Pope and Young Ethic Winter 2023 by Pope & Young

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Winter 2023

Volume 50 Number 4

The Official Journal of Pope and Young

Inside the Issue Up Front

Conservation

• Executive Director 8 • President’s Column 10 • 2nd Vice President’s Column 12 • Director’s Stand 14 • Conservation Chair 16 • Conservation Matters: Tension and Change: Where is Conservation Headed? 6

By Shane Mahoney

Project Spotlight: Understanding • Conservation Pneumonia in Bighorn Sheep - Part 2 By Mike Schlegel

Project Spotlight: Redux • Conservation By Steve Ashley 28 • Big Game Records 32 • Bears and Cats: Measuring and Scoring Skulls Reprinted from our P&Y, B&C, Joint Measurer’s Manual 40 • Big Game Species Profile: Cougar 52 • Real World Records Cougar 54 • Noska’s Notes: 3 for 3 By Frank Noska 60 • Recent 34 Recording Period Entries 70 • Super Slam: Off-Season Targets By Chuck Adams 74 • Adventure Bowhunter: Kiwi Unicorn By Tom Miranda 80 • Membership Column 82 • Membership Listing 88 • Youth Membership: Youth Story for P&Y By Kyle Hudgins 94 • The Adventurous BowWoman: A Dream Lion Hunt 26

Big Game Front Cover: Chase Archer Spencer•Species: Cougar Score: 14 8/16•Location: Washoe County, Nevada Date: 15/18/2022 Back Cover: Layne Ebbers•Species: Cougar Score: 14 2/16•Location: Gallatin County, MT Date: 12/12/2020

Features

Kaleb Baird•Species: Desert Bighorn Sheep Score: 166 0/8•Location: Saguache County, Colorado Date: 08/02/2022

Membership Youth Adventurous BowWoman

By Guest Writer Courtney Jenner

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2023•Winter

Join our Community

Executive Director By Justin Spring

t is with great honor that I pen my first column as the Executive Director of the Pope and Young Club. While I have had the privilege to work with Pope and Young’s leadership for the past 15 years while working for the Boone and Crockett Club, I thought I would start by giving you a bit of my history and a high-level view of where I see archery hunting, and ultimately the organization, going in the near future. I was fortunate enough to grow up on the southern Oregon coast and begin my archery education at a very young age. I don’t remember when my dad started letting me tag along, but some of my first memories in the woods were chasing

elk. He archery hunted Roosevelt’s elk with a hunting party that included my future hunter education teacher and an archery shop owner. In elementary school, I would go to this archery shop every afternoon as the owner’s wife was my babysitter, and for many years, each day would be spent shooting an early PSE compound instinctively. All through high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in Natural Resources, namely big game conservation. When it came time to select a college, after visiting a few different schools as a soccer recruit, my ultimate decision of which school to attend came down to the number of deer I saw on the way to

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and from the college visit in northern Wisconsin. I obtained a natural resource degree from Northland College while also learning about archery whitetail hunting in the agriculture of the upper Midwest. After school, I finished my final summer season of guiding at a fly-fishing lodge in Alaska and began my search for employment hand in hand with my at-the-time girlfriend and now wife of 12 years. We spent time working for different state agencies and private timber companies in Minnesota, Oregon, and Idaho before I drew an Oregon mountain goat tag in 2008. We had been applying for different jobs at the time, though most we heard back from were seasonal wildlife jobs. I had applied for an Assistant Director position with Boone and Crockett a few months earlier and had not heard back when the mandatory orientation class for all sheep and goat hunters came about. As the orientation began and they were introducing the speakers and agenda for the day, Buck Buckner, the Records Chairman and Vice President of Big Game Records of the Boone and Crockett Club was scheduled to speak. After the morning concluded, we gathered for lunch, and I noticed Buck toward the end of the line. I leaned over toward Rebecca and said “Make yourself big; we need to save a seat for Buck.” We had a great lunch, and the following Monday, I received a call from the Boone and Crockett Club to schedule a phone interview. A few days later, they followed up and requested an in-person interview in Montana. I was offered the job and officially had my start in the outdoors industry and conservation world. For the following 15 years, I was immersed in the records side of Boone and

Pope & Young Club Founded 1961 Board of Directors President•Kurt Ebers 227 Stone Ridge Drive, Hannibal, MO 63401 573-719-8933•kcebers@gmail.com

First Vice President•Dallas Smith PO Box 460806, Leeds, UT 84746-0806 435-680-2870•dallas4263@hotmail.com

Crockett Club, which obviously put me in close contact with Pope and Young. I got to know the Hiseys quite well and worked with both Kevin and Glenn. I’ve worked very closely with the two most recent Pope and Young Records Chairmen, Ed Fanchin and Roy Grace, for years. While my understanding of records for both organizations is quite strong, the future of wildlife and hunting in North America will not be solely ensured by record keeping. We are at a place in time where many things of the past may soon only be found in the annals of history unless we unify and recognize changes are taking place. Many have heard that hunter numbers are dropping, and in terms of the number of United States citizens participating, this is true. But more hunters are afield, and fewer places are available to hunt. Advances in technology have made us more efficient in nearly all aspects. From increased shot distances to the amount of land that can be scouted via cameras, our footprints as hunters get bigger and bigger

on a shrinking available landscape. Archery hunters have generally sacrificed effective range for the chance to hunt more, and if there was ever a time to embrace this mentality, it is today. We must look to science to back our positions and ensure we are formulating our ideas on the resource, not our selfish desires. The topics of sights, crossbows, tag allocations, and opportunity will undoubtedly find themselves between the margins of this column going forward. In addition, we will discuss recruitment, perspectives, and desires a new archery hunter comes to the table with and how we can engage them and all hunters in ensuring their ethics and concern for wildlife and wild places drive their actions moving forward. If the membership of Pope and Young can take arms in this effort and expand our presence to all archery hunters, especially those desiring to join our ranks, I have no doubt our kids and grandkids will be afforded the opportunity to become enchanted with archery hunting as well.

Second Vice President•Scott Bakken 4727 Arbor Crossing SE, Apt 219, Alexandria, MN 56308 715-213-8854•scott@dialedarchery.com

Treasurer•Phil Dalrymple 4542 E. Camp Lowell Dr. Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85712 520-400-6035•pdalrymple@randacpas.com

Past President Director•Jim Willems 5750 Rail Rd., Farmington, NM 87402 505-330-8211•jimwillems@q.com

Directors Merritt Compton 469 Aiken Road, Trumansburg, NY 14886 607-387-5112•mcc11@cornell.edu

John “Jack” Culpepper 1700 George Bush Dr., E #240 College Station, TX 77840 979-696-1444•jack@culpepperrealty.com

Ken Rimer 512 171st Street, Hammond, WI 54015 715-410-3195•camoose195.28@gmail.com

Records Chair•Roy Grace P.O. Box 948, Lakeside, AZ 85929 760-851-4434•roy@pope-young.org

Membership Chair•Stephen LePage 2574 Divide Rd., Lewistown, MT, 59457 406-535-5636•stephenandamylepage@yahoo.com

Conservation Chair•Doug Clayton 18016 Colt Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51502 402-305-1941•dclay33@cox.net

Youth Coordinator•Ricky Krueger 2498 Highland Rd 2, Fremont, NE 68025 402-720-4520•antlers22@hotmail.com

The Pope and Young Ethic, Volume 50, No. 4, Winter 2023, ISSN#23815655 is published quarterly by Pope and Young, 223 South Main St. Chatfield, Minnesota 55923. Each annual Membership dues includes $23.80 subscription fee for The P&Y Ethic, Journal of Pope and Young. USPS #16690 in Chatfield, MN 55923. Periodical Postage paid at Chatfield, MN 55923 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to The P&Y Ethic, Pope and Young, PO Box 548, Chatfield, MN 55923.

Pope & Young Club 223 South Main Street, PO Box 548, Chatfield, MN 55923 Phone: 507-867-4144•Fax: 507-867-4144 Email: admin@pope-young.org Website: www.pope-young.org

••••••••••••••••••• The Pope and Young Ethic is the official publication of the Pope & Young Club, Inc. It is published four times each year and distributed to its membership, friends, and other supporters.

Members are invited to submit comments, questions, photos, artwork, and short articles. All contributions must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope if they are to be returned. However the Pope & Young Club does not assume responsibility for the safe return of any unsolicited materials. Items submitted for publication should be sent to the Ethic Editor, steve@pope-young.org, Pope & Young Club, P.O. Box 548, Chatfield, MN 55923, or admin@pope-young.org. Any questions can be directed to Steve Ashley, P&Y Ethic Editor, steve@pope-young.org, or write in care of the Pope & Young office. The opinions and views contained herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Pope & Young Club. Advertising is accepted at the discretion of the Pope & Young Club. For information contact Dylan Ray, dylan@pope-young.org. The editorial team reserves the right to reject or edit any material which may be deemed detrimental to bowhunting or the Pope & Young Club. The Board of Directors shall make the final determination on questionable materials. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission of Pope and Young. All requests for such use should be directed to the Ethic Editor at the above address or 507-867-4144.

•••••••••••••••••••••• Submission Deadlines are as follows•January 15 for Spring Issue•April 15 for Summer Issue•July 15 for Fall Issue•October 15 for Winter Issue•© Copyright 2023, Pope & Young Club, Inc.

Trust Officer•John Gardner 4837 HWY 172, Durango, CO 81303 970 749 2013•wildlifex@protonmail.com

Board Secretary•Michael A. Oropallo 4578 West Lake Rd., Auburn, NY 13021 moropallo@barclaydamon.com

•••••••••••••••••• P&Y Staff

Executive Director•Justin Spring Marketing Manager•Dylan Ray Director of Records•Tim Rozewski Office Manager•Shelly Sabin Special Projects Coordinator•Heather Knight Membership Services•Shelly Sabin Office Support•Open Records Coordinator•Open Museum Curator•Larry Streiff Associate Editors•Steve Ashley & Mike Schlegel Art Director•Wild Snow Design, LLC / Tara Bondar

Winter•2023

President’s Column By Kurt Ebers

he following is a short recap of the major accomplishments and areas of interest around Pope and Young. As President, I feel much was accomplished in 2023 and feel the organization is well-positioned for continued success going into 2024.

33rd Biennial Convention (Reno, NV.) • Successful

(attendance/financially) convention with 935 attendees. Largest ever display of trophy animals, with 168 of

which 13 were world records. Please make plans to attend the 34th Biennial Convention in Glendale, AZ, on April 9th-12th, 2025.

9th Edition Bowhunting Big Game Records of North America • Editors Ricky Krueger

and Doug Strecker worked collaboratively with staff to produce the onetime-only two-volume limited set (750 copies) record book listing all records

on file. Less than 200 copies remain, so act now and order your 9th edition record book online at P&Y’s website (www.pope-young.org).

•

Membership Growing and retaining members continues to be a top priority of the board and staff. General Lifetime General Youth Regular Senior Lifetime Regular Lifetime Senior Total

4,651 719 139 198 242 48 34 6,031

In 2023, the P&Y saw an overall 4% increase in its membership, with the largest growth being in General and Regular memberships. As for Regular, 57 members advanced in 2023.

Giving Societies • Working

jointly, your Board of Directors and the Trust Fund Committee have updated our giving societies program to

RAZORHEAD SOCIETY

recognize those members looking for an opportunity to contribute to the Club’s Mission beyond their regular annual membership. Please consider joining a society as the financial contribution allows the

2023•Winter

Pope & Young to continue growing the Trust Fund (% of interest income used to support operations) and grow our Conservation/Outreach initiatives like our support of several Wild Sheep Foundation. conservation projects and Shane Mahoney’s Wild Harvest Initiative to name a few. For more information on the two giving societies (Fred Bear & Razorhead), please visit our website and the Support tab at the top of the page.

Financially Sound • Due to

management of expenses, growing membership and trophy fees, and a successful biennial convention, the P&Y has $2.12M in its Charles Schwab investment accounts ($770,000 Reserve/ Operating/Lifetime Membership Fees and $1.35M Trust Fund).

Executive Director • 2023 saw

a change in the P&Y leadership. On October 18th, Justin Spring began employment with P&Y as its Executive Director. Justin has spent his entire career in the outdoors industry, with the last 15 years with the Boone & Crockett Club. Justin was B&C’s Director of Big Game Records for the past eight years. 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the Pope and Young as a board election is coming in January. Our Executive Director, Justin Spring, will have a few months under his belt and be positioned to lead our organization into its new chapter. As mentioned, we have an election in January. Your vote matters, please take the time to submit your ballot.

2nd Vice President Column By Scott Bakken

oving to a new town is never easy. I mean, just the process of moving M alone is enough to make anyone want to

motivate us and encourage us to be better and do better things; where it’s not about the number of people in your group, but the quality. Where would one start to search for individuals like that to join their pack? Over the course of my life, I have moved several times, mainly due to new job opportunities. Still, every time after the dust settles and the pain and annoyance of moving wears off, the reality sets in that you are by yourself, which most times I’m totally okay with, but eventually, after some time, you realize that maybe it’s time to start meeting some new people. For most, the first plan of attack for meeting new people is the local watering hole and or coworkers. Both generally yield some results, but there are positives and negatives to this plan of attack. Generally, one leads to

fly off the handle and go on a path of mass destruction. Meeting new people and developing a new network of friends is one of the hardest parts about moving into a new area. Nowadays, with social media, Snapchat, TikTok, and whatever other apps are out there for interacting with others without actually having to have face-to-face interaction, finding a new crew or group has become a little bit easier. However, what about those of us who don’t have social media (full disclosure, I haven’t had social media for over 20 years) or aren’t looking to develop just any group of associates but are looking to meet a group of people who bring positive energy into our lives, that

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foggy mornings and drinking orange juice out of the carton, and the other means you can never get away from work because even when you’re not at work, you still talk about work. Looking at my group of friends, the majority of them I met because of one common element…… a bow and arrow. When I first moved to Minnesota a couple of years ago, I didn’t know anyone in the area, but I was moving there for a new business venture, and that was my main focus. However, over time, I did start to meet people, and the ones that I really hit it off with were the ones that enjoyed archery as much as I do, and now, a couple of those new acquaintances have become really close friends. I also think about all the people I’ve been able to meet while traveling for work to archery events, as well as clients I’ve guided and how some of them have become close friends, but it was because of hunting and the sport of archery that connected all of us. Archery is a pretty powerful tool for connecting with others, but it is also a way to weed out the ones that aren’t a right fit for your life and your goals. You spend some time on a range or in the field long enough with someone, and you’ll quickly learn who they are as a person and which direction their moral compass is pointing. As hunters, we tend to look at each other as competitors, which, at the end of the day, I guess we are, and there’s nothing wrong with a little competition. However, if you really look at it, no one else on the planet understands a bowhunter better than a fellow bowhunter. It’s tough to understand the discipline, the obsession, the perfectionism, and the dedication of being an archer, but those who participate get it and are generally wired the same way. Archers and bowhunters are a unique breed and sometimes can be a little “out there,” but if it wasn’t for archery, I doubt I would have met some of the best people you can find. Cheers to those I call my friends and those I have yet to meet.

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Director’s Stand By Merritt C. Compton

not sure how it’s possible, but it seems Justin’s broad knowledge and experience will Northeast, Midwest, and West and then back Ilast’mlikeyear’s yesterday I was writing this column for be a great asset to our organization! to Texas for a ‘bigger and better’ event! Stay In addition to Justin coming on Board, Director’s Stand. It truly is amazing tuned and watch for additional information how quickly time passes these days. Yet, here we are, another year in the rearview mirror. As we all know, there is definitely one constant in life: that change is constant. As one of your Board of Directors, I can tell you the Pope & Young Club is ever-evolving, so it strives to make changes that will keep the Club current, healthy, and moving forward. By the time you read this column, your Club will have a new Executive Director. Welcome Justin Spring! I’m sure many of you know Justin as the past Director of Records for the Boone & Crockett Club. Justin has served on many of the joint panels of P&Y and B&C measurers and has been a familiar face at recent conventions. I’m very confident that

2023•Winter

another election of officers will be taking place. You’ll also have a new President, 1st Vice-President, and two new Director’s. As I write this, nominations will be starting in early November. I’m confident that whoever fills these critical positions, the Board will remain strong, like-minded, and viable as the Club moves into the future. Our P&Y Bowhunter Bashes continues to be a HUGE success! From Ogden, Utah, to a soldout event in early December in Bryan/College Station, Texas. Your Board and ‘the Team’ in the Main office are making plans to spread our “Preserve, Promote, Protect” message across the country in 2024. Plans are being made for additional Bowhunter Bashes in the

via our social media platforms and the Ethic. Of course, I’d be amiss if I didn’t take the time to mention our upcoming convention in Glendale, AZ, April 9th-12th, 2025. Flipping through the pages of the Fall issue of the Ethic, I noticed on pages 88 and 89 the photo contest winners at the Reno Convention. Between now and the convention in 2025, I wonder what photos our membership could come up with? As I stated at the beginning of my column, time flies in the ‘blink of an eye,’ so start making plans NOW to join us and be a snowbird for a week (or more). In closing, I hope all of you have had a safe and successful season! Hope to see you at a P&Y event soon!

Conservation Chair Column By Doug Clayton

the very end of September, our P&Y made a personal decision/opinion on this, It’s now heading to President Biden for Aed metOffice and that’s what started it all. Dan said Manager, Shelly Sabin, forwardsigning. an email from a Regular member things were being worked out behind the As noted, P&Y was aware of the situation. with a link to the story concerning the loss of funding for hunting/archery school programs. I want to share with you my reply: “I attended the AWCP meeting in Big Sky, MT, in early August. One of the topics addressed was the controversial decision from the Dept. of Education regarding hunting/archery programs in schools. Monday evening, DURING the reception, Regina (a SCI lawyer) approached me about whether P&Y would be interested in joining a lawsuit with them on this. The topic was brought up on Tuesday during the AWCP meeting, and Dan Forster (ATA) gave a history of what’s happening. It started last May in Alaska when what he termed a “rogue” employee

scenes – in a bipartisan effort – to get this squared away until again, using his words, “Fox News blew it up” and made it public. Then, it became a lot more political. He believed nothing should be done, especially lawsuit-wise, until at least September 15, when Congress reconvenes. He believed more defined wording could be worked out between now and then to ensure those programs are not impacted. More legislation may be needed, i.e., a bill explicitly addressing this, but for now, the bipartisan agreement on wording should suffice. This has been rectified by a unanimous vote by the Senate and a near-unanimous vote in the House passing “The Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act.”

Conservation Fund Donors

Welcome Justin Spring!

•Edward Alltop

•Ford Dye

•William Naleid

•Stan & Carolyn Godfrey

•Eddie Dowdy

•Raymond Latty

Thanks to these Pope and Young Conservation Fund supporters!

2023•Winter

I appreciate your concern and making contact regarding how it was handled by Pope & Young. With President Biden’s signing of this bipartisan effort, hunter education and other archery and shooting sports programs will continue to be funded by Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) funds. The question raised by this member is a very valid one, and any time any member has a question on any issue, whether they are a General/Regular/Senior member, regarding the stance P&Y has on national issues or anything related to how business is conducted, don’t hesitate to reach out to any Board member. Phone numbers and email addresses of Board members can be found at the front of every issue of the P&Y Ethic quarterly magazine.

By the time you read this, Pope & Young’s new Executive Director, Justin Spring, will have been at the helm for several months. P&Y measurers know Justin’s expertise and experience, especially regarding measuring, as he served as the Boone & Crockett Club’s Director of Big Game Records for many years. B&C has been a leader in conservation efforts across the country throughout its illustrious history. For several months, Pope & Young has somewhat held off on moving forward on its conservation efforts, waiting until Justin was settled in with his new position. The Board wants his input. Even though his background is more focused on measuring, he still brings a wealth of knowledge to conservation efforts based on his B&C background, which will help direct Pope & Young’s future conservation efforts. Exciting times are ahead for Pope & Young.

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Conservation Matters By Shane Kurt Ebers P. Mahoney

Tension and Change: Where Is Conservation Headed? “Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” ~ John Donne

ike all human endeavors, conservation efforts are embedded in a dynamic process driven by human emotions and world views. Indeed, for all its devout reference to science, conservation and its attending issues are primarily an emotional venture. As such, efforts in conservation will inevitably reflect the wider circumstances of our society and the evolving norms and political perspectives that form the basis of our personal and cultural life choices. In this regard we may confidently predict that periods of relatively calm, where our values seem to be held almost in common, will give way, periodically,

to other times when our debates concerning the future of hunting and conservation will become more intense and divisive. This is the nature of things, even when we speak of things in nature. Indeed, perhaps it is especially so when we speak of nature’s business, that being the intersection of all life potential on earth, all futures, wildlife’s and ours, and all hopes and dreams. For those of us whose lives are connected to conservation every day and who track the debates and dialogues of the moment, it certainly seems clear that we have moved into a much more confrontational and divisive

phase. The antagonism has escalated, and the bitterness and personalized nature of attacks increased. Certainly, debates have measurably intensified over access to wildlife; over state agency responsiveness; over private landowner rights and privileges; over ballot initiatives and legislative processes challenging hunting; indeed, over so many things integral to the North American Model. So, where is this all headed? How do we make sense of it? Are we about to see the undermining of the very institutions, philosophies and processes that have guided wildlife conservation, particularly at the state and

Privately owned lands, especially agricultural lands, are increasingly crucial to wildlife habitat and incentives to encourage landholder stewardship are becoming ever more important.

2023•Winter

provincial levels, but also nationally as well, in both Canada and the United States, for over a century now? Is the decline and fall of our sustainable use conservation approach now in sight? No one has the crystal ball on this, but surely all of us who care must try to understand what is happening. One thing we can do is to step back, take a breath and realize that we are all actually living history, not just falling to its forces. Thus, understanding the pattern and flow of the change we are living through can be informed by the processes of change others have gone through in the past. And, if we can capture the broad outlines for the patterns of changes passed, then we have some chance of gaining perspective on the changes we see around us at present. And perspective is crucial, as only with a clear view of things can we intervene to help direct change in the direction we believe best for wildlife and for the cultural traditions that attend our engagements with wild things. It is possible, and possibly comforting, to review the broad outlines of conservation in North America, then, if for no other reason than to realize that change is the only constant we will ever know.

Perhaps the greatest lesson is that we are connected in the process of change, and we need to be very careful that the change we seek is the change we want.

Conservation’s First Wave After the European colonization of North America, ecosystems on this continent were radically altered by the unfettered exploitation of wildlife. During the 18th and 19th century, old-growth timber was plundered without limitation for infrastructure and trade back to Europe, and market hunters made a living by hunting animals in order to sell their hides (e.g., deer, pronghorn, bison, elk), meat (e.g., turkey, duck, geese), and other products (e.g., bowhead whale for their baleen) to affluent city dwellers at home and abroad. All of these species underwent drastic population declines and other species, such as the passenger pigeon, went extinct. Colonists eventually realized that Winter•2023

Conservation Matters continued

North America’s nature was not limitless, and changes had to be made to preserve and restore wild animal populations. With the rise of cities came a different type of hunter - the “sport” hunter - who adhered to the principles of fair chase, ethical treatment, and sustainable use of animals. These hunters helped spark the very first non-Indigenous conservation movement in North America, which set the foundation for the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (NAMWC), a system significantly influenced by European thinking and now internationally recognized for its successes, but certainly not without its critics. This model requires, amongst other things, that wildlife management is regulated by laws and policies based on science. In the early

20th century, however, such science was often lacking, and it is certainly true that the original movement narrowly focused on protecting game species, those most obviously imperiled, but leaving aside a wide swath of biodiversity. In the context of wider conservation, however, this first wave of awareness also led to the establishment of national parks and forests and wildlife preserves, and market hunting was indeed eliminated, and animal populations started to recover. However, such changes also brought terrible costs. In the colonizer’s movements westward, and in the making of protected areas, Indigenous Peoples (IPs) were forced off their ancestral lands and excluded from stewardship, food security and economic opportunities, and

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the overzealous focus on game species sometimes impaired entire ecosystems. For example, in 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt made the Kaibab Plateau and the adjacent Grand Canyon a national game preserve, partly because of the area’s scenic splendor and partly because of low levels of (once plentiful) mule deer in the area. Conservation, as understood at the time, was a top priority for both the interested public and the government. “Uncle Jim” Owens was employed by the government to hunt mountain lions, wolves and coyotes, and bounties were paid to the public to hunt many different predator species. Furthermore, all hunting of deer, including subsistence hunting by IPs was banned and enforced by park rangers. The lack of any top-down control led to an over-abundance of mule deer, ultimately resulting in the starvation and collapse of the population. Not all outcomes of change are positive, we see, even when they are well intentioned.

The Second Wave In the mid-20th century, people were already becoming increasingly detached from nature due to the growth of cities and industrialization. The importance of nongame (nonhunted) species increased in the public eye as well, while hunters attracted early criticism, despite their role in helping establish a conservation ethos in North America. At the same time, studies of biology and ecology were gaining momentum and conservation efforts started to focus on the health of the entire ecosystem (including predator species) and the effects of habitat fragmentation on species loss and recovery. In 1967 the first list of endangered species with federal protection was published in the US, and in 1975 the first conference for the management of nongame species was held. However, hunters and anglers continued to play a dominant role. Earlier in this second phase (1930’s to 1950’s), major conservation funding efforts

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Conservation Matters continued

were launched with taxes and fees placed on hunting and angling equipment and many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) were founded and funded, many of them by hunters and anglers, and many of which had as their focus the protection and restoration, not just of species, but of wildlife habitat in general. While increasing scientific knowledge greatly benefitted the conservation movement, broader social engagement outside the hunter and angler communities was still modest during much of this period, though it certainly was increasing. And while the major focus of the new NGOs remained on iconic and harvestable species, the gradual rise of animal welfare and rights perspectives was clear and decisive, offsetting a wave of tensions and fractious discourse. These were the early days of reaction against activities such as international (trophy) hunting, for example, but also saw the early indications of mounting sensitivity and concern for policies that harmed indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). We might remember that change may have no conscious direction and can easily follow multiple and conflicting roads, often simultaneously.

The Third Wave This brings us to where we are now, in the midst of what is clearly a third wave for North American conservation. We are living in a time of unprecedented human population growth and wild habitat loss, and at a time when many communities identify

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climate change and invasive species as issues of greatest conservation concern. At the same time, we are living in a time of intense social change and within a global context of information flow that is unprecedented. We have arrived at a place where the rightful concerns of Indigenous and local peoples are being integrated in conservation decision making processes in increasingly meaningful and influential ways. Further, a remarkable and widespread rise in animal empathy has gone mainstream in public discourse with far reaching implications for conservation politics everywhere. However, funding for conservation is also not limitless, though it sometimes seems that the threats to wildlife are, and here in North America participation in hunting and angling has drastically decreased over the past decades, resulting in reduced funding for conservation from these traditional sources. This has led to intense efforts to find new funding that will almost certainly come from interests indifferent to or maybe even opposed to some hunting practices. The decline in hunters and anglers will also lead to reduced agency on the part of these communities and to less advocacy for wildlife from the sustainable use perspective. Meanwhile wildlife habitat is being eaten up at a ferocious pace, and agriculture continues to rapidly expand its use of land, bringing a complicated mélange of influences to bear on both global and North American wildlife policies. To meet the demands of a growing human population, we have lost 0.8 million km2 of forested land and added 1.9 million

km2 of agricultural land, globally, since 1960. Currently, approximately 49% of the Earth’s ice-free land surface is devoted to agriculture alone. More than ever, therefore, cultivated and private lands are seen as crucial to conservation efforts everywhere and incentives to encourage conservation by private landowners, while posing many challenges, simply must be found. The intense private landowner participation of today represents a revolution in North American conservation thinking, though its origins go far back into the second, and even first conservation waves. Thus, we see that change introduces a constantly changing set of influencers and that new issues can arise quickly just as older issues can gradually gain strength to become dominant forces in conservation’s agenda.

Conclusion Even this scant overview of North American conservation history can teach us valuable lessons. Change is constant but not all changes are positive and change seldom follows a single path or is ever represented by a single idea or individual. The main players move, rise and fall, and while some issues have long incubation times others are quick to rise and confront established orders. But perhaps the greatest lesson is that we are all connected in the process of change, and we need to be very careful that the change we seek is the change we want. It is far easier to tear down than to build. We must be very clear on what we really hope to achieve and listen carefully for whom the bell tolls.

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Conservation Project Spotlight By Mike Schlegel

Understanding Pneumonia in Bighorn Sheep: Part 2 (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), n the last Conservation Project Spotlight Iclearing and National Park Service. The USFS and BLM column, the technique and the success of Mycoplasma ovipneumonia (Movi) in lands are managed under the ‘multiple-use’ bighorn sheep populations were highlighted. This column will discuss techniques to prevent bighorn sheep from contracting Movi. In review, Mycoplasma ovipneumonia is a bacterium that is ‘host-specific’ to domestic sheep and goats. Host-specific means an organism occurs solely in a specific host(s). Usually, when host-specific organisms are passed to nonhost-specific species, there is normally an adverse reaction in the nonhostspecific species. Domestic sheep and goats are host-specific for Movi, and bighorn sheep are nonhost-specific. When bighorn sheep have direct contact with domestic sheep or goats, Movi is transmitted to them. Once a bighorn sheep is infected with Movi, it is spread to other bighorns. The disease process was discussed in the last column. Most bighorn sheep habitat is publicly owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service

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concept, which allows for commercial and non-commercial uses. In allowing commercial use, the USFS and BLM are mandated to manage and maintain habitat to sustain viable native plant and animal species. Livestock grazing allotments, primarily cattle and sheep, are authorized where deemed compatible with other resources. Most allotments were authorized decades ago before the disease association between domestic sheep and bighorn sheep was known. However, once bighorn sheep die-offs were positively linked to contact with domestic sheep/goats, the agencies were obligated to protect bighorn sheep. Allotments were evaluated to determine their proximity to bighorn sheep populations, and if needed, adjustments were applied. In 2005, the Chief of the Forest Service refused to approve the Payette National Forest Management Plan due to concerns for bighorn

sheep, primarily the potential for transmitting Movi from domestic sheep to bighorns. There were 11 documented bighorn sheep die-offs that occurred in the western states during 2010, some of which were on or in close proximity to public lands. At this time, the USFS initiated a program to evaluate the risk domestic sheep allotments posed to nearby bighorn sheep populations. In 2010, the Payette National Forest published the Bighorn Sheep Viability Analysis as part of their amended forest management plan. This analysis provided guidance for managing domestic sheep allotments in close proximity to bighorn sheep populations. The analysis is actually the integration of three separate models: (1) a bighorn sheep summer habitat model; (2) a risk of contact model; and (3) a disease model. The following are excerpts from the 2015 Bighorn Sheep Risk of Contact Tool, V2. This tool is referred to as the Risk of Contact (ROC). The ROC provides a framework for addressing the potential of contact and disease transmission for use in Forest and project-level planning and developing bighorn sheep conservation measures on public lands. Specifically, “The summer habitat model used remote sensing derived data (vegetation, topography, etc.) to map suitable summer bighorn sheep habitat and to develop a habitat preference map. The risk of contact model used bighorn sheep locations, movement data, and habitat preference to model the probability and rate of contact between bighorn sheep and active

domestic sheep allotments (O’Brien et al., 2014). This model used telemetry or observation data to construct a core herd home range (CHHR). Based on foray rates and habitat preferences, the model then estimated the probability that bighorn sheep (rams and ewes) that foray outside of the CHHR will contact domestic sheep allotments and calculated a rate of contact with those domestic sheep allotments. The disease model used the calculated rate of contact and demographic characteristics of bighorn sheep given disease perturbations to assess the extirpation probabilities of bighorn sheep herds.” “In August 2011, a four-step approach to viability analysis and standardized risk assessment was outlined and mandated by the Deputy Chief of Forest Service to minimize the potential for disease transmission through interaction between bighorn and domestic sheep. Forests require a strategy

and consistent analysis tools to assess the potential contribution of Forest Service active domestic sheep allotments to bighorn sheep disease events.” ” In response to bighorn sheep population viability concerns, the Payette National Forest developed a methodology for calculating the probability and rates of contact between bighorn sheep and active domestic sheep allotments.” “The Tool uses several inputs, including a core herd home range (CHHR), a habitat model, and a map of active domestic sheep allotments to estimate the probability and rate of contact between bighorn sheep and occupied domestic sheep allotments. The CHHR is either generated by the Tool from user-supplied telemetry or observation points or directly provided as a user-delineated polygon based on local expert knowledge. The Forest Service has developed draft summer habitat raster models for the western states.

They are used in calculating habitat suitability and connectivity for purposes of bighorn sheep movements across landscapes. Forest Service, BLM, and the states are collaborating on reviewing and finalizing these models to fit local biophysical settings. Winter habitat raster models for the western states are also in development. Finally, a local unit active domestic sheep allotment polygon layer is used in the analysis to calculate the probability and rates of contact with the allotment.” “As an example, if the model output is 0.08 contacts (combined ram and ewe) with an allotment per year, and the assumed probability of contact with an allotment resulting in an interspecies disease transmission and outbreak event is one in four (0.25), the average disease outbreak period would be 50 years. Although we still lack empirical data to make recommendations on the periodicity of outbreaks and the effects on bighorn sheep, this might

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Conservation Project Spotlight continued

be a good benchmark to ensure population persistence until better data are available.” “Although there is no guidance on the number of decades required to recover from a disease outbreak, observations of herds that have experienced pneumonic events indicate it likely requires many decades if the herd recovers at all. Given the severity of respiratory dieoffs and the potential link to domestic sheep as a causal factor in outbreaks, management scenarios should allow for long periods of time without interspecies contact. Population recovery is unlikely where interspecies contact, potentially resulting in disease transmission and subsequent disease outbreaks, occurs within a few decades of each other.” When the ROC value indicates a domestic sheep allotment is a disease risk to bighorn sheep, it creates a hardship for the allotment permittee. The USFS, BLM, state wildlife management agencies, and bighorn sheep advocacy groups have worked together to address hardships. The following are possible solutions for a permittee: (1) if possible, the allotment boundaries can be adjusted to reduce the risk of contact significantly; (2) create a new allotment free of risk; (3) convert the allotment use from domestic sheep to cattle; (4) allotment buy-out; and (5) allotment retirement. The Wild Sheep Foundation, its state chapters and affiliates, and the National Wildlife Federation have worked together to help resolve allotment issues. Collectively, approximately $15-20 million has been spent. Domestic sheep also occur on private lands in close proximity to bighorn sheep habitat. In these situations, state wildlife management agencies and bighorn sheep advocacy

References United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; United States Department of Interior; Bureau of Land Management. Bighorn Sheep Risk of Contact Tool v2 User Guide, March 2015. Prepared by USFS/BLM Bighorn Sheep Working Group https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO8M6eRG0tU https://youtu.be/zO8M6eRG0tU

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groups contact the landowners to educate them regarding the Movi issue and opportunities to prevent disease transmission. Obviously, this is a voluntary commitment by the landowner. For example, the Hells Canyon Bighorn Restoration Committee works with the Asotin County Conservation District to contact private property landowners with domestic sheep and/or goats within the restoration area. If the landowner is willing to engage in the program, they are educated about the disease. Also, their sheep/goats are tested for Movi, as not all sheep or goats have Movi. Their management plan is also evaluated, with suggested changes if disease transmission is a potential. County 4H leaders are also contacted and educated regarding the Movi issue. This program is jointly and equally funded by the Idaho, Oregon, and Washington state wildlife management agencies, plus each state’s Wild Sheep Foundation. The following is a link to a YouTube video regarding this program: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=JDGXXSqJBMI. In summary, bighorn sheep contract Movi from direct contact with domestic sheep and goats, which hosts the Movi bacteria. There

are currently no drugs and/or vaccinations to treat or protect bighorn sheep from Movi. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture conducts research related to domestic sheep at their Sheep Experiment Station (USSES) near Dubois, Idaho. They are brainstorming and seeking funding for a Movi project in domestic sheep, specifically evaluating the various strains of domestic sheep and their genotypes for acquiring and transmitting Movi.

ION Update Pope and Young contributed funds to the test and remove programs for the ION project (see the last Ethic issue). To date, 300 bighorn sheep have been captured and sampled from seven populations. Seven chronic Movi carriers were removed, plus another seven chronic carriers died naturally or were negative when re-tested. There is a great video highlighting the bighorn sheep test and remove program produced by the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia: https://movifree.org/film or Transmission Film-Movi Free. Here is a new, 15 minute version of the original 50 minute version: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-MoOLn6JlM

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BP231278520

Conservation Project Spotlight: REDUX By Steve Ashley

I first met Judy Kovar sometime around 1990. Judy, at that time, was one of the original “ambassadors of bowhunting,” going around the Midwest with her Heritage program, doing her part to Preserve, Promote, and Protect Bowhunting. She caught the eye of outdoor show promoter Glenn Helgeland, who featured her as a speaker at his Deer and Turkey Expo, show circuit throughout the eastern US. She quickly became a favorite of the show attendees. I was working the Wisconsin Expo as a member of the Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club (WBBC) when Glenn introduced us. As time went on, the WBBC realized the importance of Judy’s program and added her program to their conservation grant program. It wasn’t long after that we invited Judy to the 1993 Minneapolis Pope and Young Biennial Convention. Judy was an immediate hit at the 93 convention, joining the Club in September of that same year. Over the next decade and a half, Judy became a strong Pope and Young Club supporter, donating many of her hand-made Native American jackets and vests as fundraising items for the Club. Those who purchased these items still wear them proudly to this day. Judy, to everyone who knew her, will be remembered as a truly special person. In that spirit, we are rerunning this Conservation Project Spotlight that appeared in the Pope and Young Club’s Fall 2002 Newsletter.

BY TOM NELSON, CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEMBER

The Pope and Young Club’s Conservation Program’s Mission Statement is “To Protect the future of our bowhunting heritage and promote the conservation and welfare of habitat and wildlife.” In 2001 the Pope and Young Club’s Conservation Fund grants totaled more than $84,000. These dollars were awarded to projects in the areas of education, pro-wildlife management and research. Over the past several years the club has given more than $400,000 to conservation projects around the world. One such project is Judy Kovar’s Heritage Program. Judy is a Northern Cheyenne Indian residing in Illinois. Judy has spent most of her life in the woods whether it be digging roots for medicine, bowhunting and even trapping.

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An avid bowhunter Judy has successfully hunted deer, turkey, black bear and mountain lion with bow. As an only child, she learned about her native culture from her mother. Her grandfather was a Cheyenne medicine man. With the support of the Pope and Young Club, Judy takes her “Heritage Program” right to the cradle of our future leaders and voters, “America’s children”. Judy goes into America’s public school systems, often in urban environments, such as Chicago, St. Louis, Sioux Falls, etc. Wearing her white elk hide dress, Judy surrounds students with various animal mounts, bows, arrows, bone tools and assorted props. Her presentation lasts about an hour. During that time she talks about conservation, predator instincts, and how harvesting animals was and is normal. She goes on to explain to students how the animal was utilized back in the 1800’s and compares it with today. Judy states “Today’s public school children live in a neon light, asphalt and concrete jungle. They have books in front of them, but they have not been exposed to the real Mother Nature”. Judy Kovar has been doing these programs for fifteen years. Judy says that her lectures

cannot neutralize animal rights efforts, but is a step in the right direction. Judy believes that, being a female, a half blooded Indian, and a bowhunter helps to de-PETA-ize the student and teachers. Judy also says, “I plant the seed and hopefully it will sprout and grow. Educate the children, give them all the details and let them make the decision for themselves.” Judy Kovar’s project is just one of over two dozen conservation related activities that the Pope and Young Club’s Conservation Fund donates grant money to. The next time the Club has a raffle or an auction to raise money for these needy projects, remember Judy Kovar and what she is doing for the future of our beloved sport of Bowhunting. Far Left: Judy with several of her Pope & Young whitetails. Above Left: Judy signing certificates for students of her Heritage Program. Above: Right: Judy with her caribou. Right: Judy shows a whitetail cape to some students at one of her programs.

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Big Game Records By Roy Grace

hope all of you are enjoying winter and the holiday season. As I write this column, I reflect on a wonderful summer/fall season that just ended. My son was able to arrow his first Coues whitetail deer, I arrowed my first AZ black bear, and my wife arrowed her first bull elk. To say she was excited would be an understatement. We also shared elk camp with a fellow measurer and long-time P&Y supporter, Charlie Rehor, from Massachusetts. We had a great time, and Charlie was able to arrow his best bull elk to date. This is just another testament to the people you meet and the lifelong friends you make in this Club and the measuring world. Speaking of measuring, at this reading, we’ll have just completed our last Figure 1

measurer’s workshop for the 2023 season in College Station, Texas. Twentyfour (24) new measurers will begin volunteering their time recording some of North America's finest trophy animals taken by a bow and arrow. Thank you for your decision to serve the Club, and welcome to the measuring arena!

Welcome Our New Executive Director I would also like to welcome our newly appointed Executive Director, Justin Spring, from Montana. For those in the measuring world, Justin is no stranger. He is a lifetime member of the Pope and Young Club, an official measurer for both P&Y and B&C, has served on several panels, and is the former Director of Big Game Records for the Boone and Crockett Club. Justin brings much experience to our Club in many other areas and is excited to lead our Club into the future.

Score Forms and Affidavits Just a reminder to all of our Pope and Young measurers, as well as our Boone and Crockett measurers who measure trophies for us: if you need additional Pope and Young score forms and/or affidavits and do not have the technical equipment to download them from our site and print them, PLEASE contact Shelly at the main office (507-867-4144) and she will send you what you need. PLEASE do not use Boone and Crockett score forms if at all possible. Our staff must recreate those forms and place them on a P&Y score form in our system. If that is all you have (B&C score form), by all means, submit it, and we will accept it. However, we MUST have a P&Y

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Fair Chase Affidavit sheet completely filled out in order to process.

Measurer Incentive Program Our preliminary data shows that our measurer incentive program is off to a GREAT start with the signing up of new members. Some of you have signed up an incredible number of new members since this new program was implemented in January of 2023. Several of you have received your incentive prizes and continue to get even better ones! THANK YOU all for participating in this program. Our membership chairman, Stephen LePage, is working with his committee on ideas for retaining all of these folks. If you are one of those new members, THANK YOU for joining, and welcome!

The Measuring Manual The Director of Records and I have fielded quite a few phone calls on measuring questions over the last few months. We LOVE to talk about measuring and also enjoy hearing from you. However, for those that are unlucky and get me, you’ve probably noticed I don’t simply give you the answer (providing I know it off hand). Instead, I generally walk you through our official measuring manual and try to point you in the direction where you can find the answer. I’m really not trying to be difficult. I am simply doing what my mentors and trainers did to me; they taught me how to utilize our manual correctly. Please try and refer to your manual before you call us. Often, the answer can be located with a bit of research. However, if you’re having trouble finding the answer you’re seeking, by all means, call or text us.

Big Game Records continued

Sometimes, we get a question not clearly defined in our manual or a unique issue encountered only at a panel. When given these questions, we write these down on our list for future amendments to our manual so others can benefit from the question. I know that the Boone and Crockett staff does the same thing. So, if you see something that is not in our manual or somewhat unclear, let us know!

Point Determination on Velvet Antlers A reminder for measurers scoring velvet antlers: webbing material IS considered antler material when determining if a

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projection qualifies as a point. This was a group discussion at our last judge's panel. Many seasoned measurers, who do not encounter many velvet animals, were unaware that webbing material is used to determine a standalone point. To clarify, a point MUST be at least 1” in length and MUST be longer than it is wider at the location where webbing begins for it to be a point. In other words, the point must ‘stand by itself’ as a point past any webbing material. Once that is established, you can measure all the way down to the baseline and record the measurement. However, if at the 1” mark, the length is shorter or the same as the width, it does not qualify as a

point (Figure 1). For additional information and explanation, refer to page 39 of the official joint measuring manual.

Closing I would like to wish our measurers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you all for volunteering your time, and I hope you can capitalize on some of the newly implemented measurer incentives that the Board has approved. They really do know who the backbone of the organization is. I would also like to add our members and new members to that wish list, and I hope your arrows fly true. Remember to hunt ethically and in Fair Chase!

Bears and Cats•Measuring and Scoring Skulls REPRINTED FROM OUR P&Y, B&C, JOINT MEASURER’S MANUAL

ow can you measure the value of North American carnivores? Or compare one to another of the same species? You just can’t! Even if we would add into the final score the length of all claws, dimensions of the hide and the length of all four canine teeth, this might give some added data to complete the picture, but this would still come up short of a description of these big game animals. In reality, you can’t do either very well with just a tape. But two skull measurements—length and width—are at least repeatable and precise. Not so pelt size and body weight. And there are no metrics for beauty, agility, speed, stealth and strength. Both B&C and P&Y organizations recognize four categories of bears—black, grizzly, Alaska brown, and polar. Boone and Crockett recognizes two categories of cats, cougar and jaguar, while Pope and Young only recognizes cougar. Among the categories of bears, the black bear (Ursus americanus) is most widely distributed, ranging from Alaska in the North to Mexico in the south, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. From the Eastern Seaboard to the West Coast, black bears inhabit all states and Canadian provinces to some degree. Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) are accepted for record book entry from as far north as Alaska and the Yukon Territory to isolated remnant num bers in the states of Idaho, Montana, Washington and Wyoming in the southern part of their range. Currently these southern populations have been shown to be increasing and are expanding their range, though hunting is nowhere allowed in the Lower 48. States may have

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the potential to utilize hunting in the management of the species going forward, though currently their management does not include any hunter harvest. Alaska is the only location with brown bears (Ursus arctos middendorffi). These oversized grizzly bears can weigh as much as 1,600 pounds. Field photos of hunters alongside their trophy put the size of these massive bruins in perspective. Official Measurers must note that the exact location of kill is needed when submitting a grizzly bear or brown bear entry so that it can be accepted in the correct category. The final category of bear is polar bears (Ursus maritimus). They are circumpolar in range, marine in habit and are the most purely carnivorous of all bears. Some of the larger males can weigh almost as much as an Alaska brown bear and reach a length of over 9 feet. Hybridization between polar bears and grizzlies has been documented in the wild starting in 2010. While rare, it appears this is taking place more frequently as the grizzly’s range expands north. As with other categories where we see hybrids, such animals must meet the minimum score of the larger species to be entered in the record book and placed in that category. Two categories of cats are recognized in B&C’s Records Program—jaguar (Felis onca) and cougar (Felis concolor hippolestes) while P&Y only recognizes cougars. Even though jaguars are no longer hunted, they are listed in the most recent (14th) edition of the Alltime record book, Records of North American Big Game, primarily for

historical purposes. Distribution of jaguars in North America includes the very southern portions of Arizona, New Mexico, and south Texas along the border with Mexico. Numbers increase in the country of Mexico. There is great concern about the future of jaguar populations. Range-wide, jaguar numbers have dwindled substantially over the years due to habitat loss and fragmentation. On the other hand, cougar populations have increased. Human hunting harvest, either by permits or by quotas, has become effective to control numbers of cougars but not allow an over-harvest. Cougars are very shy and secretive, rarely seen incidentally during the day. These slender felines are quite sizable with adult males weighing as much as 175 pounds or more with the largest males measuring up to 8 feet long, including the tail. One of the earliest entries in B&C records, Boone and Crockett’s Records of North American Big Game, is a cougar harvested in 1901 near Meeker, Colorado, by Theodore Roosevelt, founder of the Boone and Crockett Club and the 26th president of the United States. At 15-12/16 points, it was the World’s Record until it was replaced by another cat scoring 16 points in 1964. It still shares 15th place with six other cougars out of more than 1,300 listed in the Club’s record books. The Boone and Crockett Club is not currently accepting jaguar entries in the Awards Programs unless a CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species) permit (or other documentation of legal take and possession) is included with the entry materials. The historic listings of jaguar are

maintained in the B&C record books.

Measuring Skulls Skulls of cats and bears require the simplest measurements of all trophies that are eligible for the B&C and P&Y record books. Only the length and width of the skull are recorded. However, these measurements differ from all those in other trophy categories in that their measurements are taken to the nearest sixteenth of an inch instead of to the nearest eighth of an inch. All flesh, membrane, and cartilage must be completely removed from the skull before a measurement can be made. As with all trophies, a 60-day drying period must be observed before an official measurement for trophy entry can be performed. If the skull has been boiled to remove flesh, the 60-day drying period starts after it is removed from the boiling pot. If the skull has been submerged in any liquid (e.g., to whiten the skull) the 60-day drying period starts after it is removed from the liquid. Similarly, if the skull has been frozen or stored under any conditions other than at a habitable room temperature, the 60-day drying period starts after it is returned to the specified required conditions.

Length and Width of Skull Skull measurements are best made with the lower jaw removed from the skull, if possible, as it is not part of the measured skull. Usually, the length measurement (A) extends from the most forward extension of the upper teeth to the rear of the skull (Figure 1, A). The width measurement (B) is taken across the zygomatic arches (Figure 1, B) at a right

zygomatic arch

Figure 1 ••••••••••••••••••• The green lines indicate the axis of a skull. Length (A) and width (B) measurements must be taken at a right angle to the other.

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Bears and Cats•Measuring and Scoring Skulls continued

angle to the length measurement. Skull measurements must always be taken at right angles to the skull axis. That is, the width must be taken at a right angle to the length, and the length must be taken at a right angle to the width. The correct line of measurement for skull length is a straight line from the furthest rearward facing protrusion. In Figure 2 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • This illustration shows the proper measurement for the length of a cougar skull. The correct line of measurement for length (A) is a straight line from the sagittal crest region at the rear of the skull to the frontal portion of the teeth. This line must be parallel to the surface on which the skull is resting. Note the skull front may have to be elevated, as shown here, to achieve the proper parallel measurement line.

sagittal crest

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most cases, this will be the sagittal crest region at the rear of the skull. It extends to the frontal portion of the teeth. The length and width measurements must be parallel to the horizontal surface on which the skull is resting. This means that certain methods for measuring require the skull’s front to be elevated, as shown in Figure 2, to achieve the proper length measurement. If teeth are protruding at a noticeably unusual angle (straight out rather than generally down) or malformations of the skull give a greater measurement than the skull deserves, adjust the measurement to credit only those normal features present. On bears, the point of contact is usually across the incisors; on cougars, the frontal point may be on the canines. If the teeth have fallen out during the cleaning process, it is permissible to glue them back in place so long as no

What You’ll Need to Score a Bear or Cat Skull • Copy of the current score chart for bears or cats, depending on what you’re measuring and for what organization • Pen and pencil • Folding carpenter’s ruler with brass slide extension

And one of the following options: • 2 carpenter’s levels with C-clamps • Calipers • 2 large square-cut wooden blocks or speed square SKULL SCORING BOX: This method is no longer encouraged or taught by Boone and Crockett, and for those who still have a skull box, ensure all measurements by verifying scores with a second method if using the box.

Figure 3 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• You can use two levels and two large C-clamps to measure both length and width of a skull. Be sure the levels are at a 90-degree angle to the surface.

advantage is gained. If the teeth are missing, however, then the front starting point is from the front of the skull itself. There are three common techniques for scoring skulls: levels and Cclamps, wooden blocks, and calipers. The first two techniques require a perfectly horizontal base with uprights at each end. On skulls where the lower jaw is fused to the skull and lower jaw teeth protrude past the upper jaw teeth, only calipers can be used to take an accurate measurement. Following is a discussion of how to take the measurements with these aids.

Levels and C-Clamps One of the most common methods for measuring a skull is to use two levels and two large C-clamps (Figure 3). The C-clamps are attached to the bottom of each level to make the level free-standing in an upright position, forming the right angles with the horizontal needed for the measurement. To take the length of skull measurement (A), the skull is placed snugly between the two plumb upright levels. The front of the skull is then elevated so that the most forward-projecting teeth (or skull if teeth are missing)

touch the level the same distance from the horizontal surface as the most posterior edge of the skull on the other level (Figure 3). When both levels are perpendicular to the horizontal surface the skull is resting on (as shown by the bubbles), and are snugly against, the skull, the length measurement is taken between the two levels using a folding carpenter’s ruler with a brass extension and recorded on line A of the score chart. It will be necessary to hold the front of the elevated skull in position with some object, such as a measuring tape, while you take the length meaWinter•2023

Bears and Cats•Measuring and Scoring Skulls continued

Figure 4 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Square wood blocks or carpenter’s squares, depicted here, can be used to score skulls. Ensure the skull is propped up so the point of contact is at the same height on both flat surfaces.

surement. To measure the width of the skull, position it at a right angle to the length between the two levels. Once the plumb levels are placed snugly against the zygomatic arches, and the skull is horizontal to the surface upon which it is resting, the width measurement is taken between the two levels using a folding carpenter’s ruler with a brass extension and recorded on line B of the score chart. Normally, no adjustments are needed to level the skull for width measurement. However, if a portion of the skull has been damaged (e.g., by a bullet) so that it is not perfectly parallel to the surface on which it is resting, it will be necessary to level the skull between the carpenter’s levels before the width measurement is taken.

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Wooden Blocks or Carpenter’s Speed Squares Another method, which is rarely used to obtain the length and width measurements accurately, is to use two large square-cut (90 degrees) wooden blocks or a speed square on a perfectly horizontal surface. To take the length of skull measurement, the skull is placed lengthwise snugly between the two blocks or edge of the square (Figure 4), similar to using the levels and clamps. The front of the skull is then elevated so that the most forward-projecting teeth (or skull if teeth are missing) touch the forward wooden block the same distance from the horizontal surface as the most posterior edge of the skull against the other block. The length measurement is then taken between the two blocks of wood using a folding carpenter’s ruler with a brass extension and recorded on line A of the score chart. It will be necessary to hold the front of the elevated skull in position with some object, such as measuring tape, etc., while you take the length measurement. To take the width of the skull,

Minimum Scores B&C Awards B&C All-Time

P&Y

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

BLACK BEAR 20

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

GRIZZLY BEAR 23

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

ALASKA BROWN BEAR 26

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

POLAR BEAR 27

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

COUGAR 14 8/16

13 8/16

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

JAGUAR 14 8/16

14 8/16

—

Figure 5 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • You can also use two large wooden blocks cut at 90 degrees and placed on a horizontal surface to measure a skull.

position it at a right angle to the length measurement so that the zygomatic arches are resting snugly between the two blocks or edge of the square, and the skull is parallel to the surface upon

which it is resting. The width measurement is then taken between the two blocks or edge of the square using a folding carpenter’s ruler with a brass extension and recorded on line B of the score chart. Normally, no adjustments are needed to level the skull for the width measurement. However, if a portion of the skull has been damaged (e.g., by a bullet) so that it is not perfectly parallel to the surface on which it is resting, it will be necessary to level

the skull between the carpenter’s levels before the width measurement is taken. Obviously, this system demands perfectly square-cut, right-angle blocks and a perfectly level surface for accuracy (Figure 5).

Calipers A large pair of calipers may be used to perform most skull measurements. The length measurement of skulls is taken

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • This caliper width equals 10 12/16 inches. Measure between the two tips.

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Bears and Cats•Measuring and Scoring Skulls continued

Figures 6 A & B • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Another method for scoring most skulls is with a large pair of calipers. Determine the greatest measurement, carefully remove the calipers, and measure the distance between the two points with a ruler (below).

with calipers as demonstrated in Figure 6-A. The width is taken at a right angle to the length measurement at the widest distance between the outside edges of the zygomatic arches as demonstrated in Figure 6-B. Once you have taken the length (A) or width (B) measurements

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with the calipers, read the distance between the two ends of the calipers on a folding carpenter’s ruler or some other straightedge and record the measurements on the appropriate line on the score chart. The best calipers, available from the both organizations, have an adjustable screw that fixes the arms of the calipers so there is no tension that would cause the caliper arms to spring inwards when they are removed from the skull. Care must be exercised, however, when using calipers that don’t have adjustable screws for setting the arms of the calipers so they apply constant tension against the skull and don’t spring inwards, even slightly, when removed from the skull surfaces; otherwise, the measurements could change. Care must be taken when using calipers, especially on cougar, that the length is parallel to the longitudinal axis. If the frontal point of contact is a canine, then calipers cannot be used because a length measurement from the canine to the sagittal crest would be a diagonal to the axis of the skull rather than parallel. If this is the case, then one of the other methods mentioned above must be used since the length measurement cannot be a diagonal to the skull’s axis. In the past, pieces of skulls that had been shattered by a bullet, dropping, chopping, sawing, etc., could not be in-

cluded in the length and width measurements. However, it is now possible to include bone fragments in each measurement, so long as the pieces can be perfectly pieced back together. Each damaged skull is considered on a caseby-case basis. See the Damaged and/or Repaired Trophies policy on page 232 for complete details of this policy for both organizations. Related to this issue is the problem that may exist if the zygomatic arches are sprung. Often when cleaning a skull for display purposes, these arches slightly separate and spring outwards, especially on younger animals. Such separation can artificially inflate the

width measurement. If it appears the arches have separated and sprung, the Measurer should lightly press the arches back into their natural position before taking the width measurement. On rare occasions, mostly with polar bears, the rear point of contact may be at the occipital condyles (the rounded edges of the spinal cord hole) rather than the sagittal crest (near the upper back of the skull). See Figure 7. In such cases, it is proper to record this measurement as the length measurement. Since the plane of measurement changes, you will have to tilt the skull either upward or downward to find out whether the rear contact is near the

Figure 7 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The rear point of contact may be the occipital condyles, which are the rounded edges of the spinal cord hole. This primarily occurs with polar bear skulls. If this is the case, the back end of the skull may need to be slightly elevated. Also, this situation would eliminate the caliper method for taking the length measurement because the end point is a hole.

skull top or near the spinal opening. Remember to properly level the skull when taking this measurement. When the rear contact is across the occipital condyles, you cannot use a caliper to get the proper length (since the center straight line passes through the spinal cord opening).

Final Score Calculations The measurements are recorded on the score chart, in sixteenths, and the final score is determined by adding the length and width measurements. There are no deductions in skull measurements since there are only the two measurements of length and width. If your final score exceeds the minimum score and meets the other entry requirements for one or both of the organizations, you can obtain a list of local Official Measurers by going to their respective websites at www.boone-crockett.org or www.pope-young.org.

occipital condyles

Winter•2023

Big Game Species Profile Cougar By Mike Schlegel

cientific Classification Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Puma Species: Concolor Subspecies: Cougar Currently, there are two recognized subspecies: Puma concolor cougar, occurring in North America and portions of Central America, and Puma concolor concolor, in South America. The cougar is known by several names throughout its distribution: cougar, mountain lion, catamount, painter, panther, and mountain screamer, of which cougar and mountain lion are the most common. According to Guinness, 2003, page 49: “The cougar holds the world record for the animal with the highest number of names due to its wide distribution across North and South America. It has over 40 names in English alone."

Physical Characteristics Cougars are a solid “tawny brown” color; in fact, the species name ‘concolor’ is Latin, meaning plain. There are, however, regional color differences. The underbelly is white, and the tip of the tail is black. The cougar is the fourth largest member of the worldwide cat species. As with most species, there are slight differences between sexes regarding physical characteristics. Adult females average 6’9” in length, and the average weight will vary between 70 to 110 pounds. Adult males average about three feet at the shoulder, eight feet in

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Big Game Species Profile Cougar continued

FIGURE 1 Cougar Distribution

length, and weigh between 125 to 175 pounds. However, keep in mind when discussing the weights of critters such as bears and cougars, the amount of food in their stomach is a great influence. Cougars have a variety of vocalizations, ranging from growls, purrs, whistles, chirps, and hisses. In addition, there are reports of cougars ‘screaming.’ As a stalk/pursuit predator, cougars have a short burst of high speed, calculated to be around 35 miles per hour; they lack endurance and the ability to

maintain that speed for very long. The footprint of a cougar varies in size, with adult males having a larger print than a female. The track is somewhat circular, ranging in size between 2 ¾” and 3 ¾”. Interestingly, one can determine if a track is a left or right foot. There are four toe pads, one of which is dominant. This dominant pad is positioned inwardly (Figure 1). Also, the front print is larger than the hind. Wolf and coyote tracks are somewhat similar to those of a cougar; however, the cougar track lacks toenail marks. Deceased P&Y Club member Ron Sherer was a licensed outfitter for cougar in Idaho. During his career, he captured over 700 cougars. He developed a technique to determine the sex of a cougar by measuring the stride length, which, on level ground, is the distance from the center of the front and rear tracks (Figure 2). If the stride measurement equals or exceeds 39” it’s a male.

Distribution, Habitat and Food Habits

FIGURE 2 Right footprint; dominant toe pad inward, no claw marks.

FIGURE 3 Stride measurement: center of rear pad to center of front pad

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As a species, the cougar has a tremendous range, from the Yukon, south to the Andes in South America (Figure 3). Recently, there have been documented sightings of cougars in the mid and eastern states. Due to this widespread

State

Number

State

Number

CO UT MT ID BC ALB AZ NM NV WY WA OR

511 364 320 299 121 111 100 89 81 71 35 34

UT CO ID MT AZ ALB BC WY NM NV OR WA

44 39 26 24 20 17 15 12 10 5 3 2

———————

Score

Sex Date

Area

ST/Prov Name

16 1/16 15 13/16 15 11/16 15 11/16 15 11/16 15 11/16 15 11/16 15 11/16 15 10/16 15 10/16

M M M M M M M M M M

Park Co WY Brazeau ALB Thompson BC Elmore Co ID Montrose Co CO Ferry Co WA Idaho Co ID Idaho Co ID Rio Blanco Co CO Sibbald Flats ALB

Guide

—————————————————————————————————————— 1/10/93 12/10/07 2/6/10 2/23/03 12/23/92 12/27/86 12/21/85 1/1/82 3/11/08 12/6/02

Top State/ Province Last 10 Years

Scott M Moore Glen Roberts Rocco Verelli Susan Sherer Randell Thompson Bill Buckingham Mike McCall Jerry J. James Greg Wisener Richard J. Howden

Wayne Anderson Brent Giles Sickels

Paul Janke Jay Fuller

———————

Top 10 Locations All-Time State Location

Number

————————————— ID ID CO CO UT CO ID AZ MT ID

Lemhi Co Idaho Co Rio Blanco Co Garfield Co Carbon Co Mesa Co Elmore Co Coconino Co Madison Co Boise Co

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81 49 47 46 46 42 41 41 37 36

Statistics

Top 10, All-Time

Top State/ Province All-Time

Big Game Species Profile Cougar continued

distribution, cougars are very adaptable, occupying a vast array of habitat types. One common factor in habitat selection is the presence of underbrush. As a stalk/pursuit predator, cougars need cover to stalk their prey. However, in the absence of an understory, they use topographic and geological features

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with which to get close to their prey. Deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats are the primary prey species. However, small mammals are very important, for example, porcupine, snowshoe hare, and beaver. There is much discussion and speculation regarding how predators select prey.

The old wives' tale that a predator takes the sick, weak, and old is somewhat accurate. However, stalking predators are capable of killing any prey, regardless of sex and age, which puts itself in a vulnerable position. Ron Sherer once treed a 120-pound female cougar that had recently killed a mature bull elk.

The bull was apparently feeding in a narrow ravine, allowing the cougar to catch him.

Social Structure and Territory Cougar, like most members of the cat family, are loners, territorial, and are a low-density species. Cubs stay with

their mother for nearly two years. The size of a cougar’s home range, or territory, varies depending on habitat and prey availability. An adult male's territory can be 150 square miles and often encompasses the territory of several females. They do not overlap with other adult males. The female territory is

Winter•2023

Big Game Species Profile Cougar

Statistics

continued

Top 10 Locations Last 10 Years State Location

Number

————————————— AZ Coconino Co 7 CO Mesa Co 6 ID Idaho Co 5 MT Flathead Co 4 ID Lemhi Co 4 CO Rio Blanco Co 4 AZ Yavapai Co 4 UT Carbon Co 3 NM Caltron Co 3 NM Colfax Co 3

All-Time Scores Score

Number

————————————— 16 + 1 15 15/16 - 15 12/16 1 15 11/16 - 15 8/16 26 15 7/16 - 15 4/16 68 15 3/16 - 15 0/16 165 14 15/16 - 14 12/16 235 14 11/16 - 14 8/16 359 14 7/16 - 14 4/16 439 14 3/16 - 14 0/16 346 13 15/16 - 13 12/16 261 13 11/16 - 13 8/16 250 ———————————— Total 2,510

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considerably less, averaging about 50 square miles. Also, female territories often overlap. Territorial boundaries are marked by scrapes, urine, and feces. In addition, the urine and feces also serve as an attractant, especially females attracting males. Conflicts among males are relatively common and often result in death. Unfortunately, there are no readily available census techniques to determine the size, sex, and age structure of cougar populations. The markedto-unmarked technique is costly, time-consuming, and involves small geographic areas.

Reproduction Female cougars first breed when 1 ½ to 3 years of age. The estrus period is roughly eight days during a 23-day cycle. The gestation period is three months. There is no defined ‘breeding season.’ Litter size ranges from one to six, with two or three the norm. The newborn cubs weigh one to two pounds, are blind at birth, and have blue eyes. Their pelt is blackish-brown, spotted, and the tail is dark-ringed. The cubs begin weaning when they are three months of age. At six months, they begin hunting on their own. Cubs typically stay with their mother for about 18 to 24 months. Male cubs are reported to disperse before females, plus disperse longer distances.

Mortality Causes of death in the wild include injury and disease, competition with other cougars, starvation, accidents,

and, where allowed, hunting. In the early 1970s, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game classified the cougar as a game species. Hides and skulls from hunter-killed animals were required to be checked. A high percentage had porcupine quills in the forelegs, and many had evidence of skull injuries. Although hosting several species of parasites, none have been reported as a significant source of mortality. A word of caution: cougars harbor Trichinella spiralis, a nematode parasite. The trichinella larvae are encysted in muscle tissue. If infected meat is not cooked correctly and the meat is ingested, the larva develops into an adult parasite in the human digestive system about a week after ingestion. The adults, in turn, release larvae, which encyst in human muscle tissue. The signs and symptoms of trichinosis vary, depending on the number of larvae ingested. Symptoms of trichinosis include sore muscles, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, chills/ fever, weakness, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Medication to treat trichinosis is available but must be administered within the first several days of the infection. To prevent a potential trichinosis infection, cook meat from bears, cougars, and wild hogs to an internal temperature of 145F, ensuring no ‘pink’ meat. Storing at 5 Fahrenheit for 20+ days works, but is not as foolproof. Also, be aware that curing, drying, smoking, and/or microwaving are ineffective in killing the infective larvae. Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasite in cats, both domestic and wild. This is a significant parasite as it causes Winter•2023

Big Game Species Profile Cougar continued

abortion and/or death of newborns and has been documented in bighorn sheep populations in several states. Cougars are susceptible to several viruses. The most common are feline parvovirus, canine distemper, Lyme disease, and rabies. However, the impact on cougar populations from these parasites and diseases is unknown.

Threat to Humans It is not uncommon to hear of human/ cougar encounters. One reference reported that between 1890 and 2007, there were 108 confirmed attacks on

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humans, 20 of which were fatal. However, 50 of the incidents have occurred since 1991. Unfortunately, children have the highest risk of attack and fatality. As the human population increases and expands into areas inhabited by cougars, encounters will become more frequent. Most attacks on humans are by young cougars, most likely on their own for the first time, and old cougars that have a difficult time catching prey animals. If you find yourself in close contact with a cougar, never run away; the cougar’s instinct is to chase what they perceive as prey. Also, never turn your back on a cougar; always face it and make yourself look as large as possible. Yell loudly, but don’t scream, as a high-pitched scream may sound like a wounded animal. While maintaining eye contact with the cougar, slowly back away. If attacked by a cougar, fight back, DO NOT play dead! When in areas known to be inhabited by cougars, carry a weapon, bear spray, or a sound device. Winter•2023

Big Game Species Profile Cougars

Statistics

continued

Scores Last 10 Years Score

Number

—————————— 16 + 15 15/16 - 15 12/16 15 11/16 - 15 8/16 15 7/16 - 15 4/16 15 3/16 - 15 0/16 14 15/16 - 14 12/16 14 11/16 - 14 8/16 14 7/16 - 14 4/16 14 3/16 - 14 0/16 13 15/16 - 13 12/16

0 0 2 3 10 21 30 46 36 25

13 11/16 - 13 8/16

—————————— Total 199

References www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Cougar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cougar www.bear-tracker.com/mountainliontracks.html www.wildernesscollege.com/mountain-liontracks.html

Hunting Techniques

www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/trichinosis/ trichinosis.

Due to low population density, their solitary lifestyle, and the rugged terrain they inhabit, the use of pursuit-trailing

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dogs is the most successful cougar hunting technique. This technique involves traveling an area looking for a fresh track, usually traveling many miles

of backcountry roads. Once a track is located, its freshness and travel direction must be determined. If the track is fresh, and the hound owner feels the probability of keeping in touch with his dogs is good, the dogs are released. If lucky, the hunt will be a “pop-up”; that is, the cougar was close and trees quickly. Another option for a “pop-up” is to have hounds that don’t bark during a ‘cold’ trail but open up when they get close to the cougar. Often, the hunt is merely strenuous exercise, but it’s exciting regardless! Getting an open shot at a cougar in a tree can be difficult due to the type of tree, the shot angle, etc. The presence of wolves is a significant issue for hunting cougars with dogs. The baying of dogs tracking a cougar attracts wolves. Many hound hunters have lost a dog, sometimes their entire pack, to wolves. It is common for wolves to attack any canid species that enters their territory. Citizen initiatives passed in Oregon and Washington in the mid-1990s eliminated the use of trailing dogs to hunt both cougars and black bears. This has severely restricted the opportunity to take a cougar. There are, however, a few hunting options: 1) locate a track and follow the track hoping to find the cougar on a kill, allowing for a stalk; 2) investigate areas where magpies and ravens are congregated, 3) use a predator call, imitating an injured deer or elk, and 4) looking for cougar sign where deer and/or elk are concentrated during the winter and setting up a tree stand near a game trail. Any bow setup for deer is totally adequate for hunting cougar. A bow,

unless a takedown, is very cumbersome to carry during the chase. It’s best to go prepared to carry your bow and arrows in a pack as you want to free up your hands to use walking sticks as you are on snow in difficult terrain.

P&Y Record Statistics As of this writing, there are 2,151 cougar entries, 199 of which have been entered during the past ten years. In addition, there are 70 entries before raising the minimum score from 13 0/16 to 13 8/16 not included in this report. In analyzing the all-time scores, 12% (261) are 15 0/16+, 64% (1,379) are 14 0/16 – 14 15/16,

and 24% (511) are 13 8/16 – 13 15/16. These percentages are the same for the 199 entries during the past ten years; 75% are 14 0/16+. The all-time top 10 locations, by state and county, are Idaho - 44%, Colorado - 29%, Utah 10%, Arizona - 9% and Montana - 8%. However, during the past ten years, Colorado accounts for 26%, Arizona 18%, Montana 16%, Idaho and Utah both at 15% and New Mexico 10%. In looking at the all-time top states/provinces, the top five account for 76% of the entries. During the past ten years, the top five accounts for 71%, with four states in the top five for each period.

OVER-BUILT & UNAPOLOGETIC. Yes, the new Carbon RX-5 is built to bully nature and there’s not another bow out there that comes close. For that, we’re not sorry. We over-engineer our REDWRX bows so you can fill tags when everything else goes to hell. This is the crossroads between the path you know and the path being engineered by progress. This is the new Carbon RX-5.

REDWRX_Kuiu ad_P&Y.indd 1

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2/22/21 4:01 PM

WORLD RECORD COUGAR Score: 16 1/16 Location: Park County, Wyoming Date: 1993 Hunter: Scott M. Moore

Noska’s Notes By Frank Noska

3 For 3

“I shot that cougar in the tree less than 15 yards away.”

ealizing I have had my share of good luck bowhunting the last 41 years, my hunting experiences with cougars, also known as mountain lions, have been outstanding. I have been on three different cougar hunts in three different states and have been successful on all three hunts. None of these hunts were easy, one-day hunts, however. And all three hunts were almost over before I connected with a lion. In 2002, I embarked on my first cougar hunt in Colorado. Hunting out of Rifle, my guide and I were up and out, driving the roads exceptionally early every morning, looking for cougar tracks. My guide knew this country like the back of his hand, which was encouraging and impressive. I will never forget running into another guide and hunter one morning, looking at a cougar track. The other guide took me to the side and whispered that I was with a great guide. He said not to worry; there The author with his first cougar, taken on his first cougar hunt. Colorado 2002.

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was no way he would get up and start hunting as early as us. Toward the end of the hunt, I knew something was about to happen when I saw my guide get excited about a particular track. When we let the dogs out, they quickly had the cougar in a tree. Because of the steep snow-covered rocks, it took the guide and me some time to get to the small juniper tree that held the cougar. As I slowly approached the tree, the cougar jumped out and ran down the steep mountain my guide, and I had just struggled to climb. With the dogs in fast pursuit, the cougar made it to the bottom of the canyon in a flash. Something told me to keep my eye on the lion. I watched it run up a slope even steeper than the one the guide, and I were currently on and climb to the top of a big pine tree. The dogs tried but could not get up the mountain where the lion went because it was too steep and slick. Making a mental note of a landmark and the exact tree that the lion had climbed, I told my guide that I knew where the lion had treed. After slipping and sliding our way down the mountain, thankful that neither of us got injured, we made our way towards where I had last seen the lion. There just happened to be a tall dead tree that had fallen perpendicular to the hillside in the snow. I used the tree like a ladder and ascended the steep, snowy slope. Getting closer to “the” tree, I was elated when I saw the cat was still there! I looked at my bow; it had so much frozen snow and ice on it that I was afraid the bowstring would come off the wheel when I attempted to draw it. After I removed what snow and ice I could, I cautiously came to full draw and aimed at the cat. I shot low and completely missed the cat. Taking this into account, knowing it was

because of all the snow and ice contamination stuck to my bow, I aimed high on the second shot to compensate. Miraculously, that second arrow found its mark. Now, to add to the adventure, a couple of other things happened that I will never forget. The cat climbed higher in the tree and expired balanced, hanging on a big limb. It was getting late in the day, and we were running out of daylight. My guide yelled at me to leave the cat in the tree and that we would come get it in the morning. He knew we needed to start trying to get out of that cold, dark canyon. I told him I thought I could climb that tall pine tree fast and get the cat unhung, and I did just that. Anxious to get my hands on my first cougar, I climbed that tree like a squirrel! With just a small nudge, the cougar fell to the ground and slid to the bottom of the canyon, coming to rest right by the guide and the dogs. Luckily, we both had flashlights; we needed them to get out of the canyon that night. The guide called a friend to pick us up on a different road. This required us to walk a snowy train track bridge in the dark to cross a big river. With my first and hard-sought cougar harvest, getting to that warm little motel room late at night felt extra special. When we retrieved my cougar the next morning, it was frozen. We had to build a fire to thaw it out so we could skin it. In 2017, I applied for and obtained a cougar tag in the Montana Big Game drawing. My guide on this hunt was extremely knowledgeable about his area and an experienced lion hunter. After hunting for about a week, we finally made it happen on the very last day I had to hunt. We put the dogs out on a good lion track, and after they trailed it for a short distance, the lion outsmarted the dogs and got

Frank with his last-day cougar, 2017, Montana.

Frank with his 2022 Wyoming cat

Winter•2023

Noska’s Notes continued

away. My smart and observant lion guide found where the lion had backtracked and crossed a small two-track road. He retrieved a couple of his best dogs and got them going in the right direction on the fresh track. It didn’t take but a few minutes, and they had that lion in a tree. My guide and I didn’t get in a hurry when we got to the base of the tree where the lion was. We took many photos and videos and just enjoyed the moment. I kept moving around, trying to identify the best spot to thread an arrow up through the branches to the lion, coming to full draw and focusing on the spot I wanted to hit. I was pleased to see the arrow zip through the small opening and hit the lion in the chest.

Just last year, I was bouncing around gravel roads in Wyoming hunting cougars again. After many miles covered and yet once again, down to my last day of hunting, we found a big track in the fresh snow. It was still dark and too early to release the dogs. We enjoyed our last sip of coffee and anticipated the chase that was about to happen. When daylight arrived, and we let the dogs loose, the lion treed fast. Driving around the mountain and getting as close as we could in the truck, we climbed the rest of the way to the dogs and lion. As I got closer and closer and the lion came into better view, I couldn’t believe this was about to happen. When the guide got all the dogs secured and ready, I shot an arrow at the

cougar in the tree less than 15 yards away. Bowhunting cougars typically consist of lots of driving and looking for the right track. It involves extreme early mornings, unusual sleep cycles, and exhausting hours. It can be filled with hours and hours of lull and a sense of actual boredom, followed by extreme excitement and action. When I see a cougar guide get excited about finding a track, I know something is about to happen. The action and excitement a person experiences when the dogs are barking and chasing a cougar is something I wish every bowhunter could do at least once. All the early mornings, short nights, and hundreds of miles driven are quickly forgotten when you walk up to a cougar that is finally in a tree.

HUNTING IS CONSERVATION For more information on S3DA: visit www.S3DA.org or Email: infos3darchery@gmail.com

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As a cuisine bonus, the meat of a cougar is fantastic. As a matter of fact, people often ask me what I think is the best wild meat in North America. When I tell them cougar, they are obviously surprised. Knowing the average success for cougar bowhunts, I realize I have been very fortunate to have harvested a cougar on three hunts in a row. I am afraid to think of what my fourth cougar hunt will be like, but I cannot wait to give it a try and find out.

SAVE THE DATE April 9-12, 2025 - Glendale, az

Www.pope-young.org Winter•2023

Savage Encounters

Yukon Big Game Outfitters

Rogue Outfitters

Matlabas Game Hunters

Robert’s Outfitting

Pointer Wingshooting

Trophy Hunting Spain

Wizard Lake Outfitting

Webfoot Outfitters

Motshwere Safari

Jack Creek Preserve

Paco Riestra Hunting

Bear Track Outfitters

Barela’s Alaskan Outfitters

Crow Creek Outfitters

We want to thank all of our 2023 outfitters! Your generosity, flexibility, and belief in P&Y is a testament to commitment and genuine support for bowhunting preservation! For more information about all of our outfitters, please visit, https://pope-young.org/donating-outfitters

Perrins Rainy Pass Lodge

2023

OUTFITTERS PARTNERS https://pope-young.org/donating-outfitters Ward’s Outfitters

North American Guide Service

Canadian Wilderness Outfitters

Liberty Ranch Outdoors

Big Knife Outfitters

Adrenaline Outfitters

34th Recording Period Partial Listing Entries that have been accepted into the Records Program since the publication of the last quarterly journal. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

SKULLS ALASKA BROWN BEAR

BLACK BEAR CONTINUED WORLD RECORD 29 4/16

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 26 12/16 23 1/16 23 0/16 22 10/16 20 5/16

26 12/16 23 1/16 23 0/16 22 10/16 20 5/16

Lee Treichak Yukutat, AK Brad Sparks Lake Clark, AK David S. Benitz Chalk Bay, AK Raphael (Ray) Pastway North Fork Big River, AK William Allan McCullough/Bushwhack AK Illiamna County, AK

5/4/2023 5/17/2022 4/16/2016 6/2/2022 10/4/2021

J. Gardner T. Embry M. Nilsen P. Martin A. Cramer

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

BLACK BEAR

WORLD RECORD 23 5/16

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 22 1/16 21 10/16 21 10/16 21 4/16 21 2/16 20 14/16 20 11/16 20 11/16 20 11/16 20 10/16 20 7/16 20 6/16 20 5/16 20 5/16 20 5/16 20 4/16 20 4/16 20 3/16 20 3/16 20 3/16 20 3/16 20 2/16 20 1/16 20 1/16 20 0/16 19 14/16 19 13/16 19 13/16 19 11/16 19 11/16 19 10/16 19 10/16 19 10/16 19 10/16 19 9/16 19 9/16 19 8/16 19 8/16 19 8/16 19 6/16 19 5/16 19 4/16 19 2/16 19 1/16 19 1/16 19 1/16 19 0/16 19 0/16 18 15/16 18 15/16

22 1/16 21 10/16 21 10/16 21 4/16 21 2/16 20 14/16 20 11/16 20 11/16 20 11/16 20 10/16 20 7/16 20 6/16 20 5/16 20 5/16 20 5/16 20 4/16 20 4/16 20 3/16 20 3/16 20 3/16 20 3/16 20 2/16 20 1/16 20 1/16 20 0/16 19 14/16 19 13/16 19 13/16 19 11/16 19 11/16 19 10/16 19 10/16 19 10/16 19 10/16 19 9/16 19 9/16 19 8/16 19 8/16 19 8/16 19 6/16 19 5/16 19 4/16 19 2/16 19 1/16 19 1/16 19 1/16 19 0/16 19 0/16 18 15/16 18 15/16

Edgar A. Sherry Tanner Hess Danny L. Lawson James S. Sohns Jason H. Amann Christopher J. Rhinehart Jason M. Helfrick Brian W. Field Jim Tully Michael Davies Matt Palmquist Bryce McNalley Nate Rabideaux Charles R. Riddle Niles J. Schwartz Randi Spiece Kerry Reider Ken Grandow Mark Bonales Brandon Kelley Kody O. Miller Steven Ward James Taylor Thomas Modaff Lawrence Carman Brian Burkeland Dave Ellis Jason A. Anderson Brian Jennen Matthew Olson Thomas Benak Mike Helmericks Cory Smith Bill Terry Sr. Stephen LePage Jeff Jacob Donald Schleicher Daris Coombs Christopher Errickson Gary C. Gapp M. Blake Patton Tyrell Hering Mark A. Sterk Marc Goldberg Michael C. Stripe Bowen Low Claudia Hodgins Aaron M. Tucker Stephen Lewis Barry J. Holloway/John Neapew

2023•Winter

WORLD RECORD 23 5/16

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Goochland County, VA 10/5/2019 Ear Falls, ONT 9/30/2022 Grandview, MAN 5/6/2023 Lackawanna County, PA 11/6/2021 Madison County, NC 10/17/2022 Lake Winnipegosis, MAN 6/13/2022 Eidrige Lake, SAS 9/9/2021 Kittson County, MN 9/18/2022 Ohio County, WV 9/27/2022 Oakview, MAN 5/14/2022 Prince of Wales Island, AK 5/8/2022 Reita Lake, ALB 5/29/2021 Bayfield County, WI 9/2/2011 Forest County, PA 10/29/2022 Swan River District, MAN 5/24/2023 Iron County, MI 9/7/2022 Monroe County, PA 10/21/2022 Vilas County, WI 9/12/2016 Mariposa County, CA 11/19/2020 Sheridan County, WY 5/14/2022 Kern County, CA 8/21/2022 Cochise County, AZ 8/28/1996 Lewis County, WA 9/1/2022 Ashland County, WI 9/7/2022 Duck Mountains, MAN 5/18/2022 Emo, ONT 8/23/2017 Lloydminster, ALB 5/27/2017 Lynn Lake, MAN 6/7/2022 Stevens County, WA 10/27/2020 Fisher, MAN 5/25/2023 Mesa County, CO 9/6/2021 San Miguel County, CO 9/12/2021 Ohla, MAN 5/24/2022 Deerville, NBW 6/7/2023 Carswell Lake, SAS 5/17/2022 McCrearg, MAN 5/19/2023 Pine County, MN 9/7/2019 North Saskatchewan River, ALB 9/2/2022 Peace River, ALB 5/20/2023 Lemhi County, ID 6/15/2023 Saddle Hills, ALB 5/18/2023 Weyakwin Lake, SAS 6/20/2020 Grand Rapids, MAN 5/25/2023 Carrot River, SAS 5/14/2022 Fort McMurray, ALB 5/26/2022 Laplata County, CO 9/4/2022 68 South, SAS 5/28/2022 Orange County, VT 10/23/2022 Archuleta County, CO 9/2/2022 Slater River, MAN 5/7/2023

D. Scott R. Krueger J. Ramsey D. Ambosie D. Stepp C. Coburn K. Kozij J. Zins G. Dearth S. Zirbel T. Bowman D. Bromberger C. Ferrell G. Douglas, Jr. C. Richardson R. Wilt C. Scott G. Villnow J. Blystone M. Barrett G. McCain B. Ihlenfeldt R. Spaulding T. Heil M. Casano B. Ihlenfeldt K. Rimer R. Marlatt S. Duchow A. Cramer A. Sternagel C. Anderson, Jr. S. Holman S. Cowles S. Koelzer J. Plesuk C. Ferrell D. Bromberger M. Kronyak J. Eder R. Skinner B. Reiter K. Zimmerman H. Hall R. Bush J. Gardner N. Napora C. Smiley W. Haynes J. Ramsey

18 15/16 18 15/16 18 14/16 18 14/16 18 13/16 18 12/16 18 12/16 18 12/16 18 12/16 18 12/16 18 12/16 18 12/16 18 11/16 18 11/16 18 11/16 18 11/16 18 11/16 18 11/16 18 11/16 18 11/16 18 10/16 18 8/16 18 8/16 18 7/16 18 7/16 18 7/16 18 7/16 18 6/16 18 6/16 18 5/16 18 4/16 18 4/16 18 3/16 18 2/16 18 2/16 18 1/16 18 0/16 18 0/16

Tippy H. Clark RM Mervin, SAS 5/22/2023 Jeffrey D. Holmer Lake Manitoba, MAN 5/30/2023 Mark Sagula Warren County, NJ 10/17/2020 Michael F. Greer Kern County, CA 9/10/2022 Jason Stafford Teton County, WY 6/3/2023 Neil K. Thagard Jr. Lewis County, ID 9/7/2015 Brian Jennen Stevens County, WA 10/14/2016 Logan E. Dennis Beluga, AK 6/10/2022 Scott Spence Candle Lake, SAS 6/13/2022 Riley Bollum St. Louis County, MN 9/1/2022 Kris Moos Gallatin County, MT 9/16/2022 Tim Knebel Wandering River, ALB 5/16/2023 Brian Jennen Stevens County, WA 10/10/2018 William Allan McCullough Choice Land, SAS 5/24/2019 Joshua Lee Berg Aitkin County, MN 9/1/2021 Cole Miller Lycoming County, PA 10/16/2021 Timothy B. Fisk/Muskeg Country Outfitters Rossburn Municipality, MAN 5/24/2022 Steven J. Denz Meadow Lake-Forest, SAS 6/7/2022 Jim Biasotti Siskiyou County, CA 10/8/2022 Jake Ashbaugh Los Angeles County, CA 11/17/2022 Jim Mead Los Angeles County, CA 10/16/2022 Mike Lutt Carswell Lake, SAS 5/31/2022 Bob F. Ledrich Storeytown, NBW 6/15/2022 Shad Schmidt San Juan County, UT 6/21/2015 Gus Congemi Pasquotank County, NC 11/9/2019 Kenneth Morris Matanuska Susitna, AK 5/18/2022 Bret R. Faller Spirit River, ALB 5/25/2023 James Carlson Athabasca Lake, SAS 5/24/2022 Shane W. Amerson Grandview, MAN 5/9/2023 Matthew Koehler Ulster County, NY 11/3/2022 Wilson Schmidt San Juan County, UT 6/20/2017 David Chrisman/Mike Patcheck La Plata County, CO 9/7/2022 Riley Bollum St. Louis County, MN 9/4/2015 David Jean Fountain Sr Carbon County, WY 9/26/2022 Michael J. Spence Key Lake Mine, SAS 6/12/2023 Larry D. Franks Lake Savant, ONT 8/23/2019 Donald Schleicher Aitkin County, MN 9/4/2010 Justin B. Duerkop Rusk County, WI 9/5/2018

J. Hoenk C. Kozitka D. Erickson G. McCain R. Niziolek M. Schlegel S. Duchow S. Kleinsmith D. Amason C. Pierce F. King R. Spaulding S. Duchow A. Cramer K. Schuette B. D’Angelo S. Holman J. Ohmer Z. Walton B. Scott C. Fritz R. Krueger M. Compton D. Leo F. Giuliani N. Muche C. Scott J. Kinsey J. Ramsey S. Carls D. Leo A. Cramer C. Pierce P. McAteer R. Cooling L. Fox C. Ferrell J. Lunde

GRIZZLY BEAR

WORLD RECORD 27 1/16

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————— 25 4/16 23 11/16 23 3/16 22 13/16 21 1/16 20 13/16

25 4/16 23 11/16 23 3/16 22 13/16 21 1/16 20 13/16

Michael Fortier Dave Ellis David S. Benitz Craig P. Mitton Charles D. Trover Eric Ahlgren

South Fork, AK Nome, AK Brooks Range, AK Haul Road, AK Unalakldet, AK Aiyansh, BC

6/9/2023 6/8/2021 8/10/2008 5/30/2023 5/25/2022 10/25/2016

S. Bayless T. Davis M. Nilsen D. Nielsen T. Rozewski B. Rimsza

POLAR BEAR

WORLD RECORD 26 10/16

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 24 7/16

24 7/16

Philip J. Latteier

Resolute Bay, NUN

4/2/2022

P. Martin

COUGAR

WORLD RECORD 16 1/16

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ——————————————————————————————————————— 14 9/16 14 8/16 14 8/16 14 3/16

14 9/16 14 8/16 14 8/16 14 3/16

Pasquale Zinno/Bull Basin Jordan Epperson Chase Spencer Michael C. Covey

Grand County, CO 12/11/2022 Coconino County, AZ 3/20/2022 Washoe County, NV 12/18/2022 Montezuma County, CO 12/9/2022

D. Chanda M. Zieser V. Clark D. Robillard

COUGAR CONTINUED

WORLD RECORD 16 1/16

Species: Typical Whitetail Deer Score: 130 7/8 Hunter: Seth Fulton Location: Allen County, OH Date: 11/11/2020

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ————————————————————————————————————————— 13 15/16 13 15/16 Kent D. Ballard 13 11/16 13 11/16 Frank S. Noska IV 13 9/16 13 9/16 Ray Pastway

Duchense County, UT Natrona County, WY Goat River, BC

1/19/2023 12/3/2022 1/3/2018

B. Hagy C. Brent P. Martin

PRESERVE. PROMOTE. PROTECT.

ANTLERS

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

BARREN GROUND CARIBOU

WORLD RECORD 448 6/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 340 3/8

348 1/8

Andrew Munsell / Tyrell’s Trails

Yukon, AK

9/22/2022

D. Doerr

TYPICAL COLUMBIAN BLACKTAIL DEER

WORLD RECORD 172 2/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ——————————————————————————————————————— 143 4/8 131 6/8 126 4/8 111 3/8 108 3/8 98 1/8 98 0/8 97 6/8 96 3/8

151 2/8 133 2/8 132 3/8 114 4/8 115 5/8 113 5/8 101 3/8 100 4/8 99 7/8

Ty Christopher Jacob Berry Trevor M. Smith Brenda Carley Joshua Knoebel Kirk Lear Dean Moules Howard H. Meyer Colby J. Finnerty

Linn County, OR Coos County, OR Lake County, CA Mendocino County, CA Lane County, OR Mendocino County, CA Santa Cruz County, CA Benton County, OR Lane County, OR

11/29/2022 11/20/2022 8/13/2022 11/13/2022 11/30/2022 11/22/2022 7/25/2023 11/25/2022 11/24/2022

J. Stone S. Nasby J. Onysko J. Martin C. Wilcox J. Martin D. Perrien S. Miles J. Knoebel

TYPICAL COLUMBIAN BLACKTAIL DEER VELVET

WORLD RECORD 148 5/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER —————————————————————————————————————————— 105 3/8

106 7/8

Roy E. Grace

Mendocino County, CA

7/28/2023

B. Yorksmith

NON-TYPICAL COLUMBIAN BLACKTAIL DEER WORLD RECORD 194 4/8 SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

150 3/8

158 5/8

Ed Howarth

Lane County, OR

12/11/2021

C. Childers

TYPICAL SITKA BLACKTAIL DEER

WORLD RECORD 116 3/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 93 7/8 92 4/8 91 7/8 88 1/8 87 7/8 85 4/8 83 7/8 83 3/8 79 7/8 77 1/8 75 0/8

97 5/8 100 4/8 98 4/8 90 5/8 96 4/8 89 6/8 86 3/8 87 3/8 111 3/8 81 5/8 78 0/8

David S. Benitz David S. Benitz David S. Benitz David S. Benitz David S. Benitz David S. Benitz Craig P. Mitton David S. Benitz Zack Walton Zach Welch Martin E. Cain

Port Camden, AK Kodiak Island, AK Kodiak Island, AK Japanese Creek, AK Mitkof Island, AK Kodiak Island, AK Bumble Bay, AK Bussy Creek, AK Kodiak, AK Kodiak, AK Sitkalidak Island, AK

10/25/2014 11/2/2020 10/28/2020 12/4/2022 10/28/2022 10/29/2020 10/20/2022 10/29/2021 11/17/2022 11/6/2022 11/6/2022

M. Nilsen M. Nilsen M. Nilsen M. Nilsen M. Nilsen M. Nilsen T. Rozewski M. Nilsen B. Watson T. Embry L. Culbertson

TYPICAL COUES’ DEER

WORLD RECORD 130 1/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 111 2/8 108 3/8 107 4/8 104 4/8 103 6/8

112 7/8 109 6/8 111 1/8 111 4/8 107 2/8

William A. Pettett Jr. Bryan Hall Ron Maguire Jonah Stewart Frank S. Noska IV

Sonora, MEX Greenlee County, AZ Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX

1/21/2023 12/9/2022 1/17/2022 2/2/2023 2/12/2023

J. Knez M. Titus R. Wilt N. Muche C. Brent

TYPICAL COUES’ DEER CONTINUED 101 3/8 99 4/8 96 6/8 96 4/8 94 5/8 93 6/8 93 4/8 93 4/8 92 2/8 91 7/8 90 6/8 90 3/8 90 1/8 89 3/8 88 1/8 86 0/8 85 0/8 84 3/8 81 2/8 80 6/8 80 6/8 80 6/8 78 6/8 72 0/8

106 0/8 104 4/8 101 1/8 103 3/8 96 7/8 99 2/8 94 4/8 95 7/8 95 5/8 98 0/8 94 0/8 93 0/8 92 4/8 92 6/8 89 5/8 91 7/8 87 5/8 90 7/8 84 3/8 83 6/8 84 7/8 83 4/8 82 3/8 74 7/8

Frank S. Noska IV Shawn Wood Jason Kent Mike Lutt Jonah Stewart Cody Kirkum Mark Kronyak Jonah Stewart Rick Popovitch Rick Popovitch Frank S. Noska IV Frank S. Noska IV Jim Wondzell Alan Harris Roy E. Grace/Ward’s Outfitters Scott Rehak Scott Jankowski Greg Spurgeon Mike Lutt Cory J. Smith Greg Spurgeon Nathan L. Andersohn Frank S. Noska IV Jeff Jacob/Arrow Five

WORLD RECORD 130 1/8 Sonora, MEX Hermosillo, MEX Grant County, NM Hermosillo, MEX Sonora, MEX Pima County, AZ Hermosillo, MEX Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX Hermosillo, MEX Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX Hermosillo, MEX Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX Las Arenas, MEX Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX

1/10/2023 1/25/2023 1/21/2022 12/14/2022 1/28/2023 1/15/2023 1/24/2023 2/1/2023 1/9/2023 1/6/2023 1/25/2023 2/12/2023 1/19/2023 2/1/2023 1/31/2023 1/26/2023 1/17/2023 1/8/2023 1/23/2023 1/8/2023 1/10/2023 1/24/2023 1/25/2023 1/15/2023

Winter•2023

C. Brent D. Evenson L. Harlan R. Krueger N. Muche J. Ohmer J. Stankiewicz N. Muche M. Kronyak M. Kronyak C. Brent C. Brent T. Heil Z. Walton B. Yorksmith C. Richardson B. Smith J. Fields II R. Krueger L. Wahlund J. Fields II S. Hargrove C. Brent D. Scofield

34th Recording Period Partial Listing continued ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

TYPICAL COUES’ DEER VELVET

NON-TYPICAL MULE DEER VELVET

WORLD RECORD 115 4/8

WORLD RECORD 326 1/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURE ———————————————————————————————————————————

115 6/8 97 1/8 92 3/8

223 0/8

117 6/8 102 3/8 93 6/8

David Lindner Jake A. Morales Carl Wade Harward

Coconino County, AZ Grant County, NM Coconino County, AZ

9/4/2022 9/6/2022 9/2/2020

C. Goldman L. Harlan M. Zieser

NON-TYPICAL COUES’ DEER

WORLD RECORD 139 2/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 132 3/8

134 6/8

Justin Shaffer

Sonora, MEX

1/18/2023

T. Embry

TYPICAL MULE DEER

WORLD RECORD 205 6/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ————————————————————————————————————————— 183 5/8 174 7/8 174 6/8 174 0/8 172 1/8 168 1/8 166 6/8 166 4/8 166 0/8 165 4/8 164 6/8 163 2/8 159 2/8 158 0/8 156 2/8 155 4/8 153 2/8 150 6/8 149 2/8 148 4/8 147 5/8 147 1/8 145 1/8 .

194 3/8 182 1/8 181 5/8 180 7/8 192 0/8 174 6/8 185 5/8 172 4/8 172 2/8 171 1/8 171 3/8 169 3/8 162 5/8 164 0/8 164 0/8 163 6/8 157 2/8 155 0/8 152 2/8 152 1/8 163 2/8 162 0/8 150 5/8

Larry Bryan Skaar Doug Aikin Colin Hudson Davis R. Bush David Prentice Austin Poe Jeff Jacob/Arrow Five Mike Lutt Robert W. Wallace Bobby Dye Jeremy D. Maestas Christopher Scott Franco Connor Mann Brandon Powell Erik John Swanson Derek Ehlers Tanner Hugelen Lamont Miller Paul Bohls John June David Gillan Philip J. Latteier Byron Padilla

Elmore County, ID Garfield County, CO Park County, CO Gallatin County, MT Conejos County, CO Douglas County, CO Sonora, MEX Hermosillo, MEX Douglas County, CO El Paso County, CO Harney County, OR Harney County, OR Pincher Cr, ALB Morgan County, CO Laramie County, WY Oldman River, ALB McKenzie County, ND Deschutes County, OR Bennett County, SD Fort Macleod, ALB Gove County, KS Mohave County, AZ Bernalillo County, NM

11/14/2020 R. Spaulding 9/21/2022 T. Watts 9/29/2022 B. Smith 9/22/2022 F. King 9/10/2019 L. Harlan 11/15/2022 C. Neill 1/14/2023 D. Scofield 1/20/2023 R. Krueger 11/21/2022 E. Stanosheck 11/22/2022 C. Neill 8/28/2022 T. Rozewski 9/2/2020 C. Lynde 10/15/2022 K. Brayford 11/20/2022 B. Smith 9/13/2019 M. McDonald 9/3/2021 D. Bromberger 9/6/2021 S. Lang 9/18/2022 R. Evans 12/11/2022 S. Rauch 9/5/2022 S. Cowles 11/10/2022 D. McCartney 9/3/2016 T. Embry 1/1/2023 R. Eustace, Jr

TYPICAL MULE DEER VELVET

WORLD RECORD 218 2/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 186 3/8 177 0/8 169 7/8 163 6/8 162 5/8 162 3/8 162 1/8 160 1/8 159 1/8 156 3/8 156 2/8 152 4/8 147 1/8

194 1/8 185 7/8 174 0/8 168 1/8 168 7/8 170 6/8 167 1/8 174 2/8 163 5/8 158 7/8 165 6/8 166 5/8 156 3/8

Stephen Shaver Craig Soule Pamela Ahlgrim Ken Wagner Kristopher C. Maestas Jamie Wagner Dale Hill Clint Hukill Morgan Hull David Prentice Kyle Lipke Robert Ponciano Stephen Shaver

Mckenzie County, ND Washoe County, NV Didsbury, ALB Garfield County, UT Harney County, OR Garfield County, UT Las Animas County, CO Conejos County, CO Lincoln County, WY Santa Fe County, NM Socorro County, NM Modcc County, CA McKenzie County, ND

9/4/2022 8/22/2022 9/2/2022 8/21/2022 9/8/2022 8/20/2009 9/1/2022 9/2/2022 9/4/2022 9/18/2017 9/17/2022 8/24/2021 8/30/2019

T. Rogers V. Clark D. Kaiser B. Scott T. Rozewski B. Scott J. Bradley B. Holt W. Huhtala L. Harlan L. Harlan Z. Walton T. Rogers

NON-TYPICAL MULE DEER

WORLD RECORD 291 1/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 217 3/8 198 5/8 190 4/8 180 6/8

225 3/8 201 7/8 194 7/8 191 1/8

John Lacy Travis Turner Riley McGregor Raines Curtis R. Berg

2023•Winter

Pinal County, AZ Cassia County, ID Pigeon Lake, ALB Cheyenne County, CO

1/1/2023 11/17/2022 10/14/2022 11/28/2004

M. Zieser T. Peterson B. Daudelin L. Kline

228 0/8

Tyler Gilson

San Juan County, UT

8/22/2022

D. Cowley

TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER

WORLD RECORD 204 4/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 195 5/8 190 0/8 182 5/8 182 1/8 181 0/8 180 5/8 177 6/8 175 7/8 174 0/8 173 3/8 171 7/8 171 4/8 170 4/8 170 1/8 168 1/8 168 1/8 167 4/8 167 3/8 167 3/8 166 2/8 165 6/8 165 0/8 164 6/8 164 3/8 163 7/8 163 7/8 163 6/8 163 5/8 163 3/8 163 1/8 162 7/8 162 3/8 161 4/8 161 3/8 161 0/8 161 0/8 160 5/8 160 4/8 160 1/8 160 1/8 159 7/8 159 6/8 159 3/8 158 7/8 158 6/8 158 5/8 158 4/8 158 4/8 158 3/8 158 1/8 157 6/8 157 4/8 157 3/8 157 2/8 157 1/8 157 0/8 157 0/8 156 6/8

209 2/8 201 4/8 187 1/8 186 7/8 185 3/8 197 5/8 182 3/8 178 5/8 177 5/8 180 4/8 183 0/8 180 3/8 179 7/8 173 7/8 188 6/8 176 3/8 175 1/8 176 2/8 178 5/8 174 1/8 175 6/8 171 4/8 172 5/8 166 7/8 168 5/8 170 0/8 169 0/8 173 6/8 166 7/8 172 4/8 168 1/8 181 5/8 171 4/8 165 2/8 164 3/8 175 3/8 165 5/8 166 7/8 164 1/8 164 1/8 175 1/8 165 6/8 162 6/8 164 0/8 160 6/8 162 6/8 174 1/8 172 6/8 174 1/8 164 2/8 161 3/8 161 2/8 160 7/8 165 3/8 159 4/8 160 2/8 180 1/8 167 6/8

Curtis McCarty III David M. Ling Luke Lindsey Robert Alan Pagel Isaac Endrulat John Gilchrist Brock Wilson Levi Anderson Colby Milbradt Rick Liska Tyler Utter Dustin Quinnell Jason Kelly Nathan Rahe Jared Gile Todd Gilb Drew McCartney Adam Isaac Craig Browning Frank S. Noska IV Anthony R. Swanson Johnathan Lee Randi Gustafson Charles Dvorak Scott Faust Matthew W. Lang Jacob M. Ivey Wallace Barefoot Jr. Mohamad Thamer Ryan Pett Trent Kleeberger Dave Durand Joseph Kucowski Gavin Witt Dwight D. Hughes Eduardo Rodriguez-Quesada Edmond Solomon Rodney Stoll Robin Geissler Gary Neuper Riley Van Gelderen Heath Taylor Ryan Snow Gordon Rose Lucas Kaland Michael Ingle Casey E. Phipps Lincoln Mehlert Merrell Ligons Robert S. Loduha Justin E. Collins Kamron Vaughan Jack Christensen Patrick S. Holtan Caleb Ellingson Robbie Conway James Logan Cody J. Goodell

Dallas County, IA 10/13/2022 C. Coble Spencer County, IN 11/6/2017 R. Pflanz Iowa County, WI 9/21/2022 J. Gander Eau Claire County, WI 11/5/2022 S. Ashley Pattawattamie County, IA 1/1/2023 R. Wood Hubbles Lake, ALB 9/18/2022 D. Loosemore Moniteau County, MO 10/28/2022 D. Hollingsworth Kandiyohi County, MN 9/19/2022 S. Grabow Kanabec County, MN 9/28/2021 D. Meger Vernon County, WI 11/5/2021 J. Gander Clermont County, OH 11/26/2022 M. Olson Adams County, WI 11/12/2022 S. Zirbel Oconto County, WI 11/12/2022 P. Gauthier Scott County, IL 11/8/2022 R. Willmore Republic County, KS 11/28/2020 J. Viera Redwood County, MN 11/25/2022 C. Pierce Russell County, KS 11/10/2022 D. Willems Huron County, OH 11/5/2020 W. Bellman Edmonson County, KY 10/14/2022 W. Cooper Anderson County, KS 11/8/2022 C. Brent McLean County, IL 11/11/2021 J. Fields II Eau Claire County, WI 10/28/2022 K. Rimer Williams County, ND 10/11/2022 J. Plesuk Juneau County, WI 11/11/2021 B. Ihlenfeldt Iowa County, WI 11/3/2021 P. Gauthier Woodford County, IL 11/3/2021 S. Grabow Martin County, IN 10/18/2022 S. Taylor Appanoose County, IA 11/6/2022 S. Kirkland Franklin County, NE 12/3/2022 T. Korth Anoka County, MN 12/10/2022 S. Grabow Wabasha County, MN 10/28/2022 C. Collins Dakota County, MN 12/10/2022 J. Lunde Harrison County, OH 10/25/2022 M. Titus Eau Claire County, WI 11/15/2022 J. Lunde Clay County, KY 9/14/2009 D. Weddle Buffalo County, WI 11/9/2022 J. Hjort Essex County, MA 11/5/2021 R. Blaisdell Orange County, IN 11/6/2021 S. Taylor Buffalo County, WI 10/27/2021 J. Lunde Adair County, KY 11/3/2022 R. Estes Millarville, ALB 11/12/2022 D. Paplawski Leavenworth County, KS 11/14/2021 J. Olson Hocking County, OH 11/22/2022 R. Elkins Dodge County, WI 11/8/2022 M. Miller Grant County, WI 11/7/2021 S. Zirbel Carroll County, MO 11/12/2022 J. Workman Crawford County, IN 10/9/2017 S. Taylor Benton County, IA 11/9/2022 C. Coburn Hamilton County, OH 10/30/2021 C. McPhaul Washington County, WI 11/12/2012 B. Ihlenfeldt Meriweather County, GA 9/13/2022 R. Register Tazewell County, IL 11/7/2021 A. Pierson Monroe County, WI 10/20/2022 N. Thesing Sauk County, WI 10/29/2022 T. Heil Sherburne County, MN 11/1/2022 C. Pierce Lewis County, KY 9/13/2020 D. Weddle Paulding County, OH 12/30/2022 R. Miller Pike County, IL 10/28/2022 S. Pitsch

TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER CONTINUED

WORLD RECORD 204 4/8

156 5/8 156 5/8 156 5/8 156 4/8 155 7/8 155 5/8 155 0/8 154 7/8 154 7/8 154 6/8 154 6/8 154 4/8 154 2/8 154 2/8 154 1/8 154 0/8 154 0/8 153 7/8 153 7/8 153 6/8 153 6/8 153 3/8 153 2/8 153 1/8 153 1/8 153 1/8 153 1/8 152 7/8 152 6/8 152 5/8 152 5/8 152 4/8 152 4/8 152 2/8 152 1/8 152 0/8 152 0/8 152 0/8 151 6/8 151 6/8 151 6/8 151 6/8 151 5/8 151 3/8 151 3/8 151 2/8 151 0/8 150 7/8 150 6/8 150 6/8 150 6/8 150 5/8 150 5/8 150 4/8 150 3/8 150 2/8 150 2/8 150 1/8 150 0/8 149 7/8 149 5/8 149 5/8 149 4/8 149 3/8

149 2/8 149 0/8 148 6/8 148 5/8 148 5/8 148 5/8 148 4/8 148 2/8 147 6/8 147 6/8 147 4/8 147 4/8 147 3/8 147 2/8 147 0/8 146 7/8 146 7/8 146 7/8 146 7/8 146 6/8 146 4/8 146 4/8 146 4/8 146 2/8 146 2/8 146 1/8 146 0/8 146 0/8 145 7/8 145 7/8 145 6/8 145 6/8 145 5/8 145 5/8 145 3/8 145 3/8 145 1/8 145 1/8 145 0/8 145 0/8

158 5/8 167 3/8 162 4/8 158 7/8 170 1/8 161 1/8 166 6/8 163 4/8 172 1/8 163 6/8 161 5/8 161 7/8 163 1/8 158 2/8 156 3/8 168 3/8 160 7/8 161 1/8 159 6/8 157 0/8 164 4/8 156 3/8 156 7/8 159 6/8 156 4/8 154 7/8 163 7/8 158 5/8 165 5/8 165 4/8 157 3/8 161 2/8 159 7/8 162 1/8 160 3/8 163 6/8 161 0/8 164 2/8 157 4/8 160 3/8 158 7/8 173 7/8 157 3/8 156 4/8 154 3/8 153 7/8 159 1/8 155 7/8 164 3/8 155 0/8 157 5/8 155 4/8 156 0/8 155 2/8 152 0/8 160 0/8 156 2/8 155 6/8 157 5/8 153 6/8 155 6/8 165 3/8 159 6/8 156 3/8

Eric Jennings Wyatt Porter Reed Hirneisen Brian Maaks Roy J. Cole Jason A. Nobles Brian K. Goerks Jesse O. Hardin Chris Hood Bradley J. Gudynowski Ryan Huffman Stanley Robert Munn Levi Boggs Rick Fude Ralph W. Gilster Mike Skaggs Ryan Freeman Kent Vander Meiden David Rasmussen Marika Varian Kevin Hilbig Eric Decaires John Edwin Robertson Sharonna Sedelbauer Dustin Rucinski Kyle Ingraham Levi Boggs Jason Kauffman Cooper LaBuhn Anthony LeMay Taylor Paul Fleischer Jason Crissman Robert S. Loduha Taggart Jacob Jeremy Miller Mason Manning Kevin W. Allen Paul George Garrett Roth Justin Yeater Eason Lamb Lance Brunelle Jamie Schindler Jessica L. Kramer Jeffrey Roethemeyer Zachary Ten Pas Gunther Tondeleir John Feasel John Milan Corey Hugelen Mike Lutt Charles Cook Jon Wynn Bradley A. Hawk Owen Sensenig Samuel Wildes John June Damian Nordstrom Kyle Krysiak Joseph C. Dempler Brian Jennen Todd Tobin Bret Walker Michael T. Murray

Tunica County, MS Phelps County, MO Berks County, PA Woodford County, IL Wayne County, NY Warren County, PA Sauk County, WI Orange County, IN Kiowa County, KS Jewell County, KS McDowell County, WV Poweshiek County, IA Pickaway County, OH Marquette County, WI Refugio County, TX Stearns County, MN Muscatine County, IA Douglas County, WI Clay County, MO Logan County, OH Zavala County, TX Wayne County, MI Fairfield County, OH Trempeleau County, WI Douglas County, KS Ontario County, NY Pickaway County, OH Lucas County, IA Gonzales County, TX Muskingum County, OH Mifflin County, PA Chatham County, NC Richland County, WI Wabasha County, MN McLean County, IL Guernsey County, OH Morgan County, IL Van Buren County, IA Chippewa County, WI Marshall County, IL Sunflower County, MS Suffolk County, NY Chippewa County, WI Juneau County, WI Gasconade County, MO Sheboygan County, WI Parkland County, ALB Charles City County, VA Rush County, KS McKenzie County, ND Ellsworth County, KS Jackson County, WI Brooks County, GA Meigs County, OH Lancaster County, PA Vernon County, WI Cherokee County, KS Trempeleau County, WI Waushara County, WI Jefferson County, IN Stevens County, WA Nodaway County, MO Livingston County, NY Sanborn County, SD

10/31/2020 R. Cannon 9/19/2021 L. Lueckenhoff 11/17/2022 C. Scott 11/4/2021 D. Good 11/4/2018 T. Spacek 11/2/2011 P. Herrnberger 11/24/2022 J. Ramsey 11/14/2015 S. Taylor 11/12/2020 C. Rotering 11/15/2021 G. Wegner 11/20/2022 G. Surber 11/9/2022 C. Coburn 11/12/2020 R. Elkins 11/10/2022 K. Rimer 10/12/2020 G. Homerstad 11/15/2020 S. Grabow 11/6/2022 L. Briney 10/8/2022 K. Zimmerman 10/28/2022 J. Lunde 12/6/2019 M. Olson 12/20/2022 R. Collier 10/11/2022 B. Nash, Jr. 9/27/2022 M. Olson 10/14/2021 S. Godfrey 11/12/2021 R. Bergloff 10/30/2022 R. Smith 11/2/2022 R. Elkins 11/1/2020 K. Fredrickson 10/8/2021 J. Shipman 11/2/2022 D. Robillard 11/10/2022 J. Frey 10/16/2022 M. DeAngury 11/2/2022 G. Wegner 11/5/2022 C. Collins 11/13/2019 D. Good 10/31/2020 D. Weddle 11/6/2021 T. Yetter 11/14/2022 B. Nash, Jr. 10/26/2016 K. Rimer 10/24/2020 D. Good 12/15/2022 C. Neill 12/30/2022 R. DiBene 11/12/2022 J. Lunde 10/22/2021 G. Wegner 10/21/2022 J. Mraz 10/9/2022 E. Jones 11/27/2022 D. Loosemore 10/23/2022 L. Schiferl 11/7/2020 K. Farmer 9/20/2021 S. Lang 11/9/2022 R. Krueger 10/31/2021 G. Wegner 11/18/2022 W. Cooper 9/25/2021 W. Bellman 11/16/2022 J. Mock 9/29/2019 B. Ihlenfeldt 11/7/2022 S. Cowles 11/8/2022 D. O’Brien 11/13/2022 M. Miller 11/7/2022 S. Taylor 12/10/1997 S. Duchow 11/26/2022 N. Stiens 10/31/2022 D. Vasseur 11/8/2022 D. Merritt

156 1/8 154 4/8 153 3/8 153 5/8 163 7/8 156 1/8 158 7/8 157 3/8 156 2/8 150 6/8 161 1/8 152 3/8 150 2/8 155 0/8 147 7/8 151 4/8 154 4/8 157 2/8 156 0/8 160 7/8 159 0/8 153 3/8 159 5/8 151 0/8 162 3/8 150 5/8 154 5/8 152 0/8 151 1/8 154 3/8 154 6/8 148 2/8 154 2/8 154 0/8 154 3/8 156 0/8 157 7/8 148 3/8 152 6/8 151 1/8

Axel Hartman/Dirt Road Outfitters Bryan Tinsley Bradley J. Gudynowski Daniel C. Vassh Joshua G. Colyer Austin Peterson Chad Crowley Amy Madsen Robert Sacher Chadwick Curran Joey Johnson Paul Ovadal Logan R. Trausch Keith Dana George Currier Jamie A. Kenevan Al Johnson Travis L. McKim Collin Gavic Jordon H. Belwood Lucas Kmetz Steven Weber Todd Tobin Austin M. Wallace Charles Lamb Dwight Logie Jamie L. Johnson Kole Filip Steven Schnipke Marty D. Kesler Dean Bach Jacob May Quinn Talbott Steven Farmer Michael Ascani James D. Kemp Richard F. Burkart Brad Brosius Michael Uhden John Klus

Stafford County, KS 9/28/2020 C. Wilcox Logan County, KS 11/8/2022 M. Arnold Jewell County, KS 11/9/2017 G. Wegner Waushara County, WI 10/27/1993 S. Zirbel Pulaski County, KY 10/6/2022 D. Weddle Woodbury County, IA 10/13/2022 G. Hempey Jones County, IA 11/10/2022 S. Zirbel Audubon County, IA 11/23/2022 R. Wood Middlesex County, NJ 11/26/2019 J. Messeroll Scioto County, OH 11/4/2021 D. Weddle Montgomery County, MS 10/16/2020 C. Neill Vernon County, WI 11/16/2022 J. Gander Wyandot County, OH 9/10/2022 R. Ebert Barber County, KS 11/15/2022 V. Dana Lake County, IN 11/20/2022 R. Graber Marquette County, WI 10/18/2015 K. Rimer Calhoun County, MI 10/30/2022 L. Hansen Clark County, IN 11/4/2022 M. Verble Polk County, WI 11/6/2022 J. Lunde Gibson County, IN 10/27/2019 D. Belwood Hennepin County, MN 10/10/2022 C. Ferrell Waushara County, WI 11/6/2022 M. Miller Nodaway County, MO 11/10/2022 N. Stiens Vigo County, IN 10/8/2022 J. Fields II Sunflower County, MS 12/19/2022 C. Neill Ramsey County, ND 12/5/2022 D. Erickstad Logan County, KY 9/22/2022 W. Cooper Polk County, WI 11/5/2022 J. Lunde Van Wert County, OH 9/24/2022 M. Olson Newton County, IN 11/8/2022 R. Graber Yellow Medicine County, MN10/1/2021 J. Lunde Mingo County, WV 11/28/2022 G. Surber Nodaway County, MO 11/11/2020 J. Blystone Lyon County, KS 11/17/2022 W. Cooper Suffolk County, NY 11/11/2020 R. DiBene Martin County, IN 10/1/2022 S. Taylor Jackson County, MI 10/7/2022 J. Knevel Wright County, MN 11/1/2022 K. Fredrickson Worcester County, MD 11/5/1998 R. Newton III Iowa County, WI 10/31/2022 D. Peterson, Jr.

Species: Typical Sitka Blacktail Score: 81 7/8 Hunter: Trevor Embry Location: Kodiak, AK Date: 09/04/2021

PRESERVE. PROMOTE. PROTECT.

Winter•2023

TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER CONTINUED

WORLD RECORD 204 4/8

144 7/8 144 6/8 144 6/8 144 6/8 144 5/8 144 5/8 144 4/8 144 3/8 144 1/8 144 1/8 144 1/8 144 0/8 143 7/8 143 7/8 143 7/8 143 6/8 143 5/8 143 5/8 143 5/8 143 4/8 143 4/8 143 3/8 143 2/8 143 1/8 143 0/8 143 0/8 143 0/8 142 6/8 142 6/8 142 6/8 142 5/8 142 5/8 142 5/8 142 4/8 142 3/8 142 3/8 142 3/8 142 2/8 142 2/8 142 1/8 142 1/8 142 1/8 142 1/8 141 7/8 141 6/8 141 6/8 141 6/8 141 6/8 141 6/8 141 6/8 141 5/8 141 5/8 141 5/8 141 5/8 141 5/8 141 5/8 141 5/8 141 4/8 141 3/8 141 3/8 141 2/8 141 2/8 141 1/8 141 0/8

141 0/8 141 0/8 140 7/8 140 7/8 140 6/8 140 6/8 140 6/8 140 6/8 140 5/8 140 4/8 140 3/8 140 2/8 140 2/8 140 2/8 140 2/8 140 1/8 140 1/8 140 1/8 140 1/8 140 0/8 140 0/8 140 0/8 139 7/8 139 6/8 139 6/8 139 5/8 139 5/8 139 3/8 139 3/8 139 2/8 139 2/8 139 1/8 139 1/8 139 1/8 139 0/8 138 7/8 138 7/8 138 7/8 138 6/8 138 6/8 138 6/8 138 6/8 138 6/8 138 5/8 138 4/8 138 4/8 138 4/8 138 4/8 138 3/8 138 3/8 138 2/8 138 2/8 138 2/8 138 1/8 138 1/8 138 0/8 138 0/8 138 0/8 138 0/8 137 7/8 137 7/8 137 7/8 137 6/8 137 5/8

148 4/8 150 0/8 157 5/8 156 0/8 149 5/8 149 5/8 148 2/8 147 5/8 146 2/8 151 3/8 150 7/8 151 0/8 152 3/8 151 6/8 149 3/8 153 0/8 151 0/8 156 2/8 147 7/8 152 0/8 150 0/8 149 3/8 153 0/8 155 1/8 145 3/8 151 4/8 148 4/8 149 4/8 149 3/8 157 0/8 146 6/8 150 3/8 146 2/8 150 4/8 152 7/8 154 6/8 147 1/8 148 1/8 150 4/8 152 2/8 147 7/8 145 7/8 149 0/8 148 0/8 147 0/8 144 7/8 149 5/8 147 0/8 147 4/8 146 1/8 145 4/8 151 2/8 148 6/8 150 1/8 148 4/8 148 2/8 147 1/8 146 3/8 144 3/8 150 3/8 145 2/8 152 0/8 162 6/8 149 5/8

Bradley Reecy Johnny L. Blaylock Ethan W. Hurd Greg Spurgeon Keith S. Brossard Tyler Koenig Levi Sherman Keegan Stapleton Brian Jennen Austin R. Poe James Joens William G. Pulliam Lance Tschetter Jake Drennen Ronny Clift Ryan D. Pomrenke Joseph Kucowski Patrick Buckwalter Jason K. Balis Zach Welch Chris Hood Carson Hartzell Mathew Cleary Nathan Steinhofer Timothy M. Robinson Daniel Slagle Paul Bohls Steve Sherman Jeffrey Michael Stockhill Nate Prellwitz Fred Hatfield Merlin Paulk Thomas J. Smith III Anthony Moles David Campbell Richard Dailey III Chuck E. Clark Joe Wermerskirchen Steve Hoelz Justin D. Roth Brandon Timlin Matt R. Gehl Cory Elhert Chris Donovan Zebulon Holder Mike McFarland Daniel Klotz Zach Bauer Darryl Clark Colton Sellars Alan F. Rutan Tyler Williams Chris Hood Stihl Smith Joseph M. Beaton Dane Zimdars Steve Schott Marvin Farned Robert J. Cannon Ryan H. Allen Jayson Miller Justin Fowlkes Gerald E. Hunter Tyler J. Vesperman

2023•Winter

Brown County, SD 11/16/2019 Jackson County, KS 11/14/2015 Steuben County, NY 10/9/2022 Vigo County, IN 11/27/2022 Kenosha County, WI 11/4/2009 Richland County, WI 11/5/2022 Jackson County, OH 11/14/2021 Coffee County, GA 11/4/2022 Stevens County, WA 11/30/1996 Kingman County, KS 11/5/2015 Houston County, MN 11/1/2022 Bolivar County, MS 11/11/2022 Beadle County, SD 11/9/2020 Putnam County, IL 11/6/2021 Fayette County, IN 10/21/2022 McHenry County, IL 11/22/2022 Harrison County, OH 11/5/2020 Dodge County, MN 9/18/2022 Licking County, OH 9/27/2022 Jones County, SD 10/31/2020 Trempeleau County, WI 12/21/2022 Jay County, IN 11/10/2017 Bristol County, MA 11/9/2022 Pope County, MN 9/18/2022 Onondaga County, NY 10/30/2022 Macon County, GA 11/18/2022 Spink County, SD 12/18/2022 Jackson County, OH 10/5/2020 Riley County, KS 11/7/2022 Jefferson County, NE 12/11/2022 Roanoke County, VA 10/8/2013 Turner County, GA 10/22/2022 Madison County, LA 12/8/2022 Braxton County, WV 11/15/2021 Lee County, GA 10/12/2022 Vermilion County, IL 11/8/2022 Jefferson County, WI 11/13/2022 Washington County, MN 9/15/2007 Jefferson County, WI 11/1/2019 Portage County, WI 9/20/2022 Eau Claire County, WI 11/6/2022 Calumet County, WI 11/12/2022 Faribault County, MN 11/20/2022 Ocean County, NJ 9/23/2022 Barron County, WI 11/1/2015 Howard County, MD 10/3/2020 Calumet County, WI 10/18/2020 Monroe County, WI 10/30/2021 Muscatine County, IA 11/6/2022 Terrell County, GA 11/16/2022 Tippecanoe County, IN 11/9/2017 Scott County, IL 11/5/2021 Trempealeau County, WI 11/10/2021 Harper County, OK 11/15/2021 Niagara County, NY 10/22/2022 Ozaukee County, WI 11/3/2022 Grant County, WI 11/11/2022 Okmulgee County, OK 10/18/2022 Henderson County, KY 10/25/2019 Logan County, OH 11/19/2022 St. Croix County, WI 12/31/2010 Custer County, NE 11/4/2022 Gage County, NE 11/12/2022 Grant County, WI 11/16/2019

R. Heintzman B. Rueschhoff R. Smith J. Fields II G. Wegner A. Zuhlke R. Miller W. Cooper S. Duchow C. Neill N. Thesing C. Neill J. Converse G. Howard K. Lepard G. Wegner M. Titus J. Kelly A. Cramer T. Embry C. Rotering T. Wright C. Rehor S. Grabow M. Parah G. Lackey S. Rauch R. Miller E. DeYoung R. Stutheit C. Rehor W. Cooper S. Priest D. Arbogast S. McDonald D. Good G. Wegner D. Meger P. Barwick T. Heil D. O’Brien S. Zirbel D. Boland J. Messeroll K. Rimer C. Wilcox S. Zirbel E. Jones R. Britt W. Cooper T. Wright A. Pierson C. Rotering T. Johnston D. Haseley E. Jones S. Zirbel W. Ledbetter D. Belwood R. Britt J. Lunde D. Moreland S. Zirbel G. Wegner

147 6/8 148 5/8 147 6/8 145 3/8 144 2/8 148 6/8 146 0/8 146 7/8 143 6/8 143 2/8 144 7/8 155 4/8 146 7/8 147 4/8 142 4/8 148 6/8 144 7/8 147 2/8 148 4/8 145 0/8 143 7/8 149 1/8 158 2/8 148 7/8 143 6/8 150 4/8 147 5/8 147 3/8 142 6/8 141 5/8 145 1/8 145 6/8 146 3/8 148 0/8 143 7/8 143 5/8 146 3/8 150 7/8 147 4/8 143 4/8 150 1/8 141 0/8 142 6/8 146 7/8 144 0/8 140 0/8 155 7/8 154 2/8 149 4/8 160 7/8 152 1/8 140 6/8 143 0/8 140 4/8 139 7/8 139 7/8 147 5/8 146 7/8 146 6/8 140 7/8 141 5/8 144 6/8 146 4/8 155 4/8

Alex B. Pelzer Donald Hollar Jameson Goebel Tyler Hintz Brian Jennen Keith Hammerbeck Christopher Gendron Dillon Carey Brian Jennen Randy Jacobson Ricky D. Chorman Dalton Roth Drew McCartney Douglas L. Below Chris A. Graham Mathew Stevens Adam Cramer Michael Fuss Gabe Eisenhut Chase McDowell Charles Lamb Adam Stohs Loren Roth Eric Decaires Ryder Kallus Ralph Cook Mike Bombardiere Bradley J. Gudynowski Matthew Sedelbauer Brent Sinclair Evan Tjaden Brian Jennen Taylor Berg Dakota Boothe Todd Wood Steven J. Forman Michael G. Barr Zach Baur Jordan Betts Connor McDonough Justin S. Ramsdorfer Cody Klosiewski Blake Markus Christian Martin Joshua Armstrong Lisa Mason Phillip David Kidd Jr Carrie Baliva Lucas Marrow Matthew J. Cunningham Brandon North Landon Maddox Calvin Rollyson Beau Peiffer Matthew Pojanowski Rob White Chase McDowell Jay E. Riewestahl Greg Dearth Austin Laurie Joe G. Keeler Landyn VanOverbeke Marcus Tracy Keith S. Brossard

Todd County, MN 11/5/2022 Muskogee County, OK 11/13/2022 Fond Du Lac County, WI 11/12/2022 Beadle County, SD 11/13/2022 Stevens County, WA 12/8/1998 Sheridan County, WY 9/6/2021 Van Buren County, MI 10/1/2021 Dekalb County, IN 10/29/2022 Stevens County, WA 11/10/1995 Washington County, WI 9/28/2021 Sussex County, DE 9/12/2012 Rooks County, KS 11/21/2009 Russell County, KS 11/4/2021 Cass County, IL 11/12/2021 Shelby County, MO 11/3/2022 Jefferson County, OH 11/26/2016 Knox County, OH 10/30/2022 Dane County, WI 11/8/2022 Wells County, IN 11/27/2022 Union County, OH 1/17/2020 Sunflower County, MS 11/16/2020 Gage County, NE 10/25/2022 Rooks County, KS 11/19/2015 Wayne County, MI 1/26/2020 Fayette County, TX 10/20/2020 Saratoga County, NY 10/3/2022 Warren County, IL 11/25/2022 Jewell County, KS 11/4/2016 Jackson County, WI 10/28/2022 Cumberland County, ME 11/20/1997 Jones County, IA 10/29/2022 Stevens County, WA 11/24/2012 Ottertail County, MN 10/7/2022 Wyoming County, WV 11/11/2022 Charles County, MD 12/13/2022 Charles County, MD 11/5/2020 Clark County, IN 10/28/2022 Monroe County, WI 11/3/2022 Sussex County, DE 10/22/2019 Prince Georges Cty, MD 11/13/2019 Indiana County, PA 10/31/2020 Dunn County, WI 11/4/2021 Clinton County, IL 11/8/2022 Crawford County, WI 11/3/2019 Polk County, IA 11/8/2021 Olmsted County, MN 11/3/2022 Amherst County, VA 11/4/2022 Monroe County, NY 11/10/2022 Clark County, WI 9/26/2022 Rooks County, KS 11/25/2022 Barron County, WI 11/15/2014 Amherst County, VA 12/6/2020 Tioga County, PA 11/7/2022 Ozaukee County, WI 10/2/2022 Houston County, MN 10/22/2022 Thorhild County, ALB 9/8/2020 Union County, OH 11/19/2020 Barron County, WI 11/4/2022 Lucas County, IA 11/7/2022 Grundey County, IL 11/1/2021 Seneca County, NY 10/8/2022 Dickey County, ND 12/17/2022 Baltimore County, MD 9/9/2022 Kenosha County, WI 11/1/2012

C. Kozitka W. Ledbetter M. Miller J. Converse S. Duchow J. Senske A. Blaske W. Bellman S. Duchow R. Walter J. Melvin K. Rimer D. Willems A. Wisniewski R. Huffman D. Frederick R. Elkins D. Evenson D. Good M. Olson C. Neill S. Cowan III K. Rimer B. Nash, Jr. S. Damron G. Hennel T. Anderson G. Wegner S. Godfrey P. Layman K. Freymiller S. Duchow J. Zins E. Richmond S. Keithley R. Newton III S. Taylor S. Zirbel J. Melvin C. Wilcox G. Douglas, Jr. J. Lunde W. Rench J. Gander C. Pierce D. Boland C. Rehor G. Rightmyer B. Laufenberg L. Kramer J. Lunde C. Rehor D. Weddle S. Zirbel C. Pierce D. Nuttall M. Olson K. Rimer L. Culbertson D. Good M. Compton D. Boland R. Newton III G. Wegner

TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER CONTINUED

WORLD RECORD 204 4/8

137 5/8 137 5/8 137 4/8 137 4/8 137 2/8 137 2/8 137 2/8 137 1/8 137 1/8 137 0/8 136 7/8 136 7/8 136 7/8 136 6/8 136 6/8 136 6/8 136 6/8 136 6/8 136 5/8 136 5/8 136 5/8 136 5/8 136 5/8 136 5/8 136 4/8 136 3/8 136 2/8 136 1/8 136 1/8 136 1/8 136 0/8 135 7/8 135 7/8 135 7/8 135 7/8 135 7/8 135 4/8 135 3/8 135 3/8 135 2/8 135 2/8 135 2/8 135 1/8 135 1/8 135 1/8 135 0/8 135 0/8 135 0/8 135 0/8 134 7/8 134 7/8 134 7/8 134 6/8 134 5/8 134 5/8 134 5/8 134 4/8 134 3/8 134 3/8 134 2/8 134 2/8 134 0/8 134 0/8 134 0/8

134 0/8 134 0/8 133 7/8 133 6/8 133 6/8 133 5/8 133 5/8 133 4/8 133 4/8 133 4/8 133 4/8 133 3/8 133 3/8 133 2/8 133 2/8 133 1/8 133 1/8 133 1/8 133 1/8 133 1/8 133 0/8 133 0/8 132 7/8 132 7/8 132 7/8 132 6/8 132 6/8 132 6/8 132 6/8 132 5/8 132 5/8 132 5/8 132 5/8 132 4/8 132 4/8 132 3/8 132 2/8 132 2/8 132 2/8 132 2/8 132 2/8 132 1/8 132 1/8 132 1/8 132 1/8 132 1/8 132 1/8 132 0/8 132 0/8 131 7/8 131 7/8 131 6/8 131 6/8 131 6/8 131 6/8 131 5/8 131 5/8 131 5/8 131 5/8 131 4/8 131 3/8 131 3/8 131 3/8 131 2/8

141 7/8 144 4/8 148 5/8 145 2/8 141 6/8 153 2/8 141 3/8 142 4/8 141 5/8 154 6/8 148 6/8 138 7/8 141 2/8 143 6/8 140 3/8 139 1/8 147 4/8 140 5/8 143 3/8 140 1/8 140 7/8 139 1/8 146 4/8 146 3/8 141 2/8 139 3/8 142 6/8 138 6/8 142 1/8 144 3/8 140 1/8 152 1/8 140 4/8 138 2/8 139 0/8 143 4/8 140 5/8 140 1/8 156 2/8 138 4/8 141 6/8 139 5/8 139 2/8 144 3/8 142 6/8 137 5/8 148 1/8 140 3/8 138 0/8 140 4/8 140 5/8 143 4/8 139 0/8 145 0/8 144 5/8 138 4/8 137 7/8 145 4/8 147 5/8 138 5/8 147 0/8 143 7/8 140 3/8 146 0/8

Dustin James Jeremy Bruns Brian Binversie Foster Lott Michael Haase Chris J. Alcorn John Bronson Danilo Dillard Dale Mixon Michael Dwight Couch Matthew Proper Erikas Rudenas Jose Rodrigues Darrell W. Cummings Rob White Kevin L. Peterson Rob White DuWayne Larson Michael Uhden Hunter Folkedahl Jeremy Johnson Paul R. Ey James P. Snell Wesley T. Crider Jeffrey Jolley Josh Kidwell Scott Sedivy Brian Jennen Zachary W. Hendrickson Noah Shane Lester Adam R. Armstrong Charles Ableson Chad Webb Joshua Mersberger Adam R. Armstong Todd Vernon Don Bruns Connor J. Beck Josh Peterson David Quintal Jr. David Flanrey Chris Comer Joshua Locke Brian Binversie Eric Holmquist Kevin L. Baker A.J. Bryan Brad Brosius Austin Poe Kevin Blair Tolley Samuel R. King Wallace Barefoot Jr. Adam Ryun Quinn Talbott Gus Congemi Paul Teegarden Travis Todd Derek I. Bartz Evelio Elledias III Ralph Ronald II Steven Brown Brian Jennen Phillip Lazarski Cassie Snyder

Newton County, GA 9/16/2022 D. McGowan Gull Lake, ALB 11/26/2022 D. Bromberger Washington County, KS 11/11/2021 S. Zirbel Crawford County, KS 10/17/2022 W. Haynes St. Croix County, WI 10/29/2022 J. Lunde Jefferson County, IN 11/1/2022 S. Taylor Crawford County, WI 11/9/2022 M. Sedelbauer Dougherty County, GA 9/17/2019 W. Cooper Hancock County, GA 11/16/2022 G. Steele Warren County, IA 11/10/2022 L. Grimes Knox County, OH 10/29/2022 R. Huffman Marquette County, WI 11/5/2022 M. Miller Fairfield County, CT 12/8/2022 S. Cowles Johnson County, IN 10/2/2016 D. Belwood Rainy River, ONT 12/4/2020 D. Nuttall Kossuth County, IA 10/30/2022 K. Schuette Rainy River, ONT 11/10/2022 D. Nuttall Ward County, ND 11/20/2022 J. Plesuk Worcester County, MD 11/9/2008 C. Wilcox Buffalo County, WI 10/20/2020 S. Godfrey Terrell County, GA 10/9/2022 W. Cooper Fauquier County, VA 11/1/2022 C. Harrison Bradford County, PA 11/5/2022 R. Kingsley Prince William County, VA 1/1/2023 C. Harrison Wilson County, KS 11/17/2022 B. Hagy Greene County, IN 10/4/2022 R. Graber Taylor County, WI 11/1/2019 J. Lunde Stevens County, WA 12/15/2013 S. Duchow Chester County, PA 10/25/2022 C. Scott Cass County, NE 11/13/2022 M. Dryak Jackson County, MI 10/15/2022 S. Pitsch Brooks County, TX 10/2/2021 T. Spillers Van Wert County, OH 9/30/2022 R. Miller Green County, WI 11/4/2022 S. Gobeli Norton County, KS 11/7/2022 S. Pitsch Allen County, KY 11/22/2023 J. Druen Muskingum County, OH 11/9/2019 W. Bellman Vigo County, IN 11/6/2022 J. Fields II Jackson County, WI 11/12/2022 B. Laufenberg Newport County, RI 11/21/2021 E. Klosowski, Jr. Linn County, MO 10/29/2022 J. Harmon Monroe County, KY 11/8/2022 C. Adams Woodbury County, IA 11/1/2008 J. Weltz Monroe County, IA 11/6/2020 S. Zirbel Alfalfa County, OK 11/8/2022 D. Robillard Pike County, IL 11/2/2017 E. Vaught Jay County, IN 10/31/2020 T. Wright Wright County, MN 12/28/2020 K. Fredrickson Grenada County, MS 10/30/2022 C. Neill Amherst County, VA 10/10/2015 C. Rehor Queen Anne’s County, MD 10/30/2020 R. Newton III Pope County, IL 11/9/2021 S. Kirkland Stutsman County, ND 1/1/2023 J. Zins Nodaway County, MO 10/27/2007 J. Blystone Licking County, OH 10/26/2020 F. Giuliani Cass County, ND 10/16/2022 J. Zins Leon County, TX 11/16/2022 J. Culpepper Lincoln County, WI 10/5/2010 T. Heil Atchison County, KS 11/20/2021 D. Erickson Tuscarawas County, OH 9/30/2015 J. Williamson Calvert County, MD 10/30/2021 S. Keithley Stevens County, WA 12/14/2004 S. Duchow Portage County, WI 11/6/2008 T. Heil Ramsey County, ND 9/19/2022 D. Erickstad

136 4/8 140 7/8 141 1/8 144 0/8 144 4/8 139 0/8 146 5/8 137 0/8 135 6/8 136 4/8 146 6/8 137 5/8 137 0/8 135 5/8 148 1/8 139 0/8 136 0/8 153 0/8 150 1/8 136 6/8 139 6/8 136 2/8 138 6/8 138 2/8 145 7/8 145 1/8 138 0/8 141 4/8 136 3/8 140 3/8 138 5/8 135 1/8 136 7/8 150 0/8 143 7/8 137 1/8 137 5/8 135 5/8 145 4/8 135 4/8 133 5/8 136 3/8 134 7/8 134 2/8 140 0/8 148 1/8 145 1/8 140 0/8 136 2/8 134 5/8 144 7/8 146 6/8 137 0/8 140 7/8 136 0/8 140 7/8 143 4/8 135 2/8 135 0/8 134 4/8 136 4/8 138 6/8 135 1/8 134 4/8

Steven Barnes Wade Potsubay Michael D. Vogel Kevin L. Reichert Jason McGonagill Nicholas A. Wassa Brandon Houff Antoine Martineau-Rousseau Gregory Allen Reese Jose Poblador Paul W. Zoeller Andrew Serocki Chris Hood Daniel C. Vassh Quinton Featherstone Chris Miller Matthew Mackedanz Jonathan N. Yeaman Dennis W. McLeroy Wilson Risinger Dominic J. Evola Troy Dickens Carrie Mauer Ben Van Buren James Hennen Mitchell Fucile Clay Ulmer Blake Aaron Justin Vaske Jeremy Eskra Don Phillips Jeff Wasley Michael Lyons Brian Jennen Michael Uhden Melvin Gerald Yoder Derrick Hayden Chris Hood Dillan Hugelen Joseph Hodges Josh Carter Barry Davis Ben Kuckkan Roger White Steven Blackwelder Jr. Reece Whitley Owen Thornberry Eric Jennings Griffin Bender James Nehring Chris Wilson Clint Hukill James Bailey Jordan R. Daum Eason Lamb Gordon Severude John”Jack” D. Frost Eric Saxton Robbie Ramsdell Jason McGovern Gary A. Miller Scott Mackechnie Kevin L. Reichert Hunter Folkedahl

Howard County, MD 10/19/2022 R. Newton III Butler County, PA 11/4/2022 E. Beale Manitowoc County, WI 11/18/2022 S. Zirbel Lake County, IN 11/9/2022 R. Karczewski Lawrence County, OH 11/12/2022 B. Bond Monroe County, PA 11/7/2022 D. Gibble Rockingham County, VA 12/12/2022 B. Trumbo Riviere Noire, QUE 9/27/2008 R. Groleau Sequoyah County, OK 10/29/2020 W. Tobey St. Mary’s County, MD 10/9/2022 C. Wilcox Macon County, MO 11/4/2022 S. Carls Vernon County, WI 11/2/2021 N. Thesing Kiowa County, KS 11/25/2021 C. Rotering Waushara County, WI 11/2/1996 S. Zirbel Jefferson County, IN 11/7/2022 S. Taylor Sheboygan County, WI 1/7/2021 E. Jones Meeker County, MN 11/3/2021 K. Schuette Adams County, IL 11/7/2021 H. Hall Fulton County, GA 11/11/2022 R. Register Yazoo County, MS 1/28/2023 B. Dye Buffalo County, WI 11/10/2014 T. Morang Allen County, KY 9/16/2021 C. Adams Juneau County, WI 9/25/2021 M. Miller Jackson County, MO 11/7/2022 T. Johnston Scott County, MN 11/11/2022 D. Meger Calumet County, WI 10/28/2012 S. Zirbel Decatur County, GA 1/19/2022 D. Grabow Casey County, KY 10/9/2022 D. Weddle Ida County, IA 11/5/2022 N. Thesing Dog Hide River, SAS 11/15/2021 D. Atamanchuk Stevens County, OK 11/5/2022 K. Lyon Marquette County, WI 11/7/2022 S. Zirbel Porter County, IN 11/12/2022 R. Graber Stevens County, WA 11/24/1999 S. Duchow Worcester County, MD 11/7/2016 R. Newton III Dooly County, GA 9/13/2022 S. Ruckel Bristol County, MA 11/7/2007 C. Rehor Kiowa County, KS 12/3/2019 C. Rotering McKenzie County, ND 10/1/2021 S. Lang Montgomery County, PA 9/17/2022 M. Titus Laurens County, GA 11/21/2022 G. Steele Monroe County, WI 11/7/2005 K. Zimmerman Jackson County, IA 11/6/2019 K. Rimer Worth County, GA 10/22/2021 W. Cooper Andrew County, MO 11/8/2022 R. Medford Montgomery County, IL 11/13/2022 W. Rench Linn County, KS 11/19/2022 R. Skinner Tunica County, MS 11/2/2021 R. Cannon Shawano County, WI 9/20/2022 M. Miller Burnett County, WI 11/9/2012 J. Lunde Pike County, IL 11/6/2021 B. Post Armstrong County, TX 12/8/2021 B. Holt Franklin County, IA 10/29/2022 J. Huffman Dakota County, NE 11/4/2022 R. Krueger Sunflower County, MS 12/31/2022 C. Neill Barron County, WI 9/23/2022 J. Lunde Madison County, NE 10/28/2022 R. Krueger Charlevoix County, MI 11/8/2022 J. Best Cherokee County, GA 12/13/2022 R. Register Telfair County, GA 9/11/2022 W. Cooper Indiana County, PA 11/3/2009 D. Schellhammer Hampden County, MA 11/6/2021 J. Chapdelaine Lake County, IN 10/4/2022 R. Karczewski Buffalo County, WI 10/7/2018 S. Godfrey

Winter•2023

TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER CONTINUED

WORLD RECORD 204 4/8

131 2/8 131 2/8 131 1/8 131 1/8 131 1/8 131 0/8 131 0/8 131 0/8 131 0/8 130 7/8 130 7/8 130 7/8 130 6/8 130 6/8 130 5/8 130 5/8 130 5/8 130 5/8 130 5/8 130 5/8 130 4/8 130 4/8 130 4/8 130 3/8 130 3/8 130 3/8 130 2/8 130 2/8 130 2/8 130 2/8 130 1/8 130 1/8 130 0/8 129 7/8 129 7/8 129 6/8 129 6/8 129 5/8 129 5/8 129 5/8 129 4/8 129 4/8 129 4/8 129 4/8 129 4/8 129 3/8 129 3/8 129 3/8 129 2/8 129 2/8 129 1/8 129 1/8 129 1/8 129 0/8 129 0/8 129 0/8 128 7/8 128 7/8 128 6/8 128 6/8 128 5/8 128 5/8 128 4/8 128 3/8

128 3/8 128 3/8 128 3/8 128 2/8 128 2/8 128 1/8 128 1/8 128 1/8 128 1/8 128 0/8 127 7/8 127 7/8 127 7/8 127 7/8 127 6/8 127 6/8 127 6/8 127 5/8 127 5/8 127 5/8 127 4/8 127 4/8 127 3/8 127 3/8 127 3/8 127 2/8 127 2/8 127 2/8 127 1/8 127 1/8 127 1/8 127 0/8 127 0/8 127 0/8 126 7/8 126 7/8 126 7/8 126 6/8 126 6/8 126 6/8 126 6/8 126 6/8 126 5/8 126 5/8 126 5/8 126 4/8 126 4/8 126 4/8 126 4/8 126 4/8 126 4/8 126 4/8 126 2/8 126 2/8 126 2/8 126 1/8 126 1/8 126 1/8 126 0/8 126 0/8 125 7/8 125 7/8 125 7/8 125 6/8

139 6/8 141 0/8 137 5/8 138 3/8 139 4/8 142 3/8 134 7/8 145 7/8 148 7/8 136 0/8 152 4/8 134 3/8 135 3/8 135 1/8 136 6/8 137 3/8 140 1/8 140 6/8 138 2/8 133 7/8 134 6/8 133 5/8 143 0/8 133 6/8 133 5/8 135 0/8 141 2/8 137 4/8 133 1/8 134 3/8 132 5/8 132 1/8 133 2/8 137 5/8 145 3/8 132 6/8 134 2/8 131 3/8 144 7/8 133 6/8 138 7/8 149 5/8 131 6/8 135 5/8 133 4/8 132 7/8 137 2/8 133 5/8 134 0/8 134 7/8 138 0/8 135 6/8 134 3/8 132 0/8 133 6/8 132 3/8 130 4/8 136 2/8 131 4/8 143 0/8 132 3/8 137 4/8 144 5/8 137 6/8

Benjamin S. Maxin Washington County, PA Marion K. Almand Morgan County, GA Rob Kaiser Jackson County, OH Bradley Britt Hamilton County, TN Levi Sherman Jackson County, OH Joshua Meert Oconto County, WI Matthew Vollentine Warren County, PA Bob Herzan Barron County, WI Allen Clark Anderson County, KS Mike Sturz Dunn County, WI Logan Reynolds Rock Island County, IL Jeremy M. Hummel Porter County, IN Beverly Houston Louisa County, VA Josh Warden Manitowoc County, WI Michael T. Anderson Noble County, IN Brian Jennen Stevens County, WA Chris Howe Whitfield County, GA Eric Stafirny Pike County, PA Blake D. Cramer Newaygo County, MI Tyler J. Stanley Brunswick County, NC Morrell McCaskill Turner County, GA Scott Wolfe Jackson County, WI Chris Hood Rooks County, KS Troy Dickens Allen County, KY Tucker Livengood Noble County, OH Dana Bates Grafton County, NH Dustin Echard Meigs County, OH Derek B. Staten Meigs County, OH Benjamin Campbell Macon County, GA Anthony C. Fogner Stewart County, TN Roger Benjamin Batcheler Hancock County, IL Sonny J. Ranz Norman County, MN Eric Bruce Gwinnett County, GA Kevin L. Reichert Lake County, IN Connor McDonough Appanoose County, IA Brian Jennen Stevens County, WA Tyler Hedinger Dubois County, IN Seth Stegemeyer Houston County, MN Cody Griffin Cleburne County, AR Austin Roebuck Howard County, MD Greg Cook Wyoming County, WV Tanner Bowe Chippewa County, WI Corey L. Smith Lycoming County, PA Martin M. Lortie Paulding County, OH Ryan Costello La Crosse County, WI Dan Johnson Jackson County, WI Jason Lemke Outagamie County, WI Kyle Ziegler Richland County, WI Brian Jennen Stevens County, WA Chris C. Peck Monroe County, OH Jordan Dill Sussex County, DE Craig Rennie Merrimack County, NH Larry C. Reese Centerville County, MD Jeffrey L. Hanratty Hennepin County, MN Tony Eichenseer Atchison County, KS Ben Kuckkan Jackson County, IA Randolph Gooner Sr Sussex County, DE Tom Y. Sharpe Tompkins County, NY Larry Dominguez/Performance Outfitters McDonough County, IL Michael H. Rammel Darke County, OH Gary Haas Sheboygan County, WI Jeffrey Derrick Burnett County, WI Gus Congemi Litchfield County, CT Brian Jennen Stevens County, WA

2023•Winter

10/23/2018 J. Walter, Jr. 10/3/2022 W. Cooper 11/23/2019 T. Wright 12/3/2022 R. Britt 12/18/2022 W. Bellman 10/31/2020 M. Sedelbauer 10/30/2021 J. Cunningham 11/6/2022 J. Lunde 11/10/2022 J. Kinsey 11/5/2013 D. O’Brien 10/16/2022 M. Umholtz 11/4/2022 R. Karczewski 11/14/2011 L. Schiferl 11/17/2022 S. Zirbel 11/11/2010 J. Moore 11/24/2018 S. Duchow 10/24/2021 S. Quinn 10/6/2022 P. Sussenbach 10/30/2022 J. Best 12/3/2022 M. Bara 10/22/2022 W. Cooper 10/28/2022 R. Loberger 11/29/2022 C. Rotering 9/21/2018 C. Adams 10/13/2020 M. Olson 10/17/2022 R. Blaisdell 11/6/2021 G. Dearth 1/24/2022 T. Dowdy 10/16/2022 S. McDonald 11/6/2022 M. Bara 11/5/2016 J. McEver 10/6/2022 C. Kozitka 12/19/2022 D. McZilkey 11/5/2021 R. Karczewski 11/7/2022 C. Wilcox 12/14/2020 S. Duchow 10/29/2022 D. Belwood 10/30/2022 N. Thesing 11/2/2022 J. Harmon 11/10/2022 C. Wilcox 10/8/2022 T. Dowdy 10/29/2022 J. Squires 11/1/2022 R. Kingsley 11/10/2022 W. Bellman 11/11/2022 N. Thesing 11/1/2021 D. Peterson, Jr. 10/29/2022 A. Sternagel 10/30/2022 D. O’Brien 12/10/2021 S. Duchow 11/9/2022 J. Dowd 11/10/2019 J. Melvin 9/24/2022 R. Blaisdell 11/10/2022 R. Newton III 9/26/2022 T. Rogers 10/28/2022 J. Martin 11/8/2022 K. Rimer 9/4/2010 J. Melvin 11/6/2022 M. Compton 11/17/2014 D. Erickson 9/23/2022 W. Bellman 10/26/2022 E. Jones 11/3/2022 K. Rimer 11/5/2020 F. Giuliani 12/15/2003 S. Duchow

134 6/8 130 4/8 131 3/8 133 4/8 132 3/8 135 2/8 132 6/8 136 3/8 133 4/8 130 4/8 144 0/8 131 0/8 132 0/8 133 3/8 130 1/8 133 1/8 133 1/8 130 7/8 135 0/8 141 6/8 146 0/8 132 2/8 136 6/8 137 3/8 136 0/8 137 5/8 133 0/8 142 4/8 133 7/8 131 0/8 131 5/8 132 6/8 142 3/8 128 6/8 134 4/8 128 6/8 131 2/8 133 0/8 131 5/8 133 1/8 134 0/8 134 2/8 138 3/8 141 7/8 136 5/8 129 6/8 131 3/8 134 3/8 134 7/8 127 6/8 142 2/8 146 6/8 131 4/8 134 5/8 137 0/8 130 6/8 140 6/8 131 6/8 133 6/8 132 5/8 129 6/8 145 2/8 135 3/8 136 5/8

Dominic Evola Dave Ludwig David C. Reid Alexander Vokes Jordan Robbins Paul S. Campbell Shane Stark Eric W. Culver Dennis V. Palmer Eli J. Hendricks Brian Jennen Christopher Errickson William D. Berry Doug Oliver Duston Krpata-Ball Hunter R. Bruckner Zachary Champ Maribeth Kulynycz William Crawford Marion K. Almand Jeremy Royer Fred Eckhardt Ben Van Camp Jeffrey Jolley Reese Bledsoe Brian Jennen Gus Congemi Benjamin J. Argerbright Tyler Davis Zachoriak Thone Timothy Ko Michael D. Curtis Steve Hardy John Rebrovich Jesse Lee Weatherly Mike Sherels Gus Congemi Lukasz R. Pytel Justin Pitts Ed Hayden John P. Baunach Jason Muchemore Ricky Brule Martin Kemp Joshua Locke Zachary Zahn Paul S. Campbell Douglas L. Below Bruce Bonney Jared Melstrom Paul B. Harris Tara Allain William Cyr Jay Gardner Mitchell Gallagher E.M. (Mike) Peters Riley Lester Jason McGovern Blake S. Russell Brandeon Frank Shawn Keen Jason Grieshop Barry Gordon Tyler Fenske

Osage County, KS 11/17/2019 T. Morang Buffalo County, WI 10/29/2022 B. Laufenberg McDowell County, WV 11/8/2022 L. Schiferl Knox County, TX 11/1/2020 E. Stanosheck Montgomery County, OH 10/27/2022 R. Miller Kalamazoo County, MI 10/23/2015 M. Seedorff Monroe County, WI 9/25/2021 N. Thesing Cayuga County, NY 10/29/2021 M. Compton Buffalo County, WI 9/22/2022 S. Godfrey Vigo County, IN 10/31/2019 J. Fields II Stevens County, WA 11/11/2017 S. Duchow Osage County, KS 11/7/2021 M. Kronyak Vigo County, IN 11/7/2021 J. Fields II Marion County, OH 9/14/2022 R. Elkins Jackson County, WI 10/22/2016 A. Sternagel Waukesha County, WI 11/4/2017 G. Wegner Mercer County, OH 11/8/2020 R. Miller Wicomico County, MD 9/11/2021 R. Newton III Mercer County, NJ 9/16/2022 D. Shennard Wichita County, TX 10/6/2022 W. Cooper Noble County, OH 11/3/2020 J. Kennedy Noble County, OH 11/4/2022 A. Cramer Cherokee County, KS 11/7/2019 S. Zirbel Wilson County, KS 11/17/2021 B. Hagy Mitchell County, GA 10/20/2022 W. Cooper Stevens County, WA 12/10/2016 S. Duchow Westchester County, NY 11/14/2019 F. Giuliani Kosciusko County, IN 10/24/2020 R. Karczewski Calhoun County, MI 11/14/2016 M. Seedorff Pike County, OH 11/12/2021 R. Blaisdell Madison County, NY 11/13/2022 M. Parah Pontotoc County, OK 11/14/2016 B. Dye Reno County, KS 9/14/2022 D. Janes Sherburne County, MN 9/30/2022 J. Lunde Bingham County, ID 10/11/2016 D. Atwood Scott County, MN 11/7/2018 D. Meger Bergen County, NJ 9/28/2020 F. Giuliani McHenry County, IL 11/6/2021 D. Good Dodge County, GA 10/27/2022 M. Nelms Sanilac County, MI 10/27/2022 T. Morang Jo Daviess County, IL 11/3/2022 F. Achilles York County, ME 11/9/2022 G. Humphrey Washington County, MN 11/19/2019 J. Lunde Owen County, IN 10/30/2021 S. Taylor Woodbury County, IA 11/6/2022 J. Weltz Hillsborough County, NH 9/16/2022 R. Blaisdell Kalamazoo County, MI 10/5/2022 M. Seedorff Langlade County, WI 10/15/2022 A. Wisniewski Macon County, MO 10/15/2022 A. Cowell Pierce County, WI 10/27/2022 K. Rimer Isle Of Wright County, VA 11/2/2022 C. Grubbs Richland County, LA 1/1/2023 T. Johnston Monroe County, OH 10/30/2020 R. Blaisdell Polk County, WI 9/17/2022 J. Lunde Nodaway County, MO 11/5/2022 B. Harriman Hocking County, OH 10/28/2019 R. Miller Dooly County, GA 10/15/2022 W. Cooper Telfair County, GA 12/26/2022 W. Cooper Ashland County, OH 11/14/2018 L. Hansen Chippewa County, WI 11/14/2021 J. Lunde Columbia County, FL 12/2/2020 M. Spence Jay County, IN 11/6/2021 T. Wright Richland County, WI 10/22/2022 L. Lueckenhoff Waupaca County, WI 11/4/2020 S. Zirbel

Species: Muskox Score: 106 0/8 Hunter: Mirko Rainer Location: Nunavut, CAN Date: 03/23/2022

PRESERVE. PROMOTE. PROTECT.

TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER CONTINUED

TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER VELVET

WORLD RECORD 204 4/8

WORLD RECORD 181 3/8

125 6/8 125 6/8 125 6/8 125 6/8 125 5/8 125 5/8 125 4/8 125 4/8 125 3/8 125 3/8 125 2/8 125 2/8 125 2/8 125 2/8 125 2/8 125 2/8 125 2/8 125 1/8 125 1/8 125 1/8 125 0/8 125 0/8 125 0/8

172 7/8 142 2/8 140 6/8 140 0/8 136 0/8 135 0/8 130 7/8 128 2/8 127 5/8 126 1/8

132 6/8 130 4/8 133 0/8 127 7/8 130 3/8 131 2/8 149 6/8 128 7/8 131 0/8 135 6/8 128 2/8 135 2/8 132 1/8 127 4/8 128 2/8 136 6/8 129 4/8 128 2/8 132 1/8 135 3/8 128 4/8 144 4/8 128 4/8

Joshua F. DaSilva John Paul Baunach Karl Kulikowski Joseph Hering Mervin J. Eicher Mike Brennan Joel Coffman Mike Lutt Dominic J. Evola Samuel S. Recco Karson Betcher Matt R. Gehl Devin Bollenbacher Jared Hook Ronnie Parsons Dan Draheim Charles Deery Martin E. Cain Daniel Klotz Nathan T. Whiteneck Chad Wilson Allen Felix Bryce L. Patch

Bristol County, MA Jo Daviess County, IL Erie County, NY Calvert County, MD Martin County, IN Schuylkill County, PA Coshocton County, OH Thurston County, NE Taylor County, IA Orleans County, NY Houston County, MN Allamakee County, IA White County, IN Dane County, WI Tom Green County, TX Shawano County, WI La Crosse County, WI Vinton County, OH Calumet County, WI Dade County, MO St. Mary’s County, MD Monroe County, OH Champaign County, OH

11/21/2021 C. Rehor 10/29/2022 F. Achilles 11/9/2022 K. Schilling 11/19/2022 S. Keithley 11/4/2021 S. Taylor 10/27/2022 C. Scott 11/12/2022 T. Mollett 11/30/2022 R. Krueger 11/21/2021 T. Morang 10/30/2022 G. Rightmyer 9/14/2019 C. Collins 10/25/2020 S. Zirbel 11/6/2020 W. Bellman 11/17/2020 D. Peterson, Jr. 10/16/2021 L. Wood 9/22/2022 S. Zirbel 11/7/2022 N. Thesing 11/18/2018 L. Culbertson 10/16/2021 S. Zirbel 11/7/2021 R. Kemph 11/6/2022 C. Wilcox 11/18/2022 T. Mollett 11/19/2022 W. Bellman

182 1/8 145 7/8 147 1/8 154 6/8 139 4/8 140 4/8 150 7/8 141 4/8 132 5/8 134 7/8

Gavin Black Rodney Chandler Caldwell Jacob Jones Thomas M. Kody Matthew Farley Casey Stroo James R. Cornelius Brett Aaron Rachelle Gertz-Shifflett Jeremy Johnson

Eddy County, ND 9/2/2022 Clay County, KY 9/5/2018 Trousdale County, TN 8/26/2022 Charles County, MD 9/15/2022 Carroll County, GA 9/10/2022 Clarke County, MS 10/3/2022 Pulaski County, KY 9/9/2022 Russell County, KY 9/4/2021 Anne Arundel County, MD 9/7/2018 Terrell County, GA 9/10/2022

D. Erickstad D. Weddle C. Adams C. Wilcox D. McZilkey G. Wilson D. Weddle D. Weddle R. Newton III W. Cooper

NON-TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER

WORLD RECORD 327 7/8

SCORE

AREA/ST/PROV

GROSS

HUNTER/OUTFITTER

DATE

MEASURER

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 250 7/8 223 3/8 207 5/8 207 2/8 201 5/8 195 3/8 192 3/8 191 5/8 190 5/8 190 3/8 190 1/8

259 2/8 231 5/8 210 4/8 211 1/8 209 3/8 216 6/8 205 1/8 195 6/8 196 2/8 202 6/8 194 3/8

Josh Heuser Mike Nappier Dominick Omspach Timothy B. Lockhart Brett Salyers Johnny L. Blaylock Brandon Johannes John R. Stinauer John Wilson Clemon Ray Watts Tyler Sowers

Cass County, MO 9/27/2022 C. Coble Monroe County, IL 11/6/2022 M. Umbdenstock Washington County, OH 10/21/2021 R. Huffman Meigs County, OH 9/28/2022 R. Huffman Pike County, KY 11/7/2022 R. Crank Jackson County, KS 11/10/2022 B. Rueschhoff Van Buren County, IA 10/1/2022 S. Grabow Mason County, IL 11/3/2016 T. Yetter Montgomery County, IL 11/7/2022 W. Rench Osage County, KS 11/23/2022 L. Grimes Fairfield County, OH 10/13/2021 R. Elkins

Winter•2023

NON-TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER CONTINED

TYPICAL AMERICAN ELK CONTINUED

WORLD RECORD 327 7/8

WORLD RECORD 430 0/8

190 1/8 189 3/8 186 4/8 186 3/8 185 6/8 185 2/8 185 1/8 185 1/8 185 0/8 183 5/8 183 4/8 183 3/8 182 4/8 182 2/8 181 7/8 180 6/8 180 3/8 180 2/8 180 1/8 179 7/8 177 4/8 177 0/8 175 4/8 173 7/8 172 7/8 171 0/8 170 1/8 168 5/8 167 6/8 165 3/8 164 6/8 164 1/8 163 7/8 163 6/8 162 0/8 161 7/8 161 1/8 160 6/8 160 4/8 160 2/8 160 2/8 160 0/8 159 2/8 159 0/8

329 3/8 328 1/8 325 4/8 323 0/8 322 6/8 322 3/8 322 0/8 320 2/8 316 1/8 314 2/8 314 1/8 309 0/8 308 0/8 307 0/8 305 2/8 305 2/8 304 3/8 304 1/8 302 4/8 300 4/8 298 1/8 297 1/8 295 6/8 295 1/8 293 5/8 293 4/8 293 4/8 293 3/8 292 3/8 287 1/8 286 3/8 285 1/8 284 7/8 283 4/8 281 1/8 280 3/8 278 3/8 275 6/8 268 6/8 265 7/8 264 6/8 263 0/8 262 0/8 261 2/8 260 2/8

200 6/8 196 2/8 192 1/8 195 6/8 197 6/8 192 2/8 188 0/8 192 3/8 194 2/8 189 6/8 194 0/8 188 2/8 190 3/8 192 7/8 188 7/8 192 5/8 184 0/8 205 5/8 185 7/8 185 1/8 181 7/8 189 2/8 181 1/8 184 2/8 177 2/8 173 7/8 177 3/8 200 5/8 173 1/8 173 7/8 175 0/8 168 0/8 174 5/8 171 3/8 168 4/8 185 5/8 170 6/8 174 2/8 168 6/8 169 6/8 184 0/8 167 3/8 165 4/8 162 3/8

David Brewster Dustin C. Skaya Jose Arriola Brett Petitt Duane Erickson Cody W. Hollingsworth David Moreland Jr. Gabe Arnold Cody Klosiewski Erik D. Torgeson Richard Granger Kevin Davis Mark Poeschel Charles Deery Isaac Mohr Garrett Jones Troy Vetsch Jason Heller Jacob Bush Quinn Talbott Dustin Atteberry James R. Smith III Danny Kampwerth Shawn DeLong Logan Vangerud Nic Dicken Kou Vang Loran Kaplan Tyler Wolf William A. Freet Luke Maag Hudson Hoover John R. Stinauer John (Jack) D. Frost Damon Boyd Steve Gobeli Cody W. Thomasson Colton Edwards Shelby McClintock Kyle Winner Harry J. Crawford Greg Walls Tristan L. Miller Michael D. Curtis

Crawford County, IL 11/9/2022 Benson County, ND 9/2/2022 Rice County, KS 11/2/2018 Sumner County, TN 1/7/2023 Story County, IA 11/20/2016 Boone County, IN 11/17/2022 Queen Annes County, MD 11/1/1974 Stevens County, MN 12/26/2022 Dunn County, WI 10/31/2022 Norton County, KS 11/10/2021 Saline County, KS 11/1/2022 Freeborn County, MN 10/28/2022 Pepin County, WI 9/27/2022 La Crosse County, WI 10/25/2019 Henderson County, IL 12/24/2022 Dougherty County, GA 10/1/2022 Crow Wing County, MN 11/27/2020 Jo Daviess County, IL 12/28/2022 Hart County, KY 9/7/2022 Nodaway County, MO 11/6/2022 Wayne County, IL 10/2/2022 Barron County, WI 10/19/2021 Marion County, IL 11/6/2022 Finney County, KS 11/5/2022 LaMoure County, ND 9/2/2022 Green County, KY 9/11/2021 Debuque County, IA 11/1/2022 Iowa County, IA 10/9/2022 Linn County, KS 10/31/2020 Knox County, MO 11/6/2022 Putnam County, OH 10/14/2022 Creek County, OK 10/1/2022 Mason County, IL 11/9/2022 Cowley County, KS 11/9/2022 Carroll County, IN 10/12/2022 Schuyler County, IL 11/3/2022 Clark County, IN 11/8/2022 Fayette County, IL 10/28/2019 Knox County, IL 11/6/2021 Jefferson County, IN 11/6/2021 Jefferson County, OR 10/1/2022 Highland County, OH 10/31/1993 Greene County, IN 11/1/2022 Pontotoc County, OK 11/15/2021

T. Fisk T. Heil R. Bergloff D. Grandstaff C. Coble G. Howard J. Melvin C. Collins J. Lunde T. Heil J. Treadway D. Boland K. Rimer N. Thesing C. Belknap W. Cooper T. Kalsbeck T. Heil W. Cooper P. Lowry M. Lamb J. Lunde M. Lamb G. Fitts J. Zins D. Weddle J. Squires C. Coburn J. Martin J. Best W. Bellman W. Ledbetter T. Yetter R. Krueger R. Graber M. Casey S. Taylor M. Lamb T. Yetter T. Wright S. Taylor M. Hentrick S. Taylor B. Dye

NON-TYPICAL WHITETAIL DEER VELVET 187 0/8 189 4/8 185 6/8 178 6/8

Michelle Logie Jacob E. Thornbury George(Tommy) T. Badon Jr. Nick Wright

Ramsey County, ND Shelby County, KY Dickson County, TN Green County, KY

9/3/2022 9/5/2022 8/28/2022 9/7/2019

D. Erickstad D. Weddle D. Grandstaff D. Weddle

TYPICAL AMERICAN ELK

WORLD RECORD 430 0/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 363 6/8 359 2/8 351 4/8 346 2/8 342 1/8 337 4/8 336 2/8

374 1/8 376 3/8 367 2/8 354 7/8 349 0/8 349 5/8 344 3/8

Travis E. Johnston Corey Hugelen Mark Smith Matt Haynes Chris Hood Leif Halvorson Frank G. Hood

2023•Winter

Park County, WY McKenzie County, ND Modoc County, CA Ouray County, CO Meagher County, MT Meagher County, MT Meagher County, MT

9/11/2022 9/10/2021 9/3/2022 9/17/2022 9/15/2022 9/3/2022 9/17/2020

Tyler Davids Chris Hood Gene Witt Andrew Krueger Mike Lutt Brian Jennen Ken Vorisek Ralph E. Klinkers IV Jacob Harris Rick Sikora Luke Miller John Barnard Chris Hood Lawrence G. Harlan James Clark Kyle Sinclair-Smith Thomas Dougherty Alex A. Patenaude Jeremy Georgeson Joshua Goodnight Marvin Philip Drake David Ballard/Denny Scott Erik M. Pronold Matthew Alexander Carlissa Abernethy Tyler Davids Lawrence G. Harlan Jacob Erbes Orlando B. Bell VII Jerry Casano Gary Scherping Joseph Kucowski Leiza A. Fitzgerald Lawrence G. Harlan James Hertzler Birch H. Rose Caleb Elwell Justin Spies Jack S. Mulvihill Griffin B. Falck Matthew J. Sedelbauer Robert J. Cannon Jeffery Badders Chris Hood Joshua Graham

Power County, ID 9/8/2016 T. Peterson Meagher County, MT 9/17/2020 C. Rotering Rio Arriba County, NM 9/11/2022 J. Walter, Jr. Garfield County, CO 9/8/2022 S. Zirbel Coconino County, AZ 9/15/2022 R. Krueger Stevens County, WA 11/24/2015 S. Duchow Coconino County, AZ 9/15/2022 B. Ameen Teton County, WY 9/15/2022 J. Davis Ravalli County, MT 10/2/2022 J. Staten Vermillian, ALB 9/16/2022 R. MacDonald Beaverhead County, MT 9/6/2021 C. Scott Gunnison County, CO 9/20/2022 G. Dearth Meagher County, MT 9/15/2021 C. Rotering Coconino County, AZ 9/21/1997 D. Aikin Phillips County, MT 9/14/2022 D. Amason Millarville, ALB 10/27/2022 K. Brayford Eagle County, CO 9/25/2022 B. Ameen Garfield County, CO 9/15/2016 S. Zirbel Larimer County, CO 9/23/2022 C. Anderson, Jr. Las Animas County, CO 9/16/2022 M. Headen Lewis and Clark County, MT 10/3/2022 S. Koelzer Albany County, NY 9/11/2022 C. Anderson, Jr. Lane County, OR 9/8/2022 G. Childers Marrow County, OR 9/18/2022 J. Stone Custer County, ID 9/23/2022 D. Atwood Oneida County, ID 9/21/2018 T. Peterson Catron County, NM 9/18/2022 D. Aikin Hot Springs County, WY 9/16/2022 J. Zins Petroleum County, MT 9/15/2021 M. Nilsen Mesa County, CO 9/7/2019 M. Casano Moffat County, CO 9/12/2022 T. Rogers Catron County, NM 9/16/2018 M. Titus Rio Arriba County, NM 9/28/2021 G. Morrison Catron County, NM 9/18/2020 D. Aikin Carbon County, MT 9/23/2022 B. Milliron Bonner County, ID 9/20/2022 S. Duchow Las Animas County, CO 9/3/2022 L. Gatlin Rio Arriba County, NM 9/26/2022 B. Bartlett Los Alamos County, NM 9/19/2022 J. Dowd Clark County, ID 9/20/2022 S. Duchow Albany County, WY 9/20/2021 S. Godfrey Montrose County, CO 9/26/2021 D. Belwood Rio Arriba County, NM 9/15/2022 G. Slade Meagher County, MT 9/20/2019 R. MacDonald Park County, CO 9/23/2022 J. Moore

WORLD RECORD 252 2/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 179 5/8 177 7/8 175 5/8 171 1/8

352 1/8 336 6/8 333 5/8 342 7/8 328 7/8 347 7/8 332 6/8 328 4/8 326 6/8 330 2/8 327 5/8 317 3/8 315 0/8 326 6/8 312 0/8 308 3/8 312 7/8 307 1/8 318 6/8 316 3/8 305 1/8 305 5/8 304 0/8 303 5/8 304 2/8 301 7/8 302 5/8 304 2/8 306 4/8 308 4/8 294 5/8 292 0/8 288 2/8 300 4/8 288 2/8 299 6/8 288 2/8 290 1/8 295 5/8 273 2/8 270 5/8 268 7/8 265 3/8 269 0/8 268 1/8

C. Hill S. Lang J. Bugni C. Clark C. Rotering S. Thao C. Rotering

NON-TYPICAL AMERICAN ELK

WORLD RECORD 449 4/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 329 2/8

350 0/8

Jake Dizmang

Carbon County, WY

9/28/2022

R. Hochstein

ROOSEVELT’S ELK

WORLD RECORD 398 1/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 342 4/8 336 0/8 332 1/8 327 0/8 295 5/8 283 4/8 265 4/8 258 0/8 228 3/8

349 5/8 339 5/8 349 0/8 333 5/8 300 6/8 296 4/8 275 1/8 267 3/8 234 2/8

Warren Strickland/Arrow 5 Outfitters Warren Strickland/Arrow 5 Outfitters Warren Strickland/Arrow 5 Outfitters Mark Schoenborn Dale Huntsman Kristina Knox Gary Motsinger Nick Howe Emma Narotzky

Del Norte County, CA Del Norte County, CA Del Norte County, CA Tillamook County, OR Coos County, OR Linn County, OR Tillamook County, OR Curry County, OR Del Norte County, CA

9/15/2021 9/9/2019 8/13/2020 8/24/2022 9/17/2022 8/30/2022 9/25/2022 8/29/2022 9/27/2022

T. Fisk T. Fisk T. Fisk R. Evans A. Cramer C. Lynde M. Carroll D. Heffner F. King

ALASKA-YUKON MOOSE

PRONGHORN ANTELOPE

WORLD RECORD 249 1/8

WORLD RECORD 91 4/8

211 0/8 194 5/8 194 1/8 187 6/8 183 7/8 183 3/8 171 1/8

88 4/8 78 6/8 77 4/8 77 4/8 76 6/8 75 6/8 75 0/8 70 2/8 70 2/8 69 6/8 69 4/8 69 4/8 69 2/8 69 2/8 69 0/8 68 6/8 68 4/8 67 6/8 67 4/8 67 4/8 67 2/8 67 0/8 67 0/8 67 0/8

219 5/8 200 5/8 197 4/8 192 7/8 185 6/8 187 4/8 178 7/8

David S. Benitz David S. Benitz Joe Davis Adam Butchko Blaze Hronkin Frank S. Noska IV David S. Benitz

Salcha River, AK Salcha River, AK Indian River, AK Wilkinson MTN Range, YUK Stoney River, AK King Salmon, AK Salcha River, AK

9/11/2019 9/6/2018 9/23/2022 9/23/2022 9/11/2021 9/25/2022 9/3/2015

M. Nilsen M. Nilsen S. Parkerson S. Greevy C. Brent C. Brent M. Nilsen

CANADA MOOSE

WORLD RECORD 222 1/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 177 5/8 172 2/8 170 6/8 143 2/8 139 5/8

182 4/8 172 7/8 176 5/8 147 3/8 142 0/8

Sebastien Martel William A. Pettett Jr / Kent Fairhurst Dean L. Atkinson Steven Briggs Gunther Tondeleir

Lake Evans, QUE Toya Lake, BC Red Lake, ONT McKenzie County, ND Jackpine River, ALB

9/27/2022 10/4/2022 9/23/2022 9/19/2021 9/28/2020

M. Jerome B. Novosad D. Eider J. Zins D. Loosemore

CANADA MOOSE VELVET

WORLD RECORD 168 0/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 182 0/8 155 0/8

185 7/8 157 7/8

Frederick Sweisthal Christian Levitt

Atlin Lake, BC Ward County, ND

8/23/2017 9/4/2022

R. Skinner J. Plesuk

SHIRAS’ MOOSE

WORLD RECORD 192 0/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 139 0/8 135 2/8 127 4/8

141 6/8 136 3/8 131 4/8

Matt Reetz Brad Sparks Jeffrey Hansford

Lincoln County, WY 9/15/2022 Blackfeet Reservation, MT 10/6/2022 Boulder County, CO 9/23/2021

M. Arnold T. Embry T. Lovin

90 1/8 79 7/8 78 5/8 78 7/8 77 5/8 76 7/8 75 1/8 70 6/8 72 3/8 70 6/8 70 6/8 70 2/8 71 1/8 70 1/8 70 4/8 69 3/8 68 6/8 68 2/8 68 5/8 69 0/8 68 4/8 67 6/8 67 6/8 67 0/8

Steven Tisdale Jordan R. Hanson Isaac Welton Adam Fischer Tanner Hugelen Scott Ault Dillan Hugelen Eric Ahlgren Tom Sarver Neil K. Thagard Jr. Neil Thagard Scott Jankowski Steven Ward Anthony Scarlin Ryan Henkel Ronnie Parsons Ralph Torres Reginald E. Faber Jr. Neil Thagard Lendul D. Tanney Scott Soderstrom Neil Thagard Josh Konen Adam Stallman / C&D Outditters

Lea County, NM 8/5/2020 McKenzie County, ND 9/18/2021 Hot Springs County, WY 10/18/2018 Converse County, WY 8/19/2022 Valley County, MT 9/19/2022 Prarie County, MT 9/11/2022 Valley County, MT 9/17/2022 Converse County, WY 8/18/2017 Converse County, WY 8/20/2022 Campbell County, WY 9/5/2018 Campbell County, WY 9/6/2018 Yavapai County, AZ 8/27/2021 Cochise County, AZ 9/25/1996 Campbell County, WY 9/6/2021 Broadwater County, MT 9/12/2022 De Baca County, NM 9/18/2018 Pershing County, NV 8/6/2022 Butte County, SD 9/26/2022 Johnson County, WY 8/1/2016 Duchesne County, UT 8/29/2022 Converse County, WY 9/15/2022 Johnson County, WY 8/15/2015 Las Animas County, CO 8/27/2022 Meade County, SD 9/10/2022

L. Wood J. Staten M. Miller E. Robinson S. Lang C. Scott S. Lang M. Jones E. Robinson M. Schlegel M. Schlegel B. Smith B. Ihlenfeldt J. Hoenk F. King L. Wood A. Mudd D. Cull M. Schlegel R. Banaszak B. Jones M. Schlegel J. Gardner K. Rimer

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT

WORLD RECORD 53 4/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 42 4/8 40 4/8 40 4/8

43 1/8 40 7/8 40 7/8

Andres Z. Bowden Eric Ahlgren Tyler Shaw

Summit County, UT Nahanni Butte, NWT Summit County, CO

8/30/2020 7/24/2017 9/19/2022

J. Slaugh B. Rimsza R. Long

HORNS

BIGHORN SHEEP

WORLD RECORD 209 1/8

BISON

160 2/8

WORLD RECORD 129 6/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 118 6/8 115 6/8 112 2/8 105 2/8

119 6/8 117 4/8 113 3/8 105 7/8

Eli R. Eash Andrew Wilkey Steven Ward Shad D. Schmidt

Park County, MT Grand County, UT Navajo County, AZ Uintah County, UT

11/26/2022 8/20/2022 8/15/2005 8/29/2022

R. Nail S. Hirst C. Wilcox D. Leo

MUSKOX

WORLD RECORD 127 2/8

160 4/8

Forrest P. Wetterstrom

Boulder County, CO

11/16/2022

C. Collins

DALL’S SHEEP

WORLD RECORD 174 0/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 140 6/8

141 4/8

Eric Ahlgren

McKenzie Mtns, NWT

8/4/2016

M. Zieser

DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP

WORLD RECORD 186 4/8

122 0/8 117 6/8 112 6/8 106 0/8 101 6/8 100 4/8 99 4/8 97 6/8 97 4/8 93 4/8

169 5/8 169 2/8 167 3/8 163 1/8

123 1/8 120 0/8 115 6/8 110 0/8 103 0/8 103 2/8 101 0/8 98 7/8 99 1/8 97 1/8

Adam Cramer Michael Casey Mark J. Kramer Mirko Rainer Isaac Henry Chandler Jacob Philip J. Latteier Philip J. Latteier Tad A. Yetter William A. McCullough

Kugluktuk, NUN Cooper River, NUN Kugluktuk, NUN Kugluktuk, NUN Bethel, AK Victoria Island, NWT Kangerlussuaq, GRN Kangerlussuaq, GRN Kangerlussuaq, GRN Cambridge Bay, NUN

4/4/2023 3/30/2023 3/14/2023 3/23/2022 2/22/2022 3/7/2023 9/20/2021 9/16/2021 8/9/2022 3/20/2022

M. Olson Paul Farni Jr. C. Fechner R. Visscher N. Muche J. Plesuk T. Embry T. Embry R. Willmore A. Cramer

170 0/8 170 6/8 168 0/8 163 3/8

Rob Lane Thomas Gallegos Jonah Stewart William A. McCullough

Sonora, MEX Mineral County, NV Sonora, MEX Sonora, MEX

11/26/2022 10/27/2022 12/5/2022 3/9/2023

M. Kronyak V. Trujillo J. Mancuso A. Cramer

STONE’S SHEEP

WORLD RECORD 179 4/8

SCORE GROSS HUNTER/OUTFITTER AREA/ST/PROV DATE MEASURER ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 141 7/8

142 5/8

Anna Vorisek / Midnight Sun

Pelly River, YUK

8/12/2022

Winter•2023

B. Ameen

Super Slam Hunting By Chuck Adams

Off-Season Targets

he animal was bedded when I saw it. Now, more than one hour later, I had crawled within 30 yards. My heart was thudding like a bongo drum as I drew my bow low to the ground and rolled to my knees to take the shot. The arrow hit the chest with a satisfying thump. Soon, I was admiring my prize. From the description, this might have been a deer, antelope, or elk. But the critter weighed less than five pounds. Only its ears were as long as a whitetail buck’s. It was my first rabbit of the day—a great off-season archery target. I cut my bowhunting teeth many years ago on ground squirrels in my native state of California. These one-pound pests lived by the hundreds in the foothills near my house, and thanks to mild Golden State weather, they were often above-ground throughout the winter. Those little rodents were spooky beyond belief, thanks to predators like foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and hawks. Nailing one with a bow took patience and skill. Bowhunting off-season game is one of my favorite archery pastimes. It combines the thrill of hunting with a small target to hit. Trying to bean a ground squirrel’s walnut-sized head or chest taught me to aim carefully and

2023•Winter

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2023•Winter

follow through with my shots. If I could nail a ground squirrel, a deer would be a piece of cake by comparison. Every part of the country has different kinds of winter game. Depending on the weather, some non-hibernating animals, like ground squirrels and prairie dogs, spend part of their time underground. I bowhunt jackrabbits and prairie dogs near my home in Wyoming, and on warmer days, both species are easy to find. Friends of mine around the country go after cottontail rabbits, squirrels, woodchucks, and other small animals native to their neck of the woods. No matter what the critter, the hunting and shooting is a great warm-up for deer season. Another off-season archery challenge is calling predators. Coyotes, foxes, raccoons, bobcats, and similar sharp-toothed meat eaters can be coaxed to squeals of a dying rabbit or squeaks of a frightened rodent or bird. Even non-predators like cottontail rabbits sometimes run toward distress calls that mimic their young. I particularly like calling coyotes to the bow. These canny animals are difficult to lure in close and jump the bowstring with a speed that makes a whitetail deer look sluggish by comparison. Coyotes are abundant where I live and offer constant bowhunting sport throughout the winter months. Depending on the species, you might need specialized arrowheads for off-season game. I prefer flat-nosed rubber blunts for cottontail rabbits and squirrels. A standard field point backed by a spring-wire Judo point is also deadly. I prefer a sturdy, big game broadhead like the G5 Striker for larger critters like jackrabbits and woodchucks. Predators also require razor-sharp broadheads for quick and humane kills. Bowhunting off-season game is a hoot. It also keeps your muscles and aiming eye tuned up for big game later on. If you don’t bowhunt in the winter, you are clearly missing out!

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Discover

Adventure Bowhunter By Tom Miranda

Kiwi Unicorn

earing the term ‘South Pacific,’ most older folks might think back to the 1958 musical of the same name, while those a bit younger may immediately conjure up images of beach vacations and a tropical climate. Mention ‘South Pacific’ around a group of bowhunters, and inevitably, the conversation will turn to red, sambar, rusa stags, water buffalo, and a potpourri of other game animals found in Australia and New Zealand. These beasts were transplanted to the South Pacific islands and continent over 100 years ago by English migrants hoping to bring the sport hunting they enjoy in the British Isles and Europe to their new homelands. The mountain species of Himalayan tahr and Alpine chamois were also

The author is shown here glassing the Southern Alps of New Zealand for chamois and tahr.

2023•Winter

brought to New Zealand’s Southern Alps in days gone by and, like their antlered stag counterparts thrived. While red stags often get top billing, New Zealand’s mountain species are prized by hunters for the challenging hunt they provide in the thrilling, adventurous, and often dangerous mountains they reside in.

Recon It was a chance meeting with Kiwi bowhunter Simon Bullivant, a mountain hunter and expert bowman, that led me to the jagged peaks and steep mountain valleys of New Zealand’s South Island. You see, almost every tahr and chamois hunt in New Zealand is done with the aid of a helicopter, the rotary wing craft, and

a pilot scouring the mountain tops in July and August’s winter season down under. Once animals are located, hunters are dropped off in a strategic spot, and the pilot uses the nimble craft to push the animals in the hunter’s direction... Yes, most of these hunts are done with rifles, and it’s an accepted practice… yet not my idea of a real hunt. Simon’s strategy was to hunt these horned mountain species lower on the mountain in late February, in New Zealand’s late summer/early fall season. The chamois would be more challenging to locate than in winter snow conditions, yet camping in the alpine and actual bow stalks would be possible. Simon works at Advanced Archery—

New Zealand’s premiere bow shop, so we organized a meet and greet for the evening after I arrived in Auckland, then dinner and overnight. The Kiwi hunters were all fun guys and all obsessed with bowhunting. I had a grand time and got some great advice from many of the bowhunters who had made the trek south and taken both the tahr and chamois found on the mountainous South Island. The next morning, we flew south to Queenstown and then drove five hours to the remote west coast through picturesque farmland and rugged mountain valleys.... some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. Our drive concluded at a heliport, where I quickly stowed my gear in a sleek Hughes 500

helicopter. Soon, we were cutting through the air above 300-foot waterfalls and deep, vibrant-green mountain valleys. We landed at the head of a vast valley, unloaded the chopper, and began to set up a small tented base camp. By noon, we were set up and eating lunch cooked over a small gas burner.

Strategy As we ate, Simon discussed his reasoning for attacking the chamois first. “Chamois are tougher than tahr, and we may need more days to get on one. Both male & female chamois have horns, and either is a trophy with a bow.” Bullivant’s reputation as a no-nonsense do-it-yourself bowhunter is known throughout New

Zealand. Simon earned the prestigious New Zealand “Bowhunter of the Year” award in 2012— and one only needs to listen to Simon’s Kiwi bowhunting accent to know his passion and devotion to archery. I soon learned that chamois bucks sport a reddish coat in late February, unlike midwestern whitetail bucks in early August. This makes the diminutive goats much easier to locate through the spotting scope than at other times of the year. What their coat shading makes easy, New Zealand’s weather tends to make it difficult. The Southern Alps are coastal mountains, and with their proximity to the ocean and our elevation, it was not uncommon for pea-soup-thick fog and even clouds to roll through and obscure

New Zealand guide and expert bowhunter Simon Bullivant is shown here with a great bull tahr taken on a trip with the author.

Winter•2023

Adventure Bowhunter continued

what was easy viewing. Knowing that a perfect view can disappear within seconds adds a sense of urgency when glassing is easy, and the animals are visible. The Tasman Sea was easily seen in the distance from the mountain tops, kicking up wind and rain daily. This angry ocean has been the demise of many a ship and its seamen… the monstrous waves churning from a clash between the cold Antarctic waters and the warm currents of Australia’s Coral Sea. While we scanned the alpine and grassy slopes for bachelor groups of chamois, we also kept an eye out in the denser, lower scrub for tahr. While living

relatively close to one another, the two species prefer different habitats. Groups of nannies and young would often hold five or six animals, with the female chamois often sporting horns as large as the males. In New Zealand, male and female chamois can be taken, meaning that our pool of prospective target animals doubled. Knowing that, we glassed carefully but still focused on picking out smaller groups of chamois that would more likely be comprised of bachelors.

Game On After hunting for three full days, we had not seen a tahr and only seen a

Tom Miranda with his chamois. Note that it is missing a horn due to horn rot, which is very common in their extremely wet environment.

2023•Winter

few chamois… primarily mothers with young. It had rained daily, and almost every piece of gear I owned was soggy or worse. It was turning out to be a difficult and uncomfortable hunt. On the fourth morning, we spotted two chamois together on the mountainside, maybe two miles distant near the summit. It appeared they were both moving in our direction, so Simon and I decided to hustle up to the ridge and try to relocate the bucks: yes, male chamois are referred to as bucks. It was an hour’s climb to the ridge, and once on top, we moved as quickly as possible toward our targets. Once we got into the vicinity of where we thought we had seen the bucks, the weather fogged in, and it began to rain. Surrounded by clouds and zero visibility, Simon looked at me like the hunt was over. Ten minutes later, the rain lightened, and the clouds rolled through... opening up 500 yards of visibility. We immediately spotted a lone chamois feeding down our ridge, maybe a quarter mile from our mountain peak position. We quickly eyed up where the loner was feeding, and both realized that he was angling perfectly for a stalk. Simon and I hot-footed it on the back side of the ridge while occasionally chancing a peek to check the chamois’ location— but not seeing him. After covering half of the distance, a cloud drifted in around us and yet again cut our visibility down to nothing. We nervously waited for the cloud to pass, and twenty minutes later— when it finally did— I spotted movement at only 25 yards. It was our chamois, and within a few seconds, with Simon rolling the camera footage, my arrow was on its way. Bam! Half of my Southern Alps hunting goals were realized in that instant. As the chamois spun to run, I noticed for the first time that the buck had only one

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Adventure Bowhunter continued

horn, the second taken by a condition called horn rot—obviously, a condition caused by the extremely wet conditions of this blustery coast. As I approached the buck, it was easy to see why these little guys were such a tough hunt. Small and agile, hidden by the smallest amount of cover or terrain relief, and not to mention quick and sure-footed. The chamois is king in these blustery, wet coastal mountains, and I was blessed to get one. My New Zealand chamois won’t make the record book with only one horn, but that’s OK. I’m an Adventure Bowhunter, and my job is to capture these experiences on video. Typically, these hunts end with the crack of a rifle, yet a bowhunter’s quest is

The mountains of New Zealand combine astonishing beauty with tough hunting.

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The author and his guide tent-camped in the Southern Alps while glassing mountainsides and deep valleys for tahr and chamois.

handshaking distance. New Zealand’s beauty cannot be overstated, nor can the feeling of being able to sneak through the Southern Alps in search of bowhunting adventure. Although I’ve been fortunate to bow hunt all over the world, few places call me back, quite like the Land of the Kiwi.

••••••••••••••••••••••••• You can watch Tom Miranda’s New Zealand Chamois hunt on his YouTube Channel or Facebook Page. https://www.youtube.com/ @AdventureBowhunter https://www.facebook.com/ AdventureBowhunter

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Membership Column By Stephen LePage

ello Pope and Young Members! His 5,781 Right now, our membership total members, which is comprised of 144 Youth members, 5,121 General members, 238 Regular members, and 278 Senior members. I continue receiving calls and emails with questions about our membership structure and the advancement process to Regular and Senior membership levels. Although I enjoy those phone calls and emails, as I appreciate hearing everyone’s opinions about our membership, I have also received many thanks for including an outline here in the Ethic describing the membership levels, the processes of advancement, and the requirements for advancement. So here it is:

Membership Levels: Youth Membership Requirements: • You must be under 18 years old. • The cost is $10 annually. General Membership There are no requirements. • The cost is $45 annually. Regular Membership Requirements: • Must have been a General member for five consecutive years • Must have harvested one of the following categories under the rules of fair chase. • Three different species of big game recognized by P&Y (can be either males or females and do not need to be entered into the record book) • Three animals that have been entered in the record book (can be

2023•Winter

the same species) • Must have shown participation in one of the following categories. • Attended a P&Y convention. OR • Shown other P&Y participation (attended other events, volunteered, served on committee or measurer) OR Shown participation in two of the following categories: • State and local Bowhunters organization • Mentoring • Conservation. • The cost is $100 annually.

Senior Membership Requirements: • Must have been a Regular member for eight consecutive years. • Must have attended two P&Y conventions. • Exhibit sufficient club involvement (measurer, committee member, volunteer) • Exhibit involvement in at least two of State/Local bowhunting org, mentoring, conservation) • Have taken under the rules of fair chase four different species of North American big game • Must have three different species listed in the P&Y record book. • The cost is $100 annually.

For more information and to view the applications, please go to the Pope and Young website under Member Resources and then Membership Levels and Advancement. Some common misconceptions

about joining the Pope and Young Club: Question: I need a sponsor/reference and do not know a Regular/Senior member. Can I still advance? Answer: Yes! Any current P&Y member can be your bowhunting reference. Question: Do you have to kill a big game animal to become a Pope and Young Club General member? Answer: No. We welcome any new members. Question: Do I need to attend a convention to advance to the Regular membership level? Answer: No. There are many ways to display bowhunting involvement: attending other P&Y events, being a P&Y measurer, being involved with state or local bowhunting organizations, mentoring new bowhunters, and being involved with conservation efforts. Question: Is there a limited number of Regular and Senior members? Answer: No. There are no limits to the number of Regular or Senior members. Question: Will your Lifetime membership transfer between the levels? Answer: Yes, give me a shout if you have questions. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions and thank you for your continued support of the Pope and Young Club. Sincerely, Stephen LePage: stephenandamylepage@yahoo.com 406-535-5636

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•Jesse J. Arndt

•Dean Cook Jr

•Keith Appel

•Michael R. Britton

•Rob Lane

•Eddie Dowdy

•William Naleid

•Darlene Stansfield

•Stan & Carolyn Godfrey

•James T. Coleman, Jr.

Recent Trust Fund Donors •William Naleid

•James T. Coleman, Jr. •Eddie Dowdy

•Michael Hudzick

•Lenny Woods

•Stan & Carolyn Godfrey •Brian Taylor

•Billy Ellis III •M. Blake Patton

Lifetime General Members Lee Treichak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . CO

Michael Coppens . . . . . . . . . . WI

Matthew W. Wenstrom. . . . . SC

Allen Crowe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NC

New Youth Members Jameson Goebel. . . . . . . WI

Hadyn Bond . . . . . . . . . WY

Brylee Russell . . . . . . . . IN

Beau Peiffer. . . . . . . . . . WI

Caleb Crowe. . . . . . . . . . TN

Ryan Zika . . . . . . . . . . . . NY

Tristan L. Miller . . . . . . . IN

Jace Yokley . . . . . . . . . MO

Archer Russell . . . . . . . . IN

David Jamison . . . . . . . . WI

Parker Thode . . . . . . . . . CO

Clint Sherman . . . . . . . . TN Grant Beattie . . . . . . . . ALB Bobby Stinchcomb . . . . AR Caleb Sorrells . . . . . . . . IN Dave Greeno. . . . . . . . . WA Dustin Thompson. . . . . ALB Mitchell Welch. . . . . . . . GA Lawrence Ross . . . . . . . CA Johnathan Brock . . . . . . KY Melvin Craft. . . . . . . . . . TX Blake Garlock. . . . . . . . .VA Gary Thomas . . . . . . . . . AL Josh Sullivan . . . . . . . . MS Michael Cupano . . . . . . . NJ Bowen Low. . . . . . . . . . . CA Tom Settle . . . . . . . . . . MN Rob Schneider . . . . . . . . TX Patrick Harlan . . . . . . . . KS Aydin Critchell . . . . . . . . SC Derek Corey . . . . . . . . . ALB Nathan T. Whiteneck . . MO Beverly Houston . . . . . .VA Owen Sensenig . . . . . . . PA Trevor Graff . . . . . . . . . . AZ Paul Flynn. . . . . . . . . . . . KS Travis Bishop . . . . . . . . . PA Josh Tomlinson . . . . . . . MI Tyrell Smith . . . . . . . . . .VA Paulo Lobo . . . . . . . . . . ONT Chris Krampe . . . . . . . . . LA Torin Miller. . . . . . . . . . . PA Blake McPhaul . . . . . . . . TX Linda M. Toenniessen . . OR Mark Parsons . . . . . . . . AL

Lino Ferreira . . . . . . . . . . CA Matthew Shenk . . . . . . . KS Van Williams . . . . . . . . . OH Trevor Enstad. . . . . . . . . ND Logan Wentworth . . . . MN Jonathan Draves . . . . . . NY Dexter Steven Durham . SC Jason H. Amann . . . . . . . NC Paul W. Zoeller. . . . . . . . NY Jose Poblador . . . . . . . MD Eric Jennings . . . . . . . . MS Yvonne Halfmann . . . . . WI Jordan Riley Hanson . . . ND Jake Ashbaugh. . . . . . . . CA Stefanie Brown . . . . . . WY Johnethen Lacy . . . . . . . AZ Andres Z. Bowden . . . . . UT Randall Mesnard . . . . . . OH

Brad Reecy. . . . . . . . . . . SD Niles J. Schwartz . . . . . . ND Merrell Ligons . . . . . . . . TX Joey Holcomb. . . . . . . . MS Todd Bachmier . . . . . . .SAS Bryce L. Patch . . . . . . . . OH Ed Howarth. . . . . . . . . . . OR Kirk Lear . . . . . . . . . . . . . CA Erik Torgeson . . . . . . . . . WI Daniel Klotz . . . . . . . . . . WI Kristopher Chad Maestas . . . . . . . . . . MN Jeremy Maestas . . . . . . OR Nick Wright . . . . . . . . . . KY Alex Vokes . . . . . . . . . . . TX Brian J. Gailis . . . . . . . . MO Daniel Slagle . . . . . . . . . TN Justin Spies . . . . . . . . . . TX David Flanrey . . . . . . . . . AR Inga Munsell . . . . . . . . . CO Jason Cox. . . . . . . . . . . . AR Shane Stover . . . . . . . . WV Charlie Barnes . . . . . . . . TX Matthew Brown. . . . . . .NV Richard Fryer . . . . . . . . . TX Karie DeYoung . . . . . . . . MI Todd Crowe . . . . . . . . . . TN Donald S. Farrar . . . . . . .VA Lisa DeYoung . . . . . . . . . MI Nicholas Brinkley. . . . . . NC Eric Stafirny . . . . . . . . . . PA Casey Phipps . . . . . . . . . IN Bill Gannon . . . . . . . . . . . MI Jason Kelly. . . . . . . . . . . WI

Kelled Campion . . . . . . . WI

Colby Seigel . . . . . . . . . ONT

New General Members Justin Roth. . . . . . . . . . . WI Steven Schott . . . . . . . . WI Josh Warden . . . . . . . . . WI Zach Bauer . . . . . . . . . . . WI Adam Droher . . . . . . . . . WI Jared Melstrom . . . . . . . WI Tyler Fenske. . . . . . . . . . WI Randolph Cox . . . . . . . . . GA Lucas Kaland . . . . . . . . . WI Gregory Krause . . . . . . . NY Kyle Krysiak. . . . . . . . . . WI Dustin Quinnell. . . . . . . . WI Anthony D. Scarlin . . . . . MI Adam Stallman. . . . . . . . WI Chad Crowley. . . . . . . . . WI Maurika D. Varian . . . . . OH Tyler Utter . . . . . . . . . . . OH Steven Schnipke . . . . . . OH John Edwin Robertson . . OH Robert A. Pagel . . . . . . . WI Chase McDowell . . . . . . OH Tucker Livengood. . . . . WV Jay Crawford . . . . . . . . . IN Dustin Bothman . . . . . . . OH Ryan Allen . . . . . . . . . . . TN Chris J. Alcorn . . . . . . . . IN Joseph C. Dempler . . . . . IN Nicholas Erickson . . . . . NY Kaleb Pfohl. . . . . . . . . . . WI Brian Burkeland . . . . . . . WI Rick Boback . . . . . . . . . . PA Ross Tomazin. . . . . . . . . GA Therese Bogatko . . . . . ALB Jeffrey Hughes . . . . . . . MI

David Bentrem . . . . . . . . PA Glen Ryan II . . . . . . . . . WA Trevor Kallinen. . . . . . . . WI Robert Russell . . . . . . . MO Josh Kinser . . . . . . . . . . TX Matt Emerson . . . . . . . WY Matt Schick . . . . . . . . . . CO Gavin Foster. . . . . . . . . . UT Matthew Welch . . . . . . . TX R. David Frederick . . . . . KY Louis Maliongas. . . . . . . .IL John M. Woodard . . . . . . NY Steve Westfall. . . . . . . . UT Charles Loveall Young . . CA Donald Lyle Phillips . . . . OK Scott M. Mackechnie . MA

William Tate . . . . . . . . . . OK Kek Flores . . . . . . . . . . . CA Zack Vucurevich . . . . . . TN William E. Nelson . . . . . . CO Michael Tupta . . . . . . . WV Jeffrey Roethemeyer . . .IL John Sanderlin . . . . . . . MO Matthew Workman . . . . OH Abram Vaccaro . . . . . . . WI Ken Robison . . . . . . . . . . CA Donald Newell . . . . . . . MO Clay Wagner. . . . . . . . . . CO Scottie Dorton . . . . . . . . KY Bryce McNalley . . . . . . ALB Dean Fillion. . . . . . . . . MAN Eli R. Eash . . . . . . . . . . . MT Benjamin Tilberg . . . . . . WI Mitchell Gallagher . . . . MO Foster Dare Lott III, DVM. . . . . . . . . LA Bret R. Faller . . . . . . . . . PA Gary Motsinger . . . . . . . OR Jameson Lavery. . . . . . . WI Austin Carter . . . . . . . . . WI David Smudde . . . . . . . . WI Brent Holte. . . . . . . . . . . WI Jake Grunzel. . . . . . . . . . WI Scott Smolen . . . . . . . . . WI Christopher Melius . . . . WI Jeremy Book . . . . . . . . . .IL Tyler Ridenour . . . . . . . . MI Cody Lannert . . . . . . . . . WI Hunter Kadousek . . . . . . WI Troy Thompson . . . . . . . LA

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Membership continued

New General Members continued Cory Marlow . . . . . . . . . OK Cole Arkenau . . . . . . . . . IN Preston Wagner. . . . . . . IN Karina Yarve . . . . . . . . . IN Peter Dawkins . . . . . . . . TN Charles W. Hartford. . . . CA Travis Peterson . . . . . . MN Michael E. Miller . . . . . . KY Samuel Tebos. . . . . . . . . KY Durim Gega. . . . . . . . . . . MI Shane Beardsley . . . . . . OH Charles Parcus . . . . . . . TX Don McKelvie. . . . . . . . . TX Michael Moore. . . . . . . WV

THE

Roland Hesten . . . . . . . . AL James L. Cummins . . . . MS Ralph Delserone. . . . . . . OH Chris James . . . . . . . . . . KY Bob Glover . . . . . . . . . . . CA John Utsey . . . . . . . . . . . AL Robertson Leatherman. MS Joseph Crawford . . . . . . FL Gene Ostrowski . . . . . . . PA Rew Goodenow . . . . . . .NV Becky Taylor . . . . . . . . . TN Nathan Sisam. . . . . . . . . TN Paul Berman. . . . . . . . . . UT Joshua Scoggins . . . . . . GA

RyLee Turner . . . . . . . . . TX William Robertson . . . . . KS Matthew Gasper . . . . . . NY Jesse Weatherly . . . . . . ID Chadwick Curran . . . . . . KY Lucien Rouse . . . . . . . . . NY Joshua Goodnight . . . . . NC Brian Swasey. . . . . . . . . CA Craig Smith . . . . . . . . . . KY Mitch Brummelhuis . . . ALB Pat Zinno . . . . . . . . . . . . NJ Matthew Anderson . . . ONT Jude Dupre . . . . . . . . . . . LA Jay Johnson . . . . . . . . . . CO

Dale Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . CO Travis Fjetland . . . . . . . MT Jesse O. Hardin . . . . . . . IN Dustin Watson Durham . SC Adam Q. Fischer . . . . . . . OH Tom Sarver. . . . . . . . . . . OH Brian Robinson. . . . . . . . .IL Michael Radcliffe . . . . . NC Zach Thomas Thone. . . . NH Jeff Wasley . . . . . . . . . . WI Daniel Winkelman . . . . . NY Randy Kendrick . . . . . . . CO Tom Waters . . . . . . . . . . KY Hunter Binford . . . . . . . . TX

Zane Powers . . . . . . . . . MI Mitchell Kistner. . . . . . . IA Shane White. . . . . . . . . MA Shawn Figari . . . . . . . . . TX David Chirillo . . . . . . . . . CO Suzzett Whitley . . . . . . . TX Ryan Snow . . . . . . . . . . . SC Tim Hoffman . . . . . . . . . UT Dale Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . CO Gary Neuper . . . . . . . . . . FL Emily Banigan. . . . . . . . . .IL Al Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . MI Reegan Whipple. . . . . . MA Ernesto Lopez IV . . . . . . GA

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Youth Membership By Kyle Hudgins

s you read the Ethic, I assume you’re a current Pope & Young member. So, with that said, are your kids youth members of Pope & Young? Is your neighbor’s kid a member? Are your kid’s friends members? Do you see where I’m going with this? I was guilty of this a few years back because I hadn’t thought about it, and there is no downside to getting them signed up. Plus, there are some great giveaways specifically for our youth members. So please, reach out to these youth and get them involved if you are passionate enough about bowhunting and Pope and Young to participate. Get your kids into hunting as soon as possible. There are many facets of bowhunting that kids can be involved in, and the earlier they get out there, the better, before they have too many other interests pulling them elsewhere. They can sit with you long before they are the ones making the shot. A day in the woods can be all it takes to spark the fire. The most important thing I think any youth needs to come away with after going out into the woods is RESPECT. Respect for the environment, respect for the landowner, respect for the animal they are hunting, and, if you are successful, respect for the trophy. Also, respect the public that doesn’t want to see a dead animal. The list goes on, but this is a core value they can use for the rest of their life. Have them there when you take an animal and let them experience the hunt with you without the pressure of having to make the shot. Sitting quietly in the woods is some of the best quality time they can spend with you. Put down the phone! We are all guilty of using our phones to pass the time. Electronics in the blind are removing their minds from the environment you brought them out to enjoy.

2023•Winter

Once they are ready, get them out there to hunt, but ensure they are comfortable with it and proficient with their weapon before you do. Almost all hunters started with something other than a vertical bow.

If that means you are starting them with a rifle, muzzleloader, or shotgun, so be it. They can progress to a vertical bow as soon as they are ready. Early Success! Do whatever you can

to get your kid an opportunity quickly. Go somewhere with plentiful game. Set them up for an easy shot. A miss and/or wounded animal is counterproductive to what you are trying to accomplish, so do

your part to make it easy on them. Also, if possible, pick days with nice weather. As much as I loved freezing in the mud with my dad shooting a few ducks back in the early 80s, kids prefer those 50-80-degree

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Youth Membership continued

days. If you live where there are mosquitos or other bugs, bring a Thermacell. Once you are out in the field, TEACH! Point out the birds and identify them. Which trees and plants are food for wildlife. Talk about why you chose that location for the stand and the best time to get there. Explain your strategy to how you plan on being successful. All these things get the wheels turning in their head. The moment of truth – so now they are ready, and they make their shot. Make it a big deal! It is time for hugs, high-fives, smiles, and lots of pictures! Let them know what they really accomplished. Have them there when you are processing their animal. As you process the meat, show

them the various cuts, steaks, hamburger, backstraps, tenderloins, etc. When the processing is done, one last act that is

extremely important to me is to take a prime cut of meat and tell them that this is what you will cook first. Once that’s on

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Winter•2023

Youth Membership continued

the table, and everyone is about to dig in, thank them for providing the meal everyone is about to enjoy. Create pride in their accomplishment.

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I don’t care if it’s a jake turkey, a 2-point buck, or a 6x6 elk; put it on the wall! They will lie in bed, fall asleep reliving that day in the field, and dream of their next adventure.

Once you have taken your kids hunting, expand this experience. Take your kids’ best friend if they show interest. Take a kid from church. If you know of a kid going through their life without a father figure, you can make it a point to get them out there as if they were your own child. Instill those values that someone else can’t do for them. Again, I’m going to talk directly to you reading this article. What opportunities do you have to take a kid hunting? Do you have a deer lease? Do you own land? Sometimes, taking excess does off someone’s land can be a chore at times. You can turn that into someone’s first deer hunt. You can provide the opportunity. Invite kids and their parents to sit together and experience the hunt together. They will always be grateful for that opportunity you gave them. Hopefully, the smiles you create for these kids.

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The Adventurous BowWoman By Guest Writer Courtney Jenner

A Dream Lion Hunt

n December 2021, I embarked on a dream hunt two years in the making. Having been fascinated by mountain lions most of my life, I had always wanted to experience the thrill of a lion hunt. This hunt was probably at the top of my hunting bucket list, and for a time, it seemed as if it would never be anything more than a dream. Two years prior, during North Dakota’s deer rifle season in November 2019, while exploring the Badlands and calling coyotes while my husband Nevin hunted for deer, I came across a haven of fresh lion tracks. I was able to follow a set quite a way into the rough country. I felt hot on the trail of this cat. I would periodically climb to the top of a butte for cell service to check onX Hunt, and the pursuit was going well; the cat was traveling well within an area I was able to follow. At one point, I climbed a butte for service, and

The view of the Canadian Rockies was breathtaking!

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I had multiple missed calls, and the text messages started buzzing in. That could only mean one thing: Nevin had shot a deer. He needed help hauling his muley buck out of the steep bottom, so I had to abandon the pursuit of my North Dakota lion and go help him on the opposite side of the canyon. By the time I got back to camp from my lion hunt, his brother had made the hour-long drive to pick me up and meet up with Nevin to help. It took the three of us nearly 11 hours from start to finish to get his buck out of the bottom and into the back of the truck. I’ll admit that I may have been a little bummed out having to abort my pursuit, and perhaps I booked my own mountain lion hunt out of spite shortly afterward. The first opportunity I had, I booked a hunt in beautiful southeast British Columbia. The hunt was scheduled for

December 2020, and I was counting the days to hunt the Canadian Rockies. Then, Covid-19 hit, and everything shut down. I waited for that call with the good news that the borders had opened, but it didn’t come. December came and went, and I kept waiting. Finally, nearly two years later, in 2021, I received the good news and the green light. Fortunately, I had plenty of vacation time, and it was happening. When my departure date finally rolled around, I bolted out after work and was on my way. I set out on my trek across Montana and encountered a snowstorm just as I was about to enter Marais Pass and cross through Glacier National Park. The storm forced me to turn around and backtrack about 30 miles to Cutbank, where the local Super 8 was my temporary home for three days, waiting for the storm to let up. When the storm cleared, and I was able

to hit the road again, however the roads were still far from great. I made it back to Marias Pass and cautiously crept through the park on snow- and ice-covered roads, slowly rolling along, finally emerging on the west side of the park near Whitefish. I was so close to the border, but after my three-day delay, my COVID-19 test taken prior to my departure had now expired. I was delayed again, forced to spend an additional night in Kalispell waiting for the testing lines to open the following morning so I could re-test and hopefully try to get across the border. After yet another COVID-19 test, I finally crossed the Canadian border into southeastern British Columbia to begin the actual hunting part of this adventure. Although the storm had slowed me down, I’m glad I decided to drive because the views were breathtaking! (My adventure may have

The hike began with us picking our way across the slippery, snow-covered mountainside.

The beautiful cat resting peacefully high above me in a fir tree, undaunted and safe from the dogs.

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The Adventurous BowWoman continued

gotten off to a delayed start. But what’s a good adventure without a few hiccups to make it all worthwhile?) Upon arrival, my outfitter greeted me with warm hospitality and a delicious, hot, home-cooked meal. Then, I met the hounds – Ragnar, Josie, Blueberry –to name a few. We discussed the game plan for the first day of my hunt, which would begin the following morning. I rose early in anticipation, bundled up for the long day ahead, and got ready to hit the mountain trails in search of tracks. The first few days of the hunt were relatively slow, creeping along with eyes glued to the ground, trying to cut a track. On the fourth morning, we finally found fresh lion tracks to pursue. We initially thought the track may have belonged to a young tom, and we continued up the mountain, following

logging roads and following the tracks as far as we could until we reached a spot to release the hounds. Once the hounds were on the ground and on the track, the hunt was on! The hounds pressed their nose in a track, bayed, and took off. It was such an incredible sight to watch them work. When one hound caught the scent and let out a howl, the others rushed over to smell for themselves and fell in line following one another, honoring the lead dog that discovered and confirmed the scent. It wasn’t long before the dogs were no longer on the run and likely had something treed. My adrenaline spiked! The next step was to begin our strenuous hike to meet the hounds. Looking from the logging road where we stood, the dogs didn’t seem very far away – only

about 400 yards off the road. But that was 400 yards, as the crow flies. The hike began with us picking our way across the slippery, snow-covered mountainside. About 300 yards in, we descended about 1,000 feet to ascend about 1,000 feet up the mountain again. I sometimes felt like Tarzan, grabbing branches along the way, swinging myself around trees and other obstacles as my feet slid on the mountainside beneath me. As we climbed and continued our way across the side of the slope, we hit a roadblock so close to where the cat was treed. I found myself staring at a vertical rock wall just beneath my destination. The rocks were about 10 to 12 feet high, and there was nowhere to go but up or a very long trek around, and the dogs had been baying for some time now. At a

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2023•Winter

height of only 5’4”, I needed a slight boost. My guide boosted my left foot enough for me to dig my right foot into the rocks a few feet up. From there, I pushed my bow above me, hooked it into some brush, and picked my way the rest of the way up the rocks. After the ascent on shaky legs, I wobbled the few final steps over to the baying hounds, where I first saw the beautiful cat resting peacefully high above me in a fir tree, undaunted and safe from the dogs. I found myself staring up at my dream game animal within roughly five yards. I had set out on this journey hoping to achieve my goal with my bow but knew I could be faced with the possibility of not having a shot opportunity ideal for an archer. I was fortunate to have the perfect opening in the branches, enough for me to slip a well-placed arrow. This may have been the most challenging part of the hunt for me; the cat was closer than I am accustomed to shooting. As archers, we don’t often take upward-angled shots. It was good that I had practiced this type of shot before the trip. This was the closest shot I have ever attempted with my bow, plus the sharpest angle. I must have imagined the shot a couple dozen times in my mind before letting my arrow fly. Although intimidating, my shot was perfect and found its place just behind the cat’s left shoulder, right through the heart and vitals. As I watched my arrow sail true, the cat spun, and I saw my arrow exit the opposite side of the magnificent creature. I was incredibly thankful for a clean shot. The angle and placement had been perfect, and I was overcome with a tremendous rush of relief. The cat dove out of the tree, and what we initially thought to be a young tom was an old, mature female. She was clearly an old warrior with worn-down teeth and likely past her breeding years. Two of her toes on her left front paw were

Courtney with her dream animal.

Four and a half miles up in the Canadian Rockies, about to make our descent after I shot my lion.

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The Adventurous BowWoman continued

fused together and missing the claws. I can’t imagine the scraps and scuffles she encountered over the years. As hunters know, the real work begins after the kill. From where we were, the only way off the mountain was a four-and-a-half-mile hike down, following switchback logging roads because going back up and/or around certainly wasn’t an option. When we finally reached the bottom of the mountain, we called for help to the outfitter’s wife. She had just gotten off work and agreed to pick us up, and give us a ride back to the top, where we had abandoned the truck for the pursuit. We built a giant bonfire to warm ourselves as we waited, and the hounds got a much-needed rest. The hunt ended

in celebration and, of course, the skinning and aftercare of my cat. The trip home was relatively uneventful, much more mundane, and monotonous than the trip out there. However, as I neared Glasgow, Montana, on my way east, I witnessed the most amazing shooting star I have ever seen in my life. It shot across the dark sky – a giant ball of white light rimmed in green, with a long, trailing white and green tail. That was icing on the cake, and I don’t think I’ll ever see anything like that again. Despite a few initial setbacks and a twoyear wait, the entire experience was phenomenal; absolutely everything I had hoped and imagined a cat hunt would be. Every-

thing was perfect, from the blue mountain hues, serenity, and pure peacefulness of the soft falling snow in the conifers to the tenuous physical challenge and sweat of the pursuit. It certainly wasn’t easy, and I hadn’t wanted it to be. I had wanted to work for my “reward,” and I sure did. I returned home after the hunt of a lifetime with a renewed sense of adventure and fearlessness. That hunt will forever be hard to beat, but I will always be ready for the next adventure, no matter how great or small. My mountain lion is currently with our friend and taxidermist and will soon reside in our home to be admired and to keep the vivid, once-in-a-lifetime memory of that hunt alive.

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