Washington Chapter of FNAWS

SUMMER
ISSUE
June 2010
Washington Chapter of FNAWS
BOARD OF DI RECTORS
SUBMISSIONS:
The Wild Sheep
Newsletter is published
by the WA Chapter of
FNAWS. Members,
friends and committee
chairmen are invited to
submit stories, photos,
comments and short
articles.
Address all newsletter
correspondence to:
Glen Landrus
2751 Scenic Hills Dr.
Clarkston, WA
99403
509.758.7839
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Changes of address
require 30 days notice.
Information, articles and
opinions expressed do
not necessarily reflect the
opinions of the WA
Chapter of FNAWS or its
officers.
Officers:
President
Glen Landrus
2751 Scenic Hills Dr.
Clarkston, WA 99403
H-509.758.7839 W-509.243.4151
[email protected]
Vice-President
Bryan Bailey
3121 St. Hwy 508
Onalaska, WA 98570
H-360.978.6048 W-360.496.5411
F-360.496.3373
[email protected]
Vice-President
Andy Kelso
PO Box 656
Graham, WA 98338
C-253.312.7347
[email protected]
Secretary
Ken Harris
221 NW 105th St.
Seattle, WA 98177
H-206.706.7921 W-206.200.3611
[email protected]
Treasurer
Mike Vincent
8404 364th Ave SE
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
W-206.292.3495 C-206.793.6363
[email protected]
COMMITTEES
Board Members:
Craig Martin
744 Wolf Fork Rd.
Dayton, WA 99328
H-509.382.4930
C-208.750.6433
[email protected]
Steve Kline, Past President
PO Box 176
Otis Orchards, WA 99027
C-509.954.8414
[email protected]
Clinton Harris
3905 403rd St E
Eatonville, Wa. 98328
[email protected]
Roy Reese
[email protected]
Jerry Tyrrell, Past President
600 S 56th Place
Ridgefield, WA 98642
360.887.7400
[email protected]
Sam Richardson
19506 N. Halliday Rd
Mead, WA 99021
H-509.238.6484
Earl Landrus
1191 Lawrence Dr.
Clarkston, WA 99403
C-208.790.5220
Membership & Merchandise: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Group Projects: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Newsletter & Special Projects: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wildlife Projects: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publicity: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Banquet: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Website: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HERD LIAISONS
NC Herd
NE Herd
SE HERD 1
Cover photo, page 4 photo
and page 5 photo by
Steve Kline
2
Bryan Bailey
Ken Harris
Jerry Tyrrell
Craig Martin
Bryan Bailey
Andy Kelso
Glen Landrus
Sinlahekin, Mt. Hull, Vulcan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steve Kline
Lincoln Cliffs, Hall Mt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steve Kline
Hells Canyon, Asotin Ck., Mtn View,
Black Butte, Joseph Ck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glen Landrus
SE HERD 2 Wenaha, Tucannon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Craig Martin
S CENTRAL Quilomene, Selah, Cleman, Tieton, Umtanum . . . . . . . . . .Bryan Bailey
N CENTRAL Swakane, Chelan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ken Harris
FROM THE PRESIDENT
The following is a letter sent to Director Anderson and the WDFW
Commission:
Dear Director Anderson & DFW Commission,
I am writing on behalf of the board of directors of the Washington
Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep
(WAFNAWS) to express our complete dissatisfaction with the recent
adoption of the expansion of big game raffle program. Not only
do we disagree with the decision to adopt the proposal, we are even
more dissatisfied and disturbed with the process that lead up to this
expansion.
To help you further understand our position, below is a FACTUAL
timeline of WAFNAWS role in the expansion of the raffle program:
• In November, 2008 WAFNAWS was notified that the department
was researching a “multi-species” special permit opportunity.
WAFNAWS position at the time was we would not support ANY
expansion of the raffle/auction program without FULL
disclosure of past raffle/auction expenditures by the department.
that we are not simply used as a source of funds. The handling
of the raffle expansion fully shows the lack of genuine
communication between our board and the decision makers in
Olympia.
We have shared in previous correspondence the reasons behind our
opposition to the raffle expansion. In addition to those points of
opposition, we also believe the expansion is excessive. Let’s look at
some other state bighorn raffle/auction programs for comparison.
States such as Wyoming and Utah also have multiple auction
permits but the statistics were not readily available.
• In June, 2009 WAFNAWS was informed that SHB177 increased
the raffle limit and that WDFW would “follow the legislature’s
directive” and follow through with said expansion.
WAFNAWs contacted Rep. Blake who sponsored SHB
State
1778 and he knew nothing of the raffle expansion. The
Washington
fact is the request came from WDFW to expand the raffle
program. Furthermore, SHB 1778 changed the specific
Idaho
designation of raffle/auction expenditures (ie sheep raffle
money for sheep only). WAFNAWS was adamantly opposed Oregon
to the change and have since been assured proposed WAC’s Montana
would correct this.
Colorado
Raffle Tags
4
Auction Total Ram Permits
% Auction/Raffle vs. Draw Permits
1
37
12%–1 out of 8 tags is raffled/auctioned
1
1
85
2.4%–1 out of 41 tags is raffled/auctioned
1
1
84
2.3%–1 out of 43 tags is raffled/auctioned
1
1
145
1.4%–1 out of 71 tags is raffled/auctioned
1
1
217
.9%–1 out of 111 tags is raffled/auctioned
• By the fall of 2009, it was very clear to WDFW that
1
1
18
10%–1 out of 10 tags is raffled auctioned
WAFNAWS was opposed to the raffle expansion. In order New Mexico
to address our concerns, we were invited to participate in a Nevada
3
0
218
1.4%–1 out of 71 tags is raffled/auctioned
conference call with other conservation groups to discuss
1
1
87
2.2%–1 out of 45 tags is raffled/auctioned
the five new multi-species raffles. BEFORE the conference Arizona
call was even scheduled a draft of the five new raffles was
released on the department website! When the conference call
As you can see from the chart above, Washington has a
finally occurred in early November, the expansion process was at
disproportionate number of raffle/auction permits compared to the
the stage of “should we charge $5 or $10 per ticket?”
WAFNAWS has marketed the Rocky Mtn Bighorn raffle since its number of draw permits available. Clearly, the two new “multispecies” raffles that include a California bighorn permit the vast
inception in 2005. We have raised in excess of $390,000 for the
majority of the revenue will be from hunters who are mostly
department for Rocky Mtn Bighorns. Our board of directors
has spent countless hours discussing and planning every aspect of interested in the bighorn permit. WAFNAWS does not support
WDFW’s pimping out of two bighorn permits to help fund the
the raffle, however, we were only officially invited by WDFW to
general wildlife account.
participate in the expansion of the raffle program discussion
when it was time to set the ticket prices. That is unacceptable.
WAFNAWS urges the commission to repeal the expansion of the
raffle program. WAFNAWS looks forward to establishing a
• On March 12, 2010 an email was sent to the commission and
dialogue with the director and commission but until then we are no
director expressing our concerns and in closing requested a
dialogue concerning this topic. WAFNAWS has yet to hear from longer interested in marketing the Rocky Mtn Bighorn raffle on
behalf of WDFW.
the director or a commissioner. We have the utmost of respect
for the expertise of Mr. Dave Ware and Mr. Donny Martorello
Yours in Conservation,
when it comes to wildlife biology, however, we are extremely
dissatisfied with how these two have worked (or not worked) with
Glen A. Landrus
us on the raffle expansion. It is the expectation of WAFNAWS
WAFNAWS President
3
Umtanum Die-Off Update
Project Update –
Implementation Plan for bighorn sheep removal – May 24, 2010
Goal – Reduce the spread of the disease and long-term depressed lamb recruitment.
Objective – Lethally remove clinically sick bighorn sheep to reduce the amount of bacteria (i.e., of Pasteurella and
Mycoplasma pathogens) being shed to newborn lambs and bighorns in neighboring herds.
By Danny Martorello
Field Project
• While it is very unfortunate that the sheep were culled and died
from pneumonia, the post-cull herd is near 200 animals, which is
still one of the largest in state.
• The number of bighorn sheep in the Umtanum-Selah Butte herds
was likely around 300 animals prior to the disease outbreak.
• Volunteers were extremely helpful and invested 100’s of hour’s
observing sheep.
• Following the initial reports of sick sheep, 8 bighorns were lethally
removed by Department staff in order to document the pathogens
involved.
• Department and USDA Wildlife Services staff started lethally
removing bighorn sheep with clinical signs of pneumonia on Feb.
16, 2009 and completed the removals on Mar. 31, 2010.
• In terms of effort, more than 1,800 bighorn health-observations
were made on roughly 300 bighorns over 35 days.
• During the course of the outbreak (Dec 4, 2009 to Mar. 31, 2010),
42 bighorn sheep mortalities were found; all presumably died due
to pneumonia.
• Fifty-two (52) bighorn sheep met the criteria for clinical pneumonia
and were selectively euthanized during the removal phase of the
project (no sheep removed from Selah Butte herd).
• During the last 10-days of the project, 9 bighorn sheep that visually
appeared healthy were lethally removed for health comparative
purposes.
• Combining all known removals and deaths, 111 bighorn sheep have
been removed from the population (69 lethal removals + 42 natural
mortalities).
• Biological samples were collected on all bighorns lethally removed
for disease testing.
• At the beginning of the project, the majority of clinically ill sheep
examined in the Umtanum herd had bronchopneumonia and
tested positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, the pathogen
responsible for the pneumonia. One of six sheep collected from
Selah butte potentially tested positive for mycoplasma. Toward the
end of the project, the incidence and severity of bronchopneumonia, as well as the frequency of Mycoplasma
ovipneumoniae detection, decreased.
• The number of bighorns exhibiting clinical signs of pneumonia has
declined over the course of the project and was minimal by March
31.
4
Public Relations-Media
• WDFW hosted a media event on Feb. 11, 2010. Two television
stations covered the event; both stories portrayed the situation well
and did not appear to generate criticism.
• Several newspapers have covered the story, including a recent
article covering bighorn disease outbreaks across the West. All
articles did a good job portraying the situation and actions by the
Department, and did not appear to generate criticism.
• WAFWA Wild Sheep Working Group is preparing a summary of
West-wide bighorn sheep disease outbreaks.
C H E L A N H E R D S R E P O RT
By Ken Harris
With news of the pneumonia outbreak in
the Yakima Canyon there is reason for great
concern for all of our bighorn sheep herds
here in Washington. That situation is tragic
and will be closely monitored, but there are
some very positive things happening with
our Chelan County herds. This region
produces some of the largest California
bighorn’s in the world and will continue to
provide incredible hunting and viewing
opportunity for the public. All herds are
doing well and I suspect a few lucky permit
holders will have lifelong dreams fulfilled.
Swakane will once again have one
permit after being closed last year due to
concern over substantial highway mortality
in recent history. Phase I of the Hwy 97A
Wildlife Fencing Project was completed last
year and appears to have had great success
reducing wildlife vehicle collisions. Other
factors no doubt contributed to this, but the
“Swakane Fence” was the major component
and once Phase II is completed, the future
of the herd along with motorist safety will
continue to improve. I expect great things
for this herd into the future.
Chelan Butte will offer one permit this
year for the first time ever since bighorns
were transplanted there in 2004. This herd
has grown rapidly and is expanding its
range. One lucky person will get to be the
first person to ever hunt these sheep. That opportunity should not
be simply overlooked.
Manson continues to offer a unique hunting experience off of
Lake Chelan. The herd is doing very well and has spread out along
the entire North Shore. There is lots of habitat with little possibility
of interaction with domestics here so the future looks bright for this
herd. Two general permits are offered again, but the potential exists
for as many as five rams to be harvested due to the expansion of the
auction and raffle permit program this year. This is of great concern
to me (in addition to many other factors associated with this
unreasonable expansion). It was not the intent to have five rams
killed in this herd each year, so it will need to be closely monitored.
I’m sure there will be more information covered in this Newsletter
regarding the expansion of the auction/raffle program so no need to
continue here.
I wish everyone luck in the draws this year and a wonderful hunting
season this Fall. Take care.
Below is information pulled from the WDFW 2009 Herd
Status and Trend Report:
“There are an estimated 81-90 bighorns in the Swakane herd as of
June 2009. The population objective for Swakane is 50-60 adult
sheep (WDFW 2008). The north shore of Lake Chelan population
was estimated at 113-130 as of June 2009, and the current
population objective for the herd is 100-150 adult sheep (WDFW
2008). The Chelan Butte herd has expanded from an original release
of 35 in 2004, to an estimate of 84-98 bighorns. Habitat analysis
(Musser and Dauer 2003) suggests sufficient habitat exists for a
population of 195-390 sheep.”
Sinlahekin will also be offering one new permit this year. This
herd is doing well and expanding its range north. Twelve sheep were
collared this winter and will help in more accurate population
surveys, and an aggressive habitat improvement project is ongoing.
The future looks great here too!
5
L A C E N T E R O U T D O O R E D U C AT I O N
between wild and domesticated animals,
and various other topics. I also had Eric
Holman, a wildlife biologist from
Washington State Department of Fish and
Wildlife, come and speak to the class about
what he does on a daily basis. Most
recently the kids got to think outside of the
box debating on the right to bear arms.
This was a great way for kids to learn to
defend what they believe in. The Fair
Chase magazine published by Boone and
Crocket had an abundance of information
that I was able to use in my classroom.
I use the Project WILD curriculum that
was included in our American Wilderness
Leadership School (AWLS) training
during my classroom settings. In this book
“It was at this point I knew I could do something special...”
it has lesson plans that can be included in
every subject grades K-12. I really enjoy
using it because it gives me step by step
By Katie Tyrrell
directions, handouts and extensions to all the assignments. I will use
the other curriculum that we were given next year to add some
Last spring my principal, David Cooke, asked me to come up with a
variety to my lessons. It has been neat to see what my students know
new elective that would get kids active and also more involved with
and also it is neat to see them learn more and have stronger views
school. I thought about this task for many weeks and talked it over
about certain subjects.
with many teachers. One night my dad and I were having pizza
together and we were talking about what I could do that would really The Wild Sheep Foundation also was able to send me some great
benefit students in the small town of La Center. My dad Jerry is an
information, including books, posters, handouts, and brochures on
avid hunter and conservationist, so he said why not an outdoor type
sheep conservation and species information. The books and
class. The more and more I thought about it the better the idea
magazines have been added to our school library for all to enjoy.
sounded. I wasn’t really sure where to begin so I started looking at
Thank you to Neil Thagard for sending me all the wonderful
different websites involving outdoor education. I started getting
information.
excited with all the opportunities that were available so I went in for
a meeting with David. He also liked the idea and told me to make
The most exciting, and challenging, thing I have been able to do is
up a proposal for the class.
my archery unit. Through the National Archery in the Schools
While searching for ideas I looked on the Safari Club International
(SCI) website under their educational programs. I hit the jackpot; I
found a weeklong camp designed for educators that wanted to focus
on outdoor education and conservation education. It worked out
perfectly that I could go the week after school went out. I was pretty
excited to go to Wyoming to learn about integrating the outdoors
into my school.
This week in Wyoming turned out to be one of the best weeks of my
life. I learned so much about conservation, ecology, gun safety, and I
was also able to get certified to teach archery. We were given
curriculum material to use and vast amount of knowledge from
professionals in this field. It was at this point that I knew I could do
something special, but it was also at this point that I knew there was
a lot of hard work to come.
During the course of this year I have been able to teach my students
about the importance of conservation, how they can help with
conservation efforts, ecology, survival skills, history of the National
Parks, how to build a fire, how to build a shelter, the differences
6
Program (NASP) I was able to get $1500 worth of equipment to get
me started. That paid for 10 bows and my curtain that goes behind
the targets. I had to figure out how to raise at least $1500 more to
get the rest of the equipment. I asked my dad who he thought I
should talk to and of course he mentioned WAFNAWS because he
has been involved with the group for many years. Not only did they
sponsor my program with $250 but they also got me in contact with
some great archery people in my community. Roy Reese also
donated $100 of his personal money and talked with several people
in the area that were able to help out. My principal was so
impressed with how hard I was working that he decided it was about
time that La Center gave some money to this class, so I received
$500 from our school district.
I knew that there was a new branch of SCI in southern Washington
but I didn’t know who to contact. As fate would have it, Darrell
Moore was also looking to find me. There was a segment on SCI
Expedition that featured AWLS and I had been interviewed. Darrell
found my number in the phone book and called me up. We got to
talking and my involvement with the Southwest Washington Safari
continued on page 16
WA F N AW S B A N Q U E T 2 0 1 0
By Ken Harris
We had another successful banquet/fundraiser last February in
Bellevue at the Meydenbauer Center, partnering again with the
Seattle Puget Sound Chapter of SCI and the Seattle Sportsmen’s
Conservation Foundation during the very popular annual “Seattle
Sportsmen’s Convention”. Everyone had a great time with over
1,000 attendees participating in this two-day event. This was a great
showing considering difficult economic times, and proves the
sportsmen and women of Washington understand the importance of
“giving back” and are dedicated supporters of wildlife conservation,
habitat restoration, youth programs, and hunting advocates.
Participation by our members is essential to accomplish these goals,
and it’s a lot of fun! So encourage your friends to join with us and
let’s get even more people at the banquet next year.
Auctioneer extraordinaire, Keith Dinwoodie, conducted three
exciting Live Auctions with many Governor permits, sheep and other
hunts around the world, custom rifles, furs, art, and more selling to
the high bidders. Hundreds of items in the Silent Auction area
offered something for everyone and kept determined bidders vigilant
until it closed. There are many items in everyone’s price range at this
event so almost everyone goes home with something. The Wall of
Guns Raffle is a sight to see. We have tons of high quality firearms,
bows, gun-safes, and hunting trips all there to be had for the small
cost of the raffle tickets. Once again, the highlight was our
WAFNAWS Ten in ’10 Members Only Raffle featuring a 10 day
Stone sheep hunt with Dueling Stone Outfitters in the Yukon! A
custom mountain rifle by Rifles Inc., gorgeous Liberty Safe from
N.W. Safe, bighorn sheep horns, optics, and tickets to events rounded
out the prizes offered to our Members. It was great fun (except I
didn’t win J), and many happy winners left that night. Be sure to
keep your membership current because rumor has it there will be a
Desert sheep hunt in next year’s Members Only Raffle!!!
This is truly an enjoyable event. Great food, great people, great fun!
We appreciate all of you who have attended in the past and hope to
see the rest of you, your friends, and families at next year’s banquet.
We also want to say a special “thank you” to all of our donors and
exhibitors. Without their generous support this event would not be
possible, so please support them in return. And thanks to everyone
who volunteered. It takes much effort to put this banquet on, and we
can use all the help we can get. If you are interested in helping
please contact one of us at WAFNAWS. We would love to have you.
Good luck hunting this season and we will see you all next February
(dates TBD) at the banquet.
See attached annual photo’s of Andy Kelso eating all the delicious
food!
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S W I N N E R S !
Josh Prouty (left) is all smiles after winning the WAFNAWS
"Ten in '10" members only raffle. Josh will be hunting
Stone's sheep in Aug. 2010 with Jarrett Deuling of Deuling
Stone Outfitters. This will be Josh's first sheep hunt!
Ten in '10 Members Only
Raffle Winners
Grand Prize Stone's Sheep Hunt – Josh Prouty
Custom Rifle – Todd Thorndike
Deuling S t one Ou tfi t t ers
Jarrett Deuling
Whitehouse Yukon
(859) 983-6442
Liberty Safe – Pat Stuart
Leupold Spotting Scope – Cynthia Newman
Bighorn Skull – Mike Vincent
Mathews Bow – Steve Kline
$500 in Sitka Gear – Richard Cofer
WAFNAWS Life Membership – Roy Reese
Two Tickets to Hells Canyon – Gordon Hoffnagel
Two Banquet Tickets – Glen Landrus
www.deulingstoneoutfitters.com
7
C O N S E RVAT I O N R E WA R D
committed to raising important revenue
but also working tirelessly to ensure the
funds are accounted for and spent as
designated. Annual projects include
extensive monitoring as well as disease
research funding at nearby Washington
State University. Dr. Sri is conducting
some amazing research to understand
wild sheep diseases and is the first to
successfully cross a bighorn and
domestic sheep to better understand
resistance and transmission.
“...Craig confidently informed me that
I had just harvested the new number
one archery ram for Washington...”
By George Pidgeon
The title of this story combines two normally contradictory words;
one meaning to protect yet the other to give away. This oxymoron
of the hunting world blends the selflessness and epic success of
wildlife conservation with the individual reward of a successful hunt.
It was early in 2004 when another dismal report of bighorn lamb
survival on the Washington side of Hells Canyon. The residue from
the 1995-96 die-off was still blatantly present. As bighorn die-offs
evolve the real losers are the new lambs born each spring only to
succumb to the disease in early fall with the vast majority gone
before the next lamb crop hits the ground. Adult mortality post die
off is low and a few mature bighorn rams were scattered through the
various game management units in southeastern Washington.
With this scenario in mind, board members from the Washington
Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (WAFNAWS) submitted
a proposal to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
(WDFW) to market a Rocky Mountain bighorn raffle permit.
Approved in the spring of 2005, WAFNAWS guaranteed the
conservation side of the equation with a promise of $50,000 in
revenue that WDFW in return would be ear-marked for Rocky
Mountain Bighorn sheep projects. The permit was good for a
number of bighorn sheep herds that individually did not meet herd
requirements for a general draw permit, however, collectively
populations could handle the harvest of one mature ram annually.
Furthermore, sheep fitted with radio collars since the die-off proved
there was consistent movement between herds as it was.
Fast forward to 2009 and WAFNAWS has sold over 21,000 raffle
tickets with a net revenue to WDFW of over $390,000 for Rocky
Mountain bighorn sheep in the state. WAFNAWS is not only
8
While the conservation efforts are
clearly paying off, the reward via a
bighorn permit is next to impossible at
best. In 2008 I noted that the odds for
winning the Washington Rocky Mtn
Bighorn raffle and bought ten unlucky
tickets. Knowing the raffle proceeds
would benefit wild sheep and their
habitat, I felt it was a winning situation
even though I didn’t win. In 2009, I
decided to once again contribute to
sheep habitat by purchasing ten tickets.
“The call” from Glen Landrus, president of WAFNAWS to inform
me of my good fortune was everything I could ever hope it to be. I
would be hunting bighorn sheep in Washington state in 2009.
Within a couple days I was booked with Craig Martin of Tucannon
Outfitters. After checking references I realized that Craig was as
good as it gets and it would be a privilege to share the sheep
mountain with him!
Craig had been observing an old ram for several years that was last
spotted near a river in early summer. This old boys’ horns were
distinctive as one was very long and massive and the other horn was
massive but broken off. After unsuccessfully locating the ram, it was
believed that the old fellow had either expired from old age or a lion
attack during the summer.
Late in the fall with the rut in full swing another old ram was
located. Soon I was on my way to Washington for my first bighorn
hunt. After conversing with Craig about the ram’s rutting behavior
and location I decided it would be a great opportunity to harvest the
ram with archery equipment. I am an avid archery deer hunter but
initially I was not willing to accept the added challenge with this
once-in-a-lifetime permit.
As we approached the area where the ram was last seen, we began
observing small groups of sheep. The rams were curling their lips
attempting to find the hot ewes. The rut appeared to be hot and
heavy!
We soon located the old ram and developed a plan to wait for the
group to move. After a short wait, the sheep moved directly below
us. I set up in a shooting lane for a twenty yard shot. As the ram
continued on page 16
DENNIS BAGNELL
I have been hunting most of my life (my first hunting trip
was at age 5), and I remember it like it was yesterday. It
didn’t take long to know that hunting would become my
passion. However, it did take a longtime to realize that
conservation is every hunter’s responsibility, and that is what
motivated me to get involved. That involvement included
many of the more well known Organizations, but the
dedicated people with WAFNAWS is what made my
decision to join with them.
I have been a Life Member of WAFNAWS for about 5 years
now, and have been applying for sheep tags for over 30
years! I haven’t drawn a permit yet, someday maybe? Even
though I have never hunted sheep, I feel passionate about
being involved with this group, and contributing so others
can hopefully someday fulfill that dream. I believe every
hunter has a obligation to give back to conservation and I
am honored to have been elected to the WAFNAWS Board
of Directors. As a new board member I hope I can make a
difference and help in whatever capacity that is called upon
me. I look forward to working with WAFNAWS for many
years to come.
(Dennis lives in Maple Valley, WA. and works for the Boeing
Company)
Andy Kelso with his 2010 turkey.
He bagged a nice bird – 9.5" beard,1" spurs
and 19 pounds field dressed.
9
THAN K YO U D O NO RS!
Support These Businesses -
They Support Wildlife Conservation!
Accurate Arms
www.accuratearmsva.com
H Ranch Outfitters
www.hranchoutfitters.com
Silver Bow Outfitters & Guides
www.silverbowoutfitters.com
Alaska Big Game Safaris
www.biggamesafarisalaska.com
Healing Waters Lodge
www.hwlodge.com
Silver Fox Outfitters
www.silverfoxoutfitters.com
Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game
www.adfg.state.ak.us/
Hunt of a Lifetime
www.huntofalifetime.com
Sitka Mountain Gear
www.sitkagear.com
Bailey’s IGA
Morton & Rochester, WA
Joshua Spies
www.joshuaspies.com
Snohomish Golf Course
www.snohomishgolfcourse.com
Battle Creek Golf Course
www.battlecreeklinks.com
Kain’s Fishing Adventures
www.kainsfishingadventures.com
Superior Skulls
425-888-0932
Bauer Ranch
www.spillout.com/bauerranch
Kawdy Outfitters
www.lancasterfamilyhunting.com
Tony Russ
www.tonyruss.com
BowTech Archery
www.bowtecharchery.com
Kuvhima Safaris
www.kuvhima.co.za
Track & Trail Safaris
www.chrisbilkey.co.nz
Bradford & Co. Guide Services LTD
www.bowtecharchery.com
Lance Brewer/Best West Western
Shores
www.bestwest.net
Trophy Hunting Spain
www.trophyhuntingspain.com
Bredeson Guiding & Outfitting
www.bradfordadventures.com
Leupold
www.leupold.com
Washington Department of Fish &
Wildlife
www.wdfw.wa.gov
Lilly & Kemph Outfitting
www.lkoutfitting.com
Wild Sheep Foundation
www.wildsheepfoundation.org
Northwest Safe Company
www.nwsafe.com
Wild Track Outfitters
www.wildtrackoutfitters.com
Pacific Power Generation
www.pacificpowergen.com
Wilderness Mint
www.wildernessmint.com
Chris “Master Caster” Ward
Coastal Conservation Association
www.ccapnw.org
Dennis Dunn
www.str8arrows.com
Doug Eck Studios
www.dougeckbronze.com
Dueling Stone Outfitters
www.edenridgeoutfitters.com
El Fuerte Outfitters
www.bajabighornsheep.com
Ellis Hunting Ranch
www.ellishuntingranch.com
Fetha Styx
www.fethastyx.com
Quarter Circle Nine Outfitters
www.royaltine.com
Rainier Archery
www.rainierarchery.com
Ridgeline Taxidermy
Tel. 406.859.5274
Rifles, Inc.
www.riflesinc.com
Royal Tine Outfitters
GOABC
www.goabc.com
10
Shawn McCully
WAFNAWS Booth at the Spokane Bighorn Show
By Mike Halter
A MEMORABLE HUNTING SEASON
Like many WAFNAWS members, the winter and
spring of 2009 found me applying for big game
tags in several western states. I had been building
preference/bonus points for over a decade in
various states and I knew that my chances of
drawing a few tags were reasonably good. I also
have a younger brother who now lives in Georgia
and at the age of 40 decided he wanted to try his
hand at western big game hunting. I suggested
that we apply as partners for antelope in Wyoming.
When the drawings were finally over, I was pleased
to find that my brother Mark and I had both
drawn buck and doe antelope tags in Wyoming. In
addition, I had drawn a bull moose tag in
Wyoming and a Book Cliffs muzzleloader deer tag
in Utah. The hunt areas were reasonably close
together and rather than drive back and forth 1000
miles between hunts, I decided to try to make one
big trip and do the hunts back to back. I also
decided to do it myself and forego the expenses of
hiring outfitters. I knew the logistics would be
tough.
I left home on Labor Day and arrived in Rock Springs the following
afternoon. After checking into a local motel, it was time to head out
for some preseason antelope scouting. The local game wardens were
very helpful and indicated that most of the antelope were
concentrated on Pacific Creek. My scouting certainly revealed that
to be the case. Antelope were reasonably abundant and with the
better than average spring/summer rainfall, the horn growth was
good. My brother arrived by plane the day before the season and
after checking the zero on his rifle and another quick scouting trip, I
was confident we were ready to hunt.
Opening morning found us stalking antelope by way of an
abandoned railroad right of way. We would spot antelope on one
side or other of the roadway and use the opposite side of the
roadway for cover. This tactic worked reasonably well. By the
afternoon of opening day we had both taken reasonably nice
antelope bucks. Neither was huge but would score in the mid-tohigh 70 inch range. We also took antelope does the following two
days and actually found the does somewhat tougher to bag than the
bucks.
With the antelope meat processed and my brother on a return flight
back to Atlanta, I headed out in pursuit of some Sage grouse. After
some effort, I was able to take two large males which I plan to have
mounted. Sage grouse are certainly an icon of the old west and I
hope that we are able to preserve this species for future generations
to hunt and enjoy.
Following the sage grouse hunt, it was time to reorganize equipment
and head down to Utah for the muzzleloader deer hunt. The best
access to the Book Cliffs is probably through Vernal, Utah. I stopped
off in town at the Division of Wildlife Resources Office and was able
to get some final hunting advice from a warden familiar with the
area. He informed me that I could expect to see 20-30 mule deer
bucks a day. He also informed me that record class animals were
very far and few between. The average buck is a 4x4 in the 22”
spread class.
Mark Halter
After a long drive over some very rough roads, I was finally up on the
Book Cliffs divide and had my camp set up a couple of days prior to
the season. My scouting verified what the warden in Vernal had told
me. There were a lot of nice 4-pt bucks but few really big deer. I did
manage to locate a better than average buck out on a steep slide and
continued on page 17
11
WA F N AW S F U N D E D P R O J E C T S
2009
To t a l o f $1,4 5 2,779 since 19 9 4
WDFW/Cooperative Wildlife Funding
Rocky Spencer Scholarship/WWU
WSU Veterinary Medicine Research Project
Seri Indians—Mexico/Co-op Sheep Funding
WDFW/Cooperative Sheep Funding
$37,800
$1,100
$10,000
$75,050
$55,350
WDFW/Cooperative Sheep Funding
Cleman Mtn Land Acquisition
Hunt-of-a-Lifetime
Domestic sheep resolution funding
Seri Indians—Mexico/Co-op Sheep Funding
$80,352
$10,000
$11,000
$2,500
$66,500
WSU Veterinary Medicine Research Project
WDFW/Cooperative Sheep Funding
Chelan/Swakane Collaring Project
Washington Hunter Safety Vest Sponsorship
Seri Indians—Mexico/Co-op Sheep Funding
Domestic sheep resolution funding
WDFW Cooperative Funding
$7,500
$91,692
$15,276
$2,500
$74,100
$2,500
$19,800
Jack O’ Connor Center Display
Swakane Fencing Project
WDFW/Cooperative Wildlife Funding
WSU Veterinary Medicine Research Project
WDFW/Cooperative Sheep Funding
Baja Mexico/Cooperative Sheep Funding
Domestic Sheep Resolution
$1,675
$10,000
$18,810
$5,000
$101,250
$56,250
$2,500
2008
2007
2006
2005
British Columbia Bighorn Research Project
$5,000
Montana FNAWS Critical Habitat Acquisition $2,500
WSU Veterinary Medicine Research Project
$5,000
Washington State Mountain Goat Survey
$7,500
Hells Canyon Bighorn Collaring Project
$5,000
Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game/Co-op sheep funding
$11,700
WDFW/Cooperative Wildlife Funding
$18,810
Seri Indians—Mexico/ Co-op Sheep Funding $72,900
WDFW/Cooperative Sheep Funding
$61,434
2004
Idaho FNAWS Enforcement Fund
Selah Butte Hunter Access
Asotin Creek Habitat Improvement
Washington State Mountain Goat Survey
Sheep and Mule Deer Capture and Collar
WDFW/Cooperative wildlife funding
$600
$1,000
$2,282
$550
$3,975
$20,250
Cleman Habitat improvement (Guzzler)
Sela Butte Hunter Access
Nevada and Oregon Sheep Transplant
Tieton Land Purchase
Baja Mexico/Cooperative Sheep Funding
WDFW/Cooperative Wildlife Funding
$6,800
$1,000
$38,776
$20,000
$45,000
$39,750
2003
12
2002
Washington Sheep Feed Supplement
$2,145
$5,220
Optics Package, Biosphere, Mexico
Safari Club-Puget Sound, Salmon for the Needy $1,500
Wyoming Game & Fish/ Co-op Wildlife Funding $18,450
WDFW/Cooperative Wildlife Funding
$18,540
$42,750
Baja Mexico/Cooperative Sheep Funding
2001
Oregon Radio Collars
Tieton Transplant from Oregon
Mt. Hull Radio Receiver
Fraser River California Bighorn Study, B.C.
Marble Range Sheep Migration Study, B.C.
FNAWS National, Kids Magazine
Washington Goat Survey
2000
$9,900
$4,900
$930
$5,000
$3,000
$7,000
$5,000
NWT Mackenzie Mountain Sheep Research
$10,000
Washington Goat Research
$2,000
Marble Range Sheep Study B.C.
$5,280
Sheep Road Signs Hells Canyon
$2,345
Vulcan Mt. Weed Control
$2,000
Road Repair Mt. Hull
$750
Lake Chelan, Tieton Transplant
$16,419
BC Sheep Research
$5,800
Feed Suplement/Tucannon
$175
Strand berg Habitat Improvement
$750
Wyoming Game & Fish/ Co-op Wildlife Funding $7,200
Baja Mexico/Cooperative Sheep Funding
$41,400
1999
Vulcan Mt. Road Signs
Lake Chelan Transplant
Chelan Grazing Allotment
Mt. Hull Weed Control
$650
$10,000
$40,000
$2,000
Oregon Domestic Grazing Buyout
WSU Research Grant
Mt. Hull Weed Control
$5,000
$1,000
$2,000
Chief Joseph Wildlife Area Water Project
$6,150
1998
1997
1996
Quilomine Transplant
1994
Quilomene Transplant
Quliomene Water Hole Project
$5,000
$1,000
H E L L S C A N Y O N U P D AT E
By Rick Brigham
This is the latest in a series of articles in Wild Sheep Magazine covering
actions dealing with bighorns in Hells Canyon of the Snake River and
surrounding areas, such as the Blue Mountains of Washington. Please
refer to prior issues for what has happened before April 2010.
Payette National Forest Update to the Draft
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
This was issued in January 2010. It added several alternatives dealing
with the bighorn-domestic sheep issue: 7L, 7M, 7N, 70, and 7P and
discussed each in detail, including maps showing each. Comments
from the public were due in March, following public meetings in
Boise and Weiser, Idaho, and Clarkston, Washington. The public
meeting in Clarkston was attended by 25 people, virtually all of
whom supported bighorns. Alternative 7E, eliminating domestic
sheep grazing on the Payette Forest, remains the best for sustaining
bighorns, and would allow the several populations to expand safely.
The new alternatives were based on a quantitative approach based
on a USFS-University of California-Davis study of bighorns in the
Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. (All prior alternatives were
based on a qualitative approach.) The Forest Service apparently felt
the quantitative approach would be easier to defend. The new
alternatives, as a group, based on the maps presented, did not offer
even buffer strips between delineated herd core areas and domestic
allotments where grazing would be allowed.
The final Forest Service Record of Decision is due on or about June
1, and Forest Supervisor Suzanne Raines will issue copies to all
concerned parties on that day. Forest Service personnel have been
very close-mouthed about the final decision, other than saying it has
been approved at all levels of the Forest Service, including
Washington D.C. When the final document is issued, then the
various groups will either praise it or protest or sue the Forest
Service. Only time will tell. There will be news coverage of the final
document, when it is released, so stay tuned.
Idaho Woolgrowers Lawsuit against Idaho Fish
and Game Department
This was filed in the Third Judicial District, Idaho, in Adams County,
on April 1, 2010. The plaintiffs are the Idaho Woolgrowers
Association and its members the Shirts brothers-Ron, Leslie, and
John. At issue is a 1997 letter signed by the Forest Service, Idaho
Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Wildlife,
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Land
Management, and Foundation for North American Wild Sheep,
holding the Idaho Woolgrowers harmless in the event that
transplanted bighorns come in contact with domestic sheep. Straying
bighorns would be considered “at risk” and the signatory agencies
would ”take whatever action is necessary to reduce further losses of
bighorn sheep without adversely impacting existing domestic sheep
operators.” The letter was codified by the Idaho Legislature in 1997,
and included a requirement for the Idaho Fish and Game
Department to notify the domestic sheep grazers of bighorn
transplants. The lawsuit accuses the US Forest Service of reneging
on the terms of the letter by modifying grazing permits, and the
Idaho Fish and Game Department of not blocking that action,
starting in 2007. The plaintiffs are suing for loss of income, attorneys
fees, and demand a jury trial in Adams County. Interesting thing
about the 1997 letter is that is was signed by only the WallowaWhitman Forest Supervisor, and therefore has no bearing on other
forests such as the Payette or Nez Perce. Another interesting point is
that the law firm representing the Shirts brothers is the third one to
do so in the past three years. And the last point of interest is that the
State of Idaho must agree to be sued, and had yet to be served with
the lawsuit as of April 26. Stay tuned.
Blue Mountains Forests Land Use Plans Update
The Umatilla (southeast Washington), Wallowa-Whitman, and
Malheur National forests are revising their 1980's land use plans.
The Forest Service has been working on the update since 2003 and
public comments on the Proposed Action are due no later than May
28, 2010. Bighorn sheep are addressed in the “roles and
contributions of the Blue Mountains”, “Social and economic
characteristics”, and Forestwide Standards and Guidelines.
Standards for bighorn sheep include the following:
1. Effective separation between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep
and goats shall be maintained;
2. The use of domestic goats for noxious weed control shall not be
authorized or allowed within or adjacent to source habitat for
bighorn sheep (source habitat is identified home ranges);
3. The use of domestic pack goats shall not be authorized or allowed
within or adjacent to source habitat for bighorn sheep.
The entire proposed action, along with the glossary and references,
can be found on the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision website:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma/blue_mtn_planrevision/.
Salmon River Study continues
The Nez Perce Tribe, with several cooperators, and using telemetry
collars and visual sightings has proven that bighorns are found yearlong along the Salmon River just east of Riggins, Idaho; that rams
wander east up to 100 miles to find ewes in oestrus; that both sides of
the river are used; that there has been contact between domestic
sheep and bighorns along this portion of the Salmon River. The
study is not cheap–about $250K/year for people, collars, jet boat
and helicopter transportation, and monitoring of collars. The study
is in year 2 of 5 (as sound management decisions cannot be made on
just two years’ worth of data) but funding is an issue. End-of-year
funding from the forests involved, and BLM, may not be
forthcoming later this calendar year, due to the federal budget
process and agency funding. Another $120,000 is needed to continue
this study until the end of this year, and it must be committed within
the next two months. If any of you readers can help with this issue,
please contact the Nez Perce Tribe Wildlife Program Leader Keith
Lawrence at 208-843-7372.
.
Idaho Governor’s Collaboration Group
As noted in the last installment, several wildlife oriented entities have
walked away from this group, but the parent Wild Sheep Foundation,
and Idaho Chapter of FNAWS/WSF continue to attend, although
they are outnumbered by Idaho agricultural interests. The current
task of the group is to update the framework of the Idaho 1995
continued on page 14
13
Hells Canyon Bighorn Days
Hosted by:
Oregon, Idaho & Washington
Chapters of the Foundation for North
American Wild Sheep
June 19 & 20, 2010
Beginning at 10 am Saturday and ending Sunday at
noon. Participants are also invited to a dinner
Friday night June 18 at 6 pm in Clarkston at the
home of Glen Landrus (WAFNAWS President).
Joseph Creek Wildlife Area
Washington Department of Fish
& Wildlife
An open invitation is extended to anyone interested in bighorn sheep
to join together with chapter members from Oregon, Washington,
and Idaho FNAWS as well as state biologists to discuss the future of
bighorn sheep and management strategies.
Bring: Tent, sleeping bag, toiletries, and clothes. BYOB as well as
binoculars, camera, and spotting scope. Please bring one item for
our silent auction to help raise money. COST $75 per person for the
entire weekend or $25 for meals only (no jet boat ride).
Hells Canyon Update
Agenda: Jet boat trip from Heller Bar up Hells Canyon and back,
caravan to view other bighorn herds, silent auction, camaraderie, and
discussion about the future of bighorn sheep management in Hells
Canyon.
Please RSVP by June 14 at:
Glen Landrus - [email protected]
continued from page 13
Bighorn Management Plan but the domestic/bighorn sheep will not
be addressed. And there is discussion about whether the Idaho
Woolgrowers lawsuit violates the charter of the Governor’s
Collaborative. The Idaho Fish and Game Department will use the
framework for the plan update starting in May 2010.
Domestic Sheep Grazing in Identified Bighorn Habitat. For 2010,
the AOI’s-Annual Operating Instructions- for domestic grazing on
Payette Forest allotments is the same as 2009-there is NO grazing.
14
Includes: Two delicious meals prepared as well as snacks, soda, and
lunch provided both days.
And the Nez Perce Forest’s Alison-Berg allotment (north of the
Asalmon River/east of Riggins) will have no domestic grazing until
the environmental impact statement planned by that forest is
completed. And the BLM’s Partridge Creek allotment (south of the
Salmon River/east of Riggins) is also closed to domestic grazing
until the Cottonwood BLM Office updates its land use plan.
Stay tuned!
CAM LANCASTER SCHOLARSHIP
The Cameron Lancaster Scholarship Fund has
been established by Cam’s family and friends as a
lasting tribute to his memory and a way of
continuing his legacy. Cam passed away suddenly
as a result of a plane crash on August 21, 2008 in
his outfitting area in the Northwest Territories,
Canada.
Cam’s family and friends wish to continue his
remarkable generosity and commitment to
education by providing young people with the
financial means to pursue an education in their
chosen field of study.
The scholarship fund will be available to
individuals in both the U.S. and Canada who
exhibit qualities found in Cam’s life such as
honesty, integrity and compassion; who will seize
an opportunity with vigor and follow through with
determination; and who share Cam’s commitment
for the preservation of hunting and his love of being outdoors.
The fund is registered as a charitable corporation in the State of
Washington. Application has been made with the IRS for status as a
501(3)C corporation. Contributions will be tax deductible.
Donations can be sent to the Cameron Lancaster Scholarship Fund
C/O Jerry Tyrrell, 500 S. 56th Place, Ridgefield, WA 98642.
For more information please contact one of the following:
Jerry Tyrrell
Cathy Lancaster
Jim Marhofer
Alfredo Julian
Gary Nutini
206-953-4512
403-380-2789
734-320-1581
360-883-9669
250-320-1582
AS PART OF THE
FUNDRAISING EFFORTS...
The Cameron Lancaster Scholarship Fund Committee has
commissioned reknown bronze sculpter Doug Eck to capture
Cam’s essence in an inspiring quarter-scale bronze titled The
Top of the World (pictured).
This bronze will be raffled off at one of the 2011 Sportsmen’s
Shows.
To encourage the pledging of larger charter donations, the
committee will be presenting a limited number of The Top
of the World bronzes to donors at the $10,000
participation level.
15
La Center
continued from page 6
Club International (SWWSCI) started. Not only has SWWSCI
committed to donate financially, but they also helped me get a great
new bow rack build by Dale Foes. This was also donated and a huge
help in storing all my equipment safely.
My archery unit has been very successful and the kids are doing
amazing. They help each other out and are very respectful of the
equipment. The best part of archery so far was when my autistic
student shot for her first time. She followed all the steps and hit two
bull’s-eyes in a row! She was so excited and the look on her face
made my day. She is now shooting at the same distance as her
classmates and doing just as good as or better than the rest!
students that I have reached so far this year has been about 32. I’m
hoping that they have talked to their friends and their parents adding
to that number. I just want to make sure that the students of La
Center are being educated on what conservation really is and what
they can do to help. Without my experience at AWLS in Wyoming I
know that this would not have been as successful. So thank you SCI
for putting on this wonderful class for educators. I would
recommend this class for any teacher. Young, old, science, or math,
anyone could and should take the trip on this great adventure.
Please feel free to send me an email if you have any questions about
my class or AWLS. [email protected]
There have been so many people and organizations that have helped
make La Center’s outdoor education class a success. The amount of
Conservation Reward
continued from page 8
approached the shooting lane I started drawing the bow only to have
the arrow fall off the string. By the time the arrow was re-nocked
the ram was safely hidden by brush. We quietly moved ahead of the
group again. As the sheep approached the second set up the big ram
was feeding safely behind the thick brush when all of a sudden
without notice, he separated from the ewes and headed up the hill
toward us. As he moved through a small opening in the brush I
released the arrow. As quickly as it started it the hunt was over.
Unfortunately it wasn’t the mind testing and physically punishing
hunt that I expected but still rewarding nonetheless.
After a brief celebration Craig confidently informed me that I had
just harvested the new number one archery ram for Washington and
the ram would also easily qualify Boone and Crocket. Craig
estimated his age at nine and a half and a score of 190 B&C with
both horns in excess of 40” inches and 16” bases. Wow….what a
ram!
The WAFNAWS Rocky Mountain Bighorn raffle represents a great
opportunity to hunt North America’s most magnificent animal. If
you are lucky, you will be drawn, if not you will be helping a majestic
animal survive in the wilds of Washington. In fact, shortly after my
successful hunt Glen shared pictures of a project on the Tucannon
River in which bighorns were captured, fitted with radio collars and
treated for a disease called Scabies. Funds from the WAFNAWS
raffle paid for this expensive project. Although I am not sure how
far my financial contribution to the raffle went towards this project, I
will always cherish this great conservation reward.
Mark Torres
Wildlife has been a passion of mine for as long as I
can remember and I don't see an end in sight.
Although I have not harvested a sheep, that
hasn't decreased my enthusiasm towards the
species or towards WA-FNAWS. My wife, Sally
and I have been actively involved in wildlife
conservation in Washington state for many years
and I've been a board member on the Seattle
Puget Sound Chapter of Safari Club International
for the past 2 years. The goals for sheep
conservation are top of mind and I'll do all I can
to provide support for those efforts, no matter how
big or small.
16
Memorable Season
continued from page 11
another one off a road not that far from camp. I was keeping fingers
crossed!
The next few days were quite interesting. I passed up tons of nice 4point bucks but could not get a shot at either of the larger bucks.
Finally, with two days of the season left, I decided I needed to finish
the hunt and prepare for the moose hunt. Almost at dusk, I located a
reasonably nice 4-point buck with a high rack. I made a 150 yard
shot and my Book Cliffs deer hunt was over.
I had a small backpack tent, and related equipment in my pickup and
decided to forgo the cabin I had rented for the night. Since it was
already around noon, I set up my camp behind a screen of willows. I
then selected a good vantage point about a half a mile away from
where the bull had last been seen and set up my spotting scope. After
nothing had moved for about three hours I decided to change
locations due to a shifting wind and wouldn’t you know it, Mr. Big got
up and began moving cross slope. I had a choice – either go right at
him or swing around and try to get the wind in my favor and then
close the distance. I elected to try the latter. I would like to say that I
found the bull and put him on the ground but such was not the case.
He simply got away from me in the timber. I spent the next day
looking for him but never did find him – such is hunting.
With that episode over, I decided to try another area where I had
found abundant moose (and grizzly) sign. It was nearly noon and as I
was leaving that area a respectable bull broke out of the timber at
close range and began running across an opening. Reminding myself
that was what I was after, I put him down. I was able to get within 50
yards of him with the truck – talk about dumb luck! The next five
hours reminded me of why it is wise to have someone else along on a
moose hunt. Nevertheless, I got the bull butchered and loaded. I
celebrated with a steak dinner that night and headed back to Rock
Springs the following morning.
After breaking camp and departing the Book Cliffs, I made the drive
back to Rock Springs a couple days before the moose season opened.
I got the deer into the processor, put the utility trailer back in storage,
and gathered the equipment that I would need for the moose hunt
near Pinedale. I arrived in Pinedale the day before the season and
with maps in hand talked to the Game and Fish people in the regional
office and also a taxidermist that I have known for years. The general
trend for moose in Wyoming has been down over the last few years
and I knew that this hunt might be a tougher than initially expected.
Opening morning found me driving up a major creek drainage at first
light with numerous small feeder streams and large expanses of
willows intermixed conifers and aspen – ideal moose habitat. Other
moose hunters were also around. I let several rigs past me only to
have the first group shoot an average-sized moose a couple miles up
the road. They seemed quite happy with the moose even though one
of the members of the group confided that he had taken a Boone &
Crockett bull in almost the same spot a few years earlier. A few days
into the hunt I would understand the reason for their exuberance –
moose were hard to find.
The return trip back to Washington was somewhat of an adventure. I
had slick snow covered roads and very high winds driving through
Wyoming. Once I got into Utah, the winds subsided and the rest of
the trip was uneventful. It had been quite a trip. I had hunted in
everything from T-shirt weather to near zero weather. I saw a wide
variety of landscapes and met some interesting people. I was also able
to help my brother bag his first antelope. It is a season that I will long
remember.
I can’t help but mention one final item. I spent much of the trip
hunting on my own. I was well-prepared for most emergencies but
things still do happen. It is wise to hunt with others at all possible.
That said, I was somewhat backed up by modern technology. I had a
SPOT locator system that I kept in my pack and I also rented a
satellite phone that I kept in the truck. I used the SPOT system to
send off my location to friends and family when I changed hunting
locations. I used the satellite phone to call in and keep people
updated on the details.
Having seen only a couple of other moose three days into the hunt I
decided to switch tactics. Elk season was also going on and I thought
that if I stopped at a few camps and talked to enough elk hunters, I
might get tips on where some bulls were hanging out. The third
group of hunters I talked to told me about a “huge” bull they had
encountered a couple hours earlier. Apparently he had been
wondering around right out in the open and they felt he had probably
bedded down above the opening in a large expanse of aspens. I
thanked them for the tip and promised that I would bring the bull
around to their camp if I was lucky enough to bag him. “Just don’t
ask us for help getting him out” they kidded!
17
DESERT SHEEP MEMBERS ONLY RAFFLE - WAFNAWS
Over $45,000 in prizes!
Prize 1:
Desert Sheep Hunt & Shoulder Mount
El Fuerte Oufitters
Ty Miller
(949) 606-3195
[email protected]
www.elfuerte.com
Ridgeline Taxidermy
Mark Hill
Phillipsburg, Montana
59858
(406) 859-5274
Ta k e t h e h u n t o r $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 c a s h !
12X Vortext Bincoulars - Donated by Jerry Tyrrell
Prize 3: Couple Registration for 2012 WSF Sheep Show
Prize 4: Mathews Bow - Donated by Baileyʼs IGA
Prize 5: DER Knives LLC by Don Ruana - Donated by Todd Walton
Prize 6: Bighorn Sheep Skull
Prize 7: $500 Sitka Gear Gift Certificate
Prize 8: Life Membership to Washington FNAWS
Prize 9: Two Tickets to 2012 WAFNAWS Banquet
Prize 10: Tri-State FNAWS’ Hells Canyon Jet Boat Trip
Prize 2:
Ten in 10 MEMBERS ONLY Raffle Ticket Order Form
You must be a current member of Washington FNAWS to participate!
Name
Email
Address
Daytime Phone
City
State
Zip
√ BOX NEXT TO THE NUMBER OF TICKETS PURCHASED
4 tickets for $100
8 tickets for $200
tickets for $
I am currently not a member but would like to join. In addition to my raffle purchase, sign me up for:
Annual member for only $25
3-year member for only $50
Life member for only $300
PAYMENT – Total Due $
Check/Money Order
Credit Card Number
MAIL TO:
WA FNAWS RAFFLE
PO Box 236, Asotin, WA 99402
or fax:1-509-758-RAMS
VISA
Mastercard
Expiration
• No ticket stub will be mailed in return - keep brochure as
receipt
• Drawing will be held at the 2011 Sportsmenʼs Convention
• Do not have to be present to win
WA F N AW S F U N D R A I S E R
2010 WASHINGTON STATE ROCKY MOUNTAIN
BIGHORN RAFFLE
New Early Deadline!
Ticket orders must be received by July 5, 2010. Drawing held on July 7, 2010
Name
Mailing Address
City
State
Zip
Day Phone
√ BOX NEXT TO THE NUMBER OF
TICKETS PURCHASED
1 ticket for $20
2 tickets for $40
5 tickets for $100
2009 Raffle winner George Pidgeon with his 190 6/8” net
B & C ram. What a ram, congratulations George!
10 tickets for $200
25 tickets for $500
HUNT INFORMATION:
Hunting Season Dates: September 1—December 31, 2010.
Hunt Area: GMUs 113, 181, & 186.
50 tickets for $1,000
Other
• No ticket stub will be mailed in return - keep brochure as receipt
• Do not have to be present to win
MAIL TO:
WAFNAWS Raffle
PO Box 236
Asotin, WA 99402
or fax: 1-509-758-RAMS
BUY ONLINE AT
www.wafnaws.com
tickets x $20 =
Total Due $
PAYMENT
Check/Money Order
Mastercard
Credit Card Number
Expiration
Signature
VISA
Todd Walton, Registered Guide #1199
P.O. Box 874271 • Wasilla, Alaska 99687
(907) 355-4271
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
RIDGEFIELD, WA
PERMIT NO. 94
7215 S. 228th St.
Kent, WA 98032
21