Auction ’16: American Safari Party · out after hunting. After the baboon and lunch we hopped in...

Expanded Auction ’16 includes:• Fridaynight‘MeettheExhibitors’-5:30p.m.,intheSCISuiteattheHyatt• Saturdayevening,doorsopenat4p.m.

Checkoutthe$1,000ProgressiveDrawingGrandPrize! An incredible ‘Hunter’sChoiceAmericanSafari’ donated by SNSOutfitters

&GuidesofWyoming/JacksonHoleOutfitters.The winner may select one 5-Day, 1x1, 2017 hunt from the following:• WyomingBlackBear• WyomingRockyMountainElk• WyomingComboAntelope&MuleDeer• ComboMuleDeerinSEMontana&WhitetailDeerintheBlackHillsofWyoming

Plus,thisSCIChapterGunoftheYearin.300WinMag&matchingZeiss3-15x42scope!

TotalPrizeValue:Over$10,000 1in40ChancestoWin!Ifthewinnerofthisprizedecidesnottoacceptit,theywillbeoffereda$5,000cashalternativeandthishuntandrifleofferingwillbemovedintotheLiveAuction.News Flash: The California Department of Fish & Wildlife has awarded our Chapter with the one and only California Pronghorn Antelope Fundraising Tag to be offered in our Live Auction along with the winning bidder’s choice of 1 of 20 firearms!

Makeyouronlinereservationsnow:www.sandiegosci.org

San Diego Chapter Price $5.00Safari Club International Vol. XXXVI, No. 3, November 2015

“CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE AND PRESERVATION OF THE HUNTER”

Auction ’16:American Safari PartyA party with Safaris galore

Saturday, March 5, 2016Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market St., San Diego, CA

SAFARICLU B INTERNATIONALWORLDHEADQUARTERS

4 8 0 0 W E S T G AT E S PA S S ROA DT UC S ON, A Z 8574 5

PHON E : 52 0 - 62 0 -12 2 0 FA X : 52 0 - 62 2 -12 0 5W E B SI T E : W W W. SA FA R IC LU B .ORG

December5,2015ChristmasParty&TrophyRoomTour

@Josh&MaraZigman’s•4:00pm–8:00pmReservations:http://www.sandiegosci.org/events/

February3-6,2016SCIConvention–UltimateHunters’Market

MandalayBayHotel•LasVegas,NVReservations:https://www.showsci.com/

March5,2016Auction’16:AmericanSafariPartyManchesterGrandHyatt1MarketPlace,SanDiego,CA4:00pm–10:00pm

Reservations:http://www.sandiegosci.org/events/auction/

For updates see www.sandiegosci.org

2015 – 2016 What’s on the Horizon

In This Issue…

SAN DIEGO CHAPTERSAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL

P.O. BOX 600155SAN DIEGO, CA 92160

E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.sandiegosci.org

OFFICERS & DIRECTORS -2015PRESIDENT

JIM CONRAD

VICE PRESIDENTJOSH ZIGMAN

VICE PRESIDENT / SPECIAL PROJECTSROBERT SMITH

SECRETARYSUSAN BOWERS

TREASURERKAREN HERMSEN

MEETINGS & SPECIAL EVENTSLAUREN LESAGONICZ

EDUCATION / PRIDEJOHN BAHR

LEGISLATIVEKEN JOHNSON

MEMBERSHIPJACK HAWLEY

NEWSLETTER EDITORDOUG SMITH

PUBLIC RELATIONSMIKE ROGERS JR.

PAST PRESIDENT / NOMINATINGMIKE ROGERS JR.

SABLES REPBARBARA DEGRAW

LEGAL ADVISORSJIM MARINOS BEARD HOBBS

PAST PRESIDENTS

Roger BallardRon WadeIngrid PooleMike O’HaverBill PooleMike Rogers, Sr.Dick EllertonWilt WilliamsKen Lehtola

Jack MitchelAl LoganMike O’HaverJohn EhlersRon WadeCharles CookRon ProvienceChip Goodwin

John BelusMike Rogers, Jr.John Jennings, IIIJim DoddPete TraphagenIngrid PooleGerry FaustBarbara DeGrawMike Rogers, Jr.

Auction ’16 - American Safari Party ............ Cover President’s Message ................................................ 3 Goose Hunting in Alberta 2015 ............................. 3 South African Lion Hunt................................... 4 - 9 Yukon Moose Hunt ........................................ 10 - 11 Wood Bison at Home on the Range .............. 12 - 14 Musings About Hunting ...................................... 15 The Lion Kill in Zimbabwe is Overstated ... 16 - 17 Pronghorn Project – Update 5 ..................... 18 - 19 California Pronghorn Antelope Fundraising Tag .................................................... 19 Save the Date — Auction ’16 ................................ 20 SDSCI Metals Club ............................................... 21 Safari Club Christmas Party& Trophy Room Tour ........................................... 22 Our Fine Sponsors ......................................... 23 - 30 Bulletin Board ....................................................... 31 Membership Report .............................................. 31 Membership Application Form ........................... 32

3

President’s MessageByJimConrad,SanDiegoChapterPresidentHunting,especiallytrophyhuntingisunderattackasneverbefore.Recentpollsindicatethatwhilenearly80%ofthepublicsupportshunting,thatpercentageshrinkstolessthan30%ifyouaskthemhowtheyfeelabouttrophyhunting.

Theproblemisoneofperception,withmanypeoplenotunderstandingthattrophyhuntingdoesn’tmeansimplykillingananimalinordertocutoffitsheadtohangonthewall.Mostpeopledon’trealizethatnearlyalltrophyanimalsareconsumedfortheirmeat,ifnotby the hunter then certainly by others.

PleaseunderstandthatSCIis‘FirstforHunters’aswellas‘FirstforHunting’andisfullyengagedindefendingyourrighttohuntinCalifornia,theUnitedStates,andworld-wide.Whilemanyoftheireffortsmakeheadlinesandarehighlyvisible,otheractivitiesarenecessarilyconducteddiscretelyandoutofpublicview.RestassuredthatSCIisworkingforyouandwon’tgiveupthefight.

BySteveTurigliattoThis was my 15th straight year of my pilgrimagetoAlberta,Canadaforwaterfowlingandthisyearranksnearthetopfornumbersofbirds,weather,andjustplaingoodtimeswiththelocalAlbertansandfriendsthatmetmeupthere(Idrove).Geeseareourrealtargetedspecieswithspecks(white-fronts)beingourfavoriteto eat. Grain fed mallards is high on our listaswell.Withthatsaidthere’sjustsomethingspecialaboutthosebighonkerscommitted and coming into your decoys....Itnevergetsold.

Forafreelancehunter,thisareaisawaterfowler’sdream.Ifyoudon’thavethetimefordrivingup,IrecommendClaudioOngaro’soperationinStettler,Alberta.

Goose Hunting in Alberta 2015

4

ByJoshZigmanAttheLasVegasSCIshowlastFebruary,JimConradand I were both interested in a lion hunt and decided thatifweweregoingtohuntlionwe’dbetterbookour lion hunt this year, as the anti-hunting lobbyist alreadysucceededinpressuringtheU.S.FishandWildlifeServicetorequireaUSFWSpermittohuntlionstartingin2016.Thefeedbackwegotfromsomepeople“intheknow”wasthatafterputtinglionsonpermitstatus,itwon’tbelongbeforetheyup-listthelionto“ThreatenedSpecies”status;resultingintheprohibitionofimportingliontrophiesintotheUS.RememberthePolarbear?UnfortunatelyIthinkitwon’tbelongbeforetheAfricanlionreceivesthesame“protection”fromourall-knowinggovernment. OurobjectivewastohuntourlionsinMayandgetthetrophiesbackintotheU.S.assoonaspossibleafterthat.Ihadalreadyhuntedmyfirstlionbackin2011inTanzania.HewasaniceoldlionbutEastAfricanlionshavelightcoloredmanesandIwasdeterminedtogetabig,darkmaned“MGM”lionwhichmeantdestination--SouthAfrica.ThiswouldbeJim’sfirstlionhuntandhissecondtriptoAfrica.Wespent3daysinterviewingoutfittersandfinallydecidedtobookatendayhuntwithJohnnyVivieratWintershoekSafaris.Johnnycamewithstrongreferences,notonlyfromJeromePhilippe,ownerofthehuntingblog:AfricanHunting.comandOzondjaheHuntingSafaris

(whereIhuntedlastyearwithgreatsuccessathisranchinNamibia)butalsofromAlexCampillo,whohashuntedwithJohnnyseveraltimesandhadverypositivethingstosayandmanygreatstories.JohnnyusedtobepopularwithmanyofourSanDiegoSCIChaptermembers,includingAlexCampilloasmentioned,MarkandCatherineBuchannan,CraigWong,MikeandLynneConnelly,GerryandTerrieFaust,andMikeRogersSr.andMikeRogersJr. WebookedourflightswithSteveTurneratTravelwithGunsandflewintoJoburgafteralonggruelingflightfromSanDiegotoWashingtonDCandfromDCtoDakar,Senegalwherewesatontheplanefor2hours without air conditioning, waiting for refueling andpassengerexchangeforthesouthboundtriptoSouthAfrica.WehadmadearrangementswiththeAftonHousetomeetusattheJoburgAirportandtoexpeditethegunpermittingnightmarewhichisthenormatJoburgInternational.Thiswasmoneywellspentandtheydidayeomen’sjobgettingusthroughthisdysfunctionalbureaucracy.WeovernightedattheAftonHousewhichwasaquaintbedandbreakfastafewminutesfromtheairport.IfyouhavebeenthereyounodoubthavehadtheirBBQribeyesteakfordinner which was delicious. Inthemorning,theAftonHousepeopledroveusbacktotheairportandhandledtheentiregunprocessing

fiascoagaintogetusonadomesticflightouttoUppington,whichwasa2hourflighttotheNorthCape.ThecampmanagerforJohnnypickedusupinUppingtonanddroveus3hoursnorthtooneofWintershoek’sgame farms called Gamagara locatedinthe“GreenKalahari”.Itis named as such because they get more rainfall in this region than themorenortherlyKalahariDesertandthefloraisgreener,thickerandtaller.Wegottherelateinthedaywithjustenoughtimetosightinourriflesandtakeatourofthegamefarm. ThenextmorningwehoppedintoRangeRoversanddroveanother3.5hoursnorthtotheKalaharito

South Africa Lion Hunt

PHs & Hunters

5

Tracking Jim’s Lion

huntlion.WepulledintotheSanSouciRanchwhichisabout15milesfromtheSouthAfrican-Botswanaborder,justbeforelunch.Wewereunpackingourgearwhenatroopofbaboonsinvadedthecompound.One of the ranch hands started swearing at them in Africansandyellingatustoshootthem.IlookedatJimandJimshookhisheadno,soIgrabbedmy300Weatherbyandbeforeanaudienceofaround10bystanders,Iputthebiggestonedownat100yards;theothersbaboonsranforthemountains--mykindofplace! Thelodgewasbuiltintheearly1950’sandisstillowned by the original family. The architecture was aDutchcolonialbrickstructurewithhighceilings,thatched roofs and Dutch style dormers--loads of character.Theinteriorwasveryinvitingandcomfyandtherewerelotsofmemorabiliaandoldtrophiesof critters not huntable anymore. They had an outdoor barwithacampfireareacenteredbetweenthemaindininglodgeandthebungalowswhereeveryonehungout after hunting. AfterthebaboonandlunchwehoppedintheRangeRoversandheadedoutlionhunting.Jimwasupfirst.Wecutaliontrackontheroadlatethatafternoonandgotouttolookaround.Itwastoodarktostartstalkinghimsowemarkedthetrackandwentbacktothelodge.

Thenextmorningwehittheroadaround6:30am.Themorningtemperaturedropeddowntoabout35degreesFahrenheitsoitwasalittlebrisk.AllIbroughtwasa

lightsweatersoIfrozemybuttoffuntilthefreezeburnedoffaround8:30am.Wespentsometimeontheroadbeforewepickedupthelion’strackagainandset off on foot after him. The hunting partyconsistedofJim,Jim’sPH,Donns,myPH,Yvanandthreetrackers.Theterrainwasflat,overlainwithathicklayeroffineredsand,kneetothighhighgrass,withbanksofthickthornbushandsparsetreesscatteredabout.Wewereonthelion’stracksforasolidhourwhenDonnsnoticedsomethingpeculiarstickingoutofthegrass.Atfirstwethoughtitwasthelionbutquicklysawthatitwasadead,bloatedGemsbuck.Thelionhadkilleditearlythatmorningand had eaten out the entrails already. DonnsknewthelionwouldnotgofarwithabellyfullofGemsbok.

Continued

Josh’s Baboon

6

Wewalkedinalargecircletoidentifywherethelionhadenteredandexitedthekillsite.Thehuntthencontinued,withusfollowingthetrackersandPH’sthroughthethickbush,whenDonnsfinallyspottedthelioncroucheddownunderathornbush.Jimsetupabout25yardsfromthebush.Thelionwaslookingdirectlyatuswiththickbrushinfrontofhim,makingitdifficultforJimtogetagoodangle.Jimchangedhispositionandfinallygotaclearviewofthelion’svitals,pulledthetriggerandmadeagoodshot.Hefollowedupwithanotheranddispatchedthelion. Whenweapproachedhim,allIcouldthinkofiswhatthelateSteveErwinwouldsay--”Bycrikey--he’sabeauty!”Hehadahugenogginwithanicebigdark

mane,razorsharpclawsandatongueascourseas100gritsandpaper.Afterthecongratulationsandphotography,wealllentahandandhoistedhimontothebackofaRangeRover.Thatlionmusthaveweighedbetween400and500pounds.Wedrovebacktocampandbroughthimtotheskinningshed.Jim’sriflewasaHeymMartiniExpressin.375H&HMag.andhekilledthelionwith300grainTrophyBondedBearClawbullet.Theskinnersextractedoneofthebullets and it deformed with a classic mushroom, retaining at most of not all of its weight. Thatnightwehadawonderfuldinnerpreparedby“KalahariMari”thecampcookandknockedbackafewcocktailsbythecampfire.Ilovedsitting

Jim’s Lion

7

Josh’s Sable

aroundthecampfirelookingatthestarconstellationswiththebrightSouthernCrossblaringatusandcampElandscoming within 15 feet away from us to feedontheAcaciapods.TheElandsseemedoblivioustousastheymunchedontheripeseedpods. Thenextmorningwesetouttofindmylion.Wecuttracksearlyinthemorningbutmylionwasn’tascooperativeasJim’sandittookusthreedaystogetthejobdone.Thisliondidagreatjobofrunningawayandevadingus--can’tblame him for that I guess. The day I shothimwehikedallmorning,bumpingand chasing the lion. To our dismay, he would only sit still long enough to catch his breath and then off he went again, before we could again catch a glimmer of him. Bynoonthetemperaturereachedaround85degreesandwewereastiredasthelion.YvanandDonnscalleditoffatnoontotakethepressureoffthelionandlethimbeforacoupleofhours.Weatelunch,hydratedupandleftcampjustbefore3:00pm,goingbacktothespotwelefthimearlier.Thetrackerswastednotimegettingbackonthelion’stracksandwemarchedondouble-timeafterhimagain.Finally,wespottedhimaboutfiftyyardsaheadofus.Thelionwasmagnificentandgotmybloodpumpinglikeafiremaninafivealarmfire.Unfortunately,thelionwasn’treadytomakehisstandandranoffagain.Wecaughtuptohimagain,andagain,butIcouldn’tgetinpositionforagoodshot.My.416startedgettingheavierandheaviereachtimethatlionranoffandIstartdoubtingifitwasgoingtohappen.Wehadbeentrackingthislionforover16miles.IthoughtJimwasgoingtogiveupandheadbacktothetruckbutI’mproudtosayhekeptupwithusstepforstepandmileaftermile.Walkingthatfarandthatfast,insoftbeachsand,inthehotsun,isn’teasyforanybody. After the third time the lion ditched us I was totally tired and dehydrated I thought the lion would win thedayandthehuntwouldbepostponeduntilthenextmorning.Yvanrefusedtoquitandpushedustocontinue.Wemarchedfurther,whenYvansawthelion

runningawayagainandweputintooverdrivetocatchuptohim,onlytolosehimonceagaininthethickbush.WestoppedtotrytofigureoutwherehewentwhenYvanspottedhimcrouchingdowninthegrassabout30feetbehindusandinfrontofJimandDonns.Thelion’sfurandmanewasperfectcamouflageinthetallgrassandwehadwalkedrightpasthim.TheunarmedtrackerswantednothingtodowiththelionandranawayleavingmeandYvantofigureoutwheretoshoothim.Actually,IthinkYvanknewwheretoshoothimbutIwasn’tpositiveandIdidn’twanttoscrewuptheshot.Yvankeptwhispering“shoot…shoot!”andallIcouldseewasatinyclumpofdarklionmanestickingupfromthegrass.Evenatthatclose distance, the lion was totally concealed in the grass. Feelingthepressure,Iaimedforthemiddleofthemaneandfired.Thelionwasstonedeadandnevereventwitchedamuscle.Asinstructed,Ihithimwithafollow-upshotfromabout10feetbutitwasunnecessary.Yvan,DonnsandJimwereveryrelievedandthetrackerscamebackwithsheepishgrinsontheirfaces.Apoorshotmostcertainlywouldhaveresultedinachargeandat30feetawayitwouldonlytakehimthreeleapsandacouplesecondstostrikeus.AgainIthought,crikey!Whatahuntandwhatanincrediblelion! Icannowsayfromexperiencethatthishuntwasfar more exciting than the earlier lion hunt I did in

Continued

8

Josh’s Lion

Tanzaniawhichwasaccomplishedbyhanginglionbaits and shooting it from a lion blind. There is a lot more strategy in getting the lion to come to the baits anditisevenmoredifficult,becauseyoucan’tshootthematnight,butthereisnothingliketheraw,nakedfeelingyougettrackingalionintallgrassandthickbush…whatarush!Huntinginthethickbushaftera450poundcatthatcanambushyouandtearyoutoshredsisaboutasexcitingasitgets,andit’sdefinitelyonaparwithhuntingCapeBuffaloorLandHippo. Thesuccessfulkillingofthelionsdidn’tmeanitwastimetogohome.JimandIhadsomeadditionalanimalstohuntandfivedaystospare.ThenextmorningwepackedupthetrucksandbidadieutothesoftreddesertsandsofSanSoucianddrovebackdowntotheGamagaraRanch.Jim’sgoalwastokillaCapeBuffaloandIhadsomeplainsgameonmylist.Jim’sbuffalohuntingprovedtobeabattle,withthebuffalowinning.ThebuffalokeptusingthethickbushtotheiradvantageandJimcouldnotgetashot.Ifaredalittlebetterwiththeplainsgame,killingaRoanAntelope,SableandMountainNyalainthenextfourdays.YvanandIalsotriedourhandatKlipspringer,makinga2,000footclimbupamountain.Wesaw

afewklipspringerbucksbutnothingtowritehomeaboutsoIdidn’tshoot.AlthoughJim’sbuffalohuntingdidn’tshapeup,hedidkillaniceBurchellZebraandareallyniceoldBlueWildebeestbull. WithonlyonedaytogoandnorealhopeofkillinganiceCapeBuffalo(orevenanyCapeBuffalo)atGamagara,JohnnydecidedtomovethehuntingpartysouthagaintoJohnny’smainranchjustoutsideofKimberly.Wegotupat4amanddroveanother3hoursandmadeittocamparound8:00am.ThiscampwasmuchmoreopenthantheGamagararanchandhadmanyelevatedrockycragsandevenasmallmountainrangeyoucouldgetupintotoglassandstockprey.JimandIsplitupwithJim,JohnnyandDonnsinonetruckandmeandYvanintheothertruck.IthoughtIwasdonehuntingandjustgoingforatouroftheranchbutIbroughtmyriflejustincase there was a nice wart hog or something else that wasinteresting.YvanandIwereontheroadwhenhespottedahugehairywarthog.Wegotoutofthetrucktoputastockonitbutitdisappearedintothebrush.Webackedoutofourpositionandclimbedupintooneofthoserockycragswhichgaveussomeelevationandcover.ThewarthogwasnowheretobeseenbutYvan

9

noticedsomehornsstickingoutfromunderatreeabout150yardsaway.ItwasaniceRedLechwebuckwhichIhadbeeneagertohuntupnorthbuthadnoluck.IhadhiminmycrosshairsforquiteawhilebutIdidn’twanttoshootuntilhegotup.ThentheLechwemusthavewindedus.HejumpedupandwithhisnoseintheairhewasreadytoboltwhenItickedoffashotandsmokedhim.WewereguttingtheLechwewhenthechatterontheradiostartedup.IknewthismeantthatJimmusthavekilledhisbuffalo! WegotinthetruckandcruisedovertoJim’sparty.Jim,JohnnyandDonnsandseveraltrackerswereallsurrounding a great big old Duggaboy with beers in their hands and smiles on their faces. The bull was coveredinmudandobviouslyareallyfinespecimenwith huge bosses. Jim’shuntingpartyhadfollowedasmallherdofbuffaloupthemountainIspokeofearlier.Buttheherdgavethemtheslipandleftthehuntersontopofthemountain,whilethebuffaloendedupinthevalleybelow.TheywereglassingthebuffalowhenDonnsputdownhisbinosandlitupacig.Donnshadbeenbustinghishumpfor5daystryingtogetJimonhisbuffaloandwasdepressedalmosttothepointofexasperation.IguessDonnsfiguredthebuffalowasnottobewhenJimsharplysaidwhattheheckareyoudoingwiththatcig?Donnsrepliedthat the buffalo were too far away to shoot—“Wecan’tshoothimfromhere. If you wound him it will be a messandwemightneverfindhim”.JimlookedatDonnsandJohnnyandsaid“Comeon!He’sonly225yardsout…Icanmakethatshot!”JohnnylookedatJimandsaid,“Well,alrightbutDonnsandIwillhavetobackyouup!”Jimfoundarestforhis.375withits1X6Swarovskiscope,aimedandsqueezedthetrigger.Thefirstshotstruckthebuffalo broad side in the shoulder andstoppedhim.Thebuffalowaspukingbloodoutashestumbledafewmorefeet.Jimreloadedand

gavehimonemoreblowanddroppedhim.JimlookedatJohnnyandDonnsandsaid“OkayJohnny…I’mreadyforsomebackup!”JohnnyandDonnscouldnotbelievetheshot.JohnnytoldmeheneverhadaclientkillaCapeBuffaloatthatdistancebeforeandneverhadaclientkilloneonhislasthuntday.Idon’tthinkanyonewasashappyandrelievedasJim. Reflectingback,thiswasoneofthosetripswhichcameandwentwaytoofast.AlexCampillowasspotonwhenhesaidJohnnywouldprovideanexperiencethatwouldexceedourexpectations.Theaccommodations were fantastic, the food was great, thehuntingvehicleswerecleanandwellmaintained(notoneflattireonthewholetrip),thestaffwerepoliteandorderly,thetrackersandskinnerswereverycompetent,thetrophyqualitywassuperbandJohnny,YvanandDonnswerenotonlywereterrificinthefieldbutmadeyoufeellikebrothersatalltimesduringthehunt.I’llneverforgettheenjoymentandrelaxationthatcameovermesittingaroundthecampfirewitheveryoneatnightupintheKalahari.Talkaboutaremedyforrelievingstress--IwouldadviseavisitwithJohnny’screwatWintershoekSafarisinSouthAfrica!

Jim’s Cape Buffalo

10

ByJimConradI’vealwayswantedamoosebutnevercouldfindaqualityhuntthatdidn’trequireatentspikecampinsomeremotelocationthatrequiredacharterfly-inandmoreruggednessthatIwaspreparedtoendure.In2014IthoughtthatIhadbookedsuchahuntintheEdmonton,Albertaareabutasitturnedout,aftersevendaysofhunting,myguideandIneverevensawamaturebullmoosesoIgotskunked.Undeterred,Iwentoutfitterinterviewingandhuntshoppingatthe2015SCIHuntersConventioninLasVegas,NVandwasthesuccessfulbidderataneveningauctiononaYukonmoosehuntofferedbyCeaserLakeOutfitters.I’dalready decided that this was the hunt that I wanted and lettheoutfitterknowthatifIdidn’twinitthateveningthatIwouldbebacktobookitfromthemthenextday.Asitturnedout,Iendedupmakingafullpricebidsoitwasatriplewin:SCImadeoutwithmaximumrevenuebeinggenerated;theoutfittermadeoutbecausehuntsthatsellforfullretailvaluespeakwellofthedonorandgeneratebusinessforthem;andImadeoutbecauseIgotthehuntthatIwanted.Thehuntwasa10-day1X1huntintheYukonfromaboat,withacabinforlodging,anddidn’trequireanairtaxibecausewe’dbedrivingfromtheoutfitter’shomeinWatsonLaketowheretheboatwasdocked. Inmid-September2015IflewfromSanDiegotoWhitehorse,YTviaSanFrancisco,CAandVancouver,BC.IovernightedinamotelinWhitehorse,rentedacarandthendroveforabout4hourstoWatsonLake,YT.IhaddinnerwithmyoutfitterTerryWilkinson

Yukon Moose Hunt(thefather),Ruth(hiswife)andJoel(theirson)attheirhousethateveningandtheyexplainedhowIwouldbegoingdrivingouttotheboatwithmyguide,RobbiePorterinthemorningwhichwouldtakeusabout2hoursandthenwewouldhaveabouta2hourboatridedowntheHylandRivertothecabinandcamp. ThenextmorningIparkedmyrentalcarattheWilkinson’splace,loadedmygearintoRobbie’spickuptruckandRobbieandIdrovetowherehisboatwasdocked.Robbieparkedthetruckandwewalkeddowntowherehis18’skiffwastiedup.TheriverbankwasfairlysteepbutIdidn’tthinkthatwe’dhavemuchofaproblemgettingallofourgearloadedintotheboat,untilIrealizedthatRobbiehada50gallondrumofgasolineloadedinthebackofhistruckandthatwehadtounloadthat450lbs.drumfromthetruck,carefullyrollitdowntheriverbanktotheboat,andthen somehow load it into the bow of the boat and then maneuveritoverthreebenchseatstothestern.Weusedboards,leverageandbruteforcetofinallygetitloadedand then tossed in the rest of our gear and headed down rivertothecabin. Thescenerygoingdownriverwassimplybreathtaking,withthedeciduoustreeshavingalreadyturnedgolden,mixedwiththetallgreenpines,andthesteepmountainsinthebackground.Wesawafewcowmooseandtheircalvesontheway,butnobulls.Afterabout2hours,wearrivedatthecabinandbecausethewaterintheriverwassolow,wehadtodocktheboatabout300yardsawayandpackthegearbacktothecabin.Ohyes,we also had to unload that 450 lbs. drum of gasoline and mybackwasreallystartingtocomplain.Thelodgingwasanauthenticlogcabinofabout12’x12’thatwasconstructedseveralyearsearlierfromlocallogsusingaportablebandsawtosplitthelogsandmakethelumber.

Robbieshowedme where a bear had made his entry last year and once inside tore most of the inside of the cabinapart.Thescarswereavividreminderofjusthowdeepintothenorthwoods we were, where wild things livedandwewerethe guests/intruders, dependingonyourperspective.

11

Wewenthuntingdownriverlaterthatafternoonandspottedacowmooseswimmingacrosstheriver.Wecuttheengineandwatchedhergettothebankandclimboutoftheriver.Shekeptlookingbacktotheothersideoftheriverandwekeptwatchingwhereshekeptlooking,expectingperhapsacalforhopefullyanamorousbullmoosetoappear.Eventually,shemovedintotheblacktimberandwasgone.Ihadbeenusingmybinoculars to watch this whole scene and noticed that Robbiehadnot.Iaskedhimwhyandheadmittedthathehadforgottentobringhisbinoculars.NoproblemIthought, because his eyesight without binoculars was probablymuchbetterthanmine,evenwithbinoculars.Weheadedbacktothecabinandsettledinforthenight. ThenextmorningweheadedbackdownriveratfirstlightandwithinanhourIspottedabullmooseabout600yardsawayontheriverbank.IglassedhimcarefullyandtoldRobbiethatthislookedlikeashootertome.Robbieaskedtoborrowmybinocularsandafterafewmomentsheagreed.Wecutengineanddecidedtojustlettheboatdriftdownstreamtogetwithinshootingrange,hopefullynotspookingthebull.Ikeptglassingandusingthebuilt-inrangefinderinmyLeicaGeovid8x24s,astherangetothebullclosed…500yds.,400yds.,300yds.,whilesimultaneouslyclickingdowntheballisticturretonmySwarovski2.5x15riflescopetomatch the range. At200yds.IpassedmybinocularstoRobbieandtrackedthemooseusingonlymyriflescopewhichwassettoitslowestpower.Theboatwasgentlyrockingand

Iknewthatthiswasgoingtohavetobeafreehandshottocompensatefortheboat’smotion.At150yds.themoosewascurlinghisupperlipwithhisnoseintheair,obviouslytryingtowindustofigureoutwhetherwewereathreatornot.At125yds.hewasgettingnervousand I saw his front feet starting to shift his weight in preparationtobolt.Ihadthecrosshairsonhisvitalsandsqueezedthetrigger.The180gr.300Win.Magfounditsmarkandthebullbuckledslightlybutthenimmediatelyregainedhispostureandbegantoheadfortheblacktimberbehindhim.WhileIknewthatthiswasa‘deadmoosewalking’,thefurtherawayhegotthemoreworkweweregoingtohaveingettinghimpackedout and into the boat. IimmediatelyjackedanotherroundintothechamberandputthecrosshairsonhisshoulderandjustasIsqueezedthetrigger,Robbieshiftedhispositiontogetabetterviewofwhatwashappeningandtheboatrocked,causingmyshottogohigh.Isaid“Staystill…don’tmove”whileIwasloadinganotherround.ThistimethebullwasheadingdirectlyawayandupthebanksoIputthecrosshairsonhisthemiddleofhisbackandfired.Theshotbrokehisspineandhewentdownhard. Wepoweredupthejetdriveoutboardandmadefortheshore,dockingasclosetowherethebullwentdownaswecould.Whenwegottothemooseweimmediatelysawhowimpressivehisantlerswere,withmassivebasesandwhatatapemeasureconfirmedtobea50”spread.Oneantlertinehadatipbrokenoff,obviouslyfromfightingwithrivalbulls.Hisworndownteethconfirmedthathewasabout10yearsoldandperhapsjustpasthisprime.Skinninghimrevealedseveralcutsandbruisesfromrecentdominancedeterminingfights.Thiswasindeedatrophyanimal. Thetwoofusspenttheentireremainderofthedaybutcheringthemoose,packingthe1,000lbs.plusofmeatbacktotheboat,travelingbacktocamp,unloading the meat from the boat and hanging it on themeatpole,thendoingthetediousfinalknifeworkonthecapeandantlers.Bydinnertimewewerebothexhausted.Weturnedinearlythatnight,becauseweknewthatthenextdaywehadtorepeatthemeatloadingandunloadingprocessagain,aswebrokecampandheadedbacktocivilization. ThiswasafantasticadventureandIwouldhighlyrecommendthatyouconsiderCeaserLakeOutfittersifyou’reinthemarketforatrophyclassmoose,grizzlybear,blackbear,caribouorwolfhuntintheYukon.

12

ByNedRozellThis article first appeared in the Alaska Fish & Wildlife News, October 2015 and is reprinted here with permission. Thesenights,TomSeatonisdreaminglessaboutred-brown,steaming,humpbackedhulks.He’salsogettingmoresleep,knowingdozensofwoodbisonthatgallopedtofreedombehindhissnowmachinelastspringarewanderingnewcountry,munchinggrassandhavingbabies.SofarsogoodintheattempttostockAlaskawithagiantthatvanishedfromtheswampsnotlongago. “It’sturningoutbetterthanIcouldhavehopedfor,”saidSeaton,abiologistwiththeAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameinFairbanks.Heisheadofaprojectinwhich130woodbisonarenowroamingthelowgrassandsedgecountrynearthevillageofShageluk.Shagelukisavillageof130peopleontheInnokoRiver. Inthis“intensemonitoringstage,”Seatonrecentlyflewouttothenewherdtosampleportionsoftheirbisonpatties,inordertoseewhattheyareeating.Heissuedthisreportonthecreatures,mostofwhichhadbeenlivingforyearsincaptivityattheAlaskaWildlifeConservationCenterinPortage.

Wood Bison at Home on the Range“NowthatI’veseenthemonthelandscapeforafewmonths,I’mconfidenttheycandoanythingawildbisoncando,”SeatonsaidinhisFairbanksoffice. Themassingcreaturesadaptedtoborealwetlandshavebeenseeingtheterritorysincetheywereairliftedandboatedtotheirformerstompinggroundsduringafewcomplicated2015missions. Bymonitoringsatellitetransmittersclingingtomassivenecksbybeltsdesignedforelephants,SeatonhaswatchedthebisonmakehugeclockwiseloopsthroughtheInnokoNationalWildlifeRefugeandbeyond.OnecowhasswumtheYukonandisnorthofRussianMission.AfewbullsalsocrossedthebigriverandalmostmadeittoUnalakleetontheBeringSeacoast. SeatonispleasedtoseemostofthebisoncirclingbacktoneartheirintroductionpointsnearthevillageofShageluk. “Oneofmybiggestworrieswasthey’dgoawaytowheretheycouldn’tfindeachotheragain,”hesaid.Hegotabitnervouswhenhewatchedsomeofthecollaredanimalsdispersingasfarsouthasthe

KuskokwimRiver. “Butthentheydidabigloopback,”hesaid.“Theywerejustexploring.Nowtheyknowthehills, the flats, where the good vegetationis.” ThequietcountrywheretheInnokorunsnexttotheYukonis now home to bulls the weight of 10 men, smaller but more numerouscows,andafewcalvesbornonthemuskegthissummer.ThismodestpopulationistheonlygroupofwoodbisonintheUnitedStates(plainsbisonthatliveinotherareasofAlaska,theLower48andCanadaareadifferent,smallerspecies).Seatonexpectsthe herd will grow to somewhere betweenhundredstoseveralthousand animals.

Wood bison are strong swimmers and have crossed the Innoko and even the Yukon River.

13

Sedge meadows in the area where wood bison were first released.

TwentyyearsafterStephenson’ssuggestion,Seatontookovertheprogram.Amidablurofactivity,he remembers a lot of meetings bringingpeopletogetherfromthethreepotentialareas.Ofthethreelargesthabitats,SeatonfocusedontheInnokoRiverareaeventhoughit was farthest from the road system. “Eventhebargetripis1,000milestogettotheInnoko,”hesaid.“ButInnokopeopleconsistentlysupportedtheproject.” Whilepeopleinotherareasthought the introduction of bison mightinterferewithpotentialoilandgasdevelopment,Shageluk

andlowerYukonresidentsalwayssaidyeswhenaskedabout the return of wood bison. Seatonfoundthatotherslikedtheideatoo.Withabudgettoosmalltoget130animalsfromsouthofAnchoragetothemiddleofwesternAlaska,hebeggedforhelp.

WoodbisonwereinAlaskabefore.Adaptedtolow,wetareas,woodbisonlivedinYukonFlatsandotherareasofAlaskafromabout10,000yearsagountiltheydisappeared. In1991,aFortYukonresidenttoldnow-retiredFishandGamebiologistBobStephensonhismotherhadstoriesaboutbisonlivingnearthevillage.Eldersinterviewedfrom1991-2000inBeaver,BirchCreek,Chalkyitsik,FortYukon,Venetie,MintoandNenana shared stories of bisonoratleastknowledgeofthem.Somementionedseeing herds of bison near Eagle,CircleandFortYukonin1916or1917. Stephensonknewtherare creatures existed in Canada,soheproposedre-introducing wood bison to YukonFlats.YukonFlatsisone of three areas — along withYukon/InnokoandMintoFlats—withamplegrasses, sedges and forbs for bison.

Continued

Bison on the landscape. A calf is resting in the grass.

14

SafariClubInternationaldonated$100,000biologistsused as matching funds added to federal grants for wildliferestoration.LindenTransportdiscountedtheirC-130bison-airliftflightsby$100,000.SteelfabofAnchorage donated more than$30,000inmodifyingconex containers to hold bison.InlandBargeofNenana discounted their bison-movingodysseyontheTanana,YukonandInnokoriversby$13,000. “Peoplesteppedupineveryway,”Seatonsaid. Why? “Ithinkeverybodylikeswoodbison,”hesaid.“PeopleliketheideaofrestoringanativespeciestoAlaska,fillingthatholeintheecosystem.It’sthelastbiganimaltocomebacktotheU.S.” Thingshaven’tbeenperfectforAlaska’snewest wild bison. A few animals died after relocation: some from stress, others fell throughrottenspringice.Bigsnowfallsoricestormsintheareacouldmakeithardonanimalsthatreachtheirfoodbysweepingawaysnowwiththeirwoollyfaces.Butthestatelybeastsarebackonthelandscape,inoneofthefewplacesontheglobethatcouldaccommodate them. Since the late 1970s, the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute has provided this column free in cooperation with the UAF research community. Ned Rozell is a science writer for the Geophysical Institute.

State wildlife biologist Tom Seaton spent the summer of 2015 intensely monitoring the newly released bison.

Wood bison in the spring of 2015, shortly after the initial introduction.

15

Musings About Hunting c)Thehuntedneedstohaveachancetogetaway. Ergo,theactivityhastooccurinanaturalsettingwhichallowsanescape.Thegladiatorinthearenadidnothuntthepantherthathadbeenletoutofthecage,he fought with it because neither found himself in a naturalsetting.Forthatreason,abullfightingcannotbeen considered as hunting, either.

d)Oneneedstotakepossession.Killingissimplythefinalstageofhunting.It’sconclusion,it’scompletion.Withoutkillingthehuntedanimal,onehasnothunted.Thehuntingactivityhasnotbeencompleted.Justgoingthroughthemotionsofpursuingagameanimalandnotkillingitmeansthatonehasnothunted.Thus,aphotosafariisnothunting.Itisanactivity,asport,ahobby,anadventure.OrasfamousphilosopherJoseOrtegayGassetsaid:“Huntingiswhatapersonoranimaldoestotake,deadoralive,ofsomeotherbeingthatbelongstoaspeciesbasicallyinferiortoitsown”.

e)Equalitybetweenthehunterandthehunted. Thegeneralpublicassumesthatthereisalwaysaninequalitybetweenthehunterandhuntedi.e.betweentheevilhunterandtheinnocent,helplessdeer.Theythinkthatthegamedoesnothaveafairchanceduetomodernfirearms,longrangefiringcapabilities,useofmagnifyingscopesetc.Yes,thereissomedegreeofinequalitybutitcannotbeexcessive.Otherwiseitisnothunting.Thus,toequalizethechancebetweenthehunterandhisprey,wehaveinstitutedrulesandregulationinsporthuntingi.e.lengthofhuntingseasons,baglimits,restrictedshootinghours,trophyminimums, fair chase rules, hunting licenses, tags, and more.

Tobecontinued…

ByHubertvonderBeeckPartIV:WhatisHunting?Adefinition.InPartIIIoftheseries“MusingsAboutHunting”wetalkedaboutthereasonsWHYwehunt.Nowweshalldiscusswhattheingredientsaretohavehunted.TryingtodefineWHATneedstobepresentinordertohavehunted.Mostofushuntersseemtoknowwhathuntingisbutwerarelycanweputitinwordsorexpressclearly.Wejustgooutanddowhatwelovetodo.However,whilewearegoingoninouractivityweinstinctivelyknowifwehave“hunted”ornot.

Let’slookatacoupleofscenarios:ItiselkhuntingseasoninMontana.Arancherwhohasahuntinglicenseandelktagstepsoutofhisranchhouseandseesonthehillsidebehindhimaherdofelkwiththeoldbullwhichhehasobservedforyears.Hequicklygrabshisrifleandkillsthebull.Question:Hashehunted?Andifnot,WHYnot?

AnoldlioninZambiabecameaman-eater.Itisveryhungry,andlyingoutsideofalittletribalvillageinthehighgrass;lookingforfood.Suddenlyalittleboycomesrunningbyandtheliongrabsthekid,dragshimaway,killsandeatstheboy.Hasthislionhunted?Ifnot,WHYnot.

Theanswertobothexamplesisthattherancheraswellasthelionhavenothunted.Thefirstonejustshotanelkbutnothuntedanelk.Thelateroneambushedaboybutnothuntedtheboy.Hopefully,thedefinitionsbelowwillmakethisclear.Hereiswhatisnecessarytohavehunted:

a)Onlyahigherbeingcanhuntalowerbeingandnotvisaversa. The cat hunts rats. The lion hunts antelope.Thespiderhuntsflies.Thesharkhuntssmallerfish.Humanshuntwildgame.Butaliondoesnothuntahumanbeing.Itstalks,ambushes,grabs,killsaman.Ifthehuntedisalsoahunter,thenitisnothunting.Itiscalledcombat,fight,murderetclikesoldieragainstsoldierormurdereragainstvictim.

b)Huntingisnotreciprocal. In hunting, one animal (orhumanbeing)isstrivingtohuntwhiletheotheronestrivesnotbehunted,istryingtoavoidthehunter.Everencounteredawhitetaildeerthattriedtosneakaway?Orpheasantthatflewaway?Anelkjuststanding at a hillside outside a ranch house is not trying toavoidbeinghunted.Whyalsocallit“Shootingfishinabarrel”.

16

The Lion Kill in Zimbabwe is Overstated

ByJimMarinosIamJimMarinos,alocalSanDiegoresidentof86years.Ihavebeenahunterandafishermanformostofthoseyears.IhavebeenfortunateenoughtohavedonebothinAlaska,Africa,Mexico,CostaRicaandtheUnitedStates.Ihaveanexperiencedunderstandingandappreciationforthehuntingandfishingexperiencesinthosecountriesaswellasthecriticaloppositiontothoseactivitiesfrompersonsofotherfaiths.TheFirstAmendmenttotheConstitutionprotectsfreespeechinmostcases.Opinionsonanimals,huntingandfishingareprotecteddespitetheiraccuracy,intendedimpacts,andprejudicialorigins. Arecentarticlebylocalattorney,LarryShea,intheSanDiegoUnionTribuneisjustoneexpressionofopinionontherecenttakingofalioninZimbabwe.Allhunters,exceptaveryfew,havestrongbeliefsinethicsandlegalconduct.Wesincerelyandintenselyfollow the rules, regulations and laws because we understandtheirpurposesaretoprotectwildlife,theenvironment,andtheinvolvedindividuals.IhavehuntedextensivelyinBotswanaandTanzania,andamwell aware of the standard and customary laws and regulationsofeachAfricancountryandthepositionsofthefishandgamedepartmentsaswell,ineach.Eachcountrycountsamongitsvaluedresources,thewildanimals,fishandwaterfowlthatinhabittheircountry.Eachcountryhasgivenlengthyandseriousconsideration to the regulation and management ofitsresourcesandwildgameiswayatthetopoftheirpriorityconcerns.Asaresult,everyhunterandfishermanthatentersanAfricancountryoranyforeigncountryiswellawareofthelaws,rules,quotas,limitations,andrequirementsofthatjurisdiction.Everycountry,throughitsfishandgamedepartmentestablishesquotaseveryyearonthetakingofitsresources.Onlysomanylionscanbeharvestedinanationinagivenyear.Incertainyearsinthepastitwasprohibitedtotakeanylionsdependingontheprofessionalcountsofthemembersofthatspecies.Thelawrequireseveryhunterandfishermantopayfor,obtainandcarrywithhimorheragenuinelegitimatelicenseforhuntingandfishinginthatcountry.Innearlyeverycountrythereisanadditionaltaxandastamporcertificaterequiredformostspecialanimalsorspecialspeciesoffish.Alaskarequiresnotonlyafishinglicensebutakingsalmonstamp.Lions,leopards,capebuffalo,kudu,andonandon,eachhaveinadditionaseparateandspeciallicensefeefortheprospectivetakingofthatanimal.Thosegenerallyrangefrombetween$250to$5,000eachforthecost

ofthatpermit.Afterwards,mostcountriesimposea“headtax”ontherecoveryandremovaloftheskinoranypartofthebodyofthefelledanimal. Thepointisclear.Countriesarenotnaïveorignorantabouttheirresources;onthecontrary,theyareveryastute,verysensitiveandverypro-active.Ninetypercent(90%)oftherevenuegeneratedfromlicenses,stamps,certificates,fees,andtaxesareusedtosupportgamemanagement,gamepropagation,andpoachingrepression.SafariClubInternational(SCI),forexample,hasprovidedenormoussumsofmoneytoAfrican nations to not only assist in game management andgamepropagation,butalsoforpoacherspossestoorganizetrainedgovernmentrepresentativestotrack,hunt,arrestandprosecutethenativepoacherswhoareresponsiblefordecimating90%oftheanimalsfelledinagivenyear.TheAmericancustomerhunterrepresentsbutaminutefractionofthecausesfortheremovalofanyanimalorfishfromanycountry.PoachinginAfricaisrampantandthestoriesareendlessabouthugeandoutrageouskillingsofanimalsforthecollectionoftheirpartsforprofit.AllofthoseactivitiesareconductedbynativesoftheirowncountriesandarenottheresponsibilityofAmericansorFrenchmenorGermansorItaliansorGreekswhochoosetopaythesubstantialcostsforthepermissionto hunt in foreign countries. Animals,byandlarge,haveamuchshorterlifespanthanhumans.Ibelieveitisfairtosaythatmostwildtrophyanimalshavealifespanof15yearsorunder.Whenamajesticbullorbuckistakenbyrifleorbowandarrowitisusuallyinthelatterquarterofitslifeandinmanyinstancesheisimpotentandunabletoprocreateorsireoffspring.Ithasbeenproventhatasageneralruletheolder,biggerbullsandbuckscontrolaprideorflockofmanyfemaleswhoheaggressivelyandassiduouslyprotects.Whenheisremovedbya hunter or dies of natural causes it immediately freesuptheprideandtheflockoffemalesallowingnumerousyoungerandmorevigoroussuiterstoentertherelationshipsandtoregeneratethepropagationofyoungnewbornanimalsreplenishingandenhancingtheherd,thepride,andtheflock.Thefishrepresentsimilarfactors.Salmonreturningfromtheirusualfiveyearexcursionintotheoceanorganizeinlargeand wide staging areas along the shore gaining weight andstrengthpreparingforthetrekuptheriversandtributariestotheheadwatersforspawningandinevitabledeath.Thesalmonlaytheireggsfollowed

17

bythemaleexcretionofMotherNature’sfertilizerandthentheybothdie.Scienceandbiologyhaveproventhathalibutbyandlarge,over90poundsinweightare females loaded with thousands of eggs. It is the practiceof99%ofthefishermenintheworldtocatchandreleaseallhalibutestimatedtobeover90poundsbecausetheyarefemalesandweallwanttoreplenishandreinvigoratethefishery.Noonewantstomaintainahealthyspecies,pride,flockorgroupofanimalsorschoolsoffishmorethantherecreationalhunterandfisherman.Thisshouldcomeasnosurprisetointelligent,reasonableandaveragepeoplewillingtoconsidertwosidestoeveryargument. Itappearsincontrovertiblethatsincethefirstcaveman,who was able to be ambulatory, hunting became a necessityoflife.Biologically,animalschaseanimalstoeat.Cavemanchasedanimalstoavoidbeingkilledthemselvesandtoeatandfeedtheirfamilies.Huntingandfishingarenothingnewtocivilization.Aparticularperspectivebasedonexperienceaddsthedimension to the situation of a contest. The animals andthefishliveandthriveintheirenvironment.They understand the bush, the brush, the terrain, the typography,thefoliage,thewindcurrents,thetidecurrents,andthetotalcomposureoftheenvironmentfarbetterthananyhuman.Ahunterorafishermanenterstheenvironmentthatisunderstandablythedomainofthewildanimalorthewildfish.Itistruethatmanandwomanhaveagooddealoftechnologyavailabletothemtotrytobalancethepercentagesofsuccess.Manyanimalsidentifiedandspottedbyprofessionalguidesandhuntersescapesafely.Nearlyallanimalsandfishintheworldavoidaterminalattackbyahumanbeing.Theexperienceofhuntingandfishinghasdevelopedintoachallengingcontestbetweentheanimalwholivesin,occupiesandunderstandstheenvironmentagainsttheintruderseekingtocollectaspeciestorepresentasuccessfulwinningofthecontest.Fairandreasonablepeoplewillwanttoknowbothsidesofthehuntingargumentandshouldprovidecalmunderstandingandcontemplationoftheramificationsextantinasituation.Environmentalists,inthemain,aresincerepeoplewhodeeplybelievethattheirconceptsareunconditionallycorrectandcannotpossiblybechallengedorcontroverted.Likewise,manyhuntersandfishermenareveryadamantaboutthegenuineequitableandethicallegitimacyofhuntingandfishingunder intelligently controlled rules and regulations.

Thehunterandtheprofessionalguidewholureananimaloutofareservemerelytokillaspecimenisverywrongandishighlycondemnedby99%ofthehuntersandfishermenintheworld.Thatconductrepelsagainsttheconceptoffairlyandearnestlyconductingthecontestandcontradictsthe“fairchase”philosophyofmosthunters.Ontheothersideofthespectrumisthesituationwhereaphilanthropicbenefactressleavesasubstantialamountofmoneytobuildabreakwaterandalovelybeachforthepleasuresandexcitementsofyoungchildrenonlytohavepoliticalpressureexertedbyenvironmentalistsviolateandcontradictthephilanthropictrustofthatgenerouslady,toprohibitthechildrenfromeverfurtherenjoyingthewonderfulgiftandtoinsteadprioritizetheuseofthatspecificdevelopmentbysealsandsealionsfurtherexcludingnormalparticipationandenjoymentbyfamilies.Theextremesachievedbyenvironmentalistsareverydisturbingtomostpeopleandspecificallytohuntersandfishermen,fathersandmothers.Nevertheless,thepoliticalpowershaveelectedtoprioritizesealsandsealionsoverhumanbeings.Candidly,wecannotfigurethatout. Thebottomlineisquiteclear.Thereisroomintheworldformanycontradictoryopinionsandtherearepracticesenjoyedbymanypeoplethathavebeenongoing for millions of years. The herds of deer exponentiallyincreaseinnumbers.Iamnotawareoftheamountofmoneydonatedbyenvironmentalistsforthegamemanagement,gamepropagation,andhealthycontrolofanimalpopulations,butIsuspectthatitisasmallfractionofthemoneyspentandinvestedbyhuntersandfishermenmostofwhichisdirectedintoactivitiesandproceduresthatprotecttheherds,protectthefisheries,andenhancetheperpetuationofthenumbersofbeautiful,majesticandwonderfulanimalsandfishthatoccupythisshrinkingglobe.Morecommonsenseandlessemotionalbiaswillsurelyimprovethecomprehensionoftheissues.Politiciansdrivenbyenvironmentalgroupsshouldbetter understand the realities of regulations of huntingandfishingandpromulgatebasedonfactsandrealitiesratherthansimplyappeasedisgruntledenvironmentalistsapparentlytoenhancevotersupport.

18

ThegoalofSanDiegoSCI’sPronghornProjectistore-introducepronghornantelopetotheirnativehabitatinSouthernCalifornia.PronghornsroamedanareainSoutheastCaliforniaaslateas1942.TheydisappearedfromthisareaduringWorldWarII,probablyasaresultofthehugetrainingfacilityestablishedtheretotrainGeneralPatton’stankcorps.WedoknowthatthesepronghornswereeithertheSonoranorPeninsularpronghornsub-species,bothofwhich are endangered. Startingin2012,weconvenedateamofparticipants,includingtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,BureauofLandManagement,CaliforniaDept.ofFish&Wildlife,theU.S.MarineCorps,theSanDiegoNaturalHistoryMuseum,theLosAngelesZooandtheArizonaDept.ofGame&Fish.Theteamconsideredthepro’sandcon’sofvariousapproachestore-introducingthepronghorn.Thefirstorderofbusinesswastoidentifysuitablehabitatforpronghornre-introductionandtodeterminewhichsub-speciesofpronghornonceinhabitedtheproposedre-introductionarea.In2013,KevinClarkoftheSanDiegoNaturalHistoryMuseumconductedastudytofindsuitablepronghornhabitatinSouthernCalifornia.Thisstudyconsideredseveralfactors(sourcesoffoodandwater,sizeofarea,andlackofhumandevelopment)and concluded that the most desirable area for re-introductionwastheChuckwallaBench,EastoftheSaltonSeainRiversideCounty.Subsequentsitesurveyshaveconfirmedtheareaissuitablehabitatforpronghorns. Todeterminewhichsub-speciesmayhaveinhabitedtheChuckwallaBench,anextensivesearchforarcheologicalpronghornspecimensnearthisareawasconducted,and12samplesweregatheredforDNAanalysisbytheUniversityofArizona.TheresultsindicatethatsomeofthespecimenscontainedevidenceoftheSonoranPronghornsub-specieswhileothersindicatethePeninsularPronghornsub-species.Fortunately,MarkJorgensen,thefeaturedspeakeratourJulyChapterdinnerandretiredSuperintendantoftheAnza-BorregoDesertStatePark,toldusoftwootherarcheologicalpronghornspecimensheldbythePark;theseareofparticularinterestbecausetheywerediscoveredclosertotheChuckwallaBenchthanpreviouslyanalyzedspecimens.WehavebeenworkingwiththeParkandwiththeDNAexpertsandanticipatecompletingtheDNAanalysisfortheserecentlydiscoveredspecimensthisfall. WearefortunatethatbothSonoranandPeninsularpronghornareavailableforrelease.TheSonoran

Pronghorn Project – Update 5

pronghornwouldcomefromtheArizonaSonoranPronghornRecoveryTeam,whohaveaverysuccessfulbreedingprogramandarereleasinganimalsintonewterritoriesinArizona.PeninsularpronghornexistonlyinthewildinMexico.However,becausetheyareaseverelyendangeredspecies,theLosAngelesZoohasbegunabreedingprogramintheUnitedStatesusinganimalsobtainedfromMexico.TheyareanxioustofindanareaintheUnitedStatestoreleaseanimalsfromtheirbreedingprogramandtheChuckwallaBenchistheirpreferredsitebasedonthestudycitedabove. Ofcourse,becausetheseareendangeredspecies,thefinaldecisiononwhichsub-speciestorelocaterestswiththePacificSouthwestRegionoftheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.Theirseniorbiologisthasparticipatedwiththegroupdescribedaboveandagreesthatweneedtoevaluatebothsub-speciesandpresentasmuchscientificdataaspossibletoassisttheminthisdecision.Werecentlybriefedtheirregionalmanagersonourprojectanditwaswellreceived.Theyevenindicatedthattheywoulddedicatestafftosupportthepreparationofnecessarydocumentation. SanDiegoSCIseesourroleinthisprojectasbeinganadvocateandanenabler.Wehaveprovidedthe“vision”ofthisnativespeciesonceagainroamingitsnaturalhabitatandweconvenedrepresentativesofthemultipleorganizationswhowillneedtobeinvolvedintheproject.Webelievewehaveachievedconsensusonthedesirabilityofmakingthisvisionareality,nosmallfeatgiventhediverseorganizationsinvolved.Wehaveinitiatedtheprocessofgetting“buy-in”fromuppermanagementandareconfidenttheywillseetheconservationvalueinproceedingwiththisproject.Finally,wearehelpingtoenableprogressonthisprojectbyprovidingfundingtoaddressinitialquestionsthatwouldotherwisebestalledbytheinordinatetimeitoftentakeslargebureaucraticorganizationstotakeaction.Forexample,weprovidedfundingtocollectarcheologicalspecimensand for their DNA analysis shortly after the need forthisanalysiswasidentified.WearealsointheprocessofhavingMexico’sPronghornRecoveryPlantranslatedfromSpanishtoEnglish.ThisdocumentwillbeparticularlyimportantifUSFWSelectsthePeninsularPronghornoption.WhereasaGovernmentorganizationcouldtakeseveralmonthstoidentifyacontractorandissueacontractforthistask,webelievewecanaccomplishthisinafewmonthsbyfundingabilingualgraduatestudenttoperformthetranslation.

19

California Pronghorn Antelope Fundraising TagAreyoutiredofwaitingtodrawaCaliforniaPronghornAntelopetag?Wellit’snowonderbecausethere are less than 200 of them issued each year and thereareover15,000applicants! Nowhere’sthegoodnews…theSanDiegoSCIChapterhasbeenselectedbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFish&Wildlifetoauctiontheoneandonly2016-2017CaliforniaPronghornAntelopeFundraisingTag.ThishighlysoughtaftertagwillbeincludedintheLiveAuctionatourAuction’16:AmericanSafariPartyeventonMarch5,2016attheManchesterGrandHyattSanDiego. Thistagisvalidforzones1-6foronebuckpronghorn,within the 2016 -2017 season dates, using any legal methodoftakeforpronghorn(archeryorrifle). Needmoreincentivetobidonthisonceinalifetimetag…thewinningbidderforthistagwillbeofferedtheirchoiceofanyoneoftheapproximately20firearmsdisplayedonthe‘TargetedDrawingFirearms’tableatourfundraisingevent.That’sright;we’llorderyouyourchoiceofanyoneofthoseapproximately20firearmsaspartofyourwinningbid!

Bylaw,95%oftherevenuefromsalesoffund-raisingtagsisdepositedintheDepartment’sBigGameManagementAccount.Theremaining5%willberetainedbySanDiegoSCItohelpdefrayAuction’16expenses.

SanDiegoSCIandits members are fully committed to the success ofthisprojectandwelookforwardtomakingasignificantcontributiontotheconservationofthisendangeredspecies.TheprogresstodatewouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthegeneroussupportofourmembersandwethankyouforhelpingrealizeourvisionofseeingpronghornsagainroaminSouthernCalifornia.

Wild Peninsular Pronghorn Antelope photo taken by Pete Riger.

20

Save the Date

Saturday, March 5, 2016Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market St., San Diego, CA

“American Safari Party”A party with Safaris galore

Expanded Auction ’16 includes:Friday night ‘Meet the Exhibitors’ 5:30 p.m., in the SCI Suite at the Hyatt

Saturday evening, doors open at 4 p.m.

Check out the $1,000 Progressive Drawing Grand PrizeOffering a choice of four hunts for Bear, Elk, Antelope, or Deer and a

Kimber.300 Winchester Mag., with Zeiss Scope

News Flash: CDFW has awarded our Chapter with the one and only California Pronghorn Antelope Fundraising Tag for Zones 1-6 to be

offered in our Live Auction along with the winning bidder’s choice of 1 of 20 firearms!

The Ultimate Event for Sportsmen

Make your online reservations now: www.sandiegosci.org

22

Safari Club Christmas Party— Trophy Room Tour —

Whatanightisplannedforyou...Josh&MaraZigmanarehostingourChristmaspartyandtrophyroomtourevent!

TheirTrophyRoombragsover125mountsfromthefollowingplaces:

U.S. States:•California• Idaho•Montana•NorthDakota•Kentucky•NewMexico•Texas•Florida• Iowa

Mexico:•Baha•Señora•Campeche

EventDetails

Pleasegotohttp://www.sandiegosci.org/event/christmas-party-2014/?instance_id=66andmakereservationsonline.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,[email protected]

Remember - a reservation made is a reservation paid!

Welookforwardtoseeingyou!

ReservationsRequired

Canada:•BritishColumbia:fortSt.John, Vancouverisland,Quenel, WilliamsLake,Terrace,•Alberta•NorthPole:GrieseFiord•Quebec:Labrador•NorthwestTerritories,FortSimmons, NahanneMountains

Plus More Countries:•NewZealand•Africa•Tanzania•Botswana•Cameroon•Namibia•SouthAfrica

•Date:Saturday,12/5/2015•Time:4PM-8PM•Location: HomeofJosh&MaraZigman550AlbionStreetSanDiego,CA92103•Cost:$40perperson-Cash,CreditCard,orCheckatthedoor

Please Patronize Our Fine Sponsors

23

NWTF, founded in 1973, is a non- profi t conservation and educational organization dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and other game animals and preserving hunting traditions.Website: http://www.sandiegoturkey.com/


24

APPLY FOR ANY PLANOR VIEW BENEFITS

ONLINE AT:SAFARIGLOBALTRAVEL.COM

Lowest prices for international travelIncludes evacuation and medical coverageTrip cancellation plans available

Evacuation Only Travel PlansUSA and International Plans

Evacuation Only Travel PlansUSA and International Plans

Lowest prices for USA and international travel Includes evacuation and medical coverage Trip cancellation plans available

Email: [email protected] & Associates

Bob DawsonSafari Club Life Member

Phone (619) 460-5615

SAFARIGLOBALTRAVEL


25

ALASKA PENINSULA BROWN BEAR HUNTSUNIT 9E

I guide only one or two bear hunters per season. Each hunter is guided by me personally. Hunts are conducted out of rustic cabins located in my hunting unit. I take pride in providing my hunters with a personalized experience. I’m happy to provide references.Please feel free to call me for details

Mark Wagner / Boot Bay Guide ServiceRegistered Guide License #1222Phone (907) 617-0507 • E-mail: [email protected]

Taken May 2012 by Eli M. of Tacoma Washington


26


27


28

San Diego (619) 221-8500 2838 Garrison St.Los Angeles (Direct Line) (213) 625-1421

Looking for private land to hunt, fish, hike or camp, maybe with your kids or grandchildren? You must see My Country Club! Over 60,000 acres of mountain land, rolling hills, ponds and streams. Ponds are stocked with bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. Hunt deer, turkey, dove, quail, pheasant, duck, geese, bandtail pigeon, rabbit and varmints on big acreage that is reserved for you. Archery hunters, we have set aside prime land for bow hunting only. Come up, hunt, fish, sight in your guns or just enjoy being in paradise and the beauty of the Southern California mountains. Contact MCC today 760-782-3503 or [email protected]

Beard Hobbs & AssociatesBeard Hobbs, Esq.

Construction Litigation/Business Collections

1014 Broadway, Suite AEl Cajon, CA 92021

Office: 619-201-8467Fax: 619-749-0656

[email protected] www.contractorjustice.com

DAWSON & ASSOCIATES INSURANCE SERVICES SINCE 1977

Business Owners, Workers Comp, Liability,Health, Life, Commercial Marine, Medicare

Direct Phone: 619.990.3068Office: 619.460.5615

Fax: 619.460.56285000 Thorne Drive, Suite A

La Mesa, CA 91942

Email: [email protected]: www.DRinsuranceCenter.com

Bob DawsonCA. License 0540346


29

LYONS & O’HAVER, INC.MASTER TAXIDERMIST

OVER 50 YEARS FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

[email protected]

8180 PARKWAY DR.LA MESA, CA 91942

(619) 697-3217(619) 463-1053 FAX

Trophy Times advertising spacenow available

Business card size ad: $75 per yearQuarter page size ad: $135 per yearHalf page size ad: $250 per year

For further information, please contact Newsletter Editor e-mail: [email protected]


30

Support those who support us!Our advertisers help us publish this newsletter for you by deferring some of the cost.

Be sure give them your business when shopping and take a moment to say“Thanks for your support.”

• BeardHobbs-AttorneyatLaw • ChipitaniSafariCompany • Dawson&AssociatesInsurance SafariGlobalTravel • DiamondEnvironmentalServices • ErvinS.Wheeler,M.D.,F.C.A.S. • FeatherstoneDrywall • Fisherman’sLanding • GatewayNorthOutfitters • GlennD.MitchelRealtors • JohnLatham-MasterGuide • Lyons&O’HaverTaxidermists

WANTEDThe Trophy Times welcomes stories and reports of your outdoor tales of adventure in the areas of

hunting, fishing, shooting, conservation and related subjects. Share these articles and stories with other members of the San Diego Chapter and have the satisfaction of seeing your article in print.

Please e-mail your stories and photographs to the Trophy Times Editor at [email protected] or mail to San Diego Chapter SCI, PO Box 600155, San Diego, CA 92160.

You do not need to include an article or story to submit a photographto be considered for the front page of the next newsletter.

HUNTING STORIES, ARTICLES, PHOTOGRAPHS

• MarkWagner/ BootBayGuideService • MasterLiens • MyCountryClub • NationalWildTurkeyFederation • NorthstarRiverExpeditions

• PaulLoska,LandSurveying • Project2000ShootingRange • SagePointFinancial • SNSOutfitter&Guides • TuffpakbyNalpak • WintershoekSafaris • Zigman-Shields

31

IfyouwouldliketoreceiveonlyanelectroniccopyofTrophyTimes,pleasegototheChapterwebsitewww.sandiegosci.org.Clickon“VisitourNewsletterPage.”Clickon“SubscribetoE-Newsletters,”enteryouremailaddress,andclickon“Subscribe,”toreceivethenewsletterelectronically.ThiswillenableustoreduceourTrophyTimesprintingandmailingcosts.

Bulletin BoardAre you looking for a hunting partner, information about a specific animal,

hunting locations, firearms questions, or other sports-related subjects?Chapter members have the opportunity to post

non-commercial items in the newsletter.Contact the Trophy Times editor, [email protected] for information.

Copyright ©2015 San Diego Chapter Safari Club International, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or incorporated into any information retrieval system without written permission of the publisher. For permission, contact the editor.

Are you missing the information that comes from SCI through their“Crosshairs Newsletter”? Crosshairs is published with a California Edition

containing pertinent information for our state.You can subscribe by sending an email to: [email protected].

San Diego SCI Book ReviewBACKTRACKING GRANDFATHER an autobiography covering some seventy years of hunting experiences and the history of these times by Wilt Williams. Published 2014; hard cover, signed.

FISH OR CUT BAIT “the remarkable life and sport fishing legacy of Captain Bill Poole”by Chuck Garrison.

Both of these books are about local members and are well written and interesting. The books are free and can be ordered by contacting Ingrid Poole-Williams at 619-222-1334.

Donation instructions are sent with each book, should the reader care to make a tax deductible contribution, after reading that will benefit youth in the field or Chapter conservation projects.

Membership ReportSince our very successful Auction ’15 event, ten new members have joined the Chapter. Eight of these joined at our two summer dinner meetings, which have also proven to be productive venues for generating new memberships. We welcome all of the new SCI members to the San Diego chapter of SCI! Respectfully submitted, JackHawley,MembershipChair

SAN DIEGO CHAPTER SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONALwww.sandiegosci.org

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIPNAME _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PHONES_________________________________ _________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS________________________________________ OCCUPATION__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(first) (middle) (last) (spouse)

Home — include area code Business — include area code Cell — include area code

STREET________________________________________________ MAILING P.O.B______________________________________________

CITY___________________________________________________ STATE_____________________________ ZIP________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MEMBERSHIP DUES - PLEASE CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX� 1 YEAR $65 National SCI dues & $25 San Diego Chapter dues - $90� 3 YEARS $150 National SCI dues & $75 San Diego Chapter dues - $225� SCI LIFE $1,500 National SCI Life dues, 60 and under � SCI SENIOR LIFE $1,250, 60 and overYOU MUST BE AN SCI LIFE MEMBER IN ORDER TO BECOME A CHAPTER LIFE MEMBER � UNDER 60 CHAPTER LIFE - $350 � OVER 60 CHAPTER LIFE - $250 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Enclose check for $________________________________or go online at www.sandiegosci.org to use PAYPAL.

________________________________________________________ _________________________________ (APPLICANT’S SIGNATURE) (DATE OF APPLICATION)___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please complete the mailing address and email information as this is where you will receive Chapter and SCI correspondence.If at all possible, we would like to utilize your email address for this purpose.

MAILING ADDRESS

PLEASE MAIL TO: San Diego Chapter SCI • P.O. Box 600155 • San Diego, CA 92160

November 2015 issue

Auction ’16: American Safari Party · out after hunting. After the baboon and lunch we hopped in...

Documents

Transcript of Auction ’16: American Safari Party · out after hunting. After the baboon and lunch we hopped in...