There is an article in the Denver Post about finding infectious prions in deer meat. Research finds the matter, which causes chronic wasting disease, in muscle. It had been thought to be only in nervous-system tissue. A person who eats venison could swallow the proteins shown to cause a deadly brain disease in deer, elk and moose, researchers reported today.
Their article in the journal Science represents the first time scientists have found the proteins that cause the affliction, chronic wasting disease, in the meat and muscle of deer. Previously, it had been found only in the brain, spinal and lymph tissues. Health officials have long reassured hunters they would not be exposed to the disease as long as they did not touch or eat those parts.
There has been a lot of news about CWD over the past few years. However, this is quite a breakthrough in research if what they are finding is true. Interesting to see how this changes future management and practices.
You can read the article here.
January 30th, 2006
I just received this press release and thought I would pass it along. Interesting twist on getting some exposure.
BowTech Subject of Murder Investigation
Eugene, OR (January 26, 2006) CBS hit television series CSI: New York will feature BowTech compound bows in an upcoming episode. Episode #214, titled “Stuck on You”, is scheduled to air Wednesday, February 1st at 10:00 PM, PST.
Due to the efforts of Michael Blanton of Hunter’s Friend, a BowTech dealer in Kentucky, CSI: New York selected a fully outfitted 2006 Allegiance and a 2006 Target Blue-Chrome Tribute to use as props in the episode. The producers were looking for an archery expert when they discovered Blanton through the Internet.
“I’m not sure what will come of this”, Blanton commented, “but I’m quite excited about the possibilities. You couldn’t buy advertising like this if you tried and there may be a lot of folks asking “Where can I get a bow like that?” the day after the show airs”. Over nineteen million viewers tune in to watch CSI: New York weekly.
The plot evolves around a murder investigation in which an assailant shoots two individuals from a rooftop with a high-powered compound bow (BowTech Allegiance). CSI gets a lead on the shooter’s identity, and they search the suspect’s house only to discover a secret hiding place for the bow. Later at the lab, the BowTech Tribute is used for forensic testing and is shot by CSI: New York stars Gary Sinise (Detective Mack Taylor) and Anna Belknap (Investigator Lindsey Monroe).
“What a great opportunity for additional brand exposure to millions of potential new archers”, stated Gene Shands, BowTech Vice President of Marketing. “The CSI folks required a high performance archery product that represented the industry’s latest and greatest technology, and they got it.”
BowTech manufactures and distributes the world’s finest compound bows and archery equipment. Founded in 1999, BowTech’s corporate offices and manufacturing facilities are located on the outskirts of Eugene, Oregon. Today, BowTech divisions include WaterDog Surface Technologies formed in December 2003 and Diamond Archery acquired in September 2004.
www.BowTechArchery.com
January 27th, 2006
What would it be like to hunt mule deer or elk in one of Arizona’s coveted limited entry units? I don’t know, because I haven’t drawn a tag yet. However, now is my chance and yours to try and get lucky and have a shot at one of those tags you always dreamed of. Arizona has just issued a special Big Game Super Raffle. Read about the details below. I think the Arizona Fish and Game is going to make out pretty good on this one.
Every hunter has a chance to win the hunt of a lifetime
Every hunter has a chance to win the hunt of a lifetime starting this year with the advent of Arizona’s Big Game Super Raffle. In fact, nine super hunts will be offered through the raffle.
Here is how it works:
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission already set aside special tags for each of the big game species to be used in a super raffle to raise money for wildlife conservation. A consortium of conservation groups banded together to raffle these special tags. Every cent raised goes to the Arizona Game and Fish Department to benefit the big game species for which the raffle is held.
Special tags are available for desert bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, Coues’ white-tailed deer, antelope, buffalo, turkey, bear and javelina. The public drawings this year will be held in Phoenix on July 8. The season dates associated with these special tags are 365 days per year starting Aug. 1, 2006, with few restrictions on hunting areas.
Sound exciting? For all the details, visit arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com.
The Big Game Super Raffle is an offshoot of a program that began in 1982 when a group of visionary sportsmen lobbied the state Legislature to create two special tags for each big game species to be sold via auction or raffle. Since its creation, the special tag program has raised a remarkable $11,238,794 for wildlife conservation in Arizona. A desert bighorn sheep tag once auctioned for $303,000.
“The special tag program has had an impressive history, yet for the everyday hunter, such hunts of a lifetime were typically out of financial reach - until now,” says Game Chief Leonard Ordway. “Last year, sportsman’s organizations worked with the Game and Fish Commission and got a bill passed in the state Legislature to make available a third special big game tag for each species. The Commission has directed for the third tag for each species to be available by raffle. Now all hunters have an affordable chance at these hunts of a lifetime.”
Here is a list of the special tags and the cost per ticket:
*Antelope - $10 each
*Black bear - $5 each
*Buffalo - $10 each
*Coues’ white-tailed deer - $10 each
*Desert bighorn sheep - $25 each
*Elk - $20 each
*Turkey - $5 each
*Javelina - $5 each
*Mule deer -$10 each
In addition to the special tag drawings, a raffle for an optics package of Swarovski products will be held. This package includes 15×56 ER binoculars, 10×42 EL binoculars, an ST-80 spotting scope with a 20-60x eyepiece, a Swarovski Laser Rangefinder and 4-12×50 rifle scope. An Outdoorsmans tripod with all the appropriate tripod adapters will also be included. Tickets for the optics raffle are $10 each.
The Super Raffle sponsors, in association with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department, include the Arizona Antelope Foundation, Arizona Bowhunters Association, Arizona Chapter of Safari Club International, Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Arizona Elk Society, Arizona Wildlife Federation, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Mule Deer Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation and the Arizona chapters of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
January 25th, 2006
“This is a picture of Ronnie’s #1 world record elk taken with a bow near Alpine Texas on a free range (not high fenced) ranch. It had a green score of 455 7/8 B&C points. Texas Trophy hunters wants to have it mounted and take it on tour for 6 months.”
Many of you by now have seen this email or at least heard about it from a message board. It includes the photo and caption stated above. This email first hit the scene back around the first week of November 2005. I gathered some information about this bull and was going to do this post a long time ago. However, I was waiting on some other information and then got tied up in the Holidays and I wasn’t able to get to making this post until now. I continue to get phone calls and emails about this monster bull. Therefore, I have decided to post what information I know and try and help clear up some of the information contained in the email.
Let me first start by saying that this is quite a unique situation. The conclusion is not as cut and dry as you may expect, but hopefully I can provide the information that best explains the situation and still give respect to the people involved. I will go through and breakdown every aspect and give you my best conclusions.
Hunt Background:
Ronnie Urbanczyk was hunting with CF Ranch near Alpine Texas for elk. He was hunting with a bow and was being guided by Chris Chopelas. The ranch and hunt area was not in any kind of high fence surrounding. The hunt was touted as a fair chase elk hunt and the area in this part of the state is home to free ranging bull elk. The weather was hot and dry and Chris decided that they would hunt some water holes and test their luck. On the second day of the hunt, Ronnie and Chris were on a water hole. Late that afternoon this monster bull came in to water. Ronnie made a shot with his bow and the rest is history. This great bull is a 7×7 and green scored 455 7/8 gross typical using the Boone & Crockett scoring method and a potential world record archery bull.
Behind the Score:
I have been asked several times about the score of this elk and if it really is a “typical” scoring elk. This question is usually directed towards the extra browtines that are on both sides. Usually typical elk will have two browtines, the third point and then the royal fourth point, etc. It is very rare to have a bull elk that actually has matching third browtines. If there is only one side with an extra browtine, then it is considered abnormal and counted as a non-typical point. However, if it is matching on both sides, it is considered a typical point and counted as part of the typical frame. The bull has seven points on both sides. I have heard of two different scores for this bull. In the original email that was sent around, there is a score of 455 7/8. The net score came in at 444 2/8 net. I understand that this bull was later officially green scored again at 462 gross and 433 net typical. The antlers have a narrow 34-inch inside spread with 54 and 55-inch main beams, but the tine length and mass are incredible.
Controversy:
A guy arrows a “fair chase” bull that is not in a high fence environment. So why all of the questions, and why all the doubt? Two things made me think twice and spark my interest in wanting to find out for myself, if this in fact was a new world record archery bull. The first reason is the fact that this elk was taken in Texas. The second reason is that this bull is reported to have a score of 455. A score that would shatter the current world record typical for Pope and Young. A very interesting combination that you do not see very often (I have never seen this before). Could a bull this big legitimately come from Texas and be considered a world record under fair chase standards? A big question arose knowing that elk in Texas were not accepted game in either Boone and Crockett or Pope and Young. Would this bull cause a change in the rules?
Texas Elk and Boone and Crockett:
I contacted Jack Reneau at B&C in November and ask him about the situation of Texas elk not being accepted entry in their record book. Jack continued to explain the following, “Boone and Crockett Club does not yet have a position on the eligibility of elk taken in Texas for listing in the records book. This possibility came to our attention recently when someone circulated a photograph of a massive elk rack that was allegedly taken in Texas with a bow. Whoever sent out the email declared it a new World’s Record. It has not been submitted to either B&C or P&Y, so neither organization has any concrete information about this trophy, and it is definitely not a new World’s Record just because some unknown entity said it is. Our records committee will be discussing the eligibility of Texas elk at its December meeting in New York City.”
I thought it was very interesting that Boone and Crockett would be discussing further the possible eligibility of Texas elk in their record books. I decided to wait and see what conclusion B&C would come to later in December. After the meeting in December I followed up with Jack and received this update. “We do know that there are elk in Texas and that there have been elk transplants in Texas. However, Texas does not consider elk a game animal; they do not have an elk season; and they do not have a separate elk tag. In order to shoot an elk, you only need to have a Texas hunting license. Texas elk are not eligible for entry in B&C. Texas Parks and Wildlife does not classify elk as game animals, and does not issue an elk hunting license. In addition, there is no season or bag limit for elk in Texas. Instead, they are classified as “Exotics.” The State classified elk as game animals a few years ago, but ranchers petitioned the state legislature to reclassify them as exotics, so it did.”
Therefore, the conclusion on Texas elk being a potential world record? It won’t happen. Even if this bull truly is a “fair chase” bull, really scores higher than any other archery bull, it will not make it into the record books.
A “Fair Chase” bull elk:
The next question, and a really big one at that, is the issue of fair chase. Would this be the case of a legit bull not getting the recognition it deserves? Talking with Chris at CF Ranch, they don’t issue very many elk hunts on their ranch. The area of west Texas is wide open country with no high fence enclosures. The only fences you will find are the normal cattle fences separating different property lines, similar to what you will find all throughout the west. This area also contains the largest herd of free ranging elk in the state. There are about five to six ranches in the area who offer elk hunts, and only a total of about six elk are taken each year. Apparently there have been some elk transplants in west Texas many years ago and I ended up doing a little research on the history of elk in Texas and if there really are free ranging bulls.
Map showing west Texas and the area of free ranging elk
Of the six North American subspecies of elk, two are extinct: the Eastern elk (through hunting, habitat loss and human settlement), and the southwestern or Merriam’s elk (through hunting and increased desertification). A population of Merriam’s elk existed in the Guadalupe Mountains of Texas. The Guadalupe Mountains are a mountain range located in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The range includes the highest summit in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, and the “signature peak” of West Texas, El Capitan. In1928, free ranging elk were transplanted to this area from North Dakota. From what I understand, there have been some additional transplants from the Yellowstone area in the 1940’s.
There are free ranging elk in west Texas that you can hunt under fair chase standards. However, how big are these elk and is there a potential for a 400 class bull? I talked with some other ranches in the area that promote elk hunts and asked them what caliber of bulls they usually take. In general, a 300 to 320 class bull is excellent. There have been some 350 class bulls taken in the past, but no record of 400 class bulls taken from this area. I asked Chris from CF Ranch what caliber of bulls they usually take off their ranch. The results were the same, however, he did mention that two years ago in the Glass Mountains a 370 class bull was taken. I asked if he had any idea that a bull this big was running around. Chris mentioned that he did in fact pick up a set of sheds about two years ago that went 430.
So how did a bull this big get in this area? Was this a freak of nature, or something else? Most people who doubted this bull from the start made the conclusion it must be a high fence bull. It’s just too big. Could this truly be a high fence bull taken in a fair chase environment? Asking Chris further about the history of the ranch, I asked if this could be a ranch bull. He told me that about seven to eight years ago, the ranch did in fact bring in some ranch bulls from a high fenced environment and were released into the wild. The bull that Ronnie shot was estimated at 10-11 years old. Usually ranch bulls that are bought are around three to four years old. Could this bull actually be a ranch bull that has lived in the wild the last seven plus years? The numbers definitely added up. Was this bull released in to the wild at age 3 1/2 and taken by Ronnie with a bow 7 1/2 years later? It started to look that way.
I received further proof about the conclusion it was a ranch bull when I received some interesting news. Chris mentioned to me that all the ranch bulls have tags in their ear. Even the ranch bulls that were released would still have a tag in one ear. When Ronnie arrowed this bull, Chris didn’t notice a tag in its ear and didn’t think much about it at the time. However, some time later, after the hunt, the cape and antlers were being scored and prepared for taxidermy work. The cape was inspected and it was discovered that one of the ears had a round hole in it. It was not a natural tear or hole from an injury. It was a clean, round hole. Chris admitted that the round hole sounded just like the hole that would be made to secure the metal tag from a ranch bull. It looks like this bull originally had a tag in it, but fell out.
Conclusion:
Ronnie took this great bull in a fair chase environment, however, this bull is not a fair chase bull. It will not be accepted in the Boone and Crockett or Pope and Young record books because of the managed status of elk in Texas through the Fish and Game. Furthermore, even if elk in Texas were accepted entry into the record books, this bull would still not be eligible due to the fact that it is linked to a high fenced game farm.
Due to the age of the elk and the fact that the CF Ranch released ranch bulls into their ranch about seven to eight years ago, this elk is directly linked to a high fence ranch. It is not even a generation removed from a high fenced environment. I believe it is a bull that directly originated from a game farm, bred in a game farm, and later released into the wild. However, this bull was not released and immediately hunted or shot like some operations. It was in the wild for several years, but this does not change the fact that it is a ranch bull.
I appreciate the time that Chris Chopelas took in answering all of my questions and being very up front about the whole situation. He also gave me permission to post this photo of Ronnie and the bull. I know at that time in November when I talked with him, Chris was also looking for answers and trying to figure out the best way to approach this bull. He wasn’t sure what record book to approach and how to legitimately promote this bull. He wanted to do what was best and fair for the bull and the hunt. After going over all of the facts and information with him, I concluded that SCI (Safari Club International) was probably the only option he had with this bull.
Problems with elk in Texas:
Will elk in Texas ever get the acceptance from Boone and Crockett? I have my concerns the more I found out about the release of ranch bulls into the wild. I found that this is quite common with other ranches. I don’t know how this can be managed enough to ensure that the wild elk herds in west Texas stay that way. Regardless of whether the Texas Fish and Game (sorry…Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) start to manage the elk and provide a proper season and license, I feel there are problems with the elk in Texas. Land owners and ranch owners can do whatever they want on their property. If they decide to release ranch bulls on their open property, that is their choice. However, if this type of management continues, I don’t know how the elk herds can maintain the free-ranging status they now carry. Time will tell if free ranging, record book eligible elk will be in the future for Texas. I don’t see it changing any time soon.
Once again, 2005 has another controversial bull elk. But with proper information, we got it figured out.
January 23rd, 2006
Each month we draw a winner in our King’s ShadowCamo renewal contest. Current subscribers of Hunting Illustrated who are getting close to renewing are sent an official renewal notice along with a ShadowCamo contest entry. So not only can you renew your favorite magazine, but you have a chance at winning some free camouflage to boot.
Our latest winner in the drawing is Shawn Martinez from Price, Utah. Congratulations Shawn, you have a free set of King’s Mountain Shadow which includes a shirt, pant, hat and jacket. Shawn renewed for 5 years and was pumped about winning since he was planning on buying a jacket anyway.
Thanks Shawn, for being a part of King’s Outdoor World.
January 19th, 2006
There is big news in the gun industry from Winchester. Here is what is going on according to the press release I just received.
U.S. Repeating Arms Company to Close
New Haven, Connecticut Facility
U.S. Repeating Arms Company, maker of Winchester brand rifles and shotguns will close its New Haven, Connecticut manufacturing facility. Many efforts were made to improve profitability at the manufacturing facility in New Haven, and the decision was made after exhausting all available options.
Effective March 31, 2006 the New Haven manufacturing facility will stop manufacturing the Winchester Model 70, Model 94 and Model 1300.
Winchester Firearms will continue to see and grow its current line of Select over & under shotguns, the new Super X3 autoloading shotgun, the new Super X autoloading rifle and Limited Edition rifles. The company also plans to introduce new models in the future. There will be no change in Customer Service.
This action is a realignment of resources to make Winchester Firearms a stronger, more viable organization. Winchester Firearms plans to continue the great Winchester legacy and is very excited about the future.
UPDATE (04/03/06) - HISTORIC WINCHESTER PLANT CLOSES DOORS . . . After 140 years on Winchester Avenue, U.S. Repeating Arms Co. officially closed the doors to its New Haven, Conn., factory Wednesday. With the plant’s closure, production of the iconic Winchester Model 94 and Model 70 rifles and the Model 1300 shotgun will cease. City and state officials have been meeting with potential buyers of the plant, but, so far, no one has expressed an interest. There were reports that Smith & Wesson and Savage Arms toured the plant, but both companies said a purchase is not likely, the New Haven Register reports. Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell vows to continue to fight for jobs at the plant. USRAC parent company Herstal Group of Belgium said in January it would close the factory to concentrate on growing its current line of other Winchester shotguns and rifles. Winchester guns had been manufactured in New Haven since 1866. During World War II, more than 19,000 people worked at the New Haven factory. Connecticut’s News Channel 8 last week featured a look back at the history of the plant and the guns it produced.
UPDATE: (05/15/06)
USRAC TO HELP CITY ATTRACT BUYERS FOR WINCHESTER PLANT . . . U.S. Repeating Arms Co., which recently closed its historic Winchester firearms plant in New Haven, Conn., will repay $850,000 in tax benefits and help attract buyers for the plant, Mayor John DeStefano announced last week. The city and USRAC have come to terms on a “stand still” agreement in which the company agreed not to immediately remove its equipment and inventory from the facility. “Without this agreement, U.S. Repeating Arms could have removed all of their equipment and inventory on March 31 and left town. Instead, along with meeting their financial commitments to the city, they are providing a reasonable time period in which to market the Winchester site and hopefully to find a successor firearms manufacturer,” DeStefano said.
January 18th, 2006
Last week our Predator Editor Travis Osmond was on his way to the North Dakota Coyote Classic to do some seminars. Unfortunately due to the extremely slick roads and slow going through Wyoming, he ended up turning around and coming home.
I thought I would post some pics that Travis took out on the road to show the reason why he ended up turning around and coming back.
This photo is not very clear because it was taken through the truck windshield. This is after they turned around showing the traffic heading east of Rock Springs. You can see the lineup of semi-trucks and cars as far as the eye can see.
January 18th, 2006
As many of you in Utah are probably aware, a proposal has been approved to increase the fees we pay for our hunting and fishing privileges. This proposal now goes before the legislature for approval before it goes into effect. Following is an e-mail sent from Trout Unlimited with the e-mail addresses of the legislators that set the DWR budget.
As you have probably heard the DWR is proposing to raise the cost of licenses in 2007 to cover a DWR shortfall. It is a sad state when they only get 8% of their funding from the general fund and the rest entirely comes from hunters and fishermen, unlike most of the other state agencies. In anattempt to be heard by our representatives– lets all take a minute to writeemails to the list below and explain that the DWR benefits more than just us and that the percentage of the DWR budget should be increased to a reasonable level. In a time when the numbers of lic holders in Utah is decreasing an increase in fees is not the answer to the budget problems for the DWR and could just widen the gap in the years to come. TU presidents and others please send this out to anyone with any interests in the outdoors.
Ed Kent (Utah Angler Coalition) emailed me a list of the people on theNatural Resources Appropriations subcommittee, these people decide on the DWR budget. Let’s all find a minute and send each of them an email stating that the 8% of the DWR budget that comes from the general fund needs to be increased instead of raising hunting and fishing lic fees like proposed.
Sen. Thomas V. Hatch, Co Chair thatch@utahsenate.org
Rep. Bradley T. Johnson, Co Chair bradjohnson@utah.gov
Rep. Carl W. Duckworth cduckworth@utah.gov
Sen. Beverly Ann Evans bevevans@ubtanet.com
Rep. Ben C. Ferry bcferry@utah.gov
Rep. Kerry W. Gibson kwgibson@utah.gov
Rep. James R. Gowans jgowans@utah.gov
Sen. Parley G. Hellewell parley@parleyhellewell.com
Rep. Rebecca D. Lockhart blockhart@utah.gov
Rep. John G. Mathis jmathis@utah.gov
Rep. Ronda Rudd Menlove rmenlove@utah.gov
Rep. Michael E. Noel mikenoel@kanab.net
January 17th, 2006
We tested the Yamaha Rhino 660 in a Hunting Illustrated featured back in 2004
I received this press release from Yamaha about their new involvement with SCI. They are going to be auctioning off a new, fully decked out Yamaha Rhino 660 Side by Side. I have had a quite a bit of time behind the wheel of the Rhino 660 and have to say it is an awesome machine. If you are going to the SCI Convention this week I suggest you bring your checkbook.
Yamaha Rhino 660 up for Auction at SCI’s 34th Annual Hunters’ Convention
Yamaha Donates Vehicle to Raise Money for Conservation and Education
Cypress, Calif. – (Jan. 13, 2006) – As part of the company’s ongoing efforts to support the interests and activities of sportsmen across the country, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA is donating a fully accessorized Rhino 660 4×4 side-by-side (SxS) vehicle to Safari Club International (SCI) for auction at SCI’s 34th Annual Hunters’ Convention.
The 2006 Rhino 660 will be part of the evening auction following dinner on Wednesday, January 18, 2006. Revenues generated from the auction of the Yamaha Rhino 660 will support SCI wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian services in addition to protecting sportsmen’s freedom to hunt.
The donated Rhino 660 is adorned with a multitude of accessories developed with the hunter in mind. The vehicle will feature two deluxe gun boots, a 3,000 lb. winch, a molded sun top, full windshield, over fenders, a spot light and PIAA 510 wide lights, just to name a few of the accessories found on the auction vehicle. Of course, these accessories are in addition to the 660cc 4-stroke, liquid-cooled engine; Ultramatic© automatic transmission system; On-Command© three-way locking four-wheel drive system and fully independent suspension that have helped establish the Yamaha Rhino 600 as the ultimate hunting vehicle and most capable off-road SxS model available.
As a new sponsor and now the Official ATV and SxS vehicle of SCI, 2006 marks Yamaha’s first official involvement in the SCI Convention. In addition to the auction vehicle, Yamaha will also have a display area (Booth 1215) featuring the Rhino 660, Rhino 450, Grizzly 660 and Kodiak 450 models, as well as a sampling of Yamaha’s proven line of generators.
January 16th, 2006
