2022 BIG GAME

Mike Bolt admits that he went off to Wyoming to chase pronghorns “not knowing how good it could really be,” but being able to pass on more than 40 bucks changed his mind in a hurry! Back in Washington, he also passed on three spikes before this bull meandered in range of his muzzleloader, was there when daughter Grace (far left) pulled the trigger on a 346-yard shot at her mule deer, and then he snuck within 40 yards of his own lateseason bow buck to wrap up a pretty good season. (COAST PHOTO CONTEST)

Y E A R B O O K

The Orcas Island blacktails that Wyatt Lundquist (this image) and brotherin-law Jesse Thomson (right) tagged featured something quite rare for San Juans archipelago deer: fat. A disease outbreak in summer 2021 sharply reduced the huge population, leading to healthier deer. (COAST PHOTO CONTEST)

Augie Castellano got himself a grizzly-strength black bear in this 7-foot-8 Southern Oregon bruin. He reported it weighed 356.5 pounds hanging at the butcher, putting its live weight well north of there, and it had a green skull measurement of 21¼ inches. He was hunting the Applegate Unit with a .30-30. (COAST PHOTO CONTEST)