The Alaska Professional Hunter
GEAR REVIEW
{ RAMPAGES–ALASKA’S GREAT WHITE DALL{ BY PHIL SHOEMAKER
Lewis (Lew) Bradley is one of those. In 1968, being stationed in Alaska was a dream come true for a 22 year old, newly minted Green Beret soldier. The 2 ½ years at Ft Richardson as a training NCO was far longer than the average hour-long refueling stopover most of us experienced enroute to Vietnam. Lew made the best of his off time by hunting the mountains at every opportunity. In 1970 he and his wife Carol returned to Oregon to complete his education and three years later they returned to Alaska for a 33-year teaching and coaching career in Wasilla. One might say sheep hunting was an overriding passion for Lew, he has taken 35 rams, 14 of them over 40”, but he was also an educator. One of his former students, Gov. Sarah Palin, appointed him to a 3-year term on the Board of Game, which eventually spurred him to devote 11 years of his time compiling photos, maps and stories of Dall Sheep hunting in Alaska. The massive, 3 volume set contains 1800 pages, 1200 color photos and covers stories and hunter profiles of over a hundred years of Alaskan sheep hunting from 1914 – 2018. It also includes 95 Charts, tables, maps and 65 pages of AK F&G harvest data. Like most long time Alaskan resident hunters, Lew experienced and heard stories of unsavory, unethical and even illegal hunting activities; both by guides and residents. He doesn’t shy away from some of those stories in the books and it is only natural that his opinions vacillated over the years. But in recognition of the hard work and dedication of honest hunters and guides in the APHA Lew is donating $100 of every book sales to the APHA. Not only is this 3-volume set a Must Have for dedicated sheep hunters, its a fantastic way to support the APHA. It is an invaluable reference tool and may be the best $350 investment a serious hunter can make.
RAMPAGES I, II & III
• 3 Volume Set Collector’s Edition in Slipcase • Culmination of 11 years of research and interviews • History of Alaska Dall sheep hunting 1914-2018 • 98 Sheep hunter profiles/stories • 1800+ pages – Equivalent to 6 normal sheep books • 10 of the Top 15 B& C Dall rams and major profiles (Swank, Cook, Lentfer, Sheets, Oney, Summar, Effler, Lyons, Nelson, and Harrower). • 14 Photos of Swank Ram hunt never before released • 95 Charts, graphs, tables, and maps • 1289 Color photos • 600+ Sheep photos • 200+ 40” rams • 82 B&C rams • 20 Rams scoring 180+ • 80 Illustrations & cartoons • 57 Poems • 65 pgs of harvest statistics
LEW BRADLEY
• 47 years Alaska resident • Served in US Army 1967-1970 • Hunted Alaska since 1968 • Married for 53 years to Carol • Teacher & Coach 40 years • Antler, Horn & Bone Carver • Harvested 35 Dall Rams (14 over 40”, 9 B&C Dalls, 3 180+)
RAMPAGES is unlike any previous sheep hunting books, and is 6 times their size. One review states:
“This is by far the most complete study on Dall sheep hunting available. No subject is untouched, and the depth and attention to detail is outstanding.” Priced as a 3 Volume Set in Slipcase for $350.00 US funds + $30 Shipping in USA Overseas depends on destination. For orders call: 907-745-4644 Hm or 907-669-0043 Cell or Email - lcbradleyak@gci.net Website: Rampages123.com
15
Happy Trails, Lew Bradley WINTER 2021 / www.AlaskaProHunter.org
Avid sheep hunters truly are a different breed. Possibly it has something to do with the razor sharp, crystalline views to be found at higher altitudes. Or maybe it’s the act of physically pushing your body toward your limit of endurance. Whatever the cause, it becomes an overriding passion and obsession for many.