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STRANDED! SURVIVE ON WHAT YOU KILL!

A P R I L / M A Y 2 016

20 ESSENTIAL
DIY
SKILLS TROPHY ELK
400 INCHES
HANDLE A HORSE BACK-TO-BACK

START A FIRE DOES


ARE WE KILLING
QUARTER AN ELK TOO MANY?
MAKE A LONG SHOT
HUNTING
HORSEBACK
DO-IT-YOURSELF

FIELD TEST
FIND THE RIGHT
HIKING POLE
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APRIL- MAY 2016 | VOL. 44 | NO. 2

13
FEATURES
Go Big or Go Home?
Big buck kills soared in 2015.
Is it science or are
hunters being picky?
DAVID HART

44
Stranded in Scotland
A group of hunters face
the ultimate challenge:

44
Hunt to survive.
SIMON BARR

52 CASTAWAY!
Must-Know Skills No food, no shelter, and
Channel your inner woodsman a powerful hurricane.
with these DIY skills.
Could you survive?
CRAIG BODDINGTON
DAVID DRAPER
JOSEPH VON BENEDIK T
KEITH WOOD

62
Utah Trophy Elk
A draw of a lifetime, a fleeting
shot, and 400 inches of bone.
JOSEPH VON BENEDIK T
Tweed Media
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APRIL- MAY 2016 | VOL. 44 | NO. 2

DEPART
MENTS
40

14
BULLET BOARD
NOSLER .277 140-GRAIN
BALLISTIC TIP
JOSEPH VON BENEDIK T 24 30 34
16
RACK ROOM 6 30 40
NEW MEXICO LETTERS SPECIES WHITETAILS
BIGHORN SHEEP Here’s what Hunting SPOTLIGHT Shooting does is trendy
MASOUD YOUSEFI readers have to say. The Alaska brown bear is and fills the freezer—
big, beautiful, and deadly. but should you?
16 10 CRAIG BODDINGTON JEFF JOHNSTON

CARTRIDGE CORNER FROM THE EDITOR


30 NOSLER Can you survive? 34 72
JOSEPH VON BENEDIK T MIKE SCHOBY FARE GAME BYGONES
Turn your game meat into A trophy polar bear for
17 24 more than steak with this
sausage making how-to.
the record books.
BOONE & CROCKET T
VERSUS OPEN COUNTRY DAVID DRAPER
TO SUPPRESS OR NOT Hunting from horseback
TO SUPPRESS? can be beneficial. Here’s
MOLNAR KLAUBERT a dummies’ guide to
JOSEPH VON BENEDIK T picking your noble steed.
JOSEPH VON BENEDIK T
28
18
NEW GEAR 28
A BACKPACKING TIPI, GUNS & LOADS
PORTABLE STOVE, & MORE Remington’s 200 years of
K ALI PARMLEY excellence reigns supreme
with the Model 700 action.
22 CRAIG BODDINGTON

FIELD TEST
HIKING STICKS: WHICH
ARE RIGHT FOR YOU?
K ALI PARMLEY Hunting (ISSN 0146-4671) April-May 2016, Volume 44, Number 2. Copyright 2016. Published 8 issues per year with three double issues (March,
April/May, June/July, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec/Jan) by Outdoor Sportsman Group, 1040 6th Ave., 12th Floor, New York, NY 10018-3703. Periodical post-
age paid at New York, NY, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change (Form 3579) to Hunting, P.O. Box 37539, Boone, Iowa
50037-0539. Return undeliverable Canadian addressess to: 500 Rt. 46 East, Clifton, NJ 07011. Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 41405030.
LETTERS
An Outdoor Sportsman Group Publication
AFRICA : PUBLISHER Kevin E. Steele

A Hunter’s Utopia EDITORIAL STAFF


EDITOR Mike Schoby
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kali Parmley
ART DIRECTOR Tim Neher
Thanks for your near-perfect timing in family, and without this job, he probably GROUP ART DIRECTOR David A. Kleckner
publishing Dwight Van Brunt’s article on would not find another source of income. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Michael Anschuetz
COPY EDITOR Mike Brecklin
Africa. You should be inundated with letters The taxidermy shop, which is owned
complimenting that article. by the safari outfitter, employs about fif- FIELD EDITORS

Robert Ruark described how the hunter’s teen apprentices to the taxidermist. A EXECUTIVE FIELD EDITOR Craig Boddington
WESTERN FIELD EDITOR Joseph von Benedikt
horn sounds for some, and Mr. Van Brunt few of the apprentices have already gone
described how that call inevitably leads some off to head their own shops. It’s a great CONTRIBUTORS
of us to Africa and the quest for dangerous success story. I’m proud to call myself a Michael Waddell, David Hart, David Draper,
Jeff Johnston, John Hafner, Dusan Smetana,
game. How each individual arrives at that hunter. Not only does our hunting help
Tom Martineau, Lee Thomas Kjos
point is the question rightly posed at the to conserve the beautiful wildlife of this
beginning of the article and should be cause world, but also it has humanitarian ben- ENDEMIC AD SALES
for many of us to reflect on our journeys past efits beyond measure. I hope everyone has NATIONAL ENDEMIC SALES
and our hopes for the future. the chance to hunt Africa and see just how Jim McConville (440) 791-7017
Most importantly, though, the article much of a positive impact our sport has WESTERN REGION
provides an incentive for people to consider on the world. Hutch Looney (818) 990-9000
Africa, to expand their horizons and con- Tom Morreale WHERE TO GO / MARKETPLACE ADVERTISING:
template the challenges of hunting danger- Lancaster, California Mark Thiffault (800) 200-7885
ous game from our big bears to the big five. CORPORATE AD SALES
Wendell Harsanyi RESTORED IS NOT ORIGINAL EAST COAST ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Pasadena, Maryland Justin Karnopp’s “Guns & Loads” column in Kathy Gross (678) 589-2065
the November 2015 issue on the restoration MIDWEST ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
of his grandpa’s .30-.30 was good, and I am Kevin Donley (248) 798-4458
Your recent issue on hunting in Africa was glad he salvaged his family’s Winchester 94. MIDWEST & MOUNTAIN ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
spot on! I have been blessed to hunt Africa Turnbull and others can do amazing things Carl Benson (312) 955-0496
two times and will be returning this summer. in restoration. WEST COAST ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Pursuing game there is a hunter’s utopia. The Here is the rub: Restored is not original! Viga Hall (714) 222-1692
game and the adventure are plentiful, sur- Teaching younger readers there is an equiv- DIRECT RESPONSE ADVERTISING/NON-ENDEMIC
Anthony Smyth (914) 693-8700
passing any expectation, and experiencing alency is wrong! If you don’t believe me, ask
life there brings fulfillment to the soul. George Madis or Felix Bedlan.
www.petersenshunting.com
I am so happy that by hunting I am Erle Coffin
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creating many jobs in an area where jobs are Oroville, California order new subscriptions, or report a problem with your current subscrip-
tion, you can do so by writing Hunting, P.O. Box 37539 Boone, IA 50037-
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WE MAY NOT HONOR REQUESTS FROM UNAUTHORIZED AGENTS, AND
hunting activity allowed the safari outfitter (Even though the definition of restore is YOU THEREFORE MAY LOSE YOUR MONEY IF YOU BUY FROM AN UNAU-
THORIZED AGENT. If you are offered a subscription to Petersen’s Hunting,
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For more information on subscription scams, please visit www.ftc.gov.
scapers, secretarial staff, cooks, scullery original condition.”) Even so, Justin said no
Subscription rate for one year is $19.94 (U.S., APO, FPO, and U.S. posses-
assistants, taxidermists, and taxidermists’ such thing in his article. In fact, he stated sions). Canada add $13.00 (U.S. funds) per year, includes sales tax and
GST. Foreign add $15.00 (U.S. funds) per year.
assistants. In fact, on my last safari, I noticed that certain restoration processes “do dimin-
Occasionally, our subscriber list is made available to reputable firms
an older gentleman chopping wood for our ish a gun’s historical appeal and value.” He offering goods and services that we believe would be of interest to our
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Write us at “HUNTING LETTERS,” 2 News Plaza, Peoria, IL 61614, or email Petersen’s Hunting, Editor, 2 News Plaza, Peoria, IL 61614.
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Letters may be edited for brevity or clarity. Personal replies are not possible.

06 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
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U N T 07
FROM THE EDITOR

Can You Survive?


I am worried about the next generation for a six-month British Columbia canoe dark, 2) I had no survival gear, and 3) I
of hunters. They seem overly fascinated trip was probably a bit impractical, but was hopelessly lost.
with technology while neglecting basic I still read the book from cover to cover As the sun set behind the mountain,
woodsmanship. Many are more in tune probably 20 times between the ages of I stuffed my cotton shirt and pants full
with how to program a trail camera than 10 and 20. And I’ll admit I still reread a of grass, laid some pine boughs against
in actually knowing how to follow a chapter or two each year. Impractical a ponderosa, and filled the space with
game trail. They can boil water as long and archaic in today’s age of high-tech a huge pile of dry pine needles. Burrow-
as they have a stove with a pietzo igni- tools? Hardly. ing deep inside, I shivered my way
tion switch, but they’re helpless if they On an elk hunt in my late teens, I had through a cold September night in the
have to light a real wood fire. Don’t even a pack full of the latest high-tech gear, high country with no fire. At dawn I got
get me started about building a shelter including an early GPS, a bivy sack, and my bearings from the rising sun and
for the night with a hatchet and natural military freeze-dried MREs. I was having started my long hike back to camp. I
materials at hand. lunch in our main camp when a herd of eventually made it and then assessed
In my youth, my favorite book was elk strolled through. I grabbed my bow my decisions from the previous 24 hours.
How To Stay Alive in the Woods by Brad- and, in the rush to pick up the fresh trail, Clearly, I did many things wrong. I
ford Angiers. It was written in 1956 and left my pack. Since the elk weren’t didn’t leave a note in camp as to my
is full of useful skills—from determining spooked, I didn’t plan on venturing more direction of travel. I didn’t grab my pack—
true north with a leaf and needle to than a few hundred yards from camp. with it I would have been warm and fed.
making shelter out of branches to catch- Ten miles later I lost the trail and realized Possibly most important, I didn’t have
ing fish with a trotline. The grocery list three things: 1) It was quickly getting the basic items, such as matches, knife,
and compass in my pocket. But I did do
s e r i o u s a i r g u n h u n t i n g s t a r t s h e r e a few things right—things I learned from
The World’s Most Powerful Production Air Rifle. reading that old book. I stopped when I
® knew I was lost, I used natural materials
With the ability to launch for insulation, and I determined my loca-
.457 caliber projectiles tion by using the sun.
at over 1000 fps and While modern technology is a fan-
generating energy levels of over 500
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In this issue we are focusing on DIY
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know to chronicling a really cool sur-
vival hunt on the Hebridean Islands of
Scotland, where putting meat on the
table is far more important than putting
antlers on the wall.
I hope you enjoy this issue and pos-
sibly even learn a thing or two along the
way. But if you already know everything
we cover here, please pry the iPad out of
some kid’s hands and pass this issue
along. It just may save their life.

10 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
AS WE CELEBRATE TWO CENTURIES IN AMERICA, IT’S HUMBLING TO THINK ABOUT ALL THE GROUND
WE’VE COVERED. FROM THE INFANCY OF OUR NATION, WE’VE JOURNEYED WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF
THE WAY, HELPING SHAPE THE COURSE OF AMERICAN HISTORY. REMINGTON COUNTRY IS
MUCH BIGGER THAN A PLACE, AND FOR THE PAST 200 YEARS, IT’S BEEN OUR HIGHEST
HONOR SUPPORTING YOUR FREEDOMS, AND YOUR WAY OF LIFE.
HUNTING NEWS | TIPS | INSIGHT

BULLET BOARD 14
RACK ROOM 16
CARTRIDGE CORNER 16
NEW GEAR 18
FIELD TEST 22

The Year of the Big Deer?


It’s a good year to be a taxidermist. Just ask Whitehead isn’t alone. Far from it. Countless
Harry Whitehead. A taxidermist in Nicholasville, hunters throughout whitetail country made a trip
Kentucky, for 30 years, the 2015 season is shaping to the taxidermist. That’s nothing new, of course.
up to be his best ever. But this year? Big bucks were everywhere. It seemed
“I’d say the number of deer heads brought like every social media outlet and every website
to my shop was up 30 percent this year,” he says. dedicated to deer hunting was crammed with beam-
“The average size is up, too. I used to mount a lot ing hunters posing with giant bucks.
of 140-inch deer, but this season, the average They came from the obvious places, like Kansas,
was closer to 150.” Illinois, and Ohio, including the 300-inch, non- 
Sean Delonas

A p r i l - M A y 2 0 1 6 | P E T E R S E N S H U N T i N G . C O M 13
far, so they were less visible and the kill
was down. That meant more bucks had
another year to grow. We killed deer during
the 2014 season, but the average score was
around 140 inches. This year, our average
Nosler .277
buck was closer to 150, and we killed more 140-grain
this year than the previous year. Several of
my outfitter friends in other states reported Ballistic Tip
the same thing. Last season was pretty bad.
This season was exceptional.”
It wasn’t just the traditional big-buck
states that saw a bounty of food during Bullet Board
the 2014 season and a decrease in the deer
BULLET BASICS
kill. Much of the eastern United States, Nosler’s Ballistic Tip was the first big-game bullet
including Ohio and Virginia, saw a bum- to successfully utilize a polymer tip, which aids
per crop of acorns. Virginia’s 2014 deer kill expansion, and boosted aerodynamics beyond
 typical giant taken near Junction was down 22 percent from the previous the norm. Combined with the design’s modest
City, Ohio, by bowhunter Dan Coffman. season. Ohio’s was lower, as well. boattail, the tip makes for a bullet that is good
Although details were few at press time, “Deer don’t have to move as far when for distance yet accurate. At its tip the jacket is
it’s reported to be the biggest buck ever the acorn crop is heavy, so they are less very thin, further enhancing the effective expan-
taken by a bowhunter. A 14-year-old Okla- vulnerable to hunters. That’s pretty well sion. The jacket thickens to prevent complete
homa girl killed the state’s fourth-largest documented,” says Ohio Division of Wild- fragmentation so the bullet maintains enough
buck and the largest taken by a woman. life biologist Clint McCoy. “This year we integrity and weight to enable the bullet to
drive through vitals.
It scored 179 7/8 Boone & Crockett points. had a poor mast crop, which makes deer
Even states that aren’t known for easier to kill. Plus, they had an extra year TESTING GROUND
producing trophy-class whitetails were to grow. Anecdotally, I’d say yes, we’ve seen The bullet pictured flew 561 yards up a steep
cranking out a run of big deer. A West an increase in really big bucks this past Arizona mountain and impacted a mature coues
Virginia hunter killed what is likely to be season, but it’s too early to tell for a fact whitetail buck in the rear portion of the ribs,
the new state record typical whitetail, from any data we might have.” angling forward through the vitals.
green-scoring 191 2/8, and a Louisiana Pearcy wonders if an increased use
FIELD PERFORMANCE
bow hunter arrowed a 172 6/8-inch pub- of mineral supplements and year-round
Impacting at an estimated 1,850 fps, the bullet
lic land giant, possibly the second-largest feeding programs have also played a passed through some 17 inches of stomach,
bow kill in the state. part in the recent spike in buck quality. diaphragm, vitals, and ribs before coming to
Part of the plethora of big bucks has Although there is little science to back rest against the hide just behind the off shoulder.
to do with social media itself, figures Qual- the connection between supplemental
ity Deer Management Association Direc- feed and larger racks, Adams thinks STATS
tor of Education & Outreach Kip Adams. there might be a link. Retained weight of the recovered projectile is
“We seem to be sharing our deer a lot “The big picture is that all the new 106.7 grains, or about 76 percent of original
more on social media,” he says, “and a management efforts everywhere are weight. Average expanded diameter is 0.55
inch, not quite double original bullet diameter.
photo of a really big deer gets circulated having an impact,” says Adams. “It isn’t
With a BC of .456 this Ballistic Tip scores better
over the Internet, so it may seem like just food plots and supplements. There than the usual hunting projectile, yet it’s not in
there are a lot more big deer being killed are so many more acres being managed the same league as long-range super-bullets
than in the past. With that said, I really specifically for whitetails. The habitat is touting BCs above .600.
do believe we are starting to see a trend much better and it is undoubtedly having
toward really big deer that’s been in the a positive impact on local deer herds.” NOTES/OBSERVATIONS
works for several years. I think a number Generally, though, the more likely In my experience, the bullet performs beauti-
of things came together this last season.” reason this year has seen an uptick in fully in most factory ammo and is easy to gain
Kansas Whitetail Adventures owner really big bucks has more to do with shift- excellent accuracy in handloads. Current Ballistic
Tips hold together better and perform beautifully
Gene Pearcy agrees. “There was food and ing attitudes among hunters themselves.
on deer-size game. —Joseph von Benedikt
cover everywhere in 2014 where I hunt in Consider this: In 1989, nearly two-thirds
Kansas. The deer didn’t have to travel of the nationwide buck harvest consisted

14 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
No
In t So
Wildlife Wonder Illuminated Sto ld
res

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Brought to you by

30 Nosler
RACK•ROOM
WHERE: New Mexico
WHEN: August 2012 Cartridge Corner
RIFLE: .270 Weatherby Magnum
HISTORY
HUNTER: Masoud Yousefi
Based on the .404 Jeffries case, just as its 26- and
28-caliber siblings, the 30 Nosler is a standard-
Hunting bighorn sheep is often a newly added unit with one catch: sheep length cartridge (fits in .30-06-length actions)
once-in-a-lifetime experience for many had never been hunted there before. with no belt and a rebated rim, which gives it
hunters. The chances of drawing a tag Placing his luck on the scouting abilities considerably more capacity than the equal-length
are slim, and even when luck is on your of one of the top outfitters in New Mexico, .300 Win. Mag. Offering conceivably the best
side, the chance at a trophy are few due Masoud found himself glassing for sheep engineering of the entire crop of fast .30-caliber
to the grueling nature of the hunt. For on the Culebra Range at 12,700 feet. magnums, the 30 Nosler is shorter than the .300
Masoud Yousefi, his luck was on the rise After days of hard hunting, it would be Weatherby, .300 Remington Ultra Mag, and .300
H&H yet is as powerful. It’s both more efficient
four years ago. from that peak that Masoud would con-
and more powerful than the aforementioned
In 2012, Masoud would draw a tag for nect with a ram at 400 yards—making .300 Win. Mag. and offers considerably more
a New Mexico Rocky Mountain ram in a history as the first ram taken in that unit. horsepower than short .300 magnums.

Rack Room winners will receive an Aimpoint hunting sight. APPLICATION


Enter your trophy photo at PETERSENSHUNTING.COM/RR No hooved game is out of the 30 Nosler’s reach.
While near-sighted hunters will consider it too
much for deer-size game, it does give an advantage
in heavy wind or on dicey shot presentations.
  of yearlings, according to data com- “They’ve changed the game,” says Outstanding performance can be found on elk,
piled by the Quality Deer Management Watterson, who is also experiencing a moose, and the largest African antelope, and
Association. That number has been fall- spike in business this year. “Hunters with careful shot placement, the cartridge will
ing ever since. Just 33 percent of the ant- now know what’s out there. If they know do just fine on big bears.
lered bucks killed in 2014 were yearlings, there is a 140- or 150-inch deer running Due to its high muzzle velocities, careful thought
the lowest ever recorded. Incredibly, the around, they are less likely to shoot the should be put into bullet selection. Tough bonded
or monolithic bullets, such as the Swift Scirocco
yearling buck kill in Arkansas was just first 120- or 130-inch buck that comes
II and A-Frame, Barnes TSX, Hornady GMX, and
eight percent of the total buck harvest in by. I’m up 20 percent over last year. Federal Trophy Bonded Tip and Trophy Copper,
2013. What’s more, the average age of I had 70 deer between 140 and 160 and Nosler Partition and E-Tip, are good options.
bucks being killed by hunters has in- brought to me, including three or four
creased dramatically in recent years. between 180 and 190 inches, so it cer- BALLISTICS
Thirty-four percent of all bucks killed in tainly seems like this year was a very Heavy bullets will get the best out of the 30
the 23 states that record age structure good one.” Nosler. So far I’ve shot 180- and 200-grain Nosler
AccuBonds (3,200 and 3,000 fps respectively)
were 3½ years old or older. More than One good year doesn’t necessarily
and 210-grain AccuBond Long Range (3,000
two-thirds of the bucks taken in Arkansas make a trend, but Whitehead and Wat-
fps) bullets out of it. All performed admirably,
and Louisiana were at least 3½ years old. terson are convinced the most recent with the 200-grain AB carving tiny, sub-half-
“It seems like everyone is practicing deer season is a look at the future. MOA groups out of the Nosler M48 Heritage
trigger management,” says Adams. “They “I’ve been a taxidermist for 15 years, rifle. Exiting the muzzle with just over 4,000
are passing up younger bucks and shoot- and every year seems to be a little better ft.-lbs. of energy, it carries 1,500 ft.-lbs. of
ing older deer. It makes sense that as than the last,” says Watterson. “I think the elk-dropping impact all the way to 800 yards.
more deer make it to 3½, more deer will increase in leasing is also playing a role Zeroed at 200 yards, it drops only 6.2 inches at
also make it to 4½ or 5½, when they can in this. When people pay good money to 300, 17.8 at 400, and 35.7 inches at 500 yards.
really reach their full potential.” hunt, they are less likely to shoot the first —Joseph von Benedikt
Whitehead and Ohio taxidermist buck they see. Others also realize that if
Casey Watterson credit another factor to they want meat, they can shoot does and
the increase in giant bucks in recent years: save their buck tags for something worth
trail cameras. shooting.” —David Hart

16 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
THE QUIET
RIOT DEBATE
HUNTING WITH A SUPPRESSOR:
IS IT WORTH THE COST AND EFFORT?
AGAINST SUPPRESSORS IN FAVOR OF SUPPRESSORS
Installing a suppressor on one’s favored Unknown to most Americans, suppressors
hunting or shooting tool is much en vogue were not made a National Firearms Act (NFA)
today. But for most shooters, it’s simply regulated item because they are the favored
impractical. tool of assassins and spies. That’s a notion that
Although the advantages in protecting didn’t exist until Hollywood created it. Among
one’s hearing and aiding alertness in the other reasons, purchasing a suppressor was
field are undeniable, the cost of a good originally made difficult and expensive in an
suppressor is prohibitive and the applica- effort to curb the poaching rampant during
tion process onerous and expensive. Plus, and after the Great Depression. Yep, officials
even the lightest, most svelte suppressors were concerned that it was just too hard to
are bulky and will add nearly a pound to catch out-of-work fathers attempting to feed
one’s rifle. their starving children.
Sticker shock alone turns most hunters One has only to venture outside the U.S.
away from owning a suppressor. When the to realize that shooting and hunting with a
product is a cylindrical piece of metal with suppressor not only is the civilized thing to
threads in one end, a little hole in the other, do, but also is practical and accepted. It
and a bunch of baffles in-between, it just protects one’s hearing and the hearing of
doesn’t seem worth the $700 to $1,400 price those nearby. It makes it possible to stalk
typical of a good suppressor, especially with game without muffs or plugs installed,
the $200 cost of a Federal NFA tax stamp increasing the hunter’s awareness and
atop it. Most hunters prefer to spend the decreasing reaction time. It makes it easy to
money on another rifle, and when one con- communicate while teaching new shooters
siders that a Kimber, Sako, or other upper- about safety and shooting skills.
crust rifle can be had for the cost of a can, Arrive at a European range without a
one may hardly disagree. suppressor, and you’re likely to be thought
Add to that the headache of filling out rather uncultured and positively impolite.
appropriate NFA forms, getting notary You can walk into a hardware store in many
signatures, fingerprint cards, passport countries, including those where firearms
photos, and so forth, followed by six months are heavily regulated, and for the price of an
to one year of waiting for approval. Brand- expensive dinner purchase a can to screw
new foam ear plugs cost a quarter. Stick a onto your rifle and walk right out.
set in the pocket of your camo trousers, Shooter perception in America has under-
take your lovely new Sako out of the cabinet, gone an awakening. Currently, suppressor
and enjoy a day in the woods or at the range. ownership is one of the fastest-growing trends
Finally, while suppressor use during among shooters and hunters. When the $200
some types of hunting is practical, such cost of the required tax stamp was estab-
as while riding the high rack of a pickup in lished, it was equivalent to the price of a new
Texas or Africa or while on stand over a car. That cost hasn’t changed, and inflation
whitetail food plot or during a driven hunt has brought it within reach of the average
in Europe, adding one to the end of a shooter. Obtaining suppressors via a trust has
mountain rifle is almost a travesty. Doing streamlined the purchase process.
so adds weight and awkwardness—the last So step down from your high horse and
thing a hunter needs when scaling the Rocky get yourself a suppressor. Big game won’t
Mountains for alpine mule deer or Ger- thank you, but your ears will.
many’s Alps for chamois. —Molnar Klaubert —Joseph von Benedikt
pitch KALI PARMLEY

perfect
W E I G H T, S P A C E , A N D P O R TA B I L I T Y are three important factors
when choosing the right tent for your hunting adventures. Insert Seek Outside
and their Ultralight Tipi. That’s right. They’re going old school but with an
updated twist: a portable backpacking tipi. Made from high-quality, lightweight
materials, including a two layer DX40 Dyneema Reinforced canopy, the tipis
start at 4 pounds, 2 ounces and work their way up from there. Here’s the best
part: It’s equipped to house a titanium wood-burning stove (see next page).
Choose from a tipi for four all the way up to one that accommodates 24.
Is your mind blown yet? $639–$2,500; seekoutside.com
NEW GEAR

S TAY I N G W A R M in the backcountry is a beautiful but rare thing. However, B A C K C O U N T R Y F O O T W E A R is a very important piece of gear. No one
not anymore, thanks to Seek Outside and their portable, packable Titanium wants to end their hunt early because of a blister or twisted ankle. Made of
Wood Stove. Weighing as little as 20 ounces, the stove packs flat for easy breathable GORE-TEX membranes and 100 percent waterproof, the Cabela’s
carry and includes a roll-up pipe that fits nicely through the stove port located Western Guide Hunting Boots by Meindl breathe fresh air in thanks to Air
on the company’s Ultralight Tipi. It stands 12 inches and is made to heat your Revolution technology. Not only that, but soft, flexible uppers help prevent
tipi and will burn for hours. $324 –$445; seekoutside.com uncomfortable pressure and sore areas—no blisters, baby. $399; cabelas.com

W E A R A B L E T E C H N O L O G Y is a hunter’s new best friend. Using GPS T H E S T R Y K E R S T O V E and four-piece cook set assure eating well in
technology, the Garmin Fenix 3 is able to show weather forecasts, barometer/ the backcountry. Weighing in at just 18.3 ounces, it boils water in less than
altimeter readings, record distance, and so much more. It even offers a TracBack two minutes. Matchless ignition and added wind protection help make this
feature for a safe return to camp. Pair the Fenix 3 with your phone’s Bluetooth a must-have for the wilderness hunter. Connect the cook set frying pan using
to show texts, calls, and emails. This watch does everything except shoot the adapter (sold separately) and sauté wild mushrooms to go with those
lasers. Hopefully, that comes with the next update. $499–$799; garmin.com fresh backstraps. $68 (stove), $58 (cook set), $27 (adapter); campchef.com

A p r i l - M A y 2 0 1 6 | P E T E R S E N S H U N T i N G . C O M 19
PETERSENSHUNTING . COM

THE PERFECT TURKEY JERKY RECIPE


This simple recipe will create a delicacy out of even the oldest of toms.
PETERSENSHUNTING.COM/TURKEY-JERKY

5 USES FOR SHED ANTLERS TIPS FOR BUYING A USED RIFLE


You’ll stop letting those faded sheds collect dust after Use these quick tips for finding the perfect used rifle
considering these uses. at a bargain price.
PETERSENSHUNTING.COM/SHED-USES PETERSENSHUNTING.COM/USED-RIFLE

THE RACK ROOM OUTFITTING YOUR TROPHY ROOM


Submit your favorite photos for a chance to be featured Make sure your trophy room looks like more than a wall
on our Facebook page. of dead animals.
PETERSENSHUNTING.COM/RR PETERSENSHUNTING.COM/TROPHY-ROOM

20 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
SEASON 2 : HUNTING THE LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL FROM ST. LOUIS TO THE PACIFIC

hosted by
MIKE SCHOBY

SUNDAYS at 9 pm /et

petersenshunting.com/bordertoborder
KALI PARMLEY
Extra support goes Trekking and hiking poles are pieces of equipment that often are overlooked or
discounted by hunters. However, when your feet hit falling shale as you climb a moun-
a long way when tainside chasing a bighorn sheep or as your body slips while traversing steep inclines
covered with loose dirt in pursuit of a monster Colorado bull, you’ll be searching for
that extra piece of stability. Not only that, but they also double as shooting rests when
chasing game in your crosshairs bounce back and forth over the vitals of a trophy class muley.
We gathered trekking, hiking, and shooting sticks and put them to the test to see
rough terrain. which fit the bill for your next hunting adventure.

BOG-pOD Q-STICK BlACK DIAMOND AlpINE FlZ TrEKKING pOlES CABElA’S HIKING STAFF
The Q-Stick by Bog-Pod serves double- True trekking poles, the Alpine FLZ poles are If you’re looking for a less-expensive option
duty as both a hiking stick and a monopod available in three different sizes and start at to keep you on your feet, Cabela’s offers their
shooting stick. Thanks to its trademarked just 10 ounces each. Don’t let their light Hiking Staff at an affordable price. However,
Switcheroo Shooting System, users can weight scare you. These poles are strong, my tests found that although lightweight
quickly switch between the shooting rest, and I could feel the durability as soon as I and durable, these sticks are best suited for
foam-covered bino rest, camera adapter, began my testing. On steep inclines, the poles simpler hunting trips, not the mountainside.
and a compass. Made of lightweight alu- had no problem digging deep and sticking Made of ultralight aluminum, the sticks
minum, the Q-Stick is strong and durable, thanks to their Flex Tech Tips. Additionally, felt durable, but the double “quick-lock”
holding my weight with no evidence of the poles rapidly expand with the FlickLock system that controlled the length of the
bending from the pressure. Consisting of mechanism—a lever found at the top of the pole was known to loosen and change the
three sections and a thick rubber handle pole. Best par t: The trekking poles height of the pole while in use. A quick
for easy gripping, the pole has rapid-adjust have a one-pull, speed cone deployment tightening of the screws fixed the problem,
twist locks to change the length of the pole that snaps into place with a metal lock, but concerned me about its use in the
to fit all heights and needs. making it almost impossible for the poles backcountry. The pole comes complete
Weighing in at 15 ounces, the pole is a to contract without warning. with a tungsten tip to dig deep into icy
little heavier than the others tested, but due Although not specifically shooting sticks, terrain or a rubber tip cap to resist slippage.
to its multiple function use, strength, and the poles have a natural cork grip and a The adjusting wrist strap was a nice feature,
durability, this pole reigned supreme among wide rubber head that could serve as a quick as was a wide head that could serve as a
the rest in my test. shooting rest in a pinch. rifle rest if needed.

Height: 29.5–68 in.; Weight: 15 oz. Height: 37–55 in.; Weight (per pair): 20–21.5 oz. Height: 26–50 in.; Weight: 8 oz.
$120; bog-pod.com $140; blackdiamondequipment.com $35; cabelas.com

22 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
FIELD TEST

PRIMOS POLE CAT TALL MONO POD


Not technically a trekking or hiking stick,
I’ve included the Primos Pole Cat because
I think it can serve as both at the proper
time. Don’t plan on taking this into the
mountains as a hardcore trekking pole but
do plan on using it when hiking the buttes
of North Dakota or chasing speed goats
in Wyoming.
Made of aluminum, the Tall Mono Pod
is light and easily adjustable with a simple
quarter twist at two base points on the
stick. Complete with a foam grip and tac-
tile rubber shooting V, this stick makes an
excellent shooting rest for the moment of
truth. It’s a very supportive stick, and I
couldn’t see a bend as I made my way up
a steep incline. Important to note is that
the feet are rubber stoppers with no option
etz
u

to remove them for sharper tips.


Ansch
Mike

Height: 25–62 in.; Weight: 15 oz.


$45; primos.com
OPEN COUNTRY
JOSEPH VON BENEDIKT

DUMMIES’ GUIDE TO :

DIY Horseback Hunting


New to horses? Follow this sage advice
to DIY horsemanship success.

GUN TOTING
Traditionally, horsemen hung rifle scabbards on the side of
the horse, passed beneath the stirrup leather and slanted to
keep the rifle from sliding out. This works beautifully with
slab-sided, rifles such as a lever-action Model 94 Winchester.
Modern scoped bolt-action hunting rifles are much bulkier,
and while you can hang one in this traditional position, be
aware that it will be uncomfortably large beneath your knee,
making long stretches in the saddle unpleasant.
Another place to hang a rifle is off the pommel pointing
straight down alongside the horse’s shoulder. While less com-
mon, it’s still a traditional way to carry a long gun, and it’s a
method I prefer when carrying my scoped bolt-action rifles.

When tying up to stalk, two horses left together


are far quieter than one left alone. Plus, with game
in the bag, you can mount up and ride home.

M
any hunters don’t have the finances GANGSTA YOUR BOOTS
to spring for a guided horseback hunt Few things are worse for hunting than cowboy boots, and few
in the West, but hunting elk or even boots are less suitable for riding than hunting boots. Cowboy
alpine-country mule deer deep in wil- boots have defined heels that prevent your foot from slipping
derness without a horse can be an through a stirrup and getting stuck; hunting boots have bulky,
exercise in foolishness. So whether flat-bottomed soles that seem engineered to enhance their
you borrow a neighbor’s animal, rent a much-ridden equine, ability to stick in a stirrup. Getting thrown and having a boot
or take the plunge and purchase a horse outright, here are a hang up in a stirrup as you go off is absolutely life-threatening.
handful of tips to help you survive and succeed. Since carrying two pairs of boots and switching back and
forth isn’t practical, the solution is to loosen the laces of your
CINCH UP hunting boots before mounting so that even if your boot hangs
Keep your saddle cinch tight. Few things are worse than lurching up (if you fall off) your foot will pull out of the boot. It’s better
to the side as your formerly predictable equine companion takes that your panicked horse races frantically away with one of
an unexpected flying leap over a log or creek and having your your boots than for you to go bouncing along with it.
saddle roll, dumping you in said creek and dragging your prized
saddle and rifle through the rocks and deadfall as your shocked STALK ON FOUR HOOVES
pony dashes away in fright. Check that cinch frequently and keep Horses have four feet, and their gait is far less alarming to wild
it snug, especially on round-backed horses with low withers. game than the sound of a human heading up a trail. Numerous
It doesn’t hurt to use a breastcollar to keep your saddle from times I’ve had elk bugle at me while on horseback, and not
creeping rearward while climbing long, steep slopes, and in uncommonly a lone bull will move in for a closer look. Riding
some cases a crupper (strap that runs rearward from the sad- slowly through elk country and blowing a soft cow-call on occasion
dle and loops around the tail) can keep you from riding your is a great way to cover a lot of ground without unduly alarming
charger’s ears if you ever have to Snowy River off a steep ridge. its inhabitants and, in some cases, to ride right in amongst ’em.

24 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
NEVER COMPROMISE
A T A N Y D I S T A N C E

ELD-X
EXTREMELY LOW DRAG EXPANDING BULLETS WITH HEAT SHIELD™ TIP
• Revolutionary patent-pending Heat Shield™
Conventional polymer tips melt in flight! tip forms the perfect meplat.
Hornady ® engineers, using Doppler radar discovered that ALL manufacturer’s
• Doppler radar verified, best-in-class BCs
polymer tips are affected by aerodynamic heating – they melt and deform in flight
over entire trajectory.
leading to both BC and accuracy loss. To counter this effect, Hornady identified
a heat resistant polymer and developed the patent pending Heat Shield™ • Streamlined secant ogive, AMP® jackets and
tip. This tip resists aerodynamic heating and creates the PERFECT MEPLAT. optimum boattail for match-accurate results
Combined with its secant ogive profile, AMP® jacket and optimized boattail, • InterLock® ring works to keep the core
the ELD-X™ bullet delivers flat trajectories, match accuracy and unparalleled and jacket together.
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THE FIRST ALL-RANGE HUNTING BULLET - ELD-X.ª lethality at ALL practical distances.

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Open COu n try

A pair of hobbles makes strapping quarters


to a saddle or packsaddle easy.

TIE ONE ON
Once you’ve got game on the ground and quartered, it’s time
to tap into the greatest advantage of hunting on horseback:
packing meat.
Unless it’s a big, mature bull, you can frequently get an
entire elk out in one careful trip on one good horse. Cut a slit
between tendon and bone and sling a hindquarter on each
side of the saddle horn and a front quarter on each side of
the cantle (rear of the saddle seat). Strap them together over
the top of the saddle and tie them to the saddle on each side
to prevent them from flapping up and walloping down against
your horse when it jumps a log.

BAIL AND BANG


A common, disconcerting side effect of jumping off your horse
to look at or try a shot at a bull is that when you turn back
around your horse has headed back to camp without you. If
you’ve got a hunting partner along, you can toss him the reins,
but you really need to learn to tie your horse up fast and
securely for those times when you hunt alone.
Never tie a horse by its reins. Keep a halter on under its
bridle, with a lead rope attached to it looped around the saddle-
horn. If need be, hop off, grab the lead, and whip it around a
nearby tree. If you don’t already know how to quickly fashion
the appropriate slipknot used for tying horses, get an equine-
savvy friend to teach you—in the meantime use a bowline knot.

TAKE T WO
It’s worth considering taking two horses on a hunt. Put your
riding saddle on one and a packsaddle on the other. Horses are
by nature very sociable, and rare indeed is the mount that will saddlebags. Carry water, food, spare ammo, camera, first-aid kit,
stand contentedly munching bark when left alone tied to a tree and so forth in the bags. Just in case you get tossed and become
in the wilderness. horseless, keep a weatherproof lighter or waterproof matches
With two horses, once you’ve got meat on the ground, you can and a compact headlamp in your pocket and a knife on your belt.
load the pack animal, swing aboard your saddle horse, and ride Not to say that you can’t have a daypack with you, too. In
to camp rather than hiking and leading one meat-laden horse. fact, I often hang one from the saddle horn opposite the side
where my rifle hangs, where it’s easily accessible and partly
DAYPACK SADDLEBAGS balances out the load, minimizing the saddle’s tendency to list
Nothing says “greenhorn” more effectively than carrying your to one side. Just be sure that the handle atop it can take the
own daypack while riding a horse. Spring for a quality set of weight without tearing out and dumping your daypack.

26 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
America’s most trusted scent-elimination system, Scent-A-Way MAX, features
supercharged odor scrubbers that aggressively attract and attack human bacterial
odors, while neutralizing the broadest possible spectrum of environmental odors.
It’s bioengineering at its best, for serious hunters like you.
GUNS & LOADS
CRAIG BODDINGTON

The Model 700 Action


The southpaw’s best friend!

H
ey, we all have our favorite rifle actions. action in case of a catastrophic failure. Since I had to start over,
Some of us go for classics like Mausers and I made a conscious decision to switch to left-hand actions. My
Pre-’64 Model 70s. Others, both hobbyists next two rifles were purchased from a left-hander who had lost
and custom makers, gravitate to the Rem- the sight in his left eye and was switching to right-hand actions.
ington Model 700 action. There are good One was a Model 700 in 7mm Remington Magnum.
reasons for this. The Model 700 action is I have no idea how many rifles I’ve owned since then that
strong and, mated with a good barrel, is likely to deliver excep- were based on Model 700 left-hand actions—but almost
tional accuracy. It is also available. Manufactured continuously certainly more than all other actions combined. Several have
since 1962, it is the best-selling and one of the longest running been from “name” makers. I had a gorgeous David Miller 7mm
of all bolt actions. There are millions of them out there. Remington Magnum on a left-hand ADL (blind magazine)
If you happen to be a lefty, action. And my first Kenny
you are probably even more Jarrett rifle was a .30-06 based
likely to gravitate to the on a left-hand Remington
Model 700 action. Over the BDL action. One of my first
years, Remington has been synthetic-stocked rifles was
very kind to us downtrodden a .338 Winchester Magnum
and neglected left-handers, by Chet Brown, also based
but even so, not every imag- on a left-hand BDL action.
inable cartridge and con- Donna and I share the afflic-
figuration has been available tion; the Remington 700 is a
in a left-hand action. Still, favorite action of Kerry and
there are plenty of actions Carole O’Day of MGA, and
out there, whether the basis we’ve enjoyed using several
for a full-up custom job or a of their rifles over the years.
simple rebarreling. Other rifles have been a
I was just a kid when I got simple rebarreling, and some
my first Model 700. It was a have been more complex.
Today Kenny Jarrett makes his own actions, but for many years,
.264 Winchester Magnum, he preferred Remington M700 actions because it wasn’t difficult The cool thing about the
only slightly used when I to make them shoot well. Boddington’s first Kenny Jarrett “standard” Model 700 action
acquired it in 1966. It was a rifle was chambered to .30-06. is that, unlike many others,
right-hand action. Like most the bolt and magazine box
lefties back then, I started with right-hand actions, reaching over are long enough to accommodate .375 H&H-length cartridges.
the top to work the bolt. That rifle, along with almost everything There are also short M700 actions, and there have been a
else, went out the door in a burglary in about 1981. By then, I’d few runs of left-hand short actions. Unfortunately, these are
acquired a couple of left-hand actions. I preferred the convenience uncommon. I’ve only had my hands on one, made into a
and the obvious safety factor of being on the correct side of the really cool .350 Remington Magnum by MGA.

28 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
G u n s & L oa d s

The standard-length actions, well, I’ve used them as the Ultimately, I decided, sensibly, that, at nearly 12 pounds
basis for a bunch of rifles in chamberings that just weren’t avail- with scope, it was just too heavy to carry in rough country.
able in left-hand form. The first was a .458 Lott back in 1983, Honestly, I’ve always been more of a “fast .30” guy and pretty
pretty much at the urging of Jack Lott himself. It was open- much equal opportunity. I’ve used .300 Winchester Magnums
sighted and stocked in a nice piece of wood from E.C. Bishop. and .300 Weatherby Magnums with equal satisfaction, and a
I’ll be totally honest: It was too light and kicked too much. I factory left-hand M700 in .300 RUM was spectacularly
should have kept it…and I also should have learned my lesson. accurate. But there was one .30-caliber magnum I hadn’t
The next was a .416 Hoffman, built by Randy Brooks of used, so about a dozen years ago another left-handed BDL
Barnes Bullets back in 1985. This was before the .416 Remington became the basis for a .300 H&H. Also with a good Pac-Nor
and before the rebirth of the .416 Rigby, when Barnes was barrel, this turned into another quarter-inch rifle. It shot
just about the only source for equally well with 150- and
.416 bullets. I used it to take 200-grain bullets so, unchar-
several buffalo and my first acteristically, I bypassed my
elephant, but in that period customary favorite: the
I did several safaris in the 180-grain .30 caliber.
Okavango, so it was my con- I used it for my first desert
cept of a “swamp rifle.” The Donna Boddington shares Craig’s left-hand affliction. Her “go to” rifle is bighorn in 2003 with the 150-
stock was synthetic, and it a very light MGA .270 built on a skeletonized M700 action. grain bullet, a difficult quar-
weighed around six pounds. tering-to shot at about 330
Although light and handy in yards. Later, with 200-grain
the mokoro (dugout canoe), bullets, it made a couple of
the recoil was ferocious. I trips to Africa and the South
eventually surrendered and Pacific and, of course, per-
put a muzzlebrake on it. This formed perfectly.
made it more manageable to It’s been a little while
shoot, but it went through since I’ve made a “project
scopes and mounts like army rifle” on a Model 700 action,
ants through sugar. but I’m sure there will be
Just before I made the more. In the used-rifle mar-
switch to left-hand actions, ket, the M700 remains the
I had a brief fling with a right- most available left-hand
handed M700 in 8mm Rem- action, and while it is not
ington Magnum. I loved the inexpensive, it is much
cartridge, and in the mid more affordable than many
’90s a left-handed M700 .375 choices. In my experience,
became the basis for a left- mate a 700 action with a
handed 8mm Remington Mag- good barrel and it’s going
num. This was a very special to shoot.
rifle. Rebarreled with a 28-inch Most of the time, it’s also
Pac-Nor barrel and stocked in going to feed. Like all push-
English walnut by our great feed actions, in the rebarrel-
Paso Robles gunsmith, Norm ing process a radical change
Bridge, it was my concept of a in cartridge dimensions may
long-range elk rifle. require work on the rails or
Although it accounted for follower. But here’s the deal:
a number of elk, I must admit So much is made of con-
that I used it to miss the biggest trolled-round-feed versus
elk I ever got a shot at. That push-feed, especially in rifles
was my fault, not the rifle’s. Boddington used a Remington M700 BDL rebarreled to that might be used for dan-
Although it was heavy, I lugged .300 H&H to take his first desert bighorn in 2003. gerous game. I can assure
it on several mountain hunts, you most of this hullabaloo
including my first Marco Polo sheep hunt in ’98 and my second comes from right-handed shooters. Until fairly recently,
mountain nyala hunt in Ethiopia’s high country in 2000. That rifle we lefties have had almost no left-hand controlled-round-
was incredibly accurate, producing the best group I’ve ever shot, feed actions to choose from, and we’ve done just fine with
an honest .052 inch. Do the math—that’s one-twentieth of an inch! Browning A-Bolts, Savage 110s, Weatherby Mark Vs, and, of
In full disclosure, that was just one group out of many. I suppose course, Remington Model 700s. The Model 700 feeds with
it was a fluke, since I could never come close to duplicating it, but perfect reliability, and although I’m not quite sure why this is
I could count on that rifle to group between a quarter- and a half- important in a sporting rifle, it feeds upside down and sideways
inch, so of course I had great confidence in it and used it a lot. just as well as a ’98 Mauser. Try it and you’ll see!

A p r i l - M A y 2 0 1 6 | P E T E R S E N S H U N T i N G . C O M 29
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
CRAIG BODDINGTON

Alaska Brown Bear


Large and in charge—all you need
to know about the brown giant.

Donna Boddington took this 10-foot bear on Admiralty


Island with guide Alisha Rosenbruch-Decker (left).
That’s a big bear anywhere, but unusually large in
the “ABC Islands” and Southeast Alaska.

T
BEST he sight of any fresh bear track is
likely to send shivers up one’s
California grizzly is believed to have been bigger.
Just how big is a matter for some conjecture. As
HUNTING spine, but when you see the foot- with all bears, spring and fall weights vary con-
OPPORTUNITIES long track of a coastal brown bear, siderably…references suggest 800 to 1200 pounds,
Kodiak Island and the your imagination goes to work. with outsized boars occasionally reaching 1,500
Alaska Peninsula are Add in a freshly caught salmon, pounds. That’s a lot of bear!
the most famous still flopping and hastily abandoned, and suddenly A big bear may approach 10 feet from nose to
areas for the biggest
the dense alders seem a lot more sinister. You are tail and stand nearly five feet at the shoulder. The
brown bears, but
current populations in the presence of giants—and you’re on their turf. standard hunter’s reference for bear size is usu-
are high and there are Although numerous worldwide subspecies ally the “squared hide.” This is done by laying a
big bears throughout and races are identified, there is just one brown fresh skin out flat and measuring nose-to-tail,
the range. Realisti- bear: the long-clawed, dish-faced Ursus arctos, then front paw to front paw (usually the larger
cally, coastal brown ranging in the Northern Hemisphere from the measurement). These numbers are added and
bear hunting is much Pyrenees of Spain discontinuously eastward to then divided by two. Depending on where one is
more successful than western Canada and our Northern Rockies. Size hunting, an eight-foot bear may be good, and a
hunting interior
varies regionally, depending largely on diet and nine-foot bear is always good, but a few bears
grizzlies, but Alaska is
Alaska, so it’s always
length of hibernation. Biologically, the grizzly bear “squaring 10 feet” are taken every year, and once
a matter of having and the brown bear are the same animal, but the in a while a genuine 11-footer pops up.
some luck with the coastal bears are blessed with a high-protein fish Since hide measurements are impossible to
weather. Aside from diet much of the year and, thanks to the warm verify, all record book systems use skull measure-
area, the next Japanese current, enjoy a milder climate and ments, length plus width. Although irrefutable,
question is spring or shorter winter’s nap. skull size does not always match body size, but a
fall? Both have their As hunters, we have always distinguished the skull in the upper 20s is big, with the Boone and
advantages, but coastal “Alaska brown bear” from the interior Crockett minimum for the all-time book a whop-
although my best bear
grizzly simply because they get a whole lot bigger. ping 29 inches. Long a popular campfire argument,
was taken in the fall,
spring seems to offer In fact, the Alaska brown bear is considered the it isn’t clear whether the polar or the Alaska brown
more consistent largest grizzly/brown bear in the world. That said, is the largest bear. The polar bear is rangier, while
weather, and the long the coastal brown bears of Russia’s Kamchatka the Alaska brown is probably heavier. Largest
daylight is a plus. Peninsula are only slightly smaller, and the extinct recorded skull sizes are very similar.

30 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
speci e s spotlight

BRoWN
BeAR
FActs
POPULATION
Since no official agency
differentiates between
coastal brown bear
and adjacent interior
grizzly populations, it’s
tough to tell the exact
number. Nor should
they,because one day
a bear is a grizzly,
the next day he steps
across the boundary and
is a brown bear. World-
wide, there are some
200,000 brown/grizzly
The front foot of the Alaska brown bear bears; the Alaskan
carries claws like four-inch stilettos. The hind population is estimated
foot, longer with shorter claws, leaves a at 32,000. Because of
track that may be a foot long. better food conditions,
the coastal and island
populations are denser
so on average, sows will mate only about every than in the interior, so
three years. The average litter is two, but the there are probably at
normal range is one to three cubs, with more least 15,000 Alaska
possible in good years. Females are sexually brown bears.
mature between four and eight years, males
between five and nine. While obviously a slow-
MOST
The brown bear is hunted primarily by glassing breeding animal, the brown bear has a long life EXPENSIVE
or, in thicker cover, spot-and-stalk techniques. span. In the wild, 25 years is normal; a big boar HUNTS
Although baiting is not allowed, it isn’t uncommon I took back in 1981 was aged, by tooth section, The famous areas,
Kodiak Island and the
to find a bear on a moose kill, which it will usu- at 27. Females tend to live longer, with sows Alaska Peninsula, are
ally defend. By any means, this is an exciting hunt occasionally reaching 30 and more. hunted by quota, with
with at least a hint of danger, and the Alaska brown Like many predatory species, male bears prac- the Peninsula hunted
bear is a magnificent creature, rating placement tice infanticide, theoretically to bring the mother only every other year.
on any short list of the world’s great game animals. into heat more quickly. Male bears are thus a
I have been fortunate to hunt them several times, major factor in cub mortality, but otherwise, the LEAST
both spring and fall, and although I wasn’t always brown bear has little danger from other predators. EXPENSIVE
successful, I count each brown bear hunt among The boar plays no role in raising cubs, but sows HUNTS
my favorite hunting memories. are highly protective of their young. As far as For nonresidents there
danger to humans, bears attack for three are no “cheap” brown
NATURAL HISTORY primary reasons: territorial intrusion (meaning bear hunts, but hunts
in Southeast Alaska
Although we consider the Alaska brown bear you got too close), defense (usually meaning you
and the “ABC Islands”
together with the polar bear as the world’s largest got too close to or between a sow with cubs), and average less than
predators, technically the Alaska brown bear is an predation (meaning you are going to get eaten). on Kodiak and the
omnivore. They are hard on moose populations This last is clearly the most ominous and, fortu- Peninsula. Although
and, if they plan ahead, probably look forward to nately, least common—but over the years several the reputation is for
the annual salmon run. However, they also feed deer hunters have been jumped while calling, so smaller bears, the actual
on grass, tubers, and berries in the autumn months. it’s not a good idea to hunt alone in bear country. average is similar, and
there are big bears
The primary mating season is late May and Others have been attacked while packing meat, there. My wife, Donna,
June, but only a percentage of sows are available and others have been harassed at random. In big took an honest 10-
in any given year. Cubs, born during hibernation, bear country, stay alert, avoid presenting a target, footer on Admiralty
will stay with the mother from two to four years, and carry bear spray. Island in 2013.

32 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
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DAVID DRAPER

The Lost Art


Of Sausage Making
Making sausage takes skill —
but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult.

Tess Rousey
T
ubed meat gets a bad rap. Consider the much-
maligned hot dog and its vile reputation as the
endgame for pig lips and ani. The truth is, the
craft of turning ground meat into a sublime Another ingredient that can’t be skimped on is some type
sausage is high art, even when it comes to the of fat, and that goes double for sausages made from otherwise
lowly wiener. And while it may be art, making lean game meat. We all know fat adds flavor, but it’s also es-
sausage is not difficult. With a little equipment and some basic sential for creating the proper texture. The No. 1 complaint
knowledge, hunters can turn deer, elk, and other venison into when it comes to sausage made from deer is that it is often too
something so much more than the usual steaks and burgers. dry, and biting into a game sausage without enough fat added
First, let’s tackle the misconception that sausage is made will feel a lot like getting a mouthful of sand. To prevent that,
from suspect ingredients. Like any worthwhile endeavor, you plan on adding as much as 30 percent fat, which can come in
get out what you put in—or put more simply: quality in equals the form of ground pork fat, beef tallow, or even bacon.
quality out. While sausage is a great use for butcher scraps and There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of different types
tougher cuts like shoulders and the neck, it pays dividends to of sausages from around the world, but they all fall into one of
trim judiciously, removing any bloodshot material, stringy three categories: fresh (think loose breakfast sausage or links of
sinew, or otherwise poor or damaged meat. As for the deer’s Italian sausage), smoked, or dry-cured (generally in the form of
intake and output ports? Best leave them for the dogs. hard salami). The borders between these types are often blurred,
especially the line between smoked and cured, but there are a
couple rules. Fresh sausage, either cased or loose, is left uncooked
until it comes time to prepare it for the table. Dried sausages
are always made with some type of curing agent, generally a
variation of sodium nitrate, to prevent bacteria growth during
the weeks (or months or years) it takes them to cure.
There is a singular rule covering all types of sausages, and
that’s keeping everything cold. Abundant fat and the pri-
mary bind (more on this later) are essential to creating the
perfect sausage, and each of these elements is threatened
when the meat temperature gets too warm. The slightest
amount of heat during the sausage-making process will cause
the proteins and fats to separate. This is called breaking, and
it results in a sausage that will dry out when cooked or cured.
To prevent it, place the meat—along with the grinder throat,
auger, and blade—in the freezer for 30 minutes before grind-
ing. It also helps to grind the meat into a bowl placed inside
Tess Rousey

another bowl or tub filled with ice.

34 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
Once the meat and fat are ground and the seasonings add-
ed, it’s time to mix everything together. This seems like a sim- INGREDIENTS 1 tsp. black pepper
ple step, but it’s actually one of the most important—right up 3 lbs. venison, cubed ½ tsp. allspice
there with keeping your ingredients cold. Mixing is more than 2 lbs. pork shoulder, ½ tsp. nutmeg
just incorporating the ingredients; it also creates what is called cubed ¼ cup dry milk
the primary bind, a complex network of proteins that holds 3 tbs. kosher salt powder
the meat together during the cooking and curing process. You’ll 1 tbs. onion powder ½ cup diced jalapeños
know you’ve achieved a primary bind when the sausage mix 1 tbs. paprika 1 cup ice water
becomes sticky to the touch and has a shaggy appearance.
While some sausage can be left loose, it’s when the meat
is stuffed into a casing that it transcends mere burgers. There
are a number of casing types available, but natural—those VENISON JALAPEÑO COUNTRY SAUSAGE
made from (cleaned and sterilized) animal intestines—are by Combine the venison and pork cubes in a large tub. Whisk the
far superior, with that distinctive snap they make when you dry ingredients together and distribute evenly over meat.
Mix thoroughly.
bite into them. The style of casing will also depend on the
sausage. Whichever you choose, be sure to prep them accord- Grind the meat through the grinder’s wide or coarse plate.
Run half the ground meat back through the grinder’s fine plate.
ing to their directions, including soaking them in warm water
Add the diced jalapeños and half the ice water to all the
for at least 30 minutes. Also, keep everything wet—the stuffer ground sausage. With a mixer (or your hands), mix thor-
tube, the counter, your hands—to ease the stuffing process oughly until the sausage starts getting sticky and forms the
and reduce the chance of blowouts. Getting it just right takes primary bind. If necessary, add more water, a little at a time
some skill, but with practice you’ll be creating perfectly stuffed until a fistful of meat squeezes through your fingers.
links in no time. Stuff into hog casings and twist into either 6-inch links or
These steps may seem basic, and to some extent, they are. 12-inch loops.
There’s a bit more to it, such as the blend of seasonings and salt, Hang or place on drying racks in refrigerator overnight to dry
and to let flavors develop.
but at its core, sausage making is simple, even if what comes

Tess Rousey
out is not. Like any type of cooking, creating sausage is partly To cook, sauté or grill over medium-high heat until well-browned,
but not bursting, until the internal temperature reads 155˚.
alchemy, where meat, fat, and flavor all come together to create
something so much greater than the sum of its parts.

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WHITETAILS
JEFF JOHNSTON

When Should
Hunters Shoot Does?
Shooting does is encouraged by state game
departments and trendy among hunters.
But should it be?

R
ecently, I’ve heard several well-intended friends Also, where the buck-to-doe ratio is in balance, more does will
proclaim I should take a bunch of does off my breed on the first estrous cycle, which produces a consistent fawn
hunting property. Weird thing is, they said it birthing period. This consistent “fawn drop” allows those fawns
without ever having seen my property. When a greater survival rate because predators have a brief surplus of
pressed, one buddy admitted he didn’t have food. After a couple of weeks, when the predators are looking for
a clue how many deer I had, the property’s food again, fawns are stronger and more capable of escape. And
carrying capacity, or even how a robust doe harvest might higher fawn survival rate means more bucks will survive.
help the hunting. All this means that in
It seemed he’d watched places where there is a sur-
too many hunting shows. plus of deer—or more deer
Fact is, whitetail popula- than the land can carry for
tions are leveling out in some optimal health of both the
areas and even falling below herd and habitat—often
what professional game man- hunters can improve their
agers consider ideal in others. land’s trophy potential by
In these areas, harvesting taking more does. The trick
does is detrimental to the is knowing if your hunting
herd and to hunting. property has a surplus or a
In this column I’ll explain shortage of deer.
the impact doe harvests have Brian Murphy is a wildlife
on habitat and how to tell the biologist and the CEO of the
difference between proper- Quality Deer Management
ties that need deer reduction Association (QDMA). He’s
and those that don’t.
Sometimes harvesting does is
THE SCIENCE OF detrimental to your property—
SHOOTING DOES but knowing when to pull the
Taking does controls impact trigger is the question.
on habitat more so than tak-
ing bucks because each doe one of the world’s foremost
killed also eliminates the experts on whitetails, white-
potential to produce future tail habitat, and how the two
deer. Conversely, taking a relate to hunting. While a
buck eliminates only that by-product of the group’s
deer and not necessarily mission is older bucks with
potential offspring because larger antlers, it’s not its pri-
other bucks will breed in its place. Doe harvesting helps balance mary goal. Rather, its goal is to promote a healthy deer herd
the buck-to-doe ratio, which makes it easier to hunt trophy by way of regulated hunting.
bucks. This is because bucks must work harder and travel more For the last 25 years, most of America has been in a surplus
to find a mate in areas with less does. deer situation wherein the habitat in many regions could not

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W h i t e ta i l s

carry many more deer without negative “We are in a new era of antlerless southern Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, and
consequences. Therefore, QDMA harvest,” Murphy says. “It used to be Nebraska. Some of those areas docu-
stressed a simple, win-win situation for that the ‘shoot every doe you can and mented the first long-term deer declines
deer and hunters, and that was to take three more’ was the right method, but in decades. “Some harvests were down
does and protect young bucks. Harvest- now it’s not for some areas.” Particu- 49 percent over the last decade.”
ing female deer decreases the population, larly the Midwest. So hunters and agencies in those ar-
while satisfying hunters by increasing “Factors such as designed overhar- eas, and potentially others, must adjust.
the nutritional value of the land and the vest, predation, two severe disease Obviously, state game managers have
age at which bucks are harvested, there- outbreaks, severe winters, and habitat the resources to conduct local herd stud-
fore increasing its trophy buck potential. loss of CRP acreage combined to ham- ies, but how does the average hunter
However, the times, at least in some mer deer herds,” Murphy says. Some of know if the herd he’s hunting is healthy
areas, are changing. the most severely hit regions were or if he should or shouldn’t take does?
“Deer are good barometers of the
habitat,” Murphy says. “If deer are eating
well, it means the habitat can support
them, and so you probably don’t need to
shoot a bunch of does.”
So how do you tell if the deer are eat-
ing like kings and queens?
“Simple,” he says. “After harvesting deer,
weigh them. Then age them [via its teeth
or a professional.] Call your state game
office and see how the weight compares
to same-aged deer in the area. [For max-
imum herd health and trophy potential]
you want your deer in the top 10 percent
of the weight range.” If so, it means the
deer are eating well and healthy. Assum-
ing age and genetics are adequate, this
area will produce big antlers.
Murphy also suggests an easier,
albeit less scientific, way for hunters
to know if they should take more does
on their hunting property.
“If you’re seeing multiple deer every
time you go out, then you probably need
to shoot some does. If you are seeing zero
deer in three or four trips, be cautious
about shooting does.”
Pay attention to the number of fawns
per doe that make it into the fall hunting
season. “When running trail cams, note
the average fawn number per adult doe,”
Murphy says. “Ideally, there should be
one fawn per doe. If you only see one
fawn for every two to three adult does,
your deer numbers may be down.
“On the other hand, some people in
many areas should still be aggressively
shooting does. Look at the property. It may
need a sledge hammer, it may need a tack
hammer, or it may need no hammer at all.”
In most cases, shooting or not shoot-
ing a couple does for the freezer isn’t
going to disrupt any overall manage-
ment goals. But hunters should know
their property and the health of its herd
before mowing down a bunch of does
just because it’s en vogue.
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| WHEN BRIGHTNESS COUNTS™


CASTA a group of stranded hunters discovers hunting for survival
is far different than hunting for sport.

SIMON K. BARR
IMAGES by
TWEED MEDIA

PAG E

044 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
AWAY!
Cold, biting wind whipped across my face as I sat huddled in pitch-blackness, arms
wrapped tightly around my body, fighting for warmth. Rain poured sideways into our
makeshift shelter, hitting exposed skin with stinging force. A ripping noise echoed down
the shelter—our makeshift roof made from an abandoned tarpaulin had just broken
loose, exposing us to the elements.

as Hurricane Joaquin hit the island with his full brutality,


one thought came to mind: I hope we survive the night.

46 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
Waves splashed around “The Verle Anne,” that our five-star luxury was a cruel tease white sandy beaches, rolling meadows,
a leftover landing craft from the Falklands and we would soon be starving and learn- and gargantuan volcanic rocks.
War. The well-trodden vessel rocked back ing to survive against the elements with Once our small group had been depos-
and forth as it made its way to the private all odds stacked against us. ited on the rocky shoreline, the organizers
Isle of Taransay—an uninhabited island There’s something quite magical revealed the true nature of the trip. We
off the western coast of Scotland. I raised about hunting on an uninhabited island were participating in a social experiment.
my camera to capture the moment shared on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. We were now marooned on the island for
with six other hunters—all of us unaware Something that awakens a primal sense three days and two nights with just the
of what lie ahead once we reached shore. of raw adventure. Dotted across the clothes we were wearing, a knife, and our
Beginning our journey on the nearby Scottish shoreline are around 140 un- rifles. No tents. No sleeping bags. If we
Isle of Harris in five-star luxury—marbled inhabited islands in total, but only one, wanted shelter, we would have to make
bathrooms, Egyptian cotton sheets, and Taransay, boasts a resident herd of red it. If we wanted to eat, we had to hunt.
a five-course meal—all six of us were deer. The 3,500-acre island has a popu- It was also revealed that one of my
under the impression that our journey lation of approximately 50 stags, 100 fellow hunters was not a hunter at all—
to the neighboring isle was to partake in hinds ( females), and 40 calves. The he was one of the world’s leading sur-
a hunt for red stag. Little did we know bleak, treeless island is pristine, with vival experts, Conrad Allen.
after five grueling hours of swirling wind and bad fortune,
the hunting party would return empty-handed once more.
Spirits were low.

48 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
The group set out combing the isle for
vessels for drinking water, items to fashion
a shelter from, and a suitable place for our
base camp. With the tail end of Hurricane
Joaquin set to hit the island in a matter
of hours, we had no time to waste. After
combing the beach’s rich spoils of flotsam
and jetsam, we had enough driftwood to
make a fire, some tarpaulin to make a
basic shelter, and an old biscuit tin to use
as a makeshift pot for boiling water.
Three hunters were assigned to hunt-
ing duty and set out to bag the first
night’s meal. The three hunted until the
very last glimmer of light had disap-
peared, but it was in vain. The deer were
pre-rut and extremely skittish, meaning
venison was off the menu. None of us
had ever felt so deflated. Then again,
never before had our lives and well-being
depended on our ability to hunt.
That night Hurricane Joaquin pushed
storm-force winds over the island at
speeds of 75 miles per hour. The rain
lashed sideways into our makeshift shel-
ter for hours on end. Our tarpaulin “roof ”
broke free of its main tether, leaving it to
blow freely, roaring inches above with
the sound of a jet engine. With no light,
there was no chance to rescue the shel-
ter. We were at the total mercy of the
weather. None of us had experienced raw
elements like this before, and in honesty,
we were all frightened, exhausted, and
hungry. All we could do was grit our teeth
and get through it—one hour at a time.
We awoke on day two to a base
camp that looked like a refugee camp
post-avalanche of Himalayan propor-
tions. Nevertheless, a new day brought
renewed hope. Another hunting party
set out to find well-needed protein,
while the remainder of the group start-
ed a fire and began scavenging the
shoreline for anything edible.
Today’s mission was simple: Kill a deer
so the group could eat. Weak and tired,
this was not going to be an easy task.
Back at camp, a make-do breakfast
was coming together. Limpets, small
crabs, and seaweed were soon being boiled
into a broth. Its color, described only as
ditch water, did not put off the desperate
hunters as they quaffed something warm
for the first time in a day and a half.
After five grueling hours of swirling
wind and bad fortune, the hunting party
would return empty-handed once more.
Spirits were low.
the stag ran 20 yards, slowed, and fell with a crash to the ground.
Julien looked at me with a tear in his eye.

A
A boost to our morale was needed, so
Conrad moved us to a derelict fisherman’s
shack. The shack was a dilapidated ruin
with half the roof missing. Even so, the
thick stone walls would act as a wind-
break and offer better protection against
Mother Nature.
By the time we arrived at the shack,
the light was beginning to fade. Yet again,
the hunting team drew a blank, but there
As dawn approached, the sounds of
roaring red deer met our ears as we left
the shelter of the shack. It was an atmo-
spheric moment. Settling into position,
the light revealed a large herd of reds,
and corralling them was a lone stag. We
were only 150 yards from him, and his
roars sent shivers down our spines, his
breath catching the early morning light.
Julien unfolded the bipod and posi-
finally bringing home the meat to the team
was overwhelming. Cheers and screams
of joy erupted from the shack behind us.
Unbeknown, the rest of the group had
been watching the spectacle unfold.
Sharing in the gutting and butchering
of the animal we had all in someway
worked for, we cooked it over a driftwood
fire on the beach. So hungry, I ate some
of the venison raw.
was renewed optimism for the new area tioned his rifle. He waited until the stag Instead of hunting for a trophy or herd
as a large group of stags was seen at last was perfectly broadside before squeezing management, we had been hunting as a
light in close proximity to the shack. It off. The stag ran 20 yards, slowed, and necessity—surviving the cruel elements
was decided by committee that before fell with a crash to the ground. Julien with nothing more than what we had on
first light, French hunter Julien Gingembre looked at me with a tear in his eye. our backs. In moments of need, human
would get into position on the dunes As a man, it is a strange thing to see mentality can be tested, tried, and pushed
above where the stags were last seen another grown man cry, but in this cir- to the breaking point. We had overcome
and spring an ambush. cumstance, it felt right. The emotion of all in the brutal Scottish wilderness.

50 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
A yA y 2 02 10 61 6 | | P EP TE ET RE RS SE EN NS SH HU UN NT Ti iN NG G. .C CO OMM
A pA rp ir li -l M- M 51
1 START A FIRE
WHEN IT’S WET
The toughest time to start a fire is when
you need it most. Break away wet layers
of dead wood to expose the dry chunks
underneath. Pull dead branches off
trees rather than picking them up from
the soaked ground. Gather all the fuel
you need before you try to light any-
thing. If you have a butane stove in your
pack, use it like a blowtorch to get
things started. —KW

2 USE A COMPASS
A compass only does one thing: It points
north. Unless you’re heading north, you
don’t follow the needle. Use the compass
to orient yourself and pick a spot on the
horizon in the direction that you want to
travel. Walk directly to that spot and reori-
ent with the compass. Pick your next spot
and keep repeating the process until you
get to where you need to be. —KW

PAG E

052
MUST
LEARN
DIY
CRAIG BODDINGTON
DAVID DRAPER
JOSEPH VON BENEDIKT
KEITH WOOD

SKILLS
THE QUEST TO become an expert
hunter is a path of learning that never
really has an end. It’s not about the
number of animals killed or the variety
of game or places hunted, but how you
handle yourself afield. To master the
hunter’s art, a certain amount of bush
craft needs to be learned along the way.
Some call it DIY skills, others simply
call it woodsmanship, but regardless of
nomenclature, these 20 essential skills
will separate the greenhorns from the
nimrods, will make you more effective
afield, and a few of them will even keep
you alive when the chips are down.

ILLUSTRATED by

JOE MAHLER
20
MUST
LEARN
DIY
SKILLS

3 LOAD A PACK FOR


A BACKCOUNTRY HUNT
Save your back with a properly loaded
pack. Stuff soft, lightweight items—
sleeping bag, tent, pillow—in the bottom.
Keep heavier items centered and near
your spine. This is where a stove, food,
and field-dressing tools can go. Pack
extra clothing around the sides. Up top
goes ready-access gear like rainwear,
maps, and lunch. Keep optics and small
essentials in exterior pockets where you
can access them easily. —DD

5 GET PERMISSION
FROM A LANDOWNER
Be honorable, but pull out all the stops.
Be a man and look the landowner in
the eye, but don’t be afraid to use your
cute kid or charming bride for all they’re
worth. When striving for permission,

4
a teen or woman with a tag can be the
SHARPEN A HATCHET golden ticket— farmers like helping
From busting an elk’s pelvis to building the young and tender as much as they
a shelter, a sharp hatchet is a handy despise being used by hardened vultures
tool in your kit. Repairing a damaged in orange. The proper thing is to ask
head requires a file, but honing can early, and if in an area where trespass
be done with a whetstone. Hold the fees are common, offer up front to pay.
hatchet firmly. Spit on the stone or dab And if you proffer a pie, it had better
it with a little oil. Starting on one cor- be homemade. —JvB
ner, work the whetstone in a circular
motion along one side of the edge to
the opposite corner. Repeat on both
sides of the blade until your hatchet is
shaving sharp. —DD
6 HOW TO MAKE A LONG SHOT
You can’t always get as close to an animal
as you’d like. If you’re going to shoot at
distance, you’ll need a solid rest, a grasp
of wind, and knowledge of your bullet’s
trajectory. Pick a spot and don’t shoot at
the whole animal. Don’t fight the trem-
bling crosshairs. Shoot at the natural
pause after you exhale. Trigger control
is everything. Pre-hunt practice is the
key to success. —KW

7 QUARTER AN ELK
It’s miles from the nearest road, you’re
alone, and there’s a massive bull elk at
your feet. What now?
Quarter that critter up and pack it
out, preferably on a horse. But if you
must rely on your back, the key is to cut
carryable pieces, boning to reduce
weight if necessary.
the ribs and keep slicing. That whole
quarter will peel up and off in short order.
Skin it off first if it’s hot, leave the hide if
it’s cold and you forgot the meat sacks.
Rear quarters are harder. Cut deep
along the backbone and around the
pelvis and hips. Prop a heavy elk leg on
your shoulder and slash between the
Start up front, lifting the leg and cut- legs, following bone and cutting the
ting through the “armpit.” Stay close to quarter free until you find the ball joint.
Heave the leg high and gnaw through the
exposed joint with your knife. Dead lift
the meat to a shady spot and get started
on the backstraps and tenderloins. —JvB
20 MUST
LEARN
DIY
SKILLS

8 RESIGHT A RIFLE
IN THE FIELD
Hunt deep wilderness and you will fall
on your riflescope. Or drop it. Or have
a horse fall on it. Any of these mishaps
will knock your zero off. But with suf-
ficient cartridges and small tools,
disaster can be averted.
Go prone with a rest and fire at a
paper plate or a spot on a wide, clean tree
trunk. Fire three shots, minimum. Then

10
hold solidly on your target’s center and
have a buddy dial your scope’s turrets,
moving the crosshairs to the three-shot PROTECT A RIFLE
group. Fire three more to confirm. Repeat You never know what Mother Nature
for perfection. —JvB has in store on a hunt, so protect your
rifle for the worst case. Remove the
stock and cover all of the metal parts
but the trigger with a synthetic oil such
as Corrosion-X. Flush the trigger with

9
lighter fluid. Treat any raw wood in the
FIND A SHOOTING REST...FAST! inletting with sealer and cover the bar-
Sometimes you have time to pile up rel with a piece of electrical tape (the
packs and replicate a benchrest. Other tape won’t affect your shot). —KW
times you must get steady fast. While
hunting, you’re always looking for game
…but also look for rocks, trees, or any-
thing you can take a rest over if a shot is
offered. At the range, get away from the
bench and practice using horizontal and
vertical objects to steady your rifle. The
only rule: Never rest your barrel against
a solid object! —CB

56 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
20 MUST
LEARN
DIY
SKILLS

11 TIE A BOWLINE
The handiest knot in a woodsman’s
repertoire is also the easiest to tie. Form
a small eye in the rope, leaving enough
tag end to make a loop around what-
ever you’re securing. Pass the tag end
through the eye from underneath and
around the standing line before coming
back through the eye. The resulting knot
won’t jam or slip—a fixed loop perfect
for securing loads to a tree, post, or
other lashing point. —DD

12 SHOOT A RECURVE
Compound bows are accurate because
they are machines. Consistent. To suc-
cessfully fling sticks through rib cages
with a recurve, your body must become
the machine.
Great traditional bowshooting requires
a posture almost like that of a boxer. With
slightly bent knees and stooped shoulders,
13 TOOK A FALL,
SCOPE IS BROKEN!
No worries; you’ve got iron sights and the
tool to remove your scope. Neglected in
this era of scopes, iron sights are a good
backup and are superior to scopes in hard
rain or snow and some close-range situ-
ations. Practice with them on the range
draw the bowstring to a consistent spot,
and make sure they’re zeroed. To adjust,
anchoring with a fingertip in the corner
move the rear sight in the direction you
of your mouth, bow canted away from
want the bullet strike to move, opposite
the arrow. Focus hard on a target like a
if the adjustment is in the front sight. —CB
specific tuft of hair or feather, relax your
fingers on the bowstring while pulling
rearward, and ride that arrow all the way
to the kill. —JvB

58 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
STRYKER KATANA 385

NEVER COMPROMISE

@strykercrossbows www.strykerxbow.com
© Bowtech, Inc. 2016. All rights reserved. Stryker is a trademark of Bowtech, Inc.
20 MUST
LEARN
DIY
SKILLS

14 BUILD A KEYHOLE FIRE


Cooking over open flame results in
black pots and burnt steaks. A proper
cooking fire delivers controlled heat,
with a constant flame to provide a
steady supply of hot coals. Build a fire
ring in the shape of a keyhole. Start a
fire in the round section of the ring,
fueling it with hardwood. As the wood
burns, rake the hot coals to the bottom
of the keyhole, where a grate or rocks
can support a skillet. —DD

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15 TREAT A BLISTER
City folk let a blister be, claiming
that fluids inside promote healing. In
the field, hiking on watery bubbles
16 PURIFY WATER
Contemplating drinking from a
stream? Bad idea. Even high mountain
streams can contain Giardia, which
17 READ A TOPO MAP
In these days of GPS, reading a
map and compass is almost a lost art.
But there are times when there is no
causes them to burst, leaving a raw, can ruin your trip. Bring a pot of water substitute. Lay out your map with your
open sore. Sterilize a needle in flame to a hard, rolling boil and keep it going compass and orient them together…
or alcohol and pierce at least a quarter for at least five minutes. Remove the understand the scale of the map (usu-
inch away from the edge of the blister. water from the heat and let it cool ally either 1:25000 or 1:50000, the latter
Remove the needle and gently press, down. The water is now safe, but it may covering twice the area). Streams, draws,
working the fluid down the tunnel and taste flat due to the lack of oxygen, so fingers, and ridges will tell you where you
out. Medicate with Neosporin, pad with shake it up inside your water bottle to are; contour lines, giving elevation and
moleskin, and hike on, brother. —JvB restore flavor. —KW pitch, will show the easiest routes. —CB

18 SAFELY SLING
YOUR RIFLE
A slung rifle with a cartridge in the
chamber is a bad idea. If you need it
19 JUDGE A MULEY
BUCK ON THE HOOF
When a mule deer is jumped and going
away, it’s a bad time to make a snap judg-
20 SECURE A TENT
ABOVE TIMBERLINE
The wind always blows on top of the
mountain, but often it’s the best place to
quickly, you’re unlikely to get it off your ment call. Muleys often look bigger when hunt. Pitch an alpine tent by finding a spot
shoulder for a fast shot anyway. When they are walking away. Wait until he stops on the leeside of a boulder or cliff or any-
slung, many safeties can be rubbed into and gives you a look at all sides. Try to where the wind is reduced. Loop short
the “fire” position, and the muzzle is out count points, look at mass, fork depth, cords around four fist-sized rocks and tie
of control if you fall. Carry the rifle with symmetry, and height. As a general rule, one to each corner of the tent. Pile bigger
a cleared chamber when slung, only a mule deer’s ears are 22 to 24 inches rocks over the small rocks until the tent
fully loading when the rifle is in your wide, which comes in handy for figuring is secure. Do the same for the guylines and
hands and ready for use. —CB overall rack width and height. —CB sleep dreaming of full-curl rams. —DD

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ROCKY JOSEPH VON BENEDIKT

MOUNTAIN

HIGH FOR AN ELK ADDICT, NOTHING IS QUITE SO


RIGHT AS STALKING A MASSIVE NON-TYPICAL
BULL IN HEAVY TIMBER.

I’M PRETTY SURE the old non-typical Let me tell you: Nothing stops your
bull had seen, heard, and smelled me— heart quite like a sure-enough giant bull
and I’d been in the woods long enough elk flushing like a quail right in front of you,
that the latter must have been quite a unthinkably massive rack bobbing with
jolt. Still, he’d had the fortitude to lie every powerful leap. The bull was moving
down in a jumble of boulders and thick like a racehorse by his third jump, and
quaking aspen trees and hold tight as a worst of all, directly beyond him, some 100
canny old whitetail buck until I almost yards distant, stood Aram, my brother, and
stepped on him. good friend Wes Hogan. I couldn’t shoot.

PAG E

062 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A P R I L - M A Y 2 0 1 6
NOT
THE RIFLE
This hunt was very personal, and I wanted
to use a rifle that I really love—not to
mention one that I’m intimately familiar
with. Building the kind of rapport that I
frame was more compact and his mass have with my Kimber 8400 in .300 Win.
less, had shockingly long extra inline tines Mag. is rare indeed.
that we believed would push his gross
score to that magical 400-inch mark. The I shot my first six-point bull elk with it,
other was wider and heavier, and although after almost two decades of hunting
we nominally agreed he was “No. 2,” my elk. Later, I made other adjustments,
unspoken inner voice preferred him. We including having Turnbull Restoration
figured he’d gross about 385—still huge— color-caseharden the metal and refin-
at first, anyway. As it tends to do under and, well, score isn’t everything. ish the stock, after which I took it to
sensory overload, my vision tunneled and I had never seen the first bull prior Africa, where I made 13 one-shot kills on
my brain went into slow motion. By the to that day, but I had seen trail camera plains game (you can read about my free-
time my field of fire cleared and it was photos of the heavier, wider bull. We knew range kudu hunt in the Oct. 2015 issue
safe to shoot, the bull was some 50 to 60 him as the “backscratcher” bull, courtesy of Hunting). It shoots Federal Premium’s
yards distant, circling me, now just a of the unique configuration of his antlers. 180-grain Trophy Bonded Tip bullet—a
flicker through the thick aspen trees. Even as elk go, this bull was an extreme solid-shanked, polymer tipped bullet with
The crosshairs of my Zeiss closed as he nomad, having crisscrossed the unit at a lead frontal core bonded into the heavy
flashed through a 10-foot gap, and the least twice that summer alone. jacket—into consistently tiny groups.
troll in the back of my mind berated As a result, several hunters and guides
Mounted with a Zeiss Victory Diavari
me for missing the opportunity. But my had trail camera photos of him from loca-
FL, I can confidently hit elk-vital-size
peripheral vision and subconscious must tions spread across an estimated 15-mile
steel targets out beyond 600 yards by
have been tracking upcoming shooting swath. Hogan—my next-door neighbor
simply setting the magnification ring at
lanes. I have no memory of gluing the and good friend—had two years’ worth
my witness mark to regulate the ballis-
crosshairs on the bull and no memory of of images that he’d showed me as soon
tic reticle with my load’s trajector, and
pressing the trigger, but suddenly, the .300 as he heard I’d drawn (after swearing me
holding over with the appropriate hash
Win. Mag. Kimber cracked, my mind to silence, naturally). Hogan considered
mark. No turret dialing needed.
recorded an image of the reticle centered the huge-bodied, solitary bull one of the
on the bull’s shoulder, and the old mon- oldest and smartest on the mountain.
arch folded like a well-shot pheasant and Rumor had it that the Governor’s Tag
crashed to the forest floor and out of sight. holder and a hunter who had paid $64,000
Throwing a fresh cartridge into for an auction tag were after him, and
the chamber, I engaged the safety and guides and scouts were scouring his last
sprinted forward. Unsure of exactly known location in an attempt to find him.
where my bullet had impacted, I was Characteristically, the huge non-typical
afraid that the bull might get up. had moved again—several miles. It was
Seventeen years earlier, I’d begun by pure chance that my brother and I
applying for a trophy bull elk tag for my found him just before the hunt.
home unit in southern Utah. And while It went without saying that the like-
the bonus points I had built sounds like a lihood of actually finding either bull
lot, I’d still beat considerable odds to draw. again was as remote as a mother-in-
With several mild winters and record law’s love. Unlike many trophy bull units
spring and summer rainfall, antler in Utah, the mountain range I’d drawn
growth was uncommonly good in 2015, isn’t open country, where a big bull,
notable even in a unit known for huge once found, can be glassed and watched
genetics coupled with difficult-to-hunt until hunting season opened. Rough,
terrain—a combination that tends to broken country, cloaked with quaking
make for obscenely big bulls. aspen, ponderosa, spruce, and scrub
Two days before opening morning, my oak, dictates that hunters stalk in to For shooting in thick timber, choose a
hard-hitting rifle and become infinitely
brother and I had found two such big get a look at a bugling bull, then back familiar with it. The success of your hunt
bulls, both non-typical. One, although his out to find another. Repeat as necessary will likely depend on your proficiency.

64 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
until a bull you can’t pass presents. It’s
tough, rigorous hunting, but filled with
close encounters and excitement.
The afternoon before the opener
was hot, really too hot for elk hunting.
We stuffed light sleeping bags into our
daypacks just in case we decided to
spike out and climb into the high coun-
try to find elk.
We found them, but they were quiet,
moving little and talking less. Fickle
breezes threatened to betray us, so we
backed out onto a ponderosa-crowned

SURFING WAVES OF ADRENALINE ,


I SLOWED AND APPROACHED, THE
EXCITEMENT JANGLING THROUGH ME

TURNING TO AWE
knob, praying the thermals would lift our
scent away from the few bulls bugling
around us, and bedded down, hoping
to gain an edge over hunters hiking in
the next morning.
Stars painted the sky, but the night
hardly cooled. We slept restlessly, waking
frequently to listen to the elk, mentally
walking with them through the night.
Hunter traffic and an enthusiastic
pack of coyotes muted the elk before
dawn, and daylight came as silent as a
tomb. Loading our gear on our backs, we
hiked higher, searching for elk, listening
for the unique bugle of the extra-tined
bull we’d found two days earlier.
An hour after dawn we listened from
a ridge top, trying to pick that bugle from
several. A juvenile-sounding squeal rang
out behind us on an aspen-covered point
downwind. I looked at Wes and my
brother and shrugged. “May as well check
it out,” Aram suggested. “It’s close. Let’s
rule it out and then go after the herd.”
Quaking aspen trees grew thick
around the point of the ridge. “I’ll go
alone,” I quipped. “You guys are too noisy.”
It felt hopeless. The morning breeze
cooled the back of my right ear, and I
was sure any elk ahead had scented me,
but I held to the left side of the ridge
and stalked in anyway. Nothing. I circled

A p r i l - M A y 2 0 1 6 | P E T E R S E N S H U N T i N G . C O M 65
AS THE LOW-COUNTRY DUSK DREW fold the running bull mid-
stride. Rifle ready, the cheers
of Aram and Wes ringing in
AROUND US THAT NIGHT, WE GROSS the abstract distance, I hus-
tled forward—if the bull
GREEN-SCORED THE ANTLERS AT wasn’t hit as well as I thought
and tried to get up, I wanted
A CONSERVATIVE
4/8”
401 4/8 to be there to prevent it.
There was no need. Surf-
ing waves of adrenaline, I
slowed and approached, the
excitement jangling through
the point, glassing the meadow and me turning to awe. Without doubt, the
timber below, now working back toward bull’s body was the biggest I’ve ever seen
the others. Nothing. on an elk—literally as big as a saddle
I lowered my rifle from my ready hold horse. Clearly, in trail camera images
and strode out, heading back toward my his antlers were diminished by the size
brother and Wes, no longer cautious. And of his body, causing us to underestimate
that’s when the huge old “backscratcher” how incredibly big they really were.
bull came up right under my feet. Heavy, gnarly, and long tined, his rack
In what was undoubtedly the best was encrusted with bark from the trees
shot of my life, I managed to thread the he’d been rubbing on, giving the antlers
needle through the thick quakies and a living, moss-like sheen in places.

66 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
800
We celebrated, gave thanks, and packhorses, and Wes and I set to cutting
relived the hunt and the shot, drawing up and caping the bull. Hours later, with
out the moment. With the brilliant the quarters, backstraps, neck meat, and
morning sun slanting through the loins bagged and laid on cool, shaded
latticework of aspens, the light was dif- boulders, we cut out the ivory teeth,
ficult for photography—a mashup of marveling at their size. The last of our
contrasting black shadows and brilliant water long since drunk, we lay in the
white trunks. Thankfully, I’d packed my marginal shade of aspen trunks and
big flash and wireless controller, and dozed until midafternoon.
we were able to use it to overcome the Elk meat belongs on horses, but I
harsh lighting and get good photos. INCHES OF BONE once saw a horrendous wreck involving
a big bull rack and a packhorse, and I
strapped my bull’s massive-antlered skull

Wallows tranquil all summer


quickly become savaged mudholes atop my daypack for the trek out. Before
as the rut kicks in. we set out, I notched the tag that took
me 17 years to draw, already flooded
Digital film is cheap, and after get- with memories.
ting trophy-type shots with the bull, I As the low-country dusk drew around
laid my rifle across the magnificent us that night, we gross green-scored the
antlers for photos and stared at my antlers at a conservative 401 4/8 inches.
trophy in appreciation. With the meat packed on ice in my
The warm day was getting warmer. big Pelican cooler, I hiked in to retrieve
Aram headed off the mountain to fetch my final trail camera, and the mountain
offered one last gift. A raspy bugle beck-
oned 50 yards off the trail, and through
A year before my hunt, my twin brother, thick deadfall I stalked the sound of the
Aram, drew a muzzleloader tag for the aspen saplings the bull was thrashing
same elk unit I did, and being a staunch with his antlers. Closing to less than 20
traditionalist, he chose to hunt with a yards, I could hear his breath rasping,
.54-caliber custom flintlock longrifle the aggressive thud of his footfalls, and
built by Steve Baxter—a Tennessee the gnaw of his antlers against bark, but
blacksmith legendary for his world- I couldn’t see him.
record shooting ability.
Aram’s chance came at the thin edge of
dark, in thick timber, and 65 yards away
from the far end of his flintlock stood a
400-plus bull. He held it together and

NOTHING
shot his home-cast, linen-patched round
ball through the top of the bull’s heart
THERE’S LIKE and both lungs.
CUTTING AND STRAPPING ON Later, it would officially gross score 402
0/8 inches, and net 385 1/8 Boone and
A TAG YOU WAITED Crockett non-typical, qualifying it for the
book. It’s the biggest bull on record ever

17 YEARS TO DRAW shot with a flintlock rifle and is the 18th


largest ever taken with a muzzleloader.
The statistical probability that I’d draw
the next year and end up shooting a com-
parable bull is, well, rather a statistical
impossibility. Even in the best of units,
a 400-inch elk is like a seven-foot man:
a genetic anomaly. Yet it happened.
Our buddy Wes Hogan said it best. As we
photographed the two bulls together, he
gave a low whistle and said...
“LOOK AT THAT! 800 INCHES OF BONE !”

A p r i l - M A y 2 0 1 6 | P E T E R S E N S H U N T i N G . C O M 67
Movement to the left caught my
eye as his cows cautiously stood up
some 30 yards distant, disturbed but
not sure why. As they moved away,
heavy, wide antler beams
rotated uncertainly and the Big, mature bull elk deserve a tough, designed-to-penetrate bullet. This 180-grain
herd bull’s eyes rolled warily Trophy Bonded Tip by Federal broke heavy shoulder bone and pulverized the spine,
damaging the top lobe of both lungs in the process. Most bullets would be
as he attempted to locate
distorted beyond recognition after impacting that much bone, but this TBT
the danger, offering me only could be used for an ad. Also note the massive size of the ivory teeth.
glimpses through the sap-
lings that stood thick and dark in the
fading light. With a solitary thunk of
antler against branch, the bull vanished
like a ghost into the tangled morass of
deadfall and quaky saplings.
Working my way around the thicket,
I gripped the narrow aspen trunks he’d
rubbed on, fresh-peeled wet, breathing
deep the indescribably wild scent of
rutting bull elk. A broken-off sapling
caught my eye, roughly stripped of bark
and partly coated with wallow-mud
from the bull’s neck. Whittling the jag-
ged broken ends off with my Leather-
man, I strode on down the trail with
my new walking stick, hands strong
with the scent of the herd bull that had
chosen it for me.

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Images by Boone & Crockett Club

Among the fiercest mammals on the Tom Bolack took this beautiful
planet, polar bears were once the most bear in 1958 on a hunting trip near
sought-after trophies. Weighing as much Point Hope, Alaska. With a score of
as 1,600 pounds, the white giants are 28-12/16 points, it held the World’s
known for their aggressive nature. For Record until 1963 and won 1st place
those willing to brave harsh conditions, in the 9th Competition. It is currently
a polar bear was the ultimate trophy. ranked third in the state.

Image from: Vintage Hunting Album, a Boone & Crockett Club publication.
—boone-crockett.org

72 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | A p r I l - M A y 2 0 1 6
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