Oregon’s ‘Newest’ Record Columbia Blacktail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oregon’s 19th Century Trophy Blacktail

 

Roseburg resident Dave Heffner has been trained and certified as an official scorer for both Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young.  Because of his passion for hunting, he volunteers to measure the hard earned trophies of Oregon hunters, by working at the yearly Sportsman’s shows in Eugene, Roseburg and Medford.  February 2009 found him in Eugene, meeting with the proud owners of big game trophies, covering the spectrum from forked horn deer, to trophy sized Rocky Mountain elk and bleached white bear and cougar skulls.

 

Busily working to finish scoring the antlers in his hands, Dave hardly noticed the approach of a man carrying a mounted deer head and horns.  Although he’d barely glanced at the man, something in the back of his mind gnawed on him to look up.  When he did, he could scarcely believe his eyes.  Standing before him was Bob Suttles, holding what might have been the largest blacktail buck Dave had ever seen.  For a brief second he thought, “I didn’t know they came that big.”

       

Mr. Suttles’ blacktail deer had eight points on the right side and twelve on the left.  After deductions the rack officially scored 195-6/8 inches, making it the second largest non-typical blacktail buck recorded in the Record Book for Oregon’s Big Game Animals.  The largest buck on record has a score of 208-1/8 inches and the antlers of the buck holding the #3 position measure 184-2/8.   These two bucks were respectively harvested in 1962 and 1953, a fact that brings us to the rest of the story. 

       

Bob Suttles is not the hunter who brought this deer from the woods of western Oregon.  Truth be told, Mr. Suttles was not yet born when this exceptional buck was ‘first’ taken to a taxidermist.  Grover Cleveland was President of the United States when a lucky Oregon hunter harvested this deer in the fall of 1895!  Upon learning this, Dave telephoned me and we made arrangements to meet with Mr. Suttles.

       

This awesome buck was given to Bob Suttles by a coworker in 1985.  The buck had been relegated to the friend’s garage and was destined for a Lane County landfill.  Bob took it home so it could be enjoyed by his sons, both of whom were active hunters.  Understandably the head-mount was in poor condition after ninety years.  So, much to the chagrin of his wife, Lori, the nearly one-hundred year old deer mount found a home above the fireplace in their home.  The boys thought it was “way cool”.

       

As the story goes, this buck was taken in the Alsea Unit about fourteen miles west of the community of Alpine, Oregon, about thirty minutes west of I-5.  The right antler still holds a steel cable, secured to it by a state employee one year before Henry Ford invented his first automobile (the Quadricycle) and thirteen years before he offered the first Model T for sale in 1908.  It is difficult to grasp, but the cable was fastened to this blacktail’s antler eight years before the Wright brothers’ historic flight at Kitty Hawk.

       

In 1995 Bob learned his coworkers were having a big buck contest.  Knowing what the result would be, he took his deer to work.  He told me everyone asked him what the buck’s antlers scored, but he had no idea.  In 1996 Bob took the buck to the Eugene Sportsman show and it was measured by J.D. Gore.  Bob said no one really made a fuss about the deer, so he took it home and returned the deer to its honored position in the living room.  It remained there until the year 2000, when he took it to Adams Taxidermy in Eugene.

        

The original mold for the head mount was made of wood, plaster and square nails.  Over time the hide and mold had deteriorated, leaving the buck looking less than majestic to say the least.  Bob’s family wanted to treat this great animal with the respect it deserved.  Placed onto a modern form and fitted with a new cape, the deer looks great.  You would never guess the deer was taken in the 19^th Century and remounted in the 21^st.  Mother Nature builds antlers to last.  Perhaps this buck will remain in the family and Bob’s great, great grandchild will proudly display it in their home in the next century.

       

When local advertising began for the 2009 Eugene Sportsman show, Bob’s son-in-law, Chris Travis, initiated a campaign to persuade Bob to enter his buck into the show’s head and horns competition.  Chris’ persistence paid off and on Sunday afternoon Bob found himself trekking across the parking lot of the expo center, packing the immensely awkward deer mount.  Unfortunately, Bob arrived past the closing time for the 2009 competition, but not too late for official measurer Dave Heffner to instantly recognize a world class set of antlers. 

       

After photographing the deer at Bob’s home, I sent pictures of the cable secured to the deer’s antler to Tod Lum, a biologist with Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, working in the Roseburg office.  Tod told me that ODF&W did check deer in the late 1800’s and said they often secured this type of cable to antlers.  Unfortunately, the tag on this deer did not have a number engraved in the steel, making it unidentifiable.

       

In addition to telling him the year this deer was taken, Bob’s friend had told him the buck was shot with a rifle, and said the hunter was a man named James Ball.  Tod Lum was unable to find the department’s paper files from so long ago.  Without the ability to check state records, I am unable to confirm the tale of this deer’s demise.  But likewise, I cannot disprove it.  The year of this buck’s death is not a critical component to securing a place in the records of big game animals.  The antlers of this incredible Oregon trophy speak for themselves.

       

I spent several hours with Bob Suttles.  For him, the most important thing is that the deer be treated with respect.  He told me his children had grown up with this deer in their home, and it has become an irreplaceable possession.  For generations to come, members of his family will hear the story of his saving this trophy from a less than honorable grave in a landfill.  I came away with one certainty; this deer will undoubtedly outlast us all.

 

Note:  I have heard of a new world record blacktail buck that may come forward this year.  This buck has an incredible score of 213-5/8 inches!  I have yet to see any official notice of this deer.

The Buffalo Bear of Mt. Ashland

The Buffalo Bear / Oregon’s Best Archery Bear – Ever

 

They say records are made to be broken.  Oregon bow hunter John Souza blasted his state’s 20^th Century records, raising the bar for archers in the new millennium.  With an official score of 21-12/16, John’s bear is the largest bear taken with a bow in the history of Oregon, surpassing the record set by Ray Cross in 1989.  In fact, only one rifle hunter has taken a bear with a bigger skull. The bear that formerly held the number two slot was taken in 1900!

 

John is the owner/operator of a dive shop in southern Oregon, specializing in teaching underwater skills.  He stays in shape by spearing fish, playing cat and mouse with Dungeness crabs and prying shell fish from barnacle covered rocks in the frigid waters of the Pacific.  But that’s his “day job”.  For recreation he trudges up, down and across the rugged mountains of southwestern Oregon.  Armed with a stick and string instead of a spear and net, the prey he seeks is a bit larger.  Having spent decades pursuing elk, deer and black bear, John is an accomplished archer.  And gentlemen, he is fortunate enough to have a spouse who not only enjoys hunting, but she is his biggest competitor. 

 

While scouting public land in the rocky, dry terrain of Oregon’s Applegate Unit in Jackson County, John discovered a waterhole containing an elk wallow.  Located in a transition zone on the side of a large canyon, at a point where the timber (coniferous trees) meets large patches of oak trees, an active spring is almost impossible to find in this arid country.  Famous for its late fall and winter rainy season, the northwest is generally bone dry from July into October.  Only a small number of creeks and springs have water during the late August through late September bow season.  While deer are hiding from the sun this time of year, cow elk endure their estrus cycle and crazed bulls wear themselves thin.  John knew he had a real gem when he found a wallow, encircled by a large quantity of elk, deer and bear tracks.

 

On the morning of September 20, 2008, John parked his truck on the mountain long before the sun chased away the night.  He had a two mile downhill, side hill and uphill trudge in pure darkness to reach the waterhole.  Swirling winds forced him to journey well below his destination before making a straight-line approach, causing even more walking.  About 6:30 a.m. he sat with his back to a large oak blow-down, just 22 yards from the elk wallow and the main game trail.  Situated comfortably, he nocked an arrow and waited for light to come peering over the crest of the mountain.  The air was cool and crisp, a perfect morning to harvest a big bull elk.

 

By 7:00 a.m. the shooting light was adequate and John decided he would attempt to get things rolling with some calling.  Hoping to appear as two different animals, he first sounded off with a calf call, followed immediately with an imitation of a cow elk mewing.  After three or four sets of calling there was a loud snap from the breaking of a heavy limb, just 100 yards into the brush.  Having no doubt the sound was caused by the movements of an elk, John prepared to shoot.  Thrilled he may fill his elk tag so quickly, he gave two calf elk calls, “just to say hello”.

 

That did it!  He heard the animal running toward him.  He could see the movement of legs at ground level, moving quickly, causing his adrenalin level to rise a bit.  That was when the confusion began.  Rather than hearing a grunt, mew or bugle, John heard a “woofing” sound as the animal approached.  When it cleared the brush and was suddenly facing directly toward him, standing motionless at the waterhole, John’s brain was thrown a curve ball. 

 

His mind was in high-gear attempting to comprehend the information being uploaded by his eyes.  For the life of him, John couldn’t understand why a buffalo was at the wallow.  His thoughts kept repeating, “Buffalo.  Huh? What the heck…?” until suddenly the hard drive between his ears slammed to a stop and exclaimed, “BEAR! Not a Buffalo!  Bear, Really BIG Bear!”

 

It was extremely tall with long legs and a head that looked too big for the open end of a five gallon bucket.  There was a large hump on top of his neck and shoulder area, making him look even larger.  He was so immense he simply didn’t look like other black bears John had seen.  Danged if he didn’t look like a buffalo standing there ready to fight.

 

With an expression of anger on his face, disturbed there were no elk to be had for breakfast, he “woofed” a couple more times and drank from the waterhole.  John said there was plenty of time for him to calm his nerves.  He thought about the nice bear rug in his home, and the long standing agreement with his wife, that he would not shoot a bear unless it was much bigger than the one in their house.  He laughed to himself thinking, “I believe this bear will qualify.  She wanted bigger…”

 

John began making a mental checklist in preparation for the shot.  The bear slowly stepped forward and as luck would have it he turned to his right and stood broadside.  Fixed at full draw, John waited until the buffalo’s…bear’s left front leg went forward, fully exposing his rib cage.  Depressing the trigger on his release, the string of his Matthew’s Switchback bow sent an Easton T-LOK broad head silently through the 18 yards of airspace between man and beast.

 

When the arrow entered the bear’s body, he turned his massive head toward the entry site, snapping and popping his teeth, at the same time charging forward at full speed.  The bear was now heading straight for John and he braced for a collision.  John said he placed his bow in front of his body and for an instant he wondered how badly he would be hurt by the wreck that was about to happen – a wreck with a very big, very much alive and extremely angry giant of a black bear.  A fraction of a second before he slammed into John, the bear inadvertently veered to his right, avoiding the crash.  The hunter was breathless.

 

Running just over 150 feet, the bear stopped and began looking around, primarily focusing on the waterhole.  One can only imagine what this predator, the king of this mountain, was thinking.  He was now 52 yards from John.  Limbs and branches created an extremely difficult if not impossible follow-up shot opportunity.  But, good fortune stayed with John.  The bear stepped out from the tangled mess and forged ahead.  The second arrow hit solidly in the main body cavity and the bruin ran over the top of the ridge and out of sight. 

 

Both arrows had passed completely through the bear.  The first was covered with frothy blood and the second with rich dark blood.  Using his cell phone, John called his wife and some friends.  He knew an animal this size, over two miles “downhill” from his truck, was going to require the assistance of as many folks as he could muster for the event.  He returned to his truck to secure his archery equipment and wait for backup.

 

Finding the bear’s trail on brick hard, stone dry ground was not easy. A bear’s thick coat of hair and heavy layers of fat often absorb or block blood at an injury site.  Before finding a clear trail, the hunter and support group spent thirty minutes on their hands and knees attempting to locate blood sign or tracks.  Leave it to a woman, Kim Souza discovered the barely perceptible droplets of blood that put them on the bear’s escape route. 

 

Once over the crest of the ridge the bear ran about 80 yards to an old skid road, then turned and travelled down the mountain at a steep angle.  Approximately 250 yards from the location of the second shot, the searchers found scuff marks leading off the skid road and up a steep bank.  The monster of a bear had collapsed about fifteen yards above the old roadbed. 

 

John said the bear was so heavy he was barely able to raise its head off the ground.  With the help of his wife, John Gilbert and Dave Heryford, they utilized a two wheeled game cart and actually got the animal to the truck intact.  This feat required five and half hours of strenuous labor. 

 

After field dressing, John Souza’s bear weighed 389 pounds.  Bear experts say you can attain a bear’s live weight by adding 18% to the field dressed result.  Doing this, we can estimate the big boar would have tipped the scales at 460 pounds as he was crashing towards John like a locomotive.  Nose to tail he measured an incredible seven feet – three inches and his front pad was eight inches across! 

 

When John Souza sent me pictures of his magnificent trophy, I had to chuckle.  Looking at the enormity of this critter with an unusually large hump on his neck and shoulders, I wholly understood why this bear will forever be known as “The Buffalo Bear” of Mt. Ashland.  Congratulations John!

Archery Goose Hunt in North Carolina

Matt Sherwood takes his son Taylor on his first goose hunt

You may have seen photos in an earlier posting; pictures of Matt Sherwood with huge 50+ pound Carolina catfish.  This time Matt shared photos of he and his son on a fall goose hunt.  Utilizing a portable ground blind, the geese were taken at mere feet from the hunters.  Matt said Taylor was having so much fun he struggled to remain quiet while dad waited for a clean bow shot. 

They say fewer and fewer kids are becoming hunters.  By the look of the grin on his face, I would bet that Taylor Sherwood will have a hunting license in his pocket for the next, oh, eighty years or so.  Good Job Matt!  Keep those photos coming.

Riverside Lodge in Manitoba, Canada

Black Bear, Whitetail and Waterfowl Hunting in Manitoba

Although I have not met face-to-face with Gildas Paradis, he is one of those people you quickly feel you’ve known for years.   I stumbled onto Gildas’ website (http://www.huntriverside.com/) while searching for black bear guides in Manitoba.  I emailed him with some questions and that began an email dialogue.  I found him to be as warm and personal as the words written on his website inferred. 

Gildas and his wife Joanne operate the lodge and outfitting business year round.  Fishing, guided hunts for bear, deer and waterfowl and ensuring their guests are comfortable and well fed, is certainly a full time job.  After viewing their site and conversing with Gildas, I wouldn’t hesitate to book a trip to their lodge.  I know Gildas would gladly supply references for whatever activity interests you.

If you like to look at photos of big deer and bear, and see bird harvests as large as “the good ole days”, check out their website (http://www.huntriverside.com/).

Oregon’s New #1 Archery Mule Deer in Velvet

 

 

 

 

A New Mule Deer Record for Oregon

Using what some folks refer to as a “stick and string”, Oregon hunter Chris Dunlap stalks bucks and bulls in the sometimes-unforgiving heat of August and September.  As with most hunters, for Chris, each season opens with unsullied enthusiasm and hopes that he may bag the trophy of a lifetime.  Who has not fantasized that one-day they may harvest an animal with a mammoth set of antlers.  It is the defining motivation for countless thousands of big game hunters.  Chris Dunlap no longer has to daydream, for his trophy mule deer hunt has been firmly committed to memory. 

Oregon’s 2007 archery season would mark Chris’ seventh year as a bow hunter.  He has taken several deer and worked hard to bag a bull.  He was determined to pull out all the stops and make this his best year to date.  Chris lost weight and began a stringent exercise routine, which included running five miles – five days a week.  Several years of hunting the same terrain inside Jefferson County served to make his numerous scouting trips time-well-spent.  This season held great expectations for he and his hunting partners, which included Oregon resident Nate Richardson and Dave Isenberger from the state of Georgia.

The first several days of the archery opener were a blur of high emotions and missed opportunities.  Chris and his friends worked hard in the steep, rough and dry terrain.  Although they saw numerous bucks, the difficulties associated with archery hunting stuck to them like the dust and chaff from native plants adhered to perspiration on their skin.  Chris told me that before he bought his first bow, a close friend had given him a poignant warning; “Bow hunting is an emotional roller coaster.”  Chris said he has found that nothing else in his experience can take you from low to high and back again, all in fifteen brief seconds.  His 2007 archery hunt got off to an agonizingly slow beginning.

The men saw more than a few good bucks.  They estimated some sported antlers that would have scored in the 140 to 160 inch range.  But, every stalk had ended in failure.  One evening Chris came upon a very nice deer.  He felt this typical 4×4 held 145-inch antlers above a large mature frame.  As the buck fed along peacefully, Chris began his stalk.  When he got close the buck alerted and sharply raised his head into the air.  The buck stood broadside and fixed his gaze in Chris’ direction.  Placing his 40-yard pin on the animals’ vitals he cautiously released the string.  The arrow disappeared into a manzanita bush and the buck bounded away unharmed.  Sickened, use of his range finder showed Chris the buck had been further from him than he had estimated.

With a good nights sleep, the hunters woke with renewed determination on Monday, August 27^th.  Beginning the day at a deep canyon he refers to as his “honey-hole”, Chris quickly spotted something that looked out of place.  Raising binoculars for a closer examination, Chris told me, “… All I could see was HORNS!”

Not bothering to count points, he immediately knocked an arrow and prepared to shoot.  His bad luck was cemented in place; as Chris raised his bow he accidentally touched his release.  He instantly felt the shock of the string blasting the arrow haphazardly into open air space.  The arrow landed twenty-yards in front of the monstrous mule deer.  Chris and his friends watched helplessly as the buck of their dreams exploded across the hillside, taking three additional deer with him.  As the big deer bounced out of sight, Chris’ binoculars served to add pain to the event, allowing him to view the incredible rack of antlers, with long kicker points protruding from the left and right sides.  As this was the last day of their first outing, a dejected Chris Dunlap broke camp and headed home.

Four days later Chris and friends were back on the mountain and resolute as ever to fill their tags.  But it was not to be.  The weekend came and went, with no deer being taken.  However, his personal run of bad luck was about to change in a very big way.

On Saturday, September 8^th, Chris and his friends were back in the woods.  Forsaking deer hunting for the moment, the group was concentrating their efforts on finding bull elk.  But, while telling Dave about the big one that got away, Chris decided to show him the area in which the buck had been feeding.  At this point the buck was nothing more than a good story.

On site, the men observed some does and decided to give the canyon a closer inspection.  In minutes Chris saw a deer that appeared to be twice the size of those standing near to it.  Looking through the slightly enhanced lens of his range finder he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.  He had stumbled onto the big buck, again!

Stopping as close to the buck as he dared, Chris raised his bow as the animal walked slowly ahead, quartering away from him.  Desperate to succeed, he repeated to himself, “Do not punch your trigger”.  He released the arrow and remembers that, “It just felt good”.  As the buck spun and began to run, Chris heard Dave yell, “Perfect Shot!”  The arrow was visibly protruding from the big bucks’ rib cage and his dash to escape was brief.  Traveling only thirty-yards, the buck was down.

Amazed by the site of this colossal deer, Chris couldn’t wait to have the rack scored.  Long time big game measurer Glen Abbot traveled to Chris’ home and pronounced the buck had a gross score of 230-1/8 inches, with an official Pope and Young Club net score of 225-3/8.  This buck handily became the new Oregon state non-typical in velvet record.  According to the North West Book for Oregon Big Game Animals, with a score of 221-2/8, the #2 archery mule deer buck in velvet was taken in 1960.

To top off his newfound achievement, Chris harvested an archery bull elk four days later on September 12^th.  Although it was a bit rough in the beginning, I feel confident believing Chris Dunlap’s 2007 archery season will be a tough act for him to follow in 2008.

Huge North Carolia Catfish

Matt and His Boys with Big Catfish

Matt Sherwood is the son of one of my oldest friends.  Accompanied by his wife Shannon and their boys, Taylor and Logan, Matt moved to Shannon’s home state of North Carolina.  An avid outdoorsman, he immediately set about finding places to hunt for deer and turkeys and the best places to wet a fishing line.  As you can see by the above photographs, he has definitely found some huge catfish!  They have also caught some really large Gar.  When I was a kid we caught a ton of these in the Illinois River.  We called them “Alligator-Gar” because of their long narrow teeth filled jaws.

I’ll give you the FAQ’s, the how and where, after I next speak to Matt.  Until then, I wanted to make these photos available for folks to enjoy.

Good Fishing Matt!  Maybe you can fill in the where and how in the comments section.

I am looking forward to posting some turkey and whitetail deer photos from North Carolina in the future.

Mid-West Whitetails, A Hunters Paradise

 

 

 The Land of Lincoln and Amazing Whitetails

Whitetail deer are the number-one big game animal in America, which probably makes it the most sought after big game animal on the planet.  In spite of incredibly intense hunting pressure, their populations increase each year.  Due to automobile accident expenses, multi-billion dollar insurance companies see them as their archenemy.  These corporations could out-spend most countries.  But, regardless of their best efforts, whitetails continue to multiply and thrive.

When I was a child growing up in the Prairie State, the state authorized deer-hunting season was in its infancy.  America’s new comers had been turning over black Illinois soil for around one-hundred-fifty years and by the early 20^th century deer were seldom, if ever, seen.  Once deer became a protected species the government set about undoing the damage wrought by uncontrolled slaughter and habitat destruction. 

Assisted by landowners, the Department of Natural Resources began transporting and planting deer throughout the state.  By the late 1950’s, very limited hunting seasons were established.  Farming practices began to evolve and crop production improved decade after decade.  With this incredible source of food, as good as provided any well-fed steer, their minions faired well.  In the 2006-2007 deer season, running from October 1^st into January, hunters took home 200,000 individual whitetail deer.  My how things have changed.

(http://www.dnr.state.il.us/pubaffairs/2007/January/deerharvest.html)

Beginning on the first day of October, Illinois archery whitetail season extends into the following year.  Deer tags are sold in a two-pack, with one “doe only” and one “either sex” tag in each package.  Western hunters can’t wrap their minds around this next tidbit of information, so I want them to read it -s l o w l y-.  There is no limit to the number of two-packs resident hunters can purchase…  Yes, resident archery hunters can buy all the deer tags they desire.  There is No Limit.

Not only that, but archers can also hunt during Illinois firearm seasons.  High-powered modern rifles (center fire) are not allowed, but separate seasons are available for shotguns, handguns and muzzleloaders.  Hunters can utilize the most modern equipment available for any firearm that is allowed.  The point is to reduce deer numbers.

My brother Mike and his hunting partners took thirty-three deer in the 2007-2008 seasons.  One of the above photographs show whitetails hanging in Mike’s shop.  Those deer were taken during the shotgun season.  That scene reminds me of old black and white photographs depicting market hunters or huge deer camps where families gathered to hunt each fall.  It is hard to believe that photo was taken within the last five months.

In the future I will write more about the unbelievable deer hunting in Illinois.  I mainly wanted to upload some photos and whet your whistle.

Russia’s Version of the Grizzly

Lords of the Taiga

Siberia is home to some of our planets largest bears.  Recently three Americans experienced the excitement and thrill of a winter hunt in the remote wilds of the former Soviet Union.  Searching for bears in subzero temperatures and knee-deep snow presented these hunters with a unique and memorable big game adventure.

Russia is an enormous country with immense tracts of untouched wilderness.  The opening of its borders has created an amazing opportunity for outdoorsman from around the world. 

Much of Russia’s diversity of wildlife is contained within Siberia.  Encompassing 75% of Russia’s overall landmass, Siberia is truly vast.  A person standing on the beach in Maine is closer to Moscow than a person on Siberia’s eastern coast.  Although Siberia is larger than Canada, it holds only 23% of Russia’s human population.  Three out of four Siberians reside within urban communities.  Those living in isolated rural areas are primarily nomadic herders, farmers or hunters. 

Permafrost covers nearly two-thirds of Siberia and winters are brutally cold.  In the eastern town of “Omyakon”, the temperature has been recorded at -71 degrees Celsius. 

Holding one-fifth of the Earth’s fresh water, Siberia’s Lake Baikal is the largest fresh water lake in the world.  Four hundred miles long and sixty miles wide, the lake is fed by 336 rivers and streams.  Lake Baikal has more endemic species of plants and animals than any lake in the world.  The area surrounding Lake Baikal and the neighboring “Taiga” region, are home to the Eurasian brown bear.  Known for generations as “Lords of the Taiga”, this bear is revered as Russia’s national symbol.

Also known as the Mid-Asian Brown Bear, it should not be confused with enormous coastal brown bears, like North America’s Kodiak.  Siberia’s giant Brown bears are the same species as those found in Alaska.  The Eurasian Brown bear is a smaller inland species, which can grow to a weight of 550 pounds and a length exceeding seven feet.  Like the North American Grizzly, these bears can be ferocious.  Although they would rather avoid human contact, they have a reputation for being a dangerous and menacing animal. 

In January 2005, three lucky Americans traveled to the Taiga region in search of this fierce and beautiful animal.  Their journey would be one of the greatest adventures of their lives. 

Taking part in the hunt were Rick Brophy, Joe Sebo and Wade Derby.  Wade is the owner of Cross Hair Consulting and has booked hunts for clients to destinations around the globe.  He had utilized his Russian contact to book eleven previous expeditions, which included hunts for this magnificent bear. 

The hunters met in Chicago and flew first to Germany, then on to Moscow.  From Moscow the group flew to Irkutsk where their translator met them.  The men were transported by automobile to the village of Oanlang, a drive of 550km by car.  The next morning Rick Brophy and Joe Sebo said goodbye to Wade, traveling to a hunting camp some distance to the north.

Wade described his comfortable accommodations in Oanlang as being similar to a bed and breakfast in the States.  Joe, Rick and Wade were among the first Americans to visit this remote village of about 1,000 residents.  Wade told me that as he walked about the village, groups of children gathered and followed him with wide grins and spellbound curiosity.  He said he could not have felt more welcome, or more at ease.

Finally the date and time of Wade’s hunt arrived at 5:00AM on the morning of January 5^th.  The crisp morning air stopped the descending mercury at minus-41 degrees.  Their excursion into the Taiga wilderness began in darkness.  This far north, in January, dawn emerges about 10:00AM and nightfall arrives a mere seven hours later.  

After a five-hour ride in an automobile, the group stopped for lunch.  Then, Wade was seated in a sled and covered with animal pelts (furs) for warmth.  The snowmobile -sled caravan of five men and three dogs headed northeast across the Siberian wilderness.  As they traversed the frozen landscape, Wade had time to consider the history and solitude of their geographical location.  Mongolia is a mere forty-five minutes from their lunch stop, and China’s border was only two-hours to the south.  This was the land of Genghis Khan, home to Mongolian War Lords who in centuries past had conquered the mighty armies of Asia and Europe.  The Russian Steppes are ancient and timeless, holding great handfuls of the history of man.

The lead guide knew the location of an active bear den and steered the group in that direction.  About one hour into the sled ride, they discovered a trail with bear tracks lined out in the snow.  Gathering their gear, men and dogs followed the tracks on foot.  The three dogs, which resembled Akita’s and Huskies’, were restrained by leashes and were silent as the group trudged through shin to knee-deep powdery snow.  The temperature held tight at forty degrees below zero and Wade was grateful there was no perceptible wind.

Approximately thirty minutes into the hike they reached a small grove of trees and brush.  There was a raised mound of earth visible inside a spruce thicket, about fifteen feet directly in front of Wade.  The dogs were released and guides began speaking to one another in hushed tones.  Just to his right Wade observed claw marks on a tree.  The translator told him bears mark their den sites by scaring trees in this manner. Wade stepped behind the bear marked tree and brought his scope-less Russian made CZ75, .308 caliber rifle to the ready, bracing it on his hand and the tree’s trunk.

Almost immediately a dog began barking, announcing the presence of a bear.  Wade saw a vague impression of movement at the mound and heard a low guttural growl.  It was the bear, charging across the mound toward he and the guides at full speed.  Wade fired into the bear’s chest.  Almost simultaneously, two additional gunshots added to the blur of excitement.  Before Wade could function the bolt and fire again, the enraged bear stopped and fell nose first into the snow, only eight feet from his boots.  Wade said this nearly instant burst of time, transpiring in the blink of an eye, would be etched in his mind forever.

The second and third gunshots were fired by two of the guides, each attempting to halt the charging bear.  Only one of these bullets connected with the bear, striking a hindquarter.  Upon field dressing the animal, they discovered the round fired from Wade’s rifle had basically split in half.  A portion of the bullet had entered the bear’s heart, with the other half driving upward and penetrating the base of the skull cavity.  That was certainly a stroke of luck for Mr. Derby.

Due to subzero temperatures, the guides rapidly field dressed the bear, made their initial skinning cuts, and quickly loaded it onto a sled for transport. When they arrived in the village the bear was taken to a heated building in order to complete the skinning and to process the meat.  Experienced hands boiled the skull and salted the hide, preparing both for the long journey to America.  Wade said the guides were true professionals in their care of his magnificent trophy.

Wade’s bear weighed approximately 502 pounds, was nine years old, and measured 7′-2″ from nose to tail.  The skull was somewhat damaged by the bullet, but still measured approximately 21 inches.  Were it not for the damage, they estimated the skull would have scored 23 or 24 inches on the B&C scale.

Rick Brophy of Oakley, California and Joe Sebo from Atlanta, Georgia, each acquired their own Taiga trophies.  Joe’s boar measured approximately seven feet, and Rick’s was slightly smaller, at six feet long.  All three men spoke highly of the guides, and marveled at their knowledge and experience. 

Hunt Logistics

If you would like to book this hunt, or any of the thirty-six different hunts Wade can arrange in Russia, you can reach him at: http://www.crosshairconsulting.com/.  Wade explained some of the relevant issues and governmental requirements to me, and offered some advice.

Hunters can use their personal firearms in Siberia, but, Wade’s Russian contact arranged for he and his hunting companions to rent firearms in country.  Due to the short distances involved in this particular hunt, riflescopes should be removed and left at home.

The trip from Chicago to Oanlang took about 36 hours, which included a seven-hour automobile ride from Irkutsk to the village.  Wade told me there were no hitches or unexpected difficulties in their travel arrangements.  He strongly recommends spending the night in Moscow upon arrival in Russia.  This will provide an opportunity for site seeing and the chance to rest up.

Bears can be hunted in the spring, fall and winter, inland and along the coast.  The huge coastal Brown bears can be hunted on Sakhalin Island and the Kamchatka Peninsula, which is actually very near to Japan.  These bears sometimes measure an incredible 8.5 to 10 feet from nose to tail.

Some of the species available to hunters are Ibex, Snow Sheep, Marco Polo Sheep, Moose, Maral (like an Elk or Stag), Izuber (similar in size to a Tule Elk), Caberge (Siberian Musk deer or Fanged deer), Wolves, Wolverines, Black Grouse and Capercailzie – a turkey sized member of the grouse family.  These hunts range in price from around $800.00 to as much as several thousand.  In January 2005 the base cost of the Eurasian brown bear hunt was $4,500.00, which included all actual hunt expenses inside Russia.  With travel, the hunt experienced by Wade, Rick and Joe cost approximately $6,500.00.  When compared to the cost of hunting Grizzly bears in Canada or Alaska, or hunting the Alaskan Brown bear, this trip is quite affordable.

There are several certificates and clearances required by the Russian and U. S. governments, including a travel Visa and a CITES permit (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).  You must carry a copy of your hunting contract and Russian hunting license with you when returning to the U. S., as the bear will be traveling home with you.  The guide must prepare a document written in English, which fully explains how you lawfully harvested the animal you are returning home with.  Wade has connections and practice to ensure each of these necessities is acquired, including a travel agent who arranges all international flights.

Mr. Derby strongly suggests hunters learn some Russian words and phrases.  He said he was thankful he had purchased a Russian phrase and wordbook, saying it was quite helpful while in the village.

Noting the differences in our cultures, these men suggest hunters should remain open minded.  The historical significance of the trip was not lost on Wade.  When speaking of his Russian experience, Wade said he felt it was a genuine privilege to hunt in Siberia.  In fact, he is making plans for a return trip in order to hunt bears in the spring of 2005 and Marco Polo and Ibex in the fall of 2007.

All in all, these hunters felt this was truly their trip of a lifetime.  Wade, Joe and Rick will always treasure their personal encounters with these “Lords of the Taiga.”

This Young Lady is a Successful Hunter and Author

My First Deer, written by McKenzie Badley-Mann

The morning of the hunt I woke up at 6:00 am.  It was mid-November in 2006 and I was going to try to shoot my first deer.  It was a typical fall morning in the Northwest, cloudy and cold.  Excited about the hunt, I quickly tumbled out of bed and put on my hunting clothes.  I wore long johns, camo pants and long-sleeved shirt, and wool socks.  I was not very hungry, but I ate a small breakfast anyway.  All I could think about was the big kill! On the way out the door I grabbed my Marlin 30-30 and my dad and I started out for a hike around our property and surrounding foothills.

After several hours of seeing nothing we headed back home for a bathroom break and to warm up.  It had been a long cold morning and I was worn out from walking the rough terrain.  Not only was I tired; I was disappointed we had not seen any sign of deer.  I was beginning to wonder if I would actually get the chance to shoot one. As the day passed by I was almost ready to give up when my dad suggested trying a new spot.  He was confident we would find a deer and asked if I wanted to go.  My first thought was to call it a day, but then I thought, “What if there was a deer?”  I was not ready to pass up the opportunity so we climbed in my dad’s pickup truck and headed toward a hunting spot 45 minutes away.

Shortly after arriving at the new area my dad spotted a young deer feeding deep in the woods. All of the sudden I saw him, a buck! I was so excited, and I could tell my dad was too. I quietly walked toward the deer to get a better view.  I lifted the barrel of my gun, put my eye to the scope and…nothing.  I was so anxious I could not find the deer!  I started to panic.  I was so frustrated, almost in tears. 

As I lowered my gun to try to find the deer again it was too late.  As I watched him walk away I was devastated.  I felt I had lost my only chance to kill my first deer.  But my luck changed again.  My dad was pointing into the trees where the deer had stopped.  I felt my heart start to pound and I knew I was not going to let him get away a second time.  Dad and I stalked the deer into the woods where I set up a shot at 30 yards.  I took a deep breath, lifted my gun, pulled the hammer back and found the deer in my scope.  I was set to take the shot.  I put my finger on the trigger, and without thinking, I shot it!   I looked up from my scope and the deer was still standing.  I looked at my dad and then back at that deer as it dropped to the ground right where it was standing. I yelled to my dad, “I got it!  I got it!  I shot my first deer!”

We waited a few minutes before approaching the deer. We wanted to make sure it was really dead.  After what seemed like an eternity we headed down the hill to examine the deer. As I got closer to it my heart raced. I couldn’t wait to see what I had shot. It was a spike.  Daddy pulled out his knife and gutted the deer while I assisted. We packed it out and headed home.

I got home and couldn’t wait to show everyone what I had accomplished! Now when we eat tacos I know that we are eating my deer that I provided for the family. The deer’s hide now lays in my family room and whenever I see it I think back to the day I shot my first deer.

Trail Cameras, The Modern Way To Scout

Trail Cams – See Who’s Coming to Dinner

 

You’ve been waiting and planning the better part of a year.  The boss approved your vacation request eight long months ago.  Your wife told you that if you don’t stop talking about it, you would be living in your tent until hunting season opens.  This year, with two full weekends and five-workdays you have a total of nine-days with no job related responsibilities.  But, with drive time and camp set-up, you will have only six days in the field.  There isn’t a moment to waste. 

Who wouldn’t want to know the size of an animal and when it actually utilizes a specific trail or feeding area?  How much money and effort would you expend for that information?  With the advent of digital photography, manufacturers are making the solution more affordable and reliable every year.  Trail cameras can save your vacation and your hunt.

These devices are called by a profusion of names, such as trail cameras, stealth cameras, scouting cameras, trail sentries and recon cameras.  You can still purchase trail cameras that use 35mm film.  But, manufacturers are focusing on digital cameras.  You don’t even need a computer with many of the latest models. 

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife uses trail cameras to help them determine the number of animals in a particular area, thereby aiding them in animal population estimates.  Dave Immell is a biologist assigned to ODF&W’s Roseburg office.  He showed me several photographs of bears taken in the Cascades, by means of trail cameras.  Their  cameras are placed along trails utilized by bears and other wildlife. 

Some newer trail cameras have a built in photograph-viewing screen, allowing you to see and delete photographs without removing the camera or digital memory card.  Most modern cameras are designed to allow the owner to view photographs on a television screen.  I especially like the idea of this feature.  I nearly always have a television in camp so my friends and I can view daily film footage, watch films from previous hunting trips, or be entertained by professionally made hunting tapes.  This trail camera feature would allow everyone to view hunt related photographs in camp.  And finally, some systems utilize a removable digital camera.  This means the camera can be placed inside the trail cam case, or used at home as a family camera. 

Trail cameras are not complicated.  They utilize a PIR sensor, a type of motion detector that uses invisible infrared light to detect movement.  If you’ve ever observed the cloudy white or gray plastic cover at the base of a motion detection light, that is the housing for the PIR sensor, which operates the motion sensitive outdoor light.  Be sure the trail camera you purchase uses a PIR sensor that requires both movement and body heat to activate.  Otherwise, every falling leaf or limb bobbing in the wind will activate the camera’s shutter. 

Josh Johnson, one of the owners of Spot-Hogg Archery equipment, lives north of Eugene.  He has been operating trail cameras for several years in western and eastern Oregon.  He and a friend built nearly thirty trail cam units at home.  Josh said they use about ten cameras at a time and each of them has hundreds or thousands of wildlife photographs.  They acquired many of their trail camera parts from Pix Controller (http://www.pixcontroller.com/). 

Josh was a wealth of information.  He told me he has owned several name brand trail cams and each of them have positive features and particular problems.  One of the biggest concerns is battery life and the battery system utilized by a manufacturer.  With some models the batteries will last only about one week, even if no photos are taken.  Some will only work at very close ranges, reaching the limit of their capabilities at around 20 to 25 yards. 

Also, you want the quickest camera shutter speed you can find.  If you are constantly getting flank shots or nothing but close-ups, that may be related to a slow shutter speed.  Buyers must ask questions and look for retailers who have answers to specific equipment questions.  Go online and read everything you can find.  Visit “Trail Cam Pros” on line (http://www.trailcampro.com/) to read reviews of most retail trail cameras .  Lets face it, trail cameras can be expensive, some cost more than $600.00.   Do your homework.

Be careful how you affix your camera to a tree.  In addition to being concerned about theft, you have to consider that a curious bear may try to rip it off the tree.  While cable locks such as used on bicycles, will work really well in the woods, one of the biggest problems are curious bears moving them around on the tree.  If that happens directly after you placed the camera, you could lose many days of valuable preseason scouting.  Josh suggests you place long wood screws above and below the cable on either side of the box.  This will prevent the camera from sliding from side to side or up and down.  Be sure to remove the screws from the tree when you relocate your camera. 

Do not place your camera at a 90-degree angle to a trail.  Once the animal activates your camera’s shutter, he could be out of the lens view if you place the camera in such a manner.  Place your camera looking down a trail at a slight angle – facing the direction from which you believe your game will come.  In that way, unless the animal is running, you will get a photograph of its approach.

Ensure your camera isn’t facing directly into the sun for part of the day.  Have you ever tried to take family photos with the sun in your face?  It doesn’t work.  Place the camera facing north or south, or under a canopy of heavy tree limbs or tall brush. 

It is imperative that objects are removed from your cameras shooting lane or line of sight.  Leaves or fern branches warmed in the sun and then moved about by wind will activate your PIR sensor.  Also, hanging brush or branches may partially hide the body of the animal walking toward your camera.  Take a pair of brush clippers or a machete with you when scouting the location for your camera.

You will reduce the problem of bringing attention to your camera if you buy one with an infrared flash, rather than a standard white light.  Josh said bears and elk are more likely to damage the camera if it has a standard flash.  A bright flash of light suddenly blinding them on the trail could be enough to prevent animals from using that trail for some time.  In my limited experience this has not been a problem, the bears, deer and turkeys I have photographed paid little attention to the flash.  But, animals survive by avoiding things that scare them or which they cannot understand.  Keep in mind that high quality color photographs are more difficult to capture with infrared. 

Consider placing the camera at or near a favorite source of food.  When spring bear hunting, consider placing your camera in areas with tall grasses and perhaps skunk cabbage.  In the fall, put the camera near berry patches or on trails leading to those delicacies.  Where I hunt, bears use creek beds as travel routes in the fall.  Blackberries often grow along creek beds and they can be busy animals highways when the berries are ripe.

Josh Johnson lives and hunts in Oregon.  He said he has photographs of coyotes, cougars, playing bear cubs, big bears, and great bucks and bulls, all because he uses his cameras several weeks or months per year.  He told me the quality of his photographs has dramatically improved with experience. 

My grandfather wouldn’t believe the hunting devices we take for granted in the 21^st Century.  I’m certain he would be astonished to learn that while we are sitting at home watching a ball game or sleeping soundly in our beds, miles away our digital trail camera is making a permanent record of bear, deer or elk going about their business at our favorite hunting locations.  I urge you to take advantage of every means possible.  Make the most of your vacation before it arrives.  Get a trail cam and see who’s coming to dinner.