Archive for August, 2008
Oregon’s fall hunting season is fast approaching and the perennial question “Where can I go hunting?” will be much easier to answer this year.
Interactive Google™ Map shows hunting opportunities statewide
ODFW today unveiled its new Oregon Hunting Access Map, a great tool to find out where to hunt, especially for people new to hunting or new to the state. Even experienced Oregon hunters are likely to discover a new hunting location by exploring the comprehensive list of opportunities in a centralized place.
The map features state wildlife areas, national wildlife refuges, private lands open to hunting through ODFW’s Access & Habitat (A&H) and Upland Cooperative Access (UCAP) programs, Travel Management Areas on private timberlands open to hunting, and Willamette River Greenway properties that allow hunting. Because the map is based within Google Maps™, users can calculate distance and driving directions to the hunting area, switch between map, terrain and satellite views, zoom in and out of areas, and customize the map to their liking.
This is such a cool idea and no doubt we will see more of this technology being used with not only state agencies, but outfitters, booking agencies, reference web sites and more. Below is the map embedded here. To see the main map go here and to learn more about it with more reference information click here.
View Larger Map
August 21st, 2008
UPDATE: 09/30/2008 The Spider Bull is dead.
The big question that is out there…Is the Spider Bull Elk from Utah still alive? There have been a ton of people asking this question. Most of the confusion is coming from message boards claiming different things, but nobody knows what to believe. A big rumor got out that a handicap hunter got this bull already. Is this true?
No it is not. As of today (Friday, Aug. 15th) this bull is still alive. However, tomorrow is the opening of the elk archery season here in Utah. Believe you me, it is going to be even more crazy this weekend.
There is a good chance this bull could get knocked down on Saturday or over the weekend. I will keep you informed as to how things pan out and if and when the legendary Spider Bull is dead or not.
Should we start taking bets on how long he will last…or even yet will he survive the season altogether?
Win a Great Prize!
Hey, that is a good idea. You make a comment post below, include your real email address, and tell me what date he will get taken by a hunter. As a tie breaker also list your “guess the score”.
Here is an example:
September 15th, Score 465 gross
Free King’s Core Hunter Backpack
I will throw in a nice prize. How about a King’s Core Hunter Backpack in your choice of Desert, Mountain, or Show Shadow Camo.
Good luck. Need a closer look, make sure you check out the Video of the Spider Bull here.
UPDATE: 09/30/2008 The Spider Bull is dead. He was just taken. Stay updated on this blog for details. After the smoke clears and we get the full confirmed details, we will see who was closest on date and score. Those who posted on Sept. 30th may not be valid because word got out today and some got word of the score. I’ll see how things go.
August 15th, 2008
The archery season is here. Nevada has already put down some good bucks so far as one of the states to kick off archery season early. Other states are getting geared up for this weekend. I thought I would get the fever going a little bit and post some photos and this story of one of the great non-typical archery velvet mule deer ever taken with a bow.
This buck was taken by David Bodine in 2006. This Colorado buck scores 253 gross and 243 net non-typical as a 11×11 point. He is just 25-inches wide as well. Here is his story….enjoy and good luck this archery season. See more great photos in our Trophy Room Gallery.
Huge 253 Velvet Archery Buck
by David Bodine
The night before the hunt I went to bed not sure if I was going hunting in the morning. Don’t get me wrong , I am a very enthusiastic hunter and anxiously anticipate opening day all year but this year I had a friend coming from out of town to go hunting with me who couldn’t make it ’till the following week. When 3:00 A.M. came around I was wide awake and by 4:00 I was on my way. I called my hunting partner Travis Farmer. He and his father Tom met me at “the” hunting spot and shortly after we were hiking in. The weather was perfect, there was a light rain and the clouds were very low, almost foggy, and it was very cool for a late August day. I knew this kind of weather would keep the deer a little more active further into the day.
We hiked about two miles and had our first sighting. A small herd with a nice 4 point and a few smaller bucks and a couple of does. After a short stalk they spooked and were gone. We decided to split up and go up separate canyons. We wished each other good luck and were off. Just a few hundred yards up the canyon I glassed two big bucks feeding. They were about half a mile away on the opposite slope. I decided to cross the canyon and position my self so that I could sneak up to them at a side hill approach. Once I was within about 150 yards I took off my rain coat and pack and began a very slow and stealthy stock. By this time they had bedded on the western facing slope. I crouched below the bush line and closed the distance to about 40 yards. I came to a small draw on the hillside, they were right on the other side. I knew I would have to take my shot from this side, so I began to contemplate what to do. I sat with the wind in my face for what seemed to be an hour, but was more like five minutes. I knew I had two choices. Since I didn’t have a shot from where I was because of the brush in front of the deer I could either blow my call, standing the deer up and trying a shot that way. Or, I could move down the hill about five yards opening a shooting lane and taking the deer in the bed. Just as I decided to move down the hill. The wind changed and was at my back.
His ears perked up, he began to stare in my direction. I quickly sprayed cover sent into the air which seemed to buy me the time I needed and calmed the deer. I slowly made my way down the hill undetected to the spot where I had a clear shot. I drew back, let the arrow fly hit my mark at about 38 yards. The deer jumped up and ran over the top of the hill out of sight. I walked to where he was bedded. My arrow had broke off in his lungs. The blood trail was thick, but this deer was strong. I waited a while then followed the blood trail over the hill. Half way down the hill I saw my deer. A couple of more arrows finally finished him off. There I stood over the most amazing deer I had ever seen.
I hadn’t really mentioned the size of this deer before. I took the first shot having no clue what I was shooting at. I knew he was big but the view I had before I shot he looked like a 5×6. When I finally had him down and was able to count all the points I couldn’t believe that I had shot a 9 x10 amazing beast of a buck. After a moment of enjoying the kill that lie before me I went to meet up with Travis and I called my wife Jessica to come and take pictures. When Travis and I approached my buck,Travis began counting the points. He announced with excitement that I had bagged an 11×11 buck. I was in awe, and couldn’t believe that my buck was getting bigger every time the points were counted. We then begun the task of dragging the deer down to the trail which wasn’t a walk in the park considering the big boy we had in tow. Regardless of the work the reward is every bit worth it.
God had truly blessed me with a wonderful trophy and has blessed us all with a wonderful trophy called America and the freedom of the great outdoors that we all have the opportunity to enjoy. I would like to thank my family for all the outdoor experiences we had together especially for my father, taking me on my first deer hunt and for my brothers and all the times we hunted together. My 25-wide buck ended up scoring 253 gross and 243 net non-typical and is one of the top velvet bucks taken with a bow.
August 15th, 2008
Wanted to let everyone know that you can get a first look at the all-new web site for King’s Outdoor World. This site has been redesigned from the ground up and gives you all of the latest on products, information, images and more from King’s.
Check out the Home Page and get some video clips from some of our Sponsors
Get a sneak peak at our new 2009 King’s Calendars
Go through our Re-creation archive and view hundreds of historic images from past calendars
Learn more about our King’s ShadowCamo patterns
Check out our hot upcoming products - Big Rack Series
Get a good look at all of the Gear and Clothing made with our Terrain Specific ShadowCamo patterns
Can’t forget the Trophy Room Gallery - see some great photos and now you can post your own by just creating a free account
You can also subscribe to our RSS feeds and automatic email updates so you can stay informed of what is going on. Plus you can use our Dealer Search and find a store near you that carries King’s products.
There is much more, but hope you check it out and then give me some feedback on what you think: good, bad, ugly…I would appreciate any and all feedback as this is just a launch #1 and have much more that will be added to in the future.
August 14th, 2008
The Nevada archery hunts are on the way and are some of the earliest archery hunts to start out here in the West. It has started to become commonplace to see the next big buck from Randy Ulmer taken with his bow each year. Nevada has been good to Randy and the 2008 season looks to continue this good fortune.
Randy just arrowed another great velvet mule deer. It is a nice 4×4 that is 34 1/2- inches wide and has a huge frame. Dandy buck. This is what Randy had to say about the hunt:
I stalked the herd of bucks for well over an hour and ended up with a 20 yard shot, straight up hill.
All the credit for this buck needs to go to Gary Gallegos, who helped me. His unrelenting enthusiasm, great glassing skills and uncanny big buck instinct created an opportunity where there appeared to be none.
August 8th, 2008
It looks like the Arizona state-wide auction tag holder for mule deer connected on an awesome buck. David “Doc” Meyer was the tag holder and took a huge velvet buck last week on the Strip. The big mule deer has a huge 219 typical frame and is said to green score 241.
August 4th, 2008
Aug/Sept 2008 Bowhunting Issue of Hunting Illustrated - Click cover above for larger image
Our new issue is now out and just in time for the upcoming bowhunts. Our annual Bowhunting Issue is packed full of awesome stories of huge bucks and bulls and editorial how-to content that will get you ready for the archery season.
What’s on the Cover
This issue is backed by some incredible archery record animals. On the cover is Steve Alderman and his 204 3/8 gross and 195 4/8 net P&Y archery mule deer that is now the new #2 typical for Alberta. Also in this issue is the new #1 archery typical from Alberta taken by Peter Tsoulamanis scoring 213 6/8 gross and 196 1/8 net typical B&C.
How about a new pending #6 in the world and #2 for Utah non-typical archery elk. Troy Ence was hunting the southwest desert of Utah and arrowed this monster bull after 20 plus days of hunting. This huge bull officially scores 422 0/8 gross and 414 7/8 net P&Y and was one of the top bulls taken in 2007 regardless of weapon.
Oregon continues to showcase their banner year for velvet archery mule deer. We have Cody Cole’s very cool mule deer that is tall and narrow but scores a very impressive 197 gross and 193 7/8 net P&Y and is a pending #2 velvet typical archery buck for Oregon.
Editorial Features
Mule Deer: Archery Mule Deer Hunting - Three critical control factors for success
Elk: The “Ten Year” Bull - A hard won Utah archery bull
Shooting: Broadhead Basics - What’s the best broadhead for you?
Predators: The Will to Kill - K-9 Theory part 3
Big Game: Hunting Western Whitetail - Using scents to get the big one
Fitness: Bowhunter Boot Camp - A three-prong attack to get you ready for the season opener!
Plus More…
Ask Mr. Mule Deer
Dueling Duo - Banning Lead-Based Ammunition
Corporate Interview: Bowtech - Founder and President John Strasheim
Mule Deer Watch: Bachelor Party
Nuge Factor - Instinctive Sight Shooting
And More Stories of Huge Stuff
Great Idaho Moose
Monster 402 net Arizona archery elk
Largest velvet archery typical for Colorado taken by a woman
What are you waiting for
This issue is packed! If you don’t have it already coming to your door, head to your nearest newsstand and pick this issue up now through September 18th.
Need a great deal to get you to subscribe
How about a full 1-year subscription for just $10. Normal price is $24.95. Hurry and act now and get a full year of great big game action six times a year. Call 800-447-6897 to subscribe today or do it now on-line at www.HuntingIllustrated.com.
August 1st, 2008
