The Alaska Hunter – Winter 2008 - Safari Club International
The Alaska Hunter – Winter 2008 - Safari Club International
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 />
1 0 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 />
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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 />
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 1
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 />
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
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.