This late season bruiser was taken just last night by Bill MacFarland of Limerick, PA. Bill is on his way to Sonora, Mexico to hunt big bruiser mule deer so I cannot wait to see the next pictures he sends in about a week. This was deer number two that Bill was chasing and deer number one was apparently much much bigger! Either way, he looks like a great buck.
Bill runs a great booking agency for hunters planning trips all over the world, you can take a look at his website at: MacFarland Adventures
Some day I am going to get the opportunity to hunt with this outfitter. Rifle hunting in the rut in Wyoming...Sure does sound good! Please check out Open Creek Outfitters I know one of the guides and he is a class act! If you are interested, call quickly if you are looking for elk! The next time I catch up with him, I will get some photos from the 2006 season. Their biggest bull this year was a 384 bull Boone & Crockett. VERY IMPRESSIVE!!!!!
I am really looking forward to the Harrisburg, VA Sport Show in February. I am getting the opportunity to speak about two of my passions. Picking out a great outfitter by doing your research, and planning for your fall elk hunt. If you have the opportunity to attend this show, I really recommend it. I have spent some time talking to PJ Wright who is the promoter for this show and they are really trying to create a unique experience for the attendees. This is going to be a show worth attending. As well the local Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is going to hold the very first sanctioned Elk Calling competition in the state of Virginia.
Check out the link at: www.vasportshow.com
Mark your calenders for this great event on: February 16–18, 2007
I will be blogging each day from the show and will have tons of pictures and some unique interviews with various vendors and guests.
A great little video put together by a group of hunters along with a great song that accompanies it! Very impressive!
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Austin Adams is an aspiring new amateur photographer and if he keeps taking great shots like these three, he is going to have some great success! Thank you Austin for allowing us the use of these great photos, I know our viewers will really appreciate them.
A pretty awesome video of what a small group of wolves can do to a full size elk!
Everyone,
Merry Christmas!!!!!!! Know that I am thinking about you all and wishing you a wonderful time with your family and friends in this holiday season!
I have always stated that if you are going to hunt a species, you need to learn more about the species that you are going to hunt, and it is your responsibility as a hunter to give back in some way to the conservation of that animal. Next year I am planning on putting in for the draw in Wyoming and my odds are going to be low for the draw but I have to try.
Here is a link to the North American Pronghorn Foundation. I am going to make a donation and learn some more about that group. I will keep you all posted with what I learn.
About the second week of rifle season I got the shot at a nice 4 by 4 and grazed him right across the back and he bolted up the mountain. At about 200 yards, he stopped and licked his back and in a flash he was gone from my life forever. I did not get a chance to hunt mule deer again until I was 32 and I got the miracle draw of area 270 near Darby, Montana. I shot a beautiful mule deer but no where close to this buck on the pictures above.
Of all of the animals I have have hunted in my life, Mule deer are and always will one of my favorites and it is a life goal to find a buck with the width and the mass of the one pictured above within the confines of my scope at about 150 yards. Someday!!!!
Oregon Raffle Tickets for Big Game on Sale Now
Oregon Dept. Fish and Wildlife
Posted on: 12/22/06 [Comments?]
Raffle tickets for select 2007 big game hunts went on sale at license agents statewide and at most ODFW offices.
The sale of raffle tickets usually begins Dec. 1 but 2007 ticket sales were scheduled to begin Jan. 2 at ODFW offices and March 15 at license agents due to the release of ODFW's new point-of-sale (POS) licensing system. ODFW announced yesterday that the new system would be implemented in summer 2007 rather than March to provide more time for preparation and testing.
A total of 13 tags will be offered and raffled off at the Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) State Convention on May 19 in Bend. The deadline to purchase tickets at license agents and ODFW offices is May 7. Additional raffle tickets will be sold from 5-6:30 pm at the convention.
Raffle tickets offered include hard-to-get tags for bighorn sheep, Rocky mountain goat, and pronghorn. Proceeds raised from raffle sales for these three hunts directly benefit the management and research of these species. Raffle tickets for bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, and pronghorn tags are $11 for one, $51 for six, and $101 for 13.
The other nine hunts are offered through the Access and Habitat (A&H) program, with proceeds funding projects that improve public hunting access and wildlife habitat on private land. The A&H hunts offered are statewide combination deer and elk (2 tags), statewide deer, statewide elk, northeast Oregon deer, southeast Oregon deer, central Oregon deer, northeast Oregon elk, central/southeast Oregon elk, and western Oregon elk. Ticket prices for deer hunts are $4 for one ticket, $11 for six, $21 for 15, $51 for 40 and $101 for 100. Elk raffle tickets are $6 for one, $21 for six, $41 for 15 and $101 for 40. Combination deer and elk hunt tickets are one for $11, six for $31, 15 for $61 and 40 for $151. Packages of 40 and 100 raffle tickets for these hunts can only be purchased through ODFW headquarters. To order, visit ODFW headquarters or mail or fax 3406 Cherry Ave. NE, Salem, OR 97303, fax (503) 947-6117 or (503) 947-6113.
To be accepted, purchased tickets must be completely filled out. Completed tickets must be mailed back to ODFW, postmarked no later than May 12 and sent to: ODFW-Raffles, PO Box 7760, Salem, OR 97303. Completed raffle tickets may also be hand-delivered to ODFW Headquarters in Salem by May 17 at 5 p.m. or to the OHA Convention in Bend on May 19 by 7 p.m.
Order forms and more information are available from point-of-sale agents, on page 27 of the 2007 Oregon Big Game Regulations, by calling (503) 947-6300, or at the web site www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/auctions_raffles/.
The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. The agency consists of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, a commission-appointed director and a statewide staff of approximately 950 permanent employees. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) ' Hunters shot a record number of deer in Missouri this year.
The Missouri Department of Conservation said Thursday that firearms hunters killed 280,856 deer in 2006 ' beating the record set in 2004 by 5,527 deer.
Read More: Lake Sun Leader
12/19/2006
MINNESOTA-- Biologists in Minnesota will soon have a better understanding of wild turkeys and their movements in Northern regions because of National Wild Turkey Federation contributions to research totaling more than $10,000.
The NWTF's Minnesota State Chapter and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources each recently contributed $5,200 for a University of North Dakota research project to better understand wild turkey movements through different habitats.
Last year, the state chapter donated $5,000 to the project when 80 wild turkeys were released in Red Lake Falls and Thief River Falls, the sites of Minnesota's northernmost wild turkey releases. Fifty-nine of the turkeys were equipped with radio transmitters. This year, the NWTF and MDNR each purchased four Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitters that record turkey movements more accurately than the old-fashioned radio transmitters.
"In the past, researchers had to go to the field to record the locations of the birds," said Dave Neu, NWTF regional biologist in Minnesota. "That method only allowed records to be taken about four times per week. These units receive a GPS signal from satellites that is recorded 48 times daily. The unit falls off the turkey after a few months and is located by researchers with all of the data stored and ready to use."
The data collected will allow biologists to make better-informed decisions about transplanting and managing wild turkey populations in northern regions and will be complete in March of 2007.
During the past 25 years, Minnesota's wild turkey population has grown from a few birds to more than 30,000 across the state. Last year, hunters in Minnesota harvested more than 5,000 wild turkeys during the spring season.
"These projects are important to NWTF members because they help MDNR biologists make sound decisions on the state's wild turkey population," said Neu. "Minnesota's NWTF chapters have worked to improve turkey populations since 1976 by helping fund the MDNR's turkey trapping program, and our volunteers want to do all they can to continue improving wild turkey populations throughout the state."
For more information about the NWTF or its Minnesota chapters call (800) THE-NWTF.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Armstrong, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
406-523-3431 or marmstrong@rmef.org
December 15,2006
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Signs Habitat Stewardship Contracting Agreements with U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Historic Agreement Will Allow Elk Foundation and Partners to Enhance Nearly 260,000 Acres of Elk Habitat in Montana and Wyoming
(Dec. 15, 2006) Missoula, Mont. — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation signed agreements today with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management to conduct two 10-year habitat stewardship projects on nearly 260,000 acres of federal land in Montana and Wyoming.
Signing the agreements opens the door for the Elk Foundation and its partners to begin work to improve wildlife habitat on 85,000 acres of Forest Service Land bordering the Blackfoot Clearwater Wildlife Management Area near Ovando, Montana, and 174,000 acres of BLM land in the Wyoming Range west of Pinedale, Wyoming.
Stewardship contracting is a relatively new authority that Congress granted to the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to manage and restore federal lands. This authority allows agencies to reinvest some or all of the value of commercial timber or other forest products into habitat stewardship projects, accomplishing more on the ground for wildlife and other resources than is possible with congressionally appropriated funds alone. In a time of increasing budget constraints for federal agencies, stewardship contracting allows habitat projects to proceed that may otherwise not have been possible.
“Stewardship is a way of doing our business that helps us to do more good work on the land,” said Dale Bosworth, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. “It provides a new way to involve communities and organizations such as the Elk Foundation in carrying out our collective mission of caring for the land. I want to thank the Foundation for its dedication to the concept of stewardship and its willingness to invest its energy and resources to bring this agreement to a conclusion.”
The two projects, officially called stewardship agreements, put conservation concerns at the forefront, but still acknowledge the importance of harvesting timber. The projects provide all parties the opportunity and tools to study a landscape and develop a long-range plan that will help meet objectives for healthy forests, biological diversity and habitat conditions for desired wildlife.
“Stewardship contracting is a new way for federal agencies, communities, conservation organizations and industry to work in partnership for the benefit of the land and wildlife,” said Peter J. Dart, President and CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. “The Elk Foundation is truly honored to be the partner to lead these important, landscape-scale projects.”
The Forest Service agreement with the Elk Foundation is on the Seeley Lake Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest — an area that provides a key migration corridor for elk and mule deer between their summer range high in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and their winter range on the 57,000-acre Blackfoot-Clearwater Game Range.
The Elk Foundation, working with many conservation and industry partners, will spearhead habitat stewardship projects such as selective logging and thinning operations, noxious weed treatment and seeding.
“I want to congratulate the BLM’s Wyoming State Office and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for developing this Stewardship Agreement,” said BLM Director Kathleen Clarke. “This joint effort will not only strengthen our management and protection of wildlife habitat in Sublette County, but will also advance the BLM’s overall mission of ensuring the health and productivity of the nation's public lands.”
The primary objective of the Elk Foundation’s habitat stewardship agreement with the Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming is to promote the restoration of age and size/class diversity of aspen stands. Aspen communities are considered second only to riparian and wetland communities as the most productive habitat for wildlife and plant diversity in the Rocky Mountain region. Aspen stands within the project area are spread across 174,000 acres of elk country and provide some of the region’s most vital habitat for elk, mule deer and other wildlife.
As the lead agreement partner, the Elk Foundation will subcontract out the work to timber and forest restoration companies, and other community and conservation organizations. The work will take place over the next 10 years and will include removing conifers, thinning aspen and prescribed burning to stimulate aspen growth.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Missoula, Mont., the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Elk Foundation and its partners have permanently protected or enhanced more than 4.7 million acres, a land area nearly twice as large as Yellowstone National Park. More than 450,000 acres previously closed to public access are now open for hunting, fishing and other recreation. To help protect wild elk country or learn more about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 800-CALL ELK.
A ton of people are calling me for recommendations on outfitters. Based on my past experiences I am currently hesitant to personally recommend many. That being said, I am going to recommend 3 to you. My only comment is to do your research on all three and make your own choices based on what you learn from them and their references!
The first is Jake Clark of Wyoming Wilderness Outfitters. Jake hunts out of Wyoming and is an absolute legend in RMEF circles and the world of mule skinners and outfitters.
The second is Mike and Ron Robinson of Thunderbow Outfitters. I have personally hunted with Ron Robinson and his knowledge of elk is amazing. I know they have some good guides and if you can personally commit Ron or Mike to guide you then I would, and pay the extra money to do so, they are both worth it!
The third is Deadwood Outfitters out of Idaho! Now I personally have not hunted with this outfitter but I have close friends who were very very well taken care of.
Again, do your research, decide on the type of hunt you want and go after it!
North American Super Slam / North American Ultimate Slam | |||
| Recognized by Boone and Crockett Club, to complete this slam you must harvest each of the following species. For the Ultimate slam each species must qualify for the Boone and Crockett Club record book. | |||
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| North American Super Slam | |||
| Recognized by Pope & Young Club, to complete this slam you must harvest each of the following species. | |||
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NDOW CALLED IN TO SEPARATE STUCK ELK
Date: 12/12/06
Contact: Aaron Meier
Phone: (775) 688-1998
Two heads are usually better than one, just not in this case.
Recently, two bull elk were spotted in Indian Valley in central Nevada with a peculiar problem. It seems the animals’ antlers had become so entangled while sparring they were unable to separate themselves and had been stuck together for over a week. Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) staff were ultimately called in to tranquilize and physically separate the two animals.
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The two elk with their antlers still entangled after seven days in Indian Valley. |
According to NDOW biologist Tom Donham, a rancher in Reese River Valley reported the two elk to local authorities November 21. “Then they (the ranchers) were up there the next day and couldn't find the elk. They assumed they must have separated by themselves and didn't think any more about it,” said Donham. A week later the rancher was again in Indian Valley searching for some of his cows, when he saw the two elk and noticed they were still stuck together. This time he called NDOW. Donham, Game Warden Brian Eller and Bureau of Land Management wildlife biologist Bryson Code headed out to see what might be done.
When the three men arrived in Indian Valley on November 29 a full week had passed since the two elk first became entangled. “When we arrived where the rancher had last seen them, we found them pretty quickly. They were both lying on the ground and one of them was in a very uncomfortable looking position with his head directly above the others head and his nose pointing straight up to the sky,” said Donham.
Eller reports he was just hoping the animals were still alive as they approached the elk. “Once we found out they were alive, I was hoping they couldn’t move and would stay where they were. That didn’t happen. When they ran off, I was hoping that they could not go very far. That didn't happen either,” he added.
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A bull elk, minus half an antler, recuperates from his ordeal. |
The elk may have been sparring to start their adventure, but Donham and Eller report they used teamwork to run for nearly a mile to evade the three newcomers. “As Brian and I approached, they both got to their feet and ran down the canyon while locked together like they had been doing it all their lives; serious cooperation if I've ever seen it,” said Donham.
After two unsuccessful attempts, Donham was able to get a tranquilizer dart into one of the elk. With one bull down, the other could not run. He was also tranquilized in order to separate the two. Although tranquilized, the second elk did not receive a full dose as the cold weather had started to affect the darts. Eller and Code helped hold the elk down while Donham sawed an antler off of one of the bulls with a hand saw.
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The second elk walks away after NDOW staff were forced to physically separate him from another elk. |
“As soon as they were apart, the bull that had not received a full dose jumped to his feet and Bryson, Brian and I quickly gave him all the room he wanted. He went off about 30 yards and lay down for about 10 minutes before finally walking up the hill and over the ridge, none the worse for wear,” said Donham. The other elk was treated with antibiotics and eventually walked off after the tranquilizer had worn off.
Despite the happy ending, Donham realizes that it could have ended much worse. “If these two bulls had not been discovered, and we never got the call, they more than likely would have both died. Watching the bulls walk away, and knowing that we likely saved them from a slow death was definitely one of those moments that makes this job rewarding.”
Russ Mason, NDOW Game Bureau Chief, said that the Department handles a situation such as this once or twice a year.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, boating safety and wildlife related activities. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal tax on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org
