HUNTERS Official Magazine of SCI Chapters in Wisconsin March/April 2015 SCI Members & Chapters Load Up On Success Hunt Reports: Grizzly, Scotland Roe Deer & More You’re Invited to SCI Chapter Events May 20-21 Youth Expo Expands at MacKenzie Conservation, Humanitarian and Legislative News WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 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 - March/April 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 - March/April 2015 3 We Support SCI 5% Discount to SCI members HENRY TRIBUTE RIFLES Made In America Or Not Made At All MILITARY SERVICE Honoring Those Who Answer The Call of Duty MODEL NO. HOO4MS LAW ENFORCEMENT Saluting America’s Finest MODEL NO. H004LE FIREFIGHTER Hailing America’s Bravest MODEL NO. H004FM AMERICAN FARMER Celebrating Those Who Feed The World MODEL NO.H004AF EAGLE SCOUT ™ Praising Those Who Reach The Pinnacle of Scouting MODEL NO. HOO4ES For a FREE color catalog and Henry decal visit www.henryrifles.com or call Toll Free (866) 200-2354 'PMMPXVT 4 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 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 [email protected] SCI Region 16 Representative Dale Bruder [email protected] 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 [email protected]. 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. March/April 2015 On the cover: Whether loading a big buck on a new Can Am four-wheeler in the new Mossy Oak Break-Up Country pattern, loading up Blue Bags for the needy or adding memories from hunts across the U.S. and the world, SCI members are loading up on success. (Editor's note: You can't see it, but the photographer assures us the buck was legally tagged.) ed.) In this issue: 28 28 28 10 SCI & NRA Legal Update: Elephant Ban HUNTERS Wins International Award Wisconsin Chapter Report by President Michael Betters Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Report by President Calvin Ort 10 Southeast Wisconsin Bowhunters Chapter Report by President Mike Pjevach 10 11 11 12 Small’s Big Thanks to SCI by Dan Small Badgerland Chapter Report by President Tom Fisher SCI Friends Win Outdoor Channel Awards Lake Superior Chapter Report by President-Elect Cyndy Boyce 12 13 13 14 Quotable Sarah Palin Member Obituary: Paul Scott Franklund Unicorn Buck Photo WiSafariCare: Humanitarian Blue Bags to Brazil by Scott & Julie Beckel 15 Mentors, Too, Learn and Enjoy 18 Humanitarian Hunt Report: SCI On a Roll 19 Hunt Report: The Rest of the Grizzly Story by Jeffery Belongia 24 Photo Gallery: NE WI SCI Members Load Up on Success 26 Hunt Report: Loaner Guns Help Adults Too 28 Call to Action: Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 29 Hunt Report: Scotland Roe Deer by David Seitz 32 SCI Flu Travel News by Bob Dohnal & Tommy Thompson 33 MOHE Youth Expo Thanks SCI, Lead Donors 34 Hunt Report: Wisconsin Buck by Patrick Barwick 36 Legislative Update by Bob Welch 38 Legislator Profile: Senator Paul Farrow Wisconsin Chapter Report by Michael Betters, President We just completed our second annual whitetail night celebrating the successful hunters of 2014. It was a fun event that focused on the youth hunters who all received successful hunter medallions and other prizes. Thanks to all who attend, for those who did not, you missed a good event; maybe next year! Preparations for the 38th Annual Big Game Hunters Grand Banquet are in full swing. We have some terrific hunts and trips lined up as well as several raffles for you to enjoy. By now, you have received your registration forms for the annual grand banquet to be held on March 6 & 7, 2015 at Olympia Resort. We hope all of you can attend at least one of the days! We have tried to make HUNTERS Wins International Award All members of the five SCI chapters in Wisconsin can take pride in our official magazine, HUNTERS, being honored by SCI Headquarters in the international publications awards competition. SCI VP Sherry Maddox wrote, “All Wisconsin chapters have been honored with this Maga zine Award. Congratulations! As in past years, the awards are given out on Wednesday night during convention.” SCI Chapter Presidents thanked Editor & Publisher Mark LaBarbera and all the members who contributed stories, hunt reports and ads for helping to showcase to the world orld our good work k in support of hunters nter nt erss and and conservation. on. Mark Jablonic nic holds the award for HUNTERS and NE WI SCI Chapter’s website award. 8 it even easier to register this year. You can now go on line to register at www. sciwi.org. On a different note, you may have heard that on December 19 US District Court Judge Beryl Howell overturned the de-listing of the grey wolf in Wisconsin. I want to let you know that SCI is already working to get this verdict over turned. We have people in Wisconsin and in Washington who are reviewing the ruling and planning a response. SCI will do all it can with all tools at its disposal to restore this hunting season as part of the science based management of the wolf population. We will keep you updated on the status as more information becomes available. Please watch the website for breaking news updates. Now that it is banquet season, I hope all of you have the chance to go to one of the statewide chapter events. They are a fun way to help raise funds to fight for our hunting rights and a great way for you to meet other hunters at the same time. Take a friend and enjoy the outfitters and other vendors at all of the statewide events. Join, like your way of life depends on it. SCI & NRA Legal Team Update: Elephant Ban SCI and NRA received good and bad news on our challenge of sport-hunted e l e p h a nts f ro m Z i m b a bwe a n d Tanzania. The D.C. federal district court issued a ruling on several motions that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had filed to try to dismiss our claims. The court ruled in SCI and NRA’s favor on our ability to proceed with our challenges to the Zimbabwe bans, clearing the wayy for SCI’s o present our Litigation team to case on why the FWS acted illegally in shutting ting down importation from Zimbabwe. The court’s ruling ing on our Tanzania claimss was not favorable. The judge udge said that because importaortation from Tanzania ia requires a permit, the only ones who can sue to challenge the ban are those who apply for permits, have their applications ns denied and unsucuccessfully participate pate in the F WS’s lengthy permit appeal process. The court rejected SCI’s and NRA’s arguments that, instead of disputing the denial of an individual permit, we challenged the underlying decision upon which all importation applications would be measured. We are considering whether we should appeal the Tanzania ruling. WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 9 Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Report by Calvin Ort, President By the time you receive this issue we will either be having our fundraiser very shortly or it will have just finished. It’s that time of the year again: banquet season. What a great time it is. It’s time to get over cabin fever and make the winter daydreams a reality. It’s the time to purchase your hunts for this fall or the next year. People are working very hard to put the finishing touches on for a nice banquet, getting guns and merchandise for raffles, and hunt chairmen putting together great hunt line ups. All of the chapters do an outstanding job at putting on fundraisers and everyone should try to attend as many as possible. Remember these banquets are fundraisers. Bid often & bid high on these hunts. Most every hunt goes much cheaper than full price, so, regardless, you are getting a great discounted hunt. Remember the proceeds fur ther the chapter’s mission to protect and promote hunting in the state and local communities. Conservation, education, humanitarian projects and fighting for hunters rights - this is what SCI does for you! Remember 70% of the money earned stays with the local chapter! The more money we raise the more we can do! Please help all the chapters in this fundraising season, to keep SCI strong in the State of Wisconsin! Congratulations to Mark Snyder and ever yone who helped the NE WI Chapter win the website international award that Mark Jablonic and I brought back from Las Vegas (see page 8). Southeast Wisconsin Bowhunters Report by Mike Pjevach, President The Bow Chapter board and member volunteers continue to advance the SCI mission for hunters and conservation, working for the cause on behalf of all of us. Whitetail Night is a recent example, and we’re committed to building the event each year in partnership with the Wisconsin Chapter and others. You’ll see coverage of that event elsewhere in this issue. The board also renewed its support for the huge youth event we helped launch last year as the first donor to the Midwe st O utdoor He ritage Education Center at MacKenzie Center, Poynette. This year, on May 21-22, thousands of kids will learn outdoor skills and discover ongoing mentoring, Learn to Hunt and conservation education programs opportunities. 10 I urge you to consider volunteering or, in some way, supporting the chapter and these worthwhile events. I hope you’ll also increase your participation at our fundraisers and other member get-togethers. It helps the chapter advance the SCI mission mentioned at the start of this column. And to everyone who pitches in, I thank you. Thanks for Helping Those Who Help SCI Badgerland Chapter Report by Dan Small By the time you read this, most of the hunting seasons are over and the fundraiser banquet season is well under way. It is now time to start the planning for the next hunting and fishing seasons, with the anticipation and enthusiasm that we all share. Hopefully everyone had a great hunting season, sharing good memories with family and friends. My wife, Barb, and I have just returned from a great trip to Belize, which I purchased at last year’s Hunters Expo, spending time on an island in the Caribbean with fishing and diving/snorkeling, and then three nights in a cabana in the jungle and exploring Mayan ruins. Great adventure, like most of the auction items that we As an SCI member, I see the articles in HUNTERS magazine about “Deer Hunt Wisconsin” TV reaching larger audiences and more stations across five Midwestern states, and how it shows the positive image of hunters, but I wanted to add my personal thanks for your support. When Mark and I wore the SCI Badgerland cap during the show, our larger sponsors took note. I’ve enjoyed working closely throughout the years with many fellow members and all SCI chapters while producing Dan Small Outdoors Radio, “Outdoor Wisconsin” on public TV stations reaching every county, and countless articles for MN and WI Outdoor News, WI Sportsman, other publications and social media. I’m an active member of Badgerland Chapter, and I want to thank its board members for chipping in $2,000 for “Deer Hunt Wisconsin” and DSO Radio. I enjoyed dedicating airtime for interviews with Tom Fisher and Steve Cripps about the SCI mission and the success shared by all chapters. I appreciate SCI’s willingness to pitch in financially toward fulfilling our mission while so many media outlets choose not to help tell the positive story of the hunter’s role in conservation. And I’ve worked closely with the Wisconsin Chapter also, as you have read in these pages, as we showcase SCI’s great work in the areas of youth education, humanitarian services, hunters’ rights and conservation. For example, “Outdoor Wisconsin” recently produced the story of a wheelchair hunt that included chapter funding to Pheasant Crest Hunting Preserve. It airs 9 p.m. March 26, 9 a.m. March 28 on Milwaukee Public TV, and March 28 at 11:30 a.m. on the Digital WI Channel of WI Public TV. Getting our pro-hunting message through mass media to the wider audience and voting public is not getting easier. Airtime is so easily diverted to other issues and non-hunting stories. Yet, it’s reassuring to know that you and SCI are willing to step up and lead the way. For that and so much more, I thank you. WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 by Tom Fisher, President can find at the various chapters’ fundraisers. While doing your reminiscing and planning for next year, don’t forget to patronize the supporters and advertisers who support our favorite organization. Badgerland has added some new friends and adventures to our banquet this year, and their enthusiasm to join the chapter has been great to see. Talk to your hunting friends, and to the business folks in your community and ask them to join SCI. Also, don’t forget Mark and the HUNTERS magazine, and share your adventures with the rest of us across Wisconsin. See ya down the trail, and have a great trip! Outdoor Channel Announces Golden Moose Winners Outdoor Channel announced the winners of its 15th Annual Golden Moose Awards among shows aired on that network. SCI-funded “Expedition Safari” and its host and production team once again did not receive recognition, but many SCI friends and allies, like Jim Shockey, were honored. Emcee was Michael Waddell of Outdoor Channel’s “Realtree Road Trips” and “Bone Collector.” The ceremony at the SHOT Show included performances by Ted Nugent, Nate Hosie and Kari & Billy. Nearly 2,000 outdoor industry leaders, TV stars and lucky fans attended. Special presenters included: Gerald McRaney, star of “House of Cards” and “Ram Outdoorsman;” Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and star of Spor tsman Channel’s “A ma zing America with Sarah Palin;” Theresa Vail, a 2013 Miss Kansas winner, avid bowhunter and host of the upcoming network series “Limitless with Theresa Vail;” country music star and host of “Craig Morgan All Access Outdoors,” Craig Morgan; huntress Eva Shockey of WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 “Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures;” Mossy Oak founder and CEO Toxey Haas; and Realtree President and CEO Bill Jordan. Fan Favorite Award for Best Host/s was awarded to Nugent and was chosen by more than 18,000 loyal viewers of the network. Awards went to the following winners: Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award: Harold Knight and David Hale, “Ultimate Hunting” Best Fishing: “The Bassmasters” Best Conservation, Education & Instruction: “Bass Pro Shops King of Bucks” Best Comedy: “Craig Morgan All Access” Best General Interest Show: “The Gunfather” Best New Series: “Jim Shockey’s UNCHARTED” Best Overall Production: “Drury’s THIRTEEN” Best Series Open: “Driven with Pat and Nicole” Best Deer Hunting: “Crush with Lee and Tiffany” Best Videography / Camera Work: “Raised Hunting” Best Big Game Hunting: “Driven with Pat and Nicole” Best Sound Design: “MidwayUSA’s Gun Stories” Best Bird Hunting: “Crush with Lee & Tiffany” Best Graphic Design / Animation: “Drury’s THIRTEEN” Best Shooting Sports: “The Best Defense” Best Commercial: 26 Nosler, “Flat Out, Lights Out” 11 Obituary: Lake Superior Chapter Report by Cyndy Boyce, President-Elect Hello Members. I trust that this edition of Hunters’ finds everyone well during this banquet season. My name is Cyndy Boyce, and I am the PresidentElect for the Lake Superior Chapter, an honor and a privilege I do not take lightly. Safari Club International has been a part of my life for over 15 years and in that short time I have had an opportunity to see the many great things that our Chapter and many other Chapters have contributed to Safari Club International as a whole. Like many of you, I have built lifelong relationships with members and outfitters from around the world, all because of Safari Club International. Having just returned from the Ultimate Hunter’s Market, aka Safari Club International’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas, I am once again inspired to be a part of this phenomenal organization. There is no other opportunity in the world to spend four days talking to individuals from every corner of the world. It takes almost all four days to see and do everything that convention has to offer and comfortable shoes are a must! Being the President-Elect, I spent my time visiting with past, existing and future donors. Solidifying these relationships is the foundation of our chapter’s continued success and a task that I enjoy. So many of our donors have been with our chapter for many years and many of our members have had great hunts with those donations purchased at our events. I love the opportunity to sit and visit with an outfitter I met on my first trip to Convention. I am even more impressed that we can pick up where we left off. Our chapter and many chapters around the country work hard to maintain and grow our memberships. I am excited about an announcement straight from the Board Meeting in Vegas regarding a new membership offering that was announced in Las Vegas. Our chapter will announce a Membership Challenge, and kick off will start at this year’s banquet. I am a firm believer that our chapter was built on relationships and it is those relationships that I hope to continue with all of our members, donors and exhibitors. As such, please consider this a personal invitation to attend our 17th Annual Banquet on April 10-11, 2015 at Grand Casino Hinckley. This year’s theme is the “Year of the Woman Hunter”, featuring Ron Schara and Raven on Friday Night and Sarah Palin on Saturday evening, an awesome live auction Friday and Saturday with over 50 items each night, a great silent auction both nights, unbelievable raffles with over 100 fabulous rifle prizes and the spectacular HERS Raffle, once Memorable Quote: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who will speak at the SCI Lake Superior Chapter banquet, is called “the master of the quotable quote.” At the SHOT Show just after the NFL playoffs to promote “Amazing America with Sarah Palin” on Sportsman Channel (Thursdays, 9p.m. ET), she was asked how the GOP is doing now that they’re in the majority. “They’ve got to get their stuff together,” she told The Blaze, adding, “It’s not just the New England Patriots who are dealing with deflated balls right now.” 12 SCI Lake Superior Mourns Scott Franklund again this year’s event has something for EVERYONE! I am a huge fan of technology and am looking forward to moving the chapter to a more online presence, utilizing social media outlets, an update to our website, using available online registration applications and easing the paper trail that comes along with every banquet. Keeping our members and outfitters connected using these platforms is essential in today’s world! Developing these applications takes time and will not happen overnight, but in an attempt to provide the need for information we have all become so accustom to having at our fingertips we will go through some growing pains – but in the end we will be able to better build the chapter relationship. Great things will happen! Lastly, I encourage you to register to attend our banquet – April 10 & 11, 2015. This year’s event will sell out! For more details regarding the Banquet or to Register, find our Chapter Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ LakeSuperiorChapterSCI; Chapter Webpage: http://sci-lakesuperior.com/; To Register Online: http://sci-lakesuperior.com/. By the time each of you are reading this, it is likely our event will be nearly sold out! Don’t delay! I look forward to building relationships with all of you and being your future president, I am only too aware of the huge shoes I have to fill, not only from Dale but from the many past presidents our chapter has had over the years and I am hopeful that i will be able to live up to your expectations and my own expectations! April will be here before we know it; so until then, travel safe and I will see you all soon! WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 Chapter member Paul Scott Franklund, 56, passed away of natural causes at his home January 9, 2015. Scott was an avid sportsman and SCI member who loved traveling the world in search of big game adventures that took him to the Aleutian Islands, Yukon Territory, Zambia and, his favorite, South Africa on multiple occasions. Scott was born in Boulder on August 9, 1958 to Dr. Paul and Jeanette (Tatge) Franklund. In 1976 he graduated from Fairview High School and continued his education at Colorado Mesa University, Colorado Mountain College where he obtained his Associates degree, and went on to Arizona State University where he received his MBA. Scott will be remembered as an expert real estate broker who specialized in luxury homes and ranches, proudly selling many of Boulder’s most iconic properties during his vast career. His greatest achievement was bringing the iconic Sotheby’s real estate brand to Colorado’s Front Range as the founder of Legendar y Proper ties Unicorn Roe SCI members in Wisconsin have hunted corn rows for deer, but not unicorn roe deer. Here’s photographic evidence from a roe deer buck shot in Slovenia. We’re assuming it is not a hoax and that the antlers grew like this. Yo u c a n s e e more on YouTube in a video from ShantiUniverse. Sotheby’s International Realty, which later merged with Fuller. The most significant part of Scott’s life was being an amazing, devoted father to his precious daughters, Savannah (15) and Skye (9). He cherished his girls above all else. His dedication to his wife, Jill, was infinite. A doting father and dedicated husband, Scott always made time for and appreciated his wife and beautiful daughters. He will be missed by them and by his fellow SCI members. 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. /HuntingWorksForWI WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 H UNTING W ORKS F OR WI. COM @HuntingWorks4WI 13 WiSafariCare Blue Bags SCI LSC members deliver humanitarian aid to grateful people in Brazil’s Amazon on the Rio Negro River by Scott and Julie Beckel helpful with information and suggestions. As we started accumulating items and talking about it to other people the idea began to grow. It went from bringing a few items, to three and a half blue bags full. The willingness Above, the Mayo Facilities team and enthusiasm from paused for a photo. others was amazing. Help-ing with Below, Julie and I enjoyed giving as much as funds, obtaining villagers enjoyed receiving. items, several of my Mayo Clinic colleagues helped pack 25 one-galJeri handed out Blue Bag contents. lon Zip-Lok bags with 32 family items in each. only was the fishing fantastic, accomEverything from toothbrushes, modations and food first class, but the combs, manicure sets, rope, guides and equipment were top notch. thermometers, Band-aids, The experience of spending 7 days on ointment, flashlights, sewing kits, fish line, treble hooks, lighters, involved in the planning and packing, to electrical tape, small knives, recruiting and involving new friends that washcloths and a small tablet you just met on your trip. The smiles on filled Blue Bag #1 the faces of the people in the villages Then we started collecting young and old were heartwarming. But things for the kids in Blue Bags the smiles and overwhelming emotions #2 and #3, including backpacks, shown by our new friends who helped rubber balls, soccer balls, foothand out the items at villages was just balls, pumps, jump ropes, as touching. They all thanked us several Frisbees, Matchbox cars, bracetimes for including them in this very lets, beads, necklaces, hair ties, humbling experience. The whole expeheadbands, color crayons, rience was more rewarding than words candy, paper, pencils, hats, fi llet Above, left to right are Rodger, Scott, Julie, can explain. I’m sure we will do it again. knives, multi-tools and more. Vic, Jeri, Jacque, Dan, and John. The work it takes Julie and I with the Chief to put the Blue Bags the Rio Negro River on a boat in the together is paid back to you Amazon was one of the our most tenfold. From the excitememorable. ment of getting others I think this is our seventh once-in-alifetime trip we have taken with the help of an SCI banquet auction. We have taken things on other trips. This time I wanted to do it more organized. I sent an email to SCI HQ and back came an email from Karen C re h a n. S h e wa s s o On a recent peacock bass fishing trip to the Amazon, bought at the SCI Lake Superior banquet, with Captain Peacock Yachts and Expeditions, not Mentors, Too, Learn and Enjoy SCI members and partners bring joy, fulfillment and new skills to students young and old at various events. But it is not entirely selfless. Volunteers from SCI chapters, Friends of Poynette Game Farm, OHEC and other groups have learned that mentoring brings its own rewards. DNR instructors often give up their free time or go out of their way to help us teach and recruit new hunters. Thanks to all mentors and donors for making it fun and rewarding for everyone. Here are a few images from Learn to Hunt and other events where SCI loaner guns, volunteers or funding helped make a difference. Mayo Facilities team 14 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 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 HUNTER EXPO 2015 ORDER FORM March 27/28 - 2015 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… Doors open 10am Dining at 7pm Live Auction 8pm Adult $50 17 & Under $40 Raffle Packs Same As Friday This venue is just off the Interstate. It is down the road from Ho Chunk for the gamblers & close to many budget motels… 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... 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! Number Of tickets Friday Dinner Tickets (March 27) Friday Youth Tickets (For Young people 17 & Under) 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) Make your reservations now! www.scibadgerland.com Auction Highlights: Item Great Door Prizes 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. www.scibadgerland.com Saturday March 28, 2015 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: [email protected] Steven Cripps: [email protected] Or call (888)478-4747 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 - March/April 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 Mail to: SCI Badgerland PO Box 2714 Madison WI 53701 17 The Rest of the Humanitarian Services: SCI On a Roll The humanitarian services work of SCI chapter members in Wisconsin warms the hearts of those who give as well as those who receive. SCI’s generosity delivers the healing power of nature along with life-long memories, but we are reminded at humanitarian events that 18 There’s more to the exciting story from last issue about all the grizzlies Jeff Belongia passed up while hunting with Gary Gray of Alsek River Lodge in Alaska. The big black boar that you saw in the photos was not the female that came within nine feet of him during that memorable hunt. Gary and his guides are diligent about identifying and not shooting sow grizzlies. Here’s the story about how Jeff shot his boar. a “lifetime” means different things to different people. Here’s another photo from the SCIsponsored pheasant hunt at Pheasant Crest Hunting Preserve in Oxford. Mark LaBarbera’s Outdoor Heritage Education Center group coordinated with Dan Small for his “Outdoor Wisconsin” TV crew to cover the outing for 11 physically challenged hunters underwritten by the Wisconsin Chapter of Safari Club International. Funding in previous years by the Badgerland Chapter helped guests enjoy the powerfully therapeutic value of this day afield. That’s Terrence Green of Bayview, an African-American Vietnam veteran, shooting from the loaner Action TrackChair provided by Access Ability Wisconsin. by Jeffery Belongia Though my 10-day hunt for coastal grizzly bear lasted four days, those days were exciting and eventful. As I reported last issue, I shot the 33rd different bear I saw. Guide Dan Kann and I had five close encounters with bears along the salmon-studded rivers we hunted. I mentioned the large female that approached our position to within 9 to 10 feet of me and about 15 feet from Don. While I felt more than a bit nervous with that encounter I could see that Don had his rifle trained on the bear as she got to within spitting distance. Well at least I think he had his rifle pointed at the bear! Maybe he just intended to shoot me if she decided to attack? On day three of the hunt a gentleman from Texas hunting with us took a beautiful boar that taped 9 ft. 2 in. around 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Don and I heard the single shot, and when we returned to the lodge about 10 p.m. we were treated to the story. It seems that while packing the bear hide out, the hunter, hunter’s wife and guide Gary Gray bumped a large bear who stood tall enough on all fours to look Gary in the eyes, while Gary sat on the quad. Since Gary is a veteran outfitter and hunter and has operated the lodge since the middle 1980’s I was sure he WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 Alaska Bear was not prone to exaggeration. This was a huge bear. It was decided that Don and I would hunt that area of the river the following day. Our third day involved visuals of four adult wolves fishing salmon and other close encounters with bear. I had a wolf tag in my pocket and could have shot any of the four Canids, but Don felt we should hold-off as it was also prime time for big bruins. It was very difficult pulling my rifle from the shooting sticks and the crosshairs off the jet black wolf with golden guard hairs. Since we did not shoot a bear that evening I still regret not squeezing the trigger of the Sako and sending a 225-Grain Swift A-Frame his way. Earlier that morning while perched on a grassy bank with the heels of my boots nearly touching the flowing current of the river a young bear about 6½ feet jumped out of the bush and onto a sockeye not 15 feet from my toes. Startled does not describe the feeling. A few hours later, while sitting along an alder choked river bank watching a run of sockeye salmon and tucked against and under a mast of densely grouped trees, I felt an uneasiness as if something were there watching me. As water from the morning rain was still dropping from the canopy of alder leaves it was difficult to hear distinctly. I turned my eyes slowly from the river to my right and over my shoulder to search behind me. Expecting nothing out of the ordinary, I was surprised to see a Story brown bear standing and staring directly at me from a distance of maybe 20 short feet. It was almost like peeling back the shower curtain and seeing Freddy Kruger standing there. As I reached to the rifle I had propped against a nearby alder, the bear whirled 180 degrees while making a hell of a lot more noise departing that it had upon arrival. Looking over, I could see under the hood of Don’s rubber rain jacket a wide grin and I chuckled a bit to myself thinking about how easy it was to get close to these bears. We sat out the remainder of day three listening to the wolves serenade the spawning salmon and usher in the darkness. Dinner would be late as we retraced our path down the river to the waiting 4-wheeler. The ride back to the lodge was at least another hour and we had a halfmile of slippery river stones to traverse before we would reach the path to the quad. With head lamps on we could see through the gin clear water and pick our way over and between the rocks. Take your time I said under my breath. No need to take a bath just yet. I remember 4:30 a.m. of day 4 came quickly. I was startled by the “firm” wrap on the door of my cabin. It was time to head to the drying room to retrieve the now dry cloths I had hung near the stove the night before. I made a sandwich or two and packed a couple granola bars and two apples into my dry sack along with two bottles of water. 19 “I felt an uneasiness as if something was there watching me.” 20 We were on our way at 5 a.m. in hopes of finding the big boar Gary had seen the day before. Don decided we would avoid some of the slippery river rocks by taking a compass heading and squeezing our way through the heavy alder tangle and spruce trees to a position just down river from our intended vantage point. In retrospect, it may have been better to battle the current and river bottom than the stubborn yielding bush. As we made our way east through the woods I recall thinking that it was hell in the light and it would be much worse in the dark. That thought proved to be more than accurate later that evening. Don was optimistic as it was the first day he took a pack frame along. I smiled as he lashed it to the front of the quad along with my dry sack and rifle. We hit the river within yards of where Don had intended and made our way up current to a grass bank. Sitting on a little wet but unsubmerged muddy bank I tried to make myself comfortable. We had sun for the first time and I took out my camera to record some scenery. It wasn’t long before we heard the unmistakable sounds of a bear maneuvering for salmon in the currents. I watched a beautiful sow with golden head and chest feed her way down the river along the opposite bank and directly across from our position. I captured her in a few photos and asked Don to confirm my guess of 7 feet? He did. The next two hours were unproductive as far as bears, but we occupied our time WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 with the ducks, mergansers, eagles, and fish. The sound of a large, heavy bear in the river current is distinct from that of young clumsy bears when they fish. The sploosh, sploosh, sploosh, of a young bear is like a person quickly running through a puddle on their toes, compared to the long heavy wading movements of a large experienced bear pushing volumes of water ahead of his massive legs and shoulders. I will always remember that sound as it rolled down the river to our position on the bank. I could not see the bear as the alders immediately to my right blocked my view but Don raised his binoculars and stepped out into the water for a better look up the river. Without taking the Swarovski from his eyes he whispered to me, “You should seriously think about shooting this bear.” Earlier he had given me the distances to two small islands up river from our position. The first was 113 yards and the second 125. This bear was heading directly between the two islands. I eased to the edge of the bank placing my shooting stick into the water in WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 front of me and placed the 338 in the V of the sticks. My left leg was actually in the river and I felt the sandy bottom as my foot searched for purchase. Even without the magnification of the scope I had set on 6X I easily realized that this bear was different from the previous 32 we had encountered. There was no need for Don to repeat his suggestion. The bear was big, black and wet. I told Don to get ready as I was going to shoot. I knew that his client from the previous week had lost a bear in the heavy alders after making what Don had thought was a killing shot. I could tell that the loss of that bear still bothered Don. It would be dark in an hour and neither of us wanted this bear to make it out of the river and into the heavy alder morass of S.E. Alaska. I was sure this bear was mine as I squeezed the trigger. Seeing the bullet impact directly behind his left front shoulder and hearing the solid slap of the bullet on the heavy wet hide told me all I needed. I instantly worked the bolt for a second shot. He dropped his hind quarters into the river and bit at the irritation behind his shoulder and over his heart. As his body rotated to his right my second shot hit him in the center of the neck dropping him to his back and into the water. His flailing legs sent splashes high into the air above him. I heard Don say, “You killed him.” as he sent a shot down range and into the bruin’s shoulder. A few smiles were exchanged along with a congratulatory handshake. As I repacked my dry bag with camera and jacket, Don grabbed the shooting sticks and waded up stream to the trophy. When I arrived, I was impressed, not only with the size of this animal but with the deep black color of the hair. He looked like a black bear on steroids. There was no Albinism in his gene pool! I looked at Don and cussed a bit. The surprise look on Don’s face and his inquisition as to my problem let me know that I had achieved the desired result. “What is wrong?” was the retort. “I did not want to shoot one this nice, now I have to pay for a full mount.” If you want to hunt with Gary Gray at Alsek River Lodge, visit www. alsekriverlodge.us. 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 [email protected] **Rooms are available by calling the Grand Casino direct at 800-472-6321** Member Success You don’t have to own a Can Am Outlander ATV or UTV in the new Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo to haul your trophy, but it sure helps. SCI members from Wisconsin loaded up on Who's Who and where they were - Counter clockwise from top right A - John Prothero, South Africa B - Mark Snyder, South Africa C - John Pearson, Florida D - John “Walt" Janke, New Mexico E - Greg Jansen, New Mexico F - Cal Ort’s hog, Florida G - Anita Daggett, Wisconsin H - Mike and Joyce Christianson, South Africa I - Mark Jablonic, Wisconsin J - Jim and Colleen Skwor, Spain K - Paul Janke, Wisconsin L - Jeff Borree, South Africa M - John Pearson, Florida N - John “Walt“ Janke, South Africa O - Jeff Borree, South Africa P - John “Walt“ Janke, South Africa Q - Cal Ort, Florida A B success during 2014, as you can see here. Please share your photos and/or stories with us for future issues by emailing them to WiSCImag@peoplepc. com. C D G E F H I J L K O N P Q M 24 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 25 Loaner Gun Gets Gobbler Brad has hunted deer for decades and taken many bucks throughout the years, but he had never discovered the joys of outsmarting a wild turkey. Call it “adult onset turkey syndrome” or whatever you want, but something moved him to begin turkey hunting now that he is middle-aged. He had heard his friend SCI member Dan Small talk enthusiastically about the excitement of calling the big birds and having them respond. Any time of the year, Dan told him, there’s something special about turkey hunting. So Brad bought a turkey hunting license and then realized that he did not have a turkey gun, and his deer rifle was not legal for turkeys. Dan told him about the loaner guns with interchangeable choke tubes that SCI Wisconsin Chapter helped Outdoor Heritage Education Center purchase. They contacted OHEC. A loaner gun was available during their season, which fell between scheduled Learn to Hunt events that otherwise tied up the guns. Brad took it as a good sign. He was right. He shot a nice gobbler that week, and Dan Small shared this photo he took of Brad with the loaner gun. If you would like to use loaner shotguns or rifles for your Learn to Hunt programs or other mentoring needs for new hunters of any age, please contact Mark at wiscimag@ peoplepc. com. Turkey Tip As you and other SCI members prepare for your turkey hunts in Wisconsin and wherever you travel, here’s a tip we picked up recently during lunch with Randy Christensen from Cabela’s in Prairie du Chien, who has an amazing 211 birds under his belt as hunter and/or caller. He enjoys mentoring as much or more than filling his own tag. Randy noted that some gobbler decoys come with red paint on their heads, but that’s the color of a bird that’s ready to fight. Buy one, instead, with a blue/white head or repaint it yourself with a matte finish that is blue/white. Use it with hen decoys. Let the live gobbler think he can steal a hen or two from an unsuspecting gobbler not in the fighting mood. For the full story, stop in at Cabela’s and chat with Randy during one of his turkey seminars this spring. Randy shares turkey hunting tips p with Cabela’s customers. 26 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 27 Call to Action: Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 SCI President Craig Kauffman is urging members in Wisconsin to contact your two U.S. Senators and share your views on the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015, which was introduced recently by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). This important compendium of pro-hunting provisions has been passed by the House but blocked in the Senate for years. Now, with the election of several new pro-hunting Senators in 2014 and the resulting change in chamber leadership, the bill has its best chance ever to be passed through both chambers of the Congress. SCI in conjunction with other pro-sportsmen’s groups such as the National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, the Boone and Crockett Club and the Congres-sional Spor tsmen’s Foundation worked tirelessly from the very first day of the 114th Congress on the introduction of the act. Kauffman said, “America’s hunters and anglers trust that the U.S. Senate will take action on this landmark piece of legislation quickly to preserve our hunting heritage for future generations of sportsmen.” S e n. M u r kow s k i s a i d, “ T h e Bipartisan Sportsman¹s Act is not only an access bill, but also a way to promote economic growth in our country. Sportsmen and women across the country spend billions of dollars each year on outdoor activities. This economic activity not only helps local communities but aids conservation efforts as well. This common sense, bipartisan legislation supports conservation efforts while also improving access to recreational hunting and fishing on federal lands.” According to SCI Re gional Representative Committee Chairman Dale Bruder, SCI is very appreciative of the work of Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and her Democratic colleague Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) in compiling the bill and serving as the principal original co-sponsors. Northeast Wisconsin Chapter high bidder makes lifelong hunting, travel and golfing memories with International Adventures Unlimited at the Queen’s Balmoral Estate. by David Seitz My wife, Jeanne, and I were the successful bidders on a Roe Deer Hunt in beautiful Scotland at our first SCI Dinner in Green Bay Wisconsin in 2013. Steve and Sue Taylor had invited Jeanne and me to attend the dinner and what a time we had! A vast array of exciting hunts were offered at the “live auction” and a large number of booths prepared by outdoor vendors and guides, provided a grand array of options for any outdoor person. area and it is complete with a magnificent castle, beautiful rolling green hills, an abundance of game, a golf course, and wonderful gardens. Each of our four hunters had his own guide who was also a professional gamesman for the queen. Their position has often been handed down from their fathers and these guys know what they are doing! They dressed very professionally with Scottish hats and sometimes a tie. We used their rifles with scopes and silencers. I was so I was so glad I didn’t wear my Green Bay Packers cheese-head and my fluorescent orange hunting jacket, as I often do on my Wisconsin deer hunts. It wouldn’t have fit in at all! OUTDOOR AD V E N TU R E S AND TA X I D E R M Y ST U D I O S Steve and Sue had been on the Scotland Roe Deer Hunt previously and they explained that the staf f of “International Adventures Unlimited” led by Michael and Danielle Grosse provided a great time for guests. Our trip began with an eight-hour flight from Chicago to Edinburgh and a couple days of exploring the history and culture (including Scottish whiskey tasting) of the area. Then, it was on to the Glen Lui Hotel in Ballater, Scotland. We met our four fellow hunters and enjoyed the quaint atmosphere of this hotel where we would enjoy our meals and the fine Scottish hospitality including, of course, the Scottish Whiskey. Next morning it was up at 3 a.m. and time for a quick breakfast before we headed for the Queen’s summer residence in Balmoral. This 20x30 square mile area is the Royal Family’s vacation 262-443-3102 www.trudelloutdooradventures.com s74!"ESTIN3HOW!WARD7INNER s-USEUM1UALITY4AXIDERMY s7EBOOK(UNTINGAND&ISHING4RIPS s&ULL3ERVICE4AXIDERMY s'AMEHEADS,IFESIZE!FRICAN%XOTICS !NTLER-OUNTS&ISHAND"IRDS s-OUNTS!NTLER!RTFOR3ALEGREATFOR BARSCABINSDENSANDGIFTS sYEARSOFEXPERIENCE s0ROMPT3ERVICEAPPROXMONTHS 28 Hunting Report: WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 glad I didn’t wear my Green Bay Packer cheese-head and my fluorescent orange hunting jacket, as I often do on my Wisconsin deer hunts. It wouldn’t have fit in at all! The guide to hunter ratio was 1:1 and we took off in our Jeep-like vehicle, beginning to search the hills for our trophies. At last we saw a 6-pointer about 800 yards up a green and spongy hillside. We ran up about 600 yards and it was then my time to shoot. Breathing heavily from the run, I steadied my shot as best I could and dropped the animal in its tracks. Having aimed right at his chest, I hit him right in the head. I tried to explain to the gamesman that I aimed at the head to preserve the meat, but he gave me a knowing smile. The animal was then taken to the queen’s castle for pictures, and immediately on to the “Royal Butchering SCI member David Seitz used the gamekeeper’s rifle with its silencer to shoot a roe deer, and wants to return to Balmoral for red stag. Area” where some of the 250 full-time employees of Balmoral skin and butcher the meat for use by the staff and the Royal family. Each hunter was allowed to shoot two bucks and arrangements were made for mounting, either in full body or head mounts. Other hunts are also available in Scotland for the beautiful red stag. Those hunts are fall hunts and allow for harvesting a much larger and colorful animal. Jeanne and I felt so privileged to be in Scotland on the queen’s private land, participating in a hunt like this. In addition to hunting, we also toured the area and even played golf on the queen’s course. Scotland is a beautiful country with friendly people and wonderful food. Inte r national Ad ve nture s Unlimited does an excellent job of arranging everything and making their guests comfortable. And the price is reasonable. Be sure to hunt and travel in Scotland if you ever get the chance. 29 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! WILD 0RXÀRQ5DP International Adventures Unlimited (970) 641-5369 e.mail [email protected] SHEEP Foundation Midwest Chapter 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 - March/April 2015 You’ve Heard About Us - Now Come Hunt With Us!!! WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 31 Flu, Ebola and You Flu season brings many interesting problems for SCI members and others. A re ce nt me ssage from former Wisconsin Governor and Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G Thompson is a reminder to all of us. See excerpts below. I have given thousands of flu shots, supervised them in nursing homes for 40 years, and studied continuously the ramifications of flu and its vaccine. The Ebola epidemic in Africa has brought this knowledge and concern to the fore about how to combat these pandemics. Flu kills anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions, depending on the year, the numbers of people vaccinated and the strain of the flu. It hits seniors and children the worst. My Grandfather, Emil Dohnal, from Maribel, WI, got the flu and three days later was dead. He was a healthy farmer in his 30’s with wife and four kids. I have watched flu hit in nursing homes; it is really rough. We do not have any good treatments yet. Flu vaccine is not perfect. Tamiflu, advertised on TV, is okay if you take it a day before you get the flu. My fellow SCI members should know as they travel around the world that bird flu keeps popping up, as does swine flu, under another name. Both of these are covered by the flu shot. In the USA, we have big problems. People without any knowledge, medical degrees or experience are spreading rumors about flu. I will not go into them all here. It is easy to debunk them. 32 First, you do not get sick from a flu shot. It is a dead virus. That is why the vaccine only works for a short time. If millions get shots, some people will get sick from colds, etc. that day or the next. If you do not like a shot and are worried about preservatives, like mercury, get preservative-free or the attenuated virus in the nasal spray. All of the shots that you have ever gotten, antibiotics, etc. have had preservatives. You can get side effects from all meds, like it hurts a little, or there’s redness, etc. Some people can be allergic. If you are allergic to eggs, be careful. Finally, if you are healthy, in good shape and in your 30’s, you can probably skate by, but you might still get the flu and give it to children, Granny and neighbors, with bad results. As parents , we have a responsibility to properly take care of our kids. The govt. does not require you to get this shot and some private schools do require it. In NY, 98% of the kids in public schools are vaccinated for the childhood diseases, but only 47% in private schools. Latest news says that only 47 % of women are getting vaccinated for flu and they are the key caregivers. I would hate to see lots of mothers not get shots, get sick and then infect their children. Finally a mutant form of H3N2 has arrived in Wisconsin. The present vaccine is not as effective on it, but it still is somewhat effective. Doctors are recommending getting the shots anyway cause there are other flu viruses out there. Doctors believe that the shot will help somewhat anyhow. Finally, I beg people to put Facebook articles, Internet fables, uneducated peoples opinions and anecdotes, and other false rumors aside to contact your pediatricians, your doctors and nurses that you trust, and get the truth. Here is an excerpt from an editorial letter by former Wisconsin Governor and Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy G Thompson: The simple fact, reaffirmed by countless studies, is that the flu vaccine reduces the number of occurrences. Perhaps even more important, the vaccine seems to reduce the chance of severe illnesses, as detailed in a study released by Duke University earlier this year. division of infectious disease. Why get a flu shot? The flu kills an average of 35,000 people a year, with about 200,000 annually ending up in the hospital. Flu is a highly contagious viral illness. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommends immunizations for everyone age 6 months and older, which coupled with a strong educational effort has increased vaccination rates over a ten-year period to just over 51% by 2011, a near-ten point increase over a decade. Unfortunately, progress has stalled over the past two years among a demographic most impacted by the flu. Despite the average age of flu patient hospitalization skewing higher at just shy of 29 last year, according to a study published earlier this year in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care, flu vaccination rates have remained virtually unchanged at just under 40% among adults over the past ten years. This year, the flu is dominated by the very damaging H3N2 strain, which according to the Center for Diseases Control, already accounts for more than 90% of the cases. The CDC sounded an early alarm pointing to the previous H3N2 strains as being responsible for greater hospitalization rates and deaths than recent and more-common strains that have circulated in recent years. Together, for not only our own personal health but also the health of those most vulnerable that we care about, as SCI members let’s make sure the flu vaccine remains an annual tradition. WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 With spending cuts and tight budgets, more schools are finding it difficult to deliver educational field trips for students. Even with low gas prices that reduce bus transportation costs, teachers and administrators struggle to afford the total expense. Students lose opportunities as schools cut back to stay within their budgets. So you can imagine the reaction of educators when they learn that students can attend the b i g M i d we s t O u td o o r H e r i t a g e Education Expo free, and that transportation grants are available for schools in need. NEW DATES, MAY 20-21, 2015 Thanks to DNR in-kind support and major funding from Founding Sponsors like the Wisconsin Chapter of SCI, Wisconsin Friends of NRA and SCI Badgerland Chapter, and from the first donor, the Southeast Wisconsin Bowhunters Chapter of SCI, MOHE Expo founder and organizer Mark LaBarbera is able to help schools deliver education-packed outdoor skills experiences to thousands of students. Founding Sponsor Dane County Conservation League this year doubled its donation and moved up among major funders to help more schools attend the May 20-21, 2015 MOHE Expo at the DNR’s MacKenzie Center, Poy n e t te. R o c k y M o u n t a i n E l k Foundation and Friends of Wisconsin Conservation Congress donated significant funding and WCC offered more transpor tation grants. Whitetails Unlimited, Wisconsin Bowhunters, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Wings Over Wisconsin and others contributed to the event’s success. Students from Milwaukee, Madison, Ho-Chunk Nation and schools from as WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 far away as Scales Mound, Illinois, last year enjoyed archery, airguns, dog handling, m u z z l e l o a d i n g, birding, conservation, forestry, fur trapping, plus ATV/snowmobile and firearms safety, natural heritage, elk, turkey and waterfowl calling and other activities run by volunteers from various partner groups and DNR staff. Bison, wolves, eagles and more than a dozen other live animals will be on-site again this year, plus the SCI Sensor y Safari from the Badgerland Chapter. DAN SMALL AIRS EXPO LAST MONTH ON TV Dan Small’s Outdoor Radio and “Outdoor Wisconsin” TV featured the MOHE Expo and sponsors. The show originally aired on public TV stations throughout A me rica’s Dair yland February 26 & 28, and now is available free year-round on www.mptv.org, showcasing the good works, generosity and volunteer spirit of hunters to a mass audience of non-hunters. Other media already covered the event positively and it looks like even more newspapers, magazines, websites and radio stations will help spread the word to a wider audience after the May 20-21, 2015 event. Overall, SCI leaders see the MOHE Expo generates positive publicity and is a great way to give students an opportunity that many would not otherwise have, plus deliver information about the sportsman’s role in conservation, the economic impact of hunting, and where they and their parents can go for ongoing outdoor education pro gra ms, Le a r n to Hunts a nd mentored opportunities throughout the year. If you, your company or your group would like to volunteer or donate funds in any amount to help grow this event and reach more schools and students, see www.outdoorheritageeducationcenter.com or contact organizer Mark LaBarbera, OHEC MOHEE, 2955 Kennedy Rd., Hazel Green, WI 53811, at 608-854-2196, malabarb@peoplepc. com or mobile 520-730-9252. Photo by Chico LaBarbera by Bob Dohnal SCI, FNRA & DCCL Lead Donors for Youth Expo 33 Hunt Report: Wisconsin Whitetail by Patrick Barwick Here’s another photo and the story behind my 2014 Buffalo County buck. We got to the cabin Friday, October 17, and I only hunted the evening. It was really windy and I did not see any deer. Saturday, I went out early, and it was again windy, so I thought I was going to have another uneventful morning sit. At 8 a.m. I heard something walking behind me and knew it was not a squirrel. I looked down and to my left, and the buck was almost under my tree. I saw the spread and counted the nine points, then drew on him as he was walking away from me. In my mind I was saying, “Turn, turn, turn!” I wasn’t going to take a straight away shot on the south end of a northbound buck. I needed an angle. And, as if on cue, he turned. I released the string. The shot was good, but I was a little worried that I only had two-thirds of the arrow sticking out. This is the first time using Rage expandables, and Dan Trawicki had said they are awesome. I saw the buck make a small circle and start heading down a small hill. Then I heard the crash. I waited five minutes and got down slowly, walking to where I heard him go down. There he was. I saw he was a bigbodied deer but didn’ t know how big until I weighed him at 223 pounds dressed weight. He had 10- to 11-inch tines, 19-inch spread and rough score of about 156 gross. Obviously, Dan was right about the Rage broadheads. 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 34 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 For more information contact Dan Trawicki Ph 262-408-7632 email [email protected] or www.dansnorthwoodstaxidermy.com 35 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 Legislative Update by Bob Welch For years we have fought for our state’s right to manage its own wolf population. In 2011, the Obama administration agreed, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released a decision leading to the January 2012 removal of gray wolves from the federal endangered species list. In April of 2012 Governor Walker signed into law Wisconsin’s Wolf Management Act and three successful wolf seasons followed. DECEMBER RELISTING On December 19, 2014, a federal judge who has likely never set foot in Wisconsin, overturned the 2011 FWS decision, putting gray wolves back on the endangered species. By overturning the decision the judge has blocked Wisconsin’s wolf hunt and our ability to manage our own wolf population, at least for the time being. This is yet another lawsuit in the constant stream of anti-hunting lawsuits 36 from the Humane Society of the United States. In this case they came upon a sympathetic judge and got the decision they were looking for. Even more concerning than the effect of immediately putting wolves back on the list is what the judge used for her rationale. She stated that until wolves are fully restored in their entire original habitat, they can never be delisted. This means until wolves are walking down Wisconsin Avenue in central Milwaukee, they are still endangered. As ludicrous as that sounds, until this decision is appealed, it is the law of the land. That said, hopefully this is a temporary problem. From the moment this decision came down, we have been hard at work to find a solution. POTENTIAL FEDERAL LEGISLATION Naturally there are many ongoing discussions about appealing this awful decision. SCI will no doubt be involved in this effort. But no matter how ridiculous the decision being appealed is, appeals can take a very long time. A potential solution with perhaps a better time frame is federal legislation to reinstate the FWS’s order to remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species list. In January the Wisconsin Chapters of SCI signed onto a letter to the Wisconsin delegation in DC, asking for such legislation (see the attached letter). This effort is being led by Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association, with pretty much every farm group and every sportsmen’s’ group being involved. U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble has stepped up to be the lead author of a proposal to fix this problem. His bill is similar to a 2011 bill that fixed a similar problem in Idaho and Montana. Already he has secured bipartisan support for the measure. The bill would affect wolves in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wyoming. The specifics of the Wyoming situation are a bit different, but with the same result - the FWS delisted wolves and a court decision relisted them. WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 The way that legislation gets done in Washington is, of course, complicated and difficult. With the ready example of Idaho and Montana, it should be easier to get this proposed solution the support it needs to pass. Whatever the eventual strategy becomes, SCI will be involved, as this threat from HSUS is really the “tip of the spear”. The anti’s war against hunting and wildlife management really starts (and hopefully stops) with the war against wolf management. As always, we are here in Madison every day making sure Wisconsin’s hunters are well-represented. If you have any question or ideas, please feel free to contact us at 608.819.0150. WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 37 LEGISLATOR PROFILE: Senator Paul Farrow Senator Paul Farrow, the former owner of a home inspection business, has been an avid angler for most of his life, utilizing the many lakes Waukesha County has to offer. Born in Milwaukee in 1964, he just recently took an interest in hunting, specifically taking part in the great Wisconsin tradition of deer hunting. He is married and has two children. Senator Farrow joined Representative Mary Czaja by authoring Senate Bill 185, which provided the opportunity for hunters to use crossbows during a season concurrent with the archery deer hunting season. As some SCI members know, there was heated debate, deal-making, and communication issues surrounding 2013 Wisconsin Act 61, which allows people of all ages and abilities to hunt deer with a crossbow. Senator Farrow is proud of the Crossbow Bill. He and SCI members look forward to working together for the good of hunting, fishing, trapping and conservation. Elected to the Assembly in 2010 and the Senate in the 2012 December Special Election, Senator Farrow was re-elected in 2014, and is the Assistant Majority Leader beginning in 2015. The 1987 Waukesha County Technical College and 1991 Carroll University graduate now has the following Biennial Senate committee assignments: Chair, Education Reform and Government Operations; Vice-Chair of Elections and Local Government; Vice-Chair of Revenue, Financial Institutions, and Rural Issues; and member of the Senate Organization; Workforce Development, Public Works, and Military Affairs committees; and Joint Committee on Legislative Organization. In the past, he has been Chair, ViceChair or member of these committees: Government Operations, Public Works and Telecommunications; Review of the Common Core Standards Initiative; Education; Judiciary and Labor; Joint Legislative Council; Joint Sur vey Committee on Retirement Systems; State Fair Board. Before that, in the Assembly he was Vice-Chairman of the Transportation committee and served on the Colleges and Universities; Housing, Governor’s Council on College a nd Wor k forc e Re adine s s; a nd Transportation Projects Commission committees. Self-employed as a partner in a radon mitigation company, Senator Farrow is also a member of the Pewaukee Chamber of Commerce, Presidential Advisory Council-Carroll University, Waukesha Co. Business Alliance, Waukesha Co. Republican Party and Past Member: of the National Association of Home Inspectors. He is also Past President of the World Muskie Hunt. During the 2015-2016 Legislative Session, Senator Farrow is currently researching and discussing ways to improve and simplify the manner in which the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues licenses and permits to hunters, anglers, and anyone who takes advantage of Wisconsin’s natural resources. Senator Farrow welcomes any thoughts or suggestions on how the DNR can improve and streamline its process. More students and adults now can enjoy healthy time outdoors discovering the DNR’s MacKenzie Center, according to Director JD Smith, Ruth Ann Lee and Chrystal Seeley-Schreck, thanks to a 2015 donation of snowshoes from SCI ally Outdoor Heritage Education Center and additional partial funding from Friends of MacKenzie. Cabela’s in Prairie du Chien gave a generous discount on 40 pairs of high-quality aluminum snowshoes in youth and other sizes. • 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 38 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 2015 WI SCI HUNTERS - March/April 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 - March/April 2015
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