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The Alaska Hunter – Winter 2008 - Safari Club International

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A publication of the <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter of <strong>Safari</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>International</strong> www.aksafariclub.org • WINTER <strong>2008</strong><br />

Ak Chapter SCI<br />

Annual Fundraiser<br />

Reserve Your<br />

Tickets Now!<br />

See page 14<br />

INSIdE ThIS ISSuE:<br />

President’s Report<br />

by Eddie Grasser · · · · · · · · · · · · 2<br />

Two Smoking Barrels<br />

by Vic Flint · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 4<br />

SCI Christmas Party · · · · · · · 6<br />

In the Pursuit of Coues Deer<br />

by Paul Atkins · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 8<br />

Trophies of an African<br />

<strong>Safari</strong> · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 11<br />

Hunting & Fishing<br />

Donations 2009 · · · · · · · · · · · 12<br />

Hunt Expo & Banquet · · · · · 14<br />

Government Affairs<br />

Report · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 15<br />

Friday, February 20, 2009<br />

~ Doors open at 5:30 PM<br />

~ Open to the public, no charge<br />

to get in<br />

~ Military Appreciation Night -<br />

Show your military ID and get<br />

a free chance in a gun raffle<br />

~ Free entry into a gun raffle for<br />

everyone who attends<br />

~ Huge wildlife/taxidermy display<br />

~ Live and silent auctions and<br />

one of the best sportsman’s<br />

raffles of the year<br />

~ Hunting and fishing trips from<br />

around the world, guns,<br />

outdoor gear, fine art,<br />

jewelry, furs and fun vacation<br />

packages<br />

~ No host bar and snack counter<br />

SCI<br />

<strong>Safari</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>International</strong><br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter<br />

33rd Annual<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong>n Hunting Expo and<br />

Sportsman’s Banquet<br />

Expo &<br />

Banquet<br />

February 20-21, 2009<br />

Dena’ina Center<br />

7th & G, Anchorage<br />

Saturday, February 21, 2009<br />

~ Doors open at 5:00 PM<br />

~ Huge wildlife/taxidermy display<br />

~ Live and silent auctions and the best<br />

sportsman’s raffle of the year<br />

~ Hunting and fishing trips from around<br />

the world, guns, outdoor gear, fine<br />

art, jewelry, furs and fun vacation<br />

packages<br />

~ Over 60 fine firearms will be given away<br />

including such guns as a Merkel .470<br />

Nitro Express double rifle, 5 Kimbers,<br />

shotguns, etc.<br />

~ Fantastic dinner<br />

~ Meet with outfitters from around the<br />

world<br />

~ Discuss issues with <strong>Alaska</strong>’s leading<br />

policymakers<br />

~ Tickets are $75 and may be purchased<br />

on the SCI <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter website at:<br />

www.aksafariclub.org, by calling<br />

980-9018 or emailing admin@<br />

aksafariclub.org


Friends,<br />

<strong>2008</strong> <strong>–</strong> What a year! SCI <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter had some really good moments and like most groups interested<br />

in the outdoors and the 2nd Amendment, the change apparently coming to Washington D.C.<br />

leaves one wondering whether a dismal future awaits us.<br />

First the good stuff. Once again our fundraiser in February set new standards and Terry Holliday,<br />

Glen Coolahan and Reuben Hanke gave us huge boost with a spectacular raffle for a brown bear hunt,<br />

red stag and fishing on the Kenai River. This adventure of a lifetime raffle was designed to raise funds<br />

for our battle against the anti-hunters on ballot measure 2. Ballot Measure 2 made us all nervous, but<br />

unlike the previous two times this issue has been before the voters, <strong>Alaska</strong>’s hunters came together<br />

and soundly defeated the anti-hunting animal rights activists. Let’s hope we’ve put such diabolical<br />

attacks on our heritage to bed for awhile.<br />

This past year your chapter was also involved in several major programs of significance to conservation<br />

like the wood bison project which finally came to fruition with the arrival of a small herd at the <strong>Alaska</strong><br />

Wildlife Conservation Center. We continued to send teachers to the American Wilderness Leadership<br />

School and we remained one of the largest supporters of the Outdoor Heritage Foundation’s conservation<br />

education programs such as Becoming an Outdoors Woman and the Youth Shooting League.<br />

We went into the fall hunting season with a lot of good things happening, but as is usually the case,<br />

something always comes up to cast a shadow over our good times. When the dust settled after the November<br />

general elections this year, hunters had reason to worry. Change had definitely come to Washington<br />

and it didn’t look to be good for hunters. We will have to wait and see whether the leadership in<br />

Congress and the new President continue to push policies adverse to American hunters or if they will<br />

be stymied by those members of their own party who campaigned on support for the sportsman.<br />

At any rate, this fall’s turn of events shows that we can never let our guard down. That means we must<br />

continue to be vigilant, and we must continue to raise significant dollars to support our cause. When<br />

you receive this newsletter, our annual fundraiser will only be three weeks off. Please plan now to get<br />

your tickets and come down to support your freedom to hunt.<br />

Good Hunting<br />

Eddie Grasser<br />

T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g<br />

From the<br />

President’s<br />

Desk<br />

<strong>Safari</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>International</strong> • <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter<br />

Officers and Directors <strong>2008</strong>-2009<br />

President<br />

Eddie Grasser<br />

841-0358<br />

president@aksafariclub.org<br />

Vice-President<br />

Terry Holliday<br />

688-4340(H) 688-4337(O)<br />

Secretary<br />

Fred Lehman<br />

317-6057<br />

lehmanf@hotmail.com<br />

Treasurer<br />

Bethany Marcum<br />

333-5305(H) 440-7000(C)<br />

morganbethany@hotmail.com<br />

Director<br />

Steve Colligan<br />

230-3422<br />

scolligan@myeterra<br />

Director<br />

Bill Fisher<br />

696-0626<br />

lablover@ptialaska.net<br />

Director<br />

Victor Flint<br />

348-9988<br />

vflint@gci.net<br />

Director<br />

Gus Gillespie<br />

563-3877<br />

akgifts@alaska.net<br />

Director<br />

Ron Haberman<br />

441-6511 (C)<br />

ron@aksafariclub.org<br />

Director<br />

Brad Jorgensen<br />

622-0423<br />

coljorg@mtaonline.net<br />

Director<br />

Russell Knight<br />

344-5501 (O)<br />

knights@alaska.net<br />

Director<br />

Pat Nolde<br />

952-0759<br />

pnolde@sportsmanswarehouse.com<br />

Director<br />

Kurt Norby<br />

696-2192<br />

aknorbys@msn.com<br />

Director<br />

Vacant<br />

Director<br />

Gary Wells<br />

258-1058 (H) 258-4003 (O)<br />

gwells@simon.com<br />

Director<br />

Dave Wood<br />

622-5557<br />

adogfacesoldier@aol.com<br />

Regional Representative<br />

Frances Gallela<br />

333-6657<br />

ADF&G Liaison<br />

Tracy Smith<br />

267-2896 (O)<br />

tracy.smith@alaska.gov<br />

(H) Home (O) Office (F) Fax (C) Cell


<strong>The</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong>n <strong>Hunter</strong> newsletter is published quarterly by the <strong>Alaska</strong><br />

Chapter <strong>Safari</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>International</strong>. If you have a submission you want<br />

considered for publication, please email it as a Word document using<br />

the email address below. When sending hard copy photos, please label<br />

with a self-sticking note and include your name, address and photo<br />

description. Electronic/digital photos are also accepted. Email them as<br />

JPG files to admin@aksafariclub.org. Address all other correspondence<br />

concerning <strong>The</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong>n <strong>Hunter</strong> to: Editor, AK Chapter SCI, P.O. Box<br />

770511, Eagle River, AK 99577<br />

Submission Deadlines<br />

<strong>Winter</strong> Issue <strong>–</strong> December 31 • Spring Issue <strong>–</strong> March 31<br />

Summer Issue <strong>–</strong> June 30 • Fall Issue <strong>–</strong> September 30<br />

Advertising Rates<br />

AD SIzE ISSuE YEAR<br />

Business Card ...................................$25 ..................$90<br />

¼ Page ................................................$50 ................$200<br />

½ Page ............................................. $100 ................$350<br />

Full Page ......................................... $200 ................$500<br />

Note: Acceptance of advertisement in <strong>The</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong>n <strong>Hunter</strong> does not imply<br />

endorsement or approval of the advertiser by the <strong>Alaska</strong>n Chapter<br />

<strong>Safari</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>International</strong>. Similarly, no attempt is made to verify hunting<br />

reports filed by members. In addition, readers are encouraged to check<br />

with appropriate authorities before booking any hunt to ensure compliance<br />

with local regulations.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter SCI is organized as under IRS rules as a non-profit 501(c)(4) and<br />

membership dues and donations made to AK Chapter SCI are not tax deductible.<br />

<strong>The</strong> SCI Foundation is a non-profit organized under IRS rules 501(c)(3) and donations<br />

made to the Foundation are tax deductible. Donors should consult their tax advisors<br />

before taking deductions.<br />

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP<br />

Mail to: <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter <strong>Safari</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>International</strong> — P.O. Box 770511 — Eagle River, <strong>Alaska</strong> 99577<br />

Name:_________________________________________________ Birth date: _____________________ (required for youth & sr life apps)<br />

Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________<br />

City:_____________________________ State/Providence:_________ Zip Code:______________ Country:____________________<br />

Daytime Phone:_________________________________ FAX:______________________Occupation:________________________<br />

Email: (Please print legibly) ________________________________________________________________________________________<br />

Sponsor Name/Membership Number:___________________________________________Cash or Check Enclosed: $__________ US<br />

Or for charge, complete the following & sign:<br />

Visa/Mastercard __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ Exp date __ __ - __ __ CVS__ __ __ Amt. Authorized $____________<br />

Signature_________________________________________________________________________________________________<br />

Annually, SCI regular members will receive 6 issues of SAFARI magazine, 12 issues of SAFARI TIMES newspaper and 4 issues of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong>n <strong>Hunter</strong>.<br />

Make check payable to AK Chapter SCI.<br />

Dues:* National Chapter Total<br />

Annual (Single) $55 $10 $65<br />

Lifetime $1500 $350 $1850<br />

Senior Life (60 & over) $1250 $350 $1600<br />

Family Membership $175 $110 $285<br />

Youth (under 18) $15 $10 $25<br />

<strong>International</strong> (1 yr) $80 $10 $90<br />

*Note: To join Ak Chapter, you must be a member of National SCI. You<br />

may join the Chapter at a lesser term than National, i.e. life term of National,<br />

and annual term of Chapter, but to be a life member of Chapter,<br />

you must be a life member of National.<br />

You may belong to more than one chapter, but you will need to indicate<br />

which chapter is to be “primary”.<br />

w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r<br />


Two Smoking BarrelS<br />

by Vic Flint<br />

Walking slowly along the edge of a grass filled<br />

tree bank, the world exploded in front of me!<br />

A blur of large dark objects erupted from the<br />

tall brown grass <strong>–</strong> pheasants!! Two quick shots<br />

from my SKB O/U shotgun left me with only<br />

empty shotgun shells and nothing to show<br />

for it. (“Bird Fever” <strong>–</strong> is that kind of like “Buck<br />

Fever”?) Fortunately the pheasants were not<br />

too upset by being startled and leisurely landed<br />

in the deep grass a little further up the tree<br />

bank. What luck! This could possibly<br />

allow myself a second chance. A few<br />

moments later the tall grass erupted<br />

with whirling wings! I raised my<br />

shotgun and fired. <strong>The</strong> rooster buckled<br />

from the impact and fell to the<br />

ground. I had successfully bagged<br />

my first pheasant in over 30 years!<br />

This pheasant hunting oddesy all<br />

begin months before at the <strong>2008</strong> SCI<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter banquet. After placing<br />

my raffle tickets in the bins I was<br />

fortunate enough to win a SKB O/U shotgun<br />

in one of the many fine raffle drawings offered.<br />

Now to find something to use it for! My wife<br />

Brenda and I had been talking about pheasant<br />

hunting for very long time and decided that<br />

“this was the year”.<br />

Brenda has relatives located throughout North-<br />

Eastern South Dakota so this appeared to be a<br />

good place to start looking. A few e-mails later<br />

we worked out a great hunting spot consisting<br />

of three attached sections of farm and grassland.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re was corn, soybeans, and grazing<br />

land areas. A small lake with a creek and slough<br />

meandered throughout the property. All this<br />

plus mature tree bank areas made this look<br />

like a nearly perfect habitat for the ring neck<br />

pheasant.<br />

Now we were both excited about the “Big Hunt”,<br />

and arrived in South Dakota in mid-October<br />

to prepare for the October 18 opening. After<br />

purchasing our hunting licenses, shotgun<br />

shells, blaze orange vests, etc., we were finally<br />

ready for action. South Dakota doesn’t allow<br />

the hunting of pheasants to start until noon for<br />

T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g<br />

the first ten days of the season<br />

so a leisurely hunt preparation<br />

would be at hand. It was<br />

estimated that the statewide<br />

pheasant population for the<br />

<strong>2008</strong> season would be over<br />

40 million birds! Now I was<br />

thinking that the daily limit<br />

of three pheasants per person<br />

would be no problem!<br />

Opening day started off with a<br />

high but broken overcast sky and 15 to 20 mph<br />

north winds. At noon sharp our hunting party<br />

started by walking a few small tree banks filled<br />

with tall brown grass and surrounded by fields<br />

of harvested soybeans and grassland. Nothing.<br />

Another small treebank. Nothing.<br />

Now I was beginning to get a little concerned.<br />

Where were the 40 million pheasants that the<br />

state said were here? All the while I could hear<br />

the hollow reports of distance gunshots.<br />

Nearing the end of the third and largest tree<br />

bank the opening episode took place. My first<br />

pheasant down! Man was this getting exciting!!<br />

<strong>The</strong> wily pheasant used the wind to full advantage<br />

(my disadvantage) and like miniature<br />

Houdinis could disappear before your eyes in<br />

any type of ground cover or lack thereof. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

would flush from areas that you would not expect<br />

them to be, fly in directions that you would<br />

not expect them to fly, and run faster than any<br />

Olympic sprinter!<br />

Due to poor weather conditions earlier in the<br />

month the corn harvest had not yet taken<br />

place. This would seem like quite the setback<br />

as we had only seven hunters in our party and<br />

could not adequately cover the fields. And it<br />

was. Naturally this is were all the pheasants<br />

seemed to be headed to. I could see multitudes<br />

of them running in the corn rows ahead of me.<br />

This wasn’t working as the pheasants would not<br />

fly and would just disappear ahead and then<br />

flush from behind (always out of range). This<br />

required a new plan.<br />

Later that afternoon while walking through the<br />

meandering slough next to the large cornfield<br />

the pheasant’s literately blackened the sky<br />

before us. (Again naturally out of range).<br />

<strong>The</strong> pheasants were flying between the cornfield<br />

and cattails in the slough (back and forth).<br />

Finally we closed the gap and the action<br />

exploded! None of us could keep shells in our<br />

guns! Pheasants from the left, pheasants from<br />

the right, pheasants fly towards us, pheasants<br />

behind us. In this extreme target-rich environment<br />

I was experiencing sensory overload!!<br />

Brenda and I finally settled down and closed<br />

out our limits. What an adrenaline rush! We<br />

each had fired over a box and a half of shells. I<br />

guess our shooting skills leave something to be<br />

desired and a little more honing of them is in<br />

order.<br />

And this was only day one!!<br />

Brenda and I highly recommend that you try a<br />

South Dakota pheasant hunt experience some<br />

day. You will not be disappointed. Easy walking,<br />

lots of shooting, multitudes of pheasants,<br />

great scenery, good weather, and excellent<br />

company. What else could a person ask for in a<br />

hunting adventure?<br />

We thoroughly enjoyed the scents of the<br />

fall with the harvested fields, mud, grasses,<br />

cows, gun oil and the smoke from a freshly fired<br />

shell. n


Disabled Veterans<br />

Appreciation Program<br />

R<br />

In response last year’s extremely successful program, the <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter<br />

of SCI is once again sponsoring disabled veterans hunting and fishing<br />

opportunities to show our appreciation for the tremendous sacrifices of<br />

American veterans.<br />

PRIzES<br />

Eligible veterans will be selected to receive one of three opportunities.<br />

Three winners will be selected in numerical order: first, second, and third<br />

place. <strong>The</strong> winners will select their prize based on their placement. <strong>The</strong><br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter of SCI reserves the right to substitute trips of like value if<br />

necessary. <strong>The</strong> prizes are:<br />

1. 7-Day Namibian <strong>Safari</strong> for 2 (<strong>Hunter</strong> & Observer) including<br />

airfare, daily rates and trophy fees for gemsbok (1), Red<br />

Hartebeest (2), trophy warthog (1), Springbuck (1), Steenbok<br />

(1), and baboons, jackals, francolin and guinea fowl as<br />

available. (Airfare provided by AK-SCI, Trophy fees by AK-SCI<br />

and Okatjeru Hunting Farm/Royston Wright).<br />

2. <strong>Alaska</strong> Bison Hunt in Kodiak, <strong>Alaska</strong> sponsored by AK-SCI<br />

and the Kodiak Game Ranch.<br />

3. 1 Day <strong>Alaska</strong> Fishing Trip for 2.<br />

APPlICATIoN PRoCESS<br />

Eligible disabled veterans can apply by submitting an application<br />

to <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter- SCI at PO Box 770511 Eagle River, AK 99577.<br />

<strong>The</strong> application must contain a short biography of the veteran,<br />

documentation of applicable service, permanent disability, and<br />

referenced awards, and a minimum 300 word essay on what hunting<br />

means to that individual. Applications must be received by January 31,<br />

<strong>2008</strong>. All applications become property of AK-SCI.<br />

SElECTIoN<br />

AK-SCI will review all eligible applications and select the winners. <strong>The</strong><br />

successful applicants will be announced at the AK-SCI fundraiser on<br />

Saturday February 21, <strong>2008</strong>. Successful applicants will be expected to<br />

submit an article describing their hunt for publication in the AK-SCI’s<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong>n <strong>Hunter</strong> newsletter.<br />

ElIgIbIlITy<br />

Any <strong>Alaska</strong>n resident, or military member assigned to an <strong>Alaska</strong>n based<br />

military unit when injuries were sustained, whose injuries were sustained<br />

in a combat theater of war and resulted in a permanent disability is<br />

eligible to apply for this program. Any eligibility questions should be<br />

referred to the <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter of SCI at above address.<br />

R<br />

w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r


Hints for taking<br />

Better Pictures<br />

Follow the rule of thirds<br />

imagine a tic tac toe grid in your view finder and<br />

place your subject at one of the intersections of lines.<br />

Get Close—let your subject fill the view finder.<br />

Try unusual angles and vantage points—many<br />

subjects look better in a vertical picture.<br />

Frame your subject—particularly landscapes, with<br />

foreground objects like a tree or boulder or person, to<br />

add depth to the scene.<br />

Place your subject off center.<br />

Avoid overhead sunlight—early morning or late<br />

afternoon is best for outdoor photos.<br />

Avoid cluttered backgrounds—be careful objects<br />

like trees and fence posts do not appear to grow out<br />

of your subject.<br />

if taking a group portrait, consider adding<br />

interest—hold a banner, stand by a sign that helps<br />

identify where the project is taking place, or include<br />

your project results in your group shot.<br />

Mat-Valley<br />

SportSMen range<br />

• Open to the Public •<br />

<strong>Winter</strong> Hours (Oct. 1 thru Apr. 30)<br />

Mon. & Wed., 6pm to 9pm • Tues., Call for classes<br />

Friday, Noon to 9pm • Sat. & Sun., 4pm to 9pm<br />

Summer Hours (May 1 to Sept. 30)<br />

Mon. & Wed., 6pm to 9pm • Sunday, 4pm to 9pm<br />

(907) 746-4862<br />

E-mail: mvsrange@mtaonline.net<br />

Website: www.mvsrange.com<br />

All pistol calibers (.22lr, 9mm, 44mag),<br />

12ga shotgun slugs & buck (no steel shot)<br />

T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g<br />

Ak Chapter<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter celebrated the Christmas holiday season and<br />

wrapped up the year <strong>2008</strong> at the Dena’ina Convention Center in<br />

Downtown Anchorage on December 20. Members looked grand in<br />

their holiday apparel and the fare was plentiful and delicious. <strong>The</strong><br />

new building worked out great, with plenty of room and a lovely<br />

décor.<br />

A good part of the evening revolved around the presentation of<br />

awards to out members and volunteers. Join us in congratulating<br />

the following award recipients:<br />

President’s award: Ron Haberman<br />

Diana Award: Tracy Smith<br />

Young <strong>Hunter</strong> Award: Dennis Laird<br />

Outstanding <strong>Hunter</strong> Award: Terry Hegge<br />

Outstanding Member Award: Russell Knight<br />

Gus Gillespie Lifetime Achievement Award: Kurt Norby<br />

Eddie Grasser acknowledged the hard work of the individuals who<br />

volunteer as a part of the Friends of Bow. <strong>The</strong> Friends of Bow are a<br />

group of volunteers who work to help the sportsmen’s groups who<br />

provide financial support to the Becoming an Outdoor Woman. You<br />

will see them at many of the sportsmen’s fundraising events around<br />

town selling raffle tickets, manning booths, and performing many<br />

of the tasks that make these events successful. Each volunteer was<br />

presented with an engraved Ulu from the Ulu Factory.<br />

Our gift exchange was again a great hit. We tried a new twist to<br />

the gift exchange to speed it along, but as usual, combining it with<br />

presentations made our evening a little longer than we intended.<br />

We will work on keeping our closing time to 10p-10:30p for next<br />

year. As always, we would welcome your ideas, comments and<br />

suggestions to keep our meetings interesting and fun. And again,<br />

the photos say best. We regret that we had a disc failure where the<br />

award presentations were stored. If anyone has those pictures,<br />

please email them to admin@aksafariclub.org. n


SCI Christmas Party <strong>2008</strong><br />

w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r


In the Pursuit of Coues Deer<br />

by Paul D. Atkins<br />

“How far did you say?” I asked as I looked through the scope. “415 yards.<br />

Do you see him yet?” Garrett asked. “Yeah, I see him. He looks like a<br />

small brown rabbit in my scope.”<br />

This was the third day of my long anticipated Coues deer hunt in<br />

southern Arizona. For seven years my long time hunting partner Garrett<br />

Ham had been putting in my application for this elusive deer. Seven years<br />

is a long time to wait, but I knew it would be worth it and an adventure to<br />

remember.<br />

Garrett is no stranger to hunting Coues deer. He grew up chasing these<br />

elusive deer in the mountains south of Tucson. Though he has taken<br />

many deer his best one came in 2006 when he connected on a 105 inch<br />

monster. Garrett’s knowledge of the area and knowing where to find big<br />

bucks would be a big plus on this hunt, but more importantly I would<br />

be hunting with my good friend in some awesome country. I also knew<br />

whether we got a deer or not we would have good time.<br />

I arrived in Phoenix at midnight after a long flight from <strong>Alaska</strong>. Garrett<br />

picked me up at the airport and we headed to his home in Tucson.<br />

<strong>The</strong> following day found us in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson.<br />

<strong>The</strong> weather, to my surprise was cold for Arizona. I had just come from<br />

a frigid 20 below to a balmy 28 degrees, but I was cold; we knew it was<br />

perfect for hunting whitetails. I packed warm clothes, but began to think<br />

that I should have packed my arctic gear.<br />

We climbed to a high spot located on one of the many hills to glass. <strong>The</strong><br />

area was quite different than the tundra that I’m used to. Loose rock<br />

lined the canyon walls covered with every kind of cactus imaginable.<br />

<strong>The</strong> landscape was beautiful and it gave a certain thrill to the hunt that<br />

always occurs when hunting in new country. Sometimes the challenge of<br />

finding game in a new area that you have never hunted before is just as<br />

important as getting the animal you are after. I was glad to be there with<br />

my good friend doing what we love to do.<br />

Glassing is a big part of any hunt, but even more so when you are looking<br />

for these small deer. <strong>The</strong> low lying mesquite trees, rock outcroppings and<br />

small ravines can swallow up a deer, so you better make sure you have<br />

the optics to get the job done. I brought along my 15x56 Swarovski’s plus<br />

a spotting scope to do the job. <strong>The</strong>y worked great once I found what I was<br />

looking for. Man these deer are hard to see!<br />

That afternoon we saw thirty-one deer, mostly does, but two were small<br />

bucks. It was a good day.<br />

<strong>The</strong> second day we headed further south where Garrett had had a lot<br />

of luck in previous years. <strong>The</strong> temperature was even cooler than the<br />

previous morning. 22 degrees with strong winds made it cold!<br />

T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g<br />

In the dark Garrett and I climbed to the top of a hill. <strong>The</strong> rocks and brush<br />

we were poking through looked like snake heaven. I was just happy it was<br />

cold and there were no snakes.<br />

After an hour I spotted deer. Late December is prime time for hunting<br />

Coues deer as the rut is just starting to kick in. <strong>The</strong> bucks are chasing<br />

does and the deer we spotted this morning were doing just that.<br />

Even though it was cold I didn’t start shaking until I saw deer. I don’t<br />

know why, but it always seems that you start shaking once you see deer.<br />

Good reason too as one of the deer was a real monster. Garrett guessed<br />

him at about 100 inches and we knew this was the buck we wanted. He<br />

was a half mile off and in a very bad spot for a stalk, but we knew that a<br />

chance at a buck like this was rare-we made a plan.<br />

He was located on the side of a mountain and our best chance was to go<br />

down and then try to work our way back up to him. Half way through the<br />

stalk Garrett stopped and gave me one of those “it’s over looks”. <strong>The</strong>re<br />

in the creek bed were tracks. Not deer tracks, but human footprints. We<br />

looked ahead and 100 yards in front of us were two guys glassing the<br />

same buck we were after. End of game. <strong>The</strong>y had beaten us to him. This<br />

area was public land and anybody with a tag can hunt it-part of hunting.<br />

<strong>The</strong> rest of the day was not as fruitful. We saw few deer and at dark we<br />

headed back to the truck.<br />

<strong>The</strong> third day we recruited another set of eyes. Tom Oldham, an avid deer<br />

hunter and resident of southern Arizona, came to help us. Tom has a<br />

great eye and can really pick apart the terrain and find deer.<br />

We arrived at our destination before daylight and as soon as we could see<br />

we began to glass. <strong>The</strong> country was picturesque. <strong>The</strong> Cholla and Ocotillo<br />

cactus covered the mountain side and finding deer was tough.<br />

We had been glassing about an hour when I heard Tom whistle; he had<br />

spotted deer. Garrett and I moved to his location and, after some time,<br />

finally found the deer he was looking at. Three does working the hillside<br />

but no bucks. We continued glassing and in no time Tom found another<br />

deer. This time it was a buck silhouetted on a ridge. He was nice but<br />

nothing compared to the monster we had seen the day before.<br />

I had five days to hunt and this was day three. I had told myself that I<br />

wasn’t going to be picky and I wanted a buck. Being able to find a deer and<br />

get a shot was most of what I was after anyway. An opportunity passed<br />

up is an opportunity wasted particularly when you have just a few days to<br />

hunt these remarkable deer.<br />

We made a plan just as the buck disappeared over the ridge. We went<br />

back to the truck and drove up to the next canyon. Hopefully the buck<br />

would be on the other side and we could get a better, or should I say,<br />

closer look at him. Sure enough he was there, but he also had three does<br />

with him. He was 700 yards straight up and I knew I would have to


get a lot closer. Long range shooting has never been a strong point for<br />

me. Most of the shots I have made seldom reach beyond 200 yards, so<br />

shooting at 300-400 yards made me quite nervous. I did however practice<br />

the long shot back home and knew the ballistics of my rifle, something I<br />

cannot emphasize enough. Without this knowledge I would never have<br />

been able to do this.<br />

Garrett and I decided to climb while Tom stayed below to keep watch on<br />

the buck. We knew we would have to close the distance by climbing an<br />

adjacent ridge and shooting across the canyon.<br />

We began our climb. Coues deer have huge ears and can hear just about<br />

anything including hunters traipsing through loose rock and brush. We<br />

made 300 yards when Garrett spotted a big rock under a small oak tree, a<br />

perfect bench for shooting.<br />

When we reached the rock the deer had discovered us, but he didn’t seem<br />

too worried about us, not yet anyway. I used my pack for a rest and settled<br />

in for the shot. Garrett used his spotting scope to watch the buck and also<br />

watch where the shot hit.<br />

<strong>The</strong> rangefinder said 415 yards, so I knew that I would have to aim high.<br />

<strong>The</strong> deer looked like a spot in my scope. He was facing us, but finally<br />

turned broadside and gave me his vitals. Nervously I squeezed the trigger<br />

and the shot echoed through the canyon. What a cool sound! Anyway the<br />

deer bolted and moved towards the top of the ridge. Garrett said, “I think<br />

you hit him and I see blood.” <strong>The</strong> second shot found it’s mark and the<br />

buck stumbled, but wasn’t down. <strong>The</strong> third shot we were not sure of, but<br />

the buck started to tumble and roll down the ridge where he caught on a<br />

small mesquite tree. I had my buck. I cannot describe the feeling of taking<br />

this deer after a fine stalk and the success of a long shot. It’s truly what I<br />

love about hunting. Everybody should have this experience.<br />

A half hour later we made it to my deer. When glassing from a distance<br />

everything looks flat and smooth, but up on the side of this mountain it<br />

was anything but. Steep and rough is an understatement.<br />

My buck was a small 3x3 with eye guards. Not the monster of my dreams,<br />

but a very respectable Coues deer. After pictures and getting him packed<br />

we were back at the truck an hour later.<br />

What a hunt. It was one of those hunts that you wished would never end.<br />

I would like to thank my good friend Garrett Ham and Tom for their<br />

expertise in hunting these truly awesome animals.<br />

Paul Atkins is an outdoor writer and photographer from Kotzebue, <strong>Alaska</strong>.<br />

Paul’s equipment list<br />

Winchester Model 70 in 300 mag.<br />

Leupold scope<br />

Swarovski 15x56 and spotting scope<br />

Leica Rangefinder<br />

Crooked Horn Backpack<br />

Manfrotto Tripod<br />

Paul’s buck.<br />

Tom , garrett<br />

and Paul<br />

garret’s buck.<br />

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<strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter <strong>Safari</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>International</strong><br />

presents<br />

Only<br />

350<br />

TICkeTS<br />

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Guest House<br />

5 minutes from OR Tambo <strong>International</strong> Airport<br />

VIP MEET AND ASSIST / TRANSFERS<br />

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Your Hosts: Louis & Annelise Bekker<br />

Tel: +27-11-391 7625, +27-11-391 4393, +27-11-972 5259<br />

Fax: +27-11-972 4753 • Cell: +27-83-444 4432<br />

email: aftongh@netactive.co.za<br />

website: www.aftonguesthouse.com<br />

17 Aftonwold Way, Aston Manor, 1619<br />

P.O. Box 11802, Aston Manor 1630, Gauteng, South Africa<br />

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<strong>The</strong> Merkel Special Raffle<br />

Model 140-2 470 Nitro Express Side by Side<br />

or<br />

$9500 Shopping Spree<br />

at Sportsman’s Warehouse<br />

$100/ticket<br />

Drawing on Feb. 21, 2009 at Dena’ina Center<br />

Need not be present to win. • Raffle Permit #2001<br />

Kurt Norby with New<br />

Archery World Record<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> Whitetail Deer<br />

Congratulations Kurt on<br />

taking the first ever<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong>n Whitetail!<br />

Merkel <strong>Safari</strong><br />

side-by-side rifles:<br />

For the pursuit of<br />

dangerous game<br />

Anchorage Sportsman’s Warehouse <strong>–</strong> Dimond & Old Glenn Hwy | Knight’s Taxidermy <strong>–</strong> 7329 Arctic Blvd<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> Fur Exchange <strong>–</strong> Tudor & Old Glenn Hwy | Wasilla Grouse Ridge Shooting Park <strong>–</strong> Tex-al Drive<br />

Or call (907)841-0208 or email admin@aksafariclub.org<br />

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T r o p h i e s o f a n<br />

african<br />

safari<br />

SCI Life Member Daryl Reindl<br />

of Anchorage got his motivation<br />

to go on safari when his cousin in<br />

Maryland invited him to be the third member<br />

of hunting safaris to Botswana and Mozambique in Sept <strong>2008</strong>.<br />

Daryl had over a year to prepare for the two hunts and he was not<br />

disappointed as shown by the photos. Logistical considerations and<br />

deliberate planning allowed the small group to enjoy the additional<br />

benefits of non-hunting activities during their 25 day stay.<br />

Daryl shot 9 animals total - some trophies are SCI record book candidates<br />

(shown) and others are average representative samples of the species<br />

hunted. Like most hunts that Daryl has known of, or read about, very<br />

exciting and exhilarating moments being punctuated by ridiculous<br />

blunders and unexpected issues, seem to be the norm. n<br />

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hunting donations 2009<br />

doNoR ComPANy doNATIoN<br />

ARGENTINA<br />

Cazapampa Argentina 1 water buffalo-1 wild boar-1 feral goat- 1 black face sheep for 2 <strong>Hunter</strong>s<br />

AUSTRALIA<br />

Greg Pennicott <strong>Safari</strong>s 5 day hunt in South Australia or Queensland for 1 rusa and 1 fallow deer<br />

R&R Outfitters Hunt includes trophy fees and is for one gold medal water buffalo<br />

Timberline Outfitting 5 day hunt for red stag for 1 hunter<br />

EUROPE<br />

Hunt in Spain Hunt for gold medal fallow deer - 1 hunter<br />

Hunt in Europe 4 day Serbia Roe Deer Hunt for 1 <strong>Hunter</strong> & 1 Non-hunter<br />

MExICO<br />

Rancho Ala Blanca 3 day bird hunt for 1 hunter<br />

NAMIBIA<br />

Eland Pro <strong>Safari</strong>s 2 hunters & 2 non-hunters plus $2000 credit towards trophy fees<br />

Panarama Hunting Ranch<br />

Windpoort Farm 7 day hunt including trophy fees for 1 kudu, 1 gemsbok and 1 red hartebeest<br />

Aru Game Lodge 7 day safari for 2 hunters & 2 non-hunters including 2 gemsbok, 2 hartebeest and 2 springbuck<br />

NEW ZEALAND<br />

Glenroy Hunting Lodge Red stag for 1 hunter<br />

Cardrona <strong>Safari</strong>s 4 day - 5 night hunt for 2 silver red stag for 2 hunters<br />

Mountain Ridge Trophy Hunting <strong>Safari</strong>s 1 hunter for 3 days hunting one silver medal red stag<br />

Kanuka Wilderness <strong>Safari</strong>s 4 day red stag hunt for 1 bronze stag<br />

Matthews Trophy Hunting <strong>Safari</strong>s Red stag for 2 hunters<br />

Wilderness Quest New Zealand 3 day hunt for red stag<br />

SOUTH AFRICA<br />

Dumukwa <strong>Safari</strong>s 2 Impala & 2 Gemsbok for 2 hunters<br />

Gem <strong>Safari</strong>s 1 Springbuck, 1 Mountain Reedbuck for 2 hunters<br />

African Maximum <strong>Safari</strong>s Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Blesbuck and Springbuck for 2 hunters<br />

Ubathi Game & Hunt 4 <strong>Hunter</strong>s for 10 days with $1000 credit toward trophy fees<br />

<strong>Safari</strong> Afrika 10 day hunt for 2 hunters with $500 credit towards trophy fees<br />

Afrika Barrel & Bow <strong>Safari</strong>s 10 day hunt for 2 plus 2 Blesbok and 2 baboon<br />

Tsoma <strong>Safari</strong>s 2 <strong>Hunter</strong>s for 10 days plus $1000 credit towards trophy fees<br />

Trophy <strong>Safari</strong>s 2 <strong>Hunter</strong>s for 5 days & 2 non-hunters. Includes trophy fees for 1 kudu, 1 blue wildebeest, 2 impalas, 2 warthogs, 1 steenbok &<br />

1 common duiker<br />

Kukuzans 4 hunters for 10 days<br />

Diekie Muller Hunting <strong>Safari</strong>s 2 hunters for 7 days including $575 credit towards trophy fees for both<br />

Bronkhorst <strong>Safari</strong>s 1 hunter & 1 non-hunter for 9 days<br />

Numzaan <strong>Safari</strong>s 2 hunters & 2 non-hunters for 5 days includes 2 blesbok, 2 impala, jackal and porcupine<br />

Nitro <strong>Safari</strong>s 2 hunters for 7 days including 1 springbok & blesbok per hunter<br />

Kuvhima <strong>Safari</strong>s 2 hunters & 2 non-hunters for 5 days includes a $2000 credit towards trophy fees<br />

Motshwere <strong>Safari</strong>s 2 hunters for 10 days including 1 blue wildebeest 1 warthog, 1 gemsbok & 1 impala<br />

Motshwere <strong>Safari</strong>s 4 hunters for 10 days including blue wildebeest, warthog, gemsbok, impala, jackal, eland, steenbok and duiker<br />

Steyn Caracal <strong>Safari</strong>s 4 hunters for 10 days including accommodations, food, wine and field prep of trophies<br />

Wiets <strong>Safari</strong>s 1 hunter & 1 non-hunter for 10 days hunting rhino<br />

Wiets <strong>Safari</strong>s #1 10 day plains game hunt for 1 hunter<br />

Wiets <strong>Safari</strong>s #2 10 plains game including 2 blesbok, 2 springbok or black wildebeest<br />

Wiets <strong>Safari</strong>s #3 10 plains game including 3 blesbok and 3 springbok or black wildebeest for three hunters<br />

1 T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g


Wiets <strong>Safari</strong>s #4 10 plains game including 4 blesbok and 4 springbok or black wildebeest for 3 hunters<br />

Wild Footprint <strong>Safari</strong>s 10 day hunt for 2 impala, 2 blesbok and 2 wildebeest for 2 hunters and 2 non-hunters<br />

Wild Footprint <strong>Safari</strong>s 10 day hunt for 2 impala, 2 blesbok and 2 wildebeest for 2 hunters and 2 non-hunters<br />

African Trails <strong>Safari</strong> 2 hunters - 10 days includes 1 blesbok and 1 impala for each hunter<br />

Bateleur <strong>Safari</strong>s of South Africa 1 hunter & 1 observer for 7 days plus 10% discount on trophy fees<br />

Danico <strong>Safari</strong>s 2 hunters on 1 guide for 7 days includes accommodations<br />

Kido <strong>Safari</strong>s 2 hunters for 7 days<br />

Adansonia <strong>Safari</strong>s 10 day hunt for 2 hunters includes trophy fees for 2 impala, 2 blesbok and 2 warthogs<br />

Only Africa <strong>Safari</strong>s 7 days for 1 hunter & 1 non-hunter including trophy fees for 1 impala<br />

SOUTH AMERICA<br />

Anuritay Ranch 10 day hunt for 2 hunters Donation includes accommodations, meals and ground transport during the hunt<br />

South America Wing Shooting 4 days & 3 nights for one hunter to hunt dove and pigeons<br />

MG Hunting 2 day hunt for 4 hunters includes dove and pigeon<br />

MG Hunting 5 day hunt for red stag for 1 hunter<br />

Argentina Bird Hunts 4 days/3 nights for 4 hunters for a wing shooting extravaganza<br />

SPAIN<br />

Hunt Trip Spain<br />

UNITED STATES<br />

Colorado Hunting Expeditions Elk, Mule Deer and Black Bear for 1 bow hunter<br />

Storm Peak Outfitters 3 day trophy pronghorn hunt<br />

East Fork Ranch 3 day Missouri whitetail hunt for 140 to 159 class buck<br />

E Circle E Hunting Farms 3 day 4 night pheasant hunt combined with a spring snow goose hunt in South Dakota<br />

Nikolski Adventures Trophy reindeer hunt on Uminak Island<br />

Record Buck Ranch Texas exotics hunt for 1 corsican sheep, 1 Hawaiian sheep and 1 Russian cross hog.<br />

New Mexico Hunting Adventures 5 day primitive weapons hunt for 2 hunters for bull elk<br />

New Mexico Hunting Adventures 5 day mule deer hunt for 2 archery hunters<br />

New Mexico Hunting Adventures Free range gemsbok hunt for 2 hunters<br />

New Mexico Hunting Adventures Free range archery antelope hunt for 2 hunters<br />

New Mexico Hunting Adventures Rifle hunt for antelope hunt for 2 hunters<br />

New Mexico Hunting Adventures Free range barbary sheep hunt for 2 hunters<br />

Silvertine Wildlife Company Hunt Saskatchewan for elk, deer or bison on a 3 day hunt<br />

Gil Henderson This hunt is for one hunter to hunt an Axis buck near LaGrange Texas<br />

Swan Mountain Outfitters 7 day backcountry elk hunt for 1 hunter<br />

Fishing donations 2009<br />

doNoR ComPANy<br />

ALASKA<br />

doNATIoN<br />

McDougall Fishing Lodge 6 day fishing trip at either McDougall or Talstar Lodge f<br />

Katmai Guide Service 3 day fishing trip for 2 on Naknek Lake<br />

Last Frontiersman<br />

SOUTH AMERICA<br />

1 day Kenai River fishing trip for 2<br />

Amazon Tours 6 day fishing trip at either Rio Negro Lodge or Amazon Queen II floating luxury hotel<br />

SCI <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter thanks the above donors for their generosity and commitment to conservation. For more detailed information on the donations<br />

listed below, please visit our website at www.aksafariclub.org.<br />

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3 3 r d A n n u A l<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong>n Hunting Expo and Sportsman’s Banquet<br />

TICkeTs & Tables<br />

Tickets on sale now<br />

$75.00 each<br />

Purchase online at www.aksafariclub.org ,<br />

Or in Anchorage at <strong>Alaska</strong> Fur Exchange,<br />

corner of Tudor & Glenn Highway,<br />

or<br />

call Gus Gillespie at (907)563-3877 or<br />

Susan Grasser at (907)980-9018<br />

Have your credit card<br />

information ready.<br />

•<br />

exhibitor tables<br />

Exhibitor tables available for rent.<br />

Or ask about complimentary table with<br />

donation to the auction.<br />

Contact Victor Flint at<br />

907-348-9988<br />

vflint@gci.net<br />

•<br />

Corporate sponsor tables<br />

Corporate Sponsor Tables available.<br />

Contact Eddie Grasser<br />

mtman@mtaonline.net<br />

or 907-841-0358<br />

Two levels, $1750 or $2500.<br />

Includes dinner for 10,<br />

advertisement in program, and your<br />

corporation logo in four issues of<br />

the quarterly newsletter<br />

1 T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g<br />

TaxIDeRmy exhIbIT &<br />

ConTesT<br />

Members & Taxidermists<br />

Welcome to Participate.<br />

If you have taken a trophy you<br />

would like to have judged or<br />

displayed, this is your chance.<br />

Every member that enters a mount<br />

to be displayed will be entered in<br />

a drawing to win prizes.<br />

Our judge this year is<br />

John Jenelli.<br />

Now is the time to call your<br />

taxidermist and urge him to make<br />

sure your mount gets entered into the<br />

contest. Taxidermists are eligible<br />

for great prizes.<br />

Contact Russell Knight<br />

to make arrangements.<br />

Call (907)344-5550<br />

or e-mail admin@aksafariclub.org<br />

with approx. size & description<br />

(free standing or wall mount)<br />

•<br />

entry deadline:<br />

February 20, <strong>2008</strong><br />

alaska’s WIlDlIfe neeDs you! JoIn uP noW!<br />

<strong>The</strong> banquet committee is gearing up for the <strong>2008</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter SCI Sportsman’s Show<br />

and Banquet. We need interested members to join this prestigious team of dedicated<br />

volunteers to help them make the <strong>2008</strong> Banquet the best ever. And now, we are giving<br />

you even more reasons to volunteer.<br />

All non-board members who secure donations for the fundraiser will be eligible for prizes.<br />

Members who bring in the highest dollar total dollar value in donations by January 31,<br />

<strong>2008</strong> could win the following:<br />

• $1000 in raffle tickets at the <strong>2008</strong> fundraiser for the highest total<br />

dollar value in donations<br />

• $500 in raffle tickets at the <strong>2008</strong> fundraiser for the second<br />

highest total dollar value in donations<br />

• $250 in raffle tickets at the <strong>2008</strong> fundraiser for the third highest<br />

total dollar value in donations<br />

Getting donations is fun, and easier than you might think! For donation forms, ideas or<br />

assistance, contact Susan at (907)980-9018 or admin@aksafariclub.org<br />

PhoTo ConTesT<br />

Contest Categories:<br />

Trophy & Other (landscapes, etc.)<br />

Two prizes in each category:<br />

People’s Choice <strong>–</strong> Judge’s Choice<br />

•<br />

Winners announced<br />

Saturday Evening, February 21, <strong>2008</strong><br />

•<br />

size Requirements:<br />

5" x 7", portrait or landscape<br />

•<br />

Presentation Requirements:<br />

Matted only. Contact info (name &<br />

phone number) & description must be<br />

on back of the photo.<br />

•<br />

Photo Drop off location:<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> Fur Exchange, corner of Tudor &<br />

Old Seward, Anchorage or mail to:<br />

Brad Jorgensen, P.O. Box 770511<br />

Eagle River, AK 99577<br />

•<br />

submission Deadline:<br />

February 19, 2009<br />

•<br />

Questions:<br />

Contact Brad Jorgensen<br />

coljorg@mtaonline.net or<br />

admin@aksafariclub.org<br />

Attempts will be made to display all<br />

photos, but space is limited. Photos<br />

become property of AK Chapter SCI<br />

and will not be returned.<br />

Raise Funds,<br />

Win Prizes!


Government Affairs Report<br />

Well we hope you all made it through last fall’s campaigns and the “significant<br />

change” they brought with them. Looking at the candidates that won<br />

following on the trend started in 2006, it appears our values as American<br />

hunter/conservationists are slowly succumbing to the new urbanized/electronic<br />

culture.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is much work to do if we are going to pass our heritage on to the next<br />

generation and your <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter is preparing to step up to the plate on<br />

a variety of fronts. We hope to do more for educating our youth and public<br />

school teachers and we have several conservation projects like the wood<br />

bison reintroduction project that we hope to see completed. However,<br />

this is the government affairs report and we would like to have a serious<br />

discussion about what we can do to be more effective with elections and<br />

elected leaders.<br />

This year the <strong>Alaska</strong> Legislature is looking at several pieces of legislation<br />

that will lend support to <strong>Alaska</strong>’s anglers and hunters. One is the new “No<br />

Net Loss” bill introduced by Representative Craig Johnson, Co-Chair of<br />

the House Resources Committee. As this legislation moves through the<br />

system, you could aid yourself, your heirs, and your <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter by<br />

completing the simple task of writing a short letter to your Representative<br />

and Senator, asking them to support this legislation. You would be<br />

amazed how effective 30 to 50 letters can be.<br />

By Eddie Grasser & Steve Colligan<br />

We are also hopeful that Governor Palin will reintroduce House Bill 256<br />

which is intended to enhance game management by making it much<br />

tougher for anti-hunting groups to file lawsuits against the Department of<br />

Fish and Game when they are trying to follow the constitutional mandate<br />

to manage our fish and wildlife resources for abundance.<br />

We are positive there will be other pieces of legislation introduced both<br />

pro and con toward our hunting heritage. Believe it or not you can make a<br />

difference in this process by simply writing or calling your legislator. Remember<br />

that the next time you are out with the kids and you are wondering<br />

what the future might hold for them.<br />

Before we close this report, we would like to also make you aware of a powerful<br />

new force for anglers and hunters in the Legislature. Last year the<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> became the 34th State to form a sportsmen’s caucus. This caucus is<br />

bi-partisan and already has over 35 members. It can be a great ally in our<br />

efforts to preserve our heritage for ourselves and our descendents. Your<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter played a leading role in getting the Caucus formed and we<br />

hope to see it become an effective voice for us in the Legislative process.<br />

Please refer to the SCI <strong>Alaska</strong> website at http://www.aksafariclub.org for<br />

the current list of caucus members.<br />

Good Hunting ! n<br />

Stay Informed with the State legislative Tracker:<br />

go to www.scifirstforhunters.org<br />

For over 30 years, SCI’s mission has been<br />

to protect and expand the freedom to hunt,<br />

instituting sustainable use conservation<br />

worldwide while protecting hunting<br />

heritage. To that end, SCI is involved at<br />

all levels of government <strong>–</strong> from state and<br />

local to national and international. <strong>The</strong><br />

staff and lobbyists, based in Washington,<br />

D.C., carry the voice of the hunter into the<br />

halls of Congress, the state legislatures,<br />

courts and international forums such as<br />

<strong>The</strong> Convention on <strong>International</strong> Trade in<br />

Endangered Species, or CITES.<br />

SCI chapters in the U.S., with the assistance<br />

of the Government Affairs Department,<br />

get involved with state legislative and<br />

regulatory issues, with federal plans that affect<br />

management, conservation and hunting access<br />

on public lands, as well as national legislative<br />

issues. SCI is fighting in courts throughout<br />

the country to support and defend hunting<br />

as a recreational opportunity, a wildlife<br />

management strategy and a conservation<br />

tool. Because its advocacy is firmly rooted in<br />

sound science of wildlife conservation, SCI<br />

holds a credible position in the hunting and<br />

conservation community. <strong>The</strong> Conservation<br />

Department is staffed by the SCI Foundation,<br />

and works closely with chapters, staff and<br />

members to meet this challenge.<br />

Across the United States, in every state<br />

capitol, whenever hunting comes up,<br />

<strong>Safari</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>International</strong> is there. Because<br />

of our network of chapters and national<br />

members, we are able to stay abreast of<br />

hunting news and legislation that affects<br />

habitat, hunting seasons and firearms<br />

rights.<br />

<strong>The</strong> D.C. office maintains a database for<br />

state legislative bills and news, and also<br />

a roster of members in each state. When<br />

an issue in your state comes up in the<br />

legislature, SCI can alert members and call<br />

them to action.<br />

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M A j o r s p o n s o r s<br />

1 T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g


CMM General Contractors<br />

Custom Log Home Construction<br />

“Build your dream, and Live it.”<br />

M A j o r s p o n s o r s<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> Committee<br />

w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r 1


Ak Chapter SCI Life Members<br />

Glenn Anderson<br />

Travis L. Barber<br />

John Binkley<br />

Gary F. Bogner<br />

Gary G. Dumdei<br />

Richard D. Edwards<br />

William E. Fisher<br />

Victor Flint<br />

Brenda Flint<br />

Steven L. Flory<br />

Michael Foster<br />

John D. Frost<br />

Stacee L. Frost<br />

Jeff Garness<br />

Gus Gillespie<br />

Edward K. Grasser<br />

Lawrence Grove<br />

Ronald Haberman<br />

Michael M. Hamrick<br />

Trisha M. Hazelwood-Lewis<br />

Scott Hebertson<br />

Terry Holliday<br />

Milt Hummer<br />

Bob “Maurice” Johnson<br />

Brad Jorgensen<br />

Tim Lawrence<br />

Fredrick J. Lehman<br />

Walter O. Lewis<br />

Ronald E. Maddox<br />

Conley Marcum<br />

George A. McCoy<br />

William McCoy<br />

Matt Moore<br />

John A. Morrison<br />

Brett Nelson<br />

Kurt Norby<br />

Mike Odin<br />

Les Ohlhauser<br />

Paul Palmer<br />

Si Pellow<br />

David Phillips<br />

Miles Popp<br />

Peter M. Probasco<br />

Michael D. Robertson<br />

John Shank<br />

Harold Sharp<br />

Jeffrey A. Spencer<br />

Gereth B. Stillman<br />

Jay Walker<br />

Phillip J. Williams<br />

Roy D. Wilson<br />

Kristi Wilson<br />

David A. Wood<br />

Ak Chapter SCI New Members<br />

Joan Roberts<br />

Gary Miranda<br />

Nathan Hickman<br />

Jacie Hart<br />

Duane Hart<br />

Cal Pappas<br />

Patti Duchesneau<br />

David Smothers<br />

Idaho “Ike” Darcy<br />

Yale Metzger<br />

1 T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter<br />

SCI President<br />

Eddie Grasser<br />

was the recipient<br />

of this year’s<br />

President’s<br />

Award. He is<br />

pictured with<br />

<strong>International</strong> SCI<br />

President, Merle<br />

Sheppard.<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter<br />

SCI President<br />

Eddie Grasser<br />

poses with SCI<br />

Vice President<br />

John Nelson and<br />

Executive Director<br />

John Eichinger.<br />

<strong>The</strong> chapter was<br />

presented with<br />

this year’s<br />

Top Gun Award.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter<br />

SCI was the<br />

recipient of this<br />

year’s Diamond<br />

Conservation<br />

Award. Pictured<br />

are the SCI’s<br />

Conservation<br />

Committee Chair,<br />

Joe Hosmer and<br />

our <strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter<br />

Vice President,<br />

Terry Holliday.


Welcome to<br />

“<strong>The</strong> Great Indoors<br />

for those who love<br />

the Great Outdoors.” <br />

www.sportsmanswarehouse.com<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong>’s Largest Sporting Goods Dealer<br />

Anchorage<br />

8681 Old Seward Hwy<br />

(907) 644-1400<br />

Fairbanks<br />

423 Merhar Avenue<br />

(907) 374-8800<br />

www.sportsmanswarehouse.com<br />

Wasilla<br />

1901 E Parks Hwy<br />

(907) 864-8000<br />

w w w . a k s a f a r i c l u b . o r g T h e A l A s k A n h u n T e r 1


Upcoming<br />

SCI EvENTS<br />

Ak Chapter SCI<br />

hunting Expo & Fundraiser<br />

Feb 20 & 21, 2009<br />

Dena’ina Convention Center<br />

7th & G, Anchorage<br />

Tickets on sale now!!<br />

www.aksafariclub.org<br />

(907) 980-9018<br />

march membership<br />

meeting<br />

TBA<br />

may membership<br />

meeting<br />

TBA<br />

Events<br />

ARouNd ToWN<br />

Palmer lion’s <strong>Club</strong> gun Show<br />

Ak State Fairgrounds<br />

Feb 28 & Mar 1, 2009<br />

(907) 761-3750<br />

AgCA Spring gun Show<br />

Ak State Fair Grounds<br />

March 28 & 29, 2009<br />

www.agca.net<br />

Contact<br />

INFoRmATIoN<br />

<strong>Alaska</strong> Chapter SCI<br />

P.O. Box 770511<br />

Eagle River, AK 99577<br />

Phone: (907) 980-9018<br />

Fax: (907)745-6175<br />

Email: admin@aksafariclub.org<br />

www.aksafariclub.org<br />

PRSRT STD<br />

US Postage<br />

PAID<br />

Anchorage, AK<br />

Permit #537<br />

the alaskan <strong>Hunter</strong><br />

P.O. Box 770511<br />

Eagle River, AK 99577<br />

Angie Johnson, DVM,<br />

took this New Mexico<br />

Mule Deer in January<br />

2009. This was Angie’s<br />

first animal harvested via<br />

archery. Angie purchased<br />

her hunt at last year’s<br />

fundraiser.

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