HSCF Hunter's Horn Summer 2020

TM

T H E O F F I CIA L PU B LIC ATION OF HO US T ON S AFARI CLUB F OUND AT I ON • S UMMER 2020

ii HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

Let us finance your dream property.

Relationship driven. Customer owned.

If you dream of the comfort and convenience of your own get-a-way, Capital Farm Credit has the expertise to handle the financing. We provide custom lending solutions with flexible fixed rate options. As a cooperative, we returned more than $1 billion to customers since 2004. Partner with the premier lender.

Together we’re better.

Partnership that really pays.

877.944.5500

capitalfarmcredit.com NMLS493828 SUMMER 2020

HUNTER'S HORN™ 3

TABLE of

CONTENTS

SUMMER 2020

FEATURES

18 REMEMBRANCE: STEVE SMITH 20 A HUNTER’S DOLLAR

AND ACCESS TO THE OUTDOORS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

By Jeff Crane

22 IVAN CARTER: CONSERVATION IS NOT THEORETICAL

By Michael Arnold

28 CANINES FOR AFRICA

By Global Rescue

34 MIXED GRILL

By Scott Leysath

82

42 PRESENT & FUTURE:

FOR HUNTERS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

By Tim Herald

50 OX RANCH: LIKE NONE OTHER

By Gayne C. Young

55 LOOKING BACK

By Tommy Morrison

58 DREAMING OF REMOTE DESTINATIONS

By Esplanade Travel

66 WILD SHEEP PANDEMIC:

HOW “SOCIAL DISTANCING” CAN SAVE WILD SHEEP

By Chester Moore, Jr.

74 AFRICA OVERTURE

By Tyler Sharp

80 HSCF MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

By Rebekah Boone

81 HSCF PH SPOTLIGHT

By Rod Hunter of Buckbrush Outfitters

82 ALASKA: RENEWING

MY APPRECIATION FOR CONSERVATION & NATURE

By Joe Betar

COVER ARTWORK:

Photo by Suzanne Hixson

4 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

90 EXPERIMENTAL MULE DEER

ANTLER RESTRICTION UPDATE

By Shawn Gray

94 A DREAM BUCK ...

THE OLD FASHIONED WAY

By John Wootters

98 LAND HO! BRAND-NEW

SHARING PLATFORM CREATES OPPORTUNITES FOR HUNTERS AND LANDOWNERS ALIKE

By Outdoor Access

104 2019 DAN L. DUNCAN

SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE

112 MONITORING WILD PIGS IN AN AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE

By Bethany Friesenhahn

18 112

22

74 66

90

58 94

34 SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 5

OUR MISSION Preserving the sport of

TM

2019-2020 HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION OFFICERS JD Burrows–President Mitzy McCorvey–Immediate Past President Matt Pyle–President Elect Eric Grunwald–Vice President Gib Surles–Vice President Mark King–Treasurer Monica Williamson Mills–Secretary HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION DIRECTORS 2019–2021 Jeff Birmingham Hunter Comiskey Bryan Ray Travis Simpson Kevin Ormston

hunting through education,

conservation and the promotion

of our hunting heritage.

6 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

2018–2020 Darrell Kainer Shaun Nelson 2019–2020 Ross Melinchuk Trey White HISTORIAN Jerry Henderson HEADQUARTERS STAFF Joe Betar, Executive Director Angi McCarthy, Director of Administrative Services Carla Nielsen, Marketing & Publications Manager Nancy Oka, Director, Events & Membership

2020 Communicator Award for Print Distinction

Nate Silva, Design Consultant Alliance Printing and Graphics Hunter’s Horn™ is published quarterly by Houston Safari Club Foundation 14811 St. Mary’s Lane, Suite 265 Houston, Texas 77079 713.623.8844 (p) 713.623.8866 (f) info@wehuntwegive.org wehuntwegive.org

2019 American Graphic Design Award for Publication Design

2018 Communicator Award for Print Distinction

© Copyright 2020 Houston Safari Club Foundation Houston Safari Club Foundation welcomes contributing articles, photos and research. Houston Safari Club Foundation reserves the right to edit submissions for spelling, grammar, clarity, organization and punctuation and to abridge length. Houston Safari Club Foundation reserves the right not to publish submissions. Content may not be repurposed without the express written consent of the author and publisher. Please submit materials with a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you wish materials to be returned. Houston Safari Club Foundation is not responsible for lost or unsolicited submissions. Digital submissions are preferred.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to Houston Safari Club Foundation, its members, employees or affiliates.

Houston Safari Club Foundation reserves the right to refuse any advertisement believed to be incompatible with our mission or deemed competitive or contrary to the best interests of Houston Safari Club Foundation.

U PCOMING EV EN TS AUGUST 12

Travis Carter; Cotton Mesa Trophy Elk Ranch

SEPTEMBER 9

Archery Event; Texas Archery; Rob Neilson, Ashby Bowhunting Foundation

OCTOBER 10

2020 HSCF Sporting Clays Tournament; Greater Houston Sports Club 6700 McHard Rd, Houston, TX 77053

DECEMBER 10

Christmas Party; House of Blues

*dates may vary based on social gathering restrictions

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 7

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE JD BURROWS, HSCF PRESIDENT

F

irst, I hope you and our entire Houston Safari Club Foundation family are healthy and safe. For Angie & I, we’ve been hunkered down here in Magnolia, TX; surrounded by 3 teenage kids and focused on what counts; family, faith, and fun.

Sitting here writing, I can’t help but wonder what or how some of my PH friends must be thinking about COVID-19. To them, this virus has created a tidal wave of unforeseen consequences. And by extension, the animals and ecosystems we protect with our conservation funds are suffering. As my friend Ivan Carter recently said, “one of the most important things we can use this [quarantine] time for is to evaluate who we are as a society and where are we going.” I agree with him that there has never been a more important time for us to protect our wildlife. A lot of people think of conservation and hunting as a luxury, I see it as a necessity.

Let’s make sure we do our part to preserve the ecosystems and species around the world.

Over the past three months, our office staff and the board of directors have done a fantastic job demonstrating what HSCF can do for conservation. While working remotely, the office staff didn’t miss a beat, and we were the first organization to reach out to our exhibitors and offer them a 2021 convention relief package. Through social media, word of mouth, and frequent communications with our world-wide exhibitors, we encouraged hunters to reschedule trips.

Given social distancing rules, we took swift action to postpone some events and shift others to online only. The board took quick action to authorize these alterations, and they have been very supportive and creative in coming up with ways to deliver our mission.

With the guidance of our treasurer, Mark King, and our investment advisors, HSCF has performed better than expected during the economic downturn. We have been very careful with our funds for operations, and our investments are performing relatively well. It’s important for us to understand that we have investments to carry us through lean times, in order to fulfill our mission.

Over the past three months, under the stewardship of grants chairman, Shaun Nelson, we have continued to fund conservation and hunting programs with much-needed aid aligned with our mission. Over the past fiscal year, we funded twelve grants and will meet our budget goal, but more importantly, we invested in our future.

Now that spring turkey season is over in Texas, I typically turn my attention to the Southern Hemisphere

8 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

and either chase birds in South America, plains game in Southern Africa, or plan my next hunt, however, this year we will not be able to enjoy any of those. What we can do is redouble our efforts in conservation and support of grants. Our mission remains true no matter what conditions surround us, and now more than ever we all need to do our part to preserve the sport of hunting, and wildlife conservation. Our efforts for the 2021 Convention are very important, and now more than ever, our exhibitors and the hunting community need us.

In your service;

JD Burrows HSCF President

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 9

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR‘S

MESSAGE

JOE BETAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

W

elcome to your Summer 2020 issue of Hunters Horn®! I guess you could also refer to this edition as the “Pandemic Issue”. If you happen to grab this magazine in the future, to refer back to an article, you will not fondly recall a time in our history when a pandemic effectively shut down our world. There is nothing new I can say to provide an overview of this time or to offer a prophetic view for the future.

We have been constantly inundated with news reports and press releases. There is one thing of which I am certain. If nothing else, this time has hopefully allowed us to reassess and place a higher value on human interaction. I do not know about you, but I am sick of videoconferencing and not being able to shake hands.

Our organization has continued to function during these unprecedented times. Your staff has been operating remotely in tandem with your Board of Directors. Meetings by videoconference, daily operations, process improvements and planning have all continued without interruption. Unfortunately, social gathering restrictions required the cancellation of some monthly meetings. The annual HSCF Sporting Clays Tournament has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 10th. HSCF has implemented several initiatives to assist our members and business partners and to assure the fiscal security of our organization in a new environment. Among these: • Seeing the potential plight of our exhibitors, we issued an economic relief package for 2021 Convention exhibitors.

• An active campaign to encourage hunters to reschedule instead of cancel hunting trips.

• Free social media advertising for HSCF members and advertisers to help restart businesses.

• Social distancing media campaign to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

• Assessment of all HSCF operating expenses to ensure the responsible management of our fiscal resources including securing a Payroll Protection Program allocation as part of the CARES Act. • Involvement in numerous letter-writing campaigns, to U.S. Governors and state & federal agencies, to encourage them to keep state parks, federal lands and hunting seasons open.

Elections for your 2020-2022 Board of Directors have been completed. Your new HSCF Directors are James Lofton, Ross Melinchuk, Jody Simpson and Trey White. Gib Surles, a member of the 2019-2020 HSCF Board of Directors, is the newest member of the HSC Board of Directors, serving both HSC and the HSCPAC. Congratulations to each of these members who exemplify service and commitment for our organization.

On the national and international front, these legislative and policy items should merit your attention: HSC was part of a nationwide effort to encourage all U.S. Governors to keep hunting seasons and access to land available in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic. The letter also offered ideas 10 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

for maintaining safe and appropriate access to nature during the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced a historic proposal for new and expanded hunting and fishing opportunities across more than 2.3 million acres at 97 national wildlife refuges and 9 national fish hatcheries. This proposed rule is the single largest expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in history. HSC participated in a call to announce the plan launch with the Secretary.

A First Judicial District Court judge ordered the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to release the names and addresses of all successful big-game applicants for the years 2015 through April 23, 2019. Additionally, the New Mexico Court of Appeals ordered the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to release the email addresses of individuals who applied for state hunting licenses for the years 2015 through 2016. These actions set a dangerous precedent and vulnerability for hunting license holder information to be released to anti-hunting groups.

HSC joined other peer organizations to comment on the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) draft land management plan for the Tonto National Forest (TNF) covering over 2.9 million acres in central Arizona that among many uses of the federal public lands, addresses future management of hunting, fishing and recreational shooting. Topics specifically covered planning and implementing mutually beneficial projects and activities related to hunting, fishing, and the shooting sports conducted on federal lands.

HSC, along with 135 other organizations, presented an open letter to the World Health Organization and United Nations Environment Program. This letter addressed the COVID-19 pandemic effect on social and economic costs on countries, illegal wildlife trade and consumption, and the effects on wildlife welfare.

These are indeed strange times for all of us. As our country and economy recover, I encourage you to continue your support of Houston Safari Club Foundation. HSCF continues to supplement conservation projects around the world, providing grants to fight poaching, fund wildlife & habitat projects and fighting to protect the rights of hunters. We continue planning youth hunting and fishing trips for later this year. This July, we will once again provide scholarships to students majoring in outdoor-related studies. Like other nonprofit organizations, fundraising is the key to supporting these programs. And like other nonprofits, HSCF has been required to cancel or postpone several fundraising events. We need your support now more than ever. If you have the capacity, I ask that you support our organization to allow us to continue great works on your behalf.

How? Become a member, renew your membership or upgrade your membership. Advertise your business in our magazine to restart your business following the pandemic. Purchase HSCF merchandise. Or simply make a donation to HSCF. You can do any of these on our website at wehuntwegive.org. Stay safe! Stay healthy!

In support of hunting and conservation,

Joe Betar Executive Director, HSCF/HSC/HSC-PAC

We shape boys into leaders.

A COLLEGE-PREP BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS GRADES 7-12

Character forged ...

IN HARLINGEN, TEXAS

... empowered for life.

CHARACTER.MMA-TX.US

956-423-6006

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 11

HSCF LIFE MEMBERS Bob Abernathy John Abraham Charlotte Alexander Richard Alexander Crystal Allison Shannon Alston Michael Ambrose Anne Avara Jacob Avara Skip Avara Paul Babaz Camp Bailey Cope Bailey Freddie Bailey Kenneth Bailey Frank Baird Jo Baird Mike Baird Jack Barksdale L. Irvin Barnhart * Wendy Barnhart-Lamplough James Bell Lyndel Berry Tony Bessette Charlotte Betar Joe Betar James Biggerstaff Jeff Birmingham Craig Boddington Werner Boeer Jay Bonano E. Bond Greg Bond Pete Bonora Jeri Booth Frederick (Tony) Box Luanne Bozeman W. Steven Bozeman James Braus John Bridgwater Jack Brittingham Elizabeth Brueggeman Mark Brueggeman Joe Bruno Aaron Bulkley Matt Burke Robert Burke Byron Burris Grady Burris Quint Burris Prentiss Burt Daniel Butler Turner Butts Don Byrne C. Cagle Dennis Cain Thomas Cain Rick Callison Alex Campbell Bill Carter * Ivan Carter Paul Carter Ben Case Barbara Cavender-Lewis Preston Cavner 12 HUNTER'S HORN™ SPRING SUMMER2019 2020

Chris Caywood Tracey Cearley Alan Cegielski Doug Centilli Christopher Clark James Clark Steve Clark Craig Clendenin Michael S. Clifford Stephen Coale Keith Coleman Randall Coleman * Russell Coleman Joe Collett Dwayne Collier Frank Comiskey Hunter Comiskey Kevin Comiskey Alan “Bink” Cooke Dian Cooper Rocky Cooper George Councill Steve Crawford Steve Crawford Kenneth Crockett Gary Crouch Deb Cunningham Ford Cunningham Linda Cunningham Ralph Cunningham Ralph Daigle Joe Davis Laurent Delagrange Armando DeLeon Armando DeLeon Charlie Desautels Elliot Desautels Gregory Desautels Perry Dillon Randy Donato Barry Donoho Tim Doucet Megan Doyel James (Red) Duke * Dannine Duncan Jan Duncan Scott Duncan Bruce Edwards Robert Elkins Walton Eller Susan Ellerbeck * Gary Ellison Will Ellison Shaun Essery Travis Findley Charlene Floyd Tommy Fogle Randy Fowler Nathan Foyil * Michael Franklin Bobby Frederick Aaron Freeman Nichol Freeman Donald French Warren Gallant

Randal Garrett Scott Garrett Tanya Garrett Zachary Garrett Paul Geiger Frank Giacalone Salvatore Giannetti Gary Glesby Carl Godfrey Russell Gordy Jeff Gorski William Gouldin Sandra Green Kevin Gregory Edward Guinn Dodd Hackman Clayton Hagerman Cory Hall James Halley Greg Harvey Vickie Hayes Charles Head Jerry Henderson Mark Herfort Heinert Hertling Robert Hibbert Greg Hill Loren Hill Steven Hill Nicholas Hinze Edward Hoffman William Holder Bill Honza Toby Huerta Gene Human Tanya Hurlburt Terry Hurlburt Harold Inman * Justin Itzel Keith Itzel John Jackson Jack Jensen W.A. “Bill” Jentsch Clay Johnson Todd Johnson Robert Jones Harris Junell Darrell Kainer David Kalich Susan Kalich Kirk Kanady Michelle Kangas Gaye Kelsey John Kelsey Julianne King Mark King Rick Kirk Jim Klentzman Robert Kneppler Philip Koehne George Kollitides Tommy Kolwes Phil Koonce George Kopecky Keith Lake

HSCF LIFE MEMBERS Fred Lamas Wayne LaPierre Joel Latham Kyle Lehne Richard Leibman John Lindholm Tom Lipar Bryant Littlefield Mark Livesay Ricardo Longoria Cody Loverin Doug Luger David Mafrige Shane Mahoney Paige Manard D Martin John Martin James Masten Chad Matherne Wyatt McBride Mitzy McCorvey Tony McCorvey Ed McCrory Travis McWilliams Gerald Meinecke Lewis Metzger Greg Mills Brook Minx Howard Monsour Forrest Montealegre Paul Montealegre G.L. Moore Reed Morian Tommy Morrison Ron Mostyn Dustin Mykyte Shannon Nash Bob Neese Rob Neilson Scott Nelson Shaun Nelson William B. Newlin Rudy Nix K. Nunnally Carol O’Day Kerry O’Day Charles Onstead Kevin Ormston Neal Overstreet John Painter Michael Park Michael Parr Steve Pate Trevor Penny John Pepper Melanie Pepper Stephanie Perry Will Perry Timothy Peter Bryce Phillips Carson Phillips Dusty Phillips Wilson (Woody) Phillips Thomas Powell Kevin Poynter

Andrew Pratt Kymberly Pratt Charles Prince Sharon Propes Carlos Ramirez Bryan Ray Christina Ray Lawrence Rearick William Reed Gayle Rettig Keith Riggs Theresa Riggs John Robberson Larry Robinson Mike Robinson * Chuck Rod Robert Rod * Stephen Rogers William Rohrbach William Roosevelt Gary Rose Mark Rose Jerry Rubenstein Chris Ruhman John Rulon Gerald Russell Byron Sadler Sandra Sadler Michael Sample William Sample Michael Sandeen Joseph Sayers Corey Schaefer Scott Scheinin Robert Scherer Wade Schindewolf Adam Schindler George Severence Wayne Sheets John Shelby Richard Shepherd Jason Shrieve William Simmons Austin Simpson Autumn Simpson Barret Simpson Becky Simpson Dawn Simpson Jacob Simpson Jody Simpson Michael Simpson Mike Simpson Travis Simpson Tristan Simpson Weston Simpson Sam Skipper Aurelia Skipwith Carter Smith Jason Smith Mandy Smith Steve Smith * Tom Snyder Norman Speer James Stacy Kaylee Stacy

Mary Edith Stacy Larry Stifflemire Mark Stouse Randy Strickland H. Stuart Greg Stube David Swan Dr. Lloyd Swiedom Lloyd Swiedom Leah Symens Tyler Symens Peter Tam Stephen Tam Larry Tatom Terry Taylor Mark Terpstra Robert Thomas Heidi Thomas-Kersh J.B. Tinney John Tobin Pete Trammell Ted Trout * Hal Tryon Don Turner Aart Van Den Brink Phillip Veale Thom Venus Amanda Vick William Vick Juan Villaveces Glenn Vincent Jeffery Vinson Pierre Vorster Joshua Walker Greg Walla Rob Walsh John Waltz Dana Weber Rick Weber Larry Weishuhn Brian Welker Denise Welker Robert Wells Brian Welsh Lawrence West Matt West Bruce Whitmire Bill Wilkinson * Ron Willenborg Steve Willenborg Gregory Williamson Alan Winslette Robby Winstead Kurt Wiseman John Wood Bill Woodall J.D. Woods Patricia Woods Debi Young Preston Young Brian Zaitz

* Deceased SUMMER SPRING 2019 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 13

HOUS T ON S A FA R I C L U B F OU N DAT ION

COR POR ATE MEMBER S TH A NK YOU F OR SU PPORTING HSCF

Brush Country Studios / Prairie Mountain Wildlife Studios brushcountrystudios.com

Alaska Skookum Guides alaskaskookumguides.com

Arkitektura Development arkdevinc.com

The Blake Wilcox Group Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene theblakewilcoxgroup.com

Capital Farm Credit capitalfarmcredit.com

Champion Ranch huntchampionranch.com

Clay Time claytimebaycity.com

Gsell’s Whitetails gsellswhitetails.com

Hawkeye Hunting Club hawkeyehunting.com

HomeLand Properties homelandprop.com

HuntersInc.com LLC

JFD Cattle Company

Milton Lake Lodge Republic Boot Co. republicbootcompany.com

Royal Outfitters

Soele Texas Best Ranches texasbestranches.com

Tech-Mark Sales tech-marksales.com

Safari Specialty Importers, Inc. importinghuntedtrophies.com

.

WW

TEMPER A S E M P E R A T U R E C O N TA T U RO E XW . T E X A S T L. C

R EO M

T

Ruple Properties southtexasranches.com

NC

CO

NT

RO

L SERVICES

, I

Texas Temperature Control texastemperaturecontrol.com

Trophy Shippers trophyshippers.com

WildLife Partners wildlifepartners.com

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Jarrid Barry Trey Bonner Mark Briers Ricardo Cagigal Joseph Croot David DeCort David Dibben Jacky Franklin Kaitlyn Guidry Pat Henscey Johnny Hughes

Gregory Hutson Stephen Ingle Hunter McDonnell Dennis Moore Wayne Muller Richard Munguia Richard Tauber Pierre Van Wyk Ruan Viljoen Mark Waite James Whaley

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 15

SCT CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE JEFF BIRMINGHAM, SPORTING CLAYS TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN

W

ell 2020 has certainly been a misfire in my books! Please help me in making sure that our HSCF Sporting Clays Tournament to be held on Saturday, HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION October 10th is not. Once again we will be at the Greater Houston and the proceeds support HSCF’s Sports Club with hopefully much mission of preserving the sport of cooler weather and hunting on our hunting through education, conserminds. This tournament has become one of the largest vation and the promotion of our hunting heritage. Funds and most fun filled charity sporting clays tournaments in raised go towards programs benefiting habitat and species the Houston area and we are hoping to keep that tradipreservation, youth education programs, veterans hunttion alive this year. The tournament provides numerous ing programs and more. We still have many sponsorship sponsorship, marketing, and networking opportunities for opportunities and would greatly appreciate your support. individuals and companies alike, as well as prizes, games, Please mark your calendars and register for the event. We raffles, great food, and fun. guarantee you will have a great time of shooting, fellowThe tournament will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and conclude ship, and fundraising for a worthy cause. We look forward around 2:00 p.m. Food trucks will be available for breakto seeing you there! fast and coffee, and we will finish up with BBQ , beer, and beverages. There will also be an opportunity at the Sincerely, end of the tournament for the top shooters to participate in an Annie Oakley Shootout for the 2020 HSCF Jeff Birmingham World Champion! The tournament is a 501©(3) event 2020 Sporting Clays Tournament Chairman TM

SPORTING CLAYS TOURNAMENT

16 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 17

REMEMBR ANCE

Steve Smith HSCF mourns the loss of Mr. Steve Smith dedicated HSCF Life Member and Recipient of the 2019 HSCF Hunter of the Year Award.

Steven Myrle ‘Steve’ Smith was born in Palestine, Texas on June 24, 1961 to Dorothy Lee Combs and Riley Myrle Smith. He died peacefully on May 18, 2020 in Montgomery, Texas, his home of thirty years.

Growing up in east Texas Steve participated in football and rodeo and raised show calves and pigs through the Ag program at Palestine High School.

The family farm is where he learned to hunt with his dad and continued that tradition with his mom.

In recent years the farm became a place of respite.

Mowing with his tractor or surveying the pastures on his side-by-side were Steve’s therapy as he battled an aggressive cancer.

Steve studied engineering and finance at Texas A&M University where he met Suzanne Hixson who would later become his wife. He would joke that he’d like to tell you he met ‘Suzie’ in the library but the truth was they met at the Dixie Chicken. Their first date was country-western dancing. They were partners in life and on the dance floor for thirtysix years. Steve could never resist a George Strait song – even if it meant spinning his Suzie around the house in her pajamas.

During the oil and banking crisis of the 80’s Steve left college to pursue an opportunity in the dry cleaning industry under the guidance of a respected mentor. Steve’s success resulted in not only a comfortable life for himself and Suzanne but also the chance to offer business opportunities to others. In business and in life Steve was straightforward, often politically incorrect, and honest. This earned him the respect of many, even if they were on the receiving end of his sometimes blunt honesty. Known for his “Steve-isms”, he might quip to a plant operator that “he spent two years teaching them how to make the

18 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

most money and they then spent six months showing him how to lose it”. But he was never more proud than when an individual he counseled excelled in business.

“When you work, work hard and when you play, play hard” was Steve’s ethic. Water skiing, snow skiing, golf, bass fishing, power boating - there was not a hobby he would not attempt. He secretly took flying lessons to surprise Suzanne on the day of his solo flight. From motor coaching to motorcycles, he was always ready to roll. Steve’s idea of vacation had nothing to do with relaxation but rather finding something to climb up or off which to jump. On a river cruise or on safari, he relished every moment, telling those who suggested he take a break that he could “sleep when he was dead”. He took a crash course in scuba so he could dive the Great Barrier Reef, realizing a childhood dream of seeing Mt. Everest, and trekked across a glacier in pursuit of wild sheep. Whether hunting from a dog sled in the Arctic or photographing penguins in the Antarctic, Steve traveled with a zest for life. He was a proud Texan and a proud American and he was determined to well represent his State and his Country to the rest of the world. His adventures with Suzanne took him to every continent and just shy of one hundred countries where he made countless friends and enjoyed a diversity of cultures. A day of exploration always ended with local foods and brews which Steve never refused to sample.

Perhaps Steve’s greatest passion was the outdoors.

He mastered the trails of the Colorado mountains with his faithful jeep ‘Pepe’. A remote camp in Alaska or the African bush was his sanctuary. The hunting he first experienced as a young man on

the farm led him to all parts of the earth in pursuit of not only big game but also knowledge of wildlife and the people who live among it. Two of his greatest honors were receiving an award from the Houston Safari Club Foundation in recognition of his hunting achievements and working with the Dallas Safari Club to advance the cause of hunters’ rights. He was unapologetic in his convictions on the contributions of hunting towards conservation.

Steve loved the sunrise on Lake Conroe and pronounced each morning’s dawn to be the most beautiful ever. He found joy in the deer greeting him on his days at the farm. He eagerly awaited the snowmelt each summer to clear a path to Colorado’s Radical Hill. He yearned to return again to Zimbabwe to watch the elephants drink at the waterhole as he held hands with Suzie over a sundowner. He would marvel at millions of stars in the African night sky and ponder how anyone seeing them could not believe in God. Steve is with his God and a host of loved ones who prepared the way before him. He now sees the glorious sunrises, the highest peaks, his beloved wildlife, and the evening stars from a different view.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, several special aunts and uncles, and brother Riley Elmo Smith. He is survived by his wife Suzanne Hixson and her family; his brothers Colonel Roy Cherry and family, Roy Glenn Smith and family, and Donald Smith; and a multitude of Combs and Smith family members.

Steve was humbled by and grateful for the love and prayers of his family and many friends from all over the world. They gave of their support gladly and with admiration for the strength, determination, candor, and humor with which Steve faced down his disease. He insisted on handling each challenge one step at a time reminding us “it doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop”. He counted his medical team at Houston Methodist Hospital, who treated him with respect and compassion, among his friends.

“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time”.

—T.S. Eliot

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 19

A Hunter’s Dollar and Access to the Outdoors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

BY JEFF CRANE, PRESIDENT OF THE CONGRESSIONAL SPORTSMEN’S FOUNDATION

chronically underfunded with an overwhelming workload, the outdoor sporting community next urged federal lawmakers to pass the Pittman-Robertson Act (PR Act).

When Congress passed the law in 1937, it served as a watert’s easy to recognize the positive attributes that hunting has shed moment creating what we now call the American System on one’s mental and physical health. As hunters, we often of Conservation Funding (ASCF). Considered to be one of seek refuge from life’s challenges in the outdoors – whether the greatest conservation policy success stories in our nation’s it’s pursuing our favorite game, shooting clay targets, or scouthistory, the PR Act established an excise tax on firearms, ammuing a piece of public land. During the ongoing crisis that has nition and archery equipment to be deposited into the Wildlife befallen our nation, getting outside is one of the obvious strateRestoration Trust Fund (WRT) which is then distributed to gies to cope with the disruptions to our day-to-day routine that the individual states to fund their fish and wildlife agencies; are largely out of our control. hunter education; recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented chalprograms; hunting access; and construction and operation of lenges for decision-makers across the globe, impacting nearly public target ranges, among others. every aspect of daily life. In the United States, officials at all levIn response to the challenges of COVID-19, some decision els of government have implemented a series of approaches to makers have closed public lands and waters, canceled or delayed combat the pandemic in order to protect public health and safety hunting seasons, and limited recreational shooting opportunities and some of these approaches are directly impacting sportsmen in order to comply with social distancing guidelines. The presand women; in particular, access to the outdoors and funding sure to take these steps presents a potential crisis for state fish for state fish and wildlife management agencies. While hunters and wildlife agencies whose capacity to further their missions and anglers are faced with a difficult task to find opportunities is directly tied to the revenue these activities produce. where they can enjoy their outdoor pursuits while adhering to For example, according to a National Shooting Sports social distancing guidelines, state agencies are faced with the Foundation report, 80 percent of Pittman-Robertson excise task of balancing wildlife and habitat management and the tax contributions are generated by sales attributed to recrepublic’s participation in time-honored sportsmen’s traditions ational shooting. By extension, closure of recreational shooting with public health and budgetary concerns. opportunities during this time could result in With the strict restrictions that have althe loss of ASCF revenue for state agencies.

Hunting not ready been implemented as a result of the In addition, closure of hunting seasons will only is a way of COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining access likely lead to a decrease in license sales and to hunting, recreational shooting and other associated funding for state fish and wildlife for many, outdoor activities is essential to many of us life agencies. If a hunter can’t hunt, many see but it also has that consider these activities fundamental to no reason to purchase a license. Peeling the our well-being. Fortunately, participation in significant financial onion back another layer, lost revenue from these activities can easily adhere to the social decreased license sales is compounded by the contributions distancing guidelines set forth by our health fact that most states’ PR Act allocations take a to conservation officials. Hunters naturally recreate responsiconsequential hit if they have fewer certified bly, and access to the outdoors for sportsmen license buyers. During a time of economic unand the state’s is essential for these activities to remain an certainty, it’s imperative that access to public economy. avenue to physically and mentally recharge land and hunting opportunities remains open during the COVID-19 pandemic. for sportsmen and women to continue huntHunting not only is a way of life for many, but it also has siging and enjoying other outdoor pursuits for the sustainability nificant financial contributions to conservation and the state’s of our nation’s treasured natural resources. economy. Dollars from hunting license sales directly impact Ensuring these opportunities remain available also benefits state fish and wildlife agencies’ ability to operate and manage local economies and businesses that support hunting. By closwildlife species efficiently and effectively. In the late 1800s and ing hunting seasons, public land access, boating ramps, shooting early 1900s, sportsmen and women began voicing concerns ranges, and other forms of outdoor access, it significantly impacts about the unprecedented decline in wildlife populations due the contributions that sportsmen make to wildlife conservato mismanagement, habitat loss, and unsustainable harvest tion and the economy. During a time of economic distress, it is practices. As a first step in addressing these problems, hunters imperative that every possibility to contribute to the economy and anglers advocated for the creation of state fish and wildlife is available to our nation’s constituents, and hunting and other agencies that use science to manage wildlife, conserve important forms of outdoor recreation are some of the most viable ways habitats, regulate harvest, and enforce wildlife laws. Realizing to stimulate the economy when social distancing is essential. that the state agencies charged with managing wildlife were As sportsmen and women look to the outdoors for escape

I

20 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

during this challenging time, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been working with governors’ offices, legislators, and state fish and wildlife agencies to encourage them to take steps to promote hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. CSF is asking these decision makers to allow sportsmen and women to enjoy the outdoors in a safe and healthy manner that is consistent with the safe distancing guidelines, as well as to leave businesses open that support these activities. CSF, along with Houston Safari Club and other partners, signed on to a letter sent to legislators, governors and other state leaders, urging them to keep these recreational opportunities open. The motivation behind these efforts is to protect Americans’ ability

to enjoy the outdoors and to ensure that sportsmen-generated conservation dollars remain intact for our state fish and wildlife agencies to be able to operate at full capacity once the COVID19 pandemic has finally subsided.

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation acknowledges the immense pressure and unique challenges facing state fish and wildlife agencies today and is grateful for the leadership of these agencies as they respond to the evolving challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to work alongside these agencies to retain – to the greatest extent possible – opportunities for people to responsibly enjoy the outdoors during these trying times. ★ SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 21

Ivan Carter Conservation is not Theoretical

By Michael Arnold WHEN I CAUGHT UP (VIRTUALLY ) WITH

Ivan Carter, he had been [forced] quarantining for several weeks in a friend’s vacation home near a South African Beach. It was apparent that Ivan did not want to be there any longer. “Ready to be out of jail!” was how he expressed it. His major concern was that conservation efforts across Africa were being damaged by the lockdown orders. The good news was that the South African authorities understood the necessity of continuing anti-poaching efforts, but what about elsewhere on the Dark Continent?

We will return to Ivan’s agenda to affect the conservation of African ecosystems, but first I had some questions for Ivan about his history. Specifically, I wanted to understand how he had ended up so passionate about preventing the loss of African wildlife. His answer to this question was in the form of an anecdote. “I went to boarding school from the age of 8. My mum kept my letters I sent home. Every single letter I have seen had this format: 1) hope you are all ok, 2) I’m fine, 3-20) descriptions of birds, ants, plants, etc. that I had seen or collected, 21) all my love, Ivan.”

A second anecdote was caused by me telling Ivan about searching for animal footprints along streams near my boyhood home in West Texas so that I could make Plaster of Paris casts of the imprints. He laughed and said that he and his friends had done the same thing. Of course, my casts were of raccoons, opossums, whitetail deer and maybe the occasional turkey. Ivan’s casts were from Zimbabwean species – leopard, Cape Buffalo, kudu... What I heard and sensed from Ivan’s history was that he had a Godgiven enthusiasm for the freedom and wonder of nature. He wants to ensure that his children and his children’s children, and many generations that follow them, have the same wonderful encounters with the birds, ants, plants, etc. of Africa.

Moving forward with Ivan’s history, we encounter him guiding large groups of well-heeled visitors in some of Africa’s most beautiful parks. He was giving lectures, driving the groups through game-rich enclosures, and would finish each day entertaining the groups at cocktail parties and multi-course dinners. So, what did the bush-kid from Zimbabwe think of the experience? I could tell he was carefully measuring his response to that question, but it was clear that it was not in his wheel-house. Or, maybe (being from Cricket-mad Zimbabwe) it would be more accurate to state that he was playing on the wrong pitch. Regardless, Ivan realized that his soul was truly enriched by being with clients in his capacity as a Professional Hunter. In his words, “I loved building camaraderie with those who wanted to experience the natural world, who could sit quietly next to you during a multi-hour drive while savoring the surroundings, those who enjoyed stopping the hunting car, climbing up on the hood and watching a sunset.” In other words, 22 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

he loved being with those who understood the joy of experiencing the natural world.

However, the above was not the Ivan Carter I ‘knew’. I knew Ivan from DVDs. I knew him as a PH who accompanied famous hunters like Donna and Craig Boddington. I recognized him as the PH who guided clients to elephant, Cape Buffalo, and lion. I remembered him as the PH who was forced to shoot a charging

Ivan and elephant.

lion, twice, at a matter-of-feet. And, he was the PH who still had the presence of mind to turn to the camera and say “That’s why you carry a double rifle.” Geez, what sportsman or woman wouldn’t want to be guided by that PH?! Yet, it became very clear, very quickly during our recent interview that my [never-to-be-asked] question, “what was it like to have an enraged lion near enough to smell his breath, Ivan?” was a bit trivial compared to the larger issues that Ivan wanted us to discuss. The topic on his heart was the conservation of African ecosystems.

UNDERSTANDING THE AFRICAN CONTEXT

As with most of my ‘well-thought-out questions’, my next set for Ivan reflected a serious lack of understanding of the African context. Maybe the 1st-world reader is like me. My thought was that rural locals in the 3rd-world would be motivated to conserve their environment if improvements such as medical clinics, good roads and schools for their children were provided by NGOs, hunters, or their own governments. Ivan was gentle, but straightforward, in his mentoring of me over the WhatsApp connection. “Mike, do you know what the word from the Bantu language [the root for most African dialects] is for ‘animal’? It’s the same word as ‘meat’”. Ivan continued, “Hungry stomachs have no ears.” He then asked if I

had ever experienced an extended period of hunger. I answered in the negative. “Well”, he pointed out, “none of the rural Africans in unmanaged habitats have ever known extended periods without hunger.” He concluded with another mantra: “Appreciating the pure beauty of an animal is only done on a full stomach.”

I was coming to understand what conservationists like Ivan had learned the hard way, but what comfortable 1st-worlders like myself had long since forgotten. Rural African populations firstand-foremost want to have enough protein for their families and themselves. Given a lack of protein, they will naturally harvest as much of the local fauna as they can. Ivan gave Botswana as an example of how responsible use through sport hunting was a workable model for much of rural Africa. “While sport hunting was open, local communities thrived”, he stated. “However, when Botswana closed sport hunting, the local communities struggled.

They struggled in spite of all the clinics and roads that were built; they struggled because their children were hungry.”

CONSERVATION AS ‘RESPONSIBLE RESOURCE USE’

My next question to Ivan involved a terminology that I had read, or heard. The term I was using was ‘Conservation Through

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 23

Ivan and giraffe.

Utilization’. Again, Ivan leaned into my question with an insight gained from practical experience. “You’ll have a more difficult time convincing non-hunters that animals have to be ‘utilized’ to be conserved. Instead, we speak of ‘Responsible Resource Use’.”

At first I did not see the difference, but then Ivan provided some questions he associates with this phrase. I began to see how ‘use’ could soften the message, and lead to practical conservation. His questions included: 1. Does the use generate enough income to support management of the local ecosystem?

2. Does the use benefit the local community – again mostly in terms of food resources?

3. Will the Responsible Resource Use, in a given area, sustain or deplete the ecosystem? In Ivan’s pragmatic sense, “will the ecosystem still be intact in 100 years?”

Ivan continued, “There are really only five ways in which undeveloped African landscapes will be used. They will be used for settlements, farm land, mining operations, logging or tourism.

Only the last of these has a real potential for conserving natural areas.” But, it became obvious that even this last category was not without its complexities. “Those who are against hunting as a means by which we can protect ecosystems,” Ivan pointed out, “suggest that photographic tourism is a viable method for maintaining wildlife and their habitats.” However, as he explained, this 24 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

type of utilization can often lead to a significant degradation of natural environments. “Take Kruger [National Park] for example.

Is it sustainable to dig bore holes that pump huge quantities of water to the surface to attract the animals to man-made ponds so that the tourists can photograph them?” He continued, “And, maintaining the huge network of roads to transport tourists to animal viewing areas, is a major disturbance.” He concluded, “It is a given that photographic tourism will almost always alter the local habitat in order to make it easier to view the wildlife.”

Ivan was not arguing against Park Systems and thus always for hunting. By examining the list of potential usages, and through a process of elimination, ‘Responsible Use’ will sometimes result in settlement, agriculture, mining, logging or parks. Yet, Ivan pointed to the current Covid-19 pandemic as a red flag. “It’s a wakeup call for humans. There are too many of us, and we have disrespected the environment for way too long.” He concluded, “We need to pull our socks up and get to work.”

COLUMNS OF THE CARTER CONSERVATION COLONNADE

O.K., so Ivan does not call his conservation endeavors ‘columns’, but rather ‘Core Projects’ of the Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance (ICWCA). But, I like metaphors, and I really like alliteration, thus I’m going to refer to them as the columns supporting a conservation colonnade. I also like the colonnade metaphor because I am assuming that as the ICWCA expands, many new

columns will be added and the colonnade will grow into a larger, and increasingly beautiful, edifice. Of the four ICWCA columns currently in progress, I will detail only one in this article. (A second ICWCA conservation effort will be explored in “Mark Haldane: Professional Hunter and Conservationist”, Hunter’s Horn, Fall 2020. This companion article will discuss the development of the Zambeze Delta Safaris’ Coutada 11 hunting/conservation area in Mozambique.)

Before we begin our look at the ICWCA’s work, I think we should understand Ivan’s approach to conservation efforts. Doing so sheds some light on the title of this article. I asked Ivan about the top-flight research science that underlies each of the Alliance projects. He paused and said that they were very careful to identify excellent scientists and science to inform their conservation plans. However, he also cautioned against what he called ‘Analysis Paralysis’. As a research scientist with 45 years in laboratory and field analyses, I understood what he meant. Conservation scientists can spend so much of their time focusing on the theory of how to conserve organisms that animals, plants and entire ecosystems are lost in the interim. As a scientist who sometimes works in conservation biology, I am NOT arguing against good science as the basis for conservation projects, and neither was Ivan. However, there has to be a non-theoretical approach if anything is going to be accomplished. To illustrate this, Ivan outlined how they proceeded with one of their projects: 4. No board meetings 5. Detailed planning of the scientific and conservation goals 6. And asking the following questions: a. Does the work reflect responsible science and conservation? b. Is the work practical? c. Are there sufficient funds?

If the answer is ‘yes’ to a-c, then DO IT!

PRIMATE CONSERVATION – A MODEL ICWCA ‘COLUMN’

The bushmeat trade has dire consequences for extensive areas of rural Africa. However, 1st-worlders should refrain from looking down our noses at the Africans involved in bushmeat harvesting, sale and consumption. Instead, we should remind ourselves of how our ancestors altered their own environments through the same practices. For example, I can look out the window of my home office from which I am writing this article and view whitetail deer browsing in my backyard. However, due to what we called ‘market hunting’ by the early inhabitants of the state of Georgia – and indeed along the entire eastern seaboard of North America – deer, turkey, elk, buffalo, etc were driven to extinction, or nearly so. Only through very recent reintroductions – e.g. in the 1920’s - 1990’s for the whitetail deer – do we now have the return of some of those species.

African primates, like chimpanzees and Gorillas, are often considered by locals to be a taboo food source. However, belief systems in places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) promote the consumption of primates. The impact of the DRC bushmeat trade on primate populations is compounded by a second type of exploitation, that of the exotic animal trade. The devastation of primate species is the reason for the existence of the ICWCA’s Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre located near the Kahuzi Biega National park. Like each of the ICWCA projects, the Lwiro facility is multifaceted in its mandate and approach.

The ultimate goal at Lwiro is to release those primates rescued from the exotic animal and bushmeat trade back into their natural habitats. However, young chimpanzees and other primates stolen from their family units must be ‘rehabilitated’ for some time. Thus, short term goals include improving the infrastructure at Lwiro so that the physical and mental development of the orphaned primates can be maximized. This, in turn, will allow their release at the earliest possible date.

The second goal of this facility is to have increased community involvement and support. In every conservation effort of which I am aware, the local community must be involved, or the work is doomed to failure. In the case of Lwiro, the local community has already seen significant practical benefits. All of the food consumed by the chimpanzees and other primates is purchased from local farmers. Furthermore, the labor force at the Lwiro facility has been hired locally. Lastly, the local Congolese have been involved in setting up a community coffee plantation with over 350,000 trees. This community project is also designed to act as a future funding source for the Lwiro project.

The final emphasis at the Lwiro facility is education. This is not unique to this ICWCA effort. In fact, education is perceived

by Ivan as crucial for the long-term success of any conservation project. In the case of Lwiro, each year over 1000 Congolese schoolchildren take guided tours through the Rehabilitation Centre. Their guides take this opportunity to introduce them to the concepts of conservation, and how the trade in bushmeat and exotic animals devastates their natural heritage. The goal of these education opportunities is to develop the next generation of ambassadors for these iconic species, and the habitats they must have to exist.

Ivan’s passion for educating, and thus empowering locals to carry on with the conservation of their environmental heritage, is not limited to the work at Lwiro. His belief in the centrality of education can be seen in all of the ICWCA’s four conservation endeavors.

For example, the ICWCA’s Southern African Wildlife College located in the Greater Kruger National park area is a ‘Learningby-Doing’ facility. The College has trained nearly 20,000 people in conservation disciplines. Putting emphasis on education can also be seen in the ‘Kids in Conservation’ program in Namibia.

Kids in Conservation is an arm of ICWCA’s Giraffe Conservation Foundation, and is the largest of its kind in Namibia; several thousand children are being educated in conservation approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

When you listen to Ivan, you hear a man with a passion for the natural world. Yes, Ivan is an outstanding Professional Hunter.

But, he is much more than that. When you hear him speak, you are exposed to a person in love with the complex beauty of the natural world. This passion for nature leads to another facet of Ivan Carter’s makeup. He desires that generations to come have the opportunity to enjoy the natural wonders of his home continent of Africa. He is passionate that many be able to enjoy their pursuit of African Game animals through hunting and photography. More profoundly, Ivan wants the love of entire ecosystems to drive practical, effective, and enduring conservation. Here is how he summed it up: “I want my own children, and children across Africa, to have the opportunity and freedom to experience the fullness of nature in the way I did growing up in Zimbabwe.” ★ For more information: Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance: ivancarterwca.org Zambeze Delta Safaris: zambezedeltasafaris.com SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 25

DREAM HUNT ALASKA

WIN BIG

Alaska is a premier hunting destination, known for their abundance of wild game.The lucky winner will receive a $25,000 credit to be used on the dream hunt(s) of their choice with any participating APHA Member.

Drawing will be held at the APHA Annual Banquet December 2020.

Need not be present to win Permit holder: Alaska Professional Hunters Association #103040 Multiple hunts can be combined to total the $25,000 credit. May also be used for fishing trips. Transportation, license and tag fees are not included. The winner will have until 3/15/2021 to select the outfitter/guide.

Hunt must be conducted by 12/31/2023 • This prize has NO CASH VALUE Enter online or call 97-929-0619 http://alaskaprohunter.org/raffle.html

A special “THANK YOU” to Jack Atcheson & Sons, Inc.

26 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

for their efforts in spreading the word of our raffle

A SPORTING CLUB LIKE NO OTHER!

Conveniently located between Houston and Austin lies Big Easy Ranch, a premier destination for hunting and sporting enthusiasts. Whether it’s hunting, golf, corporate entertaining or pure relaxation in the great outdoors, Big Easy Ranch offers something for everyone.

• 2,000 acres of hill country terrain • Upland Field Hunts and European Pheasant Drives • Trophy whitetail and exotic hunting • Twelve-station sporting clays course • Fishing lakes range from Trophy bass to seasonal rainbow trout

• • • •

Nine-hole par three golf course Luxurious overnight lodging Infinity pool with poolside cabana World-class cuisine and Wine Spectator™ awarded wine program • Private memberships available

979.733.8635 BigEasyRanch.com 2400 Brunes Mill Road SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 27 Columbus, Texas 78934

Vianna von Weyhausen

Canines for Africa With Global Rescue by her side, Vianna von Weyhausen’s Canines for Africa is making a difference in the fight against animal poaching.

A German Shepherd stands alert at the sound of gunshots.

With the ranger’s go ahead, the dog is released from his leash and races across the grassy field of the game reserve, hot on the trail of an animal poacher.

The dog, wearing protective body armor and a tracking collar, takes the poacher down and holds him on the ground until rangers arrive with handcuffs.

The German Shepherd is part of a nonprofit organization called Canines for Africa, created by Vianna von Weyhausen in 2016 to help stop the annihilation of vulnerable animals by poachers.

“I am originally from Zimbabwe, so Africa and animals are in my blood and I have been involved in conservation in one form or another my whole life,” said von Weyhausen, a Global Rescue member. “About five years ago, I heard about the use of dogs in wildlife protection and anti-poaching work. At the time few people were using K9 units and I thought it made sense to use an animal to help save wildlife.”

THE POACHING PROBLEM

One wildlife ranger is killed every three days. Three rhinos are killed every day. Four elephants are killed every hour. One pangolin is taken from the wild by poachers every five minutes, 28 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Contributed by www.globalrescue.com/hscf

according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Although there is more awareness of illegal poaching today, Africa’s endangered species and other wildlife are still being exterminated at a catastrophic rate.

“Everyone is aware of the crisis with rhinos, and I am glad to see increased awareness about the plight of pangolins — reclusive, cute, armadillo-like insectivores that are slaughtered for their scales for use in traditional Chinese medicine,” von Weyhausen said. “They are being killed at a rate of more than 100,000 each year, which is sure to lead to extinction unless the poaching is stopped.”

Poaching is big business. Tusks made of ivory are sold at a high profit to make ornaments and jewelry. Rhino horn, sold for $15,000 to $30,000 a pound and pangolin scales, at $270 per pound, are used in medicines in Asia, “despite research showing they have no curative properties,” says von Weyhausen.

Rangers and their dogs.

According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, illegal wildlife trafficking throughout the world brings in approximately $20 billion per year, “putting it in the same league as drugs, arms and human trafficking,” said von Weyhausen.

“Organized crime syndicates, even terrorist groups, are now the main perpetrators.”

Because elephants are becoming so scarce in some countries, poachers are turning to killing hippos for their tusk-like canines and incisors. Elks, with two incisors made of ivory, are also at risk.

“Poaching activity varies greatly between African countries.

Where there is foresight and political will to stem the massacres, the success rate can be high,” von Weyhausen said. “But where corruption rules, it can be disheartening for anti-poaching organizations trying to save the fauna, flora and ecosystems.”

DOGS TO THE RESCUE

The mission at Canines for Africa is twofold: train specialized dogs and their ranger-handlers and bring educational programs about conservation to schools.

Von Weyhausen ground operations are handled by Conraad de Rosner, a South African who has been running anti-poaching units with canines for more than 26 years.

“He is totally dedicated to both dogs and to saving wildlife,” she said.

Dogs are trackers by nature and breeds are chosen for their skills. Shepherds are trained to track human, firearm and ammunition scent and to disable armed poachers, while Weimaraners are trained to search for live or dead animals (an elephant injured by a poacher or an orphaned baby rhino) or contraband (elephant tusks, rhino horn or pangolin scales). Canines for Africa also use other breeds, like hounds (cold scent trackers), as the situations warrant.

The training center in South Africa typically houses 20 dogs in various stages of training. The ranger is educated through a 60-day residential course. The dog and the ranger complete instruction together and when both are ready, the team is transported to their new home. Canines for Africa schedules two week-long visits to assess and fine-tune the unit’s performance.

“The canines work effectively at night when most poachers are active,” von Weyhausen said. “They can track for many hours, abseil from a helicopter, lay in wait for a criminal, protect the handler and apprehend a suspect.”

The dogs are extraordinary, tracking down poachers before they commit a crime. Most South African National Parks now use canine units.

Canines for Africa has supplied the dogs and the training for 10 operational units in South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Mali and India.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 29

This new concept is proving extremely powerful in the capture of poachers. According to an official statement issued by South African National Parks, the effort is indeed making a difference: “Over the past 10 months the canine units have successfully tracked and taken down 90% of the poachers arrested in the Kruger National Park.”

“We at Canines for Africa are having similar results,” von Weyhausen said. “We are also finding that poaching syndicates often move out of a reserve as soon as we deploy K9 units, so we act as a deterrent as well as a proactive and reactive force.”

HOW GLOBAL RESCUE HELPS

Von Weyhausen joined Global Rescue the same year she founded Canines for Africa.

Because she travels between the organization’s London base, the training center in South Africa, operational units in six countries on two continents and visits sponsors in the United States and around the world, it made good business — and personal sense — to become a member.

“Given I spend so much time in remote areas of far flung countries (many without advanced medical facilities) running

an organization that is the target of poaching syndicates, Global Rescue made so much sense,” she said. “Your personnel were well-informed and friendly and the service so inclusive, I joined instantly.”

Creating and deploying anti-poaching wildlife conservation units is dangerous work, but von Weyhausen is more confident with a Global Rescue membership.

“It really does give me great peace of mind, especially when I am in the bush visiting my frontline anti-poaching units,” she said. “My base staff has Global Rescue’s details and I know they will contact Global Rescue the moment they hear there is a critical situation.”

You can learn more about Canines for Africa at k94a.org. ★ Houston Safari Club Foundation highly recommends that you purchase a Global Rescue membership prior to your next trip. Single trip, annual and family options are available. Global Rescue also offers travel insurance, including upgrade option to ‘cancel for any reason.’

For more information visit, info.globalrescue.com/hscf or call 617-459-4200 and tell them you’re a Houston Safari Club Foundation member.

Canines for Africa dog

30 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

ENGEL DRYBOX COOLERS - ideal for keeping ammo dry and cool

0.5 Engel Coolers RHR; horizontal New HIGH PERFORMANCE COOLERS | AC/DC FRIDGE FREEZERS | COOLER DRY BOXES | TUMBLERS | BACKPACK COOLERS | LIVE BAIT COOLERS | ADVENTURE GEAR 2020 HUNTER'S HORN 888-272-9838 | ENGELCOOLERS.COM SUMMER 900 Jupiter Park Drive | Jupiter,31FL 33458 â„¢

ROCK ISLAND AUCTION COMPANY® Premier Auction

Malcolm King Collection The

:Fine, Historic, & Investment Grade Firearms

SEPTEMBER 11TH, 12TH & 13TH

Fine & Extremely Rare Charles Lancaster .500 Four-Barrel Oval Bore Hammerless Big Game Rifle Made for the Prince of Indore

Very Fine Engraved John Dickson & Son 8 Gauge Double Barrel Jones Patent Rotary Underlever Hammer Duck Gun with Original Case and Accessories Made for the Famed Scottish Eccentric Charles Gordon

Charles Gordon

Extremely Fine Unique Engraved John Dickson & Son 8 Bore Double Barrel Percussion Duck Gun with Original Case and Accessories Made for the Famed Scottish Eccentric Charles Gordon

32 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

REAL ART ∙ REAL HISTORY ∙ REAL IRON Robert M. Lee Collection The

Impressive Cased Engraved Holland & Holland Royal Model Detachable Sidelock 600 Nitro Express Dangerous Game Double Rifle

Phenomenal Trio of Ivo Fabbri Pinless Sidelock Over-Under Shotguns By the Renowned Master Engraver Manrico Torcoli From the Robert M. Lee Collection

®

CATALOG ONLINE IN AUGUST!

Undisputed World Leader for Quality Collectable and Antique Firearms

TO ORDER YOUR FULL-COLOR 3-VOLUME SET CATALOG CALL (800) 238-8022 ($70 INC. S&H) SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN 33 WWW.ROCKISLANDAUCTION.COM ™

7819 42nd Street West, Rock Island, IL 61201 ∙ PHONE: 309-797-1500 ∙ FAX: 309-797-1655 ∙ EMAIL: info@rockislandauction.com ∙ Fully Licensed Class III Auctioneer

Mixed Grill BY SCOTT LEYSATH

IN ANOTHER LIFETIME, I SPENT A GREAT DEAL of time hanging out in bars and restaurants. It was my job.

From bouncer to corporate executive to finally owning my own restaurant, I worked my way up the food and beverage chain until I finally realized that there are much easier ways to earn a living. To those of you who invest ungodly hours into serving the public a great meal, I salute you. It’s a brutal business.

Venison Skewer

In another lifetime, I spent a great deal of time hanging out in bars and restaurants. It was my job. From bouncer to corporate executive to finally owning my own restaurant, I worked my way up the food and beverage chain until I finally realized that there are much easier ways to earn a living. To those of you who invest ungodly hours into serving the public a great meal, I salute you. It’s a brutal business.

We always offered some type of game on the menu. We served commercially raised venison, duck, boar and bison, but we also invited our customers to bring us their own cleaned fish and game a day or two in advance, and we would prepare it for them. Because our wild game dishes tasted so much, well, better than the game they prepared at home, we were often accused of the old “bait and switch”, replacing their game with a hunk of farmed beef, pork or chicken. Of course, that doesn’t make sense from either a financial or ethical position. Ideally, a larger group of hunters, anglers and their guests would bring us a mixed bag of fish and game so that our kitchen staff could show off their talents with a variety of culinary delicacies. As much as I don’t miss the restaurant business, I still appreciate the look on the faces of a group of satisfied diners, especially

those who didn’t think they even liked the taste of wild game.

Suppose that you have a mixed bag of game in your freezer.

Maybe not enough of any one species to make a meal, but when you put it all together there is an impressive variety of ducks, geese and more that would certainly fill up the plates for a great mixed grill. Marinated, seared on a smoky grill, artfully arranged along with some colorful vegetables and a rich sauce, the mixed grill is a crowd pleaser. By the way, it’s also a common way for restaurants to reduce the inventory of meaty odds and ends as well. And why not?

As you take inventory of your frozen game, get in the habit of using up the old before you start on the new. Frozen meat does not get better with age. When it’s time to put game to flame, start with the bigger, thicker cuts first. To overstate the obvious, a Canada goose breast fillet takes longer to cook than a teal. Give it a good head start so that your mixed grill is cooked at the same time. Once cooked, let your grilled “rest” for a few minutes so that the natural juices have a chance to redistribute within the meats instead of running out onto the plates. Once served, sit back and enjoy the rave reviews from your lucky guests. Feels pretty good, doesn’t it?

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 35

GRILLED VENISON SKEWERS (6 appetizer servings)

Two to three-bite morsels of marinated venison on a skewer makes for a great appetizer while you and your guests are getting the party started. It’s important to use the right cut of meat when adding to a skewer. If the meat is a little tough, the whole piece might pull off the skewer and slap one of your guests in the chin. There’s always a cure for meat that’s a bit toothy. Start by cutting a thin slice across the “grain” of the meat. Heat in a skillet with a little olive oil until medium-rare.

If it’s tender, you’re good to go. If it’s tough, cut the meat into thicker chunks and pound with a mallet to break down the connective tissue. Soak for a couple of hours in a good marinade, skewer them up and put them on the ‘cue.

• • • • • •

1 1/2 pounds venison trimmed of any silver skin 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 10 to 12 cloves fresh garlic minced 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 3 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Pheasant Caesar Salad

36 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

• • • •

3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes

1.Slice venison across the grain of the meat into 1/2-inchthick strips.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients (except skewers). Add sliced meat to bowl, toss to coat evenly, cover and refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours, turning occasionally.

2. Remove meat from marinade and drain, but do not pat dry.

Place skewers into meat, and grill to desired doneness over a well-oiled, medium-hot grill. For medium-rare, cooking time is about 3 to 4 minutes.

GRILLED PHEASANT CAESAR SALAD (6 servings)

I’ve yet to find a store-bought Caesar dressing that tastes like Caesar dressing. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to make a great one in just a minute or two in a blender or food processor.

Grilled Salmon

Teal With Orange Brandy Sauce

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 37

Make a large batch and store it in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks. Some folks get all worked up if you add a tomato or some avocado to your Caesar Salad. Hey, it’s your salad. Add whatever makes you happy.

flavor. It also equals clogged arteries, so perhaps you shouldn’t load up on butter with every meal. Whether you are grilling a steak or a hunk of salmon, topping it with a bit of butter just before serving will make it all taste better.

Dressing • 2 eggs • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste • 1 lemon juice only • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard • 2 garlic cloves • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce • 2/3 cup olive oil

• • • • • •

Salad • 2 heads chopped romaine lettuce outside leaves removed • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese • 1 cup croutons • 2 cups grilled pheasant breast, sliced or shredded

2. Remove salmon from the refrigerator and place it on a well-lubricated, medium-hot grill. If the salmon has the

1. Add all dressing ingredients except oil to a food processor or blender and pulse for 30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth. While the motor is running, add oil in a thin stream until emulsified. Taste and adjust flavors to suit your palate.

2. Toss all salad ingredients in a large bowl with half of the dressing. Add additional dressing as needed and serve immediately.

GRILLED TEAL WITH RUM ORANGE GLAZE

Teal are among the best and mildest tasting ducks, and they’re perfect for grilling either whole or halved. If possible, leave the skin on, give them a good rub or marinade and, for goodness’ sake, don’t overcook them.

• • • • • •

8 teal whole or split – skin on or off ¼ cup olive oil 1 cup orange juice ¼ cup dark rum 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon black pepper

Rum Orange Glaze • 2/3 cup orange juice concentrate • 1/3 cup dark rum • ¼ cup onion minced • 1 tablespoons fresh gingerroot minced • 4 tablespoons butter softened • Whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl.

1. In a large bowl, combine olive oil with the next 4 ingredients and whisk to blend to make the marinade. Place teal in a nonreactive container, pour marinade over, cover and refrigerate for 2 – 4 hours. Remove from marinate and grill on a white-hot, well-lubricated grill. While cooking, baste with Rum-Orange Glaze, saving about 1/4 cup to drizzle over teal just before serving.

GRILLED BUTTERY SALMON (4 servings)

This preparation works for any grilled firm fish. The “secret” ingredient is butter, lots of butter. Butter is fat and fat equals 38 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

4 6 to 8-ounce salmon fillets, skin on or off 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 4 tablespoons butter, cut into 4 pieces

1. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Brush over all sides of the salmon. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

skin intact, place it skin side up. If the skin is removed, place the side that had the skin up. Once the salmon is well-grill on one side, flip it over and continue grilling until it is just done, about 3 to 4 minutes more. Just before removing from the grill, top with a chunk of butter so that it melts on the salmon when served.

• • • • •

kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar 6 anchovies preserved in olive oil, drained and chopped 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks

VENISON LOIN WITH HOT GARLIC AND ANCHOVY SAUCE

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season venison lightly with salt and pepper. Add venison to pan and brown evenly on all sides.

Anchovies aren’t for everyone, but they’re a key ingredient to this classic Italian accompaniment that’s most often used as a dipping sauce. You can also substitute one tablespoon anchovy paste for the 6 anchovies.

2. Remove venison from pan and keep warm. Add remaining olive oil, garlic, red wine vinegar and anchovies. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes while mashing anchovies with a spoon. Whisk in butter until emulsified.

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1 1/2 pounds venison backstrap or tenderloin

3. Return venison to the pan to warm. To serve, slice venison across the grain and drizzle pan sauce over. ★

(4 servings)

Venison With Hot Garlic And Anchovy

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 39

LET US HELP YOU FIND YOUR NEW DREAM PROPERTY AT...

FARMANDRANCH.COM CALL (866) 726-2448 OR GO ONLINE TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

™

The Source For DiScerning BuyerS & SellerS 40 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020 28615 INTERSTATE 10 W • BOERNE, TEXAS 78006 • (800) 580-7330 • FARMANDRANCH.COM •

™

WTA Is The Preferred Booking Agency of Cabela’s

Turn Your D rea m Into R ea lit y covered. Whether you’re trying to Worldwide Trophy Adventures has you a hunting, fishing or wingshooting draw a limited-entry tag or looking for r passion. adventure, WTA has a trip that fits you

800.346.8747

worldwidetrophyadventures.com

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 41

MEM

BE

PRESENT &FUTURE

R

FOR HUNTERS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

BY TIM HERALD

42 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN UNPRECEDENTED

and very tough time for the world as a whole. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all, and changed the way we live our everyday lives, not to mention how it has affected the hunting world. As hunters and conservationists, we all need to stick together, and there are a few things we can do to stay safe, positive, and help others in our hunting world.

As I write this, I am taking off a cold rainy morning from the turkey hunting that I have been doing almost every morning for the past two weeks. I was supposed to leave in two day for a long-anticipated Alaska Peninsula brown bear hunt where me and five Worldwide Trophy Adventures’ clients were to pursue some of the largest bears on earth. Hopefully there will be a special season next May, and we can make the journey then.

Along the same lines, I had 16 WTA clients going with me to Botswana in mid-June for a hunt. We have just cancelled that and rescheduled for prime dates in 2021. My 19-year-old son, Will, was scheduled to spend 3.5 months in South Africa working for an outfitter friend in South Africa, and now that is off, so our family certainly has had a lot of hunting related travel upended as I am sure many of you have as well.

That being said, we need to consider the folks in the hunting industry and how this affects them. We may have one or two trips as of now that are interrupted but consider the outfitters in New Zealand and Argentina that basically lost their entire big game season this year that generally runs March-July. Canadian and Alaskan bear outfitters are in the same boat, and now much of the hunting throughout the Southern Hemisphere is shut off.

Many of these people, their staffs, and communities will basically lose a season or year of income.

This not only affects the outfitters, guides, staffs, etc., it also will have an effect on things like anti-poaching, government conservation entities, etc.

As a hunt consultant, I have dealt with this from day one, and deal with it every single day. I was in Uganda when the travel ban was put into place on March 13. I got home with lots of worry, and then immediately went to work helping clients and outfitters with alternate plans for upcoming trips.

This is one of the biggest things we as hunter/conservationists can do to help. If you have a trip planned somewhere, do not cancel it. Postpone it for a later time.

Remember, if you had a hunt in 2020 and roll it to 2021, the outfitter still loses. He still retains the income from your hunt, but that is a spot he can’t sell for 2021. Canceling might allow the outfitter to sell the spot in 2021, but he still loses the income from your hunt, but a refund, if possible, would mean a hit to cash flow, money available to pay for leases, concessions, staff, conservation initiatives, etc. We are all in this together, hunters want to go hunting, outfitters want to take you hunting, but it is all out of our hands and we really need to all stick together.

On a more positive note, we can still enjoy the outdoors,

“IF YOU HAVE A TRIP PLANNED SOMEWHERE, DO NOT CANCEL IT. POSTPONE IT FOR A LATER TIME.”

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 43

Turkey hunting.

44 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

spend more time with family, and live the outdoor lifestyle.

Spring and summer are a great time to be outdoors, so get out there with family, and friends as this situation allows, and do things more locally.

Fishing, hiking, boating and other types of outdoor activities can get us out during the warmer months. Going to the shooting range and practicing, working up new loads, or teaching youth or previously non-shooters can be fun and beneficial. I have done some much needed maintenance, cleaning and repair to a lot of my hunting equipment and guns. Physical fitness whether outside or if gym facilities are open is always a good thing for body, mind and will be a great help once we can start hunting again on a regular basis.

I have also had a bit more time to catch up on some great hunting books that I have meant to read over the past years.

In many areas we can still get out and hunt as well. Wild hogs are a year-round and fun hunt throughout much of Texas and other areas of the country. There are some places where bears may be pursued, and of course varmint and predator hunting are usually open year-round. This can be a wonderful time to spend making memories with family just like I did this spring during turkey season that I mentioned earlier.

I am admittedly a turkey hunting fanatic. When I was younger, I routinely hunted 7-10 states every spring, and have travelled from the east coast to Hawaii chasing spring gobblers. My twin sons Will and Drew are 19 now, and they also really enjoy turkey hunting, but over the past few springs, their time in the woods has been limited by school during the week, sports on many weekends, etc. So, they have hunted, but not very much.

This year, they both were both at home with college classes being moved online, so it opened up a lot more time for us to hunt together.

The week before season came in, we made a few early morning scouting trips, we set up some blinds in key areas and came up with game plans for opening day, which rarely seems to work out the way you want since we are hunting cagey eastern turkeys.

I generally go with one of my sons at a time and rotate back and forth hunting with them. I get no greater thrill than being with one of them on a successful hunt, and my personal hunting is a definite after thought.

When opening day came, Will decided he wanted to go by himself, and Drew and I went to another spot. Both were field setups that required ground blinds, se were all setup well before daylight. When the sun peaked over the eastern horizon, turkeys gobbled in seemingly every direction, but none were even close to the ridge where Drew and I were. Will sent me a text and said that he heard only one bird sound off from the roost even though we knew there were a lot of gobblers in his area. Our scouting and best laid plans did not seem to be coming together.

I called off and on for an hour and got no response at all. There was a ridge that paralleled us about 800 yards away, and there were two different gobblers just tearing it up over there, but the way the open fields roll on the ridges, there was just no way to move and get into position over there. So, we were sort of stuck.

Above: Will Herald with his opening day turkey Below: Drew Herald with an opening Day eastern gobbler

“I AM ADMITTEDLY A TURKEY HUNTING FANATIC. ”

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 45

Turkey Gun Aiming Solutions Today’s turkey guns have come a long, long way from those of decades past. We have super tight turkey specific chokes, and TSS shot that is much more dense than lead, allowing very small shot to be used and lethal at longer ranges. With this performance and ultra-tight patterns, it is actually easy to miss a turkey at close yardage. Because of this, many turkey hunters have switched over and are now using “red dot” type sights on their turkey shotguns.

I made the switch from fiber optic type “iron sights” to dot sites a couple of years ago, and I can’t imagine going back. I currently shoot a Trijicon RMR Type 2 sight on my gun. It has a 3.25MOA red dot and is powered by a small watch type battery that will run for 4 years on a medium setting. It is super low profile and allows you to shoot with both eyes open. It doesn’t matter how you have the gun mounted or what position your headd is in, if you can see the dot and put it on the turkey’s neck, he is a dead bird.

I can even shoot flying birds with it! I have this same site mounted on my .470NE double rifle and love it for hunting buffalo and elephants.

Will’s gun is topped with a Trijicon MRO sight. His dot is 2 MOA and is green. There is a very easy to adjust top dial for the dot’s intensity level depending on light conditions, and it is also powered by a CR2032 watch battery. It will run continuously for a year if left on medium intensity. It has a very large viewing area and super clear multi-coated glass, and as with all Trijicon products, it is designed to be tough as nails and meet military grade expectations.

BELOW: Trijicon MRO is a fantastic sight choice for today’s high performance turkey guns.

46 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Then about 8:00 a couple of hens emerged 200 yards out.

Then more fed out int our field and it ended up being five, and not long after a big strutting longbeard emerged. I called, and they all seemed to ignore me. We had three hens and a strutting jake decoy out, and I hoped that would entice the gobbler to come in for a fight, but he seemed content following his ladies around as they had a leisurely breakfast.

I continued to call, and after 30 minutes, it looked like the hens were going to go in the woods on the opposite side of the field. They hadn’t gotten any closer at all. So I cranked up the calls and got aggressive, and of the hens began veering our way. She never called back, but within a couple of minutes all the birds had changed direction and were feeding our way.

I told Drew that I thought things were going to work out, and when the hens got within 40 yards, the gobbler tucked up and came running past them all straight to the jake decoy.

We let him circle and put on a show of dominance, and then I called to get him to raise his head for a shot. He just tucked into his strut even harder, so I told Drew to get ready, and I yelled, “Good Morning!”. The tom’s head came straight up, and Drew ended our hunt with a good shot.

His boss gobbler was a dandy, weighing 24.5 pounds, carrying an 11 ¾” beard and sharp 1 3/8” spurs. Best of all, we had spent quality time together and made memories.

When I picked Will up and we went for lunch, he told me his target gobbler had stayed 300 yards away with 2 hens, but at one point, he peaked out the back of his blind and there were 6 big toms all strutting behind him at 90 yards. They had never gobbled on the roost or when coming in. He called to them, and they just stood there looking pretty for 2 hours, and the way the terrain laid, they never saw his decoys.

That afternoon Will and I climbed in another blind down in a wooded hollow on the edge of a creek and two small food plots.

This is an area that turkeys like to frequent in the afternoons as it is somewhat shady in the afternoon, and it is blocked from wind. Drew had taken a gobbler there on opening day the year before, so We thought we would give it a shot.

Not long after we got there, I called up a jake, and we watched him for about half an hour. Then a single hen came in, and a while after that, I saw another hen approaching from our left.

I hadn’t heard a gobble all afternoon, but I figured having a couple of live hens in the decoy spread couldn’t be a bad thing.

Then I heard a strange noise behind us. A minute or so later, I heard it again, and I told Will that I thought I heard wings dragging the ground. I peeked out the back of the blind, and there was a big gobbler in full strut about 35 yards away, and he was slowly heading toward the decoys and hens. Will picked up his shotgun and waited as we knew the tom would have to pass within 10 yards of the blind to get to the decoys.

As he came around us, Will whispered, “Dad, get your gun, there are two.” I slowly reached for my Benelli, and I saw two

gobblers come around the blind, cross the creek and as they stepped up to the decoys, a strutter came into view. There were three longbeards. I told Will to shoot the strutter and I would take one of the others. We have doubled on turkeys a number of times, so he knew our normal countdown of 3-2-1-BOOM! As the strutter stepped into the shallow creek at a mere 10 yards, he must have seen one of us positioning our guns as he came out of strut and did an about face. I could tell he was spooked and things were about to go bad, so I told Will to shoot. He leveled his bird, and all the others scattered. One of the other gobblers flew up and away, and I was able to get the red dot of my Trijicon RMR2 sight on him, and I dropped him out of the air at about 30 yards. Somehow in all the confusion, we had pulled off another double.

When I went and got my bird, I was pleasantly surprised as he had 4 beards. I have killed a lot of double beards over the year, but that was the first with 4 beards. The best thing was that all three of us had filled a tag on opening day, and I got to be with each of my sons as they took their birds. Me taking one was just icing on the cake.

No this wasn’t a Cape buffalo hunt in Zambia, or a red stag in New Zealand. It wasn’t even a trophy whitetail hunt in the US, but it was an incredible day afield with family that we will never forget. These are the kinds of experiences that we can still get out and have as we are waiting for things to stabilize and get back to normal in our very complicated world. Get out there and make some of your own! ★

Dream buffalo safaris and many other international hunts should simply be put on hold and rescheduled.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 47

48 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 49

MEM

BE

R

50 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

By Gayne C. Young There’s no name for what the Ox Ranch is because it’s unlike any other destination in the Hill Country. Or the world. Although it offers hunting, fishing, and safari drives, the Ox Ranch is far more than a game ranch.

Despite its offering visitors the opportunity to drive and shoot World War II tanks, it’s more than a living museum. And while it offers unparalleled accommodations, a trained chef, and incomparable amenities, it’s not a resort.

It’s something else altogether different. >> Pictured: The Ox Ranch sits on over 18,000 acres and covers three distinct vegetational zones.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 51

52 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

Opposite: One of the ranch’s numerous beautiful waterways.

Left: One portion of the ranch’s over 6,000 square foot lodge.

Below middle: A hunter with a massive trophy ibex.

Bottom: A trio of zonkeys.

The dream that is the Ox Ranch began when owner Brent Oxley was looking for property to, “shoot guns on, off-road, and explore.” Although originally looking for around 2,000 acres, Oxley quickly fell in love with an 18,000-acre ranch that his relator showed him on a whim. “The only problem was that the price was over six times my original budget and far more than I could afford at the time,” Oxley says. “The negotiations went on for a year trying to get financing in order, and while this was taking place, suiters started making offers to purchase the web hosting company I founded hostgator.com. Hostgator at the time had over 1,000 employees and hosted about 2% of the Internet. I ended up selling Hostgator for close to $300 million and Ox Ranch was officially born!”

That birth brought about what is widely regarded as the premier game ranch in the world. More than 60 species of game animals from six continents roam the ranch’s picturesque landscape. Some of these, such as the Arabian oryx, Dama gazelle, and addax, are all but extinct in their native habitat but flourish on the Ox. Axis deer, blackbuck antelope, and scimitar-horned oryx do so well on the Ox that they roam in the largest herds found in the state. This wealth of animals attracts hunters, photographers, and animal enthusiasts from every corner of the globe and has been featured in print, online, and on TV. Hunting personality Larry Weishuhn, is one of Ox Ranch’s biggest fans. “Visiting the Ox Ranch is not unlike visiting four different continents on one large, gorgeous, rocky, well-watered property especially in terms of larger wildlife and they offer a fantastic hunt. But Ox Ranch goes way beyond a day spent in the field in pursuit of game with their excellent cuisine suited for royalty and comfortable lodging with decor reminiscent of years gone by.”

Guests of the Ox stay in historic 1800’s cabins relocated from Kentucky and refurbished by artisans and craftsmen specializing in period restoration or in luxurious safari-style tents SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 53

A sampling of some of the military hardware available to drive—and shoot—at Ox Ranch.

that feature a private hot tub and waterfront views. The ranch’s “The response has been incredible, with people flying in from 6,000 square-foot lodge features two massive stone fireplaces, all over the world to enjoy this bucket list experience. The amount an antique bar, dance floor, and game mounts from the ranch of media coverage Drivetanks has experienced has resulted in and the world over. Meals are prepared by a Le Cordon Bleu millions of dollars in free advertising. We’ve been featured on trained chef and yoga classes and spa services the homepage of CNN, NYtimes, ABC, and are available as is a 5,800 ft x 70 ft instrument at least a hundred other media outlets.” marked and painted runway for guests flying Guests of the Ox can drive and shoot an directly to the ranch. Unique to and pioneered assortment of tanks including a US M4A2E8 by the Ox is the ability to drive and shoot an Sherman Medium Tank, US M4A3E2 “Cobra array of military vehicles.

King” Sherman Medium Tank, Russian “It was a typical Saturday afternoon when T-34/85 Medium Tank, British FV101 my stepdad Todd approached me saying he Scorpion Light Tank, West German Leopard saw a Sherman Tank for sale and asked if I was 1A4 Main Battle Tank, and an Abbot FV433. interested in acquiring it. I was in shock and Guests can also fire military weaponry such responded, saying... ‘I can own a tank? Why as a M134 Minigun, M2 Machine Gun, M9 haven’t I’ve been told this sooner?!’” Oxley says Vietnam Era Flame Thrower, M3 Grease Gun of how he entered the tank business. “Todd and MG, and more.

I purchased the Sherman and slowly began Not content to only offer guests hunting, building up an armory. Todd was confident fishing, trekking, river activities, camping, we could get the Sherman firing legally with shooting tanks and military grade hardware, —LARRY WEISHUHN the proper licensing, and that’s what we did. the Ox is always thinking ahead. “We’re in the Once we had it firing, it was a no brainer that process of building a 1,000-acre rhino habiwe were sitting on a business opportunity. Todd and I partnered tat,” Oxley says. “These rhinos will never be hunted and will be up and launched drivetanks.com. Drivetanks became the first able to enjoy a life free of poachers! We hope to be one of the company in history to allow civilians to drive and shoot fully first ranches to promote rhino conservation, so this species can functional tanks! I always ask people ... ‘What ranch would you be saved from extinction.” choose to hunt at? The one with tanks you can drive and shoot The Ox Ranch is truly a destination like none other. ★ or the one without?’”

The answer for a lot of people has been a resounding “The Learn more about Ox Ranch at www.oxhuntingranch.com and Ox Ranch.” www.drivetanks.com

“Ox Ranch goes way beyond a day spent in the field in pursuit of game with their excellent cuisine suited for royalty and comfortable lodging with decor reminiscent of years gone by.”

54 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

1

2

LOOKING

BACK

1: John Crawford with PH Rob Styles 2: Kem & Linda Donaho 3: Past President Howard Gordon 4: Mike & Jody Simpson 5: Bill & Doris Hintze 6: Susan Ellerbeck (deceased) 7: Pug Mostyn & Shawna Van Ness

By Tommy Morrison 3

4

5

6

7

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 55

Taxidermy at its finest

CAPTURE EVERY DETAIL

As A hunter you follow your dreams in pursuit of an experience that no man has ever seen, as a Taxidermist our pursuit is to re-create the experience of your dreams

56 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 57

DREAMING OF REMOTE DESTINATIONS with Esplanade Travel

BY JACKY KEITH, PRESIDENT JKEITH@ESPLANADETRAVEL.COM

T

here is no denying that the world is in a difficult place right now. Yet thanks to the selfless and tireless service of health care professionals, grocery and pharmacy workers, delivery drivers, and other essential services, we are hopeful that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

With the renewed openness of our world, the Esplanade Travel team would like to draw your attention to some of the most starkly beautiful and untouched areas on our planet. We’d also like to encourage you to consider trips to parts of the world where few, if any, people inhabit. Dream now, plan later, and eventually travel to these mesmerizing and remote corners of the earth.

58 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

CUVERVILLE ISLAND, DANCO COAST, GERLACH STRAIT, ANTARCTICA

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 59

SVALBARD

ITTOQQORTOORMIIT, GREENLAND 60 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

THE ARCTIC: FRANZ JOSEF LAND & SVALBARD

Are you ready to venture to “the desert of the north” and witness extraordinary wildlife, nature, and magnificent night skies? If so, then you should consider venturing to The Arctic and discover the Northernmost part of the earth!

Franz Josef Land is a popular arctic destination as it comprises 191 islands in the Barents Sea and is the largest frozen area in the Russian Arctic. This group of islands is home to the polar bear, walrus, arctic fox, and various species of birds. Even though 85% of these islands are glaciated, there is still vegetation to be found – even some flowering plants! Along with wildlife and nature, there are also historical sites that were set up by expeditioners en route to the North Pole.

Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, is another popular destination. Svalbard has three main seasons: polar summer, northern lights winter, and sunny winter. Polar summer leaves light almost all day long, adding beautiful color and contrast to the landscape. Northern lights winter begins in October and ends in late February. This is when the sun casts its last remaining rays over the landscape and you can witness an illuminated sky known as the “northern lights.” Sunny winter begins in March as light returns and everyone takes advantage by getting outside. Svalbard is home to the highest concentration of polar bears in the Arctic as well as seals, walruses, whales, arctic foxes, and reindeer so there is a lot to be seen!

The best way to explore these wondrous destinations is by a small ship cruise. Cruises offer various activities on and off board such as fishing, birdwatching, historical lectures, and whale spotting, just to name a few. These usually have a starting point in Norway, Iceland, or Greenland, so take advantage of these destinations as well and add on a pre- or post-cruise itinerary.

There’s no denying that the Arctic is a hard place to get to, so you’ll want to give yourself a good chunk of time in the region to make it worth the travel time.

The Arctic is not your typical destination, but it is one that will leave you in awe. With rich history, abundant wildlife, and starkly beautiful landscapes, there is so much to be learned and experienced. We invite you to inquire more with us and allow us to plan your adventure to the Arctic!

GREENLAND

Despite its name, Greenland is a country of ice – 80% of it to be exact! Its 56,000 inhabitants don’t let that stop them and they find ways to get outside and appreciate nature. The island was colonized by the Danish, so perhaps they have integrated the common Nordic phrase “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

One reason this country may not be on your radar is its relative difficulty to get there. There is one airline – Air Greenland – and you can arrive via Reykjavik or Copenhagen. It would make sense to add-on a long weekend in either Iceland or Denmark, but before making any decisions about that you will need to decide which part of the country you’d like to see. The routes from either Reykjavik or Copenhagen only fly to certain cities in Greenland, so make sure to consult with Esplanade about your trip before booking any airfare.

Greenland has a lot to offer, so don’t be scared off by the fact

THE ARCTIC

that there are no roads between cities! The country was originally inhabited by Inuits, whose ancestry traces back over 4,000 years, and it’s a good idea to start at one of the museums to develop an appreciation for the local culture. After that your options for outdoor adventure are endless – go dogsledding, walk on an iceberg, watch for whales, stay up all night to see the northern lights, or visit the world’s second largest Ice Sheet and camp on it overnight.

For those that are truly hardy, consider hiking the iconic Arctic Circle Trail. This legendary 100-mile trek will bring you from ice sheet to sea and back again. It’s an experience like no other – step aside, Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails! – and Esplanade will connect you with an expert, personal guide.

Whether you trek and camp or stay in one of the simple but cozy hotels, being in Greenland also provides the opportunity to see unique wildlife. Not many animals are able to survive its extremely icy conditions, but polar bears are one of them. Take a boat tour off the coast of west Greenland to spot the world’s largest land-based predator.

Another unique, almost mystical creature you can see is the narwhal, known as the Unicorn of the Sea. Narwhals have one central spiraling tusk which can grow up to 10 feet long! Look for these fascinating creatures in Melville Bay, in the northeast region of the country.

Other storybook creatures you will likely encounter include reindeer. Reindeer have lived in Greenland for thousands of years and are the most widespread land mammal in the country, so there’s a good chance you’ll get to see one – perhaps even up close. And whether you are traveling as a family or as a couple, it will be hard to resist the allure of meeting fluffy sled dogs!

Greenland has a lot to offer but is a destination that benefits greatly from working with a travel professional. Esplanade has multiple staff that are well-versed in the destination, as well as personal guides on the ground to ensure a satisfying and adventurous trip.

THE SOUTHERN TIP OF SOUTH AMERICA: CAPE HORN AND MAGALLANES REGION

The southernmost points of Chile are a natural first stop before heading even further down to Antarctica – or to test your SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 61

mettle before booking that three-week Antarctic cruise. The best way to visit Cape Horn is by boat. We highly recommend our partners Australis, who specialize in luxury travel to Cape Horn & Patagonia. With over 25 years of experience, Australis transports travelers to a world that few have seen before, and they are the only company with permission to land at Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay. To get to Cape Horn, cross Nassau Bay with Australis from Ushuaia and arrive at Cape Horn National Park, which is an archipelago. Cape Horn itself is a sheer 1,394-foot high rocky promontory overlooking the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. For many years it was the only navigation route between the Pacific and Atlantic and was often referred to as the “End of the Earth.” In addition to the beauty of the National Park, also a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, you will find a lighthouse maintained by the Chilean Navy, a tiny Chapel, and a Cape Horn Monument.

Isla Magdalena is worth a stop in the region, as it is an important Magellanic Penguin Colony, with around 120,000 penguins.

This small island was declared a national monument in 1982 as it is a crucial breeding ground for the species. These penguins are curious and not scared of humans, so for anyone wanting to get close to a penguin in the wild, Isla Magdalena is a natural choice.

Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and his HMS

CUVERVILLE ISLAND, DANCO COAST, GERLACH STRAIT, ANTARCTICA

62 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Beagle crew exploring Wulaia Bay. This picturesque bay overlooking the Beagle Channel was originally the site of one of the largest Yámana aboriginal settlements. To reach the panoramic viewpoint, choose from three different hikes of varying difficulty through majestic Magellanic forest of native trees such as lengas, coigües, canelos, and ferns. We promise the view is worth it!

Continue cruising the Beagle Channel to explore its wondrous glaciers and fjords. Take a short hike to view the Pia Glacier, said to be named in honor of Princess Pia of Savoy, who was the daughter of an Italian king. Continue to the Garibaldi Glacier, which is the only glacier in Patagonia said to be gaining mass instead of maintaining or shrinking. Feel free to stay on the ship and take in the glacier’s beauty from the upper decks or, for those seeking a challenge, enjoy a shore excursion to hike a steep, narrow trail to a glacial waterfall and be rewarded with stunning viewpoints of the glacier and fjord.

ANTARCTICA

There is something about Antarctica that beckons explorers, researchers, and travelers alike. For some, it is the chance to see a part of the world that is practically inaccessible; for others, the continent represents the last remaining pristine part of our world; and still for others it looms as a personal challenge with its harsh, unforgiving, and unpredictable weather conditions and absolute

CHILEAN FJORDS

remoteness. While we can’t promise to make a Ross, Scott, or Shackleton out of you, Esplanade can absolutely find the perfect itinerary for you to visit the white continent.

Getting to Antarctica requires first arriving in one of the southernmost port towns of South America, either Ushuaia in Argentina or Punta Arenas in Chile. Both are lovely, quaint little cities and its worth an extra night or two on either end of the cruise both to explore and ensure that flight delays don’t affect your on-time arrival.

Many cruises are more than just the Antarctic Peninsula. The Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, and South Shetland Islands are all typically included in an itinerary. These islands complement Antarctica beyond simply geographically – they offer incredible biodiversity and plenty of chances to see penguins.

Before reaching the Peninsula, there is one looming challenge: The Drake Passage. This 620-mile wide waterway connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and is up to 15,700 feet deep. The waters are notoriously capricious and can cause excruciating seasickness. However, with advanced ship technology and safety measures, fear of the Drake Passage is no longer a reason to put off your trip to Antarctica. While it may not be comfortable, it is almost a right of passage and very safe for modern travelers.

Our partners at Quark explain the destination quite well: “The Antarctic Peninsula is an 800-mile (1,300 km) stretch of land and ice extending northward from the Antarctic continent towards South America. First-time visitors are typically overwhelmed by the staggering beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula: glaciers, snowcovered mountain tops, deep blue waters and icebergs of every conceivable shape and size.”

With many cruises, you won’t be just viewing from the ship.

You’ll be able to get off, walk on the ice, and even go sea kayaking.

When you leave the ship, you’ll travel on a smaller zodiac-type boat. Ships will also have discussions with naturalists and guides

as well as other informational activities in the evening and a wonderful sense of camaraderie amongst passengers.

It’s important that you travel with a cruise line that hits all of your boxes: length of time, points of interest visited, number of guests, and budget. Esplanade can work with you to do all the heavy lifting and find options that work for you. We have many valued partners, including Quark, National Geographic, and Hurtigruten, and there’s no doubt we will be able to find your perfect fit.

TIME TO GO!

Whether heading to the North Pole or the South, these remote destinations filled with wonder will bring you cherished memories for years to come. Don’t face the stress of creating the perfect trip alone – contact Esplanade Travel and work with an experienced Travel Consultant.

Esplanade Travel focuses on international luxury travel, and unique custom-designed trips have been our trademark for over 65 years.

Our staff has collectively traveled to over 150 countries around the world, and we sell the destinations we know the best and love the most! In addition to the Arctic and Antarctic regions, our primary destinations are Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, Italy, France, South America, India, United Arab Emirates and the islands of the South Pacific. ★

ESPLANADE TRAVEL 800-628-4893 | esplanadetravel.com info@esplanadetravel.com Instagram: @esplanadetravel SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 63

Jeff Jeff Soele Soele •• 210-705-4013 210-705-4013 •• jeff@texasbestranches.com jeff@texasbestranches.com

GAME GAME FENCED! FENCED! 894± Acres 894± Acres Walker Walker County, County, TX TX

339± 339± Acres Acres Medina Medina River, River, TX TX

SELLERS: SELLERS: WE WE HAVE HAVE BUYERS! BUYERS! WE WE NEED NEED LISTINGS!!!

LISTINGS!!!

317± 317± Acres Acres Medina, Medina, TX TX

GAME FENCED! FENCED! GAME 426± Acres Acres Walker Walker County, County, TX TX 426±

Jeff Jeff Soele Soele •• 210-705-4013 210-705-4013 •• TexasBestRanches.com TexasBestRanches.com 64 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Jeff Jeff Soele Soele •• 210-705-4013 210-705-4013 •• jeff@texasbestranches.com jeff@texasbestranches.com

GAME FENCED! FENCED! GAME 374± Acres Acres Bandera Bandera County, County, TX TX 374±

INCOME PRODUCING! PRODUCING! INCOME 197± Acres Acres Kendall Kendall County, County, TX TX 197±

ATTENTION ATTENTION SELLERS! SELLERS! WE WE HAVE HAVE BUYERS!!!

BUYERS!!!

100± Acres Acres Bandera Bandera County, County, TX TX 100±

Lake Conroe Conroe Lakehouse Lakehouse Lake

Jeff Jeff Soele Soele •• 210-705-4013 210-705-4013 •• TexasBestRanches.com TexasBestRanches.com SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 65

MEM

WILD SHEEP

BE

R

PANDEMIC HOW “SOCIAL DISTANCING” CAN SAVE WILD SHEEP

BY CHESTER MOORE, JR.

66 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Left: Sheep management is very intensive and hands-on. The author photographed this desert bighorn in Nevada. The sheep had been captured and tagged at some point. This type of management costs so contributions by groups like the Houston Safari Club Foundation make a big difference with sheep conservation. (Photo by Chester Moore, Jr.) Above: Reannah Holloway a wildlife student at Texas Tech and a part of Chester and Lisa Moore’s Wild Wishes program puts a GPS collar on a desert bighorn at Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area near Alpine, TX. Wild Wishes grants wildlife encounters to children with a critical illness or loss of a parent or sibling. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials generously let Reannah take part in the capture which she said was “an amazing experience.” (Photo by Chester Moore, Jr.)

T

he impact of COVID-19, the coronavirus on humanity, is nothing short of historic. While the death toll has thankfully not reached the levels of the Spanish flu of 1918, the grip this pandemic has on government, commerce, and private citizens is unprecedented.

That’s why I can’t help but make parallels between COVID-19 and the single greatest challenge facing wild sheep managers in North America.

When Lewis & Clark set out on their epic expedition, there were around two million wild sheep in North America. By 1900, there were fewer than 25,000 according to some estimates including the USDA Forest Service. And while it would be easy to blame it on unregulated hunting and market killing which no doubt had some impact, by far the biggest killer was pneumonia.

Coming from domestic sheep, it hit wild herds as they comingled in the valleys and mountains during the westward expansion of European settlement. Millions of sheep died, and if it were not for conscientious hunters and fish and game departments around the nation, there would likely be no wild sheep left today. And pneumonia continues to kill sheep.

CORPORATE WILDLIFE MEDIA BLACKOUT

It’s a story few have heard outside of wild sheep hunting and biologist circles, but now is the time. The decline of wild sheep is second only to the government-sponsored bison slaughter in the depth of impact on a species in North America. Humans are now quarantined, and in effect, bighorns are in many areas.

In 2016, Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) officials killed six bighorns because backpackers saw them co-mingling with domestic sheep. The bacterial form of pneumonia can be brought back to the herd and transmitted to lambs.

“When you have the lambs dying, it’s hard to build a population,” said CPW spokesman Joe Lewandowski in The Durango Herald. “As wildlife managers, we look at populations, not individual animals. In this case, we know an individual animal could spread the disease to the larger herd, and then we have a bigger problem.”

This is not an uncommon practice in wild sheep management.

While translocations, strict herd management, and grazing restrictions have brought sheep numbers continent-wide into the 150-175,000 range, pneumonia is still the most significant threat according to officials with The Wild Sheep Foundation. Still, there are no specials on Animal Planet or Nat Geo Wild or any other mainstream media outlets. This crisis has been going on with wild sheep for 150 years, and only the hunting community, fish and game agencies, and biologists seem to care. The public has not had a chance to learn through standard media outlets.

LITTLE KNOWN CONCERNS

Since wild sheep are managed by numerous state, provincial and tribal agencies, few hunters are aware of the myriad outbreaks of pneumonia happening right now. Even in the Internet age, it can be challenging knowing what’s happening in the Yukon SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 67

68 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

for example when you live in Texas.

Alaska’s Dall sheep population has long been seen as bulletproof so to speak due to vast contiguous habitat and strict management. In 2018 Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADFG) officials however, found bacterial pneumonia in four Dall sheep within a sample of 136 and in two of 39 mountain goats.

“The Dall sheep testing positive for M. ovi were all in Game Management Unit 13A; all were taken by hunters and appeared healthy. The mountain goats were live captured and released in Southeast and on the Kenai Peninsula and showed no sign of illness; only samples from goats on the Kenai tested positive,” according to officials with the ADFG. “Our initial research has confirmed M. ovi in a small number of Dall sheep and mountain goats in relatively isolated areas of the state,” said Division of Wildlife Conservation Director Bruce Dale.

There have been no reported die-offs but the finding is concerning. Three thousand miles south one of the greatest potential threats for desert bighorns comes in the form of the growing free-ranging population of aoudad (Barbary sheep).

Recent findings from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) show some aoudad are carrying the deadly bacteria.

This herd is ever-expanding in Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, and even Oklahoma, which has a small population of Rocky Mountain bighorns in the Black Mesa area. Some experts including researchers from Sul Ross University believe the free-ranging population is spinning out of control with verified sightings of single herds of up to 300.When you consider there are fewer than 10,000 in their native northern Africa habitat, that is quite a daunting number.

The first New Mexico aoudad release was near Roswell in 1941, and individuals have stocked them on hundreds of ranches around the country. They are still being introduced to private ranches on a nearly daily basis due to the high demand for hunts. Aoudad are extremely challenging to hunt and make an impressive trophy and in areas like the Texas Hill Country, they are no more of a threat to native wildlife than domestic goats or axis deer. But in the Trans Pecos of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico they are a real threat to native bighorns. Not only do they carry disease and parasites transferable to sheep, but biologists have observed them running bighorns away from water and food sources.

Feral hogs represent a potential threat I have been investigating in relation to bighorns as well. Originally brought over by Spanish explorers in the 1500s, feral hogs have taken a foothold

“Alaska’s Dall sheep population has long been seen as bulletproof so to speak due to vast contiguous habitat and strict management.”

Left: The biggest threat to wild sheep in North America is exposure to domestic sheep and goat herds which often carry a bacterial form of pneumonia. (Photo by Chester Moore, Jr.) SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 69

in 31 states and there is no question they will eventually move into all of the Lower 48.

According to an article published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), feral hogs are a major threat to wildlife through water pollution.

“Water polluted from feral swine wallowing can be contaminated with parasites and bacteria such as giardia, salmonella, and pathogenic E. coli that could be transmitted to humans and other animals. This can happen when feral swine use an agricultural water source, such as an irrigation pond…”

They noted since hogs lack sweat glands, wallowing in mud and water is an instinctual behavior necessary for them to maintain healthy body temperature.

“Unfortunately, this behavior has cascading impacts, not only to water quality in individual streams, ponds, and wetlands but to entire watersheds and ecosystems.”

Looking at a current distribution map, it is easy to see hogs are already established in the entirety of desert bighorn habitat in Texas and California and are also growing in numbers in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon. In 2019, hogs were verified in Montana for the first time. In drought years, in particular, hogs, will impact ponds, stock tanks, streams, and guzzlers. These, of course, are crucial to bighorns and other wildlife. Feral hogs can also carry pseudorabies. According to USDA officials, pseudorabies is a disease of swine that can also affect cattle, dogs, cats, sheep, and goats.

“Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a contagious herpes virus that causes reproductive problems, (abortion, stillbirths), respiratory problems, and occasional deaths in breeding and finishing hogs. Infected newborn pigs may exhibit central nervous system clinical signs.”

It is typically spread through direct contact but there are other ways transmission can occur.

“If present on inanimate objects, such as boots, clothing, feed, trucks, and equipment, the virus can also spread from herd to herd and farm to farm.”

Could hogs transfer PRV to domestic sheep that in turn transfer to bighorns? It is a definite possibility.

OPPORTUNITY FOR UPGRADE

There has never been a point in recent history where this particular story of wild sheep has such Right: Johnny Glomb of Colorado is one of the hundreds of kids around the country using the Moore’s free wild sheep curriculum.

70 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

a great chance to touch the hearts of millions of wildlife enthusiasts. Concerned conservationists have done a remarkable job of restoring sheep populations but these people are aging quickly, and new blood needs to step up to the plate.

Maybe something good that can come out of this tragedy is that some young person is motivated to get involved with sheep conservation. Perhaps being isolated, afraid of mingling with others, and under the potential threat of death itself because of an unseen force will inspire action.

Sheep, of course, have no way to conceptualize these things, but they don’t need to when caring conservationists are in place in fish and game departments, conservation groups, and halls of the legislature. But it has to start with education and inspiration.

My love for sheep began finding inspiration in old copies of Sports Afield, Outdoors Life and Field & Stream. Every few months, I would cash in change and buy all of the copies at the thrift store near my home. Then my Dad and I would sit together and make scrapbooks of our favorite pictures. We would cut and paste the deer we wanted to hunt, turkeys to call in and animals we wanted to see.

Those memories came flooding back after rediscovering these scrapbooks in my Dad’s old storage shed last year. He passed

away of natural causes while deer hunting with me in South Texas in 2014, so this was like getting back a little part of my favorite hunting partner.

After flipping through the first book, I was blown away by how many wild sheep adorned the pages. There were desert bighorn, Stone Sheep, Dall Sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorn, and urial. There were more sheep than any other animal.

Turkeys were a close second, but sheep were tops by far.

When I got to the second scrapbook, it was the same thing, and then a photo jarred a deep, forgotten memory. A photo of a man who had taken a massive bighorn by a bow in Canada graced one of the pages.

I could literally remember finding this shot, cutting it out, and placing it in the scrapbook. It was the moment I fell in love with wild sheep. I immediately sought out more on these animals and at eight-years-old could tell you about the North American Grand Slam and what states and provinces these great creatures inhabit.

As childhood turned to adolescence, I learned sheep hunting was out of the price range of my piggy bank savings, so I saved up and hunted whitetail on day leases once a year and pursued small game near home when I could. At age 19, I pursued a career in wildlife journalism that has since led me all over the world in pursuit of wildlife, hunting, and fishing stories. I was able to cover various stages of my native Texas’ desert bighorn recovery program but have never had the opportunity to hunt sheep. When I found the scrapbook, something awakened inside of me.

Out of this came a sincere desire to focus much more of my journalistic efforts on wild sheep and mountain wildlife not only in America but abroad and it made me want to find a way to let children learn about sheep.

My wife Lisa and I (both Houston Safari Club Foundation members) are fully committed to wildlife and sheep conservation is right there at the top of the list for us. We want to do our part to see young people get an engaging education on wild sheep.

They need to understand these great animals and know the role hunter-conservationists have played to ensure their future.

So, we created a curriculum called “Wild Sheep of North America” and are giving it away to anyone from public school teachers to home school families.

“We love wild sheep in the Moore household, and we want to educate young people about these great animals. This is our gift to wild sheep and to kids who love wildlife,” said Lisa, a certified teacher of 22 years.

“We decided to do this while at 10,000 feet photographing bighorns in Colorado on our 20th anniversary. It was a dream come true moment for us, and we wanted to do something to inspire young people to get involved in sheep conservation. It’s a great privilege to contribute even a small bit to help secure the future of wild sheep,” she said.

To receive the curriculum email chester@chestermoore.com and put “Wild Sheep” in the subject line.

A DRIVE THROUGH THE DESERT

A desert bighorn ram crossed the steep, rocky opening with incredible ease. I had struggled to quietly get within photo

range without slipping and falling to my death for longer than I would like to admit. The ram, however, crossed through a much more treacherous spot with impunity-in seconds. Seeing their ability to survive and thrive in such habitat is one of the things that draws men to seek out wild sheep-whether with a camera, rifle, or bow and arrow.

I had just attended the Sheep Show hosted by the Wild Sheep Foundation in Reno and was headed to the SHOT Show in Vegas and came home immediately after to attend the Houston Safari Club Foundation show.

Just before “social-distancing” became a thing I knew I needed some outdoor time, so I decided to drive the seven-hour stretch between Reno and Las Vegas to get away from crowds and find some bighorns. It was an incredible drive through the stunning country with frequent “Bighorn Crossing” signs. I had learned about a tract of public land with a good sheep population and hoped I would be able to photograph my first sheep in Nevada and by God’s grace there he was. I snapped a number of photos and felt satisfied with the experience. Just as I decided to head back down as not to spook him, he made his way down toward me. He stopped about 75 yards away, highlighted perfectly by the brilliant desert sun, and essentially posed while looking right at me. I could now make out a tag in his ear with a very easily identifiable number. This ram had at some point been captured, documented, and maybe even moved from another area to here.

That kind of management doesn’t come cheap and it does not come without people who believe in wild sheep management like the Nevada Department of Wildlife, The Wild Sheep Foundation, and the Houston Safari Club Foundation. The beautiful creature turned and headed back up the slope, this time journeying to the peak and over.

Nevada has some of the same problems as other states with pneumonia showing up in some of their herds, yet through intensive management, they are able to offer more sheep tags than any other state.

I thought back to my native Texas and the incredible bighorn capture I got to attend in Dec. 2019. Watching officials with TPWD capture 75 bighorns for a move from Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area to Black Gap WMA was incredible. The feeling of love for sheep and sheep habitat by everyone at that capture was palpable.

I left Nevada with great hope for the future of sheep and sheep hunting and as COVID-19 causes us to reflect on life and priorities, I believe it’s time to double down on sheep conservation. They have been experiencing a pandemic for generations and yet they remain and even thrive in some areas thanks to dedicated hunter-conservationists and the sheep’s ability to weather many storms.

The future can be bright for wild sheep if we move forward with passion, focus, and the knowledge that “social-distancing” also needs to apply to wild sheep and their domestic cousins. Keeping them apart really is the key to the wild sheep’s survival. ★

“Maybe something good that can come out of this tragedy is that some young person is motivated to get involved with sheep conservation.”

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 71

AL & JOYCE MORHART Box 344, Elbow, SK, S0H 1J0 1-306-313-1151 Email: aj@hartlanddeer.com www.hartlanddeer.com

Elk up to 350”: $5,900 USD Whitetail up to 190”: $5,900 USD Mule deer up to 170”: $5,900 USD

72 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Elk 500”+ and whitetail 300”+ are also available.

AFRICA

BY TYLER SHARP

74 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

T

Hunting on foot in Maasailand, the old way.

HERE’S NO WAY AROUND IT, hunting in Africa is a controversial issue.

Every bit as complicated as the continent itself, the topic has been a heated subject of debate for quite some time, and like any historic conflict of note, has heroes and villains, unknown truths, hidden agendas, and myths that have been spread as fact. It’s a story of shrinking wilderness, expanding population, invasive farming, bribery and scandal, foreign political pressure, conservation, and murder. The saga continues every day, and the fate for individual countries is decided and amended erratically, subject to the varying combinations of these factors, or the greedy whims of politicians. Simply put, it’s a volatile situation, and in a place where regime change can turn a country on its head, it leaves the future of hunting in Africa fairly uncertain.

I won’t pretend to have all the answers, because those are difficult to plainly produce, but what I do have is perspective based on experience, having lived in and out of Africa for the past 12 years, documenting this topic. So in an effort to shed some light on a situation that most of us only hear about in controversial news headlines or social media rants, I’d like to share a bit of my personal experience.

For the record, before anyone jumps to conclusions when I refer to my experience with hunting in Africa, I’m referring to plains game species like kudu, sable, eland, impala, warthog, Cape buffalo, etc, and NOT lions or elephants.

While there is a complex history of lion and elephant hunting in Africa that traces back to tribal traditions, in no way do I feel qualified to address those issues, nor would I ever try without the expert perspectives of the wildlife researchers, ecologists, and specialists who dedicate their lives to studying such things.

Furthermore, I’d like to distinguish the difference between “hunter” and “poacher,” for those who might not be familiar. All too often, antihunting and animal rights groups paint these as one and the same, which is not only unfair but grossly inaccurate. In the context of this conversation, a “hunter” is someone who abides by and adheres to the regulations and legal restrictions of a particular country or state to harvest an animal. They respect the wildlife laws, and understand that those are in place to ensure that only a sustainable number of animals are taken, based on the region, or sanctioned hunting season.

In contrast, a “poacher” is someone who does not follow these regulations, is often a paid mercenary of sorts, undermines conservation efforts by killing indiscriminately with no limitation,

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 75

and lacks any hunting ethics. This is a very important distinction, and one that I hope you’ll continue to make not just in this story, but whenever this topic comes up, particularly online.

Before I moved to Los Angeles to study film and photography, I had lived most of my life in Texas. While I didn’t do a lot of hunting as a kid, I was around it enough to become deeply interested, and learned to respect the balance of life and death as it has played out in the natural world since before recorded history. The tools have changed, and the landscape in which the hunt plays out has been altered, but the relationship of hunter and prey has mostly remained the same. We’re all born with an inherent knowledge of this, and whether we accept it or not, hunting instinct is part of our DNA, passed down through millennia. Some of us choose to cultivate this instinct more than others, and in today’s world, are often criticized for it, harassed, and in the most extreme cases, threatened with death or torture. Sadly, this happens more than you’d think, regularly warranting law enforcement or the FBI to intervene, as death threat letters and anthrax mail bombs are serious matters that border on domestic terrorism.

Leaving Texas for Los Angeles, I was introduced to all sorts of new people, perspectives, and political combativeness. My beliefs, values, and opinions were constantly challenged, which offered a valuable opportunity to decide which of them I stood for, and which I did not. Hunting was one of those, and while I learned to articulate myself, carefully chose the company for those conversations. A few years later, graduation neared, and by some miraculous stroke of fate, I managed to land a job in Tanzania, where I would be filming and photographing hunts for a safari company. Most of my friends would be getting entry-level “business” or “marketing”

jobs, and I was heading to the wilds of East Africa to document adventures I had only read about from Roosevelt, Hemingway, and Stanley. A dream job to say the least.

But something unexpected happened when I began to tell my friends, classmates, and teachers. Less than half were encouraging, offering congratulations for a unique opportunity, while the rest turned on me. And not just like a frown of respectful disapproval, but were angry, aggressive, and even verbally abusive. “That’s disgusting Tyler, how can you justify going over there to film these people murder beautiful animals? Shows what kind of person you are. I can’t be your friend anymore,” quipped one individual who I’d studied with for four years. At that time, I didn’t have answers to those questions, or even know how to defend myself against such hostility. Since then, I’ve made a point to be educated in these matters, and what better way of learning than actually going there to experience it firsthand — despairingly, a novelty concept in today’s world of under informed extremists and online antagonists.

Over the years, I’ve spent time on the ground in Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Malawi, Ghana, Namibia, Burundi, and a few others.

Every country has a different political landscape, and in some places, hunting has now been outlawed, having buckled under foreign political and financial pressures to instate bans. But for the purpose of illustration, and considering I’ve spent the most time there, I’ll specifically talk about Tanzania.

As expected, that first trip to Africa after college changed my life. I was transported to the middle of the bush, hundreds of miles away from the nearest inhabited city, and stayed nearly five months in an area that’s as wild as it gets. It took several weeks of

Below: Maasai children on the end of Lake Natron looking to sell some of their handmade jewelry.

76 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Left: A lone Cape buffalo bull inspects our vehicle before deciding to turn and run for cover.

Right: Early morning cruiser inspection, preparing for a long day of scouting the area for game movement.

getting bit by tsetse flies, scratched by acacia thorns, and brushing my teeth in the pitch darkness with lions roaring outside of camp before I started to feel comfortable, and really alive. I stopped wearing a watch, telling time from the sun’s position instead. I learned to track, predict movements and potential dangers from wildlife, and for the first time in my life, was only eating meat that we hunted. I was chased by rogue elephants, struck at by black mambas, charged by Cape buffalo, and even had a lion physically breathe on the back of my neck. It was one of the most fulfilling and enchanted periods of my life, but instead of just reveling in the marvel of freedom and adventure, I begin to ask questions.

Lots of questions.

How does all of this work, and how do I explain to people who challenge me that this is okay? Despite support from local villages, conservationists, and government officials in Tanzania, I knew I would catch hell back in the U.S., as a lot of folks have developed emotional attachments to animals they’ve never seen. Again, I will not make claims to have ALL of the answers, but from my own interest and involvement in the subject, here are a few things that I’ve come to understand.

In Tanzania, roughly 38 to 40% of land is set aside for conservation use, which is sanctioned into national parks/controlled areas (like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater), open areas, and game reserves. Hunting is not allowed in national parks, but Tanzanian residents may obtain inexpensive permits to hunt in open areas, similar to the license system in the US. Game reserves, on the other hand, are vast areas of wild lands that are sectioned into “concessions,” and leased to Tanzanian safari operators, based on their compliance to rigid criteria, and previous track record of conservation and stewardship. Hunting is allowed, but strictly regulated by the government.

A census is conducted in these areas, and based on the population numbers of each species, a specific number of hunting permits are issued by the Tanzanian government, which adhere to conservation principles of wildlife management. The safari outfitters may then sell these hunting permits as “safaris,” and the length of the hunt can vary from 7 to 28 days. Hunters typically pay between

$1500-$2000 a day to even be in the game reserve, plus substantial governmental trophy fees for each animal they harvest, on top of conservation and observer fees. A government game scout is present at all times, to ensure that all regulations are followed, such as all animals harvested must be male, past a certain age, and have horns of a mature size. This is not so much for the “trophy,” but as one of the most accurate ways to assess the actual age and maturity of a bull or ram. The older the better, with an ideal male being past an active breeding age.

About 30% of the trophy fees go back to the government, to help pay for game scouts and anti-poaching rangers, and as some game reserves are beholden to local village councils, additional money is used for community development in the form of schools for children, water wells, medical clinics, or water storage solutions. In most cases, these outfitters put a considerable amount of money generated by these hunts into their own anti-poaching units. These teams “ As expected, patrol to not just to prevent indiscrimithat first trip nate animal slaughter, but farming and to Africa after cattle encroachment, as well as illegal college changed tree harvesting, all of which are major contributing factors to habitat demy life.” struction — the number one cause of wildlife loss.

To further combat the poaching problem, most safari outfitters employ members of local villages, who might’ve otherwise attempted to be, or previously were, poachers. They are then able to earn honest wages in an otherwise remote area, and in this way, regulated hunting affixes a legal monetary value on the wildlife, effectively improving the community perspective on conservation. Where village communities might have previously seen the wildlife as poachable meat, or potential threats to their crops, many now act as stewards for the game, and work in partnership with safari outfitters to improve the sustainability of the area.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 77

Most leases on game reserves are for a period of years, so it’s in the best interest of an outfitter to instill effective conservation and stewardship measures, to ensure the livelihood of the area they’ve been entrusted with. Some are better than others at doing this, and as with most news stories regarding hunting, press focuses on the bad ones. But in my experience through the years I’ve spent in these game reserves, the vast majority of outfitters are dedicated conservationists, often with several generations of families pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into cultivating and protecting these areas. What is rarely discussed, however, is the amount of actual blood spilled in defense of these lands. Yes, that’s right, murder.

Surely, you’ve heard of ivory poaching, or the lust for rhino horn, but just as rampant is a demand for bushmeat. You see, these things all have monetary value, and whether it’s a Somali warlord, corrupt politician, or a nefarious foreigner who believes powdered rhino horn to be an aphrodisiac, they pay handsomely for poachers to procure these things. Oftentimes, syndicates will commission organized teams with night vision, satellite phones, and smuggling operations, who stop at little to get what they’re after. In these game reserves, anti-poaching managed by the outfitters are the last line of defense against these criminal missions, and quite frequently it results in shootouts. I’ve been caught in several, and have a friend who narrowly escaped assassination in his own home, after leading one of the largest illegal ivory seizures in Tanzania’s history. Every year, there are deaths in defense of these areas; reconnaissance helicopters are gunned down, patrol vehicles are ambushed, and game rangers are shot in the back. These brave souls risk their lives to protect the lands they love, and while I can’t name them all, hopefully a mere mention will bring honor to the memory of those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice. Wilderness warriors in the truest sense.

Is sustainable use hunting in Africa a perfect system of conservation?

Definitely not, but most ideas have “ Surely, you’ve flaws. As with any endeavor, there are heard of ivory bad examples, people who don’t follow poaching, or the rules, or lack even the slightest sense the lust for of ethics. In those cases, areas get over harvested, regulations are completerhino horn, ly ignored, funds don’t make it where but just as they’re supposed to, or a turncloak is rampant is a bribed, and poaching goes unchecked.

Typically, those outfitters are promptly demand for ousted, having their lease terminated, or bushmeat.” their license to operate revoked. Even worse, in my opinion, are the few hunters who lack respect for the wildlife, and seem to be going through the motions for entertainment value, showmanship, or possibly are over-compensating for anatomical shortcomings. While there isn’t an active term for such people, I’d not consider them part of the same definition of “hunter” that I’m describing here, or in the subsequent pages of this book. The silver lining, despite the lack of ethics, is that their dollars are still put to conservation use.

While regulated hunting in Africa is certainly not the only method of conservation, it’s one of the most effective, generating hundreds of millions of dollars each year, from an estimated 18,000 hunters. The environmental impact on the game reserve is quite low, usually with 1-2 hunters per vehicle, for a period of weeks, and animal behaviors remain relatively undisturbed. Compare this to an estimated 17.2 million photographic tourists that visit national 78 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Above: Samson, a local game scout, prepares for another anti-poaching patrol through the game reserve.

parks each year, all who are consuming resources, utilities, and are only commissioning safari vehicles for a few days at a time. In popular places like the Serengeti, animals have become accustomed to human presence, altering their behaviors, including lions who hunt from behind the swarms of land cruisers that follow them around. Just something worth considering as one of the many factors in this complex issue.

It’s also commonly stated that hunting in Africa is only for “rich white trophy hunters.” Let’s be clear, these safaris can be very expensive, but the range in affordability varies by country, and outfitter. But it is not only “rich white people” who go on these hunts, and I only say this to discourage the use of overgeneralizations, or the passing of judgment on someone’s character based on their supposed “wealth.” Sure, you could probably classify some of these hunters as wealthy, but that does not take into account how they earned their money, how long it took them to save it, or the quality of their moral fiber. Yes, I have been on safari with a few of the “types” that you’ve read about, and just like with any troublesome client or customer, you hold your tongue, and smile through your teeth, knowing that they are directly funding conservation work, whether they care or not. But in my experience, they are the minority.

Just about everyone else I’ve spent time with hunting in Africa I can call a friend, as dangerous situations tend to bring people together, and show character. I’ve filmed a dirt poor, door-to-door coffin salesman turned independent oil operator, who would spend over a million dollars a year sending his employee’s families on their dream trips all over the world, many of which were hunts.

I spent 21 days with a humble taxidermist from Missouri who had saved for over 20 years to go on that safari, and cried tears of

joy when he shot his first Cape buffalo. There was a former rodeo champion bronc buster who hunted to honor the memory of his father, whose dying wish was for his son to experience all that Africa had to offer.

There was a single dad whose daughter loved to hunt, so he surprised her with a safari for her high school graduation, and by the end I felt part of their family. I met two San Diego border patrol agents originally from Mexico, a group of women who were lifelong friends that all chipped in to go hunt together, and a father and son whose home building company became successful enough for them to finally afford a trip. Some of these people had a lot of money, and some did not, but what they all had was a passion for hunting, a deep respect for wildlife, and a tangible joy and thankfulness to be experiencing a truly wild place.

And while hunting in Africa may be out of reach for many of us, or continue to be painted as an elitist pleasure quest, I wrote this story to merely tell you what I’ve experienced, and learned in the time I’ve been blessed to spend over there. Click-bait news headlines, trendy opinions, and emotions aside, my hope is that, from this point forward, you might view the situation with a bit more grace, compassion, and open mindedness. I would encourage you to do some digging of your own on this topic, being mindful of what are facts, and what are opinions based on emotions.

More than that, I truly hope that you get the opportunity to go experience it for yourself, while you can, as there is little certainty in how long it will continue.

In the end, it is our morality, character, and purpose that define

us as hunters, stewards, and humans. This should be independent from any classification of wealth, race, country of origin, and if anything, serve to bring about commonality, rather than division.

But such virtue is a massive personal responsibility, and is what separates what I feel to be “good hunters” from those who have tarnished the reputation of this tradition.

In the wise words of José Ortega y Gasset, “A good hunter’s way of hunting involves a complete code of ethics of the most distinguished design: the hunter who accepts the sporting code of ethics keeps his commandments in the greatest solitude, with no witnesses or audience other than the sharp peaks of the mountain, the roaming cloud, the stern oak, the trembling juniper, and the passing animal.” This code, which oftentimes goes unspoken, is something that we are trying to further define with Modern Huntsman.

For those who know the code, keep to it, as the future of hunting depends on it.

For those who don’t know it, seek it, and may the pages of this book be a guiding light.

And for those who are not hunters, we welcome you whether to partake in the hunt or not, and extend respect for our differences, and commonality in our love for all wild places and things.

Therefore, my friends, keep to the code. ★

Below: Nights spent around a fire in a safari camp are some of the best there are.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 79

HSCFMEMBERSPOTLIGHT MEM

BE

Get To Know Me!

R

5 Minutes With HSCF Member Rebekah Boone

1.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF HSCF?

I joined in 2017.

2.

WHY DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN HSCF?

I absolutely love the outdoors! Hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing…

Consequently, at a dinner party, my friend John Bowers asked me to help with membership at the convention.

3.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING AN HSCF MEMBER?

I’ve met some incredible people and I enjoy working with the youth program to promote our hunting heritage.

4.

WHAT IS OR WAS YOUR CAREER FIELD?

Education.

5.

6.

PREFERRED HUNTING WEAPON — RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR BOW? Either rifle or shotgun.

WHAT IS THE ONE ITEM YOU WOULD HAVE IF YOU WERE SHIPWRECKED ON AN ISLAND?

It sounds like a quiet get-away for me. A fully stocked ice chest and a hammock? No seriously, a knife or a fishing net!

7.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING HUNTING EXPERIENCE?

Hands down, sitting in a stand with my daughter. It’s all giggles and not a single thing in sight! Ever...

80 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

8.

OF ALL THE SPECIES YOU HAVE HUNTED, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AND WHY?

Zebra. You have to be quite patient as to not be seen while approaching the herd. The constant moving to get the shot before they’re off again made it one of my favorite hunting experiences.

9.

10.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? Seafood.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF? What I tell my own children: Keep your sense of humor...because you’re going to need it. Don’t be afraid to express your opinion when it counts. Set your bar high. Trust your intuition and believe in yourself. Live each day with purpose and passion. Never lose what makes you unique and love life like there’s no tomorrow!

FE

HSCFPHSPOTLIGHT L

IF

E M EMBER

Meet Rod Hunter of Buckbrush Outfitters

1.

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY AREA AND GAME FOR WHICH YOU GUIDE?

East Central Alberta for trophy whitetail and mule deer and remote NW Saskatchewan for trophy bear, moose and fishing.

2.

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE A CAREER AS A PROFESSIONAL HUNTER?

With my name, it just made sense. Plus my dad and uncle outfitted for friends and neighbors, locally.

3.

4.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST DANGEROUS HUNT? Nothing dangerous in this part of Alberta.

WHAT DO YOU WANT A FIRSTTIME CLIENT TO KNOW BEFORE HUNTING WITH YOU?

If they hunt here once, they will want to hunt every year.

5.

Raise mules.

FAVORITE MEAL? Whatever Sue makes, I’m quite happy with.

WHY DO YOU HUNT?

Only outfitter in this zone and have been doing it for 40 years. Meet a lot of interesting, great people and travel extensively. Second and third generation is now active in the business.

10.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU COULD NOT DO YOUR JOB WITHOUT?

Good optics and communication.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING HUNTING AND HUNTERS TODAY?

Bureaucrats!!!

6.

7.

8.

9.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT HUNTING?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HUNTING WEAPON AND/OR CALIBER?

Rod and Logan Hunter BUCKBRUSH OUTFITTERS

huntbuckbrush.com 780-853-7720

I use .338 Win Mag built by Bill Wiseman.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 81

ER

LIFE MEM

B

MEM

BE

R

The author with one of his hunting buddies, Jens Krogh, atop one of the incredible peaks of Afognak Island.

Renewing My Appreciation For Conservation & Nature ByJoe Betar, HSCF Executive Director

Recently I was blessed to make a pilgrimage to Alaska for the first time. At the request of Tim Richardson, I was finally able to put this trip on my calendar.

Tim and I had been in discussions about this trip for the past two years but could never seem to synchronize our calendars.

Tim is a unique fellow. He is a Washington, D.C. transplant from Texas. During this trip, I observed him crossing treacherous mountain terrain, for miles each day, lugging a large waterproof backpack (not even a backpack really, more so a waterproof gear bag), wearing worn hiking boots, lugging a rifle. Our group affectionately nicknamed him “The Goat.”

Tim is a Government Affairs Consultant and a published author many times over. He has 30 years of experience related 82 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

to the Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS) restoration project. Prior to working in the EVOS spill region, he was special assistant to former U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) and administrative assistant to U.S. Representative Greg Laughlin (then D-TX). Tim was founding editor of the Quorum Report, a contributing editor to Texas Business magazine, Houston Business Journal, Dallas Fort Worth Business Journal, Dallas Times Herald, and the Austin correspondent for Platt’s Oilgram News. From 1990 to 1996, he published The Busby Papers for Lyndon Johnson’s longest serving aide, Horace W. Busby. In 2000, he published a book providing a 10-year retrospective of the Alaska spill, Kodiak Bears and the Exxon Valdez, and has lectured about the Exxon Valdez spill and its aftermath at the National Conservation Training Center, the

Above: (L to R) HSCF President JD Burrows, the author, HSCF Board Member Ross Melinchuk, and Jens Krogh, with the days catch of fresh halibut. Below: The crew arrives by float plane trip on Afognak Island.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 83

Above: Jens with his new record book Afognak Island Sitka Black-tailed deer.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program, Yale University and the Pinchot Institute. He has authored congressional testimony on BP Deepwater Horizon restoration and has written about or been quoted in recent articles about the BP spill in The New York Times, CQ Roll Call, New Orleans Times Picayune, and The Horinko Group Newsletter. Tim has also been intimately involved in the Deepwater Horizon spill recovery efforts in coastal Texas. To say the least, he a true conservationist. Tim has left his mark on multiple conservation and preservation projects around our country, working tirelessly to protect wildlife and habitat for future generations of hunters and fisherman.

I was invited by Tim to see the results of the Exxon Valdez recovery project on Kodiak Island, Alaska. While there, we would also try our hand at hunting Sitka Black-tailed deer and hopefully catching a salmon run for some legendary Alaskan fishing. We planned our trip for late August. Accompanying me was HSCF President, JD Burrows; HSCF Director Ross Melinchuk; and Jens Krogh, VP of Marketing, Blaser USA. We met in Kodiak on a Friday evening to make final preparations and grab a few last-minute supplies (the most important being bear spray) before embarking to our destination the next day—Afognak Island on the far northwest corner of Kodiak Island.

Kodiak was charming. We rented an Airbnb on the water for the night, sampled local fresh sushi and made our way around Kodiak, viewing its various sights, local sea lions and the harbor.

Kodiak is also home to the Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox 84 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Cathedral, a wooden reliquary which hosts the remains of a Russian orthodox monk who came to the Island in 1794. The monk, Herman, was canonized as a Saint in March 1867.

The next morning, we made our way to breakfast at the local gathering place with our Airbnb host (who, it just so happens, had been the local Harbor Master for many years). Beside us sat many veterans of foreign wars (Kodiak is home to the largest Coast Guard base in the world and has an often forgotten role as battlefield, lend-lease transfer station, and North Pacific stronghold during World War II) in addition to some seasoned fishermen you may have seen on television’s “Deadliest Catch.”

After a meal of reindeer sausage, eggs, hash browns and much needed coffee, I dropped JD and Jens off at Andrew Airways float plane terminal. We offloaded our gear and I headed out to the Kodiak airport to gather Ross, who was unable to rendezvous with us the night before. We all joined up at the float plane terminal and loaded into a DHC-2 De Havilland Turbo Beaver for our journey to Afognak. The flight was smooth as our pilot pointed out the various logging and commercial fishing operations beneath us. Unfortunately, due to unseasonably warm waters, we did not see any whales on our journey. Surprisingly, we had no bear encounters either during our trip. We did see multiple dens, fresh tracks and scat, though.

We were greeted on the banks of Bluefox Bay by our hosts, Jerry and Colleen, and their two dogs. Jerry and Colleen have lived at Bluefox for over 25 years. They were incredible hosts,

conservationists, poets and storytellers.

Our home for the next week, Afognak Island, is the second largest island in the Kodiak Archipelago in the Gulf of Alaska.

Along with a few volunteers, Jerry and Colleen have removed over 32,000 pounds of ocean debris (nets, lines, foam, drinking bottles, caps, food packaging, and many household and personal items) since 2012. Once our gear was stored, we set out on one of Jerry’s skiffs for a small outer island in pursuit of deer. The afternoon was spent walking the small island and setting up observational positions for glassing. The deer had not yet fully moved to the lower areas and beaches in that the first snowfall was yet to reach the area. Not seeing any bucks, we knew higher elevations were in our near future. We headed back to camp for an evening of storytelling and good food. Colleen is a master gardener and we enjoyed local game, fish, vegetables and forest mushrooms daily.

As you can imagine, with the sun not setting until after 10 p.m., there were a lot of stories to tell. One evening, Jerry entertained us with recitals, from memory, of the collected poems of Robert Service. It was amazing! Conversations also often led to discussions around the Valdez Recovery Project, The Pebble Mine issue (a potentially pending mineral mining project of porphyry copper, gold, and molybdenum mineral deposit in the Bristol Bay region of Southwest Alaska which would most certainly damage one of the largest salmon fisheries in the world), the damage inflicted on Alaska’s oceans by commercial fishing “draggers,” and of course bear stories about local Kodiak bears that had decided to make Jerry and Colleen’s property their own vacation home (free dog food in the work shop kids!). Jerry and Colleen were successfully reliant upon themselves, having constructed cabins, a sawmill, workshop and drying shed to round out their compound. Outhouses were the order of the day when a man or woman needed to make their constitution. But I have to say, there are no better views out of the half-door of an outhouse than those I witnessed. On occasion, old or new friends arrived into Bluefox Bay on their boats or skiffs to say hello. One couple from Germany, who had been touring the world on their sailboat, spotted Jerry and Colleen’s cabin from the water and stopped by.

They were soon invited in for dinner and conversation. That is the kind of place Bluefox Bay is—few visitors, but no strangers.

On day two, we arose for our journey to one of the other area islands. Access to electricity, running water and technology was limited—and we loved it! Each morning we had a short time to charge phones or radios from the generator, enjoyed one of Colleen’s home-cooked breakfasts complete with flapjacks the size of your head, with wild berry preserves, would store up rainwater and sandwiches in our daypacks and plan the day.

This day we would head to higher elevations. Even though the elevation was only 2,100 feet above sea level, we covered over 15 miles through steep rain forest to a saddle and then up into various ridges and canyons. We did see a few does and younger deer but no bucks. Stopping only to glass and plan our next course, we eventually ended up in the farthest canyon of the island. As we prepared to set up and glass, the side of the hill erupted when a shooter buck and several does bolted across the valley, startling us only a few yards from our position. They never looked back as they traversed the hilly terrain with ease.

Frustrated, we decided to stay in that location as we had noted several deer trails in and out of the canyon. No more than 20 minutes later, we spotted a buck on the far end of the canyon about 350 yards away. He stepped from the shadows of the towering walls, with only his chest, shoulders and head illuminated by the

Above: JD with one of the many spawning silver salmon making their annual journey from the ocean.

Below: The group with a great catch of silvers.

afternoon sun easing from the sky behind him. Even from that distance, we could tell he was a shooter—the broad chest and the mature antlers told us so immediately. He faced us head on, almost to say, “I am the master of all that I survey. How dare you trespass into my valley.”

To my left, Jens, was in a prone position, with his Blaser R8 Ultimate chambered in 6.5 mm Creedmoor and loaded with Hornady Precision Hunter 134 grain. At 350 yards, Jens found his mark. For what seemed like several minutes, we stared into the canyon and eventually all took a breath, realizing the incredible buck was down. Gathering our gear, we headed across the mountainside. Those 350 yards, in that terrain, was not covered easily. We picked our way carefully along the rocks. Jens and I both lost our footing at different times. Each of us had a spill that resulted in wondering if our slides would stop safely. Mine ended in bloody knuckles and a lost tread on one of my boots as I SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 85

Above: The entire length of this peak was traversed on day 2.

Right: Ross refueling after a long day in the mountains.

GEAR LIST CLOTHING

NUTRITION

• 2 sets of clothes (ONCASHELL; ONCATHERM; ONCAELASTIC; ONCARAIN) • ONCATHERM Neck Gaiter • ONCATHERM Shirt • ONCATHERM Beanie • ONCARAIN Jacket • ONCARAIN DP Pant • ONCARAIN DP Jacket • ONCARAIN Pant • ONCASHELL Vest • ONCAELASTIC pant • ONCARAIN Gaiters • ONCARAIN Gloves • ONCATHERM Gloves • Light waders • Gore-Tex hiking boots • Casual clothes • Lightweight camp shoes

• Supplements • UCan energy powder • Jerky, Energy Bars

GEAR • Fishing rod & reel w/ braided line • Lures • Small tackle box • Lightweight sleeping bag • Lightweight pillow • Pistol & ammo • Rifle & ammo • Optics Kit • Portable gun cleaning kit • Backpack • GoPro and supplies • Camera: extra batteries; charger; cloth • Knife

• Havalon skinning knife and replacement blades • Hydration reservoir • Headlamp & AAA batteries • Flashlight-rechargeable • Binocular with harness • Rangefinder & batteries • First aid kit • Hygiene kit: toothpaste; toothbrush; unscented field wipes; Alleve; Zyrtec; unscented, alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer; biodegradable soap; quick-dry microfiber pack towel; lip balm • Ziplock bags • Game bags • Pack Cover • Disposable gloves • Books • Insect repellent • Licenses and tags • Fish Boxes • Bear Spray

scrambled to grasp anything that would stop my rapid descent down the mountain. Eventually, we all made it to the buck and were astounded by its massive antlers and body size. He was the king of the mountain.

As Tim took watch for bears, Jens and I quickly went to work dressing the deer and packing it for the climb home. Once we were all loaded with game, we set a course out. Unfortunately, there was no “easy way out” of this area. Over the next hour or so, we rose and fell to any level the mountain would allow us to pass. The terrain was white knuckle treacherous to say the least with several hundred feet sheer drop offs available to any misstep. Later that evening, we each recalled the feeling that we were not sure if we would get out unscathed.

Over the next few days, none of the rest of the party was successful in taking a deer. We probably covered over 35 miles on foot when it was all said and done.

It did not matter though. Every step was a beautiful Above: Spending time in camp with great friends is really what it’s all about! adventure. The last two days were spent fishing in incredible surroundings for silver salmon and halibut.

The bays and streams were teaming with pink and silver salmon.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Visitor Center. While there we We spent the day casting and dropping flies into wave upon wave learned about Kodiak wildlife and ecosystems. We were amazed of fins and jumping silvers. After a shore lunch, we headed to by the complete skeleton of a 36-foot gray whale hanging from open water for good success with halibut. the ceiling.

On our last day, we waved a sad goodbye to our hosts and Alaska is one of my new favorite places in the world. We forged Bluefox Bay and headed back to Kodiak for flights home. Due new friendships. We saw things we had never seen before—bald to fog and rain, our flight was cancelled for almost two days. Tim eagles in flight, giant ocean otters, Harlequin ducks, Puffins and was kind enough to show us some of Kodiak we missed when more. Thanks to Tim, Jerry and Colleen, and their hearts for the we arrived. We spent an educational morning with Tim at the land and water, it was even so much more special. ★ SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 87

RANCH FOR SALE 342.93 Acres Burleson County Offered at $2,795,000

CONTACT Paul S. Jenkins, Broker/Realtor The Kingery Group psjenkins45@gmail.com (210) 889-4735

RANCH HIGHLIGHTS Home: Ranch Style - Over 4700 s.f. & (6)Full Baths, ALL FURNITURE REMAINS Minerals: Seller Conveys All Owned Equipment, Tools - ALL GO WITH SALE Water Wells: (1)For House, (1)For Lake Terrain: 80% Oak - 20% Field - (6)Food Plots (4)Barns - 8’x10’ W.I.C 88 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

PROUD SPONSOR of ‘This is Africa’

‘The hottest Hunting show on the Pursuit Channel’

www.buchananhunts.com michelle@buchananhunts.com

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 89

MEM

BE

R

Experimental Mule Deer Antler Restriction Update 2020

BY SHAWN GRAY Prior to the experiment, TPWD received many requests from landowners, managers, and hunters to improve the buck age structure within the southeast Panhandle. TPWD data for 14 years preceding the experiment indicated annual, intensive mule deer buck harvest that created a skewed sex ratio and Illustrations indicating harvestable bucks with an outside spread of the main beams of 20 inches or greater and protected bucks with outside spread of the main beams of less than 20 inches.

90 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

an age structure inordinately weighted towards young deer in the buck segment of the population. Certain types of antler restrictions can be used to successfully reduce the impact of intensive harvest on buck age structure and sex ratios within a population. Therefore, TPWD initiated an experimental antler restriction that prohibits the harvest of any mule deer buck with a main beam outside spread that is less than 20 inches.

The experimental regulation is designed to reduce excessive hunting pressure on young bucks and shift the age structure of the buck herd toward older age class bucks. By doing so the regulation should help to improve overall hunter as well as manager satisfaction. Other possible benefits of managing for a balanced buck age structure include improved sex ratios and shortened breeding periods, which could help to improve fawn recruitment and reduce overall stress on bucks.

The experimental antler restriction began during the 2018 hunting season and will continue for two more years in Briscoe, Childress, Cottle, Floyd, Hall, and Motley counties. Lynn County was added for the 2019 hunting season. Data will be assessed throughout the experiment, but at the end of 4 hunting seasons, TPWD will propose either to extend the experiment, modify the antler restriction, or permanently terminate the experiment.

TPWD used voluntary deer harvest check stations at four different locations (Turkey, Estelline, Matador WMA, and Lynn County) to collect age and antler measurements during the 2019 general mule deer season. To gather the most harvest data possible, TPWD and their partners offered incentives to hunters who brought their mule deer buck to the check stations.

Hunters were entered in drawings for items such as lifetime

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 91

Green colored counties indicate where the experimental mule deer antler restriction is being tested.

A FEW BUCKS CHECKED DURING 2019

92 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

Preliminary data from 2018–2019 we areCHECKED making progress toward the g MULEindicate DEERthat BUCKS the experiment.

2018

2019

30 hunting licenses and rifles. The harvest data collected are essential to effectively evaluate the 25 success of the experimental antler restriction.

25 20 2018 201921 Preliminary data from 2018–2019 indicate 20 20 15 that we are making progress toward the goals 30 of the experiment (see figures on right).

10 25 Overall, 52 hunters checked their bucks at 25 8 5 7 20 the voluntary check stations in 2018 with a 6 5 21 20 20 0 slight increase to 60 hunters checking bucks 15 MATADOR/ESTELLINE MATADOR WMA TURKEY OTHER in 2019.

10 Prior data (1994–2016; green bars) show CHECK STATION 8 5 that only 33% of the mule deer bucks aged 7 6 5 and measured by TPWD biologists were 5.5 Overall, 52 hunters 0checked their bucks at the voluntary check stations in 2018 with a slight increase years old or older. During the two years of the MATADOR/ESTELLINE MATADOR WMA TURKEY OTHER hunters bucks in 2019. experiment, 51% of the bucks brought to checking the CHECK STATION check stations were 5.5 years old or older. The 1% in the 1.5–2.5-year-old age class represents Overall, 52 hunters checked their bucks at the voluntary check stations in 2018 with a slight increase a buck that did not make the antler restriction minimum. hunters checking bucks in 2019.

From winter helicopter surveys conducted Prior to Experiment 2018-2019 from 2005–2018 (prior to the experiment), TPWD estimated an average sex ratio of 4.5 60% does per buck, which is an indicator of intense 50% buck harvest. In contrast after two years of the 51% 48% experimental antler restriction, the average sex 40% Prior to Experiment 2018-2019 44% ratio was improved by 40%. This means that 30% 60% 33% there were more bucks observed during the 20% 2020 post-season helicopter surveys than in 50% 23% 51% years past. The 2019–2020 estimate of 2.7 does 10% 48% 40% 44% 1% per buck is further evidence that the experiment 0% 30% is having positive population impacts.

33% 1.5 - 2.5 YR 3.5 - 4.5 YR 5.5 - 8.5+ YR Hunters who brought their harvested mule 20% 23% Age Classes deer buck from any of the 7 counties with the 10% 1% experimental antler restriction to any TPWD 0% green bars) show that only 33% of the mule deer bucks aged and measured b datato(1994–2016; check station were entered into Prior drawings 1.5 - 2.5 YR 3.5 - 4.5 YR 5.5 - 8.5+ YR biologists win some great prizes thanks to our partners!were 5.5 years old or older. During the two years of the experiment, 51% of the bucks bro Rules and eligibility for the drawings: the check stations were 5.5 years old or older. TheAge 1%Classes in the 1.5–2.5-year-old age class represents a AVG Does Per Buck • only mule deer bucks harvesteddid within the the antler restriction minimum. not make 7-county experimental area werePrior eligible; data (1994–2016; green bars) show that only 33% of the mule deer bucks aged and measured b 5 • mule deer must have been brought to a check biologists were 5.5 years old or older. During the two years of the experiment, 51% of the bucks bro 4.5 station or to TPWD for a hunter the to becheck entered 4 stations were 5.5 years old or older. The 1% in the 1.5–2.5-year-old age class represents a into the drawing; and did not make the antler restriction minimum.

3 • mule deer harvested in the archery or extended 2.7 MLD seasons were eligible for the drawing if 2 hunters contacted TPWD and brought their 1 deer to be aged and measured by TPWD.

MULE DEER BUCKS CHECKED

MULE DEER BUCK AGE IN HARVEST MULE DEER BUCK AGE IN HARVEST

MULE DEER SEX RATIO

0

Grand Prize (1 winner) 2005 - 2018 2019 - 2020 Scott Hall Survey Years Nosler Model 48 Long Range Carbon in .300 Win Mag sponsored by the Texas Panhandle Chapter of the Dallas Safari Club From winter helicopter surveys conducted from 2005–2018 (prior to the experiment), TPWD estima

YEARS average sex ratio of 4.5 does SURVEY per buck, which is an indicator of intense buck harvest. In contrast afte

First Place (2 winners) Preliminary results have been positive in meeting the obyears of the experimental antler restriction, the average sex ratio was improved by 40%. This mean Leslie Sibley and Donald Langston jectives of the experiment. TPWD will continue to monitor there were Safari more Club bucks observed duringduring the 2020 helicopter Lifetime hunting license sponsored by the Dallas the success the post-season next two hunting seasonssurveys and en-than in years past.

2019–2020 estimate of 2.7 does per buck is further that deer the experiment courages all hunters whoevidence harvest mule bucks withinis having positive impacts.

Second Place (2 winners) the experimental areas to check their deer next season for Rodney Geissler and Russell Lee more great prizes.

Hunterssponwho brought their harvested buck from any ofcheck the 7stations counties with the experimen Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor Thanksmule to all deer who participated in our and sored by the Mule Deer Foundation restriction to any TPWD checktostation our partners! ★ were entered into drawings to win some great prizes thanks t

partners!

Rules and eligibility for the drawings:

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 93

MEM

BE

R

A Dream Buck..

The Old Fashioned Way

By John Wootters—Originally published in Petersen’s Hunting, June 1991

Jeannie Wootters takes a bow with her huge buck.

Following up on a hunch born from a lifetime of whitetail experience, she followed the buck to his lair where her determination paid off.

94 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

ON

December 19, 1990, on a private ranch in Webb County, Texas, several momentous things came together. One was a 150-grain Nosler .308 bullet and another was a big 64-year-old whitetail buck. The buck is the biggest whitetail ever taken by my own true ladylove. She hunted him honestly, fairly, skillfully, with love and passion... and all by herself.

Her name is Jeannie. We called the deer “the early buck” because our only sightings of him in two seasons had been very early in the morning. Both times he’d appeared in the gray dawn near our camp house, and we’d been there to see him only because, for one reason or another, we’d chosen not to go hunting on those mornings.

The answer to the obvious question is that we didn’t shoot him on those occasions, although the season was open, because we’ve declared a 50-acre “trap” pasture around the camphouse a sanctuary. Any deer inside that fence is safe. In this case, the temptation to waive that self-imposed restraint was almost overpowering because the buck’s rack was one of the four or five biggest ever seen on Los Cuernos (in Spanish, “the antlers”) Ranch.

This deer was impressive even in 1989, a high, heavy, wide, symmetrical 10-pointer that would have scored close to 150 Boone and Crockett points. I thought then that he was already mature but would probably become an even better trophy if he lived another year or two. If one of us had caught him outside that trap fence during hunting season, however, you can bet he’d have been lucky to get one minute older!

As far as I could tell, the buck didn’t actually live inside the trap fence. The little sanctuary pasture has water, dense cover, and good deer forage, and a number of deer, most of them does, do seem to spend much of their time in it.

After the early buck showed up late in the 1989 season, I got curious enough to scout it out and could find no sign that any particularly large buck inhabited it regularly. Furthermore, we see all the resident deer often enough that we recognize most of them at any time, and this buck would have stood out in that crowd even without his antlers.

Since we saw him neither before nor after the rut, I guessed that he must have been a drifter just passing through. Such bucks are not rare in south Texas, where recent radio telemetry studies have demonstrated that they may ramble miles from “home” during the rut. Often, a great buck will be glimpsed only once and then will never be seen again anywhere, even on a fairly large ranch. Wistfully we hoped that this one had sprinkled a few of his genes about the premises before he drifted on.

Then, almost on the first day of the rut last year, the early buck showed up in the camphouse trap again! Again, it was in the first light of dawn, and again our companions were Joe and Carolyn Balickie from North Carolina. Joe is one of the great masters among custom stockmakers today, as well as a thoroughly depraved whitetail nut and a favorite hunting companion, as is Carolyn. The Balickies’ airliner had arrived at Laredo on the previous evening, and it had grown so late before

we finally got to bed that we decided to skip the morning hunt.

So it was that the only occasions on which we’d laid eyes on this buck had been when Joe and Carolyn had been our guests.

It was unmistakably the same animal, but he’d taken full advantage of the best antler-growing season in a decade in south Texas. He still showed the basic five-by-five structure, only bigger, but now there were four “kickers,” or non-typical tines, two on each of the rear fighting tines, which I guessed to be about 12 inches long. The rack was exceptionally heavy for a Texas deer and carried the beam thickness well forward. All the tines were long except the eye- guards, which were about average. The spread was not exceptional for this area but looked to be at least 20 inches outside. Overall, he was a breathtaking whitetail, but he was still safely inside that sanctuary fence, so we could only “oh” and “ah” and stumble over each other trying to get a better look!

We were thrilled that this great buck was still alive and still around. But, unbeknownst to me, his reappearance had thrown the challenge to my wife, and she quietly vowed to have him.

Jeannie is no beginner. She shot her first whitetail more than 25 years ago and has taken her share, including several quite respectable trophies. She has also hunted in Mexico and Africa, and the story of her hunt for a great axis stag a few years ago appeared in this magazine. But whitetails remain her first love; if anything, she’s an even more enthusiastic deer hunter than I am.

There are male hunters who think that women have no place in the hunting field.

They either think lady hunters are dilettantes whose guns have to be loaded by someone else or that they must be unfeminine. Such men are always genuinely troubled upon meeting Jeannie. Not only is she ineffably girlish, but she knows more about whitetail deer and how to hunt them than most men.

It has been many moons since I dared offer her advice about how, where, or when to hunt, and the last time I did so, it didn’t work. She does her own thinking and scouting, evolves her own tactics, selects her own stands, rattles her own antlers, and shoots her own deer. In all her 25 years of hunting deer, she has never lost a cripple, has missed outright only once, and has used a second bullet only one other time. On African game she went five animals for five shots.

She also has a knack for seeing the biggest bucks. There was the legendary Gravel Hill buck, with a body as big as a yearling bull’s and a rack like a dead tree stuck on his head, but he was too far away to risk a shot. And the Alamo buck, who caught her by surprise with her rifle on her shoulder. And... well, you get the drift: She’s often seen the best we had, but usually not when she could manage a shot.

Now, however, the early buck’s massive antlers looming in the dawn mist had aroused in her a grim determination to crack that jinx. She said nothing to me, although I understand that she and Joe plotted together some. She mused over an aerial photograph of the place, mapping out a campaign to find that deer, fair and square, outside the sanctuary fence. It took her eight days.

After a quarter century of whitetail hunting, the author’s wife was rewarded with the buck of a lifetime.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 95

I know her and I know the country, and so I figured out what Jeannie was up to pretty quickly. She has her own hunting vehicle, a refitted and camouflaged electric golf cart, so she could go about her own affairs while I drove the Balickies to and from hunting stands in other portions of the ranch. She’d decided to operate on my theory that the early buck spent most of his time outside the sanctuary pasture, and that he entered it mostly to drink at the pond below the camphouse, probably at night, or to check the estrous status of the resident “yard does.”

The barbed-wire fence that isolates the sanctuary from the rest of the property is triangular and a mile long. Jeannie began by walking that fenceline and studying every deer crossing. She then followed the most heavily used trails away from the sanctuary, far enough to learn where deer using them might be coming from.

She’d spotted something on the aerial photo that the rest of us had overlooked; a creek meandered around west of the sanctuary and lay only about 100 yards from the fence at the closest point. That creek bottom is one of the roughest, wildest, thickest spots on the whole ranch. Nobody hunts it simply because a human can’t get around in it. There are no natural clearings or vistas, and in most places a person would have to crawl on hands and knees to penetrate the thicket. Some years earlier I’d tried to explore it and had found plenty of buck sign, including old rubs and shed antlers, but had finally given up on actually trying to hunt the area. There was no room to walk, to see, or to handle a rifle.

It’s a typical buck “stronghold” area, a veritable fortress of tangled stems, vines, and thorns where a whitetail can be as safe as a beetle under a boulder. Nothing short of a bulldozer could penetrate it and, last summer, a bulldozer had done just that. Two major natural gas companies completed seismographic explorations in the area during which they bulldozed arrow-straight, eight-foot-wide lanes, or senderos, across the creek, right through the heart of the heaviest creek-bottom brush.

Along that creek is the best buck cover found anywhere From a stand overlooking a cleared lane through the dense Texas brush, near the sanctuary pasture, and Jeannie had a hunch that it Jeannie was able to wait in ambush for the buck. was the early buck’s hideout. Besides near-perfect security, the thicket provided him with water and food, and the only thing likely to get him out of there was a hot doe. Four of the and an area we hadn’t seriously hunted. At dawn on December major deer trails she’d followed back from the fence led down 19, I set the tripod up according to Jeannie’s wishes, wished her into this bottom. good hunting, and drove away as she was climbing up to the seat.

Following each in turn, she began to probe the thicket along It was light enough to shoot by 7 a.m., and by 7:15 Jeannie had the creek very cautiously, sometimes on hands and knees. already seen her target buck! He was chasing a doe around in a Such in-season scouting is extremely risky in stronghold areas clearing on the far side of the creek, several hundred yards distant, because deer disturbed on their bed grounds sometimes abandon flashing back and forth across the narrow sendero. She couldn’t them for days or even weeks. Jeannie gambled that the urgings be certain that he was the buck, only that it was a big-bodied of the rut would keep this buck on the move, even during dayanimal with a big rack. Anyway, he offered no chance for a shot. light hours, and would reduce the chances of spooking him with But now she had a chance to make a big mistake. Upon spother reconnaissance. ting a big buck too far away to shoot from a stand or blind, I’ll Her gamble paid off. She found big rubs, big scrapes, and big often get down and go after him. Sometimes it works and sometracks, all the signs of a dominant buck’s breeding territory. Best times it doesn’t, but I did knock over the biggest whitetail of my of all, she didn’t think she’d jumped the buck himself, alerting 50 years of hunting in that manner. My theory is that the most him to the fact that his perimeter had been breached. valuable thing a hunter can possibly possess is knowledge of the I keep at least one portable, tripod-type hunting stand in reexact whereabouts of a trophy buck at any instant, and that he serve during the season for just such situations. On the evening may throw that information away by failing to act on it. Jeannie of December 18, Jeannie announced that she wanted me to erect has absorbed this philosophy from me and has used it successthe reserve tripod next morning at that intersection of the two fully to collect bucks for which she wouldn’t likely have had a new senderos. It was a place we’d never positioned a stand before, chance by staying put.

96 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Now she sweated out the decision. Stay where she was and hope the buck’s girlfriend would lead him within range? Or try to approach the pair on foot in the brush? From her scouting, she knew the terrain between her and the deer, and she decided she couldn’t get close enough unnoticed, especially with the deer on the move. She also understood that the odds for success weren’t terribly high on either course of action, but she made the right choice. She sat tight.

The deer did not reappear. One hour dragged by, then the best part of another. Suddenly, a doe stepped out into the sendero at only 75 yards. She stopped and looked up at Jeannie on her stand, a new thing in that place. Then the doe stared back over her rump. Jeannie knew what that might mean, and her rifle slid into position on the stand’s gun rest.

Jeannie shoots a lovely, slim little Ruger Ultralight bolt action, remodeled and restocked by Joe Balickie. It’s chambered to .308 WCF, but for whitetail-size animals I hand load her ammunition to duplicate .300 Savage ballistics exactly, delivering a 150-grain spitzer bullet to the muzzle of the 20-inch barrel at 2630 feet per second.

Even walking, a deer can be across an eight-foot-wide sendero more quickly than you’d believe. In this country, under these circumstances, there’s no time for binoculars. As the doe’s head started to swing back to the front, and she took a step, Jeannie quietly thumbed the safety lever forward and settled her cheek on the comb. Through the scope, she saw the doe hop out of sight into the brush, and then she saw the massive head of the great buck come into view behind her!

He paused and lowered his nose to sniff at the doe’s trail. It was his last sniff. The trigger broke cleanly and the buck lunged forward, out of sight. Half a mile away, Carolyn Balickie heard the shot and the strike of the bullet and checked her watch. It was 9:10 a.m.

Jeannie reloaded and swung her rifle to cover the other sendero toward which the buck had disappeared. He never crossed it.

That could mean that he’d circled back toward the creek thicket or it could mean that he was lying dead in the brush somewhere between the two senderos.

Trembling now, Jeannie scrambled down from her tripod. She trotted down the sendero, which was crisscrossed everywhere with fresh deer tracks. When she reached the place the buck had seemed to be, her heart sank. There was no blood. Then she remembered my advice for such situations and went a few yards farther along the sendero. There it was! Blood, gleaming wetly in the morning sunlight.

I said that Jeannie is our best blood-trailer, and you can believe she never trailed a trail so intently as that one! Alone, step by step through the dense undergrowth she trailed, suffering all the turbulent crosscurrents of doubts and fears all of us know so well. The shot had felt good, and she has perfect confidence in her little rifle, but where was the buck? She should have found him by now if he was down, shouldn’t she? Maybe she’d jerked the shot. Or could he have moved just as she fired?

Then, there was a shape in the high weeds ahead, the curve of an antler beam…there he was, dead as he surely had been since about 10 seconds after the bullet took out his heart and lungs.

During those seconds, he’d run perhaps 50 yards.

I don’t know what happened then; I wasn’t there. But I do know that all the weeds for yards around the buck’s final resting place were trampled flat!

The antlers of Jeannie’s buck measure 164% Boone and Crockett

By propping up a stand overlooking a cleared lane through the dense Texas brush, Jeannie was able to wait in ambush for the buck.

points before deductions. The net score will be about 152%. I told Jeannie that knocking off the four “kicker” tines with a hatchet would raise the net to 160 points or higher, but all I got was a dirty look.

There are a few other things you should know about Jeannie’s buck: The property on which we produced and hunted him is not enclosed with game proof fences. There are no game feeders, automatic or otherwise, except the one that operates year-round in the camphouse yard (and is the reason we don’t shoot inside the sanctuary pasture). The deer get no artificial protein or mineral supplements and, to date, have no access to crops. We have no permanent, elevated deer stands except one that seats two, installed mostly for wildlife viewing and photographic purposes. He was a real deer, in a natural herd and habitat, and he was hunted the old-fashioned way.

I’ve managed the property for quality whitetails since before Jeannie’s buck was a gleam in his daddy’s eye, but that’s all the credit I can claim, except perhaps for one more thing. I just can’t keep myself from adding that, well, after all, I did teach that girl everything she knows! ★ Mr. Wootters, a former HSC President, passed away in January of 2013. HSCF greatly appreciates his wife, Jeanne McRae Wootters, for sharing his legacy and wisdom. johnwootters.com SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 97

LAND HO!

BY OUTDOOR ACCESS

BRAND-NEW SHARING PLATFORM CREATES OPPORTUNITES FOR HUNTERS AND LANDOWNERS ALIKE

98 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ SUMMER 2020

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 99

S

omething new arrived in Texas last fall, and it may just hold the key to helping more new hunters take to the field, bring back hunters who’ve stopped due to lack of access to private property and provide landowners with a brand-new tool to help them monetize their land. It is a business model born out of Richmond, Virginia, but it is quickly spreading across the country, and in 2020, it plants a flag in the Lone Star State.

The sharing economy is transforming the way people manage their assets, from cars with Uber and Lyft to homes with Airbnb. These services have not only provided consumers with additional options and convenience, but on the supply side of their respective equations (in the case of Uber and Lyft, the drivers, and in the case of Airbnb, the homeowners), they have created a massive wave of entrepreneurs who’ve been able to tap into an entirely new source of revenue.

What if the same sharing economy platform was used to help landowners generate new income from their land and, at the same time, create opportunities for hunters and sportsmen to discover new places to enjoy their outdoor passions? At a time when more and more landowners are trying to derive revenue from their land in light of low lumber prices and fluctuating agricultural opportunities, and when hunter participation is at a 50year low, such a program helps revitalize both sides of the equation in a way that is desperately needed. One company, Outdoor Access, has done just that and the results have been nothing short of impressive.

Outdoor Access was started in 2016 to help more people enjoy the outdoors on safe, private land, while at the same time allowing landowners to monetize their land in a way that produced a better yield with fewer limitations. The company started with 13 small properties near Richmond, Virginia; the initial focus was to provide “urban” bowhunting access. After being inundated by suburban homeowners who were fed up with the overabundance of whitetail deer, the founders knew that they were on to something special. Since those humble beginnings, the company has grown to more than 500 listings in 17 states. The average property has grown from a few dozen acres to more than 150, and several 1,000-plus acre properties have recently come aboard. For the landowner, there is no cost to list the land on the company’s website. All members are vetted with a criminal background check, while landowners set all rules, control the calendar and set the prices for each lease.

Outdoor Access, in turn, handles all lease bookings, processes all payments and covers all use of the property by its members under its $4 million liability insurance policy.

“We have taken away all of the reasons why a person would not allow someone out on their land: I don’t know who they are, I don’t want to get sued if something happens, and I don’t want them to be able to come out here whenever they want. We have put the power and control in the landowners’ hands,” says co-founder Buck Robinson. “Once the landowner realizes he or she holds all the cards, then the opportunity to both generate revenue from their land, as well as share it with folks who are going to really appreciate and respect it, takes over and we’re able to get them to open up their property for our members to enjoy.”

100 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

For landowners, the income and overall experience has been better than they ever expected. Dann Terry of Doswell, Virginia, has listed his 150-acre family farm with Outdoor Access for the past two years. At first, it was available for non-hunting activities, but as Terry became more comfortable with the process and the kinds of folks coming out to use the property, he decided to loosen the reins and allow hunting as well. “Outdoor Access has been a real blessing to me. It has definitely raised my standard of living,” says the 80-year-old Terry.

Another landowner, Lindsay Ryland of Hanover County, Virginia, has enjoyed having her 26-acre property available on the platform. “People will stop me and say ‘Hey, can I hunt on your land?’ but I have been saying no because I don’t know who these people are. Since I’ve signed up for Outdoor Access, I’ve had a great experience. Every single person has been polite and respectful. I would highly recommend it—and you get a nice check in the mail!”

From hunters’ perspective, the results have been equally positive. Membership has swelled to more than 4,000 members and the company expects that number to continue to grow in 2020.

“Unlike many online marketplaces, we opted for a membership even more accepting, both in terms of landowner engagement model where we verify the identity of everyone using our website and new membership growth. This year, the company looks to by running a full background check on users when they book continue its lateral expansion into the hunting powerhouse of their first lease. Knowing we were going to be allowing folks Pennsylvania, as well as other states in the Southeast, including with weapons onto private property, we decided from day one South Carolina. But the biggest opportunity for 2020 is their that we needed to know who these people were and that they expansion into Texas. The company is quick to point out that were the kind of folks our landowners would want using their they are giving the Lone Star State the respect it is due and are land,” says CEO and cofounder Jamie Christensen. proceeding with their initial market entry with both confidence “Our model is especially appealing to many types of people and caution. but particularly hunters who are transplants,” Robinson explains.

“Texas is much more than just another state to add to our list,” “This includes folks who have moved to an area because of work, Christensen says. “It’s more like adding four or five typical states, in school or perhaps they are active duty military. Regardless, they terms of its overall size as well as its geographic and demographic find themselves in a new environment and the prospect of finddiversity.” They are focusing their initial efforts in and around the ing private land to use, especially for hunting, can be onerous and Dallas metro area because of the massive influx of transplants downright intimidating. For people in that position, the ability over the past decade. to find and lease property on demand without having any doors “Knowing how appealing our program has traditionally been slammed in your face is a godsend.” to folks who are new to a market and lack that network for local The platform is also attractive to parents who want to get their land contacts, and also realizing how few public land options kids away from their electronics. “From the outset, we wanted are available to would-be hunters in Texas,” Robinson says, “we Outdoor Access to be a vehicle to help more kids enjoy the think the Dallas metro area is the ideal petri dish for us to learn outdoors and for parents to pass along the passion and skills nechow to best adapt our program to fit the needs of both the Texas essary to transform their kids into lifelong outdoor enthusiasts,” landowner and membership base.” The company has learned from Christensen says. “That’s why we allow chilexperience that before they can market the dren on all of our listings and never charge opportunity to potential members, they need for anyone under the age of 18. This decision to have a critical mass of supply available, really appealed to our landowners, as many of so they’ve first focused on the landowner them missed having their kids or grandkids side of the equation. The reception has been out enjoying the property, so they get a real extremely positive, though they are finding thrill from seeing our members bring their the typical Texan landowner is considerably kids out to enjoy the woods.” different than any others they have worked “Hunting is staring down the barrel of with to date. some pretty daunting prospects,” Robinson Vice president of landowner strategy and says, “and as the boomer generation ages out, operations James Stacia explains: “While we there has to be an influx of new blood to suphave seen larger landowners gravitate toward port the industry. Otherwise, it will be at risk our program in our core states of Virginia, of either implosion or even greater threats North Carolina and Pennsylvania, the aver—DANN TERRY, from those who would like to see it banned.” age size of the parcel we are listing in Texas Doswell, Virginia By making access to land easier, and by prohas already dwarfed what we are accustomed viding members with multiple options at any to working with, which is an exciting opporpoint in time, Outdoor Access is having a tunity.” Stacia adds another key difference: material impact on getting started with hunting easier, as well “The entire idea of short-term or day lease use of a property was as attracting hunters who have otherwise left behind the sport. something we had to work hard to educate and help landowners “We know the entire hunting industry, both in terms of private get comfortable with in places like Virginia and North Carolina. companies with a vested interest in seeing hunting continue to But in Texas, that model has been used for years. Landowners here thrive, as well as public agencies whose funding is directly tied are savvy and know how to price their land on a per day basis in into license sales, has coalesced around the three R’s of recruitaddition to an annual lease in order to get the return on investing, retaining and reactivating more hunters. Our internal polling ment they expect.” shows that 30 percent of Outdoor Access members have either When asked when they expect to expand their presence in Texas, never hunted before, or have not hunted in at least three years, cofounder Robinson says, “As we continue to grow supply in the so we really feel like we have a solution that will help move the Dallas-Fort Worth market, we will begin to expand into other parts needle to the direct benefit of everyone touched by hunting,” of Texas in 2020. Our success to date has largely been based on Robinson says. “As a passionate hunter myself, this is the kind our ability to say no to the temptation of growing the model too of impact that gets me jumping out of bed every morning. I refast and spreading ourselves too thin. We know the Achilles’ heel ally feel that Outdoor Access provides a beacon of hope to not for most startups is the founder’s inability to stop chasing shiny only slow or stop the decline in hunting participation, but as objects, and we refuse to fall into that trap. We have something we continue to evolve, to hopefully help turn the curve toward very special here and while we are excited about the prospect of actual growth.” expanding nationally and even internationally, we also know how While the company still has more properties and members critical it is to maintain the proper level of equilibrium between in its home state of Virginia than any other market, it has been supply and demand in each new market we touch. We have a lot aggressively expanding into new markets every year—first in riding on us getting that balance right, not just for our employneighboring North Carolina, where reception to the model was ees and shareholders, but for the entire hunting community.” ★

“Outdoor Access has been a real blessing to me. It has definitely raised my standard of living.”

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 101

LET’S TALK

TEXAS

RANCHES

FEATURED LISTINGS • Fayette Co, TX 281.75 +/- acres $2,456,860 • Hardin Co, TX 250+/- acres $1,500,000 • Hardin Co, TX 400 +/- acres $1,580,000 • Jasper Co, TX 636 +/- acres $2,862,000

DEREK HAM East Central Texas Sales Agent

(713) 553-7047 derek.ham@whitetailproperties.com

W H I T E TA I L P R O P E R T I E S . C O M Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC - DBA Whitetail Properties | In the States of Nebraska & North Dakota - DBA Whitetail Trophy Properties Real Estate LLC | Licensed in IL, MO, IA, KS, KY, NE & OK - Dan Perez, Broker | Licensed in AR, CO, GA, MN, ND, SD, TN & WI - Jeff Evans, Broker | Licensed in FL, OH, NY & PA - Jefferson Kirk Gilbert, Broker | Licensed in TX & NM - Joey Bellington, Broker2020 | Licensed in IN - Bill Minor, Broker |™ SUMMER HUNTER'S HORN Licensed in AL, GA, LA, & MS - Sybil Stewart, Broker | Licensed in TN - Chris Wakefield, Broker | Licensed in TN - Bobby Powers, Broker | Licensed in AR - Anthony Chrisco, Broker | Licensed in SC, NC & VA - Chip Camp, Broker | Licensed in NC - Rich Baugh, Broker | Licensed in MI - Edmund Joel Nogaski, Broker | Licensed in WV - Debbie S. Laux, Broker | Licensed in ID, MT, OR & WY - Aaron Milliken, Broker

103

2019 DAN L. DUNCAN

Scholarship Update

JAMIE COOPER I express my sincerest gratitude for receiving the Dan L. Duncan Scholarship for the 2019-2020 school year. Not only has it allowed for better focus on my coursework and research, but I am reminded every day about the importance hunting has on conservation and management work. I am on track to finish my M.S. in Range & Wildlife Management by December 2020 through Sul Ross State University as I currently finish the bulk of my coursework, improve upon a 3.6 GPA, and begin analyzing my camera survey data for Borderlands Research Institute.

My fieldwork came to an end in August; we collected 37 trail cameras deployed in the Davis Mountains, Texas, and processed approximately 835,000 photos from both survey sessions. In summer 2018, there were independent detections of 25 black bear and 9 mountain lions. In spring 2019, we collected 39 and 21 independent photos of mountain lions and black bears, respectively. We will use these photos to estimate abundance and evaluate the use of camera surveys for monitoring large carnivore populations in West Texas. These results will be useful for conservation and management specialists interested in non-invasive techniques for acquiring population estimates. I have had the pleasure of presenting an oral presentation for the public at the Davis Mountain Preserve and a poster at Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society.

Over this academic year, I have been humbled with the opportunity to serve as SRSU’s Range & Wildlife Club

104 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Vice President of Conservation Biology. Through the club and fellow students, I have volunteered 50.5 hours to build my skill set through other research projects and community service. Participating in grassland bird surveys, aoudad, mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep captures, and canoeing 12 miles to collect trash from the bank of the Rio Grande River for National Public Lands Day are just a few of the amazing events I am involved with.

Thank you for your generous support! I was overwhelmed with gratefulness after attending HSCF’s Annual Convention while physically being among the support of a great group of like-minded hunters and conservationists. I will always continue my advocacy for Houston Safari Club Foundation’s mission.

TAYLOR DAILY I am grateful to be writing as a recipient of the Dan L. Duncan Scholarship for 20192020. Thank you to the Houston Safari Club Foundation for providing this opportunity that has helped fund my research as a graduate student at Sul Ross State University.

My thesis focuses on the survival and movements of desert bighorn sheep among differing release methods. I am specifically looking to see if there is a difference in survivorship and home range size between hard and soft released translocated desert bighorn, and how they compare to resident sheep. I am also trying to determine what effect landscape distribution has on desert bighorn home range size.

Preliminary results indicate that soft-release for translocated desert bighorn sheep is not necessarily beneficial to survival. We have found that soft-released individuals had roughly 3 times the amount of mortalities, over the study’s duration than hard-released individuals. Resident individuals showed the highest overall annual survival, which was expected given their familiarity with the landscape. As for translocated desert bighorn sheep, the hard-released individuals showed higher overall annual survival rates when compared to the soft-release individuals. Our results also indicate that season has a large effect on mortality rates of desert bighorn sheep on an annual basis.

Aside from my thesis work, I have been given many wonderful opportunities to volunteer with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. I have helped out with fence modifications for pronghorn, water guzzler development for desert-dwelling species, and many other small tasks throughout the Trans-Pecos ecoregion. These opportunities have taught me many valuable lessons and have provided some real-world experience that you can only get outside the classroom.

Thank you again for selecting me as one of the scholarship recipients, because of this opportunity I have been able to continue my education and excel while doing so. I am more than proud to support the Houston Safari Club Foundation and acknowledge its continued support for students in the natural resource field.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 105

LISA ZOROMSKI Dear Houston Safari Club Members,

I am thankful to be a recipient for the 2019-2020 Dan L. Duncan scholarship.

I am honored to have the Houston Safari Club Foundation support my education and research at Texas A&M University – Kingsville. I recently graduated with my master’s degree studying “Social behavior and movement ecology of nilgai antelope.”

As I was wrapping up my thesis, I was busy presenting results for various organizations and events. I was able to travel to Reno, NV last fall for an oral and poster presentation at the Annual Wildlife Society Conference. While that was a great experience in itself, I was grateful to also advise one of my undergraduate technicians with presenting a poster based off of the nilgai research. Her poster received attention from The Wildlife Society’s news editor for advertisement on their website.

Last fall, I was surprised to be selected for a program to have a Congressman visit and learn about my research through the American Institute of Biological Sciences. I was able to have the Congressman and staff visit my study site to see my research in action. I had an interest in wildlife policy, and this was a great experience to advocate for federal investments in biological sciences.

It led to a newsletter article about the visit, and then other organizations in Texas contacted me to learn more. I believe the most important aspect of research is how you are able to present your findings and influence others. I am currently writing publications on my findings to share

106 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

with the scientific community and the public.

The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute through Texas A&M University – Kingsville provided me with incredible opportunities to gain experience in both wildlife techniques and leadership skills. Since I grew up in Wisconsin, moving to Texas was a different culture and environment for me. The skills I gained working with private landowners and organizations in Texas helped me acquire my current position.

I currently work as a Wildlife Technician for USDA in Ohio, where I communicate with the public daily to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Undoubtfully, the Houston Safari Club Foundation has positively impacted my graduate experience. I am extremely appreciative of the Houston Safari Club Foundation for supporting my education and passion for wildlife.

JACOB LOCKE I am very fortunate to be a recipient of the Dan L. Duncan Scholarship for 2019-2020. I am very grateful to the Houston Safari Club Foundation for investing in me and providing crucial support throughout my time as a graduate student at Sul Ross State University.

My masters’ research focuses on pronghorn habitat management.

Specifically, we are examining how different cattle grazing regimes affect pronghorn forage production, as well as developing pronghorn carrying capacity estimates in two key Texas Parks and Wildlife Department pronghorn restoration areas in the Trans-Pecos.

Recently, I have been able to present my research on the effects different cattle grazing regimes have on pronghorn forage production at two different meetings.

In September at the Trans-Pecos Chapter of the Texas Grazing Lands Coalition meeting, I was awarded the first-place prize for my three-minute professional presentation. In February at the annual meeting of the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, I gave an oral presentation on my research findings.

My time and experience at the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State

University has been incredible, and thanks to your contributions, I have been able to focus on my studies and research while also being able to volunteer and support my fellow graduate students and Texas wildlife community. My graduate career has truly provided me incredible experiences that I am extremely thankful for including vegetation sampling for mule deer and pronghorn, pronghorn

fence modifications, grassland bird captures, mule deer captures, desert bighorn sheep captures, aoudad captures, turkey captures and translocations, pronghorn captures and translocations, flying aerial pronghorn surveys, and countless radio telemetry work, most of which was voluntary.

Thank you again for supporting me through my graduate studies and allowing me all of the experiences I have been able to receive. Your contributions have actively played a role in wildlife conservation in Texas. I am proud to have Houston Safari Club Foundation supporting me and am very grateful for your aid in jumpstarting my career as a wildlife biologist.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 107

CAROLINA “LINA” MEDINA-NAVA It is an honor for me to be writing to you as a second-year Dan L. Duncan Scholarship recipient, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for your generosity in supporting such a wonderful scholarship opportunity.

I am very thankful to have the Houston Safari Club Foundation supporting me as I continue my thesis work at Sul Ross State University.

2019 and 2020 have been exciting years where I have spent my time implementing my masters’ project examining “Ecohydrology and Reseeding Techniques in the Green Valley, Brewster County, Texas.” The goal of this study was to determine the dynamics in ecohydrology based on soil moisture and temperature in different soil and vegetation types during an active grassland reseeding restoration project in the Terlingua Creek watershed.

In October 2019, I was able to travel to Kerrville, Texas, to compete in the Don Pendleton Memorial College Oral Presentation Award at the Texas Section Society Range Management (TSSRM), where I was honored to receive 3rd place. I presented preliminary results of my thesis project where I developed a model to select microtopography using highresolution imagery from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and soil wetness index to select potential seeding microsites. I also had the opportunity to attend the 9th International Congress for Rangeland Management in Chihuahua, Mexico where I attended a workshop in biomass estimation using UAVs.

This present year, 2020, I presented a research poster about my project at the following annual meetings: the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society (Corpus Christi, Texas), Society for Range Management (Denver, Colorado), and the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (Costa Mesa, California). Currently, I am working on the final steps of analyzing and writing my thesis, which I am looking forward to defending this fall and hopefully presenting again at the TSSRM annual meeting. I believe my thesis project will help landowners to develop science-based

108 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

rangeland restoration plans for wildlife habitat.

Once again, thank you for choosing me to receive your generous scholarship for a second year.

The Dan L. Duncan scholarship has undoubtedly allowed me to focus on implementing quality research and excelling in my pursuits towards restoring rangelands for wildlife habitat in Texas. I will always be thankful for the support I received from the Houston Safari Club Foundation during my educational career, and I am proud to say I am a Dan L. Duncan scholarship recipient for the second time.

HOWELL PUGH I am a recipient of the Dan L. Duncan Scholarship for the 2019-2020 academic school year. I am very thankful for the moral and financial support that comes with being a recipient of the scholarship and a member of the Houston Safari Club Foundation. I would especially like to thank Mr. Gary Rose and the scholarship committee; without their tireless efforts and contributions, many students like myself would not be blessed with the wonderful opportunities that the HSCF and the Dan L. Duncan Scholarship has provided.

I am currently working towards a graduate degree at Sul Ross State University.

My graduate thesis research focuses on the movement ecology of translocated female pronghorn in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas.

I am working with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to address two main questions about translocated pronghorn. The first question is how much room does a translocated female pronghorn in the Trans-Pecos need? The second question is what areas are translocated female pronghorn in the Trans-Pecos using and what ones are they not using? The first question is what is referred to as the home range of the animal. The second question is referred to as the habitat use of the animal. To answer these questions, I have collected data from five translocations (years 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017) to get a broad look at the behavior of the translocated does. I will be using data collected from GPS collars that were affixed to pronghorn does during the translocation process. I will be comparing variables, such as the dry, wet, and fawning seasons, to see how they affect the home range and habitat use of the translocated female pronghorn. One hundred and sixty-nine GPS collars will be used for the analysis with a total of 1,099,264 separate locations to determine the home ranges and the habitat use.

This past summer I presented preliminary

findings of the 2017 translocation’s home range data to the 28th Biennial Western States & Provinces Pronghorn Workshop. Later this spring (April 2019) I will be presenting further results of all the translocations’ home range data at Sul Ross State University’s Graduate Symposium in a talk titled “Home Range of Translocated Pronghorn in Trans-Pecos, Texas.” Additionally, portions of my research and analysis were used in a report titled “Trans-Pecos Pronghorn Restoration Update: November 2018.” I look forward to continued outreach and communications about my thesis work.

As I continue to analyze and write my thesis, I am excited about the results I am seeing. I truly believe that the work I am doing will not only help the wildlife professionals who are tasked with restoring the diminished Trans-Pecos populations, but will also be fully accessible and understandable to landowners who want to apply the lessons learned from my research. I am very thankful to the Houston Safari Club Foundation for offering the generous Dan L. Duncan Scholarship.

The scholarship has allowed me to be focused on my research and schooling in a way that has allowed my project to reach its fullest potential.

Thank you for your support.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 109

SAM STROUPE I was honored to be a recipient of the Dan L. Duncan Scholarship for the 20192020 Academic Year. I would like to thank you for your support, as it has helped me tremendously this year while pursuing my PhD at Texas A&M University.

My research focuses on population and conservation genetics in North American bison, and we are developing new genomic tools to use in these efforts. This year, I developed a large set of informative Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers for high-resolution parentage, genetic diversity and ancestry assignments.

This technology was developed from a selected group of 200 bison representing all the major bison herds across North America.

Recently, I reported my progress on SNP test development during a National Park Services Bison Leadership meeting in South Dakota. With a grant we received from the NPS, we are now moving forward with further validation of this genomic technology for use in bison herds.

We will use this developed set of SNP markers to conduct a study on population-specific breeding structure and sire success among herds with various effective population sizes, management strategies, age structures and herd history for the Great Plains NPS herds and a private herd. We are currently in the process of gathering samples for use in this study. This in-depth evaluation will allow us to work with bison herd managers to determine the most effective management practices for specific populations.

After this further validation of this SNP test, our lab plans to use this new test for many more bison herds across the country so that managers can have a better understanding of the breeding success and genetic health of their bison to contribute to the conservation goals of this important North American species.

In addition, I am working with a team of

110 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

researchers at Texas A&M University using whole genome data to evaluate the evolutionary history and historic cattle introgression of North American bison. During the fall, I received a grant from Texas AgriLife Genomics and Bioinformatics Service to sequence the genome of eight additional bison to include in our research.

This project included both modern samples and historic samples that predate the population bottleneck of the late 1800s. I am currently working through this data to see what mysteries it reveals.

I am eagerly looking forward to completing our analysis of this data and publishing our results. Once again thank you, Houston Safari Club Foundation, I am very grateful to have you as one of my supporters through my academic journey.

AMANDA M. VEALS I moved to Texas just over two years ago to pursue my PhD. I had always heard great things about the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

When I learned of a PhD project under Dr. Michael Tewes studying the impacts roads have on the spatial ecology of an endangered carnivore, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

I am working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) to answer questions related to the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) ecology and road mortality. Vehicle collisions have been cited as the leading source of mortality for the critically endangered ocelot in south Texas.

It is estimated that less than 80 individuals remain in the United States, all concentrated in two isolated breeding populations in southern Texas. TXDOT is interested in learning more about where they could place wildlife crossing structures to mitigate vehicle collisions with the ocelot.

My dissertation focuses on the resource selection and landscape connectivity of the ocelot in south Texas. I am leveraging a 35-year telemetry dataset on adult collared cats. I am interested in understanding what aspects of woody cover ocelots select for and how roads may impact that selection. I am looking at resource selection across multiple spatial and temporal scales to see how selection may change as habitat availability decreased and barriers to movement increased on the landscape across those 35 years.

Telemetry data was paired with remote sense imagery to assess available habitat relative to the time period spatial data were collected for each ocelot. This was to make sure what we were considering available to an individual was relevant to the time their used points were collected. Preliminary results show that our work supports previous research indicating that ocelots select for large, dense patches of woody cover at the 2nd order (or landscape spatial scale). We also found support for our hypothesis that roads have a negative impact on resource selection at this scale.

From our top resource selection model, we were able to determine the probability of use across the landscape.

Areas with a high probability of use corresponded to areas with resources ocelots positively selected for. We will examine the relationship between the probability of use and landscape resistance. Using circuit theory models, we can examine likely pathways of movement across the landscape, identifying areas ocelots will likely cross roads. Moving forward, I will continue to examine resource selection at the 3rd order (within home range spatial scale) and examine functional responses.

Functional responses take into account individual heterogeneity in the behavioral response an animal exhibits as a resource changes in availability.

The goal of my dissertation is to help inform future road crossing structures to help mitigate ocelot-vehicle collisions and increase landscape permeability for this critically endangered species. Ocelots are declining rapidly in south Texas, and I hope we can provide meaningful solutions to the problems this species faces for TXDOT.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 111

MONITORING WILD PIGS IN AN AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE

BY BETHANY FRIESENHAHN WILD PIGS (Sus scrofa) WERE INTRODUCED INTO NORTH AMERICA in the 1500s as a source of food. Since then, pigs were released or escaped from homesteads, and their population numbers exploded in the wild. Wild pigs have been found in more than half of the states in the U.S., and their population is currently estimated at 6 million. In Texas alone, wild pigs have been reported in all but one county, and the total population is estimated at more than 1.5 million and growing.

Wild pigs have biological and behavioral characteristics that allow their populations to grow and spread faster than we can control. Pigs are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Wild pigs rely on their sense of smell to forage and “root” for food. Their diet can consist of almost anything from insects, snakes, grains, roots, fawns, and even pig carcasses. They are not picky eaters, so wild pigs can survive in very adverse environments. Wild pigs also have high reproductive rates. When pigs have access to water and plenty of resources, they are able to birth more piglets, and their survival rate can increase as well. A sow can become sexually mature at only 6-8 months of age and can have 2 litters of 1-12 piglets per year. Finally, wild pigs Figure 1: Game camera photo of a sounder thrive because they are intelligent and taken in Delta County, TX in 2019 adapt to pressure put on them by humans.

The characteristics that make pigs such great survivors, unfortunately, result in human-wildlife conflicts, including disease transmission, depredation, competition with native wildlife, and damage to both urban and rural areas. Wild pigs cause billions of dollars of damage annually in the US. The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute has partnered with the USDA-APHIS

112 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 113

National Wildlife Research Center and Texas Wildlife Services to conduct research that focuses on the relationship between wild pigs and agriculture. We want to better understand wild pigs’ resource selection and land use to help landowners protect their crops and resources.

Our study site is in the northeast portion of Texas, where we work with private landowners across a span of roughly 100,000 acres of pasture, wooded habitat, riparian areas, and agricultural fields.

Crop fields include corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat. Our objectives are to 1) monitor land use and resource selection of wild pigs throughout an agricultural landscape through the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite-transmitting collars and 2) quantify wild pig damage to corn fields throughout the growing season with the use of drones, satellite imagery, and ground truth assessments.

This project will have two field seasons once it is complete at the end of 2020. From January-February 2019, we started trappings efforts to collar wild pigs and then continued to monitor the collared pigs and damage to corn fields from March-August. During this monitoring time period, we used camera traps to get pig density estimates, collected GPS locations from pigs, and monitored pig damage in select corn fields. All of this information will allow us to learn more about the extent that pigs travel to access crop fields, how much damage they cause, and what growth stages are most important.

Here is an overview of the different aspects of the research:

GPS COLLARS

In January 2019, we began capturing and marking sounders of wild pigs. From those captured pigs, we selected 30 adults, both male and female, and placed a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellitetransmitting collar on each pig. We placed GPS satellite transmitting collars on adult pigs to get a better representation of how pigs move throughout the landscape. Male wild pigs, or boars, are known to travel by themselves and are thought to travel greater distances. Females stay in a group or sounder with their piglets, juvenile pigs and other females. When we begin running more analysis we will compare male vs female movements.

The captured sounders were then released back on the landscape for monitoring. The GPS collars were set to collect locations every hour and stay on the pig for 36 weeks. We chose this time period because it would allow us to monitor their movements during pre-planting, the growing season and postharvest, after the crops are out of the fields. A big focus for the research is to see how pigs react and change their movements and home ranges based on what crops become available throughout the year. Do they go out of their way to select certain crops? Do they select crops because they are within their normal range? A monthly break down of their 114 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

Figure 2: (above) Five adult wild pigs collared and ear-tagged during January for the 2020 field season in Delta County, Texas.

Figure 3: (below) A sounder captured in a JagerPro collar trap in Delta County, Texas

movements will help us to see if there is any apparent pattern of pigs making adjustments to select crops.

REMOVAL EFFORTS

Being an exotic species in the U.S. means that wild pigs can be hunted year-round.

That provides more opportunity for population control efforts but also a year-round supply for recreational hunting. Growing up with a family that farms has given me first-hand experience of the struggles wild pigs can cause to someone’s livelihood, but I also grew up loving to hunt. This dilemma seems to be ongoing between many landowners in Texas, which makes controlling wild pig numbers even more difficult.

In addition to movements and crop use, we will determine how wild pigs react to hunting pressure and removal efforts, such as helicopter hunts and night hunts. We placed cameras and bait out throughout our study area to estimate pig densities both before and after helicopter removal Figure 4: The proportion of GPS locations of wild pigs in corn fields during different growth efforts. This information will then be comstages/seasons in Delta County, Texas, during the 2019 growing season. pared to the number of pigs taken during their flights to determine how much of an impact helicopter hunts can make in a short period of time. what resources they select for during different times of the year.

Wild pigs can adapt well to hunting and trapping pressures, We will also look at hourly, daily, and monthly average diswhich forces us to adapt and change up our control efforts as tances traveled by pigs. If hourly locations in an agricultural field well. Our next step in analyzing removal efforts will be looking are close then it can be suggested that that pig was foraging and at GPS locations that were collected during helicopter efforts causing damage vs hourly locations that are further apart, which and night hunts and see if those pigs acted differently. If the pigs suggests pigs were using this land cover type as a traveling corwere near the helicopter, it may show that they left the area and ridor. This reason can make the difference to determine if a pig did not come back for a few days or maybe they went to thick is using a resource or going out of its way to select and target it. cover and stayed because they felt safe. This type of informaWild pigs can travel relatively far distances depending on what tion could be helpful for those who use this removal technique. type of environment they are in and if they have food, shelter, Helicopter hunts can be very effective because one can remove and water nearby. We want to take a closer look at the pigs in many pigs in a short period of time, but it can be very costly. our study area to give our landowners as much information as Since wild pigs are usually nocturnal and helicopter hunts possible that they can use to stop the pig problem. occur during the day, many people now use night vision and Preliminary analyses of 2019 GPS points revealed that pigs thermal scopes on guns to hunt pigs. We will monitor nocturdid not make much of an effort to select corn fields during the nal movements and behavior in response to night shooting. For planting stage. This was a surprise to us because we did notice instance, do the pigs begin showing up later in the night because damage during this time. The pig activity in corn fields went they know they had been shot at right after dark for the last up significantly during the blister/milk stage and continued few days? Or does continuous hunting efforts deter the pigs off throughout post-harvest. This seemed to be more consistent the fields completely and push them to neighboring properties? with farmers’ observations stating that pigs would leave their Answers to these questions can help landowners be more efficrops alone during the vegetative stages but would notice pig cient in removing wild pigs from their properties. tracks appearing and plants being knocked down once the plant began to silk. Wild pigs may not find it necessary to exert all RESOURCE SELECTION AND LAND USE that energy during planting just for single seeds, but when the We will classify the GPS locations that are collected from kernels begin to develop then there is more of a calorie intake each individual pig and give that location a land cover type available per plant, which makes it more desirable to the pigs. value. The land cover types we are focusing on are corn, other crops, hay/pasture, wooded areas, riparian areas, shrubland, and DAMAGE ASSESSMENT water. From these data, we can determine if pigs select or avoid There are several crops throughout our study area but we certain land covers. We will assess movements and resource sedecided to focus on corn for damage assessment because the lection daily, monthly, and annually. With this information, we farmers we spoke with emphasized on how badly they were hit can determine the size of home ranges, what habitat they are by wild pigs in the past in their corn fields. We selected 5 corn selecting for, identify hot spots and travel corridors that pigs fields throughout the study area to monitor for wild pig damage. use, which could be helpful in determining trap locations, and To compare and quantify the amount of damage that occurs, SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ 115

Figure 5: Wild pig damage to corn fields after planting (left) and ground-based assessment of damage before harvest (right) in Delta County, Texas, during summer 2019.

we focused our efforts on different growth stages of corn. The growth stages consist of planting/emergence, vegetative stages (no seed), blister/milk stages (kernels are soft and beginning to form), and finally the dent/mature stages (kernels are dried out and ready to be harvested).

During each of those stages, we assessed the field by flying a drone to collect imagery of the entire field and walked transects to subsample for pig damage. Walking the transects will be used to validate what we capture in the drone imagery once the images are stitched together to get a full view of each field.

For each different growth stage, we will go in and mark the wild pig damage we see in the imagery.

Fields can experience different types of damage, which prevents the crop from emerging or growing to its’ full potential.

The weather plays a big role in the plant’s potential, whether it is too dry or too wet. Insects and other wildlife may depredate the crops as well. To prevent over- or under-estimating wild pig damage to the fields, we made sure that there was wild pig sign by the damage, such as scat or tracks. Wild pig damage is very distinct compared to other damage. During planting, we noticed that pigs would root the seeds up and follow the pattern of the planter. Raccoons and other species can dig in the ground to find the seed, but pig rooting is typically deeper, and they can cover larger areas.

As the plant matures, pigs will trample and pull down multiple plants to reach the developed ears of corn. Wild pigs are not very delicate animals and it is easy to identify damage caused by pigs compared to white-tailed deer, which will also pull down plants to eat the ears of corn. From what we noticed in 2019, most of this damage during this time would occur in turn rows on the edges of the fields and near woody habitat. Pigs spend 116 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

most of their time in woody areas, seeking shelter so it would make sense that fields near that type of habitat would experience more damage than a field that is in the open surrounded by more open fields.

We will be using advanced remote sensing techniques and technologies that are available to us at Texas A&M UniversityKingsville to process and analyze the imagery from the drones.

One of these techniques is called deep learning, which uses an algorithm to detect and select out pig damage in an image. An accuracy assessment will be run on the deep learning process to determine how well the technique classifies damage. If pig damage is successfully detected using deep learning, it could lead to looking at pig damage over larger scales than just a few hundred acres.

Once we have completed marking all the damage from drone imagery, we have teamed up with farmers in our area to compare what we find with the yield monitor data from the combine.

This will show us how the damage affected their yields, which ultimately costs the farmer money.

IN CONCLUSION

The results from the 2019 field season show us that pigs will select for crops, specifically corn, but it depends on the growth stage of the plant; damage appears greater if there is woody cover nearby. Control efforts prior to the blister/milk growth stage may prevent pigs from destroying crops. There is still much data to be analyzed from 2019 and questions to be answered about wild pigs in agricultural landscapes. We will continue to monitor GPS-collared pigs and corn damage in 2020 with the goal of helping landowners and Wildlife Services minimize damage to crops. ★

Figure 6: (above and right) Aerial view of wild pig damage to a corn field prior to harvest in Delta County, Texas, during 2019.

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORNâ„¢ 117

DON’T PAY

50% - 75% MORE

FOR GUN AND TROPHY INSURANCE!

For Sportsmen By Sportsmen

GUNS AND TROPHIES ON ONE POLICY WITH THE SAME LOW RATE FOR EACH CATEGORY ALL-RISK, WORLD-WIDE COVERAGE INCLUDING THEFT, FLOOD, EARTHQUAKE, AND TERRORISM MANY COVERAGE ENHANCEMENTS NOT FOUND IN COMPETITORS POLICIES 686 TROPHIES/HUNTS ON 6 CONTINENTS

INTRODUCING *NEW* COVERAGE: GUN / HUNT CLUBS, GUIDES & OUTFITTERS HUNTING & FISHING LODGES / PRESERVES LODGES & RESORTS, ARCHERY RANGES / PRO SHOPS AND MANY MORE. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS!

571-352-7097

$20,000 IN COVERAGE = $150 PREMIUM $50,000 IN COVERAGE = $155 PREMIUM $150,000 IN COVERAGE = $405 PREMIUM $250,001 IN COVERAGE = $475 PREMIUM

GUNANDTROPHY.COM 703-901-4899

SAMPLE RATES: (DIFFERENT DEDUCTIBLES AVAILABLE)

$500,001 IN COVERAGE = $715 PREMIUM

SUPPORT@GUNANDTROPHY.COM

*COVERAGE NOT AVAILABLE IN ALASKA OR HAWAII*

Include HSCF or HSC in Your Estate Plans Supporting the future of conservation and Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) or Houston Safari Club (HSC) as part of your legacy is a thoughtful and meaningful way to preserve the future of sport hunting.

There are several giving options available to you!

Your commitment helps ensure your legacy to protect the future of hunting. hscfdn.org/legacy-program-hscfdn Contact Joe Betar at 832.841.0022 or joe@wehuntwegive.org to learn more!

118 HUNTER'S HORN™ SUMMER 2020

© 2019

Functional Elegance R8 ULTIMATE

The R8 ULTIMATE sets a new standard in terms of functionality and design. The two-piece thumbhole stock ensures a completely relaxed shooting position, as well as optimal control of the rifle when firing.

New, modular stock options allow the customer to tailor the rifle to their individual needs.

Blaser USA 403 East Ramsey, Ste. 301 | San Antonio, TX 78216 United States of America

SUMMER 2020 HUNTER'S HORN™ iii

Specializing in african SafariS for over 5 2 YearS From Plains Game to Elephant our outfitters are truly some of the Best in Africa

• True African Bush Safaris • Wild Africa

• No Fences

Quality Trophies Quality Outfitters Quality Service The BEST from Sporting International

From Alaska to the South Pacific, Truly the Best of the Best

: (281) 452-6223 • Fax: (281) 457-5412 • 15608 South Brentwood • Channelview, TX 77530-4018 • www.sportinginternational.com

iv HUNTER'S HORN™ E-Mail: SUMMER 2020 sport@sportinginternational.com