There is no question the email that caused the firestorm of controversy regarding the 575 Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness elk will go down as the top story for 2006 (in regards to interest and popularity on Internet searches). As most have now discovered, this bull was taken in Quebec, Canada behind a high fence and scores around 560 SCI. But who was the actual person who took this bull? That person is Lou McMurray from California. It looks like Lou is trying to help clear up the false rumors and has posted information and more photos on his web site. Thanks to “Mac” for posting the comment about the link.
According to Lou’s web site, he has posted the following information:
# Shot with a 300 Winchester Magnum at approximately 80 yards.
# Taken from the Laurentian Wildlife Estate in the Quebec Province of Canada on Sep 6, 2006.
# The estate has been approved by Safari Club International as a qualified hunt and eligible for a world record. SCI is the accredited organization that qualifies world records.
# The elk has been measured by two non-certified guides at around 560 by the Boone and Crockett Club standards. The current world record is 503. It is a non-typical estate antler. For the estate to qualify, it has to be a minimum size. In this case the area was 370 acres. Also, it must be forested with trees and not an open field. The Laurentian Estate is heavily forested. The elk was not easy to find and had not been seen for two weeks by any of the guides previous to our hunt.
# It takes a 60-day drying out period before a certified master measurer can make an official measurement. We plan to submit to SCI for world record.
Link: Here is the link to Lou McMurray’s web site
Now…if we can just find out who sent the original mis-leading email full of false information that started this whole thing?
Sean
January 16, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Who cares about horns and antlers anyway? I hunt for meat.
The Best of 2006…Monster Elk! » King’s Outdoor World Blog
May 23, 2007 at 1:02 pm
[...] Unfortunately, two scandals were the only news that came out of Idaho in regards to big bulls. The first scandal was an Internet spoof over a supposed Selway-Bitterroot 575 archery bull; and the second was over 100 escaped elk from a high-fence ranch. The escaped elk caused a firestorm of criticism over high-fenced hunting ranches while people searched high and low on the Internet trying to find out if the 575 Selway-Bitterroot archery elk was legit. Droves of visitors swamped our King’s Blog for answers. After all was said and done, the 575 archery elk from Idaho was actually a 560 rifle elk from a high-fence ranch in Quebec, Canada. [...]
Kyle
October 25, 2007 at 9:14 pm
I am GAME FENCING a small ranch that I own, not for me to hunt, but to sell easy hunts to those that have the cash. I however will be hunting a much larger ranch as that is what appeals to me. Facts are that there is a ton of $$$ to be made for so called canned hunts. I know those who have a problem with that but I just dont care. I happen to like a very nice lifestyle and if giving someone what they pay for, as long as its legal. helps to supplement my lifestyle then so be it!
Dan
October 27, 2007 at 8:16 am
Kyle,
That is what free enterprise and living in America is all about, being able to do what you want with your own land. Granted, some people will object, but who creally cares what others think as long as what you are doing is legal.
I still don’t know why the hostilities towards high fence hunting, if that is not your style, then move on to more important issues. But if folks choose to hunt in a safe, more controlled environment, more power to them.
I don’t gamble, but I certainly don’t tell others that they can’t. Same principle, don’t try to legislate ethics or force your beliefs on others, let everyone do as they wish. Let’s close this subject.
dav
December 6, 2007 at 8:44 pm
You can go buy a full beef on hoof. kill and butcher it yourself.
If someone wants to sorta do that with any other kind of animal so be it. You can buy pheasants. Have the guy turn them loose just before you get there. (can you say dog training)
Handicaped people get to hunt from closed roads. I’d rather see them huntin on a high fence ranch instead of going up in a van where I hunt. (no offense). I myself prefer the great outdoors. You fence hunters, enjoy and you fence owners, treat your animals right or I’ll even vote against ya. I don’t care if ya get 10 grand a bull.. hell for that, I’ll take anyone of ya hunting and garentee ya a shot at a 6×6. (If you draw the proper tag) lol
anyway, we have zoos, we have a ton of public lands to hunt on, I am ok with the high fence farms, so long as they take care of the animals.
P.S. 370 acres is nothing. 1/2 mile x 1/2 mile.
you can hunt it in an hour.
az huner
March 26, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I agree with most of the posts here. I hunt in Southwest AZ for Mulies and I’ll tell you what this is some of the hardest land I have ever had to hunt. If people can afford to pay for a hunt so be it but the animal no matter the size should not be allowed for any record due to it not being fair chase. If you want a challenge hunt in SW AZ in the KOFAs and you’ll get a whole new outlook.