t: epor R t n Hu ly z z i r 9' G t a t! e e F 9 Official Magazine of SCI Chapters in Wisconsin January/February 2015 You’re Invited to SCI Events Loaner Guns Create New Hunters Deer Hunt WI TV Promotes Hunting Hunt Reports: Mtn. Goat, Deer & More Conservation, Education, Humanitarian and Legislative News WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 1 Bucky’s Taxidermy 18 ACRES...NOTHIN’ BUT ARCHERY Pro Sup ud por t er of: • Award winning creativity & craftsmanship • Delivering personalized & professional service for 35 years • World class quality from a true artisan More creative ideas, prompt and professional service. All you need to do is pick the perfect wildlife artisan. From African safaris to North America, the 35 years of experience with Jeff at Bucky’s has you covered! THE MIDWEST’S PREMIER ARCHERY FACILITY Bucky’s Taxidermy, LLC www.buckystaxidermy.com 262-375-6864 Master Taxidermy, Exceptional Results, Personal Service One Stop Try Them All... in Both Right & Left Handed Over Half a Million Dollars of Inventory In Stock x 5% Off Stock Bows if We Don’t Have Your Size x 40 yd Indoor 3D Archery Range & Dart Video x Outdoor 28 Target 3D Course x Leagues, Rentals, Group & Corporate Outings x We Service Any Bow... Regardless Where it was Bought! WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD ON ANY NEW BOW!! x For over thirty years, Bucky’s Taxidermy has been dedicated to providing clients with expertly-crafted detailed mounts and replicas. Our Master Taxidermist, Jeff Knapp, is an award-winning and renowned artist, bringing your harvest to life with an excellent eye for the smallest details of each animals’ physiology. Bucky’s Taxidermy has mounted world record holding animals and uses his expert technique to preserve everything from African big game to freshwater fish. Whether its a full-size elephant or your first buck, our Master Taxidermist approaches each project with the same operating principle of turning out life-like results to your specifications in a timely manner. Jeff Knapp’s beautiful and detailed craftsmanship is among the best in the world. His experience and respect for the nature of each animal he encounters allow him to create the finest trophies that will provide you with a lifetime of memories. A life-long sportsman, Jeff knows the time and money we invest in harvesting our trophies, bringing the same passion to your mounts and replicas that he does to his own. Let Jeff create a beautiful work of art for your trophy room, contact Bucky’s Taxidermy today and experience the work of the finest master taxidermist. 2 2 WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - November/December 2012 Conveniently Located on Interstate 94 between Milwaukee and Madison N13 W28400 Silvernail Road , Pewaukee, WI • 262-547-0535 • www.buckrubarchery.com WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 3 We Support SCI 5% Discount to SCI members “Henry rifles will only be made in America or they won’t be made at all.” Anthony Imperato President of Henry Repeating Arms Henry .22 Lever Frontier Model with Octagonal Barrel. An affordable, beautiful rifle with superior tack-driving accuracy. Crafted by American workers for American shooting enthusiasts. It’s not a prideful boast. It’s a solemn oath from all of us at Henry Repeating Arms. Every Henry rifle is and always will be made in America by American workers. Decent, hard working folks like you who take great pride in their work. We won’t follow the products made overseas and slap their name on them. When Henry Golden Boy .22 LR /.22 Mag / .17HMR you read the rollmark on the barrel of a Henry, it’s going to read Made in the USA. We start with only the finest ingredients - gun barrel quality steel from Ohio, genuine American walnut from Missouri and Iowa, steel castings from Wisconsin and brass components from Pennsylvania. We manufacture a rifle that you will be proud Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum / 45C / .357 Mag to own - with the smoothest action, flawless reliability, and pinpoint accuracy. Made in America with the same integrity as the Henry rifle President Lincoln owned. We are a family owned business and we stand behind every rifle that leaves our plant. You will find our customer service second to none, and we’ll do whatever it takes to Henry Acu-Bolt .22 LR / .22 Mag / .17 HMR guarantee your complete satisfaction. We invite you to become part of the Henry family. Please order our free catalog, which includes information about Henry U.S. Survival .22 LR our rifles, a list of dealers in your area and a free Henry decal. ® Made in America or Not Made At All 4 WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 For a FREE color catalog and Henry decal visit www.henryrifles.com or call Toll Free (866) 200-2354 'PMMPXVT 5 looking for a new taxidermist? Join today! New members and their families are always welcome at SCI. Visit these websites and join a chapter to start your adventure. Members enjoy great fun, meet new friends, make a difference in their community and help the future of hunting, plus you will discover new deals and opportunities that improve your hunting skill and enjoyment. We invite you to join online today. Badgerland President Tom Fisher www.scibadgerland.com VLFNRIQRWJHWWLQJ\RXUZRUNEDFN" WLUHGRISKRQHFDOOVQRWJHWWLQJUHWXUQHG" IHGXSZLWKSDVWGHDGOLQHVDQGEURNHQSURPLVHV" For over 25 years, Northwoods Taxidermy of Waukesha has been quietly producing quality work at a fair price with a reasonable return time. If you’re looking for a new taxidermist, contact Dan Trawicki at Northwoods Taxidermy. Custom and standard big-game taxidermy is our speciality. Multiple award winner/Best of Show People’s Choice. QRUWKZRRGVWD[LGHUP\ ZDXNHVKD HUNTERS SCI Chapters in Wisconsin welcome you Lake Superior President Dale Bruder www.sci-lakesuperior.com Northeast Wisconsin President Calvin Ort www.scihunterexpo.com Southeast Wisconsin Bowhunters President Mike Pjevach www.scibowhunters.com Wisconsin President MIchael Betters mbetters@bettersandassociates.com SCI Region 16 Representative Dale Bruder dalebrigitte@centurytel.net Official Magazine of SCI Chapters in Wisconsin Editor/Publishers: Mark & Coni LaBarbera HUNTERS is a bimonthly publication for members of SCI chapters in Wisconsin, plus bonus electronic circulation, which includes some of the world’s most avid and affluent conservationists who enjoy hunting here and around the world. They have earned a reputation of leadership on natural resources issues and giving to protect and support the future of hunting and conservation here and abroad. To share your message with them, send ads and editorial submissions to Mark LaBarbera at wiscimag@peoplepc.com. January/February 2015 On the cover: Scott Hansen’s dream buck became reality at Sandy Hill Ranch, Wautoma, with Bob and Anita Daggett. In this issue: 8 Wisconsin Chapter Report by President Michael Betters 8 News from Hunt Chairman David Bahl, Jr. 10 Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Report by President Calvin Ort 10 Southeast Wisconsin Bowhunters Chapter Report by President Mike Pjevach 14 Lake Superior Chapter Report by President Dale Bruder Submission of story and photos means that you are giving SCI permission to use them free in SCI printed or electronic form. Issue January/February March/April May/June July/August September/October November/December Deadline__ November 20 January 20 March 20 May 20 July 20 September 20 New Advertisers The number of advertisers allowed in WI SCI HUNTERS magazine is limited. If you would like your ad to be considered for publication, contact Mark at wiscimag@ peoplepc.com. New advertisers who are accepted and prepay for a 6x schedule receive substantial discounts as listed below. All amounts are net U.S. dollars. Ad 1x 6x Total Size Size Rate (Prepaid) 1/4 Pg. 3.5”w x 5.25”h $150 $600/yr. 1/2 Pg. 8.25”w x 4.75”h $200 $800/yr. Full Pg. 8.25”w x 10.75”h $250 $1,100/yr. Covers 8.25”w x 10.75”h $300 $1,300/yr. Deliver ads with ½” margin on four sides, plus ¼” for bleeds. Send ad fees to Treasurer Gary Knaack, 4005 Towne Lake Circle #10209, Appleton, WI 54911. No attempt is made to verify the accuracy of ballistic information or hunt reports submitted. Ads in this publication are not considered endorsements or approval of such advertiser by Safari Club International. 14 Hunt Report: Elk by Don Osborne 15 Badgerland Chapter Report by President Tom Fisher 18 Humanitarian Hunt Report: ACCES-SCI-BILITY by Mark LaBarbera 19 Hunt Report: Dylan’s First by Gary Knaack 19 “Deer Hunt Wisconsin” TV Promotes Hunting 20 Hunt Report: He Died, But Now He Hunts by Mark LaBarbera 24 Loaner Guns Create Hunters: My Learn to Hunt Experience by Dawn Ziolecki 26 Hunt Report: Alaska Mtn. Goat Adventure by Steve Taylor 28 9’ Grizzly at 9 Feet! by Jeffery Belongia 30 Elephant Ban 32 LaBarbera Added to Advisory Team 34 Great Gear: Caldwell Deadshot ChairPod, Bog Tac-3 Tripod 34 Alpen Optics Supports Youth Efforts 36 Legislative Update by Bob Welch 36 Donated Mounts at Home at “The Range” 38 Legislator Profile: Rep. Al Ott Embraces Sporting Heritage Wisconsin Chapter Report by Michael Betters, President Hopefully everyone had a safe, fun and successful hunting season. Now I’m sure you are all enjoying the holidays and spending time with family and friends. Hopefully you take time to enjoy all of them. We are now moving to the banquet season for all of the state chapters. We have been hard at work for several months now getting ready not only for our annual Grand Banquet at the Olympia Resort on March 6 & 7, 2015 but also our second annual Whitetail Night on January 10, 2015, also at the Olympia Resort. I look forward to seeing many of you at these events. Please check our website for the details on both at www. sciwi.org. If you or someone you know, especially a child, was successful this year why not bring them and their trophy to our Whitetail Night event? I think you will really enjoy it! Awards for all successful children, plus the largest trophies taken in-state, out-of-state, etc. will be given. You can now register for the entire Grand Banquet on the website; event tickets, raffle tickets, donations and more! Check it out! I think you will be pleased with how easy we have made it for you. We are trying something new this year at our Grand Banquet. On Saturday night: we are planning to have a DJ perform after the auction is over. This way you can relax, visit and perhaps have a few drinks with your friends. The details are still being worked out but plan on staying after the auction for some fun! Lastly, I want to give a special thank you to a long-time chapter member, Rick Rollo. Rick once again hosted the Big Al Shoot in honor of his father Eldridge, with Save The Date . . . FRIDAY NIGHT $25 PER PERSON the net proceeds of the event coming directly to SCI-Wisconsin Chapter. These funds are used to provide hunting or fishing trips for physically challenged or terminally ill, children, adults or veterans so they too may enjoy the great outdoors. Over the years many people have benefited from Rick’s efforts and I just want to say thank you Rick from SCI! Join like your way of life depends on it! News from Hunt Chairman David Bahl, Jr. Well, with two months to go before our banquet, the hunt committee and I are hard at work to put together the quality hunt line-up that SCI WI Chapter members are used to! We have big shoes to fill with John Kubichek and Mark Beaudin passing responsibility for hunt donations to the committee. Our new www.sciwi.org site offers nice advantages of displaying and advertising our growing hunt line-up. Please take a moment to check it out! From the Rocky Mtns. to New Zealand, Africa to Wisconsin, we are compiling a variety of exciting adventures. So mark your calendars to attend your “Top Gun” award-winning banquet “fun” raiser on March 6 & 7, 2015! 38TH ANNUAL BIG GAME HUNTERS 'RAND"ANQUET March 6 & 7, 2015 YOUTH (16 & under) $10 (ON FRIDAY) SATURDAY FORMAL $85 PER PERSON ATTEND BOTH NIGHTS $100 PER PERSON Olympia Resort, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin ĢĢĢíØÆĤÌé¼gûāØûċíØÌ ĬĬ»«« »Ô«ćď OUTDOOR .EWTHISYEARregister online! AD V E N TU R E S www.sciwi.org AND TA X I D E R M Y ST U D I O S 262-443-3102 www.trudelloutdooradventures.com -EET4HE/UTlTTERSs,IVE!UCTIONS 3EMINARSs2AFmESs"OOTH3PACES s74!"ESTIN3HOW!WARD7INNER s&EATURINGTHE!RTISTRYOF*AY4RUDELL $AVID#,UKOANDOTHERS s-USEUM1UALITY4AXIDERMY s7EBOOK(UNTINGAND&ISHING4RIPS s&ULL3ERVICE4AXIDERMY s'AMEHEADS,IFESIZE!FRICAN%XOTICS !NTLER-OUNTS&ISHAND"IRDS s-OUNTS!NTLER!RTFOR3ALEGREATFOR BARSCABINSDENSANDGIFTS sYEARSOFEXPERIENCE s0ROMPT3ERVICEAPPROXMONTHS 8 SCI Wisconsin Chapter Questions? Banquet Chairman Banquet Co-Chair Booth Rental Hunt Chairman Donations Other Information WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 Michael Betters Matt Yunk Steve Van Lieshout David Bahl Jr Mike Wettstein Janean Gehl WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 414-630-6835 262-617-3502 262-751-6906 262-349-2866 414-702-2533 262-437-0097 mbetters@bettersandassociates.com mattyunk7@gmail.com steve@kstechonline.com dv.bahl@weldallmfg.com mwettstein@wi.rr.com office@sciwi.org 9 Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Report by Calvin Ort, President By the time you receive this issue the deer gun season will be in the books. I hope everyone had a successful and safe hunt this season! The holiday season is also gone. I hope everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing holiday season. We are preparing diligently for Expo 2015, which will be Feb. 27- 28, 2015 at Stadium View in Green Bay. This year we are teamed up with the Wisconsin State Hunting Expo the same weekend, Feb. 27, 28 & March 1 at Shopko Hall. We are moving our exhibitors down there in an attempt to make a bigger banquet and receive better hunt donations in exchange for more foot traffic which will enable the outfitters to have more chances at booking clients. With your paid banquet ticket and registering at Stadium View, you will be given a free ticket to attend the Wisconsin Hunter Expo. We will provide shuttle service back and forth from noon to 6:00 pm on Saturday. Friday evening at 7:30 pm at Stadium View we will have an appreciation Tail Gate Party with the outfitters, along with some raffles and fun. This is a great time and place to talk to the outfitters about the donation hunts on Saturday! The cost is $15 a person and includes free beer and soda. Saturday the doors will open at noon and the banquet floor will open at 3:30 with dinner at 6:00 pm. We have a great hunt line up for our Live Auction. Some of our top hunts are included in this magazine. Please check our website w w w.scihunterexpo. com often, as our Web Master Mark Snyder makes changes almost on a daily basis on the Hunts & Merchandise we have receive for the Expo. Please reserve your banquet tickets early this year! We have limited seating and with only a one-night auction I expect a sell out! Remember we have assigned seating. So if you want to sit with some one please let Betsy know when you pre-order your banquet tickets! Remember these banquets are fundraisers. Bid often and bid high on these hunts. Most every hunt goes much cheaper than full price, so you are getting a great discounted hunt. Remember the proceeds further the chapter’s mission to protect and promote hunting in the state and local communities. If it wasn’t for SCI, look how many teachers wouldn’t know the truth about hunting and the role it plays in conservation, and the thousands of kids who would be misinformed. How many people wouldn’t have eaten due to canned food drives and feed the needy meals or received venison donated by hunters. Ope n to Safari Club International Wisconsin Chapter Look how your deer gun hunting would be. It would be the same as prior years with out people in Madison pushing for reform to deer management. There would have been no gun case law repealed, no youth mentoring bill, or access to new public land for hunting. These are just some of the things SCI does for you. The more money we make the more we can do! Please help all the chapters in this fund raising season to keep SCI strong in the state of Wisconsin! I am happy to announce that the Board of the SE WI Bowhunters Chapter recently voted to once again support the Midwest Outdoor Heritage Education Expo! SCI member and HUNTER magazine editor & publisher Mark LaBarbera, did a fabtastic job in putting on this very successful event, and we are proud to have been the catalyst to get SCI involved. The outlook for the 2015 event is even brighter with an anticipated large increase in attendance and nothing but rave reviews from the students and their teachers. This event cannot go on without the support of the sporting groups, and the Bowhunters Chapter members are proud to be part of it. A reminder for a couple of our upcoming events: Our Wild Game 10 Dinner will be February 12, 2015. This event features some of the finest wild game appetizers I have had, and that sentiment is echoed by all who have attended this event in the past. It is a casual night of fine food, camaraderie and the chance to win prizes, all while benefitting the efforts of SCI. The other date to remember is June 11, 2015. This is the date of our Annual Banquet. Featuring great food, raffles and auction, this is another great way to spend an evening with like-minded people. Both of these events are held at Weissgerber’s Golden Mast restaurant in Okauchee, WI. Please visit our website, www.sciwibowhunters.org, for details. Lastly, we once again are joining forces with the WI Chapter to sponsor Pub lic Safari Club International Southeast Wisconsin Bow-Hunters Chapter Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin COME SEE SOME OF THE BIGGEST WHITETAILS OF THE SEASON Adults $10 when registered by December 30, 2014 $15 at the door Southeast Wisconsin Bowhunters Report by Mike Pjevach, President the Youth - Free ages 15 and under Bring your rack from the 2014 season and get it officially scored (FREE!), plus get in the free gun drawing. Youth hunters (15 & under) can also get in the drawing with a photo of a doe taken by them. Awards for: Youth Hunters & Top Bucks taken in many categories: in state/out of state. (no membership requirement) Free membership awarded to adult winners “Whitetail Night,” an inexpensive way to spend a cold Saturday evening with your fellow deer hunters. With official measurers on hand, bring in your 2014 deer rack to be officially scored and to be entered in the free gun drawing. This is a great event to bring your kids to! Lastly, I wish all my fellow SCI members a Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year! WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 for more information, contact: REGISTRATION STARTS AT 4PM JANEAN GEHL ANTLERS TO BE SCORED MUST BE THERE BY 6PM. (262) 437-0097 OFFICE@SCIWI.ORG WWW.SCIWI.ORG PRICE INCLUDES FOOD & SODA. CASH BAR. SPONSOR: SCI WISCONSIN CHAPTER, SCI SE WI BOW HUNTERS CHAPTER, AND WISCONSIN BUCK & BEAR CLUB WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 11 Safari Club International Safari Club International Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Northeast Wisconsin Chapter 17th Annual Hunters’ Banquet 17th Annual Hunters’ Banquet February 27 & 28, 2015 To be held at Stadium View Bar and Grill, Green Bay, WI February 28, 2015 SATURDAY NIGHT AUCTION PREVIEW “NORTH AMERICA” NEW MEXICO ELK HUNT MONTANA MULE DEER HUNT FLORIDA ALLIGATOR HUNT NEBRASKA BOBCAT HUNT KANSAS WHITETAIL HUNT ALBERTA MOOSE HUNT WISCONSIN FALLOW DEER HUNT MANITOBA BLACK BEAR HUNT LAKE MICHIGAN FISHING CHARTER WISCONSIN WHITETAIL HUNTS WISCONSIN PHEASANT HUNT QUEBEC BEAR HUNT MEXICAN DOVE, DUCK & TURKEY HUNTS “AFRICA” NAMIBIAN LEOPARD SAFARI SOUTH AFRICAN LIONESS SAFARI AFRICAN PLAINS GAME SAFARIS AFRICAN PHOTO SAFARI “MERCHANDISE” WILDLIFE PRINTS LADIES JEWELRY Item “SOUTH AMERICA” ARGENTINA DOVE HUNT ARGINTIN BIG GAMEHUNT “EUROPE” EUROPEAN BIG GAME HUNT SCOTTISH ROE DEER and RED STAG HUNTS SPANISH BIG GAME HUNTS x Cost Friday Outfitters’ Tailgate Party $15 each Saturday Dinner Ticket plus 1 pass to the Wisconsin State Hunting Expo ($58 Total Value) $50 each Saturday Dinner Table - 8 Dinner Tickets plus 8 passes to the Wisconsin State Hunting Expo ($464 Total Value) $350 each Total Amount I am unable to attend this event but keep me on the mailing list. Here is my donation to assist you in your fundraising efforts. GRAND TOTAL Must register at Stadium View to receive your Wisconsin State Hunting Expo Pass. Saturday Dinner Tables must be paid with 1 check. Dinner Tickets will be available for pickup @ the Registration Booth both nights. Raffle Ticket Packages and Chapter Rifle Raffle Tickets will be available at the event!!! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! Contact Betsy Wandtke at 920-385-7252 or e-mail BetsyWandtke@gmail.com if interested. We are extremely excited about this year’s Expo. We have teamed up with the WISCONSIN STATE HUNTING EXPO at Shopko Hall in Green Bay, WI. We will now have all of our outfitters and vendors located at the Wisconsin State Hunting Expo in Shopko Hall. Bring in your trophies, there will be OFFICAL SCI MEASURERS at the Wisconsin State Hunting Expo in Shopko Hall all weekend to measure your trophies. BUCKET RAFFLES TO INCLUDE: Firearms from Remington, Savage, Weatherby, Beretta, Smith & Wesson, Browning and Winchester. “2015 CHAPTER RIFLE” This year’s Chapter Rifle will be a Sako Finnlight from Sako Finland, chambered in a .270WSM and topped off with a Zeiss Conquest HD5 3.5-15X42with a Z-Plex reticle. Tickets: 1 for $10.00, 3 for $20.00 or 10 for $50.00 FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WESITE WWW.SCIHUNTEREXPO.COM 12 Quantity “SOUTH PACIFIC” NEW ZEALAND RED STAG HUNT February 27 – March 1, 2015 at Shopko Hall x SEATING WILL BE LIMITED – MAKE YOUR RESERVATION EARLY! SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER WILL BE ASSIGNED SEATING. Hunter Expo 2015 x Ticket Reservation Form WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 Name: (Please Print)__________________________________________________________ Street Address:______________________________________________________________ City:_____________________________________________State:________Zip: _________ Phone:_____________________________E-Mail: __________________________________ Payment by: Check MasterCard Visa Discover Am Express Credit Card Number:_____________________________ Expiration Date:_______________ Signature:__________________________________________________________________ Make checks payable to “NEWISCI Chapter” Return Registration Form to: Safari Club International – Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Attn: Gary Knaack - 4005 Towne Lakes Circle #10209 - Appleton, WI 54913 Call 920-427-3976 or Visit www.scihunterexpo.com for more information. WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 13 Badgerland Chapter Report Lake Superior Chapter Report by Dale Bruder, President The Lake Superior Chapter wants to wish all of our members and vendors a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Your chapter board members and banquet committee members, like all Wisconsin chapters have been busy working on the upcoming banquet season. If possible, please attend multiple banquets as we all are working for the SCI rights and making sure that hunting as we know it will be available for our children and grandchildren. We also hope that everyone had a safe and productive deer season. I have been your President for nine years and your Banquet Chairman for 10 years. I can honestly tell you that I am more excited about the upcoming banquet than ever before. With Ron Schara RAFFLE Lake Superior Chapter Try Your Chance to Win The Moose Hunt of a Lifetime with The Yukon Hunt Takes Place in the Fall of 2016 Drawing April 11, 2015 Hinckley Spring Banquet $100.00 / Ticket Only 300 Tickets Sold Contact: John Schmit for Tickets / Info PH: 651-764-3609 by Tom Fisher, President on Saturday night, you are absolutely being treated to the best entertainment of our 17 years. We have added four more gun raffles and several other miscellaneous item raffles to give everyone a better chance of winning something. The food will be better than ever and we will have 80 vendors for you to talk to and look over. The taxidermy display will be our biggest ever as we have added two more local taxidermists to our group. We also have a new online registration ability for your convenience. We will sell out on Saturday night, so buy your tickets early to assure yourself a place to become part of the biggest and best hunting and fishing event in the Midwest. Remember to support our youth – they are the future of hunting. 14 in the Wisconsin Dells on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28. Friday night will feature “Youth Night”, and there will be a large number of exhibitors both days. We will have some games for everyone, silent auctions, and over 80 auction items, and at least 40 firearms, crossbows and knives. One of the auction items for our Saturday night program, which I would like to highlight, is the Young Adult African Apprenticeship, donated by African PH Derick van Staden of Stormberg Elangeni Safaris. This is an apprenticeship for one young adult, age 18 to 25 years of age, for up to 21 days during the summer of 2015. It will take place in the S.E. camps of South Africa. The winner of this auction item will work closely with the PH staff, with paying clients who are on Safari, and will learn hunting skills, trophy judging, trophy preparation, costumer service and more. They may be able to take cull or non-trophy animals, or pay for one or two trophy animals while they are in camp. I was fortunate to spend ten days in one of the S.E. hunting camps this last June, and it was a great experience that I shared with this year’s apprentice, Jake. In closing, I hope that all of you have had a great hunting season, and very happy holidays. Hunt Report: WY Elk by Don Osborne Hunting bull elk in the Bridger National Forest out of Afton, Wyoming with Salt River Range Outfitters, I shot this 6-by-7 bull on Oct. 30, 2014 at daybreak with rifle. This was a great hunt with the best, hardest working guides I can imagine, equipped with the best optics for finding elk, and the best horses for getting there. Lots of hiking and climbing through these rugged snowy mountaintops once the horses got you to the backcountry. It was a 100% great hunt in every way. HUNTING WORKSS BECOME A PA P RTNER TODAY! If you believe hunting and the shooting sports play a vital role in Wisconsin’s economy, we’d love to have you as a partner. Becoming a partner is easy and absolutely free. HUNTING CREATES A $4 BILLION RIPPLE EFFECT ON WISCONSIN’S ECONOMY Please visit our website for more information, a complete list of partners and to learn how you can help tell the story of hunting’s positive effects on jobs, the economy and conservation in Wisconsin. Sponsored By E-Mail: buckstaxidermy@hotmail.com same goal: Protection of our hunting ‘Tis the season to relax a little, and to look forward to the various SCI chapter events which are being held around the State. The hunting seasons are winding down, or are already over. There are undoubtly a lot of stories and photos which reflect the adventures which we all have had over the last few months. There are new friendships which we’ve made in hunting camps, and new opportunities which we’ve discovered thru those adventures and friendships. There are probably a few shots, also, which we can recall and wish we could pull back - but that is why they call it “hunting,” not “getting.” But I hope that it was all a lot of fun and some great adventures and companionship for everyone. SCI Badgerland is in the process of planning for it’s Hunters’ Expo which will again be held at the Kalahari Resort /HuntingWorksForWI H UNTING W ORKS F OR WI. COM @HuntingWorks4WI coming on Friday night and Sarah Palin WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 15 BADGERLAND HUNTER EXPO Friday March 27, 2015 YOUTH NIGHT! Special Door Prizes Doors Open 3pm Adult Door prizes Dining at 7pm Live Auction 8pm Adults $45 17 & under $35 80 ticket raffle & 125 ticket raffle packs available for pre-order 2015 March 27/28 Two Days & Nights! Outfitter’s from around the World Trophy Competition Live Auctions Friday night is Youth Night! We will be presenting hunts from across the globe again. Larger space for many more Exhibitors & Outfitters… Many gun boards, Handgun board, Crossbow board, 40 guns, Jewelry board, Booze raffle, cash raffle Trophy Competition Bring in your trophies for the Trophy competition. First place in each category will be awarded on Saturday night. Auction Highlights: Youth Apprenticeship with Stromberg Vortex Optics Black Bear hunt in Quebec (2015 or 2016) Beach Vacation at Cerritos Beach in Baja, Mexico 16 Buffet feast both nights! Make your reservations now! www.scibadgerland.com HUNTER EXPO 2015 ORDER FORM March 27/28 - 2015 Saturday March 28, 2015 www.scibadgerland.com Great Door Prizes Doors open 10am Dining at 7pm Live Auction 8pm Adult $50 17 & Under $40 Raffle Packs Same As Friday Item Friday Dinner Tickets (March 27) Friday Youth Tickets (For Young people 17 & Under) For special Room Rate Reservations: (877) 525-2427 www.kalahariresorts.com Exhibitors/Outfitters Contact Tom Fisher or www.scibadgerland.com We have a huge space for new folks... Cost Total Dollar Amount (Quantity x Cost) $45 $35 Saturday Dinner Tickets (March 28) Saturday Youth Tickets (For Young people 17 & Under) $50 $40 $150 $200 80 Ticket Raffle Pack ($1.88/ticket) 125 Ticket Raffle Pack ($1.60/ticket) Sponsorship – Each sponsor gets 1 dinner ticket and a chance in a raffle for a firearm (Please indicate night that you want the dinner) This venue is just off the Interstate. It is down the road from Ho Chunk for the gamblers & close to many budget motels… Number Of tickets Fri Sat $150 $ Grand Total If you order 8 dinner tickets, we will reserve a table for you. Please enter the name that you would like the table reserved under. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Pick up your raffle tickets at the event. NO RAFFLE TICKETS will be mailed. Dinner Tickets will also be held for you at Kalahari. We will mail a post card confirming your order for orders received more than one week in advance. For mail orders, please complete and mail to the address below or you may phone (888) 478-4747. Name ____________________________________________________________________________________ Street Address _____________________________________________________________________________ Firearm door prize each night. Everyone who purchases a dinner ticket is eligible! Hunt in Spain for an Iberian Mouflon sheep or an Iberian Red Deer South Dakota Pheasant Hunt Many African Hunts Fly in Fishing at McDougall Lodge, Alaska Contact Tom Fisher: tbfisher@charter.net Steven Cripps: spcripps@sbcglobal.net Or call (888)478-4747 WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 City ________________________________________________________ State ________ Zip ____________ Phone ________________________ Email Address _______________________________________________ Payment by: □Check (Please make checks payable to SCI Badgerland) □ MasterCard □Visa □ Discover Credit Card Number _______________________________________________Expiration Date ____________ CVV Number _________ (3 digit number on the back of your card) WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 Mail to: SCI Badgerland PO Box 2714 Madison WI 53701 17 Humanitarian Services Hunt Report: Hunt Report: ACCES-SCI-BILITY Dylan’s First “Outdoor Wisconsin” TV will air the wheelchair pheasant hunt made possible last month by funding from the Wisconsin Chapter of SCI Northeast WI Expo auction delivered lifelong memories for high bidder and teen guest by Mark LaBarbera Monica Kamal maneuvered the Action TrackChair through the corn stubble as Al Comstock’s dog, Sage, held point. The rooster flushed in a cackling blur of wings and long tail feathers. Monica swung the shotgun, pulled the trigger and moments later accepted the bird from a happy Sage. The wheelchair-bound hunter beamed a warm smile despite the cold weather. A little further up the hill, it happened again. Sage pointed, Monica positioned her chair and Al flushed the rooster; this time, a black ringneck with beautiful feathers erupted silently. We all got a good look at the bird after Sage retrieved it. You’ll be able to see it too, along with all of the action from the SCI-sponsored pheasant hunt at Pheasant Crest Hunting Preserve in Oxford. The Outdoor Heritage Education Center group coordinated with Dan Small for his “Outdoor Wisconsin” TV crew to cover the early December outing underwritten by the Wisconsin Chapter of Safari Club International. Funding in previous years by the Badgerland Chapter helped buy pheasant launchers that made a world of difference for physically challenged guests. The chapter’s Bill Hilgers and his pup, Copper, witnessed the powerfully therapeutic value of this day afield. “I want to thank SCI and the Wisconsin Chapter this year for making this all possible,” Monica told TV celebrity and “Outdoor Wisconsin” host Dan 18 Small as the camera recorded the action and th e e m oti o n s. Off-camera, her significant other, Steve Spaeni talked with pride about Monica’s turkey and mule deer success. “We’ve learned to value ever y minute we can spend outdoors in Wisconsin and elsewhere,” Spaeni said. Monica severed her spinal cord years ago in a skiing accident as she chaperoned her son’s 7th grade field trip. Most of the students were off the slope, and she was doing one last run to collect stragglers who did not want the day to end. She lost control of a ski, hit a tree and changed her life forever with the loss of movement from the chest down. “You wouldn’t know it through all these layers of winter hunting clothes, but there’s an athlete inside,” joked Monica. Most of the other pheasant hunters were military veterans or had been injured in vehicle accidents. “It could happen to us SCI members or anyone at anytime,” said Dan Small. “One of the things these hunters have in common with all of the volunteers helping on the hunt today, “ said Pheasant Crest Owner Wayne Smith, “is they all share a love of hunting and the outdoors. SCI is helping these 11 hunters and hundreds of others across the country throughout the years enjoy the healing power of nature.” Terrence Green of Bay view, a Vietnam veteran who is AfricanAmerican, used one of the loaner Action TrackChairs provided by Access Ability Wisconsin, a group that formed in 2013 with help from Oregon Sportsman’s Club and became an initiative of Dane County Pheasants Forever in 2014. AAW rents the all-terrain wheelchairs. ___________________________ If you would like to support these humanitarian ser vices and other aspects of the SCI mission, please participate generously at this year’s chapter fundraising events or send a special donation in any amount to your chapter’s treasurer. WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 by Gary Knaack I bought a whitetail deer hunt at the Northeast Wisconsin SCI Hunters Expo last February. It was donated by Sandy Hills Ranch in Wautoma and owners Hans and Heidi Schlegelmitch and Manager Bob Daggett. I took 19-yearold Dylan Heimmermann to enjoy this hunt on Sandy Hill hunting preserve’s 350 acres of woods and some corn fields. Dylan is in his second year at UW-River Falls, studying Agricultural Engineering. Dylan had never harvested a whitetail buck, so I thought this hunt would be a good birthday present for him. On October 10, Dylan met me at the ranch and we spend that Friday night at their lodge. Early Saturday we awoke to a beautiful day weather-wise. We left at 6 a.m. for the blind. Our guide was Anita Daggett, Bob’s wife. We settled into our blind to wait until it got light. The first hour was slow, with limited deer movement, but then things changed, with several bucks making their a p p e a r a n c e. I had upgraded to a larger buck, so we had to wait and glass for a big guy. We spotted a nice buck working his way toward us, but Dylan never had a good shot at him. We had to wait for another one to come close. About two hours later, the first buck returned. Dylan took a shot and the buck ran off. We waited for 90 minutes and tracked the buck, which went about 300 yards. Dylan had his first buck, a huge-bodied 5 ½ -year-old 9 pt. with very heavy antlers! After a lot of high fives and picture taking, it was time to get this big buck field dressed. This big guy weighed 270 pounds dressed; a real monster buck! I am having this deer mounted for Dylan by Jeff Champeau from Nature’s Way Taxidermy, Green Bay. Jeff had donated a credit towards a head mount at our Hunter’s Expo at Stadium View in Green Bay. Our 2015 Expo will be Feb. 27-28. Mark those dates and try to attend our banquet. They are a lot of fun. It was a very pleasant drive back to Hortonville to show off Dylan’s nice buck. Again, a very special thank you to Bob and Anita, Hans and Heidi for a special time for Dylan and me. Hope to get back there again soon. Record Reach for Deer Hunt Wisconsin TV More stations than ever carried “Deer Hunt Wisconsin” TV in 2014, the most recent one-hour special in the national award-winning series txwhat has been honored for valuable content and quality production values. Plus, FOX Sports North and FOX Sports Wisconsin increased the number of airings. It was a double-win for SCI. SCI members Dan Small and Mark LaBarbera produce and co-host the show. With a last-minute donation from the Outdoor Heritage Education Center group, they added Madison broadcast channel FOX 47 to reach a wider audience with the pro-hunting messages and imager y of the show. SCI Badgerland and Wisconsin Chapter logos were included, and Dan wore an SCI cap through most of the show. Large sponsors already are asking that he do the same for them next year. WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 If you miss the original airings, you can catch it online year-round on various websites, including dansmalloutdoors.com, dnr.wi.gov, YouTube and elsewhere. The Wisconsin DNR contributes to the show and uses it in the agency’s expanded social media ef for ts. Secretary Cathy Stepp and her leadership team had Kevin Wallenfang coordinate the project and explain how the rules change, but the tradition remains. The production is made possible with additional funding or product support from Badgerland SCI, Bad Boy Buggies, Benelli, DogBone, Easton, Henry Repeating Arms, Hunting Works for Wisconsin, Mayville Engineering Corp. (MEC), Midwestern Shooter’s Supply, Real Avid, The Range of Richf ield, Va lley Snow mobile & Powersports, Steiner Optics, Whitetails Unlimited, Wildlife Research Center, Wisconsin Buck & Bear Club, Wisconsin Outdoor News and Wisconsin Tourism. Wern Valley is the official host sponsor for “Deer Hunt Wisconsin 2014.” If you have deer or hunt footage you would like to see on the show, or if you may want to sponsor the program, contact WiSCImag@peoplepc.com. 19 Hunt Report: Can you see the buck and the doe in this photo, and in the other photo, in these views from the Sandy Hill blind? by Mark by Mar ark LaBarbera LaBa La B rb Ba rber e ra Wisconsin’s Scott Hansen died, three times, but I hunted with him twice since then. On our November 2014 outing he shot the biggest buck of his life. His story is both a reality check on how we spend our precious time on earth and how hunting and dreams of future adventures can be powerfully healing and motivating. Scott was working on a road crew in West Allis when a distracted motorist, speeding along, ran into him and a coworker. Her car tore off both of Scott’s legs. “I died,” said Scott. “Rescue workers brought me back to life. And then I died twice again. And they brought me back to life again and again! I was in a coma for a month.” He was stuck in the hospital when he came out of the coma, and he thought about giving up. “They didn’t think I would survive, they told my wife. And they called my pastor to come,” he said. “I remember how painful it was to realize that I would miss Wisconsin hunting m mi i s s the h W he iss co con n s in ns n h unti un ting ng sseason. e a so o n. An A And n d I remember re me em mb b er e ttelling e ling el ng myself mys y ell f that t att I th couldn’t give up—I had to survive—for my wife and for my son who was seven back then.” An avid hunter, he fought back through 22 surgeries and continues to look forward to each new adventure and his next hunting trip as a way to find motivation for overcoming daily challenges and frustrations. Yet he remained positive and fiercely independent. And he dreamed about going on a mule deer hunt and also someday taking a nice whitetail. If this sounds familiar, it might be because you read about our New Mexico mule deer success in a previous issue. But Scott’s lifeaffirming story added a new chapter in the last few months, thanks to Sandy Hill Ranch, Outdoor Heritage Ed u c ati o n C e nte r a n d th e SCI Wisconsin Chapter. The adventure started when Wayne Smith introduced me to Bob Daggett at a chapter fundraiser. Bob manages Sa andy Hill Hill for Hi for o owners own wner e s Hans er Hans ns and and Heide He eide e Sandy To learn more about Sandy Hill’s new lodge, cabins, elk and deer hunts, or Buck Smoke products visit www. sandyhillexotics.com or email Bob & Anita at sandyhillexotics@msn.com. 20 0 Schl Sc ch eg gelmi m lc ch His His wife, wiffe wi fe Anita, Anitta guides. guides de es Schlegelmilch. They’ve seen it all in decades of hunting adventures all over the world, both as clients and as outfitters and former owners of Bear Paw Landing in Ontario. Everyone at Sandy Hill understands the value of giving back, so it was no coincidence that Bob had already constructed a wheelchair-accessible blind overlooking a waterhole on Sandy Hill’s 350 hilly high fence acres of woods and fields. SCI members here and across the country help connect people to the environment through Education, Humanitarian Services and other programs. This time, we also wanted to capture the experience with photos and video for “Deer Hunt Wisconsin 2015” TV, Safari Times, SCI WI HUNTERS, chapter websites, social media and other far-reaching media. The idea is to help the participant but also to tell the story of the value of hunting to a wider audience of the non-hunting public and reach the masses with positive imagery of hunters and hunting. SCI Wisconsin Chapter President Michael Betters gives a good example in his column this issue where he thanks Rick Rollo who hosts the Big Al Shoot fundraiser in honor of his father, Eldridge, with the net proceeds used to promote accessible outdoor adventures for military veterans, physically challenged individuals or terminal patients, young and old. I was along as organizer, videographer, producer, director, photographer, chief cook and bottle washer and non-hunting observer. And even though I knew Scott’s story from our successful mule deer adventure, it touched me to hear it again through the wireless mics as Scott and his guide, Anita, got to know each other in whispered dialogue the first morning in the blind. Yes, Anita and Bob may have seen it all in their years of hunting and guiding, but the tears in her eyes and the look on her face made it clear that this was a new story that touched her like no other. “I’ve learned to live each day like it might be your last,” Scott said in a way WI W SCI SC CI HUNTERS HUN UNT UNT NTER NTER ERS E R RS S - Ja J Jan January/February an a nu ua uar arry/F y/Febr ebru ebr uar ary 2 2015 01 015 0 15 th hatt sseemed eeme med ed to o carry carry ryy more more wei that weight and a deeper meaning than when others say it. “Go hunting, make memories, have fun with family and friends,” he said, “and appreciate what you have and what you’re able to do, while you still can.” It was something we have all heard before. In fact, it was something we have told our kids, but there was something more credible and powerful in those same words coming from someone who had died and come back to life! He wouldn’t take offense to say, even in a wheelchair, he walks the talk. He’s a living testament to the philosophy of live life to its fullest, which means more time hunting with loved ones and less time sweating the small stuff. Compared to what Scott endured, all of our worries now seem like small stuff. Suddenly movement on the horizon caught their eye. A horizontal line among the trees, a deer’s back, and then a flick of an ear, it was a doe. Then another movement, behind her another deer trailed. Scott saw antlers. Adrenaline pumped. He and Anita watched, silent and still. The deer, never within range, disappeared after a while. Daylight brought more activity, or maybe just gave us the ability to see further. Deer skirted the edge of the distant cornfield. Other does and bucks worked the ridge above the waterhole. Fawns and does came to drink. Bucks followed. A shooter came into view and seemed to be following the same path as a previous doe. The trail would lead to a broadside shot. Scott reached slowly from his wheelchair for his TenPoint. Meticulously, he brought the crossbow up on the left side of the blind’s corner post, but the buck had already move far enough along the trail to leave no time for a shot on that side. Scott began to move the crossbow to the right side, but Anita reached over below the blind’s half-wall to stop him when WI WI SCI SC HUNTERS HUNTE HU TE ERS RS - January/February January an anu n ar ary ry/Febru /F /Fe Fe F ebru bru uary a y 20 2 2015 015 15 the 155” whitetail stopped and looked toward them. Scott froze, arm and back muscles straining. The buck seemed to be looking right through Anita. Maybe another deer was behind her that only Scott’s buck could see? Soon it looked toward where the doe had gone, and Anita released Scott to position his crossbow for a shot. Silently, he slipped off the safety. His wheelchair was at the right angle, and Scott did not hesitate as the buck stepped i n to a n o p e n i n g among the trees and underbrush at about 35 yards. Video camera rolling with Scott in the foreground, the lighted nock traced the trajectory of the bolt, or crossbow arrow, from hunter, through lungs, to leaves-covered side-hill. The camera followed the flight of the big buck also, until it was hooves-up seconds later above the waterhole. Pan back to successful hunter and roll as a flood of emotions pour from both Scott and Anita. “He’s down! I got him! I got him! “Great shot! Perfect!” “Thanks. Got him! Biggest I’ve ever shot! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! I’ll never forget this.” “No, thank YOU! I’m so glad it all came together for you after all you’ve been through,” she said with tears of joy and relief. Months later, it still makes her tear up. 21 21 SCI-Lake Superior Chapter Banquet Reservation April 10 and 11, 2015 (Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN) Please reserve your ticket(s) by March 28, 2015 Please indicate number of reservations or raffle tickets required: Combined Both Night Event Ticket: __________ guests @ $140 each Friday Night Only Event Ticket: __________ guests @ $85 each Saturday Night Only Event Ticket: __________ guests @ $100 each Youth 16 and under Fri. or Sat. Ticket: __________ guests @ $60 each Early Bird Raffle $10 per ticket or $25 for 3 __________ # of tickets Early Bird Gun Kimber Mountain Ascent 270 WIN Total Enclosed $___________________ Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________ City: _____________________________________ State: ___________ Zip: __________ Phone/Email: __________________________________________________ ___ Visa ___MC ___AmEx CreditCard#: __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ ___ Check Payable to SCI-LSC Exp. Date: ___ / ___ Signature: _____________________________ SAVE TIME AND ENSURE YOUR RESERVATION BY REGISTERING NOW ONLINE: http://sci-lakesuperior.com/ Registration can also be done on the Lake Superior Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/LakeSuperiorChapterSCI Please mail registration form with payment to: Lake Superior Chapter, 23810 Manning Trail North, Scandia, MN 55073 Please Contact Cyndy Boyce at 651-248-3968 or lsscichapter@gmail.com **Rooms are available by calling the Grand Casino direct at 800-472-6321** LOANER GUNS CREATE HUNTERS Dea r SCI & O HEC, I recently pa rticipated in a Learn to H M ilford H il ls u nt Deer prog w ith a bu nch ra m at of other adu lt tu n ity to also s and had the goose hu nt fo opporr the fi rst time tion of Sc ot u t K ir chof f w it h helpfu l su nder the instrucChapter and pplies fr om the Outdoor SC I W I Heritage Edu not to spook or lose her One of the th cation Center. ings I am grea tly appreciati across the river. gram prov id ve about, is th es th e proWe went back to his truck. don’t have you e loaner fi rearms plus am mu n ition if yo r ow n, and I do u n’ to t. I’m in my 40’ Half way back to the river we use for geese on s and was able shotgu ns fu nd e of the SCI OHEC sem i-aut looked and there was a doe omatic 20 -gau ed in pa rt by ge you r orga n iz I wanted to th standing outside the wilation. an k you for you r donatio from you r or lows, flipping her tail as if to n. Without su ga n ization th ppor t ese prog ra m resou rces av s wou ld n’t ha say, “Ha-ha, you missed ai lable for ne ve the w hu nters to cess on both use. I had gr my hu nts, an me!” I couldn’t believe I eat sucd shot my fi rs of geese. t doe and fi rs missed the doe twice, and t couple Th hoped that was not my gu an k you again for your dona tion to the Le n loaner prog arn to Hunt an ra ms, wonde doe! Scott and I duck hu nt rfu l ways to d in g. I w il l be introduce pe pa rt hunted for two hours, givic ople to ip at in g in more grams in the L ea rn to Hu futu re. nt proing my deer time. My Learn to Hunt Deer Experience by Dawn b Da n Ziolecki A co-worker promotes hunting and is a Learn to Hunt instructor. Another co-worker, Lynda, and I were both very interested in learning to deer hunt. So I eagerly contacted Scott Kirchoff to enroll in this program to introduce hunting to adults who have not hunted deer. After about six meetings to learn about deer, habitat, hunting equipment and preparation, we were ready to go on our hunt. Lynda and I met Scott and Brenda, a Learn to Hunt rep for the DNR, at 5:30 am Sunday, October 5. We were fortunate enough to be able to hunt at Brenda’s farm in Lowell. 24 Lynda and her mentor Brenda went to a soybean field to hunt, while Scott and I got in a ground blind in woods about 20 feet from a cornfield. We waited anxiously for legal hunting time. Soon we heard a lot of gunfire in the distant marshes. It was the duck opener. There was a swamp about 75 yards to our left and cornfield to the right and behind us. We were hopeful the duck hunters shooting would scare up some deer our way. Less than two hours into the hunt, Scott spotted two does running from the swamp but away from us. We hurried up and set the rifle on the tripod and aimed towards the swamp. I spotted another doe! This one was bigger but no shot, running too fast and too many trees in the way. We turned towards the back of the blind anticipating the deer might run along the cornfield. The deer never came that way. We didn’t see any additional deer that morning and wrapped up around 10:30am. We all met back at the barn and compared notes. We all enjoyed the hunt. The only deer that were spotted for the Learn to Hunt Program that weekend were those three does. Scott invited Lynda and me to go duck hunting on the Rock River in the Ixonia area. Lynda had another commitment. Scott and I went to see if we would have better luck with duck hunting that day. We picked up Scott’s dog, Remi, and headed to his friend Dave’s property. As I was driving up to the prope r t y, I enjoyed the beautiful hunting property; open field, large spots of willows and the river, as well as corn and soybeans around the property. We pulled up to the pole barn and loaded up the utility vehicle with his dog, guns and waders. We headed towards the river about 50 yards from the house. We went around a small strip of soybeans to get to the field that included a small hill and large patches of willows. The river was along two sides of the property in an L shape. As we were heading to the river, there was a doe standing broadside, feeding near a distant patch of willows. It saw us but just kept eating. I asked Scott if I could shoot her. The deer was in the perfect position. He quickly called Dave who gave us permission. WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 Scott had to walk about 80 yards back to the truck with his dog and get our blaze orange gear and rifle. When he returned, Scott said we would have to belly crawl to the edge of the hill to get a shot. We started to belly crawl in a manure-covered field about 50 yards. We had to stop a few times when the deer picked up her head. We got to the edge of the hill, and Scott said to prop up on my elbows and look through the scope to see if I could see the deer. I couldn’t; my arms are too short. We went over to the right a little. I tried again. I could see the deer, but barely. To help me get a better rest for a clean shot, Scott laid perpendicular to me, and I got propped up on his back to be able to see the deer. I was so excited for the shot. I started to shake! Scott told me to take my time. Easy for him to say, I was just trying to hold the gun still. I looked through the scope; the deer still standing picture perfect, broadside. I shot! The deer just look at me like, really what are you doing? I missed her? I reloaded for another shot. The deer started to run. Scott whistled. The deer stopped. I shot again. She kicked up her back leg and ran into the large bunch of willows. I wasn’t sure if I hit it or missed again. Scott thought I hit her with the last shot but suggested we leave her alone for a couple hours so Dave and his son-inSincerely, law showed up to do Daw n Ziolecki some grass cut ting. Dave picked us up. We went to the willows where the doe ran. I found blood on blade of grass. I start to get excited. Now I knew I had hit her. We stopped at the last blood spot on the branch that lead out of the willows to the long grass, few large bushes and the river. Scott said, “We didn’t find enough blood to think its dead. We don’t want to continue in case it was laying in the grass or bushes. If we spook it and it runs across the river we could lose it.” We decided to go back to the house and wait an hour. Dave’s daughter showed up and we all went to look for the deer. As soon as I got out of the utility vehicle, a doe came running out of the willows right in front of me. I just looked at Dave and Scott with my mouth wide open. Dave said to me “Dawn, that’s not your doe.” I felt much better. Scott and I started to walk around the other side by the river to see if we could see the doe in the bushes or grass. I didn’t see anything. He told me to stay by the edge of the river. He was going to go back and see if the doe was in the bushes or tall grass. If it would come out running I New hunter Dawn Ziolecki shot her first goose would have a safe shot if it and first deer, and says now she is hooked on runs to the river, but if it hunting for food. runs to the f ield, the WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 buildings were too close. I stood there and waited. Of course it seemed like forever till Scott called me over. I couldn’t tell by the way he was acting if he found it or it not. We went back to the last blood trail and started to look for blood. I found a few drops on a piece of long grass. A few steps further was another spot. A few steps further was a large spot. I was looking for more blood when Scott leaned over my shoulder and pointed to my right where my dead doe was half in grass and half in a bush. I was very excited. I said, “I got her! I got her!” I think Scott was just as excited for me as I was. I want to believe she died quickly, but I was glad we waited just in case. We took photos. I actually hit the deer twice. What a relief. The first shot was low on the neck and the second was near her back leg through the gut, which made field dressing it interesting. I did part of it, but Scott did most of it. It was a great learning experience. I know I wouldn’t have been able to do it by myself. Out of the six people in the Learn to Hunt program, I was the only one who saw deer. The entire experience was wonderful. I met great people, learned a lot about deer hunting, had a great instructor and, of course, the big reward was getting venison for our family. 25 t wo billys at a b o u t 10 0 yards. After the shot, I’m thinking I should get up to the ridge top to see what was happening. As I crested, I saw two billys walking toward me. I put the scope on one and then the other. Deciding the one on the right to be larger, I was just Hunt Report: Kodiak Alaska Mountain Goat Adventure by Steve Taylor This hunt actually started in the fall of 2006 when Mike Marta and I hunted goats in British Columbia, unsuccessfully. The hunt was fun, but no shots were taken. The thought of another goat hunt was always in the back of my mind, fast forward to 2013 when a friend recommended mountain goat hunting on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Now I was 64 years old and after many gym hours, I felt somewhat in shape. I applied for a permit through Paul Chervenak, who operates Kodiak Outdoor Adventures outfitting. I enlisted my friend Fred Hubley Jr. to come along. Fred does mountain bike races, cross country skis competitively and is generally in great shape. I figured he would be of great help if we were lucky enough to get a goat or two. Unfortunately, we were not drawn that year. Keeping up our work outs, we applied again in 2014, again without success. To our good fortune, Paul reacquired a guiding area covering the 26 central part of the island adjacent to his cabin on Zachar Bay. He was able to get tags for us in this area. The dates of the hunt were set for late September, Fre d’s 7mm mag a nd my .325 Winchester short mag were zeroed in and we were pumped. We departed early on a Friday morning from Green Bay and arrived in Kodiak late afternoon. After a delicious seafood dinner with Paul (he had pizza, go figure), we tried to sleep before the long awaited hunt would begin the next day. After a delay for our Beaver float plane, we were finally in the air on a glorious afternoon to a mountain lake above tree line. We saw several goat herds from the plane which added to our excitement. The plane was unloaded and gear sorted for establishing a spike camp for three days. Paul enlisted the aid of a second guide, Stig, who turned out to be worth his weight in gold. This young man could move around the mountains like a goat with a huge pack on his back. Plus his constant good nature and big smile made the hunt that much more enjoyable. With our packs all set we started to climb. As darkness fell, we set up our spike camp. Now the mountains on Kodiak are not that high, but they seemed plenty steep to Fred and I. The highest peaks are in the 4500 foot range, we were at 3500 feet, with our camp probably at about 2800 feet. The morning arrived with fog and light rain. After a breakfast of oatmeal and fruit we started hiking, looking for goats. The first bowl we glassed was empty; too bad it would have been a sweet spot. Continuing on, Fred spotted four goats about a mile away. Through Stig’s spotting scope we could see a good mature billy. Then the fog set in. About an hour later it lifted just enough for Paul to plan a stalk. Off we went, moving west about a half mile and beginning a descent of around 1600 feet to a valley floor. It was steep! Then we moved across and around to begin climbing a ridge that hopefully WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 would put us in range of said billy. Paul decided to circle around behind the goats in case the rest of us somehow bumped the goats. As we got into position it was decided Fred would take the first shot at the biggest goat as he was the one who saw them first. I would follow up at another if a chance might present itself. We were now about four hours into the stalk. Fred stayed by the spotting scope. Stig and I moved up 100 yards or so. Stig went higher to see if Fred could get a closer shot. It was now about 3pm. Coming back down to me he reported that indeed Fred could get to about 175 yards of the big billy. As he was explaining the plan in a hushed whisper to me, Fred shot! Stig raced down to Fred to see what was going on. Apparently Paul had somehow alerted the goats and they were coming to us. Fred felt he had to shoot when he had WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 about to squeeze the trigger, when the goat began rolling down the mountain. It was the one Fred had shot. The other goat jumped behind some rocks preventing a shot. There were goats everywhere but none in range. Then out of the corner of my eye to the left up higher,a goat appeared. It looked big to me, long white hair, fairly good horns, alone. It must be a billy, or so I thought. Fred advised Stig to get back up to me as he was certain I would shoot if there was an opportunity. He was right. I g shot and goat number two was rolling down the mountain. s, s, Now Fred and I are not goat experts, g nor are we true trophy hunters. Going in nto o the th he eh unt, un unt, t, we we agreed a into hunt, any represen-ttative ta atit ve ea nima ni mal taken tta ake k n fairly would be a tro-animal p ph ffo or us. us. So, us So o,, Fred’s goat ended up p phyy for bein be ng a yo oun un d being younger billy with around inch n ch ch h o 7 in horns. My “big goat”” ttu u rn n ed e d out to be a mature e turned nann na nn with 8+ inch horns. nn s. nanny W y. We were both happy. e Of course a very nice 0 billy walked past 100 e yards away after the s. s. shooting. So it goes. s sAfter a photo sesg sion, the skinning att and boning of meat took place. It was now about 6 pm. With heavy packs we start our hike back to spike camp. The 1600 foot climb ended up taking place mostly in the dark. We arrived back at camp at 10 pm. What a great day! We broke camp the next morning and hiked back for a bush plane pick up that afternoon. We flew down the valley to Paul’s cabin where the adventure continued with black tail deer hunting, silver salmon fishing, king salmon fishing and a 100 mile boat trip back to Kodiak. This is my fifth trip to Alaska, but never to Kodiak Island. It is unique! I felt that I was truly in the last frontier. Paul Chervenak is a great guide with top notch equipment. His knowledge of the island is astounding. His web site is www.kodiakoutdoors.com. He also does fall and spring brown bear hunts, sea duck hunts and summer fishing g seeing g trips. and sight 27 Hunt Report: 9’ Grizzly at 9 Feet! by Jeff Belongia Having taken an exceptional inland grizzly in April of 2002 with Ray Atkins, I had considered that I may have used up my grizzly “horse shoe.” Grizzly bears are of course North America’s apex predator and can be dangerous to one’s health. Having fished Alaska’s Inside Passage on three occasions, and spotting a number of bears feeding in the salmon choked rivers, I thought a fall hunt for these magnificent animals would provide some excitement. I contacted Gary Gray of Alsek River Lodge and sent a deposit nearly two years in advance. Yes, I did say Lodge! I have done the tent thing in Alaska six other times and can tell you it is overrated. The idea of a hot shower and real food along with a real mattress under me at night was a huge selling point. Ok, I am getting real soft as I age; no argument there. Usually getting remote means higher success with the apex predators, but don’t be fooled; you will not drive to the lodge. There will be bears. Gary is headquartered out of Yakutat, which is about 198 miles north of Juneau. The lodge is a 45-mile plane ride southeast on the Alsek. Yakutat 28 receives an average of 135 inches of precipitation a year. Most of it rain, so having a warm heated “drying room” for gear at the end of the day is a Godsend. My 10-day hunt began on September 12, and I shot the 33rd different bear I saw on Day 4. The routine was to get up at 4 a.m., climb on the quad and ride 45 minutes to an hour to one of the salmon spawning rivers. Once there, we dropped down into the river and waded to the shallow areas where the bears were feeding. Please trust my judgment when I tell you to avoid “walking” the alder choked banks of the river. We would locate a grassy point or “spot” and sit. Often times we would intercept bears feeding in the river quite close so it was easy for a novice like me to determine whether we had chosen a good place to view bears. On four separate occasions I had bears feed or walk to within four to six yards of my position. Yes boys and girls, 12 feet maybe a bit closer. This is not a physically demanding hunt but it will test your nerves. On day two while sitting on a sand bar along the Pacific Ocean and watching bears feed at the mouth of the river, an adult female I estimated at 650 pounds caught my scent and her interest peaked. She walked directly toward me and stood no more than three gun lengths to my right, checking me out. I was not flattered. I must tell you my pulse quickened rapidly and I was happy that I had remembered my blood pressure medication. She stood for a few long moments before deciding not to eat me. Holding a .338 Win. Mag. with 225grain Swift A-Frame bullets loaded to 2850 fps did nothing to slow my pulse before pulling the trigger. I was pointing it in her direction but knew she could bite me before she died. It pleased me not to have to use one of WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 my bullets and my tag on her, but I did. I had to help her decide not to rearrange my profile. You can see in these photos how dark she was. I can highly recommend this hunt and outfitter. Price is well below the average brown bear hunt and it is not a difficult hunt. WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 There was another hunter in camp with his wife. Both were in their late 60s and Mary went out with Jim every day. Jim collected a 9’ 2” bear the third day and my bear was just at nine feet square. Our meals were salmon, leg of lamb, ribs, alder smoked grilled chicken by Gary that was excellent, halibut, and great salads and sides. Ginger Gray is a fine cook and wonderful lady. My guide Don Kann was quiet, but fun to be with. I did enough talking for two in any case. 29 FWS Ignores Science In Upholding Elephant Ban Washington, D.C. – SCI members and millions of hunter conservationists worldwide are shocked and disappointed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) decision to continue the ban on the importation of elephants from Zimbabwe for the rest of 2014, according to SCI President Craig Kauffman. He said, “SCI’s Washington team will do everything within its power to reverse this misguided and baseless policy.” This decision comes months after SCI, Zimbabwe, and others provided data and detailed responses to questions submitted by the FWS. Both Zimbabwe and SCI provided extensive information supporting Zimbabwe’s adaptive elephant management plan and regulated hunting program. The i n f o r m a t i o n d e m o n s t r a te s t h a t Zimbabwe’s management works, U.S. hunters are part of the solution, and the elephant population is not drastically declining as alarmists would have you believe. Removing the U.S. hunter from Africa’s great outdoors will permanently handicap communal wildlife administrators in their fight against poachers and result in significantly less money for conservation and rural development. Problems with poaching in Zimbabwe will be exacerbated by this ill-advised importation ban. I n te r n a ti o n a l hunters are the first line of defense for conservation, manage- ment, and anti-poaching throughout Africa. History has proven that, when wildlife has no value to local residents and businesses, poaching will increase. The following examples show how hunter-derived revenue is critically important to the rural economy of Zimbabwe: In Zimbabwe, hunter-derived revenue contributes between 60-90% of the annual budget for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. This funding is critical to on-the-ground anti-poaching efforts. In many areas, the fees paid by international hunters are immediately reinvested in community projects through a community-based natural resources management program called CAMPFIRE. An average of 90% of CAMPFIRE revenue annually comes from hunting. Elephant hunting contributes more than 70% of CAMPFIRE’s annual revenue. On average $2 million per year in net income directly benefits local communities, and most of this is derived from the lease of hunting rights to commercial safari operators in 49 CAMPFIRE hunting concessions. SCOTLAND RED STAG HUNT Dwight DeBoer Double Drop Tine Stag Armand Brachman 40 Point Plus Stag Complete Packages Include: Extremely Rare White Stag For the Discriminating Hunter! Round Trip Airfare Airport Transfers Meals and Lodging 18th Century Luxurious Estate Scottish Stag Starting Less Than $6,000! Bill Barrett 16 Point Stag Michael Thompson Roe Buck We will personally import your trophies and have them at your taxidermist within 60 days of our hunt! Armand Brachman Largest Known White Stag Michael Thompson 20 Point Stag Nobody does that! Harry Fischer 16 Point Stag Soay Ram Karen Fischer 12 Point Stag Fallow Buck We are not booking agents! Michael, Danielle, & Justin Grosse Are your personal hosts on this exciting adventure! 0RXÀRQ5DP International Adventures Unlimited (970) 641-5369 e.mail intadvun@gunnison.com Dan Pohlman Estate Fallow Dan Pohlman 13 Point Stag You owe it to yourself to call or email and have us send you all the details on this Incredible Opportunity! Featured here are some Wisconsin SCI Chapter members who hunted with us this past fall. 30 WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 You’ve Heard About Us - Now Come Hunt With Us!!! WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 31 LaBarbera Added to Advisory Team Congress authorized the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 2001 to implement and fund a new program to help states proactively address needs of declining wildlife species before they required listing as Endangered or Threatened. The State Wildlife Grants program provides federal funding to every state to conserve wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Species of GCN have low and/or declining populations that are in need of conservation action. They include various birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates that are: • Already listed as threatened or endangered; • At risk due to threats to their life history needs or habitats; • Stable in number here, but declining in adjacent states or nationally; and • Of unknown status here and suspected to be vulnerable. Wisconsin’s “Strategy for Wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need” identifies: 1. Which species with low or declining populations are most at risk of no longer being a viable par t of Wisconsin’s fauna, 2. What habitats they are associated with, 3. Where they occur across the state, and 4. Actions to be developed into specific on-the-ground projects to “get them of f and keep them of f” Endangered or Threatened lists. What this strategy will do for Wisconsin: • Focus efforts on species most at risk. • Save money by preventing species from being listed. The Strategy identifies proactive steps to take now to avoid expensive actions later. • Stress importance of protecting habitats as a means of protecting whole suites of species. • Continue efforts to coordinate and prioritize conservation actions to benefit the largest number of SGCN, as well as other game and nongame species, by providing info on threats and needs from both habitat and regional perspectives. • Provide a reference document and dynamic database to support agencies, organizations, and individuals in meeting their conservation goals. Manufacturing, Inc. 2450 S. Commerce Drive New Berlin, WI 53151 (262) 786-1600 Tel Jim Lang – Sales@advantechmfg.com www.advantechmachining.com Our full service machine shop makes us your “first to call ” and “one stop ” vendor, saving you time and money. By utilizing state-of-the-art CNC machines we consistently deliver expertly crafted, quality parts – machined, assembled, finished and shipped. Custom & Production Machining CNC Lathe CNC Milling Sawing & Buffing Services Resistance & Spot Welding Orbital Riveting Assembly, Packing & Shipping Plasma Cutting Advantech has the unique combination of resources and skills to completely manufacture and ship your product, component or sub-assembly. groups of species without introducing new regulations or constraints, ensure Wisconsin remains eligible for federal funding from the State Wildlife Grants Program, and help guide the future allocation of these funds. SCI life member Mark LaBarbera has been asked to serve on the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan Advisory Team on behalf of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, a key partner. The team is reviewing and helping to revise the action plan. 32 (800) 511-2098 • Build partnerships and encourage collaborative approaches to conserving habitats and species at the local level. With input from partners, DNR will draft an implementation plan identifying which priority conservation actions it is best suited to address and how it can most effectively assist partners. • Adapt to changing opportunities and threats. • Describe ongoing and future opportunities to monitor SGCN and their habitats as well as establish a process for periodically reviewing and revising the Strategy as new information becomes available. • Leverage past efforts to benefit WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 What we can do for you: Quality Control from Start to Finish (including PPAP) Quick, Competitive Price Quotes Close tolerance of custom & production run machined parts Professional “Red Carpet Treatment ” Customer Service Turnkey Solutions Fast Turnaround Times Personal attention and flexibility to complete your project from start to finish done right, the first time on time, every time WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 33 Great Gear by Mark LaBarbera CALDWELL DEADSHOT CHAIRPOD When I tell fellow SCI members that I have one and I need to buy a few more, they know the Caldwell DeadShot ChairPod passed the field tests with flying colors. I used it from a ground blind to take a Wisconsin deer with a TenPoint crossbow, and gave it the Farmer Kev test during pre-season sighting in near Cuba City. Our friend Larry Potterfield and his team at Caldwell, including Kyle Smith, delivered the ChairPod for SCI members who want true benchrest accuracy from a single shooting unit. No need to bother with carrying chairs, sandbags and separate rests out to the ground blind or the range to sight-in. The ChairPod provides all of that in one package; it has a comfortable heavy-duty chair with a built in post and swing arm assembly that fully supports your gun or crossbow front and rear. SCI members now can extend our effective shooting range by stabilizing the entire weight of our gun or crossbow in the ready position while freeing up hands for binoculars, one blind window to the next before taking my shot. I need more ChairPods for my elevated stands and other blinds. I rely on Kevin Hinderman for honest feedback. He’s not much for new gadgets unless they are solid and functional. So when he tested the ChairPod and praised it, we knew it passed the tough Farmer Kev test. rangefinder or warm pockets. The innovative multi-bearing swing arm system is smooth and stable left to right with minimal body movement, and it has a tension-adjustable up/down tilt function. I liked the way the chair silently spins 360º to get you on the target. It made the difference as I changed from BATTENFELD BOGTAC-3S SCI members are talking about the Bog Pod bipods and tripods with the Switcheroo Shooting System that allows quick field changes to fit guns, cameras and other accessories. The Universal Shooting Rest is rubber coated for silent, scratch-free performance, and it swivels 360º. I agree with them that the three-section, highstrength, lightweight aluminum legs provide a solid rest, but I especially like the rapid-adjust lever locks. You can get the TAC-3 Tactical Devil™ Tall Tripod with matte black finish, like I did, or you can buy the CLD version with camo legs. Like my camera tripod that we use for shooting “Deer Hunt Wisconsin” TV, this unit has rubber feet that hat screw up to reveal a steel eel tip for better grip on ice. ce. SCI members can use the Tac-3 in sitting, kneeling, neeling, or standing positions sitions from 22” to 68” usable sable height when legss are spread. It closes oses down to 31” to fit fit in the handy carr rr y bag and weighss only about two o pounds. Alpen Optics Supports Youth Efforts You don’t need Alpen Optics to see the bright-eyed, inquisitive and happy faces of young people discovering conservation and the outdoors, but Alpen’s binoculars and spotting scopes have contributed greatly to the joint education ef for ts of SCI, Outdoor Heritage Education Center and other partners. Through the generous donations of Alpen’s Vickie Gardner, whose title is VP of Stuff & Marketing, SCI, OHEC and others have enriched the lives of thousands of students. Without fanfare or grandstanding, Alpen pitches in. If you look a few issues back at the HUNTERS magazine cover, you’ll see Alpen’s spotting scope at the Camp Long Lake Boy 34 Scout range. At the SCI-supported Midwest Outdoor Heritage Education Expo, Alpen-brand optics were being used to connect students with nature. What can we do to say thank you? W h e n you’re looking for rifle scopes, binoculars and spotting scopes for your kids and grandchildren or for local fund-raisers, consider buying from Vickie at alpenoptics.com. Kyle Riesen with 40" Gemsbok. Kyle and his dad Matt booked the hunt at the Wisconsin Chapter banquet in March. It was a great father-son hunt that will long be remembered. “Thanks for a great trip from start to finish” MATT RIESEN Our 2014 South Africa Eastern Cape hunt is in the books! Pat Kennedy returned after a great hunt last year, Dick Feller and Chuck Dearth from Monroe, Tom Fisher President of Badgerland Chapter SCI, and Matt Riesen and his son Kyle rounded out our group. Also with us was Jake Yunk who purchased the “Youth apprentice experience” at the Wisconsin Chapter banquet. Some great trophies were taken, and a wonderful experience was had by all. Camps, Staff, foods were all first class (as usual). I have another group going in the summer of 2015 that I will be completely escorting from Milwaukee. All travel, firearms permits and logistics are handled for you. I will be in the camps and assisting every step of the way. Its a small group and we have approx. 180,000 acres to hunt. We will be in three separate camps with very personal service. Give me a call for more information. Couples welcome! Dan Trawicki WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 For more information contact Dan Trawicki Ph 262-408-7632 email dantrawicki@hotmail.com or www.dansnorthwoodstaxidermy.com 35 WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 Donated Mounts at Home at "The Range" Jim and Jason Babiasz of the new indoor state-of-the-art shooting facility The Range of Richfield near Cabela's accepted OHEC taxidermy donated by SCI members Tom Kosler, Alan Heth and others for hunter safety, learn to hunt and other educational programs. 36 Legislative Update: Keeping an Eye on Deer Hunt by Bob Welch Hopefully you and your hunting parties had successful gun deer hunts. Unfortunately, there’s a good chance you didn’t. At the time of writing the DNR has released preliminary numbers for opening weekend, and they don’t look good. We always hope to see growing intere s t i n b u y i n g h u nti n g l i c e n s e s but unfortunately 4% fewer licenses were sold by opening day than in 2013, (589,830 in 2014 vs. 615,872 in 2013). Those numbers aren’t good, but initial harvest numbers are much worse. A total of 90,281 deer were killed on opening weekend, 18.5% less than the 110,979 killed through the first two days of last year’s season. Of those, 48,926 were bucks (9% fewer than 2013) and 41,355 were antlerless (27% fewer than 2013) There are several reasons for the lower numbers including foggy and rainy weather and fewer antlerless WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 permits, but there is no question that the main factor is a smaller deer population. Some of the drop in antlerless numbers can be attributed to the Northern Forest Zone being bucks only this year, but even if we look only at bucks the Nor thern District is down 12%, the Southern District is down 13%, and the West Central District is down 11%. Until we see the DNRs final deer registration numbers we won’t know for sure, but if the rest of the 2014 harvest numbers come back as low as expected, 2014’s gun harvest could very well be the worst since the early 80s. Gun deer licenses sold by opening day 2013: 615,872 2014: 589,830 The 2014 total ncludes 545,430 resident, 30,751 nonresident, 21,862 firsttime buyers Deer registered opening weekend 2012: 134,772 Total WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 Pat Barwick shot this Wisconsin whitetail during the 2014 bow season in Buffalo County. 2013: 110,979 Total 2014: 90,281 Total 2012: 71,989 Bucks 2013: 53,865 Bucks 2014: 48,926 Bucks 2012: 62,783 Antlerless 2013: 56,932 Antlerless 2014: 41,355 Antlerless COUNTY DEER ADVISORY COUNCILS By the time you read this article, all 72 County Deer Advisory Councils (CDAC) will have had their final meetings of 2014. Each council will then make their final recommendations regarding three-year deer population objectives. Rather than numerical goals, goals will now be one of three different options: increase, decrease or stabilize. The Natural Resources Board is scheduled to approve 2015-17 deer population objectives on February 25. We continue to encourage hunters like you to attend your County Deer Advisory Council meetings, and there are still openings on the councils in some counties! You can view CDAC membership lists online and contact your county’s chairman if you’re interested in joining. Whether or not your local CDAC is already full, all meetings are open to the public. CDAC Membership: http://dnr.wi.gov/ topic/hunt/documents/cdaccontact. pdf CDAC Meeting Schedule: http://dnr. wi.gov/topic/hunt/documents/cdacmeetings.pdf. This is a very direct way for you to influence hunting in your county and we hope more hunters like you seize the opportunity! 37 Legislator Profile: Rep. Al Ott Embraces Sporting Heritage Al Ott, first elected in 1986, is currently ser ving his 14th term as State Representative for the 3rd Assembly District. Prior to assuming office, Al graduated from Brillion High School, the University of Wisconsin’s Farm and Industr y Shor t Course, and the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program. Additionally, he owned and operated an independent agri-business, was a tenant dairy farmer and cash crop farmer, and was employed for ten years by Keller Structures, Inc. of Kaukauna. Growing up in rural Calumet County, he had the opportunity to do a lot of hunting and fishing as a kid. Lured by the adventure of hunting, fishing and exploring, he spent a lot of time outdoors and developed a love of the land, a respect for our natural resources, and a respect for Wisconsin’s sporting heritage. As a kid, he did a lot of squirrel hunting on his grandfather’s farm. As a young adult he hunted raccoon, deer, ducks, and bear. Trapping has always intrigued him, but he has yet to try it. He still deer hunts, but has particularly enjoyed turkey hunting in recent years. Al didn’t really have a hunting/fishing mentor as a kid. He was just driven by the adventure of being outdoors and enjoyed learning as he went. However, as he raised his own family, he felt it was really important to expose his children to the traditions of Wisconsin’s sporting heritage. He and his wife, Connie, made a point of taking their son and three daughters hunting. Their 38 oldest daughter became quite a squirrel and deer hunter. Another daughter is still a very active and engaged deer hunter, along with her husband. Their son really enjoys fishing. It wasn’t only important to Al to give his own children the opportunity to hunt and fish. He also strives to spend as much time outdoors with his eight grandchildren as possible. Knowing there is so much competing for their time and attention – from athletics to academics and television to technology – he enjoys being able to spend some quality time hunting and fishing with the grandkids. He strongly believes that Wisconsin’s great sporting traditions bring families together and create strong bonds. Al served as a member of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources from 1995 to 2005. It was his great honor and privilege to chair the Committee on Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage during the last session. He thoroughly enjoyed working with stakeholders in the sporting community on a number of important issues. Serving as Chairman really renewed his appreciation for outdoor recreation in Wisconsin. “We can all take pride in our great natural resources and sporting heritage,” he said. “We have a great story to tell here in Wisconsin.” In the past, Ott participated in the Brillion FFA Alumni Association, chaired the Brillion Public Library Advisory Board and ser ved on the Forest Junction Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the EastCentral Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Ott was a member of the Calumet County Board of Supervisors for 18 years, serving as Vice-Chair of the Board for six years. During that time, he served as Chair of the Agriculture/ Extension & Education Committee. He also served as Vice-Chair of the Soil and Water Conservation Committee, which was later named the Land Conservation Committee, and was S e c reta r y of W i s c o n s i n’s L a n d Conservation Board from 1984-1988. Ott was the former Vice-Chair for the Commission on Aging and served on the Solid Waste Management Board, both in Calumet County. In July of 1990, Ott was chosen to Chair the Executive Committee in planning the 1993 Calumet County Farm Progress Days Show. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin Horse Council, Wisconsin FFA and other organizations have recognized him for his outstanding commitment to agriculture. Ott was also selected to receive the first annual Wisconsin Dair y Products Association Appreciation Award based on his outstanding support of the dairy industry. The Representative’s 2013-14 Assembly legislative committee assignments include Chairman of the Natural Re source s & Spor ting Heritage Committee, and membership on the Agriculture Committee (Representative Ott previously served as Chairman of the Agriculture Committee from 19952008), Transportation Committee, Consumer Protection Committee, and the Tourism Committee. Ott was born in Green Bay on June 19, 1949. He and Connie reside in Forest Junction. • Local servicing • Residential lot loans • Purchase and refinance loans • Recreation land loans up to 80 acres (without buildings) • Second home financing throughout WI • Construction loans with fixed rate options • Construction loans with as little as 5% down • Fast closings and low closing costs 76 locations including Brookfield Call Fred Spiewak at (414) 350-7025. SCI WI Treasurer and Bank Mutual Loan Officer (NMLS#: 747030) bankmutual.com/fspiewak bankmutual.com/fspiewak Rep. Ott helped 10-year-old grandson shoot Cole’s first turkey in 2010. WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015 39 SCI Wisconsin Chapter c/o Janean Gehl W157N10472 Fieldstone Pass Germantown, WI 53022 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 317 Fond Du Lac, WI 1DWXUH·V:D\7D[LGHUP\ ZZZ1DWXUHV:D\7D[LGHUP\:,FRP /HW8V%H<RXU7D[LGHUPLVW2I&KRLFH 1DWXUH¶V:D\7D[LGHUP\JXDUDQWHHVLQWHJULW\DQGH[FHOOHQWFXVWRPHUVHUYLFHWRDOOKXQWHUV &DOOXVEHIRUH\RXUQH[WKXQWWRWDONZLWK-HIIDERXWILHOGFDUHIRU\RXUWURSK\DQLPDORU WRUHTXHVWVKLSSLQJWDJV -HII&KDPSHDX6RXWK$OOHQ5G*UHHQ%D\:,3KRQH(PDLO1DWXUHVZD\#DROFRP 40 WI SCI HUNTERS - January/February 2015