Just got word yesterday that the 2007-2008 Arizona Raffle Tag holder just shot a monster velvet bull elk on Monday. Elk in July you say? This is the raffle winner from 2007 and Arizona gives them the whole year to hunt and ends on July of the next year. Crazy! He had until the end of July 2008 to fill his tag.
So the raffle tag holder, Clark Guy, held out for a big bull and had passed on two other 400 class bulls in two days before getting this big boy. With the help of Mullins Outfitters he was able to down a monster velvet bull. It is a 7×6 non-typical that green scores 422 gross. There is an extra in-line type point on the right side by the third point. Beautiful bull and the velvet looks to be in very good condition.
This bull is massive and has 76-inches of mass!
Look for more on this bull and you will eventually get the whole story in a future issue of Hunting Illustrated Magazine.
July 24th, 2008
David King - King's Outdoor World
The above photos is what started a little excitement that was posted on message boards and forwarded to emails all over the place. The problem was, once again incorrect information was passed along and some people made ill-advised conclusions even though they really didn’t know - most of them just from looking at the photo itself.
So what was the problem?
This photos started getting emailed around that these were huge 480, 490, even 500 class elk sheds. The problem came when some people saw the background terrain where the photo was taken and assumed the sheds were picked up in that area. The photo was taken in Southern Utah, therefore assuming that the elk sheds were picked up recently in Utah.
So what is the real story?
One thing is for sure….these are some monster elk sheds. However, everything else about the above rumors are not true. These elk sheds are about 10 years old and they are not from Utah. Not even from the U.S. They are from an elk from New Zealand. Yes, that is right. So all of you that are excited about a huge elk running around packing these antlers for the 2008 season is not true.
Are they really that big?
These antlers are currently owned by Richard Dorchuck. They have been roughed scored between 480 to 490 gross. They are big. Richard also owns the sheds from the same bull from the previous year. Those sheds are a 440 class as well. Very impressive.
I have posted some additional photos of these sheds…from an elk 10 years ago that was originally from New Zealand.
Elk sheds from New Zealand. Not from Utah.
This shows both sets of sheds. A 440 class on the left and the next year grew to an enormous 480 class.
July 23rd, 2008
David King - King's Outdoor World
What a turn around of events. Wolves are delisted, wolf hunts are in the works, and now wolves have been temporarily put back on the endangered species list. How can this be so? About 12 Environmentalist Groups (Earthjustice, Humane Society, Defenders of Wildlife, etc.) is how it can be so. I told you about their pending lawsuit they filed April 28, 2008. Exactly 60 days after the delisting was signed. They know they law very well, have a ton of money and do just what they need to do to stall this thing out.
Judge Donald Molloy issued on Friday, July 18, 2008 an injunction to suspend the removal of wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains from the federal Endangered Species List. Wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains were removed from the Endangered Species List in March 2008. A number of environmental groups are challenging the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s delisting decision. Friday’s injunction effectively returns management authority for wolves in the region to the federal government while these legal challenges are heard.
What about Wyoming’s open hunts?
As a result of Friday’s injunction, wolves can no longer be taken anywhere in Wyoming except in cases where wolves are in the act of attacking livestock. Ranchers who are experiencing livestock depredation problems anywhere in the state should contact their local Wyoming Game and Fish office.
What about Idaho’s upcoming hunts?
There will be no wolf hunting season in Idaho this year. Idaho Fish and Game will not issue any wolf hunting tags.
Wolves have reverted to management under a section of the Endangered Species Act known as the 10(j) rule, which was revised in January.
Link: View the text of the revised 10(j) rule - (PDF)
So what happened?
The Environmentalists convinced the judge that the State agencies didn’t follow all of the rules to delist the wolves. Even though the states have established laws that will maintain a stable population and breeding pairs, regardless of the hunts, the Environmentalists argue that the states won’t do this. The federal biologist who led the wolf restoration program, Ed Bangs, defended the decision to delist wolves as “a very biologically sound package.”
“The kind of hunting proposed by the states wouldn’t threaten the wolf population,” Bangs said Friday. “We felt the science was rock solid and that the delisting was warranted.”
Here is the conclusion from the judges ruling:
For these reasons, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction (dkt #2) is GRANTED. Endangered Species Act protections are hereby reinstated for the northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf pending final resolution of this matter on the merits.
Dated this 18 day of July, 2008, 16:04 p.m. th
So what were the reasons. I have provided a link to the judges ruling and you can read the whole thing here:
Link: Judges Ruling on wolf injunction (PDF)
In a nutshell, the main argument that the Environmental groups used was the fact that the wolves have not had a chance to interbreed. What that means is the wolves from Wyoming, Idaho and Montana need to interbreed to provide a stable population 60 years down the road.
Here is an excerpt from the the ruling:
Plaintiffs claim the Fish & Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act by delisting the wolf while knowing there was a lack of genetic exchange between populations in the three northern Rocky Mountain core recovery areas. The legal deficiency claimed is that in doing so the Service ignored its own recovery criteria and ignored the best science available.
Here is an excerpt from the introduction of the ruling:
Introduction
This case, like a cloud larger than a man’s hand, will hang over the northwest states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming until there has been a final determination of the complex issues presented. Those issues must be answered in accordance with the intent of Congress as stated in the Endangered Species Act and its implementing regulations. Here, Plaintiffs challenge the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s decision to designate and delist a northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf distinct population segment under the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”), 16 U.S.C. § 1536. In
seeking to alter the course of that decision, Plaintiffs move for a preliminary injunction. They ask the Court to reinstate ESA protections for the wolf, at least while this lawsuit is pending. In support of their motion, Plaintiffs argue (1) even though the environmental impact statement on wolf reintroduction specifically conditions the delisting decision on a Finding of Subpopulation Genetic Exchange, the Fish & Wildlife Service delisted the wolf when there is no plausible showing of that genetic exchange between the Greater Yellowstone core recovery area and the northwestern Montana and central Idaho core recovery areas; (2) the Service approved Wyoming’s 2007 wolf management plan even though the Wyoming plan still contains provisions that the Service earlier deemed inadequate; and (3) the Fish & Wildlife Service did not consider the several states’ liberal defense of property laws in concluding the states’ wolf management plans were adequate. The argument concludes with the claim that a preliminary injunction is necessary because wolves are not likely to survive the increased incidents of human-caused
mortality that will occur under state management.
So what happens next?
The judge is going to determine if keeping the wolves on the Endangered Species List will continue or not. Unfortunately I think the anti-groups are going to keep pumping money into this ruling and tie it up in the courts as long as they can. What’s even more unfortunate is that this is not about proper animal management and conservation. This about pushing an agenda - a way of thinking - that is anti-human, anti-hunting and that animals (specifically predators) should rule the earth. This is the case of the wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Could be a shaky future and the excitement of finally getting some control and management of the wolf here in the West is at a standstill.
July 22nd, 2008
David King - King's Outdoor World
The above picture has been circulating the Internet since last fall. This tremendous typical mule deer was taken in British Columbia by Randy Bedell. One misconception is that the person holding the deer rack in the photo above is not Randy. I thought this buck was the largest typical mule deer taken in 2005 and made a post about it earlier. This amazing typical mule deer officially scores 219 5/8 gross and 209 0/8 net B&C and is the new British Columbia typical record.
However, over the weekend I received an email of a gigantic typical mule deer from Saskatchewan taken in 2005. Could this buck overtake the monster British Columbia buck shown above? Yes it will. The buck has been officially scored by Boone and Crockett at an incredible 210 2/8 net! Here is a short breakdown on the score:
27 7/8″ wide
220 gross (total)
3 3/8 abnormal points
216 5/8 gross typical frame
210 2/8 net typical (official B&C after all deductions)
This buck really would have net scored 213 if there were not the two small abnormal points. The buck was taken by hunter Jamie Gerein. The British Columbia buck actually has a bigger typical frame, but has more deductions than the Saskatchewan buck. The interesting part is that both deer average 28-inches wide. So much for worrying about the magical 30-inch mark, huh. Where does this buck rank within SK? It would be the new #2 for the province. The SK record is a buck taken in 1950 by Lars Svenson that scores 218 4/8 and is also a pending #2 in the world for B&C. There is no question Saskatchewan had an incredible year.
You will see more on both of these record mule deer in Hunting Illustrated Magazine.
March 15th, 2006
David King - King's Outdoor World
Reports have just come out that Wildlife Officials have captured two wolves in western Okanogan County and fitted both with radio collars to track their movements and learn more about them. They took hair samples for DNA testing to confirm that the wolves were not hybrid animals.
One of the wolves was a lactating female nursing pups. This would confirm that this is the first pair of breeding wolves int the state of Washington. The DNA test results will be back in a few weeks.
Link: The Seattle Times
July 21st, 2008
David King - King's Outdoor World
Click for desktop wallpaper size
Hope everyone has a safe and fun fourth of July. Click on the image above and then just right click on your mouse and get the menu. From there you can set the image as your desktop image.
God Bless America
July 3rd, 2008
David King - King's Outdoor World
Click magazine cover above to access Virtual Magazine
Virtual Magazine
Our Women in Hunting issue of Hunting Illustrated is now on-line in our Exclusive Virtual Magazine format.
View the whole magazine and flip through the pages FREE at any time you want right in your browser window.
Enjoy this special issue about women hunters and how women are a big impact to hunting. This issue is all about the lady hunter, featuring articles, success stories and photos.
Click Here to read to Women in Hunting issue Virtual Magazine
Great Deal
Want to get Hunting Illustrated coming to you door for an amazingly low price. Hurry and act now and get a one year subscription (six issues) for just $10 (normally $24.95). Call 800-447-6897 or go to Hunting Illustrated Magazine.com to sign up on-line.
June 19th, 2008
David King - King's Outdoor World
How is a Polaris Ranger Made? Well, just watch the Discovery Channel tomorrow and find out. The Polaris RANGER will be featured on the Discovery Channel’s “Factory Made”
Tune into the Discovery Channel on Wednesday, June 18, at 8:30 p.m. EST, to see how RANGER side-by-side vehicles are made. The program spent a couple days at Polaris’ Spirit Lake, Iowa manufacturing plant filming the steps to building a Polaris RANGER.
June 17th, 2008
David King - King's Outdoor World
Here is a short clip I took in Central Utah on May 31, 2008. I took a four-wheeling ride to see if I could get to the top of the mountain. I was surprised to see so much snow was still left. This was taken two weeks ago. However, we actually had a snow storm last week that put a couple of inches in the mountains. Crazy. It is starting to heat up now, and the runoff is coming down. However, some of this snow on the back sides I wouldn’t be surprised if it lasted the whole year.
June 16th, 2008
David King - King's Outdoor World
For those of you who received the June/July 2008 Issue of Hunting Illustrated also received our Short and Sweet Summer Sale Catalog. This thing is packed with huge deals. Head on over to Hunting Illustrated’s On-Line Store and save big.
You Didn’t Get the Catalog?
Hey, we have you covered. Check out the catalog in our On-line Virtual Catalog and flip pages and click on products that will take you right into the store for quick checkout. Very Cool!
June 13th, 2008
David King - King's Outdoor World
Click image for larger view
HI36 June/July 2008 Hunting Forecast Issue
Our latest issue of Hunting Illustrated is now on newsstands. Our annual Hunting Forecast issue will give you a breakdown on each of the western states. See what is in store this upcoming season for your state and area.
Also included are some great stories and editorial content. On the cover is Jason Greer’s great Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep. Also, see another great Colorado non-typical mule deer scoring 244 B&C. Or how about one of the biggest elk taken in Wyoming during the 2007 season scoring over 400 inches. Like usual there is a ton of content and different features to get you all excited.
Looking for a Great Deal?
Go check it out on newsstands, or better yet subscribe to Hunting Illustrated for just 10 BUCKS. That’s right, get six big issues of serious western big game hunting for only $10 (normal price $24.95). Call 800-447-6897 or get it on-line at huntingilllustrated.com.
June 13th, 2008
David King - King's Outdoor World
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