was only 30% during the five-year study. Each year of the 70 deaths per 100 calves, wolves directly accounted for 38 of the kills. And 31 calves died of ‘unknown’ or ‘other’ causes each year. Only three were killed per year by mountain lions, revealing how powerful of an elk predator wolves are. The Lolo zone is also notable for having experienced one of the greatest elk population declines in Idaho. The population peaked in 1989, at an estimated 16,054 elk,
before subsequent declines. Several factors play a role in this decline; but today, wolves are the primary reason that elk are still trending downward in this zone and cannot recover. Wolves became well established in the Lolo zone from 2003 to 2005. The elk population in 2006 was estimated to be 5,110. From 2005 to 2008, Idaho Game & Fish documented that wolves removed 20% of the cow elk population annually, and survival was down to only 75% annually with no cow losses to hunter harvest. Results from previous elk studies in the Lolo zone, before wolves were released in Idaho, indicated annual survival was 89%, even with hunter harvest. Perhaps even more alarming is winter calf survival is only 30 to 52% in areas with relatively high wolf numbers. This compares to calf survival rates of 71 to 89% prior to 2004, when wolf densities were lower. Wolves were responsible for most of the winter mortality of calves 6 to 12 months old. Today’s estimated population level is 2,178, and wolves are having an unacceptable impact on elk herds in the Lolo zone. As a result, hunt tag numbers have been reduced and hunts eliminated. Biologists state the key to a thriving elk population is survival of calves and female elk (cows). The University of Michigan studied the Northern Yellowstone elk herd; their results showed a link between low elk calf numbers and both
Gary Beers, who’s featured in the story on page 60, stands with his monster alpha gray wolf he put down in Idaho
high wolf densities and expanding wolf populations. Since wolves were reintroduced, surveys by Yellowstone National Park biologists found an average of 14 calves per 100 cows in the Northern Yellowstone elk herd - the lowest in decades. Montana’s Northern Yellowstone herd has declined from 20,000 to less than 4,000 elk. These numbers are now at 50-year lows. If we give wolves the opportunity to thrive in other western states as they have in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, the result could be devastated elk herds. Here are recent wolf numbers per state as of December 2012, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: • Idaho - 683 • Montana - 625 • Wyoming - 277 • Oregon - 46 • Washington - 43 • Arizona & New Mexico (combined) - 75 • Alaska - 7,700 to 11,200! My thoughts on the statistics & the issue of wolves:
“...Winter calf survival is only 30 to 52% in areas with relatively high wolf numbers. This compares to calf survival rates of 71 to 89% prior to 2004, when wolf densities were lower.”
Recovery objectives for wolf populations in the western states were met in 2002, and since that time have substantially exceeded the original objectives; this is due to most state’s inability to manage wolves because of pressure and lawsuits from animal rights groups. May I be very bold in saying that I am not shocked or surprised by this in the least? Wolves are not endangered or threatened, no matter what their status is or becomes in the lower 48. There are plenty in Alaska and over 50,000 in Canada, not to mention an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 wolves in Europe and Asia. Now that we have reviewed the statistics from scientific studies conducted by professional biologists,
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This incredible Arizona late season bull was taken in steep, rough country. Be prepared to hunt difficult terrain to find big bulls late in the year. Joe Latter Sr. & Joe Latter Jr. with an elk that the author guided Joe Sr. to. This was an incredible father & son elk hunt and memory made together.
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it is time to face the facts as hunters in this issue. Underneath it all, the clear truth is that wolves are used as pawns by those who oppose and despise our hunting heritage and way of life -- an attempt to destroy what you and I hold dear. For those who call yourselves hunters and wish to disagree, I would ask you to explain away the studies that I cited above. Or, if you agree that more wolves should be introduced to the west, limit yourselves to hunting elk in only the most wolf-infested areas of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. It is obvious, and proven, that elk can be managed much more effectively and predictably by structured hunting seasons with measureable success rates. We already have these hunts in place and elk herds are healthy and thriving in the states and areas where wolves are not present. Where wolves are present, elk are ‘hunted’ and harassed, seven days a week, 365 days a year with no reprieve, no season dates, and no bag limits. Besides the elk that are directly taken down by wolves, how can one accurately determine the effects of the constant stress placed on elk that are relentlessly
pursued? Refer back to the Sawtooth elk study above, where 31 of the calf deaths were attributed to ‘unknown’ or ‘other’ causes. Could excessive stress from repeated predation attempts during harsh winter months contribute to these deaths? In case you are wondering, yes, I believe that our right to manage elk numbers as hunters trumps the right of wolves as predators. Let me explain why I hold this belief because it is at the core
HUNTING ILLUSTRATED.com
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of where I stand with this issue. According to God’s Word, our Creator made us in His image and directed us to rule over and have dominion over the animals. That gives us authority over animals. On the surface, this may sound like an arrogant stance to take, but I believe that it is actually the opposite. I am submissive to God and accept his will and directives because I know that they are greater and wiser than mine, a process of yielding and demonstrating humility to a higher authority. By contrast, if I leave God out of the equation, and if I believed that man evolved and was only ‘equal’ in standing to a wolf, then I would have to question my motives to hunt, or my right to even kill an animal at all. If, as a man, I was equal to a wolf, would I really have the right to manage, manipulate, reintroduce, or kill wolves? From my perspective and personal experiences, elk hunting promotes new friendships, strong bonds between family members, and epic, unforgettable memories that can never be erased or replaced by some other pursuit. Elimination of elk hunts or reduction of tag numbers, because of wolves, is an unforgivable tragedy. I have heard it said by a small minority of hunters that ‘wolves belong’; but anytime a father no longer gets to take a son or daughter elk hunting in an old familiar place, to make memories together, that does not sit well with me. So I guess you could say that this elk hunter and elk lover does not like one single thing about wolves. But even more so, I take issue with the twisted, dishonest agenda used by those who promote them and seek to use wolves as tools to destroy our hunting heritage. There are two sides in this debate; do you stand with the hunters and our elk, or do you side with the anti’s and wolf pushers? There is no middle ground or grey area when it comes to elk and wolves. So, whose side are YOU on, and what do you believe? For information on elk, elk hunting, elk calling, and more - log on to www.ChappellGuideService.com
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Les Johnson
PREDATORS The White Coyote Canada and Beyond
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he allure of the ‘White Coyote’ has kept me on my toes during all of the calling I have done. My first experience with a fur buyer taught me the sought-after coyotes of the U.S. and Canada were lightcolored and heavily-furred. I have always been infatuated with light coyotes, probably due to the thousands of coyotes that I have finished or put up in my years of hunting/trapping. I love combing them out after they are stretched and dried. In February 1992, I made a trip to Wyoming to call coyotes. I wanted to experience the vastness of the Red Desert - complete with its wild horses, antelope, mule deer, sheepherders, and the occasional song dog. I love calling in the big, wild, uninhabited areas of the west; however, the ‘Western Pale’ coyote was my real motivation. While deep in the desert, over 70 miles from the nearest gas station, I called in a coyote that was so incredibly light-colored that I had trouble seeing it against the snow barely spotting its ears as it turned its head from side to side. I am 99.9% convinced that the coyote was an albino or at least pure white…so white its color was actually a very light tinge of yellow/orange due to being bleached by the sun on the snow… and I missed it! When I looked at the coyote through my scope, I remember seeing long, almost shaggy fur. That particular White Coyote haunts me to this day! White Coyotes or really light-colored coyotes have a better chance of survival when answering my call, simply because they unnerve me. Perhaps the White Coyote is my
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Buck Fever? Reading about coyote trappers from Canada, when younger, made me want to hunt coyotes there. Talking with fur buyers over the years suggested the best coyote in the U.S. was the ‘Montana Pale’ or the ‘Western Heavy’. Either way, I’ve been in pursuit of the nicest, lightcolored and heaviest-furred coyotes the U.S. and Canada have to offer. One of the best things about my career as a predator caller is the travel opportunities, with one of my favorites being Canada. I have always ventured out in the coldest weather in search of adventure. Whether hunting pheasants after a blizzard or, as a child, going out in the sub-zero weather to build a snow fort,
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I never minded the cold. With age, I have gained an appreciation for ‘snow birds’ traveling to warmer states for the winter months. I never thought I would admit that; but, after burning my lungs with cold air rushing into my lungs uninhibited, I have a true respect (NOW) for the importance of taking precautions in the extreme cold…I think! Canada, although very rewarding, is a place that can test your life skills in extreme winter months. The vastness and variety of landscape amazes me - from flat farm- and pastureland, rolling hills with huge river drainages, on to bush country farther north. Millions of acres of land, absolutely beautiful scenery, harsh winter
climate, big fluffy coyotes, and amazing people define the allure of the North Country! Film, and/or television cannot convey the conditions in cold climates. I tried wearing a mic, while on top of Beaver Rim in central Wyoming, when it was about -25… before adding a 15 m.p.h. wind. On the first stand, I called and killed a coyote; but the mic kept cutting in and out - due to cold nullifying its capabilities. I like to exhibit realism on Predator Quest and don’t want it to feel like a Hollywood production; however, while in a house, with the thermostat set at 70 degrees, it is difficult to comprehend conditions at 35 below zero - before factoring in wind chill. Movement in snow and cold can be significantly slower; reaction time and shooting are much tougher, due to bulkier clothing, etc. But I have enjoyed the benefits from the cold’s effect on predators who tend to throw caution to the wind when hunger is gnawing at their stomachs. Fewer stands are possible in adverse winter conditions; however, you can enjoy success, if you change your tactics to cater to the conditions. I’ve hunted in British Columbia, when typical temperatures ranged from - 40 F at night, to - 25 during daylight hours; and snow levels created a burden, at two-three feet in areas not impacted by wind. A caller quickly learns the difference between success and failure in adverse winter conditions. One particular hunt was with Randy Bedell. I had been asked to make an appearance in Dawson Creek, B.C., at Corlane’s Sporting Goods; after which, spend a few days hunting B.C. with Randy. Absolutely the best memory that I
could ever make in B.C., was made on my very first stand; I called and killed three coyotes, one so wooly and big, he is tanned and on the list to be life-size mounted. After running a wolf line with Randy, we spent a few days calling coyotes. Most of the coyotes wouldn’t venture out into the deep snow or far from the security of heavy timber. They were secretive and fairly shy, not venturing out unless enticed; and the severe cold and deep snow limited us to fewer stands each day. This trip re-taught me how to set up, what type of calling sequence to use, and what the coyote’s reaction to the sounds would be. For instance, I had to allow a longer response time due to the coyotes being slow and cautious to expose themselves. I had to have a sixth sense while on the stand and trust my perception, as well as be on alert for any
sound. Some of the sounds I used to pull them to the edge of the timber are available as mp3 downloads on my website. The ‘kiyi’ sound, along with my lip squeak sequence, worked very, very well; letting them ‘think’ another coyote was nearby. After a few set ups, I used the wind, positioning myself so the coyotes would have to leave security to catch my wind. In so doing, I essentially baited them, giving them a reason to let their guard down. When a coyote’s eyes or ears fail them, their sense of smell will be what they trust. Whether it is a draw, trees, fence line, etc., I try to position myself so coyotes will have to move downwind of me to feel safe. Give them a natural travel corridor like one of the examples above so they assume the advantage. Coyotes can fool you,
“A caller quickly learns the difference between success and failure in adverse winter conditions.”
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nine times out of ten, but remember, with each experience comes a learning opportunity. I love challenges inherent with cold-weather, deep snow calling. It is very hard, rigorous and slower paced, but rewarding, to outsmart a 40-50 pound, fully prime deer killer. When in my vehicle, I’m looking for game trails that cross roads, farms, deer herds, cattle operations, and so forth. I’ve called numerous coyotes in Canada while sitting near a deer trail in the snow. I give them a ‘path of least resistance’ to get to me, which is their travel route in the deep snow - i.e., river beds, lakes and streams. Once frozen, loose snow will blow off or crust over these areas, making them easier to traverse. Canada is a big country, and
it provides a high probability of finding the notorious ‘White Coyote’. Typically, while hunting the denser woods, you will call/kill more dark-colored coyotes. Out in the windswept, snow covered grass hills, you’re more apt to have an opportunity to shoot a coyote labeled as a ‘Select Heavy Pale Coyote’ or the ‘White Coyote’! More recently, I met another acquaintance, David, at Hunt Fest (sponsored by Wild TV), in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. David approached me explaining that he had shot a lot of coyotes over the years and felt he could help me locate them. Some years, he would shoot over 150 coyotes during the winter. As an accomplished Whitetail Deer outfitter, David knows how important it is to decrease the population of coyotes
Now that’s a heavy load!
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around the wintering deer herds. A year after meeting, we arranged a hunt. The first day of calling will be a permanent memory. I called and shot 13 coyotes; then, over the course of seven days, we killed 53 more. We called bush country, plains, and pastures bordered by bush, as well as grain fields. As I had learned while hunting in B.C. with Randy, I tried to provide a travel corridor for the coyotes and that worked quite well. Coyotes feel safe whenever they are traveling along a fence line or natural corridor because they routinely travel these areas while hunting. One of the things I learned while hunting with David, however, was that snowmobile tracks from weekend riders provide firm travel paths for the coyotes. Once aware of that option, I tried to set up near patches of bush with snowmobile tracks running close by. On my first stand, we called two coyotes right out of a big section of timber; they immediately jumped on a snowmobile track and ran right to me. Although I had my rifle and was able to connect on both coyotes, I hadn’t brought my shotgun; the snow was so deep I didn’t expect anything to come in so close! Live and learn! Areas without snowmobile paths required more time at a stand to allow the coyotes to come in; however, in the absence of tracks, the coyotes didn’t venture through the deep snow to get to me - they just stood at the edge of the timber line. I know many times I sat for over 45 minutes. I only averaged seven or eight stands a day, but I tried to pick the spots with the highest probability of success. Tracks in the snow helped determine whether or not I wanted to call in a spot. If I saw a coyote enter a patch of bush, I gave the area about an hour or more before returning to call, which often worked. Strapping on snowshoes, traveling across windblown snow, and digging a hole big enough to protect my body from extreme negative temperatures - while trying to call the ‘White Coyote’ is my idea of fun! Always remember, “When it’s cold and nasty, the coyotes are reactin’!” I’m gonna Get To CALLIN!!! LJ Winter 2014
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John Mogle
SHOOTING Unleash the Fury A Look at the New Fierce Edge Rifle
I
have been in the custom gun business for over 16 years and in those 16 years I have seen custom gun makers come and go in the quest to build a better mouse trap. At Fierce, we not only feel we have a better mouse trap, we are building that mouse trap with all the bells and whistles, without charging a custom premium for it. If any of you have been to a hunting show or convention lately and walked around the show, you not only get confused by all the custom rifle choices, but you hold your breath when asking the question, “How much?” In most cases, the salesman in the booth is quoting prices that are far north of $5,000 or even $6,000. Nowadays, it is common for hunters and shooters to have one or more custom rifles in their safe; they have expectations of exuberant prices for a custom rig. Years ago at trade shows, guys would nearly laugh at you when you quoted them $4,000 for a rifle. Today they expect it. Plenty of great custom rifles are available. Some
are better than others; some have better mouse traps and gizmos than others; but for the most part they are very similar. Good barrels, straight actions, and stiff and usually lightweight stocks define their rifles. Let’s compare the new Fierce rifle to three competitors: McMillan Rifles, Christensen Arms and Gunwerks. McMillan’s Legacy model comes in at a mere $6,235; their EOL rifle comes in at $6,775. The McMillan rifle action is a two lug receiver that has the raceways (bolt rails) wire edm for tight tolerances and increased accuracy. They, of course, put their own fiberglass or carbon stock (depending on the model) on the rifle, and install an aftermarket trigger and a match grade barrel. The action is coated with NP3 to weatherproof the receiver. Lastly, they assemble the rifle and test fire for accuracy. McMillan does not post an accuracy guarantee on their website. McMillan rifles are known for their impeccable fit and finish.
Three position True-Lock safety
Triad bolt. Three lug action w/ 70º° bolt lift
Mini-claw extractor with control round feed
Proprietary carbon fiber stock for strength and lightweight
Detachable speed box magazine with 4-down capacity on standard calibers.
Crisp 2 3/4 lbs. adjustable trigger
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Christensen Arms is a company that started by focusing on the carbon barrel; it appears they may be changing directions, since they are now offering a stainless steel barrel model to their line. In the past, they have built their rifles with a Remington 700 action; their website indicates they have a new action out for this year that is a clone of the Remington 700 action, called the Summit. Christensen’s rifle is built by adding a custom carbon stock, custom trigger, and their carbon barrel or a steel barrel. In the past, their rifles were priced around $4,500; but it looks like this year’s price for their custom rifle has gone up over $1,000 - putting it at a whopping $5,645 for their Summit Carbon model; for $4,595 you can get their Summit Steel (steel barrel) model. The website states that both models come with a ½” group guarantee on .30 calibers and smaller, with custom ammunition. Christensen is known for lightweight rifles. Their carbon barrel rifle weighs in at six pounds and their steel barrel version is 7.3 pounds. Gunwerks, the long range people, offers their staple rifle -- the LR 1000 -- with a price tag of $5,500. The components of the LR1000 include a two lug action, custom fiberglass stock, custom trigger and match grade barrel. The guns are assembled and test fired for accuracy. I cannot see a posted accuracy guarantee on their website but know they shoot very well. You can also add a titanium receiver version for an additional $1,000, and a carbon barrel option that also adds approximately $1,000. Gunwerks prides themselves on precision. The gun companies mentioned above, just to name a few, make great rifles. There are custom rifle companies popping up all the time, with different names, but offering similar end results and similar price tags. When
Last Guard coating to protect your rifle in the harshest conditions
I ventured out on my own in 2012, and started my own custom rifle company, I was doing the same thing. I put together great custom guns that delivered tack driving accuracy, with price tags very similar to my competitors. But I knew there had to be a better mousetrap for the custom rifle game. At the 2013 Shot Show in Las Vegas, Hugues Vaillancncourt stopped at my booth and quizzed me about my new rifles. Knowing my background in the industry, Hugues asked a lot of pertinent questions. The next day he came by again and talked to me about his company. His company has been supplying gun parts to some of the biggest names in the industry for many years; they are also one of the biggest vendors for Ski-Doo and Bombardier of Canada. After intense discussion, Hugues suggested we become partners in a venture to create the best rifle in the industry. Within two weeks he was in Utah for a meeting, and offered to fly me to his shop in Canada to view his operation. At this point, I thought it would be worth taking the trip to see what he was all about. When I arrived at his shop I was amazed. I have been in plenty of high tech machine shops but never in a shop like this. There were CNC machines everywhere, nine axis machines, wire edm’s, robots feeding CNC machines, and unbelievable quality controls. This was a world-class machine shop. It was amazing. Hugues gave me the tour of his shop and also a sales pitch, sharing his take on how we could build the best rifle on the market. He explained the tolerances his machines and workers were used to holding and why those tight tolerances would also be used on any gun parts we built. His nine-axis CNC machines allow for the entire bolt
Breaking down the Fierce Edge
Match grade stainless steel fluted barrel that delivers guaranteed 1/2 “ - 3 shot group accuracy
Target crown for accuracy
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True-lock, three position safety
to be built in one operation which means that ‘truing an action’ would not be in our vocabulary. The fit between the action and bolt lugs would be squarer than any hand-lapping could do. This shop defines precision. I was sold. Hugues Valliancourt and I formed Fierce Firearms, LLC. We quickly started work on our new action design. Hugues and I are both opposed to creating a two-lug action like everyone else’s. In today’s hunting world, the scopes seem to be getting larger and the turrets just keep getting bigger. This makes it difficult and sometimes even impossible to cycle a two-lug bolt with these types of optics. My previous custom guns were built on a two-lug action; often I would have to put on higher rings so I could get the bolt handle to clear the scope. This is a bad practice because the higher the scope the more it brings the shooter’s cheek off the rifle. A solid cheek weld for minimum head movement is a critical aspect of long range shooting. We determined a three-lug action would give us a short, 70-degree bolt throw and a much quicker cycle time. One of the other features we chose for the receiver is a detachable box magazine that will hold four shells down and fit flush with the bottom of the stock. Add to that, a three-position safety that locks the bolt when put on safe, but allows you to unlock the bolt with the push of a button while the rifle remains on safety. We felt a control round feed bolt and receiver was very important for reliability and dependability, especially for the dangerous-game hunters. You don’t want your rifle misfeeding when a cape buffalo is closing in on you. We wanted a trigger that was similar in feel to the Jewell custom trigger but more reliable. We decided to build our own, utilizing the tight tolerances of 42
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Tight tolerances throughout delivered by precision machining
Hugues’ machines. We came up with a perfect trigger that is crisp and adjustable from 1.5-4 pounds. This makes up the engine to our Edge rifle; it purrs when you cycle the bolt and is as smooth as glass and tighter than any action on the market. Now that we had the perfect engine it was time to dress it up. We decided to make our stock out of carbon fiber, making it stiff and lightweight, with an action block with pillars for improved accuracy. For the barrel we are using match grade hand-lapped, fluted, button barrels that will deliver ½” three-shot groups at 100 yards. We guarantee the accuracy and will provide the target to prove it. The Edge comes standard with a stainless receiver and stainless fluted bolt with a carbon stock. Last, but not least, we give the barreled action a treatment of our Last Guard coating in either titanium grey or armor black to weatherproof the rifle. This custom rig weighs in at 6.7 pounds. We also offer the Ti Edge which utilizes a titanium receiver and comes in at a featherweight of 5.8 lbs. If you want to add a little more sizzle to your rifle, we offer the Carbon Edge and CT Edge models, which utilize not only the carbon barrel with the stainless receiver in the Carbon Edge, but also
4-down capacity mag box on most popular calibers
the carbon barrel and titanium receiver in the CT Edge. When you hold and inspect the Edge rifle, the fit and finish will make you think you are holding a McMillan. When you cycle the bolt and feel the precision, you will think you are working a Gunwerks rifle. And when you feel the light weight and balance, you will think you are holding a Christensen rifle. The reality is, you are holding the new Edge, with a price tag of only $2,195; and we include a ½” group guarantee. I know it is mind boggling that we offer such an incredible AND affordable rifle, but that is what we are all about here at Fierce. We have created the ultimate custom rifle GAME CHANGER. We can sell it at an affordable
price because we manufacture all of the components inhouse. We can guarantee it because we build precision parts that work. We test fire every rifle in our underground shooting tunnel to guarantee your rifle delivers the accuracy and performance you will come to expect from a Fierce Firearms Edge. So the next time you are at your local sporting goods store, ask to see the new Fierce Edge. When you are ready to buy your next custom rifle, you can buy two, maybe even three, for the price of the other custom brands. Share the love -- buy one for you, your wife and your favorite child. Will you see a difference? …only in your wallet. It is time for something Fierce, Fierce Firearms.
The Fierce Edge performs like a $5,000 custom rifle at less than half the cost.
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Photo Story
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATHLETES COLORADO ELK
A PRIMOS BLIND IS AWARDED TO EACH PHOTO STORY AUTHOR. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO STORY TO: EDITOR@HUNTINGILLUSTRATED.COM
The Rocky Mountain Athlete boys, in part with Hunter’s Nation, head high into the Colorado Rockies to archery hunt elk Photos: David DeAustin
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Photo Story
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATHLETES COLORADO ELK
A PRIMOS BLIND IS AWARDED TO EACH PHOTO STORY AUTHOR. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO STORY TO: EDITOR@HUNTINGILLUSTRATED.COM
There was success in both the hunt and the journey as the team covered nearly 100 miles in a week. Do you have a Photo Story to share? Submissions can be sent to: Hunting Illustrated PO Box 1045 • Gunnison, UT 84634 editor@huntingillustrated.com
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I
Huskemaw’s Jim Sessions and His Big Wyoming Bull
was due for some good news, which was provided by The Wyoming Game and Fish Department in the form of the words ELK- SUCCESSFUL on my computer screen. The northwestern corner of Wyoming is well managed for older age class bulls. The teams from Best of the West TV (BOTW) and Huskemaw Optics have been very successful in putting on the ground several trophy bulls in the 320 – 360+ class each of the last two seasons. I was pumped to finally have a tag with my name on it, sound knowledge of the area, quality mountain stock, the most deadly shooting system available, time, and good friends to share my experience. What more could a mountain hunter want? Well, as happens to many of us as we navigate and deal with many unexpected events in our lives, my life was going to change drastically. I was diagnosed with the early stages of prostate cancer that Spring. Talk about a shocker, I wasn’t prepared for this type of news and my initial response was, “Why is this happening to me?” The truth of the matter is prostate cancer is a very common form of cancer in men 50 years old and over. The mainstream medical community offered me the typical treatment options, none of which sounded very appealing; so my wife and I began our own research into all the available treatment options. Now I know
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this is supposed to be an article about elk hunting, but if I can help just one reader of Hunting Illustrated select, or at least consider, Proton Beam Therapy, it is worth a few extra lines. We selected Loma Linda University in southern California. They are the pioneers in this type of treatment. I applied for acceptance and we had our initial consultation scheduled. I was California-bound the latter part of May and was scheduled for a 9-week treatment regimen. To make a very long story short, I completed my treatment as scheduled and my PSA count dropped by half. All the people at Loma Linda were very professional and compassionate. I highly recommend both this treatment option and Loma Linda University. If any readers would like to contact me concerning my experience, feel free to email me at jim@ huskemaw.com. As they say, now for the rest of the story. We had three team members from The Best of the West, Dean Taylor, Latt Durrance, and myself. We loaded up four foxtrotters, two mules and a truck full of gear. The ride in was as good as a 21st century hunter can experience. We glassed a group of Bighorn rams and heard several bulls bugling as we traversed the high mountain passes. The first night we set camp on a high plateau offering uncompromised views.
BY JIM SESSIONS BY RACHELLE HEDRICK The author displays his trophy bull
The next morning we loaded up and were on the trail within an hour of finishing our last cup of cowboy coffee. The early morning ride through two timberline passes was nothing short of spectacular. As we began our descent into the headwaters of our selected drainage, a small herd of elk sky lined 500 yards above our location. I jumped off the mule and grabbed my binoculars all in one well-practiced motion. Just as I focused in on the herd, a beautiful 7X7 bull revealed his presence on the jagged ridgeline. My first thought was, “He’ll do.” I had one small issue, the rifle season was still two days away. As quickly as he appeared, Houdini ghosted over the ridge and was gone. We continued down the switchback trail into the heart of some of the most remote, wild, and grizzly/ wolf infested country in the lower 48. An hour later we reached the creek and continued downstream a couple of miles to our selected campsite. The campsite we chose had all the basic attributes of a good horse camp including feed, water and shelter from the erratic, high velocity winds. The only problem was a lack of view from the folding chairs we enjoyed in camp. We knew from past experience which drainage we wanted to hunt on opening morning. A hike down the main drainage, the day before the opener, revealed very little sign. This confirmed our opening morning strategy - head into the same drainage where Dean had killed a beautiful 340”, 6X6 bull, two years prior. As you all know, sleep doesn’t come easily the night before the opener. The horses were saddled, lunches packed, rifle and ammunition triple checked and the video cameras set as the first inkling of light appeared on the eastern horizon. This is
the routine when you hunt and film on a backcountry hunt. We all swung into the saddle and were soon mesmerized by the rhythm of squeaking leather as our mountain stock pulled steep inclines taking us into a piece of elk country few humans ever experience. After about two miles of steep climbing, we dropped into an eroded volcanic chute, crossed the creek and switch backed onto the ridge where we believed the bull elk would be performing their annual rutting ritual. The shrill bugle of a bull directly up the ridge pierced the early morning stillness. We all bailed off and proceeded to secure our stock and unload cameras, tripods, rifles and assorted gear. The first bugle opened the gate to a wildlife spectacle typically reserved for national parks. We had 15 – 20 bulls bugling and chasing cows across the ridge and through the scattered pine right at timberline. We had a team ready for action - Dean was on the spotting scope, range finder and wind meter; Latt operated video cameras, capturing the action from two angles. My job was simple, prepare for the shot with a solid shooting position, listen to distance and wind calls and adjust the Huskemaw turret. We glassed and evaluated bull after bull for the next hour. Throughout the day, we heard bulls sounding off in every direction. Riding back to camp that evening we all talked about what a spectacular day we had just experienced, even though not a shot was fired. Arriving back at camp, Latt and I unsaddled our stock and picketed them in the meadow for the night. Dean had a great dinner ready and we discussed our second day strategy. Up before daybreak and in the saddle we moved Winter 2014
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Riding horseback helped Jim and his team move between camp and basins in the pursuit of screaming bulls
into the same basin as day one. The bugling continued reverberating off the rock faces and through the scattered pine pockets as we worked our way into the head of the drainage. More bulls and new bulls were the course for the morning. As the sun climbed higher and higher in the sky, I was ready to look at some new country. Over the past day and a half, several bulls had gone out over the top, which would put them in the vicinity of the main headwater drainage. We loaded up and began our trek upstream and in the general direction of the 7X7 bull mentioned earlier. The sun was beginning to drop and shroud the canyon walls with shadows of varying sizes and shapes. A deep, raspy bugle permeated the evening solitude and quiet gurgle of the high mountain stream. As we have done many times, our practiced routine was put into motion. Latt on cameras, Dean on optics, wind and ranging, and I had the rifle. We moved stealthily in the direction of the commotion across the drainage, as two different bulls were issuing challenges to each other. As we found an opening along the timbered streambed, a bull ripped a bugle from across the drainage.
In the author’s own words, “We had accomplished our goal of killing a beautiful, mature bull on public land while filming the whole adventure for another episode of The Best of the West.”
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Dean said, “There he is, get down and get set.” I was prone in a matter of seconds with my BOTW custom shooting system cradled in the Huskemaw prone tripod. I watched the bull issue another challenge with my crosshairs firmly etched on his front shoulder area. Dean whispered, “350 yards, no wind!” And Latt said, “I’m on him.” My confidence level was at an all-time high. The rifle and scope system was shooting two inch groups at this distance and beyond. I carefully judged the bull as he moved through his small harem, immediately recognizing him as the 7X7 we briefly glimpsed just two days before. My shot broke the silence as a 197-grain VLD pierced his shoulder and momentarily stopped his forward progress. I jacked another round in the chamber, settled into the scope and sent the second round home, which dropped him immediately. In short order, the challenger, a very mature 6X6 in the 350” class, gathered the cows and they headed over the mountain. We had accomplished our goal of killing a beautiful, mature bull on public land while filming the whole adventure for another episode of The Best of the West. This hunt aired on The Outdoor Channel, Fall of 2013. We gathered all our gear and rode up the ridge to take care of the bull. We finished filming the end of our hunt and enjoyed the moment that only hunters can understand. With the bull taken care of and propped open to cool, we traversed the trail back to camp for a welldeserved dinner with all the fixin’s. This hunt was a unique experience in so many ways. It was a complete DIY hunt from start to finish. I felt a true sense of accomplishment and felt privileged to have had the opportunity. We had scouted and hunted for five days without seeing another hunter in the whole area. The elk were bugling, bighorn sheep filtered through the high crags, and the grizzlies and wolves kept their distance. In my book, it doesn’t get any better.
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“
T
he enormity of the Yukon Territory is unfathomable for most hunters, unless experienced. The Rogue River Outfitting territory encompasses more than 12,000 square miles of hinterlands and wilderness…without a city, town or highway to spoil its purity. Few places have changed so little over time; with its vast wilderness, spotted with magnificent moose, caribou, grizzly bears and wolves, the Yukon is magnificently beautiful and incomprehensibly massive. Luckily for me, sometime before 1988, God decided to plunk me down to earth under the parental supervision of Jim Shockey -- professional hunter, outfitter and glorified caveman -- Jim Shockey, whose dream it was to run an outfitting company in the Yukon Territories since he was a boy; and Jim Shockey, who accomplished that goal 30-odd years later, when he took ownership of the exclusive hunting rights to the Rogue River area in the pristine Yukon. Skip ahead another 25 years or so, and here I am, merely a pin point in the middle of this huge chunk of prime hunting real-estate with a caribou tag in my pocket and a week of father-daughter time ahead of me.
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Yukonian Graduation This is my third season hunting in the Yukon. The first year was a test run with training wheels; we hunted from the main camp with cushy, plywood cabins and propane heaters – practically a five-star luxury resort, in an outdoorsy-middle-of-nowhere kind of way. The second year was a baby-step further into having a true Yukon experience, heading a few miles down the valley and putting up a spike camp, with a few cold, damp nights included. This year I graduated to the ranks of a true Yukonian, hitting the hills and eating just enough calories to make it through the day. Last year’s spike camp seems like the Taj Mahal compared to this year’s camp, which is an eight-hour Argo ride into the middle of nowhere. Heaters are non-existent; there is no such thing as warmth or comfort. And sharing a muggy tent with three over-sized men is an extravagance -- only granted in the event that we return to our spike camp, rather than sleep under the stars wherever we end up at nightfall. As part of my Yukonian graduation present, along with my caribou tag, I have permission to shoot a wolf if I get the opportunity. As a hunter with a clear
BY EVA SHOCKEY An eight-hour Argo ride into the middle of nowhere could only mean the author had graduated into Yukon territory for her next hunting adventure.
understanding of the symbiotic relationship between hunting and conservation, wolves in the Yukon are definitely no friends of mine. Wolves live off large prey, mostly moose and caribou; a wolf can kill 30 to 50 moose and/or caribou in a single year. With approximately 5,000-plus grey wolves in the Yukon, it only makes sense that the population of moose and caribou, without ‘protection’, would start slowly and steadily declining…enter Eva Shockey, selfproclaimed, Queen of Predator Control. Beginning… It’s the last day of August, and the start of the moose rut is still a few days away. At first light, we glass caribou cows dotting the higher reaches around us. We see one huge grizzly, right from camp, as we begin our eight-hour journey to spike camp. The mountain alders flame bright red as far as one can see in either direction. Bright yellow willow runs cut through the crimson as unexplored valleys open up to the flat plain below us. Since I was little, my dad has said that a big part of what keeps him traveling and hunting around the world for so many months out of the year, is the wonder he feels when he looks over the next hill, and the next, and the next. This philosophy not only induces
300+ days a year of compulsive world traveling, but also comes into play here in the Yukon, where the ‘unknown’ is as potentially awesome as the land is endless. Darkness approaches after a long day of thumping and bumping on our Argos through the thick willow runs, deep creeks, rushing rivers and seven-foot-high hummocks; with darkness comes our final destination for the day – spike camp. The mountain caribou we seek reside only in the southern mountains of the Yukon and Northwest Territories, and the northern mountains of British Columbia… at the very tops of the mountains to be exact. Early in the
season, herds of these beautiful beasts can be found on the highest glaciers, at the farthest point of elevation from our spike camp (down low in the valley). Tucked in tight in my sleeping bag, I fall asleep as the first raindrop hits the roof of our tiny tent.
Jim Shockey, the author’s father, glasses off into a distant Yukon hillside.
Middle… My wake-up call comes well before sunrise, as I open my eyes and realize half my body is soaking wet from sleeping against the side of the drenched tent. The rain has slowed to a drizzle, so I layer-on my heavy rain gear, tie up my sleeping bag to stop it from getting damp and wriggle past the large bodies, making my way out into the fresh, damp air. A few hours later, we take the Argos to the base of the next mountain and hike nearly to the top to get the best vantage of the surrounding peaks and glaciers. As we hit the crest, daylight arrives; thick fog replaces darkness and it is raining hard on us. Our binos are rendered useless, so we play the waiting game, hoping for the nasty weather to lift. I shiver and hunch lower in my raincoat. I dip my head, causing icewater to cascade down from the front of my soggy hat. Today is not going how I had hoped. More water drips down. Slowly the sky begins to open and we see a glimpse of blue. It’s well past noon and I finally see faint shapes of mountains off in the distance. As if to reward us for not giving up, three caribou cows suddenly appear on the mosscovered hillside 100 yards above us. Where had they been? The hillside exhibited no sign of life seconds before! Just as suddenly, two bull caribou appear, standing directly below our vantage, one nice bull and one younger one. The bigger bull is definitely hard-horned at this time of year, but those hard horns are still covered in full velvet – perfect condition. From where we are sitting, all I see are antlers; they just keep getting bigger and bigger as he walks up, completely unaware of our presence. None of us speak, none of us dare to. “He’s close.” My dad slips ahead of me, sliding carefully on the moss, getting out of my shooting lane, trying not to make too much movement. “Get ready Eve.”
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With my Thompson Centre already resting and ready on the shooting sticks, the whispered urgency goes unnoticed; probably because I am going through the mental checklist I always go through before taking a shot. Breathe. Slow. Breathe. Squeeze the trigger. Eyes open. Don’t flinch. Breathe. “Right there!” This time the urgency in his voice is impossible to ignore. The bigger of the two bulls has us pegged; which, since he walked within 50 yards of us, right in the open, is no real feat. “Take him Eve! He’s gonna run.” My dad is nearly too late with the order. BOOM! The Nosler bullet does as others like it have done before; it thumps into the bull’s ribcage and carries on to the far side. The bull is done. He falls into some willows and rips off some of the velvet, leaving scrapes and velvet dangling. It’s an absolutely beautiful caribou, the biggest I’ve ever gotten, with double shovels and long, massive tines coming out everywhere. What a magnificent animal! Another great hunt with my dad – it’s always a bitter-sweet moment when I realize my trip is over. Yukon graduation paid off! The author didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger and put down this amazing bull.
Spike camp
End… It’s dark by the time we get the bull down the mountain, loaded on the Argo and back to spike camp. We decide to pack-up camp tonight and drive all night to get home instead of leaving early in the morning. We are all running on pure adrenalin and trail mix at this point as we start the eight-hour trip home. Somewhere around the 27th hour of being awake, the Argo hits the homestretch to our camp - just as the sun lifts from the mountain top. Dead tired, hungry, soaking wet and ready for bed, we round the corner into camp and see something we never expected. Not far up the hill is a grizzly and wolf, the former chasing the latter back and forth through the willows. It doesn’t
exactly look like a friendly game of tag, but I’ve never seen anything like it and watch in amazement. I’m not sure if it is the lack of sleep, or if I am just mesmerized by what I am seeing, but dad has my gun out of the case and up on the sticks waiting for me before I even know what is happening. “Eve, the wolf is 230 yards – think you can get him?” Putting down his rangefinder, he stares at me anxiously. I snap back to reality and shoulder my gun. Breathe. Slow. Breathe. Squeeze the trigger. Eyes open. Don’t flinch. Breathe. I’m steady as a rock. This time it isn’t the urgency in my dad’s voice that I hear, but the urgency of my heartbeat in my chest. Every breath is met by a handful of loud thumps. I’m certain that my dad can hear the heartbeat coming through the layers of rain gear. BOOM! He’s down. I remain steady for the 230-yard shot; but when it’s over, my hands start shaking uncontrollably. I got my finger stuck between the gun recoil and the sticks and there’s blood dripping to the ground, but I can’t feel a thing. I got the wolf! My Yukon dream! The Queen of Predator Control! The best part is that I just saved 50 moose and caribou lives in the coming year. Mission accomplished. Just like my dad, I believe there are many spectacular, hidden places on this earth, places that will take your breath away; I want to see as many of them as possible before I die. Not only do I get to check-off the Yukon from the top of that list, but I get to check it off alongside the person who fired up my passion to find those truly special places in the first place. Thanks for another cool adventure, dad!
Just when the hunt seemed to be over, while riding back to camp, a wolf and bear are spotted during a game of cat and mouse, staging the perfect opportunity for Eva to take a great oneshot kill on this wolf at 230-yards.
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PHOTO: VIC SCHENDEL | RECREATION: MATT MOGLE
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ark booked his lion hunt with us over a year ago; although we’d shared calls and e-mails, this would be the first time we’d actually meet. The ride into town confirmed the tracking conditions; crusted snow and frozen dry ground, would make tomorrow tough. Mark was sitting alone at a table, easily identifiable among the other patrons, all locals. I introduced myself, Chad and Carly, who made up the rest of the group, handing Mark a Bull Basin cap. He shaped the bill, replaced his cap with ours, and became part of the team. Mark had been watching our website and said he hoped we had saved a big tom for him! Chuckling, we assured him there were plenty of lions in the mountains around us. We shared a meal, discussed the plans for the hunt, and assured Mark that although conditions were less than ideal, we’d hunt hard for the five days to ensure success. The following day would start early, so I told Mark I’d pick him up at 4:30 the next morning and we said our good byes. Driving home, I wished for new snow to improve our odds – feeling the familiar pressure to succeed on this hunt. My tension eased as I remembered that Chad and Carly work for me, and I have utmost confidence in their ability to meet any challenge. I have never met a bettermatched couple – with a passion for lion hunting that cannot be described with words. Time and again, I am privileged to witness their dedication, and the countless hours they spend working with and training their dogs. An unanswered text to Chad and Carly at four
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a.m. was no surprise as they were already canvasing our ranches on snowmobiles and couldn’t hear the text over the engines. Mark was loading his gear into my truck when Carly replied to my earlier text, “One female track north of town, we’re headed south.” As we headed out, I pointed out a couple spots where we’d found tracks in the past; I shared with Mark that these big cats have a habit of crossing the same areas, so we always take a little extra time when passing through these “hot spots”. Soon we spotted taillights of a rig along the side of the road. Chad and Carly appeared from the shoulder. “It’s a tweener, “ Carly informed us, “heading toward the river.” “What’s a tweener?” Mark asked. I explained a “tweener” was a lion track that was typically created by a younger tom or a big female. Chad showed the track to Mark, and they decided to pass on this track. Mark got introduced to the dogs; each of the holes in the dog box on Chad’s truck had a hound dog head sticking out! A brief conversation culminated in everyone heading in different directions; we’d be in contact if someone found a big tom track. Mark and I jumped in a UTV and began to traverse miles of roads on one of our bigger ranches. The tracking conditions were brutal, patches of snow mixed with stretches of frozen ground, lots of places to miss the track of any lion that had passed. Hundreds of elk and deer had settled here for winter, and their tracks obliterated every patch of white we could find. Mark pointed out elk and deer
These dogs are anxious to be unboxed and put on the scent of a big tom!
he’d spot on the ridges while I kept my eyes focused on the ground. Miles of ground were covered without spotting fresh lion tracks; today the dogs stayed in their box. As we were looping back to the truck, we spotted an old drag mark with faded blood in the road in front of us. The marks indicated, for those familiar with the signs, that a big tom had killed a mule deer buck about 40 yards above the road, and dragged him nearly 100 yards down the slope to stash him under a cedar. The carcass was mangled, and the area was covered with coyote and bird tracks; no doubt the lion left the kill for scavengers to clean up. The hour+ ride back to town was as quiet as freshly falling snow; but tomorrow would provide another chance. The next morning, Chad and Carly texted that they had already found two females with kittens, a tweener and a good tom heading toward an area we could not hunt. The two inches of fresh snow raised the temps and created perfect conditions for easier and quicker cutting. Mark and I headed directly to where we’d found the kill the day before, where fresh snow made tracking a breeze as we sped along the roads in the UTV. Up ahead I saw the track, and my hopes soared as it paralleled yesterday’s track. I opened the door and looked straight down onto the track as the UTV came to a stop. “Here’s your Tom,” I said, smiling at Mark. “This is a big lion track!”
tracks had crossed; the predator was somewhere on the slope above us. We waited for Carly and the dogs to arrive. Carly flashed her contagious smile and Mark laughed as the dogs piled out of the box like clowns from a circus. The hounds were energetic and obedient to the commands of Chad and Carly. But were anxious to get the race going. The dogs circled around Chad and Carly excitedly, as the group made their way toward the big track. A favorite time for me is that moment when the dogs catch the aroma of a lion and line out like a train roaring down the tracks. Jip hit the track first and opened up with the familiar bawl of a hound on a mission. Boone, Ben, Rig, Bo, Grit, Duke and Bell all fell in line too; the team was off. Chad and Carly vanished behind the dogs, making their way up the mountain. The chase was going up the mountain to the west; so, as the barking faded away, Mark and I began hiking behind the chase. Experience told me we had to get to the lion quickly; too often dogs have been injured, or worse, while trying to hold a killer at bay for too long. I kept urging Mark on as we scaled the timbered slope. Although the temperature was well below freezing, the hundreds of steps taken in the last thirty-five minutes had Mark covered in sweat. We crested a small ridge on the mountainside and caught the buzzing sound of dogs ahead in the distance. The familiar sound told me the dogs had the predator treed! The commotion was to our left and more ‘side-hill’ than up. The combination of the excitement of hearing the dogs A hunter’s first glimpse at a treed tom is something few will ever forget
I was glad Chad answered his cell; he’d make a loop around us and was to the south, so he had Carly bring the dogs. I predicted that this tom would end up in a nasty box canyon along the river, an area that had pushed us to the limit a time or two before – steep and icy. Mark and I followed the track for a couple hundred yards, and just as I thought, the tracks dropped off the road and headed for the canyon. I guided Mark to a point where we’d meet the river, to see if the lion was heading up-country; the goal was to make a big circle around him before we put the dogs out. The fresh snow would make his track easy to find if he headed out somewhere. We continued up the road, then unexpectedly, the tom track found its way back up on the road, and headed up a draw to the south! This would be an uphill climb, but would avoid scaling cliffs like the prior scenario. Chad made his way down the mountain, and joined us. He’d covered the top of the mountain and no Winter 2014
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The dogs don’t disappoint and perform at the top of their game in treeing a monster mountain lion.
and lateral hiking helped us close the distance much more quickly now. I was a good fifty yards above the tree before I saw the swarming pack of hounds. I motioned to Mark to head toward me, instructing him to move cautiously toward the tree; we didn’t want the big cat to jump. I counted eight dogs around Chad and Carly at the base of the tree, and was relieved to verify they all made it. The big tom re-positioned himself on another branch about twenty feet up the majestic pine and provided Mark with his first clear view of him. Seeing a predator at close range is a highlight in every sportsman’s vault of memories -- a breathtaking moment. The icy blue eyes of this big killer stared right through me. Although making no sound as he snarled at us, his message was clear; he’d had just about enough of this. I told Mark to load the rifle and get ready to make his shot. Chad gave me the thumbs up as I silently confirmed with him that this was the best angle to take the lion from. The tom eyed escape options, looking in all directions for a way out. Sensing that he about to jump, I told Mark, “Shoot him now, just behind the front shoulder.” Then I whispered, “Make a good shot.” The words barely left my mouth when the rifle blast filled the air, the impact of the bullet causing the tom to sink his massive claws into the bark of the tree. As the lion clutched and bit at the tree, I hollered at Mark to jack another shell in; before he could complete the process, life left the big tom, his grasp failed and he crashed through the branches, sending down a blanket of snow and debris. The dogs engulfed the lion as he landed; tugging, pulling and biting at his lifeless body as he slid down the hill. I patted Mark on the back and congratulated him as Chad and Carly joined in celebration with the dogs. Mark and I eased our way down to the lion; Chad and Carly were quick to congratulate him too. With the pressure of a successful hunt behind us now, we relaxed and watched our proud hunter check out his beautiful trophy. As I shook Chad and Carly’s hands, talk was unnecessary; the silent, firm handshake told them how proud I was of them.
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The author of this story, Dean Bilington, owns Bull Basin Outfitters in Northwestern Colorado. As an outfitter for 25 years he shares the experience of a mountain lion hunt from the outfitter’s eyes, and he captures the time and effort put into hunting these magnificent predators. This is just one of the many successful hunters to harvest a giant tom with the author and Bull Basin Outfitters.
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Quest for the First Wolf
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ast central Idaho, with the openness of its high sage-covered plateaus to the steep, timbered peaks of the Bitterroot Mountains, is home to the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Frank Church Wilderness Area and the aptly named, River of No Return. Wildlife as diverse as the sage grouse, mule deer, elk, bear, mountain lion, big horn sheep and of course now, the wolf, inhabit Idaho, under the splendor and watchful eyes of the bald eagles overhead. Millions of acres easily distract hunters from glassing for game, just by the sheer beauty of the highly-varied terrain and the creatures within. Here the habitat changes quickly from bunchgrasses and sage on arid mountainsides, to heavy timber and rock outcroppings in the steep river
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canyons of the higher elevations. Wolves, as predators, travel where their prey goes, always on the lookout for an opportunity. As seasons change from fall to winter and ground cover becomes hidden by snow, the game and the wolves move down slope. The well-documented wolf predation has been devastating to the elk, deer and moose populations in particular and is a constant topic of discussion among regional ranchers and residents, many of whom are also avid hunters. Long a destination of hunters seeking the thrill of the chase and the taking of game, this region is also home to many residents for whom the hunt has become a way of life. Descended from generations in the region, Gary Beers tells with a smile you can hear in his voice, of his great grandmother moving into the area by covered
BY DENNIS BRYANT wagon. Gary’s first hunts were with his dad at the age of six or seven, and he has lived in and hunted this region every year since he was old enough to have a license. Pursuit of the often near but elusive wolf, for Gary, focused on covering a large territory at a fairly fast pace, checking for signs and tracks of recent activity. As Gary recalls, “I had been hunting them for about a month. I’d seen them but always the next ridge over, or five miles away, or going into the next canyon…I was always a day behind them or a day ahead of them.” Being such a popular topic, information on wolf-sightings is shared among area residents in these sparsely populated canyons. The real break came when good friends, Jon and Nancy, called one night after dark to say the wolves had moved down from the hill and were howling in the canyon. Gary got in touch with hunting partner, Craig Burns, and set up the hunt for predawn the next morning. After a month of scouting, this could be it. Still well before daylight, the two patiently listened for the telltale sound, the chorus of the pack…but not a howl was heard! About daybreak, they took a coyote that was feeding on a downed elk carcass and continued checking the canyons, looking for fresh tracks. Up one more canyon without luck, then it seemed like a good time for a cup of coffee and to think about the situation. Then they heard it, the first mournful howl and then the
pack joined in. Gary recounts, “You could see them, a pack of six moving along the gulch. A rangefinder check had them at about 500 meters.” It was the last day of the year and snow cover was about 16 inches deep; they would have to move fast, as the wolves were on the go. It would be a real hurry-up deal to get set up and ready. They moved into position and as Gary tells it, “I grabbed my gun, fanny pack, and set up prone with the bipod on a log and the pack under the stock… it would have to be a fairly steep, uphill shot. A big gray was first up the hill. Craig Burns was on the rangefinder and about the time I was set up and ready, the big gray laid down on top of the hill. I said, ‘well, where is he Burns’?” Standing, with his eye on the rangefinder and a better view, Craig said, “He’s there, 647 meters (708 yards) lying down.” Gary continues, “The black-coated wolf was walking uphill toward the gray and started to cower down; the big gray stood up and towered over her…they reached forward and grabbed an elk leg and started a tug-o-war with it. Seconds later, the black turned and headed downhill. The big gray took a few steps and stopped on the point of the hill, somewhat quartering away and looked right straight down the canyon toward us; I put the 650 MilDot on his shoulder and touched it off. Down he went, dropped in his tracks where he
“The black-coated wolf was walking uphill toward the gray and started to cower down; the big gray stood up and towered over her…they reached forward and grabbed an elk leg and started a tug-o-war with it.”
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stood. Then the thwap could be heard. The adrenaline was pumping pretty good, first wolf! It was pretty exciting and we were pretty charged for quite some time. After the shot, the other wolves scattered; you couldn’t see them, but you could hear them howling. Then they regrouped on the top of the next ridge and were another 600-800 yards farther away. They were howling and working back and forth.” Not surprisingly, the uphill climb and retrieval of the big gray wasn’t even talked about as it surely must have only taken a few effortless moments. The wolf had been hit at the base of the neck on the shoulder. When finally back at the truck with the big gray, a long time resident and one of the first on-site said, “That’s one hell of a long shot!” To which Gary replied confidently, “Yeah but I can make that shot, I’d been practicing almost that exact distance for my (successful) sheep hunt that I went on in the Middle Fork and I have full confidence in the gun and the optics to make that shot.” The big gray had been a ‘collared’ wolf; reporting the kill to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) within a 72-hr. period, was required. He weighed in at 107 pounds. When asked further about the shot, and what it takes to make one like that, Gary reflected, “You’ve got to have a lot of confidence in the gun and optics for one; and secondly, you can’t really even hang on to the gun, you don’t really want to be touching it, you just want to put your shoulder up against it and reach up and just barely touch off the trigger.” To follow up, Gary had put just under 150 rounds through that gun at the rifle range in the preceding three-month period and knew what to expect from the gun and the load. Put into action on this hunt was a .300 Weatherby Magnum Mark V, hand-loaded with a 180 grain Nosler AccuBond. The rifle had received trigger work, for crispness and pull, a muzzle brake installed, a forend bipod added and was equipped with a Shepherd MilDot reticle scope. The load had been worked up by Gary for upcoming elk hunts this season and at the time had been shooting so well, it was ultimately the first choice for the wolf too. When asked if he always loads his own cartridges and if it gives him more confidence in the shot, Gary replied, “For sure, I’ve been loading rounds for most of my adult life…I probably started when I was 13 or 14 years old. This .300 Weatherby Magnum is a new gun for me. I’ve now shot it a lot and I like the long range capabilities it has.” As is the case with this hunt, and as we’ve consistently read in Hunting Illustrated and elsewhere, the ethical long-range shot is born from a sound knowledge of your equipment and skill developed through practice…and more practice. When asked for his thoughts on hunting wolves in this country on open hillsides, Gary responded with, “If you’re gonna hunt wolves in this country, you better have a long (range-capable) gun. They are getting smarter as the years go by. They didn’t have any predators, except for themselves…they’re out there, but your chances of seeing them are slim. I’ve seen 12 this fall in one pack; and they were hot after a big, six point bull (elk) and about 30 cows.”
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Regarding the wolf’s impact on wildlife in this area, Gary reports recently seeing six, wolf-killed elk on a one-day scouting trip through the Panther Creek drainage. Gary’s comments reflect the opinion of many who live in and experience this area daily when he speaks of the wolf. “Honest to God, it’s not their fault that they’re here; man brought them and put them here.” The consequences of man’s actions, therefore, must be owned by man alone. The wolf is pretty much not afraid of anything, but they are learning and will become more formidable in future years. As for the big gray, he has earned his place of honor in Gary’s living room. For further information on wildlife and hunting in Idaho, contact the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/
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THE NEW WORLD RECORD GRIZZLY
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ot many people can claim a world record… Barry and Bob Steed are good friends and clients; we have hunted and fished all over the world together. Having just returned from New Zealand, we decided it was time for Grizzly. Anytime you can hunt Alaska, you are enjoying yourself; and when you are hunting coastal Brown Bear or interior Grizzly, you are really doing well. When you hunt interior Grizzly, only one place will do: Stoney River Lodge, just south of Sleetmute, Alaska. Proprietors Curly and Betty Warren are a class act and have a top notch concession. Joe Mott is their lead guide and responsible for taking over 100 Grizzlies over the years. Late April and early May is a beautiful time in Alaska; the days are getting long and the nights are brisk. The ground is still snowcovered and big bruins come out of their dens looking for food. Their hides are flawless and
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their claws are long -- everything you could want in a Grizzly. These bears have been in their dens for up to seven months and have one thing on their mind…FOOD. In spring, food is sparse until the snow melts, so if you can locate winter kills, there is a great chance a bruin or two will visit. I’ve only seen boars this time of year, which greatly increases your odds of taking an animal. The sows will almost always have cubs and stay in the dens a bit longer. In Alaska, you cannot hunt the day you fly; however, when flying you can spot bear, and see where they are moving and searching for food. We spotted a moose kill this way and that was the buffet we were looking for. The closest place to land the Super Cub was nearly three miles away. Barry was in one plane and I was in the other. We got dropped off and then the wait started. We set up camp, ate dinner and tried to sleep. The next morning, we got on the trail
BY TONY ABBOTT The hunter, Bob Steed, is ready to get to huntin’ and is keeping his fingers crossed, in hopes of finding a giant grizzly.
about 7:00 am, in three feet of snow and on snow shoes; I anticipated a three-hour trek. If you have been on snow shoes…there is no need to explain; if you haven’t, there is no way to explain it. The plan was to approach the moose kill from the downwind side and see what this feast had enticed. As we got close to the kill, we slowed our pace and checked the wind. Things were looking good and if there was a good boar on the kill, we would be in business. Closing to within 500 yards, we broke the heavy timber; I glassed the area on the edge of a clearing with scattered trees ahead of us, but saw nothing. We crept slowly, one snow shoe at a time, stopping to canvas the area every few steps; we were in stealth mode. We knew the moose kill was on the far side of the clearing. It had been two and a half hours since we left camp; and now we were on the cusp of Barry’s first Grizzly. We crested the rise and spotted what we were looking for in the clearing, a bear 225 yards ahead and sleeping on top of the moose…not just any bear…a BEHEMOTH. The bear looked like a buffalo sitting on its haunches -- big, dark and exactly what we were looking for. I have guided
many bear hunts in my lifetime, and have seen many big coastal brownies. This one did not take a back seat to any of them. The wind was good, the sun was shining and the timing was right. Another 50 yards and we would be at the edge of a patch of trees with a clear shooting lane to the bear. We got to 175 yards and made our stand. Packs off and tripod out, we got ready for the shot. Hindsight is always 20/20; looking back, I should have found a tree for Barry to rest on. Instead, I opened the tripod and tried to get Barry comfortable. Neither sitting, kneeling, nor crouching felt right to him. The last thing you want to do as a guide is have a client take a shot they are uncomfortable with. The shot is the most important thing, especially when you are hunting something that can hunt you. As we tried to get Barry comfortable, the wind switched, blowing right on the back of my neck. I knew we had little time to make this happen. This bear was as big as many of the coastal Brown Bear I have hunted; this was a magnificent creature and would rank high in the record books. Knowing the bear had scented us by now, increased our anxiety; Barry finally got comfortable and I made sure the gun was loaded
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and safety off -- we were ready to let lead fly. We looked up to put the boar in our sights…and saw nothing. How could this be? He was there five seconds ago, broadside, lying on a moose kill. Quickly, my binos came up and I scoured the clearing -- left, right, left, then to the kill. Nothing. Not a sign of the bear anywhere. Sitting in disbelief, we waited 10-15 minutes to see if he had just wandered a bit, but I knew better. Barry’s bear was long gone. We walked up to the kill and saw his tracks heading back up the valley. That monster of a bear had smelled us and didn’t stick around for lunch. Unbelievable. We were at the cusp of a lifetime dream and now it escaped into the snow-covered hills. Back at the lodge, I told Curly and Joe that this was quite possibly the biggest bear I had ever seen. Asking them if they thought the bear would return to the kill they both said highly unlikely. I knew what they were going to say before they said it but I had to ask. The wind had beaten us. Five more seconds and we would have had the bear of a lifetime. We were full of would’ve and should’ve. But would’ve and should’ve couldn’t change what happened. Five days left to hunt and now it was Bob’s turn. Licking our wounds would not change anything. We needed a change of luck and Bob was about
“Back at the lodge, I told Curly and Joe that this was quite possibly the biggest bear I had ever seen.”
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to get it. We found several nice bears over the next few days, but nothing either guy wanted to take. When you know there is a nine foot in the area, it’s kind of hard to shoot an eight foot, so we kept looking. With minimal hopes and time fading away we were desperate. The more we thought about and discussed that bear, the more we wanted one more chance. On day eight, against their better judgment, Joe and Bob went back to the moose kill to see if the big bruin would come back, hoping the bear (or any bear) would return -- but knowing deep down the bear was long gone and not coming back. Bob and Joe approached the kill site from a little different angle; we had advanced from due east, so they decided to come in from the south. This allowed them to see the moose from farther away; if a bear was present, they would have longer to formulate a plan. Surprisingly, there was a bear sleeping on the moose, and Joe told Bob he was a shooter. The wind was right, enabling them to sneak to within 150 yards of the kill; Bob took a rest on a tree branch. To get the bear in a position to shoot him Joe made moose calls with his hands. Believe it or not, that bear stood up on its back legs with its nose in the air trying to see and smell what it had just heard -- the last thing the bear would ever do. B o b lowered the 300 mag and put the crosshairs right on his chest. BOOM, the gun went off, the bear
whirled around; boom, another shot rang out. The number one rule when you hunt Grizzly and Brown bear is: shoot and keep shooting until the bear does not move anymore. Bob listened well; he unloaded his gun putting five shots into the beast. And there laid a magnificent creature that even pictures couldn’t do justice to. Joe’s first words as they approached the bear were, “That is the biggest bear I have ever been part of killing.” When the Lodge phone rang and Bob was telling Curly what had happened, I knew they had killed ‘Barry’s bear’. There just aren’t two bears that big in the same area. Though Joe and Curly both insisted it was a different bear, I knew better. For ten minute, I stood 175 yards from the biggest bear I had ever seen in my life. Joe had just guided Bob on the biggest bear of Joe’s life. Joe has guided over 100 Grizzly hunts and Curly has dropped him off on every one of those. This bear was in a league of its own. Now in all fairness, Stoney River Lodge has eight of the top ten SCI record book Grizzlies. They kill giant bears every spring and fall. This one was going
in the record books and I knew it was going high. There is the mandatory 60-day drying period before anything is officially scored. The SCI record at the time was 28-2/16, and had stood since 2001. Bob’s bear scored a whopping 28-5/16 after the drying period. THE NEW SCI WORLD RECORD GRIZZLY BEAR. By nearly 1/3 of an inch, Bob’s and Barry’s bear was the top dog. But all records are made to be broken. Bob’s bear squared at over 9’0”, a true monster in the Grizzly world. The bear was 20 years old and the king of his mountain. Bob is having him mounted and I can’t wait to see the finished product. I will no doubt be taking this bear to some shows in the future. A bear like this needs to be seen in person to be fully appreciated. If any of you have Grizzly on your bucket list, there is no better place than Stoney River Lodge. My cell number and email are below. Drop me a line or a message and I will get you set up on the hunt of a lifetime. Who knows, maybe you will be the nest world record holder of the great Alaska Grizzly bear.
“THE NEW SCI WORLD RECORD GRIZZLY BEAR. By nearly 1/3 of an inch, Bob’s and Barry’s bear was the top dog. But all records are made to be broken. Bob’s bear squared at over 9’0”, a true monster in the Grizzly world.”
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Remi Tracker and the Wounded Monster Muley
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BY KYLE JONES The credit of finding this monster wounded muley would belong to Justin Richin’s wire-haired Dachshund, Remi
This picture almost looks unbelievable. This giant boar measures over eleven-feet wide and 9’ 6” long! Incredible!
emi, a wire-haired Dachshund tracking dog, appeared to be hot on the trail of something. Hopefully, it was the large mule deer buck I wounded at first light on the fourth day of my hunt with The R&K Hunting Company (R&K). My guide, Jason Rindlesbach, estimated the deer to gross around 190 Boone and Crockett points. I was pretty upset with myself for taking a poor shot and wounding the animal, causing it to suffer. And to be honest, when I first saw the tracking dog Justin Richins showed up with, I had serious concerns about Remi’s ability to find any animal, with his short little legs and look of an indoor kind of pet. The Teckel breed - originally from Germany - is actually considered one of the best deer-tracking dogs in the world, proving that looks can be deceiving. But back to the beginning… This was my seventh year hunting with R&K. The owner, Justin Richens, called me in December of 2012, to tell me about some great bucks living on one of their CWMU’s. Justin mentioned that the steep terrain had caused previous hunters trouble because it was so physically demanding, suggesting that I get in shape and be able to shoot several hundred yards if I wanted to hunt in the area. He texted me pictures of a few of the bucks he spotted on the unit and they were huge! I immediately
R
booked the hunt, and began physical training in the spring of 2013. Day one found Jason and I sitting on a cliff overlooking a rocky basin. A few elk bugles pierced the morning air as we scanned for a buck, finding a monster with large front forks and long main beams…too far away for a shot. We stalked him for a day and a half before deciding to search for bucks that were closer. A couple options appeared the second day, but I decided to hold out for something bigger. Early on the third morning, Jason spotted a big buck he called the ‘hook cheater’ buck. When I scoped him, I knew immediately he was the one I wanted; but he was too far away and quickly vanished into the brush. During the afternoon, we glassed the ridge for the buck and after about an hour Jason left to scan another basin. Minutes later, I spotted deer moving out of the same cover the buck had stepped into. I became excited as six doe walked out, hoping my buck would follow. Sure enough, I saw a buck emerge and move off and out of sight. Jason returned and we searched for the buck without success, until darkness forced us back to camp. On day four, we hiked to the same ridge and I set up my long-range rifle for a steady shot. I started
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scanning with my binoculars after getting my shooting platform ready. My heart stopped. Standing in a small clearing, between two lines of trees, was the buck! After alerting Jason, I ranged the deer, which was standing 400 yards away, majestic and awesome. I got down to my gun, set the turret at 400 yards, and lined up the crosshairs… waiting for a broadside shot. After a few moments, he started walking toward a narrow gap in the tree line and I began to panic, thinking he would go to the other side of the trees and I would lose my shot. The buck turned slightly and reasoning that I could thread a shot just past the hindquarter, behind the back rib and through the chest cavity, I pressed the trigger and lost the deer in the recoil! Jason said, “Shoot again!” But the buck quickly ran to the bottom of the basin, into a thicket of trees and brush 300 yards away. Jason said that at the shot, the buck had kicked his back legs into the air, stumbled, and then took off. I felt sick that I had taken a risky shot, probably the poorest choice of shots in my entire 39 years of hunting. We hiked down a very steep ridge to the spot where the deer had disappeared into the brush, hoping to find a blood trail. With none in sight, we thought perhaps it was a clean miss, except for the way he kicked up his back legs and stumbled, which usually means a hit. Eventually we spotted small amounts of blood and then small chunks of bone. Jason followed the blood trail and I hunted about 30 yards to the side, hoping to get a shot if the buck jumped. Jason was in the thicket about an hour looking for the trail and eventually found where the deer exited, heading toward a bare, rocky, steep area below. We decided to leave and come back later, thinking the deer would lie down and stiffen up or die. On the way back to camp, Jason mentioned Justin’s tracking dog, Remi Tracker, thinking maybe he could come and help out. Once we reached camp, we called Justin who said he could help in a few hours. In the meantime, I felt terrible about wounding the buck; and I watched black clouds roll in, threatening rain that could wash away any scent of the deer. Justin showed up around 4:00 p.m. with his tracking dog and, as intimated before, I was completely shocked to see the little dachshund, seriously doubting he could get the job done. I assumed I had messed up big time and the poor animal would suffer until it died. We got on the road, arriving on the scene with Remi, just as the downpour started. It was so intense we couldn’t see a thing. The rain stopped after about 30 minutes, but I figured the chances of finding the deer were nil, since the rain had washed away any visible signs of blood. Jason and I pointed to the area where the last known blood spot had been, and Justin gave the dog the command to ‘track’. He set Remi on the ground, where he did a 360 to figure out the direction the animal went and then locking onto a direction, headed off through some thick aspens. Justin looked back at us, confirming direction, but we shrugged our shoulders because the rain had washed out the blood markers. Remi and Justin continued down the mountain, across an ATV trail where Remi made another 360, and decided on a direction down the center of the ATV trail 72
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Shown here is the gunshot wound to the leg . This just goes to show how strong these animals can be after being wounded.
for about 200 yards. At that point, Remi left the trail and headed further down the ravine, startling a cow and calf moose about 100 yards down the mountain. Since the dog appeared to be following the fresh tracks the moose were making in the mud, Justin thought he might have lost the deer scent and was now following the moose; so he picked him up and walked back to where they had first crossed the ATV trail, meeting up with Jason and me. Justin told us what had happened and asked again whether we knew which direction to go…but it was clear we did not. Justin decided the only option was to trust Remi. He put the dog back down on the ground and gave the command to track and asked me to stick close by. Remi did another 360 to get back on the trail and headed back in the direction he had previously taken but not before he gave Justin a look like, “Are you serious?” After following the moose tracks for 100 yards, Remi left the tracks and headed down one of the steepest, unfriendliest, rocky slopes I had ever seen, covered with manzanita brush. It was so steep we had to follow on our butts. I remember thinking, ‘I hope this dog is right, because I do not want to walk back out of here.” Remi started to pick up speed as he located a deer bedding area and went from spot to spot to check for the right animal. His excitement continued to build as did my confidence that we were on the right track. A few moments later, Justin spotted blood and knew we were hot on the trail. Showing me the blood, he told me to put a bullet in the chamber, put the gun on safety and stick close to him. The further down the ravine we went the fresher the blood drops were, meaning that we were keeping the deer jumping ahead of us. About that time, I said, “There he is!” Justin saw a giant set of antlers duck back into the pine trees, but we were unable to get a shot in. By this time, we were both so physically exhausted that we could barely go on; but there was no stopping Remi as he was ‘scent’ loud, barking like crazy. We followed another 150 yards, glimpsing the deer as he
This 14-15 year-old boar weighs near 1000 pounds, with an official SCI score of 28 6/16-inches.
The fierce ability of wolves is apparent in the size and strength of their frames, their speed, fearlessness, cunningnus and their flesh-tearing fangs. Thanks to the Outfitter’s loyal four-legged friend, this trophy 200-class muley was located and finished off. How thankful the author is that Remi could help him bring hom such a priceless trophy
zigged and zagged through the trees, trying to lose Remi and the two of us. Justin could tell that the deer was hit high on the femur, which is ultimately a death sentence. Having seen the same scenario before in his many years of hunting, and with nightfall looming, he told me we had to run that deer hard to bleed him out or wear out the other leg so it stiffened up. We ended up at the bottom of the ravine in a creek, which the deer followed for some time with Remi trailing behind, making his way around huge boulders and swimming in water over his head. After about 100 yards, the deer left the water with Remi following him. We had to get that deer or he wouldn’t last the night and we were in
coyote territory. Although we desperately needed a break, we pressed on, playing cat and mouse with the buck until we eventually caught up with him. I finished the monster buck off with only 20 minutes of legal shooting light left. We both stood there in amazement, watching Remi hang onto that deer’s ear - claiming his prize - his first 200 inch deer. Remi went on to track another nine wounded, mule deer during the 2013 season. My ‘hook cheater’ buck scored 200 Boone and Crockett points and I will remember this hunt as one of the greatest and most exciting in my lifetime, thanks to the R&K Hunting Company, my guide Jason and the tracking skills of Justin and Remi.
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• Mule Deer Dustin Hall • 2013 co New Mexi
Kennedie Davis • Elk Wyoming • 2013
“This issu e’s winner ” Winner: Bradley Fi fe
Tanner Howard • Mule Deer Idaho • 2013
itetail ckler • Wh Jennifer Bu 2013
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Each issue of Hunting Illustrated we will be giving away a pair of Vortex binos to the Braggin’ Board photo winner. We would love to see your photo in the mag. All you need to do is send it to us! We select our favorites to show in each issue. editor@huntingillustrated.com Kevin Lee • Elk 2013
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Jim Morrison • Whitetail Saskatchewan • 2012
Isaak Bust ard • Elk Alberta, CA • 2013
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Each issue’s photo selected as the Braggin’ Board photo winner will be selected by the Hunting Illustrated team. Send in your entry today. Please use high resolution images. www.HuntingIllustrated.com Ben Livingston • Coyote 2013
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Across
5. A bolt action rifle has one, but a double rifle does not 6. A load designed to test the integrity of a firearm 8. Target shooting disciplines that involve shooting at metal cutouts representing game animals at varying distances 11. This lion hound’s ideal coat should be tri-colored – white, black and tan 12. Loud, rapid gurgling sound made by male turkeys 13. This agile and quick deer is known for its heavily palmated antlers 14. Utah state county where largest bear skull on record was found 15. It is commonly mistaken for a pig, but it is actually a peccary 17. Unethically traded bear organ
Down
1. American bison are commonly mistaken as members of this species 2. This infectious disease found in rabbits and other rodents is also known as Pahvant Valley plague 3. This popular varmint/predator cartridge is based on the 6mm Lee Navy 4. This deer feeds under water 6. 1873 Colt 7. Scopes with this focal plane allow shooters to accurately determine distance at any power 9. The 1937 Pittman-Robertson act was designed to help fund U.S. conservation efforts through this tax 10. Reloading press used to increase the output of cartridges per hour 16. This pioneer in wildcatting designed his Improved cartridges to fire safely in standard factory chambers
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Just For Laughs
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Michael Burrell
A Flake of Hay
“I
’m bored.” “There’s nothing to do.” “Daaaaaddd!” Sound familiar? They are common phrases around our house in the dead of winter; well, those and, “How many more days until Christmas?” Our family loves to spend time together outdoors; but the cold, winter season doesn’t always accommodate those who do not fully appreciate winter. So, instead, we go out and do a little sightseeing in the woods, checking out other critter’s winter homes. Winter is officially here and as snow piles higher in their summer habitats, mule deer have made their annual push
to the wintering grounds. This seasonal migration into the lowlands is how they’ve lived for thousands of years, through the West’s harshest winters. It is absolutely critical that winter ranges be in good condition in order to maintain healthy deer populations. To put it in perspective, imagine that a bale of hay represents the total amount of mule deer habitat. Heavy snows, brought on by normal winter weather, force deer out of high mountain ranges and reduces accessibility to the majority of the ‘bale’, leaving just a flake of hay.
“It is absolutely critical that winter ranges be in good condition in order to maintain healthy deer populations.”
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5MULE DEER WATCH5
“Interestingly enough, radio-collar studies have shown not all deer from the same summer range migrate to the same winter ranges; in fact, deer from the same summer range may scatter to many different winter ranges.”
With the entire deer population dependent on such a small portion of their habitat, the condition of that flake can mean life or death for deer. The Winter Range Migration Most muleys are migratory with normal distances between the deer’s summer range and winter grounds ranging between a few, to 50 miles. Some herds travel greater distances to escape heavy snow conditions. For example, the Wyoming Sublette herd (region G and H deer), migrate anywhere from 40, to over 100 miles south of their summer range. Interestingly enough, radio-collar studies have shown not all deer from the same summer range migrate to the same winter ranges; in fact, deer from the same summer range may scatter to many different winter ranges. One Idaho research project showed that deer from one summer range migrated to six separate winter ranges. These same deer showed a higher fidelity to their summer ranges; 100% of the does and 92% of the bucks returned to the same summer range during a four-year study. Their winter range return rate was much lower. Other studies had similar outcomes showing summer range fidelity rates higher than winter ranges. A lower rate of loyalty toward winter ranges is
just one of the mule deer’s adaptive, survival behaviors, as winter ranges are constantly being developed, burned, or fragmented. Mule deer must be willing to pack-up and leave poor winter grounds on barely a moment’s notice and move on to greener pastures, if need be. Mule deer are pretty flexible that way. I can’t say that my family (wife) would be so accommodating. Have you seen her shoe collection? What Makes A Good Winter Range In short, a good winter range incorporates healthy forage, thermal cover, and plenty of intact and undisturbed space. Historically, there were good winter ranges found below every good, mule deer summer range, but not anymore; winter range conditions have really suffered in the last few decades. Understanding why deer experts claim winter range is one of the factors limiting population growth, might be easier to understand, if you envision those deer sharing the foothills with highways and human development. We’re losing as much as 1.5 million acres of rangeland, per year, to development. In addition, the quality of winter ranges in more remote habitats (where human development isn’t an issue) is suffering as a result of drought and poor land management.
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The challenge for deer to survive winter is not limited to weather conditions and food supply. They must also endure the growing pursuit of predators.
To fully understand the effect of drought and poor land management, imagine yourself as an old buck that just left the high ground ready to brave the upcoming brutal winter conditions. You want only to lay back, relax and enjoy some sage, maybe some bitterbrush, and watch your posterity frolic in the sparsely-covered snow slopes. Instead, you find the drought and summer heat was not kind to your wintering grounds, leaving very little to eat - or worse - the landscape was lost to a raging summer fire that consumed all available feed and cover. The last few years, winter ranges have grappled with intense, widespread wildfires. Because of changing land management practices, rangeland fires are now twice as common as they were in earlier centuries. To make matters worse, land managers have struggled with rehabilitating land after wildfires, especially in lower-elevations, where invasive and obnoxious plants have won out over the native plants. As a result, we now see the ‘flake of hay’ diminishing in size. Add to this conundrum abundant predator populations, disease, and abnormally brutal winters! This is what the mule deer are up against. These factors help determine the physical condition of the deer’s bodies at winter’s end, and whether or not they’ll have the needed energy to produce fawns or healthy antler growth in the spring. (And if those two key words, ‘antler growth’, don’t get your blood flowing, I don’t know what will.) A Great Winter Pastime It’s a whole lot easier to find a needle in a flake of hay than an entire bale; with that in mind, there isn’t a better place to seek out and find those big bucks than
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on the winter range. Watching deer on the winter range provides the opportunity to inventory the quality of bucks that are in an area; it gives you occasion to learn more about deer behavior from the comfort of your pickup, as well as first-hand knowledge of how well a particular herd is faring through winter. Exploring a range can help create bonds with your family (and may help prevent cabin fever); but in addition, these little jaunts just might give you the added knowledge you will need when applying for hunts this upcoming, or any following year. To find wintering mule deer, head to the foothills below their summer range and look for southfacing, steep slopes that have ample shrub (such as sage, bitterbrush, serviceberry), and cover. Oftentimes, the more mature bucks will winter at higher-elevations than their female counterparts, taking advantage of tall, wind-swept ridges where winds have exposed good forage for browsing. These deer will feed on the open ridges and will often use the deeper snow on the backside of the ridge for wind protection and bedding. Be sure while on your outings, to give the wintering deer space. Use your long-range optics to do the watching. Watch only from a distance where they don’t feel the need to ‘get away’ from you, using up unnecessary energy. The next time you find yourself wondering how to entertain the crew (before you have a mutiny on your hands), may I suggest loading up on popcorn and healthy, non-cavity-causing treats, (hey, less dental bills and more gas money) and jump in the family vehicle with some optics and go breathe some winter range air!
5MULE DEER WATCH5
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Most Mystical Flight of the Arrow kunked! And skunked again! I think this was my 15th or 16th day of nothing. Zero. Nada. Zilch. Backstrapless. Empty handed. Like nuthin! But alas, ol Nuge never gives up. I never say never, and I never, ever give in. Every morning, every afternoon, like predator clockwork, I am in my best strategized treestand ambush perch, ready to rock. And I very carefully determine exactly which of my many stands will be the ultimate killzone of the day. Based on rotating pressure, animal sightings, tracks, droppings, trailcam photos, wind, sun, acorn drop, foodplot growth and use, I do my very best to put it all together in my never ending addiction to outwit the beasts. Right place right time is what deer hunting is all about. Always has been, and always will be, so my quest scrambles on unabated. On this fine October day in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas, on our own sacred SpiritWild Ranch huntgrounds, Ace VidCamDude Kris Helms and I agreed that we would sneak into the front Live Oak, and see if we might just get lucky and break the skunky streak. Hate skunks, and hate getting skunked even more. This lone, old oak tree is the only one nearby, say for a few hundred yards or so, and it was raining sweet mast like no other. A huge swath of thick, nasty, tangled cedars and junipers choked the hillside not far from the ranch gate, and earlier that day I had seen a good group of does and fawns leave the sanctuary as a large antlered stag circled back into the puckerbrush. Aha! Our hopes were that the old boy was still somewhere in this ½ mile tangle, and with a solid south wind, maybe, just maybe the huge buck would grab a quick acorn snack before making his way into the mesquite prairies where the does went earlier. Fingers were crossed and silent prayers were repeated. Within the first hour, a large herd of blackbuck antelope began to wander our way, and before we knew it, we had more than 20 of these beautiful animals nearly underneath us gobbling up the Primos Swamp Donkey and shellcorn we had placed as an incentive for optimal shot setup.
S
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I so wanted to arrow one of these tasty critters, as they maneuvered perfect broadside shot after perfect broadside shot for the longest time. But I knew their feeding would provide the ultimate decoy in the event a whitetail wanted in. So I waited. A good buck appeared a few hundred yards out, then another, and another and yet another, till there were five gorgeous shooter bucks watching the feeding antelope. Maybe! The blackbuck moved off after a while, but instead
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This last summer, a couple of your competitors sent me boots to try out, and I must admit, one of them (like my Kenetreks) felt very comfortable right out of the box. I was lucky enough to draw a rare mountain goat tag this year, and as I prepared for my hunt, I tested these other boots in some aggressive terrain. Well, it didn’t take long to discover that they didn’t hold a candle to your boots. After an afternoon of climbing through shale up above timberline, I couldn’t wait to get them off. Your boots are absolutely the most comfortable I’ve ever worn, and I don’t just wear them on hunts - I wear them to do everything! When I finally went on my goat hunt, I covered some of the most aggressive terrain I’ve ever seen, and not once were my feet uncomfortable. I was blown away… For two years now I’ve worn these Mountain Extremes, and they look like they have at least that long left in them before they “might” need to have the soles replaced. What a pair of boots! Danny Farris, Peyton CO
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www.kenetrek.com Winter 2014 87
of coming our way, the five whitetails simply faded back into their coniferous hideout and disappeared from sight. Dang it. We waited some more. With less than an hour of shooting light left, a very large buck busted out of the cedars on a trot, swinging directly behind us headed for the big field. Kris and I both carefully maneuvered 180’, squatting to find a hole in the leafy branches to get a clear view of the moving stag. Kris whispered “I’m on him” and I came to fulldraw in a rather uncomfortable deep squat as I let out a loud doe bleat, stopping the buck just under 40 yards in the only small window through the vegetation I could find. My 40 yard pin was already settled low on his chest when my muscle memory from a gazillion arrows took over, and my zebra shaft arched up and over the cactus flats, drilling the beast in the past rib. With the Lumenok glowing at the end of the shaft, the buck scrambled wildly for the mesquite jungle to the east, and we watched him lay down as Kris and I smiled broadly for a killer deerhunting ballet well done. Good God that was a pretty arrow, arching across the opening like that. It was a little far back, but I knew my freshly resharpened Muzzy two blade head was deep into his liver or thereabouts, slicing and a
dicing a deathknoll on my great buck. We waited forty minutes or so, then very carefully investigated the spot we saw him bed down, but only found my very blood arrow. The dark almost purple blood confirmed a liver shot, so we backed out quietly and decided to pick up the trail in the morning. Rain greeted us the next morning, but once it backed off a bit, Kris was the first one on the scene, and fortunately drove right up on the very dead beast just off the main ATV trail in the mesquite jungle. He was a beauty! Estimated to be 6 ½ years old, his huge 160+ pound body and stunning 10 point rack was what deerhunting dreams are made of. He hadn’t been dead all that long, and was still soft and pliable for posing beautiful photos and Spirit of the Wild TV celebration. Practicing diligently every day out to 50 and 60 yards had prepared me for just such a scenario, and the shot wasn’t perfect but it got the job done. Twisting and squatting in that tree had caused a bit of unpredictable torque on my shot, so lately I have been doing more practice from just such awkward positions. Aim small, miss small, but celebrate as big as big can get! The beast is dead, long live the mighty whitetail beast. For more Nuge, visit tednugent.com and pick up a copy of the killer live concert DVD, Ted Nugent UltraLive BallisticRock. Winter 2014
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PHOTO: VIC SCHENDEL
Parting Shot
Nothing takes your breath away like a perfect sunrise!
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