Ram Tracks
Spring Newsletter 2013
Volume 34 Issue 1
Wild Sheep Foundation - Midwest Chapter Officers and Directors PRESIDENT Curt Babler (‘14) 24846 Fondant Ave Wyoming, MN 55025 (651) 490-9395 cbabler@vetteaction.com PAST PRESIDENT Jerry Mariska (‘14) 14203 410th Avenue Waseca, MN 56093 (507) 835-1442 jerrym@kmwb.net VICE PRESIDENT Al Holland (‘14) 11933 Highway 65 NE Blaine, MN 55434 (763) 755-8680 al.holland.b5b0@statefarm.com TREASURER Andy Otte (‘16) 2630 270th Street East Randolph, MN 55065 (507) 301-8655 andyandcris@hughes.net SECRETARY Brian Helm (‘15) 1910 Stowe Avenue Arden Hills, MN 55112-7826 (651) 631-9273 blhelm@visi.com
DIRECTORS Mike Bouton (‘16) 675 Blue Pine Lane Boise, ID. 83709 phone: 208-949-4510 mikebouton@hotmail.com John Coulter (‘14) 201 Craig Tracy, MN 56175 (507) 829-2304 coulterj@iw.net Rod Garland (‘16) 43433 N Trevor Road Antioch, IL 60002 (847) 612-4408 jrodgarland@gmail.com Scott Olson (‘16) 22743 171st Street Big Lake, MN 55309 (763) 263-0015 pullbanger@aol.com Steve Powelson (‘15) 2607 Hulett Court Faribault, MN 55021 507-334-7413 powie_s@yahoo.com Matt Rippentrop (‘16) 20667 County Road 1 Oelrichs, SD 56470 (307) 732-4467 mattrippentrop@hotmail.com Dave Swenson (‘15) 955 McDonald Lane Hudson, WI 54016 (715) 386-8772 david.swenson@att.net
Ron Vollrath (‘14) 705 Northwood Drive Delano, MN 55328 (763) 972-1280
WILD SHEEP FOUNDATION - MIDWEST Office Headquarters Patti J. Murry, Executive Director 307 Division Street, Northfield, MN 55057 (507) 645-8811, (507) 645-9291 - fax patti.murry@gmail.com
Page 2
In this issue 3
Presidents Message
by Curt Babler
4&5
Banquet & Fundraiser Overview
6&7
Live Auction & Raffle Results
8-11 12
Banquet Photos
South Dakota Update by John Kanta
14
North Dakota Update
14
2014 Youth Waterhole
by Brett Wiedmann
Our Latest Life Members Sam Spies Watertown, SD Howard Deters Spring Grove, MN Matt “Rip” Rippentrop Oelrichs, SD Jeffrey Olson Rapid City, SD
MISSION STATEMENT To enhance, expand and preserve wild sheep populations; to educate the public about wild sheep and conservation efforts surrounding wildlife; to encourage lawful hunting and protecting hunters’ rights; and to encourage youth participation in hunting.
j
WOW!!! That is one word that was used alot during our 2013 banquet and fundraiser. If you were not there you missed the WOW factor! Attendance pushed right up to the 400 sell out number! With a houseful our own member’s daughter Kelsey Zauhar, current USA Olympic trap shooting team member speak about her experiences and how the simple action of her father Mark taking the time to teach her how to shoot created these great experiences for her. All time records were set on two state bighorn auctions tags: North Dakota shattered the previous record of $50,000 by selling for $75,000; and one of the oldest tags out there, the Wyoming tag also set the all time record when it sold for $76,000! This also marked the first time the South Dakota bighorn would make it to an auction list and it sold for $102,000! This is great news for the sheep in those states.
envelopes for me. I heard of a couple members drawing tags one of which is an east coast member that has to postpone a Marco Polo. Turns out he drew one of the highly coveted Peloncillo Mountains in New Mexico! Did you draw? Let’s hear about it in our next issue! During our last auction we again raised funds to send some youth to Arizona on a waterhole project to give back and help keep sheep on the mountain! Having a daughter that participated last year I can tell you this experience is something that allows a group of teens the ability to put “shoulder to plow” and give back to wildlife and create lifelong friendships with others from around the Nation. If you know of a youth that would like to participate in our next waterhole please nominate them and send your reason why you feel they would enjoy spending a week in January in the deserts of Arizona. Submit the information to the office in Northfield. We have been working hard on the sheep of the Midwest and it appears we will be having transplants happening in both North Dakota and South Dakota this winter! Nothing like getting more sheep in the Midwest! Hats off to all of those invlved! Until our next issue, shoot straight and I’ll see you in camp! Curt Babler
If you did not participate please mark your calendars for March 22, 2014 as that will be the date of our next banquet and fundraiser. With 400 a sellout you will need to make sure you get yourself and your friends and family members registered early as I would hate to see you not being able to see what WOW factors will be created once again! We are adding a few items to next year’s show to help UP the WOW factor once again. This newsletter is a bit thinner than what you normally receive so I am asking you for HELP! We need stories, pictures and short blurbs if you are not a writer. I know our membership enjoys reading the stories and I am sure your outfitter would appreciate the coverage. You can send them to me personally or to the office. Both addresses are on the previous page along with email addresses so please send us your pictures! The draw is happening with the usual returned Page 3
Another successful weekend at our With a one day show we were hoping for good turnout. Turns out we had GREAT turnout for our annual banquet and auction which resulted in a huge success for wildlife! It is always a pleasure to get to see all the familiar faces having a great time. The live auction again held some high quality, highly sought after trips that fetched value and in some cases well beyond value! Just goes to show that our membership knows where to come to get their “trip of a lifetime�. How about those state tags? Records set all around. Not just state records but all time records! North Dakota selling for $75,000, Wyoming selling for $76,000, and South Dakota selling for an eye popping $102,000!!! Just to witness history like that was priceless!! Were you there? If so you know what we are talking about. If you were not there, make sure you are there March 22, 2014 for our next banquet! Congratulations to all our raffle winners! Raffles again were a huge draw, from our 10 gun raffle, electronics, sheep camp, bows, and how about that Draw Down raffle? The excitement at the end was worth the price of admission! Listed in the next few pages are all the live auction donors and winners. Please think about supporting our donors the next time you book a hunt and tell them the Midwest Chapter sent you! Thank you to everyone who donated or purchased a live or silent auction item, and also thanks to those of you who filled the raffle bins with your raffle tickets. Over 25 exhibitors and many taxidermy displays filled the rooms and hallways around the banquet hall. The silent auction again had some very unique items which is always fun to be bidding on! So, THANK YOU to everyone who attended and/or participated at the fundraiser! Our chapter is able to fund important sheep and hunter related causes because all of you took time out of your busy lives to spend the weekend with us. We certainly hope to see all of you at our next fundraiser on March 22, 2014!
WILD
SHEEP
Foundation
Midwest Chapter Page 4
Banquet, Auction, and Fundraiser!
Page 5
2013 LIVE AUCTION RESULTS
Wild Sheep Foundation – Midwest Chapter Life Membership Donor: WSF-Midwest Buyer: Sam Spies Buyer: Howard Deters Sitka Gear Donor: WSF-Midwest Buyer: Terry Hauer Buyer: Jim Wilson Coyote Hide Donor: Stewart Shaft Buyer: Pat O’Neill Door County Salmon & Walleye Fishing Trip Donors: Reel Addiction and Late Eyes Sport Fishing Buyer: Shale Nyberg Cow Elk Hunt Donor: Wild River Mountain Buyer: Todd Stowater
Whitewater Rafting on Salmon River Donor: Action Whitewater Adventures Buyer: Kevin Hurley Taxidermy Certificate Donor: Peterson’s Big Game Buyer: Daniel Scharmer Buyer: Tom McConnell Dove and Pigeon Hunt in Argentina Donor: Sporting Trader – Worldwide Safaris Buyer: Robert Vollrath GPS Ultra Extreme Mapping Donor: Aquatic Engineering Buyer: Clara Keller Remington Model 700 .223 Cal. Donor: Roger Van Raden Buyer: Doug Brown Handmade Quilt Donor: Danelle Shipman Buyer: Eli Ratchenski
Page 6
Whitetail Deer Hunt in Illinois Donor: Tall Tine Outfitters Buyer: Jeff Strong
Merriams Turkey Hunt in SD Donor: Western Gateway Outfitters Buyer: Roger Van Raden
Nat’l WSF Convention Registration Donor: Nat’l Wild Sheep Foundation Buyer: Terry Mick Buyer: Larry Meyer
Whitetail Deer Hunt in Wisconsin Donor: Bluff Bucks Outfitters Buyer: Oscar Carlson
Jerry Johnson Knives Donor: Jerry Johnson Buyer: John Babler Buyer: Shale Nyberg Black Bear Hunt-Quinault Donor: Bullbear Guide Service Buyer: Steve Bruggeman Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Stay Donor: Winspire Buyer: John Benike Saskatchewan Waterfowl Hunt Donor: Pacific Wings Prairie Outfitter Buyer: Wade Johnson Taxidermy Certificate Donor: Barr Taxidermy Buyer: Terry Mick 50 Million Year Old Fossil Framed Donor: Green River Stone Company Buyer: Tom Pelant Wings North 25 Pheasant Hunt Donor: Chad Hughes Buyer: Oscar Carlson
Utah Mountain Lion Hunt Donor: Wade Lemon Hunting Buyer: Bruce Hansen Week Stay in Hawaii Donor: Nat’l Wild Sheep Foundation Buyer: Crystal Pelant Winchester 70, Pre-64 .270 Donor: Roger Van Raden Buyer: Jay Link 30 Gun Three Slider Gun Safe Donor: Reed Custom Gun Safes Buyer: Merle Sampson Limpopo Safari Bow Hunt Donor: Ngwarati Safaris Buyer: Michael Bergeron One-Week Private Cabin-Ontario Donor: Don Dusick Buyer: Chuck Schaefer Buyer: Dale Jansen Nat’l WSF Life Membership Donor: Nat’l WSF Buyer: Max Spies
Alpine Archery Roxstar Bow Donor: WSF- Midwest Buyer: Robert Saunders
Baja, California, Sur, Mexico Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunt with Ty Miller Donor: Nat’l Wild Sheep Foundation Buyer: Shane Rhoton
Steelhead Fishing Trip Donor: Clearwater River Company Buyer: Harry Johnson
Sheep Bronze Donor: John Lewton Buyer: Terry Hauer
Kuiu Gear Donor: WSF- Midwest Buyer: James Gabrick Buyer: Lisa Olson
Pheasant Hunt in North Dakota Donor: Dave Currier Buyer: Oscar Carlson
Jet Boating & Sturgeon Fishing Trip Donor: WSF- Midwest Buyer: Trace Mullen
Alaskan-Yukon Moose Hunt Donor: Lazy J Bar O Outfitters Buyer: Jon Clauson
Mouflon Sheep Hunt Donor: Hawaii Safaris Buyer: Jim Wilson
Dagestan Tur Hunt in Russia Donor: Stalker Group Buyer: Kimberly Nybo
Beretta 391, 20 GA. Donor: MN Youth Shooting Fdtn Buyer: Jay Link
Belsnickle Woodland Santa Donor: Mille Locke Buyer: Curt Babler
Taxidermy Certificate Donor: Wild Images in Motion Buyer: Steve Bruggeman
Aoudad Hunt in Texas Donor: Rowdy McBride Buyer: Kimberly Nybo
South Dakota Bighorn Sheep Tag Donor: SD Game and Fish Buyer: Jon Dagel
Beceite Ibex Hunt in Spain Donor: Giuseppe Carrizosa Buyer: Kimberly Nybo
Fairmont Banff Springs Vacation Donor: Winspire Buyer: Jeff Strong
Satellite Phone Donor: Explorer Satellite Buyer: Todd Stowater
Original Painting “The Warrior” Donor: Joshua Spies Buyer: Jay Link
Alberta Whitetail/Mule Deer Hunt Donor: Alberta’s Little Mountain Guiding Buyer: Leo Jewett
Black Bear Hunt Donor: Agassiz Outfitters Buyer: Chris Moen Whitetail Deer Hunt in Wisconsin Donor: Superior Guides & Outfitters Buyer: Josh Britton Caribou Hunt in Greenland Donor: Outdoor Connections Buyer: Cody Shoman African Safari Donor: Africa Sport Hunting Buyer: Scott Morcomb White Gold Wishbone Pendant Donor: Singleton Moss Buyer: Gary Gooder Wyoming Governor’s Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep License Donor: WY Game and Fish Buyer: Anthony Wyatt
Oryx Hunt in New Mexico Donor: Turner Enterprises & Tierra Encantada Outfitters Buyer: Robert Saunders Ladies Chincilla Fur Vest Donor: Alaskan Fur Gallery Buyer: Larry Meyer North Dakota Bighorn Sheep Tag Donor: ND Game and Fish Buyer: Earl Peterson Montana Elk Hunt Donor: Continental Divide Outfitters Buyer: Kimberly Nybo Dove Hunt in Argentina Donor: Custom Sporting Buyer: Scott Jesseman Number 1/100 “The Warrior” Print Donor: Joshua Spies Buyer: Oscar Carlson
Nebraska Combination Hunt – Antelope, Deer, Turkeys Donor: NE Game and Parks Buyer: Cody Shoman Water Buffalo Hunt in Argentina Donor: Sporting Trader Buyer: Chuck Schaefer 270 Bob Evenson Gun Donor: Dave McCarthy Buyer: Chad Freeman Shooting School Donor: Lazy J Bar O Outfitters Buyer: Ed Schabert Yellow Lab Puppy Donor: Piddle Creek Kennels Buyer: John Babler Gun Racks Donor: Reed Custom Gun Safes Buyer: Nancy Mittelstaedt Waterhole Project Sponsors Judi Swenson Maureen Mariska Eileen Schutte James MacDougall Lisa Lynch Travis Davidsavor Andy Otte Joe Currier Jeff Lindgren John Babler Al Holland Jay Link Merle Sampson Jim and Paula Wilson Stewart Shaft Oscar and Val Carlson Jack Smythe Steve Bruggeman Curt & Charlotte Babler National Wild Sheep Foundation Taxidermy Sponsors Tom’s Taxidermy J & K Taxidermy Riverland Taxidermy
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks by John Kanta
Population Parameters of Bighorn Sheep Inhabiting the Elk Mountain Region of South Dakota and Wyoming: Project Update submitted by: Brynn Parr, Graduate Student, South Dakota State University; Dr. Jonathan Jenks, Distinguished Professor, South Dakota State University; John Kanta, Regional Wildlife Manager, South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks; Joe Sandrini, Senior Wildlife Biologist, Wyoming Game & Fish; Dan Thompson, Trophy Game Biologist Wyoming Game & Fish Abstract: South Dakota Game, Fish, & Parks (SDGFP) and Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) employees joined efforts to capture bighorn sheep on Elk Mountain using both a drop net capture on Monday, 21 January 2012 and net gun capture provided by Native Range Helicopter Services on Wednesday, 6 February 2012. All sheep captured had blood drawn, tonsils, ears, and nasal passages swabbed, and fecal samples collected. Ewes were checked for pregnancy status by vaginally inserted ultrasound examination. All female sheep and males under age 3.5 were aged via an assessment of tooth wear and incisor eruption, and the age of older males estimated from horn annuli. All ewes and small rams were fitted with an ear tag for additional identification. Weights were taken when body temperatures of sheep were below 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6oC). The drop net capture resulted in capture of fifteen sheep: nine adult ewes, three yearling ewes, two young rams, and one male lamb. All fifteen sheep seemed to be healthy. Eight of the adult ewes were pregnant and received a vaginal implant transmitter (VIT). The other four ewes, three of which were yearlings, were not pregnant. The 6 February net gunning effort resulted in capture of 18 sheep: 11 ewes and 7 mature rams. We suffered one capture mortality (ewe). Nine of the remaining 10 ewes were pregnant, and each received a VIT. The only ewe to test negative for pregnancy was old (13). Report: Starting 7 December 2012, I began baiting in Carr Canyon, Wyoming, using alfalfa hay and apple mash. Deer began feeding on the site immediately. Sheep were seen feeding on or near the bait site sporadically from 10 December 2012 to 10 January 2013. On 11 January, a snow storm moved through the hills, covering Elk Mountain in snow. Starting 13 January, sheep began feeding on the bait site daily. As a result, I began sitting away from the bait site and watching for sheep to determine exactly when they visited the bait. The sheep were observed on the bait within an hour after fresh bait had been thrown out. On 15 January, I assisted John Broecher of SDGFP with setting a drop net out over the bait. New bait was again thrown out the next morning, and again the sheep came in to the bait site within an hour. They went under the net to feed without any hesitation; consequently, the drop net capture was scheduled for 21 January. On the morning of 21 January, approximately 25 employees and volunteers gathered to participate in the drop net capture. Fresh bait was put out shortly before sunrise. Approximately twenty minutes later, four sheep (two ewes and two young rams) began feeding on the bait under the net. Two radio-collared sheep were close, and we decided to wait for them to feed on the bait. The four sheep moved out from under the net after feeding for fifteen minutes. Another fifteen minutes passed, and a large group of 23 sheep, including the two radio-collared sheep, moved as a single unit under the net to begin feeding. We then dropped the net and were able to capture 15 sheep. The two radio-collared sheep escaped from under the net before we were able to detain them. On 6 February, 2013, Native Range Helicopter Services arrived to capture sheep. The sheep were caught on both South Dakota and Wyoming sides of Elk Mountain, and from both the northern and southern portions of the mountain. Seven of the ewes captured via helicopter were wearing collars deployed during the 2012 capture. The collared ewes were intentionally recaptured to test for pregnancy and to be fitted with VITs if pregnant. We collected tissue samples and swabs on these recaptured ewes to compare health between 2012 and 2013. Collars on these ewes were readjusted if necessary. In addition, seven mature rams and four new ewes were captured. Total number of collared sheep on the mountain is currently 30: eight mature rams and 22 ewes. Page 12
To date, all 30 collared sheep are alive and moving around the mountain. Five of the collared ewes have moved back to the southern end of the mountain and remain together. The other sheep, both rams and ewes, have been observed in groups with other collared sheep, but have not shown strong group fidelity. Disease results have been obtained. Between both 2013 captures, eleven sheep had lungworm larvae in their fecal samples (Protostrongylus spp.), five sheep had ticks (Otobius megnini) in their ears, all sheep were exposed to Parainfluenze-3, and four sheep were positive with bacteria associated with pneumonia (two with Mannheimia haemolytica, two with an unidentified M. spp.). Overall, the herd has had low exposure to diseases relative to other herds in Wyoming and South Dakota.
Page 13
North Dakota Game & Fish by Brett P. Wiedmann
Bighorns Show Record Lamb Recruitment The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual bighorn sheep survey revealed a minimum of 297 bighorn sheep in western North Dakota. The 2012 count was second highest on record and 5 percent above last year’s survey. In total, biologists counted 87 rams, 156 ewes and a record 54 lambs. Not included are approximately 30 bighorn sheep in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Big game biologist Brett Wiedmann said the northern badlands population was the highest on record, but the southern badlands herds declined slightly. “Although adult rams and ewes were virtually unchanged from 2011, we were very pleased to see a record number of lambs recruited into the population, as well as a record recruitment rate of 38 percent,” Wiedmann said. “Nearly all of the lambs we counted during last summer’s survey survived the winter.” Game and Fish Department biologists count and classify all bighorn sheep in late summer and then recount lambs the following March to determine recruitment. A bumper crop of lambs is indicative of a healthy population, so Wiedmann is encouraged with the results of this year’s survey. However, Wiedmann added that this year’s healthy lamb numbers likely won’t be reflected in increased hunting licenses for several years, as the total number of rams remains much lower than it was in 2008, and the current age structure of rams is also much younger than what Game and Fish biologists would like to see. “Consequently, we’ll likely have to continue to be conservative with hunting pressure for a few years, but the future certainly looks promising,” Wiedmann said. “Adult mortality was also low last winter, so we expect another good crop of lambs to begin hitting the ground within a couple of weeks.” Game and Fish has issued four bighorn sheep licenses for 2013, the same as 2012.
2014 Youth Waterhole Experience Attention Members!! Once again your chapter, the Wild Sheep Foundation Midwest Chapter will choose 14 young people to participate in a water hole project. It is now time for you to nominate a youth to participate in a 5 day youth waterhole experience in Arizona! Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society will again be selecing an ideal location for our youth to roll up their sleeves and get dirty in the desert! What better way to teach our youth about “giving back” than having them participate in a water hole event! We especially want to encourage you to select a youth that ordinarily would not be able to take part in a project like this. Our Chapter will provide air transportation from Mpls-St. Paul International Airport to Arizona, ground transportation to the waterhole site, food, lodging, and a return flight from Arizona to MSP. If you were at our banquet this last spring you witnessed a great video by Taylor Hall documenting her trip and the special times and life long friendships she developed in 2012.
Page 14
Requirements for this youth event 1. Deadline for entries - November 25th 2013 2. All Entries must be sent to WSF-Midwest Chapter Office Youth REQUIRMENTS 3. Youth must be in Grades 8-12 in the 2013-2014 school year. 4. Boys and Girls may participate 5. Both the selected youth and parent(s) will be required to sign a release for WSF-Midwest and Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, releasing them of any liability in case of an accident during any part of the project, or while traveling to and from the project destination. 6. Youth must be able to provide sleeping bag, personal gear and clothing.
Ride with the #1 car insurer in
MINNESOTA.
Al Holland Ins Agcy Inc Al Holland, Agent Blaine, MN 55434 Bus: 763-755-8680
With competitive rates and personal service, it’s no wonder more drivers trust State Farm . Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7. ®
Send in your stories and photos and help us create a great publication!
®
1001142
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company Bloomington, IL
2014 - March 22 2015 - March 21
Advertise in Ram Tracks 1 Issue Business Card $75 ¼ Page $150 ½ Page $250 Full Page $400 Full Page $450 Inside back cover
3 Issues $200 $425 $700 $1100 $1250
Deadline for advertising June 2, October 2, December 20
Western Gateway Outfitters
GateWay tO the West’s Finest huntinG
Your Success is Our Primary Goal!
Exclusive Private Leases are Hunted in Wyoming and South Dakota Western Gateway Outfitters is fully licensed, insured and authorized for all state, BLM, and private leased lands hunted. Wyoming Outfitter BG-347
Russ & Wanda Roberts • 11426 Ridley Rd., St. Onge, SD 57779 • 605-639-1589 • wgo@mato.com • www.westerngatewayoutfitters.com Page 15