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Hunting Illustrated Magazine Volume 13, Number 3 www.huntingillustrated.com Subscriptions and Questions 1-435-528-5080 editor@huntingillustrated.com
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Fresh Sign — Editorial Staff News, Facts and Fun
The Dueling Duo — Grange & Spomer Wearing Camo When Not Hunting
Celebrity Hunter— Josh Dahlke
Caylen Wojcik - Long-range Guru
Product Watch — staff New Gear
Mule Deer— Steve Alderman
Hunting Mule Deer Internationally
Elk — Doyle Moss
Long-Range Elk Hunting
Predator — Les Johnson Making the Shot
Shooting — Bob Beck
Reticle vs. Turret vs. MOA
HUNTING ILLUSTRATED.com
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s n m u l o C Braggin’ Board
Bringing Home the Bacon
The Griz Chronicles Grandpa Jones
Mule Deer Watch — Michael Burrell Mule Deer and Moisture
Nuge Factor — Ted Nugent
Bears, Bears and More Bears
s e r u t Fea 44 48 52 56 60 64
Photo Story — Seth Duncan Dall Sheep in Alaska
Stick to the Plan John O’Higgins
Giant Aoudad in West Texas Darrell Sterling
Tahr Nation Matt Mogle
Yukon Gold
Jeff Schlachter
A Tiger Among Bears Josh Dahlke
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 & story: Alaskan Caribou On the cover (upper left): Nightforce
Summer 2014
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EDITORIAL Be Fierce!
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e only have a short time left to get ready for prime time--those first and last fleeting minutes of legal hunting light that come and go so quickly. That time when the trophy you are after cannot help but step into the meadow you have been watching for what seems like eternity. The moment of truth comes at you as quietly as a butterfly but sometimes as violently as a tsunami. You usually only get mere seconds for that shot-of-a-lifetime during that magical hour. Are you ready? The older I get, the more I realize I have fewer and fewer days to spend in the hills; or better yet, maybe I have more and more. I hope for the latter. With the few weeks we have left to prepare for hunting season, I have a lot to do. As I watch the hunting channels and assist in editing our own show, “Hunting Illustrated TV” that airs on the Sportsman’s Channel, Sunday’s at 4:00 PM EST, I can’t help but get fired up for the upcoming season. This year is shaping up to be one of the best yet for the Hunting Illustrated crew. We have some great hunts ahead of us and I am sure some unforgettable memories will be forged. With the season around the corner, I need to get myself in battle form so I can keep up with my quarry. I need to dial my weapons in and test my equipment. I do not want my moment of truth to get bamboozled by faulty gear; and I surely do not want my magical moment to fall short of expectations, because of operator error. It is time to get out your weapon of choice, whether it be a bow and arrow, or a good old-fashioned muzzleloader, and practice. Shoot from every angle imaginable and every effective distance as well. Target shoot sitting down, kneeling, laying, standing, and off your shooting sticks. Remember you will not have your shooting bench with you in the field; and many of you will not have a truck door to shoot from. Ammo is now more readily available; don’t be shy, shoot it up until you are confident with your sniper abilities. Sure, looking good in today’s high tech packs, clothing, and accessories is important; but what really matters is the shot. Focus, breathe, and squeeze, knowing that you are prepared for your moment of truth. Go into the field with the proper equipment and the proper skills that you need to be successful. Be fierce, hunt hard!
Managing Editor: John Mogle Art Director: Matt Mogle Copy Editor: Liz Buebe Field Editors: Courtney Crane, Matson Tolman, Matt Smith, Matt Mogle Contributing Editors: Liz Buebe, Matt Smith Josh Dahlke, Grant Mogle Columnists: Steve Alderman,Ted Nugent, Scott Grange, Ron Spomer, Les Johnson, Michael Burrell Contributing Writers: Darrell Sterling, Jeff Schlachter, John O’Higgins, Josh Dahlke, Matt Mogle 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
New World Record Hunter-Taken Grizzly
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n May 2, 2014, Boone and Crockett announced another new record! Larry Fitzgerald, of Fairbanks, Alaska, harvested a massive grizzly last fall, which has now been determined to be the new record for a hunter-taken grizzly. The bear’s head measured 27 and 6/16ths of an inch! A world-record skull was found in Alaska during the ‘70s, measuring 7/16ths of an inch more than Fitzgerald’s, which is the record-holding skull. In an interview with FoxNews.com, Fitzgerald admitted not being a trophy hunter. In fact, he was out hunting for moose with his buddies when he spotted bear tracks and started his stalk. Nearly three hours later, Larry
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located the bear and brought him down, at approximately 20 yards, with one shot to the neck. Larry’s comment… “It was a rush!” It is a known fact that heavier grizzly populations are located along the coast of Alaska where plentiful food is available; so to quote Richard Hale, Chairman of the Boone and Crockett Club’s Records of North American Big Game Committee, “One would think that a relatively accessible area, with liberal bear hunting regulations to keep populations in line with available habitat and food, would be the last place to find one of the largest grizzly bears on record.” The Alaska Fish & Game has relaxed bear hunting regulations in the area, due to over-population; and in an effort to create more balance and control predation on moose, baiting is even allowed. According to Hale, the grizzly populations in Alaska, as well as the lower 48, are healthy and should soon be delisted from the Endangered Species lists and turned over to individual state wildlife managers. Congratulations to the new record bearer! We are sure that Larry Fitzgerald would agree that locating such a massive bear, without baiting, and near a large city such as Fairbanks, was an unexpected bonus to the moose hunt!
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by Editorial Staff
That Wonderful Time of Year
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ith summer and hot weather here, our focus changes. This change includes the urge to get out on the mountain for an early morning trail run or afternoon hike. By now, antler growth is almost finished and the bucks are balled up on the ends. In addition to these incentives, the desire to get out our bows and start shooting increases. For some bow hunters, muscles become sore as they start focusing on increasing their effective range and finding the muscle memory that may have lapsed during the winter months. Here are a few things that we have found to be effective in maximizing time in the field during the archery season. The foundation of accuracy is of course a solid bow setup. Never before have there been so many impressive options, or various price points for bows on the market. The tuning of your archery setup is paramount in the quest for success. Once you have a bow that is 100% paper-tuned and has the kinetic energy to take the game you are chasing, then the critical component becomes quality and consistent practice. This simple fact cannot be overstated. Shooting your bow a few times in camp before you plan to shoot at an animal is neither effective, nor ethical. Developing consistency in archery is part of the glory and appeal in hunting with a stick and a string. If you are using a modern-compound or a classictraditional bow, practicing with proper form can’t be overstated. This is really the only way to have confidence and the ability to harvest. A bow is not a gun. A bow is a complex, yet simple instrument that requires more human interaction and touch in accuracy than a rifle does. Samuel Johnson said, “What we hope ever to do with ease, we must first learn to do with diligence.� This should be the rule for every archer and hunter alike.
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NUMBERS 450,000+
World population of elephants
30,000+
Number of elephants killed per year by poachers
501
Harvested by hunters legally last year.
Summer 2014
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Liz Buebe
Fish & Wildlife Service Arbitrarily Bans Elephant Importation
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n April 4, 2014, (later revised on June 5th), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) banned the importation of elephants from Tanzania and Zimbabwe. This decision was made because of concern for “lack of effective law enforcement and weak governance, allowing for uncontrolled poaching and catastrophic population declines of African elephants in Tanzania…. Anecdotal evidence, such as the widely publicized poisoning last year of 300 elephants in Hwange National Park, suggests that Zimbabwe’s elephants are also under siege.” Although appearing to be an altruistic act, this decision was made prematurely and without consideration for the devastating effect it would have on over 770,000 impacted families in Zimbabwe; not to mention the disastrous impact to the resources in Zimbabwe and Tanzania that are used to conserve and protect their elephants from poaching. No contact was made with the affected governments to provide opportunity for discussion and compromise. Imagine, as suggested by Air Force Veteran Scott O’Grady, “If other countries could wield such a devastating influence on America’s wildlife, then I can only imagine what the response would be here at home.” Ordinarily, the FWS bases its wildlife management on scientific fact, but in this case, neglected to do so. Why? The service’s director, Dan Ashe, on May 7th commented that the decision was based on anecdotal evidence. This sentiment was reinforced by FWS Deputy Director, Steve Guertin on May 8th, and again by Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Nominee Rhea Suh. Safari Club International has played an aggressive role in questioning this decision by the FWS and is calling for scientific justification for making such an irresponsible and devastating decision. SCI Foundation President Joe Hosmer had this to say, “As an American conservationist, I’m proud that our entire system of wildlife management in North America is based on science. Yet somehow, the U.S. government felt compelled in their decision to ban sport-hunted elephant
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imports to the U.S. without any data or consultation with local officials. We will be requesting an oversight hearing by the U.S. House of Representatives in the coming weeks to investigate the arbitrary nature of the decision making process.” SCI and the NRA have also filed a joint lawsuit against the FWS, requesting an immediate reversal as well as making it impossible for them to repeat this kind of behavior against other countries in the future. Due to the fact that the legal process can take upwards to a year or more to be satisfied, they are requesting an immediate reversal while the ban is reevaluated. The FWS stance is that the ban should stand since it is possible that they may revise their decision! Ironic position, since in the May 12, 2014, issue of the Federal Register they admitted, “We cannot ensure that such imports will ever be authorized in the future.” On June 24th, the Sub-Committee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs held a congressional hearing to highlight and question the decision and edict passed down by the FWS. Both impacted countries have also filed formal complaints with the U.S. authorities. As a result of these and many other efforts, 20+ members of Congress signed a “Dear Colleague” letter, which in essence, is requesting that the FWS reevaluate and immediately reverse the import ban they have placed on sport-hunted elephants. For many hunters who need to make decisions regarding planned hunts, or hunts that they may be planning in the future, this reversal needs to occur immediately. Even if you are not affiliated with a designated group, such as SCI or the NRA, contacting your Representatives is a much-needed and critical process in rectifying this gross injustice; especially since the FWS is considering reinstating this ban for 2015 as well – and possibly indefinitely.
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Brought to you by Boone & Crockett’s On-line Trophy Search www.boone-crockett.org
“Get ready, Ralph! I think we’re going to see some action!”
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#1 Hunter-taken Thule elk Hunter: Bryce Evans | Location: Solano County, California Year: 1997 | Score: 365
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Summer 2014
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Courtney Crane
GO BALLISTIC
T
.264 Winchester Mag
he .264 Winchester Magnum is a belted, bottlenecked rifle cartridge. Apart from the .257 Weatherby Magnum, it is the smallest caliber, factory cartridge derived from the (2.85 in) Holland & Holland belted magnum case. It was introduced in the late 1950s and early 1960s. After many years of dwindling use, it began enjoying a mild resurgence in popularity in the mid-2000s among long-range rifle enthusiasts and reloaders, due to the high ballistic coefficient of the heavier 6.5mm bullets. The .264 Winchester Magnum gained a reputation as a very flat shooting cartridge. When introduced, it was first chambered in the Winchester Model 70 Westerner rifle, which was intended for longer range shooting more common in the western United States. At present, Remington, Winchester, HSM, Nosler, and DoubleTap Ammunition produce ammunition for this cartridge. While readily available factory ammunition for the
cartridge is fairly basic, the hand-loaders can gain a step up in performance with bullets with better ballistic coefficients and weights to extend the performance of the cartridge. For this reason, this cartridge is better suited for shooters who are willing to make their own ammunition, rather than those who purchase over-the-counter ammunition. Winchester marketed the .264 as a longrange, combination varmint and deer round; although it was also suited for harvesting the occasional elk or moose. Unfortunately, the recoil it generated, plus the expense of the sheer quantity of ammo that may be used to shoot pests at long range further inhibited its popularity. The result was more sportsmen opting for the bigger Remington 7 mm round because it was seen as more effective on a wider variety of big game; rather than compromising with a round that could be used for varmints, worked well on whitetail and mule deer, but was borderline for the largest North American big game, should the need arise.
Summer 2014
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WINNER! Amanda Gray - “Elk and deer stare down!” Great pics,readers! Keep ‘em coming!
Scott Grange
Ron Spomer
THE DUELING DUO Views from both sides of the fence
Wearing Camo When Not Hunting Does this send the wrong message?
CON?
By Scott Grange
Leave the Camo Home
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or a moment, I thought we were going to have to fight our way out of the little café. I’m certain if it hadn’t been for the intimidating stature of my six-foot, five-inch guide, my bear hunt may have ended in a mauling and I don’t mean of the Ursus americanus kind. “You hunters are all the same. You parade around in your camo duds along with your attitude, thinking you’re all bad. You people make me sick.” Those were the words we were blasted with by a middleaged guy whose looks of hatred were shared by just about everyone else’s in the diner…except us. One would think that this most remote corner of Vancouver Island, B.C. would provide a friendly, hospitable atmosphere for those who hunt and choose to wear their camo clothing to town. I found out differently a number of years ago. Since then I have made it a point to observe the reactions of folks when they see someone brandishing his Mossy Oak in what they believe is an unfitting place for such attire. Don’t get me wrong. It’s
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not that I am ashamed of who I am and what I do. Quite the contrary and I would argue this with anyone. It’s just that I have, through open-minded observation, come to the conclusion that the majority, not all, of those who choose to unnecessarily wear their camo in public, display a certain, “I’m tougher than you” attitude. As a kid, I don’t recall ever seeing my dad, who was a gentleman’s gentleman, or any of his buddies wear their camo outside of the hunting field. And believe me, hunting back then was way more politically correct than it is today. But then again, society was more polite then than now and people were more careful about offending one another. I compare unnecessarily wearing camo clothing in public to packing one’s concealed weapon exposed (some states allow this) for all to see. I use the term “unnecessarily” because, let’s face it, there are times we just don’t have a choice, like driving home from duck hunting and stopping for gas. You get my drift. Some things are better left concealed. Think about it, doctors don’t wear their scrubs outside the hospital, F-16 pilots don’t wear their flight suits to Ruth’s Chris and NFL players don’t wear their pads to Wendy’s. Are these guys proud of who they are and what they do? Darn right. Wearing camo in public sends the wrong signal. If a person is looking
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for fault, believe me, they will find it…regardless. Don’t give such individuals the opportunity. Leave your Desert Shadow, Brush and Max-4 in the truck along with your muddy chest waders, shotgun and bad attitude.
PRO?
By Ron Spomer Camo Couture
T
hey say, “The clothes make the man,” but I believe the man’s behavior makes the real impression, the one people remember. Or, as Sarah Palin might say, “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.” The question is, do we dress to project hunters as pigs to the world at large? Wearing camouflage hunting clothing in non-hunting venues is a double-edged sword. Sometimes it reflects well on hunters, other times… not so much. Guys and gals dressed in camo can be ambassadors for hunting or poster children for the anti-hunting movement. While most people strive to be neither prejudiced nor judgmental, we all make assumptions based on “first impressions.” We’d be idiots
can and minimize external clues that I’m a hunter. This is not because I’m ashamed to be a hunter. It’s because I don’t want to project a negative image of hunters. When I look and smell like a bum, I’d rather be wearing a Save The Wolves T-shirt than a camo shirt with a Browning Buckmark on the pocket. This doesn’t mean I’m against wearing camouflage at cafés, theaters, shopping malls and doctor’s offices. Done right, camo clothing can advance the hunters’ cause. One example: When a motel owner in September
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greets customers wearing clean, fresh camouflage shirts and caps, he knows his business is flourishing because hunters are flocking to his part of the world to partake of the abundance of deer, elk, pheasants or whatever local wildlife hunters and their dollars and political influence have perpetuated. He is thereafter more likely to appreciate hunters. The same thing happens at restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and all other businesses where hunters spend money. Hunting is big business and people need to know this. But even outside of the hunting seasons, well-dressed and groomed hunters can wear camouflage tastefully to remind folks that hunters do not crawl out from under rocks on opening day, but are ordinary businessmen, teachers, police officers, judges, plumbers, bankers and nurses. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, none of us can guarantee the actions of all of us. But all of us hunters can police our own actions when wearing camo. It’s part of that same old argument about slob behavior. A handful of miscreants and “hunting slobs” who break laws, shoot up signs and litter the countryside make a much bigger impression on the public than the majority who behave. That’s why it’s doubly important that polite, clean, articulate, well-dressed sportsmen and women proudly wear a bit of camo to polish the hunter’s image. Yes, the clothes may make the man, but the right man or woman can use camouflage clothing to make positive statements about hunters and hunting.
Summer 2014
ILLUSTRATION: COURTNEY BJORNN
not to. Even sheep and turkeys know that if it looks like a wolf and walks like a wolf, it’s probably a good idea to run away. Likewise, when we see a half-dozen large men with beards, pony tails, skull tattoos, studded leather vests and chain belts riding Harley Hogs, we don’t stick out a thumb hoping to catch a ride to a meeting of the Lady’s Temperance League. Nor do we automatically assume young people with spiked green hair, a dozen earrings, eyebrow studs, cheek studs, tongue studs and all black clothing are skulking through back alleys to sell Girl Scout cookies. These thoughts came to me after observing a cluster of camo-clad American hunters transferring flights in a Montreal, Canada airport. Like me, they were returning from wild hunts in the far north. Unlike me, they hadn’t changed into street clothes. This crew looked downright (how shall I word this diplomatically?) rustic. As in backwoods and backwards. Unkempt, unschooled, ignorant. They may have been Doctors of Philosophy at Yale, but I doubt anyone guessed that. Their clothing was not just disheveled, but dirty. Their faces were unshaven and a certain odoriferous aura hovered about them. Other passengers didn’t hover anywhere near them. But more than a few glared at them. I didn’t detect an overwhelming appreciation for the fine tradition of hunting. Perhaps I am too sensitive, but I don’t think so. Fresh from a shower on my best days, I’m no sight for sore eyes, so when I approach civilization following a seven-day stint in the wilderness, I clean up as best I
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Caylen Wojcik - Military Long-Range Guru The course of Caylen’s fate unraveled quickly. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps with the ultimate goal of becoming a sniper. After one western Pacific deployment as an infantryman, he returned stateside and tried out for the scout sniper platoon. His skills proved to be a perfect match. Question: What were your primary motivations for becoming a sniper? Wojcik: I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my family. I was attracted to the ‘action guy’ lifestyle and I love challenging myself. I had a passion for long-range shooting, so I thought there would be nothing more amazing than becoming part of the best snipers in the world. Question: Did you join the military for patriotic reasons? Wojcik: As a young person, I didn’t understand the meaning of patriotism. I joined during peacetime, so I really just wanted to do something awesome. The patriotism eventually set in and took its shape after I matured and understood what it is that we fight for, and what it is we do for our country. Question: You put yourself in a position where your life was on the line. How did you accept that and keep your head straight?
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ertain events that take shape in our lives were written before our book was ever opened. If you don’t believe it, consider the trail of a 14-year-old country boy who grew up on a farm outside of Niagara Falls in western New York. Truth be told, he was destined to risk his life to save the lives of others. He was born a thrill-seeker, and at the age of 35, his blood still flows with adrenaline. His name is Caylen Wojcik. Growing up, Caylen was surrounded by the military mystique of his grandfathers and great uncle. Like many children, he was fascinated by the excitement and dangers of war, and the powerful tools that soldiers carry. When he was handed a rifle of his own, he started shooting it—religiously. By the time Caylen was 15, he started handloading his own ammunition and shot at 500-yard targets down the rows of an apple orchard. (Had the setup allowed, he would’ve shot farther.) During that same time, a family friend taught him how to hunt whitetails with a bow and a slug gun.
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Wojcik: In the Marines, it’s your job to put foot to six for your country. When the rubber really meets the road, it’s got nothing to do with your country—it has everything to do with fighting for the brothers to your left and your right. When a Marine dies on a grenade, they do it so their brothers can live. War is work, and we pride ourselves on doing our jobs and doing them well. Question: On the flip side, a person in your position must make the conscious decision to take other human lives. How does a guy come to terms with that? Wojcik: What you have to understand is that you must have the moral courage to do what’s right. That’s why we have volunteer units—because not everybody can do what we do. From a sniper’s perspective, when you take a life you’re saving many lives. The guy we catch in the middle of the night trying to place a roadside bomb … we kill him because we’re saving lives. Question: It’s obvious your actions and decisions as a Marine were selfless, so how do you react when a civilian thanks you
Josh Dahlke
Caylen competed in the 2013 Oregon Sniper Challenge, claiming a win in this prestigious match.
for your service. Wojcik: It’s hugely warming when somebody thanks me for my service and shakes my hand. I view it as very humbling because it makes me feel like I’ve done something right. Question: Speaking of being humble, pop culture often depicts snipers who brag about numbers of kills or long-range kills. In speaking with you, this doesn’t strike me as being realistic. Is it? Wojcik: No. None of us walk around and wear ‘confirmed kills’ like a badge of courage on our chest. Combat is really weird. You could be walking down one street and be completely unimpeded by the enemy, and your comrades could be two blocks away in the fight of their life. Either way, you’re no less of a man or a Marine. The people who post their kill accomplishments are, in my opinion, doing so for immoral purposes. Real snipers pride themselves on being silent professionals. We do our job, we bring all of our Marines home alive and in once piece, and that’s the biggest accomplishment we can make. Question: Let’s talk about hunting. How did you become a hunter as a kid? Wojcik: I started to show interest in hunting when I was 12 years old. My family didn’t hunt, but they knew a local guy named Bill Joseph who was a hunter, so they asked him if he would be willing to take me under his wing. Bill was, and still
is, a very successful hunter; and he used ‘tough love’ to teach me how to hunt. He definitely taught me a lot. Question: Do you remember the first deer you killed? Wojcik: Yeah, it was a whitetail doe, with my bow. I just remember wondering, ‘What’s going to happen after I turn this arrow loose?’ For me, the anxiety of the situation wasn’t the deer standing there; it was the question of what would happen when I pulled the trigger. It was pretty straightforward—I made a great shot and she fell over and died! Question: You joined the Marines at such a young age. Did you hunt while you were in the service? Wojcik: I didn’t do much hunting when I was in the Marines. I was so busy training that I didn’t have time to hunt. There were some deer on our base in southern California, and we spent a lot of time glassing. I saw some nice bucks in some of the training areas, but I never hunted them. Question: When did you depart from the Marines and start hunting again? Wojcik: In November of 2004, I took shrapnel through my right knee from rocket fire during Phantom Fury—the operation to push insurgents out of Fallujah in Iraq. This led to the end of my military career. Eventually, I moved to Washington and decided to start bow hunting again. Being from the east coast, the west was so big and intimidating. I Summer 2014
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was totally out of my realm with the spot-and-stalk style of hunting, so I befriended some area hunters in a local archery shop and they showed me the ropes. Question: What’s your favorite type of hunting these days? Wojcik: My number one passion is high-country, mule deer hunting. My friend got me into the whole backpack-hunting thing, so that’s what I do now. You earn it. Anyone can drive a logging road for 12 hours and hope that something jumps out so they can shoot it. I just like doing extreme stuff; and with backpacking, it’s all about relying on your own physical abilities. I took a couple of animals with my bow in Washington, but now that I teach rifle-hunting courses, it makes more sense for me to hunt with a rifle because it builds credibility. Question: Where are you a rifle instructor and what/ who do you teach? Wojcik: I’m the Director of Training for Magpul Dynamics Precision Rifle Operations. I lead two different types of hunting courses. One is a two-day Precision Hunter course—hunters bring their favorite rifle and I teach them how to run it to their maximum potential. The other is called the Backcountry Hunter course, which is the Precision Hunter course plus three days of backpack-hunting training in the Cascade Mountains. All the details are at www.MagpulDynamics.com. Question: You’re obviously a proficient long-range shooter. Do you prefer taking long shots as a hunter? Wojcik: I’m not going to complain about close shots at all. You see a lot of hunters on TV shows, shooting elk at 1,200 yards, but that’s not what I do. Even with a 500- to 600-yard shot, there’s a lot involved. You need to have the observation skills to locate the animal and the ability to get into a shooting position and make a responsible, ethical shot. Question: What’s your favorite rifle cartridge for biggame hunting? Wojcik: My go-to cartridge is the 6.5mm Creedmoor. It’s an awesome mountain-hunting caliber. A lot of people might think I’m crazy, but hunters often substitute improper shot placement for a big caliber. In my personal opinion, shot placement trumps everything. It’s a flat-shooting cartridge, and I shoot Berger bullets with a high ballistic coefficient and excellent terminal performance. I get virtually the same energy with the 6.5 as I do with a .300 Win Mag, but with a fraction of the recoil. Question: What’s the most hardcore backpack hunt you’ve participated in? Wojcik: My buddy, Luke, scored a black bear tag for eastern Washington. We logged 40 backcountry miles in
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HUNTING ILLUSTRATED.com
Caylen killed this DIY 160 6/8-inch muley in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington during the state’s High Buck Hunt
four days. Outside of the military, it was one of the most physically demanding things I’ve ever done. The area where we hunted was very steep; in order to cover any distance, we had to do a lot of climbing. On our fifth day, we packed up 12 shed elk antlers that we had found and we started heading back to camp. We had walked only 50 yards when we spotted a huge, cinnamon black bear at 370 yards. Within two minutes, the bear was down. We had to carry the bear out nine miles and about 2,500 feet of vertical elevation to get back to camp. I had to be on the road by 11 a.m. the next morning, so we packed our 12 elk sheds and camp gear—easily 120 pounds per man—and hiked seven miles to the truck, grabbed a few hours of sleep, and ran back down the hill the next morning to retrieve the bear. I bet we moved about 400 pounds of gear, bone, meat, and hide up that hill. I will remember those five days for the rest of my life. Question: What’s on your plate for future epic hunts? Wojcik: Luke and I found an over-the-counter Montana sheep tag. It’s over-the-counter because you have to walk 12 miles to get to the sheep, and it’s in grizzly country. We’re planning that for 2015. We’ll do a coin toss to determine who gets to shoot the first year; we’ll take a year off and then go back the following year, and the other guy will shoot. There’s no way we could manage getting two sheep out of that country in one trip. Question: Do you have any words of wisdom to share with fellow hunters? Wojcik: Yeah. Understand why you’re out there. Make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons—that you’re doing it because you love it. Don’t take it so seriously that you’re not having fun. Hunting is a right we enjoy as Americans. However, without the selfless service of men such as Caylen Wojcik—a real ‘Celebrity Hunter’—our favorite sport would undoubtedly be nothing more than a privilege.
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Summer 2014
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Staff
PRODUCT WATCH
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The cooler market has exploded over the past several years and with good reason! The days of broken hinges and handles are now over, if you are willing to pay for it. You don’t have to base your summer archery hunts around the availability of ice and temperature any more! We have reviewed most of the top coolers on the market and to be honest, most are similar and have completely changed the game. Some have better latching systems or handles. Some have thicker insulation and maintain colder temps for longer periods of time; but for the most part you get what you pay for. The $60 Coleman won’t perform like the $300 Pelican. The question I find myself asking is how many Coleman coolers will you buy in your lifetime? The answer is easy for the Pelican. One! The Pelican Elite line of coolers is in our opinion, top of its class, in terms of hinges, insulation, handles, latches, and ice retention. This cooler is simply hard to beat. The quality of these coolers is immediately seen and felt. Did we mention that the Pelican coolers are guaranteed for LIFE? When considering your next cooler, make sure to take a very close look at Pelican -- they are worth the money! http://www.pelican-case.com/
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HUNTING ILLUSTRATED.com
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Summer 2014
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PRODUCT REVIEW A Look at Two Scopes
vs.
L
ong Range hunting and shooting distances in the olden days were around 300 yards. Hunting was usually done with a .30-06 or .270 Winchester; and more often than not, assisted by a straight 6x Redfield scope. The shooter would usually crack one off and say, “Where did I hit?” The guy next to him would squint through his eight-power bino’s and shout out the appropriate adjustment, which was wrong two out of three times, because he couldn’t see well enough through the glass to be accurate. In today’s long-range shooting world, shots are taken anywhere from 500 to 1,000 yards. When you spend time on a busy range here in the west, with plenty of room to stretch your barrel out, you can often find guys A side-by-side comparison draws different pros and cons from each scope. While the Nightforce is nearly $1000 more than the Vortex, the range goes to 70x power, offering a little extra zoom.
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shooting beyond 1,000 yards. The difference between the old days and now is due to a plethora of reasons; the most notable being the presence of comrades standing next to the shooter, spotting the impact of the bullet through high quality spotting scopes. These optics are not only crucial for spotting the impact of the bullet at these long ranges but are also critical to spotting game during low light conditions. Therefore, a good spotting scope has to be part of your arsenal for long-range hunting and shooting. In the past, European-made optics have dominated the high-end spotting scope market; but times are changing. New optics companies come and go about as regularly as the eruption of Old Faithful; however, a few of these relatively new companies will be around for a long time. I had heard a lot of buzz about two particular spotting scopes that I wanted to get my hands on and try out, since most of my personal scopes are from European descent. In particular, the Nightforce TS82MM Xtreme Hi Def, with a 20-70-power eyepiece, and the Vortex Razor 85 MM Ultra High Def with a 20-60-power eyepiece were the ones I was interested in. A few phone calls and both scopes were in my hands for testing. Before I start my review of both optics I do need to be fair and let you know that pricewise, I am not comparing actual apples to apples. The Vortex has a street value $1,599 while the Nightforce Spotter comes in at $2,522…nearly $1,000 more. The Nightforce is a cool looking spotter with some aggressive knobby knobs on the focus and power rings that give it an original look. The objective lens is big at 82 mm, which means the scope is heavy at 67 ounces or 4.2 lbs. It is not a backpacking scope, where every ounce counts. The magnification is 20-70x. Most spotters only go to 60; but there have been many times when I was in the field and wished I had just a little more magnification. The Nightforce provides that advantage. The quick-release, bayonet mount allows for quick and secure changing of the eyepiece. The field of view when on 20X is 123.1 feet, which is a very good sight picture to spot your target. Today, most quality brands offer a lifetime warranty; Nightforce is no different. They offer a limited, lifetime warranty; which pretty much guarantees that as long as you don’t run over the optics
with your truck, they will take care of you. By the looks of this scope, I don’t know if that would do anything to the spotter. It looks rugged and durable, just like their riflescopes. Now for the Vortex Razor HD. This spotting scope is very well put together, and is also very aestically pleasing to the eye. The scope has a 85MM objective for maximum light gathering. The eyepiece is standard, at 20-60x magnifications. Both scopes come with either angled or straight eyepieces. The Vortex comes with a VIP unconditional warranty, which means to me that you can drop it off a cliff and as long as you can recover it, you can send it in for replacement or repair. That’s usually how the VIP’s I know roll. The nice thing about the Vortex is an extra fine focus adjustment knob that allows you to really dial in the clarity on your targets or game. This is a nice feature. Now for the field test. Both scopes, side-by-side, were very sharp when there was plenty of light out. The Nightforce APO fluorite HD glass, with its proprietary coatings, had excellent edge-to-edge clarity that was very noticeable. The Vortex, with its apochromatic lens system and HD glass, was also impressive; but I did not get quite the edge-to-edge clarity that the Nightforce provided. Remember, $1,000 less money. The optimal comparison on any glass is how it functions in low light. I set both scopes up side-by-side, on 60 powers, and switched back and forth behind the
Here’s an example of the power of the Nightforce. The zoom is incredible and also offers a slight edge of focus during low-light viewing. Can you see the flag on top?
lens until there was total darkness. My target was a rock at nearly 1,500 yards away. The Nightforce maintained its clarity and brightness much longer than I thought it would. It outlasted the Vortex by nearly two minutes of what I would consider viewable light. During the test, I moved back and forth on targets from 100 yards to 1,500 yards and both scopes were spot on. The two scopes were very comparable until the last few minutes of light; for a hunter, those last two minutes can be the most critical and important two minutes of the hunting day. If your spotting scope budget is in the range of $2,500, you cannot go wrong with the new Nightforce TS-82 Xtreme spotting scope. I was pleasantly surprised with the look, feel, and performance of the scope. Nightforce has a great addition to an already stellar line of long-range riflescopes. Now you can go long with their spotter. If your budget is in the $1,500 range for a new spotter, then the Vortex Razor HD spotting scope is a great buy for the money. For all intents and purposes, it will get the job done. A comparison between the European spotting scopes will be upcoming in a future issue.
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Steve Alderman
MULE DEER Hunting Mule Deer Internationally Is Mexico or Canada worth consideration?
W
hen considering your next mule deer hunt, one should never overlook traveling outside the United States. Hunting north and south of our national borders can provide great opportunities for finding your next trophy. Hunting the big-bodied deer of Alberta, and the dark-antlered bucks of Sonora, is easier and safer than one might think. However, don’t be fooled just because you travel outside the country to hunt mule deer, monster bucks aren’t around every palo verde or willow thicket. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your next trip out of the U.S.
South of the Border Old Mexico has long been known for
wide, dark-antlered mule deer. In the last few years, the number of hunters traveling south has dwindled, due to the fear of danger. Gang wars, drug cartels, and bad outfitters have all played a major part in keeping many muley-crazy hunters from pursuing those huge, desert mule deer. Just like heading out on any vacation, if you make a solid plan and take the proper precautions, your trip south of the border should go off without a hitch. Drummond Lindsey, owner of Desert Trophy Hunts, has been outfitting in Sonora, Mexico, since 1996. He has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly, over the last 20 years. He said most of the violence you hear about from the drug cartels and gangs, happens in about ten percent of Mexico; little of which spills over into Sonora. Lindsey says, “If you fly into Hermosillo and go directly to your hunt-
There’s been a lot of hype about Sonora in times past. The author discusses the real facts surrounding mule deer hunting south of the border.
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ing camp, you won’t have any problems.” Drummond goes on to state that most of the bad and ugly, that happens in Sonora, is from bad outfitters. Outfitters selling more hunts than they have tags for, over-booking ranches, promises of huge mule deer, and the intrusion of high fences, has turned Sonora into less than a mediocre place to hunt for most hunters. “It’s all about the mighty dollar and the 200-inch buck in Sonora,” he explains. Over the last twenty years, Drummond has seen a lot of change in Old Mexico, such as the invasion of high fences, feeding programs, baiting programs, the influx of shady outfitters and more competition for ranches. This has forced the tag prices for the outfitters to escalate from $500
The author poses with his trophy Sonora buck. Is it safe now to hunt in Mexico?
to $5,000 dollars, in the same time period. When trying to pick an outfitter south of the border, do your homework. Referrals are great, but make sure the person referring you has been on that hunt. Your next best bet is to get online and join a number of different forums. Ask questions on those forums; you will be quite surprised at the information you can get when someone can hide behind a computer screen. Don’t always trust a booking agent, as they have a vested interest and make money when you book your hunt. Don’t be afraid to do the research yourself. Drummond says, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” If an outfitter is selling hunts for $5-7 grand, he is selling more hunts than he has tags for. This happens more often than you will hear about. Drummond continues with, “The outfitter bets that only 50 percent
of the hunters will be successful, so he sells twice as many hunts as he has tags for.” Cheaper hunts, more clients, and more money, just means more unhappy hunters heading back north of the border, empty-handed and disappointed. Most legitimate outfitters charge, on average, $8-12 thousand dollars for a quality, mule-deer hunt, with harvested bucks scoring in the 180’s. The style of hunting south of the border is something that most of us from the United States have never done before. Riding around in a high-racked vehicle is 80 percent of how deer are spotted and harvested. Very little pre-season scouting is done prior to hunting season. Most mature bucks are found by being in the right place at the right time, and being able to shoot in a hurry. Don’t get me wrong, there are some outfitters that do put in their time, pre-season scouting the ranches, looking for deer and getting ready for the upcoming season; but they are just far and few between. Mr. Lindsey goes on to
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say, “Despite all the negativity about Old Mexico, it is a great place to hunt, with good people, great culture, tasty food, and the occasional giant buck.” He goes on to state, “It’s not necessarily where you go, but who you go with.” Mexico is a great place to mule-deer hunt, as I can attest. I was one of the lucky few that came home with a true desert giant during my one and only trip south of the border. I owe that all to my good friend, Dennis Paulisch, who spent many a year trying to find the right ranch to hunt. I am looking forward to my next trip south into old Mexico, and not just for the chance to lay my eyes on one of those wide, dark-antlered deer, but also to share the camp, food, and culture with great friends. North to Alberta Going north to Alberta is an exSummer 2014
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Last issue featured Derek White’s incredible Alberta buck. Alberta is a great place to consider if you can find the right outfitter.
Photo: Vic Schendel
cellent way to chase huge-bodied, Rocky Mountain Mule Deer, in case you are wary of traveling south into Old Mexico. Alberta is a destination with great people and food; and the mule deer are plentiful. There are two ways in which a non-resident can hunt Alberta. One is with an outfitter; and the other is the hunter/host program. Ninety-eight percent of hunters use an outfitter, so we will discuss that option in more detail. The hunter/host program provides a non-resident hunter an opportunity to hunt with a host, on their property. The host receives no compensation of any sort. Most landowners opt out of this program because outfitters are willing to lease their property, which generates income for the landowner. The other, and more traditional, way is to work with an outfitter. Alberta has over 400 outfitters, so picking one, (the right one), can be difficult. Again, like in Old Mexico, most hunting is done from the cab of a vehicle. Once a deer is spotted, the stalk is on. There are two main seasons in Alberta; they are rifle and archery. My season of choice is archery. It is early, with a great chance to locate and pattern a buck. The season runs anywhere from the end of
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August, to the end of September, depending on the area. The rifle hunts are usually during the rut, at the end of October, and run through November. Most Alberta rifle hunts start at $5,000 and go up to $7,500. Archery hunts run from $4 - $6 thousand dollars. Unlike Old Mexico, there is a fair amount of scouting that is done preseason. The average size of mule deer harvested in Alberta is 160 to 170 inches, with an occasional 190 to 200+ buck. Keep in mind that the world record, nontypical, mule deer is from Alberta, so the genes are there for that rare monster. When traveling anywhere outside the United States, a passport is required at the borders and the airports. If driving, be prepared to be searched, along with your vehicle when heading into Canada. The Mexico border crossing is painless; while the Canadians can take hours, if you are the lucky one picked to have all your belongings searched. Be sure to double-check with your outfitter to ensure you have all the correct paperwork, tags, and licenses before heading out on your trip. If you decide you are hunting with a rifle, make sure you check them in and out when entering and leaving your destination. It is a good idea to go to your local customs agency and declare all of your valuables, guns, camera, and equipment before leaving on your trip, as it will also make things smoother when traveling in
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and out of the country. I believe the hardest part of going out of the country is picking the right outfitter. Sure, they all look good on their own websites; but ask yourself, how old are some of the pictures? Are they clients or friends? What are the conditions of the accommodations, vehicles, and all the other little details, which will make your time more enjoyable? There is no bulletproof method for picking the right outfitter, one who is going to meet all your needs and interests. What can help is to join the online forums, ask questions-good and bad--and read the responses you get from other hunters who have used the outfitter in question. Referrals from friends are also an excellent way to choose an outfitter. Do not just rely on references given by the outfitter, as they are usually handpicked to give favorable answers to your questions. Do your homework, even if it takes you a year or two to decide. Hunting outside the United States can prove to be more than just a great vacation. You could come home with the buck of your dreams and memories of those dark-antlered Mexican bucks, or huge-bodied Alberta bucks strutting over the next hill. It is never too late to start planning your next adventure.
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Doyle Moss
ELK Long-Range Elk Hunting Increasing your distance increases the possibilities
T
hat is a big bull. If you want a shot at him, you’d better get ready. How far is he? 670 yards and on the move. He is heading toward that dark timber. If he makes it we may never see him again. When he stops broadside, take him. About four to five years ago, I started seeing more and more hunters show up at elk camp with long-range hunting systems. They would boast about how they could hit small targets at 1,000 yards with such systems. From my 30 years of experience, guiding all
walks of life in the hunting world, I was very skeptical of these so-called, long-range hunters. I guide most of my hunters in Utah, where the tags are very limited and in high demand. Sure, I guide plenty of clients that draw tags through the lottery system; but I also take many that have purchased their tags through conservation banquets. Let’s just say the tags are not cheap. When it comes to our typical elk hunter, most of these sportsmen come from back east, where a long shot is 300 yards. The last thing I want to do is wound an animal with a poor
The author works hard, from sun up to sun down, to spot trophies. Getting his clients within ethical shooting range is important. There’s no doubt the hunter that’s comfortable taking a longer shot has better odds at a trophy.
PHOTO:DOYLE MOSS
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decision. However, the chance of killing a big bull is getting harder and harder as game management becomes poorer and poorer; so any opportunity you get that you don’t take decreases your odds of killing one of these big bulls. As I started to see more and more hunters with custom, long-range rifles and optics on top to match the performance of the rifle, I realized I had better get in this game. As you can imagine, I have guided many hunters who claimed to be long-range experts and were, in fact, great snipers at
PHOTO:DOYLE MOSS
long distances; their shots gave merit to their talk. But there were also many that did not have longrange skills. I decided I needed to be able to discern between the ‘haves’ and have not’s.’ To get more knowledge about the long-range shooting world I started studying what was
being said on the internet forums; I also collected valuable information from some of my knowledgeable clients that came through camp. I even attended a shooting school and started to learn for myself about all the elements that go into long-range shooting. I wanted to give my hunters at Mossback the best possible opportunity for a trophy elk. We have even gone as far as providing our clients with a long-range rifle system to shoot, in case they don’t have one. Many hunters enjoy not having to drag along a rifle through the airports. The rifle systems we have set up are usually 7MM Remington magnum, and .300 Ultra magnums, topped with optics that have great visibility in low light, with a turret system. I prefer the turret that is custometched with the yardage distances on the knob. This seems to be the most functional for first-time shooters, my guides, and me as well. This gives me the time to do my job of judging and scoring the animals instead of tinkering around with holdover or moa adjustments.
We encourage our clients to come into camp with their own equipment that they are familiar and proficient with. Many clients however, are taking us up on using our rifle rigs; and I have seen a 15%-20% increase in our success rate because of that decision. I know the rifle systems we are using will shoot out to 800 yards accurately and comfortably for my client, and me, which gives us a great advantage going into the field. This eliminates the nightbefore-the-hunt emergency that inevitably happens every season. I am sure many of you have experienced it. Your scope has been knocked off and just will not shoot accurately. There have been many nights when we have been dialing in scopes from the headlights of our trucks. At Mossback we always verify the accuracy of every rifle before the hunt, even our own rigs. Undeniably, there are always a couple rifles that will not even hit the target at 100 yards. Some-
PHOTO:DOYLE MOSS
Mossback Guides and Outfitters got Chad Fraghton within range of this giant bull. Chad put this monster down with one shot at 825 yards.
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The elk herd below is out of range for a lot of hunters. Getting closer might not be a possibility. However, the hunter who’s put in the time and practice to shoot long-range can feel comfortable with a shot at this distance.
PHOTO:DOYLE MOSS
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times we can readjust the scope and it’s no problem; and sometimes we cannot. That dilemma is part of hunting; but if you have a rifle that you and your client are not comfortable with, you have already put yourself at a disadvantage in the field. In those cases, I try to get within 300 yards before we pull the trigger. The longrange option has gone out the window.
Over the years I have learned another interesting note for first-time long-range shooters. If I help a client get set up on the bull and then tell him the distance of the animal, say 700 yards, the odds are higher that they may miss. It is like telling a client he is shooting at a 400-inch bull. They get nervous, excited, unsure of themselves, and over think the shot and usually miss. If I set up a long-range shot for a cli-
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ent, say 700 yards again, and I tell them to put the crosshair right on the front shoulder and squeeze, without telling them the yardage, they will hit the bull nine out of ten times. Same thing with a 400 inch monarch. If I tell them to focus on the front shoulder, whether it is 100 yards or 500 yards, and not even tell them the size, they will nine to ten times out of ten, hit the target. On the other hand, if I get excited and say the bull is a giant...he is well over 400 inches…you can guess the results. So what makes the difference? I feel that it is confidence. When an inexperienced shooter/ hunter has time to think about a shot and the distance, or an animal and the size, four out of five times, they miss. That is a big bull. If you want a shot at him, you’d better get ready. How far is he? 670 yards and on the move. He is heading toward that dark timber. If he makes it we may never see him again. When he stops broadside, take him. My client, who was an experienced hunter and long-range shooter, dialed his scope in, steadied his 7MM Remington magnum, and made a perfect shot anchoring the bull in his tracks. He was confident the minute he stepped into hunting camp. He knew his set-up and had spent many, many hours at the range making sure his opportunity for a big bull was successful -- and it was. Whether you are practicing with a bow or rifle, long-range has its benefits because when you practice with a bow at 100 yards and you practice with a rifle at 1000 yards, it increases accuracy at closer distances. When hunting season rolls around this fall, go into the field knowing you have what it takes to seal the deal on your game. Be confident in yourself and your gear and you will succeed. See you on the mountain!
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Les Johnson
PREDATORS Making the Shot It’s all about practice and having the right gear
A
s I think back over all of my hunting expeditions and experiences, I definitely recall some of the better shots I have made while predator hunting. I’ve been lucky on occasions as well as blessed! Making shots that solicit a ‘wow’ or ‘oh my gosh’ after the shot, result from a combination of reasons. No matter what you do in life, you’re going to have some that say you’re lucky; and the ones that understand what it takes to be successful, are going to say that it weighs more on skill. From the thousands of emails that I receive from fans and viewers all across the U.S. and Canada, as well as questions asked at personal appearances, I
get asked one particular question a lot. ‘Les, how did you get so good at making those running shots?’ The easy answer is, ‘from shooting at a lot of running coyotes.’ The more complex answer is, ‘from shooting at A LOT of coyotes and paying attention to where the bullet was hitting; then learning to adjust my lead accordingly.’ So many variables go into the shot, that it is almost impossible to outline them all; nor would I be granted enough space in this magazine to talk about all of them in depth, but I will try to share a few. Perhaps I should provide some background. As a young farm boy from Nebraska, most of the landscape around my farm was center-
The author states his ability to shoot well comes “from shooting at A LOT of coyotes and paying attention to where the bullet was hitting; then learning to adjust my lead accordingly.”
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pivot-irrigated cropland with the occasional creek. If you got up early, right at first light, many times you could spot a coyote trying to get to cover before sun up. I knew the center of the pivot was about 400 yards; over the years, I have shot numerous coyotes at and beyond the center pivot mark, with most all of them on the run or loping. Bear in mind though, not every piece of land had a pivot on it, but that provided an easy reference point. On a very good morning I may have gotten as many as three coyotes; but the norm was one opportunity, so I had to make it count. I would say that 90%+ of the coyotes were moving; coyotes rarely provide
standing targets. Understanding distance and being able to quickly range a coyote is a huge first step. Next on the list is understanding the gun/caliber that you are shooting. When I was first shooting at coyotes, I used a 243; but after shooting about 30-40 coyotes with that rifle, I bought a 22-250, and have had a love affair ever since. My reasons for wanting to change to a 22-250 were as follows: I was young and the 243 was louder when you pulled the trigger, had a little more recoil, and finally, the ammunition was a little more expensive and not as easy to find at a local sporting goods store. This was during the years before I started reloading for my predator hunting. I have used the 22-250 for decades. Obviously, there are calibers such as the 220 swift, 223, among others, that one could shoot; but it is all about personal preference, and once introduced to the 22-250, it was an instant match with my shooting style and ability. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Beware of the man who shoots one gun?’ I highly doubt that snipers or Navy Seals shoot five different rifles! I am more certain that they shoot one rifle; and that one rifle probably has a name…and…they ALWAYS know where their rifle is. It is a very valuable part of their life and they treat it as such. What I am trying to suggest is many aspects affect where your bullet hits, as well as the speed with which it gets to the target. Barrel length, ammunition feet per second, and bullet weight are huge factors in the flight of the bullet to the target. When I first started shooting, I only shot factory-loaded ammunition; but I always tried to stay with the same manufacturer and load. As my desire to increase my skill
level grew, I started reloading my own ammo. When loading my own ammo, I always made sure that my powder charge was exactly the same on every load, no matter what. It took more time to load them, but being precise increased my confidence as well. I remember when I was in my teens and had missed running coyotes on about three mornings in a row. A running coyote is not an easy target; but I thought that I should’ve had them. My dad asked me each morning if I had seen any coyotes, or shot any. He could tell from my disappointment that I was not happy with myself or my abilities; so he would ask me how far away they were, etc. I was frustrated and told him that I just couldn’t figure out where I needed to hold so that I could hit them. He chuckled and said, “Try to pay attention to where your bullet hits the dirt, or sometimes you may see some debris move where your bullet hits and then adjust accordingly.” I can honestly say that from that point forward, I began to learn a lot about leading a moving target. My grandpa was a man that I wished I could’ve learned more
from. He died when I was 16, but he taught me certain traits about coyotes that no other person to this date has ever mentioned to me. He, like most, learned from the school-of-hard-knocks and from experience. Grandpa had a fox farm, and most of the time would hunt jackrabbits to feed his foxes. Grandpa shot an old, octagon-barrel, 22-special most of the time; and my dad told me that he watched him shoot jackrabbits going full-out broadside at 40-50 yards and drill them with one shot. He took his time, followed the jack for a bit and then pulled the trigger. My dad told me that grandpa could also throw a dime up in the air and shoot it with his 22-special out of the air. I guess the main point that I am trying to convey about shooting and doing it well, is that it takes a lot of practice, confidence, determination, perseverance, etc. There is no easy way to become successful without paying your dues to be good at what you are doing. I have always had the philosophy that I would never shoot at a coyote if I didn’t think that
The author has stuck to the 22-250 for a long time, and has kept his confidence, trust and skill in knowing this caliber and its capabilities in hunting predators. Cold, windy conditions can make hunting unbearable, but the best are persistent and find a way to have success, no matter the elements.
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Even in harsh conditions, Les has earned the reputation for terminating coyotes, no matter the circumstances.
I could get it. I didn’t believe in flinging lead at it because for me, I felt that I would lose confidence in my ability if I was trying to pin the tail on the donkey with shot placement, if you will. I wanted to be very confident in the rifle I was shooting, the load of ammunition that was in my rifle, and the optics on top of it all. All of these components were set for optimum performance; and adding my trigger pull made me a big part of the success of the whole package. In many instances, I would say the rifle is only as good as the shooter… with the caveat that some rifles may not shoot with pinpoint accuracy or as well as others. At one point in my life, I assumed I could hit any coyote that I shot at, provided that all of the variables worked as they had in the past...rifle, scope, ammunition, etc. I was very confident; and many times during speaking engagements I talked about my mind being in another place as I call coyotes. I definitely think that you have to have a high level of confidence in your gear as well as your own ability; plus, I felt like my mind had to be in tune with what I was trying to accomplish. An example of this is exhibited when playing
basketball; if the final shot comes down to you making a basket and it determines a win or loss, and, if you think that you’re going to miss the shot, chances are you probably will. If you know you’re going to make the basket, then there is a much better chance that you will win the game. One time, my brother Jeff and I were in the National Coyote Calling Championships in Rawlins, WY.; my mind was in a zone and I had a goal that I wanted to make. A year prior, the Heid brothers, Tory and Todd from New Salem, ND, had called and shot 16 coyotes in the 1-½ day championship, winning it for that year. The most that any team had ever shot. Huge accomplishment! I told my brother that we couldn’t let 16 coyotes be the most ever to be taken in the National, so we had a goal to beat that number. The very next year, my brother and I took 17 coyotes to win the National. My brother was always the person that would sit about 10-40 yards in front and toward the downwind from me; and I primarily did all of the calling and rifle shooting. My brother held the 10 gauge and also brought his 223 in on stands. If we had a coyote that was sneaking to our downwind and wouldn’t take its eyes off me, or I couldn’t move, Jeff would take the shot. Most times they never knew Jeff
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was there; and he could easily make a 100-yard shot with his very accurate 223. During this championship, I was in a zone like no other that I remember. Mentally I was in tune with my rifle and how it was shooting. In 1-½ days of calling, I managed to shoot two triples and three doubles with most all of the coyotes moving or running. I rifled fifteen and Jeff shotgunned two. I killed every coyote that I shot at during that 1-½ days. Without Jeff, and the coyotes that he shot, we would not have won; so it was most certainly a team effort. After a crazy display of shooting, sometimes I would say, “Man, I cannot believe that I got that running coyote.” Jeff would always say, “I knew you would!” That almost always freaked me out that he had that much confidence in me as well. Please join me in the next issue of Hunting Illustrated, as I move on to “Making the Shot, Part 2.” Also, if you would like to take some time to view some of the shots that I have made over the past few years, please go to www.youtube.com/ predatorquestTV and watch the video titled ‘Making the Shot.’ Until next time, Call Often AND….. Shoot Straight! Let’s Get To CALLIN!!! LJ
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Bob Beck
SHOOTING Hold-Over Reticle, vs. Ballistic Turret, vs. MOA
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ince the beginning of time, American’s have striven to get the maximum potential out of everything we do. For shooters and hunters alike, it was only a matter of time before we were going to find a way to shoot rifles out to a 1,000 yards and beyond! With any new quest to push the limits farther than previously thought possible, comes trial and error, as well as the need to develop different strategies for making it happen. Shooting a projectile from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’ would be no exception. Case in point -- for as long as I can remember, when your target was beyond your sight in distance, you would aim above the target. ‘How much?’ you ask. That was simply a guess-timation based on how far away you perceived the target to be, and how many inches you guess-timated your aim point to be above your target. Using this method was sometimes effective, but actually worked less often than one would hope for; hence, the hold-over reticle system was born. Hold-over reticles added some intelligence to this above-mentioned method. For a period of time, it was thought that, with a decently working yardage rangefinder, these hold-over reticles would give us a sure fire aiming point. I’m sure that a lot of hunters hit the woods with these systems and had immediate success. Heck, Hold-over reticles have probably helped increase the success of a lot of hunters but the author points out its disadvantages.
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I was one of them; however, as you begin to run this system through the paces in a few different conditions, several flaws come to the surface. Why? It could be one of many factors, but let’s stick to the reticle itself. First, in order for many manufacturers to cut down on SKU’s, they made a reticle that was a come-one, come-all approach. Meaning, if you mount this optic with this reticle on your rifle, you’re going to hit perfectly where you aim, in reference to which reticle line you choose. That approach seemed like a good one at the time, however, it neither accounted for different velocities in a given cartridge, nor did it account for the ballistic coefficient of the many different bullets the shooter might be using. The approaches were based on generic estimations for many calibers. The next generation upgraded with ballistic dial compensation. This method has really taken hold with a fairly large group of guys who have implemented extended-range shots into their hunting tactics. This method appeared to add some of the missing pieces the hold-over reticles did not have. Having the ability to laser-etch certain ballistic details on the turret cap itself, shooters were now able to add the detailed velocity and bullet information for the exact rifle they would be shooting. However, even with those improvements, there was still similarity to the hold-over reticle, due to the static information that is given to the shooting system. Static? What I mean by this is fixed information. Even with the information that has been compiled to make the above scenarios work, it leaves out the most important factor of all -- atmospheric conditions -- more commonly known as air density, density altitude, barometric pressure, etc. Up to this point, the most important variable in shooting a projectile from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’ accurately, has been neglected. Admittedly, through the evolution of the above scenarios, there has been the introduction of the reticle calculator and the implementation of several different turret caps; but one would have to ask, why go through all of this when you can now incorporate the very software used to get us to this point right into your own shooting system? This leads us to our final stop, minute of angle (MOA.)
v
To keep things simple, MOA is a term that describes a unit of measurement. This unit of measurement is what most trajectory programs are based on. It also is how most common optic manufacturers build their turret adjustments, 1/4 MOA per click. We now have rangefinders that can be set to give MOA output as a standard. When working your shooting system in MOA, as opposed to hold-over or yardage, you can become proficient by simply utilizing the amount of angle needed to make any shot, in any condition, at the time of the shot. When given the correct information, air density, MOA works, no matter the distance of the shot. It simply accounts for how much angle is needed to get the bullet from the muzzle to the target, based on how thick or thin the air is at the time of the shot. When looking back through the evolution of products, it is interesting to me that the best products use the facts at hand, to get me to my desired result. Right now, and for the foreseeable future, all the rave is long-range shooting; however, I will be certain to prepare myself for what the next era brings! Remember what makes us a responsible shooters is, practice, practice, practice. When you’re tired of practicing, practice some more! Bob Beck Extreme Outer Limits T.V. MOA Rifles, LLC.
Winter 2014
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Photo Story
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DALL SHEEP IN ALASKA
A PRIMOS BLIND IS AWARDED TO EACH PHOTO STORY AUTHOR. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO STORY TO: EDITOR@HUNTINGILLUSTRATED.COM
Seth guided to this beautiful Dall Sheep in the deep Alaskan country Photos: Seth Duncan
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Photo Story
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DALL SHEEP IN ALASKA
A PRIMOS BLIND IS AWARDED TO EACH PHOTO STORY AUTHOR. SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO STORY TO: EDITOR@HUNTINGILLUSTRATED.COM
Another perfect hunt leads to another heavy pack out in this breathtaking landscape Do you have a Photo Story to share? Submissions can be sent to: Hunting Illustrated PO Box 1045 • Gunnison, UT 84634 editor@huntingillustrated.com
Summer 2014
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stick to the plan
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n August 2013, I found out about two, desert mule deer hunts that became available through Sonoran Dark Horn Adventures. At the time, I did not have a hunt booked, and having missed the previous, 2012-13 banner season, down in the Sonoran Desert, I was interested. After some serious consideration, I spoke with Raul Cordova about his ranch and hunting operation. Raul came across on the telephone as a man with integrity; he seemed genuine and sincere. I then contacted a couple of hunter references that confirmed what I wanted to hear; and the trip was booked. This would be my ninth trip since 1999. Over the years, I learned several hard lessons regarding desert mule deer hunting. Rule #1 - as the hunter, do not use your binoculars to look at animals during high rack/stalking situations. Always use your scope.
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Those three to five seconds could mean the difference between going home with a monster, or going home empty-handed. I learned that lesson the hard way, more than once. Rule #2 - do not try to shoot through brush. The brush may look dead or brittle, but it will deflect most bullets and leave you frustrated or empty-handed. My good friend, John Griffith, would be coming along with me on this trip. It was his first trip to the Sonoran Desert. John had always dreamed of shooting a giant, desert mule deer, and decided at the last minute to come along. That later proved to be an excellent decision on his part! We arrived at the Hermosillo Airport and Alex was waiting to greet us after we cleared customs. This would be my first trip south of the border, without my personal rifle. Raul assured
BY JOHN O’HIGGINS The author with his trophy class Sonoran muley
us that he had custom rifles we could use that were accurate and dependable. After an authentic Mexican lunch, we headed to the ranch. Upon arrival, we met our guides, chose our rifles, and settled into our very comfortable rooms for a good nights rest. The next morning would be the start of another Sonoran adventure. We awoke to the smell of coffee and breakfast cooking. Our guides arrived bright-eyed and bushy-tailed…ready to go! The night before, my guide showed me trail cam pics of a buck using a water trough below a hill near camp. The buck caught my eye because of his mass and unusually forked G4. I told him to show me the hill and I would stick it out the rest of the trip. By noon, on day three, the hunting had been pretty slow for the most part. I was getting to know every mesquite, rock, and ocotillo within 800 yards of that hill! Constantly staring at the water trough for signs of visitors, can wear on a hunter mentally. My guide suggested trying another ranch, to get a break, and I reluctantly agreed. Off we went; the evening was uneventful, we only saw does and fawns. Coming into camp that evening, we passed a jeep with a guide and hunter who were looking for a certain buck in the same area I had been hunting.
He asked me what I saw this evening from the hill (knowing I hadn’t been there)…. I told him nothing, because we went to another ranch. He just grinned at me and said the buck I was hunting showed up to water at 5:45 that evening; he had just checked the trail camera after dark. I was so mad at myself for leaving my spot on the hill and not sticking to the plan; I told my guide/outfitter that I was going to hunt that hill the rest of the trip no matter what. Raul agreed with me saying if I would just stick to the plan and wait him out…it would pay off. I truly believed his statement and made a decision to do exactly that. The next two days, the split-G4-buck was a no-show. It was down to the final morning of our hunt; John and I had both been unsuccessful in taking a buck at this point. The mood was a little stressful in camp, but I told everyone to stay positive and keep hunting hard; it can happen in the first five minutes of the hunt or the last five! I left camp extra early that morning; my guide dropped me off behind the hill and he went on to another area close by, to scout for option two, just in case. After my climb, I removed my pack and rifle…caught my breath, and peeked over the crest. Glassing the water trough area, I could see there were no deer visible in the area. I grabbed my Summer 2014
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The author poses with friend, Colorado Buck. This beautiful dark-horned Mexican muley scored over 200-inches.
gear and crept over to my rock overlooking the valley below. The Sonoran sky was just starting to light up and it was a cold, still morning. I laid the rifle across my lap and started to glass any opening below the hill. As I panned to my right, I spotted a buck staring in my direction. He looked like a statue, taking his time looking all over the hill. It was as if he knew something was not right, but he finally started to head toward the water. I looked ahead in his path and locked my binos on the open area. He passed through at a steady pace, but I was able to identify the split-G4 on his right side…confirming this was the one I was after! My heart started to pound so hard I could hear it in the morning silence. At first I thought to myself, what is that sound? After realizing I was ‘amped up’, I took several deep breaths to slow my heart rate. Soon, he was standing at 306 yards, right in front of the water trough. I put the gun up and placed the crosshairs on his neck. Unfortunately, the buck was standing straight on. He was staring directly at me and would not take a drink…this went on for at least two minutes. I started to worry I had been spotted, but knew there was no way he could see me. I felt confident with my shot and held in the center of his throat patch and squeezed the trigger. After the shot, I immediately reloaded and got right on target
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again. There he was, standing at full attention, neck stretched out and on high alert! I had missed…within three seconds I squeezed another round off, this time holding lower in the middle of his neck. At the sound of the second shot, I heard a solid hit; but recovered, finding no buck in sight. Nothing, no bush moving, no deer running, no dust, no sound…nothing but silence. As I sat in disbelief, I traded my riflescope for my binos. After a quick search, I focused on the water trough and noticed a tine sticking up from behind. Relief set in and I stood up, walked to the top of the hill, and looked toward camp. There were two trucks leaving with headlights on, headed out to start their day in the high racks; I radioed to them that I had shot my buck. They were quite excited and said they would send someone over soon. I packed up my gear and headed down the hill to put my hands on a dream come true. Later that same day, my friend, John Griffith, connected on a true Sonoran Giant, that grossed over 203” B and C, sporting 18” and 19” G2’s! Another hunter, on a neighboring ranch that Raul manages, took a non-typical, 203” gross B and C. Three giants taken on that special day in the desert with Team Dark Horn!
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I
Giant Aoudad in West Texas
f you’re looking for a real challenge, a true adventure, absolutely beautiful scenery, and a chance to harvest a trophy-of-a-lifetime, look no farther than West Texas; a place that giant, Aoudad sheep have called home for close to 60 years. Aoudad may have originated in North Africa, but they have truly flourished in the dry, mountainous terrain in southern West Texas. The state of Texas is now home to more Aoudad sheep than the entire continent of Africa; while their numbers are great, don’t be fooled into thinking this is an easy hunt --far from it. The sheep blend into the scenery, disappearing as if by magic. Great optics are a must
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for this hunt, so is an experienced guide. I booked my hunt with Mike McKinney, owner of West Texas Hunting. The hunt took place in early September, so I was forced to deal with the scorching West Texas heat. I was told that the hills we were regularly climbing were, in fact, 150 feet short of being declared actual mountains. I think someone needs to revisit that thought process; they sure as heck felt like mountains when I was scaling up to the top of them to glass the canyons for these magnificent animals. Aoudad sheep are grayish-orange in color, which also just so happens to be the color of over half the plant life in Texas. Yucca plants and large, orangestained rocks take on the shape of an Aoudad from
BY DARRELL STERLING
After finding several large bulls and having an opportunity blown by other public hunters, the author and his help kept glassing for another bull he could put down.
It’s a hot day in Texas! The author and team glass nearby hillsides, looking for a respectable Aoudad.
afar. I, personally, spotted many trophy rocks and plants! Thanks go to my guide, who could do what was impossible for me. He regularly spotted Aoudad from great distances, as they would bed down under a cliff ledge or in the crevice of a drainage ditch. Mike, my guide, would have me look at an area where he had spotted some rams; yet, I would still have a difficult time picking out these perfectly camouflaged animals. The hunting was slowed some, by a freak storm that blew in and knocked out all the power to the entire area; even with that we easily saw 10-20 sheep a day. We would find a herd of 5-10 Aoudads which were mostly ewes with their babies or young rams. We did glass over a few 24-26 inch rams, which would have made a respectable trophy, but Mike knew we could do better; and on the last day we were moving into a new canyon when I spotted movement out of the corner of my eye. It was the first time of the entire trip where I actually spotted the Aoudad first. There was a small herd of around 10-12 sheep slowly working their way up the face of a rock wall. Mike confirmed that there were a couple of real good rams in the group. The stalk was on! If you’re not ready to take an accurate, long-
range shot, forget sheep hunting; there are too many eyes watching you. They will spot you before you spot them on most occasions; and if you’re closer than 250300 yards, they will move out of the area in a hurry. We crept into the canyon, working our way ever so slowly into position. Mike ranged the best ram in the group, informing me he was 290 yards uphill. Kneeling, I rested my trusty 30-06 on the shooting sticks. I told Mike, “When he stops, I will let him have it.” Mike said, “What are you talking about, he has stopped and is staring straight at us. You are on the wrong ram!” Mike told me to look down and to the left quickly, before it was too late. I moved my scope as I was told, only getting a quick glance at the horns; but it was obvious he was not only the stud in the herd, but the ram of my dreams. I squeezed off the shot. The giant old ram took the hit and ran up the hillside. Mike said, “Hit him again.” The rams were disappearing over the crest of the canyon ridge. The last ram scurrying over the lip and out of sight was my ram. He was close to 470 yards away, so I was aiming at a point almost four Summer 2014
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“The area has some remarkably beautiful scenery; but trust me, everything in West Texas will bite, scratch, or poke you --even the dirt out there I swear has teeth.”
feet over his back when I once again broke the trigger. The bullet slapped into his backside as he made it over the ridge and out of sight. Mike somehow knew where they were headed. We ran down the ridge around the bend to the truck. We roared down a non-existent road, through another canyon, when we suddenly came to a screeching stop. We jumped out of the truck and ran through the valley floor. I was confused as to not only where we were now, but where the heck Mike thought the sheep might be. All the sheep were indeed long gone, except one who was left behind. My trophy was piled up on The author put down this ram with one shot at 470 yards. This record book ram has 12 1/2-inch bases and 30-inch horns.
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a rock bed just on the other side of the ridge he had disappeared over. He made it over the lip and was wedged into some rocks at the top of a 1,600-foot hill (mountain top). We thought he was still alive. We could only see his head and a very small portion of his body over the rock bed he had gotten into; these animals are extremely durable and hard to bring down, so for safe measures I shot again. But truthfully, there was no need; he had expired, jammed into some rocks high above us. I was shocked my guide knew where to go and more surprised how he ever spotted him. In a million years, I wouldn’t have been able to find my downed ram. The real work began, as we had to climb up…so we could then pack down…a 300-pound ram off a steep cliff, on a beautiful, 90-plus degree West Texas day. The other hunter in camp had an opportunity later that day, on a incredible 34-inch ram, but was unable to make the extremely long shot. I was tagged out and went along for the ride. The Aoudad he missed would have been an alltime, top 20, if not top 10 ram. My ram had 30inch horns with 12.5-inch bases, easily making him a record book ram. If you’re looking for a world-class hunting adventure, give Mike McKinney at West Texas Hunting a call. The area has some remarkably beautiful scenery; but trust me, everything in West Texas will bite, scratch, or poke you --- even the dirt out there I swear has teeth. Take it from one happy, beat up hunter, it doesn’t get much better than hunting giant Aoudad sheep in West Texas!
New Zealand yields little forgiveness to foot hunters. The author and team head into the island’s South Alps for Himalayan Tahr
“‘Bean Bag,’ you ready?” Gus asked. Sure enough, I was in position with a steady rest and ready to lay the hammer down. BOOM! At 380-yards, my straight-on shot at a beautiful stag on the facing mountain penetrated like a champ. He dropped in his tracks and rolled about 15 feet before being stopped by some shrubbery underneath him. The .270 WSM Barnes TSX load penetrated through the front, right side of his chest and rested near the back of his stomach. That’s some serious penetration! Well played, Barnes Bullets! That’s how last year went down during my first hunt with Gus Bissett of New Zealand Trophy Hunting. My introduction to New Zealand was nothing short of breathtaking. Last year we hunted true, free-range, red stag in the northeastern part of the south island at Mount Gladstone. Jessica Brooks-Stevens with Barnes Bullets took the new world record free-range stag at that time. With an invitation to return again
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this year, Gus wanted us to head to the South Alps and stalk tahr, chamois and fallow deer, all on foot. How could I turn that down? It’s simple—I couldn’t! Tahr was at the top of our list. Himalayan tahr is a beautiful, coveted sheep with long, wind-blown capes, originating in Nepal. They were introduced to the island in the early 1900s, and have thrived there ever since. New Zealand is the only other place in the world with a strong population of tahr. While their hearing isn’t the best, their eyesight is remarkable, exemplified by the evasive techniques of the first few we saw at nearly 600-yards away. They’re not easy animals to approach on a foot hunt. Moreover, the South Alp terrain isn’t exactly suited to stealthiness for flat-footed creatures. Shell rock, ice pack, and anklebreaking hillsides dominate this steep, hellacious country. So, how do you make the best of this type of hunt? The most efficient piece of equipment you should
BY MATT MOGLE Hunting Tahr in New Zealand can easily require a long-range shot. The author was equipped with a Fierce CT Edge 7mm topped with a Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44 BT 4W with custom turret.
pushed my contact up into my eye as I tried to block the sun. I wasn’t able to see through the scope at that point. I made a quick decision that was hard for me to swallow. “‘Corn Dog,’ you’re gonna have to try and take him! There’s no way I’ll be able to find him in the scope in time. My vision’s gone!” Gus agreed and the transition was quick and smooth. I moved up to the camera and Courtney moved down to the rifle. I got my contact back in place while Courtney set up for the shot. “Camera’s rolling,” I whispered. Courtney’s shot at 760-yards was right on the money! The tahr bull leapt forward, landed, took a couple more steps, and buckled up, rolling to a patch of jagged The author and friend look off into the ocean view from one of rock below. Gus had hoped, before their hunting locations. taking a shot, that if we connected with that bull, he would take a long roll toward the bottom, since he was on such a vicious angle of rock. However, for a moment it looked like he wouldn’t roll, when suddenly his last death kick pushed him off the rocks with enough momentum to send him tumbling nearly 800feet down the shell rock. Well done, Courtney! The next day we took a helicopter ride back into the peaks of Chop Creek. The location where we were dropped off was about 7,000 feet in elevation, on a saddle with death drops to the east and west. The flight took about eight minutes; it would have been a six-eight hour hike have is a long-distance rifle system. My system was a otherwise. We let our pilot know we would hike our Fierce CT Edge (carbon barrel, titanium action) 7mm, way out back to the bottom. topped with a Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44 BT 4W with From the saddle, we worked our way south custom turret, which made anything out to 750-yards through probably the most insane territory I’ve ever very doable. Gus has proved the effectiveness of this hiked in. Many times, one misstep would have been rifle with over 30 clients who have taken shots beyond the end of the road. Hiking at 45-60 degree angles 500-yards, so we knew it was dialed in perfectly for ensured that it didn’t take long before my ankles were that range. Most locals aren’t comfortable shooting screaming. We side-hilled across ice, snow, and beyond 3-400 yards, so we were placing ourselves at jagged rock. After descending about 1700 feet, we an advantage against any good bull we might see. started to approach an area where Gus had previously Good friend and colleague, ‘Corn Dog’ seen some tahr. We rested there for lunch and took (Courtney Crane), Sales Manager at Fierce Firearms, our time glassing the hillside. (a company my brother, John Mogle, Hugues Throughout the day I thought about how I had Vaillancourt, and I formed,) joined me on this trip. missed an opportunity the day before; and I evaluated Since we were filming the hunt for upcoming episodes what I needed to do differently, since I was probably of Hunting Illustrated TV, we took turns filming each going to be faced with another long-range shot. I’m, other hunting. I was up first to hunt. by far, my own worst critic and beat myself up for my Unfortunately, my first day of hunting ended mistakes. ‘You cannot miss! You have to take your with a missed shot at an 11½-inch bull, 740-yards time and make the shot,’ I would tell myself over and away. As I prepared for a second shot, I accidentally Summer 2014
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The author’s pal, Courtney Crane, harvested this great bull at over again. ‘Breathe!’ 760 yards during the first day of the hunt. After lunch, Gus sent Ewy, aka the ‘Tahrminator,’ down to the bottom and then 600feet up the facing hill, so he could watch the same hillside we were on, from a different angle. The area we were spotting was on our side, but about 600-yards south. Ewy could climb mountains in his sleep and was in position in about 45 minutes; it probably would have taken me, a guy who’s in decent shape, an hour and a half to get there. He and Gus communicated by walky-talkies, which worked out well; when we located some tahr and then lost sight of them, Ewy could still see them. No shooters appeared. About 20 minutes later, Gus saw a good bull; but it went back behind the rocks and out of sight for all of us. “Let’s wait! He’ll probably come back tahr stopped. “Okay, let’s take him,” Gus ordered! I out in the same place!” confirmed I was ready and took the shot, watching Ewy was able to spot him again, but he was through the scope as he took a high leap forward, out of our view. It took awhile, but sure enough, he typically a sign of a shoulder shot. came back into view, just as Gus predicted. I was in The tahr disappeared behind some rock, so a much more solid position for the shot and had a we began our journey to find him. Because of the dead rest on him. “Okay, he’s going to keep moving rugged terrain, it took two hours to get into the area down! Let’s wait for a good broadside shot,” Gus where we located him. Courtney got in position to film whispered as he reached over and made a quick the walk-up; and Gus and I made our first approach turret adjustment. “You’re dialed to 560-yards,” Gus toward the animal. “This is a giant tahr, ‘Bean Bag!’” confirmed. “That’s the yardage he’s at right now.” I could see it was a good-sized animal, but I also Holding the scope on him, I focused to keep thought Gus was being kind. “Ewy, get over here now,” calm and stay relaxed. After a few seconds, the Gus called. Ewy was still out of view of the animal and
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didn’t want to be anywhere near the camera so he stayed behind. “Ewy, seriously, get up here and see this thing! You have to see this tahr!” From that reaction, I knew there had to be something remarkable about the animal I just harvested. When Ewy walked up, both Gus and Ewy confirmed it was the biggest, foot-hunt bull either of them had seen in their lives. “In 27 years, I’ve never seen a tahr this big! He’s gotta be about 14-inches,” Gus exclaimed. Courtney pulled out a tape measure and we taped him. “Sure enough! Fourteen inches! Do you even know what you just killed, ‘Beans?’” Gus asked. “This is like killing a 250 to 260-inch mule deer. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime! Good job!” There’s such a remarkable feeling that accompanies a successful hunt. We, as hunters, go through such a roller coaster of emotions, exhaustion, and mental combat. When it all culminates in that pinnacle moment of finding the animal, words are almost inadequate for describing the sense of accomplishment and rush of excitement in that moment. We had a long hike still ahead of us; we arrived back to the truck at about 9pm. During the ride back to the lodge, we reminisced about the adventure we had to that point. Occasionally, I would drift into la-la land and think about how fortunate I was to be in
one of God’s most amazing places on this earth; and how I had been blessed with a memory and a story to treasure and share for the rest of my life. I feel hunters create a legacy for children; and help foster in them a love and respect for this world and its creations. I hope to return to New Zealand again. Gus Bissett runs New Zealand Trophy Hunting, and carries a strong reputation as the best free-range guide on the south island. We’re grateful to have shared this experience with him; and welcome the opportunity to put you in touch with his venture anytime. Until then, good luck this hunting season. The author connected on this giant 14-inch bull at 560 yards. Bulls this size are incredibly rare, especially on a foot-hunt.
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Jeff is the featured DIY story for this issue. He will be awarded some Vortex binoculars. Be the featured DIY story in our next issue by emailing your story to editor@huntingillustrated. com and you can add some Vortex glass to your lineup.
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BY JEFF SCHLACHTER
T
here is nothing like the Lure of the North, whether it be the Yukon, NWT or Alaska; once you get a taste of it, you will always long for more. This attraction goes all the way back to the days of the great ‘GOLD RUSH.’ I’m not sure what exactly is behind this so-called lure -- the unknown, the getting away from everything, or just the vast, game-rich country. I had been itching to get back there; a late October, barren-ground caribou had always been near the top of my hit list. When I pictured the perfect caribou in my head, it had always been a late season bull with a long flowing mane and palmated mahogany antlers. Now, here we were, the culmination of all those years of waiting for this precise moment to arrive. We could hardly believe our eyes as we watched this HUMONGOUS bull as he fought off all the other bulls to claim the ‘hot’ cow. He absolutely dwarfed all the other bulls in the herd, not only in body size, but also because of his gigantic antlers. This was the bull I had been dreaming about for as long as I could remember; and now here I was sitting on the ridge completely mesmerized. He was magnificent and we had to make a move FAST! Backing up…my long-time friend, Jeff McKee, and I headed on a 5000-mile round-trip journey that would take us deep into the northernmost portion of the Yukon, in search of magnificent, lateseason caribou bulls. Jeff and I had hunted together in our younger years, but due to us moving farther apart, work requirements, and family responsibilities, we hadn’t seen each other for close to eight years; so, as you can imagine, it took about 2500 miles of our trip just to catch up! We arrived at our base camp destination in the early evening; and after a huge bowl of caribou stew and fresh buns, we settled into our wall tent, excited yet completely drained from the long haul we had already been on. Asleep before we hit the pillows, we both slept like babies with visions of monster caribou nestled in our heads. We awoke to the smells of bacon wafting through camp and knew this would likely be our last taste of civilization for a week…as well as our last good meal. Jeff and I took advantage of the situation and with heaping plates and good coffee, we discussed our plans with the owners of Blackstone Outfitters, Jim and Adrienne Fink. Jim told us that the Supercubs were fuelled up and were ready to roll as soon as our gear and guns were loaded up; so we ate faster than a couple of starved inmates who had been locked in solitary confinement for a month, and left a trail of dust all the way to the parked Supercubs. We each flew in a separate plane; I flew with one of the pilot/guides named AJ, while Jeff flew with Jim. Waiting for us in the backcountry were our two guides, Jim’s son Logan, and Clinton Alm; young fellas with more energy than the ‘Energizer-Bunnywith-a-bunch-of-extra-batteries-and-a-case-of-Red-
Above: The author prepares the night before the hunt, double checking his rifle and all other equipment.
While hiking deeper into the Yukon, the author locates a great shed along the way.
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“The next morning couldn’t come early enough! Both Jeff and I were chomping at the bit, ready to hike; and it didn’t take us long to get into caribou, as we were able to glass a few decent bulls within a ten minute walk from our camp.”
The author and friend both had great success on this hunt. The author displays his ‘Freak-Nasty’ bull after the harvest.
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Bull.’ The flights were incredible as we saw plenty of caribou herds with some outstanding bulls. As we touched down, the Supercub’s tires half bounced, half skidded down the runway in the ice and snow, until we came to a stop. Jeff’s eyes were wider than saucers; he’d never seen anything like this before, and this spot was utterly breathtaking as we both stood there stunned, pretty much in shock. We quickly unloaded our gear, getting acquainted with the guides. Soon the roar of the planes drowned out conversation as Jim, and then AJ took off, leaving us deep in the Yukon’s backcountry. Jeff and I had some time to kill, as there was a mandatory waiting period before we were able to hunt; we felt like a couple of kids with a sack full of Halloween candy that we couldn’t touch. It was hard not to make a run to the closest vantage point to glass, but we opted to go through our gear and shoot our guns to make sure that we were still in the money after our long journey. The next morning couldn’t come early enough! Both Jeff and I were chomping at the bit, ready to hike; and it didn’t take us long to get into caribou, as we were able to glass a few decent bulls within a ten minute walk from our camp. We tore up the ridges in search of a monster and by 3-pm on the first day, we had a bull in our scope worth paying attention to. It took us a little while to close the gap as we had to circle around to play the wind in our favour; but we were finally able to get within 300 yards for a closer look. The bull was tremendous! He had great width, long tops, awesome bez’s, and terrific double shovels. He was a ‘shooter’ and I offered Jeff the first chance, since I invited him on this hunt, and he graciously accepted. Jeff made a great shot at 253 yards, with his .257 Weatherby; and our first monster bull was on the ground! He made it look just that easy, as I filmed all the incredible action over his shoulder! We couldn’t have been happier as we arrived at the bull’s side, as it was truly one magnificent bull! Jeff was in awe, and stood speechless from what had just transpired. He had waited many years to take a trip like this and I couldn’t have been more excited for him. It was a long pack, back to the camp, but adrenalin energized every step. One bull down and one to go, I thought, as we made the journey with full packs. We were a little stiff the next morning, but headed out in another direction to see what Day Two would bring; but after a long day of glassing and hiking, although we had spotted some great bulls, nothing really got
my Mojo going. Thinking of a monster caribou bull lurking somewhere in the distance was about the only thing that kept me warm; a couple very cold days, with highs around -20 Celsius, and a howling wind, made it extremely tough to sit still on a high ridge, glassing caribou. The next few days ended with the same results; but as the light began to fade on Day Five, we found a honey hole in the far off distance, with caribou scattered all over the ridge. It was a little farther away than we had hoped, but with all those caribou we felt that was where we needed to go to find the bull I was waiting for. We left camp at the crack of dawn on Day Six, with high hopes, headed for this newfound Shangri-La. It was about a six-mile walk to get into the ridges that looked so promising the previous day. When we arrived, we were instantly into caribou and the spotting scope revealed one fabulous bull; we had to try to get closer to it as fast as we could. Logan and Clint took us on a little journey; there was never a dull moment following those two young guys, and keeping up with them was next to impossible! They had been in these mountains, guiding sheep hunters, since August; so they were like a couple of rams themselves, in the best sheepThe author packs out what is possibly a worldrecord bull caribou. To have such success in this country is definitely like finding ‘Yukon Gold!’
shape imaginable. The big bull was a real gagger and before we knew it we were smack-dab in the middle of a group of rutting bulls that were fighting and chasing each other around. The bull we thought was the biggest was suddenly dwarfed by an absolutely GINORMOUS bull that quickly disappeared over the ridge and out of sight. Logan looked at me with that look of sheer and utter shock and with eyes bigger than the tundra tires on his dad’s Supercub, and said, “Jeff, we HAVE to kill that bull!!” Clint’s eyes were even bigger as he piped up, “Jeff, that bull is FREAK-NASTY; we have to move NOW!!” There was NO denying that in my eyes. It was GOTIME! The guides were off on a dead run over the ridge; Jeff and I did our best to stay with them. Luckily a hot cow kept the bulls held up on the flat, just over the other side of the ridge, where they were taking turns trying to get this ‘girly’ away from Mr. FREAK-NASTY himself! He was having nothing to do with it, as he pushed every bull away like a fifth grade bully picking on a bunch of kindergartners. This bull was ‘King of the Castle’ and EXACTLY what I had been waiting all these years for. Clint and I took off down into the trees to try and close the distance. I had hoped to shoot my bull with my muzzleloader; but when we couldn’t get closer than 275 yards, I pulled out my .300 Weatherby to get the job done, as I didn’t want to make any mistakes with this GIANT. We knew it was ‘do or die’ as the cow was slowly leading this love-struck bull farther and farther away. The video was rolling as Jeff stayed right with us, capturing all the action; and as my Weatherby echoed through the tundra, my bullet left an incredible vapour trail in the crisp morning air, right into the GIGANTIC caribou bull’s vitals! He was DOWN and I could hardly believe my eyes! I felt like I was floating in a dream as we approached the massive Yukon bull; and with every step we took toward him, this absolute toad grew a little more, until we were finally at his side and I was able to lay my hands on his enormous rack. Mr. Freak-Nasty had really grown it all on his palmated mahogany antlers, from insane tine-length, superb back-scratchers, gnarly bez’s and incredible shovels. My head was in the clouds and it was like I was reliving the daydream of the bull I had always envisioned; and now, here he was lying before me. The four of us were awestruck at this truly incredible, barren-ground caribou, a bull that was in a league of his very own… We had a long pack back to camp, weighted down with caribou meat, cape, and antlers; making the last four hours of the journey in the dark, with headlamps and flashlights. There were a few eerie moments along the way in the darkness, especially when I came onto grizzly tracks in the snow, with caribou blood leaking out of my pack down my back; but we finally arrived back at camp, safe, completely exhausted, starved, and dying of thirst. We had worked extremely hard for this gagger bull, but it was worth every single ounce of pain. The end result was the Hunt of a Lifetime with amazing friends. I had struck it rich on a phenomenal B&C caribou, and I was bringing home exactly what I had gone north for...YUKON GOLD!
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A Tiger Among Bears
I
arrived in Peace River, set down my bags in the lobby of the Sawridge Inn, and patiently awaited check-in. Just one night’s rest and a 400-mile drive north stood between me and my second attempt at hunting Alberta black bears. As I casually flipped through the pages of a local newspaper, I couldn’t help but pause when I stumbled upon my horoscope. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the wild, a tiger’s diet consists entirely of meat. The big cat loves to feast on deer and wild boar, and eats a variety of other animals, too. The hunt is always solitary, never done in collaborative groups. That’s why the creature’s success rate is so low. A tiger snags the prey it’s seeking only about five percent of the time. It sometimes has to wait two weeks between meals. Nevertheless, a tiger rarely starves. When it gets what it’s after, it can devour 75 pounds of food in one sitting. According to my astrological analysis, Aquarius, you’re like a tiger these days. You haven’t had a lot of lucky strikes lately, but I suspect you will soon hit the jackpot. Was I destined for another stroke of hard luck during this trip, or would I hit the jackpot? I’m not superstitious, but it didn’t hurt to begin my journey knowing I was born on the seventeenth of February, and I was ready to feast. Into The Black There I sat, perched in a permanent tree stand, overlooking a limitless stretch of boreal forest and a freshly hung beaver carcass. If it weren’t for man’s unrelenting pursuit of industry—in this case, oil and timber—the solitude of this region would be interrupted only by birds, beasts, and the hunters who pursue them.
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BY JOSH DAHLKE I knew a black bear could appear out of thin air. I needed to focus, but the tranquil monotony of the poplars forced me into a frequent fog. It was eerily quiet—so quiet that I became obsessed with the subtle rustling of my clothing. When the ravens speak, are they alerting the bears of my presence? The subtle black flicker of another curious bird pulled me out of my paranoid subconscious. Any flash of black is enough to make me tighten the grip on my Mossberg and ensure it’s ready for action. Every creeping shadow in the sea of otherwise motionless surroundings could be an incoming black bear. The first night of my hunt was suspenseful, but uneventful. Back at camp, the warmth of Canadian whiskey and burning wood tamed my nerves. I retreated to the rustic security of my canvas wall tent and listened to the rhythmic sounds of my friends conducting their bedtime rituals. My brain went dark somewhere between the slam of a cooler lid and the crushing of gravel underfoot as someone slipped away to enjoy a golden nightcap. As a hunter who appreciates the energy and ethical devastation created by a shotgun slug, I don’t appreciate the abuse of my shoulder from punishing recoil. Hornady’s new Custom Lite slug cartridges are a perfect prescription to ease that unnecessary pain. A 12-gauge, 300-grain Custom Lite slug leaves a rifled shotgun barrel at 1,575 fps—slower than most slugs, but still adequate for ranges out to 150 yards. The decreased velocity equals a significant reduction in felt recoil. When I wasn’t busy killing black bears with these slugs, I sat in camp and comfortably fired away at the shooting range—just for fun.
See Clearly, Shoot Softly You can’t hit what you can’t see, and nowhere does that statement take on a more bold meaning than in the bear woods. Among all big game species, black bears are notoriously nocturnal. A bear’s round figure rapidly becomes a distorted blob when the sun prepares to kiss the horizon goodnight. If a nervous bruin is circling your bait, unwilling to commit, the razor-sharp glass and internal laser rangefinder of a Swarovski EL Range binocular will allow you to identify your trophy and its distance from your gun barrel instantaneously, from 33-1,500 yards. When you’re stuck with a swift decision to shoot or not shoot in low light, now or never could be the difference between a trophy and tag soup.
Deadly Decisions It was Day No. 2. Wally Mack’s ATV slogged through a slushy blend of mud and melting snow. As we turned the final corner and approached the bait site—the same stand where I had hunted the day prior—I peeked around Wally to capture my first glimpse of the bear buffet. The bait had been hit. Wally circled the area to interpret the subtle signs left behind. He refreshed the beaver like he’s done hundreds of times before, offered some words of encouragement, and puttered away. Yet again, I found myself wading through a pool of erratic emotions about killing a black bear. I don’t believe any kill should come ‘easy’—that is, in the sense of coming to terms with the act of claiming an animal’s life. However, I’ll openly admit the idea of killing this large predator took a higher degree of consideration for me compared to previous animals I’ve taken. But this time, when I spotted the unmistakable figure of a black bear wobbling through the woods, I knew I was ready. Before leaving me earlier, Wally had analyzed a set of fresh tracks by the bait pile and assured me a ‘huge’ boar was nearby. As I raised my shotgun, I wondered if it was he. Nevermind. It’s diverting from its path to the bait and I have two tags. It’s not a small bear. If it presents a clear shot within 150 yards, I’m going to take it. A rusty nail at chest height protruded from the same tree that was holding up the right side of my stand. I stabilized my Mossberg on the makeshift rest and
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tracked the bear with the illuminated reticle of my Swarovski. Suddenly, the bear angled back toward the bait and made its way in. After gaining a more accurate judgment of the bear’s build—medium—I lowered my gun and nestled it in my lap as my hands trembled. The bear was contently enjoying a free meal when, in an instant, it detected a threat with its sixth sense and hurried away. I suspiciously awaited any sight or sound that might indicate the presence of another, more dominant bear. Lucky Strikes
Bears, Birds Or Burglars Mossberg’s Model 500/590 shotgun has endured a proven pounding during the past half century. The reliable guts are still the same in the 500, but the glory is much greater with the integration of Mossberg’s versatile new FLEX system. Within moments, a patented Tool-Less Locking System (TLS) allows you to transform this 12-gauge go-getter from a bird blaster into a big game gun—and just about anything in between. Mossberg offers a wide variety of stocks, forearms, barrels and recoil pads for your FLEX. Just select your components and slap ’em on.
It’s the unexpected that makes hunting so alluring. On this evening, I certainly never expected to see a mammoth black bear emerge from a brush pile down the trail to my right, let alone a second, colored bear on its heels. Jackpot. What happened in those moments involved an intense internal battle followed by the firing of three Hornady slugs in an attempt to kill not just one, but two trophy black bears. The behemoth black bruin chased its tail after my second shot ripped through its lungs broadside. Instead of falling, he ran away and vanished in the fading light. I looked to my right to see the blonde’s blood painting a path through the snow, with no end in sight. What have I done? The haunting death moan of the black boar signaled his final fate. But the blonde was still out there, somewhere. Wally’s warming headlights shimmered through the growing shadows. We immediately picked up the blonde’s dotted red trail until it meandered into a thicket 100 yards from where it started. The disgusting sound of crashing erupted ahead, forcing us to back out. It would be a sleepless night for the bear…and me. However, I was blessed with partial closure minutes later as we stood hovering over the still body of a beautiful monster. The larger of the two bears—the ‘huge’ boar that Wally had hoped would show—was mine. I admired his massive black skull and enormous paws. I took a deep breath to absorb the pungent aroma of his damp black fur and reveled in my sweet inaugural success as a bear hunter. The Extra Mile
First black bruin down! The author was faced with a heartpounding moment of shooting two bears, back-to-back. Would he recover both bears?
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A late spring in northern Alberta meant the normally bare ground was wearing a stubborn veil of slowly melting snow. When our group arrived, the bears were just beginning to stretch their legs after a long winter slumber. At first, it was interpreted as a curse
because not many baits were being hit. But each day, activity increased and our spirits lifted. One by one, bears were sent to the taxidermist. The snow turned out to be a saving grace—without it, I never would’ve found my second bear. Wally and I got back on the blonde’s crimson tracks at dawn. “If your bear is dead out there, we’ll find it,” Wally said in a matter of fact manner. On a contrary note, he stated a less-promising admission. “Ninety percent of the time, if we don’t find the bear within 200 yards, we never find it.” Four hundred yards later, we struggled to find any sign of the bear. After a mile-long tracking rollercoaster, we reached a spruce grove with mossy green carpet. Each step made me feel like an intruder on sacred ground. Then, suddenly the blonde appeared, slinking away with a noticeable weakness in its gait. All hell broke loose as I fought for footing and searched for the bear in my Swarovski. A first shot sent the beast barreling in our direction. I prepared for a defensive follow-up with my pump-action protector, but the bear quickly angled to my left. It paused on the edge of a swamp, allowing me to finish what I had started. The starvation had ended. My black bear hunting hunger was satisfied. This tiger had snagged his prey.
“After a mile-long tracking rollercoaster, we reached a spruce grove with mossy green carpet. Each step made me feel like an intruder on sacred ground. Then, suddenly the blonde appeared...”
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Grandpa Jones bout fifty years ago it was time for Grandpa Jones to show up at our little town of Manti, Utah, for the annual deer hunt. Grandpa was my hero in most respects. We would always go to Grandma & Grandpa’s home in Provo, for big family dinners and reunions. Whenever Grandpa got to town, he would head for dad’s service station. Dad always had to put the old blue Chevy up on the hoist and add gear oil to the transmission and differential. Now Grandpa wasn’t a very good driver and so he had a gallon of blue paint, a brush, and a hammer in the trunk to cover up any dents the front and rear fenders acquired over the years. Grandma said he hit about every stop sign or car in Provo over the years; and by the look of the fenders, I would have to agree. While I was watching the gas pumps, one of our regulars arrived with a shovel. Ol’ Charlie was Scottish and he could swear using words I had never even heard before. As he lit his pipe, I asked him why the shovel? He answered, “Well, it’s the deer hunt, and your dad has old man Jones’ car on the rack; and the last two times he backed up and knocked that stop sign down, I had to put it up. I’m not putting it up this year.” Well, all of a sudden, Grandpa roared the old blue Chevy out of the lube room. He always went about 20 yards too far; and sure enough, down went the stop sign. As Grandpa got out to see what he had hit, Charlie handed him the shovel and walked away.
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Well, on the morning of the hunt, my dad found an easy walking distance to a clearing that would give Grandpa a perfect view where the deer always crossed, when they were chased or frightened. Then the rest of us went hunting. As we looked down where Grandpa was, we wondered why he never fired a shot, since three-four big bucks, and several does, crossed in front of him. After we had filled our tags, we hung our deer up in the trees and went down to see why grandpa never fired a shot. When we got to the place where dad had left grandpa; it was almost like a hidden bunker. Grandpa has piled up dead trees and sagebrush in front of his view of the clearing. Grandpa never heard us approach, and we spotted fresh tracks some 20-30 feet in front of his position. As we shook the dead branches, Grandpa woke up from his big long nap, and told us he didn’t see anything. Well, knowing his driving skills were similar to his hunting excellence, we said no more. Grandpa never got a deer, so dad sent his deer home with him, so Grandma could be happy that he had a wonderful time. And grandpa did have a wonderful time.
Across
5. One important piece of shooting range safety equipment 9. This largest of land predators inhabits the regions surrounding the Arctic Circle 11. By law, carrying a firearm this way in public requires a permit 12. Type of revolver that is fired by cocking the hammer and then pulling the trigger 14. Shotguns are pointed, rifles are? 15. This .75 British flintlock musket was in service from the early 1700s until 1815 17. Northern New Mexico Apache reservation known for its Trophy Mule deer and elk
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1. This tool is used to securely seat the projectile in a muzzleloader 2. This General said “I am a soldier. I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight” 3. A bull elk’s call in the fall or brass instrument 4. Uncontrollable shivering, loss of coordination and unclear speech are signs of this 6. Loss of accuracy may be due to this condition in the barrel of your firearm 7. In most shooting situations, this position is considered the most steady 8. The tip of the bullet (projectile, not the loaded round) is called this 10. “Use enough gun” is attributed to this infamous hunter 11. Critical activity that ensures wildlife will be around for future generations to enjoy 13. This predator is found in the deserts of Mexico, and as far north as the southern forests of Canada 16. This native antelope of India is predominantly found in south Texas
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CROSSWORD BY JESSICA BROOKS-STEVENS | PHOTO: VIC SCHENDEL
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Michael Burrell
Mule Deer and Moisture - a 2014 Report
W
ater; we are all at its mercy. Although it is predictable that water will fall in both liquid and frozen form across the west every year, it is the amount of it that determines the overall health of the land, including mule deer productivity and antler growth. Kind of like in the story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, there is a happy medium that is ‘just right’ for mule deer when it comes to moisture. Too much or too little of it can be detrimental for deer. Generally, too much moisture becomes more problematic farther north; while too little moisture is more of a problem in the southern regions. For example, a harsh winter will have more of an impact
on a Montana winter range than it will in central New Mexico due to Montana’s colder temperatures and deeper snow levels; yet, a drought will impact the New Mexico desert more than it would impact a high elevation Rocky Mountain basin because food and water is more limited in the desert vs. the high country. Precipitation levels influence the intensity other factors play on mule deer including habitat degradation and predation. The formula is simple: too much or too little moisture can compound habitat and predation issues. Extreme winters with a lot of moisture in the form of deep snow, combined with frigid temperatures are great for my uncle, who’s a ski bum; but they can be brutal
PHOTO: VIC SCHENDEL
Mule deer are seen scouring for food during the winter months. Moisture has a huge impact on antler growth.
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5MULE DEER WATCH5
This US drought monitor shows current moisture received throughout the western states
on deer herds, especially if the winter range condition is already subpar. Deep snow affects the deer’s ability to forage. Those deer that do survive such a winter, limp into the spring months malnourished, which has a real negative impact on fawn production in does and antler growth in bucks. In the more southern ranges, where snow doesn’t accumulate in large quantities or pose much of a threat, there really isn’t such a thing as ‘too much precipitation.’ (Unless, of course, we’re talking about flash floods and dense motorists, like myself, who while on an Arizona hunt tried to defy physics by attempting to cross a real gully washer with my Jeep Cherokee. I made it…barely.) But we are not talking about stupid drivers, we’re talking about the impact of snow on deer. At ranges located in southern latitudes, a lot of precipitation is more beneficial than detrimental. It soaks the parched ground, creating a stronger, more viable habitat. Folks that wait for their turn to hunt Arizona’s big bucks know how important a strong, wet winter and spring is for producing the extra quality of antlers the area is known for. The deer of the Rocky Mountains migrate
seasonally in search of food. Even during drier years, they can be pickier by following the snowline to find the strongest nutritional base between their summer and winter ranges. Deer that don’t migrate, or migrate very little, are more dependent on a lower elevation steppe, year-round; and are more susceptible to drier conditions. These deer eat whatever the ground produces, which is dependent on the available moisture. Drought years limit good forage, forcing the deer to eat less-nutritional forage, which impacts their overall health. Genetics aside, nutrients are what grow big antlers. In this sort of habitat, it is feast or famine; and both antler growth and fawn survival depend on precipitation. The compounding problems that occur with a lack of moisture make drought one of the leading factors correlated with fawn survival. In drought years, fawns are typically born a pound lighter, making them more vulnerable to predation and for a longer period of time. One study found coyotes prey on ungulates more during drought years, likely because of the fawn’s poorer condition as well as a decline in rodent populations inherent with the lack of moisture. The amount of water on the landscape also regulates the crowding of predator and prey. If you’ve ever been to any river or lake in the drier, warmer states, you know that we mammals, feel the need to be around water
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an average of 19 bucks per 100 does on the general season units; and they estimated the total number of deer in Utah at 332,900…the most since 2000. Wyoming, Montana, and northern Idaho had good-excellent snowpack; and overall, they had a fairly average winterkill rate. Most of Montana was well over their above-average mark for moisture, statewide. Wyoming, as well, is starting this year without drought conditions, which is a real positive for the state and their deer. Last year at this time, much of the state was in extreme or exceptional drought. All the precipitation will help build deer herds in these states that have struggled to recover from some winter kills a few years back. With the exception of very dry conditions in southwestern Idaho, these states are looking healthy this season and will kick out some bruiser bucks this year. I wish I had drawn my Wyoming tag… California, Nevada, and southern Oregon mule deer will suffer this year due to extreme drought conditions. This is the type of year where I’m glad I didn’t draw my Nevada tag that I’ve invested years of points for. Many of the deer in this region live in lower-elevation habitats where lack of water and forage inhibit antler growth and fawn productivity on dry years like this one. If anywhere needs a good ‘rain dance,’ it would be here. Those of you with tags in these areas better start dancin’! Water is a limited resource for mule deer in the Great Basin, Mojave, and Sonora regions; and in dry years it is a struggle for survival. The next time you put your favorite glass under the faucet, consider the significant role water plays in our lives on a daily basis, as well as in the life of our favorite creature, the mule deer. Practice up, hunting season is right around the corner! Moisture is everything and it impacts how much forage and nutrition deer receive during Spring and Summer months. Some areas in the west look good. However, California, Nevada and Oregon are suffering an extreme drought.
PHOTO: VIC SCHENDEL
and it can get a bit crowded. Predation rates increase near water sources as water availability decreases. Predators have learned to hover around water holes like flies on a gut pile. So, how is the 2014 season looking so far, for moisture? Well, it varies region-wide, but overall, the healthiest mule deer ranges this fall are the north and northeastern ranges. Here’s the rundown: The winter precipitation in the southern range, including Arizona and New Mexico, was well below normal, which could cause some drought-like conditions. But on a positive note, the muley-mecca, north of the Grand Canyon, has had some good downpours this early spring. These rainfalls might bring on the forage needed to have a good antler-growth year on both the Strip and the Kaibab. Colorado experienced a very normal type of winter with an average snowpack and average winterkill. Remember the Goldilocks story…average can be good. There has been a good carryover of both young and old deer; and hunting conditions look promising this fall. It’s a good year to have a Colorado buck tag in your wallet. There were some late snowstorms north of I-70, where the Colorado Division of Wildlife considered supplemental feeding of certain herds of deer to ensure higher survival rates; but the precipitation arrived late enough in the season that the agency decided to hold off. Utah Division of Wildlife claims this is the second year in a row with an increased survival rate in southern Utah, due to mild winters. In parts of northern Utah, especially Cache Valley, where there was ample precipitation this winter, the winter wasn’t too severe on the deer or the landscape; and deer herds should respond well to the extra forage. That is good news for Utah buck hunters. After last fall’s hunts, biologists estimated that there was
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5MULE DEER WATCH5
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BEAR, BEARS AND MORE BEARS
laskan ace, professional guide, and lifelong masterhunter George Faerber and I made our way back to our Last Frontier wilderness fly camp; we were feeling rather joyful and perky under the heavy loads of freshly-killed Barren Ground caribou meat, hide, and giant antlers. It was September of 1977, and this 26-year young whippersnapper of a diehard, Michigan bow hunter, was in heaven. Slowing down and working up quite the sweat from another long day far from camp, we humped up another mushy, lichen-covered ridge eager to end the trek, rest, and eat a hearty meal of back straps. The large, black blob, 100 yards out, stuck out like logic or soap at a Michael Moore hippie party. I had just killed my first caribou and now, lo and behold, there in front of us was my first ever black bear, and in handgun range no less. Unfortunately, after wiggling out of my cumbersome pack, I never was able to align my Smith & Wesson Model 29 sights on the gorgeous bruin, but the mere sight of the beast turned me into a lifelong bear-hunter, right then and there. Two days later I was able to ‘Dirty Harry’ a fine 300+ pound blackie at close range and I was on my way to a fullfledged, bear-hunting addiction and rug-steak adventure that has increased in intensity every year since. There have always been a lot of bears in North America. Sure, the early settlers did quite a thorough job of seriously reducing their numbers in an all-out effort to rid their new homesteads of dangerous grizzlies, wolves, coyotes, cougars and black bears; but like all those predators, the elusive and adaptable black bear dug in and held on to the nucleus populations that would grow into what is today, the largest population of black bears in recorded history. You gotta love that. My family and friends, and I have had the always-hairraising thrill of hunting black bears so far in MI, ME, CA, CO, WA, ID, AK, YK, ON, QB, NB, NK, SK, and we’re not even warmed up yet. We have sat over bait, stalked salmon streams, chased those incredible spirit hounds, and even blundered into a few bears on rare occasions, like that memorable day in Alaska in 1977. Each and every hunt, each and every encounter, each and every bear camp has been nothing
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short of spectacular, leaving very powerful imprints on my happy memory bank. As a guy who has never missed a hunting season in 64 years, and hunts more than 300 days most years, I must join most of you in giving the nod of prey-supremacy to the mighty whitetail deer. Many of my hunting buddies worship the amazing elk, some the giant moose, while others look at the incredible mule deer as the most tantalizing beast to pursue. I even have friends who live to sneak up closeand-personal with Africa’s Big Seven: elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, rhino, crocodile and hippo. But all of them agree that pursuit of the bears of the world ranks a serious close second to all our favorite species; and, more and more, I am meeting guys that place bears at the top of the list. As I continue to meet with hunting families on my nonstop travels, touring with my band every summer, and hanging out with hundreds and hundreds of hunters each
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hunting season, there is no question that bear hunting is gaining in popularity each and every year. And with good reason; as I’ve extolled so many times before, bears elicit very special sensations and feelings in people, whether hunter or non-hunter. The mystique that bears carry may be mostly historical lore and old wives’ tales, but like that September day nearly 40 years ago, I’ve experienced its power first-hand, and it is indeed a force to reckon with. The jury is not still in on the fact that these are the best-of-the-best, good old days of bear hunting. When I was growing up in Michigan, in the 1950s and 60s, black bears were still basically considered vermin, a bonus critter that one might get a crack at during
deer season. The same went for the top-hunting states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New York and Minnesota. Nowadays, we can hunt bears in places like Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Jersey where, not that long ago, there were negligible populations. We are seeing more and more black bears in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and elsewhere. This is cause for grand celebration and another big salute to the hunting families, wildlife managers, and game departments of the nation. We must increase the pressure on those states that mistakenly ban the use of bait or hounds, under-harvest their bears, fail to have a spring, open season; or, crime of crimes, waste tax dollars hiring government hunters to waste this precious wildlife resource as a liability instead of the asset it is. We have our work cut out for us to demand these common-sense upgrades, that’s for sure. So the Nugent’s are packing our bow cases and duffel bags, and heading once again into bear country; that sacred, wild ground, where wildness is confirmed by the presence of those mighty and fascinating, omnivorous, fur balls of tooth, fang, and claw, beauty and terror. When we put our hearts and souls into being the very best reasoningpredators we can be, rug steaks will be ours! God bless the bears and God bless the bear hunters. To join the Nugent’s on thrilling bear hunts and other exciting hunting adventures, contact Sunrize Safaris at tednugent.com, paul@tednugent.com, tobynugent@gmail. com, or call Paul or Toby at 517.750-9060
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PHOTO: JOHN O’HIGGINS
Parting Shot
“Monster Mexico muleys from the same week!”
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