Fall/Winter 2013 Volume 34 Issue 3
Ram Tracks
Fall/Winter Newsletter 2013
Volume 34 Issue 3
Wild Sheep Foundation - Midwest Chapter Officers and Directors PRESIDENT Curt Babler (‘14) 24846 Fondant Ave Wyoming, MN 55025 (651) 490-9395 cbabler@vetteaction.com 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 crisbickman.otte@gmail.com 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
3
Presidents Message
4
South Dakota Sheep Transplant
8
Tale of Brothers
10
Just a Numbers Game
13
Ladies Event
14 16
Banquet Information Long Live the King
20
A Historic and Successful Hunt
23
Rice Lake Warbirds
24
South Dakota Update
Rod Garland (‘16) 43433 N Trevor Road Antioch, IL 60002 (847) 612-4408 jrodgarland@gmail.com Loren Kohnen (‘16) 22755 Winchester Trail Corcoran, MN 55340 763-498-8321 mtrowst76@aol.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) PO Box 74 Oelrichs, SD 57763 (307) 389-1216 mattrippentrop@hotmail.com
by Curt Babler
by Rob Goodman by Cody Shoman by Tim Fischer
by Randy Schafer by Guy Tillett
by Dave Frank
by John Kanta
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
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In this issue
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.
Friday March 21st - We will again be having our conservation social with updates from Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota along with an update from National WSF President and CEO Gray Thornton and members of Nationals Board of Directors on Friday starting at 5:30 at the Marriott. Light meal and a cash bar will be available for those that want to hear more about what is happening in the Sheep World.
Its that time of year again! Charlotte and I just returned from Reno after participating in the “Sheep Show”, the greatest sheep conservation show in the world! Outfitter participation was outstanding, seminars were full of participants, and the auction items were selling for outstanding prices! The Wyoming Bighorns Governors tag sold for a new record of $80,000 surpassing the $76,000 we were able to get for it last year. I am sure our chapter can again take over the top spot once again as we all know what a great job Wyoming does with their sheep program. This leads me to our banquet and fundraiser. Check out page 15 for a preliminary auction list. Mike Bouton and Dave Swenson have been burning up the cell towers finding quality items for the banquet. From what I have seen we have something for everyone! Tables of 10 are again becoming popular. Book a table of 10 at the reduced rate and bring the kids, grandkids, friends, neighbors and hunting partners. Help us fill the house and help us put more sheep on the mountains! We will have state tags from North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, for both sheep and moose, Biosphere desert tag, and the Nebraska Combo tag. We have a few others in the works so keep an eye on the social media outlets for the most up to date information!
Banquet - March 22, 2014 is fast approaching and I hope that you have your banquet reservation in to Patti at the office. By getting them in before the February 15th early bird cut off it helps us keep costs contained as we can get our food orders in and save the last minute surcharge for adding more meals. 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! Ladies Wine Tasting - This year’s Ladies event will feature Bill Coy. Bill Writes for the Mpls. St. Paul Magazine and has traveled the world uncovering great wines and will bring that knowledge to this function. Committee Chair Charlotte Babler has other great items on the silent auction for you ladies as well. This wine experience is sure to bring education and excitement to the ladies! Youth Waterhole - We have 12 kids for the Arizona Waterhole experience heading out on February 20th to participate in an experience that helps not only desert sheep but all desert wildlife. Next Newsletter - Get your photos in! No need to be an award winning writer to send in a photo or two of your recent success! Curt
Funding - In this issue you will see a few stories on the transplant that took place in South Dakota in January. Fourty bighorns were translocated from the Rocky Boy Tribe in Montana and now call South Dakota home. This was a great collaborated effort preformed by SD GF&P and the Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority. The genetics will help both herds in South Dakota continue their recovery and increase future populations. North Dakota is next and by the time you come to the banquet there will be 40 new sheep calling North Dakota home from the Cadomine mine area of Alberta. Not to be out done Nebraska will be performing an instate translocation in February as well. It’s a good time to be a sheep in the Midwest! Page 3
2014 South Dakota Transplant that WSF-Midwest would grant approximately $18,000 to OSPRA to cover translocation costs (including travel, per diem etc), equipment (including telemetry collars) and some fuel cost to monitor sheep when they were released on the Pine Ridge. After further discussion it was determined a helicopter crew would have to be hired to capture the sheep at Rocky Boy reservation. This cost was not expected and so OSPRA requested additional funds from WSF-Midwest to cover these costs as well. When it was agreed WSF-Midwest would also grant the additional funds, capture details were finalized and a date was set for January 6, 2014. After planning, organizing and packing, OSPRA biologist Rob Goodman left on January 4. He met with SD GF&P personnel and other OSPRA biologist Michael Thompson at the SD GF&P office in Rapid City around 8:00 AM. They traveled together to Havre, Montana which was about 700 miles and took around 12 hrs. After settling in, plans were made to meet with Leland Topsky of the Rocky Boy Game and Fish Department with whom OSPRA and SD GF&P personnel had been working with throughout the project. On Sunday morning after meeting and greeting at Box Elder MT, Mr. Topsky led the group an area near Centennial Mountain which he thought would work for a “staging area”. In 2012, The Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority (OSPRA) was contacted by US Fish and Wildlife Tribal Liaison Kim Greenwood. Liaison Greenwood knew that OSPRA had done research and found the native population of Bighorn was stagnant at around 35 sheep. OSPRA had also done research that showed there was more than enough suitable habitat to support a larger herd. When Mrs. Greenwood heard that the Rocky Boy tribe in Northern MT had a surplus of sheep, she contacted OSPRA. In the following months both Tribes agreed to a project to translocate sheep from the Rocky Boy Reservation to the Pine Ridge Reservation. Both Tribes applied for Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG). Both were unsuccessful. At this time OSPRA decided to pursue other sources of funding and continue with the project OSPRA realized they did not have expertise in a translocation of this magnitude and so asked the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks for assistance and it was agreed that both OSPRA and SD GF&P would translocate 20 sheep each. Wild Sheep Foundation member Matt Rippentrop became aware of the project and OSPRA’s need for funding if the project was to happen. Contact was made with Curt Babler and the Wild Sheep Foundation - Midwest Chapter and it was agreed Page 4
CENTENNIAL MOUNTAIN FROM A DISTANCE Once the area was determined to be a great staging area, Mr. Topsky led the group to another area and along the way approximately 20 Bighorns were sighted. Later in the day, the helicopter crew arrived in Havre. The group met to discuss plans, strategy and expectations. The waypoints from the staging area and group of sheep that were sighted earlier were given to the capture crew. Plans were made to begin at 8:00 am on Monday.
Before OSPRA could utilize the stock trailer they had brought, they had to purchase lumber and block out the windows so as to darken the trailer. This was done in a rush to prevent holding up the operation and Mr. Goodman and Mr. Thompson got it done before three groups of sheep were delivered to the staging area. With the coordinates given to the capture crew it did not take long for them to sight sheep. When they did, they would determine sex and age and try to single out those sheep requested by OSPRA and SD GF&P (young sheep or ewes). When a suitable animal was singled out they would fire net guns at the animal to restrain it. A mugger was then dropped out to hobble and blindfold the animal and load it into a transport “sack�. When the capture crew had two or three animals, they would sling them from the helicopter and carry them back to the staging area. They would be gently laid on the ground and released from the helicopter.
It was close but the crews were able to capture and process all 40 sheep (20 bound for Pine Ridge Reservation and 20 bound for Hells Canyon for SD GF&P) before the sun went down on Monday the 6th. To avoid forcing the sheep to stay in the trailers longer than necessary, personnel decided to return to South Dakota and the Reservation that night. After a quick supper at Northern Winds casino on the Rocky Boy Reservation the crews drove all night back home. OSPRA and SD GF&P split up at Rapid City and headed for their respective release sites. OSPRA arrived at the release site (Cedar Butte in the South Unit of the Badlands National Park) at approximately 7:00 AM on Tuesday morning. After waiting for additional personnel to arrive, a short blessing and prayers were said and the sheep were released at about 8:30 AM.
The ground crew would then unlace the sheep from the transport sacks and carry them to the processing area. At the processing area, MT state vets and SD GF&P vet would take necessary samples and give vaccinations to the sheep. OSPRA and SD GF&P would place telemetry collars and ear tags on the sheep. They would then weigh them and, after removing hobbles and blindfolds, place them into trailers.
RELEASED AT CEDAR BUTTE All sheep were healthy and uninjured. Despite hopes and efforts for the sheep to remain in one group, they split into 3 groups upon release. As Mr. Goodman and Mr. Thompson watched, the groups began to work their way back to each other. The biologists decided to leave the area in hopes that the sheep would relax, come back together and settle into their new home.
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When checked on the next day, all collard sheep were located. All were heard on or very near to Cedar Butte-as was another native sheep collard by OSPRA in the previous project. It is hoped that these newly released sheep will intermingle with the native sheep and become acclimated to the area and it seems that is what has happened. It is the hope of OSPRA that this influx of new genetics will help the population rise to a more sustainable number and a number that may someday allow for a harvest of a responsible number of animals. GETTING USED TO THE NEW TERRAIN
EASILY MADE IT TO THE TOP Page 6
Chapter Endowment Gilcee Y L N
O
d e it lity m bi i L ila a v A
0 5
2 $
“The Warrior� Call the WSF-Midwest Office to get yours! 507-645-8811
100% goes to the endowment fund
From the original painting of the same name the bighorn depicted in this gilcee symbolizes the sheep of South Dakota. Battered, but strong and ready for the next obstacle they come upon.100% of the funds generated from these unframed gilcees will go into the Chapters endowment fund. Joshua Spies graduated from South Dakota State University in 1996 with a degree in Fine Arts. His list of awards and recognitions is extensive, including the 2007 and 2011 Dallas Safari Club Artist of the Year award and the appearance of his paintings in two major motion pictures. This Gilcee is only available from the Midwest Chapter as 100% of the funds are directly deposited into the Chapters Endowment fund. Page 7
A Tale of Brothers By Cody Shoman, Fargo, ND My brother Kyle and I took off from the main camp at Scoop Lake Outfitters in Northern B.C. on the morning of day 1 and headed for base camp. It was our first ever Stone Sheep hunt and we were more than a little excited.We left from base camp the next morning on horseback heading to where our guides, Tyler and Gino, had already set up camp. They had seen a ram that they wanted a better look at, but after hunting there for 2 days, the ram seemed to have disappeared. While picking up camp to move on, we learned that Tyler and Gino were born on the same day, in the same hospital within a couple hours of each other, and had been best friends as long as they could remember. They were basically “brothers” just like Kyle and I! We thought it was pretty neat having “brothers” guiding brothers on our hunt! The next morning (day 3) we went for a longer hike, from our new camp, to where we had a good vantage point to see a lot of country. After an hour or so of glassing, Tyler spotted a ram on the skyline. When the ram finally got up and started feeding, another one came in to sight, and both appeared to be nice rams. Kyle, Gino and I watched the sheep for most of the day while Tyler went back and helped our two packers (Hans and Peter) pack up camp and move it closer to where we wanted to be. We woke up to rain and fog the next morning (day 4) and spent half of the gloomy day in camp and were unable to find the sheep the next evening. On day 5, we were able to get to a good position to see the face where the two rams should be. After just sitting down to start glassing, Tyler spotted a band of ewes and lambs. Not more than 10 seconds later I found the rams! They had moved a little ways from where we had last seen them and had picked up another smaller ram. The four of us watched the sheep while we figured out what our next move would be. The sheep continued to feed along the face of the mountain, but moved around the corner to where we couldn’t see them anymore. Tyler went out to get a better view of the other side of the mountain while Gino, Kyle and I kept an eye on where they last were in case they came back over to our side. When Tyler returned, he had a rather dismayed look on his face. Just as he had reached where he could see the other face of the mountain, the sheep were moving faster and appeared to have to gone around the corner again…. There was a decision to be made. The sheep were now 2 miles away, maybe more if they kept moving, and they were likely getting farther from our camp as we spoke. Was it worth chasing them? Would we find another sheep, let alone two if we hunted more where we were now? If we didn’t go after these two, it meant that Kyle and I would have to go our separate ways to increase our chances of each getting a sheep…..what should we do? Gino got on the horn and called Darwin Carry, (Owner of Scoop Lake Outfitters), with the satellite phone and his response made the decision easy. Gino returned to us with a grin and said, “We’re goin after ‘em!” Darwin had told him that the mission was the sheep and he would figure out how to get us out after we got them! I could see that Kyle was as happy with the decision as I was! Page 8
The following morning, day 6, the six of us moved camp again to get closer to where we thought the sheep would be. Kyle, Hans and I went to where we could see the face where they were last spotted the day before. About 2 hours before dark I spotted the smaller ram. He walked up the mountain a little ways and laid down. We carefully watched the area all around where I had first spotted the smaller one hoping the other two would be close by. After about 20 minutes, Kyle broke the silence. “There they are!” he whispered as he pointed just below the small ram in the trees and we watched them walk out. Kyle and I watched them as Hans made trips back and forth to camp to see if Tyler and Gino were back yet from scoping out a different area of view. On his second trip he returned with them both. They had been unable to see them from where they were looking so they were very happy to hear that we had found them. We all returned to camp, with the exception of Gino, who stayed to watch them bed down for the night on top of the hill. When Gino returned, he and Tyler talked a bit and decided that tomorrow was the day….. Kyle, Gino, Tyler and I woke at 3:30 am to a drizzling rain, on day 7, which was getting to be a normal occurrence for us. We got our packs together and headed out. We hiked about 2 ½ hours until we reached a steep drainage we had to make our way up. We started climbing and took our time to be as quiet as we could. About 300 yards from the top, all of a sudden we stopped. I looked up and Tyler had his binocs up looking to our left and all he said was, “SHOOT HIM”! I turned to the left and one of the rams was 150-175 yards straight across a little drainage from us in an opening in the trees. Gino said to have Kyle shoot him and I would be back up/wait for the second sheep, as we figured the second would surely be with him. I got on him and waited. Kyle got his scope on him and his shot rang out. It was a good, clean shot and the sheep dropped. Instantly we were looking for the other ram to appear from the trees after the shot. After about 10 minutes of waiting and watching for the second ram, it was decided that he had either snuck out on us or hadn’t been with the first ram when Kyle shot. We were only about 400 yards from the top so Gino and I went up and checked just over the mountain. As we peered over, we saw the smaller ram bedded down. He was only about 100 yards away, and was a legal ram, but after seeing the size of the one that was still left out there, I decided that I would wait for him. We looked around a little more and decided to back off and help Kyle and Tyler with Kyle’s sheep. After taking pictures, we were wet and starting to feel the cold as the adrenaline wore off. Kyle and I started a small fire just down from the sheep to warm up and dry off while Tyler and Gino got ready to cape and clean the sheep. Tyler went back up to our packs to radio the packers that we had taken one of the sheep. When he looked up, he saw 2 rams standing 300 yards away! He quickly yelled for me to get ready to shoot and checked out both of the sheep. The front one was the other big ram we had been looking for! I laid down on a pack and steadied my rifle. He said “shoot him!”, and I pulled the trigger. The ram dropped! We all jumped up, gave high fives, and hugged each other in celebration. Our dream we had hinted at and joked about had come true! We just got a double on Stone Sheep! We had a bit of a drag, but it was well worth it! We pulled the sheep together so we could get a picture and started comparing the rams-they were almost identical. They were the same length, had the same bases, and both carried their weight out on their horns evenly. They were both 10 ½ years old and looked as if they had to have the same genes……Brothers. To get a double on rams like this is not something that happens every day. Let alone 2 nice rams like we were fortunate to take. Kyle and I both understand that this is an once-in-a-lifetime occurrence and we will forever be grateful to have had this amazing opportunity. Thanks be to brothers!A deep, heartfelt thanks goes out to our Grandfather, John Kautzman, who made this all possible for Kyle and I. We will be forever grateful to him for taking us out at a very young age, teaching us all we know, and instilling in us the great love and appreciation of hunting and the great outdoors. Page 9
Just a NUMB3RS Game By Tim Fischer, Muskego, WI
Like all hunters, I start planning early for the tag draws and raffle draws. What are my best choices? What are the odds of winning? How many times do I rub my daughter’s head for luck? One of my choices is the Montana Super Raffle. At $5.00 per ticket, I invested $40. I was confident (not really) that one of those eight tickets was going to be the winner and I would have my first sheet hunt. You can imagine how surprised I was when Hank Worsech, with Montana Fish and Game, called my office. The message was not too detailed, just that he had some good news for me. The following day, July 18, 2013, I spoke to Hank. You guessed it; one of my eight tickets was drawn. I won the Super Tag for Sheep. It took about a week for this “good news” to sink in. Once I got my head out of the clouds, I had to get down to business and start to make some calls. If my first sheep hunt was going to be a successful one I had to find the right outfitter. All the networking over the last few years has really paid off. Garth Carter, with Hunting Fool Magazine, and Hank Worsech, Montana Fish & Game, were a couple of my early contacts. After speaking with Garth and Hank, and several friends both seasoned and new, I was getting some pretty solid recommendations. I am a firm believer that you listen to your gut instincts. So after a lot of research, and relying on my gut instinct, I chose Jon Barker. With an outstanding tag in my pocket and my outfitter selected, on to my ever growing to do list. Getting into shape became a priority. In addition to our elliptical, I would walk a local ski hill, continually adding weight to my backpack. Our two German Shorthairs came along to get into shape for their upcoming hunting season. My wife even tagged along a couple times (only had to stop for coffee on our way home). Physical training…check! Next on that list was making sure I had all my equipment in good working order. My Browning 7mm short mag went in for a long overdue checkup and any minor issues were addressed. The hunt of a lifetime deserves the right ammo. Larry, with Superior Ammo, was instrumental in guiding me to the best ammo for this hunt. He recommended 150 grain Barnes TSX. Gun serviced and ammo ordered…check! It was time to take care of the final details. Since I was driving from Wisconsin to Montana, I had my truck serviced, finished packing and loaded up to start my journey. On September 28, 2013, I started my two day drive to Montana. After an overnight visit at my cousin’s home in Fargo ND, I headed to Lewiston MT to meet up with my own personal GPS, and guide, Matt (Rip). Our two truck convoy headed north to the Missouri Breaks. We arrived with enough time to look for some sheep.
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Exciting doesn’t quite describe how I felt when I saw the sheep. The Breaks will get into the depths of your soul. Between the impressive terrain and the Rocky Mountain sheep, I was already thinking about my next hunt here. Sorry honey, looks like you will be working much longer to support my habit! Sunday night, September 29th, Rip and I met up with Jon Barker. We filled Jon in on the sheep we saw and started to plan our strategy for the next day. The three of us headed to our base camp. Bill and Renita Brown, of Chase Hill Outfitters, had also been instrumental in helping make decision. Once I met Bill and Renita, at our base camp, I was confident that this would be a great first sheep hunt. Monday was our first full day of hunting. Rip and Josh, another guide, had gone in one direction, while Jon and I went another. Now it begins. My first sheep hunt. All the research; all the preparation; all the anticipation! Was it worth it so far?
Continued...
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we made it along the side hill to study the sheep. As we were making our way closer to the sheep, the wind picked up and we were busted. The sheep start heading down the canyon. To the top of the canyon we go. Will we find them again? Will the wind give us away again?
Absolutely! Hunting one of the best places for Rocky Mountain sheep in the lower 48…Priceless! Late day, Jon and I saw seven rams feeding on a mineral lick. As we were observing the seven rams, two appeared to be good candidates. About an hour before Five hours later we found the sheep. Once again dark, the four us began to evaluate our prospects. We we attempt to sneak up on the sheep. The wind was decide that a closer look was in order tomorrow. blowing hard. The sheep were resting. With backpacks off, we setup for “the” shot. Just as we are wondering Tuesday started out with a big breakfast with the how long until one of the sheep would stand, it stood. A anticipation of a long day ahead of us. Before daylight, broadside shot at 270 yards. Down he goes and I mean we headed towards “our” quarry and “my” dream. down the canyon he goes. Now down to the bottom of Would it be today? Would the wind give us away? It is the canyon to retrieve my first sheep. Our day started the last day, am I going home empty handed? No more at 5:30 AM and ended at 11:00 PM. The reward at the questions, times to focus! bottom of the canyon came home with me and each time I look at this incredible creature, I will forever be We reached the rim of the canyon. With Rip staying thanking those who gave of their knowledge, expertise up high to spot, the rest of us headed down the steep and time. I guess this once in a lifetime adventure is canyon to see if the rams were where we left them the just the beginning…another raffle ticket? What do you night before, on the bare rim. With luck on our side, think? there they were. We did our best to stalk on them on dry ground. With hardly any cover and a marginal wind,
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S E I D A
WINE EVENT L
Tour, Taste & Tumble
SATURDAY 2
PM
MARCH 22nd Bill Coy WITH HOST
Bill Coy is the Wine Line columnist at Mpls.St. Paul Magazine. Bill trained in New York City at Windows on the World and was the cellar master and wine steward at the Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center. His sociable approach to wine tasting ensures that everyone, from the novice to the aficionado, has fun learning to appreciate wine a little more.
the
Real Housewives OF WILD SHEEP FOUNDATION
$10
Suggested Donation
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Please join us at the 35th Annual Spring Banquet and Fundraiser Saturday, March 22, 2014 Minneapolis Marriott SW – Minnetonka, MN
Two fabulous Live Auctions * Great Food * Huge Silent Auction Seminars * Raffles * Special Ladies Event Many Outfitters and Exhibitors * Awesome Taxidermist Display
Tentative Schedule of Events
Friday, March 21, 2014 Conservation Social Evening 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm Saturday, March 22, 2014 Taxidermy Display, Outfitter and Exhibitor Booths Open 10:00AM Pizza Party 12:00PM Afternoon Auction 1:00PM Many fun events, seminars and raffle drawings throughout afternoon Ladies Wine Tasting 2:00PM Gala Saturday Night Banquet and Auction 5:30PM – 8:30PM Visit with Outfitters and Donors 8:30PM – 11:00PM To register, fill out the enclosed Registration Form and mail to: Patti Murry, Wild Sheep Foundation-Midwest Chapter 307 Division Street, Northfield, MN 55057 or register online at www.fnawsmnwi.org
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Make your hotel reservation by calling the Marriott at 952-935-5500 or make your reservations by following the link on our website: fnawsmnwi.org. For the $85/night room rate, make sure you mention you are with the Wild Sheep Foundation.
Preliminary Auction List 1. Wyoming Governers Bighorn Sheep License 2. North Dakota Bighorn Sheep License 3. South Dakota Bighorn Sheep License 4. Wyoming Governers Moose License 5. Biosphere Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunt 6. NM Oryx Hunt - Tierra Encantada Outfitters 7. Private cabin in Ontario for week 8. Fishing trip in Minnesota - Driftwood Lodge 9. SD Spring Turkey-Western Gateway outfitters 10. $2000.00 Taxidermy Credit - Robert Utene 11. Nebraska Combo Tag package Deer, Antelope, Turkey(2) 12. Salmon Fishing on Lake Michigan 13. Bull Elk hunt in Montana - Continental Divide Outfitters 14. Buffalo hunt in South Dakota 15. Alberta Waterfow - Three Rivers Outfitters 16. Argentina Dove shoot - Custom Sporting 17. Safari in Limpopo, RSA - 5 animals 18. Sitka Gear 19. Salmon Fishing in Alaska 20. Pheasant Hunting in South Dakota 21. Rafting on Bruneau River in Idaho 22. Fishing - Lawrence Bay Lodge Reindeer Lake 23. Fishing - Lawrence Bay Lodge - Outpost 24. Wisconsin Archery Whitetail Hunt - Superior Guides 25. Alberta Whitetail Hunt- North Country Outfitters 26. Safari - NGWARATI - Limpopo - 6 animals 27. British Columbia Coastal Black Bear Big Boar Outfitters
28. Trophy Musky/Walleye Fishing - Bay of Green Bay 29. High Volume Wingshoot in Argentina - David Denies 30. Bonefish in Bahamas - David Denies 31. Alaskan Moose Hunt- Lazy J Bar O 32. British Columbia Trapline Experience - 5 days 33. Fishing in Yukon - Kluane Wilderness Lodge 34. Utah Mountain Lion 35. Alaskan Predator Hunt - Coke Wallace 36. Cow Elk Hunt - Trails End 37. Antelope - Wyoming 38. Alberta Bighorn - Scalp Creek Outfitters 39. Mountain Caribou - Shesley RIver Outfitters 40. Dave Brown Fishing 41. Bronze 42. Aoudad Hunt 43. Roosevelt Elk - Washington St. 44. Mouflon - Spain 45. Custom Wine Barrel - Dennis Peterson 46. Jerry Johnson Custom Knike 47. Kuiu Gear 48. Lab Puppy - Kathy Strong 49. Safari in RSA 50. Safari - NGWARATI - Limpopo - 6 animals 51. Montana Elk - Mike Colpo 52. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Alberta 53. Hand made quilt 54. Fur Coat AND MANY MORE
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Long Live the King By Randy Schaefer, Madison, SD
What began as a quiet evening at our home last May soon turned into chaos. What event could threaten an overload to the cell-service and email grid in South Dakota? How about calls and messages to friends and family from nearly two thousand bighorn sheep tag applicants who all couldn’t believe our luck, as each of us had just received an email from SD Game Fish & Parks licensing department that we had drawn one of the two available most coveted SD big game tags! Yes, we were all notified that we were successful in the drawing. The first call I got was from my daughter, whose husband had just been notified he drew the tag on his first ever attempt. I took calls and messages for the next hour, all from excited friends and family who couldn’t believe their luck. Their excitement was short lived however, when they heard the news that we all got the same email message so there was obviously was a big mistake. So you can imagine my surprise and disbelief when I got the call at 8 am the next morning confirming that I was the lucky one to have drawn the one and only Custer County bighorn sheep tag. When it finally sunk in, I realized I’d drawn not only the most coveted tag in our state, but one that allowed me to hunt for an animal I knew very little about. For me, the hunt of a lifetime had begun and I started counting down the days till the September 1 opening day. Fast forward two months and after much research, new acquaintances, and equipment upgrades including new optics, I was ready to hit the Black Hills National Forest in search of the legendary and mysterious Bighorn Sheep. I spent the first week of August hiking trails, talking to locals, and getting to know the relatively uninhabited and rough country. Though I spent a whole week covering new territory without a single sheep sighting, I began to feel at home in this new South Dakota wilderness. I spent nights alone in my tent, days alone on foot and on the only ATV trail open to travel on the entire mountain range that borders neighboring Wyoming. Every day that passed brought more confidence and greater enthusiasm as I focused more and more on seeing my first ram. A photo of a herd of 27 rams taken in June and another of seven large rams from a year ago kept the adrenaline running. Most of the Black Hills is heavily wooded with Ponderosa Pine and Black Hills Spruce, and it’s easily the state’s most popular tourist destination with Mt. Rushmore, Terry Peak, Custer State Park, Sturgis, Deadwood and so much more. Bighorn sheep country in southwestern Custer County is a polar opposite setting. Tourists on Hwy 16 drive right on by without a clue what lies to the south, where there are few inhabitants and even fewer roads. In 2001 a forest fire burned a good portion of the mountain just after the first bighorn sheep were reintroduced to nearby Hell Canyon. Those sheep migrated to the burn area and have called it home ever since. I saw my first ram early one morning as I crested a hill and stopped to glass the face of the mountain ahead of me. It was bedded down on an open ridge overlooking one of the many rocky and brushy canyons. I eased ahead in the scattered timber as the canyon opened up in front of me. I dropped my fully loaded Granite Gear Blaze backpack and sat down against a big rock, anxiously scanned the top canyon above me, and saw nothing. I wondered if the young ram was alone. My question was answered soon as I saw movement, then a bright white Page 16
rump, then another. I set up my Nikon ED 85 spotting scope and Tines-Up scope-cam and spent the rest of the day viewing and photographing from that spot. Some three hundred yards away were twenty-three rams in all, in two separate groups, each led by the biggest ram in the group. These two rams were clearly the oldest and largest of the herd. The oldest was a dark chocolate ram, a real trophy with his blonde cheeks and heavy horns I called The King, as he kicked and pushed away any ram who got close to him. After studying video and photos I took of him, he was easy to pick out from the rest of the group as his right horn was long and not broomed while his left was heavily broomed. On that day, he led his small group of seven younger rams. The second boss-ram led his fifteen rams, five of which were big mature rams. This ram too was a heavy horned chocolate, with both horns broomed off and the widest curl of them all. He had a dark notch on the back of his left horn, so I dubbed him Notchy. Nine hours later at dark I left the herd after having had one of the most exciting and rewarding days afield of my life. I watched and photographed as the rams fed, postured, bedded, slept, and even did some early season head-ramming. It was nothing short of incredible. I was able to find and move with the rams every day now, and as the season approached, my son Rob and cousin Mike were able to join me for the final days of the twenty I spent scouting. We found the same herd, this time with seventeen rams every day the next five days, even as they moved two miles to a deep canyon with several small, steep finger canyons at the upper end. The afternoon before opening day Rob and I packed in by foot on top of the mountain and pitched a tent about a mile from the rams. Sheep country in South Dakota is something I’d never seen before, with such huge expanses of open, rugged terrain full of car and sometimes house-sized boulders. It was warm, with highs in the upper 80’s and lows in the 60’s. The two of us lay there under the stars and plotted our first ever sheep hunt together. The night before the opener had finally come. Months of planning, training, scouting, anticipation, anxiety, expectations, discovery and hope all were lost in the moment there in the tent, with my son. My hunt of a lifetime had already been just that. A peace came over me as I heard Rob sleep. I thought of my dad, who at age 77 was a month away from his first ever elk hunt, one that Rob and I would be “guiding” him on together. It’s our tradition to find and honor Orion the Hunter in the clear night sky before every hunt. We had done just that, and I remember thinking all was right with the world. By first light we were making our way toward where we’d seen the sheep the day before. The weatherman forecast a SE wind, perfect for our plan of attack from above. Unfortunately, while the wind was indeed blowing from the SE under the rim on the slope and at the base of the mountain, it was blowing hard from the west on top. As we eased closer along the boulders just under the rim, a young ram bolted from his bed at ten yards! Luckily he didn’t spook the herd of rams. Soon after Rob spotted a ram bedded on top across the canyon, so we stopped behind a boulder to regroup. We knew that we were exposed to the bedded ram if we continued on the slope, and the wind was not in our favor if we approached from above. The last thing I wanted to do was to blow the herd out of there, so we decided to pull out and try to come at them from a different direction. With two hours of daylight left we were on the steep ascent toward where we’d seen the rams the day before. We crested the ridge and started glassing. Seeing nothing, we moved quietly along the series of small draws when suddenly we spotted a ram, then another in the bottom of one of the brushy fingers. We set up, me with my trusty customized Ruger MK II 7mm mag and Rob with the spotting scope and scope-cam. We counted only fourteen rams, and the only one we couldn’t see clearly was bedded 75yards below us behind some thick new-growth aspen and wouldn’t budge. We were missing three rams. Where were they? Was the King one of them? We watched the rams till dark, and could not identify either of the two boss-rams. On the way back to camp, Rob and I agreed that it would be a Page 17
good idea to pick some fresh, smelly sage to use the next day for cover scent, and we talked about the experience we just had. Being that close to a herd of rams was like nothing we’d ever experienced before. It was merely a foreshadowing of what was to come the next morning. As much as I was relaxed and at peace with the hunt the night before, this night brought anxiety and questions: Where were the two boss rams? Were they there but hidden? Did they leave the herd? We’re hunting just a few hundred yards from the Wyoming border and I couldn’t help but think about the lucky Wyoming tag holder. Did the Wyoming hunter harvest him? I knew from studying the photos I took that the rams are 8 1/2 and 9 1/2 years old. A few weeks earlier a mountain lion killed a mature ram on this very mountain. Did the lion get another one? We rubbed the fresh sage all over our Cabelas Seclusion 3D Open Country camo and wrapped our clothes around the sage, and a fitful night of sleep ensued. On our way up the steep slope the next morning sporting our sage-smelling camo we spotted two rams 300 yards away walking north away from the canyon where the herd had been the evening before. Could it be? Nope, a nice chocolate mature ram and a young ram were making their way to the next canyon. We let them go and continued on our way to the same spot we’d last seen the herd of rams. I was sure they’d be there as we inched closer and closer to the rim. We topped the crest and glassed. Nothing. Odd, I thought. It was early, and I was sure they’d be out feeding and easily seen. We were at the east of four small, steep finger draws at the top of the large canyon. We quietly eased our way west to the next one, then the next. We could see up and down each of the three draws we’d just crossed, so that left only one more. If they weren’t in the last one, the steepest and brushiest one, they were gone. Rob and I crested the last little ridge and looked below us. We sat together and looked and listened. Where are they? They have to be here! But how could we be so close to a herd of fourteen rams and not see any? Don’t they always like to be in the open so they can see danger approaching? We sat together and I told Rob what I was thinking: “If they’re somewhere in that last draw, they’re very close!” So we glassed, watched and listened. Suddenly, I heard Rob whisper: “Did you hear that?” “No, what was it?”, I answered. Before he could reply, we both heard more twigs snapping and rocks rolling below us in the bottom of the last steep draw. I quickly found a rock to rest my rifle on and leaned up against it with the rifle pointing to a large opening in the brush where there happened to be a living-room sized flat rock. Rob had just gotten comfortable right behind me with the spotting scope and scope-cam when the first young ram came to a stop on top of the flat rock. In no time there were eight rams standing on the same rock, just 50 yards away from us! They had no clue we were there, and though the steady wind was in our favor, with the wind swirling like it does in the mountains I thought surely they’d wind us anytime. We sat motionless, me resting against a rock and Rob right behind me. We waited as the rest of the rams joined the party. Talk about the ultimate adrenaline rush! For over two hours Rob and I watched as fourteen rams fed, bedded, slept and rammed heads from 40 to 60 yards below us. All we had to break our outline was the rock my rifle rested on and our camo. We dared not move a muscle or we’d be busted. So we sat motionless and watched the show. There’s no way to describe that morning as we sat so close, full of adrenaline and unable to move, while fourteen rams did what they do. The younger rams stayed mostly on the outer part of the herd, while the mature rams stayed inside the heavy browse and fed. One must have felt threatened by a tree, as he’d ram it, step back and stare at it, and ram it again! We watched and waited, hoping The King and Notchy were there, as I’d never seen them close enough together to compare them. Notchy and two other of the largest rams rarely cleared themselves from the thick brush, and each time he did I was again impressed with his mass and size of his “inner circle”...the Page 18
opening inside his curl. I remembered that this herd that numbered 17 a week ago was now 14, and we’d seen two on the way here, so we’d lost one. It became obvious that The King had vanished. Now what? My thoughts raced. I really wanted to harvest a trophy ram with my son at my side, and he would have to leave the hunt in two days to get back to work. My dad’s first and only elk tag was a short month away, and Rob and I were looking forward to scouting with him. I know the rams in this area spend most of the early season on the South Dakota side, but once the rut starts they’re known to move west into Wyoming where they breed. As I contemplated all this, tiny biting ants were crawling on our hands and arms, and my right leg had gone totally numb. Something had to give, and it finally did. What caused it I don’t know, but all of a sudden one of the mature rams shot out of the heavy browse. All the rams stood at full alert and looked all around them. A couple of them picked us out and stared us down. This lasted about ten minutes, when again without warning the herd blew up and bolted from us, and before we knew it they were 300 yards away when they finally stopped. There they were, all fourteen, in a tight group where we could get a good look at all of them through the spotting scope. Heavy horned Notchy stood out with all his mass, and I made the easy decision that I wanted this big ram. Rob and I snuck up and over the rim above the rams, and we hurried to try to cut them off. Lucky enough, they weren’t spooked and we were able to get ahead of them, and when we found them they were bedded down 250 yards below us. We snaked down the slope toward them till I found a good rest and I put my Harris bipod into action and we waited. Soon the rams stood, and led by Notchy all started walking our direction. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I was drawn down on a mature trophy South Dakota bighorn sheep, with my son at my side! It was everything I could possibly have hoped it could be. He was quartering toward me, and I felt good about the 150 yard shot, so I squeezed and heard the “whack” of the 160 grain bullet hitting hide. The herd bolted, my ram with them, but he couldn’t keep up. They came to a stop halfway up the slope 220 yards away, and a second shot dropped the 8 ½ year old chocolate beauty. I was flush with emotion, and I hugged Rob while I took it all in. I’ll be honest, it was a bittersweet feeling knowing I’d taken my trophy ram and would soon be leaving this unique and beautiful wilderness. Later that night after friends Matt Rippentrop, Rusty Condra, Ted Sherga and friend and taxidermist Chris Cammack helped get my ram off the mountain so we could get him dressed and cooled, we were exhausted. We talked about The King, and wondered if next year’s tag-holder would be lucky enough to get a look at him. Rob and I and were finally able to relax and we shared one unforgettable moment after the other until we were interrupted by my cell phone. It was my father calling. “What’s up Dad?”, I asked. I smiled as I heard him say “Are you done sheep hunting yet? We need to get to elk camp!”
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A successful and Historic Hunt for a Black Hills Bighorn...and the Stage was Set! By Guy Tillett
Several months ago a Watertown, South Dakota business man bought the first auctioned South Dakota bighorn sheep tag, at the convention event of the Midwest Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation in Minnesota. Even the idea of a South Dakota auction tag had been a source of extreme controversy, although similar wild sheep tags have been sold at auction events for hunts in Canada and several states including Montana, Wyoming, and even our neighbors in North Dakota and Nebraska. Some of the auctioned tags have historically approached a half of a million dollars. Management of wildlife, and particularly as it relates to wild sheep, it is an expensive business. John Dagel’s bid of $102,000 was going to allow this experienced big game hunter, who had successfully taken other wild sheep including a Rocky Mountain bighorn ram, to take a Black Hills bighorn ram, during the regular late year bighorn season. The first non-Custer State Park and Black Hills wild sheep trophy ram was taken by Scott Vander meulen in 2000, and that animal scored over 191 inches, and well beyond the 180 inch minimum for Boone and Crockett. The number of bighorn tags available have been very limited, and have decreased recently. The controversy over the auction tag in South Dakota stemmed largely from South Dakota big game hunters who didn’t want big money or non-resident hunters to take away their chance for a wild sheep hunt in the Black Hills. A few thousand resident hunters routinely submit to a drawing for severely limited tags, so the chance for a draw has been severely limited any way. Available tags were cut in half. The so-called big money would ultimately and greatly enhance the odds for increased numbers of bighorns, so the resistance made very little sense. More money, more sheep and more tags. In response to a very severe decline in bighorn numbers and a potential for a complete loss of a viable population, a group of bighorn enthusiasts created a “Sheep Summit” which was sponsored by the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Midwest Chapter gathering with members of SD Game Fish and Parks and some of the Commissioners. A very diligent and persistent effort on the part of the group’s leader, Matt Rippentrop, who had recently gained some well-deserved fame in sheep hunting circles, was able to gain agreement from the Commissioners, SD Game Fish and Parks, and majorities of the State’s big game hunters and multiple wildlife and hunting organizations. It was not easily accomplished. This set the stage for some very constructive work to improve conditions for South Dakota’s bighorn sheep. Jon Dagel’s purchase price was going to spin off a variety of things to improve things for South Dakota’s bighorns. Mr. Dagel pointed out that he could have hunted bighorns elsewhere, without the controversy, but he was aware of the failing population of bighorns in the Black Hills, and his interest and generosity could be expected to finance efforts to improve conditions for South Dakota’s wild sheep, and it could also benefit the interests of wildlife enthusiasts in the State. Roger Whittle, the Public Opinion Editor of the Watertown, South Dakota newspaper wrote and published a very detailed and well-researched article on Mr. Dagel’s sheep hunt, and he identified the expected outcomes. Beyond the descriptions of the hunt and the sheep, he described a tentative breakdown and utilization of the $102,000 that was paid to hunt and bring down a ram in the Black Hills. The breakdown follows: * $8,000 for the capture and release of 20 Montana bighorns in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Additionally another group of bighorns were delivered to the SD Badlands area, and financed by the Midwest Wild Sheep Foundation and a cooperative arrangement involving SD Game Fish and Parks, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Oglala Sioux Tribe, the Rocky Boy Reservation-Montana. * $32,500 for a portion of the cost of a three year study regarding the release Alberta bighorns into to an appropriate area near Deadwood, SD. * $15,000 to support a capture and transplant of Alberta bighorns. * $10,000 for a SDSU study of the health of South Dakota’s bighorns. * $12,000 for blood tests for the Custer State Park bighorns. * $24,500 to assess the current populations of domestic sheep and goats in Black Hills.
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Bighorn Sheep are one of the most difficult wildlife species to manage, and they are particularly vulnerable to the disease agents in domestic animals, and especially those in domestic sheep and goats. The domestics have established measures of immunity over the years, and this is almost entirely lacking in the wild sheep. South Dakota lost the majority of its population of about 200 bighorns in Custer State Park, during the winter of 2004-2005. And this was believed to have occurred as a result of about three of the bighorns that left the park, engaged domestic sheep, and returned with the infection. This kind of thing has occurred frequently with bighorn populations elsewhere in the Western United States. Recent efforts to manage mountain lion numbers can be expected to have a beneficial effect, particularly with lamb production. With large numbers of females bighorns (ewes), it should be expected that production of little ones should be more or greater than about four lambs each year, and most of those seem not to be able to reach their second year of life. The Black Hills bighorns are also vulnerable to vehicle traffic. They seem not to be as experienced as avoiding collisions as some of the deer. This is not to suggest that deer are not continuing to die in great numbers on our highways in South Dakota and elsewhere. Bighorns are completely oblivious to honking horns or approaching vehicles. They seem not to notice or care, and this is true particularly during the months of breeding (the rut). Most of the North American bighorn populations are apart from the human populations. Mr. Dagel spent much of the lengthy sheep season in scouting the opportunities in the particular haunts of pre-breeding and breeding bighorns in the Black Hills. There are particular pockets of concentration that are often well-known to many of the people living in the Black Hills. Mr. Dagel found several candidates early on, but he was also aware of a ram (the “old warrior”) that had been photographed, and also had appeared as the center-piece of a Joshua Spies painting and prints. Mr. Spies is a well-known Watertown, South Dakota artist that portrays wildlife of South Dakota and elsewhere in exacting terms, beautiful color and precession in body form and behavior. He is also experienced in hunting and has taken a South Dakota bighorn, in addition to a Marco Polo ram that must have approached record proportions. The “old warrior” was previously conspicuous later in the year, and if the Black Hills had a current candidate for an exceptional trophy status, this old timer with the chunks missing from both horns would certainly measure up. A number of potential targets were found, and Mr. Dagel’s list grew in terms of familiarity and opportunity. The Spring Creek area, the Elk Mountain location and a private property near the city limits of Rapid City were included in the scouting and hunting priorities. Permission had been arranged on the private land and ultimately this would turn out to be the best bet. The ram known as “202,” on the basis of a numbered ear tag, was high on the list, but he had been unfortunately killed on a highway (Rim Rock?). “Lyle” named for a friend was 13-14 years old according to the pattern of annual rings, that can be discerned with a degree of accuracy, especially from a rear view. “Chip” was another potential in the top group and he was easily recognized by a missing segment on the inside tip of the right horn. Most sheep are right-eyed and the right horn is often “broomed” or partially eliminated to permit better vision with the dominant eye.
On December 12, 2013, I was over-whelmed by “cabin-fever” and confinement related to a stretch of really bad weather for photography, with rain, snow, wind and a need to be present for a maintenance call on the washing machine. A telephone call in the middle of the day cancelled my maintenance obligation, so I grabbed the camera equipment, dressed for weather conditions, and headed for the private land-the bighorn sheep sanctuary, and for what would turn out to be the last time this Page 21
year. I parked at the gate and noticed prominent tire tracks leading away from the inside of the gate. From a high point a little later I noticed a pick up at the far east side of the property. I was not aware of a presence of sheep hunters, and I had promised the property owner that I would not interfere with hunter’s having permission. As I moved along looking for wild sheep. Jon Dagel hurried up to my location, and he introduced himself as the “auction tag hunter.” I knew his name but we had not met, although indirectly he had seen photos I had taken during the season on the private property. He explained that he had two “shooter” rams in range, and that I should not come any closer. I complied fully, and explained that if he was successful, I would provide photography at no cost to him or those with him. The shot came much later and near the end of available photographic light. I was able to create some worthwhile trophy wildlife and hunter(s) photographs. I recognized the fallen ram as one (“Chip”), that I had encountered photographically several times earlier in the year. I was also able to assist (slightly) with placing the animal in the back of the vehicle, along with Mr. Dagel, Jim Glines (his local guide), and the spotting crew. We exchanged addresses, phone numbers,etc....and a few days later, photos of the hunters and the ram ( on the hoof and on the ground) were put in the mail.
WILD
SHEEP
Foundation
Midwest Chapter
Not so long after Jon Dagel’s successful bighorn hunt in the Black Hills, and on January 7, 2014 a well-executed, team work project financed by the auction fee, and the interests of the Midwest Wild Sheep Foundation, and the cooperation of the game departments of South Dakota and Montana, and the direct involvement of the Oglala Sioux tribe and the Rocky Boy Reservation tribe in Montana, 40 bighorn sheep arrived in South Dakota. The stage was set and things are being put in motion. What seemed had seemed to be unlikely in the management of SD’s bighorns, and then an auction tag, and recently another auction tag for 2014, some transplants, and a smooth team work with great cooperation came out of concern for the well being of SD”s wildlife, and the generosity of a hunter and business man from Watertown, South Dakota. And now the stage has been set for even more activity in the welfare of wild sheep in South Dakota. Thank you to South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks!
Donation Success
by Jeff Lingren Shakopee, MN
Jeff purched Mike Colpo’s Alaskan Moose hunt from our banquet last Spring and connected this last fall on this monster! Visit Mike at our banquet March 22, 2014 and see how you can be next!
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Rice Lake Warbirds by Dave Frank
Wild Sheep Foundation Members, The Rice Lake Warrbirds youth shooting team wish to thank you for your generous donation to our team. Organizations like the Wild Sheep Foundation - Midwest Chapter see the need to get kids to the gun ranges participating in organized and safe programs thus providing them with an outdoor shooting experience. Under your youth model we are greatful for the opportunity to represent an orginization that gives back and, in return possibly creating a future hunter, conservationalist and preserving the hunting heritages passed down for generations. Please feel free to “like” Rice Lake Warrbirds on Facebook and follow our kid’s progress as we expand and compete in shooting competitions. Thank you once again from all of us.
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South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Bighorn Transplant – Kris Cudmore (SDGFP)
January 4th 2014 set the date Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority (OSPRA) and South Dakota Game Fish and Parks (SDGFP) would travel, as a unit, to Havre, Montana to capture 40 bighorn sheep to be relocated from the Rocky Boy’s Reservation (RBR) to South Dakota. The trip from South Dakota was long and the temperatures were cold, dipping into negative double digits at times during the night and early morning. This did not sway the decision to attempt capturing the bighorns. Cold temperatures are not fun for man but for beast they are optimal, in this case it keeps the bighorn’s body temperature in check and in the end helps to cushion the stress of capture and transport. Once in Havre, OSPRA and SDGFP got to work meeting with RBR, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP), and the helicopter capture crew from Native Range. After the landing zone was decided on, the area looked over for pre-existing issues (such as domestic sheep and goats) and everyone was accounted for the entire crew got to work the following Monday morning. Capturing bighorns is a difficult and time consuming task. As such, there were a total of 21 people on staff from the various agencies to aid in the capture. Every person was needed to make this job run as smoothly as possible and each had a specific job once sheep were captured. Once Native Range captured the bighorns they were air-lifted via helicopter back to the landing zone where they were “worked up”. This process includes ear tagging, aging, radio collaring, and taking a weight. Veterinary staff from MFWP and a contracted veterinarian from South Dakota were also on hand to take various samples from the sheep to test for diseases and bacteria that cause pneumonia. The Veterinary staff also vaccinated the bighorns.
Bighorns on the mountain in MT
Bighorns loaded in trailer headed for SD
After a long day’s work a total of 40 bighorns were captured, 20 of which went to OSPRA and the remaining 20 to SDGFP. After a quick bite to eat the OSPRA/SDGFP crew were back on the road for an all-night drive back to South Dakota to release these animals to their new home. SDGFP released the bighorns in the Hell Canyon area which is located to the north west of Jewel Cave National Park and OSPRA released their bighorns in the South Unit of Badlands National Park on the Pine Ridge Reservation. From the beginning to the end this capture was extremely smooth; no doubt due in part to the months of preparation all agencies had done to make sure this capture was fruitful. Capture and relocation was funded in part by the Midwest Wild Sheep Foundation, South Dakota Game Fish and Parks, the Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority and with funds from the bighorn sheep auction tag from SD. Thanks is also given to the Chippewa Cree Tribe and to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for their services and cooperation during this event. Please see the provided link below for a brief video of the bighorn sheep capture. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTqg7pzDopA&feature=youtu.be Page 24
Elk Mountain Research Project Update – Brynn Parr (graduate student SDSU)
Currently, there are 29 collars deployed on Elk Mountain bighorn sheep: 17 on ewes, 7 on rams, and 5 on lambs. Two lamb collars were lost when they caught on a fence in August and October, and a third lamb was killed by a pack of coyotes in early November. Four ewes died of unknown causes, two in September and two in October. While the lab was unable to determine an exact cause of death, EHD/blue tongue was suspected in each of these cases. Ground surveys were conducted in late October and early November to develop a model for the population; the estimate from this year’s survey yielded a population of 100 sheep. This survey will likely be used for future years to determine a population estimate of Elk Mountain’s bighorn sheep herd. We plan to recapture sheep in early February using Native Ranges’ Helicopter Service. We aim to capture all collared ewes and at least three new ewes; we would ideally like to have 20 pregnant ewes for the upcoming lambing season. We also aim to recapture all collared rams in order to manually remove the GPS collars and adjust VHF collars, if necessary. During the capture, we will collect samples from all captured sheep to test for disease, as well as ultrasound the ewes and fit them with vaginal implant transmitters if pregnant.
Bob Merritt had never hunted sheep before. Bob took the first hunt slot with Alaskan outfitter and Chapter donor Mike Colpo, Lazy J Bar O which took place the first week in August of 2013. Mike guided Bob to this 37.5” ram on opening day. Mike worked Bob into a shooting position 284 yards away and only required one shot for Bob to have his first sheep. Bob is extremely happy with Mike’s ability and highly recomments this hunt. Contact Mike Colpo at 406-350-1880 for more information or meet Mike in person at the Wild Sheep Foundation - Midwest Chapter’s banquet and fundraiser on March 22, 2014.
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